The Scoundrel in Her Bed (Sins for All Seasons) – book review

The Scoundrel in Her Bed
by Lorraine Heath
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Publisher: Avon
Book #3 in the Sins for All Seasons series
Number of Pages: 386
Historical Romance
Ages 15 and up
CW: baby farming
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The bastard son of a nobleman, Finn Trewlove was a shameful secret raised by a stranger. As Finn came of age, he had secrets, too—the clandestine nights spent with an earl’s daughter. But her promise of forever ended in betrayal.

Driven by a past that haunts her, Lady Lavinia Kent seeks redemption in London’s underworld, engaged in a daring cause inspired by the young man to whom she gave her innocence, and who then proved himself a scoundrel by abandoning her.

When their paths cross again, they can’t deny the yearning and desire that still burns. As they discover the truth behind the deceptions that tore them apart, Finn and Lavinia must fight to reclaim what they’ve lost, no matter how dangerous—because love is worth the risk . . .

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I tried starting this book as an audiobook and it didn’t work for me. I mentioned in my review of the previous book in this series, When a Duke Loves a Woman, that the narrator could have been my issue with the flow of the book. I now know I was right. After two chapters of the audiobook of this one, I quit listening. But picking it up as an ebook I had no issues. I fell into the pages and immersed myself in the story.

If you’ve read the previous books, it’s known that Finn had a dalliance with Lavinia when they were younger, but none of the particulars are known. This story skips back and forth between their initial meeting and romance back then and their current lives. It’s handled well and the flashbacks chapters aren’t excessive, but I felt they were important to see the connection Lavinia and Finn had before. Those flashbacks also showed how very naïve Lavinia was. She was smart and caring, yet the way she was sheltered as a Lady narrowed her knowledge of the real world.

While I understood Lavinia’s reasons for trying to keep Finn at arm’s length once they reunited, I did feel her need to do so went on longer than necessary. On the other hand, the thing that drove a wedge between them at one point was not what I had thought it would be. Although it was a doozy, I appreciated that both characters could see the other’s point of view and their reasons.

The whole reason I came to this series is because I read the Once Upon a Dukedom series, which actually comes after this series, and was curious to read Beast’s story. More and more I am intrigued by him although he’s barely said a word. His story isn’t until the end of the series, but I cannot wait!

4 stars