Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋 (very vague language, flowery and poetic instead of explicit)
Intimate Scene Length: 🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Scenes): 🔥 (one very vague open door scene)
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person from the hero and heroine a bit from the villain (Braden)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Not too far in, about 6% (there are some remembrances before this point)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, two months later

Should I read in order?
This is the first in Lancaster’s Season of Scandal series.

Basic plot:
Hazel is ruined and desperate to find a place of safety. Help turns up in the unexpected and unwanted form of Joseph Sayle.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- class difference elements – diplomat hero and ‘nobody’ heroine
- ruined heroine
- light road trip vibes
- diplomat hero
- former princess handmaiden
- close proximity
- villain to overcome
- low steam – one scene that is very light and a few kisses

Ages:
- Heroine is 22, didn’t catch hero

My thoughts:
I really love the idea of this series. Compromised/ruined heroine is one of my favorite tropes so a whole series that features that sounds really fun to me!

But this one sadly fell a bit flat for me. There’s a lot of uncertainty from the heroine and a lot of self doubt. Lots of toeing around how each other feels while dealing with a villain, mystery side characters and some minor other woman drama.

The steam was a let down for me. It was open door but very light.

Mary Lancaster is a master of historical romance. This book is no exception. The story keeps you reading along, the characters are engaging and you find yourself pulling for them. Loved the series

I cannot download from Amazon. I would gladly read/review if I could download a copy. This looked like it would be interesting. If a copy is made available I will still review this book.

Thanks to Netgalley, Dragonblade Publishing and the author for an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book by Mary Lancaster I have read but it will certainly not be the last. Similarly the period of historical romance I am most familiar with is Regency, whereas this book in set in `1814, so it's an entirely different era.
The story begins with 4 of Princess Charlotte's handmaidens being lured to a disreputable party under the premise of attending the Princess - however they quickly find out that the Princess is not there and their reputations have been ruined by the villainous Lord Barden who is the King's 'Snake'.
As they go their separate ways to try and escape the ensuing scandal the take follows Hazel who attempts to find her way to her old governess' house on her own.
Her plans go awry and she is rescued by the rakish Jo Sayle who, despite her best efforts, she is drawn to. Joe's kindness and nobility become evident to her, although he tries to hide it.
With Lord Barden in dispute the pair must find a way to rescue Hazel's reputation and avoid further scandal.
This is an exciting, and at times, humorous book with two engaging protagonists.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

I thought the story would be interesting and unique... But, well... It was unique at least? Sort of...

Random ladies in a random house party randomly getting their reputations ruined, and random men that (conveniently) will help those random lasses in need.

Hmmm... It didn’t inspire me =P

Full disclosure - I really love this author, and I have read almost everything she has written, I loved her Imperial season quartet, and her more recent her Blackhaven Brides series, and her Unmarriageable series. her early books were a little more detailed and very interesting, set in Vienna. The recent series have become a little shorter and more similar, but she is an excellent writer with a gift for making old tropes feel new and fresh. This is the start of a new series and it didn't disappoint me.

Four young girls, ladies in waiting to the Princess of Wales, are at the palace when a wild party starts, they are frightened and shelter in a room of the residence, only to discover the next day that her Highness was never there, and someone has leaked the juicy details, painting them as involved and ruined.

They have been set up to be ruined by the sinister and slightly mad Lord Barden, who has a plan for all four girls.

This story focuses on Hazel Curwen, who has no family in England, on her way to seek sanctuary with her former governess, Hazel misses the public coach and has no resources left. Sir Joseph Sayle, a diplomat and one of the Princesses former amours, turns up, and although Hazel sees him as an dissolute and amoral rake, she has no choice but to seek his assistance.

As they travel towards the former Miss Spriggs marital home, Sir Joe shows himself to be rather more charming and fun than Hazel had imagined, and incredibly capable, as they continue on their adventure they encounter a parcel of unruly but charming children, break a would be highwayman from the clutches of the local magistrate, and try and get to the bottom of who was trying to blacken Hazel and her friends reputations.

When Joe decides Hazel had better attend a house party his mother is throwing at his country estate in order to uncover the plot, they have to contend with lots more drama, including Joe's sisters, an abduction, being targeted by Joe's former friend and exiled Ottoman, Prince Selim, and lots more.

As they grow fond of each other, their awareness of each other turns to attraction and they fall in love, but will Hazel realise that she is more than good enough to be the wife of a diplomat.

I loved how strong and brave Hazel was, and how ready to change her opinion when presented with new information. Joe was also a good hearted rake who embraced his feelings and was determined to win his girl.

