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Mallorens & Friends #3
Something Wicked
From "The New York Times" bestselling author-a gloriously romantic favorite, back in print
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1997
103 people are currently reading
1088 people want to read
About the author
Jo Beverley
143 books1,131 followersMary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 4, 2016
3.5 stars
The first half was really good and the second half had parts that fell apart a bit, with the hero acting a bit whiny at times. The heroine was just awesome though in her damn the torpedoes! attitude and after spending probably more time than I should in the regency era, this was a delightful fresh historical era.
The first two books in the series weren't my favorite but this book has re-energized me for the rest of the series.
Love the sibling relationships in these books!
The first half was really good and the second half had parts that fell apart a bit, with the hero acting a bit whiny at times. The heroine was just awesome though in her damn the torpedoes! attitude and after spending probably more time than I should in the regency era, this was a delightful fresh historical era.
The first two books in the series weren't my favorite but this book has re-energized me for the rest of the series.
Love the sibling relationships in these books!
September 15, 2009
I started this book with a strong dislike for Fortitude Ware. He was a dissolute, playboy rake with two illegitimate children. He rubbed me the wrong way. Also the Georgian setting is so in your face, bawdy and vulgar. The nobles pretty much do nothing but fight, fornicate, and drink. This is one of the first Georgians I read, so I had to get used to how relaxed things were compared to the more sedate and elegant Regency period, and the very proper Victorian period.
However, my feelings started to change with the strength of Jo Beverley's writing. I've found she's either an author you love or you don't. My first book by her, An Unwilling Bride, left me rather indifferent because I didn't really care for Lucian at all, and I found Beth rather cold and a bit unlikeable. This book didn't leave me indifferent but rather annoyed at how 'low down' Fort was. I couldn't understand why Elfred would have spent most of her life in love with him. But wanting the answer to this question kept me reading. Slowly Fort started to show some depth. Yes, the fact that he had two kids by two different women that he didn't even interact with (although he did support them) really left a bad taste in my mouth (deadbeat, apathetic fathers are a pet peeve of mine). But he did have some good sides. His loyalty to the crown, his love for his sister. Despite thinking Elfred was a fancy lady, he treated her kindly, although he was furious at her deception when he found out. Okay, I started to thaw towards him.
Elfred was an interesting character. She was very spoiled and willful. But she's a Malloren. They are a strong-willed, dramatic family. Her antics kept me reading as she went through all these changes to get her man, who is the enemy of her powerful brother the Duke of Rothgar.
The turning point in this book for me was the emotion that grew between Elf and Fort as he started to see her as a woman he could love, although he resisted at every turn. Fort didn't want to be in love, particularly with a woman who was in the family of his enemy, but his heart didn't listen to his mind. The climax left me breathless as Elfred follows Sting's sage advice: "If you love someone, set them free." I felt my heart breaking as she let him go, yet I was hoping that he would come back to her. Well this is a romance novel and I gave it five stars, so you can guess what happens, but Beverley sure does let the moment resonate and have you holding your breath waiting to see if Fort will come to his senses and follow his heart.
Again, this was not a book I thought I'd love when I started it. But it ended being a five star read for me in the end. It opened my mind to the possibilities of the Georgian period, which was one I wasn't overly fond of. I really need to get back to those Malloren.
However, my feelings started to change with the strength of Jo Beverley's writing. I've found she's either an author you love or you don't. My first book by her, An Unwilling Bride, left me rather indifferent because I didn't really care for Lucian at all, and I found Beth rather cold and a bit unlikeable. This book didn't leave me indifferent but rather annoyed at how 'low down' Fort was. I couldn't understand why Elfred would have spent most of her life in love with him. But wanting the answer to this question kept me reading. Slowly Fort started to show some depth. Yes, the fact that he had two kids by two different women that he didn't even interact with (although he did support them) really left a bad taste in my mouth (deadbeat, apathetic fathers are a pet peeve of mine). But he did have some good sides. His loyalty to the crown, his love for his sister. Despite thinking Elfred was a fancy lady, he treated her kindly, although he was furious at her deception when he found out. Okay, I started to thaw towards him.
Elfred was an interesting character. She was very spoiled and willful. But she's a Malloren. They are a strong-willed, dramatic family. Her antics kept me reading as she went through all these changes to get her man, who is the enemy of her powerful brother the Duke of Rothgar.
The turning point in this book for me was the emotion that grew between Elf and Fort as he started to see her as a woman he could love, although he resisted at every turn. Fort didn't want to be in love, particularly with a woman who was in the family of his enemy, but his heart didn't listen to his mind. The climax left me breathless as Elfred follows Sting's sage advice: "If you love someone, set them free." I felt my heart breaking as she let him go, yet I was hoping that he would come back to her. Well this is a romance novel and I gave it five stars, so you can guess what happens, but Beverley sure does let the moment resonate and have you holding your breath waiting to see if Fort will come to his senses and follow his heart.
Again, this was not a book I thought I'd love when I started it. But it ended being a five star read for me in the end. It opened my mind to the possibilities of the Georgian period, which was one I wasn't overly fond of. I really need to get back to those Malloren.
October 25, 2012
It’s Elf Malloren’s turn at bat. You know, the sister who has dismal taste in clothes? Well, it turns out her taste in men is just as bad.
With her twin brother married and heading off to Canada, and now Bryght newly wed as well, Elf is feeling a little on the shelf. She’s 24 and leading the apes in hell. And she’s itching for a little living. Her brothers had all sorts of pre-nuptial fun, but they chase off any interesting man who sniffs at her skirts. So she pays her friend Amanda a visit and talks her into a scandalous, unescorted visit to Vauxhall. They go in masks and dominos, of course. Did I mention that Elf’s taste in clothing is abysmal?
So anyway, Amanda and Elf, who looks like a cross between a hooker and a barber pole, are strolling through Vauxhall gardens when a pervy drunk approaches. Let’s just say that Elf’s costume appeals, and her desire for adventure causes her to do lamebrained things and the next thing she knows the lech is pursuing her down the dark paths, where in every quiet grotto, two-backed beasties lurk. Elf gets an eyeful, an earful, and then another earful when she comes upon two men talking treason. One of them is Fort Ware, the Earl of Walgrave.
Convoluted backstory alert:Fart Fort is the brother of Chastity in book 1 of this series, and the “friend” of Portia in book 2. While he wasn't a complete villain, he was certainly no hero. Spoiler from previous books: Let’s just say, “Who needs enemies?”
Here in book 3, JoBev still makes no bones about Fart’s not so nice side. But she also tries to show that the makings of a better man are in there. If you care to dig.
Bring a big-assed shovel.
