THE REVIEW
Lord Griffith Stanwick is the unwanted second son of a Duke. He lived most of his life with the reality that no one cared about him or needed him and he drowned his sorrows in gambling, drink or women. But he secretly held a desire to start a club for spinsters, second sons and children of wealthy merchants; those who other clubs doors are closed to.

The only daughter of her parents, Lady Kathryn Lambert was given an inheritance that will be hers if she marries an aristocrat before her 25th birthday, her grandmother’s beloved seaside cottage. She is determined to gain the cottage and desperate to marry quickly!

Griff is Kathryn’s best friend, Althea’s brother, so they grew around each other, always teasing one another and poking at nerves. But one summer, while Kathryn was staying with Althea, something changed. Griff was no longer teasing and rude to her; he was attentive and helpful. In fact, he wanted to help her gain the attention of the Duke of Kingsland who was looking for a duchess. But with one fiery kiss, everything changed between them permanently.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the kiss that upended their lives, Griff’s father was hanged for treason and their whole family turned outcasts overnight. This is where the time leap occurs. Months pass before we are brought back to the story and now Kathryn is being courted by the Duke of Kingsland and Griff is no where to be seen.

There is obviously more to it than that, but the not knowing was the best part of discovery! So there won’t be any spoilers here!

When Griff and Kathryn are finally reunited months later, emotions are high and sexual tension abounds! But their circumstances have both changed and they aren’t the same people who had just discovered their feelings for each other. Again, no spoilers!

But, I will say, GOD I love Lorraine Heath’s stories! She can make me feel angsty but in a good way, sad but optimistic, passion but underlying love all within a chapter of her prose! I know when I open one of her books, I will be lost to its allure until it’s closed at the end. And I was. I binged this book faster than any other recently. I loved Kathryn. I loved Griff. I loved the Duke of Kingsland (and can’t wait to read his love story!). It was everything. Just read it. I promise you won’t regret it.

TROPES
Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Seaside, Ton Society, Gaming Hell, Beta/Cinnamon Roll Hero, Damaged/Tortured Hero, Disabled/Wounded/Scared Hero, Gaming Hell Owner, Rake Hero, Self-Made Hero, Unworthy Hero, Working/Merchant Class Hero, Second Son/The Spare, Must Do Her Duty Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Angst Romance, Best Friends Sibling, Friends to Lovers, Class Difference, Hero Falls Hard, Second-Act Breakup Romance, Loss of Nobility/Riches to Rags, Nursed Back to Health, Outdoor Steam, Time Leap, Five Star, Three Flame ( )

Loved the plot and characters in this. I thought it was clever and interesting how the story developed. ( )

This took me a little bit to get into, but after the ball, I was fully engaged. I like these two together and enjoyed their longing/futile resistance to that longing. =D ( )

Trite, very similar to others in its genre. Not awful, but nothing I would recommend. ( )

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.

Scoundrel of My Heart, by Lorraine Heath, is available in booksellers on 3-30-2021. This is the start of a new series, Once Upon A Dukedom, but does update us on characters from another series, A Sin For All Seasons. New characters mix with people we knew from before but it's still a stand alone love story. Griffith and Kathryn are likeable and have such great chemistry, when they let it shine. Kathryn is believable as a young lady trying to get what is rightfully hers and keep it. Finding the right husband is the key but it's harder than you'd think. Griffith is a big sympathy hole for me. I fell down it and kept going. This poor guy couldn't catch a break if you hit him in the head with it. One of the worst things that could happen to a titled family is the crown taking everything away & then no one will touch you or help you. You're tainted. How the 3 siblings survive is a heartbreaker. Ms Heath skims over some of what could have been horrific. Not exactly what we want in a romance so she was wise in her choice. This was a truly enjoyable read for me, even if I did cry.

#LorraineHeath #ScoundrelofMyHeart #OnceUponADukedom #ASinForAllSeasons #romance #historicalromance #netgalley #Avon ( )