funstm
Written on Jan 12, 2021
When Wicked Comes Calling . . .
When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees—on one condition. She’s seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won’t accept a marriage without it.
The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain . . .
Bastard son of a duke and king of London’s dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.
For the Promise of Passion . . .
But there’s nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she’d rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil’s carefully laid plans are in chaos and he must choose between everything he's ever wanted . . . and the only thing he's ever desired.
- ISBN13 9780062692061
- Publish Date 12 July 2018 (first published 19 June 2018)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 15 October 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Avon Books
- Format Paperback
- Pages 384
- Language English
- URL http://harpercollins.co.uk
Reviews
jojo_k
Written on Jul 1, 2020
nitzan_schwarz
Written on Nov 14, 2018
I'm really looking forward to seeing how this series evolves, especially in regards to Ewan?? How is MacLean going to redeem him? (although, honestly, I feel like there is a lot more to this character than what we've seen through our heroes eyes)
thebookdisciple
Written on Jun 27, 2018
Wicked and the Wallflower is a spin off of sorts from Maclean's previous series, Scandal and Scoundrels, but its not necessary to read those books before starting. Felicity, our heroine was featured in The Day of the Duchess, as one of the ladies in a reality tv type competition to be the new wife of a duke. She doesn't win, and returns to her life in the ton as a spinster. However, she wants love more than anything. She wants a man who wants her desperately! Its so sweet of her really and it made me adore her as a character.
Devil's backstory is only partially revealed. It involves his siblings, so more of the story will presumably be revealed in their stories. But, you know he is the illegitimate son of a duke who, with one brother, runs an illegal rookery in Covent Gardens. He is planning to use Felicity in a plot to destroy another brother's plans of marriage and producing heirs.
Obviously Felicity sees Devil as the means to get her married to a duke, with money that could save her family. However, as she spends more time with him, she realizes its not the duke she wants (she never really did WANT him-she needed him and he needed her) but Devil. Devil is attracted to Felicity but he is so hell bent on his plan of revenge he pushes her away.
Felicity is NOT a wallflower at all. She is smart and sweet and so lost. She doesn't understand why her 'friends' turned on her, she doesn't understand why her family is so desperate to marry her off, she doesn't want just any marriage, but one filled with love and desire. She is so incredibly relatable in those ways! While she is 27 in the story, her struggles with friends, family, and love I think resonate with lots of girls of all ages!
Devil was a tougher character to like. His backstory (what we get of it) certainly pulls at your heart strings. But, his need for revenge above all else is difficult. He is willing to ruin Felicity in order to get his revenge. And, since you don't know the entire backstory, you aren't even sure what his brother did that was so bad to bring on this level of hate from Devil.
Wicked and the Wallflower was an enjoyable read that took me by surprise because Felicity is so not a wallflower! She has become one of my favorite characters for sure.
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: marriage of convenience, secret identity
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes
Other amazing regency romances like those by Tessa Dare, Lisa Kleypas, Eliosa James, Vivienne Loret...then you will probably like Wicked and the Wallflower!
Prologue
The Past
The three were woven together long before they were aware, strands of spun, silken steel that could not be separated—not even when their fate insisted upon it.
Brothers, born on the same day, in the same hour, at the same minute to different women. The high-priced courtesan. The seamstress. The soldier’s widow. Born on the same day, in the same hour, at the same minute to the same man.
The duke, their father, whose arrogance and cruelty fate would punish without hesitation, stealing from him the only thing he wanted that his money and power could not buy—an heir.
It is the Ides of March the seers warn of, with its promise of betrayal and vengeance, of shifting fortune and inalienable providence. But for this sire—who was never more than that, never close to father—it was the Ides of June that would be his ruin.
Because on that same day, in that same hour, at that same minute, there was a fourth child, born to a fourth woman. To a duchess. And it was this birth—the birth all the world thought legitimate—that the duke attended, even as he knew the son who was to be his heir in name and fortune and future was not his own and still, somehow, was his only hope.
Except she was a daughter.
And with her first breath, she thieved future from them all, as powerful in her infancy as she would become in her womanhood. But hers is a story for another time.
This story begins with the boys.
See full review on The Book Disciple
stacey_is_sassy
Written on Jun 26, 2018
I liked Wicked and the Wallflower but to be honest, it dragged for me. It took me way too long to get through this story and I normally devour anything Sarah MacLean writes. I think my biggest problem was that I never really connected with the characters. I thought the heroine was a ninny, the hero not as tough/strong/intimidating as I was told, and the villain a little insipid. Harsh, I know, but I needed more from them. I just didn't feel part of this story and never felt a desperate need to keep going.
She's a plain spinster, her name is in tatters and her family is desperate for her to marry. The only way she can improve her situation is to marry well and by well, I mean financially well. When the Duke of Marwick aka The Mad Duke, comes to town, it seems like the perfect answer to her problems.
He's on a mission of revenge and she's the instrument to cause the most destruction. What better way to seek his revenge than laying a trap for the Duke to fall for Lady Lockpick. He wants the Duke to suffer and at first, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get his revenge.
Neither knew that what they wished for wasn't all that they desired.
There was definitely chemistry between the characters but I wasn't completely convinced in their love story. I'm going to put in spoilers my biggest problem with the story and where it took my rating from a 4 star to a 3 star. I'm not a fan of the...Just one night of pleasure... storyline. If you love someone, why would you settle for just one night? Someone is only offering you one night, why would you settle for scraps? You know you'll be ruined, why risk it on someone who won't have your back? Sure, I get in the heat of the moment passion, but when you've consciously decided to sell yourself short, it seems silly. Honestly, it drives me bonkers and makes me roll my eyes.
You can't win them all. Don't go by my review alone as a lot of others enjoyed Wicked and the Wallflower. I'm not writing the series off as I enjoyed meeting Devil, Whit, Grace, Nik and Evan. I think Evan's hiding something...maybe even protecting them from a truth? Oh well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Rowena
Written on Jun 24, 2018
kimbacaffeinate
Written on May 21, 2018
MacLean brought us perhaps one of my favorite heroines of hers to date. Lady Felicity Faircloth is funny, feisty, forward-thinking, outspoken and so brilliant. For fans, you will remember Felicity from a summer house party meant to find a Duke a new wife. Poor Felicity finds herself on the outside of the circle and not at all pleased. When one of her former friends makes fun of her, Felicity says the first thing that pops into her head and announces herself engaged to the Mad Duke himself.
The Devil and Felicity soon come to an arrangement. He offers to help her become engaged to the Duke in return for a boon. His actual plan will destroy her, but a necessary evil. I loved the setup and poor Devil; Felicity is no wallflower despite societies opinions. I laughed, got mad, shed a tear and swooned as events unfolded.
The Devil and Felicity were so well matched. Scarred, he carries the baggage of his youth, but he is far better man than most. He may not be titled, but he has the respect, loyalty, and admiration of those who live and work in the gardens. Felicity longs to be a part of the inner circle, but sometimes we don't truly undersand what it is we desire until we stumble upon it. I loved how MacLean peeled back her layers, allowed for growth and showed us the warrior within. These two sparred perfectly, and the chemistry was off the charts. One would think I would think the Devil a cad for his plan, but the author made me love the fool.
The overall arc has dark edges and left me with more questions than answers, but in all honesty, I am thrilled and cannot wait for it all to be revealed. Wicked and the Wallflower was delightful from beginning to the end. It will delight fans of MacLean. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer