A Skilled Socialite
Gloriana Blakely has finally gone too far. To the distress of her parents, this exquisitely beautiful debutante refuses to settle for anything less than the life – and the husband – she deserves. As punishment for her latest defiance, she is banished to her cousin’s estate in Yorkshire for the autumn, where Society is barren and her childhood nemesis is close at hand.
A … nemesis is close at hand.
A Seductive Scoundrel
Rakish and handsome, Lord Alex Somers has finally completed his studies at Oxford, prolonged by a healthy amount of philandering and mischief. Unfortunately, he is now faced with the dire task of having to actually do something with his life. He returns to his family estate to ponder his future, only to discover a beautiful guest has arrived, and taken it upon herself to throw a lavish country party in his honor!
Secrets, Spies, and Seductions
Alex and Gloriana can’t seem to avoid butting heads, with the tension between them increasing by the day. As the festivities begin, the two find themselves unwittingly pulled into a dangerous dance among the distinguished and powerful guests within the walls of Somerton. A deadly game of cat and mouse is overshadowed only by the building desire between the unlikely pair, as the scandalous secret weaves a web of seduction around them both.
The Scoundrel and the Socialite is the second installment in The Somerton Scandals series, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. If you enjoy steamy love scenes, passionate romance, and a sweet happily ever after, grab your copy today!
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Thoroughly entertaining
Ava Devlin revisits the scandal-bedeviled Somers family to tell the tale of Alex Sommers, the scalawag younger brother of the stuffed shirt Viscount Gideon Sommers. Alex is a charmer, a party animal, and, when not bedding willing local wives and widows, a student act Oxford. Graduation sees him forced to leave Oxford and his last paramour behind, as he heads back to his less-than-approving family. Coincidentally, accomplished socialite Gloriana Blakely, who has fallen out of favor with her folks over one too many rejected marriage proposals, is a Somers family guest. She makes it her mission to give Alex a “come-out” party to introduce him to those of the ton who might help him determine a future path for himself. Neither their scandalous first meeting, nor the subsequent party shenanigans, nor the bizarre suspicions of espionage and the threat on Alex’s life, can derail the train of Glory’s growing love for him, and his for her. Family secrets, old school friendships, and marriage machinations all figure in this charming tale of growing up and becoming who, and whose, each one is meant to be. Delightful characters, major and minor, and clever plotting are the best of this very steamy Regency romance. Five sparkling stars!
Most Unique
It’s not often I read a book where the Hero has a “shock” of red hair. I loved this book and can’t wait to read Tia, Nell and Peter’s stories. And I’m most curious about Heloise’s story to find about just who is this Callum fellow is and what he’s been up to. I’m so glad I can read their story now. And hopefully Nell’s story will explain more about Bess’s connection to the spies. The book did have sexy times however to me they were done nicely without being too graphic. The only fault I found with the book was where Glory was so resigned to her fate after she fell in love with Alex. I will definitely read this one again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mystery and scandal.
What a uniquely wonderful story Alex and Gloriana were delightful characters both so full of the devil you just know that they have to get to together. I must say the cast of characters in this book was such fun to meet. Along with this being a love story with all those grand twists and turns, there is a little humor and a whole lot of heart. Mysteries and scandals were never so much fun to read high praise and I recommend this piece. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Gloriana Blakely could navigate any manner of ball, soiree or social gathering with all the grace and elegance that her upbringing taught her. She has turned down offer after offer for her hand in marriage in order to make the perfect match. Now that her plans are about to come to fruition and she believes the gentleman most suited to her is about to make an offer she must leave London to get away from her parents who are angry with her for rejecting a suitor her father had arranged.
She decides to accept her cousin Rose’s offer to spend time with her and her husband Gideon (whom Gloriana had rejected his suite) and their family. As they are traveling to Rose’s home, Rose tells of Gideon’s younger brother Alex who will be home soon now that his studies at Oxford are over. Rose suggests that Gloriana assist her with a celebration for him and inviting some upstanding gentry to give Alex a chance to make friends and decide what he wants to do with his life.
