The Wicked Cousin

Rockliffe #4

by Stella Riley

Sebastian Audley has spent years setting every city in Europe by the ears and keeping the scandal-sheets in profit. Word that he is finally returning to London becomes the hottest topic of the Season and casts numerous young ladies – many of whom have never seen him - into a fever of anticipation.

Cassandra Delahaye is not one of them. In her opinion, love affairs and duels, coupled with a reputation for never refusing even the most death-defying wager, suggest that Mr Audley is short of a brain cell or two. And while their first, very unorthodox meeting shows that perhaps he isn’t entirely stupid, it creates other reservations entirely.

Sebastian finds dodging admiring females and living down his reputation for reckless dare-devilry a full-time occupation. He had known that putting the past behind him in a society with an insatiable appetite for scandal and gossip would not be easy. But what he had not expected was to become the target of a former lover’s dangerous obsession … or to find himself falling victim to a pair of storm-cloud eyes.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Georgian, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published May 31, 2017

About the author

Stella Riley lives in Kent, England. She enjoys theatre, travel and playing the harpsichord.
Her award-winning 7 book Rockliffe series (recommended in The Times!) is available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.
She is also the author of 6 books set in the 17th century: The Marigold Chain, A Splendid Defiance, The Black Madonna, Garland of Straw, The King's Falcon and Lords of Misrule.
All titles are available from Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Apple.
Rockliffe Book 6 - Cadenza - is the 2019 Readers' Favourite gold medallist for Historical Romance and also the 2021 Book Excellence Awards winner in the Romance category.

Reviews

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars


After his twin brother died and his father smothered him trying to keep him from any danger, Sebastian broke the chains to live a wild and carefree life. Now that he is a little older and wiser, he just wishes all the fervor from his younger exploits would die down.
Cassandra is less than impressed with all the stories about their wicked "cousin" but when she actually meets the man, she finds herself singing a different tune.
 
Fourth in the Rockliffe series, The Wicked Cousin focuses on Sebastian and Cassandra. I'm a newbie to this series and while it is entirely possible to start here, the extended family and friends secondary characters (heroes and heroines from the previous books) will make you wish you had read their stories. If you've read Grace Burrowes and her Windham series, the incorporation of past characters and world building is in the same vein here. I did think Riley did a slightly better job of unobtrusively weaving them in, not as much a feeling of off tangent if you're not previously acquainted with them.
 
And with the utmost reluctance, she saw what she had been unconsciously determined not to see. She saw what all the fuss was about.
 
Cassandra was our wondrously level-headed heroine, who does get a bit outshined by the hero, but always likeable. A heroine from a loving family with no horrible trauma almost seems like a novelty these days. However, the angst that was replaced with loving family dynamics, a sweet father and mother paired with an overly precocious little sister, provided heartwarming nuances and emotions more modern trends have been leaving out. I would have liked more scenes with Cassandra interacting with her sister, mother, and friends, as Riley did a tremendous job showcasing the male relationships.
 
It occurred to Sebastian that, in only a handful of meetings, he had come to like Cassandra Delahaye much more than was probably wise.
 
Our hero Sebastian is one that you won't help but fall in love with. The pain and sense of loss (both brother and sense of self) when his twin brother dies is heartbreaking. The way that Riley took this instance and constructed how it affected Sebastian, his family, and therefore their relationships added immense depth, you'll feel this story. Before we are introduced to Sebastian we learn of his persona but just like Cassandra learns, the true man is much more. His character make-up was so rich, confident, and teasing but yet vulnerable and shy at times. He was no one-trick pony or cardboard cutout, if you're a hero-centric reader, you don't want to miss Sebastian and his gorgeous garnet hair.
 
This was very much a character driven story, in which there was such an ease and flow to the writing that it envelopes you into the story. There was dramatic flair added with a scorned mistress causing problems for our couple. This provided some of the drama we all secretly love in romance but did stretch out for an unneeded extra scene; it turned around to feel like the deranged villain needed serious help instead of the truth spoke a bit harshly to her, even if it also felt justified. The story tempo is more leisurely, which with the richness of characters and story I didn't mind, but there were a few times I thought it was too slow following a bit long on offshoots. I also thought the climax of the story hit around the 80% mark and created a bit of a deflated balloon ending, however, people who like extended epilogues will probably enjoy the continuation.
 
All in all, I was a big fan of this story with its rich depth in characters and world. I've been complaining lately of story structure, definitely not a probably here, it feels like this was edited with a fine tooth comb. I'll be going back and reading the rest of the books in this series, I have a strong desire to grow more acquainted with the Duke of Rockliffe after his appearances here. There was also glimpses of a secondary romance featured and with the set-up of a duke's brother and woman who feels she couldn't be good enough for him, you can bet I'll be first in line when it gets published. We read romance to get lost in another world for some time, this is one you'll not want to come back from.

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Stella Riley’s Rockliffe series and THE WICKED COUSIN is another wonderful addition to the series. At its heart is a gentle, heart-warming, funny and beautifully written, traditional love story.

Ms. Riley drew me into the story from the first page with a powerful and heart-breaking Prologue. I could feel the eight-year-old Sebastian’s intense feelings of pain, guilt, anger and bewilderment, following the loss of his beloved twin brother, Theo. His family do not realise just how deeply he has been affected, that, for Sebastian, it was like losing the other half of himself. As the only remaining heir, his father takes every precaution to keep Sebastian safe, wrapping him in a cocoon of overprotectiveness for the next thirteen years. Even at university, where Sebastian hoped to enjoy freedom for the first time, he couldn’t escape his father’s control entirely. So, when the opportunity finally arises, I could perfectly understand Sebastian’s desire to ‘kick over the traces’ and enjoy all the things he had been denied.

The Honourable Mr Audley didn’t give a damn about the gossip and rumours or what anyone said. After thirteen years in the cage he was entitled to enjoy his freedom and do what the hell he liked.
So he did.

In the next few years, he cuts a swathe across Europe and the gossip sheets eagerly report his daredevil exploits and success with the ladies. However, when he receives a curt letter from his eldest sister, Blanche, advising him that his father has suffered an apoplexy, he is ready to return home as his life of excess had started to pall some time ago. Now he is back in England, Sebastian hopes to live down his reputation with some help from his good friend, Adrian Devereux, Earl of Sarre (The Player).

Despite everything, Sebastian still loves his father and makes annual trips home hoping that his father’s attitude might change, but it never does. He is also subjected to Blanche’s bitter and cruel words which still have the power to hurt, and his trips home over the years have always been brief ones. When Sebastian finally returns home, I was touched by the scene where his father admits that he had only himself to blame for his son’s actions and I liked that they made tentative steps towards a reconciliation. I also enjoyed seeing Sebastian’s interactions with the other members of his family and couldn’t help feeling satisfaction when he took his subtle revenge on his hateful sister, Blanche.

Cassandra (Cassie) Delahaye, the eldest daughter of Sir Charles Delahaye, has always been the perfect daughter; biddable, gentle and demure. Among the ton, she is considered a lady of ‘impeccable behaviour and perfect propriety’ – just the perfect daughter-in-law for all those matching-making mothers with marriageable sons. However, Cassie seems to attract nothing but mild-mannered, dull suitors whom she is constantly having to reject in a kindly way. Her younger sister, Olivia, has been constantly bombarding Cassie with all the latest gossip regarding ‘Wicked Cousin’ (a very distant relative) Sebastian’s exploits abroad, and is in a flurry of anticipation because of his return to London. Cassie, however, is not at all impressed:

‘If you ask me, all those duels and love-affairs and ridiculous wagers make him sound like an idiot.'

Sebastian and Cassie are such engaging characters and watching them falling in love was just delightful. I enjoyed the animated exchanges between them in their unconventional, first meeting, which only serves to confirm Cassie’s opinion of Sebastian as both arrogant and conceited, but she is not completely unaffected by the experience…

As for the interlude in the library … it had been the most peculiar, alarming and exhilarating half-hour of her life and she still didn’t know what to make of it.

As they meet at various functions, Cassie finds Sebastian dangerously easy to like with his charm, intelligence and humour. She also notices his kindness in dancing with Harry Caversham’s cousin, Henrietta, who is in her third season and so often left on the side-lines with the chaperones…not to mention his smile which makes her nerve-ends tingle. Sebastian realises how much he has come to like Cassie and enjoy her company and, unlike the other men, he sees the real Cassie, a lovely, intelligent and witty young woman. It isn’t long before they are both smitten and there is a very moving scene at Theo’s graveside where Sebastian talks about his feelings for Cassie.

