Reviews

His Scandalous Lessons by Katrina Kendrick

sarahm666's review

4.0

This book was the perfect blend of steamy, and sweet, with just a bit of mystery, and intrigue mixed in there. The first half of the book was a little more heavy on the romance than the last half. I probably would of enjoyed it even more if the steamy parts were a little more frequent but that's just my personal preference. The mystery aspect of the story was fun too. Overall it was an enjoyable read for me and I'll read more in the series. Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

cakt1991's review

emotional

4.0

 I first saw a few of Katrina Kendrick’s books at my library a while back, and while they looked interesting, I didn’t pick them up at the time. But I also started following Elizabeth May on social media within the past few years, and my interest was again piqued when I realized she was also Katrina Kendrick. So when I saw the new editions of the books available on Libby, I jumped at the chance to read them, starting with the first book, His Scandalous Lessons. This book is pretty much everything I enjoy in a historical romance, from the richly conveyed historical details and political intrigue, plus a favorite trope, “intimacy lessons.” 

I love the multifaceted nature of both leads. Richard presents as a rogue with a reputation as a legendary lover, but he’s also very politically conscious, pushing for progressive ideas, like the right to vote for all men, something which the current prime minister and his political rival opposes, being much more staunchly conservative. Meanwhile, the prime minister’s daughter, Anne, is kept sheltered by her domineering father, and expected to concern herself with her impending arranged marriage to a truly awful older man. But Anne is also very intelligent and has a wonderful memory, which gives her father all the more reason to try to exploit and control her. 

There’s a lot going on here, which surprised me, given that this book isn’t super long. But the political intrigue kept me engaged and wanting to know how it would all turn out, especially with each twist and turn in the fight between Anne and Richard against her father and her evil fiance. There’s a lot of sensitive content here, child abuse subjected on Anne by her father to some sexual abuse by her fiancee, so it’s definitely a heavier historical romance. 

But the romance at the heart is super sweet and sexy. Richard empowers Anne in multiple ways, from her sexual growth to being able to stand against her father. And after all Anne had experienced, I loved that he was the one who treated her with love and respect.

I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more from the series. I’d recommend this book if you’re interested in a somewhat grittier and politically conscious historical romance. 

 

virginiahassel's review against another edition

4.5

This is an easy read with with good drama and romance. I was rooting for the main characters from page one and their love confessions were perfection I'm looking forward to reading the next one! 

difficultwomanreads's review

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Vibes: seduction lessons, gentle hero/traumatized heroine, instalove

Heat Index: 7/10

Anne needs help finding a husband--it's the only way she can escape her abusive father and worse fiancee. She offers notorious rake and political blackmailer (and enemy of her father) Richard a deal: if he teaches her how to seduce a husband, she'll give him information he needs. The problem? She may be, however unintentionally, seducing Richard.

This is an interesting one. It got off to a really good start. I like the characters, and they have good chemistry. I'm definitely intrigued about the rest of the series, and will most likely be checking it out. But it went by very quickly. This would have benefited from more page time, and for that matter, more time luxuriating in the romance. Anne and Richard get together fast, and the story takes a pretty dark turn from there--one I expected, but even then it felt tonally dissonant from the frothy, heady love story I'd read up until then.

I know this book was published in a different form earlier, and I wonder if it was any longer. As it is, this is compelling and makes plenty of good points about nineteenth century politics and the abuse suffered by women. But it's pretty rushed.

Quick Takes:

--Just as a heads up... when I say this gets dark, it gets pretty dark. Emotional, verbal, physical, and sexual abuse are discussed and occur (and it has been occurring for a very long time). I didn't think this was over the top, and I feel it was sensitively handled. However, read with caution.

--One thing I really enjoyed was Richard's friend Caro (not because of the name similarity, but it helped) and all of the nude paintings she did... starring Richard. More books where the heroes pose for nude paintings! More books where the heroes have female friends and it's cool and chill and nobody is weird about it! I definitely want to read Caro's book, which I think comes out next year. Marriage in trouble? Yes please.

