While the overall story was fairly entertaining there were elements that missed the mark. The two main characters had good on page chemistry but the romance was definitely PG and not particularly steamy and the relationship seemed to stall near the end with the story losing a lot of momentum as a result.

I really enjoyed this. I appreciated how independent Charlotte was and how fiercely protective Blayne was. There was a lot happening, but for myself, it worked, adding to the drama and the adventure. It wasn't as sensual as one might expect with just glimmers of seduction - a lot of chemistry, but not a lot of actual passionate scenes (only one, actually, that I recall beyond some encounters set short. I was okay with that, but it was unexpected. It was the perfect pick me up on a gloomy day.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC :)

After being accosted on a visit to her publisher, Charlotte Russell decides the best option she can take is to hire a bodyguard. Upon meeting Blayne MacNeil, she knows he is perfect for the job. Sadly, Charlotte’s father has plans for her future which involves her married to a rich American. To avoid the impending match, Charlotte announces she’s already engaged.....to Blayne.

Charlotte as a character was great! As an author, she is intelligent, well-spoken, and independent. Her family, who are part of the aristocracy, aren’t aware of her writing career, but she still hopes to live out her future alone and just writing all day. Blayne on the other hand has spent the last 19 years going by an assumed name to avoid his past and the law. He's rough around the edges but has his hidden depths. Both of the characters work well together and are very likable.

Sophie Barnes truly is a great writer. I have read many of her works before (and most of this series). This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but of course, many characters tend to cross over. Overall, this book did not disappoint. The storytelling is well done and exciting. Her writing is extremely visual and rousing as well. One thing I did note is that there was a decided lack of steamy scenes, especially compared to Barnes’ previous work. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing! I think there may have just been too much plot happening to even try including them. There were probably about 5 different plotlines. I don’t think all of them were necessary, but I didn’t mind it.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Liked all the other books in the series I really enjoyed this one.
Charlotte has been writing novels under a pseudonym and now needs someone to serve as protection into the speedier parts of the city.
Blayne wants nothing than to own a small plot of land where he can grow his plants and serving as Charlotte's bodyguard will get him that much closer.
But Blayne has a secret he is keeping and when he is forced to pretend to be a fiancé he can't help falling for Charlotte and vice versa.
I love Blayne. He was sweet and kind. I also liked Charlotte's independence.
Can't wait for what comes next.

It's the first time I've read a Regency Romance that keeps me glued to the story page after page.
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The characters have great chemistry between them that makes the story flow without falling into the hackneyed or expected plot twist.
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Blaney has a past that haunts him and Charlotte has a secret to protect, they both know each other minds and are clear about their ambitions and what they want for their future but their attraction to each other makes them act without remorse and step in to the other life.
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I was surprised that there were so many elements and it kept me interested until the end. The characters have well planted minds making one understand their conflicts and dilemmas without fail, it really is the first Regency writer who makes me understand why there are so many passionate readers of this genre.
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It was my first Sophie Barnes book but not the last, i'll be looking forward to read more works from her
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Thanks to BookBuzz.net and Sophie Barnes to give me the chance to read this great book in exchange for my honest review

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Charlotte Russell lives a double life. She is a Viscount's daughter and a novelist who writes about scandalous adventures. She hires Blayne MacNeil to protect her when she goes into the seedier parts of London, and when her manuscript for her newest novel goes missing she enlists his help locating the culprit.

I really struggled to get into this book. I'm not sure if it was that Charlotte wasn't super likeable until the middle of the book. She came off a little pompous expecting Blayne to just go along with her schemes. After about the 50 percent mark, it got immensely better. I think the plot was dragged down by the secrets too much, and the fact you didn't get a lot of information about Blayne's secret until the very end. It didn't feel really integral to the story.

I thought that Sophie's writing is really engaging, but I think my lack of connection with the characters is what really stopped this from being a winner with me.

I loved this book. The characters are very colorful. Charlotte is a young lady who has figured out how to get what she wants within the boundaries of society. Blayne is a wounded hero worthy of a woman’s love. The two find their way to each other through a series of misadventures, some of their own making. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Both of them intend to avoid marriage.
Charlotte pens outrageous novels that are best-selling under a pen name that is male. She intended to never marry and live in a cottage as a spinster.
Blayne agrees to be her body guard the is roped into becoming her fake fiance. Will this be the death of him?
Sophia Barnes writes a scintillating novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I haven't read the other books in the series but after this one I am going to back track and read the others. I really enjoyed this book. Although it was slow in parts the pace did quick up at times in the story. The plot touches on the era very well and highlights how times have changed now.

This book should be called "My Scandalous Scot" or "10 Scandals too Many" as it suffers from an EXTREME excess of plot and also a disappointing lack of sex scenes.

