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Book Reviews of Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3)

Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3)
Lord of Scoundrels - Scoundrels, Bk 3
Author: Loretta Chase
ISBN-13: 9780380776160
ISBN-10: 0380776162
Publication Date: 1/1/1995
Pages: 384
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 302

4.2 stars, based on 302 ratings
Publisher: Avon
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

44 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

hetherd avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
Lord of Scoundrels came to me highly recommended by several people from reading groups, now I see why. This is a five star novel! It grabbed a hold and did not let go until the very end. The passion between these two characters is very strong and there from the very beginning. Dain is dark and scary, so why is Jess so attracted to him? He will ruin her, yet she cannot stay away. She is the only one strong enough to tame Beelzebub! Never a dull moment!
j4smine avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
This book has got to be one of the best reads I've had in a long time and I read a lot. It has everything I love in a Regency romance ~ intelligent kick-ass characters with flaws, a fast paced storyline, fiery emotions, sizzling passions, sweet calculated revenge, witty dialogue. The H/H are a perfect match in every way. I loved it.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
Now this book I really loved. The heroine had brains, passion, and common sense. Heck the best part was when she shot him cause he was being a horse's arse. The hero was handsome and brooding, but I liked hearing his point of view and how he saw the heroine. This was a very good book and made me want to order more of Loretta Chase's books.
crysteena73 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
It took me years to work my way through my TBR pile to read this book and I can't help but wonder why I didn't just move the book up to the top so long ago. I am one of those people who have completely fallen for this book. The writing is wonderful. It flows so well. The characters are well written and ballance each other tremendously.
Lord Dain is the anti-hero hero if there ever was one. His disposition is terrible and you want to hate him so much. But you just can't. Understanding how he got to where he was makes the reader just want to hug the anger right out of him. Thankfully Jessica is just the woman to do that for him.
The interaction between Dain and Jess are like fireworks. They battle constantly and the battles between their wits are only surpassed by the explosive passion they have between them. One thing that I like most about this book is that it doesn't rely on the old misunderstanding type story line to create conflict. It uses just plain old great writing and excellent characters.
I see now why this particular book is one of the most recommended historical romances.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on
Helpful Score: 4
I loved this story. The heroine was calm,mature-minded,cool and collected- which is so refreshing to read in an historical romance. The hero was the one floundering internally with the love and trust issues- but, as mentioned before in these reviews, he was definitely alpha and as any woman knows, there's nothing worse than a cornered alpha! Good book!
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book consistently gets high reviews and I just do not understand why. I was very disappointed. There is never any justification for why Jessica loves Lord Dain. He certainly never does anything to earn it, aside from surviving a terrible childhood. There seem to be critical scenes missing early in the book where Jessica sees a different side of Dain and therefore can overlook his obnoxious behavior, but this doesn't happen. She just decides that she loves him; which is all the harder to believe because she is 27 years old and has never met any other man who even aroused her interest. How is this possible?

I just could not get over the contrived nature of their initial regard and that stopped me from enjoying the book the way that others have. The book definitely improves once Jessica shoots Dain, but it is not up to Loretta Chase's other work, particularly Miss Wonderful and Mr. Impossible.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books. I loved both main characters. Jess is smart, witty, and funny. The plot is well thougt out, the writing is wonderful. This is a fantastic read.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Very good book! For once, the first half of the book isnt the heroine denying her feelings. Shes practical and logical about it.
nyteacher avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 152 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was one of the best historicals I've read. Jessica and Dain are both appealing characters. Jessica never does anything to make the modern woman cringe. While she loves Dain and tries to please him, she does not let him get away with anything. While Dain, is a scoundrel, you can understand how he became that way.
goddessani avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 268 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book had so much build up that I was reluctant to read it. And the cover didn't help either.

Am I happy I overcame both those obstacles!

What a fun book! He's dark and brooding just like all good heroes should be. She, however, is an absolute delight! She's smart, contrary (in the best possible way) and doesn't give a damn what the hero thinks!

