Ripe for Scandal

by Isobel Carr

Title: Ripe for Scandal

Rory’s Rating: 

A secret society of younger sons, sworn to aid and abet each other, no matter the scandal or cost . . . Their fathers and brothers may rule the world, but they run it, and when it comes to passion they refuse to accept second best.

No one would ever suspect Lady Boudicea “Beau” Vaughn, a well-bred, young heiress, of secretly harboring unladylike desires. The object of her affection: Gareth Sandison, a notorious rake and her brother’s best friend. Beau knows her brother would never approve, yet one glance into Gareth’s smoldering eyes stirs a longing deep inside her.

The second son of an Earl, Gareth has always known the lovely Lady Beau is above his station. But when she is kidnapped, Gareth sees a chance to prove his worth and plans a daring rescue. Soon he and Beau are on the run. Yet Beau’s abductors are not the only threat-passion pursues the pair at every turn. Long nights fuel forbidden fantasies, and with danger closing in, Gareth and Beau will finally give in to the ultimate temptation…

Rory’s Review:

Beau has been out in society for years now, but has yet to choose a suitor. This vexes Gareth to know end, he knows she’s above him, and if she just hurry up and marry herself off he could stop fantasizing about her (or at least try). Beau, on the other hand, has other ideas – including trying to get the seemingly indifferent Gareth to notice her. Despite being chased after by a number of suitors, Beau refuses to marry. She wants to marry for love and Gareth is her choice. Even if Gareth continually chooses to be London society’s most desirable rake…

Beau, both beautiful and rich, is constantly chased after by suitors. Even if she has made her intention clear, some choose to ignore her to the point to kidnapping her and trying to force her to marry. Beau’s been kidnapped once before, but her family manages to cover it up (lest she be ruined). They do, however, warn her, that should it happen again, they will let her lose her reputation. When she is kidnapped in broad daylight, in front of Gareth, she knows she is a good as ruined – until Gareth rescues her. Somehow, despite his reservations (he knows he will be viewed as both a fortune hunter and a poor friend), Beau manages to convince him to save her from ruin by marrying her. Both are secretly delighted with the arrangements, as they are getting greatest desires fulfilled. Despite her new marriage, Beau’s scorned suitors are not satisfied and Gareth may be hiding a few secrets of his own…

Ripe for Scandal, the second entry into The League of Second Sons series, is a charming and delightful novel, filled with plenty of drama and sexual tension. Beau and Gareth have great chemistry together. Each has responsibilities to their families, but they cannot seem to resist each other (though they certainly keep secrets from each other, Gareth especially). Just when you think they’ve gotten everything right: they’re happily married, settling into their new home, surprising new secrets threaten to ruin their newlywed bliss.

Leo and Viola, the characters in first entry into the series, make a few brief appearances. Leo, as Beau’s older brother and Gareth’s best friend, feels both hurt and betrayed by Beau and Gareth’s actions. He cannot forgive Gareth, thinking he kidnapped and forced Beau into marriage, simply because he refuses to believe his sister when she tells him the truth of their arrangement. Each of the characters, except Viola, is stubborn to a fault. It makes for fun, if frustrating, reading. The truth, of course, eventually comes out – but it’s questionable if things have gone too far to be forgiven.

Isobel Carr’s The League of Second Sons series is fun and enticing series. The characters are witty and engaging, each with their flaws, but lovable nonetheless (especially Gareth!). I’m looking forward book #3, Ripe for Seduction, which is scheduled to be released December 18, 2012. Romance readers, this is a series worth checking out.

If you want to read the series, you can find The League of Second Sons Series at: