A Scot in the Dark

Scandal & Scoundrel, Book II

By: Sarah MacLean

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Lonesome Lily Turned Scandalous Siren

Miss Lillian Harwood has lived much of her life alone in a gilded cage, longing for love and companionship. When an artist offers her pretty promises and begs her to pose for a scandalous portrait, Lily doesn't hesitate...until the lying libertine leaves her in disgrace. With the painting now public, Lily has no choice but to turn to the one man who might save her from ruin.

Highland Devil Turned Halfhearted Duke

The duke of Warnick loathes all things English, none more so than the aristocracy. It does not matter that the imposing Scotsman has inherited one of the most venerable dukedoms in Britain - he wants nothing to do with it, especially when he discovers that the unwanted title comes with a troublesome ward, one who is far too old and far too beautiful to be his problem.

Tartan Comes to Town

Warnick arrives in London with a single goal: get the chit married and see her become someone else's problem, then return to a normal, quiet life in Scotland. It's the perfect plan until Lily declares she'll marry only for love...and the Scot finds that there is one thing in England he likes far too much.

©2016 Sarah Trabucchi (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

NOT a Scot in the Dark...

Oh dear... I really wanted to like this book. I read The Rogue Not Taken and enjoyed it and thought I'd use an audible credit to listen to the next one.

Mistake. I could not listen to more than a couple hours. I'm not a great fan of Justine Eyre, I find her faux British accent and her breathy gravelly affectation annoying but I can usually grow to appreciate her narrations somewhat, and stick with a story when its something I really want to listen to.

BUT her Scottish accent here is deplorable. It's way closer to Northern Irish than Scottish! The hero is Scottish not Irish... I might have been able to get over her failure to produce a believable Scottish accent if she had been able to make him sound somewhat attractive. She couldn't.

I switched to the print version and was able to enjoy the rest of the story.

I'll take this Scot in the Dark...or the light...

I love my historical romance reads, but sometimes, I just want to jump into my book and punch a few aristocrats in the nose. The gentlemen thrive on the power they wield by making women dependant on their good nature. Then, we have ladies who use their wiles to manipulate, intimidate and discombobulate her opponents to achieve her place in society. A title holds power, money helps you stand out in a crowd and if your witty barbs hit before the return fire can do damage, there's a good chance you're a success.

Unfortunately, most characters I've met and become close to are dependant on a gentleman's good nature or have been manipulated, intimidated or discombobulated. They're attacked by their peers, have money issues (too much or not enough) and strive for power (of the ton kind). I'm left wiping my eyes from the pain they've suffered or glaring at my Kindle in frustration. Historical romances have the power to swivel my emotions from love to hate with the turn of a page.

Listening to A Scot in the Dark left me wrung out and exhausted. Of course, I was stuck on a train to work when my world...I mean Lilly's world, fell apart. At first, I was a little squinty-eyed at her naivety but as I kept reading, my heart broke for her. She's the most beautiful girl in England...and nobody loves her. She did not deserve what she was put through. No woman deserves to have her privacy invaded and her image used for gain, without her knowledge. I couldn't help but think (for the billionth time) I'm thankful that times have changed.

I would call this one a slow burn romance. These two knuckleheads were competing against each other on who was the more scandalous. Obviously, Lilly's scandal is winning because it's hovering overhead and has the power to turn from a storm to a hurricane. But, Alec's scandal isn't far behind because he won't let it die. He wears his scandal like a kilt. It gives him the freedom to act recklessly, knowing that he couldn't ruin his reputation more. But, a strong gust of wind can expose his secrets, leaving him cold and vulnerable.

So, we spend a lot of time fighting scandal and hoping that we'll come out the other side in one piece. I really liked Lilly and Alec and knew they were meant for each other. I loved seeing into their minds and knowing their innermost thoughts and feelings. I hated that they felt so much shame and that the ton felt justified to ridicule them. It was just so emotional and I loved every minute of it.

The storyline kept my attention from the very beginning to the very end. I loved the main characters and enjoyed catching up with the additional characters we previously met in the Scandal and Scoundrel first instalment. Even though it was a slow burn, when it caught fire...it really...caught...fire.

The narrator does an OK job. I was surprised that I became a little confused when Alec was inner-monologuing. When he's talking, the narrator changes her voice to a man with a Scottish accent (of course) but his inner voice is her normal talking voice. I'm not sure I've had this issue before, but I found myself getting confused over who's inner thoughts I was hearing Lilly's or Alec's?

It's a Sarah MacLean, so, of course, I loved it. Her characters come to life and I become emotionally involved with their love story. I highly recommend A Scot in the Dark.

Breathy narrator. Yech.

I wish I had just read the book. The narrator's breathy, nasal speech was obnoxious and made the story seem campy.

Annoying heroine

Couldn't go on reading this book. Heroine was quite the annoying fool, and the narrator couldn't salvage her. Oh dear could she whine!

Same Phrase

"S/he cut him/her a look" I have noticed the author is VERY fond of this phrase and uses it more than any other in the book.

Good but frustrating at times

I don't like how MacLean constantly reminded of the imperfections of her characters. In the first book of the series, the heroin was slightly overweight and apparently not that pretty (so she thought) and we were reminded of that through the entire book. That really got old.

Alec is apparently a really big guy they keep calling him a hulking brute and although I like his character and I like him..... I'd don't like the way MacLean keeps putting "big Scottish brute" in the narrative. Its always ...how big he is.... how huge his hands are .... it really takes away from the the book. I mean tell me he's a big huge Scottish guy and then move on because I'm going to remember.

I really enjoy the banter between Lily and Alec. I LOVE Lily....especially her talking on her date with Stanhope....hilarious. I enjoyed the relationship....BUT Alec is FRUSTRATING and I wanted to kick him a few times.

The big "issue" Alec had is pretty lame...and far fetched as a problem a guy would have.

The storyline was interesting (except for Alec's issue) and different.

Overall it was good but it was frustrating! One of those you want to play faster speed because a character is being a moron!

I wanted to love it...but I don't.

I am a serious Sarah MacLean fan, enjoying all of her historicals. Unfortunately, the narrator is so painful it is hard to get through. I was hoping the new series would have a new voice but alas, the scratchy, overly breathless, faux British accent, and PAINFUL Scottish accent overshadowed a decent story. I felt that the female character was brash and impertinent to an unrealistic level to the person who has been financing her life for the better part of a decade sight unseen. I feel the male lead, referred to as a brute so often one could form a drinking game around the moniker, was too easily pushed over by a total brat who he has known less than a week.

To imagine this Scot would go from his rugged lifestyle of hounds and Highlands to a distinguished, patient and empathetic guardian in less than 2 chapters is just not plausible.

I pray she moves to a new narrator soon, and will continue to try new books. Just not my favorite.

Loved this story!

Once again, Sarah MacLean has written a smart, engaging story. The heroine in this story is strong and intelligent, and the hero is a very endearing character. Justine Eyre's narration is terrific.

Repetitive

I usually enjoy Sarah MacLean’s writing and this was ok but a bit repetitive. The hero is unworthy again and again and again ! The first in the series was better, and I will give the third a try but stayed tuned!

Enjoyed it, but…

I enjoyed the story and the interwoven science of the Fallen Angels! But, the narration by Justine Eyre is lacking. More MJW, PLEASE!