Never Judge a Lady by her Cover: The Fourth Rule of Scoundrels by Sarah MacLean
Historical Romance released by Avon on November 25, 2014
By day, she is Lady Georgiana, sister to a duke, ruined before her first season in the worst kind of scandal. But the truth is far more shocking—in London’s darkest corners, she is Chase, the mysterious, unknown founder of the city’s most legendary gaming hell. For years, her double identity has gone undiscovered . . . until now.
Brilliant, driven, handsome-as-sin Duncan West is intrigued by the beautiful, ruined woman who is somehow connected to a world of darkness and sin. He knows she is more than she seems, and he vows to uncover all of Georgiana’s secrets, laying bare her past, threatening her present, and risking all she holds dear . . . including her heart.
Ten years after her ruination, Lady Georgiana has re-entered society in hopes of finding a suitable husband. Not that she really wants to be married. Instead, Georgiana wishes to marry a titled gentleman to secure her daughter’s future and the life she might someday want.
Duncan West, the powerful owner of five London papers, knows a great story when he sees one and Georgiana’s search for a husband is bound to be great copy. But after innocently discovering one of Georgiana’s identities, Duncan sees an opportunity to finally escape his own buried secrets from his past. In exchange, his publications are at her disposal while searching for a husband.
Their bargain is dangerous, yet necessary. Duncan is considered to be the most powerful man in all of London, second only to the mysterious owner of the Fallen Angel, Chase. One slip in this game of cat and mouse could reveal too much and result in each losing everything. For Duncan, it is his empire of publications. For Georgina, her gaming hell.
Their relationship is one of mutual respect and admiration. Their conversations are witty and intelligent and sexy. And the chemistry between the two is straight up combustible.
But as with any good romance, smart people aren’t always so smart, so of course her fellow scoundrels recognize they’ve each found their perfect match long before our hero and heroine. Even better, her business partners have no problem with teasing Georgiana mercilessly about it.
She looked down at her cards, cheeks hot. “I hate you.”
“Which one of us?” Temple asked, playing a card.
“All of you.”
“It’s a pity, as we are your only friends,” Bourne said.
It was true. “And asses every one of you.”
“They say you can tell a man by his friends,” he replied.
“It is a good thing I am a woman,” she said, discarding.
MacLean manages to fill in all the gaps and wrap up all the loose ends of not only this series, but that of her Love by Numbers series. All those characters readers have come to know and love have their happy ending. With one exception – Caroline. And I have faith MacLean will remedy that situation in the future.
Grade: A
You can buy a copy here.
=D
I love Sarah! I met her several years ago, and she autographed one of my books. She’s one of my favorites!
Denise