Outrageous: A Gripping Historical Regency Romance Book

When Eva learns that Godric is planning to kidnap her brother's wife, Eva turns the tables and kidnaps Godric instead. But they don't get very far into their journey before he convinces her that she's ruined herself, and they'll have to marry. He promises to let her live an independent life, so she reluctantly goes along with the scheme. But a band of highwaymen sidetracks their trip to the Scottish border, and they're soon running for their lives. Godric was the villain of NOTORIOUS, book 1 in this series. So making him the hero of this book was an interesting choice. This author is adept at redeeming unlikable characters, and she does so with Godric. He suffers from "male hysteria" (an archaic term for PTSD, maybe, although in this case his symptoms are more like traumatic grief). The author doesn't really explain how he suddenly "snaps out of it" and realizes his plan to kidnap Dru isn't sane. In the end, he's a flawed but heroic character worthy of an HEA. Eva is delightful, even if she tends not to think things all the way through. She lives in the moment and trusts herself to get out of any scrapes she manages to get into. Which, it turns out, she's very good at. The characters are well-developed, but ultimately, this is a plot-driven story. It's exciting from beginning to end. If you like the "kidnapping" and "on the road" tropes, this book is a good choice. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

va de Courtney overhears Godric Fleming, Lord Visel, plotting with his cousin to kidnap her sister-in-law (and BFF) Drusilla and ruin her. Being an impulsive sort of girl, Eva determines to kidnap Godric to foil his plans. Unfortunately, whilst Eva is stunningly beautiful it is of the china doll variety and Godric quickly overpowers her when he wakes from being hit over the head. Eva's personality belies her appearance. She might look like a little doll but she hates Balls and dresses, preferring to spend time in the stables and watching mills (boxing matches to you and I). Indeed, her dream is to open her own stud farm and breed horses. She also swears like a stable-boy! Godric lost his entire family to an attack by pirates while he was at war fighting Napoleon. It also sent him slightly mad with grief, determined never to love anyone ever again because he couldn't bear the pain of losing them. Nevertheless he knows that what he planned to do was wrong, and Eva's actions mean that the only honourable thing to do is to marry her, if he doesn't strangle her from frustration first. This feels to me like a modern interpretation of a raunchy Georgette Heyer (no greater compliment can I give), a feisty heroine dressed in boys clothes, a broken-down carriage, shenanigans (OMG I loved the ostler who gravely says this feels like shenanigans and the master told him to report shenanigans to the mayor!), a succession of inns, each worse than the last, and kidnappings galore. This was fun, fast-paced and funny. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Outrageous by Minerva Spencer Rebels of the Ton #2 Mixed bag, this one. I had trouble remembering the last book and then, I began to remember it a bit SO with that said, I didn’t remember how horrible Godric Visel was in the previous book and that may have helped in reading this one as I read in other reviews that they had whiplash with the personality change he exhibited from end of book one to beginning of book two. The book begins with nineteen-year-old Eva de Courtney kidnapping Visel believing it would in some way benefit her family. She was tired of him causing her best friend Drusilla, her brother Gabriel and the rest of her family trouble. So, with help from her groom James, Eva manages to puts Godric in a carriage and off they head to Scotland. There were highs and lows in the story and I had mixed feeling about the story as I read. What I liked: * The writing allowed me to see and experience all that was happening and all senses were engaged * Eva’s boldness and love for her family * Visel’s ability to continue in spite of all that he lost – enjoyed learning what his motivation was and how it was explained in the book. * James: the groom seemed a good fellow and a person I would like to know more about * Andrew: a young man found on the side of the road that deserved better than life handed him – wondering if he will show up in the future. * Eva’s father: a bit stern and cool but also loving, kind and there for his family * Wondering if Byers will end up with Eva’s sister * That Eva was curious and independent with a sense of what she really wanted to do with her life – even if it was probably not in keeping with the times. * The real fear that was exhibited related to madness in that era. * The steamy bits * That Eva admitted she “liked to argue” just because…although it might be her most redeeming quality * That Eva, though a virgin, was informed on the mechanics of consummating a relationship * That the two finally “woke up” and did manage to get their HEA What I found harder to understand-like-appreciate * All of the kidnappings…there were a few. * The immaturity Eva exhibited and her inability to think things through or see the consequences. She was 19 BUT I sometimes felt she seemed more like 12. * The age gap of seventeen years between Eva and Godric could have been made to feel less vast if Eva had acted with more maturity or Godric hadn’t so often seen her as childish…though she…was. * The fear of madness that loomed heavily on Eva and her siblings * Wondering how Eva got away with going to Mill Houses, spending time with James, and getting up to some of the activities that she did…like kidnapping Godric. * The about turns that Visel made * Why most of the story took place traveling * I didn’t see the attraction between Eva and Godric. True, my husband is nearly fourteen years older than I am but we met when I was 26. I am not sure that at 19 a man 36 would have appealed to me or that we would have had anything in common. Did I enjoy this book? I did with some reservations Would I read more by this author/in this series? Yes Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review. 3-4 Stars