C2’s review of Always a Scoundrel (The Notorious Gentlemen, Book 3) by Suzanne Enoch
Historical romance released by Avon 28 April 09
Lord Bramwell Lowry Johns is a thief. As the notorious Black Cat, he prowls through the dark streets of Mayfair stealing the ton’s baubles right from under their noble noses. He doesn’t steal because he needs the money (although his father, the Duke of Levonzy, has cut him off again)…he steals for the thrill, the adrenalin rush he gets from stealing and the satisfaction of knowing that his father is aware of exactly who the thief is. Double win!
During one of his forays as the Black Cat, Bram overhears that Lady Rosamund Davies is going to be married to the Marquis of Cosgrove to settle a 10,000 pound debt incurred by her brother James. Since Bram is very well acquainted with Cosgrove, he knows no innocent chit should ever be forced to marry him. Bram decides he needs to take a closer look at the situation.
Lady Rosamund has lived a quiet life, managing her flighty family members without them realizing it. Since they didn’t realize how Rose made their lives easier, her relatives have no appreciation for her or any sympathy for the predicament they have placed her in. They expect her to, as they see it, do her duty to her family and to be grateful that she is getting married at all.
Bram finds himself intrigued and baffled by Rosamund – intrigued because by her straightforward personality and baffled by her dedication to her family. His curiosity aroused, Bram sets out to learn more about Rosamund. As he gets to know her, Bram realizes just how disastrous a match between Rosamund and the deceptively angelic Cosgrove would be.
He offers to help her run away from London to avoid the marriage but she refuses…at first. After a few encounters with Cosgrove alone, she begins to see what marriage to him will be. Finally, she agrees that if no other solution can be found by the day the engagement is to be announced, she will let Bram help her run away and start a new life. A wrench is thrown into the works when the announcement date is unexpectedly moved up. Bram has to ask for help from people he neither wanted or expected help from.
The attitude of Rose’s family toward her was horrifying, from a modern standpoint especially. To be told that the only thing she was good for was to bail out her thoughtless younger brother, rather than make him responsible for his own actions, is beyond insulting and belittling. However, it is probably quite accurate, historically speaking. Daughters seemed to be regarded as an odd sort of currency in the days of arranged marriages and political pairings. Grrrr. *glances at soapbox and steps down*
Watching Bram become more and more attracted to Rosamund, even though he considers himself beyond such attachments, and deal with his growing feelings for her is the best part of the book. At the beginning Bram has already started down a very slippery slope – he is becoming a bitter wastrel with little regard for anyone. Over the course of the story, he first realizes there are good people that deserve good things (although he doesn’t consider himself one of them) and later sees he can have a different life than the one he envisioned for himself. I love Bram – he’s my new fave of Suzie E’s heroes (it used to be Bit)! Also, she gets bonus points for best disposal of a villain EVER. Heh.
Grade: A
Summary:
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Never a gentleman . . . until now.
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Lord Bramwell Johns, the second son of a duke, is an unrepentant scoundrel. Now that his two closest friends are disgustingly ensconced in domestic bliss, Bram is feeling strangely restless. And not even relieving London’s least deserving artistocrats of their ill-gotten jewels is enough—until the night he overhears an argument. It seems that Lady Rosamund Davies is about to be forced into marriage with a rogue even worse than himself.
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Rose is well aware of Bram’s scandalous reputation, so any reason for his sudden interest in her is suspect; more so since he’s close friends with the man about to ruin her family! She has her own plan though, and Bram may be just what she requires—as long as she remembers that he is only looking out for himself. As long as she remembers that his kisses and caresses don’t mean anything. As long as she can keep from wondering whether she can trust a scoundrel . . . with her heart.
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Read an excerpt here.
Other books in the series:
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I started this book last night and I’m really enjoying it. Bram has been my favorite since Sully’s book. I think this series is such a cute one. I didn’t read your review (well I stopped reading your review) since I’m reading this book right now. I shall return when I’m all finished with the book and discuss with you!
My favorite enoch hero is still Bit and Sully.
But like Rowena, I was intrigued by Bram since Sully’s book. I was not disappointed! I loved reading the reformed-rake story.
Another amazing read by Enoch. Wonder what’s next…
OMG – a better hero than Bit? Is that possible? (Excepting Nick Gentry, of course, LOL). England’s Perfect Hero is one of my two all time favorite historicals.
I enjoyed the first two in this series, and this one is on my TBR. Thanks for the review!
I’ve heard of this author but never tried her novels. This is the 2nd review I’ve read of this book and it sounds good…but who would you say Suzanne Enoch’s writing is similar to?
Suzanne Enoch is quite an original. But if I HAD to compare her to other Regency Historical authors… I’d say I love reading Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn every bit as much as I enjoy Enoch.
Rowena – I can’t wait to hear what you thought about the book. 🙂
Fiz – I liked Sully, too, and loved Bit, of course. But Bram! *sigh* He seemed so surprised that people liked him and that he could actually be a good person. And according to Amazon, her next book is The Care and Taming of a Rogue and will be out in November…no other info on it, though.
Lori – You won’t be disappointed! Ahh, Nick…isn’t he fab? One of Lisa K’s best heroes ever (along with St. Vincent, of course).
Tabitha – I agree with Linda on authors who are similar. Julia Quinn, Jacquie D’Alessandro, early Karen Hawkins maybe, some of Lisa Kleypas’ books. You should try Suzie E! And this is a good series to start with. Conveniently, a good bit of her backlist has been reprinted recently, too.
Whoo hoo, Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn are two of my favorite authors. Thank you, Linda and C2! I’ll check out one of her books. Should I try this book or one of her earlier works first?
Tabitha – you could start with this book but I recommend starting with the first book in this series, After the Kiss, and reading all three in order. They stand alone fine but it’s always nice to have the characters all rounded out. 😀
Great review, I read the first two, need to get this one soon as I can. So far my favorite is Saint from London’s Perfect Scoundrel.
C2, thanks! I’m going to the bookstore this weekend and am so excited to pick up more books to read!
Pam – Thanks! 🙂 I liked Saint, too.
Tabitha – Yay!
That last line of the review is very intriguing. I haven’t read an Enoch before but I may have to now.
Oh Liv! You should try her – and this series is a good one to start with. The books don’t have to be read in order, even.
As far as her disposal of the villain (a very nasty bit of evilness) goes – heh. Creative comeuppance, says me. Do NOT read ahead to see. 😉
I always love a good karmic death.
I’ve seen her name around so I’ve been meaning to try her . . . I’m still very new to the romance genre.
After you read it, we’ll chat again. Bwahahahahaha!
This books sounds good, it’s next on my to be read list. Thanks for the info!
Misty – I think you’ll like it. 🙂
Well, I’m convinced I need to read this author as soon as possible, starting with After The Kiss (need to read from beginning of series; absolutely hate it if I start in the middle).
Bhetti – You will enjoy the series! And it’s always best to read in order if you can, those these do stand-alone pretty well. 🙂
It’s in the mail to me now, and I won’t peek ahead to find out about that villian, lol (I never do that when reading, want to be surprised as I read along).
See that you don’t peek ahead, young lady! *stern glare at Pam* Remember to let us know what you think. 🙂
Dude, this book rocked my socks! I so loved Bram and since I haven’t read Bit’s book, Bram is totally my favorite Enoch hero…LOVED HIM! And I agree with pretty much everything you’ve written about in this review. =)