For fans of funny, sexy banter and steamy hot regency romance who like to laugh out loud. Do NOT buy if offended by bawdy humor! Sparks—and stockings—fly when an interview for a husband turns into a game of forfeits, and a scandalous lady and one handsome rogue learn how very right they are for each other. All of London is ablaze with rumors about the identity of the female brazen—and … ablaze with rumors about the identity of the female brazen—and desperate—enough to advertise for a husband.
Zeus Tanner, a self-made man full of pride if not pedigree, answers the ad, vastly curious about the property alluded to by the mysterious Lady Scandal. He may not care about winning the lady, but he certainly wants her lands.
After a miserable arranged marriage, newly widowed Juliet determines she’ll not be married off again without having her say. Shielding her identity, she braves deciding her own fate. What she never expects is the sizzling encounter that happens when she meets applicant twenty-four…
Lady Scandal is a fun and super sexy Regency-styled Historical Romance written using period-appropriate slang (known as cant) and words common during the early 1800s. At 37,000 words, it’s an extended novella. Zeus, Juliet (and Larissa, of course) bid you “Sparkish fine reading”.
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Could not put it down! It was after midnight when I finally went to bed. First time with this author but will not be last! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Naughty Novella
Lady Scandal is a rather naughty novella that will entertain any fan of Regency bodice-rippers. Most of its quick-paced action takes place in one room over the course of a few hours, but there are plenty of details packed into this romantic tale to satisfy Regency-lovers. Enough, in fact, to cause Lady Whistledown’s quill to catch fire!
This entertaining Regency romp begins with an advertisement placed in several society papers, but not The Times, for a wealthy bachelor in wont of a wife. This is an intriguing opening that quickly hooked this reader. The advertisement itself is brief but witty and most certainly caught Lady Whistledown’s attention!
Juliet is introduced as a lady of quality in a diminished state, both physically and financially. She has plenty of tied wealth in the form of property across four shires but no liquid assets. Her plans to reverse this situation are ambitious and demonstrate that she is a proactive protagonist.
She is soon established to be a likable protagonist through the care and attention paid toward her by her staff and her kindness and her lack of snobby attitude toward them. Juliet is clearly quite an angel…though not completely innocent. A series of tragedies, the most recent of which have left her with a broken leg, effortlessly gain the readers’ sympathy.
What’s at stake is quite clear in this fast-paced novella. Juliet is a widow in wont of a new husband to solve all her problems. Zeus is seeking revenge. The interesting question is whether or not these potentially conflicting goals can be reconciled in some way so that both protagonists gain from any possible arrangement.
Both protagonists also have interesting flaws that must be taken into consideration. Juliet brings along with a whole cart load of responsibilities and debts. Zeus not only possesses a most terrible and embarrassing name but he also lacks a noble one to pass down to any potential children. He is nouveau riche, an anathema of potential marital matches in Regency England.
The main part of this fast-paced tale takes part within one room over the course of only a few hours. Despite the limited setting and time lapse, the story is entertaining and whimsical. It is also at the scorching end of the heat spectrum with unexpectedly explicit details for a Regency romance. The vocabulary introduced to describe such actions is extensive and entertaining in itself.
The only real flaw of this entertaining and steamy tale is that it stretches the suspension of disbelief by encouraging the reader to believe in instalove. After meeting one another for the first time, within the course of a few hours the protagonists are enamored of one another to the extent that they have the whole rest of their lives planned out. However, this can and does happen in real life, and the confident third-person narrative is both immersive and convincing.
The details about Juliet’s rundown property are quite delightful and gradually introduced in a natural way as the story develops. The Regency vocabulary used throughout is always entertaining and gives the novel a whimsical feel.
This is a tongue-in-cheek story that the reader should not take too seriously. It is designed to make you laugh and keep you turning the pages rather than dealing with stuffy Regency notions of propriety. Personally, I found this naughty novella entertaining and easy to read. If you enjoy steamy bodice-rippers, you’ll love reading about Juliet and Zeus’ eventful interview. I rate it 5 out of 5.
Notice:
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, but this review is my honest opinion of the book.
I enjoyed this historical romance story with the two main characters that were Lady Juliet Letheridge and Zeus J. Tanner. And also the rest of the characters to.
