Wonderful book. The author is one of the best writers. The action is captivating. It's worth 10 stars not just 5.

Once again this author hits one out of the ballpark. The Tidemores are a family everyone can relate to and I was anxious to see what kind of scrape Penny would find herself in. I did think the ending was a little rushed and left some unanswered questions but overall it was am enjoyable read.

I adored “The Scoundrel’s Honor,” this was such a fun, touching read.  Penelope has four sisters and one brother, her brother and two older sisters have all been embroiled in a scandal that led to marriage.  Happy marriages, but scandal nonetheless.  Penelope is determined, very determined to be the first of her siblings to not cause a scandal during the season.  Her mother and brother have put off letting her attend balls and parties because they are so worried, she is finally going to her first ball and couldn’t be more excited.

Unfortunately, her first ball is a disappointment.  She is gossiped about and upset, goes out to her host’s garden to hide, tears her dress and ends up in the threatening arms of the notorious gaming hell owner Ryker Black.  Ryker doesn’t want to marry her and she absolutely won’t marry him.  So, Penelope is another scandalous sister.

But these two do marry, Penelope has her younger sister to consider and Ryker has his club.  If they don’t marry, Penelope’s sister will suffer on marriage mart and the nobility Ryker caters to will stop coming to his club if they believe he ruined an innocent debutante. 

These two are such an unlikely pair.  Penelope is more innocent than she realizes and Ryker is in turns horrified and fascinated.  They both are afraid to open their hearts to the other, but when they do there is an abundance of chemistry, love and respect.  There weren’t many passionate scenes, I do like a little more romance in my books, but I really enjoyed this book and I adored both Penelope and Ryker.  Highly recommended.

So we are back with the second installment of Sinful Brides by Christi Caldwell, and I have to say, I could bow at the feet of this author at the moment! Which I know sounds a little extreme, BUT! Not only do we get to hear Ryker Blacks story (whom we met in Sinful Brides book 1), but we finally get to hear Lady Penelope Tidemore story!! *inset fangirl scream*...well to say that I'm a little excited, might be a understatement!

So we start Scoundrel's Honor off, pretty much on the heels of Rogue's Wager (which is fabulous news), and Ryker is still dealing with the underhanded behavior of Diggory's men and on top of all that, Ryker is pressured into attending his sister ball, where he would have to put up with the gossip surrounding his sire and himself. But that's not all he finds at this ball, he also finds himself caught in the web of Lady Penelope Tidemore.

Penelope Tidemore just wants to be married and free of scandal, but two horrid girls and hiding in the garden during a ball, led her into a scandal with the notorious Ryker Black, but even though her family gave her a pass and said they would protect her through the scandal, Penelope doesn't want that to happen.

So Riker and Penelope enter into what was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but they quickly change each other for the better...that is until secrets and enemies come back with a vengeance. 

OH MY GOODNESS what a book! A Scoundrel's Honor has left me not only breathless! But also  more in love with this series, than ever before. The writing and plot is not only magnificent! But also enchanting and heartwarming. And yes it has left me desperate for the next book in the series.

With all that being said, there is only one score I can give A Scoundrel's Honor and that is 5 stars!

I loved how Penny's story is told in the series! The reasons that Penny falls in love with Ryker and the freedom she shows in expressing that love, even after he tells her all his flaws and background, I loved her openness. Also, watching Penny grow into her own self and watch her standing on her own feet with her choices. Ryker, slowly opening up to Penny as well learning to accept or ask for help shows how much he loved Penny and was willing to let her in. The ending left me with lots of questions and impatiently waiting for the next book. I do hope we find out what Poppy said to Adair to cause him to blush!

Lady Penelope Tidemore has just make her debut in society, and is determined to behave with the utmost decorum, and not add to her family’s already scandalous reputation.  When some intentionally hateful remarks are made within her earshot, she escapes outside for some solitude.  As she hears another set of footsteps approach, Penny knows she can’t be caught alone with a man, so she proceeds to hide under a bench.