So anyway, Elf knows Fart well—he’s kinda sorta family, since her brother and his sister are married. But he hates all Mallorens for some reason (actually he has a very good reason, but Elf doesn’t know it), and he likes to goad her, so the two of them usually rub together kind of like this
Long story short, when Elf is caught eavesdropping, Fort takes Elf captive—he’s going to hold her at his place for a week until the regicidal plans come to fruit. And while he’s holding her captive, well, given the way she’s dressed, he makes the obvious suggestions—oh, and he's such a charmer about it all. Basically (now, remember, he doesn't know who she really is—for some lamebrained reason she decides to be a slutty commoner named Lisette), he asks if she has any family who'll raise a stink if he sullies her, and when she says no, he offers her money for her purity—with the understanding that when he tires of her, he expects her to go away quietly. If she gets knocked up, he'll support the little bastard, but that's it. What a guy.
Somehow, while engaging in this semi-anonymous (cuz he still doesn’t know who she is) sex, Elf finds something (God knows what) to love. And Fort can’t get it up for anybody else, so it must be love for him as well.
Awww, ain’t it romantic?
Cut to the chase…Based on Lady Danielle’s review and Fart’s prior behavior and the pure evilness of the villains of the books in this series so far, I fully expected some OTT horribleness on his part when he finally figured out she was the waspy little sister of the evil Malloren men. So maybe because I was expecting the worst, what happened seemed pretty tame. We learn some things about Fort along the way that put some of his not so likeable behavior in perspective. We also get a glimpse of a conscience. Doesn’t make him loveable, but he’s not as hateable as he was before I read the book.
The inevitable HEA is long in coming, and not in the best way—instead of dramatic confrontations and wringing epiphanies, we get to watch Elf slowly reinvent herself. But other than learning to dress in more appropriate costumes
I kid you not—you’ll see.
… and jumping on the "empowerment" train, she’s basically just waiting around forFart Fort to stop being
And, as other reviewers have commented, unfortunately most of his emotional growth takes place offstage.
As for the villains, they’re all mostly offstage too, so the drama/conflict in this tale is mostly of the he loves me, she loves me not variety.
Upshot: The book has some really nice moments, and if you're reading the series, definitely pick it up. But don't let it be the first book by JoBev that you read, because this isn't the best example of her work.
With her twin brother married and heading off to Canada, and now Bryght newly wed as well, Elf is feeling a little on the shelf. She’s 24 and leading the apes in hell. And she’s itching for a little living. Her brothers had all sorts of pre-nuptial fun, but they chase off any interesting man who sniffs at her skirts. So she pays her friend Amanda a visit and talks her into a scandalous, unescorted visit to Vauxhall. They go in masks and dominos, of course. Did I mention that Elf’s taste in clothing is abysmal?
So anyway, Amanda and Elf, who looks like a cross between a hooker and a barber pole, are strolling through Vauxhall gardens when a pervy drunk approaches. Let’s just say that Elf’s costume appeals, and her desire for adventure causes her to do lamebrained things and the next thing she knows the lech is pursuing her down the dark paths, where in every quiet grotto, two-backed beasties lurk. Elf gets an eyeful, an earful, and then another earful when she comes upon two men talking treason. One of them is Fort Ware, the Earl of Walgrave.
Convoluted backstory alert:
Here in book 3, JoBev still makes no bones about Fart’s not so nice side. But she also tries to show that the makings of a better man are in there. If you care to dig.
Bring a big-assed shovel.
So anyway, Elf knows Fart well—he’s kinda sorta family, since her brother and his sister are married. But he hates all Mallorens for some reason (actually he has a very good reason, but Elf doesn’t know it), and he likes to goad her, so the two of them usually rub together kind of like this
Long story short, when Elf is caught eavesdropping, Fort takes Elf captive—he’s going to hold her at his place for a week until the regicidal plans come to fruit. And while he’s holding her captive, well, given the way she’s dressed, he makes the obvious suggestions—oh, and he's such a charmer about it all. Basically (now, remember, he doesn't know who she really is—for some lamebrained reason she decides to be a slutty commoner named Lisette), he asks if she has any family who'll raise a stink if he sullies her, and when she says no, he offers her money for her purity—with the understanding that when he tires of her, he expects her to go away quietly. If she gets knocked up, he'll support the little bastard, but that's it. What a guy.
Somehow, while engaging in this semi-anonymous (cuz he still doesn’t know who she is) sex, Elf finds something (God knows what) to love. And Fort can’t get it up for anybody else, so it must be love for him as well.
Awww, ain’t it romantic?
Cut to the chase…Based on Lady Danielle’s review and Fart’s prior behavior and the pure evilness of the villains of the books in this series so far, I fully expected some OTT horribleness on his part when he finally figured out she was the waspy little sister of the evil Malloren men. So maybe because I was expecting the worst, what happened seemed pretty tame. We learn some things about Fort along the way that put some of his not so likeable behavior in perspective. We also get a glimpse of a conscience. Doesn’t make him loveable, but he’s not as hateable as he was before I read the book.
The inevitable HEA is long in coming, and not in the best way—instead of dramatic confrontations and wringing epiphanies, we get to watch Elf slowly reinvent herself. But other than learning to dress in more appropriate costumes
I kid you not—you’ll see.
… and jumping on the "empowerment" train, she’s basically just waiting around for
And, as other reviewers have commented, unfortunately most of his emotional growth takes place offstage.
As for the villains, they’re all mostly offstage too, so the drama/conflict in this tale is mostly of the he loves me, she loves me not variety.
Upshot: The book has some really nice moments, and if you're reading the series, definitely pick it up. But don't let it be the first book by JoBev that you read, because this isn't the best example of her work.
June 3, 2016
I had a lot of trepidation coming into this book and I find I'm having some trouble deciding how to rate it. Both Elf and Fort (Elfled and Fortitude) have been present in each of the previous two books and that ties this rather strongly to them—particularly the first. We haven't gotten to know Elf very well, beyond a kind of wistfulness at the adventures her brothers' new wives have had. But we've gotten to know Fort very well, indeed, and not in a good way. Indeed, he has been in the bad-guy camp both times, first as dupe, but later as participant.
So I was curious how Beverley would handle his reformation. Or how she'd make me care for him at all, because frankly, he's pretty out there in the first books. Oh, he's not as bad as his father in the first, but he's nearly so. And in the second, he considers the unthinkable, if only briefly, and that makes him a hard sell for my sympathy.
The disappointment is that while Beverley pulls off his redemption well enough to go on with, she cheats in doing so. But I get ahead of myself. The key to this novel working at all was with Elf. I worried at first because her motivation was so very frivolous. She wants an adventure and takes some risks that then very nearly lead to disaster. And that put me very much on edge. Beverley has a very unforgiving portrayal of society in 1762 England and then puts Elf in the middle of that wasteland of moral depravity. I eventually realized that this served to differentiate Fort and show up his actual honor and nobility as a man whose conduct doesn't depend on others but is even-handed to all. But that didn't make it any less anxious for me.
