Friday, October 14, 2016

Review: A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean

27067875
Series: Scandal and Scoundrels Book #2
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 390
Rating: 4.5 Stars
How I Got It: Purchase
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads
 
Lonesome Lily Turned Scandalous Siren

Miss Lillian Hargrove has lived much of her life alone in a gilded cage, longing for love and companionship. When an artist offers her pretty promises and begs her to pose for a scandalous portrait, Lily doesn't hesitate...until the lying libertine leaves her in disgrace. With the painting now public, Lily has no choice but to turn to the one man who might save her from ruin.

Highland Devil turned Halfhearted Duke

The Duke of Warnick loathes all things English, none more so than the aristocracy. It does not matter that the imposing Scotsman has inherited one of the most venerable dukedoms in Britain—he wants nothing to do with it, especially when he discovers that the unwanted title comes with a troublesome ward, one who is far too old and far too beautiful to be his problem.

Tartan Comes to Town

Warnick arrives in London with a single goal: get the chit married and see her become someone else's problem, then return to a normal, quiet life in Scotland. It's the perfect plan, until Lily declares she'll only marry for love...and the Scot finds that there is one thing in England he likes far too much...


Review

I've seen some negative reviews of this and I don't get it. Maybe I'm a MacLean apologist, but I really enjoyed it and I'm eager to get my hands on the next book in the series.

One of my favorite things is the major themes that ran through it. She addresses some very real contemporary issues like slut-shaming and consent. These were important issues then and are still today. And sometimes it's easier to take a deep look at these issues in a historical because they feel more removed.

Lily and Alec were both good characters. I liked them both equally. Lily had a lot of sass, but was also vulnerable which is very normal. Alec was similar. It's always nice to read about a big man who has emotional weaknesses.

My only real complaint is that there was some repetitiveness. Specifically, Lily and Alec would have the same argument about whether her situation Lily found herself in was or wasn't at fault. And every time it felt like they resolved it, but it still came back up.

Overall, I like the characters and story. They and it entertained me. I easily read this in just a few hours.

Thanks for reading!
Holly


1 comment: