A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley – a Review

A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley is her second book in her Sealed with a Kiss series. Below is the description of the book from Erin’s website, which is followed by my review.

Description:
A TEMPTING DIVERSION
Things have always fallen into place for Richard Moore, Earl of Raleigh. His good looks, abundance of charm, and the small matter of being heir to a marquisate make him quite the catch. So when a delectable young woman wants nothing to do with him, he can’t help but seize the irresistible challenge.

AN UNLIKELY COURTSHIP
Jane Bunting knows all about responsibility—she has managed to support herself and her brother with their bakery—but she knows nothing of excitement or passion. When dashing Lord Raleigh crosses the threshold of her shop, she has no idea of the potential danger to her reputation . . . or to her heart.

AN IMPOSSIBLE MATCH
Neither imagined things would go so far—until the night their worlds collide, irrevocably changing both their lives. But when duty calls for Richard, and with everything Jane has worked for suddenly at stake, will their taste for scandal be their downfall?

Review:
When I read Erin Knightley’s debut novel, More Than a Stranger, I immediately enjoyed her writing, in what turned out to be a fun read.  Now with the next book in her Sealed with a Kiss series, I feel that though I enjoyed More Than a Stranger, A Taste for Scandal was even better

Richard Moore, who had a big part in More Than a Stranger, as Evie’s brother and Hastings friend, is our hero in this book.  He was one of my favorites then, and does not disappoint.  Richard is a charming & fun loving womanizer, who just wants to have fun, and has no interest in stepping into his father’s Marquisate position at this time.  Richard knows his responsibilities, but for now he just plans on enjoying himself every possible minute. 

Our heroine is Jane Bunting who runs a bakery, with wonderfully delectable treats.  By accident, Richard passes by the bakery and sees someone threatening the person inside, and he runs to her rescue.  Unbeknownst to Richard, there was no threat, as he mistakenly thought Jane’s cousin was an intruder, and during the scuffle, some things inside the bakery were broken.  Jane not knowing that this stranger was the Earl of Raleigh, she calls the police.  Of course, even as he apologizes, Jane totally was not enamored by Richard, who is rarely if ever, ignored by any women.   Later, that evening, after being told my her cousin that she was rude, and the Earl was really trying to help, Jane goes to Richard’s home, where his family is visiting for a bit, and brings him some of her delectable chocolate biscuits to offer her apology. 

Richard is intrigued that Jane shows no interest in him, and he finds her to be attractive and obviously a challenge, since she seems unattainable.  With the help of his sister, Beatrice, they both convince Jane to give them lessons on baking.  LOL  sounds kind of ridiculous that an Earl would want to know how to bake.   But what ensues is a wonderful tale of romance that is against all odds.  First comes friendship between Jane, Richard and Beatrice. Then begins the slow romance between Richard and Jane, that both are convinced is just an attraction, and maybe sex, but no future for either of them.  Into this mix, is a local busybody, who is determined to force Jane out of business.  It is beautiful and heartwarming to watch them begin to fall in love.  Just when their sexual intensity is about to be consummated, Richard is called away for a family emergency, and Jane will face her fears in the days ahead, as the busybody forces her out. 

Richard is faced with something he did not want, to take over for his ill father.  In doing so, he comes to the conclusion that though he loved Jane, he felt his family would not accept her, since she was a commoner.  Richard also felt that Jane herself would not want the responsibilities of being the Lady of the house, as well as the wife of the Marquis.  So with pressure from his mother and father he sets out to choose a wife, to satisfy all. 

What happens to Jane you ask?  She uses her friendship with Beatrice to help her get a job as a bakery chef at Evie’s mansion, with the promise that no one tell Richard, nor Evie for that matter.  The final ¼ of the book is delightful.  Both Jane and Richard come to the conclusion that nothing can happen with their relationship.  But what are sisters for. 🙂  Both Beatrice and Evie plot together to help the two people so much in love, to force them to open their eyes.  It was so much fun to watch, and I enjoyed both Evie and Beatrice doing their scheming.  Knightley does a fabulous job creating wonderful characters. I loved Evie, Hastings, Richard & Beatrice in the first book; adored Richard & Jane in this book.  I do not know who the heroine will be in the third book, but I do hope it’s Beatrice, as she so deserves her own book.

This was a fantastic enjoyable read, and I loved it from start to finish.  Knightley knows how to put fun in her romances, with sexual intensity, and she has you rooting hard for our couple.  Knightley also has a wonderfully refreshing voice.  If you love Historical Romance, or any romance for that matter, you must read this book, it is one of the best fun books I have read this year. Erin Knightley is on my automatic buy.

Reviewed by Barb