Lady Juliet Letheridge was the sixth wife of Lord Letheridge. Lord Letheridhe was very old when they got married. From all of the women that he married their was no heir to past the inherent to. So Lady Juliet got all the unentailed properties which most were in debt and ran down. She was in need for money so she came up with an idea to put an ad in the paper for a husband. Because she didn’t want her father finding another old man for her to marry.
Zeus J Tanner has seen an ad in the paper that is very interesting to him. A mysterious lady has advised for a husband. He is not interested in the lady at first just the lands that her husband left her. He has a secret about his birthright.
This was a short story that was fun to read. It had me laughing quite a lots within the story.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
When Lady Juliet Letheridge’s father wants to arrange a marriage for her after the death of her husband, the headstrong young lady decides to handle the situation herself. Her last arranged marriage had been dreadful! So this time around, she will take care of the matter on her own. She does have sense enough to hide her identity, but she shocks London by actually advertising for a husband! That just isn’t done!
Zeus Tanner, a handsome rogue, answers the ad in the hope of getting his hands on some property hinted at in the ad. A wife is not the goal, but obtaining the property could turn out to be the rightful restoration of his stolen birthright. The details of the interview will be quite fascinating to the reader as Lady Juliet “examines his credentials” up close and personal!
It is highly unlikely the reader has come across a story like this one, but keep an open mind and prepare to laugh out loud at this strange situation that unfolds before us. Keep it all in the spirit of fun and you will enjoy what you read.
This had me smiling all throughout the book. From page one till the end I was thoroughly entertained. It reminded me of a play that takes place in one spot. Which this story did for the most part. I could not help but fall in love with Juliet. She was so innocent but intelligent. She knew what she wanted and the difference between what she needed. She was able to blend both to make sure she got the best of both worlds. What she did was supremely daring and gutsy. But she no longer cared what the ton thought. She was going to live her life her way and that was that. Zeus … now he was a character not to be forgotten. Since he was young, he had goals and kept them and ultimately accomplished them save one. That is where Juliet came in. She had what he coveted and went after it. The interview began with Zeus and Juliet’s companion Olivia. Then progressed directly with Juliet. She knew he was the one. I loved the banter between them and the exchanges they made for information. I had to laugh. I really like Zeus. He was the genuine article. There was no guile in him. He was humane towards others and kind to animals. He was not cunning or deceitful. He was a self-made man and did not preen about like a peacock. He was down to earth and honest. I absolutely adored him and his middle name. LOL His mother was creative and insightful. Wishing him the best in his life whether she was with him or not. The epilogue was the icing on the cake. I really loved this book and highly recommend it. Do not pass it by. You will not be disappointed. P.S. I wonder if anything will become of Olivia and candidate twenty-five? Hmmm. Guess I will have to wait and see.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fun Regency Romance
This story has everything you expected for a regency romance and then some. Witty word play, as well as verbal foreplay abound, and well as the requisite mistake/hidden identify or two. A short but sweet read – I recommend.
ONE INCREDIBLE STORYLINE
Delightful! Larissa delivers with this incredibly uniquely spun debacle, serving up one killer storyline and engaging plot, pulling you deeper into this tangled web, until everything else ceases to exist, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Entwined, combined and tightly woven, baring the adorable quirks and defying bents, disclosing the explosive ups and agonizing downs, breathtaking in it’s simplicity and rousing in it’s depth, thrusting this baby to life flawlessly. The attraction and chemistry collides with such ardor, unmasking profound emotions, drawing our characters closer, binding them to one another beautifully. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuine charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and such vivid descriptions that feel as though you were transported to the middle of ground zero with them. Fantastic job Larissa, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
This is my first read by Larissa Lyons. I haven’t read a historical romance in years and remembered how much I loved them.
Juliet, aka Lady Scandal, is widowed and left with her husband’s debt. Before her father can marry her off to his choice, again, she takes matters into her own hands and places an AD seeking out a husband.
Zeus, a bastard with a secret, applies because he wants tot get his hands on one of Juliet’s home’s and land.
As she interviews him, they come to realize they have an attraction to one another.
Sweet, easy read. Thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I have read by Larissa Lyons, and it definitely lived up to its billing of being fun and sexy! Fans of a cheeky, saucy rom com will love this regency romp.
As the young widow of the elderly, unsavoury lecherous Lord Lethbridge, Juliet was left with no money and various dilapidated estates and impoverished tenants, so she decides she needs a new, younger, wealthy and infinitely more pleasant husband. To this end, she scandalously advertises and then interviews the applicants for the post.
