Ceceilia was whisked into her aunt's life and educated. It isn't until her aunt dies that she learns that her aunt's school is also a gambling hall, which she's inherited. She also discovers that her aunt had info about a lot of powerful people- people that don't want that info out. Ramsey is the Chief Justice of the High Court and he's been looking for the person who traffiks girls for years. Cecelia caught her eye because of her beauty but then he discovers her secret. When she's threatened. he steps in and takes her, along with her young ward Phoebe off to- wait for it- Scotland. These are good characters, it's a plot that's oddly topical, and it's well, romantic. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A fun read.

5/5 Stars

I completely enjoyed my time reading this. I loved our main character who was strong and independent and didn't really give a shit about what others thought of her. She felt realistic and relatable. I also really enjoyed the romance. I loved the back and forth banter! Honestly, I can't really put into words how much I enjoyed it. I would highly recommend picking this up.

When two persons dealing in their own way with loneliness find a path to the other’s heart...

By inadvertence I have read some earlier reviews some talking about the characters’ arc, how much it was lacking.
And while I much dislike a heroine with wobbling knees and muddled brain when facing a dashing male, past her initial weakness, Cecelia gives eye for an eye. She is no warrior but in her own way, she fights her battle with very specific weapons, her kindness and cleverness. It is no match against strong armed men but it can make a difference among people if they have some brain cells.

Cecelia has always been marked as sin incarnated, she is a walking temptation to indulge for a bit and a bite. Thus she had been shunned, mocked all her life for being womanly, loving tasty food, being too smart.
She is everything a spartan fellow like Ramsay avoid at all cost. He has sworn of women years ago, and while she calls to him, he refuses to fall for her charms when she could flip his world upside-down.
And upside-down his life she will switch.
Because of his own mother’s fault, he has painted every woman with a danger sign to dodge whatever the attraction.
He mastered his aloofness and coldness, becoming judge and juror.
With Cecelia, he navigates in murky waters as she taste hot and cold, innocence and guilt.
He is enthralled by her but can’t trust her. His path has been outlined by his mother’s abandonment, he is above all blames, living a lonesome life, never indulging. So determined to make those in his scrutiny fall.
Until this woman screaming danger in his soul make him question am everything he thought right. He is so certain of his course and set on his way, he never considers she as an entity, a living with her all expectations and needs.

Up to him to accept or not her outstretched hand and kind heart when he until now sees only manipulation and betrayal. Their journey is a fast one with many bumps but they also endanger their heart and hurt one another by not seing the worth of the other.

My biggest complaint is the lack of epilogue. The first gave away a bit of this book outcome but it was a sweet one as it was Alexandra’s closure with her past trauma.

4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks and Netgalley, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I am all over the place with a rating for this book – everywhere from a 2-star to a 4-star, so I decided to split the difference and make it a 3-star even though I lean more toward the 2 than the 4. I started to tell you that I loved the story, but I think I loved the IDEA of the story because it could have been excellent – even with the purple prose. I was looking forward to something more like the first book in the series, How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. I LOVED that book and gave it a 5-star rating. So, maybe I was comparing the two books and that flavored my reading experience.

Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, is one of the most acerbic, cold, menacing, unforgiving, and merciless ‘heroes’ I’ve ever read. Yes, I understand his issues, to a degree, but I have to say I just didn’t get him. Frankly, he doesn’t like people in general, but he particularly dislikes women. He’s been in relentless pursuit of some evidence to arrest and hang Henrietta Thistledown, AKA The Scarlet Lady, for a good many years. Now, he’s decided she is the mastermind behind a ring that kidnaps young girls and sells them. He doesn’t have any concrete evidence, just suppositions, and information provided by an anonymous informant. He has to be a very smart man to have come from absolutely nothing – and I do mean nothing – to become the highest judge in the land. Yet, he’s investigated and harassed this woman for years and years and still has no evidence against her. Does he let that stop his vendetta? NO! Even after her death he is knocking down her door and tearing the place apart looking for evidence. Does finding nothing change his mind? NO! He must not be very busy as a judge because rather than having investigators/lawyers, etc. do the investigating and report to him, he is out there beating down doors himself.

