Review: In Scandal They Wed

My Synopsis:

In Scandal They Wed (Penwich School for Virtuous Girls series - Book 2) by Sophie Jordan

(For review from HarperCollins)

Viscount Spencer Lockhart is bound by duty to his cousin, who's dying wish is that he protect a woman who bore his son in scandal. Spencer returns home from the war to the demands of a title and the search for a wife. When he meets Evelyn Cross, his cousins former love he could kill two birds with one stone. Protect his cousins son and find a wife to satisfy his step-mother. But, he may have met his match with the determined Evie Cross.

Evelyn Cross sacrificed everything she knew and loved to protect her family from scandal, even the possibility of one day finding love. She struggles to provide and to live a life that is free from prying eyes all in the hope that the scandal will never be revealed, but when Spencer Lockhart enters her life the balance tips. Can Evie marry a man she has only just met? Can Spencer sacrifice love in order to fulfill his duty? Will passion ignite between them threatening to plunge them into scandal once more?

My thoughts:

I was unaware when I started this book that it was a series. This is the second book in Sophie Jordan's series about the girls from Penwich School for Virtuous Girls. I liked the book a lot. The idea of duty and honor was a theme that was pursued throughout the book. Spencer has a duty not only to his cousin, who wronged a young woman in his past and also to his family as he takes on his title and prepares to find a wife.

Spencer is a character that has good intentions. He intends to provide for the son of his cousin, but somehow along the way he has fallen in love with the "idea" of Lennie, the woman his cousin drove into scandal. When meets Evelyn Cross he decides to offer her security and a life for her son and for herself. Two birds, one stone. He fulfills his duty while also getting a wife in the process. Underlying all this is his desire for the woman he has learned about through stories from his cousin. He finds that Evie is very different from what he thought Lennie would be and his desire for her is strong.

Evie Cross has been through a lot in her life, not only has she sacrificed for her family but she endured a sad childhood in the Penwich School for Virtuous Girls. But, she met some friends along the way that helped her through the experience and who have stuck by her. The thread of friendship that weaves through the story is done very well. It also promotes the idea that no matter your circumstances you can find get through it if you stick together.

This book is available from your favorite bookseller, March 30th, 2010.

This was good book! 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag for this one!