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The first thing I look for in a book is something in the plot that makes the book have that added spark. This romance, surrounded by political intrigue, is unique and memorable. The political history in the novel gave it credibility. The lush love story exceeded my expectations and captivated me!

Niall and Alicia’s unconventional relationship is the centerpiece of the story. The couple enjoys verbally sparring with one another. When Alicia is accidentally compromised at a ball, the couple is forced to marry. It is then when things start to get interesting. The couple navigated a plethora of emotions, including being frigid to being friendly to falling in love. Although practically strangers, their mutual attraction is undeniable. Their relationship builds at a reasonable pace, going through stages rather than jumping instantly to being in love. There is a lot of dishonesty and betrayal. However, this adds to the story rather than detract. I feel the author does an excellent job conveying both of the couple’s points of view evenly. Niall and Alicia made a lovely, passionate couple. I enjoyed reading everything about them.

Alicia has been delegated to a decorative accessory, discarded when not useful. She has used her widowhood to gain independence and a voice. She has a secret that could destroy her relationship with Niall before it begins. Alicia has a firm backbone. She lets nothing detract her from enlightening others on social injustices. I admire Alicia because she demands action rather than empty words. Alicia is vulnerable and can be destructive; this made her all the more realistic.

Niall seems like a stuffy politician when we first meet him. His career consumes him. He sees nothing but his lofty goals until Alicia crosses his path. Although ambitious, Niall is passionate about his proposals in government. He has fought to overcome the prejudice of being a Scot. Although single-minded, Niall has admirable aspirations and can also, like Alicia, be vulnerable and self-destructive.

I adored this plot! I have never read a political, historical romance before. The issues discussed and the machinations of the government were fascinating. At the end of the book, the author explains the political atmosphere during this period. This was interesting and gave more closure to the book. The plot moved well, and the connection between the characters was spot-on.

This book was a gamble for me. I went back and forth on whether to read it. I am so delighted I did! The novel was an all-encompassing love story surrounded by political intrigue. I was mesmerized from the very start!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

this book was so cute and a clever concept. I love historical romances and this book does not disappoint

Alicia is a very intelligent, pretty widow, new to London. Her hobby is writing anonymous political tracts criticizing the efforts or non-efforts of members of Parliament. Niall is one of those frequently criticized MPs and he is furious! Niall is very attracted to Alicia when they meet, much to his befuddlement. He needs his mind on the long game in his political party, not on magnetic widows. Alicia finds herself in a similar situation as she gets to know Niall but continues to write critiques secretly. Their bumpy road to love and unity is witty and heartfelt. I'd love to read more about these politically=minded characters!

Widowed Countess Alicia Lindsay finally has the freedom to voice her opinions, and she does so in the form of anonymously written political articles. Those very articles are thorns in the side of Niall Campbell, Marquess of Inverray, who is seeking the position of Prime Minister. But when a compromising situation arises with a too-close waltz and a torn dress, the two are forced to marry.

This is the fourth book in the Once Upon A Scandal series. The characters from the previous books appear, but the story can stand alone. This is the first time I am reading this author and I didn't feel like I missed anything, but definitely want to go back and enjoy the other couples.

Despite an initial attraction and marriage to save both their reputations, Alicia and Niall are sinking in relationship quicksand. She's struggling with the secret writing she's hiding, and he's weighed down with his ambition and ego. I like the way this story developed and how "messy" their union was. It took the Alicia and Niall time to find their footing, all the while the reader is waiting for the relationship bomb to drop.

I liked the political backdrop of the story, and I also really enjoyed the author notes at the end! (4.5 stars)

Tropes: Widow, Compromised, Marriage of Convenience, Secret Job

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ToTemptAScandalousLord #NetGalley

To Tempt a Scandalous Lord is a historical romance where a wardrobe malfunction involving a brooch results in a marriage of convenience for our hero and heroine. The wardrobe malfunction turning into “we must marry now” was definitely a new one for me and it was fun to have a different reason for the couple to be shoved into a marriage together.

