I really enjoyed this book! Her Wicked Marquess is funny, maddening, and thoroughly entertaining! I loved both Mary Ann and Nicholas, and was rooting for them to get their HEA—these two definitely belonged together!

Mary Ann is being used as a pawn by her prominent family, her parents only see her marriage prospects as a means to give them some type of advantage, with no consideration to her thoughts or feelings. She is horrified by the man they’ve selected for her, and becomes more so after getting to know him. She and her friends have created this small club, The Sinful Wallflowers, vowing to be bold and not simply allow life to happen to them, but to have a more active role in their own lives. Easier said than done, given the social mores and expectations of their time. However, MaryAnn does find small ways to show her rebellious nature. She is educated, intelligent, kind hearted, caring, and very witty-attiributes I love in a heroine.

Nicholas is set on discovering and punishing the men responsible for the death of a childhood friend, and has no plans to fall in love and marry, in spite of his family expectations. A chance meeting changes the course of both their destinies. The conversations and stolen time the two spend together are amusing and very entertaining. Even though I knew they would end up together and get their well-deserved HEA, getting to that point was nerve racking. There were a couple of plot twists I didn’t see coming, but that worked and brought various plot threads together in a very satisfying way.

I have been on an historical kick over the last year or so, and the social commentary on the rights (or lack thereof) of women, children, and the poor that permeate the modern historical romance novel is appreciated greatly by this reader. It gives me both a profound respect for those who fought to improve the lives of women, children, and the poor, but also reminds me we still have a ways to go. I don’t feel I’m being beaten over the head with these issues, but rather they are woven throughout the stories in a thoughtful, organic, and informative way.

Oh my! So much goodness here!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very delicious! I wont give away any spoilers but just say that if you want a steamy book with a great plot line and some witty banter, read this book!
Strong writing, great characters. I really loved the interaction between Nicholas and Maryann, it was nice to have a female lead so witty and with great comebacks. And Nicholas was so delightfully wicked! The story started off a little slow at first for me but then by chapter 5 or 6, it hooked me and I could not put it down. All gushing aside, this is a very well written book and one that I am sure you will love. Stacy Reid is now my new favorite author and I cant wait to read more of her works!
I received an advanced preview of this story in exchange for my review, but I will be buying this for for my collection!

Awesome read I couldn’t put it down I was drawn in from the first page I stayed up way to late reading I just got so caught up in the storyline I had to see how things worked out. I truly can’t wait to read the next book by this author

Need a little scandal in your life? Then this should be your next read. Her Wicked Marquess is about creating scandal and averting it too. I know they go against each other, but who knew when two people have need of one another their needs would be such polar opposites. Stacy Reid gives us an incredible story of just that.

The wallflowers as the group has been known as among the ton are a group of ordinary women who have gotten on the wrong side of one extravagant lady in their social circles. It makes the wallflowers off limits to men and derided by other girls. Such isolation only brings the women to take matters of love and revenge into their own hands. So far one of the circle has been able to make her way out and marry a duke, but the rest fear for their prospects as the viciousness of the extravagant lady gets worse throughout the season.

Maryann is one of those girls. Her parents are so worried, they arrange a marriage to man who is as old as her father. One she discovers has not liking for her except to abuse her. So Maryann forges a scheme to cause a scandal so she won’t be forced to marry and can live in peace for awhile longer. Unfortunately, the person she is going to use for the scandal is also a man who needs her, yet has no idea why.

Nicolas is entranced by the young lady from the outset standing in for her brother when exacting revenge on the mean spirited debutante hounding the wallflowers. What he doesn’t know is why he’s never noticed her before, but once he has, he can’t get her out of his head. As her foolhardy attempt at scandal does not deter the man she is arranged to marry, Maryann tries worse and worse ways to get scandalized in hopes he’ll break it off. Nicolas however, realizes what she is trying to do and is constantly deterring her scandals. But as time goes, he seeks out the lady more and more in private at night in her chambers. Finally one thing leads to another and there is no way to avert a scandal of great magnitude, so instead he then works to win her hand.

During all of this, Nicolas is trying to determine if her brother is actually a scoundrel who perpetuated the early death of his best friend. As he gets in deeper and deeper with Maryann, his efforts for revenge on the men who spoiled his childhood friend come to a head and he’s forced to make some final judgments…walk away for the sake of his love for Maryann or continue and become the man everyone believes he is.

In the end Maryann figures out the mystery and helps to put things right, only to spare Nicholas the heartache. Finally the two get out from under their suspicions and learn the truth about one another and a Happily Ever After is born.

This is a steamy romance with lots of angst and misinterpretations of motives and situations that will keep you on the edge of your seat as people skulk in the dark of night and the gambling dens take their toll. The lighthearted dresses and descriptions of feasts, wine and ballrooms will enthrall you to the very end to see who gets their due and who gets an HEA. It is beautifully written and the settings decadent enough to feel like you might be watching an episode of the Bridgertons, so enjoy this one, but don’t skip to the end…you need all that angst in your life.

I absolutely love this author but this story was a bit dark in my opinion. I love Maryann's drive to change the narrative of her life and Nicolas was just the one to help her.

The premise of the Sinful Wallflowers series is so phenomenal! Women taking a hand in their own future to ensure their happiness. Love it!

Maryann takes advantage of the society papers little gossip about Nicholas, Marquess of Rothbury getting caught climbing out a window at a house party. Maryann sees this as an opportunity to escape her expected betrothal to an odious man old enough to be her father! 

Nicholas is very intrigued by Maryann after their brief meeting in the garden. When he discovers her list planning her own ruination, his obsession with this wallflower begins. Their paths are intertwined since Nicholas suspects that her brother was involved in a nefarious act that he is determined to avenge. 

I loved Nicholas and Maryann midnight meetings in her bedroom! Their chemistry was so believable and I loved them as a couple. The twist at the end was something I didn't expect. I did think that a few things were wrapped up too quickly, but overall I loved this romance.

I feel like I don’t scream from the rooftops enough how much I absolutely love regency novels, and I know for a fact that I can always rely on Stacy Reid for one that will be absolutely fantastic every time. The prose, the banter, the character development, every single piece of the puzzle is just fun and emotional and Her Wicked Marquess is no different. 

Maryann. Sweet, enchanting, fiery Maryann. What a delight and a half she was. She’s a strong little thing, but she’s also completely honest and upfront with how she feels, what she’s thinking, and what she wants, and it is absolutely astounding and refreshing to see that in a romance novel heroine. Not once was Nicolas left wondering what was going on her head and even he seemed shocked by it on a few occasions. It was a breath of fresh air and made her all the easier to love. She was also relatable in that she wanted to live her own life on her terms, and was motivated to do whatever it took to get it. She was a woman on a mission, and while she ended up getting caught in Nicolas’s web, he was ensnared right along with her. 

Nicolas was a wonderful surprise, in that he was more layered than a cupcake wedding dress. He had his public persona, the one that Maryann took advantage of, and then he had his true self, the one we (and Maryann!) fell in love with. He was singularly focused for so long until Maryann entwined their fates, and then he became this torn and conflicted man who didn’t know which path he was on anymore. Watching him navigate his new feelings and open up to his shy yet wicked little wallflower was one of the best things I’ve seen so far this year. 

Stacy also has this way of writing that makes it easy to get swept up in the story. The lines squeeze your heart a little and you just never want them to let go.

“Ah, Maryann, I wonder why there is nothing in this entire world but you that makes me happy?”

I’ve also never thought the nickname “racoon” could be cute either but what do ya know? Stacy changed my mind.
  
Anyway, this story had everything. It had steam, it had emotion, it had humor, it had suspense, and it had a cast of characters that kept me engaged from start to finish. There were even some twists and turns thrown in I didn’t see coming, and they added to the excitement of an already enthralling book. While I do still struggle sometimes with the various names historical characters often have (their title, their full name, all of the in between), Stacy made it easy for me to keep track of them all but referring to them multiple times and even with both names as little reminders. This book was a joy and I didn’t want it to end, but I also loved it enough that I just kept going and wouldn’t put it down. I loved the story, I loved Nicolas, and I loved Maryann. Stacy Reid has quickly become a go-to author for me in this genre and I cannot wait to see what she delivers next. 
 