She makes me want the things that are meant to go with it; things I’ve never wanted before. Love, I suppose – though I know damn all about it. All I do know is that I’ve got this all-encompassing sense that she’s mine but nobody knows it, not even her. How stupid is that?’

There is drama in the form of Sebastian’s venomous, former mistress, who has become obsessed with the idea that he still wants her, and a scandalous accusation made against Sebastian. I love how Cassie believes in Sebastian in spite of what the rumours say and is a veritable Valkyrie in her defence of him. I also like how Sebastian is open and honest with Cassie and there are no secrets or misunderstandings between them.

Families are often portrayed as dysfunctional in historic romances and it was refreshing to see such a loving family like the Delahayes. I really like Cassie’s father because he appreciates his daughter’s worth and wants her to marry the man of her choice. He also understands that Sebastian had valid reasons for his wild behaviour and is ready to believe that he can put his past behind him. He is also astute enough to realise the significance of Sebastian being the first man that Cassie has ever sent to him to ask for leave to court her.

One of the joys of reading this series is seeing the characters from the previous books. The wonderful camaraderie and easy rapport between the Rockliffe circle of family and friends always produces some delightful scenes, memorable moments, and witty banter. Among my favourite moments are:

- Adrian, usually the epitome of sartorial elegance, having to meet his wife’s grandfather for the first time, looking as though he’d been rolling in a ditch.

- Adrian’s wife, Caroline, giving her odious mother-in-law a well-deserved set-down.

- The normally sophisticated Rockliffe with his baby daughter dozing contentedly in the crook of his arm.

I am also intrigued by the situation between Nicholas Wynstanton (Rockliffe’s younger brother) and Madeline Delacroix ( Aristide’s sister) and I hope their story is next.

I like how Ms. Riley gives the reader snippets of information which, on the surface, seem unimportant but only later in the story does their relevance become significant.

MY VERDICT: Another beautifully written story from Stella Riley. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Rockliffe series so far (click on the book covers for more details):




This review was originally posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:

https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just listening to Alex Wyndham say, "The Wicked Cousin" as the book begins is worth an Audible credit. Seriously, though, this is a wonderful story, with intriguing characters, luscious romance, and a bit of adventure. Alex Wyndham's performance is, once again, superb.

[♥Sharon♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful addition to the Rockcliffe series. I very much enjoyed Cassandra and Sebastian's story. It was a lot of fun to have a number of the other characters in this series present.

I am intrigued by Nicholas. I've already started his story. :) And from what I gather we also get Aristide's story as well. Oooh a two for one deal!

The continued icing on this 'cake' is the narration done by Alex Wyndham. Ladies, his voice is simply delicious. He does an amazing job with all the characters. ❤

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

The Wicked Cousin is the fourth book in Stella Riley’s Rockliffe series of historical romances set in Georgian England, in which she once again presents readers with a gorgeous hero, an admirable heroine and a well-written, strongly developed romance that simmers with sexual tension and is deliciously, well, romantic. Add to that a delightful cast of familiar secondary characters, witty dialogue, wonderfully written friendships and a gently bubbling secondary romance with great potential for a future book... and Ms. Riley has another winner on her hands.

The eponymous cousin is the Honourable Sebastian Audley, only son and heir of Viscount Wingham. Following the tragic death of his beloved twin brother at the age of eight, Sebastian was wrapped up in several suffocating layers of cotton wool, mollycoddled and over-protected to such an extent that when he was finally able to, he went more than a little wild in his determination to experience life to the full. There was no wager too risky, no lady too unattainable and no bottle too undrinkable for Sebastian, and tales of his exploits as he cut a dash through Europe have spread far and wide, shocking (but secretly titillating) the ladies and entertaining the men, most of whom think Sebastian is a jolly fine fellow and would gladly slap him on the back if ever he stayed long enough in one place to allow them to do so.

The problem with a reputation of such magnitude, however, it that it tends to be both inflexible and impossible to dislodge, as Sebastian quickly discovers when, after an absence of several years (barring his annual and very quiet flying visit) he returns to England for good when he learns that his father has suffered an apoplexy and that his life is in danger.

Truth be told, Sebastian’s hellraisng lifestyle has begun to pall and at the age of twenty-eight he is ready to embark on another phase of his life – to start to learn how to manage the family estates and to ready himself to take on the responsibilities that will be his when he eventually inherits his father’s title. But he knows that he faces quite the task in terms of convincing society that he has thrown off his hellion ways and wants to settle down; the minute he is known to be in London, he’ll be besieged by young bucks vying for his attention and attempting to get him to wager on the most outrageous things, and while he isn’t going to agree to any of them, it’s going to be difficult to keep on turning them down without causing offence.

Fortunately, Sebastian’s good friend, Adrian Devereux, Earl of Sarre (The Player) comes up with a solution to that particular dilemma. If they make a private wager, it will preclude Sebastian from accepting any others, thus giving him a legitimate reason for declining any others offered him.

Sebastian is therefore set for his re-entrance into London society which, given he’s handsome as sin and twice as charming, welcomes him with open arms.

Miss Cassandra Delahaye, whom we met in The Player is getting tired of hearing of very little other than the wicked Mr. Audley – who happens to be a very, very distant relation of her family – from her younger sister and her friends, all of whom are swooning over the tales of his exploits printed in the scandal sheets. While constantly hearing about the dashing, handsome rake, Cassie is trying to work out how to gently reject yet another suitor who has asked her to marry him simply because she’s exactly the sort of girl one marries – pretty, sweet and well-bred. She’s not silly enough to expect to be swept off her feet and fall madly in love with the man she will eventually wed, but she would at least like to be chosen for herself and not just because she is regarded as “eminently suitable”.

Her first – accidental – meeting with her so-called wicked cousin is not an auspicious one and at first she thinks him arrogant and conceited. But she is forced to concede her error when further encounters prove him to be neither of those things; he’s funny, kind and clever and she finds herself enjoying both his company and his conversation, which is interesting and enlightening. But even more than that, he is probably the first man to take an interest in her opinions and what she has to say; in short, to see and appreciate Cassie rather than the demure Miss Delahaye, and it isn’t long before she is thoroughly smitten with the genuinely decent man she is coming to know.

For the first time ever, Sebastian is in love, and, in a touching and beautiful scene at his brother’s graveside, talks to him about the strength of his feelings for Cassie and the task he faces in convincing the woman he loves that he is a changed man. More difficult than that, however, he is going to have to prove to her father that he can be trusted with his daughter’s heart and happiness. But Sebastian is not one to give up easily and is determined to win Cassie’s hand.

The Wicked Cousin is a character-driven romance which has, at its heart, a tender and romantic courtship that is not without a few heated moments. But there is a lot more to enjoy as well, not least of which is meeting characters from the previous novels. We get to see the Duke of Rockliffe as a besotted new father, to witness Caroline, Lady Sarre, giving Adrian’s mother a well-deserved set-down and Adrian’s first, sartorially-challenged meeting with his wife’s bluff, yet kindly grandfather. We catch up with Amberley and Rosalind, Rock’s sister, Nell … and there is still something brewing between his younger brother Nicholas and the lovely Madeleine Delacroix (sister of Adrian’s business partner, Aristide). It’s also incredibly refreshing to read a story in which the heroine’s family is kind, fond and well-adjusted, and while Sebastian and his father have clearly butted heads over his life-choices in the past, Ms. Riley has very wisely opted not to have them at each other’s throats, and to show instead that there is affection and respect between them and to point the way towards an improvement in their relationship.

That’s not to say that everything in the garden is rosy, however. Sebastian’s relationship with his oldest sister, Blanche, is very strained and has played some part in his estrangement from his family; and his rakish past comes back to haunt him in the form of one of his past lovers, who is obsessed with him and refuses to believe he is no longer interested in her. The “evil other woman” plotline can be a difficult one to pull off and is one which I know some readers dislike, but it works well here, clearly showing how Sebastian has changed and become aware of the inadvisability of many of his past actions, while also injecting a bit of drama into the story.

