Scandal by Amanda Quick

Title: Scandal
Author: Amanda Quick
 
My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis: Resigned to a life of spinsterhood following a youthful indiscretion, Emily Faringdon never dreamed she would meet anyone who could see beyond her past. Simon Traherne, Earl of Blade, will let nothing stand in the way of his vengeance against the Faringdon family until he meets Emily and realizes that some things are more important the revenge.

Review: Quick's books never fail to put a smile on my face. The writing is immersing and the dialogue exceedingly witty. 

Emily and Simon are a wonderful couple. While some readers may find Emily’s naiveté ridiculous and annoying, to me she is a charming and gutsy character whose fondness for romantic escapism actually masks her awareness of the harsher realities of life. The outlandish situations she gets herself into are refreshingly endearing and highly amusing. Simon is also a likeable character despite the fact that he initially comes across as cold and bitter. It is great to watch him struggle with his emotions until all his coldness and reserve melt away. 

One thing I could have done without is the excessive repetition of Emily’s "metaphysical, transcendental" nonsense. Once or twice was quite enough to get the point across. Nevertheless, this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of this highly entertaining story. 

On a side note, if you have never read Quick’s books before, I would not start with this one. I can, however, recommend her first historical romance, Seduction, as a starting point.