{Many thanks to Entangled Publishing for my review copy}

Wallflower Maryann Fitzwilliam  is desperate. Her parents have arranged for her to marry a man not only old enough to be her father, but one that is immoral and cruel. In her desperation Maryann devises a scheme involving none other than the most notorious rake she can think of. The Marquess of Rothbury, Nicholas St. Ives is a man on a mission. He has spent years cultivating his reputation to exact vengeance on those whose deeds were so vile they cost him a beloved childhood friend. When rumors abound about his interest in Maryann, his enemies target her forcing Nicholas to keep her close to protect her. This is definitely a MUST READ!! Stacy Reid has masterfully crafted a riveting, heartwarming tale that is a must have for the Regency enthusiast!!! I received an ARC of this work from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Sincerely, Anna

Her Wicked Marquess
by Stacy Reid

Thank You @entangled_publishing for my copy of “her wicked marquess!
@stacy_romanceaddict #herwickedmarquess

Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam is too witty and bookish for her own good. No gentleman of the ton will marry her, so her parents arrange for her to wed a man old enough to be her father. But Maryann is ready to use those wits to turn herself into a sinful wallflower.

When the scandal sheet reports a sighting of Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury, climbing out the chamber windows of a house party, Maryann does the unthinkable. She anonymously claims that the bedchamber belonged to none other than Miss Fitzwilliam, tarnishing her own reputation—and chances of the dastardly union her family secured for her. Now she just needs to convince the marquess to keep his silence.

Turns out Nicolas allows for the scandal to perpetuate for his own reasons… But when Maryann’s parents hold fast to their arranged marriage plan, it’ll take a scandal of epic proportions for these two to get out of this together.

Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke 
* Her Wicked Marquess

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own. 

Let set things straight I loved My Darling Duke, book 1 of the Sinful Wallflower series. The author has once again captured my heart Katherine and Alexander’s story was just lovely.
This is Maryanne and Nicholas’s tale.Maryanne is a head strong delightful heroine who stands up for what she believes in. Maryann throw caution to the wind and divises a plan to cause a scandal, in hoping to outmaneuver her parents plan to have her wed an elderly gentleman, who her have picked out for her. 
When she learns that the Marquess of Rothbury was caught climbing out of a bed chamber during a house party, she lets it slip that is was her. Now she just needs him to keep quiet about the fact that it wasn't her...

Stacy Reid, has written a fabulous with revenge and romance !

This was my first Stacy Reid book and I enjoyed it very much. The writing is strong, storyline is concise, an all around good read. I'm attaching the link to my interview with Stacy on Book+Main.

For the last few years, I’ve added countless historical romances to my TBR, thanks to recommendations from fellow bookstagrammers, but despite that - and making a goal to branch out with my reading - I’ve mostly stuck with contemporary romance. I finally decided 2021 was the year to change that, and I chose Her Wicked Marquess to be my first foray into regency romance.
 
Nicolas St Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury, perpetuates his reputation as a rake because it serves his purpose: infiltrating the inner circle of a group of ‘gentlemen’ who brutally assaulted his first love. Retribution has been the only thing on Nicolas’s mind for the past decade, and he’s close to his final targets when Maryann Fitzwilliam inserts herself into his life and distracts him from his mission. Maryann - a wallflower who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, despite what others think - has a mission of her own: seeking her own public ruination to avoid marrying the odious man her parents have chosen for her.
 
This book was so entertaining. I loved how strong-minded, strong-willed, and feisty Maryann was. She refused to be one of those women who was seen and not heard, and she didn’t want to be tied down with a man she didn’t love. I loved the banter and chemistry between her and Nicolas, and watching their relationship grow was so much fun. Also, as a newbie to the genre, I wasn’t expecting such scorching hot sexytimes! Whew! That was an unexpected and welcome surprise. The revenge storyline was...interesting?...but it sometimes felt like there was too much focus on it. The overall feel of this book was lighthearted, romantic, and sexy, and the parts dealing with Nicolas’s need for revenge and the reasons behind it were so dark. The author did a good job of weaving it all together, but the romance was definitely my favourite part of the book.

Her Wicked Marquess was a fantastic introduction to regency romance. I need to go back and read My Darling Duke, and I’ll look forward to more books in the Sinful Wallflowers series.  



*Links will be updated with bookstagram and blog posts when they're live

Thank you to the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is the second book in The Sinful Wallflowers series and I was very excited for this book. I absolutely adored Stacy Reid's first book in this series "My Darling Duke" and was eager to read this one. I devoured this in two days and LOVED it. 