Ryker Banbury (who goes by the last name of Black) was recently awarded the title of Viscount Chatham, but he is no gentleman.  He is the bastard son of a duke, who was raised in the slums of the city by a cruel criminal.  As he got older, he formed a “family” with four other street children, and they own a gaming hell.  Ryker is only at this event because one of his siblings has now married into society, and he feels that the connection will benefit his club.  His life is one of constant danger from rivals, and when Penny unfortunately makes a noise and becomes partially visible, Ryker pounces on her, fearing an enemy attack.  Of course, it’s at that moment that several people come outside and witness this, causing a scandal.

There is no doubt that Penny is now ruined.  Though her brother assures her she does not have to marry, Penny knows that her younger sister, who hasn’t yet made her debut, will not stand a chance in society if she doesn’t.  So Penny puts aside her lifelong dream of marrying for love, and weds the cold, hard man who has only scorn for nobles, and goes off to live with him in his gaming hell.

Though many novels have used this trope, I have to say that Ryker is about the most distant, unsmiling, cold man I’ve read about.  His brothers are the same way – there are no friends for Penny in her new home.  Everyone has an intense hatred for the ton and resents her intrusion into their world.  Penny even has to endure the indignity of having Ryker’s former mistress in the house.

Yet, Penny has an unworldly maturity for someone only eighteen years old.  She takes the barbs and arrows directed at her with dignity, and treats Ryker and his brothers like family.  While Ryker unbends enough to share passion with his new wife, whenever she makes a slight inroad into learning about him personally, he beats a hasty retreat.

THE SCOUNDREL’S HONOR is my first experience with author Christi Caldwell, and she writes very, very well.  There are previous books which tell the stories of Penny’s three older siblings, but I didn’t feel lost for not having read them. This book placed two polar opposite characters together in a seemingly impossible situation, yet let them grow toward each other to form a strong union and love.  The romantic and tender hearted Penelope develops strength and determination, while the self contained Ryker finally allows himself to show some vulnerability and admit that he needs help.  Their growth made for a most enjoyable read, and while their relationship solidified, there are many loose ends left dangling.  I expect this will lead to upcoming books in this series, which I am definitely anticipating.

I discovered Christi Caldwell last year and immediately read most of her backlist. Since then, whenever I see one of her books, I take notice. When I received an invitation from the publisher via Net-Galley, I eagerly accepted. Again, Ms. Caldwell has penned another winner!

Lady Penelope is determined to behave as an exemplary young debutante. Her family has already had their share of scandal. When she is caught in a compromising situation, she believes her life is ruined.

Ryker Black could care less what the ton thinks of him. As a bastard son of a duke, he lives his life as he sees fit. When he is caught with Lady Penelope, something is different. He does not want to see her ruined, not because he cares what society thinks, but because he does not want this spirited young lady to experience the pain it would cause. He does the right and honorable thing.

Can they find a way to make their marriage succeed, or will their different backgrounds tear them apart?

The Scoundrel’s Honor is an exciting read from the first page to the last. It has adventure, lots of suspense, great characters, and most of all, a wonderful love story. It’s fast-paced without feeling rushed. Ms. Caldwell gives the reader a lovely glimpse of the Regency period. Her descriptive writing is excellent, yet still leaves something to the imagination of the reader.

Lady Penelope’s character is endearing, and I fell in love with her determination, her loyalty to her family and her desire to make Ryker’s life better. She is feisty and independent, yet a truly feminine young woman. So many times, heroines with these characteristics are too masculine for my tastes, but that is not the case with Lady P. Her depth of character is quite good, and I could understand what made her tick.

Ryker’s character is more complex than the heroine’s. He had a horrendous childhood, which influences his decisions. What I liked most about him is his high sense of loyalty to those he feels responsible for, from his sister, his brothers of his heart, to his feelings for Penelope. Underneath his rough exterior beats a heart of gold.

