For Finlay Swinton, Viscount Firthwell and only son of a powerful earl, life has been a lark…until he discovers a terrible family secret that could ruin him. Determined to make a name for himself free of scandal’s shadow, he runs for Parliament. However, he encounters Charlotte, the mysterious woman who disappeared after their one night together, and he finds it impossible to stay away, despite … despite her working class status and Jewish faith that threaten to destroy his chance for success.
Widowed, penniless, and desperate, Charlotte Taylor secures a teaching position at a foundling home and relaxes into a predictable existence. That is, until Finlay, the man she shared one romantic night with, reappears, a specter from her past. He ignites her passion, even while he threatens the precarious foundation on which she’s rebuilt her life. But when those from her past return to endanger her hard-earned security, she’ll have to reveal his secret or go to prison.
Each book in the Once Upon A Scandal series is STANDALONE:
* To Love a Scandalous Duke
* To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
* To Tame a Scandalous Lady
* To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
more
I have been eagerly awaiting this book ever since I read the lovely To Love a Scandalous Duke, and now that it is here at last, it did not disappoint! A determined heroine, an endearing hero, and wonderful friendships made this one of my favorite reads this year.
The world-building is also pretty fantastic. The author expands the narrow view of white, wealthy, Protestant London that dominates Regency romances and explores other aspects of the era. I highly recommend this book!
To Resist a Scandalous Rogue by Liana De la Rosa is book Two in the Once Upon A Scandal Series. This is the story of Charlotte Taylor and Finlay Swinton, Viscount Firthwell. I have read the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Charlotte is a widower who is struggling to make it but finally setting into a teaching job teaching at a foundling school. Prior to this she and Finlay happen to meet which lead to a hot encounter but didn’t see each other again until about 1 year later. Finlay has come to town to pursue his political goals. Both are from different class and religions but their feelings keep drawing them toward each other.
Enjoyed their story.
Charlotte Townsend was left destitute after her husband Roderick died and she learned that his will did not make any provisions for her, penniless and alone in India, she sells her wedding ring and travels back to England. When a chance encounter with her cousin Eliza offers employment, Charlotte willingly accepts, until she finds out the job is not what she expected. She refuses and goes into the garden to think. While she is sitting there, a guest from the party joins her, they talk and share a drink, one thing leads to another and soon they are sharing much more…
Finlay, Viscount Firthwell and heir to Earl of Rockhaven is attending the party hoping to forget the devastating news he and his twin sister have recently learned about their father. Instead he finds he has no desire to lose himself in debauchery and heads out to the garden, where he meets Charlotte, she is nothing like any of the women he has known before and after a passionate night together, he wants more, but when he wakes and realizes she is gone, he decides to return to the country and get his estate in order, then figure out how to make a name for himself that isn’t dependent on his father’s title.
A year passes before they meet again, she is teaching at the foundling school and he has returned to London to gain support for his run for the House of Commons. He is delighted to see her again and even though he knows she is not for him, he can’t seem to stay away. Charlotte finally has some security in her life, but ghosts from her past still haunt her and could destroy Finlay’s hopes for a seat in the House of Commons. She tries to keep him at arm’s length, but finally gives in to the passion that never died.
When her past threatens not only her future, but those of the people she holds dear, Charlotte must decide if she can betray the man she loves to save him or will she sacrifice herself instead?
This was a very well written, emotionally charged story touching on several issues of the era, including politics, religion and women’s rights, but while those issues are prominent in the story, they never overwhelm the romance between Charlotte and Finlay. The book has wonderful secondary characters, a couple of twists and turns, steamy-ish love scenes, a little suspense and a beautiful epilogue. This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand-alone title, but if you want to know more about Finlay’s secret, I would recommend reading that book first.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
I was hooked from the first page. That in itself was enough, but the odds against this couple being together in marriage was even more engaging. A surprising turn in the story is the heroine is Jewish. A romance is often about overcoming obstacles and Liana De La Rosa did an excellent job making it work, which is why I could barely put the book down. Kudos for an excellent read!
