Having been in a real regency/historical romance kick lately, I jumped at the chance to pick up A Touch Wicked. Unfortunately, this fell into the more porn than plot end of the genre for me (any smut fans out there will love this one), and I felt like the romance was a little rushed, both things ultimately leading to me liking, but not loving, this one.

Emma is a great MC. Someone who has had to struggle for everything in life after her father abandoned Emma, her sister, Isabel and their mother. While Emma stuck to the lawful side of moneymaking, her sister Isabel went the other way. Something that lead to them drifting apart as adults, but when Emma gets what seems to be a final goodbye letter from her sister, she has to investigate. She's someone who will do anything for those she loves, but she absolutely didn't intend to fall for an Earl, her boss. James, The Earl of Kent, is someone who has had to look after his siblings from a young age. Someone responsible, someone who knows his role, that is until he meets Emma and all of society's rules start making less and less sense. I enjoyed these two characters, not only seeing their relationship bloom, but also getting to see them interact with others. However, my favourite character was James' younger sister, Alexandra. She's one of those characters you can't help but fall in love with, a women who scoffs at society's rules, determined to make her own and I loved seeing the equal amounts of love and exasperation she brings out in both Emma and her brother.

I do think the synopsis is a little miss-leading in parts, which might be why I didn't love this one as much as I'd hoped. Emma hasn't pined over the Earl of Kent for years, rather it's less than a few weeks between their first meeting and their first anonymous night together, anonymous on Emma's side anyway because she knows who James is. It just moved a little fast for me, and I felt like the smut scenes, as much fun as they were, took up far too much page time and actually detracted from the mystery surrounding Emma's sister. There was even a certain part of the book where Isabel was at deaths door, but Emma still found time for a quickie, and it just seemed against her character in a lot of ways. It's 100% more porn than plot when it comes to Emma and James, the pretty much meet and then fall into bed with each other and the romance scenes are very descriptive, just a warning if that's not your kinda thing. But for those of you out there who are here for the smut and the smut alone I would highly recommend giving this one a go... you will not be disappointed.

The mystery surrounding Isabel, Emma's sister, was actually my favourite part of this book so I was obviously disappointed when it got so little page time. It was a part of the story that really allowed Alexandra to shine and I think I could read 100 books with her as the MC. She was the one side character that was actually somewhat developed, and I enjoyed her 'before her time' attitude to things. But there were huge parts of the book where this just seemed to fall to the back burner, mostly when Emma and James were at the masquerade, something that annoyed me, but also meant the pacing of the story was all over the place. The romance felt rushed and dragged out at the same time, whilst the mystery was big at the start and took up most of the final few chapters, but not much in between.

Overall this was an enjoyable read for me, but one where I did find myself more interested in one of the side characters than the two main ones... give me an Alexandra book asap.

Let me break this book down into the good and the bad.

The good: the mystery concerning Isabel was really good and kept the reader guessing for quite a while. It was nice the story was written from dual viewpoints. The hero’s sister was such a good character, and I hope a follow up book is written about her. She was ahead of her time, and just really hilarious, for running wild. The overall storyline is something I’ve not seen before, so it was good for its originality. An epilogue is always good.

The bad: the language style makes it seem like it was written by a teenager. There was altogether too much modern vernacular, which made it distracting, to the point I wouldn’t have been surprised if someone said riz. There multiple very explicit sex scenes, to the point probably 1/3 of the book was comprised of them, and they added nothing to the story, just gratuitous sex scenes, probably because the author was working under the principle “sex sells”, but made it come across like a mills and boon or bridgerton type novel. I wish the author had done this book with closed door sex scenes as I feel this would’ve better balanced the book so that rather than sex scenes being the main focus, the storyline and romance could take centre stage

The only reason this book gets 4 and not 5 stars is that the ending felt rushed. Most of the book proceeded at a languid pace and could have picked up a little to make the ending not feel that way, but that also may just have been me.

I really loved both of the main characters (and the side characters) and the plot was one that I haven't seen much of before. Their banter and relationship was great up until the MMC decided he loved the FMC. It seemed out of nowhere since he still didn't know she was the woman he'd been having a tryst with and then the rest of the book snowballed from there.

This book is SPICY, but delicisously so. Their entanglements are so well done and not overwhelming.

I would definitley read other books by this author and in this series.

I love this genre, and the premise was great. But I found it utterly unbelievable that two people could have sex on multiple occasions in masks - what, they stayed on the whole time??? AND even though those masks showed eyes, that those same two people would not recognise one another despite LIVING in the same house. Hmmmm. I couldn't get past that.

Really enjoyed this story! The author was able to pack in a lot of drama in such a short story. It was an intriguing plot a little out of the norm of most historical romances and the characters were fresh and exciting. The characters were well developed, pacing was good, and the writing was skilled. My only issue was the end felt a tad dragged out, I thought Emma could have come around a bit quicker.

Once you get past the fact that the hero in this historical fiction was essentially fooled by a mask, a wig, and an accent, even while being intimate with someone over a few days, this romance's adventurous side is a fresh variation on a traditional historical fiction! I love the idea that back in the
day, you could literally be whoever you wanted to be and make it happen simply by showing up!

Our heroine is also of the industrious.. 'do whatever it takes to get the job done' sort, and I love these kinds of characters. A must-read for your historical fiction romances TBR!

