Yessssss I love a chubby heroine! I’m choosing to ignore that she has a “slender waist” and is merely voluptuous rather than actually plump, as she is insecure enough about her figure to be relatable. I loved that the hero had to earn her trust after hurting her deeply when they were younger. I enjoyed all the uncertainty on her part, about so many things. This is definitely a candidate for my recurring reads shelf, it really nailed some of my favorite tropes! ( )

Readers of this book,entitled "How to Start a Scandal," will meet Violet, a beauty who remains "on the shelf" after her debut, and Seth, a soldier returned from Waterloo to claim his place as an Earl. Violet and Seth are longtime friends and neighbors, and their love for each other has simmered below the surface for years. A series of misunderstandings keep them apart, until circumstances finally force their attraction out into the open.

Several subplots add to the intrigue of this novel. Seth's younger sister Caroline dotes on a gentleman whose shyness keeps him at arm's length. Violet harbors a secret career as a gossip column writer! Seth's family jewelry is missing, and he hires a private detective to track down the prized possessions. Violet's annoying niece visits with her patient kitty, and seems wise beyond her years in affairs of the heart.

The characters are likeable and well-drawn, and the novel includes enough intrigue to keep readers turning the pages. My main complaint is that the story went on too long, and the final chapters and epilogue seemed like an afterthought. Changing the order of the chapters would have made the book more intuitive.

Caution to readers: This novel contains highly detailed, steamy scenes of sexual intimacy. For me, this was unfortunate, as the scenes spoiled an otherwise delightful novel.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

Good story about two people who believe they are not worthy of being loved. It was a hard-fought battle for each of them to learn to see the good in themselves.

Violet is a young woman who has a couple of huge secrets that would do her reputation no good if revealed. Her plans for the future do not include a husband because she would have to tell him those secrets. However, after six unsuccessful Seasons, her father gives her an ultimatum: find a husband before the end of this Season, or be sent to her older sister and become a governess to Sophie's unruly children.

Seth became the earl after the death of his older brother. It meant giving up his commission in the army, which he put off as long as possible. He finally returned home after Waterloo to face the same disapproving attitude from his mother that he had suffered through as a child. Seth is determined to do his best to take care of his responsibilities, including looking for a wife.

Seth and Violet lived next door to each other in London. They were friends as children, with both developing crushes on each other when they were older. Seth promised the first dance of her debut ball to her, but then never showed up, breaking her heart. He left for the war the next day without even saying goodbye.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Seth and Violet. Seth came back from the war a changed man. The thoughtless rebelliousness of his youth was burned away by his experiences during the war. He admits to the mistakes of his past and is determined to make up for them. His first meeting with Violet reveals one of those mistakes. His sincere regret for those actions goes a long way toward mending fences with her. He did not expect his old feelings for her to come rushing back. But Seth is haunted by the events of the war and his feelings of having let his men down. He feels he is broken beyond repair because of the nightmares and flashbacks he experiences.

Violet is wary of her feelings for Seth. She does not fit the current trend of thin women, a fact pointed out to her often by her mother. Violet doesn't believe him when he calls her beautiful. It takes advice from an unexpected source for her to overcome her mother's influence and see herself as others see her. She also gets a shock when, in a moment of self-examination, Violet realizes that some of the things she did with the best of intentions were not as helpful as she thought they were.

I liked seeing Seth and Violet spend time together. Neither one expected the sparks that flared between them. At first, he was simply trying to make amends, but he couldn't ignore the way she made him feel. I loved how he saw her as a beautiful woman and tried to make her see it too. It didn't take long for Violet to see that Seth had outgrown his rebellious youth and become an honorable man. I loved how their growing feelings helped them trust each other enough to share their painful pasts. I ached for Seth when he experienced flashbacks and loved how Violet was able to break through them. I also hurt for Violet, who made a mistake in her first Season that still haunts her. Seth didn't react so well to that secret, though he did quickly see his error and fix it. I laughed a little at the accelerating of their relationship, as the sparks between them flared at an awkward time. However, it took an unexpected and dangerous occurrence for them to admit their love to each other. I liked the epilogue, too.

There was a bit of mystery running through the book. Before Seth's return, the family solicitor absconded with his mother's jewels. One of Seth's priorities is to find the thief and reclaim the jewels. There is more to the story than he knows. Unexpected revelations regarding Seth's brother put a new spin on the theft and precipitate some changes in perceptions. The resolution of the theft provided a few moments of unexpected danger.

The secondary characters added some terrific moments of humor. First and foremost were Violet's niece Felicity and her cat Hedgehog. The cat was hilarious in its bonnets. Felicity tore at the heartstrings once the reasons behind her misbehavior were revealed. She was sweet and funny and frequently very observant. I liked Seth's sister Caroline. She obviously loves her brother and wants to help him with whatever is bothering him. She also has a mind of her own and surprises him with a somewhat shocking request. Seth's friend Lord Rawley was not what I expected, and I both ached and laughed over his problems with a certain lady. ( )

Series: The London School for Ladies #2
Publication Date: 7/21/20
Number of Pages: 288

This story was a beautiful example of love and acceptance – with an equally lovely epilogue. Both the hero and heroine had self-esteem issues and I love how each learned to accept themselves and each other for who they are. This was, as always with this author, a wonderfully written, perfectly paced story with compelling characters and situations. You just can’t help but love Violet and Seth. Of course, when you throw in a precocious seven-year-old along with a bonnet wearing cat, you just absolutely cannot go wrong.

Lady Violet Lavelle has a secret – a big secret – well, honestly, she has more than one secret and any of them could and would cause a scandal and ruin her reputation. She definitely can not/will not marry because the man would then become privy to those secrets. Besides, according to her mother and sisters, no man would ever want her because she has a larger Rubenesque body rather than the thin waiflike body currently in mode. But then, the unthinkable happens – her father gives her an ultimatum – marry before the end of the season – just weeks away – or be sent to her older sister to act as governess to her four very unruly children. Oh! My!

Seth Sinclair, newly minted Earl of Dalton, didn’t want to leave the battlefield to return home and take up his family duties. As the second son, he wasn’t supposed to be the earl. His parents never appreciated him at home. No matter how hard he tried, he was ignored and his brother got all the praise even though his performances were only mediocre. Why would any man want to live with that at home? But here he is and he’ll do his best to care for his mother and sister – he’ll even find a bride.

Seth and Violet were childhood friends who lived next door to each other in London. When Seth broke her heart at her come-out ball, it seemed her fate was sealed. Seth didn’t mean to break her heart – didn’t even know he’d done it – but broke it, and her, he surely did. When they renewed their acquaintance, she was skittish of him, but a stolen kiss or two later – well …

When Seth left for war the day after Violet’s come-out ball, he never expected to return home nor did he ever expect to see her again. He even dragged his feet about coming home after he learned of his brother’s death, but finally knew he had to return.

I loved Seth and Violet finding each other again and each learning what that last parting meant to each of them. When you throw a villain into the mix – one determined to cause harm to Seth’s family, you end up with a romantic and suspenseful tale. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I definitely recommend it and a fun, romantic, and exciting read.

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