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The Lords of Worth #2.5
A Lady's Guide to Skirting Scandal
Lady Viola Hextall is bored—of the ocean, her chaperones, and the woeful lack of available dukes on the ocean voyage from London to New York. Scrambling for any diversion short of jumping overboard, Viola strikes up a conversation with the ship's rough-hewn, blue-eyed surgeon—and discovers an immediate cure for what ails her...
To Nathaniel Shaw, Viola has the bearing of a lady and the spirit of an adventurer—an unlikely combination that he finds utterly irresistible. So he's hoping to convince Viola to leave the stifling ballrooms of London high society behind because there is a big, wide world just waiting for them to explore—together.
To Nathaniel Shaw, Viola has the bearing of a lady and the spirit of an adventurer—an unlikely combination that he finds utterly irresistible. So he's hoping to convince Viola to leave the stifling ballrooms of London high society behind because there is a big, wide world just waiting for them to explore—together.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2015
About the author
Kelly Bowen
25 books1,400 followersAward-winning author Kelly Bowen attended the University of Manitoba, earning a BSc & MSc in veterinary studies. She worked as a research scientist before realizing her dream to write historical fiction. Currently, Kelly lives with her family in Winnipeg, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 31, 2015
DNF @ 25%. Man, the heroine is one mean and stuck up little bitch. Here's her description of one of her companions:
Gosh, the whole story seems like it was written by a spoiled brat. Please, just stop fucking complaining about every little fucking detail, you twit, Viola.
This is the first time I read something written by Ms. Bowen, and I'm pretty sure it'll be the last.
The oldest of the two wardens she’d christened Bart, for the woman’s resemblance to a particularly substantial mastiff Viola’s family had owned when she was a child. The flattened face, drooping jowls, boxlike head, and small, squinty eyes were as characteristic of the buxom woman as they had been of the canine. Granted, the woman didn’t drool like old Bart had, but she certainly barked.
Gosh, the whole story seems like it was written by a spoiled brat. Please, just stop fucking complaining about every little fucking detail, you twit, Viola.
This is the first time I read something written by Ms. Bowen, and I'm pretty sure it'll be the last.
July 16, 2015
I picked up this novella because I’ve enjoyed other books in this series by Ms Bowen, and although it’s entertaining and the writing is as deftly accomplished as that in the author’s full length books, A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is a piece of relatively insubstantial fluff.
Readers of I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm will recall that Viola Hextall, sister of the Earl of Boden, tried to trap his friend, the Duke of Worth into marriage, believing that only marriage to one of such lofty status will enable the ton to accept a family so recently elevated to the peerage. In this novella, we learn that the earl has packed Viola off to New York for a few months, hoping that her impulsiveness and high-spirits might be curbed somewhat by the journey and a change of scenery.
On the voyage, Viola is bored out of her mind. Her two formidable chaperones vetoed all but two of the books she wanted to bring with her, and insist on rigid propriety at all times. Managing to evade them briefly one day, she strikes up a conversation with Nathaniel Shaw, the ruggedly handsome, auburn-haired, blue-eyed ships’ surgeon, who plans to settle in America. Over the next few days, the two continue to meet and converse whenever Viola can give her chaperones the slip, and Nathaniel is surprised to find a lively and curious mind behind Viola’s obvious beauty, but is disappointed to discover that she’s as much a social climber as any other debutante.
The conflict in the story is basically down to Nate’s desire to make his life in America and Viola’s to return home and snag herself a husband who will afford her security and social status. But having an inkling that there is more to Viola than meets the eye, Nate challenges her to become more than that by encouraging her to read more widely and to voice her opinions. Ms Bowen skilfully shows the reader that Viola is not what she seems, and the romance between her and Nate is written in such a way as to show that there is the potential for more than just physical attraction between them.
But as often happens with stories of this length, the romance is somewhat rushed, and given it now seems obligatory to include sex scenes in novellas, the central relationship really does move at breakneck speed. That said, though, A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is well-written, with humour, insight and the same lightness of touch Ms Bowen has brought to her full length novels. If you’ve read the other books in the series, then you might want to pick this one up for completeness and it’s certainly not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
Readers of I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm will recall that Viola Hextall, sister of the Earl of Boden, tried to trap his friend, the Duke of Worth into marriage, believing that only marriage to one of such lofty status will enable the ton to accept a family so recently elevated to the peerage. In this novella, we learn that the earl has packed Viola off to New York for a few months, hoping that her impulsiveness and high-spirits might be curbed somewhat by the journey and a change of scenery.
On the voyage, Viola is bored out of her mind. Her two formidable chaperones vetoed all but two of the books she wanted to bring with her, and insist on rigid propriety at all times. Managing to evade them briefly one day, she strikes up a conversation with Nathaniel Shaw, the ruggedly handsome, auburn-haired, blue-eyed ships’ surgeon, who plans to settle in America. Over the next few days, the two continue to meet and converse whenever Viola can give her chaperones the slip, and Nathaniel is surprised to find a lively and curious mind behind Viola’s obvious beauty, but is disappointed to discover that she’s as much a social climber as any other debutante.
The conflict in the story is basically down to Nate’s desire to make his life in America and Viola’s to return home and snag herself a husband who will afford her security and social status. But having an inkling that there is more to Viola than meets the eye, Nate challenges her to become more than that by encouraging her to read more widely and to voice her opinions. Ms Bowen skilfully shows the reader that Viola is not what she seems, and the romance between her and Nate is written in such a way as to show that there is the potential for more than just physical attraction between them.
