REVIEW: Trapped by Scandal by Jane Feather

In Trapped by Scandal (Trapped #2) by Jane Feather, Lady Hermione ‘Hero’ Fanshawe would do anything to protect her twin brother Alec, even if it means going to Paris during one of the most dangerous times in recent history to bring him home safe. Dull society life in London has held no appeal since losing her fiancé a year ago, so an adventure is most welcome. An altercation brings Hero the attention of the Viscount St. Aubrey, William Ducasse. Realizing she can have a purpose in helping rescue others, she rushes headlong into a world of secrets and intrigue, while falling for the most handsome reticent man of them all.

“I cannot make promises, Hero. I enjoy your company. I enjoyed our lovemaking and will enjoy it again if you wish it also, but I have nothing more…more–”
“More permanent to offer,” she interrupted with a quick shake of her head. “I no more wish for that than you do, William.”

William would welcome the beautiful distraction Lady Hero offers if things were not so dire for his fellow countrymen. Choosing to help French aristos find safety instead of the guillotine has forced him to give up the hope, at least at the present, for a future with Hero. But as she becomes more entangled in his work, William knows the threat against her safety is all too real. He’s fighting to protect so many people already. People who deserve freedom. Is there a way to keep everyone from harm while indulging in his own feelings and needs?

‘Once again, he felt he was choosing between his need for Hero’s help and his responsibility to keep her safe. A self-imposed responsibility and one he knew Hero would fight tooth and nail.’

Trapped by Scandal was a Regency romance that had me on the edge of my seat. Spies, secrets, and a passionate love affair made for some very entertaining reading.

I think what I liked most about this novel, aside from the period-specific writing itself, was that it wasn’t a typical storyline of spoiled debutante vs. handsome rake. Not that there’s anything wrong with such stories, because they are a lot of fun to read. Our protagonists for this novel were outspoken, highly intelligent, and both cared very deeply for their loved ones. It was also a bit scandalous the way they behaved, as the name suggests, in that they entered into a love affair, with Hero, specifically, not giving a care as to how society would view them after.

Having said that, obviously Hero was rather brazen and sure of herself. She had such spirit and wasn’t afraid to stand up for others or to fight for their safety and freedom. That wasn’t necessarily typical behavior at the time, so I thought of Hero as being a rebel. And a very smart one, at that. William was an intriguing man as well. Being half French and half English, it led to some complicated choices for him to make. I loved that we kept learning about him, bit by bit, over the course of the story. He was a spy, so it felt realistic that William would not be forthcoming about his past or his family, even with Hero. It was also believable that William was overly protective of those around him.

From the playful bantering, to the dramatic action scenes, Trapped by Scandal was a breath of fresh air in the Historical Romance genre. Their stolen romantic moments may have been outrageous, but William and Hero were charming, sincere characters I enjoyed meeting.

Book Info:

 June 23rd 2015 | by Pocket Books | Trapped #2

New York Times bestselling author Jane Feather returns to the Regency with a passionate tale that sweeps the reader from the dangerous streets of Paris to the glittering ballrooms of London.

Lady Hero Fanshawe has chafed at society’s dictates since the death of her fiancé taught her that joy can be fleeting. When her brother disappears in Paris at the height of the Terror, she has no hesitation in disguising herself as a boy and risking her life to find him—or in joining forces with a chance-met ally, the enigmatic William Ducasse, Viscount St. Aubrey. And no regrets in indulging in a passionate affair with the dangerously handsome stranger in the shadow of the guillotine…

Half French, half English, William is committed to his shadow life, flirting with death to rescue imperiled aristocrats, and marriage is an indulgence he cannot afford. Once Hero returns to London, he refuses to risk her good name by continuing their liaison. But he has reckoned without the determined Hero’s disregard for propriety…or the dictates of his own treacherous heart.