ARC Review: Twice As Wicked by Elizabeth Bright (Wicked Secrets Series)

Title: Twice As Wicked

          (Wicked Secrets Series)

Author: Elizabeth Bright

Release Date: October 9, 2017 (ARC)

Publisher: Entangled Publishing ~ Scandalous

Category: Historical Romance

Type: Digital

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Elizabeth Bright Website

Blurb:

Miss Alice Bursnell is determined to wreak revenge on Nathaniel Eastwood, Viscount Abingdon, for the seduction, ruin, and death of her beloved twin sister. But how to expose a seducer without falling prey herself? As she gets closer to Nathaniel, she finds she is in serious danger of following in her sister’s much-too-tempted footsteps. The man is nothing like the heartless rake she expected...and his kisses are truly divine. Could she be wrong about him?

When a mysterious and gorgeous woman confronts Nathaniel at a fancy ball, he suspects she has murder on her mind—his own. But the more he tries to determine who the deceptively innocent beauty is—and what she’s up to—the deeper he falls under her alluring spell. Nathaniel fears he’s in imminent danger of losing his life...or worse, his heart.

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Favorite Line(s):

She must think him little better than a monkey. Or more likely, a little worse. A monkey could peel a banana, after all— a feat he had reason to doubt he could manage at this precise moment.  ~  Nathaniel

Dialogue Highlight:

“It is most satisfying to see Wessex so utterly discomfited by a baronet,”Lord Abingdon muttered. “I would walk from one end of London to the other just for this.”

Ha!

 She took a demure sip of tea. “Or perhaps from Drury Theater to St. James’s?”

His gaze snapped to her. “Pardon?”

“To be sure, it is no great distance, although I once heard it described otherwise. Why, you would have to walk there and back again four times to make eight kilometers.”

He rubbed his cheek. He did that, she’d noticed, when he was anxious.

Again, she felt the slight stabbing in her heart. She ignored it. “Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, and back and forth again.” She waved her arm to and fro in the air as she spoke. “Really, it would make one quite dizzy.”

He looked down at his plate. She sipped her tea.

Finally, he asked, “Are you angry with me, Miss Bursnell?”

She pierced a bit of sausage with her fork. “No.”

“No?”

“Good heavens, what kind of man would you be if you let me traipse even one kilometer through London in the middle of the night? In satin slippers, no less.”

He blinked. “Quite right.”

“Nevertheless, you should be prepared for retaliation. More tea?”

“Yes, thank—W-what?” he stammered.

She made a soft clucking sound with her tongue. “You were well aware I have no sense of direction. I told you my weakness in confidence, my lord, and you used it against me. Surely, you do not expect me to let that pass?” She poured the tea.

“What—Um. What are you going to do?” he asked warily.

She smiled sweetly. “Why, discover your weakness and use it against you.”

He gaped at her. Then he closed his jaw, only for it to drop open again.

She tapped her fingers on the table in anticipation. Her smile widened. “This will be such fun. I do enjoy a new challenge. It is so thrilling, don’t you think?”

“No.”

She laughed merrily. “I meant thrilling for me. First, though, I must learn your weakness, since I do not know it already.”

His expression shifted slightly, and he leaned forward, his voice low. “Do you not?”

Excerpt:

“I am hosting a house party at Haverly in two weeks’ time,” Nathaniel said abruptly, ignoring a sudden assessing stare from the duke. “Perhaps you and your aunt would care to join us, Miss Bursnell? And Miss Benton is welcome, too, of course. Hampshire is not Northumberland, but perhaps the country air will ease your homesickness somewhat.”

Miss Bursnell lifted her chin and gazed at him with the intense concentration of a lady determined to solve a complex riddle. Finally, she lowered her lashes, although he could not say if she had solved the question or merely admitted defeat. “Will your family be there, as well?”

Why had she asked that? Of whom, in particular, was she inquiring? “Lady Freesia prefers to stay in London,” he said.

“I shall speak to my aunt.” When she looked up again, her expression had changed from puzzlement to one of joy. “I should like very much to go to Hampshire, Lord Abingdon. Thank you.”

“What of you, Miss Benton? Will we see you at Haverly?” Wessex’s voice was cool and pleasant, even a trifle bored, but Nathaniel noted his fingers were fidgeting on his thigh.

“I should like nothing better than to join my friends in the countryside,” Miss Benton said. “I fear you will be quite alone here in London, Your Grace.”

Wessex had the look of a man who knew he was walking into a trap. “Parliament is closed for Easter. I will be at Haverly…if I am fortunate enough to receive an invitation. ”He coughed into his hand and looked slyly at Nathaniel, who glared back.

