REview: Love and Other Scandals by Caroline LindenLove and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden
Published by Avon on July 30, 2013
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Avon Addicts, Courtesy review copy
Goodreads
four-stars

Joan Bennet is tired of being a wallflower. Thanks to some deliciously scandalous—and infamous—stories, she has a pretty good idea of what she's missing as a spinster. Is even a short flirtation too much to ask for?

Tristan, Lord Burke, recognizes Joan at once for what she is: trouble. Not only is she his best friend's sister, she always seems to catch him at a disadvantage. The only way he can win an argument is by kissing her senseless. He'd give anything to get her out of her unflattering gowns. But either one of those could cost him his bachelor status, which would be dreadful—wouldn't it?

Joan Bennet follows all the rules and wears the latest fashions. But after 4 unsuccessful seasons, she’s decided she doesn’t want to follow all the rules anymore.  The perfect person to help her out is conveniently nearby-Lord Tristan Burke, a friend of her brother. From their first meeting, she 8 and he 12, she’s known he was trouble, and yet, what delicious trouble he could be.

For his part, Tristan wants to stay away from Joan. Her awful gowns and hair don’t do her any favors. She may be wearing the latest fashion, but it sure isn’t working out for her. Even Tristan tells her that her gown is ugly and makes her look like an umbrella. This is really where the two of them begin striking sparks off of each other.

At one point, Joan is left under the care of her aunt, and with her parents’ warning of staying away from Lord Burke still ringing in her ears, she is somehow in his company again. Her aunt helps her not only with Tristan, but with her gowns. Wearing the latest fashions that don’t necessarily flatter her body type is something her aunt fixes. Once she changes her gowns to something much more flattering, heads turn, most importantly Tristan’s.

And then something happens. Something big. And her parents find out. I loved the ending though, and I loved how Tristan handled it.

I’ve never read this author before and I can guarantee this won’t be my last book by Ms. Linden.With their snippy banter and Joan’s dry wit, the two of them had me enjoying each page turn.

four-stars