I love the way Mary writes, her heroines are always really likeable and resouceful, but she makes them feel different each time. She deftly handles the large cast of characters, and numerous scrapes with aplomb, and I look forward to the other stories in the series.

Utterly delightful. Highly recommended.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book, and all opinions are my own.

I think I loved this book. The romance was understated and it wrapped around me like a warm blanket. The characters did unexpected things that contributed to their relationship feeling real. I hope Joe and Hazel show up in future books.

4.5 stars

I liked this one more than the 2nd story and that was good. Such a great hero in Joe!

I originally was offered this book on Netgalley but it was archived before I got chance to review it so I purchased it instead and as you see I liked it!

A fun historical romp with a great romantic story. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

After spending the night at the princess's home unchaperoned, Hazel is ruined. She has no where to go but to the home of her former governess. After buying a ticket on the stagecoach, she misses her ride. But Sir Joseph comes to her rescue and offers to drive her to her destination.

Joseph has spent the night drinking, but when he encounters Hazel and causes her to miss her ride, he can do nothing else but off to get her to her destination. While Hazel thinks him a notorious rake, he soon reveals a side of him she's never seen.

As these two come together to take down the man responsible for Hazel's ruination, their feelings grow. Can this ruined lady and known rogue make a go of it?

I really enjoyed Joseph and Hazel's story. I like watching the come to know the other and learn that what they thought they knew was not the whole picture of the other person. This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait to read the next book!

4⭐️
358 pages, Historical Romance
Published by Dragonblade Publishing
Stand-alone
HEA

Loved, loved the cover. Isn’t it beautiful? A great summer read and one of my favorites this year. I just fell in love with these two. They ended up being perfect for each other and I loved it. Joe was honorably, charming and gorgeous. What more could a girl ask for??
This is a new author to me and I’m definitely reading more of her books. The writing was very good and I can’t wait for book 2. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NETGALLEY and the publisher for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I was not taken by this historical romance. The beginning is a bit chaotic as we see people leaving the castle in disarray and disorder. Hazel and the other ladies in waiting have been mislead and face ruin if discovered alone. Hazel runs to her childhood governess only to run into her nemisis, and rake,Sir Joseph. Their chemistry is kind of bland as he attempts to improve his image in her eyes. They travel together to avoid danger and experience plenty of adventure but like I said the story did not move me. The writing stagnant and uninspiring.

Having never read a book by Mary Lancaster, I did not know what to expect. She thrilled me. I love Hazel and Joe's story. Hazel is in trouble and Joe comes to her rescue; however as they make their way to safety, they realize there is more behind the scandal than they original though. Readers will love this true fun romance.

Loved this story! Charming, different, male hero, Sir Joseph Sayle is an Alpha Male, my personal favorite, when men act like men, and feminism has not reared it's head yet! Hazel, strange name for the Regency period, is a lady in waiting to Princess Caroline, the hated wife of the Prince Regent, hated by Prince George, not by the people of England. The heart of the story is, four innocent young ladies will be ruined by Caroline's actions, she has left them alone, has fled England, they believe they are protecting her, while an orgy is going on downstairs; total ruin if this story gets out! Orchestrated by Lord Barden the Prince Regent's liaison between his Palace and his wife's, actually he is an abominable snake in the grass! This is I hope, a new series where each of the young ladies reputations must be salvaged, and the men who will do anything to save them!
I highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee.com

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

When she turns up to start her latest shift as one of the Princess of Wales' ladie-in-waiting, Hazel discover a bevy of guests, drinking and eating, and the Princess nowhere to be seen. She and three other ladies hide in the Princess' sitting room, thinking their charge to be in her bedroom, and when they realise they've been left alone, unchaperoned, at a veritable orgy, they know they need to quickly get home, or at least to somewhere respectably, to save their reputations. Hazel plans to travel to Essex to the home of her old governess, but misses the stagecoach, and comes upon none other than Sir Joseph Sayle, one of the Princess' flames, and notorious rake. Even with his reputation, though, Hazel does trust him, and they travel together, first to Essex, where they meet the Sprigg children, and save a would-be highwayman. But, they have the wicked Lord Barden on their trail, and Hazel's previous interactions with him have led him to have a vendetta against Hazel, and will do everything he can to make her his, and ruin her in the eyes of the ton. Will they be able to stop him, and overcome their own growing attraction?