But as often happens with stories of this length, the romance is somewhat rushed, and given it now seems obligatory to include sex scenes in novellas, the central relationship really does move at breakneck speed. That said, though, A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is well-written, with humour, insight and the same lightness of touch Ms Bowen has brought to her full length novels. If you’ve read the other books in the series, then you might want to pick this one up for completeness and it’s certainly not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
May 1, 2019
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal was a fun, quick read about a couple who finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Lady Viola Hextall is being sent to New York after creating a minor scandal back in London. Trapped on a ship with nothing to do, Violet longs for everything she left behind. When she one day starts a conversation with the ship’s surgeon, Nathaniel Shaw, for lack of anything better to do, Violet discovers the man is far more interesting than she anticipated. Nathaniel initially believed Violet was nothing more than a society girl, but as the two get to know one another, he finds she’s far more clever than he thought. With each passing day their connection grows stronger and soon Nathaniel finds he wants Violet to choose him instead of the duke she’s set on.
Violet’s family only became part of the aristocracy when her father inherited a distant relative’s title. Due to the family’s new status among the peerage, they are often looked down upon as not good enough. Violet longs for the day where she will no longer be looked down on and can be judged instead for who she is. Nathaniel wanted to be a surgeon for most of his life and he has worked hard to become quite good at the profession. Nathaniel is tired of the way society works in London and wants to head to America so he can finally have the chance to have something he can call his own.
Violet and Nathaniel’s relationship was delightful from the start with the two engaging in some wonderful, if improper, conversations. Nathaniel knows Violet is a lady and doesn’t believe she could actually be interested in someone like him, a man without a title, so he spends his time trying to shock her to drive her away. I liked that Violet surprised him with her willingness to learn and her genuine interest in his work. The chemistry between the pair was fantastic and I loved the scenes where they were able to sneak some time alone. I thought the ending of the book perfectly suited the situation and I loved the epilogue with the letter Violet wrote explaining everything.
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is a great companion to the Lords of Worth series and I’m looking forward to reading the final book in the series, You’re the Earl That I Want, soon.
Lady Viola Hextall is being sent to New York after creating a minor scandal back in London. Trapped on a ship with nothing to do, Violet longs for everything she left behind. When she one day starts a conversation with the ship’s surgeon, Nathaniel Shaw, for lack of anything better to do, Violet discovers the man is far more interesting than she anticipated. Nathaniel initially believed Violet was nothing more than a society girl, but as the two get to know one another, he finds she’s far more clever than he thought. With each passing day their connection grows stronger and soon Nathaniel finds he wants Violet to choose him instead of the duke she’s set on.
Violet’s family only became part of the aristocracy when her father inherited a distant relative’s title. Due to the family’s new status among the peerage, they are often looked down upon as not good enough. Violet longs for the day where she will no longer be looked down on and can be judged instead for who she is. Nathaniel wanted to be a surgeon for most of his life and he has worked hard to become quite good at the profession. Nathaniel is tired of the way society works in London and wants to head to America so he can finally have the chance to have something he can call his own.
Violet and Nathaniel’s relationship was delightful from the start with the two engaging in some wonderful, if improper, conversations. Nathaniel knows Violet is a lady and doesn’t believe she could actually be interested in someone like him, a man without a title, so he spends his time trying to shock her to drive her away. I liked that Violet surprised him with her willingness to learn and her genuine interest in his work. The chemistry between the pair was fantastic and I loved the scenes where they were able to sneak some time alone. I thought the ending of the book perfectly suited the situation and I loved the epilogue with the letter Violet wrote explaining everything.
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is a great companion to the Lords of Worth series and I’m looking forward to reading the final book in the series, You’re the Earl That I Want, soon.
July 15, 2015
3.5 stars / B rating - read my review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews: http://fictionvixen.com/review-ladys-...
This was my first book by Kelly Bowen and it definitely won’t be my last. Although it was only a novella, I can tell that she’s able to write compelling characters and good chemistry, so I’m looking forward to see what she can do with a full-length novel.
Series. For those who like to read books in order, this is #2.5 in the Lords of Worth series (keep an eye out for my review on book #3, featuring Viola’s brother, coming soon!). I was able to enjoy the novella without having read either of the previous novels and since the story takes place entirely on a ship, we don’t “see” any of those characters again here, we just hear about them.
Premise. Lady Viola Hextall is sailing to America, with two no-fun chaperones dogging her every step. She would much prefer to have remained in London, enjoying society and deciding which duke to set her cap for, however due to some maybe not-fantastic choices she made, her brother decided that what she needed was some time away from English society, so he shipped her off.
Also on board is Dr. Nathaniel Shaw, who has been wanting a fresh start and was able to get a free trip from Viola’s brother in exchange for agreeing to keep an eye on her, should she get into any trouble. While normally the two would not move in the same social circles, this is not a passenger ship and there’s no one on board for Viola to interact with, so boredom drives her to seek out the good doctor and find out more about him … and I’ll leave you in suspense about what happens next, because I’m sure you have NO idea!
The Heroine. Viola was a very interesting character and one that could have been really terrific in her own full-length novel. At first I was bit put off, thinking that she wasn’t the type of heroine I normally go for – she’s the belle-of-the-ball, a real Society beauty, loves to socialize, is determined to marry a duke and no one else will do, etc.
One quickly learns that there is much more to her, though, and that her seemingly mercenary obsession with marrying a duke is a circumstance of what her life has been like thus far. Her class circumstances changed abruptly at a young age and she found herself thrust in the society limelight, with everyone watching her every move, as if waiting for her to slip-up. It’s easy to see how in her mind, marrying a duke is the solution to everything: she will finally feel that she’s gained acceptance and approval, and she’ll also feel protected by his title from other people’s condemnations. Nathaniel makes her begin to question what it is she really wants though, and I found her “transformation” lovely, sweet (the role he plays in it), and completely believable.
