All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know #2)

****4.5 Stars**** Some of my very favourite stories have given me a hero that I vow to never fall in love with… until, of course I do. Then, I’m questioning how I could have ever doubted my eternal love and even on re-reads chortle at my initial doubts. What rage I felt at our introduction when he brings a tear to my eye with his thoughtless comments, turns into *Oh, the poor man is so misunderstood…* In All Scot and Bothered, Cassius had me swinging from rage, to confusion, to sympathy. The poor man just needed someone to love. I think the main reason I love a story with a hero that I grow to love, is that it shows a man with imperfections. Hubby broke a beer bottle last night because he was trying to carry 3 bottles at once. While I was a little frustrated when it happened, it was a nice reminder that Hubby is not perfect. That man can be an absolute pain in the butt with all his sweet and thoughtful ways. He cooks, he cleans, he parents well, AND he’s also a loving husband. So bloody frustrating. I cook when I absolutely must, I clean at a surface level, I parent my boys, AND I love hubby, but he just makes it look so easy. Dropping that bottle of beer just brings him down from bloody perfect to slightly imperfect. Cassius Gerard Ramsay takes pride in being right and just and a man without fault. If only he could fit through doors with that big head of his. OK, I’m probably being a bit harsh, he thinks he has a few faults. This man with few faults, suddenly finds a woman who makes him feel like a hormone-driven, bumbling fool and messes with his perfectly structured world. If he’s not careful, he may even start thinking that his perfect world is not so perfect without her playing havoc in it. Cecilia is a Red Rogue and proud of it. From a harsh and unloving childhood, finding her two red-headed friends couldn’t have happened at a better time. These three friends formed a bond that meant the sharing of secrets and having each other’s back at the worst of times. Cecilia is a smart and strong woman in her own right, but knowing she always has a Red Rogue to support her, makes her stronger. One of the best things about Cecilia is her big heart. Even with her terrible upbringing, it never made her want to share her misfortunes. If anything, it made her even more sweet and caring. What I found exceptionally well done in All Scot and Bothered, is the way Kerrigan Byrne dealt with body image. Cassius is an extremely large man and find Cecilia’s tall, curvy, and strong body perfect and very appealing. Instead of Cecilia’s character being all about her weight, she is extremely intelligent, spectacle wearing, and mostly comfortable in her skin. Again, I find myself a little picky when it comes to curvy characters. I don’t want it to be ALL about their size but I don’t want it to be completely ignored either. Lust, desire, and attraction are an individual thing. No one is the same and what one might find attractive, another might find unattractive. Cassius and Cecilia are a perfect match…once you get past the insults, awkward misunderstandings, and bombs exploding. All Scot and Bothered was a story that gripped me from the first page to the last. While Cassius took a wee bit of time to love, with more understanding of his history, it was hard not to love him by the end. Cecilia was a warm, intelligent, and giving person who was always concerned for the wellbeing of others. When Cecilia’s life is in danger, Cassius puts aside all of his preconceived ideas and judgements to protect her. Their time together forces them to face their attraction to each other and deal with their pasts that has shaped their lives up until now. Like all successful couples, they must learn to communicate, make sacrifices and trust each other. I loved this fast-paced, emotional, and sexy story, with characters that came to life for me. The additional characters were well developed, and I came to love a few of them and hope to see them more in the future. Cassius and Cecilia were strong characters that did have their vulnerabilities. While they originally believed that change was the only way they would work, it’s soon obvious, that changing each other could destroy what they have come to love. It’s not a secret that I’m a fan of Kerrigan Byrne’s words. Her stories take me from the lowest of lows, with tears, and sniffles galore, to the highest of highs, with my heart bursting, and smiles and sighs of delight. All Scot and Bothered ticked all my boxes and left me extremely satisfied. I can’t wait for more in the Devil You Know series. Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

While I really enjoyed this book, it does have a bit of a complicated plot. I was pretty much able to follow but also felt like there are more answers to be had, especially about the Crimson Council. I loved seeing Cecelia and Ramsay go head to head though. Cecelia was taught at a young age to not be afraid of what she wants. Her horrible father was trying to break her in the beginning but after Cecelia was rescued, she started on a path of knowledge, friendship and enjoying life itself. I loved seeing a heroine with a curvaceous body type. Cecelia is trying to enjoy life and what it has to offer alongside her friends. Ramsay is all about his work. He is the Lord Chief Justice and works all day and doesn’t really have a solid family besides his brother, Duke of Redmayne. He doesn’t indulge and doesn’t really enjoy life. Also doesn’t trust women. So when Ramsay and Cecelia butt heads you can see a brewing tension between these opposites. I loved seeing their romance come to life. They are opposites but compliment each other well. Okay, so, I’m all for a complex plot. I love them but I also felt like there are so unanswered questions. I totally understand the majority of the plot and the secret codex and what Cecelia was trying to decipher but also felt the Crimson Council hasn’t met their end just yet. Maybe more in the next book? I had a feeling of who the “bad guy” was and was wrong so I will say it wasn’t a super predictable story in the end. There were also times when my heart was racing then slower times to give the characters time to breathe. It really wasn’t a bad plot but I’m pretty sure I have some unanswered questions. I can’t forget to mention Jean-Yves and Phoebe. Jean-Yves has been a long friend and companion to Cecelia. He has been the father she so very much needed. Then there is Phoebe, a new addition to Cecelia’s life. She is an adorable and curious child and I hope we see more of her. I’m so excited about Francesca’s book. Can’t wait for her to get her revenge and hopefully a happily ever after.

I was interested in Ramsey from the first book and this is his and Cecelia’s tale. It does not disappoint! Phew! What a ride of a read. Am so looking forward to the next book in the series!

Another great book from Kerrigan Byrne. It is the second book in a trilogy. The third will come out next year. The perfect combination of angst and romance. I loved the heroine, loved her kindness. The hero is an absolute alpha. I read this book in one sitting and that says it all.

Premise was unique, lead and secondary characters where likeable and especially liked that the lead male was not your typical rake or man whore. The purpose of Henriettas place was somewhat lost to me.. they called it a gambling den/school but was really more of a bordello. I did not agree with Ramsey’s over strict stance on ‘vice’, but also did not agree (and was surprised that the educated lead female was impressed with) how the women at her club made their money and actually planned to continue and encourage the whoring. Disappointed that Ramsey made all the concessions and came to her way of thinking – there was no compromise, just her way or the highway. So old like to have seen what happened with the villains/Crimson Council – I’m sure the higher powers would not just let this couple have their HEA and would hunt for the book – guess that’s the next book.

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