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Sons of Scandal #2
Rocky Road
FBI Agent Jude Camden handles every aspect of his job with by-the-book professionalism. There's no reason why his latest assignment—which calls for him to pose as the boyfriend of perfumer Gemma Clare—should be any different.
Except Gemma is different. She's creative, bold, and feisty. And as soon as she meets Jude, she wants to loosen him up, wrinkle his perfect shirts, and test every ounce of his towering self-control.
The FBI has an iron-clad rule against romances between those working together on operations. Jude's never met a rule he didn't respect. But adhering to this one is going to be tough because, as time goes by, he finds Gemma more and more irresistible.
Buckle up! It's going to be a rocky road.
Escape to Maine for this swoon-worthy "fake romance"! Banter, humor, perfume, and a mystery from the past intertwine in this sweet Sons of Scandal love story.
Except Gemma is different. She's creative, bold, and feisty. And as soon as she meets Jude, she wants to loosen him up, wrinkle his perfect shirts, and test every ounce of his towering self-control.
The FBI has an iron-clad rule against romances between those working together on operations. Jude's never met a rule he didn't respect. But adhering to this one is going to be tough because, as time goes by, he finds Gemma more and more irresistible.
Buckle up! It's going to be a rocky road.
Escape to Maine for this swoon-worthy "fake romance"! Banter, humor, perfume, and a mystery from the past intertwine in this sweet Sons of Scandal love story.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2024
About the author
Becky Wade
24 books3,637 followersBecky’s a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas with their three children and one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She loves penning sweet contemporary romances laced with sizzling chemistry, mystery, faith, banter, and humor. Her novels have been recognized with Carol Awards, INSPY awards, and a spot in the Christy Award Hall of Fame.
When she’s not at her computer, you’ll find her power-walking her neighborhood, driving carpool, eating chocolate, doing yoga, or admiring her dog.
Connect with Becky via her website at BeckyWade.com, on Facebook as Author Becky Wade and on Instagram as BeckyWadeWriter.
When she’s not at her computer, you’ll find her power-walking her neighborhood, driving carpool, eating chocolate, doing yoga, or admiring her dog.
Connect with Becky via her website at BeckyWade.com, on Facebook as Author Becky Wade and on Instagram as BeckyWadeWriter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 420 reviews
February 2, 2024
4.5 stars
We met FBI agent Jude Camden in Memory Lane, the first of the Sons of Scandal series and I was looking forward to his story, i was not disappointed. I am glad that I read Memory Lane first although you can read Rocky Road without having done so. Jude is such a good guy, rule follower, caretaker of others, handsome in a smooth way, and smart. Gemma is a perfumer and has her own business. Bubbly, outgoing, and sassy, she is opposite of Jude in many ways. Juke and Gemma meet to work on an undercover sting to take down her unlawful cousin from France, part of her French family's perfume empire. It is fun to watch Gemma and Jude meet and get to know each other and try to maintain a working relationship. The is a delightfully fun read, a little slow to me in the beginning but the end is sweet with romance, grace, and justice., There is a side story about Gemma's great grandmother, who has dementia and wants to remember her own love story. Gemma, her mother, and grandmother are a lovely, quirky group of ladies who show each other such love and support. Highly recommended romance with a little suspense, intrigue, and faith.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are mine only.
We met FBI agent Jude Camden in Memory Lane, the first of the Sons of Scandal series and I was looking forward to his story, i was not disappointed. I am glad that I read Memory Lane first although you can read Rocky Road without having done so. Jude is such a good guy, rule follower, caretaker of others, handsome in a smooth way, and smart. Gemma is a perfumer and has her own business. Bubbly, outgoing, and sassy, she is opposite of Jude in many ways. Juke and Gemma meet to work on an undercover sting to take down her unlawful cousin from France, part of her French family's perfume empire. It is fun to watch Gemma and Jude meet and get to know each other and try to maintain a working relationship. The is a delightfully fun read, a little slow to me in the beginning but the end is sweet with romance, grace, and justice., There is a side story about Gemma's great grandmother, who has dementia and wants to remember her own love story. Gemma, her mother, and grandmother are a lovely, quirky group of ladies who show each other such love and support. Highly recommended romance with a little suspense, intrigue, and faith.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are mine only.
February 11, 2024
Rocky Road by Becky Wade - Available February 14, 2024
3.5⭐ rounded up to 4.
A sequel to Memory Lane, Rocky Road follows Jude who we met in the first book. He is a by-the-book FBI officer who has to go undercover to bust a criminal. To do this, he fake-dates the cousin of the criminal, Gemma. We follow them getting to know each other in order to convince everyone of their fake relationship.
Alongside their relationship, we are also following a little mystery around Gemma's grandma. We get a lot of backstory to Gemma' family and specifically her grandma's past relationship.
I really enjoyed getting into Jude's head in this one. He was a favourite character from Memory Lane for me, so I was thrilled to get to know him more. He is a stoic, loyal, humble dude who totally makes me swoon. His meet cute with Gemma had me smiling so hard. It was good.
Gemma was spunky and spoke her mind, which often put Jude out of his comfort zone. This felt like another opposites attract romance like Memory Lane was.
Gemma's family was so funny. They were all up in her business and I could tell they loved each other so much.
I also liked the faith content! Jude and Gemma had deep conversations about church, God, and why bad things happen to people. It added depth and emotion to the story, which helped me enjoy the story more.
The last little bit of suspense was so exciting and it kept me listening. The ending was really strong and satisfying.
I'm so intrigued by Max too! I'm really looking forward to reading his book next.
It lost a star and half for a couple reasons.
There was a lot of time spent on Gemma's perfume business history as well as her grandma's relationship. This kept me from seeing more of Jude and Gemma together. The romance felt lacking.
I also felt like the chemistry was forced between them. This could be because I listened to the audiobook rather than actually reading it. But their characters just didn't match in my opinion and it was almost too much opposites attract.
Gemma has a boyfriend at the beginning and this fake relationship is behind his back. That felt unnecessary since I really feel like there is a better way to make the fake relationship be the reason they infiltrate with the cousin.
The pace of the plot lagged while I was waiting for more romance or more interactions with the criminal.
Overall, I'm glad I read it and this is certainly a solid clean romance. I'd recommend it if you liked Memory Lane.
Thank you to Becky Wade for a free copy of the audiobook to listen to! This is my honest opinion.
3.5⭐ rounded up to 4.