So yeah, she's in danger that she brings it on herself. Which could have lost my sympathy (spoiled little rich girl style), but I found myself being pulled into her concerns and I quickly identified strongly with her and her want of useful action. She's strong and eager and just altogether lovely and Beverley wrapped that into a plot that careened into areas I found fascinating and populated with secondary characters from previous books I had wanted to get to know better but didn't know it (the greatest of which was Sappho, who turned out to be every bit as complex and intriguing as you knew she had to be). Oh, and if you aren't in love with Bey by this point, you aren't paying enough attention to him in these novels. I hear his book is disappointing (which may explain why our library doesn't have a copy), but I'm going to read it anyway because I have no choice at this point. And Elf leading a small squad of soldiers in the heat of, well, not battle, but conflict, was awesome times fabulous! (fabusome? Awebulous?)
Anyway, Fort only worked for me as long as he didn't know who Lisette was. I loved how caring and decent he was and how he let himself be vulnerable and still have that core of strength. It was clear that he was working himself around to being a decent person if only he could get around his unreasoning hatred of all things Malloren. You knew it was going to be bad when he discovered Elf's secret and I'm not going to spoil things, but yeah, it was bad. The best that can be said of it is that he didn't backslide into completely unforgivable but he toyed with it. At that point, I was very eager to see how Fort would recover and get to where he could not only acknowledge his feelings for Elf but also accept her for all of who she is.
Unfortunately, that's where Beverley drops the ball.
So I'm sorry that the greatest reason for my three stars is buried in spoiler-land, it is, nonetheless, the case. It was a good story that I enjoyed, but I'm rather disappointed in the handling of Fort. I was very intrigued how he'd change to be the man for Elf and I really wish it had been better illustrated. Sigh.
A note about Steamy: This was solidly in the middle of my steam tolerance with a couple explicit sex scenes. It's been a couple of days, again, so I'm not sure if it was two or three, but they were well-done and stood at the heart of the very fraught emotional journey of the main characters.
So I was curious how Beverley would handle his reformation. Or how she'd make me care for him at all, because frankly, he's pretty out there in the first books. Oh, he's not as bad as his father in the first, but he's nearly so. And in the second, he considers the unthinkable, if only briefly, and that makes him a hard sell for my sympathy.
The disappointment is that while Beverley pulls off his redemption well enough to go on with, she cheats in doing so. But I get ahead of myself. The key to this novel working at all was with Elf. I worried at first because her motivation was so very frivolous. She wants an adventure and takes some risks that then very nearly lead to disaster. And that put me very much on edge. Beverley has a very unforgiving portrayal of society in 1762 England and then puts Elf in the middle of that wasteland of moral depravity. I eventually realized that this served to differentiate Fort and show up his actual honor and nobility as a man whose conduct doesn't depend on others but is even-handed to all. But that didn't make it any less anxious for me.
So yeah, she's in danger that she brings it on herself. Which could have lost my sympathy (spoiled little rich girl style), but I found myself being pulled into her concerns and I quickly identified strongly with her and her want of useful action. She's strong and eager and just altogether lovely and Beverley wrapped that into a plot that careened into areas I found fascinating and populated with secondary characters from previous books I had wanted to get to know better but didn't know it (the greatest of which was Sappho, who turned out to be every bit as complex and intriguing as you knew she had to be). Oh, and if you aren't in love with Bey by this point, you aren't paying enough attention to him in these novels. I hear his book is disappointing (which may explain why our library doesn't have a copy), but I'm going to read it anyway because I have no choice at this point. And Elf leading a small squad of soldiers in the heat of, well, not battle, but conflict, was awesome times fabulous! (fabusome? Awebulous?)
Anyway, Fort only worked for me as long as he didn't know who Lisette was. I loved how caring and decent he was and how he let himself be vulnerable and still have that core of strength. It was clear that he was working himself around to being a decent person if only he could get around his unreasoning hatred of all things Malloren. You knew it was going to be bad when he discovered Elf's secret and I'm not going to spoil things, but yeah, it was bad. The best that can be said of it is that he didn't backslide into completely unforgivable but he toyed with it. At that point, I was very eager to see how Fort would recover and get to where he could not only acknowledge his feelings for Elf but also accept her for all of who she is.
Unfortunately, that's where Beverley drops the ball.
So I'm sorry that the greatest reason for my three stars is buried in spoiler-land, it is, nonetheless, the case. It was a good story that I enjoyed, but I'm rather disappointed in the handling of Fort. I was very intrigued how he'd change to be the man for Elf and I really wish it had been better illustrated. Sigh.
A note about Steamy: This was solidly in the middle of my steam tolerance with a couple explicit sex scenes. It's been a couple of days, again, so I'm not sure if it was two or three, but they were well-done and stood at the heart of the very fraught emotional journey of the main characters.
August 1, 2015
Beverley has created another winner with this one. The mix of treason, deception and all out enmity in the intertwining aspects of the story make for an intriguing read. The author’s writing calls to mind the air of the time period. I found it easy to immerse myself in this step back. Beverley’s writing always has such a tongue in cheek feel to it. It never fails to make me giggle.
I appreciate how well developed the Mallorens are as a family and as individuals. The differences between their situation and that of their peers really stands out without being dwelled on. Everyone stands out in their own way and on their own merits. At the same time, the main characters in this novel are absolutely priceless. Fort’s battle with his past, both what he’s lived through and what he’s done, colours his view of the world. Elf’s need for adventure endeared her to me. I love how she was willing to step out of the mould for women, while knowing she was doing so. Her utter belief in her family was something we all could do with.
This novel was definitely Something Wicked. Beverley has created an unforgettable, adventurous, at times comical, and definitely romantic addition to the Mallorens series.
I appreciate how well developed the Mallorens are as a family and as individuals. The differences between their situation and that of their peers really stands out without being dwelled on. Everyone stands out in their own way and on their own merits. At the same time, the main characters in this novel are absolutely priceless. Fort’s battle with his past, both what he’s lived through and what he’s done, colours his view of the world. Elf’s need for adventure endeared her to me. I love how she was willing to step out of the mould for women, while knowing she was doing so. Her utter belief in her family was something we all could do with.
This novel was definitely Something Wicked. Beverley has created an unforgettable, adventurous, at times comical, and definitely romantic addition to the Mallorens series.
February 9, 2017
BEHOLD. Part 3 of my big Malloren re-read.. Something Wicked is Lady Elfled "Elf" Mallored and Fortitude "Fort" Ware, the Earl of Walgrave's story. Both have been interesting side characters in the previous two instalments and they have finally gotten their own romance.
Just to get this out of the way - I totally loved this story and Fort has grown into one of my favourite leading men in this series. I was already drawn in by the previous glimpses we had of Fort, the personal tragedies he went through and the fact that he was manipulated into killing his father and his subsequent strong dislike of all things Malloren. From an awful childhood at the hands of a monstrous and abusive father to actually killing him, Fort has already all the perquisites of a perfectly tortured hero. However, what makes him actually real and appealing is the fact that throughout his brief appearances in My Lady Notorious and Tempting Fortune, he was already shown to be a decent human being, despite all the terrible things unleashed on him. His transformation from seemingly carefree rake to tortured earl to, finally, a man who has made peace with himself and his past, totally makes this book for me.
