Bring on the wicked villain as this love story conquers all. Complex, passionate, and a really good read…

This second book in Debra’s Brides of Nevarton Chase series did not get me excited at first. I was not too fond of the heroine when I first met her in Tempting a Proper Lady, the first book in the series. The reader is also introduced to our hero, John Ready, in that book but my impressions of him were not as strong as my opinion of Genevieve. I do recommend you read that book first, but don’t let any preconceived notions about the characters sway you when looking to pick up this book; it is well worth the read.

Sometimes it is nice to read a clear, simple love story that will put a smile on your face. Other times, I want a detailed story with a complicated, deeply expanded plot that draws me in and holds me in its tangled web. That’s what I got with Too Wicked to Love.

John Ready is masquerading as a coachman for his brother-in-arms and friend Captain Samuel Breedlove, the hero from the first book. While on his wedding trip, Sam asks John to watch out for their mutual foe the Earl of Raventhorpe and protect his wife Cilla’s sister Genevieve. But the more time John spends with Genny, the more he wants her despite her protests and bitterness towards him. However, both John and Genny have secrets that hinder their budding romance not to mention the Earl of Raventhorpe making his presence known in no uncertain terms. But when John’s secret identity is revealed his life as well as Genny’s is in danger. The two must battle several unknown villains to find their happy ending and I found myself turning page after page, fully engrossed in the story.

The plot moves at a great pace with no lag or downtime. The love story is not overly dramatic and I was surprised to find that it was not the main climax of the book – not totally unusual but definitely not the norm in romance novels. Did this make for a good reading experience? Yes.

The characters are once again realistic and colorful with many of the secondary characters such as Annabelle, Sir Harry, and Black Bill adding life to the plot. The villain, Raventhorpe, is truly a vicious rogue and definitely makes the book. I think if he was less diabolical it would ruin the series completely.

John Ready is my kind of hero. He is strong and sexy with a dominant personality and a level of honor that shines brightly whether he is a coachman or a peer. Genny, however, was not my favorite person in the previous book but I grew to like her equally strong and determined personality, she matches John perfectly. I really enjoyed the practical dialogue the author uses to help the lead characters sort out their issues and conflicts clearly and concisely within the book. They have real conversations that move the plot along perfectly.

The love scenes have fire and passion and are well matched to the tone of the book as they are not overly graphic. Overall, I thought this was a great addition to this series and definitely a book I would read again. I am very satisfied with the ending and the author has left so much open for the last book that I can’t wait to read it.

~ Danielle