ARC Review: Married to the Rogue (Season of Scandal #3) by Mary Lancaster
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Series: Season of Scandal #3
Author: Mary Lancaster
Published November 10th 2020 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
Free to follow her heart…just not to her husband!
Deborah needs a husband to protect her from the scandal breaking over her head; Christopher Halland, a radical and ambitious member of parliament, needs a wife to get at his fortune and Gosmere Hall. It is the perfect marriage of convenience. Or is it?
She should have been warned off by the fury in his eyes on their first encounter when he almost rode over her. And by the whispered rumors of his women and loose living. Instead, she thrives as the lady of Gosmere Hall, and her calm soothes her volatile husband throughout quarrels with his grandfather, and even when his black-sheep cousin, accused of murder, turns up wounded in the cellar.
However, falling in love was not part of their agreement—at least not with each other—and they have to overcome many misunderstandings before happiness is within their reach.
Only then, her scandal rears its ugly head once more, and the arrival of the reptilian Lord Barden threatens to ruin everything, and even take Deborah’s life.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Realising her reputation is potentially in tatters, Deborah Shelby returns home, hoping that the fall out from the infamous orgy held at the Princess of Wales' residence doesn't harm her family. Unfortunately, it seems that her name, and the names of her three fellow ladies-in-waiting, have been leaked to the press, and Deborah's younger sister, Lucy's, engagement, may never come to fruition. When Christopher Halland, the owner of the run down Gosmere Hall, arrives in the village, and needs a wife, it seems perfect: he'll receive his inheritance and fortune, and Deborah will have a husband to help weather the storm. It's completely a marriage of convenience, but soon it seems that both are flourishing in their relationship, and in becoming the master and mistress of the Hall. What may have started as a simple marriage of convenience, soon blossoms into more.
I have really enjoyed each of the books in this series, so as soon as I saw this one was available to review, I dove right in. Again, this book takes place at the same time as the previous ones, Pursued by the Rake & Abandoned to the Prodigal, as the four main characters are trying to beat the scandal before it strikes. Deborah is the oldest of her siblings, and her widowed mother is relying on her to work and help support the youngsters. It's only because of her late father, a vicar, having a relationship with a bishop that got Deborah the position with Princess Caroline in the first place, and now that seems to be the downfall of them all. Deborah is such a caring character, and would do anything to help her family, even marry a near stranger - which she does. Christopher and Deborah have a bit of a rocky start, but their mutual affection and admiration for each other, easily develops into a love for one another, which they hide from each other. They were really sweet, and I definitely felt like their relationship was real. I also liked the way the wicked Barden was incorporated into the story, and how he got his comeuppance - I can't wait to see the final book and conclusion of the whole tale.
Dates Read:
October 29, 2020
Rating
4 Stars
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