A sequel to Memory Lane, Rocky Road follows Jude who we met in the first book. He is a by-the-book FBI officer who has to go undercover to bust a criminal. To do this, he fake-dates the cousin of the criminal, Gemma. We follow them getting to know each other in order to convince everyone of their fake relationship.
Alongside their relationship, we are also following a little mystery around Gemma's grandma. We get a lot of backstory to Gemma' family and specifically her grandma's past relationship.
I really enjoyed getting into Jude's head in this one. He was a favourite character from Memory Lane for me, so I was thrilled to get to know him more. He is a stoic, loyal, humble dude who totally makes me swoon. His meet cute with Gemma had me smiling so hard. It was good.
Gemma was spunky and spoke her mind, which often put Jude out of his comfort zone. This felt like another opposites attract romance like Memory Lane was.
Gemma's family was so funny. They were all up in her business and I could tell they loved each other so much.
I also liked the faith content! Jude and Gemma had deep conversations about church, God, and why bad things happen to people. It added depth and emotion to the story, which helped me enjoy the story more.
The last little bit of suspense was so exciting and it kept me listening. The ending was really strong and satisfying.
I'm so intrigued by Max too! I'm really looking forward to reading his book next.
It lost a star and half for a couple reasons.
There was a lot of time spent on Gemma's perfume business history as well as her grandma's relationship. This kept me from seeing more of Jude and Gemma together. The romance felt lacking.
I also felt like the chemistry was forced between them. This could be because I listened to the audiobook rather than actually reading it. But their characters just didn't match in my opinion and it was almost too much opposites attract.
Gemma has a boyfriend at the beginning and this fake relationship is behind his back. That felt unnecessary since I really feel like there is a better way to make the fake relationship be the reason they infiltrate with the cousin.
The pace of the plot lagged while I was waiting for more romance or more interactions with the criminal.
Overall, I'm glad I read it and this is certainly a solid clean romance. I'd recommend it if you liked Memory Lane.
Thank you to Becky Wade for a free copy of the audiobook to listen to! This is my honest opinion.
February 7, 2024
Rocky Road by Becky Wade - Book 2 in the Sons of Scandal series - 4 Stars
BLOG REVIEW POST HERE.
Rocky Road is a cute, fake dating clean, Christian romance featuring FBI agent Jude Camden and perfume maker Gemma Clare. Jude approaches Gemma in an effort to take down her criminal cousin from France who is selling her family perfume secrets. They go undercover and have a fake dating romance but as they start to catch real feelings - things get complicated since Gemma has a current long distance boyfriend and Jude isn't allowed to date those he works with on cases. As genuine emotions surface, Gemma realizes her current relationship lacks true love, prompting her to move on and explore a deeper connection with Jude. We also see a side story about Gemma's great grandmother who has dementia and has forgotten her love story. Gemma sets out to help her great grandmother remember her love story as she pieces everything together for her all about her past.
I loved the first chapter, it had me laughing out loud from the first scene of Gemma and Jude together! I'd say after that I started to get truly invested with our characters and story around the 30-40% mark, when the fake dating began. I honestly didn't connect with our characters until this point, and was not crazy that Gemma had a boyfriend throughout the first part of this book. I personally do not like that "trope" where someone has a boyfriend while they start to get interested in someone else, however, I thought if you have to have the main girl have a boyfriend in the story to start off, Becky handled the break up well and early on.
I did enjoy seeing them get to know one another and how different they were as Jude is very serious and business like and Gemma is bubbly and very outgoing. I loved Jude quoting poetry to Gemma - it felt like a Mr. Darcy moment haha!
I also loved seeing the family elements in this book - this series has been fun to see the brothers interacting as they are hilarious! The faith elements in the book were great to see, specifically in the ending. I loved those intense scenes in the end!
I did listen to the audiobook and the narration was great! Overall, a good continuation to the series and I am looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to Becky for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
BLOG REVIEW POST HERE.
Rocky Road is a cute, fake dating clean, Christian romance featuring FBI agent Jude Camden and perfume maker Gemma Clare. Jude approaches Gemma in an effort to take down her criminal cousin from France who is selling her family perfume secrets. They go undercover and have a fake dating romance but as they start to catch real feelings - things get complicated since Gemma has a current long distance boyfriend and Jude isn't allowed to date those he works with on cases. As genuine emotions surface, Gemma realizes her current relationship lacks true love, prompting her to move on and explore a deeper connection with Jude. We also see a side story about Gemma's great grandmother who has dementia and has forgotten her love story. Gemma sets out to help her great grandmother remember her love story as she pieces everything together for her all about her past.
I loved the first chapter, it had me laughing out loud from the first scene of Gemma and Jude together! I'd say after that I started to get truly invested with our characters and story around the 30-40% mark, when the fake dating began. I honestly didn't connect with our characters until this point, and was not crazy that Gemma had a boyfriend throughout the first part of this book. I personally do not like that "trope" where someone has a boyfriend while they start to get interested in someone else, however, I thought if you have to have the main girl have a boyfriend in the story to start off, Becky handled the break up well and early on.
I did enjoy seeing them get to know one another and how different they were as Jude is very serious and business like and Gemma is bubbly and very outgoing. I loved Jude quoting poetry to Gemma - it felt like a Mr. Darcy moment haha!
I also loved seeing the family elements in this book - this series has been fun to see the brothers interacting as they are hilarious! The faith elements in the book were great to see, specifically in the ending. I loved those intense scenes in the end!
I did listen to the audiobook and the narration was great! Overall, a good continuation to the series and I am looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to Becky for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 4, 2024
Even though I think Jude is the best brother (so far, we'll see when Max's book is out), his book didn't fully work for me. And it's not bad by any means, I was just expecting a bit more from it.
I said in my review of Memory Lane something along the lines of there being a heavier feeling, and a slowness which, after reading this, I attribute to Becky Wade's writing style. You might not feel it though, so don't let that discourage you from giving this book a try.
Even though the storyline was interesting (an FBI agent pretending to be a perfume designer's fake boyfriend to stop her cousin from selling a super secret family perfume recipe), I didn't feel like picking this up again when I put it down to switch to a different book.
I wasn't bored, it's really just the writing style that weighed the whole story down. I thought it would be better than the first book, so I'm a bit disappointed.
Several plotlines happened all at once, but I didn't mind this much, except that it cut down on time that could've been used to further Gemma and Jude's relationship. For this reason though, I'd encourage you to read the first book before getting into this one, to avoid any confusion.