The romance between Ryker and Penelope sizzles throughout the story and only grows stronger as the it progresses. Ms. Caldwell masterfully builds the sexual tension, which is a key ingredient for a Regency romance and what I love best about this sub-genre. 

If you enjoy becoming lost in the Regency era, and want a romance that will pull at your heart-strings, and with plenty of action, then you will love The Scoundrel’s Honor. The title truly suits this story. Happy reading!

Penny is a dreamer. She dreams of many things. She is a romantic. And she is naive. The Tidemores, her family, have been the center of several scandals in the past. Her older sisters, in particular. So it's no surprise that Penny is tainted with the same reputation AND that she is determined to overcome Society's expectations. 

"She was to be proper and polite, and Society was to have seen that, and then to have overlooked years of Tidemore scandals. There was to have been a loyal suitor who didn't give a jot about her family's history."

Yes, Penny is a dreamer - believing that bowing down to the dictates of Society as well as giving up on her fanciful notions of romance and adventure will ensure her future happiness. Society, however, was not so easily swayed. And fate had other plans.

Ryker is a bastard of a duke and brother to a duchess. He is also the owner of one of the most successful gamehells in St. Giles. A man who had a very difficult childhood, sold by his mother to a thief and a whore, and worked as a pickpocket to survive. This, along with several experiences with nobility, has caused Ryker to hate anyone who lives in that world.

Ryker has built himself a family of sorts - his brothers not in blood but in bond. All of them possess the same hatred to those who belong to Society. Even when one of their own, the sister Helena, has married into it. And despite their closeness and loyalty to each other, life on the streets has taught Ryker to keep everyone out, to only look out for himself and the interests of his club. That is the number one rule. 

During a ball hosted by his sister and brother-in-law, Ryker is caught in an extremely compromising position with Penny. And no, they were not in any way acting on an attraction between them. They hadn't even officially met. It was just an unfortunate accident. Or, in the case of Penny, it was inevitable.

"Well, scandal will eventually find you. After all...: Her sister flashed a wicked grin. "We are Tidemores."

Naturally, the two get married. Penny agrees to the marriage because she wants to ensure that Poppy, her younger sister, will be able to have her debut even after the scandal. Ryker allows the marriage to take place because the scandal has affected his business. The lords who frequent his place are questioning his integrity and honor, refusing to do business with a man who has compromised a lady but would not rectify the mistake.

The story is not uncommon in historical romance. We've all read a version of it at one point, or several. What sets The Scoundrel's Honor apart is the journey to self-discovery that takes place across the pages. Penny discovers that she is still very much a dreamer despite her previous thoughts. She is still looking for Prince Charming, for her dream marriage, and trying to mold her present life as well as Ryker to fit her dreams, albeit unconsciously. Ryker discovers that keeping everyone out is not an act of strength but one of fear. And that asking for help is never a weakness. Nor is loving someone. He also learns that his perception of Society is not reality. At least, not for all of Society. Both main characters learn that the world is not black and white but filled with grays. Nothing is an absolute. 

"It is so very easy to see people one way and place them into neat categories that you can make clear sense of."

This is something that almost all characters in the story is guilty of. And all of them learn that you cannot paint everyone with the same brush simply because they have something in common. 

While I wasn't truly enamored with Ryker and Penny, their emotions felt real to me. Christi Caldwell's writing is so good that even when I wasn't entirely happy with the main characters, I was still emotionally involved in the story. I felt Penny's pain as she slowly realized that her new world was one filled with indifference, uncaring, or, worse, hatred towards her, the outsider. I also cried when Ryker was struggling with his fear for Penny's life.

"A husband who was eager to be free of a wife he did not want would not stand in the same miserable spot, staring on as though he'd wrestle God himself for control of Penny's soul."

