Review of my first Julianne Maclean, An Affair Most Wicked-3 1/2 🌟s

Our hero, Segen, is a socially banished rake that only seeks out and cares about pleasure. Or heroine, Clara, is an American heiress sent to have a season with her sister (A new duchess and MC of book 1, which I didn’t read). They meet when Clara and her chaperone end up at a very inappropriate ball after grabbing the wrong invitation for the night.

I loved the first half of this book. It was all about the MC meeting, getting to know each other, falling into lust and infatuation. The excitement, nervousness, and anticipation of love. There were a lot of wonderful parts. Watching our hero go from pushing her away to an undeniable interest was so sweet. When he starts doing things he never does, having internal doubts about if the things he said were stupid or offended, and basically behaving like a man in love, I just loved it. Their relationship was so sweet and open. They had issues and doubts but I loved the frankness of their discussions. The possibility of trust but not being there yet. It was all very real feelings of a new relationship.

There is a scene where they write letters to each other and it’s my favorite in the book. It might be one of my favorite just sweet romance moments I’ve read in awhile. I love when the hero and heroine interact through letters! (Really I should have loved Julia Quinns To Sir Philip with Love but I’m weird and that’s my exception 😆)

I did like the heroine but she did feel very young. She acted young sometimes in the things she said, the lack of confidence and her internal doubts all exasperated this. I would have liked for her to have a bit more spunk. Which she did in the parts that mattered but she let her own fears really derail her a lot in the book.

I do wish the book focused more on the relationship building than the sex. I felt like that progressed really fast and while being hot and descriptive it left me wanting, something. More feeling? I’m not sure. The tension was there but not in the amount I like.

There was a great opportunity for character and relationship growth and instead I got just enough to keep me going. For example,
“They chatted about their favorite pastimes, unusual tastes, embarrassing moments.”
I felt jipped. I want to know those things as well. That’s what makes characters original, unique, memorable and loved. So while these characters aren’t boring, they weren’t as 3 dimensional as they could have been.

The book took a downward turn for me about halfway through. After having this wonderful open relationship, all of a sudden it was filled with doubts. After doing anything to get him to the alter and finally succeeding our heroine spends massive amounts of time internally debating if she made a mistake and if she can trust him. It’s like a very long, drawn out, catty, high school drama when family members start trying to rip their marriage apart. Lies, deceit, schemes swirl and neither character trusts enough. I don’t mind the plot in itself but it was drug on way too long. I also thought the plot twist at the end was really just unnecessary. It was used as a way to prove the hero’s love but I prefer that done internally though his own words and actions. It came down to a generic I choose you scene.

I would try her again though!

Kissing and Other Scandalous Pastimes by Thyra Dane, T. L. Clark, Lara Temple, Riana Everly, Rachel Ann Smith, Alexie Bolton, Catherine Stein, Chele MacCabe, S. L. Hollister, and Miranda Jameson of The Romance Cafe

I adore The Romance Cafe's anthologies, and when I heard they were making an exclusively historical one, I was over the moon. All proceeds go to breast cancer research and it's a great opportunity for established and new authors to get a story out there for people to enjoy.

These are all short stories based in winter/Christmas time. It's so nice during the busy holidays to have a short story to finish before bed. This is a great mix of steam, characters, and plots. I'm sure you'll find a favorite in at least one of these ten stories.

5 stars


THE CHALLENGE – A VIKING ROMANCE BY THYRA DANE

Sigh. Vikings. Yes please.

Borghild meets her childhood nemisis again, except this time he's the jarl and demanding marriage. Eivind is arrogant, ready to be a leader, yet hasn't stopped to ask what Borghild wants in this situation. Borghild is sassy and funny, she can take care of herself and is a perfect match for Eivind. Eivand is all man, yet is so tender toward Borghild. She challenges him to a holmgang.

I adored this story. Laughed out loud at their antics, loved the viking culture, loved their banter. The bath scene was gloriously funny and sexy. The ramps had me giggling.

This one was steamy!

A HAVERTON CHRISTMAS BY T. L. CLARK

Lady Caroline has tried to appease her parents, but failed miserably acquiring a husband during the season. This sweet regency was a nice escape into the Christmas season where she finally experiences love with Lord Borrington.

This is a first person historical, which gave it a totally different feel for me as I usually read third person. I loved the details given to the traditions and lifestyle of the time. I felt I was there decorating and celebrating Boxing Day. Very sweet story.

Low steam.

