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knitnetic's review against another edition
3.0
Lady Penelope Marbury and Michael, Marquess of Bourne, were fast friends as children. When he went off to Eton, they corresponded and looked forward to breaks when they could make mischief together. Yet, after his parents died, his letters stopped. When, at the age of twenty-one, he lost his entire fortune in a game of vingt-et-un, he disappeared from the fashionable world entirely. Now, he's back, and nothing will keep him from getting back what is rightfully his: his father's estates, and Penelope's love.
Usually, I'm a real sucker for childhood friends romances. Something about the moment when friends see the potential in one another for more just really gets to me. Unfortunately, this book doesn't really fit in that category. Michael and Penelope haven't spoken in nearly fifteen years when the book opens, and, at least in parts, that's Michael's choice. While his brush with scandal at 21 made him unsuitable for a lady's company, he actually hasn't spoken to Penelope for far longer -- since his parents' death. There was little satisfactory explanation for why this was the case, and it made Bourne seem far colder than I would like.
I really enjoyed the gambling club setting, and getting to meet Bourne's partners in the establishment. In fact, I have to admit succumbing to a bit of Sequel Seduction -- by the time I was 60% through with the book, I was far more excited about starting Pippa and Cross' story than finishing Penelope and Michael's. Those who liked Lisa Kleypas' Gamblers series ([b:Then Came You|114170|Then Came You (Gamblers, #1)|Lisa Kleypas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347253319s/114170.jpg|2820344] and [b:Dreaming of You|330721|Dreaming of You (Gamblers, #2)|Lisa Kleypas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348674248s/330721.jpg|679378]) will appreciate the setting, but will likely be disappointed by the character development on both sides. Additionally, the resolution seemed rather trite -- I was really hoping Michael would stop being stupid much earlier, but alas I was disappointed.
All in all, a fine book, but not a great one. I do plan to read the sequel, [b:One Good Earl Deserves a Lover|13424032|One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, #2)|Sarah MacLean|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360543002s/13424032.jpg|18886693], as I'm already intrigued by the characters and story line. Here's hoping for a better experience there.
Usually, I'm a real sucker for childhood friends romances. Something about the moment when friends see the potential in one another for more just really gets to me. Unfortunately, this book doesn't really fit in that category. Michael and Penelope haven't spoken in nearly fifteen years when the book opens, and, at least in parts, that's Michael's choice. While his brush with scandal at 21 made him unsuitable for a lady's company, he actually hasn't spoken to Penelope for far longer -- since his parents' death. There was little satisfactory explanation for why this was the case, and it made Bourne seem far colder than I would like.
I really enjoyed the gambling club setting, and getting to meet Bourne's partners in the establishment. In fact, I have to admit succumbing to a bit of Sequel Seduction -- by the time I was 60% through with the book, I was far more excited about starting Pippa and Cross' story than finishing Penelope and Michael's. Those who liked Lisa Kleypas' Gamblers series ([b:Then Came You|114170|Then Came You (Gamblers, #1)|Lisa Kleypas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347253319s/114170.jpg|2820344] and [b:Dreaming of You|330721|Dreaming of You (Gamblers, #2)|Lisa Kleypas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348674248s/330721.jpg|679378]) will appreciate the setting, but will likely be disappointed by the character development on both sides. Additionally, the resolution seemed rather trite -- I was really hoping Michael would stop being stupid much earlier, but alas I was disappointed.
All in all, a fine book, but not a great one. I do plan to read the sequel, [b:One Good Earl Deserves a Lover|13424032|One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, #2)|Sarah MacLean|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360543002s/13424032.jpg|18886693], as I'm already intrigued by the characters and story line. Here's hoping for a better experience there.
inesfiggy95's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_ava_f's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
catisbookish's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Yeah so I was REALLY not feeling it the first half. The premise was… predatory? Manipulative? Bad? Like why are we being kidnapped? Why are we saying that her hoo-hah “tastes like innocence”? And dear God, why is the heroine such a dumb bitch?
Someone please explain to me how this book actually had me in the second half. Like… it almost made me forget about the kidnapping and his inner monologue being mostly “I wanna ruin her” “I wanna corrupt her” “her coochie tastes innocent (whatever that means).”
Almost.
Someone please explain to me how this book actually had me in the second half. Like… it almost made me forget about the kidnapping and his inner monologue being mostly “I wanna ruin her” “I wanna corrupt her” “her coochie tastes innocent (whatever that means).”
Almost.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
4.0
Something tells me I am going to enjoy the next book even more.
jcrit15's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ironskin's review
3.75
Another good Sarah MacLean.
Not my favourite, and I’m more interested in the next book, but it’s always reliable.
Not my favourite, and I’m more interested in the next book, but it’s always reliable.
aoife98's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a bit of a disappointment. It’s been a few days since I read it and I’m still undecided about how I feel.
This book is set 8 years after Eleven Scandals and features Lady Penelope, Leighton’s jilted fiancée, as the FMC. The MMC is Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne. 10 years ago he lost absolutely everything to his guardian in a game of cards and he’s spent the last nine years rebuilding his fortune and reclaiming what he believes to be his. He’s got one thing left on his checklist - Falconbridge, the estate where he grew up. However, Falconbridge is now part of Penelope’s dowry and if Bourne wants it he’ll have to marry his old childhood friend by whatever means necessary.
I hated Bourne in the beginning. I’m not sure if I started to like him or if I accepted that this was just who he was. He was very cold and calculating and cutting. I thought Penelope was quite naive and it took her too long to accept that the Michael she knew 13 years old is not the same man as Bourne.
The pacing of this story felt off. I found myself saying oh X and Y should have been included but the book is already quite long. I think the conflict dragged a little both in terms of the actual scenes and the amount of time lasted. I do think Bourne should have groveled a bit more. He decides to change his tune and woo Penelope around the 60% mark and it’s only in the second last chapter does he acknowledge that he loves her and she doesn’t even believe him ?! I would have liked to see more wooing and more of Bourne earning her trust. There was an opportunity to use the footman/maids/housekeeper and expand a bit on the idea that Bourne gave them a roof and job when they had nothing else. A safe enough environment. It was sort of hinted at but I think Maclean should have placed more emphasis on it, as it acts as a complete contrast to the cold and cruel version of Bourne we currently see.
One thing I did really enjoy was the letter at the beginning of each chapter and how they give insight into Penelope and her relationship with Michael.
In terms of the other characters, the Chase story is interesting. Chase feels that Penelope is owed a debt. I note how Maclean does not use pronouns when writing Chase in a scene. I think Cross is the most interesting of the four partners so I’m glad he’s next. I couldn’t stand Olivia or the mother. Tommy seemed like a good guy and I was glad Bourne decided not to expose Tommy’s illegitimacy. I hope he enjoys India.