They are sworn enemies… her.
Pretending to be lovers…
Daisy Swann has plans and they do not involve a loveless marriage with anyone. But when a devastating family secret threatens to destroy her standing in society, suddenly a fake engagement with Theo is just the thing to make all her dreams come true.
And now it’s time to kiss and make up…
Daisy Swann aspires to sell cosmetics that she has created, but this brainy scientist needs a smooth talking charmer’s flair for words and eye for beauty to make it a success. Before long, Daisy and Theo are trading kisses. And secrets. And discovering that despite appearances, they might be the perfect couple after all.
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I really loved this book – Daisy and Theo are such an amazing couple and I LOVED their banter.
Daisy Swan has never been considered pretty, unlike her gorgeous mother and sister, but she is smart and believes in herself. She has also hated Theodore Prescott the Third since she was 13 years old and he gave her the nickname Ugly Duck Daisy, on that day she decided three things, she will never marry, she will find a way to cut ties with society and she will hate Theo until the day she dies.
12 years later at 25 Daisy is still not pretty, but she is in college and hopes to get a degree in chemistry, be declared a spinster and start a cosmetics company. Her plans are progressing nicely until her mother demands that she marry and not just anyone – Theo the Worst (as Daisy likes to call him) – her mother explains that her father is up to something that is sure to cause a huge scandal and Daisy needs to be married to protect herself. NO – Daisy refuses to even consider the idea and needs to get away – she runs outside and enters the park.
Up the street, Theo has been called into his father’s library, his latest scandal is the final straw for Prescott the Second. He demands that Theo marry Daisy or he will cut him off – NO! He refuses and also ends up in the park – only to find Daisy – they exchange words and when it begins to rain they take shelter in a gazebo – she asks what they will do, she thinks they should get engaged to shut up their parents and then find a way out – he refuses to even consider the idea. That is until he learns that his father has suspended his club membership. Theo decides that he has had enough, he wants to be his own man and will need Daisy to help. They agree to pretend to be agreeable and form a truce to reach their common goal of not marrying each other.
Their first outing together is an eye opener for Theo, he never really considered what his cruel words years ago did to Daisy. He apologizes, but she still doesn’t like him. But when he learns of her dream to start her own company, he offers to help – Theo knows women and has a gift with words, together, they will be successful. Reluctantly, Daisy agrees to a partnership and begins to respect Theo and Lord Forgive her, even like him. Somewhere between bickering and kissing, they fall in love and just when it looks like they might actually marry, her father’s scandal breaks and everything begins to unravel – can Theo forgive her lies by omission? Or will they bend to their parents wishes once more?
What a great book! It is well written (I had an uncorrected arc, that did have some little errors, but I am assuming those will be corrected by publication), the story is unique and fast paced – the banter between them is priceless, there are laugh out loud moments, steamy love scenes, moments of triumph and moments of devastation, but through it all, even when they hated each other, Theo and Daisy stuck together and earned their HEA. This is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone, I loved it and am happy to recommend it!!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by the publisher*
SOME LIKE IT SCANDALOUS by Maya Rodale is book Two in The Gilded Age Girls Club Series. This is the story of Daisy Swan and Theodore ‘Theo’ Prescott. I have read the previous book but fee this can be a standalone book.
Theo and Daisy knew each other when the where younger where Theo teased her about her looks. This set in motions her feeling that she would never marry, that she would become her own person and not what society puts on her. But now in the present day her mother is urging her to marry Theo because of a possible scandal. Theo has been taken to task again about his father about another scandal caused by him is his father’s last straw, now his choice is to marry Daisy or else.
I enjoyed their story and of course Ms. Rodale’s writing.
