Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart (Love by Numbers, #3)

by Sarah MacLean

'Fabulous' Eloisa James
'Smart, sexy, and always romantic' Julia Quinn
'For a smart, witty and passionate historical romance, I recommend anything by Sarah MacLean' Lisa Kleypas

She lives for passion.

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman the Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.

He swears by reputation.

Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening - risking everything he holds dear - he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

This is the third novel in the Regency romance Love By Numbers trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean - perfect for fans of Lisa Kleypas and Eloisa James

Love By Numbers series:
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart

Praise for Sarah MacLean:

'Sarah MacLean has reignited the romance genre with a bolder edge' The New Yorker

'Funny, smart, feminist and roastingly hot' BookRiot.com

'Do yourself a favor and discover the compelling magic of Sarah MacLean' Amanda Quick

'MacLean writes with an entirely unique blend of elegance and ferocity that bursts from every page' Entertainment Weekly

'Great chemistry, intelligence and sparkling humor' RT Book Reviews

• ISBN10: 0061852074
• ISBN13: 9780061852077
• Publish Date: 26 April 2011
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart is a sweet conclusion to this series. Obviously, it’s focused on the twin’s long lost sister, Juliana. She has been the center of gossip and scandal since she was introduced into society. Then one night, when fleeing a particularly bad evening, she winds up hiding in the carriage of Simon, Duke of Leighton. The two bump heads constantly because she doesn’t follow the rules of London society, and he’s all about the rules. Juliana thinks that the duke needs a lesson in passion, and she’s just the one to teach him.

I did really enjoy Eleven Scandals, although more in the second half that in the first. In fact, I was a bit bored with the beginning as it felt very cliche. The sassy Italian woman must show the stuffy British man what he’s missing in life by just focusing on duty and propriety. It was just a very obvious route for Juliana’s book to take, even though nothing too scandalous happened at first. But once they have several run ins, spend some time together, and feelings develop, I was super into it. The tension was killing me!

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart is a fun romance, although not my favorite. I did really like how this one gave background to the author’s other series. The heroine of the first book had been dumped by a duke ten years prior, and I’m sure you can guess who that duke was and who he dumped her for! I’m quite glad that I started that series while I waited to get this one from the library, because I like seeing connections like that.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Amanda]

So. This book. I'm not entirely sure about it. You see, Leighton and Juliana's story really began in book 1. And while Juliana won me over right away, Leighton persisted being an arrogant asshole for TWO AND A HALF BOOKS. Maybe even two and three-quarters. And though I may like the reformed arrogant asshole on occasion, I'm not entirely sure Leighton is one such occasion. Duke of Disdain, indeed.

That said. I still enjoyed this book. It was scandalicious, and I might hate myself a little for that term, but it's quite true. Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart also had me wanting to pull out A Rogue by Any Other Name to reread. (Can you say character crossover? Yes, you can!) So scandal. It was all very angsty and forbidden and probably everything a book called Eleven Scandals should be.

You guys, I'm bummed this is the end of the series. I adored the St. John brothers. And Juliana was fun in her everything-English-are-not kind of way. They built an unlikely family and I'm not ready to be rid of it. Or maybe I'll just start reading A Rogue by Any Other Name again... I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITHOUT MORE SARAH MACLEAN.

[nitzan_schwarz]

3.5 stars

[kimbacaffeinate]

4.5 Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart is the final book in the Love by Numbers trilogy by author Sarah MacLean. After devouring the first two books (you can click on links to those reviews at the end of this post) I was excited to begin this one. McLean didn’t disappoint me, as she delivered another humorous romance with a headstrong heroine. I quickly consumed this while on vacation and found it to be delightful.

Juliana Fiori is the Italian half-sister of Gabriel St. John, the Marques of Ralston whom we met in Nine Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake. She has been introduced to London society but they whisper about her. She feels like a fish out of water trying to live by the tons rules. When she is accosted, she hits the man and narrowly escapes by hiding in a carriage. This particular carriage turns out to belong to Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton. (otherwise known as the Duke of Disdain.) The tango, these two dance, is delicious and the tale kept me completely immersed. I laughed, cried and cheered these misfits on.

Juliana and Simon could not be more different. He is all prim and proper; strictly adhering to all the rules of society. She can be bold and outspoken. The two have previously met and were immediately attracted to each other. When Simon discovered her identity, he was outraged. (for not disclosing this information immediately) Simon needs a prim and proper wife and discovers he must do something immediately to protect his reputation before a scandalous secret is discovered. He sets his eyes on the tons darling; Lady Penelope Marbury. Juliana has other plans and I truly adored her. She is refreshing and I loved how she could turn Simon upside down and inside out. She is exactly what this stiff, controlled, smexy Duke needs. I loved Simon, despite the fact that several times I wanted to slap him across the face and shout, “What are you doing? You blundering idiot! “ What a thrill watching Juliana peel back Simon’s layers to reveal the steamy, passionate man within.

MacLean’s tales are captivating. I became invested in the characters throughout the series. Reading this novel has been both exciting and depressing. I truly did not want this series to end. While this is a historical fiction and the characters are trapped within the structures of the period; the author breathes such life into them that they became real. I love when an author makes this happen. MacLean weaves drama, suspense and humor into the tale making it a real page turner. I read this in a single day, and I am sure my family was very aware I was spellbound. The romance was wonderful and dripping with sexual tension. The interactions between Juliana and Simon sent my emotions on a rollercoaster ride.

I highly recommend Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart and the entire Love by Numbers trilogy to fans of historical romance, humor and strong female heroines. Sarah MacLean has made my favorite authors list, and I am excited to be bringing you a review of her latest novel A Rogue by Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels #1) next week.
http://www.caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/

[Cocktails and Books]

Really enjoyed this one!