Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress (Matchmaker Trilogy #3)  by Theresa Romain
Historical Romance
Released: January 6, 2015
Sourcebooks

Reviewed by Sheena

Heiress Augusta Meredith can’t help herself—she stirs up gossip wherever she goes. A stranger to Bath society, she pretends to be a charming young widow, until sardonic, darkly handsome Joss Everett arrives from London and uncovers her charade.

Now they’ll weave their way through the pitfalls of the polite world only if they’re willing to be true to themselves…and to each other…

Favorite Quote: For which reasons had they denied each other?  He, because of the wounds of his birth; she, because of the choices that had hardened her heart.  There was no way around the chasm between them, and no way through it.

The Wit! The sheer wit of it all just strikes the shit out of my fancy!  Augusta is a heroine you can cheer for.  She is fun and flawed and bold and brave with a subtle mystery to her nature.  I was tickled by her approach to finding her love.  She enters Bath society and I love the airs and put upon natures of these zany historical characters!  And yes….yes….yes. There is a rogue of a man who is no gentleman.  Cold and clever he uncovers Augusta’s plots and rocks her to her core with his knowledge of her big secret.  So what you see the resolution coming 2 miles away.  This novel was so engaging that I enjoyed  the ride immensely with many a sardonic eyebrow raise along the way as I watched Augusta and Joss weave the most elaborate path toward one another that I have seen in a long while.  Their HEA more like a mating dance, a beautiful and entertaining journey from cover to cover.

Secrets is actually the third novel in a series and I didn’t realize it until I sat to reflect and review the story.  Author Theresa Romain did a phenomenal job crafting this tale as I can see how it would tuck neatly as an entry in a fun romance series, but the stand alone quality is tops.  Absent were any feelings of over done world building and overwrought rehashing and reintroduction of characters.

The character development was notable.  I knew Augusta and could predict her moods and actions even the zany ones.  Living her live as a buoyant widow, Augusta was afford a freedom to behave as she pleased without the typical restraints place upon ladies of her time.  I find her desire for adventure and liberty refreshing and admirable in such a young woman.   Joss was initially cool in nature but smoldered as he immersed himself in Bath society.  I wanted to unleash him on Augusta as soon as I got into his back story!   The comedy and light-hearted feel of Secrets makes this my favorite read of 2015 thus far.  If you can make me whoop! in laughter and white-knuckle grip my e-reader in sensual anticipation, grab the flag, the battle is damn near won!

The quid pro quo Augusta and Joss engage in, is duly charming in its ridiculousness and perpetuates the most unnecessary charades ever.  He figures her out almost immediately and keeps her confidence and in return she assists him with his own little brand of trouble, they were like cloak and dagger frenemies that you knew were destined for trouble of the best kind.

I can not stop gushing about how damn pleased I am with this novel and it was an absolute pleasure to read it. This is my first Theresa Romain novel but she creates such an interesting and enjoyable world, I will have to visit again and soon.

Grade: A

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