If I have a criticism of the book overall, it’s that while Cassie is a lovely heroine and perfect for Sebastian, she is somewhat overshadowed by him. She’s not a shrinking violent by any means – she’s charming, intelligent and not afraid to stand up for herself - but Sebastian is so vital and charismatic that he steals pretty much every scene he’s in. But for a hero-centric reader like me, that’s no problem at all, and I was more than happy to be completely charmed by him in all his red-headed, blue-eyed glory.

All in all, The Wicked Cousin is a delightful read and one which is sure to please fans of intelligently written, strongly characterised historical romance. It’s a self-contained story, but as it’s the fourth book in a series, characters from the previous books are mentioned and many make cameo appearances, so if you haven't read the others you might want to familiarise yourself with who is who. Or just read the first three books, which are every bit as enjoyable as this one.

More, please, Ms. Riley!

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is fourth in a series and characters from previous books pop up like ugly dolls in a jack-in-the-box warehouse in an earthquake. So read the others first. Or don't because then you might feel obliged to read this one and that's just so not worth it.

I had hopes after The Player turned out so well. Sadly, not so. We're back to the problem with The Mésalliance where the bad guys are venal and stupid and only ever have success through luck (i.e. authorial manipulation). It doesn't help that Cassandra has a monster case of negative motivation*, either.

Which is sad because I kind of like the main couple. I liked Sebastian reconciliation with his father and his determination to take on his responsibilities. And I liked Cassandra trying new things and being more outgoing. Seeing them develop a real friendship was gratifying and I enjoyed their interactions. So I continued as long as I could. But after the third contrivance that kept the bad guys viable I just couldn't take it any more. Seriously, if they can't be a threat any more without contriving coincidences, move on already...

* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.

[Lyuda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait to read the story. I loved-loved the previous books in the series. All three of them were 5-star reads for me. And maybe that was my problem- high expectation because, sadly, I couldn’t connect with either the story or its main characters. I felt an indifferent observer of the developing romance. The plot felt too long, flat and I was bored. Even the infusion of external force didn’t help. The portrayal of the obsessed, “fatal attraction”-like OW felt over-the-top, almost cartoonish.
On a positive side, the writing is as superb as you would expect from the author. It was very nice to see the characters from the previous books popping up here and there. Actually, meeting them again was the highlight of the story for me.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well that was a bit of a disappointment. Probably would only have been a 2 but I gave it 3 as the Narrator, Alex Wyndham, is fantastic but even he could not drag it out of the pits for me! I know I am in the minority here as most of my friends really enjoyed it. Not even sure what it was about it that just did not grab me... I didn't really care about either of the two main characters. Story was a little boring ... nothing really happened.


I don't think the dress sense of the era endears me at all. Those bloody wigs and powder! Not a fan! Am I that shallow? That something like that would annoy me in a book? LOL. Of course, I am.


I really enjoyed the previous books and maybe my expectations were a little too high.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Prologue to The Wicked Cousin, the fourth in Stella Riley’s magnificent Georgian Rockliffe series, is moving and poignant, and sets the scene for the string of events which will forever change Sebastian Audley's life. As the story unfolds and we learn more about the life of this charismatic character, I fell for him hook, line and sinker.

On a scorching August day in 1757 when he was eight years old, Sebastian Audley’s life changed. And though he didn’t know it, that change was to last for the next thirteen years…

It was the day that a distraught child lost his beloved twin brother, the other half of himself; no one understood his grief. The boys had been inseparable - intuitively knowing each other’s thoughts in a way that only identical twins can. But, in Sebastian’s emotionally underdeveloped child’s mind, he believed he had failed Theo when he needed him the most. Locked in his room, he cried out his despair and felt his brother’s pain… and then...the silence...when he knew that part of him was gone forever and, from that moment on, Sebastian’s charmed, carefree life ended. He blamed himself for living when Theo had died, which was only reinforced by the diatribe hurled at him by his eldest sister, Blanche, who had irrationally never cared for the younger of her twin brothers. Theo’s early and tragic death shaped the way the adults in Sebastian's life treated him, albeit believing they were keeping him safe. Their actions also impacted on the way he himself behaved for the best part of seven years, after finally escaping the strictures imposed on him by his grief-stricken father - actions that this autocratic man was to come to bitterly regret.

Sebastian’s first acts of defiance - refusing to be ‘chaperoned' by the local vicar’s son, or to study the subject chosen for him by his father - came when he was finally allowed to leave home to study at Cambridge. Instead, he diligently and quietly applied himself to studying the law, which he saw as a way of eventually becoming independent of his father’s claustrophobic control. He obtained an honours degree but never actually had to practise law because an unexpected, small but adequate bequest from a great-aunt left him financially independent and, more importantly, it freed him from familial restraint. During his time at university, he worked hard, denying himself the fun and frolicking other undergraduates enjoyed. Instead, he discovered a love and quite remarkable talent for the intricacies of chess, which he had once enjoyed playing with his twin. This talent was to serve him well in later years.

As sole heir to his father, Viscount Wingham, Sebastian had to be kept safe for the succession at all costs but, by the time he reached his majority, he was determined to escape the suffocating over protectiveness of his family. After years of compliance, Sebastian about-faced and embarked on an extraordinary catch-up of everything that had previously been denied him; his exploits becoming the talk of London society before he disappeared to the continent to continue his outrageous lifestyle. All the girls he had never kissed or bedded became a part of his new life, and his adrenalin seeking exploits were salaciously reported in the gossip rags. Whatever challenge or wager the rumour mill insisted he had accepted – no matter how ridiculous, or even whether fact or fiction – was avidly reported and devoured by the ton. His notorious reputation, coupled with his lauded and extraordinary good looks, bluer than blue eyes, glorious hair of a rich burgundy/garnet and impressive physique, set him apart from his peers. Sebastian Audley had become a living legend.

After seven years of self-imposed exile, wandering from place to place, and now desperate to escape the determined pursuit of a spurned lover turned stalker, Sebastian’s nomad life had become intolerable. During the last couple of years on the continent, he had already considerably toned down his behaviour and, with little else to do, his beloved chess became his only real enjoyment in life. Time and practice had honed his skills with remarkable results and, in fact, such a talent never did equate with his rakehell reputation, which was more a few years of madness than a character trait.

Though reluctant to return home to his father's controlling orbit, he still felt a strong sense of familial duty. In all the years apart, he never stopped loving his father, and without fail made the long and arduous journey home once a year to see him. However, the cruel jibes of his sister, Blanche, whose unreasonable dislike of him has not abated with the years, were the catalyst that always drove him away again. Sebastian hides the hurt she causes him beneath a devil-may-care attitude which only serves to compound her dislike of him. One of the many things I love about Sebastian's character is that he is an honourable young man who always knew that one day he would return to his responsibilities. However, who could blame him for staying away when his sister is the unmarried matriarch presiding over his ancestral home? Eventually, it is an imperious letter from Blanche informing him that his father has suffered an apoplexy that gives him the excuse he needs to return home for good.

Sebastian arrives home to find his father well on the road to recovery, and after spending some private time together, they finally make their peace; his father admitting to his earlier failures with regard to his son. Sebastian is still not entirely convinced of his father’s ability to let him run his own life, but I began to warm to the viscount as his obvious pride in his son was rather touching. Whether in spite of or because of his reported escapades I’m not sure.

With his father out of danger and the decision all but made to remain in England, Sebastian decides to go to London in an attempt to convince society that he is a reformed character. There he seeks the help of Adrian Devereux, Earl of Sarre (The Player), the two men having met and become close friends whilst both were exiled on the continent. Adrian proposes a plan in the form of a private wager placed in the betting book of his gaming club. With this in place, Sebastian is protected, at least in the short term, from ridiculous wagers by immature young bucks. His first tentative steps are fraught with pitfalls, especially as he has recently gained the moniker of, The Wicked Cousin, courtesy of Olivia Delahaye, the rather silly younger sister of Cassandra (Cassie), whom we met in previous books as a secondary character. Cassie's father, a close friend of the Duke of Rockliffe, plays quite a prominent part in this story and I liked his quiet, reasonable character and wise council, especially regarding Sebastian. The familial relationship between the Delahaye’s and Audley’s is tentative but nevertheless one in which Olivia is more than happy to bask in among her bevy of young female friends.

