Christmas has never been more wicked…HE’S BATTERED AND BROKEN… the sister of his closest friend, he knows she is forbidden to him. He runs away from the only woman who has ever shown him true kindness because who could ever learn to love a broken man?
SHE BELIEVES IN THE HEALING POWER OF LOVE…
Ella Humphrey is cursed when it comes to love. Two overprotective brothers and the entire League of Rogues, are determined to protect her at all costs, even from falling in love. She feels trapped. When a man at death’s door is delivered to her care, she recognizes him as the friend of one of her brothers, and more importantly as the man she secretly loved for years. As her affection deepens for the wounded earl, she envisions a happy future with him. Yet the moment Phillip can walk again, he leaves Ella and breaks her heart.
CAN MISTLETOE WORK MISCHIEF AND MIRACLES?
A year later, Ella fears she’ll never find a way back into Phillip’s guarded heart. He becomes a recluse, too afraid to show the world how broken he is. Ella manages to convince Phillip to escort her to a country estate for a Christmas party. Snowed in at a small village inn, Ella finally has a chance to seduce the earl and remind him that broken bodies and broken hearts can be healed.
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I have really been looking forward to the book featuring Phillip Wilkes, Earl of Kent, since we met him in Charles’ book, The Last Wicked Rogue. Parts of this book occur at the same time as Charles’ book, but it also includes segments from before and after that period. Of course, our intrepid heroine is Ella Lonsdale, Charles’ sister. You’ll love Ella! Ella is spunky, loyal and chafing at being under the thumb of two older, overly protective brothers.
Ella first laid eyes on Phillip when she was just fifteen years old and it was love at first sight. She was constant in her love for him through the following years, but he avoided her like the plague. At her come-out ball, he gave her a scorching kiss and that just renewed her love – but again – he avoided her afterward. Her love hasn’t changed and when she finds he’s been beaten almost to death she rushes to her brother Charles’ house to attend to both Phillip and her brother Graham.
While he didn’t realize it, Phillip had been targeted by Hugo, the man who has been targeting the League of Rogues for years. It is just one more way Hugo can cause pain to the Rogues, but it can bring death to Phillip – and it almost does. Phillip does a stupid thing, he bets more on a game of faro and when he loses, there is absolutely no way he can pay the debt. When the winner, Daniel Sheffield, offers to completely forgive his debt if he fights in the Lewis Street Tunnels. Phillip agrees, but Graham tries to talk him out of it. We saw all of this in Charles’ book. Both Graham and Phillip are beaten, but Graham manages to escape and bring help. Graham believes Phillip is dead – and he almost is – but he sends Charles and Ashton Lennox (Wicked Rivals) to recover the body.
After all of her nursing, Phillip still rejects Ella and heads home to his country estate. What will it take to shake some sense into the man? Does he hate her so much? With some unexpected and unwelcome help from a friend, Ella finds out what is going on with Phillip. Can she save him? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to see.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A wonderful addition to two great series
This is another wonderful book that is a great addition to two very entertaining series. The plot is one of emotional turmoil, with characters who have the courage and determination to overcome their fears and obstacles. This is a brilliant book for anybody who loves steamy historical romances.
Falling for the malicious ploy of a villain bent on revenge, the Earl of Kent becomes a casualty in the ongoing feud enacted against his friends. His body scarred and broken, Phillip goes into seclusion and avoids society altogether. His best friend’s sister, Ella, has been in love with Phillip since she was a girl of 15 and patiently waits to grow up in order that he may see her as a woman full grown. Only, fate plays its dreadful game, and instead, Phillip does everything he can to avoid her. When Ella’s matchmaking friend steps into the fray, she puts Phillip and Ella in a situation where they can no longer avoid the truth. This is a well written and emotive romance but somewhat sad. When Ella eventually reaches a point where she cuts her losses and leaves Phillip to his misery, he has choices to make if he has any hope of future happiness. This Regency romance is a standalone and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Just like Romeo and Juliet there is the first blush of love for Ella. There is tragedy for Phillip. Although Ella still feels unrequited love for her Romeo, she still attempts to reach out to him. Phillip unsure of himself finds that Ella gives him purpose again. But most importantly he faces his fear and reaches out for his Juliet hoping he has not lost her. A sweet melodrama. I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Be still my heart. I knew this would be amazing because it is by one of my very favorite authors that is always a must read. She can bring the imperfect broken hero to life like no other and that is my favorite trope of all. To see their journey to love always warms my heart and in this one, there is the heroine who has been in love with him since she first saw him when she was fifteen. Sigh.
Phillip, the Earl of Kent. Lost his parents when he was young and had a great sadness.. Years later he almost lost his life and became a broken man in more ways than one.
