Review: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart
Author: Sarah MacLean
Publication: Avon (April 26, 2011)


Description: She lives for passion.


Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of theton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.


He swears by reputation.


Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.


My Thoughts: While I have liked all of Sarah MacLean's book, I think this one is definitely my favorite. I could understand and sympathize with both of the main characters. Juliana is trying to fit into London Society and trying to overcome feeling of loss and abandonment. She is afraid that she is like her heedless mother who abandoned her family when she was ten years old. It doesn't help that London Society expects her to be the same as her mother and gossips about her. Juliana has determined to put on a strong, uncaring front to hide her vulnerable heart. 


Simon is committed to maintaining his spotless reputation even though his seventeen-year-old sister has had a child out of wedlock. He feels that marriage to a young woman of impeccable reputation will let him overcome the potential scandal. It doesn't matter that he doesn't love her. It is his duty and passion is something for the lower orders. 


But Simon can't help being attracted to Juliana's life and energy. She tempts him and forces him to reevaluate what is really important to him. Her outsiders view of Society and her occasional mangling of the English Language fascinate and engage him. And gradually, almost reluctantly, they fall in love.


This was a great romance that kept me sitting in a chair and reading until I let out a sigh of satisfaction when the story was through. I can't wait for the next thing MacLean writes.


Favorite Quote:

He stood. "On the bright side, I've been waiting to hit him for twenty years. So that was one thing that went right today." He flexed his hand. "Do you think he had a bruise to match mine?"

The masculine pride in his tone made her laugh, and she stood, as well. "I'm sure it's much larger. And uglier. And far more painful. I hope so, at least."

He came around the desk, and chucked her on the chin. "Correct answer."

I bought this book at Amazon. You can get your copy here.