Sebastian’s initial, accidental meeting with Cassie is brimming with misunderstandings and only serves to reinforce her pre-conceived opinion of him as an arrogant, feckless, philanderer whom she could never like. However, after several more encounters, Cassie reluctantly begins to see why he is so popular with and intriguing to the men and women of society; he is witty and amusing but in a kindly, non-mocking way, with no apparent artifice and more importantly, he seems genuinely interested in her as a person. Then, with some simple, sweet gestures, Sebastian has Cassie hooked along with the rest of society and by now she is already half-way in love with him. In Cassie's experience, she has only ever attracted dull dogs and then only because their mothers think her suitable daughter-in-law material. Never in her wildest dreams does she imagine that her feelings could be returned by this gorgeous young man who could, quite frankly, have his pick.

But they are returned because Sebastian is utterly smitten. He sees - through the eyes of a man in love - the beautiful, captivating and interesting girl that other less discerning suitors have failed to see. From the moment the two acknowledge that they are meant to be together, Cassie is loyal to a fault, refusing to believe anything to Sebastian's detriment and, when his spurned ex-lover tries to make trouble for him, she fights tooth and nail for him regardless of the opinion of others. Charles and Serena Delahaye are nonplussed by the change in their previously gentle, biddable daughter and, in the words of her father:

"You, Mr. Audley, have turned my lovely girl into a damned Valkyrie.'"

Cassie’s parents have always appreciated her worth, never pressuring her into settling for second best. So, when Sebastian requests permission of her father to pay his addresses to Cassie – with her approval – the astute Charles Delahaye is more than happy, especially as his daughter has never sent a young man to him before. Despite Sebastian’s reputation, Sir Charles has always known there were valid reasons for his past behaviour and has some sympathy for the young man.

The Wicked Cousin is very much a beautifully crafted love story, with interesting and likeable characters. I particularly like the author’s unique way of taking apparently ordinary women and showing us that we all have hidden depths and just need the right man to see them as Sebastian does with Cassie. I adored both of these characters; Cassie is sweet, determined and loyal and Sebastian, kind, protective and with a generosity of spirit one cannot help but be drawn to. His outward carefree attitude hides a depth of grief for his twin that Cassie sees and understands. I thought Stella Riley rather clever in her pairing of these two – so different and yet so right for each other. Sebastian’s rather naughty sense of humour and Cassie’s whole-hearted acceptance of it is amusing and a little risqué, but not too much, because, true to her style, Ms. Riley allows us just enough to wet our appetite and no more.

The unforgettable Duke of Rockliffe (The Mésalliance) again leads the group of friends that Stella Riley has cultivated and grown since the beginning of the series. They are once more in action as they close ranks to protect one of their own. Amusingly, at one point in the story, 'the friends' take the normally calm and collected Rock away to entertain him at the request of their wives to give his wife, Adeline, some respite from his fussing as she awaits the arrival of their first child. When, at last the child arrives, my heart just melted. Imagine the perfectly controlled, formidable Rock as a doting papa; Stella Riley is one of only a few authors who can reduce me to mush, and she always succeeds in one way or another:

....his Grace was walking back and forth by the windows holding a small bundle wrapped in a lacy white shawl…

I was very happy to see the return of Adrian Deveraux, one of my favourite characters in this series. His story is told in The Player, which is one of the best and most intriguingly complex stories I have read in Historical Romance, the genius of which is captured to perfection by Alex Wyndham in his splendid audio performance of the various personas and voices of Adrian. I loved seeing more of Adrian and how his marriage to Caroline, his countess, has progressed, but also how he plays such a pivotal role in helping Sebastian and Cassandra attain their own HEA.

As always, the recording of one of Ms. Riley’s books into audio by her chosen narrator, Alex Wyndham, is a treat worth waiting for. Mr. Wyndham has a unique talent whereby he transforms anything this author writes from wonderful to extraordinary. Actor and author are completely in tune as he interprets her words with perfect precision, sometimes bringing something to my notice I had missed in the reading of it.

Every character is easily distinguishable - male or female, old or young. The male cast of friends has become larger and more complex as the series has progressed, yet this appears to pose no dilemma for Mr. Wyndham, as yet again he manages to pull another voice out of his ever-deepening hat. For instance, this is the first we have heard of Sebastian in the series; his 'voice' is perfectly pitched to indicate the light, buoyant, slightly amused and occasionally naughty tones of Sebastian, which I imagined when I first read his story. There are a few occasions where Adrian and Sebastian are in conversation and I wondered how Alex Wyndham would deal with these two equally charismatic characters to my satisfaction. How could I question his ability because he flawlessly delineates between the two men, with never a doubt as to which one is speaking, and, all the time, still retaining the exact voice he used for Adrian in The Player.

I can't complete my analysis of Mr. Wyndham's performance without mentioning his superior portrayal of Nicholas Wynstanton, younger brother of the Duke of Roxton. In previous books, this young man has been easy-going and ebullient but now, smitten by a young woman who is resisting his advances, he has become grumpy and short-tempered, whilst still remaining very recognisable as himself. Another thoroughly enjoyable and faultless performance from this supremely talented actor.

This series is really addictive and I’m particularly fond of a saga where we see the return of family and friends in high-profile. These people have become so special to us as readers that we feel invested in their lives. Ms. Riley has done this to such great effect that these men and now their women too, feel like old friends.

Ms. Riley infuses the story with her customary wit and humour and I was particularly entertained by the scene where Sebastian ties up his ex-mistress and cuts off her hair (this scene is captured admirably by Mr. Wyndham, who sounded as though he was enjoying himself immensely).

As is the case with any Stella Riley novel, her research is so impeccable that we can be sure she has it right, whether it is the intricacies of chess or the cut and thrust of a tense and exciting fencing match. I highly recommend Stella Riley's work to the uninitiated because, in my opinion, she is consistently a 5 star writer and each of her stories is special in its own right. I would recommend starting at the beginning of this series, mainly to gain a perspective and understanding of how Ms. Riley has developed her intriguing group of friends and relatives, and to see how their loves and lives intertwine, but more importantly how they all support one another. However, it isn’t necessary, as each story is unique and different to the previous books in the series.

MY VERDICT>: The audio of THE WICKED COUSIN, narrated by Alex Wyndham, is a terrific listen and another worthy addition to the author's fabulous Rockliffe series. Stella Riley never disappoints, and I always look forward with eager anticipation to a new release and with HAZARD, the next in the series, nearing completion, we won't have long to wait.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 to 4 stars for this fourth book in the Rockliffe Georgian series. I think out of all four this one is my favourite so far.

Sebastian's life changed suddenly when his (older) twin brother died when they were children. Suddenly as the only male heir, Sebastian became victim to his father's extra overprotective feelings, while he also tried to deal with the loss of his loved twin. Eventually Sebastian rebelled against his father's strictures and limitations, and once he finished university he went a little wild, and then took off to the Continent to live. Wine, women and song. That included the beautiful but clinging Miranda, who became Sebastian's mistress for a while. When they went their separate ways however, Miranda didn't want to end things......

Once Sebastian returns to England he has to face his wild reputation as a rake, which the scandal sheets have been blowing out of proportion. He is a gorgeous looking young man with his distinctive dark red hair and attractive physique, and the young ladies go a little mad over him. And then there's Miranda. She is in London now too, and wants to start their affair up again, perhaps even marry Sebastian. But he was done with her a long time ago, and tells her so very clearly. And she doesn't like that. So, a nice little revenge scenario is set to play out. Hell hath no fury...... and Miranda is a Class A b*tch.

Into this interesting scene, enter Cassandra Delahaye. Cassie is a young, pretty, clever and independently minded young lady. And in her Sebastian has met his match. They are immediately attracted to each other and there is lots of sizzling sexual tension between them right from their first meeting. But Cassie is an innocent girl who has been properly raised. And Sebastian has no plans to marry because, basically, he has very little income and can't support a wife. Since his rebellion a few years ago, his father does not even make him an allowance. But, they can't really fight it, and they fall deeply in love with each other.

The nasty Miranda gets up to some pretty wild antics in her quest to either win Sebastian back, or if that can't happen, to punish him for his perfidy in leaving her. And running along beside this interesting plot line is the developing love story of Sebastian and Cassie.

Ms Riley's books are fairly 'traditional' HRs in their style. The characters fill their traditional roles in society. The sex scenes are minimal and discreetly understated and don't occur till after the marriage vows. But there is still plenty of sexual tension and longing, and the relationship between the H and h is quite convincing. We also get to visit with some of the great characters from earlier books in the series, like the wonderful Rock himself, who now has a new baby girl.

