Review: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Highland Pleasures, #2
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 6, 2010
Pages: 316
Rating:

Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again--this time by leaving him.

Now the reformed Mac has returned, and he wants one thing: Isabella back in his life, his house, his bed. He'll do anything he has to, play any game, as long as he gets her back. Isabella resists, but when she agrees to pose for erotic paintings he's been working on, she realizes her body has never stopped craving her husband’s very skilled touch. Mac is determined to show Isabella that he's a changed man, but three years without her has only increased his hunger for her.

When an ingenious forger with designs on Mac's paintings, and Isabella herself, comes dangerously near, Mac sets himself up as Isabella’s protector and vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not.

After reading the first book in the Highland Pleasures Series I was extremely excited to start more of these books, but sadly LADY ISABELLA'S SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE was quite dull in comparison to The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

The story and the plot isn't so bad, but what really got me was the romance in this book. I felt like this was not the same Isabella from the previous book which was a utter disappointment. Mac and Isabella were separated for three and a half years and they are finally trying to rekindle their marriage and bring back the lost love in their marriage.

Mac and Isabella were just too boring to me. I just didn't see the spark that Ian and Beth had in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. When reading a romance book I expect that perfect romance where the hero and heroine fall in love and magic happens. There was no magic or any sparks. To be honest I was bored through the entire book.

We did get brief glimpses of characters from the previous book, which was enjoyable to find out what they were up to and everything. But, honestly, I was highly disappointed in LADY ISABELLA'S SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE for the romance alone. But I think it can go both ways, I've seen some readers love and some reading not loving it. I am looking forward and also a bit scared to read about the next Mackenzie brother, Cameron. I just hope I will not end up being disappointed with his story.