The Hero. Nathaniel was a terrific hero, though he doesn’t undergo as much change as Viola does (… because he doesn’t need to). He is sick of England society, where one’s worth is determined by one’s birth and not accomplishments or hard work, and is looking forward to going to America and starting over. He leads a very respectable life in England and is well-looked upon – he was a military doctor and is considered kind of a hero – but what he yearns for is to go “out West” and explore (he’s fascinated with Lewis and Clark’s expedition), experience some adventure, and practice medicine where he’s really needed.
Though Nathaniel is physically attracted to Viola, he at first thinks she’s like any society miss and wouldn’t be a good match for him; he assumes, for example, that she would find anything having to do with medicine or science off-putting and uninteresting, which is actually completely wrong. There’s much more to her than he initially gives her credit for and he finds himself wishing that she would look beyond the predetermined path she has set for herself.
I appreciated that though Nathaniel is put-off by Viola’s social-climbing determination, he confronts and questions her about what it is she actually wants, he doesn’t silently stew; he challenges her in a way that she needs and that helps her realize that marrying a duke will not be a magic pill to happiness.
Two Great Exchanges. Because I can never just pick one …
*This review is of an ARC provided by Net Galley
This was my first book by Kelly Bowen and it definitely won’t be my last. Although it was only a novella, I can tell that she’s able to write compelling characters and good chemistry, so I’m looking forward to see what she can do with a full-length novel.
Series. For those who like to read books in order, this is #2.5 in the Lords of Worth series (keep an eye out for my review on book #3, featuring Viola’s brother, coming soon!). I was able to enjoy the novella without having read either of the previous novels and since the story takes place entirely on a ship, we don’t “see” any of those characters again here, we just hear about them.
Premise. Lady Viola Hextall is sailing to America, with two no-fun chaperones dogging her every step. She would much prefer to have remained in London, enjoying society and deciding which duke to set her cap for, however due to some maybe not-fantastic choices she made, her brother decided that what she needed was some time away from English society, so he shipped her off.
Also on board is Dr. Nathaniel Shaw, who has been wanting a fresh start and was able to get a free trip from Viola’s brother in exchange for agreeing to keep an eye on her, should she get into any trouble. While normally the two would not move in the same social circles, this is not a passenger ship and there’s no one on board for Viola to interact with, so boredom drives her to seek out the good doctor and find out more about him … and I’ll leave you in suspense about what happens next, because I’m sure you have NO idea!
The Heroine. Viola was a very interesting character and one that could have been really terrific in her own full-length novel. At first I was bit put off, thinking that she wasn’t the type of heroine I normally go for – she’s the belle-of-the-ball, a real Society beauty, loves to socialize, is determined to marry a duke and no one else will do, etc.
One quickly learns that there is much more to her, though, and that her seemingly mercenary obsession with marrying a duke is a circumstance of what her life has been like thus far. Her class circumstances changed abruptly at a young age and she found herself thrust in the society limelight, with everyone watching her every move, as if waiting for her to slip-up. It’s easy to see how in her mind, marrying a duke is the solution to everything: she will finally feel that she’s gained acceptance and approval, and she’ll also feel protected by his title from other people’s condemnations. Nathaniel makes her begin to question what it is she really wants though, and I found her “transformation” lovely, sweet (the role he plays in it), and completely believable.
She had tried to be the perfect daughter of a soapmaker. She had tried to be the perfect sister of an earl. She had tried so hard to be a perfect part of an imperfect society that she had turned herself into a person she no longer recognized. Perhaps, just this once, she would try being Viola Hextall.
The Hero. Nathaniel was a terrific hero, though he doesn’t undergo as much change as Viola does (… because he doesn’t need to). He is sick of England society, where one’s worth is determined by one’s birth and not accomplishments or hard work, and is looking forward to going to America and starting over. He leads a very respectable life in England and is well-looked upon – he was a military doctor and is considered kind of a hero – but what he yearns for is to go “out West” and explore (he’s fascinated with Lewis and Clark’s expedition), experience some adventure, and practice medicine where he’s really needed.
Though Nathaniel is physically attracted to Viola, he at first thinks she’s like any society miss and wouldn’t be a good match for him; he assumes, for example, that she would find anything having to do with medicine or science off-putting and uninteresting, which is actually completely wrong. There’s much more to her than he initially gives her credit for and he finds himself wishing that she would look beyond the predetermined path she has set for herself.
There was nothing but resolute determination stamped across her beautiful features. He felt something in his chest squeeze. This was the woman that he would have with him. The woman he would want by his side as he ventured forth into the unknown, armed with her wits and her determination.
And if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
I appreciated that though Nathaniel is put-off by Viola’s social-climbing determination, he confronts and questions her about what it is she actually wants, he doesn’t silently stew; he challenges her in a way that she needs and that helps her realize that marrying a duke will not be a magic pill to happiness.
Viola could feel herself flushing. “I just want to belong.”
“Belong where, Lady Viola? And to whom?”
Viola looked up at him, realizing that she no longer had an easy answer.
Two Great Exchanges. Because I can never just pick one …
“Are you mocking me again?” How did this man do it? How did he knock her off balance so easily? She might not know a great deal about kissing, but she certainly knew a great deal about conversation. And until she had met Mr. Shaw, she had considered herself quite accomplished at it.
“I’m not mocking you, my lady. I answered your question. If you want a better answer, then ask a better question. You’re smarter than this.”
She realized she had no idea if he was insulting her or complimenting her.
