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She started as a pebble in his shoe, but quickly became his rock.
🧡 Best friends sister
🔥 Four inappropriate requests
🧡 A goose named Paradise
🔥 And a passion like a storm that could not be calmed
If Evelyn Markham entertained any aspirations of escaping an unwanted betrothal contract without a fine, she'd have to do more than break a few rules. She'd need to ignite the ton with scandalous gossip or be spotted in the company of a man whose mere name could set tongues wagging. Dalton Rochester was just that man. From the moment she laid down a daring wager during a game of billiards her fascination with the dashing rogue burgeoned into something heart-poundingly real.
The shilling Miss Markham surreptitiously slipped into Rochester's pocket now lay snug in his boot, a constant reminder that even the tiniest pebble could feel like a boulder under the right circumstances. This was especially true when faced with the pull of his best friend's sister, whose mere gaze could set his pulse racing. When she whispered her challenge, "Make the shot, and I'll make your day," he found himself permanently ensnared. But now, he must steel himself against her charm, because for the past three months the woman has been persistently requesting a private rendezvous. At this rate, his friendship with her brother would not survive. Nor, with her persistence, would her virtue.
"For a Scandalous Wager" is a captivating tale of romance and rebellion, where passion ignites amidst the strictures of society and true love dares to defy all expectations. Join Evelyn and Dalton on a journey of forbidden desire, where every stolen moment brings them closer to the brink of scandal—and closer to each other.
Shannon, a multi award-winning author of historical romance, is a California native who developed a passion for romance after reading her first book by Johanna Lindsey. Her second book in the Ruined Rakes series earned the favor of FAB five judges to win the Silver Quill® award. Every Time You’re Near was also notably nominated for the coveted Golden Heart®.
If you love friends to lovers and brother's best friend this is the book for you. Evelyn is independent and goes after what she wants. Rochester is there to fix any problems she gets into and eventually falls for Evelyn's antics. There is the perfect amount of drama, humor, and steam to keep you reading until the end. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I loved this enjoyable story, Evelyn knew her own mind and what she wanted, she made happen. Dalton had some emotional baggage that kept me closed off. I loved all the banter, twists, surprises, gripping scenes, and so much more that you won’t be able to put this one down. I loved everything Dalton did to get the outcomes he wanted. You won’t be disappointed, I sure wasn’t.
I felt like I had read this story before. The heroine is a stubborn, independent young lady who seems to end up too often almost ruining herself. The hero always seems to be there to rescue her. There is a lot of flirting as they work at sizing each other’s wants and needs. It was a entertaining read.
We were briefly introduced to Rochester in the story Until Spring, which is included in the anthology Christmas Belles. He was also in the story Until Morning, as is Evelyn. Both novellas are wonderful, but you won’t be lost if you don’t read them first. They were both secondary characters, but I so wanted his story. I was not disappointed.
This is a friends-to-lovers and brother’s-best-friend saga. I’m not a huge fan of those tropes, but I liked this story so much. Evelyn is straightforward, says what’s on her mind, is daring to the point of endangering herself and even Rochester, but she’s witty, fun, clever, and drives Rochester to his wits end. She made me laugh more than a few times.
It isn’t that Rochester doesn’t have a sense of humor. He does. It’s just that he’s put on the spot when she sends him notes because her brother is Winn (his story is Until Morning) and Rochester is reluctant to cross that line. He’s known Evelyn for a long time and had always considered her a friend, but making that leap to lovers…well, there was a lot to consider. One is her brother, of course. The other is her father who has no use whatsoever for Rochester. Winn, Rochester, and Darrington have quite a history with her father. But Rochester wasn’t going to leave Evelyn to fend for herself in the face of adversity, but he isn’t totally on-board with her actions, either.
This was an entertaining novel that had great characters, a compelling story, some steam, and a love-conquers-all ending. Things happen that I’d never seen in any historical romance that I’ve ever read that made this even more interesting.
*This is a part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone book.
This was my first story from Shannon Gilmore and I can say it was soooo good and it held my attention from beginning to the end.
The story has so many heartfelt moments along with tearful moments, laughter, and of course the sparks between the characters are instant!
I can't wait to read the next story in this series.
I received this an advanced reader's copy from Wolf Publishing in exchange for an honest review and this is purely based upon my own personal opinion and that of no one else.
If you love friends to lovers and brother's best friend this is the book for you. Evelyn is independent and goes after what she wants. Rochester is there to fix any problems she gets into and eventually falls for Evelyn's antics. There is the perfect amount of drama, humor, and steam to keep you reading until the end. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I loved this enjoyable story, Evelyn knew her own mind and what she wanted, she made happen. Dalton had some emotional baggage that kept me closed off. I loved all the banter, twists, surprises, gripping scenes, and so much more that you won’t be able to put this one down. I loved everything Dalton did to get the outcomes he wanted. You won’t be disappointed, I sure wasn’t.
Charlotte and her husband the Duke of Dandridge have been estranged since their wedding night due to a misunderstanding.
She has been living on his estate for years making her own life when he shows up. He has decided it is time for an heir and she wants a divorce.
This is a very interesting, entertaining read with lots of twists and turns and some very steamy scenes.
I highly recommend the book.
...for Lady Prudence Merriweather and Mr. Benjamin Bailey of Boston. Between Courting and Kissing, the third book in A Gentleman's Guide to Courtship series, is a wonderful, heartwarming love story for anyone who has ever wanted to be seen truly for themselves. Lady Prudence has spent much of her life standing in the shadows of her beautiful, kind and "more" interesting sisters, relatively unseen while making order of the chaos around her. That is, until she gets to know one of her suitors, Mr. Benjamin Bailey, an American who co-owns a print shop with her older brother, the Duke of Clearford. Ben is the complete opposite of Prudence in many ways - messy and disorganized, bearded and unkempt - but underneath the superficial differences between them, they share the same heart and are able to see each other more clearly than anyone else has in the past, down to their souls. What follows is the development of their friendship, and Charlie Lane does a fabulous job of revealing their deepening feelings for each other, as Prudence helps Ben organize his busy life, while Ben helps Prudence appreciate her attributes and soothes some of her doubts about herself. It is easy to see why this couple, who are both vulnerable and insecure at times, fit together so perfectly and why they are perhaps Lane's favorite couple so far. In this series, they are my very favorite couple as well.
I adored this story. It's well-written and has depth and passion, tremendous heart and some steamy goodness along the way. It's about seeing and truly being seen by the person you love, and I was cheering for Prudence and Ben to get their happy ending from start to finish.
If you're a fan of Eloise Bridgerton and Theo, then you'll be charmed by Prudence and Ben's story, as they journey together to find love, security and their "home" in each other.
I felt like I had read this story before. The heroine is a stubborn, independent young lady who seems to end up too often almost ruining herself. The hero always seems to be there to rescue her. There is a lot of flirting as they work at sizing each other’s wants and needs. It was a entertaining read.
