A Touch of Scandal – By Jennifer Haymore
Historical Romance
Paperback, 432 Pages
Forever
Reviewed by Mandi
Why I read: I received the book for review from the publisher.
Favorite Quote: “But I would kill any man that touched you. I can’t let you go.”
Katherine Fisk has been peeking at a mysterious man for eight days now. Every day on her three mile walk home from work, she sees this delectable man bathing in a pond. It has become the highlight of her day, after working as a maid to her brother William and his wife Rebecca. All is not how it seems however. Her brother eloped with Rebecca four months ago, and is living way beyond his means. Rebecca has no idea Kate is her sister in-law. Kate goes along with the charade because she has a sickly brother who lives with their mother, and she is able to go home to him every night, giving him the care he needs as his mother pretty much ignores him.
While watching this man one evening, she is caught, and comes face to face with him. She learns his name is Garrett, but nothing else about him. He is very handsome and her attraction goes full force. Garrett reciprocates this attraction, even though she is in a dirty dress. What Kate doesn’t know, is Garrett is actually the Duke of Calton. He is on a mission to find William and kill him. William blames Garrett for the death of his twin brother eight years ago and held him captive and basically tortured him for many years after his death. Garrett came back with no memories and a wife who presumed he was dead and remarried someone else.
When meeting Kate again and enjoying a picnic with her, William captures him, much to Kate’s surprise. Garrett, realizing Kate is William’s sister assumes she was in on the plot to catch him and assumes the worst of her. Kate is now torn between being loyal to her family or trusting this man she just met. As the truth is slowly revealed, Kate, Rebecca and Garrett realize life has much in store for them.
I have mixed feelings about A Touch of Scandal. The first half of the book has quite an adventurous feel and I enjoyed the secrets and prisoner held captive scenario. But it was hard for me to buy into Kate and Garret’s love at first. When Kate and Garrett meet, they have such inherent trust in each other. Garrett even mentions he has to keep his guard up while seeking William and then foolishly makes out and seduces Kate in the open, while not even knowing who she is. They just became very familiar very quickly.
What would it feel like to lose herself with him?
It would be pleasure like nothing she’d ever known, she thought. it would be the most glorious experience of her life. She’d felt this always, even from the beginning when she’d watched him in the pond and he wasn’t aware of her existence. Deep in her soul, she’d known that of all the men on Earth, this particular man could become her world.
I understand an early attraction with someone – but just from glancing at him swimming in a pond, I don’t get how she knew he could be her whole world.
After the adventure in the beginning, things slow down in the second half of the book although I enjoy the time spent on Garrett and Kate’s relationship. Once Kate discovers who Garrett really is, she is not so eager to jump into his arms. He must convince her true love really exists, and here is where I started to fall for the characters.
I had a slight problem with Kate’s relationship with her mother. Now, her mother is quite a despiteful person and only shows love for William and his deceased brother. I had no problems with Kate getting away from her, but throughout the beginning she preaches how important family is to her no matter what dirty deeds they have done in the past. While I understand she can’t side with William after a certain point, she completely tosses her mother aside after a horrific event. Near the end of the book, she waltzes back into her life like nothing happened.
A Touch of Scandal has high and low points for me. Putting aside their immediate feelings, I recommend for the eventual journey Garrett and Kate travel.
Rating: 3/5
Recent Reviews:
Stacy’s Place on Earth – 4/5
All About Romance – C-
My Blog 2.0 – Recommends
Goodreads
Hachette is offering FIVE copies of A Touch of Scandal to US/Canada residents. To enter, just leave a comment. Contest open through Saturday and I will announce the winners on Sunday.
Hmm, sounds like an interesting read. I usually don't read historical romances, but I might give this one a try.
I've been reading all para lately (hello obsession)but I did get my reading start with historicals so I wouldn't mind giving this one a try.
Good review, Mandi!
I had mixed feelings about her first book, too, but I'm still intrigued enough to want to read this one.
I didn't read her first, and I think the background in that book definitely would have helped at the beginning of this book, but once I got all the facts straight, I had no problem following.
