Book Review: How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart by Vivienne Lorret

About the Book:

Title: How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart

Author: Vivienne Lorret

Series: The Mating Habits of Scoundrels #4

Page Length: 384

Publication Date: May 24, 2022

Publisher: Avon

Synopsis: In USA Today bestselling author Vivienne Lorret’s latest steamy romance, a determined debutante discovers that making a deal with a notorious rake might just give her more than she ever bargained for…

Ruined debutante Prudence Thorogood lost everything when she was ousted from polite society, including her inheritance. Now she’ll do anything to take back what’s hers… even if she has to steal it. Accepting a scandalous offer from Lord Savage seems like the perfect solution to disguise her criminal intentions from the ton. Until she discovers that there’s more to this scoundrel than meets the eye.

Leo Ramsgate, Marquess of Savage, has everything except for a heart. That organ dried up long ago after a devastating betrayal. Since then, he vowed never to trust or love again. He ensures that his dalliances are mutually satisfying, but always temporary… until he meets the reserved Miss Thorogood. Not one of his previous lovers has ever beguiled him the way she does. Not one has made him want to break his own rules. Not one has tempted him to keep her… forever.

Prue has every intention of disappearing from London after their affair ends. But her plan falters when she finds herself falling hopelessly in love with a man who may never love her in return. With time running out and so much at stake, she cannot help but wonder…

How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart?

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

In How to Steal a Scoundrel’s Heart, Prue Thoroughgood, a ruined woman shunned by her family, wants to retrieve several heirlooms that she feels rightfully belong to her. Unfortunately, her awful stepmother has control of them and has gambled much of it away. So, Prue resorts to larceny and attempts to steal back her treasures. But when all seems hopeless, an arrangement with the Marquess of Savage offers Prue everything she wanted – her heirlooms, her family cottage, and a peaceful life out of the public eye.

Savage has sworn off love and vows no one will ever win his heart. However, he is surprisingly intrigued by Prue from the moment he meets her, and when she appears at his doorstep, he makes her an offer that’s impossible to refuse. Prue agrees to become his mistress for four months in return for his help, but will four months be enough for this couple?

Prue and Savage are great protagonists, and they have definite good girl/bad boy vibes. She is an innocent ruined from a kiss, and he is a scoundrel notorious for his sexual prowess and stream of mistresses. Though they seem quite different, they are alike in many ways, and their relationship is filled with chemistry from their first unconventional meeting.

Prue learned from her family and society that she was unlovable, replaceable, and unworthy. Savage learned from his that he was unloved and unwanted, and further relationships destroyed his faith in love and trust. They both are alone in many ways, and they have put walls around their hearts. When they enter this contract, neither hopes to find love or more than a brief connection. But they quickly realize that this is more than a passing fling, and both must face their fears and feelings.

I like how Prue and Savage slowly grow to understand each other, and I love how understanding and patient Savage is with Prue. He is way more sensitive and selfless than he admits! Prue has been traumatized by past experiences, and the way that he cares for her and shows her what it feels like to be cherished is swoon-worthy. Prue, in turn, makes Savage see that she likes him for him, not for his wealth or social standing. This is new for both characters, as their past relationships were not based on respect, care, or admiration. Even when Savage acts overbearing, it’s clear he is passionate about Prue and is determined to do right by her. I also love how oblivious they both are about how deep their feelings run. Neither has experience with being in love, and their cluelessness leads to some fun and some frustrating scenes for both of them.

Though Prue and Savage don’t have the support of love of their respective families, they both have people in their lives that care for them. Prue’s loyal friends and Savage’s friends and employees are all fantastic, and they are more like family than friends. I like how these characters help Prue and Savage see what they want in life and help them attain it. They are often the voices of reason when Prue and Savage can’t see past their own swirling and conflicting emotions.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. It’s fun and sexy, and there’s a little bit of intrigue as Prue and Savage work to retrieve her heirlooms. Though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, and I think readers of sexy historical romance will enjoy it. Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author, and Avon for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.