Lawson’s review of Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Historical romance reprinted by Avon November 27, 2007
I am probably one of a very few people who may admit the reprint was the first time I’ve read this book. It tends to top lists, at least it has on a few that I’ve seen. I wanted to check out what all the love was about and I really enjoyed Not Quite a Lady and wanted to read more from Chase. What Scoundrels gave was not what I had expected. With so many people liking this book so much I was expecting a different book than I got.
Scoundrels is a ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story and Jessica makes a decent Beauty. She’s called a femme fatale like her grandmother, though she’s turned down many proposals and wants instead to open a curio shop in London. Intelligent, independent heroines are usually a good sign in a book. Especially due to the fact she doesn’t cower to the hero at his most belligerent.
The Beast is not really a beast, he’s just a jerk. Why is Sebastian, Marquess of Dain, so well loved by romance readers? He’s belligerent, spoiled, selfish, obnoxious, emotionally stunted and likes himself that way. There’s lots of back story about abandonment and having a horrific Italian nose and getting hazed horribly at Eton. Where that could create sympathy for the now bad marquess, it just made him turn out to be a bully with the attitude of a four year old.
Though he can be charming and congenial, it’s only when he chooses to be. How Jessica falls for him beyond basic animal attraction I don’t understand. And speaking of animal attraction… Sebastian wants her so bad, but what annoyed me was how he thought of himself. A overlarge beast of a man who could break his fragile, delicate wife with his animal urges and lovemaking.
Sebastian has no good opinion of himself, he believes his own worst detractors and those who want to tear down his ego, though it just makes him more malicious and doesn’t let him grow up emotionally. There are some token villains and consequences of a misspent youth that must be dealt with, but when the HEA comes it seems that Sebastian hasn’t grown much and Jessica has become more of his mother than his wife, dealing with his tantrums and fight or flight mentality and offering herself for breeding purposes.
After reading Scoundrels, I wonder if I missed something. A continual top 10 on reader’s lists made me expect the best but end up disappointed in this one. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood or don’t get Sebastian in the right way. Is there anyone that wants to share why they loved this book so much? For me, I’ll read the next Chase and hope it’s more like Not Quite a Lady instead of Lord of Scoundrels.
Grade: C-
Burb: They call him many names but Angelic isn’t one of them…
Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the “Bane and Blight of the Ballisters”–and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He’s determined to continue doing what he does best–sin and sin again–and all that’s going swimmingly, thank you…until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.
She’s too intelligent to fall for the worst man in the world…
Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she’s going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him–and with him, her family and future–means taking on the devil himself, she won’t back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is–herself!Read an excerpt.
I agree, Lawson. While I liked this book, it’s in no way a keeper for me like it is for others who recommended it to me. I let Dain slide when I read it because of his past, but you’re actually right that he’s just a big bully. I haven’t read another Chase since LoS, not because of it, just no time, but I sure hope when I do read one it’s much better.
I’m in there. It was good but I didn’t see why so many call it their favorite. I may have read it with too high expactations, though.
You really didn’t like it did you? LOL
I agree that without the background on Dain’s life he may come across as insufferable, but because we see how he was raised – rejected by his father, the way he found out about his mother, his school years – he was the type of person who struck out at others before they could hurt him. He had encased himself in a shell so deep nothing could penetrate it until he met Jessica. Then he fell and fell hard for her and didn’t know how to deal with it. Getting insight to his thoughts helped a great deal. For example his thoughts when Jess gave him the icon. Although he came across as a jerk on the outside, he was chalk full of insecurities on the inside – ‘specially where Jess was concerned. It was such a delight to see him brought to his knees so to speak, by Jess. He was a hero afraid to love and it was wonderful seeing how he slowly learned to.
And I loved her too. She saw beneath the surface to the very lonely boy inside. She didn’t take any of his shit – to the point of shooting him.
She was strong, knew what she wanted (Dain) and did what it took to get him.
