⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes, for the most part. Archer and Ruby faced some betrayals and found help in unexpected places. And through it all, they stood together.

Eccentric heiress Lady Ruby Ballimore has had enough of the Marriage Mart. After offending yet another Very Important Marquess―and imperiling her father’s diplomatic career―Ruby flees London for the holiday house of a glamorous (and better yet, absent) princess. Armed with a forged invitation and accompanied by her like-minded friends, Ruby arrives at the Cornwall estate expecting a summer of blissful freedom. Instead, she discovers a derelict mansion and the most suspiciously charming man she’s ever met.

Former privateer and current con artist Captain Malcolm Archer has dragged his ramshackle crew into a new life. Posing as staff at a princess’s abandoned estate provides the perfect cover for Archer’s smuggling scheme (not to mention free rent). Everything’s going according to plan―until an unorthodox London heiress crashes the party. But when Archer and his crew attempt to frighten off their uninvited guests, Ruby’s unfazed by insect invasions and sham sea monsters. Harder to ignore? The scorching heat between the rakish pirate and the debutante who can see right through him. As sparks fly, deceptions run wild―because in this Great Cornish Fake Off, the only thing riskier than telling the truth is falling in love.

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed the writing style, humour, witty banter, and crazy situations the characters found themselves in. This plot required the reader to accept the circumstances without asking too many questions, which I was all right with. It was a light, fun read and the toe-curling chemistry between Archer and Ruby made up for some of the qualms I had.

Ruby so desperately wanted to fit in and gain her father’s approval. Archer had a rough life, barely surviving by the skin of his teeth, while taking responsibility for his crew. They were an escape of sorts for each other, away from the harsh reality. Archer usually seemed slightly bemused by Ruby and her unusual ideas.

The story started out a bit slow but took some very interesting turns. I can recommend this book if you like a historical romance with class differences, crazy shenanigans, and loyal friends.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: July 23, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: Book 1 of Flirty Rotten Scoundrels