And, yes, the glove scene is everything its built up to be!
philippaj avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 136 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
~ Worth reading, but there was something lacking (3 stars) ~

I have to say that this was my first Loretta Chase romance, and though it didn't put me off the author completely, I definitely did not enjoy it as most everyone else seems to have. People seem to adore this book and I guess I just missed the boat on that one. LORD OF SCOUNDRELS was not at all horrible, though, which is why I plan to read more Loretta Chase before I make a definite decision on this author. There was just something missing ... he was (mostly) great, she was (mostly) great, but ... just little things here and there didn't quite fit right. It was like things almost hit the mark, but they never quite hit the center. For more details, see below.

SETTING: Paris, France and England (various locations), 1828

SUMMARY (from the back cover):
"~ Determined Lady ~
Tough-minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And when Dain's reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction ...
~ Lord of Scoundrels ~
Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him ... and then forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place - and in some amorous position. And if that means marriage, so be it! - though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof ... and steel his heart to the sensuous, headstrong lady's considerable charms."

SPECIFICS:
(* = kind of spoiler; ** = spoiler)
(1) I have read almost all the historical romances out there, and I know that you eventually see similar characters appearing here and there - it can't really be helped. I still don't like the cookie-cutter stereotyped characters, however, and Bertie Trent, Jessica's "nitwit" brother, is definitely one of those. Though somewhat humorous, the depiction of him as a thoughtless idiot passes into annoying exaggeration. He's an idiot - we get it - but such an idiot? Especially when Jessica and her grandmother seem to be such intelligent, engaging, sharp women? It was needed for the plot, I suppose, but grated on my nerves.
(2) I found a problem of exaggeration with Dain's character also. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole "ridiculously horrible rake and scoundrel who is then reformed by love" as much as the next girl, but his was a little over the top. The near orgies and etc. - not needed. I liked the strength of his character, however, and disagree with one reviewer who thought him to be self-pitying; his childhood was extremely difficult and I thought it very believable that as an adult, his regular way to go about things in life is to shrug them off and laugh so that he is not hurt again. I'm a sucker for the tough-on-the-outside and vulnerable-underneath leading man, so I found that part of him appealing.
(3) I liked that Jessica was a strong woman who knew her own mind, but there was a certain something about her that got under my skin a little. It wasn't exactly snottiness or coldness or self-righteousness, but something close to these.
(4) Kissing scene in the rain in Paris ... HOT!!! And then it was so cute after, when Sebastian watches Jessica leave a party and longs for her. ::sigh::
**(5) Really didn't like Dain's attitude towards Dominick, his illegitimate son. He's wonderful at the end, but in the beginning, his attitude and actions really turned me off.
*(6) The parallel made between Dain's mother, who left him behind so he would be safe and provided for, and Charity Graves, who kept her son with her and look what happened ... I found it an unnecessary stretch. It is horrible that Sebastian's mother was married to a man old enough to be her father, but she didn't really seem like a very good mother to begin with, and the fact that she left him alone with his father, when she knew what a cold and horrible man her husband was, was not something that I view as easily forgivable, which is how Jessica tries to depict it. It's understandable, but that doesn't make it right, and I was kind of surprised that she's turned into this heroic figure, with her painting hung in the dining room and etc.
**(7) The subplot with Beaumont seemed completely forced, and I didn't really understand where the extreme animosity stemmed from. I know there was the incident where Dain caught him spying through a peephole when Dain was going to sleep with a prostitute in France, but even taking that into account, no interactions between Beaumont and Dain seemed like they were enough to create that type of hatred on the part of the former. The involvement of Vawtry and Charity and then the attempt to steal the icon - it was all unnecessary, in my opinion.

BOTTOM LINE:
If you have an afternoon free and feel like reading a relatively enjoyable romance, LORD OF SCOUNDRELS WILL do, but it wasn't a keeper for me and will definitely not be reread.

(http://historical-romance-heaven.blogspot.com/)
Jerseygirltoo avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 453 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loretta, where have you been all my life? I think I may have overlooked this author because the cheesy cover illustration is typical of the type of romances I don't like. So ignore the cover and read this FANTASTIC, funny book. It's one of those stories where the hero has emotional issues because of a terrible, abusive childhood, but the author manages to cover that familiar territory without getting maudlin about it. And he's a smart guy, so once our heroine gets his attention he snaps out of it pretty darn quick! I love Jessica, she drives a hard bargain and doesn't put up with any crap!
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Best Loretta Chase so far -- and that's saying a lot!
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Thought I'd give it a try after reading the rave reviews.

The characters are wonderful and the storyline is pretty straight-forward. I can see why everyone loves it so.

Great read!
daylilylover avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 768 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book, catches your interest right from the beginning.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 55 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved it! Jessica is a great character: very sharp-witted, no-nonsense, adventurous and doesn't take crap from anyone. The book is so funny!
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of the best victorian romances I've read in a while. It has a small beauty and the beast angle going on. And the two main characters are wonderful. Each has their own faults and distinct personalities.
EmilyH75 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on
Helpful Score: 1
What an amazing book!!! Has quickly become my favorite book ever!!! Well its up there with Outlander!
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 518 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
probably the most well-written romance i have read in years. i really enjoyed reading it and and am glad a friend recommended it.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 3389 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Can't remember the last time I broke into constant giggles reading a romance novel. I had such a FANTASTIC time that I re-read it again & again & again... Hard to believe I've never read anything by Chase before this. Dain is certainly the most self-loathing hero I've ever come across in quite a while. It's so pitiful he can't believe it even when it hit him right between his crossed eyes that Jessica is in love & lust with him. Jessica is by far the brightest, toughest, lustiest heroine ever penned. Ms Chase is a genius author to be able to write such a witty love-story & enthralling characters. The part where Jess shot him calmly as if she's merely handing him a candy is truly a classic. Not a dull moment I had devouring every page. The awfully painful childhood Dain had - born with a giant nose & scrawny body - made him a cynical man who questioned the existence of the Lord above. He learned to protect himself by laughing at his foes & everything else. He even referred to his by-blow as 'it' 'cuz the boy is the exact image of himself when he was 8 years old. Intriguing hero & heroine, funny & heated sparring, toes-warming love-scenes & a lovely ending. No words can do justice to the exhilaration U'll feel reading this brilliant book. Thank U Ms Chase for presenting this sparkling jewel to us all
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 503 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Delicious book with wonderful language and dialogue and the most intelligent, articulate, and hilarious banter you will find in a historical novel. A favorite and wonderful reread.

Dain is a perfect scoundrel. Loretta Chase establishes his awful back story explaining why he's such a brute - but misunderstood, unloved, and lonely.

Jessica, the heroine, sees through him and instead of pages of silly misunderstandings, she reads him like a book and helps him realize he's lovable and wonderful. It was quite touching.

Chase doesn't write scorching love scenes, but these were fairly scintillating.
Aemelia avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is an EXCELLENT read, Dain tries to be such a hard-ass, but is such a squishy marshmellow. I love how Jess keeps him in line! Do not get me wrong, Dain is a total ALPHA male.
chamber-maid avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on
When you hear that a book has been selected by fans as one of the "Best Romance Novels of the Decade," you have to have pretty high expectations. I must admit, I did not expect this one to meet mine. I was pleasantly surprised when it did.

Ms Chase creates an interesting premise in which our two main characters share a passion for antiquities. In fact, Jessica outwits Sebastian neatly in their very first encounter.

The rest of the book is the chase (so to speak) as the two grow from a grudging respect to much, much more. My only hesitation in not giving the story a full 5 stars is that I am unimpressed at the lack of creativity that features a smart, sassy sister who must save her good-for-nothing brother (and the family) from ruin. Otherwise, this story is top-notch.

Story: 4.5
Romance: 4.5
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 4 more book reviews
The book held my attention the entire time!
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 620 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book!
mamadoodle avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 1105 more book reviews
Awesome read! I loved every minute of it.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 2 more book reviews
Not one of my favorite romance novels. I just couldn't warm up to Dain. He was not likeable. However, the writing was entertaining enough, so I may try another book by the same author.
Lindy67 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 94 more book reviews
This grabbed me from the first page. Humor, deep characterization, I believe this is my favorite from Ms. Chase.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 809 more book reviews
Wish I had as much patience as the heroine in this book but story was very good.
mamawaite avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 175 more book reviews
Enjoyable romantic history romp
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 32 more book reviews
Loved this book! One of the most tortured heroes I have read, but there is also a sense sense of humor for both characters.
Hickerdoodle avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 2 more book reviews
Love the characters
Catherine1 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 60 more book reviews
Jessica has come to Paris to remove her brother, Bertie, from the influence of Sebastian, Lord Dain. She's well aware of the fact that her brother is easily led and is determined to get him away from Lord Dain before he drives the family into bankruptcy. As soon as Jessica and Lord Dain meet the tension between them practically leaps off the page. They are fascinated with each other, but aren't too happy about the fact. Jessica is able to best Lord Dain when having coffee with him, which leads him to declaring war on her. Jessica becomes infuriated by the fact that Lord Dain won't war with only her; he's using her brother as a pawn. Multiple hilarious situations result in Lord Dain and Jessica marrying. The misunderstandings and comical situations don't stop at the altar though.

