Cecelia Teague, saved from a tumultuous childhood by a mysterious benefactor that has allowed her to live comfortably among the London elite, has learned that her benefactor unexpectedly passed away and left Cecelia a notorious gambling house. Enter Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, Cassius Gerard Ramsay, who has been working tirelessly to rid London of it's vices, including Cecelia's newly inherited 'den of iniquity'. When a raid on the gambling house to find a group of missing girls throws Cecelia and Ramsey into each other's paths, their quarreling and pointed remarks start getting heated and they both find themselves wanting more. This book is for fans of Sarah MacLean and Lisa Klepas.

This ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

Kindly provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review......

Give me a great historical romance and I am hooked. Add me some suspense and that's me in heaven.
This was Ramsey and Cecilia book. Not your immediate H & h matches but as the read went on Kerrigan just made them work.

Cecilia is the light to Ramsey's dark, the ying to his yang and I loved their story.

Great book Kerrigan !!

Many thanks for this opportunity xx

Later peeps xxx

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent historical romance with a complex hero and a brave heroine. Cecelia has had a difficult childhood but grows into a woman determined to view the world in a different light. Ramsay is immediately taken by her beauty and her bright nature. His role as justice makes him naturally suspicious of her especially after young girls begin to disappear and he believes it's from her brothel. They go through many moments of distrust and angst as Ramsay battles to learn to trust and love again. Lots of hot sexy moments and overall worth the read.

An edited version of this review will appear at All About Romance closer to the release date.

All Scot and Bothered
Kerrigan Byrne
September 29, 2020, HR (1850-1900)
St. Martin’s Paperbacks?, ? pages, Amazon ASIN B08472FB6T
Sensuality: Warm
Grade: C-

There are spoilers for How to Love a Duke in Ten Days in this review.

A couple of prefaces to this review:

I barely remember the first book in this series, even after re-reading the blurb, the All About Romance review, and the first chapter. So. There's that.

The series description suggests it is heavily focused on three fiercely independent friends who call themselves the Red Rogues because of their red hair color. Except we get this book blurb for All Scot and Bothered:

They are a dangerous duke, a fierce lord, and an infamous earl—dark, bold, brave men who know exactly what they want. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees…

...and suddenly the series is about three dudes. Also, the blurb is confusing - is this another story about Alexandra? What kind of switcheroo bullshit is this?

I digress. Moving on.

Cassius Gerard Ramsay is a sanctimonious asshole. He had a terrible childhood until his mother married the Duke of Redmayne; he's never forgiven her or stopped believing women are the root of all evil. Now nearing his forties, he's a super wealthy, abstemious, hypocritical bachelor with little patience or kindness, empathy or sympathy. He's also Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, and gets to practice being better and more virtuous than everyone else on a regular basis.

When All Scot and Bothered begins, Ramsay is deeply involved in the investigation of several missing young girls, and trying to learn more about an organization supposedly known as the Crimson Court - a super secret organization of powerful men rumored to be up to their eyeballs in nefarious activities. He’s had his eye on a notorious gaming hell and the woman who runs it, and believes she may be behind the abductions of the young girls. Unfortunately, he finds himself increasingly distracted from his work and life by an altogether different woman, Cecelia Teague, a close friend of his new sister-in-law Alexandra (wife of Piers Gedrick Atherton, Duke of Redmayne - his step-brother), who keeps showing up at the same shindigs.

As a young mathematics prodigy, Cecelia Teague was blamed, belittled and abused by men who didn’t like her, her body or her intelligence. Her father, the local vicar, was the worst of the lot. He regularly locked her in their damp, dark basement without food or water, as an additional form of punishment. She’s just spent two long days locked in the basement when she’s rescued by a glamorous stranger acting on behalf of a mysterious benefactor (say that five times, fast). The stranger tells her the vicar isn’t actually her father, removes her from the vicar’s home, takes her to Paris, and then deposits her at a prestigious boarding school. The mysterious benefactor asks only that Cecelia write regular letters detailing her life.

