TOO SCANDALOUS TO WED

Author: Alexandra Benedict ISBN: 0061170437 9/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: London - 1821

He Must Protect Her From His Past... Unwilling to taint any woman with the terrible secret hidden in his heart, Sebastian, Viscount Ravenswood, has sworn never to marry. Luckily, whimsical Henrietta Ashby was never much of a temptation for the devilishly handsome rogue—until now. Suddenly, Henrietta has learned to seduce him with a bewitching charm . . . and clandestine midnight kisses. Henrietta would go to any lengths to catch the eye of the man she's long loved from afar. She would even seek the help of the most notorious courtesan in England! But as Sebastian's secret follows them from the ballroom to the boudoir, and his diabolical enemy plots revenge, will Henrietta risk her life to offer him a passionate redemption . . . or will he prove to be too scandalous to wed?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

TOO SCANDALOUS TO WED is the follow up to Alexandra Benedict's 2006 release, TOO GREAT A TEMPTATION. Although the books are loosely connected, they definitely stand on their own as separate reads.

I adored the first half of this book. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Henrietta Ashby is completely and utterly in love with Sebastian, Viscount Ravenswood. For eight years she flirted with him only to have him look at her like a brother would a sister. Fed up, Henrietta decides to have a famous courtesan teach her how to seduce Sebastian. It worked out really well because when Sebastian returns from a long trip, he hardly recognizes her. Let the seduction begin.

Watching Henrietta seduce Sebastian was my favorite part of this book. However, when her seduction takes a terrible turn and Sebastian goes running off, the book lost its luster for me. I will admit that Henrietta and Sebastian aren't the most enjoyable hero and heroine. I never really felt connected to them—Sebastian is just okay as a hero and Henrietta, at times, was just too immature for my liking.

I do like Alexandra Benedict's writing. I read and reviewed her previous book and I loved it! Just because this book doesn't have me singing its praises, doesn't mean that I'm not going to give her next one a chance.

Would I recommend TOO GREAT A TEMPTATION? Yes and no. Although the first half was a great read, the second half just didn't do anything for me.

Julie Kornhausl