She held his eyes with hers. “Why are you so good to me?” she whispered.
“Because you are an extraordinary woman,” he said quietly. “If you would only stop comparing yourself and your talents to those who will never matter, to those who do not truly care about you, you would see what I see.”
*This review is of an ARC provided by Net Galley
July 19, 2015
3.5 Stars. Bored out of her mind on a punitive transatlantic voyage with two stuffy old birds for chaperones, young, vivacious Viola decides to strike up a flirtation with the handsome ship's surgeon to occupy her time. But she doesn't count on finding his work so interesting, or on his willingness to let her assist, or on how boldly he touches her. Even more disconcerting is how responsive she is to that touch, especially since she has her mind set on marrying an English duke to bolster her family's standing in society.
Nate is leaving the past behind and looking forward to a new life in the American West, and he's earning his passage by serving as the ship's surgeon for the voyage. He promised his friend he would keep an eye out on his sister and make sure she didn't get into trouble like she did in England, but keeping Viola out of trouble is hard to do when she is so tempting. As medical lessons give way to steamy encounters, Nate realizes Viola is just the woman to step into the wild unknown by his side. But can he convince her to choose a life of adventure with him over the life of a duchess before their time aboard ship is over?
This is a fun novella and an effective introduction to Kelly Bowen and her Lords of Worth series. I was drawn to this because of the setting aboard ship and the fact that Nate was a surgeon. I have not yet read the previous books, but I did not feel that it was necessary to read the others first, though some people mentioned may have had more meaning if I had.
As in most novellas, the story and characterization are usually somewhat lacking in development, and that was the case here. It all happens rather quickly, and I could have read a full-length novel about these two and the adventures that await them. But though the story is a little light on substance, I found the author's style to be highly enjoyable--smart, quick, witty, and sexy--and I will definitely read more from Kelly Bowen.
This review was originally posted to Romantic Historical Reviews.
Nate is leaving the past behind and looking forward to a new life in the American West, and he's earning his passage by serving as the ship's surgeon for the voyage. He promised his friend he would keep an eye out on his sister and make sure she didn't get into trouble like she did in England, but keeping Viola out of trouble is hard to do when she is so tempting. As medical lessons give way to steamy encounters, Nate realizes Viola is just the woman to step into the wild unknown by his side. But can he convince her to choose a life of adventure with him over the life of a duchess before their time aboard ship is over?
This is a fun novella and an effective introduction to Kelly Bowen and her Lords of Worth series. I was drawn to this because of the setting aboard ship and the fact that Nate was a surgeon. I have not yet read the previous books, but I did not feel that it was necessary to read the others first, though some people mentioned may have had more meaning if I had.
As in most novellas, the story and characterization are usually somewhat lacking in development, and that was the case here. It all happens rather quickly, and I could have read a full-length novel about these two and the adventures that await them. But though the story is a little light on substance, I found the author's style to be highly enjoyable--smart, quick, witty, and sexy--and I will definitely read more from Kelly Bowen.
This review was originally posted to Romantic Historical Reviews.
August 5, 2015
I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via Netgalley, this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.
I’ve kind of gone about this series all backwards, the first book I read in this series was You’re the Earl That I Want, which is the third book in the series. I enjoyed it and felt it worked well as a stand alone, so now I am working my way backwards I guess. I suppose I could have slipped this review in before publishing the other, but since that wasn’t the way I read them, it isn’t the way I’m going to present it. (Does that sound snarky? I swear I heard neener-neener-neener in my head as I wrote it.) Apparently my beleaguered brain finds posting reviews of a series out of the order I read them an even more abhorrent thing to do than actually reading a series out-of-order.
This I suppose could be considered a New Adult, but I would consider it significantly more successful than my last foray. While Viola is a bit of a twit at the start, she’s also sort of charming and funny. And in this case, I kind of think having read these out-of-order was a good thing. Since this is a short story, there wasn’t a ton of room to flesh out backgrounds and characterizations, so already knowing a lot more about the Hexall family, I think let me understand and appreciate Viola more. She is so clearly a young woman on the brink of adulthood, trying to figure herself out. I am sure I have read historicals with heroines as young before, but they always seemed more adult-like, or maybe just reading this directly after thinking about New Adult stories and themes just made me aware of her young age more.
But I especially enjoyed Nate, he was so earnest about being the best surgeon he could be, that I found him absolutely adorable. And he was so passionate about the perils of basing society on the assumed merits of the aristocracy, and I do so enjoy historicals where everyone isn’t an aristocrat.
As for the plotline, yes Viola was young, but Nate always treated her as an autonomous thinking adult woman. In fact he treated her like more of a sentient being than she seemed to think of herself. And much like the other Bowen book I read, this took a hefty dose of willful suspension of belief, especially pertaining to how quickly they bonded and started being intimate, but neither of them seemed like cardboard cutouts of characters, they felt very real.
All in all, I found this short story fairly delightful and would recommend it to anyone who might enjoy a fairly ridiculous historical with two very endearing, if not entirely believable, characters.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
I’ve kind of gone about this series all backwards, the first book I read in this series was You’re the Earl That I Want, which is the third book in the series. I enjoyed it and felt it worked well as a stand alone, so now I am working my way backwards I guess. I suppose I could have slipped this review in before publishing the other, but since that wasn’t the way I read them, it isn’t the way I’m going to present it. (Does that sound snarky? I swear I heard neener-neener-neener in my head as I wrote it.) Apparently my beleaguered brain finds posting reviews of a series out of the order I read them an even more abhorrent thing to do than actually reading a series out-of-order.
