Written by Erin Knightley
- Print Length: 129 pages
- Publication Date: November 9, 2013
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
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It started with a kiss.
When nine-year-old Eleanor Abbington first met her uncle’s new stepson, Nicolas Norton, the boy rudely stole a kiss from her that set the tone for their contentious and competitive relationship. It wasn’t until years later when Nick introduced her to fencing that they finally had a proper outlet for their frequent arguments.
Having just emerged from mourning following her mother’s death, Eleanor is exactly where she wishes to be at the age of four-and-twenty: an on-the-shelf spinster and unofficial companion to her aunt. Unfortunately, her ambitious uncle has other plans for her future. On the eve of his house party, he lays down his ultimatum: either Eleanor marries the man of his choosing, or he’ll force her seventeen-year-old sister to do so instead.
When Nick unexpectedly arrives on their doorstep after a two year absence, Eleanor is in no mood for their normal banter. Seeming to know exactly what she needs, Nick challenges her to pick up the foil once more. During their pre-dawn matches, he shows her just how strong she can be . . . and exactly how much he’s changed since leaving. But when her old adversary becomes her only ally, she may very well find herself . . . Ruined by a Rake.
I have been reading “Hearts of Courage: A Collection of Regency Novellas to Benefit Wounded Military Heroes” and I noticed that the novella Scandalized by a Scoundrel by Erin Knightley was the second in a series.
Due to the titles Ruined by a Rake and Scandalized by a Scoundrel I had never considered reading these books, assuming they were not clean. After reading reviews saying that Ruined by a Rake was clean, I decided to give it a try.
The Prologue immediately got me into the story and was adorable! I also enjoyed the running joke of the “kiss” and I really liked the fencing scenes.
The characters were interesting and the book well written. I look forward to reading more about them in Hearts of Courage.
While the book was enjoyable, there was cursing and blasphemy in the book which brought down my rating.
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