REVIEW: The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel by Jennifer McQuiston

In The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel (Seduction Diaries #3) by Jennifer McQuiston, Mary Channing may be on her way to spinsterhood, never having taken her Season in London or received any marriage offers, but at least she’ll be thoroughly entertained by the novels she keeps on hand at all times. But now with her sister having called her to London to be her companion while pregnant and on bed rest, Mary ends up thrown into society. And it doesn’t go well. Her first foray into a public event finds her in the arms of scoundrel Geoffrey Westmore, ruining herself in the public eye. While that is bad enough, she and West also overhear four people planning an assassination that could shock the country. And it will take both of them combining their efforts to solve the mystery…hopefully before they lose their hearts to one another.

‘…She’d foolishly imagined him as a white knight, riding in on his charger to save the day. But perhaps that was the problem with allowing her imagination free reign. So often, heroes only existed on the pages of books.’

West could curse himself for having been drawn in by his attraction to Miss Channing. She’s not the sort of woman he usually chases after, being that she’s a mouse-like innocent and is more in tune with the literary world than real life. But he somehow can’t let go of his need to protect his little Mouse–or to make her blush at every turn. West knows that his reputation precedes him and that she could do much better than a prankster and a rake like him. He finds himself entertaining the notion, however, that they can band together, stop the evil plot from becoming reality and then look forward to a long, sensual future with the lovely Miss Mary.

“I did offer you marriage.”
“And I refused, with good reason. Marrying you would be a nightmare.”
There was a moment’s pause. “Take it from someone who suffers nightmares, Miss Channing. You misuse the word. Either that or you sorely misunderstand the pleasures to be found in my bed.”

The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel was such a fun time! This Victorian historical had an unexpected romance, plenty of adventure as our protagonists investigated an assassination plot, nice bits of humor tucked in here and there, and friendships being tested in dramatic ways.

Jennifer McQuiston always writes a solid story with unique characters and events. And this third installment in the Seduction Diaries had two protagonists who were never taken seriously trying to unravel the mystery of who was aspiring to assassinate someone of importance. Mary and West were thrown together in their efforts to thwart the would-be assassins, considering everyone else just brushed them aside when they went looking for assistance. They ended up creating a strong connection and worked very well as a team, as it turned out. I loved that bond–it made their relationship stronger and when paired with their simmering chemistry, it also heated up the pages nicely. I have to say that the thread of mystery was an interesting one and while you can figure parts of it out by paying a bit of attention, there were parts that took me a little by surprise at the end, so that was fun.

From their first very memorable meeting (she found him drunkenly, ahem, urinating on the garden gate) Mary and West were a combustible pair. I got such a kick out of Mary, or ‘Mouse’ as West called her, being bookish, always with her nose in a novel and how West seemed to be a scoundrel, forever staying out late carousing with his best friend, as well as pulling pranks on everyone. On the surface they looked like an opposites attract type of a couple but underneath it all they were both hiding painful pasts and were dealing with it the best way they knew how. West and Mary went through a lot of changes personally over the course of this story, some of it subtle and some changes dramatic. But I felt like they grew *together* as a couple over all and were exceedingly well matched.

If you’re a historical romance lover who is looking for a new entertaining story to read, The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel will be sure to please. Jennifer McQuiston created a cast of characters to remember in this novel that can be read as a standalone or as part of the Seduction Diaries series.

Book Info:

Publication: Published September 27th 2016 | Avon | Seduction Diaries #3

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer McQuiston continues her enchanting Seduction Diaries series as a bookish spinster and an unrepentant rogue unite to unmask a traitor

Every girl dreams of a hero . . .

No one loves books more than Miss Mary Channing. Perhaps that’s why she’s reached the ripe old age of six-and-twenty without ever being kissed. Her future may be as bland as milk toast, but Mary is content to simply dream about the heroes and adventures she reads about in her books. That way she won’t end up with a villain instead.

But sometimes only a scoundrel will do.

When she unexpectedly finds herself in the arms of Geoffrey Westmore, London’s most notorious scoundrel, it feels a bit like a plot from one of her favorite novels. Suddenly, Mary understands why even the smartest heroines can fall prey to a handsome face. And Westmore is more handsome than most. But far worse than the damage to her reputation, the moment’s indiscretion uncovers an assassination plot that reaches to the highest levels of society and threatens the course of the entire country.

When a tight-laced miss and a scoundrel of epic proportions put their minds together, nothing can stand in their way. But unless they put their hearts together as well, a happy ending is anything but assured.