Elf's role in the previous books has largely been supportive sister-in-law / clothes donor for Malloren brides-to-be and at the beginning of this story, we learn that she is utterly, terribly bored by her role. Sure, managing her family's estates and hosting Malloren guests is something she is very good at but being the same age as her twin Cyn, she is already considered a spinster and does not have much to look forward to, after her brother's wives will eventually take over her hostess duties. To be honest, I can hardly fault her for wanting to go an adventure, especially if you have a bunch of super inspiring brothers in that regard, even if she manages to truly and completely mess it up.
You know what I especially appreciated about this story? It is about Elf desiring Fort - even before he had an idea about her, even before this whole series of events was set in motion. This is about her wooing her man and taking action.. and shit totally goes wrong - good job breaking it, hero(ine)! *tips hat*. This is not about the hero being immediately in love with the woman and her oohing and aahing and no we can't but this is about female desire. How awesome is that? I found this utterly delightful to read and I found it fitting, seeing as Elf is a Malloren (and I am willing to suspend some historical romance disbelief here because damn, this was so good).
Jo Beverley makes excellent use of the "desire each other but one of them has to be in disguise and the other one should not find out because otherwise TERRIBLE DRAMA" trope (see also Chastity dressing up as a man, Portia dressing up as a prostitute.. it is a common Malloren trope and my total HR catnip, next to cross-dressing). Yes, some might find it overdone in the series but whatever, I still dig it.
I was so pleased about the fact that both Elf and Fort had to mature to find to each other in the end. Both the hero and the heroine had to change things about their lives, to be better people and to be more grounded in order to be able to have a fulfilling relationship. I can't tell you how rare this is, as normally the hero is the one who changes his rakish ways to be with his perfect heroine or the heroine has to overcome difficulties to be with her hero. In Something Wicked, both leads have to do emotional work and take a hard look at their lives and themselves.
The sex scenes were also incredibly hot, it was so exciting to see glimpses of the "real" Fort when he was relaxed and happy and unghhhhh this was totally perfect. I am looking forward to my next read.
Just to get this out of the way - I totally loved this story and Fort has grown into one of my favourite leading men in this series. I was already drawn in by the previous glimpses we had of Fort, the personal tragedies he went through and the fact that he was manipulated into killing his father and his subsequent strong dislike of all things Malloren. From an awful childhood at the hands of a monstrous and abusive father to actually killing him, Fort has already all the perquisites of a perfectly tortured hero. However, what makes him actually real and appealing is the fact that throughout his brief appearances in My Lady Notorious and Tempting Fortune, he was already shown to be a decent human being, despite all the terrible things unleashed on him. His transformation from seemingly carefree rake to tortured earl to, finally, a man who has made peace with himself and his past, totally makes this book for me.
Elf's role in the previous books has largely been supportive sister-in-law / clothes donor for Malloren brides-to-be and at the beginning of this story, we learn that she is utterly, terribly bored by her role. Sure, managing her family's estates and hosting Malloren guests is something she is very good at but being the same age as her twin Cyn, she is already considered a spinster and does not have much to look forward to, after her brother's wives will eventually take over her hostess duties. To be honest, I can hardly fault her for wanting to go an adventure, especially if you have a bunch of super inspiring brothers in that regard, even if she manages to truly and completely mess it up.
You know what I especially appreciated about this story? It is about Elf desiring Fort - even before he had an idea about her, even before this whole series of events was set in motion. This is about her wooing her man and taking action.. and shit totally goes wrong - good job breaking it, hero(ine)! *tips hat*. This is not about the hero being immediately in love with the woman and her oohing and aahing and no we can't but this is about female desire. How awesome is that? I found this utterly delightful to read and I found it fitting, seeing as Elf is a Malloren (and I am willing to suspend some historical romance disbelief here because damn, this was so good).
Jo Beverley makes excellent use of the "desire each other but one of them has to be in disguise and the other one should not find out because otherwise TERRIBLE DRAMA" trope (see also Chastity dressing up as a man, Portia dressing up as a prostitute.. it is a common Malloren trope and my total HR catnip, next to cross-dressing). Yes, some might find it overdone in the series but whatever, I still dig it.
I was so pleased about the fact that both Elf and Fort had to mature to find to each other in the end. Both the hero and the heroine had to change things about their lives, to be better people and to be more grounded in order to be able to have a fulfilling relationship. I can't tell you how rare this is, as normally the hero is the one who changes his rakish ways to be with his perfect heroine or the heroine has to overcome difficulties to be with her hero. In Something Wicked, both leads have to do emotional work and take a hard look at their lives and themselves.
The sex scenes were also incredibly hot, it was so exciting to see glimpses of the "real" Fort when he was relaxed and happy and unghhhhh this was totally perfect. I am looking forward to my next read.
August 7, 2021
A captivating page turner! Fort❤️Elf
Their book was so good!!!
Their book was so good!!!
November 16, 2020
Loved this couple, he's an angsty Hero and she's lonely, and is frightened of being unwanted. She decides to have an adventure and stumbles on a conspiracy. The H has good reason to hate her family, and she sees beneath his anger, decides to help him as this is her chance to learn more about life. She felt very real to me, knows she has to make the most of her opportunity. I loved how her brother listened to her, and understood her isolation and loneliness. I also really liked seeing the Hero show his courage.
August 27, 2024
Not really my cup of tea. The hero and the heroine tying each other up. The hero have bastard kids all over the place. The hero and the heroine having sex in and on top of a coffin. This was too much for me.
May 6, 2025
Something Wicked is a terrific third book in the Malloren… much more interesting than the others for me. The heroine Elf Malloren is attracted to Fort, the Earl of Walgrave … his sister is married to her twin brother …MCs from the first book. They have a rocky relationship as he’s an enemy of her family. She wants him and pursues.
You have to suspend your belief about a major plot point … Elf meets him at Vauxhall and she’s wearing a disguise and she continues to wear it even during a night of passion. Even tho they converse in French, he still doesn’t recognize her!! Kinda unbelievable I thought. But I quickly decided that it made no difference to my enjoyment of the story.
The story itself is deliciously wicked, full of intrigue and suspense … a page turner to the very end. The dialogue is amazing, funny at times and the spicy scenes are sizzling hot especially the mirror one. 🔥 Overall, a great story! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You have to suspend your belief about a major plot point … Elf meets him at Vauxhall and she’s wearing a disguise and she continues to wear it even during a night of passion. Even tho they converse in French, he still doesn’t recognize her!! Kinda unbelievable I thought. But I quickly decided that it made no difference to my enjoyment of the story.