The faith content in this one felt almost like an afterthought. Yeah, it was there, but for the majority of the book, I forgot I was even reading a Christian story. And then when it did show up, it was minimal compared to everything else. On the other hand, this might open doors for non-Christians who might find this book interesting, but are reluctant to read it precisely because they don't want to read about faith. So if that's you, worry not, it's barely in there!!
The villain cousin plot could've been developed better, it seemed like it would be such a huge focus of the story, but it took a backseat to everything else that was happening. I easily could've forgotten Cedric's existence had he not texted that one time in between meetings.
And then the final showdown felt very anticlimactic, even with something potentially life threatening that happened to one of the characters.
I'd still read the final book though, and I could see myself rereading this series through audio someday. But I'm not sure if I'd try this author's other books once I'm done. Like, I do enjoy these characters and their stories, so I'm willing to deal with the stuff that bugs me, but I can't always do that, you know.
I said in my review of Memory Lane something along the lines of there being a heavier feeling, and a slowness which, after reading this, I attribute to Becky Wade's writing style. You might not feel it though, so don't let that discourage you from giving this book a try.
Even though the storyline was interesting (an FBI agent pretending to be a perfume designer's fake boyfriend to stop her cousin from selling a super secret family perfume recipe), I didn't feel like picking this up again when I put it down to switch to a different book.
I wasn't bored, it's really just the writing style that weighed the whole story down. I thought it would be better than the first book, so I'm a bit disappointed.
Several plotlines happened all at once, but I didn't mind this much, except that it cut down on time that could've been used to further Gemma and Jude's relationship. For this reason though, I'd encourage you to read the first book before getting into this one, to avoid any confusion.
The faith content in this one felt almost like an afterthought. Yeah, it was there, but for the majority of the book, I forgot I was even reading a Christian story. And then when it did show up, it was minimal compared to everything else. On the other hand, this might open doors for non-Christians who might find this book interesting, but are reluctant to read it precisely because they don't want to read about faith. So if that's you, worry not, it's barely in there!!
The villain cousin plot could've been developed better, it seemed like it would be such a huge focus of the story, but it took a backseat to everything else that was happening. I easily could've forgotten Cedric's existence had he not texted that one time in between meetings.
And then the final showdown felt very anticlimactic, even with something potentially life threatening that happened to one of the characters.
I'd still read the final book though, and I could see myself rereading this series through audio someday. But I'm not sure if I'd try this author's other books once I'm done. Like, I do enjoy these characters and their stories, so I'm willing to deal with the stuff that bugs me, but I can't always do that, you know.
February 12, 2024
FBI agent Jude Camden needs to catch the man a world-famous criminal, and the only way he can do that is by going undercover. His assignment? Posing as Gemma Clare's boyfriend. To Jude, Gemma is part of his assignment, if a distracting, annoying, and ridiculously attractive one. She is wild spontaneity in a redheaded girl. To Gemma, Jude is a straight-laced, by the book professional who needs some loosening up. While Jude is trying to catch the bad guy and Gemma is trying to annoy Jude at every turn, the two realize that their fake relationship has turned real. However, the FBI forbids undercover relationships from getting involved with case subjects.
This fake-dating Christian romance has a fast start as rule-follow Jude and feisty Gemma are thrown together to pose as a couple for a sting. As in any fake relationship, what was once fake becomes real quickly as they fall into insta-love over their mutual attraction. They enjoy some excellent repartee as Gemma teases Jude and stretches his carefully erected walls.
I enjoy Becky Wade's writing, but this was not my favorite of her books. For one, I don't like the fake dating trope. I also felt that the romance moved far too quickly and I didn't enjoy until 50% into the story. The insta-love seemed wrapped in attraction rather than actual feelings, and they said they loved each other far too quickly. Did they even know each other? Hard to tell. Gemma's motivation felt unclear to me, and while I related to Jude a lot, I was confused about what Gemma wanted and why she made her choices. She just seemed to act on impulse and I didn't sympathize with her. Additionally, the Great-Grandma Gracie storyline felt extraneous and didn't add to the overarching story. On the other hand, I loved Jude and appreciated his wholehearted love for her despite his caution. The dialogue was pretty great and the two had an interesting rapport. Wade does a great job at balancing religion and romance without preaching. Overall, it was good but not my favorite of hers. I'm interested to see how Max's story develops!
3.75/5
This fake-dating Christian romance has a fast start as rule-follow Jude and feisty Gemma are thrown together to pose as a couple for a sting. As in any fake relationship, what was once fake becomes real quickly as they fall into insta-love over their mutual attraction. They enjoy some excellent repartee as Gemma teases Jude and stretches his carefully erected walls.
I enjoy Becky Wade's writing, but this was not my favorite of her books. For one, I don't like the fake dating trope. I also felt that the romance moved far too quickly and I didn't enjoy until 50% into the story. The insta-love seemed wrapped in attraction rather than actual feelings, and they said they loved each other far too quickly. Did they even know each other? Hard to tell. Gemma's motivation felt unclear to me, and while I related to Jude a lot, I was confused about what Gemma wanted and why she made her choices. She just seemed to act on impulse and I didn't sympathize with her. Additionally, the Great-Grandma Gracie storyline felt extraneous and didn't add to the overarching story. On the other hand, I loved Jude and appreciated his wholehearted love for her despite his caution. The dialogue was pretty great and the two had an interesting rapport. Wade does a great job at balancing religion and romance without preaching. Overall, it was good but not my favorite of hers. I'm interested to see how Max's story develops!
3.75/5
February 14, 2024
Another winner by Mrs. Becky Wade! I’ve been reading Becky’s books since My Stubborn Heart came out. She is a wonderful writer. This series intricately connects several subplots. The romance is so dreamy. Jemma and Jude are adorable. The generational relationship is sweet. Each personality is unique. I felt sad that Gemma’s grandmother’s drinking problem was portrayed as quirky or maybe comical. Aside from that I loved this book.
I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
March 12, 2024
We meet Jude in the previous book, but the real reason to read this series in order is to understand the family scandal and complicated dynamics that have resulted. Most of Rocky Road is from Jude and Gemma's perspective, but we also have the point of view of Jude's mother, the origin of the scandal, and her attempts to reconcile with the sister she betrayed. Gemma and Jude have an awesome meet-cute, and their chemistry just grows from there, despite Jude's determination to remain aloof. The romantic tension is so strong! I just loved their interactions and genuine personalities. The investigation of Gemma's cousin brings an element of suspense, and the subplot of Gemma's hunt for answers to her grandmother's secret past was heartwarming. The setting of Maine is dreamy, and makes me want to return there to explore more! We're also introduced to Max, the notorious half brother, and I'm looking forward to his story in the next book!