Zeus Tanner is a man with a goal, and Juliet happens to be the way to achieve it, so he becomes applicant number 24. The majority of the story relates to their extraordinary initial encounter (the word interview becomes extremely elastic after a while).
The dialogue and interplay is witty, and there’s a great use of language and slang from the time without seeming artificial or stilted, although the content and conversational approach is probably more modern than early 19th Century.
When I recall the language used, one particular scene about euphemisms springs immediately to mind and, well, I’ll leave it there for others to find out…..
In short, it’s spicy, fun, amusing and entertaining – in fact, scandalously enjoyable!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
No more old goats for her!
I started this book with a smile on my face Juliet is my kind of character and the book did not let me down. Zeus a strong self-made man needs a woman like Juliet. There were so many parts in this book that I just loved and the clever way the author writes was splendid. This book is so good and I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I’ve never read a story where the whole book takes place in one room but this author did it wonderfully. Although there were other crazy elements that were probably not realistic for the time period, it was a fun story to read and at times quite hilarious. Overall, it was not a waste of a day reading it. I would definitely read more of Larissa Lyons.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A destitute widow advertises for a husband with money to restore her estates and attributes no lady should ask for in references. She has her reasons and only a man smart enough to accept them will win the prize. Applicant number twenty-four has the right answers and references, but has secrets that could end his interview. Together they may have the right fit. A very provocative book with a lot of heat.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
All of London is ablaze with rumors about the identity of the female brazen—and desperate—enough to advertise for a husband. The advertisement lists and exactly what is required. Zeus answers the advertisement and having to meet its many stipulations to qualify for an interview. There is mystery as to who Lady Scandal is. Juliet had endured a miserable marriage and is determined not to be married off as she has many responsibilities that require someone with money. Protecting herself and her identity there are many layers that will be unraveled, many truths that will need to be revealed.
This is quite a unique story! Tantalizing! And that is one of the things I really enjoyed about it. I enjoyed the characters and how the many layers that they hid behind is slowly unraveled so that the true person is revealed to the other. Its a slow burn romance but when it ignites it is combustible! There are steamy scenes that are sensually written. The narrative is fast paced, engaging and compelling to read there are twists and turns aplenty tantalizingly slowly revealed.. There is a HEA.
The first book in The Marriage Scheme series a well written story that kept me turning pages, I found myself smiling as I read. I want to read more in this series.
I laughed almost the entire way through! Was not expecting the twist about the lady, and it put me in my feels. I rather enjoyed the banter and wish this could be made into a short movie!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved that this was such a twist on the regency books. We have Juliet who is a widow, and with no heirs she inherits the non titles lands and debts. Her father wants to arrange another marriage for her. Juliet declines and takes and advertisement for a husband with her requirements. She has many applicant but the one the book mostly goes over is the one with Zeus. The characters were great and developed. The story was new and unusal for a regency. But it was very entertaining and I could not put it down. Great story. The book flowed well. Woudl recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When You Want Wicked Regency Erotica…
Well, that was something completely different! The language that the author used, full of Regency slang, is very colorful, which was fun. There is so much talk (and doing) of acts of an intimate nature that I would essentially call this Regency erotica. There is a plot, or at least a well-conceived backstory. Interestingly, except for the prologue and epilogue, the story takes place all during the heroine’s interview of the hero for the advertised position of husband! I quite liked the ad itself in the prologue. Scandalous, indeed! I did feel like there was an information dump when we met each character, which I’m never a fan of. And the story felt told to me rather than shown. There’s an adage in writing, particularly fiction writing, that authors should show, not tell. If authors fail to do this, a story cannot be immersive whatsoever, and it can make it difficult to get into. It creates a wall between the narrator and the reader. But if you’re just in it for the erotica aspect, you might not mind. If you’re intrigued by the concept of Regency erotica, you might want to check out this book.
3.5 rounded up to 4
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
So I mistakenly listened to the praise for this book and normally I listen to the doubters. The story is not nearly as scandalous as it is made out to be but the premise was cute. A woman is interviewing for a new husband and wants one who will spark her interest. Unfortunately, the interest ends there. I can suspend quite a lot of belief, but to have a woman ask a man to show her his boy bits and keep begging him to stay so she can admire was a bit much for me. And the words, yikes. I hate it because the idea was very interesting.
I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout.