An American heiress and an English earl fight against the conventions of society — and their attraction to each other — in the second book in the Dary to Defy series by USA Today bestselling author Syrie James.Madeleine Atherton is no typical American heiress, sent to England to marry an English lord. A brilliant college graduate who secretly dreams of becoming a published author, she wants to … published author, she wants to marry for love. After receiving a proposal from a future duke, Madeleine flees the London Season for Cornwall to seek her sister’s advice, never expecting her decision to be complicated by a charming, handsome earl she’s certain she dislikes—even though his every touch sets her blood on fire.
Charles Grayson, the Earl of Saunders, has secrets and ambitions of his own. Although under pressure from his mother and gravely ill father to marry his cousin, Charles cannot find the words to propose. But this fascinating American visitor does not figure into his plans, either.
Thrown together unexpectedly at Trevelyan Manor, Madeleine and Charles struggle to rise above their intense attraction. But as things heat up between them over a summer that becomes increasingly scandalous, Madeleine and Charles will both be forced to make a difficult choice. Can two dreamers dare to defy convention and find their own happily ever after?
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Madeleine is escaping “The Season” to think about a proposal she’s unsure she wants to accept. Her mother is trying to force her to accept. The mother drove me nuts in Runaway Heiress and she’s still driving me nuts. Charles is known for his betrayal in running off with his friend’s fiance years ago but he’s more than that and people don’t know the whole story. As soon as Charles sees Madeleine he’s drawn to her but she just seems not to like him. As the 2 are thrown together constantly their fondness for each other grows and their attraction is undeniable. Both have potential matches in their lives which throws a kink into things for them both. In addition Charles can’t seem to let go of his past.
If you enjoy a historical romance where happenstance and fate seem throw an intelligent and well educated young lady and a handsome rake looking for redemption together I recommend checking out Summer of Scandal.
This story is high on angst and low on action, and parts of it dragged on a bit for me, but overall I enjoyed it. Our hero and heroine must decide what is most important to them: doing their perceived duty as is expected of them, or being true to their own wants and desires at the risk of disappointing their families. We had to go through lots of description of the summer in which not a whole lot happens, but on the other hand, it was nice to watch couples fall in love and develop a relationship, rather than insta-love or insta-lust. I would recommend this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Summer of Scandal by Syrie James is book Two in A Dare to Defy series. This is the story of Madeleine Atherton and Charles Grayson, the Earl of Saunders. I have read the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Madeleine is a American heiress with a college education but her family wishes her to marry. Madeline goes forward to London where she gets a possible offer of marriage to Lord Philip Oakley, the Marquess of Oakley and the oldest son of the Duke of Courtenay. Madeleine wants to marry for love and she goes to visit her recently married sister but ends up meeting Charles who is friends with her sister’s husband. Charles offers to take her their house but along the way bad weather has make it impossible so she agrees to go to his family home where she meets his parents, siblings and cousin Sophie. Charles’s mom wants him to marry Sophie but he isn’t so sure and with his father health being the bigger issue now. Madeleine and Charles start to have feeling for each other but Madeline likes Sophia and along with other things keeping the questioning how they feel.
Enjoyed this book.
1889 Bolton Cornwall, England. Madeleine Atherton has arrived in England to hopefully find a peer to marry. Daughter of a wealthy American, she wants to marry for love, just as her sister Alexandra. Paired up with a future duke, she feels she needs to spend time with her sister to make sure she will make the right decision. Well, fate intervenes and she meets Charles Grayson as she gets off the train and finds her sister and her husband have gone to bath. What to do? She ends up with Charles who takes her to his home.
This is the story of a very smart and educated American and an English Lord who are mismatched as far as status. Their attraction grows and they try to fight the obstacles in their way.
This is the first book I have read by this author and It definitely will not be my last. Her beautiful prose that describes the beauty of Cornwall and her in depth characters pull you through the pages. Can these two ever be together? What of the the cousin that Charles is already betrothed ?
Do not miss the wonderfully written tale of two people who defeat all odds to be together