Review by Ronny
Series Name: Spindle Cove, #2
A Week to Be Wicked is so romantic and is the perfect reminder of why I love historical romances so much.
Favourite Quote:
And Lord Payne looked every inch the powerful lord. The man strode across the room toward them, cutting his way through the crowd in a straight, unswerving path. People leaped out of his way, like startle crickets. His gaze was intent, determined, focused on ….
On her, On Minerva.
Book Synopsis:
Minerva Highwood, one of Spindle Cove’s confirmed spinsters, needs to be in Scotland.
Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, a rake of the first order, needs to be… anywhere but Spindle Cove.
These unlikely partners have one week to
- fake an elopement
• convince family and friends they’re in “love”
• outrun armed robbers
• survive their worst nightmares
• travel four hundred miles without killing each other
All while sharing a very small carriage by day and an even smaller bed by night.
What they don’t have time for is their growing attraction. Much less wild passion. And heaven forbid they spend precious hours baring their hearts and souls.
Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble. And maybe… just maybe… love.
Review:
Tessa Dare is probably one of my favourite historical romance writers. Her stories are fun, witty, and so romantic. This is the second book in the Spindle Cove series, but like most romance series, it can be read as a standalone. To say I was eager to start reading this book would be a bit of an understatement. Tessa introduced us to both Minerva and Colin in the first book, and the chemistry between them leapt off the page. It was so intense, fierce, and delicious that I knew I would be in for one wild ride when it came to reading this book. I am pleased to say this book was everything that I had hoped it would be. This book really has it all: a fake elopement, a bonkers road trip, one-bed situations, a rake that doesn’t believe he is deserving of love, and a sassy, smart heroine who is going to bring him to his knees.
This book has much more movement and action than many of Tessa’s other books. The road trip element in the story creates plenty of opportunities for wild, fun shenanigans that are a hoot and a half to read. Tessa really leaned into that traditional “road trip” trope, and you can tell that she had a lot of fun writing this book, because it was a lot of fun to read. There are a lot of comical misunderstandings that put Colin and Minerva in bonkers situations, creating opportunities for some spicy moments. This story is just so entertaining, and it moves along at a brisk pace, which meant my attention never wavered. I loved it. It was great watching these two very different people fall in love.
So far, these two are one of my favourite Tessa Dare couples. Minerva is smart, no-nonsense, and just wants to be recognized for the remarkable scientific discovery she made. Minerva also knows that no suitor will ever fall in love with her because she is a bookish wallflower who doesn’t quite fit into traditional society. Colin is that flirty rake that at first glance gives off that “Peter Pan” image of never wanting to really grow up and take on adult-like responsibilities. This, of course, isn’t really the case and under that flirty exterior is a broken man who believes he isn’t deserving of love. Watching these two interact was so delicious. The banter was fun, sharp, and at times very flirty. It was clear that they didn’t know what to make of each other, and that they were both wreaking havoc on the carefully laid plans they had for their lives. I also love it when the heroine is constantly leaving the poor hero so exasperated. The road trip element also creates plenty of opportunity for those secretive moments that usually turn into very lusty moments.
A Week To Be Wicked is a fun, smart, and swoony romance that is a must for anyone who is a fan of historical romances.
