Betrayed by her fiancé and her best friend, Lady Diana Haversham’s reputation is left in ruins, and she is unjustly cast out by her family. Left with little choice, she agrees to pretend to be a courtesan to protect her benefactor’s secret. What she didn’t count on was meeting temptation in the form of one Lord Lucas Blackthorn. Lucas is fascinated by the shameless Diana, whom his friends claim … friends claim is his perfect counterpart. He can’t stop thinking about her sultry smile and captivating eyes, but what draws him most is the sharp mind she reveals–and the certainty she’s hiding something.
When Lucas learns the scandalous truth, Diana will have to make a life-and-death choice.
Each book in the Once Wicked series is STANDALONE:
* To Love a Libertine
* Once a Courtesan
* A Wicked Reputation
more
The title is perfect for this book. It is an incredible journey of the rise and fall of an innocent Duke’s daughter. The complicated intrigues are fascinating. There are unexpected twists and turns in this book guaranteed to keep you glued to each page. This is a well written story of different types of love (MM, MF), loyalty and friendship. The horror that our heroine suffers, I could not imagine anyone dealing with it better than her. The H/h and the supporting characters were well developed, have wonderful personalities and admirable traits. The romance in this book blew me away. It is sensual, seductive, erotic without being trashy. The loving sexual interactions between the H/h are truly a beautiful thing to read. Justice was served to those who dared sully and dishonor the heroine. The ending of the book ties up all the loose ends superbly. This is a must read. You will not be disappointed. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this book, it was unbelievable what woman went thru back then, one lie and there life as they knew could be ruined. Lady Diane was betrayed by her fiance and best friend and found an ally in Harrow, he was so good to her and crazingly enough Harrow’s wife was also not only accepting of the relationship that Harrow and Diana had, but had also become a very good or more like family. Lord Blackthorn comes back after being banished by his family for causing a scandal and you would think that he would stay far away from it, but not the case the minute that he sees Diana he wants her and he thinks that something is not right with her relationship with her protector and he sets out to find out what it is since he is determined to have her..wow, we have some twist and turns and eventually justice and redemption..Enjoy!
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
I could not wait to read A Wicked Reputation by Liana LeFey! It was everything I had hoped it would be and more! From the very beginning the story captivated me and the author’s beautiful writing made it all come to life. The plot is very engaging, steamy, and it completely stands out. It is unpredictable and made me tear up a few times too. The characters are fantastic! It was so easy to love them all, they are so charming! Really, I can’t praise this book enough! I don’t want to give any spoilers so you will just have to find out for yourself how absolutely amazing it is!
*4.5 Stars*
“Very few people truly know themselves…we all invent ourselves daily”
Lady Diana Haversham finds herself an outcast in a time when gossip and perception rule all and a person’s reputation mean everything. But never one to back down from a fight, Lady Diana rebrands herself and with the help of a benefactor, finds herself one of the most wanted courtesans in England.
Lord Lucas Blackthorn has recently returned from his exile imposed by his family. His eyes can’t believe that the once meek and shy Lady Haversham is now the mistress of Lord Harrow—a man with certain deviances according to stories circulating amongst the ton. The gambler in him sees getting her into his bed as a high stakes game he’s eager to play, but when the truth of her wicked reputation comes to light, he finds that his heart is all in and the rules of the ton be damned.
“In truth, life was painful, unfair, and utterly without mercy. Especially when it came to love.”
A Wicked Reputation is a delicious historical with a heroine that is no shrinking wallflower. Loved Diana and her approach to life and not giving a damn what others thought of her, but fought fiercely for those she loves. While this is the third installment to the Once Wicked series, it may be read standalone. Liana LeFey is a new to me author, and I can’t wait to read more! Absolutely loved, and highly recommend!
*Received ARC via NetGalley for honest review*
This story shows the depth people will go for their friends. The author writes a beautiful story of love between friends and lovers. Diana is forced to make a drastic choice in her life but is lucky enough to find comfort and shelter with three people who love and protect her at all costs. Lucas sees her and despite all the roadblocks in his way decides he wants her in his life. The way the writer brings about this event is simply beautiful. It is a witty and funny story that will keep you turning the pages and make you happy with the ending.
I could not wait to read this book because I had read a previous story by this author and loved it. This one contained all the elements of a great regency romance with heartache, a woman betrayed and so many emotions that kept me turning the pages as quickly as I could. The dictates of the time and gossip could have a lady ruined even if she did nothing scandalous and that was the case with Diana. To make things worse her betrothed married her good friend and left her ruined with untruths.
