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 … 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
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Her Wicked Marquess
The Sinful Wallflowers Series #2
Stacy Reid
https://www.facebook.com/stacyreid/
Release date 12/29/2020
Publisher Entangled Amara
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.
Raccoon and revenge
What a man driven by revenge to do when he reaches a turn in his quest …
I was not certain to like or dislike Maryann until the last part, she is no blushing young miss but how naïve and sometimes silly she appeared, even forewarned she still runs straight into danger or refuses to listen, but it was also to laid to feet of her upbringing, the young ladies of the ton were not prepared to endure life’s strikes, only to be paraded. Why they learned it the hard way.
Like the hero Nicolas, she is quite an ambivalent personality, she is well-educated and can think by herself, she also learned skills not requested, even more, it would be seen as scandalous. But in some approaches, she is very blithe.
Yet it is also her innocence and vitality that entranced Nicolas, it puts her apart the other misses of the ton.
Nicolas is a man driven, he molded his last years to exact a revenge on behalf of an abused friend. He lives in guilt, certain his own actions or inactions led his first love to her perdition. Since, he has slowly hunted the men behind his friend’s downfall. Thus it is on his quest for Justice he encounters Maryann, herself on her way to punish a bully.
From there his interest is roused, she intrigues him, as hidden from the praying eyes, she shows a fiery and feisty nature.
Their friendship began with a little prank and evolve in a courtship when behind closed doors, they get to know one another, sharing their deepest secrets and unspoken hopes. But with danger lurking in the shadows and Nicolas closer to his goal he has never been, will their love withstand the weight of his retaliation.
4.25 stars
: detailed foreplay and lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Entangled, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Maryann Fitzwilliam is an educated outspoken young woman who most men has overlooked because of her outspoken nature. Nicolas St. Ives, Marquess of Rothbury, is on a revenge to avenge his young friends rape and death at the hands of some of London’s genteel men. They find themselves friends that soon develops into more but there are those who want Nicolas to give up his mission and now he has to protect Maryann because they know she has become important to him which puts her in danger. This book kept me on edge with the twists and turns in this book which left me hooked.
Wow! This was a wonderful read!!!
Maryann had me cheering for her within a few pages. For the era, she’s fighting for the chance to be free. Interestingly, she doesn’t desire a career as many historical romance heroines in recent years seem to do. All she wants is a large family within a marital relationship filled with love and that will allow her to be a partner, rather than an object of ownership. She was quite feisty and I loved how she enthralled Nicolas from the beginning due to her quirky ways.
Nicolas was one of the most alpha heroes I’ve read in awhile, and that’s comparing him to contemporary romances as well. Put him in a mafia romance and holy heck, he’d set the standard for a new type of hero. He had a steadfastness to him that had me lingering on every action he took and words he spoke in regards to Maryann. As the relationship between them grew his protectiveness of her grew exponentially. Nicolas had me swooning, and I don’t swoon easily.
While this has a great rhythm and pace to the story, the relationship slowly evolves giving these characters a chance to truly get to know one another and thereby fall in love in a believable manner. The initial steam is light but it continues to grow as the story develops. When the slow burn finally comes to its ultimate conclusion, the ending result was an inferno of passion.
This has several plot lines running through it with plenty of drama and a bit of angst. I was engaged from the first page as this author pulled me into the story and had me experiencing the highs and lows with Maryann and Nicolas. I laughed, gasped, cursed, and cried throughout the book before I closed it with a huge smile, delighted in an epilogue that gave me everything I needed.
Starring Miss Maryann Eleanor Fitzwilliam and Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury.
Trope: Revenge
This story is romance with intrigue thrown in the plot. A few twists that had me gasping!! Stacy Reid, once again, kept me glued to the pages. I loved every second I spent with this book!! Fantastic!!
This was angsty at its best!! Nicolas was moody and broody and absolutely delicious. He’s my favorite kind of intense hero. I may have melted every time he was on the page. I love how protective he was when it comes to Maryann… and that he’s willing to sacrifice anything for her. I’m pulling him outta the pages so he can be my book boyfriend!!
Maryann is a little spitfire who stands up for the underdog. Some of her antics had me laughing so hard. She is a worthy heroine for Nicolas. She is the sunshine in the darkness he chooses to dwell in… and she draws him out with her light. Totally loved her!!