A lonely Cecelia spends her days with the school gardener, a widower who lost his wife and daughter to the flu. He becomes a pseudo-father figure to her, and then she meets and becomes fast friends with two other girls, Lady Alexandra Lane, and Francesca Cavendish, Countess of Mont Claire. They adopt masculine nicknames and dub themselves the Red Rogues (for their red hair). When Alexandra is raped by their headmaster, and then ‘accidentally’ murders him, the girls conspire with the gardener to hide the body. The murder doesn’t fracture their friendship, it cements it. Afterwards, Cecelia and Francesca confess their own deepest, darkest secrets to Alexandra in solidarity to their friend. When this story begins, they're still deeply in each other's pockets, Alexandra is happily married to Piers, and Cecelia’s life is about to change.

When Celelia is bequeathed Miss Henrietta’s School for Cultured Young Ladies (recognize the name? It’s the same place Sir Carlton Morely and Prudence Goode meet in A Dark and Stormy Knight, Victorian Rebels #7), by the mysterious benefactor, she isn’t sure what to expect. She’s disappointed she never had the chance to meet her (a maternal aunt), shocked that she now owns a gambling hell (with a staff that dabbles in prostitution), and that it doubles as a school for indigent mothers and girls. And she also inherits a young ward, Phoebe, along with a warning never to let her father have her. And her aunt kept a coded notebook with secrets and financial records and...Ahem. Her already overwhelming first visit is interrupted when the Vicar of Vice (you know who he is don’t you?) arrives with a warrant to search the premises. Donning a disguise, the Scarlet Lady meets Lord Ramsay in her new office and bluffs her way through his accusations. No, she doesn’t know anything about the missing girls. No, Miss Henrietta’s isn’t a brothel. No, he won’t find any evidence of wrongdoing.

Cecelia doesn’t know what to do about the Vicar of Vice, and things take a turn after she runs into him at Alexandra’s house and kisses him in the garden. Oops. Determined to run the gambling establishment (because she’s a math prodigy, running a gambling establishment should be easy), and take care of her new ward. Lord Ramsay is enormous and distractingly handsome, but since he hates women and wants to destroy her business, he can never know who she is. Unfortunately, someone tries to blow up the school, and then murder her and Phoebe on the street, and Ramsay learns her secret. Despite his disappointment once he learns who she is (I’m majorly understating this) and his constant state of lust, he takes Cecelia, Phoebe and the gardener and spirits them away to Scotland.

I want to tell you this messy premise finds its footing after Cecelia and Ramsay wind up together with her found family in Scotland...but I can’t. He lusts for her, but won’t fall for a woman who owns a gambling den. Or really, for any woman, because he’s a misogynist who thinks women’s vaginas are the root of all evil. Byrne: Ramsay can be big, burly, hot, sexy, a scottish wizard of the loch and a wolf under his skin, but if he hates women...I can’t ignore it. Except voluptuous, lovely Cecelia. Thankfully, Cecelia is bright and clever and kind and good, and unwilling (too smart) to give up her life so that he feels better about himself and his life choices. She’s been there, done that already. So she sets him straight. Well, right after she gives him the most amazing blowjob of his life, and he blows her mind returning the favor and then after he gets confused because his big cock won’t fit in her vagina because OOPS, SHE’S A VIRGIN WHO HAS NEVER BEEN KISSED BEFORE THE WHOLE GARDEN THING, while her former gardener/pseudo-papa and seven year old ward are sleeping nearby. But after that. Oh, and after that one time they have sex outside. Then. Then she sets him straight. And so does the gardener.

Meanwhile, someone is abducting young girls and trafficking them, someone is trying to kill Cecelia, and maybe, just maybe Ramsay's boss/mentor is a villain. And a twist. Or two!

Reader, I read everything Kerrigan Byrne writes hoping to discover another The Highwayman. Maybe it’s time to give up.

Fantastic Book!

"And I've realized, it was because ye were with me. Cecelia, ye are my happiness."

Kerrigan Byrne has a talent for writing damaged heroes, and strong female characters. These are my favorite types of books. Ramsey is definitely near the top of my favorite Kerrigan Byrne heroes. As a big strong Scot, he was extremely protective of those he considered his own. Cecelia and Ramsey balance each other out perfectly.