I can understand though how you might not like this one and scratch your head wondering what everyone else seems to see that you don’t. I’m like that with some books too 🙂
God, thank you for this. Lord of Scoundrels has been in my “to be read” pile ever since I started reading romance this past summer. I knew it was supposed to be a classic must read because it gets raved and recommended on every discussion board I visit, but I just haven’t been able to bring myself around to it. Every time I pick it up and read a few pages I just ending up thinking, “Oh, blah!”, then put it down and reach for a meaty highlander or cowboy instead.
I was thinking there must be something wrong with me. Eh, oh well….I’ll read it one day, I’m sure.
I loved, LOVED this book. For me it was one of those great stories where the heroine does the unexpected and the hero is such an utter ass you can’t help but enjoy the show down between the two. Jessica loves Dain but she isn’t going to put up with any shit. Sorry you didn’t like it. I had that problem with Passion. Bloggers squee-ed endlessly about it and I just didn’t get it at all. Well, except for the big shlong.
“The Beast is not really a beast, he’s just a jerk. Why is Sebastian, Marquess of Dain, so well loved by romance readers? He’s belligerent, spoiled, selfish, obnoxious, emotionally stunted and likes himself that way.”
—->Ditto. LOS is one of my least favorite Chase books because of its hero. I hate it when a difficult childhood is used as an excuse for someone to be a jerk to the extent that Dain is. And his attitude toward his bastard son was really something else, considering all he had suffered himself at that age!
Chase has written many wonderful books that sit on my keepers shelf but I gave LOS a big, fat D-.
LOS is not my all-time favorite book, nor is it my favorite Chase book; that one is Captives of the Night. However, I suggest that those who are so anti-Dain reread the scenes where he rescues his son, Dominic(?) from his mother (Charity?); that is Dain’s epiphany, when he realizes that his son’s life to that point has paralleled Dain’s own childhood miseries; that is when Dain starts to become an adult.
Kay
I did like this book, but I sure know how you feel about not liking books that other people have raved about.
I did not like Twilight, The Vampire Queen’s servant, Caine’s Reckoning, Lord Perfect, Caressed by ice…I LOVED the first two in the series, but this last one had too many parts that I skimmed through.
I’m super excited about the next book though. Even though the cover for Mine to Possess is one of the ugliest covers I have ever seen.
Good points from KristieJ and Kay.
Here’s my deal: Even if Dain has all this inner turmoil, he still behaves abominably on the outside and even though Jess knows that, she still caters to him and his whims. And yes, when he rescues his son, he has that epiphany, but then his son worships him and so he can behave anyway he wants and get what he wants from everyone. Bah.
I did like Jess and her independence though. Even though she felt she had to deal with Dain a certain way, she never lost her independence or her ability to act as she felt was best.
This is at the top of my list and has been since I read an old copy several years ago. Different strokes. I despise Anne Stuart and everyone else loves anything she writes. Oh well.
Oh I love this book. Luuurve it. I re-read it whenever I’m in a reading slump. Different strokes, I guess.
This is my favorite of all time, I must confess, but then I’m not bothered by heroes who behave like arses, so long as the heroines call them on it. What I really loved about it was that the heroine stood up to him SO well. And I loved that scene where he was terrified that he might hurt her making love to her, and the scene following where he realizes that he was being illogical. I love the very humorous writing (always a big plus for me). The fact that he was more worried about hurting her than getting his rocks off endeared him to me.
The thing about Dain is he’s the male version of a drama queen (as Jessie puts it, he’s high-strung). Men like that need love, too, you know. *G*
But yes, different strokes. I also like the rake reformed plots when done well, so this was just an all-around perfect book for me.
I am so happy to see this review! I also just read LOS for the first time, and felt just as you did. I then read another of Chase’s books, Mr. Impossible, and thought it was much much better.
I wonder if it is mainly women who are used to the old time heroes who like LOS To me, it read a lot like those 1970s romances, where the hero is a brutish emotional child who just needs the selfless masochism, I mean “femininity” of a good woman to mature a bit.
