July 24, 2012

Historical Romance Road Trip, Anyone? • A Week to Be Wicked

A Week to Be Wicked book cover
A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare
Series: Spindle Cove #2
Publisher: Avon Romance
Publication: March 27, 2012
Source/Format: Edelweiss (Thanks!) || e-galley
[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects the contents of my review.]

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. Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble. And maybe . . . just maybe . . . love.


Though I haven't read too many books by TESSA DARE, I can immediately tell that A WEEK TO BE WICKED is going to be one of my favorites forever. While I wish I could just gush and tell everyone to read it, I feel like this book deserves my objective review. So here goes nothing!

There are two things that cement this story's place in my heart - the amazing characters and the entertaining story.

I enjoyed getting know Minerva and Colin, both as individuals and as a couple. Minerva is intelligent and stubborn and determined to pursue her own interests - but she is all of those things and an innocent. Colin, on the other hand, is the complete opposite as a rake, handsome and charming and well, completely lovable even though he can often be annoying.

And together... well, it's certainly an explosive pairing. I admire how TESSA DARE had them progress from acquaintances, to sort-of friends, and then to something more. It's certainly makes perfect sense - especially considering how well they balance each other out. Minerva is insecure and she may be innocent, but she can sense that there's something more to Colin than just being a handsome rake. The same goes for Colin - he's completely insistent that Minerva is something else, someone special, someone extraordinary. (Plus, it's a major bonus that we find him completely besotted with her - I love when heroes fall in love that way!)

As for the story, there is so much more to it than the romance! There are hijinks and made-up stories and situations encountered en route to Scotland that left me amused and, at some points, laughing out loud. It's funny, it's intelligent, it's complex - and it's so well-crafted. I certainly had a fun time while I was reading it!

A WEEK TO BE WICKED is definitely one of the most well-written historical romances out there, with characters that you'll fall in love with and a story that will keep you on your toes. I would highly recommend this to first-time historical romance readers, even though it is the second book in the series. TESSA DARE is a master at crafting her historical romances, and I can't wait to read more of her books!

8 Comments:

  1. There is a movie this book reminds me of - but right now my mind is completely blanking. The premise seems really fun. I don't read many adult books, but one day I'm going to try to change that. One day when my YA pile is whittled down. (HA)

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  2. It's not often that I read romance novels like this but you make it sounds really worth it! Great review, Alexa!

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  3. I remember you rec'ing this book to me and I absolutely LOVED it! Definitely one of my favourite historical romances for sure. It's so light and fun and like you said, with an explosive romance.

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  4. Great review as always! I usually don't read romance novels but all your reviews make me want to pick up one! One of these days, I'll ask you for some recommendations :)

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  5. This was a great review, Alexa and I can see why you loved this, it sounds like a very fun romance!

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  6. YAY!! I'm reading this soon and I'm so glad you loved it!! I love when the falling in love makes sense and when there's funny stuff mixed in with the romance! It sounds like a winner to me :) I'll let you know what I think once I've read it!

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  7. Oh, and the blog looks amazing by the way!! :D

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  8. I'm so glad you said that this is a great romance for new romance readers to start with - I've never really read this genre because I just don't really know where to start. I get a bit overwhelmed! But you make this one sound fun enough that I just wrote it down. Thanks for pointing out that it's good for people like me!! :)

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