Scandal

- Carolyn Jewel-

Hero: Gwilym, Earl of Bannalt. A notorious rake, Bannalt has reformed his ways after falling deeply in love with Sophie, wife of one of his carousing buddies.

Heroine: Sophie Mercer. Sophie was seduced into an elopement when she was barely 17 by a man who was interested primarily in her money and abandoned her more or less destitute in the country whilst he enjoyed himself in London. She is widowed now and very reluctant to tie herself to another man.

I really love the reformed rake working his butt off to prove to the lady he loves that he has changed storyline, and this was a really beautifully told example. I loved that it was Sophie who has the doubts and misgivings based on her previous relationship and her knowledge of Bannalt's prior behaviour, and he worked constantly to prove to her that he had changed and did love her.

There were a couple of threads that I wish had been explored more, ie: what is different about Sophie and why he will remain faithful to her, what Bannalt's relationship with his first wife was like as he admitted to loving her to so why did he cheat on her and will not on Sophie? I also would have liked to seen more exploration of how the death of his beloved daughter was a catalyst for the changes in Bannalt, as the hope of Sophie's love was his ultimate goal.

The only thing I really did not like about this book was the fate of Sophie's brother, John. I was very attached to the character and really did not see what happened coming, which I suppose is a sign of good storytelling, but still, sad!

Definitely picking up Carolyn Jewel's new novel asap.