I loved how this book had a tie in with her Victorian Rebels series. If you have not read those, you are missing out!

This book, as with the first book in the Devil You Know series will keep you on the edge of your seat. The Ah-ha moment will make your heart stop, and happy tears will be shed.

"Ye did," he murmured. "Ye've ruined me, Cecelia. Ye've dismantled everything I thought I was, everything I've wanted to be. Ye ripped the bits of me that were festering and rotten away from myself, and now I doona ken what I am. Who I am."

It's fairly simple. I love Kerrigan Byrne's writing and her ability to write dynamic, multidimensional characters. She's an instant pre-order author for me. Her books are fabulous and this book is no exception! This is book 2 of the Devil You Know series. It follows three women who attend the same boarding school and form the Red Rogues Society. Book 2 focuses on Cecelia/Cecil.

You meet Cecelia in book 1, but this could be read as a standalone. The hero in this story is Ramsay (also introduced in book 1). Both characters (similar to other Byrne's books) have traumatic pasts. But they've overcome them to a degree and are living through them and past those experiences. There's also a bit of mystery and intrigue here. And Ramsay is a Chief Justice, so he's also an authority figure (hot trope IMO).

Without giving too much away, this book was amazingly brilliant. Ramsay is a bit of a grumpy Scottish man, but lovable. Cecelia is intelligent, bespeckled, and delightful. She's strong, independent, and resourceful. It's lovely too that Cecelia isn't a waif, but nearer to being plus-sized. It's a welcome representation!

I would warn those that this does have some content warnings of childhood trauma, sex, and some language. But, this is typical of Byrne's romance and what I love about her. It's not all sunshine and unicorns. Her writing is never to the point of vulgarity in my opinion. It's essential to her stories.

Can't wait for book 3 and Francesca! Really really hoping this series extends beyond book 3!

I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley but all opinions are my own. I've already pre-ordered a paperback version!

I started All Scot and Bothered without reading the first book in the series. Some fellow romance readers quickly stopped me and made sure I read the series in order and I am so glad! The friendship between the Red Rogues is so much better knowing Alex's story before we get to Cecilia. Cecilia and Ramsey were such a sweet, slow burn and their conflict was exactly what we needed in this second installment. His high moral compass and her newly found scandalous business were the perfect form of opposites attract. I am new to Kerrigan Byrne but am all in now.

I really liked this book. It was fast paced and had really interesting and developed characters - you could see why they acted the way they did which is not always the case. This is the second in a series, but you could absolutely read it on it's own first. I love a historical romance, but I liked that the main trio of women challenge the system in a way that is still believable for the time. Highly recommend.

This book starts out with our heroine as a young child being abused by her would be father, a vicar. As a young woman she is self assured, kind, and extremely intelligent. She meets the hero, Cassius Gerard Ramsay, through her close friend and they get tossed together trying to solve a heinous crime. Both have suffered greatly growing up and it affects their interactions with others and their relationships. As they come to know each other their barriers are tested and their hearts become entangled. They must face their fears to come out ahead of their enemies.
This was an engaging read with strong characters and intense scenes. I was impressed with it and loved the ending. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.

Second in the series, this book starts in a really dark place. This book covers some heavy topics like human trafficking and child abuse, but it doesn't detract from the romance. Ramsey is hard to warm up to at first, but his connection with Cecilia is undeniable. Alexandra and Francesca play smaller roles in this book, but the real stars to me were Phoebe and Jean Yves and the way their storylines tie in was great.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc.

LOVE LOVE LOVE KERRIGAN BYRNE! Cassius Ramsey is frozen. Cecelia Teague has everything he wants but refuses to let himself have. Their attraction is super hot and he fights himself every step of the way. Cecelia's so awesome, he can't help but melt for her. This was such a great historical romance with an extraordinary heroine and a great twisty plot. I am so looking forward to Frank's book!

I really didn't care so much for the writing but the story kept my attention. It was entertaining and the characters were interesting.

Ramsey and Cecilia have both had very tough childhoods. They both have let it affect them differently. Ramsey is hard and tough. Cecilia is soft and sweet. When Ramsey’s job has him investigating her both their lives end up turning upside down. Story is full of mystery, murder and romance.