This I suppose could be considered a New Adult, but I would consider it significantly more successful than my last foray. While Viola is a bit of a twit at the start, she’s also sort of charming and funny. And in this case, I kind of think having read these out-of-order was a good thing. Since this is a short story, there wasn’t a ton of room to flesh out backgrounds and characterizations, so already knowing a lot more about the Hexall family, I think let me understand and appreciate Viola more. She is so clearly a young woman on the brink of adulthood, trying to figure herself out. I am sure I have read historicals with heroines as young before, but they always seemed more adult-like, or maybe just reading this directly after thinking about New Adult stories and themes just made me aware of her young age more.
But I especially enjoyed Nate, he was so earnest about being the best surgeon he could be, that I found him absolutely adorable. And he was so passionate about the perils of basing society on the assumed merits of the aristocracy, and I do so enjoy historicals where everyone isn’t an aristocrat.
As for the plotline, yes Viola was young, but Nate always treated her as an autonomous thinking adult woman. In fact he treated her like more of a sentient being than she seemed to think of herself. And much like the other Bowen book I read, this took a hefty dose of willful suspension of belief, especially pertaining to how quickly they bonded and started being intimate, but neither of them seemed like cardboard cutouts of characters, they felt very real.
All in all, I found this short story fairly delightful and would recommend it to anyone who might enjoy a fairly ridiculous historical with two very endearing, if not entirely believable, characters.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
July 11, 2015
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2015/07...
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is a delightful, effervescent read featuring an irrepressible heroine and the straightforward surgeon who captures her heart.
After her machinations land her in trouble, Lady Viola Hextall is packed up by her brother and sent off to New York to do her penance. Viola hasn’t even arrived in America and she’s already counting the days until her return to London where she can snare a duke. Though a social climbing heroine may not sound appealing, author Kelly Bowen makes it easy to see why Viola is so class-conscious. It’s equally clear that Viola has allowed London society’s opinion to turn her into something she’s not. On the ship heading for New York Viola comes face-to-face with a man who cares nothing for titles, riches, or style, but seeks substance instead. Nathaniel Shaw makes Viola question everything she is striving to become. Unlike the assorted aristocratic men Viola knows, the handsome, adventurous surgeon is interested in her brains and spirit. What makes A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal fun is that Nate challenges Viola, dares her to become the person she truly is. Their mutual physical attraction and genuine intellectual interest in one another makes their romance interesting. And though their falling in love happens incredibly fast, it’s easy to get swept up in their tale.
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is part of Ms. Bowen’s Lords of Worth series, but not having read any of the full-length novels, I can safely say that Viola and Nate’s story can be read as a standalone. By the end of A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal I found myself to be thoroughly charmed by Viola and Nate, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Ms. Bowen’s work.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is a delightful, effervescent read featuring an irrepressible heroine and the straightforward surgeon who captures her heart.
After her machinations land her in trouble, Lady Viola Hextall is packed up by her brother and sent off to New York to do her penance. Viola hasn’t even arrived in America and she’s already counting the days until her return to London where she can snare a duke. Though a social climbing heroine may not sound appealing, author Kelly Bowen makes it easy to see why Viola is so class-conscious. It’s equally clear that Viola has allowed London society’s opinion to turn her into something she’s not. On the ship heading for New York Viola comes face-to-face with a man who cares nothing for titles, riches, or style, but seeks substance instead. Nathaniel Shaw makes Viola question everything she is striving to become. Unlike the assorted aristocratic men Viola knows, the handsome, adventurous surgeon is interested in her brains and spirit. What makes A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal fun is that Nate challenges Viola, dares her to become the person she truly is. Their mutual physical attraction and genuine intellectual interest in one another makes their romance interesting. And though their falling in love happens incredibly fast, it’s easy to get swept up in their tale.
A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal is part of Ms. Bowen’s Lords of Worth series, but not having read any of the full-length novels, I can safely say that Viola and Nate’s story can be read as a standalone. By the end of A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal I found myself to be thoroughly charmed by Viola and Nate, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Ms. Bowen’s work.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 5, 2015
This is a good short story! We met Viola, determined to marry a duke, in Kelly's first book (I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm). Due to her escapades, her brother decides to send her to America for a visit. While on board, she meets and falls in love with the ship's doctor - definitely not a duke! This is the story of growing up and learning what is truly important to you. I liked it!
May 19, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up. Too short but very readable. The MFC starts off a bit silly but has a (maybe too drastic?) character arc. I have a soft spot for this author's doctor MMC's apparently.
July 29, 2015
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This sounded like a fun short historical romance book and that's exactly what it was. I quite enjoyed it. The setting was fun and took place on a boat. Lady Viola Hextall is bored and decided to start a conversation with the surgeon Nathaniel Shaw. Viola thought she knew what she wanted out of life, marry a duke and become a duchess, Nathaniel makes her question things. I quite liked the message of this short story about thinking what you really want out of life and who's opinion matters. Granted it's a short story so the change went a bit too quickly for my liking, but I really enjoyed seeing Viola let out her real self and realize that what she thought she wanted isn't what she wants at all.
The ship setting was original and how they were sailing to the America's. Although there wasn't much focus on the setting, with the exception of the fact that this brought them al together. I still liked it and how it took place away from the confines of society. I did like the mention of the Lewis and Clark expedition as I remember this from my American history course I followed during university. I like this time in history with America not being fully discovered yet, I think I would like to read more historical books set into this period as I am quite interested in American history.
As I mentioned before, it's a quick read and can easily be read in one sitting. It was a fun and enjoyable and hot and it certainly makes me curious about the rest of the series. It can be read as a standalone, although there was a hint to something that happened in the past, which I am assuming refers to events in the previous books. And the mention some people who probably are characters in the previous books as well. It could've easily been longer though and I would've liked to see things develop and change a bit more slowly, but all in all I did enjoy this one.