Jessica was a wonderful character. She was actually strong and embraced her desire. It was very refreshing to read a heroine like that. I loved the banter between the two leads. The constant battle to come out on top and best one another was fabulous. Often I find that what is supposed to be funny in stories falls flat for me. That definitely didn't happen here. The humor and wit shown by both characters made the pages turn quickly. I guarantee that I won't forget what Jessica does to Lord Dain after he leaves her to weather the scandal on her own. The only thing better than my own surprise and delight at the scene was being witness to Lord Dain's shock.

Lord Dain was such a complicated character. He was amused by Jessica's description of him as sensitive, but she was right on the mark. The events of his childhood definitely shaped him as a man. Because of the cruelty he experienced it was very hard for him to believe that anyone, let alone Jessica, would be able to love him. I felt so bad for him as a child. I may not admire what he spends his time doing as a man, but I can understand how he would transform from that lonely little boy into Lord Beelzebub. I could see why he kept pushing Jessica away, even though it annoyed me. I enjoyed the fact that Lord Dain hated it when Jessica changed her attitude to give him what he seemed to want. I was amused that he missed the old abrasive Jessica.

I wasn't really impressed with the storyline surrounding Lord Dain's mother. I didn't believe or sympathize with Jessica's reasoning for her leaving. Why would he be safer with someone who she was desperate to escape? It didn't make sense to me. Also, I thought the convoluted plot to cause trouble for Lord Dain at the end of the book was a bit ridiculous. The event that caused the person behind the plot to put it into motion was also a bit silly. All that effort just because of that? Lord Dain's turn around toward the boy he called "it" was irritating. I could understand his apathy toward him in the beginning, but I didn't understand his sudden turn around at the inn. I think I would have preferred to see a slower gradual caring develop. It would have seemed more genuine. Those are just minor irritations though. The excellence of the rest of the book definitely outweighed them for me.

I picked this book up on the strength of the reviews at SBTB and various comments that have been made at DA. I'm glad that I did. While I don't think that it was a perfect book, or the best that I've read, I enjoyed the time that I spent immersed in the story. I'll be making it a point to check out other works by this author.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 239 more book reviews
Without a doubt one of my favorite Historical novels. I read this when it first came out and periodically go back and read it again.
marta73 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 16 more book reviews
This is one of, if not THE, best of Loretta Chase's books. Wonderful characters, interesting plot, really riveting.
evelyn0309 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 84 more book reviews
Rated top romance over the last ten years. Really a great read!
pinkgirlie1977 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 25 more book reviews
A wonderful and highly romantic story -- this is just what I love to read!! The sexual tension is wonderful and this book has permanent keeper status for me.
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 25 more book reviews
wonderful
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 32 more book reviews
A definate Keeper!
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 33 more book reviews
Brilliant Jessica Trent is trying to bail her brother out of trouble again, when she meets the cause of his troubles, one Sebastian Dane, the Lord of Scoundrels. Somehow they have double dared each other into marriage, and the sparks really fly!
rmg321 avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 159 more book reviews
one of my all time favorites...in my top ten
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 34 more book reviews
from back cover

Tough minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastain Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And when Dain's reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction...

Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him...and then forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place--and in some amorous position. And if that means marriage, so be it---though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof---and steel his heart to the sensous, headstrong lady's considerable charms.
Cali avatar reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on
Loved it! =)
reviewed Lord of Scoundrels (Scoundrels, Bk 3) on + 49 more book reviews
Historical Romance
Regency London