Perfect historical romance. Low drama, high steam and well written characters. Easy plotline to help keep those pages turning.

This was a well-written romance. I enjoyed the characters and pacing of the novel. I would read more by this author.

This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and heroine. Finlay and Charlotte were well-written characters. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

Charlotte Townsend is a desperate character. After she was widowed, her in-laws conspired against her to leave her destitute. However, she is too strong to be down for long. Unfortunately, meeting the love of her life just makes things worse. This book mixes class issues, villainy, religion, illegitimacy, and orphans into a delicious, fast-paced mix!

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 2 in the Once upon a Scandal series. In this one we have Finlay and Charlotte's story. Finlay is trying to remake himself after he found out some dreadful news about his family that could ruin him. Charlotte is a widow that is working hard to survive as a woman in a man's world. I just wasn't in love with Charlotte she just kept making all kinds of stupid decisions. She was driving me crazy. The story was okay I guess I just couldn't get over Charlotte.

This was a new author for me, and I found that I really liked her story. The characters were well-developed, complex and interesting, and the story was well-written. I was a blend of drama, suspense, romance and humor that kept me interested from start to finish. I loved that the author brought in the religious tolerance factor too. It was something different and added to the story. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Good story line with entertaining characters. I was happy that Finlay and Charlotte managed to find their way back to each other, even if it did take some time. I enjoyed the story but it did take me a little while to actually get into it, but once I did I loved it.

This was a book that kept me interested. I enjoyed reading it because it told me about life in the past. The characters were different, some rogues,some forceful and some kind. It had a good story and a happy ending .I recommend that it should be read.

This is part of the Once Upon a Scandal series. Today it may seem like scandal will ruin your life, but back then it actually could.
Charlotte and Finlay spent one night together before she disappeared on him. He's found her again, but they both have much to lose. There are always the haters who try to ruin it all, but love wins in the end :)

I enjoyed this story greatly from a new to me author. The hero was delicious and the heroine was strong, the perfect combination in my opinion. The writing was first class and I recommend this story to any and all romance readers.

I really enjoyed this story. It had a bit of everything: romance, villains and murder. Rose and MacAllister had a great connection between them and I was saddened that they missed out on ten years together. But I’m sure they made up for it. This was one of those books where you couldn’t put it down, as I had to know why she was being stalked. The encounter she had at the theater had me more confused and wanting to know why this person wanted her dead. Very well done.

I would recommend this book to others.

Religion in any book normally turns into a hard no from me, but especially in historical romances, it's almost always a no. I did like the storyline and how religion played into it with Charlotte. It was a refreshing twist on a normal historical romance and I enjoyed it.

I received a free copy from netgalley in. exchange for an honest review. this book was unique in many ways compared to other books in the genre. Charlotte is a Jewish widow who needs to survive on her own while avoiding her in laws who dislike her Jewish religion. Finley on the other hand is running for the commons even though he is set to inherit. but there is a scandal luring in his past that put his inheritance at risk. the story was different and I like h/h alot. 4 stars.

De la Rosa tackles controversial issues with care and sensitivity in this cross-class, interfaith, historical romance set in Regency England. The obstacles to a relationship between an Anglican viscount in a hotly contested race for political office and a Jewish widow teaching at a foundling home seem insurmountable. There were many times when I had no idea how the author would be able to pull off a happy ending for these two. Yet, I never stopped believing in Charlotte and Finlay's ability to find a way.

I enjoy a historical romance that also teaches me about the time and place in which it is set and the author does a good job of immersing readers within the political processes of the time. I found it fascinating. I also learned more about the social evolution (or perhaps revolution is the better word) of the times and the dedicated struggle for emancipation of various groups within England. The book is well researched and it shows.

But what I most enjoyed about this book were the characters, both primary and secondary. De la Rosa brings them to life, engaging both my interest and my emotions. At the center of the story, of course, are Finlay and Charlotte; well-crafted, likable characters searching for their places in life and finding love where they least expected. The females in the book are strong and the female friendships formed, solid and enjoyable. Then there are the steal-your-heart orphans that Charlotte teaches. I wanted to take them all home. Even the distasteful villains threatening Charlotte are vividly portrayed.

As I said earlier, I had no idea how the author was going to solve some of the obstacles in the path of this couple's happiness, in particular their different religions, but, in the end, she satisfied me with what was probably the best solution available for the times. And then she gifted readers with an epilogue, set 29 years into the future, that touched my heart, gave me hope, and caused me to shed more than a few (happy) tears.

I don't know what De la Rosa has planned going forward with this series but I sure hope it's more books. There are a few more unmatched characters in need of a happily ever after!