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
February 15, 2024
Ok, so while I liked book one of this series, it wasn't my favorite Becky Wade story, BUT... BUT, this one might rank up there with my love for her book Meant to be Mine!
The way she wrote the entire relationship from beginning to end with Gemma and Jude just made my heart happy. They were stinking adorable together. Gemma is quirky and artistic while Jude is strait-laced and a rule follower. He's there as an FBI agent to get Gemma to cooperate with them to nab her cousin for illegal activities. It seems like from the start that Gemma has his number and Jude just does NOT know what to do with her. HA!
Unfortunately, Gemma has a boyfriend and Jude can't date her because they're working together.
THIS is the kind of romance that I like. They just get to know each other without any ideas of romance. Gemma and Jude could be the poster couple for "opposites attract." Somehow, they just work and it's so fun to watch. Unlike other books I've read, nothing romantic happens between them while Gemma is still with her boyfriend.
In the meantime of them trying to pull Gemma's cousin into their net, a mystery comes up in regards to her 102 year old great-grandma. It involves WWII, her great-grandparents, and lost communication. Thankfully, Gemma knows someone (ahem, Jude) who can help her track down the information she needs to unravel the mystery!
I felt like this story was much lighter and "Hallmark-y" (but way better than Hallmark) than book one in the series. It wasn't as "raw" as I described book one, which I prefer this a bit more. I feel like with Max's story we might be taken back to some harder topics only for the fact of his familial history and the struggles it caused for him growing up. I'm hoping he just ends up being a grumpy sunshine!
The author sent me the audiobook for the review, but also sent me the paperback. I listened to the book (as I did with book one) and once again enjoyed the narrators. This is my personal opinion.
The way she wrote the entire relationship from beginning to end with Gemma and Jude just made my heart happy. They were stinking adorable together. Gemma is quirky and artistic while Jude is strait-laced and a rule follower. He's there as an FBI agent to get Gemma to cooperate with them to nab her cousin for illegal activities. It seems like from the start that Gemma has his number and Jude just does NOT know what to do with her. HA!
Unfortunately, Gemma has a boyfriend and Jude can't date her because they're working together.
THIS is the kind of romance that I like. They just get to know each other without any ideas of romance. Gemma and Jude could be the poster couple for "opposites attract." Somehow, they just work and it's so fun to watch. Unlike other books I've read, nothing romantic happens between them while Gemma is still with her boyfriend.
In the meantime of them trying to pull Gemma's cousin into their net, a mystery comes up in regards to her 102 year old great-grandma. It involves WWII, her great-grandparents, and lost communication. Thankfully, Gemma knows someone (ahem, Jude) who can help her track down the information she needs to unravel the mystery!
I felt like this story was much lighter and "Hallmark-y" (but way better than Hallmark) than book one in the series. It wasn't as "raw" as I described book one, which I prefer this a bit more. I feel like with Max's story we might be taken back to some harder topics only for the fact of his familial history and the struggles it caused for him growing up. I'm hoping he just ends up being a grumpy sunshine!
The author sent me the audiobook for the review, but also sent me the paperback. I listened to the book (as I did with book one) and once again enjoyed the narrators. This is my personal opinion.
February 14, 2024
Isn't this cover darling? I love it! And I love how the title ties into the story!
I've been wanting Jude and Gemma's story since there were teasers dropped in the first book, Memory Lane. Which, if you haven't read Memory Lane yet, go do so! You really should read them in order to have a better understanding of everything happening. Do you have to read them in order? No, I think the author wrote enough back info into this one to make it possible to be read as a standalone.
Gemma's family history and story was fun to finally learn more about them. And I loved that subplot that Becky Wade added into the story. It was so sweet to be there as Gemma and her mom and aunt went on a little family history treasure hunt. And the outcome wasn't at all what I was expecting. But I loved it! Then we have her cousin jumping into the plot and causing some upheaval to Gemma's life. Namely in the form of Jude Camden, FBI agent. He's there to strike a deal with Gemma the perfumer and help her out if she'll help the FBI out.
Oh my! These two together were just pure magic. Poor Jude is trying so hard to ignore the magic between them but he's not going to have much luck with that because Gemma is just spunky and fun and straightforward. The only problem is, he shouldn't get involved with her because they're working together.
The chemistry, between Gemma and Jude, and the chemistry of perfume was very captivating. I loved it all and was hooked! I couldn't help but cheer for these two and for their family members, who have some subplots of their own. Lots of emotions, family drama, struggles, healing, faith, trust, taking a leap, and following your heart! I'm here for it all! And I'm going to be anxiously awaiting the next book in this Sons of Scandal series! I. Can't. Wait!!!! Hahahaha! Okay, I can wait. I'll be patient but just know I am looking forward to it...very much so!
Content: Clean. This book has some kisses, a couple more passionate kisses but nothing further than kisses. Some mild moments of peril. This is a Christian fiction novel so there are some moments that Faith and God are mentioned. I thought it flowed very nicely and I don't think it would be off putting to readers who don't normally read that genre.
I received a copy from the author, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
I've been wanting Jude and Gemma's story since there were teasers dropped in the first book, Memory Lane. Which, if you haven't read Memory Lane yet, go do so! You really should read them in order to have a better understanding of everything happening. Do you have to read them in order? No, I think the author wrote enough back info into this one to make it possible to be read as a standalone.
Gemma's family history and story was fun to finally learn more about them. And I loved that subplot that Becky Wade added into the story. It was so sweet to be there as Gemma and her mom and aunt went on a little family history treasure hunt. And the outcome wasn't at all what I was expecting. But I loved it! Then we have her cousin jumping into the plot and causing some upheaval to Gemma's life. Namely in the form of Jude Camden, FBI agent. He's there to strike a deal with Gemma the perfumer and help her out if she'll help the FBI out.
Oh my! These two together were just pure magic. Poor Jude is trying so hard to ignore the magic between them but he's not going to have much luck with that because Gemma is just spunky and fun and straightforward. The only problem is, he shouldn't get involved with her because they're working together.
The chemistry, between Gemma and Jude, and the chemistry of perfume was very captivating. I loved it all and was hooked! I couldn't help but cheer for these two and for their family members, who have some subplots of their own. Lots of emotions, family drama, struggles, healing, faith, trust, taking a leap, and following your heart! I'm here for it all! And I'm going to be anxiously awaiting the next book in this Sons of Scandal series! I. Can't. Wait!!!! Hahahaha! Okay, I can wait. I'll be patient but just know I am looking forward to it...very much so!