When I was 13 I might have really gotten into that angry, jealous, and violence prone type of hero. Now I see it for what it is: abuse, not to be tolerated, no matter how hot and well hung he is.
I’m definitely in the “love it” camp. Jessica runs rings around Dain. He’s a big baby, but she doesn’t let him get away with it, and he grows up. I don’t see them as anything like the old-timey h/h’s. She doesn’t suffer anything from him – if anything, she puts the figurative screws to his thumbs till she gets him to smarten up. And like it.
My kind of gal.
When I was 13 I might have really gotten into that angry, jealous, and violence prone type of hero. Now I see it for what it is: abuse, not to be tolerated, no matter how hot and well hung he is.
That sounds more like a Diana Palmer hero. I don’t recall Dain being abusive at all. Egocentric and pig headed, sure. Abused, certainly. Callous and unfeeling toward his own child, yes (but how better to illustrate his redemption?) But never abusive. Did I miss something?
I don’t remember Dain being abusive, either. Some heroes certainly are, but I don’t think Dain fell into that category.
Nor do I think Jessica pandered to him. Sure, she babied him a bit, but when it came down to it, she did what she wanted, not what Dain thought she should do.
Maybe I loved the book so much because Jessica was the first historical heroine I’d ever read about who acted so real.
But you aren’t the first person I’ve heard say she doesn’t like this book. I was spellbound, but isn’t that the best thing about romance readers? Or different taste?
For me, it was a solid “Meh.”
I traded it away years and years ago. Found it again recently. Read it again, cover to cover. Maybe I’d missed something the first time around.
Nope. Sorry. Still a solid “Meh.”
(It was traded away again.)
Just it goes to show how YMMV. I didn’t think Dain was abusive at all. I loved how all his posturing and attitude were really just a defense because he was a high-strung, emotional mush. Jessica also had his number from pretty much the beginning, and had the upper hand the whole time. Dain was fumbling around like an idiot and had no idea what he was doing. She always got her way. She shot him, for Goodness sake!
My secret wish is that someday Dominic would get a story. I think Chase could make it really interesting.
HEY! I like Diana Palmer *g*
DEVON! you must review it too!!!! That will be SUCH good fun that is funny. I am loving this discussion!
I have to admit I want to reread this because I read it before I knew I was suppose to LOVE it and that it is the bestest evah. Read, enjoyed it, solid C, used book stored it and then got online and was like huh what?
So I plan to reread it. And really expected Lawson to loveseses muchly. I adore a reformed rake… so who knows.
To defend my use of “abusive” to describe the hero of this novel, please note that abuse need not be physical, and also note that you cannot measure it by the impression it makes on the abused, who is often the first to excuse the abuser and the last to admit it has happened.
Signs of emotional abuse include isolation from family and friends, manipulation with lies and contradictions, public humiliation, frequent threats of leaving or telling the partner to leave, frequent criticisms, etc. I don’t have the book in front of me, but I am fairly sure Dain is guilty of at least some of these.
Some women like this in their fictional heroes. I totally get it. I’m just not one of them.
I liked this book. But for me this book was a read-once book, i.e., I read it once, I enjoy it a lot, and I keep it. But I don’t necessarily take it out for re-reads.
My favorite Chase novel is Mr. Impossible. My favorite Chase work is a novella called the Mad Earl’s Bride. It is absolute perfection.
I’m not one of them either. The thing I like about LOS, is that every attempt that Dain makes at one of these things is kind of a desperate attempt to protect himself from feelings he is clueless about. And Jessica always sends it back. He tries public humiliation, she humiliates him far worse instead and ends up with her proposal to boot. As for the others, I’ll think about it. I always felt that Jessica manipulated Dain quite neatly and entertainingly. Everyone will read characters and books differently, and among the things affecting those readings will be personal hot buttons, like emotional abuse. With Chase’s lively, tight, ‘show, don’t tell’ writing style (few writers can beat her dialogue), and her well-developed, intelligent pro-active heroine (an unfortunate rarity in romance), I really do feel that LOS rises above a standard bad boy reformed rake story. A lot of it’s in the writing style, which may appeal to some more than others. I suspect most of us who love LOS do so in large part because of the heroine and the repartee, not because we enjoy abusive heroes.