Together, Nicolas and Maryann gave me all the feels. I really love that he calls her “raccoon” when she wants to be a “lioness”. “In jokes” between a couple is my jam!! They made me smile a heck of a lot!! Maryann and Nicolas are one of my favorite couples of 2020!! My heart is happy that these two found their HEA.
Another fantastic story by the wonderful Stacy Reid. She is beyond amazing and I can’t get enough of her stories. Honestly, one of my favorite authors of all time. She is firmly on my keeper shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.
My star rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!
Oh so good! Nicolas cultivated a reputation of being a ruthless rogue. It help conceal his mission of revenge. Maryann used that reputation to try to ruin her reputation so that she would not be forced to marry her father’s friend. That brought them together and that’s when the fun began. Maryann is intelligent,strong minded and a romantic, but she is considered a wallflower. Nicolas is loyal, ruthless, singleminded and bent on the destruction of those who wrong his childhood love. The combination of the two of them is remarkable and quite fun to watch. The dialogue between Nicolas and Maryann is brilliant, engaging and endearing. This is a creative story that will get your motor running, keep your interest, and leave you wanting more. Warning, there are wonderfully steaming scenes, a few surprises, and you might find yourself reading into the wee hours of the night
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5
This book was powerful, emotional, intriguing and interesting novel with a historical setting. Maryann is a woman constrained by the societal expectations of her time. The endless rules of the aristocracy govern everything about her life. She wants nothing more than to break free of those bonds and live as she pleases, find love , and be able to explore the things and places of the world that interest her. She doesn’t fit in with the typical young women who are her upper-class peers, so she gets looked over as a wallflower. When she finds out that her parents are intending to force her into a marriage with a detestable man more than twice her age, she decides to do anything she can to take matters into her own hands.
Nicolas is a man on a mission to avenge the death of his friend from childhood, a girl who was cruelly assaulted by a group of young noblemen and then threw herself into a river because she couldn’t cope with the terrible trauma. He has cultivated in rakehell persona for himself, and spent years identifying the guilty parties and orchestrating their downfall. Upon his first meeting with Maryann, she fascinates him. As time passes she begins to unwittingly open his heart and mind to feelings and hopes he never had before.
The attack on his childhood friend is mentioned numerous times although it is not described in tremendous detail, so just be aware of that in case it could be a trigger issue for you. I liked both main characters, and his darker moments didn’t bother me because they were well justified. Maryann and Nicolas had excellent chemistry and the passion that develops between them heats up the pages. The ending was a nail-biter and a heartbreaker, but the author does a great job creating a beautiful HEA. The only negative for me was how frequently overheard conversations were used to explain things or move the plot along. But that was really a tiny issue in a very entertaining story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
‘Her Wicked Marquess’ is the first book I have read by Stacy Reid and it totally won me over!
I was very fond of the author’s writing style and the story comes highly recommended! It contains so much action, tension, unexpected twists, steamy moments and a HEA. What more do you want…
I particularly liked Maryann. Discarded as a wallflower, she is brave, strong and feisty, and has a keen sense of justice. I especially liked the first encounter between Maryann and Nicolas, when she threatened him with a shovel. That was really witty!
The story was unpredictable and the twists and turns were always surprising, especially the ending. I found that very heartbreaking and I had to shed a few tears. All in all, I can only recommend the book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book. I liked the humor between the two characters. I felt that Nicholas was very comfortable around Maryann. He was charming towards her with wit. His devil may care attitude.
And his insatiable need to get to know her more. I think he was sweeping Maryann off her feet. I like how the two played the cat and mouse game with each other. Maryann new how to stand her ground with Nicholas and Stamford, but not her parents. I enjoyed the romantic entertainment in the book.
I also enjoyed the mystery that played in the background of the romance. I struggled with the courtship between Nicholas and Maryann just a little. I was looking for Nicholas to kiss Maryann again or at least a passionate make out session between the two characters halfway through the book. Also, the mystery, I was waiting for it to pick some steam when Nicholas made the decision to protect Maryann. I still enjoyed the book.