WREXHAM'S WINTER SCANDAL BY LARA TEMPLE

I find myself loving Lara Temple's writing. I am totally sucked in. Love the descriptions and dialogue, she's funny, witty, and her characters come to life for me.

Thea and Lucas have a history, but that's ten years past and done with. He's been at war, but has unexpectedly come into the title to become Lord Wrexham. She's been living with her cousin and unpleasant Aunt while trying to raise and protect her family. Being thrown together after a decade has its surprises for both of them.

Low steam.

SWEETS FOR MY SWEET BY RIANA EVERLY

Daniel and Estie are just meant to be together. However, with cultural and class differences dividing their families, they struggle to see how it can work.

I rarely have come across a historical romance so immersed in another culture/religion. It was so refreshing to read about families that are Jewish and celebrate chanukah. The details of the food and traditions were fun to experience.

Low steam.

A TEST OF LOVE BY RACHEL ANN SMITH

Dorinda has been in love with Benedict and all of his peculiar habits forever. But Benedict needs a little pushing to realize what's right in front of him. This story has fun characters and a bit of action. I'm thinking the hero has a form of OCD? Totally unique character, haven't read that before.

Low steam.

DECEIT AND DESIRE BY ALEXIE BOLTON

Tamara is tired of her suspicions about her sick father's abuse being ignored. She reaches out to von Hontzen. Finally a doctor that takes her seriously. They are pulled together by attraction and held together by danger and intrigue. Plenty of action and suspense in this one.

MISHAPS & MISTLETOE BY CATHERINE STEIN

This story takes place in steampunk Victorian England, where potions can be used to enhance your mood, give you energy, make you more alluring...the sky is the limit if you have the money to pay. Mabel is over dancing with only her siblings husbands. For once she wants to forget her horrible nickname and truly enjoy a ball. When a too many loving friends and family try to help her, she is carried away by a herd of stampeding men. She escapes right into the arms of Drew, an 'Egyptologist' and long time friend.

I'd like to note that I adore that Stein's chapters have names and aren't just numbers. I love when authors do that.

This story was amazing. Stein's characters fly off the page with spunk and personality. This story was fun, funny, fast paced, sexy, it was PERFECT. I loved it. I adored how Drew professes his love.

This one was steamy!

MARRIED BY CHELE MACCABE

This was a quick, fun, sexy story about Birdie, an upstairs maid at Biltmore Estate and her love for Jason, who runs the general store in town. The thing I loved about this was it explored all the giddiness, fun, excitement, and nervousness of getting married. It seems in so many of the novels I read, it's an after thought at the end of the book, or it's an arranged marriage where they don't know each other or hate each other at the beginning of the book. I loved feeling Birdie's excitement in this story.

This one was steamy!

IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS BY S. L. HOLLISTER

Lydia and Jeremy have a love that's meant to last. Taking place during WWII, I adored this story. I don't think I've ever read a romance set during this time and Hollister does an amazing job storytelling their relationship and the war interfering. It's given to you in bits and pieces that totally pull you in. Lydia is a strong woman, I admire her so much for joining the war as a nurse. Jeremy is her perfect match, especially for supporting her in her dreams. Lovely story.

This one was steamy!

AN UNSUITABLE MATCH BY MIRANDA JAMESON

Felicity, or Fliss, has come to India to find what happened to her lost love, Jai. Surprisingly, she finds him not only hale and hearty, but annoyed by her desertion. Both of them are confused, hurt, and angry until they are able to see each other again and talk. Soon they find who was behind trying to pull them apart.

I'm always a sucker for stories that take place in India. They just totally pull me in. The lure of the markets, bright colors, animals. I loved this story so much. The different cultures and customs coming together in love. Also takes place after WWII, a new time for me to read about. Jameson does amazing with an emotional pull in the story.

This one was steamy!

My favorites of the anthology were The Challenge by Thyra Dane, Mishaps and Mistletoe by Catherine Stein, and An Unsuitable Match by Miranda Jameson. Funny, sexy....but great job everyone. A nice mix of everything.

You meet Finlay, our hero, in the first book of the series (To Love a Scandalous Rogue). This book can be read as a stand alone but I recommend the first because it gives you a better background of the family scandal, as well as just being really good so I’m going to recommend it anyway 🤣 Finlay is the twin brother of the heroine in book 1.

Finlay and Charlotte have a chance meeting at a house party. Finlay is feeling rather exasperated with the ton life, the parties, and doesn’t realize what is missing until he meets Charlotte.

