This was good, but I was sort of expecting more. I love a good Regency romance, especially with a pirate, but the pacing felt a little bit off for me. At the beginning of the characters were very wary of each other, and then all of a sudden they were very loving towards each other, which, if this is a slow burn, then that shouldn’t be happening, but unfortunately it did. That being said, I did love the way Archer defended Ruby with all of his heart and wanted to make sure she was safe the whole time. Now that is a man! The absolute yearning this man had for her kept me on my toes. I absolutely love that man. Also, the way I could so relate to Ruby and how she doesn’t feel seen and feels a little bit odd, especially with social ton. Trust girl, I get it. But when she loves deeply and loves so fiercely, you can clearly tell that she means it. And I love the way she was able to defend Archer and herself as the story moves along.
Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250414250, June 2026)
Reviewed by Itzy, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina