Scandal & Scoundrel #3
“It’s marriage, Duke. Of course it’s a battle.”
Sera Bevingstoke
This book is more bittersweet than most romance novels. The time slip storytelling beautifully weaves together the rise and fall of Sera and Malcolm’s marriage. Watching the characters grow through love, loss, grief, and pain is worth the read. Sera’s sisters are a hilarious bunch that wonderfully counterpoint the heartache of Sera and Mal.
Neither Malcolm nor Sera are innocent in the destruction of their marriage. There is plenty of blame to go around, and a large part of it can be placed on their parents. His parents’ coldness causes Malcolm to have attachment issues; Sera’s mother talks her into going along with a plan that backfires in her face. After that, the downhill slide rests solely on their shoulders, ultimately culminating in Sera storming the House of Lords demanding a divorce.
This end begins the summer hijinks in this book. The push and pull of the main characters, coupled with a boisterous supporting cast, create a book that I couldn’t put down. I especially loved the interactions between the sisters and Malcolm as they gave him hell and tossed societal norms out the window.
I enjoyed the book’s time slip nature as past events were revealed and brought more nuance to different characters’ actions and fleshed out referenced events. It made both Malcolm and Sera more sympathetic characters. The final scene was groan-worthy over-the-top but showcased how both characters had grown, making it worthwhile.
This book is different from most romance novels, and that is a good thing. I had not read anything by Sarah MacLean before, but I will be on the lookout for her books now.
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