--I hate the term "instalove", because I often feel that what people are referring to is instalust. I honestly don't mind instalust when done well; it's the love part I want to see happen gradually. Because the first half of this book, when the falling in love part takes place, is SO quick, this did feel pretty instant. Richard is really, really soft with Anne--and yes, he's a nice guy, but it kind of feels like he's falling for her super fast. And if there had been more to the relationship, more trouble and friction, that may have worked. But the love story itself is pretty smooth. 

--On another note, I will say... for a nOTORIOUS ROGUE, Richard is pretty sweet. Not that a notorious rogue has to be the worst person ever, but at points this book seemed SO aware of its publication date. Richard is super talky about consent, and like--I want this book to have good consent politics. I do not need the hero explaining consent. It felt awkward. 

That said, otherwise he was very hot, and I enjoyed the fact that he got weird and cranky when he hadn't been laid in a while. More of this behavior please.

--This all sounds very critical, but honestly--if you want a good romance and you're okay with things being a bit fast, you'll probably love this. The writing is good. It's hot. It's tender. I liked a lot of it. I'll be reading more. I just think that this installment could have used a bit of work.

The Sex:

Speaking of, this was good. It obviously begins pretty early, and there are several scenes that aren't RIDICULOUSLY explicit, but are very much explicit. And it begins with a gazebo moment that is QUITE impetuous. The best part is that he's very grumpy and fucked up about it after because they aren't together and he's trying to help her find a different man, but he can still taste her in his mouth!!! DAMMIT!!!

A flawed but nice read, I think this book shows Katrina Kendrick's talent, but would benefit from some expansion and a bit of further development.

Thanks to NetGalley and Aria for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

moiraholdman's review against another edition

3.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Historical Romance)

Release Date: August 3, 2024

Synopsis: Anne Sheffield has been promised to the Duke of Kendal since she was 12. Her father is domineering and uses her memory to help his political machinations. With two months to her wedding, she gets in contact with the only man who can help her, Richard Grey. Richard is known to be a rake, but he uses this reputation to hide his real role in politics. Anne needs Richard’s help in finding a husband that she actually loves. Will the flirting lessons lead to more?

My Thoughts: I did like this book, and it was very quick however, parts of this book were very tough. TW: sexual assault, child abuse, forced marriage. However, I did like the love story between Richard and Anne. I thought Anne was a great character, with her being strong in the face of everything that life has thrown at her. So, despite some of the tough subject matter, I did like the book. 

If you love dating lessons or the Bridgerton series, you’ll love this. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Moderate: Child abuse

plottrysts's review

4.0

This is a short, straightforward, sexy historical romance. Anne is betrothed to an awful man; her father is an unscrupulous politician on the wrong side of history. Using impeccable romance novel logic, she approaches his political enemy, Richard Grey, to help her find a husband. Richard is the perfect man to do this because he can seduce any woman he wants, so obviously he can teach her to seduce any man she wants! So he gets her invited to a house party where she receives plenty of successful lessons in seduction. But the lessons work too well, because now they've been mutually seduced!

We love a book with lessons, decent characters, and external relationship conflicts, and this book gives all three. There are some major content warnings (see below) but honestly this was pretty rompey for a book that deals with such dark themes. This one is a ton of fun where the bad guys get their comeuppance and the good guys come out on top. The book also sets up at least three other romances, so we might be headed for a deep Katrina Kendrick dive...

CW: child sexual abuse; sexual abuse; physical abuse; psychological abuse.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

ramshajamil's review

2.0

I just don't buy that a 19th century politician or lobbyist or whatever the hell our MMC is supposed to be cares about consent let alone cares to teach it to our FMC who honestly has the mind of a contemporary female, NOT someone from the regency era. At least be a little realistic.

megatza's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

k_fry's review against another edition

dark lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

freya_amber's review

Library loan expired and I wasn't interested enough to go back. The romance happened very quickly.