Love a smart heroine. Cecilia is smart, brave(even though she's scared).
Ramsey takes a while to warm up to. Very rigid and by the book. Love when the hero has to work for it.
Sex trafficking, betrayal, friendship

Where's the 6 star option when you need it? Yes, it's that good! All Scot And Bothered is a fantastic historical romance by Kerrigan Byrne. Ms. Byrne has provided readers with another well-written book. The characters in this story....oh my! Spectacular. And who wouldn't want a little Phoebe of their own? Cecelia was whisked away from the man that abused her. She was sent to school where she met her two best friends. Ramsay is the brother-in-law of one of her friends. Ramsay and Cecelia's story is packed with drama, humor, sexy bits, action and suspense. I loved every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Kerrigan Byrne soon. All Scot And Bothered is book 2 of the Devil You Know Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kerrigan Byrne is known for her emotionally layered historical romances. Though the title's play on words speaks of a comedic flavor, the story itself is dark and complicated; as most of her stories are, taking root from abuse and violence. Intelligent protagonists square off with witty dialogue and intense sexuality as the slow burn romance arises from the seeds of the story line. Part of a larger arc, All Scot and Bothered is the 2nd book in Byrne's Devil You Know series that follows a trio of women who, along with a guardian of sorts, find love while hiding a secret that could destroy them all.

Lokking forward to book 3- The Devil In Her Bed

So... This book started off great. I was loving it but then it just kept losing steam and by the time I got to the end I wasn't so in love with it any more. But never mind that, if you ever need a book that'll satisfy your need of happy ending then this is it.
Kerrigan Byrne has woven another well written story and All Scot and Bothered is a good addition to the Devil You Know series and I quite enjoyed it but it still can't compare to the first book in this series that got 5 stars from me. I really enjoyed the characters of Cecelia and Ramsay right from the start and I enjoyed how they fought themselves and each other. I especially liked Cecelia. She was the best thing about this book. She was such an amazing character. She's funny, smart, protective, determined, and fiercely loving. She absolutely made this story for me, I loved her so damn much and it was nearly impossible not to. It doesn't happen often that I like the heroine of the story more than the hero so this is proof how loveable she was. I just wish the love between her and Ramsay was more obvious. I didn't really feel it. There was attraction and lust for sure, but I didn't feel the love right up to the end. Otherwise I really enjoyed this story but also I felt the ending was rushed and it took away from the story. It felt lacking. This book had all the makings of a perfect book but it got lost somewhere in there for some reason. I don't know what special spark was missing, but this story was good but not amazing. Still worth reading though, it was far from bad. So, not perfect but still a very good entry.

Have you ever met someone that you felt an immediate pull, a strong affinity towards? I have and it’s an interesting feeling. That’s the type of thing we get to watch unfold with this upcoming story.

Cecelia has an interesting background and has no relatives to speak of until she is told she’s inherited a huge empire that includes what appears to be a house of gambling and ill repute.

Head spinning, she also finds she is the keeper of secrets and has a most unpleasant a run-in with the Vicar of Vice. Soon she finds herself in a love-hate quandary.

Byrne is a master at historical romance that offers a unique tale to be devoured with the tangible escalation of passion-filled foreplay. The heated exchanges will spoil you against any other guy.

But Ramsey is a bit slow on the uptake. But then again the big guys always fall the hardest and Byrne creates the perfect offset to Cecelia.

Action filled romance at it’s finest with twists you never saw coming, All Scot and Bothered is a fun, yet heated book you will just fall for!

This is a story of Cecilia and Ramsey who have been cruelly raised and must learn to trust again. I liked that a crime brings them together. I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my honest review

This story grabbed my attention immediately! Cecilia's life as a youngster was horrible, but her sweet nature was stronger than all the abuse. Ramsey also had a horrible childhood but he has grown into a cold, hard man.

No spoilers here! This story has such great secondary characters, wonderful friends, and terrible villains.

I couldn't put this book down and kept hoping our heroes would survive! Now i can't wait for the next story of this seriez!