The Rogue Not Taken

Justine Eyre narrates this first volume of the Scandal & Scoundrel series in a crisp British accent. Sophie, one of the scandalous Talbot sisters, and King, the Marquess of Eversley, find themselves unlikely traveling companions. Neither trusts the other's motives, but they're still drawn together by circumstance and a growing attraction. Eyre gives Sophie, the most practical of the Talbot sisters, a voice to match her temperament--strong, determined, and generally even. She reads King with a deeper pitch and a controlled tone. Listeners will especially enjoy the passionate scenes in which the tension crackles. Narrating these parts of the story at a slow pace, with ample pauses and changes in tone, Eyre fully captures the connection between the pair and the depth of their evolving relationship. E.N. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Starred review from October 19, 2015
MacLean’s spellbinding first Scandal and Scoundrel Regency romance (linked to her popular Rules of Scoundrels series) revitalizes the usual pairing of defiant wallflower and misunderstood rogue, spicing up the story with characters who make provocative propositions and brave assorted dangers. Sophie Talbot loathes everything about the aristocracy. Her father’s now an earl, thanks to his financial success with coal mines, but she preferred her previous life as a commoner, and after an embarrassing public scene, she decides to flee London forever. To her chagrin, the carriage she stows away in also contains Kingscote, Marquess of Eversley, who’s making a hasty getaway after what she assumes is one of his infamous trysts. Eversley knows he should steer clear of the Soiled S’s, as Sophie and her sisters are known, but that doesn’t stop him from helping Sophie time and again. He’s made it clear to the brash young woman that he’ll never fall for her. Now, if he can just convince himself of that, his world can remain upright on its axis. Readers will be intoxicated by the emotional connection between the lovers, which makes their banter that much more amusing and their eventual physical passion that much more satisfying. Sophie’s delightful family will leave readers eager for future installments in the series. Comedy, action, secrets, and love: this book has it all. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Agency.

December 1, 2015

Incensed when she catches her aristocratic brother-in-law cheating on her pregnant sister at a party, quiet Sophie Talbot, the "unfun" wallflower of the scandalous Talbot sisters, does the unthinkable and pushes the arrogant, furious duke into the fishpond in full view of everyone. Now a pariah in the eyes of the ton, Sophie just wants to go home. Her ill-advised plan turns into a hair-raising carriage ride north to Cumbria with the infamous Marquess of Eversley, and suddenly her misadventure is no longer a game but something potentially far more risky. This refreshing romp is both a thrilling, often funny romantic journey and a delicious, scathing commentary on upper-class pre-Victorian society. VERDICT A roguish hero who's not quite the cad he's supposed to be and a bright, resourceful heroine who's anything but dull drive each other to distraction--and into love--in the first of a most promising series. A purely delightful diversion (and who wouldn't love the title?). MacLean (Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover) lives in New York City.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.