The war years are behind them. The future is before them.And one by one, the widows of Lyttlefield Park are getting restless . . . Lady Charlotte Cavendish is still the spirited girl who tried to elope in the name of love. That dream was thwarted by her father who trapped her into a loveless, passionless marriage. But now widowed, Charlotte is free to reenter the giddy world of the ton—and pursue … to reenter the giddy world of the ton—and pursue her desires. For hardly your typical widow, she remains innocent to the pleasures of the flesh. Yet her life is finally her own, and she intends to keep it that way . . .
Nash, the twelfth Earl of Wrotham, is beguiled by Charlotte at first sight—and the feeling is mutual. When he receives her intriguing invitation to a house party, the marriage-minded lord plans to further their acquaintance. But even he cannot sway her aversion to matrimony, and only with great restraint does he resist her most tempting offer. For unbeknownst to Charlotte, the misadventures of the past are revisiting them both, and bedding her could cost him everything—or give him everything he ever wanted . . .
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This book, a first in a new series about a group of young widows, was entertaining. Lady Charlotte is newly widowed from a loveless and emotionally abusive marriage. She has decided that since she is in a financial position to do so, she will not revisit the marital realm again- ever. Chatlotte isn’t averse to assisting her widowed friends in finding new mates, and sets out with a plan to do just that. It’s during this time she meets Nash, a recently installed Earl in the property adjoining her own. A former naval officer, Nash is a commanding and attractive man, extremely attractive.
Through a series of parties, events, colorful characters and a dangerours mystery to be solved, Charlotte must decide if she’s made the right choice. The story is enjoyable and has moments of humor and witty dialogue. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
As with all of Jenna’s books, she continues to surprise. I know the hero and heroine will get together, but it’s the “how” that keeps me turning pages. And the introduction of Georgie’s dog provides a bit of comic relief and an adorable bonus. This book is a great addition to her Widow series.
Refreshing story
It really was refreshing to read this story with it’s reversal of roles in this novel Widow’s Club where women invited men they would like to get to know better and/or pair up with. It kind of put the shoe on the other foot and allowed the women to become the hunters.
I loved this story for all of the following reasons:
* Great subject matter!
* Well written, good continuity!
* Interesting and entertaining!
* Hot in all the right placed and these scenes quite tastefully written!
* Strong characters with great backbone and character!
* A mystery to be solved!
* Several villains and ‘bad’ people!
* Good, supportive friends!
I am very happy to recommend this book to those of you who read for the pure joy of a great story.
I love the start of a new series and this one really caught my attention. Widow’s forming a club? Well yes and a great idea during this time period! Lady Charlotte Cavendish has paid her price of a forced marriage by her father and is determined to enjoy herself now that she is widowed. Forming a club with other widows has enabled them all to meet with men of their interest and purse marriage or anything else they might desire. Charlotte is not looking to be wed, but the man she meets, Nash, the Earl of Wrotham wants to settle down. Sparks fly between the two but Charlotte is very stubborn. I really could have shaken her because Nash was really very likable. Misunderstandings, suspense and some outside forces drive this story forward. Jenna Jaxon pulls you into the story with her wonderful descriptions and characters that seem real. Will Charlotte give in and marry Nash or stay determined to just enjoy herself without marriage? I cannot wait to read the next story in this series. With the descriptions of the other widows it has to be a lot of fun!
To Woo a Wicked Widow by Jenna Jaxon
The Widows Club #1
After war women become widows. When young women marry old men they, too, become widows and are back on the marriage market. In this book we meet most of the women that will form the Widows Club and perhaps meet some of the men they will end up with. The first book tells the story of Charlotte and Nash and how they eventually achieve their HEA.
Charlotte had a horrible childhood and it seems that when she came of age her father decided to marry her to someone she did not want – she wanted her groom – she tried to elope – but was caught. As punishment she was married off to an old man, a widow, a man with grown children. She had a miserable unconsummated marriage that finally ended when her husband died. She did her mourning and finally headed out in glorious color to attend a ball. She met two men at the ball that both pursued her. One would win her and the other, a rogue, was definitely up to no good.
Nash is an honorable man who sailed the seas until he was forced to return to take the title. He needs a wife and thinks Charlotte might be the one until…he finds out she might be besmirched.
