Not much plot, enjoyable nonetheless. The romance doesn't particularly ring true. Doesn't really seem like she will or can forgive him for all his past deeds. It's never really shown that she deals with it or has changed her opinions or views about his actions. I felt like it was just ignored in favour of the romance moving along. Audrey could've been the type of character I love but she fell flat. She had the appearance of spunk with no actual spunk. Jagger was very woe is me. And the Jagger/Lockewood thing drove me mental. Pick a name and stick with it. I understand why they didn't but it annoyed me. ( )

I love Ms. Burke's contemporary stories because they speak to the heart. I didn't know a great deal about her historical romances until recently. Have read about 4 - 5 and like ever reader have liked a few and disliked some. Scoundrel Ever After falls into the LOVE category. A bad boy trying to make good and a damsel in distress searching for adventure. What's not to like. Ethan is a good person who made some desperate choices that cost him in the past. Trouble seems to find him wherever he goes. Audrey is the girl with a wandering heart but due to a life of structure has never followed through on that longing. Romances like these appeal to me because the central characters are so much more than they are presented to be. They see themselves one way but a fresh pair of eyes, a shock to the heart and finding the right person gives the courage to take a chance. With Scoundrel Ever After, I liked the mystery, loved the characters and followed the adventures of these misplaced spirits. Something different, that was for me just right. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Received from publisher via NetGalley for an honest review

This is the sixth book in the series Secrets and Scandals. I didn't think it would matter that I hadn't read the others; just thought I could pick this up and enjoy a nice regency romance story. I was wrong; it mattered, it mattered a little, and it matters a lot. A little because it's obvious this book picks up where the previous book must have ended and it took about 30-40% in before I got the hang, flow, and felt connected with the characters. A lot because I am dying to know the previous stories of the couples that were mentioned in this story.

Ethan is the bastard son of a viscount, who after his father and mother dies, finds himself fending for his very survival in London's rookeries. There, he is taken under the wing of Gin Jimmy, a crime lord, and subsequently rises up in the ranks. Ethan is a compelling shades of grey character, who through circumstance and a strong will to survive, commits many objectionable acts. Through trying to connect with his legitimized half brother, it is reminisced Ethan met a lady named Audrey who secretly is giving him dance lessons to learn the waltz. Audrey is your regency wallflower who is constantly overlooked, except by our hero who glances, sees a little spark, and sticks around to discover the flame that's inside her. There is heartbreaking tension between our couple as Audrey questions, fears, and misunderstands Ethan's ways and Ethan struggles to fully trust, accept his feelings, and learn what love is. This is a still waters run deep couple, with their emotions bubbling just under the surface.

The main plot of this story starts when Ethan, about to flee London (he is wanted for murder by Bow Street and wanted by Gin Jimmy for double crossing) goes to collect a bag of hidden money in a tree, conveniently, in our heroine's yard and finds Gin Jimmy's men trying to capture Audrey because he thinks she is important to Ethan. Oops, guess those secret waltzing lessons weren't so secret after all. Audrey flees with Ethan and they end up traversing the countryside as Ethan tries to find a safe place to leave Audrey.

Like I said, if you haven't read the previous book in the series, you're going to feel thrust into the story at first. Even though it took me awhile to catch up, I enjoyed the quick pace. It was when the couple makes it to their final northern destination that the story dragged a little as Ethan's struggle to keep himself separate from Audrey and Audrey's back and forth if she should trust Ethan, felt repetitive. It was also a tad annoying and off putting when Audrey had knowledge (has to do with that inner flame of hers I mentioned earlier) that could have set Ethan free from Bow Street if they had shared information or just talked to each other. This was supposed to be The Big Misunderstanding, I guess. It ended up just feeling like a forced, overly contrived, and added on part to the story however.

Even with those few complaints, I still very much enjoyed this story. The last part of the book involves, what I imagine are, past characters/couples who come together to help Ethan and Audrey. If you had read the previous books, I predict you will love how they all come together to save Ethan and, what I speculate, complete his redemption. It's a payoff no reader wants to miss and I am definitely going back to book one to see how it all came about.


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I can say with a certainty that reading a series can be a blessing and a curse. Some series can go on forever [Cynsters anyone!], and some are too short, but in the case of Secrets and Scandals, this author knew exactly when and with whom she’d end it.

This hero shows up here and there throughout the series, and I knew that his story would be one not to be missed and I was right! This was a man made out of too many complex particles, and in possession of many shades of grey. I couldn’t picture the heroine strong enough to meet him half way and accept him as he is. And especially the one described in the blurb.

For all of you out there that love a romance with total opposites, this one is just for you!

As a total series, this one ROCKS!

Melanie for b2b ( )

A Myrt's Review

Scoundrel Ever After by Darcy Burke

A Sweet Regency Romance

(This is the 6th and final book in the series Secrets and Scoundrels.) Nice Society girl, Audrey, looking for adventure meets bad boy, Ethan, f/k/a Jagger, running from his delinquent past in this Regency era love story. The mismatched couple end up on the run from Jagger's enemies. As part of the series, many of the characters, including Ethan, have been featured in the previous books although I enjoyed the book as standalone.

Ethan is trying to take his rightful place in Polite Society but his past has other plans. Audrey believes in Ethan and is determined to help him even if it means getting in his way once in awhile. There is a charming subplot when Audrey and Ethan run into an orphanage in the country. Audrey and Ethan make a cute couple who manage to have fun together in the midst of the ensuing drama.

It's a sweet story with colorful characters in a fast paced storyline. A good read for any Regency romance lover!

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )