A great romance! Violet does not put up with Alaistair's self-flagellation and is an overall baddie. Cannot wait for the sequel!

Gosh I just love finding swoon worthy debut novels!

Set in the 1850s, Violet Goodwin has worked hard to become a nurse when most women did not consider having employment. She travels to London as she’s promised to be a companion to her cousin Catherine for her second season. Which is fine with her, as she has no plans to marry herself.

Alistair Crawford has retired as a sea Captain, down on his luck and trying to start anew with developing a shipping trade company. But when he runs into Violet, whom he met three years before at a party, he is reminded of their undeniable chemistry and almost kiss.

I LOVED this! There is nothing better than a strong, intelligent, and courageous FMC in a historical romance novel.

Cannot wait for Book 2 in this series!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Kay K. Denner, and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel. All opinions are my own.

4.5-ish stars, rounded up.

If you're a sucker for second-chance romance with a disillusioned hero trying so hard to get it right and a trail blazing heroine committed to her cause, Again, Scoundrel delivers.

Violet Goodwin is the kind of historical heroine I’ll never get tired of—smart, principled, and determined to save the world (or at least maternal healthcare in Victorian London). She’s not here for fluff or flirtation. She’s here to work. And her emotional armor is thick. But then in strolls Alistair Crawford—former naval officer, current rake with a rapidly crumbling façade. He’s nursing a boatload of guilt, trauma, and daddy issues, and to cope, he's been drinking, gambling, and making some truly poor life choices.

Enter: one “fake” courtship with ulterior motives, one emotionally loaded reunion, and a St. Giles clinic day that hits like a ton of emotional bricks.

The character growth is what makes this shine. Violet must learn that rigid plans and guilt-fueled missions aren’t the only path to healing. Alistair’s arc is even more poignant—he starts off untethered, but by the end, he’s choosing purpose, compassion, and love. The “I’ll change my entire future to support yours” energy from him? Immaculate.

Bonus points for the strong sense of place and time: the 1850s setting feels alive, and the medical backdrop adds richness. The stakes are personal, grounded, and deeply felt. Violet’s commitment to science and care is never diminished for romance—it’s part of the romance.

Also? Let’s hear it for rakes who grow. Alistair doesn’t just pine prettily—he works on himself, and his love for Violet is rooted in respect, understanding, and a need to be worthy of her.

This romance earns its HEA through emotional honesty and hard-won growth. I devoured it in a day and can't wait for book 2.