Sometimes I need a light, quick read and this one was pretty close to perfect in that regard. Admittedly, I chuckled at some unrealistic and overly simplistic elements (no one has as much immediate success with starting a business as the women in this book series), yet overall, the story worked. I appreciated some of the minor plot points (debating women's cosmetics, the discussion of if women could dine publicly without male companionship, etc.). This all makes for a realistic grounding in an otherwise slightly fantastic world. And, as always in these kinds of books, the ending is certainly satisfying, making this book a nice read for a lazy weekend. ( )

I liked quite a bit about this "scandal" - Daisy's interest in science and business, her problem solving flair, and the way playboy Theo fell for her when she wasn't looking! I didn't like the continual repetition around her looks as less than beautiful. It lacked a certain zing, but it was quite fresh. ( )

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

When they were children, Theodore Prescott the Third, of one of the richest families in Manhattan, called Daisy Swan a horrible name. It was so bad, in fact, that she has never forgotten it - nor forgiven him. Theo has recently experienced an incredible scandal and the only way to save face is to marry someone with respect. The best woman for this, encouraged by both families, is none other than Daisy. Her family is facing scandal, but most are unaware of that fact.

How can the two of them work this out? It is more than clear that they still hate each other all these years later. However, Daisy has taken on a huge endeavor, and it seems that Theo is just the man that can help her with it. She has developed a product for women. Daisy is a brilliant scientist, but not very creative when it comes to marketing, so Theo is sure with his ideas, he can get her business off the ground.

Theo and Daisy come to an agreement. They will pretend to be in love and engaged to quiet their families. This will obviously further her business, while at the same time helping Theo overcome his scandal. It doesn't take them very long to realize that there is indeed a thin line between love and hate and that, just maybe, they might be attracted to one another. Are they indeed suited to be a couple slated to find true love?

When attraction and a few sizzling kisses are getting in the way, Daisy maintains that she does not actually want to marry. At some point, obviously, she begins to rethink her decision. At the very least, she would like to finish getting her degree. As a woman in the 1890s, this is rather unusual, but yet it is something that Daisy excels at. Getting married might put that goal in jeopardy.

Just like the first book in the series, A Duchess by Design, the rights of women are explored. I definitely enjoyed watching both women in this series work towards achieving personal goals despite the limits of society. One scene that really grabbed my attention is that where a group of women go to dine alone. In that day and age, it simply wasn't done. At least one man had to accompany women. Watching the women stand up to what they felt they had a right to was just a sampling of what this book deals with.

The third book in the series, An Heiress to Remember, is set for release in March, 2020. I look forward to the next heroine in the series and learning even more about the Gilded Age.

Many thanks to Avon and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion. ( )

1895 New York City. Miss Daisy Swan just wants to be an on the shelf spinster already so she can start her own company and sell cosmetics especially her face cream which she has been perfecting for years. Theodore "Theo" Prescott has been involved in a scandal and his father is sick of his playboy lifestyle and wants him to get serious about working for the family steel company. So when Daisy's mother and Theo's father decide to have them get engaged they are both against it but decide to play along and find a way to stop the wedding together.

I love fairy tale retellings and when I saw this "Ugly Duckling" retelling on NetGalley I had to request it and was so excited when I was approved for it. Daisy is my favorite kind of heroine. Tough, Independent, Smart, and Determined to make her dream come true. Theo starts out as an aimless bored playboy and I loved watching his character grow from a boy into a man. I love how cosmetics/make up where portrayed in such an empowering way in this book. Daisy and Theo have so many amazing moments in this book from their first kiss to their first time admitting how they feel for each other. I found their romance was very realistic. The ending was everything I wanted and more. The writing was great, the story drew me in, I fell in love with the characters and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.

*I got this book from NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Content Rating: Adult

Rating: 5 stars ( )

Review originally published at Romancing Romances.

3.5*

I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.

Some Like It Scandalous is the second book in The Gilded Age Girls Club and it’s an enemies to lovers kind of story.

I had a problem with this story that in a way stopped me from enjoying it as much as I could have.
Theo was a bully, as a kid. But his actions had repercussions until adult life. And who was the target of his mean, hurtful words? Daisy Swan.

Daisy is a great character. She is fearless, intrepid, intelligent, courageous… And Theo…. Theo is lost. He has no idea what to with his life – completely opposite to Daisy, who has everything planned out. Theo is not bad… He just doesn’t think things through, until his father gives him an ultimatum and he has to change his life. And Daisy is backed up into a corner by her mother, who doesn’t want to see her daughter become a spinster.

An amazing chemist, Daisy may not be a beauty, but she does have a gorgeous complexion, all because of a cream recipe that had been in her family and that she had improved. But she needed help to launch it… and here comes another great trope in the romance world: fake engagement.

Theo has a way with words, and Daisy creates amazing “cosmetics”. They become a team, and their relationship evolves from being enemies, to friends, to something else and, finally, to lovers.

Daisy is a fierce woman! She knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to go after it. She has amazing friends, that support her even if they don’t completely agree with her – what more can we ask of a friend, right?

And Theo improves throughout the book, without a doubt, but I still didn’t connect with him.

It was a great Gilded Age book, and it had very good characters, with a very pleasant writing style that pulls us into the story, but the fact that I didn’t like the male character kept me from enjoying this book as much as I could have had. ( )