A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander

Light-hearted and Entertaining
4 stars

Gideon Pearsall, Viscount Warton is determined to win the wager with his friends to be the last man to remain unmarried of the four - but in the meantime he plans to enjoy a brief liaison with the scandalous widow, Judith, Lady Chester.

Judith has enjoyed life by her own rules and sees no problem with enjoying a no strings, no commitment, no emotions interlude with Gideon. But with marriage and love the furthest things from either of their minds it comes as quite a shock when they both realise that sometimes you cannot predict what fate has in store.


This book is the first in a new series from Victoria Alexander about four gentleman who are trying to avoid marriage by whatever means possible. Most of the characters first appeared in Let It Be Love but the book stands alone so you needn't have read that to understand this one.

The story is fun and light - it has the typical wit and humour that you would expect from a Victoria Alexander novel. I did feel that it seemed to take a while for the story to pick up speed but once it did get going it was very enjoyable. The story focuses mainly on the relationship between the two main characters and the way that they struggle with their feelings and their pasts in order to be with each other. Both Gideon and Judith are interesting, believable characters that do seem rather perfect for each other and their conflict and worries do seem genuine. With both the characters being experienced the pair jumped into their sexual relationship quite quickly although truthfully the love story was a little too sweet to be truly wicked!

As I am a fan of Victoria Alexander I found that I did enjoy what was essentially a fun, uncomplicated story. While maybe not her best novel it was light-hearted and entertaining and definitely worth a read if you're a fan or for something to take your mind off things for a while.

Daring the Duke by Anne Mallory

A Fun Romance
4 stars

Audrey Kendrick has been forced to return to her life as London's most legendary thief - a title she thought she'd managed to leave behind until a family crisis draws her back into the underworld for one last mission.

Stephen Chalmers, the new Duke of Marston is a spy charged with capturing the thief who is terrorising the town and jeopardising government secrets. When Stephen unmasks Audrey as the thief - she is in danger of losing more than her freedom to him. And when a greater danger moves onto the scene the pair realise that the best way to survive might be to work together even with the risk that they might fall in love.


I really enjoyed this book - it was a fun romance with plenty of action to keep you interested and wanting to keep turing the pages to see what will happen next. Stephen is your typical suave gentleman spy who cannot help but be charmed by the unconventional, feisty heroine Audrey. Their romance is believable although possibly slightly overshadowed by all the action.

There was quite a lot going on and although the plot is not overly complicated there are so many characters and plot points that you do have to pay attention to understand what is happening. I would also suggest that you have read Anne Mallory's first book Masquerading the Marquess before you read this book as there are many references to events and characters from that book that not having read it might make things slightly confusing.

However I would still give this book 4 stars as it is an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend. I will definitely be reading more of Anne Mallory's books in the future.

Once Upon a Wedding Night by Sophie Jordan

Enjoyable historical romance
4 stars

Lady Meredith Brookshire has a problem. She has suddenly become both husbandless and penniless and about to be tossed from her home by the new earl - a man that everyone thought was dead. So, in order to protect her family and keep her home Meredith devises a desperate plan to ensure that their futures are stable - she will fake her own pregnancy, finding a male child to pass off as her own after the nine months to ensure that he will inherit the title of earl.

Nick Caulfield, the new Earl of Brookshire doesn't care for the aristocracy and doesn't much want to be an earl. But when he meets Meredith, his half-brother's widow - he is sure she is up to something but cannot help but be bewitched by her guileless manner and decides to stick around to find out her secrets.

As Meredith's plans start to go awry Nick does some planning of his own - to get Meredith wed and out of his life as soon as possible. But no sooner than his plans start to fall into place he realises that maybe he doesn't want to be rid of Meredith after all.

Both Nick and Meredith are interesting characters who play off each other well and arose constant passions in one another. Nick is definitely an alpha male while Meredith is both the naive innocent and the seductive widow. When together sparks fly - both in anger and passion - and you can really feel the chemistry between the pair. However Meredith, although a likeable character, did seem at times to be overwhelmed by such a strong character as Nick and it would have been nice to see her stick up for herself during some of their arguments.

The story moves along nicely always keeping you wanting to turn the page and find out what happens next so it really keeps you hooked. I'm not sure how historically accurate the story line is or if it would actually have been able to happen (the passing of the title before a pregnancy has been determined, marrying your brother's widow etc.) but this doesn't really detract from the story although I believe it might annoy some readers.

Overall, this was an enjoyable historical romance and one which despite its faults you can't help but like. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Sophie Jordan in the future.

Too Hot to Handle by Cheryl Holt

Sensual historical romance
5 Stars

Emily Barnett has run to London to escape her scheming cousin who plans to marry Emily and then send her blind sister to an asylum. Now needing to raise funds, Emily interviews for the position of a governess for the wards of Michael Farrow, Earl of Winchester - only when she arrives at the Earl’s residence she realises that she’s accidentally stumbled across the Earl’s interviews for a new mistress instead!

