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Wickedly His
“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.
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.
- GenresRomance
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2026
About the author
Maude Winters
34 books89 followersMaude Winters is an pansexual, disabled author of open-door sapphic and billionaire romance. She’s a horse girl through and through. Though raised in Chicagoland, she lives in Michigan with her husband, a horse-obsessed child, and three dogs. Maude loves to write strong female characters who challenge institutions. A weird theater kid and competitive choir devotee in a past life, she brings camp into all her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 26, 2025
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.
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.
January 4, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
January 22, 2026
Maude Winters is a first time read for me and I found the story entertaining and certainly was invested in Laine and Basil's forced arranged marriage.
As an up and coming actress, Laine knew how to entertain, so when asked to pretend to be Basil's girlfriend for a weekend to Scotland, she could not say no. She had secrets and was determined to make Basil look a fool, and pay for his fathers actions, but his father soon revealed her true identity to Basil and insisted that he make her his wife.
Laine and Basil come to an agreement, she gets her family home back and she gives him an heir! A win win for Laine as an open marriage is arranged, as they both don't believe in monogamy!
Yeh lets see how that works out for these guys!
Laine is a strong sassy MFC who knows what she wants and is not frightened to go out and get it. And Basil is her target!
Basil, an Alpha Dominant male is much older than Laine, but he met her sexual desires and then some. So Hot!!
Chemistry is off the charts hot and plenty of open door spice to keep it interesting!
Living individual lives, as per their agreement, it seems Bas and Laine don't get to see each other often....So does distance make the heart grow fonder? Basil finds he misses his wife, even though she doesn't seem to feel the same. Or does she?
Both convinced that the other only wanted to follow the agreement and neither would admit their hidden feelings....leads to plenty of thrills and angst as they navigate their lives together.
An overall great story that finds Basil gets his heir and Laine does get her HEA with her husband
As an up and coming actress, Laine knew how to entertain, so when asked to pretend to be Basil's girlfriend for a weekend to Scotland, she could not say no. She had secrets and was determined to make Basil look a fool, and pay for his fathers actions, but his father soon revealed her true identity to Basil and insisted that he make her his wife.
Laine and Basil come to an agreement, she gets her family home back and she gives him an heir! A win win for Laine as an open marriage is arranged, as they both don't believe in monogamy!
Yeh lets see how that works out for these guys!
Laine is a strong sassy MFC who knows what she wants and is not frightened to go out and get it. And Basil is her target!
Basil, an Alpha Dominant male is much older than Laine, but he met her sexual desires and then some. So Hot!!
Chemistry is off the charts hot and plenty of open door spice to keep it interesting!
Living individual lives, as per their agreement, it seems Bas and Laine don't get to see each other often....So does distance make the heart grow fonder? Basil finds he misses his wife, even though she doesn't seem to feel the same. Or does she?
Both convinced that the other only wanted to follow the agreement and neither would admit their hidden feelings....leads to plenty of thrills and angst as they navigate their lives together.
An overall great story that finds Basil gets his heir and Laine does get her HEA with her husband
January 20, 2026
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.
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.
January 6, 2026
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.
January 24, 2026
She wants revenge, he needs a wife. In this Open-Door billionaire story, Lanie goes away with one man, but is interested in another, and then to find out, he is the son of the man who stole the family’s estate. It turns temptation into revenge. Baz needs a wife and a male heir to inherit the family estate and to be kept in the father's will. It goes from marriage of convenience to love. There is great banter in the story as well as realistic (although quite self-centered) characters that made the book easy to visualize. This would make a great TV show!
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.
I received a review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
I received the copy of the arc from Netgalley and am leaving a review voluntarily.
January 15, 2026
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.
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.
February 6, 2026
Wickedly His is an emotional and steamy, tug and pull tension, billionaire romance with so many good tropes. What started as a bit of revenge against wrongs done to her family, turned into a forced situation with an agreement of terms The heat and attraction between the two MC is evident from the start. This story takes you through their journey together to find out if an age gap and two alpha characteristics leave them going their separate ways or if they find the perfect balance to make it work.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 3, 2026
This is a spicy tale of seduction and revenge. Can a marriage of convenience turn into more? Can a man learn to fall in love with his own wife? This is Baz and Lanie's story. He marries to retain his inheritance. She marries him as a form of revenge to take back what was stolen from her family. I loved the dynamic and interactions between the MCs. The smexual tension was high. It was obvious they wanted each other but will they let pride get in the way of happiness? This was a great story. I look forward to more books from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
January 28, 2026
This is Book 1 of the Wicked and Wed series. Check your triggers.
“I never expected the biggest complication I’d face in my forties would be falling for my wife."
The characters were complex and complicated. Plot was well written. World building was solidly drawn. Recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“I never expected the biggest complication I’d face in my forties would be falling for my wife."
The characters were complex and complicated. Plot was well written. World building was solidly drawn. Recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 1, 2026
A spicy billionaire story with some twists.
Lanie is an actress and meets Baz on a weekend at his country estate. Once she meets him and learns who he is, she is determined to get revenge on her family - his estate was once her family's land. He needs a bride to keep the estate and she pursues him. It's a twisty story with intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
Lanie is an actress and meets Baz on a weekend at his country estate. Once she meets him and learns who he is, she is determined to get revenge on her family - his estate was once her family's land. He needs a bride to keep the estate and she pursues him. It's a twisty story with intrigue.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
April 24, 2026
First, I am a huge fan of Maude Winters. I discovered her with her Resplendent Royals series, and I started reading her Lakeshore Empire Series, which I also loved. So when I saw she was starting a new series, I was instantly in.
If you are a longtime reader of Ms. Winters, you have met Lanie Delphine already in the Lakeshore Empire Series, and I was excited to read her story, and what a story it was. She meets Baz at a hunting weekend; she actually arrives with a friend of Baz, and they are drawn to each other. What follows is a weekend that ends with feelings intertwined and eventually leads to a marriage of convenience that is more than either of them bargained for.
This story has a lot of angst and spice. I loved both Lanie and Baz. They are both just a little wary of each other, and their story arc kept me turning the pages. Their backgrounds and their family “connections” gave this story the perfect amount of depth to make the story more than just a simple marriage of convenience. Laine and Baz have a delicious push and pull that make this an interesting read. Definitely worth adding to your TBR.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you are a longtime reader of Ms. Winters, you have met Lanie Delphine already in the Lakeshore Empire Series, and I was excited to read her story, and what a story it was. She meets Baz at a hunting weekend; she actually arrives with a friend of Baz, and they are drawn to each other. What follows is a weekend that ends with feelings intertwined and eventually leads to a marriage of convenience that is more than either of them bargained for.
This story has a lot of angst and spice. I loved both Lanie and Baz. They are both just a little wary of each other, and their story arc kept me turning the pages. Their backgrounds and their family “connections” gave this story the perfect amount of depth to make the story more than just a simple marriage of convenience. Laine and Baz have a delicious push and pull that make this an interesting read. Definitely worth adding to your TBR.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 1, 2026
I’m not gonna lie, the name Basil (Baz) was really hard to like 😂 but I loved him. Having a strong female who could hold her own and have her own money was key to the success of their union. And I will say their stubbornness was annoying towards the end but still a happy ending. If you’re looking for a good bit of spice then this is a good one.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews