4.25 Stars / 2.5 Steam Fans

When Cecelia from the Red Rouges inherits her dead aunt's business that could be considered shady, Ramsey is the lawman that is bound and determined to take it down. Cecelia and Ramsey are entwined in a mystery that causes the two of them to flee the area to a small cottage in Scotland. Cecelia starts to learn Ramsey's secrets, and Ramsey lets down some of his walls to see love.

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All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byre was so so good! This book was filled with so much passion and a little bit of angst. It was what every good Historical Romance is made of and I would highly recommend this book.

Consider me a new Kerrigan Byrne fan! I enjoyed the sweeping nature of the plot, the themes, and the style of this one. I did think it was about 50-100 pages too long, and I got impatient with some of the drawn-out thinking and exposition scenes.

This is a fabulous historical romance packed with additional mystery, suspense and dangerous intrigue! This is the story of Cecelia Teague and Cassius Gerard Ramsay. It is the second story in the 'Devil You Know' series, the previous story being 'How to Love a Duke in Ten Days'. I suspect having read the first story added to my enjoyment of this one but think it could still be enjoyed as a standalone.

In the Victorian era, women were supposed to know their place and not aspire to do certain things which were purported to be the prerogative of men only. The Red Rogues flouted conventions like that. They are three university educated young ladies, best friends and very bright - often cleverer and quicker then their male counterparts, much to many males' chagrin! 

Cecelia Teague was whisked from her dreadful childhood home, where showing any sign of her intellectual prowess was punished, to live in a prestigious boarding school, which is where she met the other two Rogues. When Cecelia has an unexpected inheritance, she finds herself the owner of a gambling hell and a school for girls and ladies and the protector of a young girl, Phoebe. How are the these all connected? As she seeks to discover the connection,  Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, Cassius Gerard Ramsay comes calling, implying her inheritance involves illegal activities which he is determined to cease. However, as the attraction between the two develops, there are others out to stop Cecelia uncovering the truth. Can she trust Ramsey? Her heart says yes, but she's wary - and so is he!

This is an action packed thrilling historical romance and brilliant, intriguing series. It is a great read that has you eagerly turning the pages as the drama unfolds. Phoebe is a delightful, precocious young lady and there are surprise revelations about her, too. This is a fantastic addition to this series and I can't wait to discover what will happen to the third rogue in the next book in this series, The Devil in Her Bed.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

This one was really hard to put down. I read it in two days. The characters were great, the plot entertaining, the conflict strong, and the bad guy was a nice surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming. The interactions between the two main characters was passionate, humorous at times, and downright delicious. They kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The emotional turmoil they faced added a tension to their relationship that built the dynamic between them. I loved it all and want more. Kerrigan Byrne definitely knows how to write a romance that is gripping, passionate, and all consuming for the reader.

All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne
Subgenre: historical romance
Release date: 29 Sep 2020
Publisher: St Martin’s
Format: ebook and print
Length: 416 pages
RRP: $8.42 (ebook); $14.40 (print)

The last of the trio will find her other half, and a HEA. They are a trio of smart women who have been to finishing school and even to university. All three women are high achievers and should be able to find their place in society, if only the men would let them.

Cecelia Teague is a positive and upbeat kind of person. At least that is what the image projects. Behind the mask is a background that has been rough, and at times, unbearable. Cecil, as she is affectionately known by her closest friends, is a member of the Red Rogues. She has recently come into an inheritance from her biological mother, a gambling hall, and young girl. She also becomes the target of her real mother’s enemies.

While she is there looking at the property, the Lord Chief Justice Cassius Gerard Ramsey arrives looking for evidence of a missing girl. Cecil knows him as her sister-of-the-heart’s brother in law so has had some dealings with him. She hopes that he won’t recognise her under the makeup and wig.

Lord Cassius Gerard Ramsey likes to be in control. He has a difficult relationship with his brother. When he was in the same room as Cecil, he is aroused as he has always been by her. But for him, trusting a woman is a big issue. The last woman in his life, Matilda, was with him to spy on him and provide his enemies with information, and left a huge hole in his heart and lack of faith in women.

Cecil finds that she will become the target of the crime gang and she and the Chief Justice must discover what has happened and who is behind this gang. Naturally, the pair join forces to find those responsible, and also come to understand each other’s quirks and how they come to think the way they do with what has happened in their life. They find their common ground and a HEA.

