To Love a Scoundrel

Frederick Stoneham is a rogue. He was content being a rogue until his father arranges a marriage for him to Lady Eleanor Ashton. Frederick believes his marriage to Lady Eleanor will in no way interfere with his carousing because he remembers Eleanor to be a plain and timid girl. When he happens upon Eleanor, all grown up, bold and beautiful, Frederick has second thoughts. Although Eleanor secretly has yearned for Frederick Stoneham for years, she is appalled at this arranged marriage. When Frederick's former mistress fills Eleanor's head with lies, she is even more distressed. Frederick is determined to win Eleanor's hand and her heart. Beware. To Love a Scoundrel will make you fall in love with Frederick Stoneham. He's a delicious scoundrel. His pursuit of the lovely Lady Eleanor endeared him to me even more. Kristina Cook has penned a charming and seductive story in To Love a Scoundrel. Annmarie Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

To Love a Scoundrel by Kristina Cook is a historical humorous romance novel. Frederick father hates him and that is what has steered his life's path. His father arranges an engagement to his childhood friend Eleanor who was plain. After his first meeting with Eleanor who has grown up and he does not feel worthy to marry her. Eleanor feels that she cannot trust him for so many reasons and that is the crutch of the story. This book has heat and some very funny dialogue. Check out the whole Ashton/Rosemoor series; TO LOVE A SCOUNDREL (1) UNLACED (2), UNVEILED (3) and UNDRESSED (4).

I had a hard time trying to rate this book. On one hand I enjoyed reading it, on the other hand this book has several flaws. First the pros: Both Fredrick and Eleanor are likable characters. While I do not enjoy the whole reformed rake storyline (which is really overdone by many authors, and most books featuring such a storyline are not that good), I found that I really liked this book. I think the main reason being is that the author manages to make us the readers feel sympathy for Fredrick from the opening scene, when he's standing there at his older brother`s funeral, a boy of ten. And his father is weeping and screaming at him that he's worthless, while weeping over his other dead son (the favorite). So it is understandable why he is the way he is. A rake, who does everything in order to anger his disapproving father. Since Fredrick believes that he is worthless. Now Eleanor is a gentle and strong woman. She is calm and demure, but she stands up for herself. And when she learns that her father betrothed her to Fredrick (whom she secretly has a crush on. And who had broken her heart a few years ago, when they were teenagers) she is outraged. Another thing I really liked about this book is how the relationship between Fredrick and Eleanor developed from mutual dislike, when both agreed that once they returned from their trip (which Fredrick had to take for his sister's sake, and Eleanor in order to find herself a suitable husband) they would tell their parents that they don`t agree to the betrothal. Then they became friends and fell in love. Now on to the cons: Then after Eleanor had accepted Fredrick's proposal, when they return to London, she discovers that Fredrick's now ex-mistress is wearing a bracelet that matches Eleanor's engagement ring. Eleanor is angry with Fredrick and rightly so, what he did is inexcusable. (Fredrick had bought both the ring and the bracelet before meeting Eleanor. He had given the bracelet to his mistress and kept the ring). Then they break up and Fredrick just lets Eleanor go. He doesn't even try to convince her of his love, and that he does not have a mistress anymore. So I felt a little something missing when they reconciled later, since Fredrick hadn't really done anything to earn her trust again. The verdict: I really liked this book. It was tender and poignant, despite the flaws. A good and enjoyable read.

This book was like a delicious dessert that you savor as you eat it and after you're done, you think how good it was. The characters were all great--I loved Frederick and all his insecurity and the terrible feeling of worthlessness that he had. Eleanor was great for him. For a book that really didn't seem that long, ( I wish it had about 100 more pages, I didn't want it to end), there was a lot of emotion packed into it. Eleanor had a mother she was not that fond of and Frederick had a father who couldn't stand to look at him. Throw in a twin brother for Eleanor (I can't wait to read Henry's story) and this book is a winner all around. Only minor quibble--please, no romance for Mr. Whitby. Let's just let him fade into the sunset. I have read and enjoyed all of Kristina Cook's previous books, but, I feel she has outdone her past work with this book. It was a winner--just yummy.