It has been a while since I have read one of Ms. Rodale’s stories and before I read this book, I went into my stack of TBR books and pulled out Duchess by Design to read. I had forgotten how witty and easy her reads are that time flies by before you know it you are done. Even though these stories are about women and their wanting to be treated as equals, I thought the crux of the story was Theo. He is a pretty boy who is thought of as a pretty boy and he wants people (and his father) to know that he is intelligent and can make things happen even if they are not what others expect of him. Theo really grew on me and I love him.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
As one of the self-described Rogues of Millionaire Row, Theodore Prescott the Third is known for outrageous scandals and indulgences. But after an incident involving a stolen racehorse, a powerful politician, and an infamous actress, steel tycoon Theodore Prescott the Second has decided it’s time for his son to settle down so he gives young Theo an ultimatum: marry serious and sensible society lady Daisy Swan or be cut off.
Miss Daisy Swan has no interest in a loveless marriage and certainly not one involving the mortal enemy whose childhood teasing bestowed upon her the long-lasting nickname of Ugly Duck Daisy. But when her mother reveals their family’s precarious position and likely eminent scandal, Daisy finds herself rapidly being backed into a corner. She needs time to finish her chemistry degree and begin selling the complexion cream she hopes will earn her independence. In order to get the time and freedom she needs, Daisy suggests she and Theo pretend to go along with their parents’ scheming and break the engagement later, hopefully after her product becomes successful.
Theo has only ever wanted his father’s attention and approval but he has no interest in steel and no true purpose for his eye for beauty and talent with words. Now, cut off from his clubs and abandoned by his friends, Theo decides to occupy himself helping Daisy marker her new cosmetic, thinking maybe he’ll finally prove himself to his father. As the two spend more time together and begin to look past appearances, it seems they may not really hate each other. In fact they may actually be enjoying one another’s company. But they’re supposed to be enemies and never getting married. Right?
Theo comes off as an arrogant, air-headed pretty boy but really he’s just been behaving more and more outrageously in an attempt to get his father’s attention and there’s a surprising amount of depth to his true character. Daisy has been mercilessly teased for not being as pretty as her other three sisters and now has contented herself with science. Her confidence comes from her brainpower, which makes her intimidating to Theo, who has no true purpose of his own and feels rather inadequate.
I loved that things weren’t spectacular for this couple when they first tried a kiss. It was really refreshing and realistic that their physical chemistry was a slow burn that built more as they got to know each other and spent time together. Theo & Daisy both hone and develop their sense of self-worth together. Theo finally has someone who’s interested in him for him, not his looks or status, and Daisy at last has someone who sees her beauty. Theo turned out to be so sweet and romantic and just wanting to be taken seriously, and like Daisy, seen for who he is. I loved that there were insights into the point of view of both main characters and we get some bad girl bosses. I couldn’t put this one down. Loved it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Some Like It Scandalous By Maya Rodale
Narrated by Charlotte North
Ugly Duckling Daisy Swann finds herself engaged to her sworn enemy, Theodore Prescott the Third.
Theodore, one of the spoiled rogues of Manhattan’s elite has finally done it. He has pushed his father too far with his antics and the only way out of his current predicament is marry a woman above reproof, one like Daisy Swann. Daisy is the last woman he wants to marry, she sees right through him and makes him feel weak and foolish.
Theodore’s father and Daisy’s mother have conspired to bring the two of them together. Each parent has their own agenda. They just want to save their children and believe marriage is the way to do it.
But Daisy isn’t exactly what his father and society believes her to be, she is so much more. Educated with dreams of being her own woman, Daisy has no desire to marry a man who is only a pretty face.
When they realize their parents are just going to keep throwing them together, they decide to fake their engagement. True to the romance genre, these two soon discover they were wrong about each other and find themselves falling in love for real. BUT…. There was a reason Daisy’s mother was pushing her to marry and her world implodes threatening to destroy all she has worked so hard to create and the new-found love she and Theo have just discovered.
The Gilded Age Manhattan series is modern women in a historical setting. It is more than romance, it is the power of women.
Charlotte North is one of my favorite narrators. Her voice is the perfect sound track for Maya Rodale’s historical romance series.
Very strong, self-determined characters who are women, using whatever tools they have to create a space for themselves and their talents in society…. I also enjoyed the backdrop of Fifth Avenue New York at the turn of the century.
