Review: two opposites attract
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 27, 2013
* Book provided in exchange for an honest reviewWhat does a well bred, spirited and highly intelligent woman have in common with a low born pugilist? They both feel out of place in their respective worlds.Wynne Bedegrayne is easily the most beautiful of the Bedegrayne family and though she doesn't lack for admirers, she has a reputation among society for being cold-hearted when she's the total opposite. Warm, caring and defiant, Wynne has never met her match and is resigned to becoming a spinster when she meets prize pugilist Keanan Milroy. Keanan is out for revenge against the father who abandoned him and his mother to a harsh life. When he finds out that Wynne is unknowingly in the position to help him get his revenge, he begins to pursue her relentlessly, but in the process he gets to know the lady and begins to fall in love with her. Unfortunately for them, more than just society stands in the way of their happiness.I think I'm going to have to revise my opinion of entertainment fighters as heroes because I really loved Keanan Milroy. As rough and tough as he is, he is also a bit of a dreamer and he wants what he feels belongs to him. He has a kind and gentle side that not many people give him the chance to show. I love the way he looks after Wynne and the kindness he shows her aunt. Keanan never crushes Wynne's spirit and enjoys her blunt speech, something else he has in common with her.Wynne is definitely my favorite Bedegrayne. Sorry Devona but Wynne's tendency to be blunt when putting men in their places just won me over completely! Yes it makes her unpopular in the eyes of society but the fact that she does it anyway just made me love her more. Wynne doesn't waste time on superficial things, rather, she is passionate about helping others no matter their station in life. She's not the type to faint because a tough as nails fighter is attracted to her either.At first glance Keanan and Wynne don't seem like they'd have much in common but they do. Keanan is lowborn but his father is a titled man, Wynne is a well bred lady who doesn't care too much about pleasing her peers. Neither seems to completely belong in their respective worlds. In Keanan, Wynne finds a man who appreciates and even encourages her outgoing personality while protecting her fiercely and in Wynne, Keanan finds a well educated woman who can elevate his status in society but who is brave, interesting, intelligent and will accept him as he is. Their romance didn't start out as one, but it was passionate nonetheless.There's quite a bit of humor in The Scandalously Bad Mr. Milroy too. One of my favorite relationships besides Keanan and Wynne was Wynne's with her brother-in-law, the Viscount Tipton. They have a very quarrelsome relationship that just comes off as natural. Tipton may have married Wynne's sister and assumed responsibility for her family but just because society finds him intimidating doesn't mean Wynne does and she's definitely not afraid to scold him or argue with him. Their interactions, though few were fun.Sticking with the darker themes that were present in The Irresistible, No Good Viscount Tipton, this book had me entertained until the very last page. Keeping the villain's identity well hidden until the last possible moment made The Scandalously Bad Mr. Milroy very addictive for me. I enjoyed the darker themes and the feeling of "No one is safe" kept me on the edge of my reading chair until that last page.