A Good Debutante’s Guide to Ruin audiobook

Had to jot a few thoughts down about it but there are some other really good reviews out there that should be read for a more comprehensive take.I don't have a stepbrother or a brother, so I have no feel for that kind of relationship but I was never bothered by the fact that Declan and Rosalie were

"True, he was offering her a roof over her head... a Season, a dowry, but he was not a kind man for all that. He was hard. Rude and curt and high-handed. And yet when she was near him, she wanted to stand closer. Well! They did say be careful what you wish for, and I'm thinking they're right! Whoever they are. So I've had this book for awhile now and I also got it for a $1.99. Yes I am shamelessly promoting a book I enjoyed! The main selling point for this book for me was the love/hate relationship between the H and h and boy was it ever! Declan infuriated me at first with his blatantly "I don't care", rude and often hurtful way he treated Rosalie. Inside I was telling me myself, "this is it, Christine. Its going to happen. The first time you can't stand an alpha male with asshole tendencies. And for half the book I was on the fence about even enjoying the story but Sophie Jordan's writing is so damn addicting she could be writing you instructions on how to assemble a chair and you'd be mesmerized. So I kept at it until finally there was a glimmer of hope, Declan finally started letting down all those walls he had around his heart and while he may not have been a perfect human being he did show himself to be perfect for Rosalie. "Inviting bodily injury can be called nothing else. Why on earth would you desire such a thing? Would you care to stick your hand in this door?"She waved her hand toward his chamber door. " I can slam it on you several times." And now for the story. Did I mention the fact that the H and h were step-siblings? No? Well Declan is Rosalie's older step brother who she's held a torch for ever since she was a little girl when he would help her from trees she'd climbed, and call her Carrots for giggles. She's been stuck in a boarding school for girls for the last 2 years, her mother seemingly having forgotten all about her. So obviously she's missed her coming out and she's wasted 2 years where she should've been looking for a husband. Rosalie is 20 years old.Her headmistress parcels her up and leaves her unceremoniously in the care of Declan who wants nothing to do with her. He immediately gives her a dowry of £50 000 ensuring she finds a husband as quickly as possibly. Now let me stop right there because this isn't a retelling. So back to how I felt about this book, Rosalie and Declan's antics where both frustrating and hilarious. The frustrating part mainly because of Declan, but never fear there was a good reason for it so all was forgiven. I have a soft spot for Dukes... and earls and barons. Kings and princes too. So sue me.I thoroughly enjoyed this book so I will definitely be continuing the series. Aurelia and Camden are going to be a treat, I just know it! "I care."Her gaze flew to his at that."And I'll always come when you need me, Carrots."

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***A Good Debutante's Guide to Ruin by Sophie JordanBook One of The Debutante Files seriesPublisher: Avon BooksPublication Date: July 29, 2014Rating: 4 starsSource: eARC from Edelweiss***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***Summary (from Goodreads):The last woman on earth he would ever touch . . .Declan, the Duke of Banbury, has no interest in ushering Rosalie Hughes, his stepsister, into society. Dumped on him with nowhere else to go, he's determined to rid himself of the headstrong debutante by bestowing on her an obscenely large dowry . . . making her the most sought-after heiress of the Season.. . . is about to become the only one he wants.But Rosalie isn't about to go along with Declan's plans. Surrounded by fortune hunters, how is she supposed to find a man who truly wants her? Taking control of her fate, Rosalie dons a disguise and sneaks into Sodom, a private club host to all manner of illicit activity—and frequented by her infuriatingly handsome stepbrother.In a shadowed alcove, Declan can't resist the masked temptress who sets his blood afire . . . any more than Rosalie can deny her longing for a man who will send her into ruin.What I Liked:My first Sophie Jordan historical romance novel - a HUGE success! I've read a few of her Young Adult books, one of her New Adult books, and now, one of her historical romance books. I'm a historical romance novel junkie, and I've read many historical romance novels from many different authors. I haven't read one since March, unfortunately, and that made the victory with this one even sweeter!Rosalie is the stepsister of Declan, a Duke and bachelor who wants nothing to do with her. But when Rosalie is deposited at his doorstep with nowhere to go and no mother in sight, he can't just turn her away (even if they are not blood-related). Declan places a huge dowry on her, and ushers her into the Season with his cousin, Aurelia. Rosalie has been in love with Declan for quite a while, and it's time that Declan realized that.I. Loved. This. Book. Seriously. There were so many parts and puzzles, so many subplots and twists. Rosalie moves in with Declan, and the chemistry doesn't start yet. Declan despises the idea of Rosalie because he hates his stepmother (her mother). Rosalie's mother married Declan's father, but everyone knows that she is a gold-digger, horrible mother, and a loose woman that flits from man to man. But as time goes on, and the proximity of Rosalie doesn't change, Declan starts to realize that she isn't like her mother. At all.I really liked Rosalie - she is quick-tempered and strong-willed, but she is also shy and well-mannered. I liked Aurelia as well - she is intelligent and thoughtful, but brash and bold. Aurelia convinces Rosalie to come with her to Sodom, which is basically a fancy whorehouse. Rosalie goes there masked, for a kiss, and guess who the hostess of the house sets her up with? Declan, a notorious nobleman who frequents the house, but also quite the gentleman. Declan doesn't realize it's Rosalie. Not until much later on in the book... oh, I loved that scene.Let's talk about that scene. My favorite scene in the book was probably the library scene. You'll know what I mean if/when you read it. It was sweet, steamy, vulnerable, tense, and revealing (in terms of many secrets between them). Favorite. Scene.I really liked Declan as well. I love how smoothly Jordan made the progression of his feelings. It wasn't just they-see-each-other-and-BAM-smoking-hot-chemistry-everywhere. No, in the beginning, Declan can't reconcile his negative feelings towards Rosalie. Things slowly change, and I love how both of them went after what they wanted. So... I loved the chemistry. And the romance. The relationship between Declan and Rosalie isn't just physical (though that a pretty hefty part of it), but they also are best friends, from childhood and in adulthood. I love how Jordan kept bringing things back from their past, like the climbing trees aspect.There is a story to this book, besides the romance. There is the relationship between Rosalie and Declan, Declan and his masked woman from Sodom (who is Rosalie), Rosalie's relationship with her awful mother, and Rosalie's first Season. So much is going on, and I loved all of it.Basically, this book is in the running for one of my favorite historical romance novels so far. My first Sophie Jordan was a hit! What I Did Not Like:There wasn't anything specific that I didn't like about this book! This isn't towards the book, the content, or the author, but I wished the title matched the story a little more. I was expecting something different, based on the title. BUT THAT'S OKAY. This book was excellent.Would I Recommend It:If you're a historical romance fan, definitely do NOT let this one float by you. I love historical romance novels and I've read so many in the past two years, and I'd definitely say that this is not one to miss. Be sure to check out Jordan's new series with Avon! Rating:4 stars. I cannot wait to read the next book (it's a companion novel, as with most historical romance series)! I believe it features Aurelia's story. EXCELLENT. I hope it features Max as well. I LOVE their banter ;)