Cecelia Teague’s childhood was every bit as traumatic as Ramsay’s, but she is the direct opposite of him. She sees the good in people, likes people, and has an overabundance of sympathy and mercy for them. She is a bit on the large size and she’s very smart, so she’s had to suffer snide comments and abuse her entire life. Even though it has caused her to feel bad about herself, she still has a good outlook on the world. So, she’s this smart mathematician with no experience in any sort of business or anything else. Yet, when she inherits her Aunt Henrietta’s gaming (and more) establishment, she doesn’t give it a second thought. When the Lord High Judge beats on the door of the establishment she has just inherited – like 5-minutes ago – she doesn’t question whether there could be something behind his charges. She doesn’t even question anything afterward. She just blithely decides to continue with business as usual. She doesn’t even question the presence of a young (maybe 7-years) girl hiding under the desk when the Lord High Judge comes in. She also inherited her aunt’s secret identity in order to protect her real identity from general knowledge and to protect her reputation. Yet – without her wearing a disguise, she brings her two friends into the establishment for a tour. Yep – nobody would suspect anything about that.

Given the few interactions they had, I never saw the attraction, the romance, the love. You’ll just have to read the book to see some of the gosh-awful things he says to her and the very unreasonable way he treats her, but there is no way I’d EVER be attracted to any man who spoke that way to me. Yet – when disaster strikes – she heads off with him. She doesn’t question him, doesn’t go to her friend who is married to a powerful duke for help – nope – she heads right off with Ramsay.

I honestly didn’t hate the book, but it was just so filled with things that were inconsistent or didn’t make sense and Cecelia was all over the place in her reactions to Ramsay. As I said, it had the concept of a great book, but the plot and character underdevelopment just didn’t help it reach that potential. I think I would have been more willing to disregard the plot flaws if I had liked Ramsay better. I thought the resolution was a bit too abrupt and easy – but at least we met the hero for the next book, The Devil in Her Bed, where I hope we’ll see a resolution to the Crimson Council.

This book is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book without feeling lost. There are a few references to the history between the three ladies who are featured in this series, but few will leave you scratching your head

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ramsay is such a grouchy, grumpy man! This one didn't appeal to me as the first one did. It was still good, but not the "read a book in one sitting" vibe. I think maybe the main couple wasn't connecting with me. I'm still here for all things Kerrigan, because I'm still excited for the last book in this series!

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series and although it can be read as a stand-alone, I do think reading the books in order improves the books. The series is based on three eccentric women who attended school together and formed the Red Rogues Society.
Cecelia Teague was rescued by an unknown benefactor who sent her to a boarding school. Years later, she discovers her benefactor was Henrietta, her aunt. Her aunt had left her a gambling establishment that the law officials thought had a part in missing girls. Cecelia got tangled up in danger and the mystery of government secrets.
Cassius Ramsay's job was to research the disappearance of young females that were disappearing as the Lord Chief Justice of High Court. He suspects Cecelia has some hand in their disappearances. He discovers Cecelia is innocent and that she is in danger. He takes her to his childhood home to keep her safe while she tries to decipher the journal Henrietta left Cecelia.
The book is fast-paced with a mystery that keeps your attention. With the twists and turns and unpredictable ending, I couldn’t put the book down. I have enjoyed reading the first two books and I cannot wait to read the next adventure of the Red Rogues.

All Scot and bothered is written in the same theme of Ms Byrne previous series.
The characters are strong and nonsense types, they both have childhood issues which makes your heart hurt. Ms Bryne addresses the issues sensitively.
I loved the fact that Cecelia stood her ground...and the twist in Ramseys past I did not see.

This book is apart of a series however it can be read as a standalone.

