I have reviewed both the book and audio versions.
(Scoundrels, #3)
Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)
Cover Blurb:
DETERMINED LADY
Tough-minded Jessica Trent’s sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And when Dain’s reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction …
LORD OF SCOUNDRELS
Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him … and then forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can’t wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place — and in some amorous position, And if that means marriage, so be it! — though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof … and steel his heart to the sensuous, headstrong lady’s considerable charms.
♥♥♥♥♥♥
The prologue told me what a fabulous read this book would be, the best opening I have ever read and it just got better. Poignant, witty, funny, romantic but with a deep sadness running through that pulled at my heart strings.
Sebastian Ballister, the Marquess of Dain is a large, dark, angry man to the outside world. On the inside he is a small, ungainly, ugly child with a large ‘Usignolo’ nose; unwanted and unloved he is sent away by his autocratic, unloving Father to Eton at the age of 8. His Italian Mother from whom he has inherited his dark and unusual looks has apparently deserted him and his Father hates him because of her. The small ugly boy learns to fight the hard way, he is bullied and beaten by his fellow pupils and the only way he can win is to best them in all things. Not only does he earn their respect but becomes their leader and this sets the scene for the rest of his life.
As he grows to manhood he thumbs his large nose at his Father and the rest of the world until a chance meeting with Jessica Trent in an antique shop in Paris turns his dissipated world upside down; and the first evidence that he may have a heart instead of a block of ice becomes apparent. At first, he only recognises this as lust as Jessica is not his usual style; she in turn is deeply attracted to him. Until then she has always been independently single and happy to be so.
Jessica Trent has come to Paris with her unconventional grandmother Genevieve, who encourages her towards Dain. The visit to Paris has been arranged so that Jessica can extricate her dozy brother from the big, bad Dain, whose circle of friends Bertie has managed to inveigle his way into. Completely gullible and easily led, he idolises and follows Dain – being too slow witted and thick skinned to realise he is being fleeced, ruined and ridiculed by ‘Beelzebub’….the popular nickname Dain is known by….and his crowd of equally dissipated friends.
The meeting in the antique shop is extremely amusing. The spark between Dain and Jess is immediate; they fence intellectually…he is impressed by her knowledge, beauty and repartee and she with the big handsome darkness and intelligence of him. Dain has only ever consorted with whores and this is a new experience for him. Beautiful, intelligent, desirable AND a lady, Jessica has Dain completely at a loss and what follows is the slow crumbling of his strongly fortified defences.
As well as a beautiful love story, it is also a very moving tale of a deeply tormented small boy who grows into manhood showing the world the worst side of him; the small, frightened boy is still there but deeply hidden. He wants his peers to view him as big bad and dangerous and they do. Jessica Trent perceptively sees beyond that facade and deep into his soul. She is the angel, albeit feisty and managing, who will be his salvation. To her, he is a beautiful, big handsome man, not the clumsy, loathsome brute he believes himself to be… unlovable, unwanted and heart wrenchingly vulnerable.
This book has been around for a number of years and it has been my good fortune to have found it…better late than never. I completely understand why it has topped the ‘All About Romance’ top 100 on and off since its release. I cannot do this wonderful, moving story justice in a review. Ms. Chase has penned a darkly perceptive, beautiful love story. Even the plot, which centres around a Russian Icon, is original and interesting and, in itself, is all tied up with Vain’s vulnerability.
The growing of Vain into the man he becomes, with the understanding and help of Jessica, is cleverly achieved. There are just a few small ‘American’ slips which I am willing to overlook in view of the quality and entertainment value of the writing.
A wonderful page turner and I have now downloaded the audio version on recommendation so that I can enjoy it all over again! This was my first Loretta Chase and will certainly not be my last. 5 well deserved stars. Thanks to Carol and Caz for helping me find this treasure.
AUDIO VERSION
I must add further to my complete and utter appreciation of this wonderful book…this time the audio version, narrated expertly and entertainingly by Kate Reading. I stand by everything I have previously said, but can now add what an absolutely wonderful audio version this is. The hurt and vulnerability hiding deep within the outwardly large, arrogant and supposedly beastly Dain has been brought to life by Kate Reading’s sensitive emphasis of it in an empathetic and deeply moving fashion. In fact, it is so tangible that it actually brought tears to my eyes. The instant attraction between a bewildered and immediately infatuated Dain, and the attractive, clever, determined and independent Jessica is sexy and addictive.
Ms. Reading captures every single character in the most flawless manner. Even the wild Dominic’s childish, foul mouthed and impish tones are pitched exactly like a small, confused but naughty child. There is never any doubt who is talking, even when in a group situation. Her male and female tones are perfection…Dain’s deeply arrogant drawl; Jessica’s, pert confidence and faultless tone of voice, no matter what her emotion at the time. Oh and Dain’s delicious Italian murmurings….sighs!
Can you tell I absolutely LOVED it! One of the very best I have ever read and listened to. A must read and if you can listen you are in for a magnificent treat. This is one I shall keep for ever and trot out whenever I need to lift my spirits. I know there are a few who don’t like this novel but I just don’t get it!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STELLAR STARS
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
Scoundrels series (click on the book cover for more information):
Rakes And Rascals 
One of my all time favorites. (Me and 95% of other historical romance readers – LOL!) Terrific review.
I was also a late comer to reading this book & it is one of my favorite books now, too. I have read it 3 times already. Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I have never listened to an audio book. Maybe I will give this a try!
Thanks, Wendy, for the reminder. I think it’s time for a re-read of this gem.
Yummy book..one of the best ever 🙂
I love this book. Kobo even had one in french, bless their crooked hearts. I must have five copies
Thank you so much for your lovely comments ladies – it’s such a super book and one I remember so clearly. All of the characters stand out in my memory – the sign of an excellent author – right? I really do trot it out whenever I feel I need a lift and always end up grinning like an idiot, when I’m not sniffing! Sharlene – try the audio book; it’s terrific!
Amazing review! I read this book quite recently along with The Last Hellion and surprisingly I liked it even more than Lord of Scoundrels.
Hi Shivalika, thank you for your kind words. I read The Last Hellion, straight after Lord of Scoundrels and was really disappointed. I didn’t think it was anywhere near as good. Later though, on the advice of a friend I listened to the audio and completely revised my opinion! I don’t think it’s better but it’s nearly as good (only IMO) as LofS. There is no doubt, however, that Loretta Chase is a superb writer. 😊
Undoubtedly! 🙂
What a lovely review, Wendy. I have read this book more times than I can remember — as well as listening to the audio — and I’m so glad that you discovered it at last. IMHO, Loretta Chase is one of world’s top three HR authors; she hasn’t written a bad book yet.
It’s partly down to you, Caz and Carol that I read/listened to it in the first place. Thank you for your lovely words and I couldn’t agree with you more.