Christi's way with words is definitely a talent that only the best authors have. And I certainly can't wait to see what she writes next. So, why the low rating? It's just one thing, really. But it's a big one. There were a lot of references to events that happened in the previous book, The Rogue's Wager. I didn't read that so I couldn't really get a full picture of what they were talking about. Ryker's background is discussed with very little detail, not even when he is opening up to Penny about his childhood. I got a feeling that a lot of it was also mentioned in the previous book so it was glossed over in this one. In fact, there is a threat to Penny, Ryker, and the club and that is never fully explained as well since it all started in the previous book. In short, if you read The Scoundrel's Honor, then you probably won't mind the lack of details. But since I never did, I was a bit annoyed that I never fully understood some of the motivations of the characters, including the villain's. 

Overall, The Scoundrel's Honor is an entertaining read. Despite the lack of details, I had no problem connecting to the emotions in the story. There was no wall between me and the main characters. I was Penny and I was Ryker. And I went through everything that they experienced. To me, the story was real. A reader can't ask for more than that.

There is no possible way to say it without sounding like a fool in love! The Scoundrel's Honor by the indomitable Christi Caldwell is everything this reader LOVES, tucked into one fabulous story! You want action? You got that. You want intrigue? You got that. Need a bit of action? Well you got it. How about romance? Well DUH! 

Penelope Tidemore never had a chance. Her family history of scandal is known far and wide and even though Penelope was always standing on the precipice of scandal, she always attempted to evade its notice. Well, that is until she comes into contact with the dark and dangerous, Ryker Black.

Born to the mistress of a Duke, raised in the streets of London, Ryker Black knows the good and bad in both of those social classes and he prefers to stay off the grid in the darkness of his gaming establishment  Hell and Sin. When his beloved sister beckons him to attend a ball, try as he might to deny her, Ryker gives in, but not without grumbling about it. He knows he doesn't fit in, even though he is probably better educated than most of the guests. 

Needing to get away from the confines of the ballroom, Penelope flees to the gardens where her life is forever changed when she and Ryker Black end up in a rather precarious position on the garden grounds. Public ruination leads to a hasty marriage for two strangers, as Ryker and Penny struggle to come to an accord. Penelope's introduction to life inside a gaming hell is eye opening to the almost properly brought up woman and Ryker's education into the needs of a proper wife make this story engrossing. 

Of course, where there is a gaming hell trouble brews and although Ryker is no stranger to trouble, the fact that the new wife he is actually beginning to care for, may also be placed in danger, troubles him greatly. Where love blooms, danger evades leaving Ryker wondering if bringing Penny into his dark and dangerous world is the right thing, and if it isn't, what then is to be done about it?

Uh uh, I am soooo not telling you more... Do yourself a BIG favor and grab this fabulous read by a truly wonderful author and find out yourself how it all comes to pass!

Penelope is no stranger to scandal thanks to the examples of her family . Mr Black is not the typical member of the Ton. Enter the sparks and fun as this couple meet and marry on their path to happiness.  Always can count on this author delivering a good tale with chuckles and look forward to her new books.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

The Scoundrel's Honor is the second installment of Christi Caldwell's Sinful Brides series. It is the story of Lady Penelope Tidemore and Ryker Black. Having read The Rogues Wager, and loved it, I had to find out if Ryker would meet his match. And that he did! I loved these two together. She chipped away at his heart like no one could. 
Ms. Calwell's books just get better and better! If that's possible.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review

A- Review

Christi Caldwell is back! After all of my issues with The Rogue’s Wager I was really hesitant to give Caldwell’s Sinful Brides series another shot. I’m so glad I did, The Scoundrel’s Honor is probably my all-time favorite Christi Caldwell romance.

Lady Penelope Tidemore is trying very hard to behave. Of all the scandal-ridden Tidemore siblings, Penny is the least troublesome. Her efforts are all in vain though and at her very first ball Penelope is found in a compromising situation with none other that Ryker Black, the notoriously dark and possibly cruel, owner of a high-end gambling den.

