REVIEW: The Scoundrel and the Debutante by Julia London

The Scoundrel and the Debutante (The Cabot Sisters #3) by Julia London, Prudence Cabot has always been the one to do as she’s told and follow what society deems appropriate. But with the impetuous way her two older sisters have behaved in recent years, Prudence knows her chances of finding a suitable match are not good. That’s why when she feels her heart flutter after meeting American Roan Matheson while traveling to see her close friend, she decides to follow her heart and help Roan on his journey across the English countryside to find his sister. What could a bit of fun do to hurt her already tarnished family name?

“I am in pursuit of my incorrigible, equally headstrong and impulsive sister.”
Prudence tossed her head. “I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if she was trying to keep her distance from you and your opinions.”
“She won’t escape them,” he said flatly.
“I can’t imagine anyone could,” Prudence retorted pertly.

Roan traveled to England to bring his rebellious sister Aurora home to her fiance. Not sure where he’s headed exactly, he is thankful for the help of a beautiful young woman. Prudence turns out to be more of a hindrance to his search, but proves to be what his heart has been looking for. Roan’s life is complicated, with his family waiting at home for him to bring Aurora back and to assist with their lumber business. But all he wants is to keep Prudence in his life. For all time.

“You’re not a scoundrel!” she scoffed.
“Oh, but I am every inch a scoundrel, Miss Cabot,” he said with a devilish smile. “Don’t be fooled. Hasn’t anyone ever warned you about the appetites of men?”

What an epic adventure we embark upon in The Scoundrel and the Debutante. Julia London once again captured my attention with those scandalous Cabot Sisters, specifically with Prudence’s tale this time.

If you’ve been following this series, Prudence and Roan’s journey begins about four years after her sister Grace and Merryton had their HEA. But this can definitely be read as a standalone title with no problems. I was so happy that this novel was just as detail oriented and flowed just as easily as the previous have. Julia London did a great job with keeping the dialogue lively, using it to build the tension in each scene exactly as was needed.

I definitely loved Roan. Not because he was an American, but because he was a (mostly) stand-up guy in a foreign land and had to adjust accordingly which was not easy. Prudence helped, sometimes in a roundabout way by pointing out his folly, but their connection had that nice bit of lightheartedness to it. There were a few moments where I just had to shake my head at something Prudence did or said, but overall I thought she was a genuine character and wanted to see her happy. I will say that their HEA was not how I expected things to work out, but it fit them perfectly and was very passionate.

Looking for a historical romance with both fun and emotional depth? The Scoundrel and the Debutante is just that, and much more.

Book Info:

Published April 28th 2015 by HQN Books

When a man on a mission takes on a beautiful but unlikely ally, seduction and adventure are inevitable…

The dust of the Cabot sisters’ shocking plans to rescue their family from certain ruin may have settled, but Prudence Cabot is left standing in the rubble of scandal. Now regarded as an unsuitable bride, she’s tainted among the ton. Yet this unwilling wallflower is ripe for her own adventure. And when an irresistibly sexy American stranger on a desperate mission enlists her help, she simply can’t deny the temptation.

The fate of Roan Matheson’s family depends on how quickly he can find his runaway sister and persuade her to return to her betrothed. Scouring the rustic English countryside with the sensually wicked Prudence at his side—and in his bed—he’s out of his element. But once Roan has a taste of the sizzling passion that can lead to forever, he must choose between his heart’s obligations and its forbidden desires.