Plots too many include: a reticule robbery (never solved), stolen manuscripts, a family on the brink of financial ruin that must be saved, an unwanted arranged marriage that must be averted, a reporter that must be thwarted, a ruined wedding that must be salvaged, an accused murderer who must be aquitted, a villainous uncle who must be thwarted, a bullet taken by the wrong person (Nooooo! Charlotte has bragged she's so great with a gun - let her finally get to put up or shut up and shoot the shooter!),

OMG it was all just too much. Charlotte and Blayne should've taken her publisher Avery (and maybe a runner and a lawyer) with them to vouch for Charlotte's identity as "Charles Cunningham" at their FIRST meeting with the new illegal publisher. Case Closed.

The whole part with the newspaper reporter catching them should be left out completely and there should be confession of feelings and a sex scene there.

Also, Blayne doesn't get his name cleared and his inheritance in the end?! Disappointing. I kind of think if we're going to do all this arresting Blayne at the wedding and standing trial for murder, we should leave the whole Mr. Cooper marriage plot out or vice versa and either way he should get his birthright!

The one and only sex scene needs to be spiced up and lengthened, it is the payoff of this whole mess and it's a let down.

Good news is -- I did like the main characters (her parents and his parents and his uncle all suck though). Charlotte is a kindly spinster authoress, who brags she can shoot (prove it!). Blayne is a tough guy with a chewy center who likes books and plants.

It was very disappointing that Blayne's "best friend" the Duke couldn't take a week to help his buddy avoid the noose! I mean he had months before the baby was born so that was a LAME excuse on his part.

Also, I reported it to the publishers, but I believe in Chapter 7, Charlotte outs Blayne as "Mr. MacNeil" when sassing Lady W and her mother at the ball. She should've called him "Mr. Wright" because that was the fake fiance name they were using at that point. Otherwise her mom should've said "Who? Who is Mr. MacNeil?" and exposed the lie then (Mr. Cooper's spying would not be needed then).

I think this is just too much (and too little in way of sexiness) for one book. Maybe half of this plot can go into another one?

I absolutely adored this book and am so excited to have it on my Favorite Books of 2021 list! It's got all of the things I love - class difference, fake engagement, and a bit of murder thrown in for added drama. Oh, and did I mention the secret identity? So many amazing tropes in one book, and it all came together so nicely. Although this is the seventh (!) book in the series, and the first one I have read, I had no trouble getting to know the old characters and understanding where the hero is coming from with his backstory. It made me really interested in reading the previous six books, which I am sure are just as entertaining as this one. There's something about the way Sophie Barnes wrote the hero and heroine that made me wish they were real - and when I want to jump into a book to meet the characters, I know the book is a keeper!

Blayne MacNeil has a plan. He is going to take the money he saved up over the years, buy some land in the country, and have a quiet life with the freedom to do what he loves. Of course, that was his plan, until he met Charlotte Russell. You see, Charlotte has an entirely different plan in mind for Blayne. One that involves him going by a completely different name, Mr. Wright, a fake engagement to keep her parents' eligible suitor at bay, and a future as a successful novelist living as a spinster somewhere until she's old and gray. She comes into Blayne's life with a sort of wild fervor, and while she finds her deceit regrettable, it is necessary. As they are forced into each other's company to maintain the charade, Blayne finds himself more and more committed to protecting Charlotte. He wants her to be happy, safely settled, and without the shackles of an arranged marriage. Marriage to him is impossible, as he has been on the run. For the last twenty years. For murder. Not that he plans on Charlotte, or anyone else, finding out. Ah, the best laid plans...

I loved Blayne and Charlotte so much, there are not enough words to express my adoration of them both. Blayne was a sweetheart, protective of Charlotte and unafraid to be candid with her in his thoughts. It was hilarious in the beginning, as he had no intention of going along with her schemes, and then he found himself roped into them anyway. His friends' reactions were also funny, and it made me want to read their stories, to get to know them better as well. Charlotte was an amazingly strong woman, with great awareness of herself and her strengths. She understood when she was wrong and she fought for herself when she was right. Her secret employment as an author was inspiring, and I felt as devastated as she did when things went wrong. And then I loved Blayne all the more for his reaction to learning who she was. Oh, and Blayne enjoys plants and books. When I tell you I literally sighed when I read that about him, I am not lying. Was there ever a more adorable hero created? And I'll go farther, was there ever a more adorable couple? I'm sure there are contenders, but Blayne and Charlotte are definitely at the top of my list.

Sophie Barnes gives us a hint at the end of the book who the next hero will be, and I'm so excited to read his story! Now I just need to go back and read the first six books while I wait...

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**

I received "Her Scottish Scoundrel" from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Charlotte Russell is in need of a bodyguard because she sometimes visits a not so nice place in town for personal reasons so she decides to hire one from the Black Swan, a tavern. Blayne MacNeil happens to be the owner of Black Swan and is stunned by the audacity as well as the courage of Miss Russell to stand up for herself while interviewing candidates at his bar. He volunteers himself at the end, and then there are a series of unexpected lies that they keep building on to hide their true identities and their pasts. I absolutely loved the wit, humor and banter in this fabulous story. Sophie Barnes has done an extraordinary job in weaving this tale while incorporating love, romance and mystery.