Maryann is a fierce, witty and intelligent young woman desperate to escape a betrothal to a horrible man. Nicolas is on a quest of revenge for a childhood friend he lost years ago. Their lives become entangled when Maryann lays claim to a rumor that it was her bedroom that Nicolas was seen climbing out of one night. Their chemistry and interest in one another continues to build as Maryann and Nicolas become closer together. The thing I really loved about their relationship is that it felt like they both opened up to each other gradually at the same pace. I feel with romance novels, there always tends to be one person opening up more than the other but this was no the case. Their honesty with each other was refreshing. I loved both of their vulnerableness with each other. Their slow burn love and great respect for one another had me swooning. Not only was their love story executed wonderfully but this book does not lack in plot either. It is rich with intrigue, danger, and complex characters and back stories and I admire the depth to each of the characters. Stacy Reid has a way with writing a beautiful deep love between two characters as well as a way with depicting tender, loving and passionate scenes between consenting adults. 

Two things to note:

I strongly appreciate that Stacy Reid took the time to ensure consent was given freely and repeatedly between the two characters before any romantic interludes happened. 

I also want to take note, with the content warning provided below, I felt that author took great care and time to discuss heavy topics. I felt the author shed light on the abuses that women of this time period faced. 

CW (content warning): talks of rape, sexual assault and violence against women are discussed in this book. TW: A scene of violence against women is depicted on page.

I really wanted to finish and enjoy this book but I just couldn't get into the story. I honestly think I wasn't in the right mindset for this book. I really enjoyed for the first book in the series and hoped I would like this one. I'll hopefully come back to it another time and enjoy it more.

3.5 stars

Stacy Reid's first book in the Sinful Wallflowers series, My Darling Duke, was one of the first historical romance books I read, and so I was really pleased to receive a review copy from Netgalley of the second book.

Maryann Fitzwilliam has no desire to become the wife of a man she doesn't know, and so she conceives a plan to use the rakish reputation of Nicoles St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury to her advantage and claim he has snuck into her room and spent the evening. Her reputation thus tarnished, she should find herself (happily) unmarriagable. What she doesn't count on is the Marquess hearing of her plan, of the unlikely alliance and friendship that blooms between the two of them, following by a romance no-one saw coming.

Her Wicked Marquess is a book that features a strong, feisty heroine who is determined not to be run-down by men (and women) who do not approve of a woman having a brain and being able to hold a decent conversation. Maryann seeks to use her situation to her advantage as she tries to find a way out of the future marriage her parents have planned for her so that she can live the life she dreams of. For all that, she's relatively innocent and so she's constantly having to learn how to adapt each time her schemes take a turn she didn't expect.

Nicholas has a lot of admiration for Maryann, from their first (unintended) meeting where in he anonymously assists her in a small spot of revenge against a young woman determined to undermine anyone she believes unworthy. He also has his own demons to fight, taking revenge against the wealthy men who attacked a young woman years earlier, which is why he allows Maryann's ruse to continue for as long as he does - it affords him a cover story of sorts for his own business.

The romance was fun and adorable as Maryann and Nicholas begin to learn about each other. It's not without its ups and downs, but the two do come to understand each other's motivations and when they relent to their mutual attraction, they have a series of steamy affairs under the nose of everyone.

There were so many things I enjoyed about Her Wicked Marquess, but I did finish reading with the nagging feeling that something bothered me. At this stage, I haven't quite worked out what was prompted the feeling, but should that change I'll update this review.

Overall, the story is fun, well-written with engaging characters and I look forward to the next instalment of the Sinful Wallflowers.

Let me start off by sharing how much I absolutely loved My Darling Duke, book 1 of the Sinful Wallflower series.  Once I started it I became completely wrapped up in it. Katherine and Alexander’s story was just so well done and I was disappointed when I finished as I knew there was a wait until the next book!

Well the wait is over and I’m here to tell you that Maryanne and Nicholas’s story is just as addicting.  Maryanne is a delightful heroine who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in or fight for what she wants.  Of course there is more to Nicholas then what he presents to the ton. And the chemistry between the two is off the charts.  The best part, for me, was the slow build of trust and love between the two. I started love just isn’t for me and reading their story was lovely.

