4 stars and 4 spicy peppers.

If you are looking for a quick read with lots of spice in historical London, then read this book!

I enjoyed the writing which sprinkles in some old words that would have been used in historical/regency era London (at least from limited knowledge). The spice is hot and I was not expecting that level of spice from the premises of the book or from a historical romance.

Plus, the element of adventure and mystery woven into the plot is really well done.

I struggled with this one. This series has been very up and down for me; I have really loved some books in the series and have found others ho-hum. Unfortunately, this one was the least appealing of the entire series (to me). I didn’t connect with the the characters, and I found the pacing to be slow. It simply didn’t catch my interest. I kept trying, but I’d read a chapter and then go to a different book. I read multiple books in the time it took me to get through this one, so I know it wasn’t just that I wasn’t in the mood to read. This one just did not click with me.

I so love how author digs deep into her characters, showing them honestly and authentically, to find what can hold a relationship together when ugly truths might threaten to pull it apart. The writing, the plot, the characters almost everything was top notch!

A quick steamy regency read!! I enjoyed it… if you love Bridgerton and want the modernized language this one is for you. Our FMC is BOLD!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy for review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher on the ARC of this book. I will say, it has been a long time since I have read a historical romance. The book quickly sparked my interest and kept me reading with all kinds of twists and turns. I did see that it is a prequel to more books that I am already putting on my TBR list. If you like historical romance books then this one is for you!

This was cute, silly, and steamy! It interested me enough I’ll go back and read the other books and it seemed like it opens up lots of possibilities for future books as well. Definitely a good snack-sized romance!

Scandalous, adventurous, love, and steamy love scenes.

All around fun book with so many actions and I was surprised by the unexpected adventure I was taken throughout the book. It was an action-filled and love-spent book.
Add this to your TBR 2024 lists, you will not be disappointed.

Kendrick did a great job at giving depth to the characters and relationships despite the shorter read. I loved the banter between Emma and James. Also I loved both of their sisters characters who I would love to read about in future novels!

A Touch Wicked is a grump/sunshine regency romance, perfect for someone looking to get a Bridgerton-like fix.

Emma Dumont poses as Emma Clark, serving in the Earl of Kent's home as maid to the raucous and untamable Alexandra. Emma, the bastard of a Duke, is only in London to search for her missing sister at the Masquerade, a weekly masked party of debauchery. When she runs into the masked Earl of Kent, however, sparks fly. As Emma's search continues, however, a broken heart may be the least of her worries.

While the book does take quite a lot of creative liberties, the character building is lovely. Alexandra, the sister of the MMC, takes the narrative by storm, providing both comedic relief and an exceptional ally for the FMC. In general, the narrative puts an emphasis on badass female characters, from Alexandra to Emma's sister to the nameless Masquerade owner. Sadly, Emma seems to be the least badass of these, but she holds merit in her own ways.

Overall, the book is a solid introduction to an intriguing regency romance series, and I'm excited to see where the story goes next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

It was such a good story. Specially if you like me love an offer from a gentleman by Julia Quinn.
I love hr and love at first sight. Give me more man being losers in love.
Also I loved the whole mystery too

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the free copy provided in exchange for an honest review! :)
Okay I usually despise romance short stories/ prequels because they always feel too short and that there is never enough room for proper character development or a development of the relationship itself...... But I really loved this!
I went in without knowing anything about the series at all (my fault for requesting ARCs purely because they have pretty covers and not checking if it's a series) but I still had the time of my life, and now I am seriously considering reading the rest of the series despite my very long tbr.
The characters were adventurous and funny, I loved all the banter and overly independent and slightly criminal women-- I want to be Emma, Alexandra and Isabel when I grow up, they are much cooler than I could ever dream of being.
It was really a fantastic quick and fun read (I literally finished in in like an hour or two), a perfect addition if you're trying to get to your reading goal for the year and want some fun romance- definitely recommend.

Interesting premise but poor execution. This book felt like the author only have enough plot for a short novella and dragged it out into a full book. I felt no connection to the characters and just wanted to get to the end. The ending itself was interesting so that redeemed the book a bit at the end.

A Touch Wicked

Rating: 4/5
Spice rating: 3/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella! It was deliciously steamy and I loved the little taste of mystery there was throughout the book. Grumpy Earl of Kent meets mystery lady’s maid was absolute perfection, I couldn’t stop reading and I kept saying “just one more chapter!” Emma and James are just 😍😍😍. Their chemistry was through the roof and I couldn’t get enough of their story. Alexandra was an amazing character who I adored as well!

I do wish we got a little more insight into Isabel’s life but being a novella and only 230 pages, I thought the plot was great and went at a good pace.

I hope to read more from this author in the future!

The chemistry between the main characters is great in this one! The plot and writing kept me in the story and wanting to read "one more chapter". The side characters were some of my favorites, I'd love books on the siblings. No spoilers but certain aspects of the plot felt far-fetched or I would have rated this book higher.

Actual Rating: 3.5⭐

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, spicy historical romance short novella then you might want to give this one a try.

This book started out with a strong opening, Emma’s sister disappear without a trace and only left behind one clue: a masquerade party invitation. As Emma is searching for her missing sister, she applied for a job as a maid for James’s sister – Alexandra.
I really like Alexandra cause she’s fearless, funny and see Emma as an equal despite her position as a maid. I also love her relationship with her brothers, their bickering really liven up the story.