Ella Lonsdale is the sister of Graham, Phillip’s close friend and has always had a tender place in her heart for him. When he is badly hurt she nurses him to the point he can walk.
But Phillip know he cannot get involved with her and why would she want him? Broken, inside and out and nothing to give.
Fortunately, determined woman can work miracles and that is what she intends to do with Phillip. Can he find peace and love?
As I said in the beginning, this touched my heart and I loved Phillip and Ella who were meant to be together. Thank you Lauren!
CAN MISTLETOE WORK MISCHIEF AND MIRACLES?
Ella Lonsdale is cursed when it comes to love. Two overprotective brothers and the entire League of Rogues, are determined to protect her at all costs, even from falling in love.
Targeted by the enemies of a friend, roguish Phillip Wilkes, the Earl of Kent, is nearly killed in a violent attack.
He remembers only that an Angel has saved him! That the Angel that he remember is Ella, his best friend’s sister never occurred to Phillip. This just can’t be because she is the one lady who is forbidden to him or is she? Does his friend secretly wish for a match between Phillip and his sister?
You will love Phillip and Ella’s journey to love. It is one of the best books so far in the Wicked Earl’s Club series and continues in the vein of Lauren Smith’s League of Rogues. It’s not often that we get one book that combines two series like this one does.
We get a look at the multi-author Wicked Earl’s continuation and bounce back into Lauren’s own series The League of Rogues. These characters are really special and you will remember them from “The Last Wicked Rogue”.
I really loved this book and look forward to more of the Wicked Earl’s Club multi-authored tales.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
This was an entertaining & romantic read that spanned 5 years – it began with the Christmas Season & ended in the Christmas Season.
In the beginning, we find Phillip Wilkes, Earl of Kent, to be a roguish, handsome honorable man. He then beings a slide of gambling & carousing that finds him in debt & is forced to accept a deal from an acquaintance. He will call his debts paid if Phillip fights at the Lewis Street tunnels. Phillip agrees but finds out it is not one match but as many as it takes until he is close to death & the only reason he is saved is because of his friends. Phillip becomes a broken & damaged man – both inside & out & disappears from society to his country estate.
Ella Humphrey is the sister of Charles Humphrey, Earl of Lonsdale & younger brother, Graham Humphrey (who is Phillip’s best friend). Ella meets Phillips for the first time when she is 15 yrs. old & Graham brought him home to celebrate Christmas with their family. She falls in love with him instantly & never waivers in her feelings for the years to come & Phillip avoids her at all cost – she is his best friends sister & he does find her enticing. When she has her come out, he gives her a “teaching” kiss & both are affected. Phillip still does not give in to desire, he tells her to be happy & leaves again but the love she has for him only intensifies after the kiss.
Later, Charles rescues Graham & a dying Phillip from the boxing venue & takes them to his home for care. Ella discovers Graham & Phillip have been injured & insists are traveling to Charles’ home to see them. Graham will be find but Ella finds Phillip unconscious with a leg broken in two places, broken ribs, other cuts & bruises & an unrecognizable swollen & damaged face. She stays day & night for weeks until he was been able to walk – then he leaves her again to go to his country estate with only a message from her brother telling her thank you for saving him.
Ella will not give up & with some help from her best friend & her husband, they head to Phillip’s country estate. Will she be able to convince to come out in to society again? Can she finally find out the reason why he hates her? Why does he keep leaving? All the questions will be answered in this lovely story with a couple you will root for from the beginning.
I highly recommend you read this book to all historical romance readers & it is a great addition to the next group of The Wicked Earl’ Club.
Ella Humphrey has loved Philip Wilkes , the Earl of Kent since she first saw him when she was fifteen, five years later he’s targeted by the enemies of her brother Charles & is nearly killed in a violent attack. Beaten and left for dead, he is rescued and nursed back to health by a beautiful angel that he’s convinced exists only in his dreams. Ella Humphrey is cursed when it comes to love. Two overprotective brothers and the entire League of Rogues, are determined to protect her at all costs, even from falling in love. A year later, Ella fears she’ll never find a way back into Phillip’s guarded heart. He’s become a recluse, too afraid to show the world how broken he is.
I’m so glad Philip survived the beating he received & he certainly deserved his story. I really liked Philip even though he was wallowing in self pity but I loved Ella who had always been coddled because of childhood illnesses, she was strong & desperately loved Philip. The pace was very good & as with all the author’s books the characters are full of depth. I loved their story & even the road to their HEA wasn’t smooth it made for an engrossing read. The only thing to mar my enjoyment & the reason for not giving this lovely book five stars was the behaviour of a friend which I actually found very cruel & totally out of character
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read