This was my first Lorraine Heath book & I really loved it. I thought the beginning was cute & was ready for it to go a certain way. I was pleasantly surprised with the twist & the other direction things went. I love that Kathryn strives to make her own coices & that Griff wants to make his own way in the world & give non titled people chances at fun & happiness. It was a great start to a series & makes me curious to read future books.

This book really flips the script. You think you're reading one type of historical with a story about a heroine who needs to marry a titled gentleman for her inheritance and the hero who is the second son of a Duke. The conflict and plot line for these two friends to lovers seems obvious...until it isn't. All of a sudden, the father is no longer a Duke and the heroine is nearing an engagement to someone else.

I loved the twist in this book and how it really changes everything for Grif Stanwick and Kathryn Lambert. Their situations lead to true character growth and has them honestly looking at what it is they want in life. I thought both of them were very well written. Griff is just so swoon worthy as he quietly loves Kathryn in secret while working to help her achieve her dreams, even if they don't align with his.

This is the first in a series but does have a sort of a continuation from her previous one. It can definitely be read as a standalone; however, it was a lot of fun revisiting characters we already knew from her other books. I'm excited that Althea's brothers seem to be getting their stories after their father's downfall and really look forward to the reading about Marcus as well as the jilted Duke that Kathryn was to marry in future books. While the writing was a bit schmaltzy for me at times, overall it is a well-written book that reads quickly and keeps you captivated. I would recommend this one to fans of Sarah MacLean and Sophie Jordan.

I read a lot of books and sometimes I get mixed up on if I have read a book before and at one point in this book, I thought to myself “I have read this before”. Well duh, I had in Beauty Tempts the Beast. I like that Lorraine has gone back and given stories to this family. Griffith and Kathryn are so likeable. Griffith and his too cool for school attitude except when it came to Kathryn, then he was a scoundrel but only of her heart. Their interactions were terrific, the dialog was great, the romance was so very sweet and romantic. I also found the other characters just as intriguing, like Kingsland, who I understand is getting his own book. I am sure Lorraine is also writing one for Marcus and look forward to that.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you.

This book was every bit as great as I’d thought it would be. The writing is outstanding, it is perfectly paced, the characters are relatable and compelling, and the story is excellently plotted and delivered. The romance – OMGoodness, it was lovely, lovely, lovely.

We were introduced to the Stanwick family in the last book of the Sins for All Seasons series, Beauty Tempts the Beast. The three siblings, (Althea, Griffith, and Marcus) must make their own way in the world after their father, a duke is hanged for treason. Our heroine, Lady Kathryn Lambert, was best friends with Althea – and – there was a budding relationship with Griffith (Griff) – before the treason and all of the siblings disappeared.

Griff’s father always made him feel as if he was less, extraneous, not needed for anything unless something happened to Marcus. Much of that lack of self-worth has continued into his life after he and his siblings were turned out of polite society. However, living in the slums, working at the docks, and doing his best to make something of himself has given him self-confidence if not self-worth. To him, the best thing he ever did was to give up the woman he loved and assured that she had the attentions of a Duke. A very wealthy and powerful duke. After all, she could never have married him anyway since she had to marry someone with a title in order to receive her inheritance. Griffith is now on the way to being a wealthy man himself. He’d made some investments prior to his father’s trial and they’ve paid off so he could fulfill his own dream – owning a club for the ‘unwanted’ in society.

Lady Kathryn met Griffith Stanwick when he was about twelve years old. In typical kid fashion, they took up the habit of teasing and bickering with each other. That continued into adulthood – until each of them began to wonder if maybe there wasn’t something more there. Then, his father’s treason put an end to all of that because the Stanwick siblings disappeared. She later learned they had been living in the slums with Althea working in a tavern and Griff working at the docks. Kathryn did see Althea once or twice and did what she could for her, but she wasn’t allowed to do much. She had no word about Griff – until she did. And, Oh – the longing between them.

Kathryn is expecting a proposal from the Duck of Kingsland. She doesn’t love him – isn’t even sure she really likes him – but he will meet the requirements of her grandmother’s will so she can receive her inheritance. She fully expects her life with the duke to be uneventful because he travels so much and probably won’t make many demands on her.

Now that she knows where Griffith is, and she’s seen him again, the attraction is growing stronger and stronger. The duke is also closer and closer to proposing to her. Will she decide to give up her inheritance for love – or will she give up love for the inheritance? Or – can she have both? You’ll just have to read the book to see.

I absolutely loved this book and the characters, but the deal with the inheritance puzzled me. If it was bundles of cash and property, I could sorta/kinda understand Kathryn’s obsession with it – but it was a cottage by the sea. I understand the sentimental attachment, but to even consider giving up everything in your life for that just didn’t ring true to me. I know we had to have some sort of impetus for her to look to marrying a title rather than someone she loved, but this one just seemed weak in my mind. It didn’t keep me from loving the story, I just didn’t get that one part.

I had originally thought this series would have two books – one for Griffith and one for Marcus, but it turns out that isn’t the case. The next book, publishing in September, will feature the Duke of Kingsland and Penelope Pettypeace – both of whom we met in this book. Since the duke was intriguing in this book, I’m really looking forward to that book as well.

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

This book surprised me in the best ways. I struggled a little with her previous series and requested this book just to give it one more shot. Sometimes, changing the series can change everything and that definitely applied here. It definitely added to the story to have glimpses of the Trewloves, but the real fun was in the unrequited love and tension between Griff and Kathryn. They were such a fun couple to watch struggle through adversity, but also to watch them grow in confidence. Her need to marry a man with a title and his need to let her do that while loving her from afar was just so engaging. I can't wait to get more from this world. If you like determined heroines and scoundrels with a cinnamon roll interior, this book is for you.

I was so happy to hear that Althea's brothers were getting a series! I loved this book and appreciated that Heath took me back a bit into the history (back beyond even where Althea's story started) so I could really understand what happened. Griff and Kathryn are great characters and I loved the way their relationship progressed. Kathryn didn't put up with any of his crap and while I don't always love the "I'm not good enough for you" approach, it worked in this one because of what happened with Griff and his family.

This was a great start to what I expect to be another fantastic series by Heath and I'm here for it all. If you're looking for a new Historical Romance series to start, grab this one and if you haven't read the Sins for All Seasons books...you definitely should as they lead right into this one. It isn't required (at least I didn't think so) but it's good so you should.

Lady Kathryn has to marry a titled peer to receive her inheritance from her grandmother. The perfect opportunity arrives when a Duke challenges women to write him a letter expressing why he should choose them to be his Duchess. Griff is Kathryn’s best friend's brother and is a standard second son - gambling, drinking, women. He has always loved Kathryn, but since he overheard her stating she would never marry a second son, he has never done anything more than pester her. When a family scandal changes Griff’s life for good, Kathryn is that much farther out of his reach until she refuses to be pushed away any longer!

Serious longing, a cock and hen club, and personal sacrifice - I loved every second of this book! This book will make my “Best of 2021” list! Griff loves Kathryn to the point that he will do anything to ensure she finds happiness. Even if that means pushing her into the arms of another man. I loved Kathryn. She is willing to go after exactly what she wants and is completely willing to throw everything away as her goals change. Heath is a master storyteller and this book will leave you longing for the next book in the series!

As a second son, Lord Griffith Stanwick, has led a carefree life, but he's always loved Lady Kathryn Lambert. Unfortunately, Lady Kathryn must marry a titled peer to claim her inheritance from her grandmother. Griffith helps Kathryn come to the attention of a duke because he believes that is what she wants and he's willing to give her up for her to achieve this. In a blink of an eye, Griffith's life is turned upside down when his father is convicted of treason and he loses everything. Now that Kathryn has won the attentions of a duke, is her inheritance worth giving up the man she loves?

