The romantic escapades of the irrepressible Wylder sisters continue in Isabella Bradford’s fun, charming, and breathtakingly passionate series—as the wildest of the Wylders turns an arranged marriage into a game of desire to tame a wayward duke.

Notorious for her free-spirited antics, Lady Elizabeth Wylder revels in attention—but not the sort that leaves her humiliated when her future husband, the Duke of Hawkesworth, fails to appear for their much-anticipated first introduction.

So when a chance encounter leads to a sizzling kiss with a dangerously handsome stranger, she nearly succumbs. The shock of finally meeting her betrothed only to come face to face with her rakish would-be seducer inspires fury—and fans the flames of a fire that both Lizzie and the Duke acknowledge is a most agreeable way to start a marriage. In her husband’s arms, Lizzie knows she has found love. But is the passion that accompanies endless nights of erotic discovery enough to persuade a duke whose scandalous lineage and lifestyle prevent him from giving his heart completely?

Series: Wylder Sisters

Review

I’m just disappointed, not with the characters but the overall story. There was no true conflict just a bunch of internal issues… again. This is the second book in Bradford’s latest trilogy, and I went in with an open mind, refusing to believe that I would feel the same way about this book as I did the first in the series. Normally, I would expect something different besides internal conflicts, the stakes of the characters to be a bit higher. While the H/H followed a different set of steps then the ones from the first book I found the storyline to be a bit to contrite, the conflict forced and the stakes anything but high.

Lady Elizabeth Wylder elicits some caring from me at the beginning of the book, especially since it appears that she will have to marry a man, the Duke of Hawkesworth, who cares nothing for anyone but his own selfish pleasures. In general I liked her, until Hawkesworth had her acting like a trollop all across London, and she let him. She’s almost compromised several times before her wedding, and then after Hawkesworth treats her like a mistress instead of anyone worthy of his respect.

Hawkesworth wasn’t a hero. Not in the least bit. He doesn’t rescue anyone and acts like a petulant child for the majority of the book. At least until he realizes he’s in love with his duchess and ready to sacrifice his own pleasures for her, and that’s in the last 15 pages. To me, sacrificing ones pleasures isn’t really a heroic act, so I would have to say this book was sans hero. Also, I usually want a bit more groveling from the anti-hero that’s been the king of jack monkeys for most of the book. 

The best part about this story was the emphasis on art. Paintings and the love of them were a predominant part of the story; something that both Elizabeth and Hawkesworth shared together. I enjoyed the painting discussions that took place.

Overall, this was my least favorite of Bradford’s trilogy thus far. I can’t really respect a heroine that would let someone like Hawkesworth lead her around. I also can’t respect a hero who doesn’t have any respect for anyone other than himself, regardless of his childhood or personality.

Reviewed by Landra

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