I'm not that into revenge themes, but this worked past most of it fairly quickly. I enjoyed the characters together and liked them. It was an enjoyable read.

There were a couple circumstances in the end that I really wish had played out differently, but it isn't the end of the world. (considerable spoilers) First the smaller of the two, he ends up continuing with his plan even after falling in love with her specifically so that he can be with her admitting to himself that she's the only thing that matters, but then when she discovers his scheme he doesn't once mention having genuine feelings for her or that any of it was for her and they break up. And then right before going through with his plan he's thinking to himself about how she didn't really love him and he's fine with the breakup and he'll be with someone else instead, but the very next moment he's already abandoned all his previous plans simply to have a shot with her. With no segway or anything. It just ended up ringing kind of hollow and all over the place purely to stir up some additional drama. Secondly and more frustrating to me, he turns out to be the rightful heir, and he's the spitting image of the father, and the son previously thought to be the heir hadn't impressed me (even besides his gambling addiction), so it seemed like everything was working out brilliantly. But then the entire family with their heads together can't think of a single lie to explain his absence, so they decide to just pretend like nothing ever changed, even though that's now a lie in itself. Off the very top of my head they could have said that a fictional midwife told them the child was stillborn so they never told anyone about the baby due to grief, etc., but really she stole the child. She died soon after though so there's no one to prosecute now, and he ended up with the woman who raised him. No need to lie about anything else going forward. It's definitely a smaller, easier lie to keep than the one they go with. It excuses them for not seeking him out or telling anyone of his existence, everyone would be thrilled with a prodigal son scenario, they wouldn't have to lie about their connection with him or any of the rest of his backstory or who the true heir is, no one would whisper about him being their dirty secret, his siblings would get a better shot in life (which was part of why he was doing all this to begin with), their ward could openly marry their son and be a duchess as they'd always planned, etc. etc. Literally everyone would be better off except the second son who showed very poor judgement and is probably better suited to not having that responsibility anyway. The hero acts like it's because he doesn't want to risk embarrassing the duchess, but they also mention that people will think he's the Duke's byblow because they look so alike, so there's going to be some embarrassment and judgement from society regardless, this saves them nothing really. It is good of the hero to be *willing* to give up his rightful inheritance out of love for her of course, but it just wasn't really necessary for him to do so. Which just irritates me. ( )

Better-than-average Regency.

Male lead- illegitimate son of a duke, Mick Trewlove
Female lead- ward of the same duke, Lady Aslyn

Starts off typically enough, the Lady Aslyn is to be betrothed to the duke's legitimate son. Mick Trewlove is wanting revenge.

Slowly we learn that the duke's legitimate son isn't as wonderful as he appears. Mick's plans for revenge aren't working as planned. Lady Aslyn shows some independence.

Mick's family is probably the best part of the story. Unexpected.

The surprise ending is excellent, just this side of plausible, but it works. ( )

A delight historical romance. ( )

Surprise twist Borrowed from Amazon Prime Reading. ( )

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Mick grew up knowing he was illegitimate and experienced all the society pitfalls because of it. All he has ever wanted is for his father to publicly acknowledge him but when his father refuses, he decides to ruin his half-brother heir.
Aslyn has been the Duke of Hedley's ward for most of her life after her parents died. With it understood that she would eventually marry Hedley's son and their very protective nature, Aslyn has been sheltered. Starting to feel stifled, she begins to push for more freedom. After meeting Mick, she senses a freedom she has never thought to experience.
Mick wants revenge but how far will he be willing to get it?

"I intend to take from him everything he holds dear---including the lady at his side."

The first in a new series, Beyond Scandal and Desire focuses on the eldest child of Widow Trewlove, a woman who took in unwanted babies. While we are introduced to Mick as a very successful business man, he alludes and mentions how tough it was growing up poor and with the taint of being a bastard. The revenge he seeks is a bit different; he simply wants his father to acknowledge him and hopes this will open higher society doors to him. It's a little heartbreaking that Mick obviously just wants to feel acknowledged by his father, making him feel meaningful since he was given away. Mick was the hero where circumstances force him to have a tough outer shell but is angry and hurt over feeling abandoned. He was somewhat romance hero trope (a bit more sensitive) but how he fell for heroine made him very enjoyable to read.

Why did this man have such an effect on her?
Why did everyone else seem so small in comparison?

Our heroine Aslyn starts off very sheltered and buttoned up but with some inner thoughts that hint at a will striving to break free. I, personally, thought Aslyn stole the show a bit with her living in quiet desperation. Her journey and growth from accepting her gilded cage, to starting to question, finding herself, and finally expressing and owning what she wanted was so satisfying. Usually it is the hero who stands tall during the declarations of love but, here, oh the heroine brings it and I was cheering her on. Aslyn could have taken the easy road but she spoke her truth and I delighted in following along on her journey.

Never before had he ever been so weak-willed.
He was a man of strength, and yet he thought for her he'd go to his knees.

With a mysterious painful beginning, I was sucked into the story right away. I took pleasure in the slow buildup and burn Heath provided, we get to know Mick and Aslyn (does start to feel a smidgen too slow as the anticipation for reveals starts to settle in). There are some scenes with Mick interacting with his family that helped fill out his character (and introduce future series heroes/heroines) and I wished there had been more for Aslyn. The Duke and Duchess of Hedley don't get as flushed out as I would have liked and their son definitely gets too much of a thinly veiled villain w/ maybe future redemption arc. While I enjoyed the slower buildup, the story had too much of a top heavy feel, the ending felt rushed. I would be lying if I didn't say I started watching the page count after I got around 60% waiting for a reveal that would have repercussions in Mick and Aslyn's relationship. The reveal was extremely needed too, but with how late it finally happened, I was left feeling a bit bereft and missing some crucial emotional angst and growth between the two; my favorite romance components. At minimum, this story needed to be 100 pages longer (my old romance reading heart would have delighted in a full sequel book finishing Aslyn and Mick's story with working things out after full reveal).

The buildup and getting to know characters first half will have you engrossed into the story but the very late reveals give the ending a rushed feel. Some secondary characters felt too thin but Aslyn's growth and journey along with her instant connection and simmering romance with Mick will have you appreciating and taking pleasure in the story.

All his life he'd been searching for acceptance, and here it was in the form of a woman with a tilted-up nose and crooked smile.
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