This was such an exciting story full of twists and turns. I loved Griff. He's so honorable and selfless as he struggles to protect his sister when they lose everything. When he finally comes face to face with Kathryn a year later, he expects she's a duchess, but much to his surprise she has yet to receive a proposal. Even after a year Kathryn has not fallen in love with the duke and seeing Griff again sends her heart beating faster. These two have a rocky path to a HEA and I enjoyed every moment of it.

I love this book. Great characters that I grew to love and cheer for.
Kathryn's grandmother has left her a cottage by the sea, which she loves with all her heart. The condition of the will is she has to marry a man with a title before her 25th birthday or she forfeits the cottage. The problem, she is in love with her best friends brother, Griff. Griff is the second son, the spare. He has gone through life feeling the shame of that, not having anything of his own. He is determined to make his own way in the world, even when his family is faced with tragedy. And the one thing he has always wanted, Kathryn, is the one thing he can never have. Griff knows of her need to marry a man with a title, and will do what he can to help her. But will Kathryn want his help?
Looking forward to the next book in this series.
I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I didn't think I could love any of Lorraine Heaths characters as much as the Trewloves but Griffin Stanwick has changed my mind.

Griffin is a second son, the spare.. and as such isn't expected to do anything with his life.. Lady Kathryn Lambert needs to get married to a titled man by her 25th birthday, which is coming up, in order to retain the inheritance her grandmother left her..

Kathryn thinks that Griffin is a reprobate, who cares for nothing and spends his days drinking, gambling, and womanizing.. When she decides that she might want to marry the Duke of Kingsland, she asks Griffin to figure out what Kinsgston wants in a wife.. Griffin has always had feelings for Kathryn, but as a second son he knows he will never have a chance with her, and when he realizes why she has to marry a titled lord he decideds that he wants to help her get what she wants.. and that is the Duke of Kingsland... or is it?

The more time they spend together, the harder they fall for each other.. When news of Griffins father being tried for treason comes out, Griffin and his family dissappear from the ton.. When Kathryn tracks him down after almost a year of not seeing him, the feelings she has for him resurface.. Griffin also still has feelings for Kathryn but he had to do some things while he was gone.. things that make him believe that even if she could marry a second son, he definitely didn't deserve her now..

I loved Kathryn and Griffin together.. they both grow so much as people but still love each other for exactly who they are.. They are an amazing couple with wonderful chemistry and I Loved this book, and highly recommend this book, and anyother book by Lorraine Heath.. and I can't wait for more books in this series!!

I liked the book .And even though this is a new series you can pick up scenarious or tidbits from the previous book Beauty Tempts the Best. in that book Griffith and Kathryn both had small crushes on each other, and it could have developed into something, if not for Griffith's father getting hanged for treason. , and it might have become something more, if not for Griffith's father getting hanged for treason. And now Griffin is a mere commoner. Stanwidk is Kathryn best friend and is supposed to marry well, but love will conquor all in the end.

This continues the world that Heath has explored in earlier books and the story of the Stanwick family who lost everything when their father was tried and executed for treason. We were introduced to them in the previous book and some of those characters reappear. This book centers around the second son who also lost everything, but is trying to build up his own way to make money by building a sort of gambling house. The book spends a lot of time in the period before the family’s fall while Griffith is falling for his sister’s best friend, Kathryn, but knows he can never have her because she wants to marry a lord so she can get an inheritance.

Since I knew that eventually this world for Lord Griffith is going to come falling down, I was not so interested in this before period. I wanted the plot to move on so we could see Griffith building his way back.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I really enjoyed this one. I read it in a day (gotta love romance novels for giving me a breather between huge fantasy novels with world-ending stakes) and definitely felt all the feels. In fact, I found myself slowing down in some parts, rereading paragraphs and pages to savor the emotions. Especially the moments of heartbreak. Why do I love to savor those so?

This was my first book by Lorraine Heath, and it probably won't be my last, because I did enjoy it so much. But. I do have a few quibbles:

First, the writing was overdone and threatened to trip up the storyline in places, and the sex scenes were sort of cringe. That could be me though. I generally prefer sex scenes that are fade-to-black with writing that isn't quite so overwrought. I considered putting it down in the first 15% or so, until it hooked me, because of the writing. Once I was hooked, though, it became easier to ignore the bits that annoyed me about the writing.

