Do You Want To Start A Scandal by Tessa Dare

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?

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

4 of 5 stars

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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

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 28 September, 2016: Finished reading
  • 28 September, 2016: Reviewed