Ok Stacy Reid I’m ready for book 3 of these sinful wallflowers and I am oh so hopeful it won’t be another year till we meet up with them again!

Maryann doesn't want to marry the old man that her parents have picked out for her. She she decides to create a scandal so that he won't want to marry her any longer. When she learns that the Marquess of Rothbury was caught climbing out of a bed chamber during a house party, she lets it slip that is was her. Now she just needs him to keep quiet about the fact that it wasn't her...

Nicolas has his own reasons for not outing Maryann for the liar that she is. He has plans for revenge and since one of the people he is after is a member of her family, having her close helps him. What he didn't count on was falling for her the more time that they spent together.

What will happen when Maryann learns the truth. Can this budding romance survive?

I adored Nicolas and Maryann's story!! I loved watching them develop a friendship that quickly turned into love. This was a great addition to the Sinful Wallflowers series!

I havent read a book from Stacy Reid for a wall and was glad that I read this one and phew it was a lot, it had all the feels, so please dont sit here thinking that this was going to be all lovey dovey because my friends it is not. Yes we will get some love, but we get much more, we get some laughes m we get a lot of tears, we get a slow relationship and emotion but my friends we will enjoy it., so i encourage you to either tea or a cup of cofee and sit back and Enjoy!

I think that by looking at the number of books by Stacy Reid that I own, it wouldn't come as a surprise if I said she is one of my favorite historical romance authors. She never disappoints and this time again I have devoured her book in a few days. 
•
Maryann is the second friend from the group of four sinful wallflowers. It is now her time to shine and Nicolas was the perfect match for her. He is as wicked as she is daring. The combination of intrigue and romance made me sail through the pages. It was a most enjoyable read. 
•
4/5
#fridayinaprilbookreviews

Revenge and romance is a dangerous combination.  Nicolas St. Ives, Marquess Rothbury, has spent a decade ruining the men who ruined his friend and drove her to suicide.  Nicolas has seen his obsession with revenge for Arianna through but for two men.  He doesn’t want romance, and he uses his reputation to avoid it.  That is until Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam decided that the best way to avoid the marriage her parents have arranged is to be ruined, by Nicolas.  These two are perfect together.  You keep hoping things work out so that they have a chance.  Will Nicolas save Maryann from a horrible marriage?  Will she be able to help him heal from the guilt and pain of his past and his obsession with revenge?

This is an interesting story.  When Nicolas sets out to serve comeuppance, he is not kidding around.  There is danger and drama, but there are also some lighter moments, and romance, or at least some wild courting.  Maryann is an independent (as much as she can be) bluestocking who had no desire to settle down, until she got to know Nicolas.  It seems Crispin, Maryann’s brother feels as guilty about what happened to Arianna as Nicolas; and Crispin has a secret he has kept for ten years.  He…no, you’ll have to find out for yourself.  A good read with compelling characters and an engaging plot, I recommend it.  I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version narrated by Mary Sarah.

Her Wicked Marquess by Stacy Reid is book two in her Sinful Wallflowers series.  It’s about a Maryann Fitzwilliam, an intelligent (and doesn’t hide it) wallflower who needs to create a scandal in order to get out of an arranged marriage to a much older man.  She grabs onto a story from the scandal columns about Nicholas St. Ives climbing out of an unnamed debutante’s window, claiming it was hers, in hopes that her groom will reject her.  Nicholas allows the ruse to continue because it suits his motives.  The two of them end up… well you know… 

Maryann is fun.  Plain and simple fun.  She’s smart, witty, and fearless, though she has a soft spot for her parents and their desire to ‘do right by her,’ whether she wants them to or not.  Nicholas is the perfect match for her.  He’s intelligent, fierce, loyal, and has his own secrets to keep.  The chemistry between them was slow, but smoking hot.  

This is a bit of a slow burn, which is different from what I expected from Ms. Reid.  Not that I’m complaining.  But I remember reading and getting a good way into the book thinking, “When are they going to jump each other?”   Still I hung on because the story was captivating, the characters and their chemistry were amazing and kept me involved, intrigued, and engaged.  I wanted to see what happened when it happened!  And when it happened… wow.  No spoilers, but wow.

Overall I love this book.  A little slower than I’m used to, but it made up for it in everything else.   I can’t wait to read what Ms. Reid has in store for us next!

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this review.

4.5 stars of 5