A Little Scandal [Mass Market Paperback]

The plot is tightly written, although the mystery is somewhat easy to figure out. The charm of the book is not only in the dialog, but also in being privy to the character's thoughts. I found Burke an especially endearing hero, who is constantly trying to keep himself from smashing something in anger and is human enough to feel vain about his approaching middle age. Kate is intelligent and courageous in spite of her vulnerability in the face of her past. The love scenes are tender and well written.

This book is a keeper, and I look forward to Ms. Cabot's next book. I have read all her novels to date, and I think this one is her best yet.

The story opens with our hero picking up his thoroughly aggravating 18 year old daughter and carrying her, screeching, out to his coach to convey her to an evening in society. He is stopped by the diminutive heroine, who holds him up at umbrella point under the mistaken impression he is carrying off a young lady for immoral purposes. As one might expect, especially after reading a few romances, our hero ends up compelled to hire our heroine to act as chaperone for his rambunctious daughter. As the only member of Society who pays not a whit of attention to gossip, he makes no effort to investigate her, and so all sorts of surprising secrets come out later, at the worst possible time.

The hero is a fellow with a terrible temper, it's true, but he seems far more restrained than many a hero in romance I've seen. Yes, he tossed a man out a window, but he'd just caught the fellow under the hero's wife's skirts. Until recently, juries have forgiven men for even murder in such instances, not just mayhem. As for the book he tossed out the window, it was 17 years later, and the heroine had just beaned him on the head with it. As for not abusing women, I have met many a man who will cheerfully pummel another man and would never lift a finger to hurt a woman or a child. Frankly, I think they're conditioned that way. It's certainly better than those who will only take their temper out on things that are too weak to strike back.

I absolutely loved it that the hero's major obsession is reading, an interest that is beginning to edge ahead of sex until he comes across our heroine. Of course, the heroine is an avid reader, as well, which gives them common ground in their relationship.

I found the hero and heroine believable and their relationship believable, as well. In fact, the only part I had trouble with was the hero's daughter. She looked promising in the openning scene, but then never developed much.

I'd recommend giving this book a try. For me, it's a keeper and who knows? It might be a keeper for you, too.