The Scandalous Flirt (Cinderella Sisterhood, #6)

by Olivia Drake

"Aurora Paxton was once the belle of the ball, the most sought-after debutante of the season--until a scandalous mistake ruined her.Shunned by her family, Rory was banished to the country to live in disgrace. Now she's been summoned back to London by her stepmother, who is being blackmailed by the least likely person Rory can imagine: Lucas Vale, Marquess of Dashell. Lucas is someone Rory's known for years--a man as devastatingly handsome as he is coldly disapproving of her. What in the world could he want from her or her family? Rory intends to find out as soon as she comes face to face with her old foe. What she never expects, however, is that the icy aristocrat has a soft spot for her--and a secret plan to redeem her status. Could it be that Lucas has been in love with Rory all along. . .and has finally found a way to win her heart?"--Page [4] of cover.

• ISBN10: 1250060311
• ISBN13: 9781250060310
• Publish Date: 31 October 2017
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[thebookdisciple]

I was delighted to find that The Scandalous Flirt was a bit of a unique take on common historical romance tropes. You have a dash of matchmaking magic/fairy godmother, a hint of scandal and a possibly ruined woman, a cheating lady, a broke lord, and a mystery!

Rory (Aurora) is a enchanting heroine. She had her debut in the Ton and then promptly engaged in a scandalous outing with an Italian diplomat. As quickly as it started, her season ended and she was shipped off to a coastal town to live with an aunt. 8 years pass and Rory has made peace with her life. She is called back to London to help her awful stepmother, who is being blackmailed. Rory isn't inclined to help the woman who has been so cruel to her, but its a chance to get some much needed money and possibly save her sister from a horrible marriage proposal. This gets her mixed up with Lord Dashell and things get interesting. Dashell, a marquess who inherited his rakish father's gambling debts, has to marry for money. He has found the perfect mark, but just hasn't asked for her hand. He remembers Rory from her 1 partial season and still finds her very alluring. They form a tentative partnership to find the blackmailer.

The plot is filled with so many facets! Celeste, Rory's sister, is engaged to an awful man so you are hopefully Rory will find a way to save her sister. Then there is the blackmail. Who is it? Why? Next you have this mysterious 'fairy godmother' type with her magic slippers who is a renowned matchmaker. Add in Rory's super sketchy stepmother and the staff at the house and you have lots of mysteries and entertainment! The slow burn between Rory and Dashell is delicious as well, even though he is a jerk to her early on. If you enjoy historical romances which have a smart heroine who isn't perfect, you will adore Rory. She recognizes how naive she was during her first season. She has accepted that her actions were a mistake and she has found a way to be happy with her life; maybe even happier than she would have been had she stayed in London and married! Dashell wasn't my favorite heroine. He is ready to marry a girl for her money, his is quite cranky and dour, and he isn't swoon worthy. However, his brother Henry was hilarious! He is the total opposite of Dashell-Henry is charming, light hearted, and suave.

Bottom line: The Scandalous Flirt was a refreshing historical romance with a well crafted plot and interesting characters all around!

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: regency, blackmail


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah Maclean, The Scot Beds his Wife by Kerrigan Bryne, The Lord of Lies by Amy Sandas...then you will probably like The Scandalous Flirt!

 

The Scandalous Flirt

See full review on The Book Disciple

[stacey_is_sassy]

DNF at 31%. No rating as I didn't finish the story.

I'm not enjoying this one and cutting my losses early. It's a wee bit predictable and I don't particularly like the characters. I skimmed over the overly descriptive paragraphs and realised I was skimming more than I was reading.

One of my biggest problems in historical romances is when the hero thinks mistress instead of wife in regards to the heroine. Such a low blow and not something I can easily forgive. Sure it proves he has lust for her but definitely no respect.

I hate not finishing ARC's I have committed to, but unfortunately it wasn't the right book for me.

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

[Lindsey Gray]

After trusting the wrong man, Aurora “Rory” Paxton’s only season came to an abrupt end. She is sent to live with her widowed aunt by her father and wicked step-mother. A twist of fate brings Lady Milford and a pair of slippers that have brought love to five other girls. Rory is soon on her way back to London to face the man her step-mother thinks is blackmailing the family, Lucas Vale, the Marquess of Dashell.

Rory is hired to be a companion to the Marchioness of Dashell, Lucas’ stubborn mother. Lucas remembered the intense attraction he had for the vivacious Rory during her first season. He couldn’t bring himself to act on it then, but having her so close might just bring him a second chance he never knew he wanted. As Rory and Lucas clash in the best ways, sparks fly and tempers flare into passion like neither have felt before.

I absolutely adored Rory from page one. After having her life and prospects basically destroyed, her father dying, and her step-mother hardly acknowledging her existence, she is strong enough to come to London to extinguish the blackmail threats to save her sister’s engagement. I loved the sparing between Lucas and Rory. Lucas was a little harder to love, but once that hard shell broke away bit by bit, I was entranced by his passion for his family and the lengths he goes to for love.

The sixth book in the Cinderella Sisterhood series is just as enchanting as the rest. Drake takes the tale of Cinderella and creates so many magnificent stories all with ladies of different backgrounds and personalities. I am excited to read more from Olivia Drake as soon as possible!

I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.