Overall an enjoyable read. I look forward to the next one in the series.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from 2017

I've given this an A+ for narration (duh!) and an A- for content at AudioGals.

Those two names up there in the review title should be enough to tell you why you need to go and buy this audiobook at once. The combination of Ms. Riley’s wonderfully intelligent writing and Mr. Wyndham’s extraordinary skills as a narrator is always a delight to experience, and in The Wicked Cousin, book four in the author’s Rockliffe series of Georgian-set romances, both author and narrator are at the top of their game.

Following the death of his twin brother, Theo, at the age of eight, young Sebastian Audley, now the only son and heir of Viscount Wingham, spends the best part of the next thirteen years chafing at being wrapped up in several layers of cotton wool and over-protected to the point of suffocation. So naturally, as soon as he is able to do so, he sets about raising merry hell, which he does up and down the length and breadth of Europe with such great success that his exploits become the stuff of legend and his name regularly appears in the scandal sheets.

After a few years of this, however, Sebastian realises that he’s had enough of that way of life and that it’s time to move on and start to learn the things he needs to know for when he eventually inherits his estate and title – but the problem of having a reputation such as his is that it’s incredibly difficult to shed or live down. When he receives word that his father is ill and that he needs to come home at once, Sebastian decides to take the bull by the horns and make the attempt to rehabilitate himself in the eyes of society. But it won’t be easy. He knows that the minute he sets foot in England he’ll be besieged by young bucks wanting to make ridiculous wagers, young women interested in flirtation and young matrons and bored widows interested in much more than flirtation. To coin a phrase – the women want him and the men want to BE him – and Sebastian is going to have to tread very carefully if he is to achieve his goal of retiring into relative anonymity.

The news of Sebastian’s arrival back in England spreads like wildfire and speculation as to when and where he will make his first appearance in society runs rife. It’s too much for Cassandra Delahaye however, who is thoroughly fed up with hearing her younger sister and friends sighing and mooning over the reputedly gorgeous and thoroughly wicked Mr. Audley – who happens to be a very distant sort of cousin. Cassie is trying to work out how to delicately but decisively reject the proposal she suspects is coming from yet another suitor who most likely wants to marry her because she is sensible, well-bred and even-tempered; in short, exactly the sort of girl a gentleman should marry. She isn’t stupid; she doesn’t expect to be swept off her feet or to fall madly in love, but she would at least like a husband who has chosen her for herself rather than because she is “suitable”.

When Sebastian and Cassandra meet for the first time, it isn’t an auspicious encounter. He thinks she’s pursuing him and she, while admitting he’s undoubtedly the most handsome man she’s ever laid eyes on, thinks he’s conceited and arrogant. Subsequent encounters, however, quickly lay those bad impressions to rest as Cassie comes to realise that Sebastian is neither arrogant nor conceited; he is clever, witty and kind, his conversation is interesting and enlightening and, best of all, he is genuinely interested in her thoughts and opinions, the first man ever to see and appreciate her for herself, rather than as the eminently proper Miss Delahaye – and she is quickly and thoroughly smitten.

Sebastian is similarly drawn to Cassandra, whom he finds charming, intelligent and utterly delightful. In love for the first time in his life, he knows he faces quite the challenge if he is to convince her father that he can be trusted with his daughter’s hand and heart. Nevertheless, he is determined to win her and dutifully approaches Charles Delahaye, fully prepared to lay out the truth of his past and set on convincing him that he really has changed and that he will do everything in his power to ensure Cassandra’s happiness.

Perhaps unusually for historical romance these days, The Wicked Cousin is the story of a traditional courtship. Sebastian is careful to do things by the book, as it were, knowing that it’s important if he is to gain permission to marry the woman he loves. That doesn’t, however, mean that the romance is without heat; this couple might not be sneaking off for secret trysts in libraries, conservatories or deserted hunting lodges, but there is no lack of romantic and sexual tension between them whenever they are together, and there’s no question that they share a strong emotional connection.

Among the many things to enjoy in this story is the relationship that exists between Sebastian and one of his oldest friends, Adrian Devereux, Earl of Sarre (hero of  The Player ). Ms Riley excels at writing male friendships, between individuals or groups, and I was delighted at becoming reacquainted with a number of characters from previous books – Amberley, Rockliffe, Philip Vernon, Aristide Delacroix – all of whom have parts to play in supporting Sebastian’s “rehabilitation.

The familial relationships are well done, too. It’s very refreshing to have a heroine who comes from a loving family who obviously care for her and have her best interests at heart, and even though Sebastian’s relationship with his father is strained, I really appreciated the way that we are shown that there is sufficient affection and respect between them for a full reconciliation to take place at some future date.

The one – small – criticism I have of the book is that while Cassie is Sebastian’s perfect match, she is perhaps overshadowed by our hero, who is so charismatic, so vital and so downright gorgeous that he steals practically every scene he’s in. For a hero-centric reader and listener like me however, this isn’t a problem ;) And one other thing I should mention, because I know some people are not fond of it, is that the book contains an “evil other woman” plot; a former lover of Sebastian’s – who is obsessed with him almost to the point of madness – has followed him to England determined to rekindle their affair, and when rejected, hatches a scheme to ruin his name and reputation. I’m fairly ambivalent about it as a plot device in general, and it works here to show that Sebastian has come to understand and regret many of his past, less well-thought out actions, as well as to inject some external tension into the story.

What can I possibly say about Alex Wyndham’s performance here that hasn’t been said before? Every time I listen to him, I am bowled over by his intelligent and insightful interpretation of the author’s words, his incredible skill as a vocal actor and his thorough command of the technical aspects of audiobook narration. Every single character – and there is a large secondary cast in this book – whether male or female is given their own distinct vocal characterisation and that’s quite a feat, given there must be something like eight prominent male cast members in addition to Sebastian and Adrian and four or five ladies in addition to Cassandra. His portrayal of Sebastian is spot on; charming, witty and sexy, his tone light and airy a lot of the time but with a hint of steel when required and a rather lovely vulnerability when Sebastian is unsure of himself and surprised to find himself falling in love. There’s a moving scene which takes place at Theo’s graveside when Sebastian talks to his brother about Cassandra which is a perfect illustration of this, and is absolutely beautifully done.

This is a terrific addition to the growing number of audiobooks available from this wonderfully talented author/narrator team. A gorgeous hero, an admirable heroine and a deliciously romantic story… The Wicked Cousin has it all and I can do nothing but recommend it very strongly indeed.

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ia how this story starts...

-- and this is how it ends...


As you can deduct we have a stalker ! A 1700 stalker , but stalker all the same! LOL

That's the main backstory that makes things difficult between our MCs! Otherwise there's no problem whatsoever! He loves her, she loves him, their parents are very agreeable, their friends are very protective and happy for them! But his ex, not so much!

A very nice writing, but the story was rather bland.

For me this was the less enjoyable in the series...

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure what happened with this book. It pulled me in and I couldn’t stop reading until I was done. And no it wasn’t a short book that I could actually read in one gulp. Took me a day. A day I was supposed to be off working. But I couldn’t stop reading. And . . . well . . .

This is both the fourth Stella Riley book I’ve read, and fourth book in the Rockliffe series. A series I started reading in 2014. In my last review I noted I’d read 11 books by the author of the book I had read, all after June 26 2017. And here I note I’ve read 4 books in 3 years. Hmms. Hehe.

Right, so, this book. I got pulled into this book through one of the best prologue’s I’ve read. It tells the tale of Theo and Sebastian Audley. Twins. When both were around 7 or so, Sebastian was locked in his room and not allowed to leave. He yelled, he screamed, he pounded on the door. Eventually he broke through the window and fell out to land far down on the ground. No, he didn’t die – that’d be Theo that died. No, not because they were twins or something. No, Sebastian had been kept away from Theo, without any explanation, because Theo had contracted an illness and they didn’t want Sebastian to become ill as well. And then, while Sebastian was violently trying to get to Theo, Theo died.

