To Wed a Wicked Prince

Cavendish Square #2

by Jane Feather

When a prince has more than marriage on his mind, it might be folly.

Livia Lacey came to the house she inherited in London’s Cavendish Square with her two friends, Lady Cornelia Dagenham and Lady Aurelia Farnham, to experience the excitement of city life. With Cornelia now happily married, Livia and Aurelia are on their own. But dashing Prince Alex Prokov, a newcomer to London, seems enchanted by Liv the moment they meet. Disarmed by the prince’s determined pursuit of her, his exuberant joy of living, and the desires he awakens in her, Liv agrees to marry him.

But while night is a time for passionate embraces, Liv discovers that her irresistible husband can be as autocratic as he is extravagantly generous. While Alex balks at Liv’s independent ways, he refuses to explain his own comings and goings. When Liv learns one of Alex’s secrets she only loves him more. But when she learns the other secret, will she feel wickedly betrayed?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Regency, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance

490 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 25, 2008

About the author

Jane Feather (born Jane Robotham) is a popular British–American writer of historical romance novels. In 1984 she wrote five contemporary romances under the pseudonym Claudia Bishop. She is a New York Times-bestselling, award–winning writer, and has more than ten million romance novels in print.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, this book was only okay. I had to try to read it twice, because it was so slow to take off that the first time I tried to read it I just stopped reading altogether because it was so unexciting.

As the book went on, it did get a bit better. But unfortunately, it never amounted to anything spectacular.

If you really like that time period, this book might be worth reading. But otherwise, skip it.

[Amarilli 73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dopo aver letto con molto interesse il primo romanzo di questa serie, ero molto curiosa di vedere come la Feather avrebbe proseguito la vicenda delle tre amiche (Cornelia, Livia e Aurelia) che dalla tristezza e noia della campagna inglese (nonché senza grandi prospettive di matrimoni o svolte del destino) si sono ritrovate catapultate niente di meno che a Londra, ospiti di una magione a Cavendish Square.

Tutto questo è avvenuto grazie a una singolare volontà testamentaria di una singolare anziana nobildonna, zia Sophia, che ha lasciato la casa a Livia, e indirettamente alle sue amiche.
Se nel primo volume Cornelia ha prontamente ritrovato amore e marito (era vedova) con il nobile/agente segreto Harry, Livia vive tranquillamente la sua nuova, finchè non si ritrova nelle mire di un principe russo.

Non si può dire che Alex non sia ambiguo, e confesso che se la storia fosse stata narrata soltanto con gli occhi di Livia avrei dubitato parecchio di lui e dei suoi reali sentimenti, ma la Feather ha avuto il merito di condurre la narrazione, facendo entrare ora nella testa di lei ora di lui, rendendo molto avvincente il dipanarsi dei vari accadimenti.

D'accordo forse ogni tanto si fatica un po' a seguire il filo con tutte le comparse russe, ma si arriva alla fine con molta tensione. Peraltro, rispetto alla solita Feather, questo romanzo risulta particolarmente bollente, perchè pur essendo figlia di un pacato reverendo Livia è ben determinata a prendersi ciò che vuole (quindi per me è promossa come protagonista).

Se il libro avesse avuto anche un finale all'altezza il mio giudizio complessivo sarebbe stato più alto, però mi è parso invece troncato, con una sorta di pezzetta-contentino (e sto ancora riflettendo se l'autrice non abbia preferito rinviare la soluzione dell'intreccio di spie inglesi e russe nel bel mezzo delle guerre napoleoniche al terzo volume conclusivo).

Comunque staremo a vedere: io di sicuro continuerò la serie!

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heroine inherited a house from a distant relative. She and her friends have come to London to live in it and escape from their relations, and it's working out well. Hero is a Russian prince, except we learn in the prologue that he's the bastard son of his Russian prince father and an English gentlewoman, sent away with his father because the opportunities are so much greater. He's come to England to advance the cause of Mother Russia by keeping an eye on British politics, when Tsar Alexander is in the midst of his alliance with Napoleon and about to break off relations. And he's also come to learn what he can about his mother. The house his father left him--the one where she lived--should have clues enough. And since a proper English wife will help him in his political aims, the woman who thinks she owns the house will do nicely. She can keep her house and no one the wiser. Except he has trouble keeping the two sides of his life separate. This story felt much lighter when I was reading it than it does now that I'm thinking back over it. I think the forgiveness moment perhaps came a little easily. But all in all it was a good read. It brought back to mind some of the Napoleonic era political maneuvering--things that had no direct relation to Britain--but did. Interesting and entertaining read.