While neither Ryker or Penelope are interested in marrying each other, they must in order to save Penny’s reputation and Ryker’s business. Ryker moves Penelope into his gambling club after their wedding and does his best to totally ignore her. Penny is determined to make a life for herself somehow in this mess and turns Ryker, his brothers, and the club into chaos along the way.

Ryker first appears in The Rogue’s Wager and I hated him. He is mean to his sister Helena and detached from any meaningful relationship with anyone, despite eventually coming to Helena’s rescue. In The Scoundrel’s Honor we learn why Ryker behaves the way he does. At the beginning of the book he continues his pattern of nastiness to his adopted family and even eventually to Penelope. Watching Ryker’s transformation from guarded and damaged to loving and protective is absolutely romantic. I never thought that I could have any empathy for so hard a hero, but Caldwell writes Ryker’s vulnerabilities so well that I didn’t want the story to end.

Penelope Tidemore defies everything Ryker Black thought he knew about the aristocracy. She loves her family, cares for strangers, and stands up for what she believes. Penny is my favorite kind of heroine. Underestimated by those around her, she is stronger than she seems, romantic to the core, and determined to protect the people she loves. Ryker can’t help but fall in love with the beautiful whirlwind that invades his club and his life.

My major complaint with The Rogue’s Wager was a lack of depth and background. The Scoundrel’s Honor cleans up the problem by providing us with a good glimpse into how Ryker was raised, how the brothers met, and even a few stories from their childhoods. While we still don’t know everything, I felt like I was brought into the world of The Hell and Sin club quite a bit more than with the previous book. We also get to actually spend some time with the other brothers in The Scoundrel’s Honor, particularly Niall and Callum. I look forward to their stories and getting to know Adair a little bit better.

The Scoundrel’s Honor was well written and very romantic, I loved Ryker and Penelope. I give it an A-.

London - 1823

Lady Penelope Tidemore, age 18, is making her Come Out.  With her are her widowed mother, the Dowager Countess of Sinclair, and her brother, Jonathan, the Earl of Sinclair.  They keep reminding Penelope that she may encounter resistance from some people due to the scandals from the family’s past and they are worried that she may cause yet another scandal.  The Dowager and the Earl have been reluctant to let her attend many functions, especially a ball. 

When they decide to attend a ball hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Somerset, Penelope is ecstatic.  One of the attendees is Ryker Black, Viscount Chatham, brother to the Duchess of Somerset, and the bastard son of a Duke.  Ryker and his bastard brothers grew up on the streets of London doing whatever it took to care for themselves.  Ryker was awarded his title from the King for having saved the life of the Duke of Somerset.  Ryker’s sister, Helena, used to be the bookkeeper of his gambling hell before she married the Duke.  Evidently, it is reputed that there is bad blood between Ryker and the Duke of Somerset.  So, Helena has come to ask Ryker to attend the ball she is throwing to prove to the ton that there is no bad blood between the two men. 

At the ball, Penelope is not enjoying herself.  People are obviously gossiping about her, she has torn her hem, and the only men asking her to dance are relatives.  She heads for the balcony for some fresh air where she ends up tearing her dress even more.  On top of that, someone comes into the dark garden forcing her to hide.  It’s Ryker.  He realizes that someone else is in the garden and thinking it could be one of his enemies, he grabs Penelope and throws her to the ground.  That’s when they are discovered.  Uh-oh!  Another Tidemore sister has caused a scandal and is ruined.  Earl Sinclair tells Ryker he must marry Penelope.  Reluctantly, Ryker and Penelope marry.

Penelope moves into Ryker’s rooms at the gambling hell which is not appealing to her.  She wants a home but Ryker wants to be close to his business.  There is always trouble brewing and he needs to be nearby to take care of it.

The story follows the two of them as they try to adjust to marriage and the fact that they are two very different personalities.