I couldn’t finish. I didn’t like either of the main characters
I really enjoyed this book, she is a new author for me and I will definitely be reading more of her. It is not the typical romance, love the story line.
I was first drawn to Some Like It Scandalous because of that pretty blue dress on the cover! It immediately grabbed my attention and then the Some Like It Scandalous title made me think of Some Like It Hot and since I happen to love that song, I decided right then and there to read it. I didn’t know what to expect because I don’t think I even looked at the synopsis and it was also going to be my first Maya Rodale novel. While choosing a book for the cover and title can be somewhat risky, that was not the case with Some Like It Scandalous. I loved it from the very beginning and continued loving it the whole way through — it was fantastic!
I loved how strong and independent Daisy was, the support she had from her friends, and especially her relationship to Theo. It was cute, endearing, and fun, but I have to say that Theo was the main star of the show for me. I didn’t think that would be the case when I first started reading Some Like It Scandalous, actually I thought of Theo a little in the same vein as Daisy was, but then Theo went ahead and made it impossible not to love him. He was just the sweetest, most thoughtful man ever and all he wants is to be loved and please his love and oh, I fell so hard for him! So hard! Theo was beyond wonderful and he completely owns my heart!
Really, though, there was much to love about Some Like It Scandalous from the history and the scheming to the characters and of course, the romance. I learned new facts, ran into some old ones and was just fascinated and dazzled by it all. There were several different elements to this book, but they all connected and it was such a kick to be in this world. Some Like It Scandalous was a marvelous introduction to Maya Rodale and I can’t wait to read more!
Another fun, witty, delicious book from Maya Rodale! She will lure you in with humor and then grab your heartstrings with a scene of breathtaking tenderness. A perfect summer read.
Some Like it Scandalous is the second book in the Gilded Age Girls Club and I loved every minute of it! The author did a great job describing the public’s perception of cosmetics during that time frame. The Author’s Note at the end of the book was very interesting to read and the story reflects the amount of research the author did when writing the book. The book was well written, fast paced and had great characters. It was full of humor and witty banter between Daisy and Theo. It was interesting how the two main characters were opposite of each other and together made such a great team. I would certainly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Erica –
Some Like It Scandalous is the second installment in The Gilded Age Girls Club series. With this being the second in the series, I still feel it would be easy to read the novel as a standalone with little to no confusion.
Daisy is not the usual heroine in Historical Romance. Cerebral. She isn’t interested in a life featuring marriage and motherhood. She’s destined to become a spinster, just a year from being put upon the ‘shelf,’ where she will be safe to do as she wishes in a society that sees women as lesser. Her degree in science is so close, she can feel it – her freedom. Until her mother gets a wild hair and coerces Daisy into a marriage to her mortal enemy, Theo.
Theo is and isn’t the usual rakish hero in a historical romance novel. Oh, Theo was naughty – he differs because these irresponsible rakes are generally ‘tamed’ by the heroine, whereas Theo was tamed by his father into behaving like a gentleman – Theo craves validation and approval by his father, willing to do anything to please the man, even if that means marrying his sworn enemy.
This is the setup to the most delicious enemies-to-lovers premise, mixed in with wedlock against their wills, where they have to work together to get through this, but along the way realize they get along well, with real feelings simmering beneath the surface.
There’s a thin line between love and hate, as both involve passion.
Maya Rodale always creates a realistic, page-turner that has me rooting for the hero and heroine, evoking real emotions within me, alongside unexpected dry humor and slowly building steam.
The feminist in me applauded the author on how the reader was educated in an organic way without feeling textbook, on the rights and lack of rights women of the time suffered. We must learn from the past, as history has a way of repeating itself.
Some Like It Scandalous was instantly added to my read-again shelf, where I plan on binge-reading Historical Romance. Maya Rodale is on my top-10 favorite His-Ro authors list, where none of them are ordered – all 10 fight for top-billing on my auto-buy list.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Some Like It Scandalous (The Gilded Age Girls Club #2) by Maya Rodale to read and review.
