I tried to like this book more than I actually did, truly. I enjoyed the first two books in the Bar Cynster series and expected a good read from this one. I was disappointed. For days I kept putting the book down, and forcing myself to pick it back up, in the hope that it would capture my interest. When it finally did, the book was roughly two-thirds complete.

Richard “Scandal” Cynster has been summoned to a reading of the will of Seamus McEnery, his late mother’s husband. Although Richard’s mother has been deceased for quite some time, Richard can only receive her bequest to him if he attends the reading for Seamus. Unhappy about the summons, Richard nevertheless journeys to Scotland. During his stay at an inn on the way, his eye falls upon a stunning woman walking in the moonlight. As is the Cynster way, he follows her into the night to steal a kiss, perhaps more. Realizing by her attire and haughtiness that the bewitching woman is an actual lady, he stops with one breathtaking kiss.

Catriona Hennessy, Lady of the Vale, has a serious problem. In her visions, she has seen a strong, handsome, arrogant man. Her visions have decreed that he is to be the father of her children. For many years, the women in her family have married stable, yet malleable men. Men who would not challenge their right to rule the Vale. Catriona cannot bring herself to accept the truth of the visions. She is asking for guidance in the moonlight when she stumbles upon Richard Cynster. She realizes immediately that he is the man of her visions, and is even more determined that they must be wrong after her first encounter with him. He is more than arrogant, he is overwhelming and overpowering! She leaves the inn early in the morning to avoid seeing him again.

Catriona is also traveling to the reading of Seamus’ will. He was her guardian, although their relationship was not a friendly one. Catriona has an unwelcome surprise when Richard arrives at the estate shortly after her own arrival. A much more unpleasant surprise is to come when the will is read, for Seamus decrees that Richard must choose to marry Catriona or the entire estate will be sold and the money donated to various churches.

This sets up an interesting story line as Catriona tries to avoid her destiny. The love scenes in this book are extremely hot, varied, and there are lots of them – too many. The imagery goes on for pages. Richard and Catriona make love in just about every location imaginable. Eventually the love scenes overwhelmed both the narrative and character development; they became boring rather than scorching and didn’t enhance the romance after awhile.

In the last third of the book, the love scenes tapered off some and there was more character development, as well as a visit by the Cynster clan. Richard and Catriona have external struggles to overcome, as well as internal problems in their relationship they must work out, and the author handled this well. The paranormal undertones were enjoyable as well.

But enjoyment of one third of a book does not make for a great or even good read. I would recommend this book if you like steamy love scenes and plenty of them, and also for readers who have read the first two Bar Cynster stories. If you haven’t started this series yet, I recommend starting with Devil’s Bride, my personal favorite in the series. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the next installment in this series is more like Devil’s story than Scandal’s.