The Marriage Scandal of the Season: A Historical Romance Novel (Marriage and Duty Book 4)
He built his life on control. She lives like the world might end tomorrow. Neither believed in love, until fate threw them into each other’s path…
Leonard wants nothing more than silence and solitude. After loss taught him that attachments only lead to pain, he’s learned to keep his world small and his heart locked tight.
Sophia has never belonged anywhere. She chases beauty, change, and freedom, desperate to outrun the grief that clings to her like a shadow.
When chance, and family obligation, binds them together on a journey across Europe, every step forces them to confront the truths they’ve both been avoiding. She stirs something in him he thought long buried. He offers her the kind of safety she never dared to trust.
But secrets follow them. A scandal is brewing. And what began as a temporary arrangement is starting to feel like something far more dangerous: a future.
What happens when two people who swore never to fall in love… begin to hope they might be wrong?
* If you enjoy historical Regency romance with compelling characters and a hint of redemption, “The Marriage Scandal of the Season”is sure to captivate your heart. This emotional tale of love, hope, and a marriage of convenience promises a captivating journey.
No cheating, no cliffhangers and a happily ever after.
Now available for free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
C***n
Enjoyable
This book took me a little longer than usual to get into. However, once I was hooked, I couldn’t put it down! The mystery part of this book was stronger than some of her other works, which I very much enjoyed. I love Dorothy‘s writing, and this book does not disappoint.July 15, 2025
B****y
Clean Regency Romance
Engaging storyline and well developed characters. I enjoyed reading this book, but I personally didn’t like how Joanna was treated.July 14, 2025
K***i
Great read
A lively and lovely story. Characters that are likable. Love everything written by her. I couldn’t put this story down.July 13, 2025
G******S
Starts slow but then takes off!
This is an enjoyable novel by Ms. Sheldon. It started slow for me but took off around the third or fourth chapter. I didn’t care for the heroine at first, but she grew on me as she and the hero developed. I think the story would have worked perfectly fine without the addition of the hero’s daughter. It seemed that she was ignored by her father, but viewing the situation through the lens of the time period, her treatment makes sense. Other secondary characters were a great addition to the story filling in the picture to make a believable tale. While the villain was easy to spot, Ms. Sheldon unraveled the storyline in an engaging way that kept my interest throughout. Another great novel by Ms. Sheldon. I highly recommend it. I did receive a copy as an ARC, but my thoughts are honest and my own.July 13, 2025
B************i
Great book with a little mystery
I like all of this author’s books including this one but this one had a little different take. Instead of just balls, gowns and the London ton, it had a little bit of mystery in it. I could really relate to the main female character Sophia and her love for her father. When he got sick and Dr. Leonard Hawthorne arrived to help, she was glad but they didn’t hit it off too well. They both seemed to have a dislike for each other. Sophia’s father had to go to Germany and since he was still sick along came the good Dr. Hawthorne. When there, some mysterious things started to happen and two men had died. Through all of this Sophia and Leonard have a love/hate relationship and a mystery to solve. Great read.July 10, 2025
K*************r
Intrigue, Danger, Twists and Unusual Storyline
I REALLY enjoyed this story. It was very different than most English Royalty stories. It was well written, full of intrigue, twists, and an unusual story-line. You won’t want to miss this one. I became very intrigued after the health crisis concerning Sophia’s father at the beginning of the story with two very unlikely personalities to ever fall in love.July 9, 2025
J******r
Awesome characters!
Great romance book! Overall, the story was sweet and I loved the characters!July 7, 2025
G******s
HAVE TO get your copy
Another great story. Wish I was better about leaving clues without details. You just HAVE TO get your copy and do like I did and get ready to read in one sitting.July 6, 2025
G**.
end the pain
Sophia and Leonard are such wonderful characters but there is so much grief in pain in their lives, you simply want for them to finally get a place on the sunny side of life.July 5, 2025
K****e
Lovely clean romantic story!
This book was very well written and I couldn’t put it down. The story was nice and no profanity or explicit sex, just a good read.July 5, 2025
A*********r
Exceptional
What a wonderful and beautiful love story. When Sophia Von Ross, and her father are on a walk he collapses. Doctor Leonard Hawthorne finds them. She is very book learned and challenged him at every turn. She’s not interested in marriage, and just wants to travel the world to learn all she can. She insists he goes to Germany as her father’s physician. She has no idea what she pulled him away from. He almost died trying to save her from fulfilling a contract her parents had done when she was seven. They end up going full circle in their relationship. A must read story that will never disappoint you.July 5, 2025
M***i
Not really a scandal
This book had many elements, hate to love, romance, and suspense. I really enjoyed it and liked the characters.July 5, 2025
T******.
This is a story about Sophia who was outspoken and Dr Leonard Hawthorne was an intelligent Dr.
