In A MOST SCANDALOUS ENGAGEMENT, a painting of a naked woman brings together two childhood friends who were always meant for each other.

This is the second book in a series and I have not read the first book. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. In fact, I immediately ordered book #1 after finishing A MOST SCANDALOUS ENGAGEMENT. The series centers on a mysterious painting of a naked woman that has been placed in a men’s club. Peter wants to know why the seemingly respectable Lady Elizabeth would pose for such a thing, while two of his friends believe it to be other women.

This is a very fun historical romance. Both of the main characters are likable and from the very beginning I was rooting for them to find true love with each other. Lady Elizabeth is a beautiful young lady who has every man of the ton chasing after her, but all they see in her is a pretty face. She has made sure to hide everything that makes her unique. I liked that there were two sides to her. The real her that Peter sees and the one she presents to the world. Peter is the same way and I think that’s why the couple works for me so well. He isn’t a peer and has made his own way.

Most of this story takes place at various ton parties as the couple tries to get society to believe in their sudden “engagement”. I usually prefer a story that does more than focus of parties and drives through the park, but it fits this book perfectly. Peter and Elizabeth are performing for the ton and what better way than to dance and have fun.

There isn’t much more to this book than the relationship between Peter and Elizabeth and that’s perfect in my opinion. I love the simplicity of the story and how it focuses on the romance instead of other intrigue. My favorite part of A MOST SCANDALOUS ENGAGMENT is the scenes describing Elizabeth and Peter seeing each other after being apart. Even if they had only been apart for a day their meeting was romantic. They missed each other even though their relationship was just a “show”. This scene stuck out to me:

And then Peter arrived, his hair disheveled from the outdoors. When he spotted her, his smile fairly beamed with pride and adoration. She felt a jolt of warm pleasure before reminding herself what they were to each other.

She reached her gloved hands to him, and he brought them to his lips.

“Elizabeth.”

He murmured her name as if just seeing her put a shine on his day.

Reviewed by: Carrie