Guest Review: Ripe for Scandal – Isobel Carr

Ripe for Scandal by Isobel Carr
Series:  The League of Second Sons #2
Release Date:  September 1, 2011
Publisher:   Grand Central Publishing
Page Count:  321
Source:  NetGalley
Buy the book at: Amazon 

The League of Second Sons

A secret society of younger sons, sworn to aid and abet each other, no matter the scandal or cost . . . Their fathers and brothers may rule the world, but they run it, and when it comes to passion they refuse to accept second best.

No one would ever suspect Lady Boudicea “Beau” Vaughn, a well-bred, young heiress, of secretly harboring unladylike desires. The object of her affection: Gareth Sandison, a notorious rake and her brother’s best friend. Beau knows her brother would never approve, yet one glance into Gareth’s smoldering eyes stirs a longing deep inside her.

The second son of an Earl, Gareth has always known the lovely Lady Beau is above his station. But when she is kidnapped, Gareth sees a chance to prove his worth and plans a daring rescue. Soon he and Beau are on the run. Yet Beau’s abductors are not the only threat-passion pursues the pair at every turn. Long nights fuel forbidden fantasies, and with danger closing in, Gareth and Beau will finally give in to the ultimate temptation…

Lady Boudicea “Beau” Vaughn, is the daughter of a Duke and heiress to a fortune. She has two older brothers that are very protective over her, even if they won’t tell her that to her face. She also has quite a reputation amongst the ton for being a flirt. With that reputation and the fact that she is an heiress has caused her to be in several sticky situations in the past. Men believe they are in love with her and feel they need to take her straight away to Gretna Green, whether she wants to elope or not. The story begins with another such situation. While on the road with her kidnapper, she is rescued but the man she has desired but knows she can never have, Gareth Sandison.

Gareth Sandison, is the second son of an Earl as well as the best friend of Beau’s brother. He is also known as a notorious rake amongst the ton. Gareth has known Beau since she was a young girl who followed her brothers around in all of their adventures. He watched her grown up and she grew up into a woman he desired greatly. He knew that he could never have her because he was only a second son and she was above his station. But then he just happened upon her while being kidnapped, he plans a bold rescue to save her. Now he and Beau are on the run, which causes them to grow closer with each night that passes.

Beau’s character was a bit of a tomboy but she also liked the pleasures of being a woman. She grew up with two older brothers and wanted to do everything they did. As she got older, she also enjoyed the pleasures of dressing up and going to dances. She wanted to be desired as a woman. She also being the daughter of a Duke, meant she doesn’t take no for an answer. She knows what she wants and will try her hardest to get it.

Gareth may seem like the playboy on the outside, but he is just waiting for that right woman to love whole heartedly. And once he finds that woman, there is no turning back. He will love only that woman and no other. He cares about his friends the most and will do whatever it takes to protect them. He didn’t grow up in a good family life. He was the second son, and so that meant he was only there to serve his older brother.

There was an instant chemistry between Beau and Gareth, even when they were fighting. You are cheering for them from the beginning. Towards the end of the book, the story felt a little rushed and so I wished the author would slow it down a bit and continue the same pace as the rest of the story.
But other than that, it was a very much enjoyable story. Most historical romances set in this time period are about first sons and heirs, so it is interesting to be getting a story about the second sons that are there to serve the first sons. I have not read the first of the series, and am also looking forward to reading the next in the series.