Wickedly His

by Maude Winters

“I never expected the biggest complication I’d face in my forties would be falling for my wife.”

Delanie “Lanie” Delphine, 28, expects nothing more than a hedonistic hunting weekend with a charming investor until she meets their billionaire host, Lord Basil “Baz” Osgoode.

Baz, 46, is the heir to a Scottish barony, a London real-estate titan…and under pressure. His father demands he marry or lose the estate to his awful younger brother. When Baz sets eyes on Lanie, he’ll do anything for a chance with her—even buy out the competition.

Lanie is all flirtation until she learns the Baz is the son of the man who stole her family’s ancestral estate. So, she hides her identity and turns seduction into revenge, pushing every one of his buttons—even at London’s exclusive Club Vesper, where he tries (and fails) to scare her off.

All the while, Baz has no idea who she really is. And by the time he discovers the truth, they’re already trapped in a marriage of convenience that could cost him everything…or finally return Lanie’s estate to her family.

Now she must walk away and lose it forever, or stay married to the man who shouldn’t make her heart swoon when he calls her wife.

This is an open-door billionaire romance with plenty of steam, an age-gap, and ethical non-monogamy. Readers should check the content expectations before reading.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

Maude Winters is a romance author who writes cozy and spicy fiction. She’s a horse girl through-and-through and lives in the Midwest with her husband, horse girl daughter, and two dogs.

Maude has lived throughout the world but attributes her interest in writing about the intersection of modern politics, feminism, and royalty with her time spent in the UK as a twenty-something.

Reviews

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baz and Delaney (Lanie) met through a mutual friend during a long weekend in Baz’s home

Lanie learns of a connection to her families prior estate and decided to play fake wife to help Baz keep it and to bring it back into her family.

The deal, 3 years and a heir if the heir comes first the can then divorce before the 3 years.

Lanie and Baz have crazy chemistry, lots of miscommunication and many unsupportive family members to deal with.

Lots of spice in this story but a good story line. I did think it became a bit wordy in some parts however it truly hooked me and I could not put it down. I loved that Lanie is a strong FMC who has her own money, career and is very independent. I appreciated that she did not need Baz but in the same aspect was unafraid of asking for what she wanted out of their relationship in almost all aspects.

[storieswithlizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and author, Maude Winters for giving me the opportunity to read the advance copy of Wickedly His for my honest review.

This marriage-of-convenience romance immediately drew me in and delivered a character-driven story with a clear, purposeful narrative. Maude Winters gives Baz and Lanie strong voices, and their chemistry feels natural and engaging as their unconventional relationship unfolds.

The story is easy to visualize, with well-placed banter and emotional growth throughout. While there is a notable level of spice, it enhances the relationship rather than distracting from the plot, and content warnings are clearly provided. A compelling read for fans of age-gap, marriage-of-convenience, and billionaire romances.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

If spice is what you're after, this book is the right one. There is spice almost immediately and continues throughout. The plot is interesting. They have amazing chemistry, but then they don't, and it's a little back and forth but kept my interest.

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and Maude Winters for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest opinions and thoughts.

Wickedly His is just so good. I love how Ms. Maudr didn't wastr any time getting to the spicy spice. The character development and world building is pure genius. Baz and Lanie's story and chemistry is one for the ages, even with all the back and forth/ push and pull. I was swooning and rooting for them the entire journey. By the end of each chapter I was sitting on the edge of my seat wondering where Ms. Maude is going to take us next .

I truly recommend this book to all y'all.

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear god, Lanie and Baz create such a exciting rollercoaster of temptation, excitement and all the things I'd want in a marriage of convenience that is conveniently smolderingly blood*y hot as well!
The age gap is just enough to push those boundaries, but all be old enough and consensual, which makes it oh so exciting. The way he gives off smoldering, untouchable older man vibes is fab. Lanie is brilliant, in that she is strong, holds her own, enjoys herself along the way and then thinks about the true ending as well.
I loved the excitement, the, uhhumm, action they see, and the way it flip flops from revenge to let's f out the anger haha.
The pages flew past and I am oh so excited that this is just the first book in this series because it is so hot and I need more, now if possible! Loved it.

[Kaitlyn Craft · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read this book as an advanced reader copy. So Baz and Lanie have an interesting relationship, they meet on accident through one of Baz’s friends but once Lanie knew who he was she decided to pursue him. At first her interest was fully selfish but she learned to actually enjoy the man that almost no one truly sees. If you like spice this book has that pretty much from the beginning and a relatively decent story line. This book lost a star because it is full of family drama and I'm here for family drama truly but some of the scenes felt forced or weak and it seemed like people being hateful just to be hateful.

[Jiban Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wickedly His is a steamy, high-tension billionaire romance packed with power plays, attraction, and emotional push-and-pull. Lanie is confident, sharp, and refreshingly in control, while Baz balances dominance with vulnerability beneath his wealth and title. The age gap and ethical non-monogamy add intrigue, and the chemistry is undeniable from the start. Heavy on spice and drama, with just enough plot to keep things moving.

I received the copy of the arc from Netgalley and am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Amanda Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lanie and Baz

This author’s ability to tell an excellent story and also seamlessly weave in excellent spice is top tier. It is the first book in a new series but it takes place in the same world as the Lakeshore Empire series. It can be read as a standalone but the rest of the series books are so good just start at the beginning and read them all. Lanie and Baz’s relationship is unconventional to start and then becomes one of necessity. Once they get out of their own way they get their HEA. I loved reading it and can’t wait for more from this series.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Baz & Lanie's story...

It's fast paced from the get go.,. full of lots of steamy moments. Some voyerism (read the trigger warnings if needed, the author did a good job listing anything that could be a trigger).

Loved the characters, their ups & downs & happily ever after. Great setting, and supporting characters as well.

Thanks to the author, publisher & Netgalley for the ARC read. All opinions are my own. Review also shared on sites such as bookbub & goodreads.

[Mrsz_reads13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wickedly His is book 1 of the Wicked and Wed series. Lanie, and Baz first introduction was when they locked gazes across an empty room...Later a marriage of convenience had them bonded. This book is 🔥, and the love between Lanie and Baz is so passionate ❤️ 💖..I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Abbie Bluer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the spice in this one, and Maude Winter’s signature British dialogue and slang continue to be a highlight for me. While the plot felt a bit far-fetched and lighter in depth than I was hoping for, it was still an entertaining and easy read overall.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lanie is a very sexy woman and is a great flirt. Baz has a big interest in her. However, she uses his interest against him, applying her power of seduction to get some revenge for her family's cause. And really, she has some special desires.