Do You Want To Start A Scandal (Castles Ever After, #4) (Spindle Cove, #5)

by Tessa Dare

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it. All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn't her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers' true identity, she'll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville-the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she's ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn't got a clue. But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit ...and melt a woman's knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte's safety is the truth about his dark past. Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte's feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who's sworn to never love?

• ISBN10: 0062465856
• ISBN13: 9780062465856
• Publish Date: 27 September 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 5 July 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Avon Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 272
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.com.au/9780062465856

Reviews

[readingwithbecs]

This book was a lot of fun!

Charlotte's mother is so funny. She only wants the best for her daughters, she doesn't care that's not what they want for themselves, and she's not subtle about it at all! There's a scene between Charlotte and her mother in the start of the book, where the mother is explaining to Charlotte what sex is, and it was just too funny! Charlotte herself is both mortified and having trouble taking her mother seriously, which just made the scene even better! I enjoy every scene with her in it!

I loved the reveal of the mystery lovers from the library. I had no clues to this mystery, and I loved the result! Even when Charlotte and Piers have figured it out, I still didn't know, and I needed them to reveal it to me.

I was not a fan of the conflict between Charlotte and Piers in the last part of the book. I thought it was a weird conflict, but it didn't spoil the book for me.

[nitzan_schwarz]

As always, a really fun read from Tessa Dare.

Things to love: BANTER and teasing and pretty much no shame in sexuality which is A+. Also, there is lesbian rep here which I very rarely see in Historicals, though it was very slight and quick. Still, it was there, which is a start.

Things I was less thrilled with: they fell in love REALLY quickly. There wasn't really any conflict, and the one created at the end just felt so... pointless? Like, WHY? And the "reasoning" behind it also felt very lackluster.

[stacey_is_sassy]

I’d take the scandal too.

I can honestly say there are not too many times that I find myself equally fond of the heroine as much as the hero. I admit, I pick and choose my reads based solely on the hero. He has to appeal to me in some way or form. So, I was excited to find that Do You Want to Start a Scandal has one of the best historical romance heroines I’ve read. Charlotte is quirky in a good way, smart and inquisitive, loyal and friendly and not overly vain. Don’t get me wrong, Piers is great, but Charlotte in some ways stole the show.

Do You Want to Start a Scandal starts with Charlotte leaving a ball and going to the study to give a gentleman a warning. This warning is a little unusual as she’s warning him to stay away from her. See, Charlotte’s mum is a shockingly devious matchmaker with her eye on this particular gentleman for her daughter. Not keen on the idea of a forced match or ruining her reputation even further (her mum’s previous escapades landed her in the mud), she states her reasons why he needs to stay clear.

Piers Brandon, Lord Granville, is shocked by this young woman. What shocks Piers, is Charlotte’s willingness to put her reputation at risk by approaching him, without introduction, in private. The fact that she’s strikingly pretty and quite humorous…and that he notices, is even more shocking. Piers is a man of control. His title of a marquess and his role as a spy for the government leaves him little time to notice women unless it is work-related. When their private meeting is nearly compromised, Piers jumps into action.

What follows for Piers and Charlotte is a very awkward scene where another couple meets for an assignation. Afterwards, a discussion of whether Charlotte understood what was going on as they were hiding had me giggling. I loved her answer of – “I’m innocent, but not ignorant.” This was quite refreshing for me. It does become a little tedious where every young lady in a historical romance has absolutely no idea what happens between a man and a woman in the boudoir. Their discussion comes to an abrupt halt when thinking they’re in the clear, they are shocked to be discovered by the eight-year-old son of the house.

What’s a decent Lord to do? Offer marriage of course.

Unfortunately, Charlotte isn’t jumping for joy (even though her mum is) because she had plans. She’s not ready to settle down and she definitely doesn’t want to marry unless it’s for love.

By mutual understanding, Piers and Charlotte agree to announce their betrothal at the end of the two-week house party. Charlotte comes up with the brilliant plan to try and clear her name to avoid the forced marriage.

I loved Do You Want to Start a Scandal. The characters were engaging, the storyline kept my interest from start to finish and the steamy scenes definitely had the heat I’ve come to expect from a Tessa Dare romance. I honestly couldn’t find fault with it. There was no time I was frustrated or bored and I definitely couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I pretty much read the book from start to finish in one sitting.

If you’re looking for a funny, entertaining and riveting historical romance read, Do You Want to Start A Scandal may be perfect for you. Tessa Dare’s stories are all awesome. Even though I suggest you go back and read the rest of the books in this series, you could easily read this as a standalone. Yes, there are characters that pop up from other stories but I don’t think you’d be left scratching your head feeling like you’ve missed something.

I definitely recommend Do You Want to Start a Scandal.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Our hero Pier Brandon, Lord Granville is not new to us, we have actually met him in Say Yes to the Marquess (Castles Ever After series). He was Rake’s brother and betrothed to Clio. Piers is a spy for the Crown and attending a country party to investigate the host. Charlotte comes upon him in the study. She is there to warn him about her ruthless mother and her attempts to trap entitled men into marrying Charlotte. Right away, I found Charlotte to be a breath of fresh air and I was hooked.

They become trapped as a couple enjoy a passionate encounter. And of course once the couple leaves they are discovered! It is all rather complicated but an arrangement is quietly made to announce a betrothal in a fortnight.

“Dare I hope you’re too innocent to understand what just went on here?” he asked.

She gave him a look. “There’s innocent, and then there’s ignorant. I might be the first, but I am not the second.”

Charlotte has two weeks to discover who the other couple is so that she can clear her name. However, the more time Charlotte spends with Piers the more complicated things becomes. And oh, what fun it was!

Dare creates such wonderful heroines and Charlotte was a darling. She is smart, confident, and feisty. She is the perfect match for Piers. I loved the differences in them as well. She was a total slob and he was Mr. Neat and Order. It all made me giggle. I loved the banter, unexpected surprises and joy of seeing these two fall.

Piers assignment, near death experiences and heated moments all added to the story. Charlotte played detective and impressed Piers. The storyline was kept light as the author provided bits of humor. The sex talk by Charlotte’s mother had me laughing so hard I saw tears. Charlotte is very straightforward and at times quite blunt creating humorous moments. Dare kept the drama low with a few turns and stumbles as our couple figured things out.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Rowena]

Another fabulous historical romance from Tessa Dare. Her books are always a treat and this is no different. Charlotte was the best! Full review to come.