The story itself is deliciously wicked, full of intrigue and suspense … a page turner to the very end. The dialogue is amazing, funny at times and the spicy scenes are sizzling hot especially the mirror one. 🔥 Overall, a great story! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 31, 2019
Direi che questo sinora è stato il volume più riuscito, per quanto assolutamente stravagante e caotico come il resto della serie.
Il fatto è che qui dentro l'autrice ci ha messo un po' di tutto, ma senza darsi un limite: così ci sono congiure e tradimenti, rapimenti, anzi, continui rapimenti o fasi di prigionia, scontri, qualche omicidio, corteggiamenti, un sacco di bugie e familiari impiccioni che si intromettono.
Purtroppo questa è una delle caratteristiche negative (o positive) dei Malloren, per cui se uno di loro è nei guai, lo si aiuta e soccorre a prescindere dall'accaduto, salvo poi chiedere spiegazioni e ridurre al proprio volere ogni potenziale nemico o avversario.
Quindi, per quanto Cyn e Chastity si siano sposati, la famiglia è rimasta comunque in rapporti freddi con i Ware e con il fratello di Chastity, l'altezzoso e perfettino conte Fortitude (il fratello di Chastity), il quale non fa mistero di disprezzare gli scandalosi parenti acquisiti che gli hanno parecchio sconvolto la vita (su questo non gli si può dar torto: avere i Malloren come parenti potrebbe non essere facile...).
Purtroppo per lui, sua cognata nubile, Elfled, per tutti Elf, pensa bene di vincere la noia della sua esistenza recandosi mascherata a Vauxhall (non proprio originale come idea, ma d'altronde questo sembra essere un po' l'unico luogo di sicura perdizione a Londra in centinaia di romanzi), incappando nell'organizzazione di una congiura ai danni della monarchia e finendo per dover essere salvata niente meno che Fort.
E qui va dato atto della suprema fantasia della Berverley che riesce ad inventarsi praticamente di tutto per rendere credibile che Fort non riconosca sua cognata, la tenga con sé, la corteggi e si spinga molto più in là... credendola semplicemente una tale Lisette!
Il mio consiglio, per godervi appieno il libro, è sospendere al massimo la vostra incredulità e accettare che i due riescano ad amoreggiare in incognito.
Fort mi è quasi simpatico per tutto quello che gli capita: quando poi il nostro integerrimo vorrà fare il suo dovere, ovviamente Elf si farà desiderare, e viceversa.
Finale con inseguimento d'amore, ma vince sempre chi fugge, pure tra i Malloren!
Il fatto è che qui dentro l'autrice ci ha messo un po' di tutto, ma senza darsi un limite: così ci sono congiure e tradimenti, rapimenti, anzi, continui rapimenti o fasi di prigionia, scontri, qualche omicidio, corteggiamenti, un sacco di bugie e familiari impiccioni che si intromettono.
Purtroppo questa è una delle caratteristiche negative (o positive) dei Malloren, per cui se uno di loro è nei guai, lo si aiuta e soccorre a prescindere dall'accaduto, salvo poi chiedere spiegazioni e ridurre al proprio volere ogni potenziale nemico o avversario.
Quindi, per quanto Cyn e Chastity si siano sposati, la famiglia è rimasta comunque in rapporti freddi con i Ware e con il fratello di Chastity, l'altezzoso e perfettino conte Fortitude (il fratello di Chastity), il quale non fa mistero di disprezzare gli scandalosi parenti acquisiti che gli hanno parecchio sconvolto la vita (su questo non gli si può dar torto: avere i Malloren come parenti potrebbe non essere facile...).
Purtroppo per lui, sua cognata nubile, Elfled, per tutti Elf, pensa bene di vincere la noia della sua esistenza recandosi mascherata a Vauxhall (non proprio originale come idea, ma d'altronde questo sembra essere un po' l'unico luogo di sicura perdizione a Londra in centinaia di romanzi), incappando nell'organizzazione di una congiura ai danni della monarchia e finendo per dover essere salvata niente meno che Fort.
E qui va dato atto della suprema fantasia della Berverley che riesce ad inventarsi praticamente di tutto per rendere credibile che Fort non riconosca sua cognata, la tenga con sé, la corteggi e si spinga molto più in là... credendola semplicemente una tale Lisette!
Il mio consiglio, per godervi appieno il libro, è sospendere al massimo la vostra incredulità e accettare che i due riescano ad amoreggiare in incognito.
Fort mi è quasi simpatico per tutto quello che gli capita: quando poi il nostro integerrimo vorrà fare il suo dovere, ovviamente Elf si farà desiderare, e viceversa.
Finale con inseguimento d'amore, ma vince sempre chi fugge, pure tra i Malloren!
March 30, 2011
I loved (LOVED) Malloren's #1 & #2, but this one is just so-so. Maybe I'm just hard to please right now, because I'm sick and miserable. But I'm sorry, the heroine, Elfled Malloren, is just such an IDIOT and the plot is so completely CONTRIVED (even by romance standards). She does completely ridiculous things: on a lark, she encourages some guy at a masquerade in the park that she is interested in having sex with him - I think she even rubs his crotch - and then she is shocked - SHOCKED! - that he pursues it. She hides in the bushes and ends up in an even worse situation, accidentally overhearing a treasonous plot involving our intrepid hero, Fortitude (Fort), the Earl of Wargrave, brother to Chastity, who recently married Cynric Malloren. I think I give nothing away when I say that it was obvious from the get-go that the hero was NOT plotting treason, but rather aiming to stop it. Later, Elf goes ahead and has a night of lustful sex with Fort - I'm sorry, I just cannot believe that. She spent 25 years barely even touching a man, and now she just throws all caution (and good sense) to the wind? She completely deceives our noble hero, and then she is shocked - SHOCKED! - when he is so furious he doesn't want to speak to her. We're told that she is kindness itself, but it seems to me she is either (a) a jerk, (b) an idiot, or (c) both. I think we all know where this is going. Naturally they end up married. It's rather anti-climactic, after all the other shenanigans.
April 28, 2020
What a chore to even skim this book as I did. I think writing romance books requires a certain kind of resiliency from the writer so that they wouldn’t just get fed up and in an effort to come up with something new, drag the poor reader in a quagmire that only reflects the their own struggles in this direction. In daily life such attitude comes off as gaudy and vulgar. In clothing, in furniture, in any design really. Keep your perspective, i’d say. Go take a walk and think whether the conditions you’re imposing on the storyline are anything the readers would want to even read about? Does it make sense? Does it fall effortlessly into place or do you need to push and prod and pin and stick things to make it stand? and then more accoutrements to make it move forward?
The story in a nutshell: Hero is angry with heroine’s family on account of his father -whom he loathed- dying as the result of the heroine’s eldest brother’s machinations in the previous book in the series, where hero’s sister got to marry the heroine’s brother.
