THE PERKS OF LOVING A SCOUNDREL
The Seduction Diaries Book 3
Jennifer McQuiston
Avon Books
ISBN# 978-0-06-233514-2
October 2016
Historical Romance
In her Seduction Diaries series, McQuiston pens the tale of a bookish spinster and a well-renowned ladies man. An accidental meeting between Miss Mary Channing and Geoffrey Westmore leads the two not only to be caught in a compromising position, but they also overhear an assassination plot. No one believes their tale of the plot (they think the couple are only trying to make up a story to take the spotlight off of them), so West decides to try and uncover the plot himself. To make matters worse, West's sister, Clare, informs him that he has to come up to scratch because Miss Channing is the Earl of Haversham's sister.
West does try to do the right thing, but Mary doesn't want to marry West because of his reputation. Now West is a bit taken aback because why would she refuse him? Then, Mary informs him that they must work together to seek out the conspirators to try and save whomever is on the hit list. West and Mary forge an unlikely alliance of sorts to get to the bottom of the plot. As time goes on, the attraction between them sizzles, and Mary realizes West isn't quite as bad as she believed. West and Mary insinuate themselves into the high society circles to try and determine the source. However, getting in the midst of some powerful people bent on assassination only means that they would have no qualms about taking out a bookish spinster.
A mix of intrigue, suspense and romance, this quick paced romp in 1858 England hits all the right notes. Even though this reads more like a detective story, the character building is equal to that of the action. West and Mary discover that there is more to someone that what is on the outside (or rumors). They slowly find their way around to understanding each other even as they discover who is behind the plot. The romance is slowly built and the scenes between them are realistic and hot. Mary's pregnant sister, as well as West's sister and best friend, Grant, make great secondary characters that also provide some comic relief. For readers of the first two books, while characters tie together, it is not necessary to read the first two to enjoy this one.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4.5
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