The romance between Maryann and Nicholas I found quite entertaining and romantic. I received a free copy of this book via NetGally and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I did not know going into this story that it was going to be as dark as it was and I loved it. I am into tortured heroes and dark stories so this was right up my alley (I do like light fare also). Nicolas is out for revenge and it is taking him ten years to exact it upon those who wrong a friend of his in the worst possible way. Maryann wants out of her situation so she makes up a story (or at least twists a story that is already out there) to her advantage about the rake Nicolas. Their romance takes a journey from a little bit of lust to true friendship to love. I thought the friendship part of their story was so fantastically told you could image them playing games, sitting around talking and comforting each other.
Oh and it was great to see Rhys again if one for one scene. He is one of my favorites of Stacy’s characters.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Maryann is determined to avoid marriage. Especially to the man her parents have chosen—a cold-hearted earl of her father’s age. She starts a rumor that she’s been ruined by Nicolas, Marquess of Rothbury, knowing the notorious rake won’t marry her to save her reputation.
Nicolas has spent years cultivating the facade of being a rake. It helps him hide his scheme to punish the men who brutalized a young maid he once loved. He admires Maryann for her spirit, cleverness, and daring. Yet he suspects her brother may have been involved in the crime he seeks to avenge.
I loved these characters. They’re vibrant and determined, yet willing to learn from their mistakes. The story never flags—the plot is well-paced and intriguing. The tension is high. The tone is more sensual than romantic, and the love scenes are scorching.
Tropes:
– Revenge
– Reformed rake
– Woman in jeopardy
Stacy Reid is a brilliant storyteller. Thanks, Booksprout, for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Charming tale.
You know as much as I love to read historical to live in a time when people had arranged marriages that suited only the parents and maybe the groom but was horrible for the lady would have been the worse. That is what Maryann Fitzwilliam is facing in this charming tale. She is pretty smart about thinking of ways to get out of the marriage in the end all the planning may not work. Nicolas allows a lie to go about the Ton but will he be Maryann’s knight in shining armor? These characters were such fun to read about sassy, smart, and charming I enjoyed getting to know them. The book is a delight to read and was so entertaining. High praise for this piece I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I loved, loved, loved this book! The characters were so real and had amazing personalities. I really liked Maryann, she had spirit and it was fun to follow her plan to ruin her reputation to escape the marriage to old, creepy guy. Nicolas was also an interesting character. He had some horrible things happen when he was younger but he was still swoon-worthy especially when he was with Maryann. They were such a cute couple and their banter was so fun to follow. Their romance was steamy but still sweet. The plot had some darker aspects such as rape but was also full of cute, sweet, fun moments. I really loved this book and would definitely recommend it! I can’t wait to go back and read book 1 of this series!
I don’t know what it was about this book but Reid really touched me with this story. The characters were amazing and the story was so completely unique.
Nicolas was tough and not well-liked. He was on a mission that was ruthless and punishing. He was violent on one hand but with Maryanne, he was tender, sensual, and protective as hell. Heck, I was falling for him myself.
Maryann, while called a wallflower, she was anything but. She was smart, witty, and loved him with her whole heart. But she was supposed to marry another.
I love the way Reid tells the story. This is no ordinary historical romance. It’s an intimate connection that is on fire. Starting with a slow burn, she builds up the heat, page by page. The emotion packs a punch and several times my eyes were misty and my heart was breaking too.
This is more than a romance novel. This is a love story that gives you all the feels right along with the characters. The highs and the lows leading to an amazing climax to the story that catches you completely off guard. And the ending is simply perfect. It still makes me smile just thinking about it.
The story was more than I was hoping for and the author absolutely gave it her all. This book isn’t just for historical romance readers. It’s for anyone that loves a true love story. Reid is a masterful storyteller who just shouldn’t be missed!
You Are No Ordinary Lady
Stacy Reid writes an intense game of romance and revenge. Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam wants nothing more than to rid herself of an unsuitable match, and the only way may be ruin. Who better to sully her reputation, than the most notorious rake Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury? Nicolas’ goal is revenge, and Maryann is his opportunity to get it. Maryann has a strong and spunky character, challenging Nicolas’ desires. Nicolas is captivated by her mischievous wit, and understands all to well the risk she is taking with her reputation. Reid does not shy away from discussing issues of gender inequality, society gossip, consent, and double standards. So, a warning, for there are mentions of rape and suicide. Filled with clever plots, villains, and plenty of misunderstandings. Maryann and Nicolas’ romance is a teasingly slow build into a steamy affair. Her Wicked Marquess is a humorous, heartfelt, and exciting romance with a satisfying ending.
