Helpful Score: 14
On the cover of this book there's a review snippet from Booklist: "Lusciously sensual and delightfully witty." Whee! I'm in! Let's scrape another layer off the ol' debit card in a quick swipe at the check-out counter and get this puppy home!
Julia London is one of my favorite authors. I dove into this story with a grin and great hope that it might be as much a delightful romp as some of the recent offerings from Eloisa James and Julia Quinn. Scandal at the royal court? Yes! A couple with a torrid history? Yes! Yes! Let the fun begin!
Well, not quite.
It is not sensual. It is not witty. It is page after page of misunderstandings, hurtful dialogue, but-is-it-too-late-for-us? enlightenments, and painful memories. It's depressing. It's dramatic. It's just too much.
To go back again to that Booklist blurb on the cover: I think it did a great disservice to the author by setting the wrong tone for the book from the start. Had I gone into the story not anticipating a bit of fluffy FUN, it might have set a bit better with me.
Forewarned is forearmed. Just don't be expecting a lighthearted romance and you might truly enjoy this.
Julia London is one of my favorite authors. I dove into this story with a grin and great hope that it might be as much a delightful romp as some of the recent offerings from Eloisa James and Julia Quinn. Scandal at the royal court? Yes! A couple with a torrid history? Yes! Yes! Let the fun begin!
Well, not quite.
It is not sensual. It is not witty. It is page after page of misunderstandings, hurtful dialogue, but-is-it-too-late-for-us? enlightenments, and painful memories. It's depressing. It's dramatic. It's just too much.
To go back again to that Booklist blurb on the cover: I think it did a great disservice to the author by setting the wrong tone for the book from the start. Had I gone into the story not anticipating a bit of fluffy FUN, it might have set a bit better with me.
Forewarned is forearmed. Just don't be expecting a lighthearted romance and you might truly enjoy this.
Helpful Score: 11
I was really excited about this book, but for some reason I had a really hard time getting into it once I had it in my hands. The book details the reconciliation of an estranged couple (Lord and Lady Lindsey) who after the death of their young son have lived apart for three years.
For starters, the beginning of the book attempts to describe the scandal that will ensue once "The Book Of Scandal" is released into regency London, and how upon the books reading Lady Lindsey will be named in a scandal that could ruin the good name of Lindsey. Once this makes its was out to Lord Lindsey in rural England he is determined to get his wife back out to the country to tamper down the rumors of her and another man.
During all of this is some subplot about the king and the queen and the princes and princesses of Wales which, maybe I'm a little bit slow, but I had a really hard time following. With there being six different princesses I couldn't really follow who the main scandal was including.
Following Lady Lindsey's return to her old estate comes the memories of the son she lost, and her husband's betrayal. Attempts on her life and his desire to mend their relationship lead to a rather predictable outcome.
I liked the characters and I really wanted to like this book, but there was just something missing. I had a hard time feeling for her characters like in her "Rogues of Regent Street" series. Overall it was just okay for me, wait till you can get it for 50 cents used.
For starters, the beginning of the book attempts to describe the scandal that will ensue once "The Book Of Scandal" is released into regency London, and how upon the books reading Lady Lindsey will be named in a scandal that could ruin the good name of Lindsey. Once this makes its was out to Lord Lindsey in rural England he is determined to get his wife back out to the country to tamper down the rumors of her and another man.
During all of this is some subplot about the king and the queen and the princes and princesses of Wales which, maybe I'm a little bit slow, but I had a really hard time following. With there being six different princesses I couldn't really follow who the main scandal was including.
Following Lady Lindsey's return to her old estate comes the memories of the son she lost, and her husband's betrayal. Attempts on her life and his desire to mend their relationship lead to a rather predictable outcome.
I liked the characters and I really wanted to like this book, but there was just something missing. I had a hard time feeling for her characters like in her "Rogues of Regent Street" series. Overall it was just okay for me, wait till you can get it for 50 cents used.
Helpful Score: 9
While I have enjoyed all of Ms. London's previous books, I did not care for this one. I found it quite depressing, as the main characters distrusted each other, fought, & accused each other of 'not being there for me' for the first 3/4ths of the book. I understand that the loss of a child can destroy a marriage, but the extreme angst that these two go through, even after 3 years, is just too much drama for my tastes.
