Book Review of To Win a Scoundrel's Heart by Kristen McLean

To Win a Scoundrel's Heart (The Lords of Whitehall #2) by Kristen McLean
Genre: Adult (Historical Romance)
Date Published: July 19, 2016
Publisher: Young Ink Press

When her husband’s death is ruled a suicide, Lady Dumonte suspects foul play. However, finding the truth seems impossible after every investigator in Paris turns up empty-handed. Now she is forced to seek help from Lord Pembridge, a feckless libertine. 

Although the pain of loss is a constant reminder of why she must hide her heart, this carefree scoundrel threatens to break past her defenses. He could uncover the truth regarding her husband’s death, but is learning the truth worth risking her heart?

Lord Pembridge has wealth, angelic good looks, and a sunny disposition. None would guess the dark secret blackening his past or the grudge controlling his future. It was the reason he could never have a family of his own, a fate he had accepted until he was forced to play detective for the one woman who could tempt him. 

To Win a Scoundrel's Heart by Kristen McLean is the second book in The Lords of Whitehall Series. I love love/hate relationships. You can always feel the tension, and it makes the time fly by. Plus, Nick just loves to bust Celeste's chops, and she falls for it every time. She's pretty prim and proper and a touch naive, although not in the usual way. I'm a little confused about her husband's past involvements. I'm assuming he was a shady character, but I never saw her come to that realization in the book. So, it made me question if I had read something wrong. Nick and Celeste were entertaining. Their story was a fun one. Along with the romance, it had humor, mystery, and suspense. I'm enjoying this series quite a bit.

The ARC of To Win a Scoundrel's Heart by Kristen McLean was kindly provided to me by Tasty Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.

“You, m’dear girl,” he murmured, “are old enough to know better than to tempt a scoundrel.” “I know what I am doing,” she spouted back indignantly. “I am not a child.” “No,” he agreed easily. “You are certainly not a child.” “Then I would expect you not to treat me like one.” Her eyes flashed, giving him a teasing glimpse of passion. Lady Dumonte possessed passion? Another surprise. “Of course not.” He frowned in mock seriousness. “How should I treat you? As a lady or a mistress?” “As a woman,” she ground out. “I am a woman!” Her lips pursed together as she glared up at him. He smiled broadly; he couldn’t help himself. “Ah, yes,” he agreed, looking her over as though he had only just noticed. “I believe you are.” She took in a deep breath, pushing her breasts against the tight fabric of her bodice. His cock jumped to attention. “I was wrong about not liking you. I hate you!” “And yet,” he mused with a knit brow, “you throw yourself at me like all the others. You are either in denial of your overwhelming attraction to me or a glutton for punishment. For my own complacency, I choose the former.” Céleste shook her head slowly, her eyes narrowed and seething with anger. “Regardless,” he continued frankly at his own peril, “you had better run along, or you may find your offer accepted, and we both know you never expected that. Your bluff has been called, Lady Dumonte. Go on home like a good girl.” “I never bluff.” “Never say never, m’dear,” he murmured with a purposefully wicked smile.

Have you read the other books in this series yet?

Kristen has always had a love of novels, with a special place in her heart for historical romance. After reading enough of them to fill a rather impressive library, she decided to write her own. Now she has the pleasure of writing at home, tucked away in a forest with her husband, two children and her cat. Her husband is loving and impressively patient, her two beautiful children strive to embarrass and exhaust her, and her cat hates everyone, but tolerates—well, she tolerates whoever will feed her.

To learn more about Kristen McLean and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

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