Scandal - A Review(-ish)

I picked up Scandal by Carolyn Jewel at the recommendation of Katiebabs (who seems to be my go to girl for recommendations these days). Kate read the book a couple of months ago and was totally blown out of the water. She have the book 5+ stars in her review for RNTV and did a synopsis for the book on her blog as well. And again, I have to say, Kate was (as usual) totally right.

Gwilym, Earl of Banallt is on his way home. He's recently returned from Paris and has decided to stop at his estate to check on the state of affairs. In reality, he's also desperately hoping to see Sophie Evans, the widow of a man who he used to carouse with in his younger days. Banallt and Sophie have a history. On the night they met, Banallt and Sophie's husband, Tommy, arrive in the middle of the night, drunk and with a loose woman in tow. None of this surprises Sophie, as she knows that Tommy is a philanderer who married her over the anvil only for her 70,000 pound inheritance when she was 17. Sophie, thinking that they were having a mad and passionate love affair had no idea that Tommy was only after her money and had never had any intention of loving Sophie or of being faithful. Anyway, Sophie and Banallt meet under quite inauspicious circumstances. And he demonstrates all of the traits of a dissipated, drunken rake. For his part, he is captivated by Sophie's intelligence and sharp tongue (who wouldn't be when her husband brings home a friend and a doxy?!). He cannot stop thinking about her tiny physique and her wonderful, compassionate personality. And all he wants to do is possess her and know all of the secrets of her heart. Which of course, she is absolutely not having.

A few years later, Tommy is dead, Sophie is a widow living with her brother who has political aspirations and Banallt is back and has decided he must marry. And no woman will do for him but Sophie. Sophie, who has resolved never to marry again, and certainly to never lay her heart at the foot of a man, is having none of it. Banallt understands where she's coming from, and he resolves to change her opinion of him and make her understand that the physical attraction that they feel for each other can be more than that, it can be love.

I'm not sure there are enough superlatives to use with regard to the prose Ms. Jewel used when writing this book. I marvelled the entire time I was reading this book at the intent that seemed to be employed in the book. This is a quiet book that deliberately utilizes the character interactions and action to build the chemistry between the leads. Every interaction they have seethes with emotion, making the reader ache with the pain Sophie is experiencing and the frustration and understanding that Banallt has at her reaction. I've heard other readers complain that Sophie holds out almost too long, but one of the very last interactions between them in the book made me completely understand her guilt and her despair over her building feelings for Banallt. As I said, Jewel writes with an intent and deliberation that I marveled at, even as I was being swept along with the characters. The book is emotional and gripping and features the kind of tension that I absolutely adore, where every brush of fingers, every minute interaction builds upon each other so that when the couple finally comes together the result is deeply emotional and very, very hot.

I unreservedly recommend Scandal by Carolyn Jewel. It is a magnificent book that will immediately go on my keeper shelf and get pulled down on a regular basis for re-reading. Bravo, Ms. Jewel! I simply can't wait to read your next historical.

Final grade: A+