A chance meeting at a house party leads to what Charlotte knows can only be a one night stand with a handsome stranger. A year later she finds herself in the same drawing room as that stranger once again, though now the man she’s thought of as Finley has a title Lord Firthwell future Earl of Rockhaven.

Fin cannot believe his eyes, the beautiful women he looked everywhere for had been under is nose for the last year. She’s a school teacher at a foundling home he financially supports.

The two get reacquainted, become best friends, and fall in love. Fin’s political career necessitates marrying a certain type of woman, and widowed-Jewish-school-teacher Charlotte is not that. Yet he can’t stay away from her.

Nice story, well written, a bit too much political talk, but a good book.

This is a very good romance, minus one scheme that made me bonkers. The hero is golden, not perfect, but stellar all the same. The heroine is kind, faithful, hardworking and do for some good luck. She’s also Jewish, a refreshing choice that I’ve never known to occur in a historical romance. Sadly, she got a bum deal as it relates to relatives and a lack of opportunities to get back on her feet. Then, she finds herself a job at a foundling home. There, she teaches French and deportment and finds a sense of happiness. She and the hero first meet in the prologue and are reunited a year later at the foundling home.

Except for a (IMHO), sad and upsetting maneuver that occurs at 78% , this book makes me cheer on the heroine and hope for her to get her guy. Not to give away any details, at 78% the heroine does what seems typical of some women in historical romances. She isn’t honest about what is going on, gets herself into a situation and then devises a scheme that is so asinine it will make you wish you could shake and slap her simultaneously. Suffice it to say, I lost all respect for her in that moment. While she backtracks and things do come right with forgiveness abounding in the end, I’m still harboring some serious ill-will such that this one loses a whole star from me.

If you’re used to the antics unfortunately common of women in historical romances, the singular instance here shouldn’t stop you from reading this otherwise great story. If, however, you are absolutely fed-up with such foolishness, this whammy may send you over the deep end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wowser! What a great story and one I won't be forgetting.

First off, De la Rosa puts the "historical" back into historical romance. She's deft at injecting fascinating political and social history without bogging down the romance.

Second: I loved these two characters--Finlay and Charlotte--and was especially thrilled to read about a woman with some life history. I personally enjoy reading about characters who haven' t just escaped the schoolroom and Charlotte has had some knocks, but isn't broken.

Third: this is sexy in addition to being smart. and the romance develops at a believable and enjoyable pace. The book is a perfect balance of romance and history and the author develops the characters subtly throughout the book, making characters worth remembering.

Two thumbs up on this one! Can't wait for the next.

After the death of her husband Roderick, Charlotte Townsend was forced to sell her wedding ring in order to return to London from India. Her in-laws had refused to support her and claimed that Roderick had not provided for her in his will. Forced to find work, she accepts her cousin Eliza’s offer of employment as a maid at a house party, only to find that the job borders on prostitution. Ready to leave, she meets Finlay who is attending the party, and they share a drink that soon leads to a night spent together.
One year later, Finlay, Viscount Firthwell and heir to Earl of Rockhaven, is trying to gain a position in the House of Commons but despairs that his family secret will be revealed and threaten his future. Finlay has often reflected on his one night with Charlotte, who fled the morning after and is surprised to meet her again. She has been working at the foundling school that his twin sister once worked at, before her marriage to a duke. He finds himself once again, drawn to Charlotte but they both realise that any relationship that they might have, is threatened by her societal position and her own secrets.
This story delves into many issues including inter-religion marriage and women’s rights. Both Finlay and Charlotte are honourable and passionate characters which made for an interesting read. I particularly enjoyed all of the secondary characters which provided for great dialogue and the potential for several more books! Whilst this is a series, it can be read as a stand-alone book, yet I am interested in reading more about Finlay’s sister and the Duke of Darington.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Now why would one want to resist a Scandalous Rogue? An unexpected meeting bring two people together for a brief encounter that left an impression on both of them. Each had their own stories. One had a hugh secret that was pressing on him while the other needed to find her way after being left penniless.
This story captured me from the first page and with the wonderful descriptive writing of this author kept me in it's grip until the end!
I loved Charlotte and Finley and as they encountered each other a year later, their inital attration was there there and coming off the pages. Fin, Viscount Firthwell, found Charlotte teaching at his sister's Foundling Home and could not believe he found her there. I definitely think fate had a hand in bringing them back together and regardless of their social differences, their feelings could not be denied.
But both are struggling with their secrets and they may just overwhelm them both! I truly enjoyed this book and have to say the epilogue was wonderful! This author is on my must read list and I cannot wait for her next story!!

This is the first book I have read from this author and it was well written. The characters were engaging whom come from different backgrounds and have a strong attraction for me another. The author did a good job with the political and religious issues for the time period.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.