Kerrigan Byrne books get me. Sometimes (who am I kidding most times haha) I want my historical romance on the dramatic side, with brave women, "braw" men and chemistry. She writes these books really well and her books are an automatic read for me.

ASAB is the 2nd in a new series of hers about a trio of women- The Red Rogues. I liked Cecil from the first book and liked her even more in hers. Her courage, compassion and brains were so yum. Where this book stuttered would be Ramsay our male hero. See, the author writes about anti-heroes a lot and redeems them so well, it's ironic that the pious guy here is one of her most unlikeable heroes. Gosh! He was so judgmental and try as I could I just couldn't totally warm up to his character. I think he needed a lot more groveling. LOL. Another thing I didn't enjoy was the twist near the end.

Ultimately as I said, KB's books get me. And so even while this was not her best or as good as book 1, I still had fun with it.

Now on to Frank's story! I am so excited.

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I so enjoy Kerrigan Byrne's writing. And this is my favorite of her most recent three books that I've read (this book, the first book in this series, and her most recent book (the 7th) in her Victorian Rebels series, (the other two are still solid in their own right)). There's an outside threat of danger (pretty typical in her stories) and some likable side characters, but it still really focused on the two of them and their relationship. They're both strong characters who are better together, which I love. It features a big strapping Scot hero and a plus size heroine. It has absolutely delightful yearning! The 'I need you with every fiber of my being, you are essential not only to my life's happiness but to my life full-stop.' sort, which is fun. ( )

What a wonderful story! What a wonderful series! I’ve been eagerly awaiting the second book in the Devil You Know series by author Kerrigan Byrne, and my reward for waiting was another exciting, romantic, sexy tale about the Red Rogues – Alexandra, Cecelia, and Francesca or Alex, Cecil and Frank as they like to be called. In book #1, Alex captured the heart, soul – and body – of her dangerous duke Piers. Now we turn to Cecil and the fierce lord.

We first meet Cecelia Teague as a child: chubby, embarrassingly brilliant at maths, achingly lonely, harassed, humiliated, harangued – and locked in a cellar by her father, a bitter, fanatically pious vicar who punishes her for merely being female, as if that is justification for making her feel unwanted, unloved, and unable to ever succeed. And this time it seems he is just going to let her starve to death and die down there.

Fast forward 15 years to the late 1800s and meet a hard, harsh, bitter, unhappy, achingly lonely lord, Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. And, oh yes, huge and handsome. We don’t learn so much about his background, but we learn enough to know he doesn’t remember it fondly. He’s unyielding, unwavering in his desire to see justice done, unloving and unlovable. He’s not called the Vicar of Vice for nothing. If he can be close to anyone, it’s his half-brother Piers. And Piers is married to Alexandra, best friend to Cecelia and one of the Red Rogues. There’s your connection!

Cecelia and Ramsay have met before, of course. But their encounter at the start of All Scot and Bothered sets things off and heats things up. If this were a cartoon, when Ramsay looks up and sees Cecelia he would be smacked in the side of the head with something, the word, “Wham!!!” would appear and hearts and birds would revolve around him. He is so instantly attracted to Cecelia that it’s as if he’s on a string being pulled toward her. And as for Cecelia, that string is firmly attached to her, too.

This is a delightful, rollicking, steamy, suspenseful adventure with characters that you love the moment you meet them, and continue to love through their bad behaviour, sullen moods and subterfuge. You know where the story is going, or at least you fervently hope so, but you want to read each and every word to extract the most enjoyment possible out of it, and read the sexy bits very slowly and possibly twice.

Cecelia is not a bluestocking so is on the fringe of society but that suits her just fine. She was rescued from that cellar by an unknown benefactor. She’s independent and that’s just how she likes it. She doesn’t expect to attract a man and doesn’t need to (well, we know better, don’t we?). Ramsay is devoted to his work, to cleaning things up, doesn’t trust, need or want women. His is a lonely life but it’s deliberate. Don’t expose yourself, don’t get hurt. But what is that attraction to Cecelia going to mean?