This book is about a young woman, Sophia. While they were out walking, her father passed out, and Sophia called for help. A physician was on the same road and came to her aid. Dr Leonard Hawthorne was very good, and from then on, he treated her father. Sophia loved to learn and looked up all kinds of treatments for what her father was being treated for. She was always confronting the Dr about whether he was using the best treatment. Although, they argued their feelings grew for each other. I loved the way her parents allowed Sophia to read books and learn. I enjoyed reading this book and Dorothy Sheldon makes all her books interesting. I loved reading this story.July 5, 2025
D******n
Two Unlikely Pair
A fateful encounter brought about Dr Leonard Hawthorn and Lady Sophia lives together. He came across Sophia’s father when he suddenly became ill on the street. He immediately aided and became physician to the gentleman. Sophia and Leonard both headstrong and intelligent began a battle of wits. When the family was called back to Germany she insisted that he accompany them to ensure her father’s health. Upon arrival they both were delivered startling news that brought about emotions, realizations, a duel, and suspicions of murder. ARC ReviewJuly 5, 2025
K********************a
Great book
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the suspense and intriguing story line. It was a love story in the making. I recommend this book.July 4, 2025
G**********y
Loved the book
Really like the characters and story development. I enjoyed reading the story and didn’t want to put the book down.July 4, 2025
3M
I think this book may be a new favorite by this author!
I loved this story. Not only was there an enemies to lovers track in the story, but there was a trip to the continent, with action and intrigue. I enjoyed watching these two finally fall in love.July 4, 2025
J*d
Great book!
This is a well written love story with a great plot filled with suspense and intrigue. You won’t be able to put it down. Dr. Hawthorne rushes to the side of am man who had just fallen in the street. The young woman with the man was very outspoken. You’ll enjoy the banter between the man’s daughter, Sophia Von Ross, and the good doctor. This book is a real page turner. Definitely worth reading.July 4, 2025
S*H
Regency with an International Twist
Leonard and Sophia are a cute couple. From the beginning, their squabbles always seemed headed in the direction of passion over actual anger. Their characters, being so intelligent, and with learning such a priority, seemed perfect for each other. The development of the story and their relationship was set at a nice pace. The inclusion of a trip to Germany and the different cultural aspects that it presented was also interesting. Side characters, Sophia’s parents in particular, added a lot to the story. There were only a couple of things that didn’t sit quite right with me. First, the villain’s fate is never completely resolved. We never know what became of him. Second, Leonard has a daughter from a previous marriage. She seems to always be somewhat of an afterthought when it comes to his time. He leaves her with an aunt for months or years at a time and it is explained away as being better for her not to be moving around and disrupting her education. I would have preferred a storyline in which she joined her father more from a young age, maybe taking a nurse or governess with them on their travels. Otherwise I think it would have been better to have left that character out of the story altogether. She wasn’t in the story enough to be much of an influence. It just seemed sad to me that she was so abandoned by her father, leading me to wonder if future children will also be left at home. Other than this, I enjoyed this sweet, clean, story very much and appreciated the unique aspects gained by the German elements.July 4, 2025
J**********e
Couldn’t put it down!
Creative story with captivating characters, a novel plot, and stunning settings. Tender-hearted physician Leonard accidentally becomes the specialist for Sophia’s father, and then the sparks begin to fly – all the way to the Netherlands where adventure awaits! Entertaining book, one this reader couldn’t put down!July 3, 2025
L*********d
Could not put this book down!!!
Dr. Leonard, who is also left a Duke after the tragic death of his brother and his wife. On top of this he is also the Guardian of their 2 daughters. Dr. Leonard is forced by Sophia to tend to her father, a top diplomat for the Duchy of Germany. Sonia strong arms Dr. Leonard to accompany her family to Germany. Filled with despicable characters and adventure!July 3, 2025
A*************r
This story has many twists, the story keeps your attention.
If you are looking for a new twist in a Regency Romance this is it. Dorothy did a wonderful job with this story, you will enjoy this read.July 3, 2025
r**e
Exciting travels
Well written, full of drama, adventure, feelings, emotions, fireworks, intrigue and twists. Leonard is a physician who doesn’t want anymore pain in his life so he closes the door . Sophia is an open, light hearted woman who needs his help with her father. As they spend more time together they share more about themselves, and off they go traveling. These characters are witty and bright so much so they light up the pages. Enjoy the read as it keep you turning the pages with a smile on your face. Would recommend to everyone. I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.July 3, 2025
Jo
enjoy
Enjoyable,. Well written and well pacedJuly 3, 2025
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.July 2, 2025
K**e
Great characters!
I love reading Dorothy’s books! She has a great imagination! Each book takes me down a path into another great story. Her characters are unique. Their situations are so different. The descriptions help me visualize them. I highly recommend this book!July 2, 2025
