Review: Clueless Hero **SPOILER ALERT**
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 21, 2014
I've read this book twice and each time I enjoyed it immensely.  It does have a few problems, but as far as I'm concerned, any book that can induce me to read it cover to cover more than once, deserves at least 4 stars, no matter what problems it may have.  This is the second book in the Scandals & Secrets trilogy.  The first and third books in the trilogy being,Scandal of Love (Scandals & Secrets - Book 1)andSecrets in Mourning (Scandals & Secrets - Book 3), respectively.  This is the first and only book in the trilogy that I've read, and I was able to follow it very easily; so you don't need to have read book one in order to read this one.The book is nicely written, although it could use some editing.  I did like the characters, especially the protagonists, who both have real depth, and are very relatable.  The story that unfolds is very engaging, and kept my interest from start to finish.Bradford and Aubrey have known each other since the previous season when he was courting her best friend.  After a foiled abducting attempt of her best friend, Bradford retired to the country (these are the events which apparently unfolded in the first book.)  Now, several months later, Bradford is back in London.  He and Aubrey reconnect and resume their friendship.  Aubrey is really sweet, a little shy, and very lacking in self-confidence.  When she shrugs off her wallflower status as a masquerade ball, she engages Bradford's interest, although he has no idea who she is.  Before he can uncover Aubrey's identity she escapes him, much to his aggravation.  He is determined to discover the alluring beauty who has so captivated him and make her his own.  Poor Aubrey; however, is sure that once Bradford discovers that she is the "masquerade lady" he will be disappointed, so she hides her real identity from him.When the two attend a house-party, they are much in each other's company, and their friendship begins to develop into something more.  Bradford is conflicted; however, because he has promised himself to the unknown masquerade woman, even while he's falling further and further under Aubrey's spell.  Tension is added to the plot by way of a woman who is bound and determined to become Bradfords' Duchess, even by nefarious means.I did have a couple of issues with book.  First of all--a minor issue, but an annoying one--is the incorrect use of titles and forms of address.  The author styles the hero as Bradford, Lord Bromley, Duke of Wathersby, which is completely incorrect.  He should be Bradford Bromley, Duke of Wathersby, and referred to as His Grace or Lord Wathersby, never as Lord Bromley.  Furthermore, Victoria, who is the daughter of a viscount and is the rival for Bradford's affections, is incorrectly styled as Lady Victoria.  As the daughter of a viscount, her title is Honorable Miss, NOT Lady.  This is one of my pet peeves, and quite frankly I don't know why authors continually get titles and forms of address incorrect, when it's so simple to google the issue.The second issue I had with the book, and this time specifically with the story, is that I could not understand HOW Bradford could remain clueless as to the masquerade lady's real identity for so long.  At one point he is describing the masquerade lady, while looking directly at Aubrey--emerald green eyes, medium height, honey-gold hair--a description that exactly matches Aubrey.  The circumstances at the time were such that, IMO, Bradford should have recognized Aubrey as his mystery woman, yet he did not.  When Bradford failed to recognize that Aubrey and the masquerade woman were one and the same, it just made him look like a complete nodcock.  But, I easily forgave Bradford his lapse in good sense, because I dearly loved him.  LOLSo, bottom line, I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it as a worthwhile read--despite the issues I had with it.  FYI, this is a clean romance.  Happy reading!