When Gloriana finally meets Alex she is not impressed with his actions. He did sneak in through a window after all, startling her so much that she hit him in the face with the ledger that she’d been keeping track of the expenses for his celebration in. But it doesn’t take Alex long to charm Gloriana and she finds herself enjoying his company. Alex is enchanted with Gloriana’s angelic beauty and is falling in love with her. Gloriana, however, is still set on achieving her plans of the perfect match, even though her intended future husband does not bring forth the desire she feels by just being in Alex’s presence.
When Alex’s life is threatened, he and Gloriana set out to find out who the culprits are and what it is they think he had stolen and brought with him from Oxford. Will the pair be able to find out what it is before the villain’s decide to end Alex’s life?
I thought this was a very good book. It was witty and quite fun to read. There are a few sexual scenes but nothing overly erotic. All in all, the book flows very well throughout and I do recommend it.
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 Ava Devlin and I really enjoyed it. She writes a story which had me so involved in the story I felt part of it. She is now on my to be read Author list.
This story is about Alex and Gloriana (Glory) who meet and get to know each other at a stay at Alex’s brother and Glory’s cousin’s house. I feel Alex and Gloriana have a chemistry and a desire they cannot deny. Mixed in this love story is a mystery, which I have to admit I did not know what the outcome was – I was surprised.
I received a free copy of this book and am leaving an honest review in return.
ONE SPECTACULAR TREASURE!!!
Swizzle sticks! Ava cleared the plot, drilled the well and ushered the oil, while chaos and mayhem trudged the weather. Charting a new course, scoping the skies and mapping the seas. Producing amazing scenario’s that punch dead center with such intensity and precision, propels this jewel into a tailspin with astonishing results. Drama, intrigue, secrets, spies, enemies, danger and suspense mounts as tension spirals, thrusting this baby to life spectacularly. Add turmoil, distress and dark nefarious deeds and you have one intense rollercoaster ride. The chemistry sizzles from the pages and suck you in so deeply until you feel the heat and electricity thrumming through your veins. The personalities are well matched and blended. The characters and scenes are written with such realism and depth it makes for one magnificent experience. Remarkable job Ava, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
This romance is well written, entertaining and holds your attention while an element of danger is included. Gloriana, having been sent to her cousin’s estate due to her recent conduct in society, here she meets Alex her cousin’s brother-in-law and an attraction develops between the two of them. As they grow closer, Alex is being suspected of being a traitor and the two of them set out to prove him innocent. There is a HEA but a lot happens first which makes this a good read. I would highly recommend this book.
She refuses to pick a suitor and so here parents send her to the country. But it is not so quiet. Things get very exciting, emotional and much more with her neighbor man who is a rake. It is a fun and enjoyable read. A feisty female and an alpha male. I recommend it. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.
Starring Gloriana Blakely and Alex Somers
I don’t usually like young Heroes, just because I prefer them a little seasoned. So I was really worried about Alex because he was straight out of school, and still figuring out who or what he’s going to become. But I started loving him and his character more and more as I read on. Totally a swoon-worthy hero who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
“He really screwed the pooch when he’d finished the damned degree, hadn’t he? Now he’d actually had to accomplish something to retain any amount of respectability.” ~Alex
Gloriana is also searching for her place in life. But her future plans are put on hold when her parents banishes her to the country. To keep herself from being bored, she plans a party for her cousin’s brother in law, Alex. Their first meeting was funny, albeit a little painful. Gloriana, is witty, vulnerable, and a little stubborn in her thinking… but you see her change and grow as you read on. I really liked her and her tenacious spirit.
Together, Gloriana and Alex were a delicious couple. The scenes when they are together are a scorcher… when Gloriana accidentally sees him with his shirt off, I think I blushed a little myself. I thoroughly enjoyed these two. And cheered for them when they reached their HEA.