A free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
Now why would one want to resist a Scandalous Rogue? An unexpected meeting bring two people together for a brief encounter that left an impression on both of them. Each had their own stories. One had a hugh secret that was pressing on him while the other needed to find her way after being left penniless.
This story captured me from the first page and with the wonderful descriptive writing of this author kept me in it’s grip until the end!
I loved Charlotte and Finley and as they encountered each other a year later, their inital attration was there there and coming off the pages. Fin, Viscount Firthwell, found Charlotte teaching at his sister’s Foundling Home and could not believe he found her there. I definitely think fate had a hand in bringing them back together and regardless of their social differences, their feelings could not be denied.
But both are struggling with their secrets and they may just overwhelm them both! I truly enjoyed this book and have to say the epilogue was wonderful! This author is on my must read list and I cannot wait for her next story!! I read this through NetGallery and the wonderful publisher Entangled
I gave this a five-star review because of the unusual subject matters. It describes London in the 1820’s and shows the ugly side of religious prejudice and people who grew up as Lords and Ladies only to find out the dark secret that they were born on the wrong side of the blanket. The characters were well written and their personalities are fantastic. They dealt with their situations realistically. They bore the scars of the wrongs in their life with as much dignity and grace as possible. However, there was suffering along with painful things said and done. If the wrong people found out or the characters went out of step, they could ruin their lives irrevocably. This is a well written book and a must read. I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a little different to the usual HEA that I read. This is the first book by Ms De La Rosa that I Have read. It was a bit heavy on the politics and religion and I found it a bit hard to get into. But once I did, I enjoyed. I found that it was well written and would read more of Ms De La Rosa’s books. The characters were well presented and I enjoyed the fact that the beginning didn’t start with a complicated sex scene, which is something that would have happened in a lot of other books. I received this book as an ARC.
A story about finding love in the middle of political and social revolution. Charlotte and Findlay are facing personal struggles in their lives. They are attracted to each other but believe that forming a relationship would be detrimental. Charlotte is strong willed and determined in her need to survive on her own. Findlay wants to care for her but there are forces working against them. The story shows their strength and resilience to stand up for what they believe in and support the people they love at all costs.
This was the first book I have read by this author but it was a good book. It was well written and the author did a great job with the political and religion issues during that time frame. The characters were strong and had several obstacles in their path but they were able to find their HEA. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 Stars
Finlay Swinton, Viscount Firthwell and only son of the Earl of Rockhaven, life has been a lark until his father’s dealings means he has to flee the country & Fin discovers a family secret that could ruin him. Determined to make a name for himself free of scandal’s shadow, he decides to run for Parliament but not in one of the pocket boroughs of the earldom. He goes to a friends party where he encounters Charlotte, they talk, they drink whisky & they spend the night together, she then disappears but he can’t forget her, one year later they meet again
Widowed, penniless, and desperate, Charlotte Taylor secures a teaching position at a foundling home and relaxes into a predictable existence. That is, until Finlay, the man she shared one romantic night with, reappears, a ghost from her past. However when those from her past return to endanger her hard-earned security, she’ll have to reveal his secret or go to prison.
The second book in the series, it is easily read on its own but also continues the story begun in the first book. It’s hard to believe that this very accomplished novel is only the authors second. Very well written with characters that are well portrayed. The pace of the story is very good. I liked Finlay in Alethea’s story & he deserved his HEA. Charlotte had had a hard life & her strength of character to begin again & again was admirable. I did feel the villains were ‘let off’ lightly & would have liked them to have been on a one way ticket to the Antipodes! Whilst the political machinations were intriguing they did leave me a little cold but I loved the developing relationship between Fin & Char & how they came to love each other. I also thought the epilogue was different as set twenty nine years in the future, it was so lovely & fitting, of course I now want to know who Flora’s husband is?
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Finlay Swinton, Viscount Firthwell is heir to the earldom – his father left the country after he swindled some titled men on some bad investments. Fin’s plan is to keep scandal far from his doorstep & he is running for political office. I enjoyed Fin – he was handsome, funny, romantic & honorable.