New York City 1883 In her youth Daisy Swan was looked down upon by her peers and fellow children of some of the elite of Manhattan because she was not pretty. Unfortunately she was teased and when an incident occurred with her landing in a duck pond due to Theodore Prescott, she knew at that moment she would hate him forever!!
Fast forward 12 years and at twenty five Daisy felt she was still not pretty as her mother and sisters. I felt so bad for Daisy because a lot of have felt this way, but I have to give her credit. She was smart, determined, and about to finish college and would be free and independent. Plus with her studies in chemistry she had ideas about creating and selling cosmetics to women to make them look and feel beautiful!
Unfortunately her plans seemed about to be crushed when her mother brings up Theodore Prescott, yes the hated Prescott and demands she marry him. What? It seems her father is about to bring scandal down on them and Daisy needs to be married and protected. Really? No. She leaves and goes to the park.
Meanwhile Theo’s father is telling him that he has done his last scandalous incident and he demands he marry Daisy or he will cut him off. He says NO and runs off to the park!
The adventure begins. The two meet up and begin talking about what they will do and come up with a plan.
A pretend engagement. Yes, that will work. But what is does is open up both of their lives as they help each other!
A delightful story that had me unable to stop reading until I turned the last page. I laughed out loud, sighed and as they bantered back and forth I could only smile. They deserved a happy ever and were meant for each other. Who would have thought it years ago? Really enjoyed.
4.5 stars as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-VI
Daisy Swan and Theodore Prescott III have been enemies since they were twelve years old, and a bit of childish nonsense got out of hand. Theo took exception to Daisy’s unwillingness to join in their games, so he ran off with her book, causing her to chase him, and ending up in a humiliating situation, with a hated nickname which has stuck with her for the last thirteen years. In the intervening years, Theo has become even better looking, charming, and roguish. Daisy, on the other hand, chose to focus on her education, and studied chemistry, hoping to set up a successful cosmetic business.
When Theo’s latest escapade causes a scandal, his father declares that it’s the last straw. He has allowed Theo to live a carefree and frivolous life, but now it’s time he grew up and took his place in the family steel business. It’s also time he marry, and daddy knows just the woman who can keep him in line.
Daisy has been blessed that her mother supported her education over the past years, but all of a sudden, mama is insisting that Daisy marry, and quickly. When pressed, she only indicates that a situation is developing that will surely ruin the family, and that Daisy’s only hope of weathering it is to make a successful marriage, and make it right now! Daisy is appalled not only at being forced into marriage, but to her childhood nemesis is just unbearable.
Theo can’t imagine marrying “Ugly Duck Daisy” any more than she can fathom wedding “The Rogue of Millionaire Row.” Their shared horror at the agreement their parents made causes them to join forces to find a way out of the situation. They agree to appear to have a genuine engagement in order to appease their parents, while scrambling to figure out a way out of their worst nightmare.
Since Theo and Daisy have no desire to impress each other, they are very forthright and honest in the way they speak. After they get past the initial trading of insults, they actually begin to have real conversations. Daisy confesses how much his insult hurt all those years ago, and Theo admits that he never intended to hurt her, he was actually angry that she preferred a book to his company. Soon they talk of their dreams and goals, and come up with a plan to create a company that would free them from being dependent on their parents, and allow them both their freedom.
Surprisingly, Theo has a knack for business and promotion, and along with Daisy’s luxurious complexion cream, their venture takes off. Even more surprising is the fact that they have discovered that they enjoy kissing each other! With all the past hostilities buried, can they possibly be thinking of making the engagement and marriage genuine? It seems likely, until the impending scandal that Daisy’s mother warned of, finally happens. Theo’s father is not having his son be any part of such a scandal, and takes steps to ensure that the connection is broken permanently.
