How to Steal a Scoundrel's Heart

The Mating Habits of Scoundrels, Book 4

By: Vivienne Lorret

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret’s latest steamy romance, a determined debutante discovers that making a deal with a notorious rake might just give her more than she ever bargained for…

Ruined debutante Prudence Thorogood lost everything when she was ousted from polite society, including her inheritance. Now she’ll do anything to take back what’s hers… even if she has to steal it. Accepting a scandalous offer from Lord Savage seems like the perfect solution to disguise her criminal intentions from the ton. Until she discovers that there’s more to this scoundrel than meets the eye.

Leo Ramsgate, Marquess of Savage, has everything except for a heart. That organ dried up long ago after a devastating betrayal. Since then, he vowed never to trust or love again. He ensures that his dalliances are mutually satisfying, but always temporary… until he meets the reserved Miss Thorogood. Not one of his previous lovers has ever beguiled him the way she does. Not one has made him want to break his own rules. Not one has tempted him to keep her… forever.

Prue has every intention of disappearing from London after their affair ends. But her plan falters when she finds herself falling hopelessly in love with a man who may never love her in return. With time running out and so much at stake, she cannot help but wonder…

How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart?

©2022 Vivienne Lorret (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Read with caution

While I love this author and the stories she consistently weaves, I have never been angrier or rolled my eyes more at a pair of characters. If you find constant miscommunication to be beyond annoying, skip this story and continue to the next in the series.

Ms Lorret is a gifted author and Ms Eyre the very voice of romance, but neither can save this story from pointless frustration.

Good Story

This is the kind of story I like to read. Witty dialogue, unique plot and good narration. Make no mistakes this is one of those “misunderstanding” stories. There are no surprises as to how the story will infold, at time I wanted to ring Prue’s neck for being so naïve but I have to say, I love these two together. They are a few dead ends in the story. Things that got glossed over and never seemed to get resolved. The ending seemed rushed, even tossing in a last minute character. But I still enjoyed the story. Definitely worth the credit.

A Different Approach

Vivienne Lorret does a good job of creating a comfortably predictable outcome with a variation on the path to get there.

Though I did find Pru’s lack of knowledge about anything sexual a bit beyond the pale, while being clever enough to be involved in some of the activities we find her involved in.

I was not in love with the author’s repeated use of “gobsmacked” even if it was only used to describe the thought process.

All that being said, this story was steamy and not overdone on the intimacy side, and moved at a pace that did not bore one with angst.

I liked this book, despite having to suspend reality as with most of these regency romances.

Another Excellent book and listen

What can I say? I completely enjoyed this book. It had a moment when it was pushing my one trigger and every one of my buttons yet I stayed, I had no choice! And it was totally worth it.

Chemistry very high
Heat factor steamy
Creditworthy oh yes

Great read! Well worth the money! Enjoy!!

This story has it all..plot, romance, mystery, and lots of steamy love! Best credit I’ve used in a while!

Meh

I drudged through this one just to get to the finish line. It was on the dull side. Not the worst book I’ve ever listened to but not great. I just hate dumb drama generated by misunderstandings that could easily be cleared up if the characters talked. Or in this case…dumb conflict based on poor character development.

So let me get this straight: this stoic, tank of a woman who trusts no one suddenly trusts the enemy of her husband (a man she loves madly) rather than even considering talking to her husband?? That’s not close to the behavior I would expect from the woman presented in the first half of the book.

I get that books need flashpoints and conflict to drive the plot. This particular device has been done TO DEATH (and by better authors).