From the first time he sees Cecilia Teague she tempts him. Every word she speaks seems to be a double entendre. Imagine his surprise when he finds her innocent of all the crimes he's accused her off mentally and a virgin to boot.  Cassius Ramsay abstains from all temptation and yet cannot resist Cecilia despite all the wood he chops or all the venison he hunts.
The Red Rogues, three red headed independent educated women are an anomaly. Alexandra is a duchess and deeply loved by her duke. Frances is a countess who cuts a swathe through the nobility but Cecilia despite being a mathematical genius is the poor friend destined to make her way through life until her aunt dies and she's left with a questionable inheritance. It appears that she's inherited a gaming hell, a bawdy house and the focus of the Lord of Vice who is determined to shut her down. 
When Cassius finds that the new Scarlet Lady is non other that Cecilia who tempts him beyond belief he comes to her rescue when she's under attack.  Subsequently Cassius finds  that his suspicions are false. Even as they rusticate in the simple one roomed cottage where he grew up he succumbs to temptation.  He also finds that his ideals may have feet of clay and begins to question who and what he is.  Plots thicken and secrets abound and yet there are surprises to come until the very end of the story.
While this is just the type of plot that I enjoy with its mix of romance and suspense I found the story a bit slow paced for me. The lord justice protested a bit much but I admire Cecilia for standing up for her principles.

I've been on a historical romance kick and Kerrigan Byrne has occupied A LOT of my time. Loving this series, Devil You Know, it has similarities to Evie Dunmore's A League of Extraordinary Women with more action and murder. I predicted a lot of the storyline in both books so far, but sometimes that isn't so bad. 4 stars!

Kerrigan has done it again!!! What a spellbinding story with amazing characters.

I am a HUGE FAN of her books. I am so glad that I discovered her books because she has taken me to places I would never have gone on my own and I have experienced a range of emotions, joy, sadness, sympathy, surprise, anticipation, and the most important emotion of all Love. Her characters are flawed and perfect at the same time. Strong heroes and the woman that they love are central to her love stories.

Cecelia Teague and Cassius Gerard Ramsay are smart, stubborn, witty not always on purpose. I love that Cecelia is not a perfect svelt blonde young lady. She has curves and an attitude that drives Ramsay crazy, which is hilarious! There is also spine chilling peril and moments of great courage.

I think that Kerrigan is one of the best Historical Romance authors of our time. Her writing is captivating and one you should not miss. I highly recommend any and all of her books!

This is a lush, angst filled read. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Ramsey as he came across as an extreme puritan. But as you find out his childhood trauma, you understand his life choice. Cecelia was a likeable, open hearted character who you want to root for from page one. While at odds with each other in the beginning, the fates made sure Ramsey and Cecelia had to work together to uncover the secrets and evil in their midst as well as discover the truth about each other. A wonderful story!

A heartfelt thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Cecelia should not be attracted to the man tasked with shutting down her only means of survival. The Lord Chief Justice has risen from his obscure beginnings to a position of wealth, security and power. And Cassius Gerard Ramsey doesn't intend to sit on his laurels. He has his eyes on greater glory. Rooting out the evil that plagues London is his own personal mission - and he won't be swayed by a woman he finds irresistible.

Cecelia and Cassius are acquaintances - but all of their meetings have happened in social settings. When Cecelia inherits her aunt's gaming hell, she must disguise her identity. She walks a perilous road, beguiling Cassius as the demure society maiden and a bold proprietor. Things become even more fraught with danger when Cecelia becomes a target. There is a vigorous trade in the kidnapping of young girls, and Cassius is determined to unveil the villain He suspects it is Cecelia - until her disguise proves useless.

The closer they are drawn together, the greater the fire between them. The Chief Lord Justice may have a cold exterior, but he is nothing but ragged purple flames beneath an impervious surface. And he finds Cecelia the most addicting and troublesome temptation he has ever confronted.

I loved seeing Cassius unravel.

This is the magic that all historical romances should contain within their pages.

