Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage

Well written second entry in Mackenzie series

When this second book in the Mackenzie series begins, Mac and Isabella have been separated for over three years. Their volatile relationship simply couldn’t withstand their fights and Mac’s drinking. Mac is challenged to paint some erotic paintings, and there’s a doppelganger Mac on the loose. So Isabella and Mac join forces, and then, romance…. The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between -Excellent dissection of a couple in crisis: Though it hasn’t gripped me in quite the same way as Ian’s story did, I still enjoyed the way Ms. Ashley let the story unfold, allowing the little snippets of gossip columns give a glimpse of Mac and Isabella’s past, while the reader stays in the present, watching them on the road to reconciliation. I enjoyed seeing them actually discuss the past, and work through their issues in an adult manner. There were opportunities to go the melodrama, but instead the story always pulled back and went for the true emotional punch instead. -Mac gives good grovel: I liked Mac, the charming rogue that he is, and it was very easy to see how Isabella fell in love with him. Mac’s personality could be a force of nature and while he could be exciting to be with, I could also see how exhausting it would’ve been to handle his mood swings. In the time they were separated, he never strayed and I was never in doubt of his love for Isabella. When he finally let his vulnerability show, it really did touch me. -Isabella’s another solid heroine: A debutante swept off her feet the night of her coming out, Isabella was thrust into deep waters with the Mackenzie family. She was cut off from her family and her life with Mac the constant subject of gossip. She handled it as best as she could, but what I really liked is seeing her take responsibilities for her actions as well. When their marriage floundered, it wasn’t all Mac’s fault. -A little taste of Beth and Ian’s HEA: Seeing Ian and Beth was definitely a highlight. Yes, I’m still cruising in my Ian/Beth love. -Th...