ARC Review: Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family #2)

Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family #2)

by Carly Phillips

Blurb:

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.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The magic of Carly Phillips strikes again as she shows us that love can come in the most unlikely of circumstances.  This series, another fun spin-off of the Fabulous Dare family, is just getting more and more interesting as we learn more about the siblings and see them fall in love.  Chloe’s story kicks off with the drama of her being left at the altar, but quickly becomes her taking control of her life and future in a way that makes me proud to be an independent woman. This family has had a lot of problems and traumas but together they have managed to overcome it all, bringing them closer together and sharing their love beautifully.  Having been left at the altar by her safe fiancée, Chloe Kingston decides that it’s time for her to celebrate instead of being sad, so she sends her family home and uses her reception to throw a party to her independence.  But things quickly get out of hand; luckily for her a white knight in the form of Beckett Daniels, her brother’s former best friend, comes to her rescue when the partying gets a little too crazy.  Waking up hungover and in a semi-compromising position the next morning, confronted with her big brother, Beck and Chloe decide that maybe together might be the best way to move forward.  Beck offers Chloe his guest room while she gets back on her feet, nothing more, but the more time they spend together the closer their friendship becomes.  Soon they are both unable to resist the draw toward one another and they have to decide if the relationship they could build together if worth overcoming the odds and scandal it would cause for them to have their happiness. Chloe is strong enough to help Beck move past his fear, but he has to be willing to work with her or they will lose everything they have been building.

Beckett has a lot of traumas in his past and understandably he fears loving anyone for fear of losing them, but at the same time he knows the value of Chloe so I was a little surprised at how resistant he was to them forming a relationship.  He was sweet, supportive, strong, and fearless in so many other ways, but letting go took way too long in my opinion.  The connection between them was there from the very beginning and he fought way too hard for too long.  Chloe was a great character too, even though she needed to stop hiding her light from the world.  It was obvious that she has been coasting for far too long, unwilling to take risks, but with this last debacle the time has come for her to stand tall. Together they so obviously complemented one another perfectly making them the perfect couple and a perfect addition to each of their families.  The passion between them was irresistible and I love getting to see it blossom into something beyond the label of casual they both tried to force onto it.  I am so looking forward to seeing more of Chloe and Beck in the future novels and of course seeing the other siblings find love as we see these amazing Kingstons branch and grow into an even bigger family tree.  If you are looking for a wild ride filled with laughter, sweetness, passion, and heartbreak look no further than Just One Scandal.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.