This book really dives into the politics of the time and I found it refreshingly fascinating to have so much of the story center around that. Niall, Lord Inverray, is a Scottish marquess currently running for Prime Minister. He has spent years trying to find support for numerous legislations to help his fellow Scots and is now poised to grab the party leadership. His political success is being threatened by an anonymous writer of chapbooks (political tracts/pamphlets) who has been critiquing his campaign. His goal when the story starts is to find the writer and silence them, but he gets a little distracted by an alluring widow in the meantime...

Alicia is a dowager Countess who has enjoyed her freedom of being a widow and being able to voice her opinions, anonymously, in her political tracts. When she ends up married to Niall, the man she’s been writing about who is set on finding her identity as the writer, well things get complicated. This is a slow burn romance between Niall and Alicia, even though they’re married early on into the book, they really don’t know one another and I appreciated the time spent on them becoming friendly and really starting to respect one another. I did want a little more with the couple’s romance as I didn’t feel their chemistry as much as I wanted to. But the story really spends a lot of time on the politics and I appreciated a heroine so smart and capable of holding her own against the men. Alicia and Niall’s focus is on child labor reform and appreciated how well thought out and researched the topics came across. The author’s note at the end with added history and facts was so fascinating and I appreciated those detail. This was my 2nd read from this author and I really enjoy the writing & stories being told.

Thank you to the publisher (Entangled) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. To Tempt a Scandalous Lord will be published June 21, 2021.

This was my first by this author and I am excited to go and request the rest of the books in this series. The story of Alicia and Niall is a romance with many of our favorite tropes. Romance fans will get a well-written dose of marriage of convenience, secret identities, Scottish heroes and a twist of political intrigue. The research really shines in this novel. All the period appropriate political movements and events show the author has done the work for historical accuracy. All together a solid romance in what appears to be a great series.

While I enjoyed this book it wasn’t as good as the pervious books in the series. I had much higher hopes for Inverray, I wanted to know more about him and why he stayed away from Scotland. And while it was teased we never get the full story. Alicia was an interesting love interest but overall I was kind of bored with their romance.

Firstly, Liana De La Rosa writes amazing stories. I find they are always unique. I also love how well she fleshes out a character. One of my biggest pet peeves in a historical romance is the lack of backstory. It drives me crazy.

Now, for the review. Niall and Alicia are an amazing couple, and what brings them together is one I've never heard before: A broken brooch. You'll see why. Anyway, Niall is a Scottish marquess who is running for Prime Minister. He is extremely analytical-minded, and has absolutely zero time for women and the distractions they bring. Alicia, a widowed countess, secretly writes political chapbooks (kinda like pamphlets) about--you guessed it--Niall. She is never overtly critical about HIM, but she has no problem critiquing his politics (even if she admits he has done a few things right.) Because of a broken brooch--trust me on this--they have to get married. For Niall, this is 100% a marriage of convenience. He has no need for her. In fact, the author had me scared for a moment because Niall is RUDE. Very rude. So rude that I was wondering just how he was going to turn around. Alicia, while extremely practical and pragmatic, goes into the marriage hoping that he will at least show SOME affection or fondness for her at some point. He, of course, eventually does. The marriage they end up having is swoon-worthy.

Now I'm going to share a few things that made this novel top-notch:

1. Alicia. This woman is amazing. This is the first heroine I've ever seen who was so politically-minded and could more than hold her own with the men about this subject. In fact, I would argue that she's actually SMARTER. I love her personality and the love she has for Niall, despite his mean streak. She is a warrior when it comes to taking care of him when he gets cholera.

2. The historical research. The author puts very detailed historical touches in this story. I really appreciate that level of commitment to historical accuracy. The politics, the cholera, the marriage issues. It was all really well done.

3. Small spoiler ahead!

What turns the tide on their relationship? What changes him from asshole to loving husband?

Sex! Some might say that this is a weak way to change his tune in the marriage, and could be construed as sort of misogynistic. I argue, however, that De La Rosa uses sex to break the ice in their marriage to show sex positivity between the couple (and in this genre.) Sometimes the tension just has to be broken, and I thought the author showed how intimacy can help a marriage.

Overall, Liana De La Rosa is an amazing author, and her historical romances are unique and well-researched. I have all of her novels, and I look forward to more!