ARC Review: How to Seduce A Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling

How To Seduce A Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling
Format: eBook via NetGalley
Genre: Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing- Forever (July 1, 2011)
ISBN: 9780446565387
Miss Julianne Gatewick is in a pickle. It started when her brother's best friend-for whom she's long nursed a secret tendre-agreed to act as her guardian for the Season, only to seduce her with a risqué waltz. But when the music stopped and the expectant ton waited for Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, to claim her as his own, he made his disinterest clear. Rather than succumb to humiliation, Julianne does what any self-respecting, recently discarded young miss with a wicked sense of humor would do. She secretly pens a lady's guide to enticing unrepentant rakes . . . and it becomes the hottest scandal sheet in London.
Every honorable rake knows that friends' sisters are forbidden. But suddenly Julienne has a spark of mischief in her eyes that Hawk can't resist. Try as he might to push her away, he spends his days listening for her laughter and his nights dreaming of kissing her senseless. He's always avoided innocents and their marriage-minded mothers, but has the man least likely to wed finally met his match?

Where to Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Katy Books | Book Depository
Where to Find Vicky: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter
Extras: Read an Excerpt | Book Playlist 

Go and buy it NOW!

REVIEW:

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Vicky Dreiling has done it again! I can't even begin to put into words how I feel about this book. Only that I can say: since downloading this galley, I've been grinning like a total idiot and my husband thinks I might be bound for Bedlam due to my sudden outbursts of laughter. Also, I wanted to start writing a review halfway through the book. I loved it THAT much! There's so much I want to say about this book but I don't want to give any spoilers.
So I will sum it up with this limerick inspired by Hawk's unfinished one at a reading salon (I woke up this morning with it floating in my head and had to get it written down):

There once was an Earl of Hawkfield

Who used humor and wit as a shield

He tried to keep up his guard

But fell in love with his ward

And in the end, they did yield.

Top 5 Things I Loved About This Book:

1. Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield aka Hawk- He's my new literary boyfriend (shhh...don't tell Mr. Kati). He's got two sides to him: the funny, teasing side and the brooding, I've-got-a-secret-that-would-create-a-scandal side. His past mistake has eaten at him for the last 12 years. His grandmama has taken ill (for the umpteenth time) so his mother and sisters decide to visit her. Since his mother is supposed to sponsor Julianne for the season, his aunt volunteers to do so, and Tristan (the Duke of Shelbourne from HOW TO MARRY A DUKE) entrusts guardianship to Hawk. Uh oh!
2. Julianne Gatewick aka Julie-girl. Tristan's baby sister who has a daddy issue. She watched her father cheat on her mother and then apologize, time and time again. This has made her wary of allowing herself to give her love to a man who does not love her back. She has held a tendre for Hawk since the age of 9, and has refused 12 marriage proposals in hopes of Hawk proposing to her. This was going to be the season he would do so (she hoped).
3. Lady Rutledge aka Aunt Hester. Can I just say that this lady stole the book from the very first time I met her? She is the crazy aunt who tells it like it is. I'm sure there's one in every family. She encourages Julianne to write a pamphlet to help the single girls of the ton snare a man in the parsons trap. Anonymously of course. She has been married 5 times. There's so much I want to know about her. I hope she gets her own story. =)
4. Anne Boleyn. Yes, Anne Boleyn. And yes, she's been dead for quite sometime. If you follow Vicky on Twitter, you know she's a fan of The Tudors (*ahem Henry Cavill ahem*) and has drawn inspiration from the show. Julianne also draws inspiration from Anne for her pamphlet. After all, what better way to keep a man interested than to keep him on a lusty leash? Oh, and try to avoid getting your head chopped off.
5. Rule Number ONE aka Only Rule of Friendship. Never fall in love with your best friend's sister. Well ain't that a kick in the pants breeches? These are my favorite types of romances. It's absolutely forbidden but if there's enough spark, it's bound to explode into a full blown "You're my best friend's sister!, So?, Not happening!, But I love you, I don't feel the same way, I hate you, I love you, You got a secret?, Tell me!, No way!, I hate you again, Here's my secret, Forgive me, I'll think about it, Okay let's make up, I forgive you, I never knew I loved you until now, Let's ride off into the sunset all Happily Ever After like and have tons of babies. Yay!" Oh yes, can't forget the fact that the hero always ends up compromising the heroine and he feels it's his duty to marry her. Men!

Favorite Quote: “Feel my mighty sword.” (***quote subject to change in finished copy of book***)

Overall: This book is a keeper. If you haven't pre-ordered it. DO IT NOW! This book was an emotional roller coaster ride that I never wanted to get off of (I may need to seek professional help). I laughed, I loved, I sighed, my heart ached, I gasped, I yelled, I fangirl squealed, and I felt like I was let into a fun little secret. Let me explain this last part. I follow Ms. Dreiling on Twitter , and I've stalked er, thoroughly read her author website so any references in the book I remember hearing about made me grin a little more. You must listen to the playlist for this book. The first song ("Everybody Loves a Clown" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys) fits so well with Hawk's personality. I could go on and on about this book because once again, Ms. Dreiling has me wanting to know more about her secondary characters, but I won't. GET THEE TO A BOOKSTORE ON RELEASE DAY. For real.




***I requested this book from NetGalley.***