Review: Too Sinful To Deny (Scoundrels & Secrets #2) by Erica Ridley

Print Length: 352 pages

Publisher: Lyrical Press (July 19, 2016)

From Goodreads.com: 

TOO TEMPTING TO OBJECT...

One look at the towering ocean-side manor that is to be her new home, and exiled socialite Susan Stanton knows: This is a place haunted by secrets and riddled with menace.

For Susan, there is no escaping it. At best she can stay clear of the most dangerous element of all--dark-haired smuggler Evan Bothwick, a man whose shaded countenance cannot hide his wicked intent.

But Susan has a secret of her own--a special gift that renders her privy to the darkest mysteries lurking within the walls of the manor and in the labyrinthine cellars beneath. And the only man who can help her make sense of it all is Evan, the very scoundrel and rogue she would do anything to be able to resist...

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My Rating: 3 star out of 5

I've read a few paranormal stories in my time, but this was the first novel I've read where the heroine can see and speak to ghosts, so it was interesting to see how these "secondary" (aka dead) characters played a role in the overall story. 

And while the story was on the whole an interesting one, there were a few times that I felt it became confusing, as though the author still wasn't certain in what direction she wanted to take things. This wasn't a same Susan that I remembered from Too Wicked to Kiss either - at times it was almost as though she was toying with Evan's affections. It also seemed almost inconceivable that Susan's parents would be keen to ship her off to her cousin's house without a chaperone (especially considering the trouble she got herself into that lead to her exile in the first place), much less that they didn't know any of the circumstances surrounding her relation that she was going to visit. 

The ending did tie things together nicely, while managing to still throw in some surprises, however I didn't find that this was one of the author's "Stronger" stories. 

Overall - I'm sure that fans of historical romances, and ones who don't mind a bit of the "paranormal" playing a factor in their stories will most likely find something to enjoy about this one. I will read more from this author. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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 Too Sinful To Deny (Scoundrels & Secrets #2) is available from Amazon.com