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Scoundrel

Debra Dier

402 pages

A sparkling Regency romp where a fabricated husband suddenly materializes in the flesh, bringing espionage and undeniable chemistry to the ballroom.

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What it feels like

Reading this book feels like stepping into a glittering Regency ballroom where the stakes are as high as the chandeliers. The narrative moves at a brisk, delightful clip, seamlessly blending the sparkling wit of a romantic comedy with the thrilling undertones of a spy caper. You are immediately swept up in the playful, adventurous tone, anchored by a heroine whose fierce independence clashes beautifully with a hero harboring a wounded soul. The prose is lively and dialogue-driven, ensuring the banter snaps and crackles before melting into genuine, swoony tenderness. It is an absolute treat for readers who love the fake-relationship trope, offering an emotional journey that transitions from a hilarious battle of wits to a deeply satisfying, soul-healing romance.

Mood
  • sparkling
  • swoony
  • intrigue-laced
  • lighthearted
Tone
  • playful
  • witty
  • romantic
  • adventurous
Pace
brisk
Themes
healing through love · the burden of secrets · vulnerability of trust · societal expectations
The writing
Lively and engaging, driven by sharp, sparkling banter and grounded by moments of tender emotional introspection.
The arc
Moves from a battle of wits built on mutual deception to a profound, soul-healing surrender.
Who it's for
Readers who crave classic Regency romances where high-stakes espionage meets delightful, fake-marriage hijinks.
Content notes
  • mild violence
  • wartime trauma
  • deception

About the book

From bestselling author Debra Dier comes a story filled with romance, intrigue, and memorable characters. Scoundrel is set during the glittering Regency period in England.

Scoundrel is the first book in the Beyond the First Blush series.

Independent minded 25 year old Emily Maitland knew her parents would never allow her younger sisters to attend the Season until she married. Since she had no intention of making a loveless match with some witless fop or sentencing her sisters to spinsterhood, she eloped with the perfect man. Major Sheridan Blake was her ideal husband: handsome, charming, dashing—and completely imaginary. She was stunned when a 29 year old counterfeit Major Blake marched into her life and claimed her as his bride. Determined to vanquish the handsome rogue without revealing her own deception, Emily soon discovers the bewildering scoundrel is even more intriguing than any ideal from her imagination.

An agent for the Ministry, Simon St. James exploited Emily’s deception to suit his mission. He was searching for a traitor smuggling arms to Napoleon’s army. He found an auburn haired virago who could heal his wounded soul. Trapped in the web of his own deception, he would fight the devil himself for the chance of winning his lady.

Scoundrel was nominated for the Romantic Times (RT Reviews) Regency Historical Romance of the Year award.

“Debra Dier pens a delightfully original romance. Scoundrel is an enchanting book to treasure.”—RT Reviews

Description from Open Library.

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