Content: Clean. This book has some kisses, a couple more passionate kisses but nothing further than kisses. Some mild moments of peril. This is a Christian fiction novel so there are some moments that Faith and God are mentioned. I thought it flowed very nicely and I don't think it would be off putting to readers who don't normally read that genre.
I received a copy from the author, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
February 1, 2024
Rocky Road is book two in the Sons of Scandal series and it releases 2/14/23. When Jude, a handsome, buttoned up, in control FBI agent meets fiery, free spirited perfume maker Gemma, sparks fly. Their mission: fake dating to catch her criminal cousin selling international trade secrets. I loved the banter and slow burn of this clean romance. There’s family dynamics and faith elements that bring it all together beautifully. And Jude quoting poetry is not to be missed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and stayed up way too late to finish it.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy to review. A positive review was not required, all opinions are my own and freely given.
My thanks to the author for the advanced copy to review. A positive review was not required, all opinions are my own and freely given.
February 14, 2024
Happy Release Day! and Happy Valentine!
This is an engaging and suspenseful clean romance with multiple POVs. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the first book to get to know the recurring characters...
Jude Camden is the younger brother of the famous Camden family. Unlike his siblings, he chose to work for the FBI to make a difference. During an undercover operation, Jude is asked to pretend to be in a relationship with Gemma Clare, an enthusiastic and outgoing woman. As expected, the situation leads to some hilarious moments. However, despite their attempts to resist their feelings, Jude and Gemma find themselves falling for each other in real life. Sparks fly amidst all the comedy.
Fake dating and Grumpy/sunshine tropes, with a very hilarious meet and cute.
I enjoy the witty exchanges and slow-building romance between Gemma and Jude. However, I prefer a bit more mystery surrounding Max, though I'm still excited to read about his story.
Overall, the story is well written and I enjoyed the romance scenes, family dynamics, the humor, and knowing about perfumes. However, I found the mystery-catch-villain plot a little boring.
Thank you to NetGalley and Becky Wade for providing me with an eARC.
This is an engaging and suspenseful clean romance with multiple POVs. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the first book to get to know the recurring characters...
Jude Camden is the younger brother of the famous Camden family. Unlike his siblings, he chose to work for the FBI to make a difference. During an undercover operation, Jude is asked to pretend to be in a relationship with Gemma Clare, an enthusiastic and outgoing woman. As expected, the situation leads to some hilarious moments. However, despite their attempts to resist their feelings, Jude and Gemma find themselves falling for each other in real life. Sparks fly amidst all the comedy.
Fake dating and Grumpy/sunshine tropes, with a very hilarious meet and cute.
I enjoy the witty exchanges and slow-building romance between Gemma and Jude. However, I prefer a bit more mystery surrounding Max, though I'm still excited to read about his story.
Overall, the story is well written and I enjoyed the romance scenes, family dynamics, the humor, and knowing about perfumes. However, I found the mystery-catch-villain plot a little boring.
Thank you to NetGalley and Becky Wade for providing me with an eARC.
January 27, 2024
Another delightful rom-com mystery from Becky Wade with all the fun elements of a Hallmark mystery and without any of the cheesiness!
Ever since meeting Jude in Jeremiah’s story, I’ve been eagerly awaiting his happily ever after. When uptight FBI agent Jude meets Gemma, the messy, adventurous perfume creator, sparks fly. But an agent can’t fall in love with his witness—and fake girlfriend—in an active case. Not without risking everything.
If you’re looking for a story with a forbidden love & fake relationship, big families, World War 2 Code Girls, FBI investigations, fascinating perfume details, adorable friend & brother bonds (Jude & Max & Jeremiah), and a heartfelt message dealing with perfectionism, control, and grace, this book is for you!
p.s. and I’m in LOVE with these cute covers! 😍
Content: boyfriend jokingly sends girlfriend shirtless photos from the gym; mentions of enneagram types; over imbibing on alcohol (not condoned)
*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Ever since meeting Jude in Jeremiah’s story, I’ve been eagerly awaiting his happily ever after. When uptight FBI agent Jude meets Gemma, the messy, adventurous perfume creator, sparks fly. But an agent can’t fall in love with his witness—and fake girlfriend—in an active case. Not without risking everything.
If you’re looking for a story with a forbidden love & fake relationship, big families, World War 2 Code Girls, FBI investigations, fascinating perfume details, adorable friend & brother bonds (Jude & Max & Jeremiah), and a heartfelt message dealing with perfectionism, control, and grace, this book is for you!
p.s. and I’m in LOVE with these cute covers! 😍
Content: boyfriend jokingly sends girlfriend shirtless photos from the gym; mentions of enneagram types; over imbibing on alcohol (not condoned)
*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 22, 2024
Rocky Road has a mystery element to it that gave it a fun sort of Get Smart vibes. I recently watched the movie again and am now in my spy/espionage era.
FBI agent Jude is posing as boyfriend to Gemma, a perfumer with contacts he is investigating. She's polar opposite to his stuffed shirt ways and she can't help but want to live him up just a little bit.
I enjoyed the dynamics between Jude and Gemma and the will they - won't they break the rules for their chemistry. It's the perfect season to pick up this book and can easily be read as a standalone.
The audiobook was narrated by Reba Buhr and Ryan Hudson. I thought her performance was great and as time went on go used to Ryan (he was a little stiff which kind of makes sense for Jude's character).
Thank you to @beckywadewriter for the #gifted copy and alc. All thoughts are my own.
FBI agent Jude is posing as boyfriend to Gemma, a perfumer with contacts he is investigating. She's polar opposite to his stuffed shirt ways and she can't help but want to live him up just a little bit.
I enjoyed the dynamics between Jude and Gemma and the will they - won't they break the rules for their chemistry. It's the perfect season to pick up this book and can easily be read as a standalone.
The audiobook was narrated by Reba Buhr and Ryan Hudson. I thought her performance was great and as time went on go used to Ryan (he was a little stiff which kind of makes sense for Jude's character).
Thank you to @beckywadewriter for the #gifted copy and alc. All thoughts are my own.
July 1, 2024
I’m getting back into my Christian Fiction readings. What better way to start by reading Becky Wade. I love Becky Wade. She’s one of my favorite romance writers. Rocky Road was a solid 4 stars. I loved Gemma. She was quirky and fun and a great match for straight laced Jude. I found them a great match. This book had a nice faith element as well. I totally recommend this book and can’t wait to follow the next brother in the series!!
February 11, 2024
Rocky Road by Becky Wade is a great read to add to your TBR this Valentine’s season! Gemma and Jude’s relationship is super sweet, and their professions are so interesting and kept me engaged the whole book. I liked that Becky gave us snippets of other characters’ perspectives, which just made me more excited for book three. Definitely add Becky’s books to your TBR! 4/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Shelved as 'dnf'
September 29, 2024soft dnf 12%
i might try this again in the future, but im quitting it for now. nothing wrong with it, i just found that im not in the mood for spy romcoms right now.
i might try this again in the future, but im quitting it for now. nothing wrong with it, i just found that im not in the mood for spy romcoms right now.
February 26, 2024
Wade had me from page one! I had been looking forward to this book based on the back cover blurb, and it did not disappoint! I laughed, I cried, I laughed again…the story is fantastic, the characters are intriguing and I’m already queuing up my audiobook to listen again! Highly recommend!
February 14, 2024
I adore this cover and my first thought was–ice cream (yum)! My second thought–this story might be a bit rocky and bumpy, but knowing this author, it’s going to be full of hard things and fluff, with an overall level of delicious sweetness, and isn’t that just like bookish ice cream?
We met FBI agent Jude in Memory Lane and I was fascinated by his mystique then, but now? I’m in love! In this story, he is required to fake date perfumer Gemma, who is sweet, feisty, vibrant and a handful, but their combination was as perfect as almonds and marshmallows. I loved their connections and interactions and the swoon? YES, PLEASE!
The elements of mystery and intrigue are such a fun addition to this Sons of Scandal series set in Maine and kept me flying through the story. Its intricate threads weaving all the elements together really were fascinating. But I think it was the perfume descriptions that really caught my attention. I could almost smell them!
I adored the narration of this audiobook, was absolutely invested in these characters, and was riveted to the plot. More of this series please!
Content: mild romance; mild religion; mild moments of peril
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
We met FBI agent Jude in Memory Lane and I was fascinated by his mystique then, but now? I’m in love! In this story, he is required to fake date perfumer Gemma, who is sweet, feisty, vibrant and a handful, but their combination was as perfect as almonds and marshmallows. I loved their connections and interactions and the swoon? YES, PLEASE!
The elements of mystery and intrigue are such a fun addition to this Sons of Scandal series set in Maine and kept me flying through the story. Its intricate threads weaving all the elements together really were fascinating. But I think it was the perfume descriptions that really caught my attention. I could almost smell them!
I adored the narration of this audiobook, was absolutely invested in these characters, and was riveted to the plot. More of this series please!
Content: mild romance; mild religion; mild moments of peril
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
January 27, 2024
This was such a fun rom-com! Though second in the Sons of Scandal, this book can stand on its own. There are some spoiler-y elements if you haven't read Memory Lane, but you don't need to read that story first in order to enjoy this story. This book follows Jude Camden, the younger of the Camden brothers, who has set himself apart from the fame of his family and opted to work for the FBI in order to make a difference. When an undercover operation requires well-pressed put-together Jude to pretend to be dating exuberant sunny Gemma Clare, there's bound to be some hilarity. And of course, the sparks fly as well in spite of their best efforts to not fall for each other in real life. In addition to the romance element, there was also a bit of mystery as Gemma seeks out the answers to some family secrets.
This book had a couple of the best romance tropes - the fake dating trope, of course, and the grumpy/sunshine trope as well. These are 2 of my favorites - the fake dating because it allows for the couple to get to know each other before they fall madly in love, and the grumpy/sunshine because it typically results in hilarious banter, as was the case with this one. I had many laugh-out-loud moments with this book due to the back-and-forth banter of Gemma and Jude as they pushed each other's buttons and Gemma pushed the envelope as far as she possibly could. While I would call this one "faith light" in that God doesn't play a major role in the story, there are definitely faith elements within the book and especially towards the end when Jude has some faith revelations. This one was fraught with character development as both characters were shoved outside of their comfort zones to make the fake dating relationship work and then came to realize how much that was needed. The family dynamics within both of their families was a big driver in the story as well, and I loved that family played a big part in both of their lives. As a plot-driven reader and mystery lover, I also thoroughly enjoyed the background story of Gemma's family's secrets and how that story element played out. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read and was a great distraction from a hectic week. This is one I'd heartily recommend to fans of contemporary romance, rom-coms or even romantic suspense as there was some mystery and action within the story itself. Special thanks to the author and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
This book had a couple of the best romance tropes - the fake dating trope, of course, and the grumpy/sunshine trope as well. These are 2 of my favorites - the fake dating because it allows for the couple to get to know each other before they fall madly in love, and the grumpy/sunshine because it typically results in hilarious banter, as was the case with this one. I had many laugh-out-loud moments with this book due to the back-and-forth banter of Gemma and Jude as they pushed each other's buttons and Gemma pushed the envelope as far as she possibly could. While I would call this one "faith light" in that God doesn't play a major role in the story, there are definitely faith elements within the book and especially towards the end when Jude has some faith revelations. This one was fraught with character development as both characters were shoved outside of their comfort zones to make the fake dating relationship work and then came to realize how much that was needed. The family dynamics within both of their families was a big driver in the story as well, and I loved that family played a big part in both of their lives. As a plot-driven reader and mystery lover, I also thoroughly enjoyed the background story of Gemma's family's secrets and how that story element played out. All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read and was a great distraction from a hectic week. This is one I'd heartily recommend to fans of contemporary romance, rom-coms or even romantic suspense as there was some mystery and action within the story itself. Special thanks to the author and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
April 3, 2024
I've dragged my feet on writing this review. Mostly because my thoughts are kinda all over the place on this one. The overwhelming one being disappointment…I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Memory Lane, and was looking forward to reading Rocky Road.
Here's the main thing: Ms. Wade's writing is beautiful and flowy, but has a formal quality (in both the narrative and dialog) that feels incongruent for a contemporary story. Which I think makes the pacing feel slow…leisurely…meandering. As a result, it took me almost a month to get through this book - my attention kept getting diverted to other books and I only finally finished during two three-hour plane rides when there were no other distractions to be had.
Outside the slow pace, there were a couple things I appreciated about this book. First, I like a hero who stands firm in his convictions. FBI Agent Jude knows his attraction to Gemma can’t be acted on while they are working his case together…so he doesn’t. So many romance stories tell us it’s only romantic if you let your feelings drive your actions, but I’m more drawn to characters who can put their actions on hold until the time is right. I also enjoyed the mini history lesson about World War II Code Girls.