Shelley F. (shelleysalibi) reviewed The Book of Scandal (Scandalous, Bk 1) on + 280 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
From the back cover
Nathan Grey, the Earl of Lindsey, is infamously known as the Libertine of Lindsey for his scandalous ways with women. But when he hears gossip that his estranged wife, Evelyn, is about to be named in The Book of Scandal, he has no choice but to remove her from London to protect her and himself from the charges or treason-even if it calls for abduction! While Evelyn has no legal recourse against the man who broke her heart years ago but is till considered her lord and master, she is no longer the immature girl Nathan married. Her enforced homecoming quickly turns into a battle of wills that tears down her husbands defenses and lays bare the passion that still burns between them. Before it is too late, Nathan must confront powerful adversaries as he convinces Evelyn that she is not only his wife, but the one woman he will love for all time.
Nathan Grey, the Earl of Lindsey, is infamously known as the Libertine of Lindsey for his scandalous ways with women. But when he hears gossip that his estranged wife, Evelyn, is about to be named in The Book of Scandal, he has no choice but to remove her from London to protect her and himself from the charges or treason-even if it calls for abduction! While Evelyn has no legal recourse against the man who broke her heart years ago but is till considered her lord and master, she is no longer the immature girl Nathan married. Her enforced homecoming quickly turns into a battle of wills that tears down her husbands defenses and lays bare the passion that still burns between them. Before it is too late, Nathan must confront powerful adversaries as he convinces Evelyn that she is not only his wife, but the one woman he will love for all time.
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Julia London book. I have to say that I never felt drawn into the story, and I'm not sure if I could say why. The pacing was a little slow, and the backstory a little too "heavy" for what I like to find in my romance books. I didn't find it very "witty" except for 1 or 2 pages in the entire book when the h/h fought over some benign decoration. The subplot didn't draw me in either, I found it confusing and there was too much name dropping and too little explanation. Because of my lack of understanding of this "mystery" I guess the book wasn't all that intriguing.
Based on these other reviews, however, this doesn't seem to be usual Julia London fair, so I'll probably check out another one of her books from a different series.
Based on these other reviews, however, this doesn't seem to be usual Julia London fair, so I'll probably check out another one of her books from a different series.
Helpful Score: 1
I found this book very entertaining with the realistic views of historical marriages arranged from childhood and the true love that only sometimes occurs from that marriage.
This book begins with the rocky marriage between Evelyn and Nathan. Several years ago, Nathan and Evelyn were in love and that love was growing. They had a child that they both adored. The little baby boy was prone to sickness and fevers. This book shows how the parents love began to fall apart while they were grieving their sons death.
This book shows a real issue that sometimes we don't want to think about. It was handly very delicately and it shows how the couple after three years spent apart heal both themselves and their relationship due to a book of scandal that could distroy them both. Someone wants to harm them and as the story unfolds, the two learn to fall in love all over again.
Really a great story and a happy ending. I can't wait to read more books from Julia London.
This book begins with the rocky marriage between Evelyn and Nathan. Several years ago, Nathan and Evelyn were in love and that love was growing. They had a child that they both adored. The little baby boy was prone to sickness and fevers. This book shows how the parents love began to fall apart while they were grieving their sons death.
This book shows a real issue that sometimes we don't want to think about. It was handly very delicately and it shows how the couple after three years spent apart heal both themselves and their relationship due to a book of scandal that could distroy them both. Someone wants to harm them and as the story unfolds, the two learn to fall in love all over again.
Really a great story and a happy ending. I can't wait to read more books from Julia London.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed The Book of Scandal (Scandalous, Bk 1) on + 1728 more book reviews
This is a really fun series.
This was the first Julia London book that I read, and I really enjoyed it. Although I seem to be in a minority, so my lack of familiarity with her style may have helped.
I really enjoyed the characters of Evelyn and Nathan. They were complex and well-developed, and I liked the change of pace of the story from the usual romance. Their marriage fell apart due to the a terrible loss, and I feel that the way their characters reacted to this and their estrangement was a typical, normal reaction to such a tragedy. I enjoyed the way the story brought them back together, and the slow revival of their love as they finally dealt with their tragedy. It was nice to have a dose of realism with romance.
I will definitely read more of Ms. London's books!
I really enjoyed the characters of Evelyn and Nathan. They were complex and well-developed, and I liked the change of pace of the story from the usual romance. Their marriage fell apart due to the a terrible loss, and I feel that the way their characters reacted to this and their estrangement was a typical, normal reaction to such a tragedy. I enjoyed the way the story brought them back together, and the slow revival of their love as they finally dealt with their tragedy. It was nice to have a dose of realism with romance.
I will definitely read more of Ms. London's books!
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
I love Julia London's books. Her writing style is terrific and her characters immediately grab you by the heart.
This book was fun. The plot and history surrounding the story was interesting. I enjoyed this book.
