All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know, #2)

by Kerrigan Byrne

All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the stunning Devil You Know series by USA Today bestselling author Kerrigan Byrne!

They are a dangerous duke, a fierce lord, and an infamous earl--dark, bold, brave men who know exactly what they want. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees...

He is first and foremost--at everything. A man who's made his own way through ruthless cunning and sheer force of will. A strong and imposing Scot who can turn on the charm but does not suffer fools. His title: Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. His name: Cassius Gerard Ramsay. His mission: To investigate the goings-on at London's most notorious gaming hell, owned and operated by one of the most intriguing and desirable women he's ever met.

IN THIS GAME OF LOVE, THE RULES DO NOT APPLY

Cecelia Teague was an orphan facing a rather dire future--until a secret benefactor from her mother's scandalous past swept into her life. Sent to a prestigious boarding school and later to university, Cecelia believed high society was at her fingertips...Then, from out of nowhere, she became the inheritor of a gambling establishment. Now Cecelia must live two lives: one as a proper lady who finds herself undeniably drawn to Lord Ramsay and the other as a savvy gaming hell owner trying to save her business from the very same man. He has no idea she is both women...and Cecelia would like to keep it that way. But what happens when consuming passion and escalating danger threaten to reveal the truth?

With the Devil You Know series, Byrne once again delivers the beautifully nuanced characters and seductive storytelling her readers have come to expect.--Booklist

• ISBN10: 1250318866
• ISBN13: 9781250318862
• Publish Date: 29 September 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 5 April 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

So quick note about the series. Each book works as a standalone and offers an HEA. However, the stories center on Alexandra, Cecilia and Francesca. Three female friends who call themselves the Red Rogues. The first audiobook belonged to Alexandra, and this is Cecilia’s story.

I adored Cecilia. She is brilliant and strong even as she shakes with fear. She has the kindest, sweetest heart. Cecilia’s childhood was harsh and yet she embraces life and enjoys the little things with zest. For instance, her passion for chocolate truffles and a fine wine. In fact, she meets our hero, Cassius Gerard Ramsay; Lord Chief Justice of the High Court while indulging in a truffle. I loved their first meet, and the wild thoughts running through Cassius’s mind.

The very day she learns her Aunt has died, and that she has inherited her gambling establishment and school for young girls. At the same time she discovers that Lord Ramsey is determined to bring down London’s most notorious gaming hell and charge its owner for heinous crimes.

And the game is afoot! Oh, my! Ramsey can be downright scary and yet there is something sexy about this noble Scotsman. Admittedly, I would have disliked him had we not heard his thoughts and got a sense of the baggage he needs to unload.

Bryne knows how to weave a tale of suspense while delivering brilliant, flawed and sexy characters. I loved them all from the French butler to the precarious child. Cecilia was positively splendid. Oh, and the Italian needs his own story!

Watching Cecilia and Ramsey was exciting from their wicked banter to heated debates. Their chemistry was off the charts as we learned their stories and they learned each other. We witnessed the building of friendship and trust.

The author allowed us to feel their painful growth and swoon over sensual moments. It was quite the ride. As I listened I wiped away tears, fought the urge to throw a shoe at a stubborn man’s head and laughed with joy.

Derek Perkins did such a splendid job capturing the characters’ complex personalities, mannerism, and growth. His tones, accents and inflections enhanced the character’s emotions, passion and distress. It was stellar narration from beginning to end. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[stacey_is_sassy]

Everyone deserves a chance at happiness…

****4.5 Stars****

Some of my very favourite stories have given me a hero that I vow to never fall in love with… until, of course I do. Then, I’m questioning how I could have ever doubted my eternal love and even on re-reads chortle at my initial doubts. What rage I felt at our introduction when he brings a tear to my eye with his thoughtless comments, turns into *Oh, the poor man is so misunderstood…* In All Scot and Bothered, Cassius had me swinging from rage, to confusion, to sympathy. The poor man just needed someone to love.