But even that was a double edged sword because that side plot really didn’t do anything to move the main storyline along. Nor did the one with Jude’s mom trying to reconcile with her sister. Which is my other big thing with this book: I didn’t feel either the relationship between Jude and Gemma was well developed, and the big thing that brought them together - her cousin’s corporate espionage - wasn’t all cloak and dagger as a good sting operation should be. I liked the idea of the story, but feel the execution was lacking.
And one final thing seemed out of place: the whole quasi-religious aspect of the story. This series seems to be a bit of a departure from the author’s usually more overt Christian-themed books. The religion tossed in here seemed to be done so to appease her disappointed fan base - many of the reviews for Memory Lane blasted the author for the story containing alcohol, infidelity (it didn’t actually take place during the book mind you, but was part of the history of the hero’s parents), and for NOT having much of a faith aspect to it. Which is fair. If you’re expecting a certain kind of book from an author and that’s not what you get, disappointment is the likely result. But I think if you’re going to write religion into your story, don’t just give it lip service.
So yeah, lots of conflicting thoughts about this book. I wanted to like it, but I was never compelled to read more than a chapter at a time until there was nothing else for me to do but read it… At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll read a third Sons of Scandal book if there is one.
* thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Here's the main thing: Ms. Wade's writing is beautiful and flowy, but has a formal quality (in both the narrative and dialog) that feels incongruent for a contemporary story. Which I think makes the pacing feel slow…leisurely…meandering. As a result, it took me almost a month to get through this book - my attention kept getting diverted to other books and I only finally finished during two three-hour plane rides when there were no other distractions to be had.
Outside the slow pace, there were a couple things I appreciated about this book. First, I like a hero who stands firm in his convictions. FBI Agent Jude knows his attraction to Gemma can’t be acted on while they are working his case together…so he doesn’t. So many romance stories tell us it’s only romantic if you let your feelings drive your actions, but I’m more drawn to characters who can put their actions on hold until the time is right. I also enjoyed the mini history lesson about World War II Code Girls.
But even that was a double edged sword because that side plot really didn’t do anything to move the main storyline along. Nor did the one with Jude’s mom trying to reconcile with her sister. Which is my other big thing with this book: I didn’t feel either the relationship between Jude and Gemma was well developed, and the big thing that brought them together - her cousin’s corporate espionage - wasn’t all cloak and dagger as a good sting operation should be. I liked the idea of the story, but feel the execution was lacking.
And one final thing seemed out of place: the whole quasi-religious aspect of the story. This series seems to be a bit of a departure from the author’s usually more overt Christian-themed books. The religion tossed in here seemed to be done so to appease her disappointed fan base - many of the reviews for Memory Lane blasted the author for the story containing alcohol, infidelity (it didn’t actually take place during the book mind you, but was part of the history of the hero’s parents), and for NOT having much of a faith aspect to it. Which is fair. If you’re expecting a certain kind of book from an author and that’s not what you get, disappointment is the likely result. But I think if you’re going to write religion into your story, don’t just give it lip service.
So yeah, lots of conflicting thoughts about this book. I wanted to like it, but I was never compelled to read more than a chapter at a time until there was nothing else for me to do but read it… At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll read a third Sons of Scandal book if there is one.
* thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 21, 2024
2.5 rounded down: didn’t realize I was getting into Christian chick lit here. Story and characters were charming, didn’t like the return to Jesus at the end. Due to not hating the story and the characters, I gave it a 2.5. The rounding down - the added element at the end there!
May 29, 2024
I love this romantic comedy that has depth, fun banter, awesome characters, mystery, and, of course, romance. Becky Wade has made me laugh out loud and spew out my diet coke. All good!!
February 13, 2024
Rocky Road is an absolutely delightful romcom.
Jude is an uptight FBI agent who is forced to fake date Gemma, a fun loving free spirit. It's opposites fake date and it's hilarious.
I was able to listen to this one, and I loved the dual narration. Jude was perfectly cast and Gemma's joy was brought to life.
I thought the characters were fantastic from the matriarchs in Gemma's family to Jude's brothers and his mom. There was a delightful little side story about Gemma's great grandma that was the cherry on top.
Jude is an uptight FBI agent who is forced to fake date Gemma, a fun loving free spirit. It's opposites fake date and it's hilarious.
I was able to listen to this one, and I loved the dual narration. Jude was perfectly cast and Gemma's joy was brought to life.
I thought the characters were fantastic from the matriarchs in Gemma's family to Jude's brothers and his mom. There was a delightful little side story about Gemma's great grandma that was the cherry on top.
March 4, 2024
If you read my review for book 1 of this series you know that it wasn't my favorite of her books BUT hear me out this one was SO different. This one had all the elements that reminded me why I love her so much as an author. There was witty banter, a grumpy/sunshine/fake dating trope that was perfection and the faith threat was present. I also enjoyed the small storyline of Gemma's grandmother. I thought it was a great addition to the overall story.
Gemma and Jude were great characters and you couldn't help but smile as you turned the pages. The way their relationship progressed through the story was believable. They definitely had their swoony moments and did I mention the romance was perfection?!
Although this is part of the series and Jude does get introduced in the first book I don't think it will take away if you pick this one up first. You will see the characters from the first book in this one as they are family but you will not be lost by reading them out of order. I can't wait to see what she does with the third brother's storyline in the next book. I am definitely looking forward to reading it.
Overall if you enjoy romantic stories then you will definitely enjoy this one. If you have read stories by Becky Wade before this one will take you back to her earlier works as it did me. Either ways I think you will enjoy it and should go grab it!
I received a copy of this book from the author for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Gemma and Jude were great characters and you couldn't help but smile as you turned the pages. The way their relationship progressed through the story was believable. They definitely had their swoony moments and did I mention the romance was perfection?!
Although this is part of the series and Jude does get introduced in the first book I don't think it will take away if you pick this one up first. You will see the characters from the first book in this one as they are family but you will not be lost by reading them out of order. I can't wait to see what she does with the third brother's storyline in the next book. I am definitely looking forward to reading it.
Overall if you enjoy romantic stories then you will definitely enjoy this one. If you have read stories by Becky Wade before this one will take you back to her earlier works as it did me. Either ways I think you will enjoy it and should go grab it!
I received a copy of this book from the author for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
February 18, 2024
This was the very first book I've read from Becky and now I really need to go back and read all the books she has written! She just writes the perfect slow burn romance with so much heart!
