Starred review from May 2, 2016
Hunter’s final installment in her Georgian-era Wicked trilogy (after 2015’s Tall, Dark, and Wicked) lures readers with the promise of romance between a duke and an intelligent, untitled young woman. Marianne Radley and her female family members are at the mercy of her uncle, Sir Horace Radley. Marianne soon intrigues the rakish Duke of Aylesbury, Lord Lancelot Hemingford; unbeknownst to her, Sir Horace tells Lance that he will help end the investigation into the poisoning death of Lance’s brother Percy, the former duke, and exonerate Lance if he’ll agree to marry Marianne. While searching for Percy’s actual murderer, Lance continues to woo innocent Marianne with practiced, yet romantic sensuality. He soon realizes that his lust for her is complicated by true admiration. The complexity of the characters and the mesmerizing allure between Lance and Marianne propel the novel forward at a breathless pace, making this one of Hunter’s best works to date. Agent: Pamela Hopkins, Hopkins Literary.
Starred review from May 15, 2016
It is a hell of a bargain. If Lancelot Hemingford, Duke of Aylesbury, doesn't agree to marry Sir Horace Radley's niece Marianne, Lance will end up being hanged for murdering his brother, Percy. But if Lance proposes to Marianne, Horace will see to it that Lance is officially exonerated of all charges. Based on what Lance did to her cousin Nora, Marianne knows that Lance more than deserves his sobriquet of the Wicked Duke. So, of course, she isn't thrilled with the idea of becoming his wife. But since her uncle controls the family purse strings, Marianne doesn't really have any choice in the matter. The one advantage in becoming Lance's betrothed is that she will be able to get close enough to Lance to ferret out all his dark secrets. That will only work, however, if Marianne can find a way to keep from falling in love. Fans of sexy, Regency-set historicals will find the latest entry in Hunter's Wicked series (His Wicked Reputation, 2015) to be completely irresistible with its compelling, well-nuanced characters; impeccably crafted historical setting; and secret-packed plot that also delivers plenty of sizzlingly sensual passion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)