thebookdisciple
Written on Jul 18, 2016
Thorncliff Manor is the perfect setting for a masquerade ball ...where the heart's secret desires are about to be uncovered in this scintillating Regency romance from Sophie Barnes Richard Heartly has exiled himself from society since the war, plotting his revenge for a terrible betrayal. A masked ball at Thorncliff Manor is intended to be a brief diversion. Instead, he encounters a fascinating young woman as entranced by the music as he is. He can't reveal his identity to Lady Mary. But her siren song keeps drawing him back, and their clandestine meetings could be hazardous to his plan-and to her virtue ...Avoiding an unwanted marriage was easy when Lady Mary was ignored by the ton. Thanks to her dazzling appearance at the masquerade, she's a wallflower no longer. Eligible suitors abound, yet the only man she wants is the brooding, seductive companion who keeps his face hidden. A man who tempts her to disclose her own shocking secret, one that could divide them forever ...
- ISBN10 006235891X
- ISBN13 9780062358912
- Publish Date 28 July 2016 (first published 26 July 2016)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 15 October 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Avon Books
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Pages 384
- Language English
Reviews
whisperingchapters
Written on Jul 8, 2016
I have just recently gotten into this genre. I don't know why I always stayed away from it, because I'm loving it! That being said, I haven't read the previous books in this series. I still went ahead in reading this book because it's a different couple and let me tell you it's such a cute and shippable couple!
"You are the light to which I am drawn."
"And you are the darkness that lets me shine."
The story starts off at a masquerade ball, which I was immediately attracted to. Everything is described until the last detail! I love these type of balls in books, so getting a vivid description as if I was attending made it all the better for me.
We get introduced to Richard, who has returned from the war and has been hiding for five years. He has physical scars on his face that he doesn't want anyone to see so he shies away from any public appearance. Since it was required to wear a mask, Richard attends the ball and there he meets the lovely and elegant Mary. He knows he should stay away if he doesn't want her noticing his scars but he's so attracted to her finesse and her simplicity.
Mary is completely fine being single and is in no rush to get married. Her opinions start to change when she meets "Signor Antonio" (Richard). Even when her aunt prohibits her from meeting someone they don't know, Mary goes behind her back and meets in secret with Richard.
"I have always favored my own company, for it allows me the peace and quiet that my soul seems to crave."
I loved the message of this book: accepting oneself. Richard has spent the five years hiding, but Mary starts to change that. She starts to dig in deep and Richard slowly comes out of his shell. Richard starts to accept himself and he realizes that his scars aren't all that bad as he made them out to be. Mary and Richard both have well-kept secrets but their love for each other is so strong that it can overcome anything. I really enjoyed reading about their secret meetings. I would feel so giddy every time they would meet. Richard was a gentleman through-and-through. I was enthralled by his persona from the start until the end.
Also, this story has a little bit of mystery added to it that I wasn't fully aware of when I found out about this series. Knowing what I know now, I need to read the previous books because I'm intrigued to find out how everything unravels in the following book(s).
Overall, His Scandalous Kiss is a cute and mysterious Historical Romance that will have readers completely won over with the romance and the mystery behind Thorncliff Manor.
I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.
Cocktails and Books
Written on Jun 23, 2016
Full review to come.