The writing in All Scot and Bothered is masterful. The glimpses into both Ramsay’s and Cecelia‘s thoughts as one talks and the other imagines something entirely different were so much fun to read, the smile on my face just wouldn’t go away. The story is more than just double meanings and hints at romance, however. When Cecelia learns who her benefactor is she is thrust into immediate and serious danger, and unwittingly forced to assume the persona of The Scarlet Lady and deceive Lord Ramsay. Who by the way is rather attracted to this Scarlet Lady, against his will and better judgment. Hmm. More smiles and romantic undertones, but also some serious topics highlight the danger of just being a girl or woman in this place and time. Young girls are being kidnapped and sold, people have been blackmailed, betrayed and murdered. Just how high this goes up into society and politics is frightening. What is The Crimson Council and who is on it? The attraction between Cecelia and Ramsay is obvious, and is so is the intrigue and secrecy. Can it be resolved or will these two achingly lonely people remain that way?

I could go on and on. When you see Cecelia through Ramsay’s (unwitting, unwilling?) eyes and hear her talk and just be herself, you forget she is usually been considered too fat, too smart, too boring. In Ramsay’s eyes she is immediately beautiful and desirable and stays that way. She brings out a tender side in him, and is rewarded with some rare smiles and some downright poetic declarations. But enough – just read this book. It’s a perfect standalone but treat yourself and read the series. It’s well-written, superbly plotted, keeps you on the edge with suspense and worry or fanning yourself from the passion, and leaves you more than satisfied with the conclusion while wanting more time with these characters.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I loved it, highly recommend it, and can’t wait for this entertaining story to continue. ( )

All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know Book 2 by Kerrigan Byrne is a stand alone Historical Romance and an awe-inspiring tale.
This is Cecelia and Ramsay's story. Well written and beautifully written. The storyline has everything a reader could possibly wish for in a great story. The characters are flawed, brave, brawn and lovable. With mystery, intrigue, tears, laughs, mayhem and steamy lovemaking, which was very well written. I enjoyed
Cecelia and Ramsay's story, it was a bit like watching a movie unfold, you holding your breathe to see what was coming next. Exciting, awe-inspiring, breathtaking and beautifully written. A must read!! You will not be disappointed in this awesome read.

#NetGalley, #AllScotand Bothered , #StMartinsPress

"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR ( )

Thrilling!

I thought Cecilia's story might be interesting, I didn't have a clue as to how uplifting it would turn out to be. From an abused childhood to lonely school years, until she found companionship with a group of school friends, the Red Rogues, Cecelia's outlook should have been depressed. Astonishingly she's a child of Hope who grew into a woman of intent, understanding and magnificence, albeit still emotionally and socially unsure. A strong, intelligent woman, a mathematical genius who alarmingly finds she's inherited a house of ill repute. A woman who finds terror in the person of her best friend's brother, the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court.
A man who has sworn to seek out those who do wrong with no quarter given.
Cassius Gerard Ramsay finds himself face to face with a woman who could be a member of the Crimson Council, a hidden nefarious group whose tentacles stretch out from the highest in the land. A group that is rumored to behind missing young girls. Unfortunately Cecelia has just inherited this brothel with a hidden mission when the two come face to face during a raid. Later Cassius is gutted to find that to all intents and purposes Cecilia appears to be part of that equation.
Theres no denying the attraction between them is palpable. What a raging, ravenous illumination of emotion lies between them! A conflagration that burns brightly, that will either consume them, or level the misunderstandings they have into slow burning embers, allowing their feelings to arise Phoenix like from the ashes, cleansed and reborn.
I was gripped by the plethora of honed actions, the misunderstandings, and the mayhem that ensues as Cassius and Cecilia fight a faceless enemy. Kerrigan Byrne slays me! A winning read!

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley ( )