**Thank you to Ballantine Books & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

An enjoyable read with a bit of mystery and steam. It was a quick read and well written. The pace was fast and it didn’t get bogged down and the characters and interactions were really fun to read. I haven’t read any other books by this author but will definitely look out for her now. Would recommend if you enjoy regency romances. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

I loved this book. It was such a good read for February. The story was so intriguing that it hooked me immediately. I'm pretty picky about historical fiction but this was one of the best historical fiction books I have read.

3🌟

A short, sweet and scandalous period drama set in London 1872.

This was a fun little book, short and sweet with just 231 pages. It had a whole mix of elements, including a little bit of a mystery.

This is a very spicy, historical romance, so for fans of Bridgerton, this one is for you.

The only things that I didn’t particularly enjoy was that it was so short it felt very rushed at times. It also felt like we could’ve gotten a bit more information in there and a bit less spice. But for a short novel, it was still pretty good.

A regency romance with a masquerade ball is a win for me. I loved this so much. I’m not normally one for a novella but I did enjoy this. The spice was great and I loved the characters. I just wish I knew the book was part of a series before I read it so I could fully sink into the world and appreciate it.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this earc! All reviews are my own.


This novella was beautifully written. My only complaint was that I was left wanting MORE! I will definitely be checking out more books from this author because their writing was amazing. I felt a connection to each character in this book and it is truly amazing to accomplish that in such a short span of a book!

Thank you Aria & Aries for providing the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, A Touch Wicked was not for me. The writing was decent and I liked the set up of the plot initially. I can even overlook the historical inaccuracies. But after reading all these pages I could not describe the characters if my life depended on it. Also they fell in love and lust immediately, but he still could not recognise the woman he was "romancing" weekly was his maid that he was also attracted to because... she was wearing a mask and speaking French when they were doing the nasty. Don't know about that.

I understand this book has been rewritten and edited into a full-length novel from a novella, and I could kinda tell, some parts were puzzled together incoherently and seemed rushed.

I definititely enjoyed the beginning of the novel more than the rest. Also I loved the character Alexandra and will check out if there's a book about her.

4.5 stars

I’d read the original novella of this story and enjoyed it. This version is fantastic; we get more character development, more spice, and more intrigue. I particularly enjoyed the extra spicy scenes!
The main story has our main characters falling in love without knowing each other’s true identity and as themselves. We have sparkling banter and a slow burn in real life, and scorching chemistry in secret. We also have a side story line with lots of danger involving Emma’s missing sister and the life-threatening situation she’s gotten into. Plus we get great introductions to Alexandra and Richard, each of whom get their own book and romance.
Overall, really enjoyed this again and appreciate the editing and extra story we got.
I am however taking off 1/2 star for the fact that the characters never talk BC which is a pet peeve, especially in a historical romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher Aria, and author Katrina Kendrick for providing an ARC in exchange for a review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3 stars

A short, fun and steamy murder mystery. The premise of this book really called to me and I was quite excited to start reading, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. The relationship between our main characters was a bit off and very insta-lovey, and basically fell in love with each other without really having an actual conversation (I know we see this insta-love/lust trope in most romance books nowadays, but it just isn’t for me). Moreover, I wish we could’ve known more about Emma’s sister and their real participation in the late Victorian Suffragette movement.

An intriguing historical mystery - the lead FMC's sister is missing and seemingly embroiled in a mafia-esque group. The FMC bravely goes to London to save and find her sister. The sister's espionage plot was very interesting, which I enjoyed more than the main plot romance. I will pick up other mysteries in the series which I think will be a lot more interesting than this novella-turned-full-length book.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC.

Passion. Danger. Forbidden Love. A masquerade. Sign me up immediately.

This book had everything I look for. It was fun, quick, and steamy. Once you get over the idea that someone wouldn’t be able to recognize someone they’ve been listing after wearing a mask / not wearing a mask it’s very enjoyable. We don’t read romance cause it’s believable! We read it cause it’s fun!

Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC.

A humoured bridgerton-esque book which was perfect after my murder mystery read. Could have been a bit shorter in places, but liked the main character a lot! Love a historical romance and I will be recommending this to my friends and family.

I am a “judge a book by its cover” person. When I first saw this cover, it gave “Cinderella retelling” vibes. That is not what this is. Historical fiction is not my typical genre. That being said, this author did a PHENOMENAL job with this story! The spice was proportional to the story line. I felt all of the emotions reading this! I never thought I would give a historical fiction book 5 stars, but this one absolutely deserves it!

3.75 ⭐️ This was surprisingly great!

I have to admit I started this with zero expectations. It takes a lot for a historical romance to tickle me the right way - I'm more of a contemporary/ paranormal romance girl. This book, however, was exactly what I needed.

Leaving my bookish comfort-zone is not always great, but I've been in a bit of a slump this month and I needed something to shake me out of it... and I'm not positive I've fully kicked the slump but I did manage to finish this and enjoy it throughly!

Emma is looking for her sister in London, after finding her Paris apartment ransacked. When she finds a way to get employed as a lady's maid to the Earl of Kent's wayward sister, she has only one clue as to where to find her sister: an invite to The Masquerade, a most secretive and exclusive club.

This was so much spicier than I expected, and there's a lot of intrigue and angst. I especially liked that Emma, the fmc, is the one taking charge more often than not, and saying no to him multiple times. James, the mmc, is quite literally taken by her in every iteration in which he sees or knows her. He wants her in anyway he can, and it was just so sweet.

I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a historical romance with a hint of rebellion and a couple of spies!

This review has already been uploaded to Goodreads :)