Kerrigan Byrne, one of my favourite authors, has written the second book in the series featuring the red rogues, Alexandra, Cecilia and Francesca, 3 women who bonded at boarding school, and lacking families who cared for them clung together as girls and bonded over the death of Alexandra’s rapist.

This is the story of Cecilia, who was subject to an abusive childhood until she was scooped up and taken away from the cruel and deranged Vicar who was legally her father, by a mysterious benefactor. She did not meet her Aunt but was taken away to school on the continent, in return for her education she had to write to her aunt every week.

Cecilia has inherited an establishment called Miss Henrietta’s School for Cultured Young Ladies. It takes her a while to realise it is a school but is also a gaming den. She is determined to look after the girls and women there, especially a young girl called Phoebe.

Cassius Gerard Ramsey is the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court and half brother to The Duke of Redmayne. He has had a difficult childhood too, with a selfish and neglectful mother and a weak father, in the end he has had to fend for himself since a very young age. Eventually he was taken in by the Redmayne family, but his experiences with women and the world in general have given him a distrustful attitude to the female sex, a huge desire to clamp down on all vice and wrongdoing, and a nature which has rejected female company, and is focused on absolute control.

When he meets Cecilia after Alexandra marries Piers, his brother, he is instantly attracted to her voluptuous body and statuesque lines. They are both fascinated with each other.

When they next meet Cecilia is in disguise as the new Scarlet Lady and Cassius is ransacking the club/school accusing Cecilia of participating in the procurement of young foreign girls for a an organisation called the Crimson Council.

The plot is very convoluted, and we never really get into the detail of the issues around the club/school. I found this a bit disappointing, as we never seemed to really get our teeth nto it, and any resolution was a bit rushed.

What we get in spades, is two interesting and attractive characters, who are very attracted to each other, and then forced together to protect Cecilia, Phoebe and Yves, who is badly injured. When they are all swept up and taken to Cassius' Scottish Croft, will he be able to protect them from the Council, and resist his attraction to Cecilia.

I loved reading about a plus size heroine, who is not loud, pushy or gluttonous, but nonetheless owns her size and enjoys her wine and chocolate. She is also not either submissive and silent, or loud and pushy. The romance between the two characters evolves slowly, and as they get to know each other, they realise that they have both suffered as children and recognise their loneliness.

Cassius was a more difficult character to love at the beginning as even though he was working to protect people his harshness and ascetism made him behave with too much aggression and cruelty. I love a grumpy hero, but not a nasty one.

When he let himself feel, and let his guard down, he was adorable, I love reading a hero who's defences against women/emotion are broken down one by one, and this journey was delicious.

Loved this for the characters and the romance.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book gifted to me by the author via Netgalley, and all opinions are my own.

Also posted on Goodreads

Wow oh Wow Wish I could give this book even more stars. This was such a complicated book. It has so much going on with the past of both our hero and heroine. They have overcome more than most could live thru. Cassius Gerard Ramsay is a Hugh imposing strong Scott and also the biggest grump in the world. As the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court he doesn't do anything but work. He is a pious straight lace one thinking kind of person. He has not been tempted by any woman till he met Cecelia, friend of his half-brother's new wife. Now all he can think of is her and what he would like to do with her.
Cecelia Teaque was an orphan with little to look forward to till a secret benefactor saved her, sent her to a girl's school and to university. She is extremely brilliant especially with numbers. Just as she thinks she might fit into society she inherits one of the most well know gaming hells of London!!
Before she can even think what to do, she founds out Ramsay who is the half-brother to her best friends' husband. Is also trying to shut down the Hell, and lock her up for selling young girls. They have met a couple of times in the past and have an attraction neither can overlook. What will he do when he finds out both women are her?
This is just the start of all that these two get into, there are so much going on you will not want to stop reading once you start.
To say anymore would give away too much of the story and ruin it for other.
Know that you really do not want to miss this one. I know I will be rereading this series again.
I received and arc from the author and want to thank her. This is my honest opinion and I am voluntarily giving it.

