Member Reviews
I always love Kerrigan Byrne's historical romance books! A strong, tall, devilishly handsome hero with a questionable past and a smart heroine with a troubled childhood...sounds like the perfect couple and perfect romance! Great read and romance!
I love Kerrigan Byrne. I have read almost all of the books I can get my hands on from this author and this book is also one of the books I DEVOURED so much that it left me with an identity crisis.
If you follow me on my many and any of my social media, you will know that I tend to complain about my reading slump.
This book made me question if I have a reading slump or my brain cells just refuse to read anything that requires effort and this is due to the fact I finished this book within 2 days (technically speaking it was only 1 day, I started reading this book at midnight and finished it the next afternoon, would’ve finished it faster had I not need to work nor the need to sleep).
Another reason why this book has made me question my identity and beliefs is due to the male lead, he is not the easiest to like nor love and All Scot and Bothered has revealed that perhaps my favorite trope is the tsundere trope.
Tsundere for those who are unfamiliar with the term is an anime or manga character that switches from being tough and cold towards a love interest into being soft and sweet, only with said love interest.
On to the review lads!
Okay I should have written this review the moment I finished the book because it’s hard to remember the details of why I enjoyed the book so much because 90% of my memories are just me squealing over the sexual tension between the two leads.
Talking about our two leads in All Scot and Bothered.
I LOVE the main characters, Cecelia and Ramsay, especially Ramsay. His whole demeanor being cold, exacting, and brutal just made his kinder and softer side even more endearing.
I love me a tsundere character!!!
Ramsay to cut the story short at the start of the novel is a misogynist which stems due to him being neglected by his mother at a young age and when he was older he was betrayed by a woman he intended to marry.
So, since the two most traumatizing occurrences in his life were done by women he in turn became a full blown, albeit respectful to the ladies in his life, misogynist.
Which is why I say this book made me have an identity crisis because I am a full-blown feminist, GIRL POWER ALL THE WAY, so seeing how I enjoyed a misogynistic character is quite confusing BUT the plot had me weak in the knees when that man changed his ways for the love of his life.
I am a sucker for that trope especially in historical romance, the whole “I CAN CHANGE HIM!”.
I just really like Ramsay, especially when Cecelia was being attacked by men from the Crimson Council because they thought she had knowledge of the ledger that the previous Scarlet Lady kept that had all the names of important people who went to the gambling den and Ramsay came busting in beating the perpetrators to a pulp to save her.
Apparently, I also enjoy the damsel in distress trope.
The one thing I did wish the author included more was give more explanation as to how bad his mom was to Ramsay, give us flashbacks instead of having Ramsay tell us.
Show not tell, ya know?
In terms of Cecelia’s character, I like that she is smart and good with numbers and math because I know I ain’t good in math whatsoever.
Another thing I enjoyed about her character was that she calls Ramsay out on his BS attitude and that she has boundaries even if it’s with the man she loves. She tells Ramsay as it is, if he can’t accept every part of her that is important for her then they might not have a future together. I respect that, most probably because I wish I did that in my own love life.
I can’t say much about the atmosphere of All Scot and Bothered because I was too busy being fully immersed in the tension of when will Ramsay find out that the Scarlet Lady he was investigating is also Cecelia, the same woman he is interested romantically.
THE SUSPENSE WAS KILLING ME! I was so glad though it didn’t go on for too long because it would’ve been so much harder for Cecelia to convince him that she does care if the ruse does go on for longer.
Kerrigan Byrne’s writing is once again superb, I mean it is quite obvious I enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful then the dialogue and monologue was witty and funny and the sexual tension, MY GOD!
There’s this one scene in the book that did make me laugh, this was the same day Ramsay met Cecelia as the Scarlet Lady and that night they had dinner with the rest of the friends and family. Ceceli didn’t want to deal with the anxiety of pretending that she doesn’t know what Ramsay wants feigns a headache BUT Ramsay helps escort her out next thing ya know they’re kissing.
And I am here like “GWORL DIDN’T YOU JUST SAY YOU WANTED TO ESCAPE RAMSAY??? WHAT IS THIS??? DID YOU MEAN ESCAPE INTO HIS ARMS???”
Plot-wise the book was aight'. It’s very typical historical romance but what stuck to me was the plot twist at the end (at least the first one not so much the second)! I was shook! I will not put any spoilers here but I enjoyed the first plot twist because it made Ramsay re-think his principles.
Overall, I highly enjoyed the book. Definitely recommend although if you do not like misogynistic men who will change albeit slowly as the male lead then definitely do not recommend.
All Scot and Bothered us second book in Devil you Know series and it's as good as first one.
I Really enjoyed this fantastic Historical Romance and couldn't stop reading it.
This was a good addition to the he series. I liked the characters and the story as well as seeing characters from the previous books. I am looking forward to reading the next one.
Like most Kerrigan Byrne books, this was has tragic pasts and steamy romance. I love the female friendship in this as well as the enemies to lovers.
