#Review: Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone – Donna Cummings

Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone? on 9 June 2017
Pages: 168

Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone?

That is precisely what the Dowager Lady Thornham wants to know. She devotes her days to reading every scandalous morsel published about London's rakes and rogues, but lately it seems they have all settled down and abandoned their wicked behavior.

Fortunately the Dowager has hit upon a new diversion: matchmaking. She has summoned her three nephews to a house party attended by a score of marriage-minded debutantes, and warned the young men they shall lose their quarterly allowance if they thwart her matrimonial schemes.

Three Scoundrel Heroes. One Determined Dowager. Three Unexpected Romances.

Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone was a delightful tale of three cousins, a scheming Dowager aunt, and three young women who thought they had given up on love. Sprinkled with Cummings humor, the characters moved the story forward with romance and wooing.

Where Have All the Scoundrels gone was such a fun read, the three cousins all thought they were smarter than their dowager aunt, who had assembled twenty young debutantes for them to woo and marry as soon as possible. They weren’t having it, though, and rather went for three slightly older ladies instead. The seduction was well done, and I felt wooed as well, because these cousins could truly bring it!

In true Cummings style, Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone included ladies that were quite unconventional, and because two of them were widows, they weren’t inexperienced wallflowers, either. I enjoyed how the story flowed, and even if it was quite short, I was utterly satisfied when I came to the end.

Written in three parts, one for each cousin, Where Have All the Scoundrels gone gave some good insight to each of them, showing both their differences and what they had in common. Trying to outsmart their aunt, while also getting the woman of their affection became the main plot point, and it was both romantic, hot and sweet.

Third person point of view, past tense, and with an omniscient narrator, Where Have All the Scoundrels gone was a quick read, and one I recommend to readers who enjoy a hot historical romp filled with humor and good times.

“I have indeed, Richard. And please call me Constance.” “Such a perfect name. Constance. It fits you completely. “You are not only incorrigible, you are quite fanciful.” “One of us must be. You shall be constant, and true, while I shall take on the role of flighty frippery, chasing after non-existent fairy sprites.”

“I am definitely comfortable now,” she said, her voice soft and breathy. “With the cue, I mean.” He gave a brisk not, not entirely sure his voice would work if called upon.

But she found his keen interest quite intoxicating, irresistibly so. “What else would you like to know?” “Do you believe there is only one love for each of us in our lifetime?” “That would be like saying there can only be one masterpiece in the art world. Would you paint one portrait and then say, ‘No more, ever again’?”

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2017 New Release Challenge

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