“Ah!” The corners of her mouth tucked up in almost a smile. “Then it will be friends and you at Haverly.”

If the setdown stung, Wessex did not show it. “How delightful that we shall be there together,” he said in a tone so smugly self-satisfied that her eyes widened. “Is there anything more romantic than the English countryside in the spring?”

“I am sure I do not know,” Miss Benton demurred. “I will leave you to discover that by yourself.”

Miss Bursnell’s eyes darted from her friend to the duke and back again. Her chin quivered with suppressed laughter. “Come, Eliza, I think I see meadowsweet. Shall we investigate?”

The ladies curtsied, and he and Wessex rode on in silence.

Uneasiness settled in the pit of Nathaniel’s stomach. Had he really just done that? Yes, he had, and he could not take it back now. He nearly groaned out loud. He had better tell his mother. His father likely would not notice half a dozen extra persons parading through the estate, but his mother would fret.

“Well. That was interesting,” Wessex said, finally breaking the quiet.

Nathaniel said nothing.

“Exactly how long have you been planning this house party?” When he did not answer, Wessex continued. “My guess is that the idea flitted into your brain at the exact moment Miss Bursnell wished for daffodils.”

Still, Nathaniel said nothing.

“I seem to remember a field of daffodils in the park at Haverly, do I not? To the west of the lake, I believe.”

Nathaniel gritted his teeth. “Wessex.”

“Yes?”

“Do shut up."

Review:

Alice Bursnell is an intelligent woman, with her mind set on revenge. Quick and witty, she believes she has uncovered the identity of the man who both ruined and caused the death of her twin sister. Now she is on a mission to expose the culprit as the cad he is. Unfortunately, the more she gets to know Nathaniel, the more she begins to doubt his guilt – and the more she desires more of his devastating kisses. As her focus strays away from Nathaniel as a lecher, she begins to uncover some of his family secrets, including the true identity of the one who ruined her sister. She struggles to understand why her sister would allow herself into such a situation, but then discovers exactly why once she succumbs to her deep desire for Nathaniel. In the midst of all of this is a legend of the second son – a legend that almost surely guarantees death for Nathaniel. Her quest to expose him quickly shifts to her desperation to save his life.

Nathaniel Eastwood, Viscount Abingdon is not your typical sexy, charming, sought-after, single, rake. No, Nathaniel is more of an anomaly. Over tall, and quite uncoordinated, with a body that is not nearly flattered in the current fashion trends, he is more of a loner. Trusting only a single friend, he isn’t known for his social prowess, or ability to sweep women off their feet. But something about him attracts Alice and he too finds himself unexplainably drawn to her – craving her attention, fantasizing some deliciously sinful desires involving her. After acknowledging his feelings, he discovers her true motivation behind seeking him out. Knowing it was all an act to get closer to him breaks his trust and his heart, which is something he rarely (OK, never) gifts. Knowing the truth might allow him the ability to help Alice, and get closer to her, but if he can’t hold confidence in her, they have nothing. There is, too, the fact that she intends on killing his brother. 

I freaking adored this book! I have never read anything by Ms. Bright before and I was hankering for a historical romance when I stumbled upon this review opportunity. I have been reading a lot of contemporary lately and wanted to get back to the genre that I treasure above all. I have to tell you, I was sucked in by the cover before anything else. After reading the blurb, I knew I had to read this one. Ms. Bright is a gifted storyteller – the world she creates and intertwines with so many other components is truly fascinating. I was sucked in and remained there, enraptured the entire time. I don’t recall even putting the book down once. I loved that both main characters were not the typical heiress and heir searching for their true match. These two broke the mold of characteristic traits in the most spectacular way. One could almost describe them as hidden treasures. The ton thinks of Nathaniel as somewhat of a klutz in an awkward body – which is so far from the truth. And Alice isn’t one of those drop-dead beauties, but also is so much more beyond the exterior. They are two treasures meant to be discovered only by one another. Broken in one way, complimenting in the next. The secondary cast was truly wonderful and a brilliant addition. I can’t wait to read about Ms. Benton and Wessex as I am sure their turn will be coming soon. I also, very much want to know what is going on with Nicholas – I am sure something amazing will be revealed with him and his story. All speculation at this point regardless, but I’d like to hope I have some idea of what might come next. Every character had a purpose and they all fulfilled it beautifully, even beginning to spin their own stories in the process. I can honestly say that Ms. Bright is now in the ranks of a “go-to” author in my reading world. I know it is only my first read by this phenomenal author, but I truly feel that any reader who loves HR with a bit of suspense and some truly fabulous characters will not be disappointed in the least. Do yourself a favor and get this book immediately!

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Entangled in exchange for an honest review.