All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series and I think it can easily be read as a standalone. Some events that occurred in the first book are briefly mentioned, but I don't think that would confuse a new reader.

Before I get into the review...look! Another ugly cover to keep Chasing Cassandra company. Macmillan, I'm not even gonna bother being nice: this cover is hideous. The heroine in this book is curvy and side characters have shamed her for it. It takes her a long time to learn to love herself and her body. Even after growing up to be a confident woman, there are still moments where her self-confidence wavers. So shame on you for picking a thin model for this cover.

Now that the public shaming is done, let's get right into my review. Cecelia Teague inherits a gambling hell and a school for young ladies from her maternal aunt. But before she can even get started on learning the business side of things, she has to first and foremost protect her new inheritance from the law. Lord Chief Justice Cassius Ramsay thinks that Cecelia's gambling hell is responsible for the sex trafficking of young immigrant girls. Cecelia is sure that her maternal aunt couldn't have had a hand in kidnapping young girls and selling them to wealthy lords. Ramsay's investigation, however, constantly leads him to the gambling hell. But what Ramsay doesn't know is that the gambling hell's new owner is his sister-in-law's close friend.

This is an incredibly hard book to review because I have a strong feeling it is going be very polarizing among readers. Both hero and heroine have incredibly heart-wrenching backstories that really emphasize just how far they have come as adults. Ramsay is a hard, cold, and stuffy hero. You can even say that he's a symbol of the patriarchy — a patriarchal symbol that is eventually brought to his knees. He is very highhanded and annoying, but he grew on me. He's the kind of hero who doesn't trust women because of his personal experiences and I know that this is a turn off for many readers. Trust me, I usually despise these kinds of heroes and most of the time, they are irredeemable in my eyes. Ramsay is going to piss you off, but his metamorphosis is one that is worth reading. His later interactions with Cecelia and her ward are worth all the annoyance you feel in the beginning. Cecelia is the kind of heroine who says the things that need to be said. She goes head to head with Ramsay and her soft heart is in constant opposition with Ramsay's supposedly hard heart. She stands up for herself and for the things she wants to achieve in life. When I finished the book, I thought: <i>this</i> is how you write a feminist romance with a stuffy and highhanded hero whose belief system is turned on its head. And Kerrigan Byrne does this in a way that stays true to the time period  of the story.

The plot regarding the missing girls is interesting and I think it was well executed overall. I've read some reviews that claim that the plot is messy...and I don't see it. I thought it was well-written and everything made sense in the end. Well, it made sense to me *shrugs* The story did get a bit draggy in the middle and Ramsay's broodiness was getting a tad bit too dramatic. The writing is good for the most part, but there are definitely some cringey and purple-prosy expressions in there that made me scratch my head. I also have an issue with the way the author described an Indian side character as a "lovely-skinned Indian." Girl, just use the word brown-skinned. There is nothing wrong with it. I have brown skin and so do others of Indian descent. Seriously, people. We call ourselves brown lol.

P.S. Ramsay's superhero physical strength is equally scary and sexy 🥵

The Red Rogues are still as thick as ever. They honour the pact they made after a tragic occurrence when they were young students.

This time, we go on Cecelia's journey. Her childhood was not a happy one, but now that she is shaping her own life, she is content. Despite all the struggles and mockery that she has endured, she remains cheerful.

Ramsay has been betrayed in the past and he doesn't trust women. As far as he is concerned, they use their sexuality as a weapon to get what they want.

Thinking the worse of Cecelia, he is rude and abrupt to begin with, until he knows the truth about her. Their interactions are not very warming until her life is in danger. His views about her soon change, but will he see all women in a different light?

They have a lot of ups and downs, but their love is fierce. The concept is great and full of suspense. Certain aspects of the story can be unsettling, but overall it's a rewarding read.

This is a great book which is well written with great characters and storyline. Ramsey is the Lord Chief Justice who finds his match with Cecelia Teague. Both have had a horrible childhood which has made them who they are and have not uncommon than either of them realize.
Ramsey is determined to bring down the gambling establishment she inherited.from her aunt until Cecelia along with her wards life become threatened by an unknown enemy. Ramsey will do everything he can to protect them even if it is from himself.

This was a great entertaining read and will not disappoint . I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to get an E-ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a wonderful follow up to the first book in the series.
Kerrigan Byrne has done is yet again!

I truly love how the Red Rouges have risen from the trauma of their childhood with the kind guidance of Jean-Yves and have gone on to continue to be their accomplished.
In book 1 we saw Alex marry her grumpy, scarred duke so it only makes sense that his large grumpy Scotsman of a brother falls for her soft yet strong friend Cecelia.

I loved the fact that we really got to delve into Ramsey's backstory and how his parents have failed him led to him being this rigid man who sees life in black and white and lives in a way to be seen as above reproach.
In contrast, Cecelia's backstory and hardships have made her even more open and loving and kind.
Sunshine + Grump = sparks.

Their conflict is as much about his perception of her and the world of vice she has inherited as it is about their complicated feelings about love, family and abandonment.

They don't spend much time apart in this book which is very necessary to propel Ramsey's personal growth. Cecelia is a fleshed out person with her own desires and direction and so as much as this story is about their love, Ramsey is the one that has to do the most of the emotional work on page to believe himself worthy of love and also that their conflicting lifestyles can mesh together.

The intimate scenes were also banging. The barely restrained passion he had coupled with her eagerness to touch and be touched by him? Explosive.

All in all, it was a wonderful read and I would definitely recommend it to a friend.

CW for book: mention of past rape, murder on page and mentioned in the past, kidnapping, mention of past suicide, mention of alcoholic parent

The first book in this series might be one of my favorite books in the world, and this one is a very close second. The romance between Ramsey and Cecilia grew so authentically, the one thing I wished we got to see more of was the Red Rogues themselves. I think it started to set up the next book, only because not very many characters were introduced. Did I want more? Of course. I was hoping for an epilogue like in the first book, but still amazing.

What an absolutely amazing read!!!


Cecelia lived her life alone, hated and despised, tortured for being what she could not control. Years later her life has changed, but those things that were damaged still hover in the background of her psyche. I loved that she was fiercely independent, so sweet and kind, and yet to know her no one would ever recognize that she was broken. Her interactions with Ramsay had me cheering her on as she stood up to him without ever faltering.


Ramsay was a grumpy, stern, and intractable hero. He’s got a past that has left its own mark and has created the man that refuses to yield to anything that does not stand up to his moral high ground. Watching him with Cecelia had me experiencing pretty much every emotion. Having his point of view and reading exactly how her presence affected him was spectacular as it fed my own love for a strong hero who can only see the heroine.


This has a plot with twists and turns as the mystery is revealed which left me gasping with surprise. The growth of this couple’s relationship was actually quite beautiful as they each find a form of healing in the process. Add in that their chemistry was absolutely off the charts and even them adding to their characters, and I was completely enthralled.


A perfect enemies-to-lovers read with characters that will win your heart!

This enemies to lovers/age-gap had me hooked from the very beginning! The storyline was well written and the characters were so well defined that I was totally glued to my kindle until the very last page!

This book was amazing. I can't get over how much I loved this book. The friendship between Cecelia and her friends is one of the best friendships I have seen in a while for a series. Ramsay was electric. I loved them as a couple and I think this series is phenomenal.

*I recieved a copy of All Scot and Bothered from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review*

This is the first book I've ever read from Kerrigan Bryne but it most certainly will not he the last!

I enjoyed this book from page one, I could not put it down. I was swept right into the book and felt as if I was truly apart of it until the very end. This book is packed full of mystery, adventure, intrigue and undeniable chemistry. I loved I the twists and turns. The way the two main characters, despite their differences, worked together to make good prevail was both wonderful and entertaining at times. Ms Bryne has a wonderful way with words, thank you for a wonderful book!

This book was off the charts for me. I loved the story, it was easy to connect with the characters and feel for them, and the intrigue kept me turning the pages.

I usually read books for the men. It's what makes romance great for me. I did read for Ramsey for sure, but Cecilia Teague had an equally dramatic story. She was a plus-size lady, intelligent, wore glasses, had spent much of her life humiliated, shamed, and lonely. Yet she faced life with optimism, a smile, and good nature. She took on every task handed to her, including a gaming hell she'd inherited from her murdered aunt.