There is a lot of action in this story and the danger is present as someone tries to take over the gambling hall and the trade of young girls. It really is a case of keep your friends close and your enemies closer as Cecil and Cassius will find out.

These are strong women who know what they want to achieve in life and how to get around some of the restrictions there are on their position in society. It is always a delight to read of strong women who can achieve their aims despite the restrictions of the time. These women are bonded by friendship but also events beyond their control, but they always prevail. I have really enjoyed this series.

reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

I loved the premise of this book though it wasn't my favorite by this author. The heroine has a dark backstory (as do all the heroines in this series). I think she's supposed to be the smart one in the trio of Red Rogues, but I didn't really see much of a demonstration of her brainpower or math skills. Extra star for making her plus size though! The obstacles to their relationship and the "mystery" seemed fairly easily overcome.

All Scot and Bothered⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Kerrigan Byrne

Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Lord Chief Justice
Of the High Court, is above reproach. He made his way to this position with ruthless cunning and is a force to be reckoned with.

Cassius Ramsay first encounters the Red Rogues at his younger half-brothers wedding. The Red Rogues are three women who met and bonded at a young ladies school of culture. They experienced terror and heartbreak there as well. Alexandra marries Ramsay’s brother and Francesca and Cecelia are in her wedding. When Ramsay sees Cecelia is immediately attracted to her. Again at another meeting he passionately kisses her.

Although, each of them cared for each other they both felt a level of distrust. This was a story so well layer with plots, subplots and humor it is very difficult to review. Kerrigan Byrne brings to the table her undeniable best as an author. I am a true fan of all her work. She is a master.

Everything about Kerrigan Byrne is my jam. I love historical romance and she is the best of the best. Her blend of raw darkness coupled with the promise of love and hope just gets to me every time. This series is a bit lighter than some of her others but still takes you on a tangled ride of emotions.

We met the characters, Cecelia and Ramsay in the previous book and I do recommend reading it first if you can although it’s not 100% necessary. Our hero and heroine are enemies though there is a much larger picture than either of them realize. Ramsay must investigate child trafficking and Cecelia can help if he’d just stop hating her!

Like all romance, this has an HEA and the hero gets the girl. But the story is so well written, the characters well developed that any of this author’s books will stand out!

Read all three in one sitting this weekend. They're nicely separate and distinct while still being strongly linked--my favorite method for a romance series

Ramsay and Cecilia's dynamic is exactly what I needed—a grumpy and emotionless but secretly soft hero, and a woman with quiet power refusing to bend. After the first book in this series, I'm glad Jean-Yves got the attention he deserved in this one. He's a delight. In that vein, I'd have liked more from Phoebe.

The plot was filled to the brim with drama and trauma, making for excellent hurt/comfort. However, this particular backstory/plotline is not just dark, but also just very weird in a way that became rather distracting. This was compounded by how fast everything wrapped up—if the macro storyline was going to get that weird, I feel like it really needed the commitment of a powerful ending that didn't back off.

I received a digital advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While the series is Devil You Know, so far it is really about the Red Rogues, three red heads, who bonded in school at at time, when women were really not educated at a high level. The heroines in the series are full of spunk and the men they fall for are flawed, and have to work to earn the love of their women.

This volume is about Celia Teague, an orphan who was physically and mentally abused by her legal "father" , a vicar and by her teachers and classmates, because she was smarter but also shy, tall and plump. She was rescued by her aunt, who plucked her into a girl's school, but never actually met her.

Years later, a university educated mathematician, she skates on the edge of society, via Alexandra, who is now a duchess, and inherits a gambling hall and attached school for girls and women to learn a trade. Immediately, Cassius Gerard Ramsey, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, aka the Vicar of Vice, half brother to Alex's husband, puts her on his radar, as being guilty of nefarious actions, including the kidnapping of girls. While frightened of him, she is also drawn to him, and he has to bury deepy his own attraction. Soon they are both engulfed in danger and Ramsey must protect Cecilia, while she tries to decipher a coded diary, with secret information about the powerful Crimson Council and others.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. While this might not have been in the finally version, but I really doubt that calculus was taught in a village school in 1876, to anyone. There was also an inconsistency in my version at the end, but again, might not be in the finale version. The book is full of filled with intrigue and suspense, but also tender moments. This is my voluntary and unbiased review.