I think the main reason I love a story with a hero that I grow to love, is that it shows a man with imperfections. Hubby broke a beer bottle last night because he was trying to carry 3 bottles at once. While I was a little frustrated when it happened, it was a nice reminder that Hubby is not perfect. That man can be an absolute pain in the butt with all his sweet and thoughtful ways. He cooks, he cleans, he parents well, AND he’s also a loving husband. So bloody frustrating. I cook when I absolutely must, I clean at a surface level, I parent my boys, AND I love hubby, but he just makes it look so easy. Dropping that bottle of beer just brings him down from bloody perfect to slightly imperfect.

Cassius Gerard Ramsay takes pride in being right and just and a man without fault. If only he could fit through doors with that big head of his. OK, I’m probably being a bit harsh, he thinks he has a few faults. This man with few faults, suddenly finds a woman who makes him feel like a hormone-driven, bumbling fool and messes with his perfectly structured world. If he’s not careful, he may even start thinking that his perfect world is not so perfect without her playing havoc in it.

Cecilia is a Red Rogue and proud of it. From a harsh and unloving childhood, finding her two red-headed friends couldn’t have happened at a better time. These three friends formed a bond that meant the sharing of secrets and having each other’s back at the worst of times. Cecilia is a smart and strong woman in her own right, but knowing she always has a Red Rogue to support her, makes her stronger. One of the best things about Cecilia is her big heart. Even with her terrible upbringing, it never made her want to share her misfortunes. If anything, it made her even more sweet and caring.

What I found exceptionally well done in All Scot and Bothered, is the way Kerrigan Byrne dealt with body image. Cassius is an extremely large man and find Cecilia’s tall, curvy, and strong body perfect and very appealing. Instead of Cecilia’s character being all about her weight, she is extremely intelligent, spectacle wearing, and mostly comfortable in her skin. Again, I find myself a little picky when it comes to curvy characters. I don’t want it to be ALL about their size but I don’t want it to be completely ignored either. Lust, desire, and attraction are an individual thing. No one is the same and what one might find attractive, another might find unattractive.

Cassius and Cecilia are a perfect match…once you get past the insults, awkward misunderstandings, and bombs exploding. All Scot and Bothered was a story that gripped me from the first page to the last. While Cassius took a wee bit of time to love, with more understanding of his history, it was hard not to love him by the end. Cecilia was a warm, intelligent, and giving person who was always concerned for the wellbeing of others. When Cecilia’s life is in danger, Cassius puts aside all of his preconceived ideas and judgements to protect her. Their time together forces them to face their attraction to each other and deal with their pasts that has shaped their lives up until now. Like all successful couples, they must learn to communicate, make sacrifices and trust each other.

I loved this fast-paced, emotional, and sexy story, with characters that came to life for me. The additional characters were well developed, and I came to love a few of them and hope to see them more in the future. Cassius and Cecilia were strong characters that did have their vulnerabilities. While they originally believed that change was the only way they would work, it’s soon obvious, that changing each other could destroy what they have come to love.

It’s not a secret that I’m a fan of Kerrigan Byrne’s words. Her stories take me from the lowest of lows, with tears, and sniffles galore, to the highest of highs, with my heart bursting, and smiles and sighs of delight. All Scot and Bothered ticked all my boxes and left me extremely satisfied. I can’t wait for more in the Devil You Know series.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[thebookdisciple]

I hated Ramsey for about 70% of the story. He was so sanctimonious! Cecelia is a delight. I expected no different from what we had previously learned about her. Of the Red Rouges, she was the softest. She had nothing but kindness exuding from her, regardless of how she was treated. I think her unbated kindness made me hate Ramsey even more. Being mean to her is like kicking a puppy. Phoebe is adorable as well and I enjoyed her presence in the story.

I will say there were several surprises in the story that I hadn't really predicted. The plot moves at a good pace overall and there is a solid balance between danger, humor, romance, and Red Rogue determination.

All Scot and Bothered is a wonderful addition to the series and I am very curious for Francesca's story (especially since I think one "Italian" count will play a role).