Giveaway and Review: "How to Seduce a Scoundrel"

"How to Seduce a Scoundrel"
 by Vicky Dreiling

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: July 1, 2011

Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
 

Summary from goodreads.com:

When Lady Julianne Gatewick realizes the rake of her dreams thinks of her as practically his sister, she decides it's time to get even. The charming Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, is every lady's fantasy, but he's determined to evade virgins and their matrimonial traps - especially his best friend's sister.

Hawk reluctantly agrees to be Julianne's guardian for the season, but he's having trouble resisting his gorgeous ward. Worse still, she's taunting him by flirting with every scoundrel in London - and he's sworn to protect her! Certain she's learned her tricks from the authoress of that scandalous publication "The Secrets of Seduction", Hawk sets out to uncover the writer's identity. But he never expects to find the formerly angelic Julianne behind the mask - and between his sheets.

My Review:

I really loved the first book in this series, "How to Marry a Duke." It was witty, fun, and had a sweet romance with great characters. Maybe I had my hopes set too high, but this installment fell flat for me. 

The parts I enjoyed the most starred the supporting characters, mostly Julianne's friends from the first book, Amy and Georgette. I also loved Aunt Hester and I had a real soft spot for the young 'cub', Osgood. As for the leads, I liked Julianne but I didn't like Hawk and really didn't buy their relationship.

The difference in maturity between the leads was a big hurdle for me. Usually, I'm a fan of different ages in relationships but this time it came down to maturity. I'm with Julianne's brother, Tristan, on this- Julianne isn't ready for marriage. She was extremely naive and sheltered and spent most of her time at slumber parties with her bff's. I loved those scenes, but it just made Julianne seem so young. Then Hawk was so controlling of her every move. He nixed other men as her beaux because he thought they would take advantage of her and then he did the same exact thing! To me, Hawk just came across as sleazy and taking advantage of a young girl.

Hawk was supposed to have reformed, but he never seemed to do anything especially honorable in my opinion. Just because he stopped taking mistresses doesn't mean he's that great of a catch.

Is it just me, or was some of the advice in the pamphlet a little outdated as to gender roles? I'm not a fan of "The Rules" and I'm not sure how empowering to women it is to trick your man into marriage. At least the sweet, innocent, and awkward Osgood agrees with me on this!


Main Characters: 3/5 (Julianne 4, Hawk 2)
Supporting Characters: 4/5

Setting: 3/5

Romance: 2/5

Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5



Bottom Line: This one wasn't up to par with her last book, mainly because I didn't like the hero. I'll still read her next book because I like the supporting characters and Dreiling's witty style.



GIVEAWAY RULES:
Hachette books has generously provided three copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy
Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
  • US and Canada only
  • No PO Boxes please
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by Hachette
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Sat July 23
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!  

22 comments

  1. I have been wanting to read this and see how Julianne tempts Hawk. Thanks for this giveaway.

    GFC follower: June M.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tweeted the contest: https://twitter.com/#!/JuneAnnM/status/90475649294270465

    GFC follower: June M
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Eh dunno. I mean I do not mind an age difference if they are mature, but she sure seems young like you say. And then if he gets her into bed when he swore to protect,

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  4. hmm...I actually really did like this one! But I haven't read the first of the series yet, I wonder if that really did make the difference?

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  5. It sounds good, despite the few flaws.

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  6. Aww, that Hawk guy does sound a bit like a sleazeball
    But I love the idea of slumber parties! LOL :).

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  7. Looks great! gfc follower

    felecia@twinoaksfl.org

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  8. I have the first book so I'd really like to win the 2nd.Thanks for the chance to win it.


    I am a GFC follower
    tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/90600097833959424

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  9. How to Seduce a Scoundrel sounds like a fantastic book. I always enjoy the brother's best friend scenario, and it sounds like Lady Julianne is going to make sure she gets what she wants.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  10. Oooh! I've seen a couple of reviews for this one and I think I might enjoy it! :) Sorry to hear that you weren't a fan of the hero though. I'd love to win this book! But I should probably read the first one, especially since you said that you liked it a lot more.

    Thanks for the review.

    books[a]muggle-born.net

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  11. I am sorry that this book fell flat for you. I think I wouldn't like the hero either.
    Thanks for the honest review!

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  12. I like how you break down the review rating each thing individually, that's neat. I have a hard enough time figuring out an overall rating for the book. I don't think I could ever do each thing individually. Interesting review.

    I'd love to be entered in the contest. GFC Following as Jenn of Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger jennlovesed14 at gmail

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  13. I'm hoping that I will enjoy this one more than you did. Thanks for the giveaway.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. Would love to read this book!

    I'm a gfc follower

    Margay1122ATaolDOTcom

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  15. Thanks for sharing your views on this book! I would love to read it myself to see how I'll like it. Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC follower

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. There seems to be a lot of differing opinions on this book! I'd love to read it!

    stephanie(at)onceuponachapter(dot)com
    GFC - Stephanie @ Once Upon a Chapter

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  17. Thanks for the giveaway!

    mk261274 at gmail dot com

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  18. This looks awesome! I loved your review.
    Please, enter me in your drawing: reginahott at gmail.com

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  19. Hi thank you for posting the give away for Temptation Of A Highland Scoundrel by Sue-Ellen Welfonder. The link didn't take me anywhere so I am posting here.

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  20. I would love to win this book :) The review is great! edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom GFC Krystal Larson

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  21. This book looks so good! Thanks for the giveaway :)

    teddybrgrrl@sbcglobal.net

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  22. This sounds like a great book.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the chance! augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com

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Thanks so much for your lovely comments!