I absolutely loved this story! I actually listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Derek Perkins.
The story itself has a dark, and interesting plot with the H, Cassius Ramsay, being the strong and rather stiff type. But there are reasons for his behavior. Cecelia Teague is a young woman raised to be a lady thrown into this world with the passing of a relative who has left her a legacy.
The two characters clash as they are drawn by their attraction to each other and the story has explosive elements.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and I highly recommend it
Despite my efforts over the past few months, connecting with this story has proven challenging. While I enjoyed the first book in the series and have been a fan of every other work by this author, this particular installment doesn't resonate with me. I find it difficult to relate to the hero, and the plot remains elusive to me. My overall impression is rather lukewarm, and I've already glimpsed the ending, yet I haven't mustered the motivation to read every word. This book, unfortunately, feels like a constant struggle—I pick it up only to set it down again.
This was such an enjoyable read - the pacing was excellent and I was interested all the way through. I loved the main characters and the primary side characters, and the story didn't have any of the tropes that bug me (love triangles, silly heroines running into danger so that they need rescue, etc.) I also have to commend the author for the non-traditional heroine - there was no fat shaming - in fact, from day 1, Ramsey is extremely attracted to Cecelia just as she is, and he revels in her body. There was also no math shaming (I have to love that as a math teacher).
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book. I'm especially excited that it allowed me to find a new author and series that I can read more of!
Book One wasn’t for me, but this was a delight. I had no issue having DNF’d the previous book. I enjoy her writing, the dedication to historical context and believability.
No longer reading or reviewing due to authors problematic and argumentative behavior with readers on Instagram.
Really loved this book!
It’s original, fresh and fun!
I really like how strong the heroine is in this story. The plot moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged.
If you love Regency romance, this one is not to be missed!
Absolutely loved this. Fast paced, easy to connect with the characters. Well written. Funny and playful read. Love the romance level. Not to over the top. Easy weekend read
Apologies for the late response on this title, and apologies for clogging up an inbox on old titles.
While I am aware it's obvious, I have chosen not to read/review this title.
As always, I appreciate access to titles and look forward to the next one...which I have likely already read based on how long ago this title was published.
Thanks, again.
ALL SCOT AND BOTHERED is an exceptional must read. It's a stirring tale of two tortured past characters, Cecelia and Ramsey. They are bold, complex and emotionally charged characters. Their story is well-written, beautifully paced and full of suspense, down to the last chapter.
Highly recommend.
I usually love Kerrigan Byrne's books but this one was a struggle for me. The plot didn't feel fully developed. This author's prose is something that I am used to but it felt overdone here. Love this author but this just wasn't a favorite.
All the delicious angst and tension of a historical romance! I just love Kerrigan Byrne and her books, and All Scot and Bothered is no exception. Cecilia and Ramsay have great chemistry, and the plot is filled with action with a swoon-worthy ending that has her signature all over it. If you're a fan, definitely don't miss this book. If you've never heard of her, don't miss out!
Kerrigan Byrne really is the queen of the edgy, darker, sexually tense romance, I thought I was lost with The Duke with the Dragon Tatto but this one is stunning!!!
Gorgeous cover!
Amazingly atmospheric story!
Gloriously sexy and seductive characters!
Just mind-blowing!!
This was amazing. Dark and angsty. Exactly how I live my books. Brilliant writing and great chemistry!!! Loved it.
A very dark start for a historical romance.
It was an interesting idea that the hero falls in love with one heroine and detesting the other, that are one and the same. A bit cheesy, but cute. A lot of angst. The series is good and I will continue to read more.
FINAL DECISION: I was bored by this book. The story, the hero and heroine, nothing interested me. I felt the story was more interested in complaining about women's role in the world rather than the romance.
THE STORY: Cecelia Teague has a secret benefactor from whom she inherits a girls' school -- and a gambling establishment. This unwittingly places her in opposition to one of her best friend's brother-in-law, Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, who has made it his mission to investigate the establishment and bring to justice those who are engaging in illegal activities. Taking on a disguise, Cecelia confronts Ramsay who finds himself attracted to both the innocent Cecelia and her alter ego.
OPINION: Disappointing book. There is no fire here. The book was dull and so were the characters. The book feels like the author wanted to tell a story about a woman rejecting conventions of her time and then grafted the romance upon the story. As a result, neither the characters nor the romance had any interest.
I read romance books for the romance between the characters -- not about the self-actualization of women or their feminist ideas. I'm not against either of those things, but if the romance is not primary, then it is not really a romance to me. Yes, there is the relationship focus in the book, but the characters felt bland.
This is the worst of Byrne's books I've read. The decline from the Victorian Rebels series is serious and I would not recommend reading this one. It seemed rather pointless.
WORTH MENTIONING: There is a darling little girl who is central to the story.
CONNECTED BOOKS: ALL SCOT AND BOTHERED is the second book in the Devil You Know series. The romance here is self-contained and while characters from the first book are in this book, this book can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 1.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an eARC via Netgalley in order to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.