I double lurve this book! The main reason is when Jessica shoots Dain. Should have shot him in the balls! Jess is one awesome heroine and doesn’t take any crap from Dain.
There is just something about Dain from him being clueless on why a women like Jess would be attracted to him and that people do really like him. I like that he begs Jessica and is humble in her arms.
I don’t see Dain as a bad boy but he is very pitiful from his childhood to the way he lives his life. Jessica shows him the light.
Plus he speak Italian.. swoon.
Oh, I couldn’t disagree with your opinion any more. But isn’t that what makes our little world so great?
I love, love, love LoS! The whole beginning of the book sets up why Dain is the way he is. It made me want to hold him and heal him – just like Jess did.
But I have to admire you – we are all so quick to jump on heroines for bad behavior, but so quick to excuse it in our heroes. You call him on the carpet for it, so how can I blame you for it? I can’t – I can only agree to disagree with you 🙂
I’m with Devon on this. Abuse isn’t the word when the recipient is giving back just as much… then it is a battle.
I didn’t ‘get’ LOS the first time I read it, although the humour was fun and the relationship was stormily exciting. Then I reread it and discovered that much of the book still simmered nicely in the back of my mind; it had obviously made more of an impact than I remembered. I found Sebastian a nicely tortured hero – and felt sorry for him. The poor guy really hadn’t had much love in his life until Jess came along. Give him a break, readers! If you’d been unloved you’d be a snot, too. Or an arse, as Sabrina Jeffries so delicately put it, LOL. And Jess calls him on it, she doesn’t let him get away with bad behaviour. The power of healing love and all that. Having reread it a few times now, I love LOS, totally love it; I find it a nearly perfect romance. My 2c.
Sabrina, perfect analogy – male drama queen, lol, and Jessica figures that out right off. His Italian genes make him exrtra prone to fly off the handle and be overly stubborn, all those years of feeling unworthy, unloved and alone, later his title and wealth making others afraid to stand up to him. Who was there to show him any better or stand up to him until Jessica, make him learn to care about himself and stop being afraid of his emotions, so he could then allow himself to care about others. She gets her way, but also reads between the lines as to what he’s really saying when he goes on a rant, or what really set off his temper tantrums since he doesn’t know how to express his emotions any other way. Are his actions really any more “abusive” than other cold, unfeeling heros who are overly demanding and condescending? He’s also intelligent and when he despairs he might lose her, he finally starts to learn to not put himself first, to trust and not be so afraid of those emotions. She makes him finally grow up and accept his responsibilities. I think he ignored his son from fear of not knowing what to do with him, until she makes him confront it, working out that, yes, he could be a parent, when he realizes she had faith and trust in him to handle it when she doesn’t go along with him. That’s the point I see it all come together for him, finally accepting those responsibilities and feeling loved, therefore becoming capable of returning it, happy for the first time.
I’m with those who love Mr. Impossible best. There are many elements of LoS that I really enjoy; for me it’s the structure of the book that doesn’t work. It feels sloppy to me. I think Chase’s writing has tightened up considerably since.
I knew I like angie for a reason *eg*
The girls gots taste 😉
::ducks and runs:;
I really like Loretta Chase`s books, but LOS was definitely not one of my favorites. And, Dain was not the only reason I didnt like it. Yes, he was a hothead and a bit of a jerk, but Jessica was the one who ruined it for me. She was certainly no femme fatale in my mind – more like an neurotic know-it-all shrew, with an over-inflated opinion of her own self-worth. She was one scary and unlikeable heroine and probably one of the worst heroines I have read in awhile.