[bookwyrmemma]

* Concept of espionage/spies are fascinating, but poorly executed in this novel
* Lack of romance in beginning, seemed forced
* Secretive-untrustworthy, not clear motives
* Inconsistency in heroine--rather insipid and shallow at start
* Author's version of spies/espionage--laughable and not appealing to me
* Puts "trashy" in trashy romance
* Something just doesn't sit right with me about these books (Cavendish Square)

I may seem cruel, but this book severely disappointed me.

[Candie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So so storyline. It was kinda confusing with all of the Russian politics. Who's side was he really on? Didn't feel the normal chemistry that Jane puts into her novels. Wasn't one of my favorties of hers.

[Gardavson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. She inherits house which unknown to her belongs to the hero. Hero doesn't want to just throw her out. Marries her instead. She's not what he thought - much more independent and outspoken. He holds secrets...da da da. Didn't do much for me.

[Katherine 黄爱芬 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pangeran Prokov yg berdarah setengah Rusia ini langsung memikat hati Livia Lacey, perawan tua anak seorang pendeta, yg tidak mengerti knp Alex Prokov ini gencar mendekati dirinya. Hingga setelah dilamar dan menikah, Livia baru merasakan bibit-bibit kecurigaan pada suaminya ini.

Alex bukanlah pangeran biasa. Dia memiliki banyak rahasia, bahkan rahasia asal-usulnya. Alex tidak paham knp ibu kandungnya mewariskan rumah kediamannya pd Livia, tapi tidak memungkiri lama-kelamaan Alex juga jatuh cinta pd Livia. Di sisi lain, Alex hrs menjaga rahasianya sbg mata-mata Tsar di Rusia. Saat Livia menemukan surat-menyurat ibunya dgn ayahnya, Alex tidak bisa menyembunyikan rahasianya lagi. Apa yg terjadi setelah itu? Apakah Livia meninggalkan Alex? Atau mengusir Alex?

Plot cerita yg disuguhkan author tergolong lamban dan bikin ngantuk. Author terlalu fokus pd detil-detil sejarah yg (kurang penting) bagi saya spt jenis-jenis makanan, jenis kereta, rumah dsb di abad 19. Dgn background masa perang yg dilakukan Bonaparte, ketidakakuran negara Inggris dgn Rusia cukup baik terekam dlm bincang-bincang Alex dgn kolega-koleganya, baik org Rusia maupun Inggris. Chemistry antara Alex dan Livia juga tawar walaupun adegan ranjangnya lebih banyak dibandingkan novel-novel author yg sblmnya saya baca. Kecurigaan dan pemaafan dari Livia dideskripsikan kurang menarik (sptnya gaya cerita author memang gak cocok buat saya).

Progress karakter Livia ini spt "melompat-lompat" bagi saya. Awalnya terkesan Livia ini lady yg manja dan tidak mau bersusah payah. Berikutnya Livia mendadak "pinter" dgn mencurigai gerak-gerik suaminya, dan tiba-tiba lompatan besar terjadi saat Livia mjd pahlawan yg menyelamatkan suaminya. Sepertinya gak ada penjabaran di awal-awal cerita deh, bhw Livia pinter bersandiwara juga. Seolah-olah tiba-tiba dimunculkan kekuatan gaibnya.

Ending juga rasanya gimana ya? Dibilang dipaksakan ya iya nggak juga, tapi udh 500 hlm ya hrs diakhiri dong. Walaupun rasanya blm tuntas dan masih nyangkut di leher, yasudlah.... so so saja novel ini.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 2 out of 5]

20/12 - Not as good as the first book in the series. I don't like the hero, Alexander Prokov, much at all. He appears to pursue Livia within a few sentences of the start of the first chapter (not counting the prologue). At first I wasn't sure if he was going to be a bad guy attempting to ingratiate himself to Livia in order steal something, information or an object, from her or the house. Even after their marriage, less than half way through the book, he still doesn't seem trustworthy or particularly loving. He uses big gestures to show he cares but, to me, he seems to be attempting to buy her affections - there's more to doing something nice for someone than just spending huge amounts of money. If I was Livia I would want him to do something romantic that he wouldn't have to spend any money on, or at least very little. I also question Feather's choice of naming the hero Alexander and having Czar Alexander feature (in name only) in the book as well. Why not choose another Russian name for the hero instead of having both characters have the same name? Fortunately, most of the time they call Czar Alexander 'the Czar' or 'Emperor,' but still I think it's a bit strange. To be continued...

21/12 - Ok, it's 23:21, past the appointed time for the world to end, so I guess it's not going to end and I'll have to finish this review. I didn't really feel a true connection between Livia and Alex, it all felt forced, especially from Alex's side. I didn't like the end, it seemed rushed and everything was wrapped up quickly but not satisfyingly (that's a word, right?). I thought there were still a lot of loose ends that needed to be cleared up between Alex and Livia and I was left wondering if Feather intended to give the reader a more conclusive conclusion in the final book of the trilogy. Not particularly impressed with this one, hope the next one is better.

[Dione Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Wed A Wicked Prince is the first book that I have read written by author Jane Feather. It wasn’t until I read the book that I realized it was part of a series called Cavendish Square. However I enjoy romantic historical fictions and I was hoping to be captivated by this book. The story is of a 28 yr old single woman, Livia Lacey that came into unexpected inheritance in London and lives somewhat independently with of course servants and a friend before meeting a handsome and mysterious foreign gentleman. The handsome and mysterious gentleman ends up being a Russian Prince by the name of Alex Prokov. The plot is a whirlwind romance followed by a marriage between the hero and heroine and filled with a past family mystery and spies which is different than most of the historical fictions I normally enjoy.
I wouldn’t exactly say this was my favorite historical romance fiction because normally I like an equal balance of historical facts, romance, an exciting plot and a well-developed set of characters. This book had a lot of sexual/lust scenes in it but not exactly based on solid romance/love. The characters were good for the most part but the plot seemed to be rushed in many parts. I won’t say it was a horrible book because in fact I did think it was good on a few levels. I enjoy spy or espionage stories and liked that part of the storyline but when I took into account the many different factors or events going on in this book it seemed a little rushed in several scenes or vaguely touched on in others. I do however think maybe I should have read the first book in Jane Feather’s Cavendish Square series and maybe then I would feel more informed. I still don’t understand how Livia Lacey is related in any way to Sophia Lacey. I guess if I want those answers I may have to read the entire series .

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like Jane Feather. I pick up one of her books whenever I am having a reading 'slump' as her books tend to be quick, fun, and a step above other romance novels.

However, this book wasn't the best. The only "different" thing about this book was that the main male is Russian. For a book set in the regency era, this is a bit different. I felt the couple were rushed into love, and the character development wasn't there.

A woman grows old, doesn't want any suitors, but a stranger decides to woo her over the course of a week, and she's decided to marry him? Yeah, not feeling it.

[Keri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given this a higher grade had we had a longer ending. It was wrapped up to easy and there wasn't really anything resolved that really mattered to make a marriage based on lies work. IMO.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

What can I say? It's been a busy month. I needed some mindless brain candy. This book tried marry political intrigue with romance, but it doesn't do it very well.

[Anna Piranha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty lame actually.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I swear I used to enjoy historical romance in a guilty pleasure sort of way, but GAH. Just dreadful. Unbelieveable storyline & flat, stupid characters.

[Farrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I did enjoy reading this fast read I would still have to say I had hoped for more, but it still was a good book that tied in lost loves, passion, betrayal, and spy suspense.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

แม็กซ์บอกหลายครั้งแล้วว่า เจน เฟธเธอร์เป็นนักเขียนชนิดความเสี่ยงสูง เวลาแย่ เธอก็แย่ติดดิน แต่ถ้าดีก็ดีล้นฟ้า และนี่เองเป็นเหตุผลที่แม็กซ์เฝ้าซื้อและอ่านงานใหม่ของเธออยู่เสมอ ไม่ว่าจะผิดหวังกะเล่มก่อนหน้ามากแค่ไหน

และแม้จะผิดหวังกับเรื่องก่อนหน้า ซึ่งเป็นเล่มแรกในชุดบ้านที่จตุรัสคาเวนดิช (เรื่อง A Wicked Gentleman) แม็กซ์ก็ยังซื้อและเลือกมาอ่านเป็นเล่มแรก ๆ ในเดือนเมษายนกับเล่มนี้ To Wed A Wicked Prince