Life for young Sebastian (always Sebastian, never Seb, or Bastian) became very constrained. Gone was the planned departure to Eton for schooling. No, he’d be home schooled. Gone were most activities. For the father wanted Sebastian to reach adulthood. Though he went about it the wrong way. Sebastian aged, and came to the realization as to why things were the way they were. He had college to look forward to, though, he just had to reach it. And then . . . unlike every other person of his age, while he was in fact allowed to go to college, he was forced to do so with something like guard – he would be there to study and that’s it (with the only two outlets being music and chess). Not liking the constraints placed upon him, he got a degree that his father didn’t want him to get – law. So that he’d have the ability to make his own money. Upon graduation, though, he came into some money from an Aunt. So that law plan went out the window. He got the degree, but didn’t’ go into practice. No, he was free now. He was going to do everything he hadn’t been allowed to do for something like 20 years. Unlike most people of his age, well, specifically men, he reached the ripe old age of, well, something like 20 or 21, still a virgin. He took care of that rather quick. Then went on something of an orgy across Europe.

The book opens, after the prologue, when he’s about 28, in Hungry, and kind of tired of the life he’d built up to that point. Though it’s kind hard to get to a more respectable settled life now, though. What with his reputation. His . . . activities are quite well known through scandal sheets and the like. Then he received a letter, blunt not very informative, indicating that his father was at death’s door. So, Sebastian headed home. Took a month but he got there.

Meanwhile we have Cassandra Delahaye. She’s a kind of character I’ve seen before, though even so she seemed to be her own character. Not a retread from others. The thing I was referring to though was the part where she’s one of those women with a good reputation, not exactly the most beautiful of the women out and about waiting to be married, nor the least attractive. And most potential mates seem to find her nice to talk to, not to date. She does have suiters, though. The very boring kind. She’s not the kind who hasn’t had offers for marriage, but she’s never entertained any of them. For, as noted, boring people.

Also somewhat normal in a book like this, Sebastian and Cassandra come into each other’s orbits and they ‘meet bad’ – specifically they meet when Cassandra ended up in the library to catch her breath and think (while at a party/ball), and hides when someone else barges in (a woman found alone in a library at a party would be a scandal, don’t-you-know). It was Sebastian who had burst in. He doesn’t see Cassandra, though, for she’s hidden. Several women saw him go in, though, and follow him. They circle him, peppering him with questions, and trying to flirt with him (his ‘very bad reputation’ excites and arouses a good bunch of the young women). He finally gets them to leave. He locks himself in to escape from more intruders. Whereupon Cassandra realizes that she’s locked in a room with a man she doesn’t know. She’s found, Sebastian yells at her (assuming she’s another ‘groupie’), but before things advance much, another woman appears. One who can’t be diverted. So Cassandra has to hide again, and Sebastian has to let the other woman in. And I’m revealing all of this because the woman who enters is Sebastian’s former mistress – and a woman who plays a big role in this book. Sebastian had told her ‘no’ a long time ago, but she’s followed him around Europe, and now finds him in London.

Right, so. Very readable book. Very entertaining. Oh, and all of the above is from the first couple of chapters.

Rating: 5

August 3 2017

[Shabby Girl ~ aka Lady Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Stella Riley at the end of May, oh, I'm so excited! I LOVE her Rockcliffe books.

******

4.5 stars rounded up because I love her work and the writing is beautiful as always.

I really enjoyed this book, as I do all Stella Riley books I've read in the Rockcliffe series. I will say that this was probably my least favourite of the four so far, but that isn't to say it isn't a really enjoyable book. She is such a lovely writer.

The hero, Sebastian, has come back to London after being overseas for a long time. He has spent quite a lot of time in the scandal sheets and it causes a stir when he arrives. The heroine, Cassandra, is a popular young woman of the ton who is not excited about the new stir in the season, but when she lays eyes on Sebastian she can't help but be interested. Sebastian meets Cassandra first when they end up in a room together and Sebastian's ex-mistress has hunted him down and corners him in the room whilst Cassandra is hiding. And it goes from there.

Sebastian is smitten, and Cassandra is smitten, and the ex-mistress makes trouble.

It's possible that the ex-mistress involvement may have dimmed my enjoyment a bit. I must admit interfering other women isn't a favourite trope, however, Riley is such a good writer it's hard not to be drawn in. Characters from the previous books pop up, which is always fun. I'm guessing that the next book in the series is going to be about Nicholas and Madeleine, and I will look forward to it, as I will look forward to any Stella Riley book.

[Ira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like this one.

A silly story with a weak hero who done nothing except did lots of pranks and sleep through every women in Europe including other men wives!!
One of them made into this story too much, in fact as much as the heroine.

Silly girl, what did she saw in him?

The weakest hero in the series and the stars rating is for previous H/h who appeared quite a lot here:)
Oh I skim lots of pages too, sigh..

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series. But I have to mention that I think I'm loving it even more because Alex Wyndham is narrating it. *sigh* Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[OLT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was somewhat disappointed by this fourth entry in the Rockcliffe saga. The romance was sweet and the characters appealing and the writing was better than competent, but it was a rather bland story, uneventful and uninspired. It's a character-driven story with not very remarkable characters, no angst, only mild romantic warm fuzzies, and not much of a plot. Mostly it seemed like a vehicle to keep us in touch with the characters of the first three books and to whet our interest in a future romance between two secondary characters in this one.

Hero Sebastian Audley has a wicked reputation. When he and his identical twin Theo were 8 years old, Theo took sick and died. From then on his father became so overly protective that Sebastian was not allowed any behavior or activity that could possibly endanger his health or safety. So no wonder that, as a young adult, he rebelled and began a life of "riotous living", doing whatever he wanted, in London and then off to Europe for more cutting loose, earning himself the sobriquet "Wicked Sebastian" and a scandalous reputation for gambling, womanizing, drinking, and accepting any dare presented to him.

In London, heroine Cassandra, a very distant cousin of Sebastian's, and her sisters know about his reputation. Although her younger sister is quite impressed by Sebastian's scandalous ways, Cassie is not. And when Sebastian returns to England, everyone is all agog and atwitter about him except for Cassandra. He may be handsome and daring and scandalous but to Cassie he shows immature, imprudent behavior and needs to grow up.

Turns out that Sebastian is feeling the same way about himself and thinks it's time to outgrow his reputation and become more respectable. With a little help from his friends, such as Lord Sarre (hero of Book #3 of the series), he just might succeed in attaining respectability, but the appearance of an obsessed ex-mistress Miranda, who wants him back by hook or by crook, is placing a few roadblocks in his plans.

Well, that's basically it. Sebastian and friends are out and about in London, as are Cassandra and her family and friends, many whom they have in common. Cassandra and Sebastian slide into love while Evil Manipulative Miranda the Maleficent does her best to interfere in Sebastian's life and in the romance.

There's really very little to the romance. It's a smooth fall into love. There are no conflicts, misunderstandings or failures to communicate and H and h are both appealing people. I guess that cray-cray Miranda was added in to the story so there would be some sort of conflict to counteract the blandness of the romance.

It was fun to touch base with all the old friends of the series, to see how their marriages are doing, how many have or don't have babies, etc., but this is my least favorite of Riley's Georgian series so far. I'm hoping the next one, I assume about Nick and Madeleine, will be better.

[Jultri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5. Very likeable protagonists. Kudos to Sebastian for leaving his hedonistic lifestyle behind and not using his unhappy upbringing to excuse ongoing bratty and irresponsible behaviour. Cassandra is a sensible and intelligent young lady and a good match for hero. Apart from the madcap stalker plot which got a bit over-the-top towards the end, the romance itself is quite sedate and free of angst. I wouldn't have minded a bit more bantering between the two. There are a lot of supporting characters consisting of past and future couples/characters in the series. The interactions between these are fun and affectionate. However, it'll probably be a bit confusing to listen to this audiobook without reading the preceding books. Alex Wyndham did a great job narrating.

[Topastro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt little connection to the MCs, the secondary characters were far more interesting.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hovered between three and four stars for this one, perhaps because I now have such high expectations of Ms Riley.

I liked Sebastian and Cassandra well enough. They’re a sweet couple, and well-suited. Which meant there wasn’t the same emotional punch Riley’s managed to build into some of the earlier books. Here all the drama is caused by external circumstances, which is refreshing in one way, but in another it falls a little flat. The deranged ex-mistress who kept popping up wasn’t my favourite plot feature. It also served to keep the spotlight on that aspect of Sebastian’s past. And while I had sympathy for his predicament, somehow in the hero stakes - for me, anyway - he fell short of an Amberley, Rock or the Earl of Sarre.

