Review: A Proper Scoundrel by Esther Hatch

 

About:

"A scheme to keep suitors at bay fuels the love between an enterprising railroad owner and a reclusive rogue in this solid Victorian romance from Hatch"

Publishers Weekly

His scandals were right on track until she derailed everything.

As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship she's secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. But when he's approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grow ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant's well-laid plans and the future of Diana's railroad business.

My Thoughts:

What a delightful story of two people getting to know each other in an unconventional way. Lord Bryant (Everton) has already experienced a marriage that was rather heartbreaking and he has decided he will not marry again. He is certainly involved in many scandals and he is known as a rake. He is just the sort of man that Diana Barton needs to help her out of her situation. Being the owner of a railroad, too many men keep coming by interested in her due to her railroad. She is determined, when she chooses, will marry for love. Not marry so a man can control her business.

So Diana hatches a plan that is doomed to failure for many reasons. Least of all does she realize that they will both fall in love. 

Both characters are fleshed out well as though they were good friends of mine. Their banter with each other was brilliant and funny and just showed both of them that they were in the presence of a unique individual, certainly not up to the ton standards.

This story hit all of my wishes in a book. A tortured hero, a damsel who figures out her own way, friends to lovers, and a love that is guaranteed to last a lifetime. Throw in a bit of humor and a measure of heartbreak and you have a story that I deem a favorite for this year.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.