The Gentleman's Scandalous Bride

i was honestly hoping this book to be good, but as usual, Lauren Royal exceeds my expectations. in the first book, VIOLET, Rose comes out as a selfish, shallow, love-sick romantic. But with each book, she grows. And in ROSE, Rose truly does mature. Of course, she still wants a "titled, rich, good-looking husband" but of course, she must learn the hard way. Each of the "titled, good-looking men" all had to be horrendous kissers, thus leaving her to seek out Kit's mind-blowing kisses. These two are definitely meant for each other. You can't just help but smile/cry/ or say "about dang time" when they do get together.I found Rose to be a delight. Such wonderful, egnigmatic characters. You can't help but love Duke Trentigham and his "bountiful bother", Chrystabel Ashcroft with her match-making ways... even though her daughters would never rightfully admit that tidbit and all of the extra characters that make this book and Royal's other books such a delight.

Rose-this long awaited book holds true to the other sisters who came before. Not an woman of her time but before her time. Raised to pick her own husband Rose sets out to do just that. She finds Kit Martyn but there's a problem, he doesn't have a title. Will that stop Rose from following her heart? I'm not telling the details of this fun romantic romp. Pick it up today-you won't put it down until you're finished.

I loved "Violet" and "Lily" but this is my favorite just because I loved Rose from the other books and couldn't wait to read her story. Rose and Kit are a perfect match even though Rose didn't think so at first. Rose's quest for a kiss that could equal Kit's was hysterical. I have read all of Ms. Royal's books and she's an instant buy from now on.

If you've been following Lauren Royal's trilogy, you'll remember Rose from the previous stories (VIOLET and LILY). Even if you haven't read the previous tales, get ready for a rip-roaring tale of one of the quirkiest families you've ever enjoyed, the Ashcrofts. ROSE opens with Lily's wedding to Rand, the man Rose did her best to catch, but failed. Rose wanted to be the next sister to marry, not her younger sister Lily. All the sisters really care for each other though, and Rose consoles herself with the knowledge that Lily and Rand are a perfect match and belong together. Rose is twenty-one and determined to catch a handsome, rich, powerful, titled gentleman - one who will treat her as if she were a queen, and anyone fitting these requirements will do. Oh, they all think she's a beauty, but they resent her intelligence! Rose doesn't know it, but she's already caught someone's admiring eyes - one who does enjoy her intelligent conversations and carefree way of talking. But he isn't titled - yet! Christopher Martyn, known to his friends as Kit, is a good friend of Rand's, and is alsoattending the wedding. He looks at Rose like he could eat her up, but since he's just an architect and not titled, Rose isn't interested. Kit is a protégé of Christopher Wren, the famous architect, and has been working on several projects for none other than King Charles, but having no title, Rose is not impressed. She WILL be a countess, a duchess, a baroness, or some titled woman. Kit hopes that when his projects at the palace are completed, the king will award him the position of Deputy Surveyor, the first step to possibly becoming knighted, and worthy of courting Rose.While the romance and troubles of Rose and Kit is the main plot, Lauren Royal spins several sub plots as well: There are other romances taking place, one with Kit's sister to a `commoner' that causes him no little grief; a little suspense in the `accidents' that constantly plague Kit's projects; and the machinations of Chrystabel Ashcroft, Mother of Violet, Lily, and Rose. Chrystabel is one of the quirkiest mothers you'll find, one who constantly puzzles Christopher Martyn with her outrageous suggestions as she plays secret matchmaker between him and her daughter. All of these plots add up to make ROSE a delightful read. Violet and Ford Chase (from Ms. Royal's previous trilogy (AMETHYST, EMERALD, and AMBER) and Lily and Rand play small roles as they visit, and other secondary players help make ROSE a most enjoyable tale.Lauren Royal pens detailed descriptions of the life and style of the restoration era, as wellas describing the architecture of the times in detail in ROSE. There is very little in theway of political intrigue, but much of the scandalous life in King Charles's court. Thecharacter of Rose does a turnabout as Rose comes to learn there is no recipe for love.Rose is herself a real character and a little scandalous herself as she goes on a kissing quest, something she's heard many rave about

In 1677 England, twenty-one years old Rose Ashcroft is considered by friends, family, and herself as a spinster especially with her younger sister getting married. Advice to her usually runs to hiding her intelligence and settle for someone less than Prince Charming as Rose is an aristocratic snob in terms of a potential spouse.Architect Kit Martyn and Rose are very attracted to each other. However, neither welcomes the feelings as he is beneath her husband criteria as a commoner and he rejects love having seen his parents die young and poor. Her mother thinks they are perfect for one another and plans to push them into one another arms even if her daughter says no and the selected groom wants an aristocrat for his sister not him.The latest seventeenth century flowery romance is a solid tale due to the attitudes of the lead protagonists. Neither one wants to fall in love with the other as each has an "acceptable standard that their beloved fails to attain. The story line is fun to follow as ROSE learns love is the class equalizer and Kit finds out that though his parents were impoverished they were happy because they cherished one another.Harriet Klausner