Last Night's Scandal Advanced Book Review *Loretta Chase*

Peregrine Dalmay, the Earl of Lisle has returned to England on and off over the past ten years while studying in Egypt. It's been five years since he has been back in England. He finds his parents to be ridiculous and emotional. They have become fed up with his heartless nature toward them and his siblings. And when Lisle's father threatens to cut him off unless he travels to Scotland and supervises the renovations of the alleged haunted Gorewood Castle that his family owns, Lisle is backed into a corner.

Olivia Wingate-Carsington has known Lisle since they were children. They once went on a grand adventure together unchaperoned in search of buried treasure while her mother Bathsheba Wingate and Lisle's uncle, Lord Rathbourne tried to find them. Bathsheba and Rathbourne then ended up getting married and Lisle went off to Egypt without Olivia. He and Olivia have exchanged many letters and she is thrilled that Lisle is back, if only for a short time. She hasn't seen him since she was eighteen and wants to show him how much of a lady she is. But after fours years of being out in society and still not married, she is feeling unfulfilled.

When Lisle attends the ninety-fifth birthday of a Dowager Countess, he's in for a deep shock when he sees Olivia. His dearest friend has turned into a very beautiful and striking woman. He's not sure how to act around her, although Olivia doesn't act any different around him. Lisle's feelings for Olivia have changed where he begins to desire her greatly. The only possible reason he can think why he's lusting for Olivia is because of how well her low cut dresses show off those "satanic breasts" of hers.

When Olivia finds out that Lisle must go to Scotland, she will go with him. Lisle refuses her request, well more like an order. Olivia is not used to be denying anything and will use her wiles to get what she wants even if that means going off by herself to the castle. Lisle is close to going crazy from Olivia's over the top ways, including this mind numbing lust for Olivia he can't control. Soon these two are searching for annoying ghosts and another trunk of priceless buried treasure. The smoldering attraction both Lisle and Olivia have for one another is ready to explode in ways both would have never expected.

Loretta Chase's Last Night's Scandal is a delightful regency romp where the heroine drives the hero batty. I've been waiting four long years for Lisle and Olivia's story ever since they first made their appearances in the 2006 book Lord Perfect. These two gave the adults in that book a run for their money and now Olivia does the same thing to Lisle who longs for tranquility. The only place where he feels he belongs is in Egypt and with Olivia at the most inopportune times. It's been awhile since I've read a romance where the two main characters are very young (or so it seems to me at my advanced age). Lisle and Olivia are not even twenty-five years old. Lisle acts much older, probably because of his travels, while Olivia acts the complete opposite. At times I wondered about her actions and words. One moment she would act like a harpy, then a spoiled twit and finally a woman who could handle anything that came her way. She was very excitable to the point where I expected her to fall to the ground and have a temper tantrum. I also wanted to give her a tranquilizer because she was so flighty. But as annoying as I found Olivia, she helps give Lisle balance. And since Olivia has always been allowed to do whatever she has wanted, it fits that she comes across spoiled and refuses to do what she's told.

The adventures in Scotland were slapstick and I kept thinking of a few 1930's screwball comedies as I read such as It Happened One Night and Bringing Up Baby. I really did enjoy Olivia and Lisle together, especially how these two went from friends to lovers. The last paragraph of the book made me smile.

Even with all of Olivia faults, that some readers may take exception to, I had a grand old time reading Last Night's Scandal. I laughed and smiled the entire time. Don't be surprised if you find yourself doing the same. (Avon)

Final Grade: B+

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