I've always felt like Sophie Barnes does an excellent job with characters and their dialogue, and that made Her Scottish Scoundrel such a fun read! Charlotte is an secret adventure novel writer who needs a bodyguard, and hires Blayne, a big Scottish hunk. Then, through a few unfortunate circumstances, he ends up having to pretend to be engaged to her to keep her from marrying a rich American who only wants a titled wife.

The lost book mystery was a fun change of pace from other historical romances. I liked its originality. I really liked Blayne, but he was kind of a generic Scottish hero. I know his background is a secret, but I think he should've had more background up front. At least enough to get me interested in him as a person.

Charlotte, on the other hand, was an absolute joy! I'm used to feisty heroines, but she had a brazen gumption that I ADORED. She wouldn't take no for an answer, loves to write, and loves Blayne fiercely and quickly. I also LOVE her reaction to her father's rejection of Blayne. That takes guts and I was so proud of her. She is everything I want in a heroine.

*Given an ARC by Netgalley for an honest review.*

He had a dark past and knew he would spend his life in hiding until he became a body guard to the beauty sitting in his club. She wants nothing to do with marriage but her family had other ideas. This story will have you up all night. Can't wait for the next book in series.

Twists and turns abound in this lovely historical romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of strong independent woman and her Scottish rogue. With unexpected plot Twists throughout, Her Scottish Scoundrel keeps the reader guessing.

This was a great book for anyone who enjoys the fake fiance trope, strong women, and past life drama. It has a great plot and solid character building. Truly a delightful romance.

Her Scottish Scoundrel is the seventh book in the Diamonds in the Rough series. This tells the story of high-born Charlotte, a woman who just wants to be a novelist, and Blayne, a Scottish tavern owner with a secret past. Charlotte initially hired Blayne to be a protective guard as she travels through the city, but upon learning her parents have brought a suitor from America to marry her, she tells them that Blayne is actually her fiancé, because ultimately she has no intention of ever marrying. Over the course of the book, the two get to know each other with a series of mishaps, run-ins with those in society who look down on Blayne, a robbery, and some sneaky kisses. Just when they think they might be able to have a HEA, Blayne’s past arrives in an attempt to ruin everything.

I would rate this 3.5 stars overall. I liked both Charlotte and Blayne as characters, and the plot was interesting. I felt their love story grew at a good pace, though I was frustrated there were what I felt to be an excessive number of parts of this book that were “three days later” or “ten days later” where it was briefly hinted that the two spent time getting to know each other, but the reader did not get to experience it. Also, I wish the ending after the climax was more in depth as well. It seemed to just wrap things up in a very surface way.

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

Hidden secrets and longings of the heart—Blayne and Charlotte take us through a page turning journey to find both. Of course it is the character of each that truly captures your devotion. Who doesn’t love a scoundrel with a compassionate heart or a lady restricted by society who breaks free? Of course, I’ve never read anything by Sophie Barnes that didn’t inspire me snd leave me in my happy place!

Blayne MacNeil has been hiding in plain sight for nearly 20 years because of an event that took place in his youth that involved his father. He runs a tavern in St. Giles and keeps a low profile to keep the law from finding him. Miss Charlotte Russell has a secret of her own and needs a bodyguard to help protect her when she visits her publisher. Her parents have no idea about her writing and plan to marry her off to a wealthy American industrialist. Charlotte is horrified and enlists Blayne to play her fake fiance as well as her bodyguard. When their worlds start to collide, can they protect each other from the worst happening?

I really enjoyed this book and loved that Charlotte was a writer and had a bestseller. She has never wanted to marry enjoying her independence too much. She plans to buy a cottage in the country when she's saved enough except love has a way of thwarted all plans. Blayne was such a stand-up guy who helped Charlotte with everything and had no intention of falling in love with her. I immediately knew who the villain was when Charlotte's publishing company was robbed and her latest manuscript stolen and didn't care for the resolution of that subplot. I also prefer to have an epilogue about the couple and not a preview of the next book. Those 2 criticisms brought the book down to 4 stars for me although neither dampened my enjoyment of the overall story. Ms. Barnes throws enough twists and turns into the story that kept me turning the pages.

Charlotte Russell is a writer, who publishes under an alias who plans to never marry. One day after collecting her earnings from her publishing home is robbed, so she decides she needs a bodyguard and Blayne MacNeil is the perfect person for
the job.
But when she's informed by her parents that they set her marriage with an American businessman, she promotes Blayne to her fiancé.

I really enjoyed this book, even though on some parts I felt the pace was a bit rushed. Charlotte and Blayne were great leading characters. Both of them sacrificed something important for each other but in the end they were rewarded.

This my first book of the author and I'm planning on reading the rest of the series as well.
I received a free ARC and these are my honest opinions.