I simply did not like Ryker.  He comes across as an angry bully.  Penelope tries to placate him but it’s an uphill battle.

I have enjoyed this author’s books in the past, but I found this story to be too rough and violent and not at all what I would expect from her.  However, I’m sure that others will find it very good.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

"Somewhere between Ryker Black's rise from guttersnipe to ruthless owner of the Hell and Sin Club, the world had learned -- one did not cross him, interrupt him, or interfere with his dealings.  Ever."

FINAL DECISION:  A story that has a lot of drama, this book stays on the surface of the emotions of the characters.  That makes what might otherwise be a dark book interesting but not compelling.  I enjoyed the book because of the characters especially the heroine.

THE STORY:  Lady Penelope Tidemore is having her debut and she intends on being proper in a family full of scandals.  Unfortunately, at the first opportunity, Penny ends up in a bigger scandal than anyone else.  She is caught in a compromising situation with Ryker Black, the bastard son of a duke and the owner of a gaming hell.  There is little choice but for Penelope to marry Ryker but is there any hope for this marriage between strangers from such different worlds?

OPINION:  This book takes what might be a dark subject and keeps the pacing and story on a less dramatic level.  The book lacks the depths of a dark, angsty novel with the same subject matter, but it has a sweetness and gentleness to the story that will appeal to readers who want a little bite to their stories without delving into darkness.

In many romance novels, it is the hero whose characters I tend to like more.  Here, I liked Penelope the most in the book.  Here is a woman who is raised among a loving and privileged family.  The worst thing she has to worry about is gossip and scandal about her family. When she is thrust into Ryker's world, she makes attempts to bring some of her lightness and gentleness into his world.  While he continues to reject her, she is determined to make this new world a better place and bring some of her hominess and family to bear on the new family she gains.

Ryker is a self-made man who struggles with what he had to do to survive. He is guilt ridden and at his core afraid.  He hides all the seething emotions inside himself with order and rules and coldness.  Penelope comes into his life with her constant chatting and her innocent belief that she can make things work out. She is a dreamer who won't allow the reality of life to sap her of her optimism.  Ryker just doesn't know how to deal with that.  I liked watching his world as he has constructed it crumble under Penelope's gentle ruthlessness.

For me the characters were the highlight of this book.  The romance in this book happens incredibly fast and there is so much animosity between these characters at times, it is hard to believe that they so quickly fall for one another.  My second complaint is that this book uses almost exactly the same sequence of events as the first book in the series.

WORTH MENTIONING:  Penelope's younger sister HAS to get a book someday!

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE SCOUNDREL'S HONOR is the second book in the Sinful Brides series.  The hero in this book is the brother of the heroine in the first book.  The story is self contained and can be read on its own although I recommend reading the first book in order to better understand the characters.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE:  I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions contained herein are my own.

A new to me author, and surprisingly good too. Christi Caldwell The Scoundrel's Honor really did get and keep my interest from the beginning and that is hard to manage these days. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Unlike The Rogue's Wager (Sinful Brides #1), Caldwell's writing shines in The Scoundrel's Honor. It's a riveting story with likeable characters that evolve throughout the tale.

Ryker Black, brother to Helena (Sinful Brides #1), is a feared gaming hell owner who sees emotion as weakness and has no interest in marriage. Penelope Tidemore—sister to Patrina, Poppy, Prudence, and Jonathan (Scandalous Seasons books 4 & 5; Lords of Honor #2)—is a young lady trying to rise above her family's scandalous name, but won't be cowed by cruelty. An unfortunately meeting leads to these two marrying, opening Penelope to a world far grittier than anything she could have imagined and leading Ryker to deal with the consequences of letting in another's affections.

This book had great atmosphere, interesting dialogue, and looked at regency London lifestyles from both sides of the coin. While it would have been nice to see Penelope more involved with the goings-on at the gaming hell, enough danger and intrigue spilled over to keep the story hopping along. Ryker's "brothers", especially Calum, are a strong supporting cast who, at times, are more revealing of the baggage Ryker keeps locked inside than he is. Penelope became more independent and confident, all while retaining optimism for her future.