Second, what the heck was up with that time skip? Things are cruising along and then suddenly whoops Griff and his brother are taken to the Tower because of his father's treason and we get a "ten months later" and are supposed to buy that Griff went from spoiled second son to suspected traitor to penniless dockworker to scarred proprietor of his new club? There's no way he acquired all of his scars in ten months, much less completed building his club. I don't think it's even physically possible.

I did enjoy our glimpse into the Duke of Kingsland's side of things at the end - he's like a blank wall for most of the book and the reveal of the motives behind some of his actions was delightful. I look forward to reading more about him in the future.

The chemistry between Kathryn and Griff was undeniable from the first pages, though obviously it changed after his return from exile, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading their love story, with all its ups and downs.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing an e-arc to review.

Kathryn is determined to marry a duke since it is a stipulation to receiving her inheritance. Because of a clause in her inheritance that requires she marry a titled man, Kathryn tries to ignore her feelings and focus on marrying a duke. However, as much as she tries to resist, she is as drawn to Griff as he is to her. Griff and Kathryn’s lives are very different, and being together means losing the place Kathryn most treasures, which weighs heavily on Kathryn. Griff does not have a title and feels he will never be good enough for Kathryn, so he determines to help match her with a duke. However, as the matchmaking ensues, neither can deny their feelings for each other.

When Griff’s father is tried for treason, Griff disappears for a time, and Kathryn continues her courtship with the Duke. When Kathryn and Griff reconnect months later, he is different from the man she knew, but the feelings still remain. Can these two people with very different lives ever find a way to be together?

I loved this story, especially the romance, and I absolutely adore Griff!!! Griff is the second son and considered irrelevant. Men in his position are often referred to as a “spare.” It must be awful to feel so unwanted and unneeded, and this title severely affects Griff’s sense of self and worth, especially towards the beginning of the story.

Halfway through the book, the story takes a dramatic and unexpected turn, which changes Griff’s life irrevocably. Family tragedy and betrayal take Griff’s life in a totally different direction than expected. However, as a result of this terrible time, Griff learns to fight for himself and for what he wants. He learns to stand on his own two feet and protect the things that are most important to him. He’s tough and more self-assured. And though his life has changed dramatically, his feelings for Kathryn remain the same. Time and distance have not affected the desire and longing Griff feels when he sees her.

From the start, Kathryn is one of the few who sees the good and the promise in Griff, and though she doesn’t realize it, she has very strong feelings for him. Griff is a bit scandalous, and Kathryn is a proper lady. He is unconventional, and she is conservative. They love to antagonize and needle each other, and they have heated and passionate conversations. I love their clever, flirtatious, and sometimes argumentative banter, as well as their fun, flirty, and passionate encounters.

Another part of the story that I liked was Griff’s attitude toward women. When Griff describes the type of woman he wants by his side, he shows a progressive attitude toward gender equality, and he perfectly describes Kathryn. There is one scene in particular where Griff details the attributes he likes in a woman, and it is positively swoon-worthy! He wants an equal in every way, which is abnormal in their world and exactly what Kathryn deserves.

And the way that Griff specifically talks about Kathryn, as well as the way he thinks about her, melts my heart. His feelings are beautiful and romantic and deep, and his selfless willingness to let her go is the epitome of sacrifice. Knowing that if she marries a duke she will inherit a beloved cottage, Griff casts his own feelings and desires aside and works behind the scenes to make her dreams come true.

This is a fantastic historical romance! I loved Griff and Kathryn and their epic love story! The minor characters are also intriguing, and I’m curious to learn more about Griff’s siblings. The mystery surrounding Griff’s family is fascinating and dangerous, and I can’t wait to find out more. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Avon, and Lorraine Heath for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Who to choose? Kathryn is lucky to have chooses but also burdened by them. Scoundrel of My Heart, is a great book about a strong minded woman and the man that loves her.

