Publishers Weekly
★ 06/27/2022
Owens’s debut brings the perfect amount of humor and heart to the story of childhood friends reunited under unusual circumstances. L.A. Times journalist Georgia “Gigi” Ross’s investigation into a shady London nightclub will be the biggest story of her career. When she unexpectedly runs into Alec Kim, her first crush, at the airport on her way home, the pair share a steamy night together—all while Gigi has no idea that Alec has become a heartthrob star of British TV. Alec’s heading to L.A. for two weeks of meetings, and the pair decide to spend the time together, working hard to blend their busy schedules and stay out of the limelight. When Alec reveals his personal connection to the scandal Gigi’s investigating, however, she worries about the potential harm to his family if she publishes, and the conflict of interest in sleeping with a source. Whatever she does, she risks both her career and the man she’s come to love. Owens imbues a fraught situation with more humor than angst, and readers will fall instantly for the charming, charismatic characters. The heated love scenes and intense emotional connection between the leads are sure to win Owens legions of fans. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
Scandalized is the definition of spicy—bursting with tension and teasing, banter and blistering chemistry. A perfect romantic fantasy made even better by characters who are vividly, stunningly real.” —Rosie Danan, bestselling author of The Roommate
“I strongly suspect that Ivy Owens has smashed my skull open, inventoried every single thing I adore about romance novels, and then used the knowledge to write the most steamy, scorching, smart, sweet, exhilarating, passionate, swoony book I could ever imagine. I will literally need everyone to read Scandalized, so that when I quote by heart my favorite scenes they can quote theirs to me, and we can bond over the magnificent experience of being swept away by Owens’s magical writing.” —Ali Hazelwood, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis
“Blistering hot chemistry and an edge of suspense that demands a one-sitting read!” —Tessa Bailey, New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer
“This book is pure magic!” —Helen Hoang, USA Today bestselling author of The Kiss Quotient
“Ivy Owens’s debut brings the perfect amount of humor and heart to the story of childhood friends reunited under unusual circumstances. Scandalized imbues a fraught situation with more humor than angst, and readers will fall instantly for the charming, charismatic characters. The heated love scenes and intense emotional connection between the leads are sure to win Owens legions of fans.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Owens’s spectacular debut is beautifully written and a fun read. Fans of Suzanne Park’s So We Meet Again and Katie Delahanty’s “Brightside” series will have a hard time not consuming it in one sitting." —Library Journal (starred review)
If you're in the mood for a fun and sexy read, this is for you! —Rachel Strolle, Buzzfeed
“Reading Ivy Owens’s Scandalized was like a jolt reminding me of everything I love about romance—it is a perfect blend of passion, emotion, and fun. Owens offers us a couple that is effortless to root for: Alec and Gigi are flawed and human and, best of all... absolutely exploding with chemistry every time they are on page together. Scandalized is a delicious read, absorbing, and page-turning. I can’t wait to see what Owens does next!” —Kate Clayborn, bestselling author of Love at First
“A frothy, seductive escape with two characters who are impossible not to love. Gigi and Alec's chemistry positively burns up these pages—I’m still fanning myself!“ —Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of The Ex Talk
“Scandalized finds what so many books reach for—a romance that’s achingly raw, breathlessly passionate, and authentically warm, capturing the thrill of falling into bed with your dream guy, only to discover a deep, effortless love. This is a book I will come back to time and time again. It is impossible to overpraise Scandalized.” —Erin, co-host of the Heaving Bosoms Podcast
“Georgia and Alec’s urgent, white-hot chemistry will leave you breathless. Their tumble into love feels effortless, natural, and painstakingly rare. Scandalized is a perfect book.” —Sara Whitney, author of Tempting Taste
“Scandalized is a delicious, unputdownable romance. Sizzling chemistry, with a tremendous amount of heart, it’s the oh-hey-that’s-my-friend’s-brother-and-wowza-has-he-grown-up book that we all need in our lives right now.” —Susan Lee, author of Seoulmates
"I wish I could express how much unfiltered joy and pure 100-proof escape I’ve gotten from this book. I don’t remember the last time I reread a book this many times. Alec and Gigi are a romantic fantasy that feels so viscerally real, it's nothing short of magical. For all the scorching heat, their connection is rooted in respect and decency. Just so darned sexy and comforting, it's like the tightest hug after a really good shag." —Sonali Dev, author of The Wedding Setup
Library Journal
★ 07/01/2022
DEBUT Investigative journalist Georgia Ross is on her way home after chasing down a story in London that will make her career. When a storm delays her flight and leaves her scrambling to find a hotel room, she notices an attractive man who seems familiar. It turns out he's Alec Kim, the brother of her childhood best friend. They have an instant spark, but later Georgia is embarrassed to realize that there is another reason that Alec seems familiar: he's also a famous actor. When Alec comes back into Georgia's orbit again, they try to sort through their intense connection. As they realize what they have is worth pursuing, a scandal related to the story that Georgia's been pursuing threatens their relationship and careers. Alec and Georgia have to deal with the fallout as pressure mounts, and they must decide if being together is worth losing everything else. VERDICT Owens's spectacular debut is beautifully written and a fun read. Fans of Suzanne Park's So We Meet Again and Katie Delahanty's "Brightside" series will have a hard time not consuming it in one sitting.—Ashli Wells
