This is the final book in Caroline Linden’s Scandalous series (vaguely inspired by the existence of 50 Shades and what makes a cultural zeitgeist, as discussed in the podcast she did with Sarah several months ago). It wraps up the story of the last Weston sibling, the plot that’s been working through the entire series, and the mystery of who’s been writing the Lady Charlotte erotica that’s everyone has been reading.
Olivia Herbert and James Weston grew up near each other- Olivia’s family is Old (lack of) Money, and James’ father is New Money who made that money in (GASP) trade. Olivia spent almost all of her time hanging with James and his sisters Abigail and Penelope (heroines of It Takes a Scandal and Love in the Time of Scandal), because stress in her home due to total lack of money was too much. When she was 17 and he was 20, they decide to get married and, in the spirit of young people caught up in the emotion of the moment, they bang.
Olivia’s parents find out (cuz you can’t walk into your house looking like you banged a dude next to a lake and not be seen), and at first they’re like “YOU’RE MARRYING THE RICH BOY THANK GOD WE DON’T CARE THAT HE’S NEW MONEY” and then James, figuring they have time, wanders off on business for a few weeks, and comes back to find that Olivia’s been married off to someone else willing to pay 4,000 pounds for her. It’s a tragedy of misunderstood intentions, missed signals, and terrible timing.
When we rejoin Olivia, it’s some years later, she’s been widowed, and things are…bad. Really bad. There’s no widow’s portion, no annuity, no income. Viscount Clary, the villain of previous books in the series, wants in her bed, and he’s got some issues with respecting consent. All she has is a ledger of payments made by her dead husband, a shady solicitor who’s telling her not to worry her pretty little head, and not much else.
James has been sent by his sister Penelope to find Olivia and see if she’s okay (due to events in Love in the Time of Scandal), and they end up on a wild, cross country adventure involving smuggling, learning how to shoot, and, of course, communication, forgiveness, and banging.
Linden never, ever skimps on the communication aspect, especially when she’s worked a Big Misunderstanding into the plot. And this Big Misunderstanding is pretty freakin’ big- James thought there was time before they needed to get married, Olivia thought James had left her, and the ramifications of not using all of their words are huge. (Mostly this is on James’ head- he’s a dude, so in this scenario he has all the power.) It takes time and communication to sort through the mess before they can even begin to contemplate a HEA.
Unlike a lot of series, there are a couple of through lines in all the books. The first is the “What’s the deal with Olivia? Is she okay?” and the Viscount Clary stuff. I’ve read all the books in the series, as they’ve come out (Love in the Time of Scandal was my palate cleanser after Grey), but I had trouble remembering the relevant events in previous books, so I found myself going, “Wait, which one was Abigail’s story again? What happened with Clary and Penelope?” So rereading previous books, especially if you’ve got a brain like mine, would not be a terrible idea with this one.
It’s Linden, though, so that’s hardly a hardship. I don’t think it’s a weakness in the series, either. Having the series-long plotline adds a level of texture to everything. But I do want you all to be aware of it.
The other line that weaves its way through the series is the Lady Constance’s 50 Ways to Sin. It’s a collection of stories about the erotic adventures the authoress has had banging her through London society. All of the characters – especially the female ones- of the Scandalous series have been reading and learning new and exciting things from Lady Constance, and speculation about who she is (it’s a mystery!) has been present since book one. What’s really cool is that 50 Ways to Sin actually factors into the resolution of the primary plot of this book.
I’m very happy with how this all wrapped up, and I’m good for an adventure. There’s enough action that harkens back to the old skool days of adventure stories (with a lot less alpholeness and consent issues on the part of the hero). Jamie is a good dude who fucked up bad when he was 20, and once he had an opportunity, he fixed it. Olivia finds a core of steel she never thought she had, and everyone gets to live happily ever after. (Except Clary, because fuck that guy.)
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Wasn’t the writer’s name Lady Constance not Charlotte?
But can’t wait! Really enjoyed the novella in the middle of the series. Someday I’ll catch up with all my series. Somday.
Oooh yay! Love and Other Scandals was the first or second romance novel I ever read, but I never kept up with the series. I think I may have to take it up again…
Cannot wait to get my hold (I’m po’ ass) from the library!
I’m completely confused by what books are in the series. What books do I need to read first in order to read this one?
Me too, which is the first book in this series?
per Goodreads:
Love and Other Scandals (Scandalous, #1)
It Takes a Scandal (Scandalous, #2)
All’s Fair In Love and Scandal (Scandalous, #2.5)
A Study in Scandal (Scandalous, #2.5)
Love in the Time of Scandal (Scandalous, #3)
Six Degrees of Scandal (Scandalous, #4)
Not sure if that is accurate though, or why there are two #2.5s.
Per Linden’s website, Study in Scandal fits after the third book Love in the Time of Scandal, not after the first novella.
I pre-ordered this so it downloaded to my Kindle last night, but I was too sleepy to stay up and start it! I’m excited to see the Bitchery approves and finally start it tonight. I’ve loved this series and will be sad to have it end (though we’ve still got the third Eva Leigh book that also uses a scandalous pamphlet, and the next book is supposed to have a vicar hero!)
A Study in Scandal (3.5) came out recently, so maybe Goodreads is confused about where it goes? The actions take place before/during book 3, but I think it’s best read afterwards.
Thanks for the review, I feel a binge read coming on.
I just finished #2, It Takes a Scandal, and I can’t wait to see how Linden redeems Benedict in the next book, because he was a real a-hole, and the heroine(Penelope) hates his guts. Linden does male siblings and men friends really well. A lot of authors do series centered on a bunch of sisters, but she more often does brothers and male friends.
Coincidentally, I was also reading a Miranda Neville book at the same time, “The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton” that revolves around a dirty book. The book is the only possession that the hero has to his name after he gets hit on the head, robbed, and has amnesia. Neville says in the afterword that the dirty book is actual historical porn that she discovered during her research, and all the quotes from it in her book, are true excerpts from the real book.
@Karin
Linden does (I feel) an awesome job of redeeming Benedict in #3. The intro to “LOVE in The Time OF Scandal” mad me tear up and stop redig for few minutes, and I NEVER cry while reading. I Wish I could read his and Pen’s wedding night for the first time again. 😀
As much as I really, really LOVED #2, I think en and Ben were my favorite in the series so far. Ful disclosure: I haven’t read the novellas yet.
Thanks, elaanfaun. (does happy dance)
Also, I have no recollection of the podcast with Caroline Linden, I must find it!