Griffin Stanwick has always loved Lady Katherine, a long time friend of his sisters. Katherine must marry a lord to receive her inheritance from her grandmother and after Griffins father is found guilty of treason, he is not even close. Griffin will do anything for Katherine even if it means watching her marry a Duke.
I loved this book. It had a little bit of everything from adventure to waking up in the hedges. I love how Griffin changed, but still reminded the same when it came to Katherine.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! This was my first Lorraine Heath novel and the first in a new series (though it’s a spinoff of another series you don’t need to have read that to follow this story).

As her best friend’s brother, Kathryn has known scapegrace Griff for years. But, she’s never imagined a future with him because her inheritance requires she marry a peer, not a second son. But that doesn’t stop these two from secretly pinning for each other, even as Kathryn seeks the favor of a duke. Suddenly, scandal and treason strike, ruining Griff’s family and leaving him beyond the fringes of society, yet Kathryn can’t seem to stay away.

I think everyone has tropes they generally don’t like, and then happy exceptions to those rules. For me, I generally avoid love-triangle tropes, but this book was the exception to that rule. I adored sweet scoundrel Griff and his pinning for Kathryn, and I loved Kathryn’s spirit. There was a delicious amount of angst and I was cheering for our couple throughout. There’s also a bit of mystery & intrigue that I’ll be curious to see play out over the next books in the series.

Overall I highly recommend this book, particularly if you like Ms. Heath’s Beauty Tempts The Beast or works by Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All commentary & opinions are my own.

Oh, boy, Lorraine Heath does it again. I don't think anyone writes angst as well. I loved Griff! He wanted only what was best for Kathryn even if it meant not being with her. His sacrifice to see her goals met and future secure were noble to say the least. He goes in my swoon-worthy hero file. It took a while to warm up to Kathryn but I feel she had to grow a lot before her HEA.

I enjoyed visiting with the Trewloves and Althea too.

SCOUNDREL OF MY HEART - Loraine Heath
Once upon a Dukedom - Book 1
Avon
ISBN-10: 0062951963
ISBN-13 :978-0062951960
ASIN: B08BZMH5Z8
March 30, 2021
Historical Romance

London 1873

Lord Griffith Stanwick wakes up with a pounding headache and finds himself laying in the hedgerows behind his father's home. He hears the voices of his sister Althea and her two friends Lady Kathryn and Lady Joycelyn. He has also been a friend to Kathryn Lambert since childhood, although a teasing-provoking one. He hears her say, "Not a spare, never a spare." The words hurt. He is a spare. His brother Marcus will be the next duke in the family. It is not the first time Griffith has heard the disparagement. The young women, all about twenty-four, continue talking about the Duke of Kingsland's advertisement in the paper requesting letters from all women who might like to become his wife. He needs all eligible women to send him a letter explaining why they would be a good wife for him. His sister is engaged, she wouldn't have to write such a missive, but he knows Katherine wants a duke. Would she write a letter?

Lady Kathryn Lambert has one goal in life: to inherit the cottage her grandmother left her if she married a peer. The cottage holds her most treasured memories. She is staying with her friend Althea, and she knows why Griffith could not get in the house the previous night. She took a small reprisal against her friend's provoking brother, who often calls her by the moniker 'Freckles.' She thinks his reputation true, so believes he is like her father's younger brother--a wastrel and scoundrel. The description bothers her, but she admits to herself she enjoys their bickering. She notices at the family dinner, the duke, Griffith's father, never looks or talks to Griffith. He overlooks his 'spare' son as much as other peers do. Still, she has a favor to ask Griffith--can he discover what the Duke of Kingsland wants in a wife?

What no one else knows is Griffith has plans to escape his situation, prove himself worthy, and to make his own way…

Horrible events are about to change Griffith, Marcus, and Althea's lives. Their father, the duke, will be accused of treason and hanged. They will lose everything, their home and belongings, their noble prestige, and most of their friends. To survive they need to find work. Althea's story has already been published in BEAUTY TEMPTS THE BEAST. This story of her devilish but beguiling brother Griffith is a wonderful read and the start of a new series.