Reviewed by whisperingchapters on
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.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 8 July, 2016: Finished reading
- 8 July, 2016: Reviewed