I’ve been waiting for this hero’s story and was a bit nervous when I saw that it was being wrapped into the debut of a new series. Byrne did not under deliver, however, and this was a strong entry into her bookshelf. I’m looking forward to the next stories in this series!

Another author on my romance author list to look for when I'm in the mood for historical fiction romance! I also love reading about female protagonists that are also strong women and this book did not disappoint.

I love a good Scottish romance and this one did not disappoint! Cecelia is the perfect strong female lead and as someone who is also plus sized, I loved that she was all curves but that she'd embraced her body and found a man who loved it too. Ramsay is the perfect brooding, Scottish hero that can't help but find himself undeniably attracted to Cecelia, even though her current occupation goes against his own morals. The story involved mystery, adventure, and of course romance. I absolutely adored it!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All Scot and Bothered is an enemies to lovers historical romance with a lot of sizzle and pop between the hero and heroine. Cecelia Teague is a smart, creative woman who just learned she's inherited a gambling empire that includes a few ladies of ill repute. Unfortunately, this places her under the scrutiny of Lord Chief Justice of the High Court Cassius Gerard Ramsey who's determined to shut the place down. When they first meet at a dinner, Ramsay doesn't have a clue who Cecelia is and sparks fly between them. Later, when he comes to the gambling establishment on official business, Cecelia's in disguise and he doesn't immediately recognize her. In the meantime, their attraction and chemistry spike as she works to keep her identity hidden. The story that unfolds is heated in more ways than one!

Author Kerrigan Bryne brings a lot of heat to historical romance with sexual tension that's explosive. I enjoyed Cecelia as another strong heroine with a spine of steel and a mind of her own. It took more time for me to warm up to Ramsay as some of his actions are particularly harsh, but the interaction between these characters set the stage for an intriguing story with surprising depth. While this isn't my favorite by this talented author, it's perfect for fans of historical romance with a twist . . . and lots of chemistry.

I wanted to really like this book, but almost from the beginning I couldn't help but roll my eyes. The main female character is university-educated and tough, for all her past trauma. She almost seems to revel in not fitting the idea of a woman of the time. At the same time, she and the author both continuously pigeon hole the male lead into some stereotypical idea of the "savage Scot" with a barely contained animalistic nature. But the man is the Lord Chief Justice! I think rising to that position is proof that he's not as savage and barbaric as we would be led to believe. And then there's the "mystery." It really shouldn't even be there because it takes such a backseat to the romance and then is very quickly and neatly revealed and wrapped up in the last chapter or two of the book. Overall, a very middling read for me.

I think I have said enough times that every time I get my hands on a new Kerrigan Byrne's novel I just drop everything else I am doing to read it. And I am being serious here.

In theory I love everything about this book, a Scot, who is also Chief Justice and a gaming hell, owned by the heroine. Come one, it's almost too good to be true...and unfortunately it didn't fully convince me.
I just simply couldn't feel enough chemistry between the protagonists - and listen we are talking about the author of the <i>Highwayman, the Highlander</i> and all the others in the Victorian Rebels series, where chemistry is in EACH page of EACH book.

Now, <i>I loved How to Love a Duke in Ten Days</i> (the first one in this series) so I have all the highest expectations for Francesca's book. No pressure!

This was good. Not great, but good. I'll be honest, I read this book a few weeks ago and I just don't remember that much that I loved about the book. The main characters were fine, the plot was fine (if very convenient in some places--looking at you, timeline), and I liked the writing. I read this book mostly because I had an arc and I was in the mood for a historical, but otherwise it just wasn't remarkable. I'll keep reading the series because I liked this one and really liked the first one, but it wasn't my fave book of the year by any stretch.

Sadly, I didn't connect with this historical romance. Perhaps it was because I had read too many romances in a row and by the time I got to this one, I was a little bored of the genre and instead of picking something else I was stubborn and kept listening to this story. Now, I don't believe I had anything against this book in particular as pretty much everyone seem to have loved it. I was simply not in the best mood when I picked it up. I also believe it was a bit too long and I got bored after a while.

Now, I am still excited to read more from this author as I have many of her books in my tbr-pile. I can't wait to see what all the hype is about The Highwayman as I heard pretty good things about that one.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)