The characters are likeable. Viola less so at first as it's obvious she believes she has to be what society thinks she has to be and she puts her own wants and needs away, after a talk with Nathaniel though I liked her much more and I was pleased with how the story ended. Nathaniel was a surgeon and hew knew exactly what he wanted out of life and wasn't afraid to make Viola question her beliefs. I liked his confidence and how he knew exactly what he wanted.
As soon as Viola and Nathaniel meet the sparks fly and soon after the talk they move from talking to doing more. There are some sex scenes as well. The focus is mostly on the romance, but as it's short it's hard to really get to know the characters, nevertheless I thought the romance worked quite well. I thought it was worked and I understood why these two were attracted to each other. Nathaniel wanted a daring women who wasn't afraid to of the sight of blood and Viola appreciated made to feel awesome and Nathaniel made her question what she thought was true. They were good for each other. There was a scene with fingers being chopped off I thought was quite disturbing, but the characters didn't seem to mind.
To conclude: This was a short and hot historical romance novella, it can be read as standalone from the series, but I think there are some hints to what happened in previous book. Even though it was short it was well written and I enjoyed it. I just wished some changes and developments had taken a bit longer. The romance was well done, even though it developed a bit quickly. I liked how Viola changed and realized what she thought she wanted was more based on other people their ideas. All in all a fun novella and I am planning to check out the earlier books in this series as well.
This sounded like a fun short historical romance book and that's exactly what it was. I quite enjoyed it. The setting was fun and took place on a boat. Lady Viola Hextall is bored and decided to start a conversation with the surgeon Nathaniel Shaw. Viola thought she knew what she wanted out of life, marry a duke and become a duchess, Nathaniel makes her question things. I quite liked the message of this short story about thinking what you really want out of life and who's opinion matters. Granted it's a short story so the change went a bit too quickly for my liking, but I really enjoyed seeing Viola let out her real self and realize that what she thought she wanted isn't what she wants at all.
The ship setting was original and how they were sailing to the America's. Although there wasn't much focus on the setting, with the exception of the fact that this brought them al together. I still liked it and how it took place away from the confines of society. I did like the mention of the Lewis and Clark expedition as I remember this from my American history course I followed during university. I like this time in history with America not being fully discovered yet, I think I would like to read more historical books set into this period as I am quite interested in American history.
As I mentioned before, it's a quick read and can easily be read in one sitting. It was a fun and enjoyable and hot and it certainly makes me curious about the rest of the series. It can be read as a standalone, although there was a hint to something that happened in the past, which I am assuming refers to events in the previous books. And the mention some people who probably are characters in the previous books as well. It could've easily been longer though and I would've liked to see things develop and change a bit more slowly, but all in all I did enjoy this one.
The characters are likeable. Viola less so at first as it's obvious she believes she has to be what society thinks she has to be and she puts her own wants and needs away, after a talk with Nathaniel though I liked her much more and I was pleased with how the story ended. Nathaniel was a surgeon and hew knew exactly what he wanted out of life and wasn't afraid to make Viola question her beliefs. I liked his confidence and how he knew exactly what he wanted.
As soon as Viola and Nathaniel meet the sparks fly and soon after the talk they move from talking to doing more. There are some sex scenes as well. The focus is mostly on the romance, but as it's short it's hard to really get to know the characters, nevertheless I thought the romance worked quite well. I thought it was worked and I understood why these two were attracted to each other. Nathaniel wanted a daring women who wasn't afraid to of the sight of blood and Viola appreciated made to feel awesome and Nathaniel made her question what she thought was true. They were good for each other. There was a scene with fingers being chopped off I thought was quite disturbing, but the characters didn't seem to mind.
To conclude: This was a short and hot historical romance novella, it can be read as standalone from the series, but I think there are some hints to what happened in previous book. Even though it was short it was well written and I enjoyed it. I just wished some changes and developments had taken a bit longer. The romance was well done, even though it developed a bit quickly. I liked how Viola changed and realized what she thought she wanted was more based on other people their ideas. All in all a fun novella and I am planning to check out the earlier books in this series as well.
December 27, 2018
And, just that fast it’s over.
Now, we come to the end of my tiny glom project with A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal. Since we are talking small glom, it is only fitting that we end with a novella which also happens to be part of the Worth series. If you have read I’ve Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, you may recall the character of Viola Hextall. She is the sister of Heath Hextall and in that book she tried to trick the Duke of Worth into marrying her. When this story begins, she has evidently pushed all of Heath’s buttons. Not knowing what else to do with her, he has shipped her off to America, along with a set of draconian chaperones. When this story opens, she is on board a ship grumbling about her fate and how life has treated her badly.
Having just read I’ve Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, I found it interesting that Viola was the character who Ms. Bowen chose to write about. In my opinion Viola would be a hard character to reform. I thought she came off as a selfish, immature, spoiled brat who needed to be taken down a peg or two. Well, in this short story she doesn’t necessarily get taken down, but she does become a better person. Through the help and encouragement of Nathaniel Shaw she starts to find herself. She learns that she can be more than what she thought she could. Nathaniel taps into her potential and she becomes a perfect helpmate for him. She even likes herself in the end - and that's the important part.
Having said that I will also say I was not as impressed with this short story by Ms. Bowen as I was with The Lady in Red. I don’t think the two characters were given enough time to fully develop. Maybe it was the obligatory humpa-dumpa scene which took up some valuable character development, but I had a sense of rushed story line. I think Viola's character was too complicated for the short story format. Her voice deserved a larger platform.
