How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart (affiliate link)

by Vivienne Lorret

Expected publication: May 24th 2022

by Avon

Ruined debutante Prudence Thorogood lost everything when she was ousted from polite society, including her inheritance. Now she’ll do anything to take back what’s hers… even if she has to steal it. Accepting a scandalous offer from Lord Savage seems like the perfect solution to disguise her criminal intentions from the ton. Until she discovers that there’s more to this scoundrel than meets the eye.

Leo Ramsgate, Marquess of Savage, has everything except for a heart. That organ dried up long ago after a devastating betrayal. Since then, he vowed never to trust or love again. He ensures that his dalliances are mutually satisfying, but always temporary… until he meets the reserved Miss Thorogood. Not one of his previous lovers has ever beguiled him the way she does. Not one has made him want to break his own rules. Not one has tempted him to keep her… forever.

Prue has every intention of disappearing from London after their affair ends. But her plan falters when she finds herself falling hopelessly in love with a man who may never love her in return. With time running out and so much at stake, she cannot help but wonder…

How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart?

Review

I went down a Vivienne Lorret rabbit hole and never came back out. I discovered the author in a holiday anthology which led me to this series. She is a phenomenal Historical Fiction writer! Special thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the sneak peek into her newest novel. It was so, so good!

Pru Thorogood is marching her way out of the country after being spurned by one of her best friend’s intended. On the road, muddy, bedraggled and fighting for her luggage from a drover, a carriage stops to help her out. Inside, Lord Savage and his latest companion. The banter is hilarious, their relationship witty and smart. Pru is determined to make her own way in the world without any help, and Savage is determined to help. She’s resorting to larceny to recover her lost inheritance, he is the new accomplice.

Every character jumps off of the page, including Savage’s house staff who intervene in an attempt to save Pru’s innocence. Pru is a perfectionist after living with an overly critical father and step-mother. Savage guard his heart with contracts and codicils. They work so well together, if only they can put aside the walls they’ve built. Savage is the perfect juxtaposition of society scoundrel who keep his word, protects and build up Miss Thorogood until she can believe in herself. The villains are downright villainous–their plot was over the top cruel. So many twists and turns in their plan, with one constant– a love match that steals the scene and comes unexpected to both parties. I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next in the series.

Content and trigger warnings: Adult content, poisoning, death in childbirth, abusive guardians, assault.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author, VIVIENNE LORRET transforms copious amounts of tea into words. She is an Avon author of works including: The Wallflower Wedding Series, The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series, The Season’s Original Series, and the Misadventures in Matchmaking series. For more information on her books, sign up for her newsletter at www.vivlorret.net.