BEFORE THE SCANDAL
The Notorious Gentlemen
Suzanne Enoch
Avon Books
August 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-145674-9
Historical Romance

Lt. Colonel Phineas Bromley returns to the family estate after a ten year absence, after receiving a letter from his sister that their older brother was dying. The only thing, his brother was as well as could be expected and did not greet him with open arms. Phin may not be welcomed, but he knew from local rumors and the shape the estate was in that something was wrong. His sister Elizabeth wanted him home for some reason, though now she could not tell him what was going on after promising their brother not to...but Phin is determined to find out who is trying to ruin them and destroy the family estate. The only other person glad to see him home is Alyse Donnelly from the neighboring estate who had been his childhood friend, and herself fallen on bad times after a youthful scandal. Now Phin has two mysteries to solve...donning the identity of The Gentleman, an infamous legendary highwayman, Phin is determined to find the answers he seeks and discover the guilty with a little help from his friends, The Notorious Gentlemen. As Phin delves deep into local matters, he loses his heart to the lovely Alyse...but danger lurks and threatens them all...


BEFORE THE SCANDAL is a wonderful and entertaining Regency historical filled with swash-buckle and adventure, romance and mystery. Suzanne Enoch's Regency historicals are always emotionally intense with snatches of humor, and lots of great Regency storytelling--BEFORE THE SCANDAL is this and so much more! Phin is a delicious hero, dark, a bit of a bad boy, and of course, a total hero. BEFORE THE SCANDAL is the second book in The Notorious Gentlemen series with AFTER THE KISS being the first...do read both, but BEFORE THE SCANDAL can be read on its own and it is highly recommended!

Rating: 4 1/2
Reviewed by Debora Hosey