This book started fast, and stayed a really quick read throughout. Hazel is the natural born granddaughter of the late Duke of York, so has connections, but not the wealth to back it up. She loves being in Princess Caroline's employ, and cares extremely for her charge, especially with how her marriage to the Prince Regent is imploding. Apart from the interactions with the Prince's man, Lord Barden, her work has been perfect, and she can't envision how anything would go wrong. I really liked her personality, and the way she adapted to the various situations she found herself in throughout the book. Because of Joe's past dalliances with the Princess, Hazel wants to hate him, but he breaks down all her defences, and shows himself to be honourable, even through a bit of a rake in the past. The flirting and chemistry between Hazel and Joe is everything you could ask for, and there were scenes - such as in Essex with the children - that was just perfect! I loved how they overcame everything that was thrown at them, and they were definitely made for each other. I'm looking forward to the next book, Abandoned to the Prodigal, about another one of the ladies-in-waiting, Lady Juliet.

Pursued by the Rake is the first book in the Season of Scandal series and it certainly started the series with a bang! It was full of humor, witty banter, misconstrued reputations, villains, and intrigue. I feel like my emotions were on a roller coaster, but I think this might be my favorite book by this author. I loved the storyline and my attention was grabbed from the beginning. The series is based on four ladies-in-waiting to the Princess of Wales being tricked into spending the night at the Princess’s residence when she wasn’t there, but their reputations are ruined when news spread that a wild party had occurred.
Hazel Curwen’s reputation was ruined, with no family in London her only option is to travel to her previous governess’s house to stay until she can follow her grandmother to Scotland. Encountering Sir Joseph “Joe” Sayle, a known rake, and traveling with him to Essex was not the plan, but she had few options. She didn’t expect her opinion of him to change along the trip or to start having feelings for him. Joe had fallen for Hazel the first time he saw her, but him coming from another women’s bed-chamber didn’t start their relationship off very well. Can their adventurous journey to Essex help improve her opinion of him and allow him to win her heart?
I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I’m curious about the other three women’s stories and why the villain tricked them. Also, I hope to see Selim again and his future happiness.

What a delightful romp! Our hero, Joe is so lovable. He is smart, fun, and creative.. Hazel is in desperate straits. The object of vengeance from a cruel man, she run...and what an adventure she runs into. So many interesting characters I can't wait for the next story in this series!

I have received an ARC of this book from Dragonblade Publishing Group and NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
First time reading this author and it was a good surprise. I liked a lot. It’s going to be an author to my list of keep and now I want the next ones in line on this series, Season of Scandal.
The story is filled with humor and romance, even bits of mystery that kept me reading till I know more and what was going to happen. Apart from the characters, that were very well developed, the story itself made sense, to me, at least. Everything seemed to happen the moment it had to happen, including the saddest and most worrying things.
The author's writing is pleasant and makes it much easier to read and enjoy the plot and the suspense.
It is going to be a Series that I will keep an eye out, for sure.

Hazel Curwen is one of Princess Caroline's ladies in waiting. She and three other young ladies who are also ladies in waiting are called to the princess's residence and once there discover there is an orgy going on. They shelter in the princess's private rooms but are afraid to disturb the princess in case she is "entertaining". The next morning they realize she was never there and has already left for the continent. Their only recourse to leave for relatives who they hope can stop any gossip and provide them with alibis. Hazel's father is on the seas and her grandmother in Scotland so she tries to get to a beloved governess for help.

Hazel runs into Sir Joseph Sayles in the posting inn and he is not completely sober. She thinks him disreputable as she has run into him leaving the princess's rooms. When she misses her coach as a result of her encounter with Sir Joseph, she has no other option to accept his help. She also discovers that she has been mentioned in a scandal sheet as having been at the orgy and is ruined.

I love road romances and this was a wonderful example. There are children to rescue, old friends out for revenge and trying to outdo the damage done by the Lord who set up Hazel and the other ladies in waiting.

Joe is a terrific hero. He is kind and witty and full of fun. And Hazel, when she is not fretting over her lost reputation, is a great match for him-the chemistry was definitely there. I liked hearing both POV's.

I truly enjoyed reading this and recommend to others.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and are voluntarily given.

Miss Hazel Curwen, handmaiden of Princess is running away from a Scandal trying to prove her innocence. The Rake, Sir Joseph Sayle, is a diplomat and not in the good books of Hazel due to the circumstances they initially met. Sayle helps Hazel from escaping the scandal. A fierce heroine who stands for her independence and not afraid of facing difficulties. They go from one hilarious escape after another throughout their journey on the way helping others and mending fences.
A very good read. Very well written book. I would like to read more books from Mary Lancaster