The book is well-written, as always. I do enjoy Riley’s writing. Her characters are well-drawn, and it’s always a pleasure to see familiar characters with various roles to play. There are some amusing scenes, one with a parlour game perfect for Rosalind, and another which reminded me of some of the near-farcical Georgette Heyer scenes I’ve read!

In many respects a good read, but probably not one I’d go back to. Also I disliked Madeline and failed to see what drew Nicholas Wynstanton to her. As I believe their story features in the next book, I wonder what that one has in store! Will find out soon enough, I’m sure.

March 2021
Almost skipped listening to this one again, but I’m glad I didn’t. Still not a 4 star, only 3.5 as the machinations of the ex-mistress go on a bit too long, although I appreciated the clever parallels the author drew to a popular play of the time.

There are some lovely moments, as when Adrian steps in and defends Caroline against Miranda’s spite. Of all men, as a result of youthful folly he’s immune to physical beauty; besides, he adores Caroline. Also, I liked Sebastian more this time. It’s quite endearing when he stresses out, at different times, in front of Adrian or Cassandra. She even accuses him of having the vapours, and behaving like her Great-aunt Maud ...classic!

And it’s good to have the continuity for the other characters too so, all in all, it was well worth a re-listen. I enjoyed it.

[Darbella · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Cassandra and Sebastian. I think the father being blamed for Sebastian being a wild rake for years and years was a little over dramatic (maybe for the first two years of wildness perhaps), but at some point as an adult he needed to take responsibility of his actions and his affair with a married woman at 26 or 27ish was his own bad form as an adult. His sister Blanche was something else.
This story is my cup of tea though. Both the hero and heroine have great friends and they interact with them. My favorite part was the hero's red hair (burgundy red) that was a thread that was mention throughout the story.

[TinaNoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like it when the hero is just mad in love with the heroine. Just gone. This is one of those books.

Loved seeing all the other couples from the previous books ally around Audley as he deals with an obsessive ex who is determined to make sure that if she can't him no one else will. Also enjoyed that Cassandra trusted her guy.

Great story, good structure, nice amount of suspense without going overboard. Also the personalities of the characters just leap off the page.

Listened to in audio and Alex Wyndham does excellent narration.

[Kam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this a B+ at All About Romance. You can read my full length review here: The Wicked Cousin (Rockliffe, #4)

The Wicked Cousin starts off on a high note with a superb prologue that’s both gripping and moving, and introduces us to the book’s eponymous hero, Sebastian Audley. The story loses steam somewhat after the principals fall in love, but fortunately, Ms. Riley’s terrific writing elevates this rather basic love story from ordinary to extraordinary. Although our handsome hero isn’t so very wicked after all, he’s still sublime and delicious and awesome. His love interest, Cassie Delahaye (whom we’ve glimpsed in earlier Rockliffe books) is similarly appealing and likeable, and The Wicked Cousin is an entertaining addition to the series. I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone – characters from all the previous books appear prominently in this one – although you can probably still enjoy it if you do a bit of homework .

At the age of eight, Sebastian discovered his twin brother (Theo) missing from their room and the door locked from the outside. He knew instinctively something was wrong, but his cries went unanswered and freedom, when it arrived, came at a cost. Theo was dead (from diphtheria), and Sebastian’s life would never be the same. His parents, heartbroken and unwilling to lose their only son and heir, isolated and suffocated him in an overprotective reaction to Theo’s death. Frustrated and resentful, Sebastian departed for the continent the moment he was free of their control and has spent past seven years making up for lost time – earning the sobriquet “wicked”.

When word reaches him that his father has suffered an apoplexy and he’s needed at home, Sebastian rapidly departs for England. The timing is fortuitous – he’s begun to tire of his wild lifestyle and has forgiven his father for his suffocating childhood. He’s anxious to form a new relationship with Lord Wingham – if he’s still alive when he finally makes it back. Twenty-two days later Sebastian arrives home only to discover the letter exaggerated his father’s illness. But the apoplexy, though not as serious as his sister insinuated, provides just the catalyst necessary for the men to reconcile formally, and the visit marks a change in their relationship.

For years, rumors about Sebastian’s exploits, duels and romantic liaisons have provided fodder for the scandal sheets, and on his arrival in London, speculation is rampant and frenzied. Women are attracted to him, and men are eager to challenge him to newer, ever more daring wagers. Cassandra – Cassie – Delahaye, however, isn’t. Wicked (distant) cousin Sebastian sounds more like a fool than a catch, and despite her younger sister Olivia’s eagerness to gossip about him, Cassie is more interested in one of the gentlemen currently currying her favor, the handsome Richard Penhaligon. Intelligent, practical and pragmatic about her prospects, Cassie longs to be swept off her feet and isn’t willing to settle. Yet.

After visiting his father, Sebastian makes plans to visit London, well aware of the fact that his wicked past won’t be as easy to leave behind as he hoped. A wager between him and his close friend Adrian Devereux, Earl of Sarre (The Player) paves the way for Sebastian’s return and he makes his re-entrance into London society at the Cavendish ball where he’s immediately besieged by single females eager for his attention. Anxious to escape the hordes, he ducks into the library. When he’s followed by a trio of chits barely out of the schoolroom, Sebastian admonishes them for their inappropriate behavior and shames them into leaving him alone. Only he isn’t. Hidden behind a couch is Cassie – who took refuge there to avoid a particularly eager suitor.

When Cassie reveals herself, Sebastian is quick to think the worst and lumps her in with all the other ladies angling for his attention, but Cassie quickly sets him straight. Sparks fly – until a knock on the door interrupts them and sends Cassie back to her hiding place. She listens as Sebastian’s former mistress, Miranda Silvarez, enters, and tells him she’s now widowed and free to remarry. Alarm bells start ringing, but right now, Sebastian knows he can’t afford for Miranda to discover Cassie’s presence, so he distracts her, kisses her and urges her out of the library. She’s confused but goes and Cassie escapes – but the die is cast. Cassie is intrigued by Sebastian; Sebastian is attracted to his feisty library companion. When he sends her violets the following day, signed Y.W.C.S., Cassie is similarly smitten.

Up until this first unorthodox meeting, and even for a bit after it, I loved everything about The Wicked Cousin. The premise, the characters, the lead up – it’s all wonderful. But from here on out, the story doesn’t quite live up to its potential. Sparks fly between Sebastian and Cassie from the moment they meet, and when Sebastian is folded into Cassie’s circle of friends (the Rockliffe set – featured in the previous books), they find themselves often in each other’s company. Lust quickly becomes love, and before long Sebastian is asking Cassie’s father’s permission to court her. Unfortunately, Miranda Silvarez continues to plague Sebastian, and with help from Richard Penhaligon, who’s currently enjoying her favors, she’s doing a bang-up job. The mistress side-plot adds a bit of intrigue, but aside from a few delicious stolen kisses and a terrifically sexy scene at a masquerade when Sebastian spots Cassie in a risqué costume and can’t believe it’s her… there isn’t a whole lot more to the story.

If you opened this book hoping for a wicked hero, Sebastian is a bit of a disappointment. This story is about his redemption, and he goes from naughty hottie to just plain hottie in short order. I loved him and his brilliant red hair, and those moments when he loses his cool over Cassie (they’re terrific, and too few and far between), but after that prologue, the ‘new’ Sebastian is a bit too good. Which leads me to my other major problem – Cassie, though likeable, dulls in comparison to him, and I’m not sure Ms. Riley does enough to convince me she’s the one to finally bring him to his knees.

A hallmark of the Rockliffe series, and Ms. Riley’s books in general, is her wonderful casts of secondary characters. Featuring a diverse cast of friends and acquaintances, all of whom orbit the Duke of Rockliffe’s world, it’s an interesting mix of single and married men and women. The group are fiercely loyal to one another and while I do love the interplay between them (I do! I promise!), by the end of the book, perhaps I’m a cynic, but they all begin to read as a bit too good to be true. Rockliffe is omniscient (he’s so yummy!), the friends are always ready and willing to help each other, and there’s no circumstance the group can’t overcome. It’s awesome – but it’s also overkill. Cassie’s family gets a similar treatment. I’m reluctant to criticize them because they’re so damned great and it’s a nice change from the standard overbearing parents featured in historical romance, but is it realistic? Sir Charles quickly accepts Sebastian’s explanations for his past and current contretemps with Mistress Silvarez, but I’m not convinced his response is typical or appropriate. Cassie, his pride and joy...

