Lily Somerset is spending the season with the Sutherland family, and hoping to catch a dependable and unexciting husband. However, a case of mistaken identity will lead to gossip that could ruin her reputation. Now she finds herself dependent on Robin Sutherland to be her escort, and he is anything but dependable. He is, however, charming and handsome and Lily finds herself drawn to the roguish gentleman. When the dependable man she wanted at the beginning of the season starts to court her Lily must decide between a man she thinks she can depend on or the man who ignites her passion.

A SEASON OF RUIN is the second book in Anna Bradley's Sutherland Scandal series. The story is delightfully sensual with two charming protagonists. Lily is sweet and lively with a mind of her own, and a deep love for her family. She handles the difficult situations she finds herself in with grace and cunning, and readers will find her a wonderful heroine. Robin, though a bit forceful at times, is a roguish hero with a kind heart and fierce loyalty. The Sutherland sisters, Charlotte and Eleanor, are pleasant side characters who add both wit and seriousness to A SEASON OF RUIN, and Lily's grandmother is a humorous addition to the plot. Readers of the first book will be happy to have a few moments back with Alec and Delia.

The antagonist, Atherton, is a devious gentleman and gets his justice in the end. The setting is well written and Bradley describes the ballrooms and parties are so well readers will no doubt be able to picture themselves attending right along with Lily. The plot will move readers along quickly from conflict to conflict, and the ultimate decision Lily must make will have readers turning pages to discover her choice. The climax is a bit predictable, but exciting, and the end will leave readers wanting more of the Sutherlands.

A SEASON OF RUIN is a steamy romance with enjoyable characters and a story readers won't be able to set aside.

Book Summary

Anna Bradley, author of A Wicked Way to Win an Earl, continues her Sutherland Scandals series with a tantalizing new Regency romance filled with opulence, elegance, and forbidden desire...

Lily Somerset’s plan for the London season is simple: courtship, marriage to a respectable gentleman, then the comfortable existence of a proper Lady. That is, until one tiny misstep leaves Lily on the edge of social ruin, forcing her to depend on a wicked rogue to save her reputation.

Robyn Sutherland doesn’t save reputations—he sullies them. He'd rather be drawn and quartered than find himself spending the season as Lily's escort. But he has no choice but to stay until her tattered standing is mended.

What begins as a ruse to deceive London soon flames into an uncontrollable passion. Robyn calls to the wild spirit that lurks beneath Lily’s prim exterior, and Lily awakens the hero’s heart within Robyn. But can these unlikely lovers trust themselves enough to let desire overrule reason?