ในเล่มแรกเป็นเรื่องของคอนีเลียที่ถูกตีสนิทโดยสายลับของรัฐบาลอังกฤษที่ หวังตามหาความลับที่ถูกซ่อนไว้ในบ้านบนจตุรัสคาเวนดิช (ใน A Wicked Gentleman) เมื่อมาถึงเล่มนี้เป็นเรื่องราวของลิเวีย เลซีย์ หนึ่งในสามสาวที่ย้ายเข้าไปอยู่ในบ้านหลังนี้ เธอเป็นลูกสาวของบาทหลวงนักเทศน์ที่มีศักดิ์เป็นถึงเอิร์ล แต่ละทิ้งยศศักดิ์นั้นมาเพื่อชีวิตอันเรียบง่ายในชนบท มรดกที่เธอได้รับเป็นบ้านบนจตุรัสคาเวนดิชจากญาติห่าง ๆ เป็นทางออกของเธอในการใช้ชีวิตอย่างอิสระ เธอชวนเพื่อนสนิทอีกสองคนย้ายเข้ามาอยู่ในลอนดอน ณ บ้านหลังนั้น

ในฐานะของหญิงสาววัยยี่สิบแปด ลิฟไม่คิดว่าจะมีผู้ชายคนไหนที่เอาชนะใจเธอได้อีกแล้ว เธอไม่ได้เป็นโสดเพราะไม่มีใครต้องการ แต่เป็นเพราะเธอยังไม่เจอคนที่ใช่ จนกระทั่งงานเลี้ยงในคืนวันหนึ่งที่เธอได้พบกับชาวต่างชาติที่แปลก และโดดเด่นยิ่งนัก

เจ้าชายอเล็กซานเดอร์ โปรคอฟเพิ่งเดินทางมาถึงอังกฤษ ในยามที่สัมพันธภาพระหว่างอังกฤษและรัสเซียอ่อนไหวยิ่งนัก พระเจ้าซาร์ของเขาเพิ่งเซ็นต์สัญญาเป็นพันธมิตรกับนโปเลียนซึ่งเป็นศัตรูของ อังกฤษ เขาแสดงทีท่าว่าสนใจลิฟตั้งแต่แรกเห็น

หนังสือเล่มนี้หนามาก (490 หน้า) แต่เชื่อไหมว่าแม็กซ์ไม่เบื่อหน่ายแม้แต่หน้าเดียว คุณเคยอ่านหนังสือสักเล่มไหมที่คุณซึมซับไปกับชีวิตของตัวละครจนกระทั่งแค่ ฉากบรรยายธรรมดาทิวทัศน์ธรรมดายังดูน่าตื่นเต้น นี่เป็นหนังสือที่แม็กซ์อ่านอย่างมีความสุข ไม่เร่งรีบ แต่ก็เต็มไปด้วยความอยากรู้ว่าอเล็กซ์จะทำอะไรต่อไป

เพราะอเล็กซ์เป็นผู้ชายที่ตื่นใจ แม็กซ์รู้สึกอย่างที่แม็กซ์คิดว่าลิฟคงจะรู้สึก เขาเป็นชาวต่างชาติที่ทำอะไรแตกต่างไปจากผู้ชายอังกฤษทั่วไป เมื่อเขา "จีบ" เขาก็จีบชนิดที่แม็กซ์ไม่ได้อ่านในหนังสือโรแมนซ์มานานแล้ว

ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างลิฟและอเล็กซ์ก็น่าเชื่อมากขนาดที่คำว่า "รัก" ไม่จำเป็น เพราะแค่ได้อ่าน แม็กซ์รู้สึกถึงความรักที่พัฒนาขึ้นระหว่างคนทั้งสอง มากพอที่จะลิฟสามารถพูดกับเพื่อนสนิทของเธอได้อย่างมั่นใจเมื่อถูกถามในยาม ที่กำลังมีปัญหากับอเล็กซ์ว่า เธอแน่ใจว่าอเล็กซ์รักเธอ แม้ในเวลานั้นเขายังไม่ได้เอ่ยปากกล่าวคำนั้นด้วยซ้ำ (และแม็กซ์ก็เชื่อด้วยนะ)

ในสาระหลักของเรื่อง เล่มนี้คือนิยายโรแมนซ์ของแท้ พล็อตรองในเรื่องที่อเล็กซ์ถูกส่งมาอังกฤษเพื่อสืบข้อมูลให้กับพระเจ้าซาร์ ก็เป็นเพียงพล็อตรอง ส่วนความจริงที่ว่าอเล็กซ์เป็นเจ้าของบ้านบนจตุรัสคาเวนดิชตัวจริงก็เป็น ประเด็นที่นำให้คนทั้งคู่มาพบกันเท่านั้น

แกนหลักของเรื่องอยู่ที่ตัวอเล็กซ์และลิฟ ซึ่งเจนเขียนได้ดีมาก ๆ

ไม่รู้นะคะว่าถ้าแม็กซ์อ่านเล่มนี้สักเมื่อสี่ห้าปีก่อน แม็กซ์ชอบเรื่องนี้ขนาดนี้ไหม เพราะความหนา และจังหวะในการดำเนินเรื่องที่คนใจร้อนสักหน่อยอาจจะบอกว่า "อืด" แต่ในเวลานี้ ในช่วงชีวิตตอนนี้ของแม็กซ์ รู้สึกว่าเรื่องนี้ช่างลงตัวเหลือเกิน

คะแนนที่ 83

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second installment of the Cavendish Square series, Livia's story. It was not as compelling as the first one, Nell and Harry's story. I think it was because of the Russian intrigue element not being as interesting as the side plot of the first...and the names were hard to keep straight of Alex's coconspiritors and enemies...which were which. At any rate our heroine saves the day and HEA prevailed but with a questionable future as Alex will still be involved in a plot to overthrow the czar.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the main characters, and the start of their relationship but later on it just lost its shine. Until the last pages I didn't know on which side was Alex. It felt a bit messy to me. And Livia saves him, loves him but won't accept his job and want to be his priority, but literally 5 minutes later is almost pushing Alex to continue his job. This was a great idea that had good potential and start but got tangled and messy. And for that I am a bit disappointed because I like this book better than the first one in the series.

[January · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was lacking in a few things:

a) A likeable hero - Alex didn't appeal at all. It just seemed like he always had ulterior motives and didn't care about Livia at all. Not a believable character.

b) Development of romance/love - I read these books for one reason, and that is the romance. There was none in this book. The characters didn't have that lightning bolt moment when they realize they are in love, and any lead-up type moments were very very boring.

It was just a very unsatisfying novel, which is dissapointing as I usually like Jane Feather books.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second in the series only rated two stars. I do not like stories involving a romance between a Prince and an English woman. This woman did have some lineage that might have made such a match suitable. However, it is a little far fetched that this would ever happen during that time period. Also, the espionage between the Prince and his compatriots was boring. I skipped through most of it. I just wanted to see how Livia fared.

[Priyankaraa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Alex was annoying at times, but I suppose it was necessary for the direction the plot went. It did feel like there was a huge gap between them, other than when they were having sex (again, for the plot), but Alex was doing it to protect Livia. I loved the ending where Livia saved Alex—it was a nice change of the usual setup of heroics. Their chemistry was sweet, and the book was a wonderful read.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intregue, mystery, romance, danger... If you like all of those, you will like this book. I wish though that there was more about Sophia - that they would have uncovered something that would have given the Prince closure.

[Hannah Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pacing is a little weird. It felt both too slow and too fast at times. But it’s still a very enjoyable story and continuation of the three ladies of Cavendish square! Makes me excited to read Aurelia’s story.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Feather always writes fun entertaining historical romances. To Wed a Wicked Prince is no exception.

However, Alex was really unlikable. He was not completely intolerable due to some redeeming qualities, but still hard to like.

[Debbie Dodd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading.

[Atlantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fluffy romance with not to much risqué detail. It was donated to my LFL so I read it for that reason. Classifies as Hallmark Romance Reader. HRR LOL

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining romance with good characters.

[Beverly Jones Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

[Susan Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skimmed this book. I generally enjoy Jane Feather's book but not this one. I did not care about the spy aspect and the ending was quick and unsatisfying.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Russian Prince and an English lady are introduced and the story begins. A lot of romance, a little intrigue, and the goings on in their marriage. A good historical romance story.