Widow Charlotte Taylor is without income/money but she manages a school position at a foundling home & is at last, comfortable with a roof over her head. That is, until Fin comes in to her life after a night of passion they shared in her past. She still has to fight her desire fir him but she will not jeopardize her employment & comfortable life. I did get a little bored with Charlotte’s voicing or thinking that she was not good enough for everyone around her.
The book was written very well & the story was interesting. It was based mostly on politics & religion – which had some interesting points but I really like romantic books & this was just too heavy for my liking. I never really found myself immersed in the story or the characters but I did enjoy the last third of the book. & they did get their HEA.
I was gifted this ARC & have happily volunteered my honest review of a book that was original but not your typical historical romance & it was well written by the author.
This is a story about Fin (Viscount Firthwell) and Charlotte. Fin wanted to run for Parliament. Charlotte is a teacher but has a past which can cause trouble for Fin. This book was very interesting from beginning to the end. I think this is the first book which I have read which has a Jewish main character in this time period. Because of this it put an extra obstacle for Fin and Charlotte – they must overcome social class, religion, political ambitions, prison and evil in-laws. You will not be disappointed in reading this book.
This is the first book I read by this author Liana De la Rosa but it will not be the last. The writing was smooth and flowed well. She kept me interested in this story thru the whole book.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Although this story involves a lot of politics and religion, it also showcases how wonderful friendships can be and how important it is to be able to trust.
My heart went out to Charlotte, she’s gone through so much and feels she’ll never be able to be with Finlay because she’s Jewish, is a widow, is penniless and has no title. Back in that era, being Catholic was the only acceptable religion. She’s also being blackmailed by her former in laws!
Finlay has worked hard to get to where he is, politically speaking, but knows that if his secret ever comes out (he and his twin sister were born out of wedlock), his career would be destroyed. Add to that the fact that he’s in love with Charlotte and knows that if the ton should hear of their relationship, it would also destroy his career. A lot of heartache happens before he and Charlotte can find their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. I found this book to be full of romance and intrigue. The author makes you feel like a part of the scene and does a beautiful job describing the surroundings and situations. She has brought up several important issues in the book as well such as religious acceptance and the necessity of helping the needy and less fortunate. I would definitely recommend this book.
I went back and forth with this one, while I can’t say that I hated it I wont say I loved it, it was ok. I found it different the sense that it had a little too much politics and religion for my enjoyment, I like romance and I tend to stick with that. I did like that she stuck her guns and eventually we have a HEA, but would bly not look for reading this author again.
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
Since discovering a family secret with the potential to utterly ruin him, Finlay Swinton, Viscount Firthwell, has decided he must make a respectable name for himself. After undoing his father the earl’s mistakes with the estate, Finlay decides to run for Parliament. But soon he re-encounters Charlotte, the beautiful woman who shared a passionate night with him a year ago before disappearing. Now that he’s found her again Finlay finds it impossible to stay away from Charlotte even though her Jewish faith and humble status threaten his chances of political success and any liaison with him could threaten the stability of her teaching position.
Left widowed and penniless by a flaw in her late husband’s will, Charlotte Taylor has now secured a teaching position at a foundling home and relaxed into the peaceful routine. Then Finlay reappears at a party at her employer’s home and threatens the tentative life she’s just rebuilding. When her former in-laws begin stirring up trouble that could destroy both her and Finlay, Charlotte must make a hard decision that could further endanger them both.
There may be what some consider to be spoilers in this next bit:
This book was heavier on politics and religion than I expected. Charlotte is absolutely determined to rely on no one but herself, to the point that she’s willing to betray everyone who cares about her. I got sick and tired of Charlotte’s constant whinging that she’s so far below everyone else and could never be better, etc. This did improve some towards the end but not enough to make me really like her either.
It took me quite awhile to really get into this one; it didn’t really hold my attention until well past the halfway mark, but then I started enjoying it more. I appreciated the originality of the premise, I just didn’t really ever connect with either of the main characters. That said, I would still recommend it as an original read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. I thoughts and opinions are my own.