#BookReview – “Silk and Scandal” by Cassandra Dean

Blurb

Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her..

Review

Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons has traveled all across the world at her diplomatic father’s side. No matter where she goes or what she does, she always causes scandal.

Thomas Cartwright lives in London and wants nothing more than to become a respectable barrister and make his adopted parents proud. He and Nicola are childhood friends. He cares deeply for her, but her scandalous actions have made the London papers, even though she’s in another country. For the sake of his future and career in politics, he broke ties with Nicola through a letter. When she finally returns to London, she turns his quiet world upside down and everything he’s ever wanted is on the verge of ruination.

I really like Thomas. He’s an honorable, respectable man who wants to do good things with his life. I couldn’t connect with Nicola. She’s immature, irresponsible, and a flirt with no care as to whose life she affects. I felt sorry for her, but she brought her problems on herself.

The novella starts with and ends with a series of letters between the H/h to show at first their friendship and then their romantic relationship as the years pass. Though the letters were interesting, I would’ve preferred a prologue and epilogue to have shown the same things.

Overall, it’s a good story with an interesting plot, but the heroine was too flamboyant for my tastes.

3 Stars