I’m generally not a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, but there is so much to love about SOME LIKE IT SCANDALOUS! Both Theo and Daisy are multi-dimensional characters who have so much more to them than what shows on the surface. Theo is not just another pretty face. He truly wanted to make his father proud of him and love him, but he just did not fit in the family business. His restlessness while he searched to find his niche played a huge part in his previous frivolous lifestyle. I love how the closer he became to Daisy, the more beautiful he thought her. He finally matured enough to stand up to his father, and to tell him how he really felt, and set his own future path. Though Daisy was a bluestocking, she had a playful and sensual side which had long been buried. Set in New York in 1895, there are wonderfully descriptive scenes of what a woman had to deal with regarding cosmetics, education, suffrage, and even the right to eat at a restaurant without a male escort present. SOME LIKE IT SCANDALOUS made for purely delightful reading, with a sweet and steamy romance that left me feeling that these former enemies will have a long a happy future together. Rumor has it. Allegedly. People are saying….
OMG, this series!
Some Like It Scandalous is all that is awesome about a enemies-to-lovers story. I loved how both Theo and Daisy were trapped by society’s expectations–she was more than aware of it and had a plan for getting the life she wanted; he was just starting to realize that he wasn’t actually living his best life and there might be something else out there to give him purpose–and watching the two of them figure things out together (while growing closer and closer!) was just wonderful. Ms. Rodale did an outstanding job of showing us how their relationship progressed–slow and steady, not a whiff of insta-anything here (their first kiss wasn’t even that great–who does that? I loved it!) which made everything feel that much more wonderful and believable.
Some Like It Scandalous is the second in the series, and Adeline (heroine of book one) and the Ladies of Liberty Club (the group the series revolves around) play very real roles here, but it’s not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one. (It’s *almost* as wonderful as this one, though–do yourself a favor and read them both! 🙂 )
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
3.5*
I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
Some Like It Scandalous is the second book in The Gilded Age Girls Club and it’s an enemies to lovers kind of story.
I had a problem with this story that in a way stopped me from enjoying it as much as I could have.
Theo was a bully, as a kid. But his actions had repercussions until adult life. And who was the target of his mean, hurtful words? Daisy Swan.
Daisy is a great character. She is fearless, intrepid, intelligent, courageous… And Theo…. Theo is lost. He has no idea what to with his life – completely opposite to Daisy, who has everything planned out. Theo is not bad… He just doesn’t think things through, until his father gives him an ultimatum and he has to change his life. And Daisy is backed up into a corner by her mother, who doesn’t want to see her daughter become a spinster.
An amazing chemist, Daisy may not be a beauty, but she does have a gorgeous complexion, all because of a cream recipe that had been in her family and that she had improved. But she needed help to launch it… and here comes another great trope in the romance world: fake engagement.
Theo has a way with words, and Daisy creates amazing “cosmetics”. They become a team, and their relationship evolves from being enemies, to friends, to something else and, finally, to lovers.
Daisy is a fierce woman! She knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to go after it. She has amazing friends, that support her even if they don’t completely agree with her – what more can we ask of a friend, right?
And Theo improves throughout the book, without a doubt, but I still didn’t connect with him.
It was a great Gilded Age book, and it had very good characters, with a very pleasant writing style that pulls us into the story, but the fact that I didn’t like the male character kept me from enjoying this book as much as I could have had.
Daisy is fierce and determined. Theo is searching for purpose. This is a lovely story giving voice to the many ways women successfully changed things in America at the end of the 19th century. Some were lucky to find loving and supportive partners to assist them along the way but for most it was just an underground sisterhood that made the difference. This is a great story defining that period.
A huge, dynamite full 5 Stars for Some Like It Scandalous, the newest in Maya Rodale’s The Gilded Age Girls Club! This book kept me up until the wee hours of the morning, I absolutely loved it!