What you mention tends to be one of the things I often have problems with in historicals, and she sure fell fast
Hi Mandi,
Great review! I would love a chance to win a copy. I still have her first book sitting in my TBR pile!!
The blurb of this sounds interesting and I love historicals. I'd love to give this a try to see if I had the same thoughts that you did about this book.
Her debut was one of my favorite books of of 2009, so I'm looking forward to this one!!
I didn't read her debut novel, but the premise of the story sounds like I'd pick it up, so here's hoping I win. :D Thank you!
This sounds really good. It's been awhile since I've read anything like this. I would love to get this book.
Great review! I love your fav quote section. :)
I heard of Haymore via Elizabeth Hoyt, one of my favorite historical rom writers, I'd like to try this book even with the mixed reviews.
Thx for hosting the giveaway.
I haven't read her first book but I love historical romance so I'd give it a try.
dawnpnr(at)aol(dot)com
Im not entering.
Sounds great, but I already recieved a copy an ARC copy from Hatchet along with 4 other ARC books.
Have fun!
It sounds interesting but at the same time, Kate sounds like such a little martyr, at least in the beginning and that's kinda done to death for me. I don't know, I might check it out, later.
Great review! :)
This one sounds like one I'd be interested in. I'd totally fall for a hot sexy swimming in a pond. :)
This sounds like an interesting book. I'd like to check it out.
julie s
julstew at gmail dot com
Great review. I have the first book,I'd love to win the second.please count me in
Haymore is a new author for me. Thanks for your review and the opportunity to win a book.
Hope I win..I love historical romance but this author is kinda new to me..
thanks for the chance
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Who wouldn't fall hard and fast for a guy that likes to swim nekkid ::points thumbs to chest::
PS Please don't enter me I just wanted to stop by and say howdy
I would love to read Jennifer's new book. Thank you for the giveaway.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com
Sounds like a good book. It seems that a lot of romance books are like that: the two characters become very familiar and trust each other quickly. I don't know why the authors write them like that.
Thanks for the chance to win this!
Kelsey
krae991@yahoo.com
http://www.thedoortowonderland.blogspot.com
Annoying mothers, ack. That said, I still wanna read this one. I am a sucker for romance, and I've had a hankerin' for a historical one!
patronus89013 at yahoo dot com
I always wondered about the "love at first sight" thing. I know quite a few people who say they "just knew". No rhyme or reason – just felt it. I'm pretty cynical and mistrusting – but it's kinda cool to think it can happen :-) annhonATaolDOTcom
I would definitely love to read this book :)
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I think this sounds like an interesting read. I'm glad that the characters ultimately worked for you and I'd like the chance to read about this dysfunctional family.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I've never read anything by Jennifer Haymore and would love to give it a shot. Just got back into historical romances in the last year, so I'm always looking for new authors.
This would be a new author for me and I love historical fiction.
alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
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(='.'=) Happy Easter from Bun!
(")_(")
Garrett is yummy! I loved him in JH previous novel, a Hint of Wicked. I'd love to win and read his story!
I would LOVE to read this!!!
sexywomenread@yahoo.com
Really enjoyed Jennifer Haymore's first book and I can't wait to read this one! Hope I can win it!!
mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com
A Touch of Scandal sounds like an engaging read, I'd love to win a copy.
sounds awesome! count me in
mortalsinn@yahoo.com
I'll give it a try. I used to read historical romances in high school, however paranormal has taken over.
samnstacyATmeDOTcom
Hey Mandi,
A Hint of Wicked made my best historical list last year, so I've been looking forward to a happy ending for Garrett. I hope I enjoy it more than you did *g*
I read A Hint of Wicked and liked it. I would love to read her new novel.
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
Count me in for this one. It looks really good – I love historicals..
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I sure would love to win this book and I know it has to be good as Jennifer is a great author. I missed out getting this book at my store in town which tells me they sold out fast. Good news for Jennifer but sad news for me. ha ha Have a nice day everyone. susan L. garysue@dejazzd.com
Please count me in.
simplystacieblog at gmail dot com
Love historical romances, please count me in!
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com