Heroine is bored, gets embroiled in a conspiracy, hero doesn’t recognise her but rescues her, they get more embroiled in the murderous conspiracy, hero finally recongises the heroine, the heroine is in love with the hero, the hero wants nothing to do with her. She woos him in the corniest, most cringeworthy manner possible, he’s coy and evasive at best, and at the end she tires him. They get together. The end. I skimmed a lot of the book just to be able to make heads and tails of it. And still i felt exhausted and annoyed.
The story in a nutshell: Hero is angry with heroine’s family on account of his father -whom he loathed- dying as the result of the heroine’s eldest brother’s machinations in the previous book in the series, where hero’s sister got to marry the heroine’s brother.
Heroine is bored, gets embroiled in a conspiracy, hero doesn’t recognise her but rescues her, they get more embroiled in the murderous conspiracy, hero finally recongises the heroine, the heroine is in love with the hero, the hero wants nothing to do with her. She woos him in the corniest, most cringeworthy manner possible, he’s coy and evasive at best, and at the end she tires him. They get together. The end. I skimmed a lot of the book just to be able to make heads and tails of it. And still i felt exhausted and annoyed.
June 16, 2015
I really enjoyed the history and period of which the story is set, this is a very plot driven romance with plenty of mishpas and silly situations to keep the story going.
At the beginning I thought I was really going to hate Elf, but she was actually really likeable. It's hard to find a headstrong heroine that isn't obnoxious or whiny, but Jo Beverley managed to write Elf as a smart and intersting character, with some actual development.
I could have done without the last 50 pages of misunderstandings that could've been fixed within a couple paragraphs, but overall I found this rather enjoyable.
At the beginning I thought I was really going to hate Elf, but she was actually really likeable. It's hard to find a headstrong heroine that isn't obnoxious or whiny, but Jo Beverley managed to write Elf as a smart and intersting character, with some actual development.
I could have done without the last 50 pages of misunderstandings that could've been fixed within a couple paragraphs, but overall I found this rather enjoyable.
June 6, 2024
Grosse déception. Le livre commence de façon ennuyeuse, avec beaucoup de descriptions inutiles et des personnages principaux pas si intéressants que ça.
Le milieu du livre est assez palpitant, avec une relation intense entre le couple et puis... rien. Tout retombe comme un soufflet, les héros ne se voient plus, ne se touchent plus, ne se parlent plus. Je regrette le fatalisme des héros qui n'agissent pas sur la situation. La dernière partie est donc tout aussi ennuyante que le début du livre.
Le milieu du livre est assez palpitant, avec une relation intense entre le couple et puis... rien. Tout retombe comme un soufflet, les héros ne se voient plus, ne se touchent plus, ne se parlent plus. Je regrette le fatalisme des héros qui n'agissent pas sur la situation. La dernière partie est donc tout aussi ennuyante que le début du livre.
September 21, 2019
I enjoyed the time period and the romance was good.
March 2, 2008
In response to a request for romance novel recommendations the other day, I found myself recommending this book as an old favorite, then immediately was seized by panic: I'd last read the book six years or more ago--was it really as entertaining and worthwhile (well, for a romance novel) a read as I remembered? So I gave it a quick re-read this weekend and was pleased to find that not only is it still entertaining, it actually features a delightfully smart, adventurous, proto-feminist heroine who's trained to handle both the perils of good society and a loaded pistol--a fact I'd forgotten. I confess I skimmed through some of the political machinations that drive the plot, but the romance itself was everything I remembered--antagonists who become lovers, a secret identity, an unconventional wooing. This was one of the first of Beverley's novels I read back in the day, and it was good to be reminded why it became one of my favorites.
November 1, 2009
Hmmm - it took me forever to get into this book and care anything about the lead characters. The subplot overwhelmed any sense of romance developing, which itself was completely one-sided until very nearly the final 5 pages.
Beware: this is a tale where the hero doesn't know the true identity of the heroine (and if he had, he wouldn't have had anything to do with her) and this goes on, and quite unbelievably, far too long. This is not one of my favorite plot devices, especially when handled so poorly (at one point he is holding her in his arms, she's lost her mask and daylight is coming, yet he doesn't have a clue?!).
However, later in the story after the subplot is resolved, the book focuses on the wooing of the hero by the heroine, which I found quite charming and funny.
Only a couple of more Beverley books in my alphabetized TBR stack(s). I believe when I finish with those I will be taking a break of indeterminate length from this author's writing.
Beware: this is a tale where the hero doesn't know the true identity of the heroine (and if he had, he wouldn't have had anything to do with her) and this goes on, and quite unbelievably, far too long. This is not one of my favorite plot devices, especially when handled so poorly (at one point he is holding her in his arms, she's lost her mask and daylight is coming, yet he doesn't have a clue?!).
However, later in the story after the subplot is resolved, the book focuses on the wooing of the hero by the heroine, which I found quite charming and funny.
Only a couple of more Beverley books in my alphabetized TBR stack(s). I believe when I finish with those I will be taking a break of indeterminate length from this author's writing.
August 9, 2009
Not really a bad story, but seriously, Elf has nerves of steel. There is no way I can handle anyone like Fort (I like his name though). When I read the first book, I was really looking forward for his story. I think it was the angst and his recurring bad mood and mean actions that convinced me that he was not for my 'dragon slayer'.
I really liked the heroine. She is both gutsy and strong willed, without being obnoxious. At times, she doesn't actually think through her actions, but definitely not dumb. There were times when she stood her ground while Fort insulted her (I would have left in a huff or started crying/yelling/or something) and was quite steadfast in her affections. Dumb Fort had the nerve to try to marry someone else.
For a book about a hate relationship to become love, this was quite well thought out. There was no sudden characterization changes that made the situation completely implausible.
I really liked the heroine. She is both gutsy and strong willed, without being obnoxious. At times, she doesn't actually think through her actions, but definitely not dumb. There were times when she stood her ground while Fort insulted her (I would have left in a huff or started crying/yelling/or something) and was quite steadfast in her affections. Dumb Fort had the nerve to try to marry someone else.
For a book about a hate relationship to become love, this was quite well thought out. There was no sudden characterization changes that made the situation completely implausible.
February 2, 2014
4.5 ตอนนี้สนุกอ่ะ คือต้องบอกก่อนว่าเราอ่านไม่ได้เรียงเล่ม เล่มที่เราอ่านเล่มแรกคือตอนของบริธ ซึ่งเราชอบบริธมากๆ มากกว่าซิน แต่ในขณะที่เราอ่านทั้งเล่มของบริธและซิน เรากลับหลงเสน่ห์ของฟอร์ธ แอบหวังว่าน่าจะมีเล่มที่เป็นของฟอร์ธบ้าง แล้วเมื่อรู้ว่าเอลฟ์คู่กับฟอร์ธ กรี๊ดเลย อยากอ่านมากๆๆๆ แอบคิดในใจตั้งแต่แรกแล้วว่าสองคนนี้น่าจะได้คู่กัน และเมื่อได้อ่านก็ไม่ผิดหวังนะ สนุกตั้งแต่เริ่มแรก พระนางเคมีเข้ากั๊นเข้ากัน ชอบที่ฟอร์ธเย็นชากับเอลฟ์เพราะตั้งป้อมเกลียดตระกูลเธอ การผจญภัยของพระนางในเรื่องก็สนุกด้วย ลุ้นดี แล้วก็ชอบความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างพี่น้องตระกูลมัลโลแรนด้วย ทุกคนรักและปกป้องนางเอกมาก
April 6, 2023
Very good read. It's a little serendipitous that I'm able to read the Malloren books of Beverley's so close together. I'm having to wait quite a bit to get her Rogues books in order. I'm enjoying both series quite a bit.