Charlotte has just lost her husband while living in India. Abandoned and abused by his family, with no money, she is offered a job back in England that she finds she must refuse. They spend the night with each other, sharing their struggles and wants for life. Before Finlay can find who she is and form a lasting relationship she disappears.

The story picks up a year later. Finlay is in the middle of establishing his seat for parliament and trying to make a name for himself despite his father’s reputation. Charlotte has found work teaching at the foundling home.

I loved Finlay as a hero. He is so real and genuine. I really felt his struggle with wanting his career and wanting to love. They do not both come easy, and trying to tip the scale and balance it is a struggle. Charlotte was such a strong heroine as well. Being of Jewish faith, there were laws in place that restricted their rights and marriages during this time. The challenges she goes though with her husbands family are enough to break your heart.

I would have liked the main characters to spend more time together. This book felt a tad divided between Finlay working on the politics aspect of his life and Charlotte working through her past demons and trying to live a peaceful life. I also would have loved to have seen more details of Charlottes Jewish faith. I adored the epilogue so much, because it gave a clearer picture of her religion and how they overcame the struggles.

Flora was a hoot in this book and I’m very very excited to read her story in the next release!

This book was amazing!!! 😍 5 stars. I’m keeping it forever.

The storyline involves a broken Marquess, Oliver, who is ordered by his grandmother to marry before a year passed. The heroine, Maria, crosses paths with him while searching for her missing fiancé. She is from America.

I loved this story so much. First of all, I loved every character in the book. The entire family I enjoyed. I especially love feisty old ladies that the hero has a soft spot for (“Gran”). I truly enjoyed the heroine and am head over heels with the hero. I even enjoyed the heroines cousin 🙂

I loved how you spend so much time in the hero’s head. I would say it’s at least 50% if not more. Going through his emotions and feelings with him made this book all the more dear to me. He struggles with holding everyone at arms length because of his traumatizing past with his parents. He wants to be the devil everyone says he is to protect himself. But those glimpses into his heart and his struggles...wow. My heart just clenched about 1/3 of the way through the book and I swear it didn’t stop until the book was almost done.

I thought this book was sexy! I just checked when the first sex scene was and it’s past 270 pages lol. I swear you will not feel it! There’s tension galore! You want them to be together so bad and when it happens you’re like yessss! The story is mostly about them falling in love, the action and resolution to the problem happens at the very end of the book. I loved that it didn’t take away from watching them fall in love. I was totally absorbed by them. I wanted to put myself in the heroines shoes. He needs her, he wants her, he is all consumed with her and it makes you feel those feelings of falling in love.

I love Oliver. *Sigh*

Sadly I was not a fan of this Sabrina Jeffries. I was hoping to love it, especially since the first book in this series is one of my favorite books!

I happily read the first 120 pages but was realizing that I wasn't feeling anything. It was pleasant. But I didn't love either the hero or the heroine. They spent some time together but the tension didn't build for me.

I started to not really like Jarret that much, and that is extremely important to me, as the hero is usually what makes the book for me. I felt like his interactions with the heroine were just basic selfish interaction.

The way Jarret handled Annabel's son really put me off him. Children in a story can really enhance the character (like West in Lisa Kleypas' Devil's Daughter) but I didn't find that here. He seemed to get annoyed with him and use him for information instead of growing a real relationship with him.

I also felt like Jarret's reaction to Annabel's falsehoods was completely overdramatic, especially considering his own selfish desires through the book.

So, overall, not a hit for me. However, I will always happily try a Sabrina Jeffries!

Enjoyable story! I didn’t like this one as much as The Truth About Lord Stoneville but it has a lot of good parts to it.

I liked the characters. Can I just say cousin Freddie might be my favorite 😂 The heroine is Minerva, an author who has skewered our hero Giles in a fictional world. Almost an enemies to lovers trope, I guess it would fit that, although they do not stay enemies for very long.

It’s fairly steamy with quite a few scenes, including three kisses by page 100, which I don’t usually find. Love the scene in the study. So dang hot. Yet it flows well enough in the story and is spaced out where I didn’t feel the main focus is sex.

They characters have a history together, and I like that there are two beginning scenes that establish that relationship before beginning in their present time.

It wasn’t 5 stars for me because, well I’m coming off reading a highland guard novel by Monica mccarty and she’s like my favorite 😂 but that’s not truly fair so I’ll also say I tend to dislike books where a large problem is a lack of trust in the relationship and that does happen here. There is a bit of “spy” activity and that is just not really my thing either. But those are personal preferences and definitely think this book is worth a try!