SUFFERING THE SCOT by Nichole Van

Lady Jane Everard cannot abide the new Earl of Hadley. The unmannered Scot is a menace to genteel ladies everywhere, what with his booming laugh and swishing kilt and endless supply of ‘ochs’ and ‘ayes.’ Jane wishes Lord Hadley would behave as an earl should and adhere to English rules of polite conduct.

Andrew Langston, the new Earl of Hadley, knows that the English aristocracy think poorly of his lowly Scottish upbringing. This is hardly new. History is littered with the English assuming the worst about Scotland. By living up to their lowest expectations, he is simply fulfilling his civic duty as a Scotsman.

Jane sees Andrew as an unmannered eejit. Andrew considers Jane to be a haughty English lady. But, as the saying goes, . . . opposites attract.

And what if beneath his boisterous behavior and her chilly reserve, Andrew and Jane are not nearly as different as they suppose? Can Scotland and England reach a harmonious union at last? 


Opening line:
"The notice appeared in The Edinburgh Advertiser on a blustery Tuesday in March."

Lady Jane is stuck between a disinterested mother, a bullying brother who holds her future and dowry in his charge and wanting to be herself. Two people she trusts keep holding her down, telling her she needs to become prim and proper to snag a good husband. But the problem is none of the men she is drawn to are good enough for her duke brother.
Add to poor Jane's stress is her younger brother, who she tries to keep with her at all costs. She doesn't want him sent away to somewhere dreary. She'll do anything to keep him close, including shutting her true self away behind gilded bars.

Andrew the Scot is the new Earl of Hadley, Jane's home. Being from Scotland, he's loud, boistrous, no manners and disgusting. But is that really him? He decided if the English are going to think of him this way, then he might as well let them see his Scottish-ness in all it's glory. He's fine with the arrangement until he realizes that both he and Jane are putting on a facade, wearing masks to cover who they really are.

When they both see through each other's masks, they find they are drawn to each other and the chemistry is strong. But can they overcome Polite Society and Jane's own family to be together. Add on top of their story is another one of mystery. Andrew and his friends find out that someone tried ot have Andrew killed while on the seas. Who could it be? Who would want Andrew dead? Any Englishman with a desire for the title of Earl of Hadley become a suspect. But will the answer bring Jane and Andrew closer or drive them apart?

I couldn't put this book down! I wanted to find out what happened to Lady Jane and Andrew. The changes they went through, the way they grew to become friends, and later, much more. I especially enjoyed the changes Jane went through to become herself.

I want more of Andrew's friends! They are characters!

There were so many times I wanted to punch someone (both men and women) and speak with a Scottish accent.

I would read more of Nicole's books! Loved this one!