I like the chemistry between Emma (FMC) and James (MMC). But it started to change once James and Emma enter the mysterious prestigious masquerade party with Emma wearing a disguised and when James saw her, he fell for her instantly.
I find it weird and also frustrating that James never recognized Emma as his mysterious masked lady even though James met Emma every day in his own house.

At first Emma wanted to get inside the party to find her sister but over time, Emma started to visit the party because she wanted to spend time with James without any class boundaries where they could be just two normal people without any title.
Despite James falling for the masked lady a little bit too fast for my liking, the spicy scenes between them are written well enough.

Overall, this is a fun one to read and I still find it enjoyable even though there are some things I wished for more.
I wish this one was a full-length novel so it’ll give room to explore more about Emma’s missing sister and her reason for disappearing along the story instead of revealing it near the ending.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: sexual content, classism, violence, blood, murder, brief mention of death of a parent, abandonment

This was a good romance, not ground-breaking, but enjoyable enough! I liked Emma a lot, and there's plenty of chemistry between her and James to keep the reader interested, even though I wasn't a fan of the subplot involving her sister (I don't tend to like more action-y plots in my romance!). I liked the writing and would read more from Katrina Kendrick!

Huge thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A Touch Wicked is a really fun, frothy and mysterious romance. I loved the premise, the Cinderella theme masquerade, the electric love story between Emma and James. For me, there were a few plot points that got lost, Emma’s mother, more information about her sister etc but other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A hidden gem among spicy regency romance books. I hope more people find this book, BookTok would love it!

Emma Dumont is desperate to save her wayward sister, with only a mysterious invitation to a Masquerade as any clue as to where she could be. Employed under the handsome Earl of Kent, she is torn between her growing feelings for James and her true mission. With both attending the illusive party, their attraction becomes irresistible.

This book was so much fun. I loved the characters, their dialogue was witty and charming, and I found myself laughing out loud throughout the book. James and Emma’s romance was very spicy and seductive, many would enjoy how quickly and often these two interact. I wish the story was longer! I wanted more scenes with James’ siblings and Emma’s life as a lady’s maid. I couldn’t get enough! This book and its series could be the next Bridgerton, I’m sure of it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for this ARC.

‘a touch wicked’ is another entry into the ‘private arrangements’ series, but this time it’s a prequel / novella. i have read one other of these books, subsequently reading them completely out of order, not that that truly matters.

these stories are full to the brim with content. there’s the love story between james and emma at the centre, but also all the ongoings with emma’s sister, which makes for an interesting mystery. all the characters are likeable — i particularly liked james’ sister, alexandra, who has her own book which i may end up checking out. the ending felt a slight bit rushed but that did not take any of the enjoyment away from it

"A Touch Wicked" by Katrina Kendrick is a captivating historical romance that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the secret and dangerous world of London's elite. Set against the backdrop of the enticing Masquerade, where the only rules are to depart by morning and never reveal one's true identity, the story unravels the lives of two individuals who find themselves entangled in a web of deadly secrets and forbidden desire. At the center of the narrative is James, the Earl of Kent, a man who embodies everything a debutante dreams of in a prospective husband. Handsome, wealthy, and with a reputation that precedes him, James is London's most eligible bachelor. However, his encounter with a mysterious beauty at an illicit club sparks not only his fascination but also an intense intrigue, as he soon discovers that she is harboring dangerous secrets. Enter Emma Dumont, a young woman of modest means who is driven to desperate measures in order to protect her criminal sister. With a determination to save her sibling, Emma cunningly infiltrates the earl's household, assuming a false identity. But when a clue leads her to a scandalous masque, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to her handsome employer, torn between her duty and the undeniable attraction that simmers between them. As the plot thickens, and Emma's sister's crimes threaten to expose her deception, she becomes embroiled in a brutal conspiracy that forces her to confront the truth. With the truth comes danger, as she discovers that the deadly secrets she carries are intertwined with the lives of those around her. Kendrick masterfully crafts a tale of suspense, romance, and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the treacherous waters of deception and unbridled passion. Kendrick's writing style is engaging and immersive, transporting readers to the vividly depicted world of Regency-era London. Her attention to detail brings the setting to life, from the opulent ballrooms to the dimly lit backstreets, creating an atmospheric backdrop for the unfolding events. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, with their internal struggles adding depth and complexity to the story. Readers will find themselves deeply invested in the fate of James and Emma as they navigate the dangerous undercurrents of society while battling their own personal demons. "A Touch Wicked" is a page-turning romance novel that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and passion. Kendrick's skillful storytelling keeps readers captivated from the first page to the last, as the plot twists and turns, revealing shocking secrets and unexpected alliances. Fans of historical romance will find themselves thoroughly entertained by this enthralling tale of love, betrayal, and the lengths one will go to protect those they hold dear. In conclusion, "A Touch Wicked" is a compelling and enthralling historical romance that delivers on both suspense and passion. Kendrick's masterful storytelling and well-crafted characters make this novel a must-read for fans of the genre. With its intricate plot, evocative setting, and irresistible chemistry between the protagonists, this book is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting Kendrick's next literary offering.