Michael Farrow likes his women to be experienced with lusty appetites much like his own. One look at Emily in her drab outfit and he can tell she is not the type of woman he is used to but he’s intrigued all the same. When she runs off, scandalised, Michael tracks her down to offer her the position of governess. But as they are thrown into close contact together they both begin to realise that neither can deny the passion they find in one another. But when Emily’s cousin, a jealous ex-mistress and a devious ward all start to plot - Emily and Michael have to decide how much they really want to fight for each other.


This is the first book of Cheryl Holt’s that I’ve read and I found that I really enjoyed it and will definitely be looking out for other books of hers in the future.

I really liked Emily’s character especially - an innocent and naive young woman while still refreshingly strong and resilient. Michael on the other hand is one hundred percent alpha male and tries so hard to keep his emotions out of his life that it is really enjoyable when you finally see him brought down by love. Their interactions are funny, fiery and sexy. The secondary characters are also very well developed and have their own stories which add nicely to the story.

The plot isn’t too demanding and you definitely focus more on the interactions of the characters because of this. If you enjoy your historical romances light with some passion and emotion thrown in then I would definitely suggest that you give this book a try as I’m sure you will like it too.

The Earl of her Dreams by Anne Mallory

Very enjoyable regency romance
4 Stars

Anne Mallory's fourth novel is a fresh and enjoyable historical and she is definitely an author that I will be looking for in the future.

Kate Simon is on the run from her despicable half brother who intends to marry her off to his disgusting friend in order to steal her dowry. So, disguised as a male tailor's assistant Kate stays at the Dragon's Tale coaching inn hiding out until she can make enough money to get safely to London.

In order to find his friend's scandalous journal - Christian Black, Earl of Canley is also at the Dragon's Tale and also in disguise. But with no room left at the inn Christian is forced to share with the young tailors assistant who he soon realises is not exactly what he seems.

When a murder occurs at the inn and the occupants trapped by a blizzard - Kate and Christian turn amateur investigators to try and find out the secrets of all the guests while trying very hard not to reveal their own secrets and passions.

I really enjoyed this book. Although I'm not really a huge murder mystery fan this story was written so well that it really draws you in to the story and the characters. Kate and Christian both have their demons and strengths that make them perfect for each other and it really is fun to watch them interact with each other while trying to stay unaffected. The colourful secondary characters really come alive too and having a map of the inn at the front of the book is a fun little extra which again draws you into the story.

The only downside to the book would have to be that as soon as the mystery was solved the end of the story seemed slightly flat compared to the puzzle that had been ongoing for most of the book. But the change of pace certainly didn't ruin the book which still had a satisfying conclusion.

If you enjoy colourful characters, a touch of mystery with good wit and a fast paced story then I really would recommend that you give this book a try.

Don't Open Till Christmas by Leslie Kelly

Sexy and fun Christmas romance
5 stars

When sexy Chicago detective Mark Santori bursts in on Noelle Brandenton in a department store changing room neither knows that their interlude will be the start of something so much better.

So when a fake Santa steals money from the homeless shelter where Noelle works and the pair are thrown together it isn't long before they both realise what they really want to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Leslie Kelly has once again written a sensual, fun and highly entertaining hot romance that doesn't disappoint. Mark Santori is a delicious dark hero who is by turns smart, funny and brooding but always sexy. Noelle is also smart and fun but cautious and more importantly she's real and someone you actually like and understand.

The story is spicy, interesting and oh so satisfying with plenty of chemistry and sexual tension throughout the book. It is a Christmas story and I did feel that nice festive glow but without all the cheesy stuff that you normally associate with a Christmas romance.

If you've never read Leslie Kelly or if you're her biggest fan I'm sure you will love this book. Definitely 5 stars.

Only A Duke Will Do by Sabrina Jeffries

Intelligent and engaging historical romance
5 Stars

Louisa North is a strong, independent, unmarried lady who is dedicated to her charitable work with her ladies’ reform group. She has no desire at all to marry. But that is before Simon Tremaine, Duke of Foxmoor - the man Louisa once loved, and who broke her heart - comes back from India where Louisa had him exiled. When he once again begins to pay her attentions and is hell bent on wooing her into marriage - Louisa is suspicious. Does he want to marry her because he loves her - or is it revenge? But when Simon’s schemes are uncovered, Louisa is determined to make him pay - with his body, soul and his heart.

Those people who have read Sabrina Jeffries Royal Brotherhood series will recognise Louise North as Marcus’s sister from To Pleasure a Prince. Although dealing with the same characters - this book can definitely stand on it’s own so you don’t need to have read To Pleasure a Prince to enjoy and understand this book.

The book itself is wonderful. The characters are engaging and believable with Louisa being a spirited lady without being brash, and Simon an arrogant duke with a believable touch of vulnerability about him. The exchanges between the two are charged and heated and their relationship throughout the book develops beautifully and is very enjoyable to read. The story is a cat and mouse tale with lots of secrets and hidden agendas to go along with the wooing and seduction. And the background of politics and reform makes this an intelligent, fresh read yet it never becomes heavy and bogged down with political detail.

I really enjoyed Only a Duke Will Do. Sabrina Jeffries writes a fast-paced, fun and clever book that fans of historical romances are sure to love. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of Sabrina Jeffries and those looking for a romance with intelligent, strong characters and an interesting storyline - I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed.