Best novel of the series so far. The Hero and Heroine are both wonderful, with deep secrets but a high sense of honesty. Also, there's a definite literary influence going on in this novel that, while I won't spoil, I will admit it gave me both a bit of a laugh and no small amount of joy. I didn't see the twist coming until more than halfway through the novel, so props for that. Overall, a really fun romance with a well-earned HEA. I do hope there are more novels in this series since the overarching mystery has yet to be finished. ( )

Having read as many books as I have, it's easy for me to make a decision on how I feel about a particular story and author writing style. Sophie Barnes made that harder for me with His Scandalous Kiss. Ms. Barnes is a masterful storyteller. Her imagery is so vivid that I felt like I was experiencing the story first hand. Thorncliff Manor proved to be the best setting for the unfolding romance of Mary and Richard. One reason is the place was as mysterious as the event that took place there. Another is that it added to the undercurrent of seduction between the two main characters. Secrets, suspense, romance and sensuality abound with this novel.


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Link to full review below!Another great historical romance! Mary is witty and likable and Richard defines tortured hero! This review was originally posted on The Book Disciple ( )

Richard Heartly was betrayed by his brothers in arms and left for torture at the hands of the French. And when no one believes he survived, he did! But he lives in a self-imposed exile for 5 years, hiding his scars from the world.

But at the request of a dear family friend Lady Duncaster, so under that obligation, He attends her masquerade ball at Thorncliff Manor; but what he never expects is to fall in love with a women who stands out from the rest of Ton by simply wanting to get to know him as a person, before he reveals what is under his mask...and that women is Lady Mary!

Just when everything seems to be going right, a traitor reveals himself and attempts to destroy everything Richard and Mary have!

I have never read any of the Thorncliff Manor books before, but that honestly didn't matter, as His Scandalous Kiss can be read as a standalone novel, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to go back and read the first 2 books (which I'm totally planning to do).

The writing and the plot of this book were well written which made it a simply delicious read. The book were well paced, detailed, well researched and without fluff and ridiculousness. I'm not normally for historical romantic suspense, but I found this book just too good to put down!

When it comes to the characters, I have to say, I was totally in love with Richards character by chapter 3! And loved him even more when you learn of the pain and torture he managed to survived through! I also loved Mary's character and her dedication to her family. You can't help but agree with her of her views of marrying for love and her dedicated to her family. I will completely admit I was blown away by whom the traitor was! And his actions at the Manor astounded me! But I could literally go on and on about this book, that's how much I loved it!

I give His Scandalous Kiss 5 well deserved stars! ( )

Richard was wounded at Waterloo and has been hiding in his bedroom for five years, only speaking to his brother. Mary has a secret life. When the two meet at a masquerade ball, they are each intrigued by the other.
I thought this was going to be a Beauty and the Beast tale, but it turned out to not really follow that mode. It was okay though I thought the plot wasn't fleshed out very well. For example, there's a cave with all sorts of discoveries under Thorncliff Manor, but Mary is the only one who finds it even though there's tunnels leading back to the house. Five years of Richard hiding in his room even if he's plotting revenge seemed just strange. The same with Mary being a wallflower in her third Season and now every man at the house party seems to want to marry her.
It is a sweet story regardless and I enjoyed it, just not as much as I wanted to. ( )