We start off with a flashback to Central Park, New York 1883, our heroine, Daisy Swann’s childhood where her book is snatched from her hands by none-other-than Theodore Prescott the Third, as he grabs her book she falls backward into the swampy pond amidst scum and the quacking of the ducks. He begins calling her Ugly Duck Daisy, which stuck with her through the years. Now in 1895 Daisy is grown up and she is summoned by her mother where she is informed that she is to marry, to her horror, none-other-than Theodore Prescott the Third. She is aghast and refuses to marry him. Her mother informs her of the scandal pending but does not give her any details, all Daisy knows is she must do something to save her family and provide for herself. Daisy has had her heart set on becoming a spinster and making a great success at selling her facial cream, which is the only real beauty she has her soft, luscious complexion. Well, she runs out into the rain to the park where she runs literally into Theodore. He too has been informed that his wayward ways and days gallivanting about the city, causing scandal after scandal, will come to an end when he marries Daisy (Ugly Duck Daisy) Swann. He too is aghast and refuses the marriage and off he goes into the park where he encounters none-other-than Ugly Duck Daisy. Here, dripping wet from the rain, they seek shelter in a gazebo and both express their disgust for the other, they both hate one another and neither wants to get married. Daisy comes up with a plan but Theodore will hear nothing of it, so off Daisy goes. It isn’t until Theo finds he’s locked out of his Men’s Club that he goes back to Daisy and takes her up on her offer. They fake their engagement.
Throughout the rest of the tail, we are met with a lot of tension between the two as well as a lot of sparks and love blossoming. We also learn some truths to each of their pasts’ and some hidden talents. Theo learns of Daisy’s experiments in making her facial cream and he helps her enhance it; by purchasing a store and finding just the perfect containers to put it in as well as the most perfect name, but dear readers’ you must read the tale to find out what its name is and how this all unfolds. All I can tell you is you will absolutely love this tale and both Theo and Daisy will touch your heart!
One thing I love most about Daisy is her strong drive for independence and success, it isn’t just about making money but about helping women. We learn in this tale some amazing historical facts: during this time period makeup was not worn by a respectable lady, it was for actresses or worse, prostitutes, a Lady never would wear such a thing. So, in our tale, Daisy, with the help of Theo comes up with some really clever ways of selling her product. We see such a change in both our H and h, but most importantly Daisy, she challenges the rules of the day and takes them on and in fact, begins to change them. I feel many women of today will be able to relate to Daisy for we are still fighting for our rights and fighting against the norms and rules placed upon us women and we are ever striving to change them.
An absolutely wonderful tale and Rodale’ did an amazing job of creating a fictional tale whilst weaving in the realities of the day in the late 1800s and showing us just how it was for men and women in those days. Bravo to her, what an amazing writer she is. I feel you are going to absolutely love this book and it deserves a place in every woman’s library!
I love this enemies to lovers/opposite attract/ pretend relationship romance that has great wonderful characters in Daisy and Theo. I love how unpredictable the romance unfolded as well as great historical information you can read about the time period.
Some Like it Scandalous
The Gilded Age Girls Club #2
by Maya Rodale
What’s not to love about this second book in the Gilded Age Girls Club? The writting is superb, witty with clever banter. Steamy sexy times and a love that wasn’t superficial, more a love of the mind and spirit, the kind of love that has no boundaries.
I so loved, loved Daisy Swan she was the girl that was left out of the “it group” growing up, the one girl that was more intellectual than pretty. Dubbed Ugly Duck Daisy by Theodore Prescott the Third -her mortal enemy from childhood – she’s focused her time and brilliant mind to creating cosmetics for women, become a spinster and live independently. Until THE scandal that has her mother scheming her engagement to THE enemy -Theodore Prescott!
Theodore has only ever wanted to be noticed by his father, and behaving scandalously he not only manages to get his attention but a fiancé as well. The very sensible and smart Daisy Swan…..the only woman to make him feel inadequate.
I loved how this was a slow burn kind of love, the first kiss they shared and how Daisy made him work for it, to make it memorable. This was no insta-love but more sensual get to know each other first.
Maya Rodale has a gift for writing realistic and well researched situations. This was a refreshing and fluffy read that hit the mark with a hero who’s more than a pretty face and a heroine that’s smart and beautiful in an unconventional way. After all beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Once again as with Duchess by Design which I highly urge everyone to read, Maya Rodale outdid herself!
I recieved a complimentary copy from the publisher via Edelweiss. This is my honest unbiased opinion