I absolutely adored Jude and Gemma together! I loved that they were total opposites and yet fit perfectly together.
Gemma is such a quirky character and I love that she is just so confident in who she is! I love that she just goes after what she wants and doesn't let anything stop her. I love that she is unfiltered and that she just knows how to ruffle Jude's feathers!
Jude is such a sweetheart. Like the ultimate cinnamon roll in a starched suit. I love that he is all about rules, regulations, and proving his worth. And yet for Gemma he would do anything for her!
Even though this was a longer romance book it flew by and I read it way too fast! I cant wait to go back and read Jude's brother's love story since he had a bunch of cameos in this book!
If you are looking for a romance book that has the sweetest characters, a bit of mystery, a little suspense, and just a whole love of love give this one a go! I'm so glad that I finally got a chance to read one of Becky's books and cannot wait to read more!
Physical Intimacy Lvl 2 (Longer non descriptive kisses)
Zero Swearing
Multiple POV
Christian Aspects
I absolutely adored Jude and Gemma together! I loved that they were total opposites and yet fit perfectly together.
Gemma is such a quirky character and I love that she is just so confident in who she is! I love that she just goes after what she wants and doesn't let anything stop her. I love that she is unfiltered and that she just knows how to ruffle Jude's feathers!
Jude is such a sweetheart. Like the ultimate cinnamon roll in a starched suit. I love that he is all about rules, regulations, and proving his worth. And yet for Gemma he would do anything for her!
Even though this was a longer romance book it flew by and I read it way too fast! I cant wait to go back and read Jude's brother's love story since he had a bunch of cameos in this book!
If you are looking for a romance book that has the sweetest characters, a bit of mystery, a little suspense, and just a whole love of love give this one a go! I'm so glad that I finally got a chance to read one of Becky's books and cannot wait to read more!
Physical Intimacy Lvl 2 (Longer non descriptive kisses)
Zero Swearing
Multiple POV
Christian Aspects
February 17, 2024
Cute Cover. Cute Story. Cute Couple.
Mistaken identity. Hysterics. Allergies. This wonderful rom-com starts off with our lovely vibrant Gemma who accosts Special Agent Jude Camden, "beware of citronella." *Pure gold*
The following request the agent has for Gemma Clare involves Rhapsodie perfumes and criminal activity undercover. Cedric, her cousin, having messed up royally.
Chaz, with his dad humor and lack of any real depth, made me roll my eyes. That was a character I couldn't care less for.
Cryptoanalysts. Great grandmother's. World War ciphers. Chocolate chip croissants, which is very pertinent to the ongoing case. Baits. Butterfly obsessions.
Very cute, very funny romantic with a twist. The bereau and the agents and the operations was an interesting twist on the fake dating trope. Would recommend to a friend 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!
Mistaken identity. Hysterics. Allergies. This wonderful rom-com starts off with our lovely vibrant Gemma who accosts Special Agent Jude Camden, "beware of citronella." *Pure gold*
The following request the agent has for Gemma Clare involves Rhapsodie perfumes and criminal activity undercover. Cedric, her cousin, having messed up royally.
Chaz, with his dad humor and lack of any real depth, made me roll my eyes. That was a character I couldn't care less for.
Cryptoanalysts. Great grandmother's. World War ciphers. Chocolate chip croissants, which is very pertinent to the ongoing case. Baits. Butterfly obsessions.
Very cute, very funny romantic with a twist. The bereau and the agents and the operations was an interesting twist on the fake dating trope. Would recommend to a friend 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!
February 21, 2024
I really enjoyed the second installment in Becky Wade’s Sons of Scandal series! Jude’s story was everything I hoped it would be. He melted my heart with his love and devotion to Gemma. And she is a total fireball! I giggled at a few of their interactions, and swooned at some other ones! I appreciated Gemma’s serious side, though, and her devotion to her family. I also appreciated her devotion to her faith and the church, and her challenging Jude in that area of his life. The family dynamics among Gemma and her female relatives were endearing, and I enjoyed the mystery she set out to solve! I really laughed when we got inside the mind of Fiona, Jude’s mom. I’ve enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the first book and this one, and I’m looking forward to the conclusion of her story. I thoroughly enjoyed getting back to Maine with and the Camdens in this book, and I can’t wait to read Max’s story!! Thank you to the author for my prerelease copy. All thoughts above are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.
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March 11, 2024I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was so excited to read this one - and I loved it even more!
Jude and Gemma made me smile throughout the book. I appreciated Jude and his love for his work, but also his love for those around him. He wanted to help Gemma not just with the problem he was tasked with, but to help her make life easier altogether.
Gemma was sweet and deserved so much more than what she was giving herself. She deserved a good relationship with someone who was there - and I was so glad when she saw what Jude had to offer.
Their families were the best. Jude’s meddling brothers, and Gemma’s nosey mom trying to figure things out had me laughing.
I didn’t want to put this one down and now I can’t wait for what’s next in this series!
Jude and Gemma made me smile throughout the book. I appreciated Jude and his love for his work, but also his love for those around him. He wanted to help Gemma not just with the problem he was tasked with, but to help her make life easier altogether.
Gemma was sweet and deserved so much more than what she was giving herself. She deserved a good relationship with someone who was there - and I was so glad when she saw what Jude had to offer.
Their families were the best. Jude’s meddling brothers, and Gemma’s nosey mom trying to figure things out had me laughing.
I didn’t want to put this one down and now I can’t wait for what’s next in this series!
January 25, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Becky Wade did not disappoint with her second book in the "Sons of Scandal" series. Like the first book, "Memory Lane", it took me a few chapters to really get into the story. However, once I did, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I ended up reading it until after midnight last night.
This was a great mixture of a sweet romance, two mysteries, family relationships, and faith without preachiness. There was also plenty of sarcastic dialogue and an adorable dog named Mabel, Characters from the first book were also included in this story which was very satisfying.
I'm looking forward to reading Book 3 about Max.
No profanity or sex. Passionate kissing.
Becky Wade did not disappoint with her second book in the "Sons of Scandal" series. Like the first book, "Memory Lane", it took me a few chapters to really get into the story. However, once I did, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I ended up reading it until after midnight last night.
This was a great mixture of a sweet romance, two mysteries, family relationships, and faith without preachiness. There was also plenty of sarcastic dialogue and an adorable dog named Mabel, Characters from the first book were also included in this story which was very satisfying.
I'm looking forward to reading Book 3 about Max.
No profanity or sex. Passionate kissing.
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