There is a house party and then another one. There is a fete in the village. There are thieves causing trouble – they finally are caught. A couple of baddies do finally get their comeuppance and there is a HEA for Nash and Charlotte.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this series. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
4.5 Stars
Lady Charlotte Cavendish is still the spirited girl who tried to elope with her groom. That dream was thwarted by her father who trapped her into a loveless, passionless marriage with a man as old as her father. But now widowed, Charlotte is free to re-enter the giddy world of the ton—and pursue her desires. For hardly your typical widow, she remains innocent to the pleasures of the flesh. Yet her life is finally her own, and she intends to keep it that way. Nash, the twelfth Earl of Wrotham, is beguiled by Charlotte at first sight in Almack’s and the feeling is mutual. Charlotte retires to her home Lyttlefield Park in Kent, which happens to border on Nash’s principal seat Wrotham Hall.
An easy reading delightful book that kept my interest all the way through. The characters are well fleshed. I particularly liked Nash, he fell for Charlotte at their first meeting & even though he thought she was a wicked widow he couldn’t quite believe she was. Charlotte was likeable but very obstinate, whilst I could understand her reasons for not remarrying I found her a little tiresome at times. The gang of robbers added some mystery to the story & I was surprised as to who the leader was. I would have liked to have had an update on Courtland progressed. I look forward to more in the series.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
To Woo A Wicked Widow is my first book by Jenna Jaxon. It won’t be my last. Ms. Jaxon has delivered a well-written book. The characters are phenomenal and just plain lovable. Charlotte’s father married her off to a man his age that mistreated her for years before finally giving her freedom by dying. Nash unexpectedly inherits and becomes Earl of Wrothham. Their story is packed with drama, misunderstandings, humor, action, sizzle and suspense. I enjoyed reading To Woo A Wicked Widow and would happily read more from Jenna Jaxon. To Woo A Wicked Widow is book 1 of The Widow’s Club Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A very nice book with some unexpected twist and turns. The characters have been nicely developed and are delightful. The story of a woman out to avoid marriage and a man trying to catch her as a wife. Nash was wonderful protective and treated Lady Charlotte very honorablely. Lady Charlotte tried her best to resist falling in love. I highly recommend you take this journey with them to HEA. I received this book from NetGalley for a honest review.
Lady Charlotte Cavendish has suffered all of her life under a tyrannical father. First, he stops her eloping with the man she loves and then he marries her off to a cold heartless man. Now five years later, she’s finally free and never wants to be under the thumb of a man again. All that changes when she meets Nash, 12th Earl of Wrotham. Their attraction is mutual, but she has vowed to never marry again. Nash is in the unlucky position of needing Charlotte’s father’s support for a bill in Parliament. Lord Cavendish’s condition for his support is for Nash to marry his wayward daughter before she brings scandal and shame on the Cavendish name.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Jaxon and she has written a lively story about a young woman finally enjoying her independence. However, being a widow is still fraught with perils which Charlotte finds out the hard way. When Nash saves her from an embarrassing situation, her feelings start to change toward him. I loved Nash and his code of honor. He wooed Charlotte gallantly, hoping she’d develop feelings for him. When a terrible secret is revealed, will Charlotte give up a chance to have a real marriage? The plot moved along nicely and there was an exciting cast of secondary characters to keep the reader’s interest. Fans of regency romances will enjoy this story.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
One of the consequences of war, is the widows left behind. Some truly loved their husbands, and had no interest in another union, unless finances forced them to, while others were quite happy to be single again. Lady Charlotte Cavendish was forced into a loveless marriage to a man old enough to be her father by her cruel father, but now she is a widow and along with her widowed cousin Jane has befriended several other widows and convinces them to join her in creating The Widow’s Club at her estate. This is the first in the series.
After her father, older brother and husband had showed her no love, she does not trust men and has no plans to ever marry again. However, she would like to have an affair, since she is still a virgin. Nash, Earl of Wrotham, is captivated by her the first time he sees her. He was a Naval officer until he inherited his title from the deaths of his uncle and cousin. When Charlotte moves to her estate, they become next door neighbors. Nash is looking for a wife and wants Charlotte, but she is afraid to surrender her freedom to another man. In addition there is danger afoot, with vicious thieves terrorizing the neighborhood. Will they be able to capture the men before more people are hurt? Will Nash with the aid of Charlotte’s friend be able to convince her to become his bride?
Engaging characters, humorous dialogue and an exciting plot made this book a very enjoyable read.