Wallflower Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam set out for a little revenge with her brothers help, or so she thought. Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury sets out to ruin those responsible for his friend’s death and ends up helping one of his suspect’s sister Lady Maryann. Nicolas learns she’s trying to escape an unwanted engagement and she means to use his name to ruin herself claiming he sneaked into her bedchamber on night at a house party. Nicolas is quite intrigued by the young lady and soon realizes he’s placed her in danger. I love the witty banter and midnight rendezvous’ they share as Nicolas tries to keep her and his heart safe. Maryann soon realizes Nicolas is not the rake and rogue he portrays to everyone else, but a deeply trouble man with compassion and honor. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story filled with intrigue, mystery and romance.
Lord Stamford is fifty-two but he does take care of his body but she refuses to marry him. He has taken some moves that have left her with bruises. He has even threatened her. Maryann caught him in a room in her house doing the naughty and he knew she was watching and didn’t stop. Her parents have decided, she will marry a friend of her fathers, Lord Stamford.
Nicolas St. Ives, a marquess with a very rake reputation. His is so bad that quite a few ladies won’t go near him. He is very handsome and she is trying to come up with ways to be ruined by him. Nicolas is very rich and with his reputation, some women find it hard to pass up. About ten years ago, he cared for a sixteen-year-old. She was abused by five men and then she threw herself in the river and drown. He was her avenging angel. He had already ruined a viscount and he was working on another of those who were there.
Maryann Eleanor Fitzwilliam was the daughter of the Earl of Musgrove, she was pretty and a wallflower. Her friends were in a group called the sinful wallflowers. Her problem was she was opinionated and was up on things happening in London. Politics is one she enjoyed debating. The men kept telling her that her brain had not the capacity to truly understand. That upset her but what could she do.
I thought this was a wonderful story. the plot was well thought out. The characters were determined but still kind. There were a lot of things happening in the tale, it kept your interest and kept it exciting. It is spicy but still a good book.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
ARC received from Entangled Publishing. Voluntarily reviewing and all opinions are objective and my own.
I had read and LOVED the first book last year and was so excited to get into this one. While I didn’t find myself as involved in this book, it was still a great read!
To get out of a marriage, Maryann lies about being involved with Nicholas, known rake. She hopes this will get her fiance to break the engagement, but Nicholas has his own reasons for allowing her to use his name. Through secret meetings, they become closer.
I really enjoyed both characters! Maryann wasn’t some Mary-Sue. I enjoyed how she tried to fight her fate; she took charge of the situation the best she could. She was spunky and a fun read. Nicholas lit the pages on fire with the intensity and angst he brought to the relationship.
I really enjoyed how most of the romance was conducted behind closed doors with just the two of them. It was an enjoyable and refreshing concept. Can’t wait to see what is next from this author!
This book rock! Maryann decides to take charge of her future in a big way by going after the most sought after rogue, Nicolas. Upon meeting her he feels like he has been run over by a carriage drawn by 6 horses. These two embark on a totally unusual courtship that saw a unique friendship and love develop. They were shown to be so much more than they showed to the public. Their antics were fun and delightful. It is a wonderful series.
4.5*
A vengeful marquess helps an unknown lady perform a prank on a bully, only to find out that she is the sister of the man he is investigating. Once having met her he is intrigued and unable to stop himself from seeking out her company, even when he knows it is not in either of their interests. Loved the characters and their romance, and though I did feel the story had a couple of holes in it, this did not spoil my enjoyment.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m stuck between OK and good, so 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I was enticed to read this series by its theme of a desperate wallflower’s bold presumption of a connection to a highly ranked peer. Perhaps I expected too much after book 1, which had me grinning at the heroine’s cheek and the amusing dialogues.
Here the repeated mention of raccoons distracted me. Why would the characters refer to a creature which is not indigenous to Great Britain and whose habits where surely unknown to them in the early 19th century?
Nicholas’ quest for revenge was (to a degree) understandable, however rather assuming; I saw the hint of the possibility of a grave error in judgement and wondered if that error would in fact be realized. Maryann’s brother’s behavior gave me an inkling of an impending and interesting twist near the end.
I’m curious what schemes the next in this series brings.
I read a free advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.