He’d been attending for weeks, every night, alone. An older gentleman, perhaps mid-thirties, well dressed. Handsome. I could feel his eyes track me as I performed, an intense dark stare that sent heat arrowing through me. It was as if I could taste his interest, his desire, from across the stage.
The Scandal of Rose is a deliciously steamy Gilded Age romance.
When actress Rose McDaniel agrees to become the mistress of the formidable tycoon Moore Emerson, she knows the part all too well: fancy champagne, opulent parties, and late nights full of wickedness.
The arrangement with Moore suits her perfectly. He’s generous and caring, a fantastic lover. Best of all, she’ll soon have enough money saved to secure her future independence for good.
Except Rose has made a terrible mistake.
She’s fallen in love with him.
And now he’s betrothed to someone else.
I love Joanna’s books, so when she asked if we would like to review her new novella, I said heck yes! This book lived up to every expectation I had; it was fun and witty, and it is just an absolute banger of a book. It’s a super quick and addictive read. I finished it in one sitting, and it was the perfect way to spend a Friday night. There wasn’t a thing that I didn’t enjoy about this book. The story was really easy to sink into and was entertaining. This story starts HOT, like, I mean really hot. You have got to like your romances spicy if you are going to read this book. Joanna is the master at her craft. She knows what romance readers want and delivers every single time. She brings together so many fabulous tropes and creates such a delicious story; there is an age gap, office sex, plenty of dirty talk, a mistress, forbidden romance, insta love, a hero that grovels, and class differences. I couldn’t help but find myself drawn into Rose and Moore’s forbidden love story. I wanted to see how they would get their HEA. This is a novella, which means things move along at a quick pace. Rose and Moore’s love story is fast and furious. The fast pace makes it that much of an addictive read. You can’t help but want to turn the page because you have got to see what will happen next.
Rose is a fabulous, strong female MC. She is smart, capable, and so witty. She knows what she wants in her life and is working hard to achieve those goals. I adored the fact that she kept Moore on his toes. She just befuddled and bewitched that man with every encounter that they had. She knows that she has to protect her heart when it comes to her relationship with Moore because she knows that they could never have a real relationship. Their class differences would cause quite a scandal in high society. Moore is one of those heroes who has these dual personalities. You have that proper, high society businessmen, and then you have this foul mouth, the dirty talker of a man that knows how to please a lady. I love watching Moore unleash that other secret personality, something he hasn’t been able to do. He is so comfortable with Rose that he isn’t afraid of her judging him.
The romance in this book is steamy, lusty, and a real whirlwind. These two characters fall fast and hard for each other. Their physical chemistry is off the charts, which leads to lots of spicy moments. Outside of all that lusty attraction, there are some sweeter, quieter moments between Rose and Moore. They let those walls come down and share their past, their fears, and their dreams for the future. I have to say that Moore’s grovelling at the end of this book was perfection. I loved how sweet and bold it was and how unique it was. Way to go, Joanna!
The Scandal of Rose is bursting with smouldering kisses, wit, and a love story you won’t forget.
Thank you, Joanna Shupe, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