While this story was a pleasant read, it had a rushed feel to it and even though I’m happy to have read it, A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal felt like the short story it was. Too bad because I think Viola would have been the perfect complex character to give a bigger book to.
And, I have come to the close of my Kelly Bowen short glom and I have to say – it was a pleasure. I wish I could find more treasures in my TBR pile. There were just a few minor quibbles along the way - the treasure hunters and the too short of a story for Viola – but overall what a wonderful writer Kelly Bowen has become for me. She can now take her place among my auto-buys.
Now, we come to the end of my tiny glom project with A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal. Since we are talking small glom, it is only fitting that we end with a novella which also happens to be part of the Worth series. If you have read I’ve Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, you may recall the character of Viola Hextall. She is the sister of Heath Hextall and in that book she tried to trick the Duke of Worth into marrying her. When this story begins, she has evidently pushed all of Heath’s buttons. Not knowing what else to do with her, he has shipped her off to America, along with a set of draconian chaperones. When this story opens, she is on board a ship grumbling about her fate and how life has treated her badly.
Having just read I’ve Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm, I found it interesting that Viola was the character who Ms. Bowen chose to write about. In my opinion Viola would be a hard character to reform. I thought she came off as a selfish, immature, spoiled brat who needed to be taken down a peg or two. Well, in this short story she doesn’t necessarily get taken down, but she does become a better person. Through the help and encouragement of Nathaniel Shaw she starts to find herself. She learns that she can be more than what she thought she could. Nathaniel taps into her potential and she becomes a perfect helpmate for him. She even likes herself in the end - and that's the important part.
Having said that I will also say I was not as impressed with this short story by Ms. Bowen as I was with The Lady in Red. I don’t think the two characters were given enough time to fully develop. Maybe it was the obligatory humpa-dumpa scene which took up some valuable character development, but I had a sense of rushed story line. I think Viola's character was too complicated for the short story format. Her voice deserved a larger platform.
While this story was a pleasant read, it had a rushed feel to it and even though I’m happy to have read it, A Lady’s Guide to Skirting Scandal felt like the short story it was. Too bad because I think Viola would have been the perfect complex character to give a bigger book to.
And, I have come to the close of my Kelly Bowen short glom and I have to say – it was a pleasure. I wish I could find more treasures in my TBR pile. There were just a few minor quibbles along the way - the treasure hunters and the too short of a story for Viola – but overall what a wonderful writer Kelly Bowen has become for me. She can now take her place among my auto-buys.
August 4, 2015
*I received an ARC from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.*
I’m really not much of a novella reader. But once I saw that this historical romance featured a surgeon hero and an earl’s sister as a heroine, I was definitely intrigued. I absolutely love class differences in romance. Add to that my love of all things in this genre right now, and how could I say no?
Lady Viola started out the story a bit unlikable. She only wanted to be a duchess, and couldn’t wait to get back home to London. Put on a ship in order to go to New York for a brief stay because of her scheming to marry well, all she was focused on was getting back to society, and capturing a duke. She definitely had a lot of growing up to do, and I think the author managed to make her character realistically change. Because despite her ambitiousness, Viola was a very determined and intelligent sort of woman, and I really liked seeing her figure out that maybe being rich and perfect was possibly not what she wanted after all.
Nathaniel Shaw, the surgeon hero, was really great. He was very smart and kind. I loved how he didn’t look down on Viola’s intelligence because she was a woman. He really respected her, and wanted her to be happy. I think these two made a really good couple, even if their romance did move a bit fast. I loved the equality found in their relationship.
The plot followed Viola and Nathaniel as they got to know one another. As it’s a novella, things did progress rather quickly. But I wasn’t annoyed by this at all. It just seemed right, since Viola was so rarely allowed to be herself, that she’d fall in love with Nathaniel, who unquestionably accepted her for who she was.
I found this story to be a nice, easy read. The romance was great, and Nathaniel was an awesome hero. Add to that the fact that Viola changed as the story progressed, and really, what more could you want? If you like historical romance, or you want to try one that’s short and quick, definitely give this a shot.
I’m really not much of a novella reader. But once I saw that this historical romance featured a surgeon hero and an earl’s sister as a heroine, I was definitely intrigued. I absolutely love class differences in romance. Add to that my love of all things in this genre right now, and how could I say no?
Lady Viola started out the story a bit unlikable. She only wanted to be a duchess, and couldn’t wait to get back home to London. Put on a ship in order to go to New York for a brief stay because of her scheming to marry well, all she was focused on was getting back to society, and capturing a duke. She definitely had a lot of growing up to do, and I think the author managed to make her character realistically change. Because despite her ambitiousness, Viola was a very determined and intelligent sort of woman, and I really liked seeing her figure out that maybe being rich and perfect was possibly not what she wanted after all.
Nathaniel Shaw, the surgeon hero, was really great. He was very smart and kind. I loved how he didn’t look down on Viola’s intelligence because she was a woman. He really respected her, and wanted her to be happy. I think these two made a really good couple, even if their romance did move a bit fast. I loved the equality found in their relationship.
The plot followed Viola and Nathaniel as they got to know one another. As it’s a novella, things did progress rather quickly. But I wasn’t annoyed by this at all. It just seemed right, since Viola was so rarely allowed to be herself, that she’d fall in love with Nathaniel, who unquestionably accepted her for who she was.
I found this story to be a nice, easy read. The romance was great, and Nathaniel was an awesome hero. Add to that the fact that Viola changed as the story progressed, and really, what more could you want? If you like historical romance, or you want to try one that’s short and quick, definitely give this a shot.
August 14, 2015
We met Viola once before in an earlier book when she tried to compromise the Duke of Worth into marriage. It was a failed attempt and Viola’s brother sent her packing on one of his ships to New York along with 2 irascible chaperones and a request of the ship’s surgeon, Nathaniel, to look out for her. Viola finds out she has an interest in medicine and Nathaniel finds out he has an interest in Viola.
This is a charming short story a lovely, sexy, quick read for an afternoon or evening. Ms. Bowen does a superb job of bringing these characters to life in such a short piece. This is part of a wonderful series and I highly recommend the series as well as this short story.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
Merged review:
We met Viola once before in an earlier book when she tried to compromise the Duke of Worth into marriage. It was a failed attempt and Viola’s brother sent her packing on one of his ships to New York along with 2 irascible chaperones and a request of the ship’s surgeon, Nathaniel, to look out for her. Viola finds out she has an interest in medicine and Nathaniel finds out he has an interest in Viola.
This is a charming short story a lovely, sexy, quick read for an afternoon or evening. Ms. Bowen does a superb job of bringing these characters to life in such a short piece. This is part of a wonderful series and I highly recommend the series as well as this short story.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
This is a charming short story a lovely, sexy, quick read for an afternoon or evening. Ms. Bowen does a superb job of bringing these characters to life in such a short piece. This is part of a wonderful series and I highly recommend the series as well as this short story.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
Merged review:
We met Viola once before in an earlier book when she tried to compromise the Duke of Worth into marriage. It was a failed attempt and Viola’s brother sent her packing on one of his ships to New York along with 2 irascible chaperones and a request of the ship’s surgeon, Nathaniel, to look out for her. Viola finds out she has an interest in medicine and Nathaniel finds out he has an interest in Viola.
This is a charming short story a lovely, sexy, quick read for an afternoon or evening. Ms. Bowen does a superb job of bringing these characters to life in such a short piece. This is part of a wonderful series and I highly recommend the series as well as this short story.
I received this book free for review from the publisher.
http://ladeetdareads.wordpress.com
August 24, 2015
Very enjoyable afternoon read! Packed a lot of info and plot into a novella, but it didn't feel rushed at all. Will definitely read more in this series.
November 12, 2015
No, YOU paid .99 for a novella because you couldn't wait for book #2 to come in to your library.
January 3, 2016
Charming Novella. Viola redeems herself. Nice to see there's a real person under that facade.
November 13, 2017
A rather silly read. I had a hard time sticking to it and reading more than few pages in one sitting and it's a novella!
It's a story about a frivolous girl who is bored out of her mind on a ship heading from England to New York. She befriends a surgeon and I don't know what exactly happens next (because it wasn't that interesting and I skimmed the book). I'm sure there was minor drama with some sailor's injury, a sex scene and then HEA. Not much angst and not much humour. I don't think I will remember the plot in few weeks time.
It's a story about a frivolous girl who is bored out of her mind on a ship heading from England to New York. She befriends a surgeon and I don't know what exactly happens next (because it wasn't that interesting and I skimmed the book). I'm sure there was minor drama with some sailor's injury, a sex scene and then HEA. Not much angst and not much humour. I don't think I will remember the plot in few weeks time.
June 10, 2018
I haven't read the other books in this Lords of Worth series, but I enjoyed this short story. This tale on a ship from London to America was a pleasant diversion from the typical beautiful ballgowns and ton parties of England. This was a story about finding your worth and deciding who and what truly matters in life. Nathanial, a war surgeon, was an interesting man and a good match for Lady Viola, who on the surface was a shallow and self-absorbed young woman, but the reader quickly learns there is much more than appearances. I only wish this was a longer!
Read
May 12, 2017Great story. Viola is soooo bored on the ship. They've been sailing forever and she was only allowed to bring two books (which she has already read) plus she was assigned two chaperones who really keep her on a short lease. One day Viola decides to talk to the ship's surgeon. He offers to lend her a book to read. She ends up helping him suture an injured sailor thereby outraging her chaperones. Wonderful conclusion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2020
well this was a surprise. i enjoyed this novella very much and I'm sure most people know these novellas are usually fast-paced, the romance sometimes not developing properly. but this was perfect. i loved shaw and viola. the only thing is that they accepted their love for one another too quickly at the back.
September 1, 2018
Viola meets Nathan on a boat to America, where she is being sent to be managed for a while. It's fun to read a non-perfect heroine, although it would be great if the hero had been a little less perfect too. The asymmetry made it a bit less believable.
June 1, 2019
It’s hard to write a complete and satisfying love story in a novella; even more so when sex scenes are included. I would have really enjoyed a full length novel of this story but the rushed pace necessarily meant the characters and their relationship were lacking in depth and substance
August 20, 2020
This book was a disappointment. I've loved this series, but this just didn't measure up. Viola was not a nice person and she didn't seem to improve through the book. There wasn't a lot of character development but that's to be expected in a novella.
April 30, 2022
x. Steamy hot. Fast bite shows their mutual respect, passion. Missouri bound surgeon Nate set to follow Lewis and Clark, teaches desirable Lady Viola aboard her brother's ship from London to New York. Humor in spots and epilogue.
October 4, 2017
A fun side story to the series. I do like that Hextall's rebellious sister runs away to America with a doctor. :)
November 4, 2017
Cute, but much too short. Will add more later, probably.
September 7, 2018
Cute short story.
November 22, 2020
Quick novella. The FMC was kind of annoying. But overall it was enjoyable. However, a full length novel of a Lady learning to be a surgeon sounds amazing. So I am kind of disappointed lol.
historical-romance
November 13, 202139
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