There are a couple of negatives for me. The major subplot was left unresolved; it seems like things were set back in order, but we never see how or why exactly this happened. It's possible that's being left for whatever the next book in this series is. Also, there is no epilogue. I really enjoy these in romances, even if it's only looking a few weeks forward so we get a sense of finality. Instead, the ending—while satisfactory—left me wanting.

Overall, Caldwell is back in the game with The Scoundrel's Honor and I look forward to discovering which brother at the Hell & Sin we get to enjoy next.

Publisher's Description:

London, 1822.

Thanks to her older siblings, Lady Penelope Tidemore is no stranger to scandal. In order for her to make a good match, her secret longings for intrigue and romance must be quelled. Yet it is through terrible mischance that Penelope is caught in a compromising position—however innocent—with the darkly enigmatic viscount Ryker Black.

Mr. Black is no gentleman. Raised from the streets and proprietor of the most notorious gaming hell in London, Black lives in a world filled with debauchery and danger. Taking a Society wife from the very ton he despises is not part of his plan, even if the innocent Penelope turns his blood hot with desire.

But Penelope isn’t afraid of Mr. Black, and she soon discovers that his reputation as a scoundrel may be designed to hide a surprising vulnerability. As this unlikely husband and wife grow closer, they learn that what started as chance could end up sealing their fates.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this tale by Christi Caldwell about two totally unsuited people.
Our hero is the bastard son of a Duke who grew up on the streets. Our heroine was born into the nobility with siblings that tend to cause scandal wherever they go.
Penelope vows to not repeat the errors of her family. However fate has a say in that end.
I fell in love with these characters and look forward to the younger sister, Poppy's story. I'm certain Ms. Caldwell will continue to amaze us.
This is book #2 of the Sinful Brides Series and I have read both. This story makes the reader both laugh and cry with it's emotional rollercoaster.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization. This sensual story gets 3 of 5 flames for heat and sensuality.
I highly recommend this read. It is not necessary to read book one to enjoy this title. It reads quite well as a standalone book.

I always like a good historical romance and this is a pretty good one except I did feel it's not one of the author's best ones and the one thing that really bothered me was how the MCs came together initially and the marriage plot of the book. It was so quick and honestly just ridiculous. I know so many of these books use the "compromised so must marry" plot device and sometimes it works and other times it's just annoying and lazy. This time it didn't work for me. But that's not to say I didn't enjoy the rest of the book. I did enjoy it-but the beginning was rough.

The Scoundrel’s Honor is a great historical romance. (I thought I would just cut to the chase.) My interest in historicals has diminished lately, because no book has really captured my attention. Well, The Scoundrel’s Honor captured my attention and held it until the very end.

Lady Penelope (Penny) Tidemore is trying desperately not to follow in her family’s footsteps of creating scandals. She fails during her first official ball and creates a scandal when she is caught in a compromising position with the notorious gaming hell owner, Ryker Black. No matter how innocent the situation actually is she and Ryker are forced to marry and neither is happy about the situation, especially Ryker.

Ryker has no love for the nobility and never planned to marry a Lady. The only thing he loves is his gambling hell, and he doesn’t want Penny diverting his attention from it. Penelope might be young and naive, but she is determined to make this marriage - and her life - a happy one, and she begins to embrace her new unconventional life living at her husband’s business. In the process, she sees Ryker is much more than she ever imagined. 

Ryker is gruff and tough, but he soon grows a soft spot for Penny. I loved seeing him slowly fall totally in love with there, and I really enjoyed seeing Penny get her happily every after. The Scoundrel’s Honor is emotional, fun, sexy and simply wonderful.

This is a cute story with humor and a delivery that makes you turn each page. Love the story and enjoyed the ending.