Enter Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, Cassius Gerard Ramsey or just Ramsey. He was strung as tight as a bow. He had no mercy or leniency in his bones. Not one iota. He was on the case of missing little girls being sold into the sex trade and was convinced that Cecilia Teague was involved in it. He was determined to bring her down and hard! He didn't try to hide the fact that he hated her and everything she stood for. He was wrought with anger, self-righteousness, and piousness and Lord help the person who dared to cross him. But he has a story of his own that left me breathless and even a little teary.

Ramsey and Cecilia were on a collision course with destiny. She thought she was unworthy. He thought he was above reproach and wouldn't stoop to the level of befriending a gaming hell owner that he thought was selling little girls and running a brothel at the same time. He had the law to uphold and a reputation to look after. But he couldn't deny his attraction to her, no matter what her sins were.

This is pretty much an enemies-to-lovers trope. It isn't exactly a trope I love, but this one worked so well in so many ways. There were more than a few surprises. I loved Ramsey and Cecilia alone and I loved them together. I loved how they worked together for the common good, worked out their pasts together, how he admired her voluptuousness and her mind, how she forgave him even when he was at his worst. It took a lot for both of them to see the other for who they were rather than what they were. I knew they were going to get their happily ever after. I just didn't know how they were going to pull it off.

There were plenty of sighs, feels, and some steam that kept me up at night, had me shushing everybody in the house, and buying pizza for dinner. It grabbed me from the beginning and kept me for the entirety of the book.

This is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The second book in the Devil You Know series didn't grab me and hold my attention as well as the first book, but was still an enjoyable read. I feel like this book was necessary, though, to set up the third book. I enjoyed that Cecelia was confident and full-figured. Ramsey was intriguing in the first book and I was looking forward to see how his character developed in this book. The typical angst that is explored by this author was present, and of course there is a happily ever after/happy for now ending.

All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know, #2) by Kerrigan Byrne ..Love this series.. This one has it all..the damaged hero and heroine ...danger, deception, intrigue, tears, laughter, close friends, love/hate and lots of steamy stuff all getting us to a very HEA.

All Scot and Bothered is an entertaining identity hidden not really mistaken story by Kerrigan Byrne. Two strong cunning and at times ruthless characters match wits in life and love. To find the attraction so strong between them is interesting when they seem on opposite poles of business ethics.

What should have been a man’s world in history has been taken over in Ms. Byrne’s book by rogue heroines. Don’t you just love this idea? Then the fact that the heroes find that they will do anything for the heroine even when they would have sworn such a thing would never happen to them.

Such a fun read escape to Cecelia’s world with her troubles which you know will reach a satisfying conclusion by the end of the book. For just a little while, the troubles of today which seem more complicated and not so quickly solved any more can be put aside with a wonderful escapism romance, All Scot and Bothered.

An ARC of the book was given to me which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There's a lot to like about this book. Lots of passion, intriguing plot, Jean-Ives. The non-romance part of the plot is perhaps a little messy but overall an interesting mystery to be solved. I loved seeing Alex and Redmayne.

I wanted to like Cecelia more than I did. I was excited to read about a full-figured heroine and that part did not disappoint. I just felt like she sort of just went along with everything too easily? Like within minutes of finding out more about her inheritance she was in full costume successfully holding off a police raid without understanding why, then swore her undying loyalty to a hugely problematic business/school because her aunt whom she’d never met left it to her?It was unrealistic.

I did like Ramsay, though he went well past lovable grump into total asshole territory pretty often. It was hard to imagine why Cecelia would put up with him after the terrible things he said to her, but I guess that happens in real life too. By the end of the book I at least understood his intentions and why he acted like that.

The steamy scenes were very steamy, though there weren’t many of them and they happened late into the book.

I have a H-U-G-E problem with the cover of this book. Cecelia is described as overweight consistently throughout the book, not just in passing. Chubby, round, generous, plump, etc. SO WHY IS THE MODEL ON THE COVER SKINNY? WHY IS IT NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHARACTER? This is such a missed opportunity to represent a large portion of the population who doesn’t have skinny yoga toned arms. Why would you write/publish a book about a plus sized heroine but not care enough to advertise that? It’s so disappointing and frustrating.