This is the one with the Malloren sister as heroine and the plot to assassinate the king.
This is the one with the Malloren sister as heroine and the plot to assassinate the king.
March 24, 2020
Seconding my five stars on the second read (actually more than that, but only the second since I've been on Goodreads). Rereading Jo Beverley's Malloran romances is the perfect escape just now and this one is so engrossing that I reread it in one day.
June 9, 2019
Elf Malloren memang termasuk wanita yg sangat berani dan nekad utk ukuran di zaman abad 18. Elf ternyata sudah lama memendam rasa pada Fortitude Ware, Earl yg juga saudara ipar Malloren ini sudah membenci keluarga Malloren sejak skandal kematian ayahnya. Jadi Elf memutuskan utk menyamar menjadi wanita penghibur Perancis bernama Lisette.
Sialnya Lisette aka Elf terpergok mendengarkan rencana utk membunuh raja Inggris. Kebetulan Fort juga tertarik pd pelacur ini, yg mengaku masih perawan. Walau sempat berhasil melarikan diri, tapi Elf/Lisette kembali mencari Fortt utk mengetahui sejauh mana keterlibatan Earl ini dlm konspirasi kejahatan tsb.
Elf memang niat banget utk diperawani oleh Fort. Dgn berpura-pura sok misterius, Elf tetap memasang topengnya saat dirinya diperawani oleh Fort. Bahkan saat mereka diculik, Elf masih terbantu oleh sikon dimana tempat mereka tersandera sangatlah gelap. Tapi apa yg terjadi saat Fort mengetahui Lisette adalah Elf Malloren, keluarga yg dibencinya hingga ke sumsum tulangnya?
Awal kisah yg menarik ini kemudian mulai mengalami degradasi alias penurunan intensitas konflik. Fort mulai bertingkah menyebalkan, walaupun masuk akal sih krn dirinyalah yg ditipu mentah-mentah oleh Elf. Fort marah-marah mulu seolah dirinyalah yg kehilangan keperawanannya oleh Elf, bukan sebaliknya. Ujug-ujug Fort malah mau melamar gadis debutante tercantik season ini. Bagaimana Elf menghadapi sikap Fort yg bersikeras tidak mau menikahinya?
Dan endingnya juga terasa digampangkan utk penyelesaiannya. Saya tidak tahu apa yg membuat Fort berubah pikiran setelah sekian lama tetap keras kepala tidak menghendaki Elf. Elf memang terlalu anti mainstream utk ukuran wanita normal, malah cenderung Elf yg lebih agresif dalam mengejar Fort ketimbang sebaliknya. Sisi bagusnya adalah Elf tahu saat utk berhenti bersikap agresif dan menjadi lady yg anggun dan siap menerima kekalahannya. Bukankah begitulah sifat seorang lady yg hebat?
Sialnya Lisette aka Elf terpergok mendengarkan rencana utk membunuh raja Inggris. Kebetulan Fort juga tertarik pd pelacur ini, yg mengaku masih perawan. Walau sempat berhasil melarikan diri, tapi Elf/Lisette kembali mencari Fortt utk mengetahui sejauh mana keterlibatan Earl ini dlm konspirasi kejahatan tsb.
Elf memang niat banget utk diperawani oleh Fort. Dgn berpura-pura sok misterius, Elf tetap memasang topengnya saat dirinya diperawani oleh Fort. Bahkan saat mereka diculik, Elf masih terbantu oleh sikon dimana tempat mereka tersandera sangatlah gelap. Tapi apa yg terjadi saat Fort mengetahui Lisette adalah Elf Malloren, keluarga yg dibencinya hingga ke sumsum tulangnya?
Awal kisah yg menarik ini kemudian mulai mengalami degradasi alias penurunan intensitas konflik. Fort mulai bertingkah menyebalkan, walaupun masuk akal sih krn dirinyalah yg ditipu mentah-mentah oleh Elf. Fort marah-marah mulu seolah dirinyalah yg kehilangan keperawanannya oleh Elf, bukan sebaliknya. Ujug-ujug Fort malah mau melamar gadis debutante tercantik season ini. Bagaimana Elf menghadapi sikap Fort yg bersikeras tidak mau menikahinya?
Dan endingnya juga terasa digampangkan utk penyelesaiannya. Saya tidak tahu apa yg membuat Fort berubah pikiran setelah sekian lama tetap keras kepala tidak menghendaki Elf. Elf memang terlalu anti mainstream utk ukuran wanita normal, malah cenderung Elf yg lebih agresif dalam mengejar Fort ketimbang sebaliknya. Sisi bagusnya adalah Elf tahu saat utk berhenti bersikap agresif dan menjadi lady yg anggun dan siap menerima kekalahannya. Bukankah begitulah sifat seorang lady yg hebat?
May 2, 2019
Está siendo una delicia reencontrarme con la Familia Malloren. Los leí hace tiempo y, sinceramente, ya no recuerdo cuál o cuáles me quedaban.
La historia de Elf y Fort no la había leído y ne ha gustado mucho. No puedo decir quién más. Elf es más decida, valiente y no duda. Fort tiene un pasado marcado por un padre al que apodaban el Incorruptible. Enfoca su odio en la familia Malloren y no es capaz de ver en Elf a una mujer. Hasta que una conspiración a Su Majestad el Rey Jorge desvela a personas y sentimientos.
Increíble la pluma de Jo Beverly con una familia inolvidable.
La historia de Elf y Fort no la había leído y ne ha gustado mucho. No puedo decir quién más. Elf es más decida, valiente y no duda. Fort tiene un pasado marcado por un padre al que apodaban el Incorruptible. Enfoca su odio en la familia Malloren y no es capaz de ver en Elf a una mujer. Hasta que una conspiración a Su Majestad el Rey Jorge desvela a personas y sentimientos.
Increíble la pluma de Jo Beverly con una familia inolvidable.
July 19, 2025
So close to five stars. It’s not only really good, it’s a million times better than book two. How does that happen? This better not be a trend because I’m really enjoying this series. I love the Georgian era. It’s Englands version of the Wild West. The history here is so interesting! I loved Elf and Fort together, each trying to figure out how to live up to responsibility and find a life of their own. Fort really exceeds expectations because he’s been despicable for two books. So will book four be a keeper or a clunker? Apparently, with Jo Beverley there are no guarantees.
