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4 Stars / Contemporary / Review

Review: Just One Scandal by Carly Phillips

Picture of the book cover for Just One Scandal by Carly Phillips

A jilted bride. Her brother’s ex-buddy. An affair would be crazy…right?

Chloe Kingston’s life is exactly how she needs it: safe and stable. Right up until her reliable, low-risk fiancé jilts her on their fairy-tale wedding day. As she works her way through the reception champagne—and wonders where she’s going to live—she stumbles into her brother Linc’s ex-best friend.

If only Beckett Daniels was were hideous. But he’s not. He’s everything her erstwhile groom was not. Hot. Sexy. Dangerous. And she’s just buzzed enough to want all that Greek-god gorgeousness to show her the kind of fun she’s been missing.

Beck thrives on calculated risks, but taking advantage of Linc’s little sister isn’t one of them. What he can do is haul her tipsy, tulle-clad, tempting little butt to the bridal suite to sleep it off. Then move her into his spare room—which has the satisfying side effect of driving her brother crazy. They can’t remain platonic roommates for long. Not when the sexual attraction sizzles out of control. But when tragedy threatens Beck, pain from his past reminds them both that life doesn’t come without risks…and this time, they’re gambling with their hearts.

Title:Just One Scandal
Author:Carly Phillips
Series:The Kingston Family (Book 2)
Pages:266
Genre(s):Contemporary
Trope(s):Roommates to Lovers
Brother’s (Ex) Best Friend
Jilted Lover
Point of View:Third Person, Past Tense, Dual Viewpoints (H&h)
Location:New York, US
HEA:✔️
Release Date:6th July, 2021
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A sexy and absorbing story

4 stars

I adore Carly Phillips and she can do no wrong in my eyes. Her stories are always filled with endearing characters, loveable families, scintillating sex and everlasting love. And this book is no different.

This is the second in PhillipsKingston Family series but is a complete standalone. The rest of the Kingston family do appear – including the couple from the first book (Just One Night), Linc and Jordan, but all the situations and connections are explained so if you’re new to Carly Phillips or this series, you won’t be lost.

The story starts off right in the action as Chloe is left at the altar and meets Beck. Despite her circumstances, you never feel sorry for Chloe and her feelings and emotions are understandable. But what I loved most about Chloe was her determination to make a change to herself and her life. To take more chances and really go after what she wanted. I hate to be dramatic (who am I kidding – I love it!) but I found Chloe so inspiring. I felt that positive buzz when reading about all her plans for the future.

Beck was the stuff that Greek God fantasies were made of – all wrapped up in a lovely, sweet, grumpy alpha package. He also rings all my hero bells by being just a teeny bit tortured and damaged – the poor baby. Although we all know that his reasons for keeping Chloe at arms length aren’t healthy, I admit that I could understand his logic.

“…the sex was smouldering and our couple had chemistry by the bucket load.”

For a while I wasn’t sure that anything was going to get through to him but the way he saw the light was perfect yet realistic with it.

As with any Carly Phillips’ book, the sex was smouldering and our couple had chemistry by the bucket load. But it’s also in the quieter, softer moments where you see the true connection between our pair – the touches, kisses, caresses and hand holding. It makes me happy.

I have to add in a special note about how much I loved the small interactions between Linc and Beck. I would have LOVED to see more of their rekindled bromance.

A couple of points to allay any fears – I never felt that Chloe jumped into her relationship with Beck too early – and it all felt realistic and credible. Nothing worse than when you don’t believe that your main couple’s love will last! And I actually found the way that Chloe ended up staying with Beck to be believable, too. Not that it would have mattered, but I enjoy not having to roll my eyes when reading!

All in all, this is a fun, relatable, enjoyable and absorbing romance. I loved the characters, their story, the big extended families and the romance. 4.5 stars from me.

4 stars

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire, and she loves everything about writing romance. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. She has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a romance author. Carly is the author of over fifty romances, and is a NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller. She loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.

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The Kingston Family Series:

Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Just One Wish Carly Phillips
Book 4.5
Book 5
Book 6
Book 7
Book 7.5
Book 8
Book 9
Book 10

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