He’s Cassius Ramsay, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. She’s Cecelia Teague, proper lady and owner of a gambling establishment left to her by her Aunt. His mission is investigating London’s most notorious gaming hell that happens to be owned by Cecelia. She tries to keep her other life secret from Ramsay but of course cannot.
This story is somewhat unbelievable. Cecelia has no idea how to run a gaming hell but decides to do so. Ramsay has been investigating the place for years and has no idea who owns it. It turns out that there is something even more sinister going on and neither had any idea about it. I’m not a big fan of the large difference in age between the main characters either.

I truly love everything that Kerrigan Byrne writes, so I was going into All Scot and Bothered with very high expectations. Though it took me a little while to get into the groove with this story, I'm happy to report that it fully won me over in the end.

The plot threw me for a loop, as it's... complicated, to say the least. I was trying to figure out how all of these unbelievable pieces would fit together. Sure, I think it got overly muddled at times, but I eventually got into the groove of things and became immersed in these characters.

Kerrigan Byrne writes characters with Angst, that's right, capital A. Her characters usually have to crawl their way back from hell, and I liked that she pulled no punches with this story. Both of these MCs have suffered in the past, and it made their happiness that much sweeter.

I absolutely love that we got a curvaceous heroine. Not someone who has a little extra meat on her bones, but a thick woman with curves for days. It's what I needed in my life. And the hero loves every inch of her and craves a woman like that. Yes, please! I also adored the enemies-to-lovers plotline, and the uptight male MC who was hiding a passionate soul. Just the type of characters I love to read about.

Put aside some of your logic to make the plot work and you'll be a happy camper, just like me. I swear, Kerrigan Byrne can do no wrong.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

I was pretty close to rounding up on this one but couldn't quite tip it over the edge. But this was still a fun read.

"He said he and I were similar souls. It was though he could see parts of himself in me."
"I can guess which parts."

I found I got off to a bit of a rough start with this because we're thrown into a weird situation out of nowhere, alongside one of our MCs, but while she got some answers along the way, I still felt it took too long to settle into the goings on. Likewise, I felt it dragged just as things started to really settle. But then near the end? I was crying. I was moved. And then wham bam we had lots of action and reveals, ma'am. Things wrap up pretty quick, in fairly predictable ways -- though we had a delightful tease and set-up for book three -- but I was still feeling those earlier lovelier feels.

"I am a woman, Ramsay, I am used to pain."

Jean-Yves is the star of this show, yes he is. I want a devoted French butler, please.

"Are you all willing to resort to violence?"
"No."
"Yes."
"Only if strictly necessary."

This series is definitely a highlight when it comes to strong female characters but also fantastic female friendships. The depths the author gives these Red Rogues is just delightful. I was really happy with the dimension Byrne had given to book one's hero but found this one a bit less memorable and a little more typical and/or standard for HR. That said, I think we're going to get a change-up when it comes to the next man in this round up (or at least I hope so!). And with that said..

Looking forward to book three.

3.5 stars

Ohhh wow what an amazing read. I haven’t felt emotions like this in a long time. This author out does herself in each book. She reminds me of Johanna Lindsey. Such originality and what a wonder page turner. Can’t wait for tbt next one

I thought this was a really good second book for this series. Did I want more from the plot and overall character development of some characters? Yes. But this did follow the character I really wanted to read from, Cecelia, the curvy one the The Red Rogues. Loved how she fired backed at Ramsay for being a misogynous pig and telling him she should be worth more to him than what his career is. I will be leaving trigger warning in my Goodreads review for anybody who needs to see them.

Not just a romance novel, To Catch an Earl is a crime thriller where the criminal is the HEROINE!
•
•
From the beginning, readers are drawn in by the mysterious beginning to Emmy Danvers and Alex Harland’s relationship (some stolen, heated kisses in the garden of a masquerade ball). You’ll be pulled in by this dalliance, but you’ll stay for the suspenseful jewel heists, the clever detective work, and the cat and mouse game played by our Bow Street hero and feisty (yet not all together “bad”) heroine thief.
•
•
My blood pounded from the pilfering plots, the thrill of a chase, and of course the romantic interludes.