I love Ava Devlin, she writes relationship scenes very well. I loved the scene between Alex and his mother. That actually got me tearing up a bit. I love how she handled Gloriana and Heloise making peace with each other. I was expecting a catty showdown between these two, but got something dignified that showed they both matured since their finishing school days. I love the interactions between the Somers siblings, and between Gloriana and her cousin, Rose.
Ava Devlin is on my “New Favorite Authors of 2019” list. She is firmly on my keeper shelf. I love the Somerton series and I freaken CAN NOT WAIT for Heloise’s story!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are 100% my own.
My star system:
4 stars: Book was great… loved the characters… will definitely be re-reading this story… but didn’t make me cry.
The Scoundrel and the Socialite
The Somerton Scandals series #2
Ava Devlin
https://www.facebook.com/AvaDevlinRomance/
Release date 11/22/2019
Blurb :
A Skilled Socialite
Gloriana Blakely has finally gone too far. This exquisitely beautiful debutante has been spoiled for choice. To the distress of her parents, she refuses to settle for anything less than the life – and the husband – she deserves, no matter how many powerful men she must humiliate and reject. As punishment for her latest defiance, she is banished to her cousin’s estate in Yorkshire for the autumn, where Society is barren and her childhood nemesis is close at hand.
A Seductive Scoundrel
Rakish and handsome, Lord Alex Somers has finally completed his studies at Oxford, prolonged by a healthy amount of philandering and mischief. Unfortunately, he is now faced with the dire task of having to actually do something with his life. He returns to his family estate to ponder his future, only to discover a beautiful guest has arrived, and taken it upon herself to throw a lavish country party in his honor! To Alex’s horror, people of import from the cream of Society begin to pour into Somerton, increasing the pressure upon him to make important choices that will shape his future.
Secrets, Spies, and Seductions
Alex and Gloriana can’t seem to avoid butting heads, with the tension between them increasing by the day. As the festivities begin, the two find themselves unwittingly pulled into a dangerous dance among the distinguished and powerful guests within the walls of Somerton. A deadly game of cat and mouse is overshadowed only by the building desire between the unlikely pair, as the scandalous secret weaves a web of seduction around them both.
My review :
When a débutante banned ito the country side decides to organize a party for a returning family’s son, she make sure it is the perfect gathering to arrange her own match …
It took me some pages to accommodate to Mrs Ava Devlin’s writing , she has a very particular style but once I settled in the book, the story began to fly by.
It is easy to love Alex, he is fun, fair and kind, he is more a cameo role than an alpha, often wondering what to do of his life outside his roguish attitude. Yet he also does not rush voluntarily into danger, trying to be circumspect if possible.
When Gloriana is more complex, and each layer shows a different aspect of her, the ladder climber as she plans her own union , the friend as she is loyal to the fault to hers but also her taunting and jibing sides and her long feud with her school nemesis. She is so ambivalent, attracted to Alex but afraid to give in to passion when it could derail everything she has planned.
Everything shows how imperfect she is, ready to sacrifice her own happiness to re-enter in the good graces of the parents she loves.
Those flaws make her human, she has decisions to take, but when she is unable to make the choice every romance reader would decide, it is circumstances which finely give a helping hand.
Gloriana is passion but coolness mixed, why she unsettled me, one moment she runs in the arms of Alex, then talk about her impeding engagement with an other man.
Still, it was an entertaining tale with a spy/sleuth side, the right thread to get Alex and Gloriana together and watch how they manage their relationship and the attraction they feel for one another.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author and purchased my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/505733356682507?d=n&sfns=mo
Another good story in the Somerton Scandals series. There is a little mystery and some scandalous behavior. I have to say that I really did not care for Gloriana at the beginning of the story. Why she held onto the grudge with Heloise throughout the whole story is beyond me. That was a plot point that I found irritating. I did like her a more as the book went on when I found out why she was down and then I understood her a little better. Alex and Gloriana do not seem to be a perfect match. Alex was more likeable and I felt sorry for him most of the time. Their interactions were steamy and you can feel the tension.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.