I wasn’t sure about this one. The step-sibling thing made me super uneasy. But as the story went on you realize their parents aren’t married anymore, they weren’t even around each other that often and they constantly corrected people when they said brother or sister. Point is I actually really enjoyed this book and thank god there wasn’t a 3rd act break up, it was 3rd act drama which I’m totally here for! Give me all the drama! Oh and this was a grumpy/sunshine, mistaken identity (kind of), good girls gone wild situation. 😏This was my first Sophie Jordan book and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Rosalie Hughes knows that she has no alternative but to go to her step brothers home in London, since she has no other place to go. Her mother left her at a school years ago and Rosalie hasn't been able to reach her, and Declan is the only one she knows she can reach out to, not knowing the kind of reunion it will be. When they were younger Rosalie would get into all sorts of mischief and Declan was always there. Even now there is a part of her that loves him. Declan is not the same man that once climbed into trees with Rosalie and swam in the ponds. He has changed, and her mother is the reason. Only Declan knows the truth that changed him forever. Now he is the Duke of Branbury and he is a rake of the highest order. While coming home with a group of friends and ladies of the night, he comes across a figure in his sitting room...a young woman he hasn't seen in years. Even now he tries to block his feelings for her, but it seems that his heart is stronger than his will and he can't help but fall for this woman that held his heart years ago. Now he will need to make a choice, a choice that could imprison him or free him...This story is the first book in the latest series by Sophie Jordan. Sophie Jordan is a personal favorite of mine and I always know that I will love her, and I adored this one. I just flew through this story because I just couldn't get enough of it, and when it sadly ended I was satisfied but thinking "its over already??" There is such sensuality to this story and oh boy enough to curl your toes with pure bliss!!! I LOVED it!!! The epitome of what I love in a solid regency romance. Not many authors can write like Jordan can and a SOLID A++++ to this author. What a winner of a story.The story begins with Rosalie having no place to go, so Declan being a rogue and rake is rude and intolerant but can't kick her out, something holds him back. So he decides to bring his aunt and cousin to his bachelor home to act as chaperone's and introduce her into society so he can get her wedded and out of his hair. Rosalie is tired of orders and not having any joy or any say in her own life especially from Declan, who is so different from the boy she played with and followed around. So she decides to dress in disguise and go to a notorious night club "Sodom", where she can find a man who will kiss her with desire. The man she finds unexpectedly....Declan....a man she has dreamed about and when he kisses her with such passion she is lost.I loved the relationship between these two....it definitely has its rocky hills and jagged cliffs in the relationship....but what a sunset there is at the end!! These two are a hoot and I adored both of them and they seemed just right for each other. They definitely know how to make fireworks pop and what a engaging story this was!! The chemistry between them is electric....sizzling, sweet, tender and powerful!! There are so many scenes that pull you in further in the story. From the first page you will be hooked...line and sinker. I couldn't put it down at all...I was having way too much fun with this one. It just makes me want to read the rest of this authors books that I have yet to read. This story was a treasure to read....with jewels of characters, a golden romance to enchant you.....and from beginning to end it will DAZZLE!!!

i guess the third time was indeed, the charm my entrance into sophie jordan’s bookish universe/backlist with all the ways to ruin a rogue and the scandal of it all was a subpar experience at best so imagine my surprise when this book completely turned that around. aye ms jordan, there just may be some hope for you yet 😌

4.5 stars. Maybe the full 5. Oh my gosh, I didn't expect to love this one as much as I did! This is my first book from Jordan and I have to say, I really enjoyed her writing. This book just made me so happy! It definitely made me emotional, in a good way and I couldn't put it down. So so good.I had a couple issues with this, nothing major. I know Declan and Rosalie had a past together, but I felt like they were lacking necessary time together during the first couple weeks she was living in his house, like before she went to stay with her mother. I think she maybe talked to him twice? I just needed to see more of why he missed her so much when she left since he acted like he hated her in the beginning. However, their time together definitely got better the further I got into the book. The other part I didn't love was her going to the club with Aurelia. I had just read a similar story from Lorraine Heath's Falling into Bed with a Duke and it left a bad taste in my mouth. I loved Jordan's book way more than Heath's (which is unexpected bc I love Heath), but sadly I just disliked the similarity. I guess it's hard to come across an HR that is truly original!Overall, I adored this book and it was nice to finally read a book I was excited about! Even though I've enjoyed the past few books I've read, it was nice to finally crave a story. Where I had to finish it the same day I started lol, which is not easy with two little kids! I loved the characters, nothing I really disliked about Rosalie and Declan, I was very sad when their story ended. Hope they make some appearances in the next book.

This is the first story in the Debutante Files series from Sophie Jordan, and since I've read this author before, I fairly knew what to expect.As her previous books, this was a fun and very entertaining story with couple of interesting and well rounded leads.But what most of you will like is the chemistry between the two, which was scorching hot. I mean, WOW! This book should be on every author's list to be read just so they could learn how to write sensual scenes.If you're in a mood for an easy, fun and hot romance, get it!Melanie for b2bComplimentary copy provided by the publisher

This book was sexy, had despicable antagonists and a great love story. Basically, it brought me nothing but joy. :-)