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Scandal of the Summer

A Novel

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Pub Date 23 Jun 2026 | Archive Date 7 Jul 2026

St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin


Description

A desperate debutante meets a ragtag smuggler in this sexy Regency romp by USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti.

Eccentric heiress Lady Ruby Ballimore has had enough of the Marriage Mart. After offending yet another Very Important Marquess—and imperiling her father’s diplomatic career—Ruby flees London for the holiday house of a glamorous (and better yet, absent) princess. Armed with a forged invitation and accompanied by her like-minded friends, Ruby arrives at the Cornwall estate expecting a summer of blissful freedom.

Instead, she discovers a derelict mansion and the most suspiciously charming man she’s ever met.

Former privateer and current con artist Captain Malcolm Archer has dragged his ramshackle crew into a new life. Posing as staff at a princess’s abandoned estate provides the perfect cover for Archer’s smuggling scheme (not to mention free rent). Everything’s going according to plan—until an unorthodox London heiress crashes the party.

But when Archer and his crew attempt to frighten off their uninvited guests, Ruby’s unfazed by insect invasions and sham sea monsters. Harder to ignore? The scorching heat between the rakish pirate and the debutante who can see right through him. As sparks fly, deceptions run wild—because in this Great Cornish Fake Off, the only thing riskier than telling the truth is falling in love.

A desperate debutante meets a ragtag smuggler in this sexy Regency romp by USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti.

Eccentric heiress Lady Ruby Ballimore has had enough of the Marriage Mart...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781250414250
PRICE $19.00 (USD)
PAGES 352

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Average rating from 305 members


Featured Reviews

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I really enjoyed Scandal of the Summer. This was such a fun and engaging read, and I found myself smiling more than once while reading. The chemistry between Ruby and Malcolm was charming and entertaining, and I loved how their personalities played off each other throughout the story.
One of the things I liked best was the humor and lighthearted banter in the first half. Those early interactions felt playful and made the characters feel very alive. Even when the story slowed down a bit later on, I was still invested because I cared about what happened to the people on the page.
The side characters were also memorable and added so much personality to the story. Their interactions and the way they fit into Ruby and Malcolm’s world made everything feel bigger and more fun. There were plenty of moments that made me laugh, and the balance between romance and adventure worked well for me.
I also appreciated the spice and chemistry between the leads. It felt natural and engaging, and it added warmth to the story without overwhelming the rest of the plot.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and delightful read for me. I finished it feeling satisfied, amused, and glad I spent time with these characters. I would happily recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance with heart, humor, and strong character dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

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This charming and steamy Regency romance was everything I hope for when I reach for an Alexandra Vasti book and more!

Our heroine Ruby, fierce and seemingly too smart for her own good, comes up with a scheme for a summer of freedom for her and her best friends. When they arrive at an unconventional Cornwall estate, they need to face its suspicious staff: Malcolm, a smuggler and con artist, and his crew. Hidden identities and conflicting interests make for an entertaining clash of the two groups. That is, until they need to start working together, and the stakes are high.

As expected, the writing it beautiful and humor abounds. I enjoyed the hilarious scheming, mischief and adventures. Between the engaging plot and lovable characters, I inhaled this book. There is so much heart in this story.

The romance was perfect, both tender and spicy. Malcolm simply stole my heart. His fierce loyalty and devotion, and the way he yearns for Ruby made me swoon. I love how they see each other for who they are, and I was rooting for them every step of the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun, emotional and sexy historical romance. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

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This is Vasti at her most charming and delightful. Here she plays with found family yet again, has a diverse cast of lovely characters, and the writing has her signature playful voice while also feeling fresh. This book is poised to be the perfect summer read. I cannot WAIT for fans and new readers alike to get their hands on this joy of a novel.

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I love all the novels I’ve read from Alexandra Vasti, and Scandal of the Summer did not disappoint!

The story blends historical romance with an exciting and eccentric group of characters that are easy to love. Lady Ruby is a complex and interesting FMC with a vast knowledge of art and Archer compliments her so well. Their scenes together were well written and developed their romance believably.

I loved the witty dialogue, setting, character dynamics, and action throughout. Once I began reading it was tough to put it down! This book put a smile on my face and I hope we get sequels for some of the supporting characters.

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