You can read the rest of my review here: The Wicked Cousin (Rockliffe, #4)

[Nelly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But Cassie could no longer deceive herself. When Sebastian Audley was in the room, no one else existed…and when he looked at her, the world shrank to the compass of his gaze. The kiss had merely sealed her fate.”

Stella Riley continues to hit my HR sweet spot. I’ve been hoarding the Rockliffe series and am already starting to feel bereft now that I only have two books remaining.

The Wicked Cousin embodies the best of Riley’s signature style. Wonderful characters who effortlessly draw you in, beautiful writing that leaps off the page, sparkling dialogue, witty banter, delicious sexual tension, great relationship development, and secondary characters that drive the story forward.

— rake vs virtuous lady
— distant (very) cousins
— opposites attract
— an obsessive mistress
— great UST
— insta-love
— redemption arc
— low steam

Sebastian Audley is the future Viscount of Wingham. His notorious reputation for duels, wild wagers and love affairs precedes him as he returns to England after over a decade away on the Continent.

Cassandra Delahaye is a sweet, sociable young woman who is a stickler for propriety. Now in her second season, she’s turned down several suitors in hopes of achieving love match.

I won’t get into the plot, but it features the author’s trademark complexity with several moving parts. As always, a prologue provides the hero’s backstory and insight into his psychological makeup. There’s an obsessive mistress. A conniving suitor. A developing romance involving the Duke of Rockliffe's brother is carried over from book 3. A secondary cast of characters from previous books. But fear not, all the moving pieces come together seamlessly and are deftly handled.

Romance
Cassandra’s and Sebastian’s relationship is a “sweep you off your feet” kind of romance—a bit cheesy, but oh so good. A rake who’s not looking for love is brought to his knees by a young lady unimpressed by the furor his arrival creates. She’s not one of the hordes of young women dying to attract his notice. He’s charmed by her lack of artifice, and she sees the goodness and vulnerability beneath his no-good reputation. They fall in love rather fast, but this is counterbalanced by their meaningful emotional connection. Be prepared for low steam, mostly kisses and one glossed over love scene.

Final Verdict
This is yet another hit! But it’s not a standalone and the series must be read in order to fully appreciate it.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't going to read this one since I loathe rakes *shudder*, but I'd like to read the rest of this series, so I hope this one isn't too OTT with OW drama. I'm reading this as part of Rockliffe Books 4-6

Upon finishing, this wasn't nearly as enraging as I'd imagined. The premise still isn't my favourite, but the hero did a good job of redeeming himself. However, as much as I feel like the author did a credible job convincing me of his change, the OW drama was overwhelmingly annoying. And I don't really understand what the MCs saw in each other...other than the fact that they were physically attracted to one another and could have a decent conversation with each other. The hero actually realized that they didn't really know one another that well and wanted to rectify that. Whether or not they actually succeeded in that regard before the wedding is up for debate.

I liked seeing the couples of the previous books. It's been a while since I've read the previous three Rockliffe books, so I was a bit slow on the uptake in the beginning. But once everyone was reintroduced and the plot started gathering steam, the storytelling was engaging as always.

Safety : He'd been off the rails with women for the first 6 or so years of the past seven years. Unlike some other fictional heroes, he had no compunction taking up with married women, as long as they'd done their duty by their husbands and providing them with heirs. He avoided virgins and women looking for husbands. Yay, him. To be honest, the fact that he could separate women into those worth gentlemanly attention and those not, saddens me. I know and understand that this was very typical of the era, but still. It makes me grateful to live in this day and age. Back to the hero, he'd been celibate for over a year, I think. Which I guess convinces me of his turning a new leaf. But honestly, 6 years of sleeping with lots of women. Ick. :( No intimate details of OW and no real OW drama. It's all one sided on the OW side of things.

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hero - handsome, honourable, kind, utterly irresistible, and with a sad and then wicked past.
Heroine - sensible, nice-looking but not beautiful, charming, and liked by everyone.

I appreciated the complex relationship between Sebastian and his family (especially the father and the eldest sister). It made Sebastian's personality exactly as it was. Even more, I loved that Cassandra's family was so 'normal' and loving. Her relationship with parents isn't often seen in such romances (tragedy, conflict is easier to use for the plot twist, etc.). I would have liked to read more scenes with them.

Then, there was Nell in her relentless hostess-mode, Viscountess Linton almost always vaguely haphazard, Rockliffe giving a bit of spice in the needed moments, Nicolas that made me laugh, and all other friends that created a warm atmosphere.

I have found weak points. One - that (again) at one point the romance speeded up too much to my liking. The second - at the end, the whole thing about the wedding was a bit boring. And, perhaps, Miranda was a little overdone. Nonetheless, these were small cons.

PS It is a standalone book but I definitely recommend reading the whole series chronologically. You will lose quite a lot of fun otherwise.

[Zubee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 "Unlikely Dare Devil Match" Stars for the story and 5 Stars for the narration!

The Wicked Cousin is another win for Stella Riley!  Having thoroughly enjoyed the prior books in this series, I jumped at the chance to listen to The Wicked Cousin and was once again impressed with Ms. Riley's talent for writing characters that her readers/listeners are certain to fall in love with.  Additionally, Alex Wyndham's narration is superb as always making this a title best enjoyed in audio format.  

Although this is the fourth book in the Rockliffe Series, the romance works as a stand-alone as the relationship between the main hero and heroine is fully contained in this book.  All that said, for those that have read the prior books, you will be happy to know that the prior characters continue to play a role in this book as secondary characters.  

After being stifled for years, for being the sole surviving son after his twin brother's death, Sebastian Audley has spent his last few years away from the strong grip of his father instead choosing to sow his wild oats even if it is on his own dime. When he finally decides to return to London, he of course becomes the gossip of the season.  Notorious for his inability to turn away a dare, he instantly becomes the target of many young ladies who are intrigued by his notoriety.  What Sebastian never could have imagined, however, is that he'd also become the target of a former mistress who is determined (in a Fatal Attraction kind of way) to win back his affections. 

Meanwhile, the one lady who is not interested in the "wicked" Sebastian is Cassandra Delahaye. So imagine her surprise when she finds herself in the same room alone with Sebastian in what could be a compromising position.  Fortunately for Cassandra, Sebastian finds a way for their first meeting to remain a secret, even if that way ensures that Cassandra thinks even less of his rule defying ways. Nonetheless the groundwork has been laid, and the unlikely pair begin to form a bond.  But could there possibly be a HEA in the cards for two such unlikely characters?  Moreover, even if they wish it so, what will it take for the former mistress to step out of the way?

Alex Wyndham is in superior form in The Wicked Cousin. In a short period of time, Mr. Wyndham has managed to climb to the top of my favorite historical romance narrators with his suave voice and attention to detail. Among his strengths are his ability to create character appropriate voices for each and every character. While Mr. Wyndham excels at the male voices, his portrayal of the females is also of a high caliber and allows the listener to just sit back and enjoy the romance.

To that effect, I felt that both his voicing of Cassandra and Sebastian was spot on. Moreover, even his portrayal of the large cast of secondary characters allowed for easy differentiation.

All in all, The Wicked Cousin is a treat that should not be missed by fans of Stella Riley and, indeed, any historical romance lover.

Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.

[Last Chance Saloon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like this one in the series as the hero (28) is vain, vapid, indulged, and has spent 6 of the last 7 years swanning around doing what he wanted to do with no thought for anyone else - adding literally no value to his existence. Because of a strict upbringing, he thought it ok to revolt and spend 6 YEARS getting drunk, having sex with strangers, married women, whores - and still be entitled to marry a chaste woman. Ummm no. The heroine (21) has featured in the past 3 books as a jolly nice girl, quite pretty and worth a hell of a lot better than the Herpes Hero. To add to it, she has to listen to him passionately kissing a former lover, and to be kidnapped by said crazy woman - I can only imagine that kind of batshit crazy was caused by a dose of syphilis, courtesy of the slutty hero. Oh but he plays chess really well, so obviously that redeems him…?!!! And if she is lucky, she’ll see his extra-special Russian chess set on her wedding night?!
The only nice thing about this novel is the scene where Rockliffe is holding his baby daughter - adorable!
This series started out quite clean, and with the focus on the romance and the intensity of the connection between the main characters. But this entry is just as drab as all the modern historicals where the sexual escapades of men are ‘entertainment’ and the focal point of the story.