I am a huge fan of Kerrigan Byrne, which is why I am sad this book did not live up to expectations. Don't get me wrong - it was a good read, and I still recommend it but it just didn't deliver as I'd hoped.

Part of my issue is that the plot was a bit far-fetched, and had some holes that were never fully addressed. I also felt like the story moved far too quickly.

Overall, I would say if you are a fan it is worth reading this book.

The Red Rogues are back. Cecilia finally finds out who has been funding her her education and life and it comes with a host of problems and a young child. Lord Ramsey is intent on destroying all Vice and especially the Scarlet Lady. Meanwhile he is desperately attracted to Cecilia. Cecilia is a fiery and independent young lady. The arguments between her and Lord Ramsey were enough to singe the pages. There is action, drama and plenty of romance that makes this story so very fun and exciting. One for reading more than once.

Cassius Gerard Ramsay doesn't have vices or needs - until a curvy. redheaded, mathematician ends up as his unintended adversary. Cecelia Teague doesn't intend to marry - let alone fall in love - but she also didn't mean to inherit a gambling den or award and an enemy...

I adored the first in this series - How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days - but this one... just didn't live up to that hype. I honestly didn't like the hero until about 75% of the way through. I thought he was a sanctimonious ass that I was meant to pity despite he had mommy issues... and honestly, I just was bored by him. He seemed like he would mansplain mansplaining to me and I didn't have time for it. I loved Cecelia though and honestly, was totally into it for her. She is curvy and brilliant and has an enormous heart that is all pure love. And I loved it. She gives ultimatums, fights her own battles and is utterly fearless.

This is much less intense than book one and reads more like a basic enemy to lover's story than a high drama. I wanted more from Jean-Yves reveal (really wasn't her dad?! Maybe he shows up again next book) and I think my favorite moments were when the Rogues were together or Redmayne showed up.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne is the second book in the Devil You Know series.
The series focuses on three red headed women who met at boarding school and became besties. In this novel, Cecelia Teague found her secret benefactor who sent her and paid for her schooling. At the same time she found out that the benefactor had died and also left her a gambling hell. Hidden below the gambling areas is a secret school and rooms for women who had no way to survive. Before Cecelia even gets all that information and understands her new business, she is threatened by Lord Chief Justice of the High Court.

Cassius Gerard Ramsay is the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. He has made it his mission to root out all behavior that leads to immorality. But he didn’t know it was Cecilia’s new business that he was threatening to close and that someone else was also threatening her to kill her. We have kidnapping attempts and explosions and secrets and more secrets.

Both Cassius and Ramsay have had horrid upbrings and one of the strengths of the story is them finding each other. The plot was convoluted and twisted, perhaps too much, but it ends correctly. All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne was a pretty good read.

We are back with the Red Rogues and this time it's Cecelia story. This one has a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming, the leads backstory coming into play more and more. The big grumpy Scot is Ramsey who we meet in book 1 is the Duke's big brother. He is now the Chief Justice but has absolutely no fun outside of work. This is a perfect enemies to lover romance along with the first age gap romance I have loved. Byrne is truly a master at wiring historical romance!
Cecelia is a lady with some curves, mathematician, will do anything for her friends, and know how to banter with some wit! Ramsey is the strong, large, smart, comes from commoners but can't get a couple women out of his mind.

Overall, 4.5 stars and 4 steam (not as much and much later- sloooow burn compared to book 1)

Thanks to St. Martin Press, Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a huge fan of Kerrigan Byrne's characters -- strong, independent women who break or ignore gender barriers and vulnerable, yet strong men who support those women. All Scot and Bothered did not disappoint on this front. Cecilia was an inspiring women making her way as an intellectual in the world of mathematics. Ramsay had a fight to be the man Cecilia deserved taking a mite longer than I'd like. I did end up loving both of these characters.

I felt like the book dragged at times, but then near the end it was full of action and reveals. I'm absolutely intrigued about the set-up for the third book and hope we get more of all the Red Rogues in book three.

* I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. *