The Rogue Not Taken

Scandal & Scoundrel, Book 1

By: Sarah MacLean

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Lady Sophie - Society Splash!

When Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside first in a goldfish pond in front of all society, she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London, vowing to start a new life far from the aristocracy. Unfortunately, the carriage in which she stows away isn't saving her from ruin. It's filled with it.

Rogue - Reign of Ravishment!

Kingscote - "King" - the marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn't charm, resulting in a reputation far worse than the truth, a general sense that he's more pretty face than proper gentleman, and an irate summons home to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the journey becomes anything but boring.

War? Or More?

He thinks she's trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn't have him if he were the last man on Earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, making opposites altogether too attractive....

©2015 Sarah Trabucchi (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Evahhhh, forevahhhh, holy cow, find another word!

I enjoyed the story but wish I'd have just read it myself. The narrator is one I have to get used to at the beginning of every book (she sounds breathily melodramatic) but I didn't mind with the last book I heard (Brazen and the Beast)

However, this book's overuse of "ever" and "forever" in the last chapters was ridiculous, given the narrator's penchant for dramatic flair. If you are forced by the text to say a word a dozen times in approximately the same number of minutes, at least vary the WAY you say it.

Story-wise, it's a good tale that I enjoyed (though I won't evahhhh say "ever"... pretty much forevahhhh) and I liked the H/h's conflict, I liked the banter between them, I liked the h's ingenuity, and loved the backstory on the H. The "keeping them apart" didn't seem to drag on too long, and the love scenes were well written (oh mercy!) But the last chapters need a thesaurus - and Ms. Eyre's delivery makes that fact stick out like a very sore thumb.

Total Delight!

I had an absolute blast listening to this book. It was a fun, unapologetic, totally exciting over the top romp of a romance. Loved every second of it!

loved it

a fun adventure that moved along quickly while dealing well with emotionally charged characters who need to overcome their issues to find their HEA.

love, love, LOVE this one!

Great story .... perfect narration .... sexy heat .... clever humor, giggle worthy joy, tears, yep, loved it!

One of her best!

This story kept moving constantly- never dull and never slow! The characters of both King and Sophie were likable and well developed. This might be my favorite Sarah MacLean book yet! My only suggestion is to read this series in order. I skipped this one at first and read the next two books before it. I wish I’d read in order to really enjoy these characters.

Decent story if you can get past the narrator

The narrator was just ok. Her male voices all sounded like old men. I thought she did a good job on the narrator parts and the women's voices, but it was hard to get used to the sexy male lead sounding like a creaky old man.

Overall I mostly enjoyed the story and was able to get past the narrator. I wouldn't seek this narrator out again though.

Liked it

Any additional comments?

Pretty good story - good characters. Sophie and King suddenly meet and go for a wild ride for days. Sparks fly, tempers flare and romance ensues. Sophie's sisters are notorious in London. They were made ladies when their coal miner father "won" the title of Earle. Their behavior is not acceptable to the ton and they are ridiculed. Sophie is the youngest and least noticed of the sisters, but they are all called "soiled" and "dangerous". Sophie, who hates the aristocracy, snaps when her married eldest sister is embarrassed by her Duke husband at a summer party. Sophie takes drastic action against him resulting in her family being shunned by society. As she flees the party, Sophie runs into "King" who is in line for the title of Duke. It is a very bad meeting and gets worse - but fun to listen to. The performance is very good and I recommend this book for a fun listen. It is not great literature, but it is pleasant and entertaining. Kept my interest from the beginning to the end.

It was fine.

The reader's pretentious accent and over ennunciation is unbelievably distracting. The story is enjoyable enough, although I think the male character getsva bit too unlikeable at times.

Fun read!

I really liked this book. It was fun and sexy and all that. I will say, however, that the hero tends to over react. Like a lot.

Great Listen!

Somewhat predictable but was a great love story. The language was above average and the book kept me listening till it was done. 5 stars.