Living with her aunt and uncle, she was pushed out after they believed the rumors and she had to find a way to support herself. She finds a way by posing as a courtesan to a gentleman that would help him keep his secrets and give her money to survive. She learned all the ways of that scandalous title and was really good at playing her part. That is until she catches the eye of Lord Lucas Blackthorn who threatens to expose her lie.
An exquisite romance with a strong heroine I could only cheer for and great characters that came to life. I cannot wait to read more by this author and encourage you not to miss this historical romance!! Plus don’t you love the gorgeous cover?
A Wicked Reputation by Liana LeFey is book Three in the Once Wicked Series. This is the story of Diana Haversham and Lucas Blackthorn. I feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Diana was a daughter of a Duke but became a orphan who was taken in by her Uncle. Then she was set to marry but that man ran off with her best friend but not before ruining her reputations. Diana Uncle kicked her out which left her no where to go until Harrow comes forward. They come up with a bargain that she will be his ‘courtesan’ but he will help her achieve her goals along with keeping his secrets. All was going along the way they planned until Lucas showed up. Lucas was taken with Diana and knows that she is hiding something, which he starts to look into. Now the chase is on to uncover secrets that are being kept that might lead to a shocking outcome. Enjoyed their story.
4.5 Stars
Betrayed by her fiancé and her best friend, Lady Diana Haversham’s reputation is left in ruins, and she is unjustly cast out by her family. Left with little choice, she agrees to pretend to be a courtesan to protect her benefactor’s Harrow’s secret. What she didn’t count on was meeting temptation in the form of one Lord Lucas Blackthorn.
Lucas is fascinated by the shameless Diana, whom his friends claim is his perfect counterpart.
This is the third in the series but definitely stands on its own. A well written book whose strength was in the cat & mouse game Lucas & Diana played their verbal sparring was highly entertaining. I also loved Harrow’s story & lengths he had to go to, to live the way he wanted & to avoid being charged & hung. The book highlighted how a Lady’s reputation hung by a thread & a malicious rumour could utterally ruin her life, I loved how Charles set things to rights. Well portrayed characters & an engrossing read that I found myself totally absorbed in
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A Wicked Reputation by Liana LeFey
A Once Wicked Novel #3
Lady Diana Haversham is in a dire situation when her uncle tells her he is kicking her out of the house. What is she going to do? Well, she is going to find someone willing to take her in, give her the acting job of a century being his fake-courtesan and she is going to become bigger in society than she ever imagined. She has a plan and Harrow, the man “keeping” her, is helping her achieve it. Diana and Harrow develop a strong friendship over time both knowing it cannot last forever. When Lucas, Viscount Blackthorn arrives on the scene Diana’s days with Harrow are numbered.
I enjoyed this story more on reflection than when actually reading it…not sure why but it is true. As I read it I had trouble believing it could happen as written…more than once. I found Diana to be stronger than most young women of that time period usually were which was great and yet had me asking…really? I found Harrow a delight and understood his wife, I could see where Diana was coming from, hated Diana’s uncle, found Lucas interesting if a bit immature in some ways, enjoyed some of the scenes that played out and rooted for a happily ever after for the fake courtesan and the rakish Lucas.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled-Amara for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
This is the first book I read by Liana LeFey and the story was quite unusual but I did enjoy it! Lady Diana Haversham, daughter of a Duke, should have been the darling of the ton but instead she finds herself with her reputation in shambles, even though she’s innocent. Thrown out by her uncle, she ends up agreeing to pretend to be a courtesan to protect her benefactor’s secret. Lord Lucas Blackthorn arrives back in town and after taking one look at her, he decides he wants her as HIS mistress! I had a few giggles when Lucas has to pretend to come on to Diana’s benefactor, Harrow:) It all becomes quite the tangled web before Diana and Lucas can have their HEA!!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
A most unusual love story but a great read. Diana, a Duke’s daughter, has lost both of her parents and at the mercy of her uncle. As her uncle hates her, her fiancé breaks their engagement and then runs off to marry her best friend. In order to justify why he broke their engagement, Grenville started the rumor that she had given her virtue to other men and she was ruined in the eyes of the ton. Harrow saves her, takes her as his mistress but there is more to this than meets the eye. Lucas becomes infatuated with Diana and tension mounts between the three of them. There are secrets that are dangerous to Harrow that adds a twist to the story. The story is well written, entertaining and an overall good read. I would highly recommend this book.