October 23, 2019
Sin palabras de lo malo que es
June 15, 2024
Un bon p’tit ennemi to lover à la « bridgerton »
May 8, 2025
This was one of those books where I just didn’t believe they were actually in love by the end of the book. She spent two thirds of the book willfully lying to him about who she was and they barely spent any meaningful time together. When he was understandably pissed about all the lies, we then get the last third of the book almost solely from her perspective while she sent him gifts in an attempt to win him back. The last scene was literally them saying to each other “We barely know each other, but let’s get married anyway!” I had high hopes for this book and ended up just thinking it was lame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2012
"Something Wicked" (Malloren, #7) by Jo Beverley (born in England, resident in Victoria BC, sons grown), taking foolish teenage chances at a Vauxhall Gardens Midsummer Midnight masquerade turns deadly dangerous. Adult bedroom escapism, poor moral model, proves that the female mind is fooled into "love" by hormone floods. Not a swooning save-me, ravish me, oh no, please no. Not "a silk cushion - pretty, comfortable and ready to conform to his every need." but "a fine sword - flexible steel, ready for action, and potentially lethal" p336. Humor and persiflage elevate X-rated "anticipate the introduction of my more outstanding external organ into your soft, moist, hot, and oh so empty internal space", "You have a wicked tongue", "You don't know how wicked" p159, "she needed a new vocabulary entirely" p176.
Lady Elfled Malloren, in flamboyant gold and red, as caped and masked Lisette, speaks fluent French to intriguing Earl of Walgrave, Fortitude Harleigh Ware, overhears him plot with a Scot against King George, and seduces him on one long night, to find the secret guarded in his London mansion basement, worries later about pregnancy. (Why is Fort heroic supporting two illegitimate offspring?) She talks of courage, acts foolhardy. In her defence, servants are killed and wounded, as is Fort. She orders the fatal shot on the Scottish leader Murray, disguised as clergy. Her brothers married in previous books, her twin Cyn to Fort's sister Charity, so the outcome is inevitable. Family motto: "With a Malloren, all things are possible" p69 and more, is not always positive.
Her physical metamorphosis from innocence lasts a single night, but transforms her exterior from prim pastel floral sprigged cottons to jewel amber silks p331. She should herself offer to participate in the family business, study and demonstrate competence. She is hypocritical to complain that her brothers fail to offer p91; they entrust her with silks despite experience limited to the household p283. When she gets gun and knife (throwing only?) lessons, my admiration rises p300, but again, her brothers took the first steps, teaching her how to load and shoot.
Ponderings:
• Fort: "Ten times your normal fee" p110 is one example of their (and present-day Prince of Wales) mutual attitude, money is to gratify whims of "the quality" - who thus demonstrate a lack of quality traits
• Elf smashes a "valuable Chinese vase" in flighty temper "The world needs changing", not for a useful purpose or defense p250, again, spoiled rich brat.
• "He deserves to find someone with whom he can be joyous in season." p287 for summer? Christmas holiday? in heat, like animal? not a misprint, repeats "someone who could make him joyous in season" p334, not an historical expression, seems related to expression of giving a young girl her "season", starting with debut, for husband hunting
• "said Sappho gently, as if she could read her mind." p295 The following conversation only makes sense if the silent thought was aloud.
• Sappho advises marriage does involve loss "and should only be undertaken if the gain is equal to or exceeds the loss" p298. How does the "scientific" viewpoint fit in a romance?
• Costumes and masks are a standard Beverley trick, but actors are recognizable in other roles, by distinctive features (Fort examines Lisette's chin), stance, mannerisms, expressions. A voice can even give away a relationship. Big brunette Selina Griffiths, guest succubus on UK "Being Human" sounds exactly like her more delicate-appearing white-haired mother Annette Crosbie, patient wife of curmudgeon Victor Meldrew on "One Foot in the Grave". Even identical twins are distinguishable by voice and appearance.
Typos:
p346 "crossed her legs as her bother would do" should be "brother"
p348 "tear her part" should be "apart"
References:
p110, 370 "Benedick and Beatrice" are sweethearts in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"
Lady Elfled Malloren, in flamboyant gold and red, as caped and masked Lisette, speaks fluent French to intriguing Earl of Walgrave, Fortitude Harleigh Ware, overhears him plot with a Scot against King George, and seduces him on one long night, to find the secret guarded in his London mansion basement, worries later about pregnancy. (Why is Fort heroic supporting two illegitimate offspring?) She talks of courage, acts foolhardy. In her defence, servants are killed and wounded, as is Fort. She orders the fatal shot on the Scottish leader Murray, disguised as clergy. Her brothers married in previous books, her twin Cyn to Fort's sister Charity, so the outcome is inevitable. Family motto: "With a Malloren, all things are possible" p69 and more, is not always positive.
Her physical metamorphosis from innocence lasts a single night, but transforms her exterior from prim pastel floral sprigged cottons to jewel amber silks p331. She should herself offer to participate in the family business, study and demonstrate competence. She is hypocritical to complain that her brothers fail to offer p91; they entrust her with silks despite experience limited to the household p283. When she gets gun and knife (throwing only?) lessons, my admiration rises p300, but again, her brothers took the first steps, teaching her how to load and shoot.
Ponderings:
• Fort: "Ten times your normal fee" p110 is one example of their (and present-day Prince of Wales) mutual attitude, money is to gratify whims of "the quality" - who thus demonstrate a lack of quality traits
• Elf smashes a "valuable Chinese vase" in flighty temper "The world needs changing", not for a useful purpose or defense p250, again, spoiled rich brat.
• "He deserves to find someone with whom he can be joyous in season." p287 for summer? Christmas holiday? in heat, like animal? not a misprint, repeats "someone who could make him joyous in season" p334, not an historical expression, seems related to expression of giving a young girl her "season", starting with debut, for husband hunting
• "said Sappho gently, as if she could read her mind." p295 The following conversation only makes sense if the silent thought was aloud.
• Sappho advises marriage does involve loss "and should only be undertaken if the gain is equal to or exceeds the loss" p298. How does the "scientific" viewpoint fit in a romance?
• Costumes and masks are a standard Beverley trick, but actors are recognizable in other roles, by distinctive features (Fort examines Lisette's chin), stance, mannerisms, expressions. A voice can even give away a relationship. Big brunette Selina Griffiths, guest succubus on UK "Being Human" sounds exactly like her more delicate-appearing white-haired mother Annette Crosbie, patient wife of curmudgeon Victor Meldrew on "One Foot in the Grave". Even identical twins are distinguishable by voice and appearance.
Typos:
p346 "crossed her legs as her bother would do" should be "brother"
p348 "tear her part" should be "apart"
References:
p110, 370 "Benedick and Beatrice" are sweethearts in Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"
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