{Misadventures in Matchmaking Review} Ten Kisses to Scandal by @VivLorret

Ten Kisses to Scandal by Vivienne Lorret
Published by Avon on December 24, 2018
Genres: Historical, Romance
Pages: 384
Source: Edelweiss
Buy on Amazon, Available with KU Subscription, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks
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The Bourne Matrimonial Agency has one rule—never fall in love with the client. However, they never said anything about kissing a rake…

Briar Bourne’s matchmaking career could be summed up in two words—comic disaster. Unless she can learn about the irresistible forces that draw men and women together, her professional future looks rather bleak. But Briar has an intriguing plan—enlisting London’s most irredeemable rake to teach her everything he knows about attraction. Given his notorious reputation, it’s no surprise that Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, requests one thing in exchange for his tutelage. For every lesson, he wants a kiss in return. And what harm could there be in a simple kiss? After all, Briar would never fall for a scoundrel…

Nicholas has no romantic notions about love, and no intention of changing his ways. He’s only helping Briar so that she can find the perfect bride for his jilted cousin. Yet Briar is so clever, so curious, so candid—so blasted tempting—that soon, Nicholas can’t stop wondering what it might be like if he was irresistible to her.

Ten lessons. Ten kisses. And a million ways to fall hopelessly, scandalously in love.

I received Ten Kisses to Scandal for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Arthur: This was some Meet-Cute. Iris: Sorry? Arthur: It’s how two characters meet in a movie. Say a man and a woman both need something to sleep in and both go to the same men’s pajama department. The man says to the salesman, “I just need bottoms,” and the woman says, “I just need a top.” They look at each other and that’s the ‘meet cute’. ~Arthur and Iris from the movie, The Holiday

I’ve read hundreds of ‘meet cutes’ over my years of reading romance novels. Never, in all those years, has a ‘meet cute’ involved a young lady stepping in horse dung. I don’t think this is much of a spoiler since it happens in the very beginning of this novel. As far as ‘meet cutes’ go, this one tops my favorites list. It’s imaginative and fun, which is a great way to start off this fantastic love story.

Briar Bourne is the youngest of the Bourne sisters and believes she has the most to prove as a matchmaker in The Bourne Matrimonial Agency. Her first match is a disaster, which leads her to leave her home in the early morning where she bumps into the Earl of Edgemont, Nicholas Blacklowe. ‘Meet cute’ ensues, but they don’t really get to know each other until months later.

I love how Lorret set up this love story! Briar needs to know how men and women relate, learn how to read body language and other telling cues. Nicholas is just the man to teach her, but being the rake he is, he wants something delicious in return. Each kiss is surrounded by a huge development in their blossoming relationship. Their banter is hilarious at times, while sweet and complicated at others.

Lorret brings in an amazing array of secondary characters, mainly Nicholas’ cousins, Temperance and Daniel. Temperance is the no nonsense best friend of Briar as well. She brings in another sassy element that compliments her relationships with both Nicholas and Briar. While Daniel is a bit more sedate because of his depressed state after being jilted, he comes to life again slowly as he interacts with Briar and his family.

While this isn’t my first Lorret read, it is the first in this series. I can’t wait to go back and read Jacinda and Crispin’s story, How to Forget a Duke, and I’m anxiously awaiting Ainsley and Reed’s story, The Rouge to Ruin.  

EXERPT

 

“I’d better stand or else I’ll end up on your lap.”

“I wouldn’t mind, love,” Nicholas crooned, patting the tops of his thighs and earning a perturbed glare. Even so, Briar was too intent on her goal and stood, settling her cool, delicate hands on his face. The simple touch of her fingertips, soft and uncertain, stirred a low flame of arousal. “I thought your rule was ‘no hands.’ ”

“Hush. I am immersing myself in the full experience,” she whispered as if afraid of breaking the spell. “Besides, it was my rule for you, not for me. Now close your eyes, if you please.”

He complied, half humoring her and half curious to see if she would balk and shy away. Yet she lingered, her warm, clean fragrance filling his nostrils and making him think of fresh bed linens, sun-kissed and wind-beaten into a decadent suppleness. He wanted to lie down with that scent, tumble with it, bury himself inside of it. And all this was before he felt the sweet rush of her breath over his lips.

To celebrate the release of TEN KISSES TO SCANDAL by Vivienne Lorret, we’re giving away one paperback copy of How to Forget a Duke!

LINK: https://bit.ly/2G2PDK3

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback copy of How to Forget a Duke by Vivienne Lorret. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance.  Giveaway ends 12/21/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copy out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted.