Sandy M’s review of The Book of Scandal (Scandal Series, Book 1) by Julia London
Historical Romance released by Pocket 19 Aug 08
I’m finally on the beginning end of a series instead of in the middle or near the end. I have to say I like it. This is my first book by Julia London. Yes, apparently I’ve been hiding under a rock all these years. But I’ve made my way out and enjoyed my first foray into Ms. London’s book. So far it’s been a worthwhile trip.
I really enjoyed this couple who are thrown together after being separated for three years following the death of their young son. Though they’ve lived separate lives, one in Town, one in the country, there’s something missing for both of them and neither are sure what that is. It’s not until Nathan arrives in London to retrieve his wife to keep scandal away from the family name and they are back in their home together that they realize what it is they need. That’s only after quite a bit more heartache, however.
The English monarchy is in upheaval because of the Princess of Wales’ Book of Scandal and Nathan is informed that his wife may be called to testify if Parliament gets involved. Thus, Nathan forces Evelyn home where she belongs. For Evelyn, just being at Eastchurch brings on the pain of losing her child. The memories overwhelm her at times just as though it had all happened yesterday.
What she comes to realize is that though Nathan also hurt due to the same loss, she never saw his grief. She assumed he turned to their beautiful but married friend and neighbor to get through the pain, but it falls on deaf ears when Nathan tries to tell Evie it was only talk and solace between them because Evie herself couldn’t help him at the time. To Evelyn this is another reason they belong apart.
Nathan is intent on seducing his wife to make sure she stays with him this time around. He’s the first to realize his feelings haven’t changed, even after all they’ve been through. He refuses the suggestion of a divorce and will win his wife back. In the midst of all of this, someone has been stalking Nathan, coming close a couple of times to seriously injuring and even killing him. It’s not until much later that he realizes it’s Evelyn the interloper is after; thus, they head to London to get to the bottom of everything that is in the way of their being together and happy. By this time they have rediscovered their love and, once again, they have more to lose if they’re not careful of the unknown danger surrounding them.
I’m usually not a fan of couples who are trying to get together again after a separation, but this book has changed my mind just a tad. Maybe it’s the circumstances of their loss that made this story better for me. Both Nathan and Evie find out things about the other that would have helped them so much before their separation, but obviously they weren’t ready to face them until this later moment in time. I liked how they little by little, memory by memory, tear by tear waded their way through the residual grief they harbored. It was so much more emotional this way.
I’m intrigued enough by this first story to definitely keep reading as the series goes on.
Grade: A
Summary:
.
The Princess of Wales has catalogued the shocking exploits of the outrageous Prince of Wales and many of his noble friends in a book that has all of London aflutter…
.
Nathan Grey, the Earl of Lindsey, is infamously known as the Libertine of Lindsey for his scandalous ways with women. But when he hears gossip that his estranged wife, Evelyn, is about to be named in The Book of Scandal, he has no choice but to remove her from London to protect her and himself from charges of treason—even if it calls for abduction.
.
While Evelyn has no legal recourse against the man who broke her heart years ago but is still considered her lord and master, she is no longer the immature girl Nathan married. Her enforced homecoming quickly turns into a battle of wills that tears down her husband’s defenses and lays bare the passion that still burns between them. Before it is too late, Nathan must confront powerful adversaries as he convinced Evelyn that she is not only his wife, but the one woman he will love for all time.
.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
