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Rebellious Sons #1
The Wicked Wyckerly
When he becomes seventh Earl of Danecroft, rakish John Fitzhugh Wyckerly also inherits a crumbling estate and massive debts. Determined to do right, he reclaims his illegitimate daughter Penelope and heads to London in search of a very rich wife.
Abigail Merriweather's farm has been quiet since she lost custody of her four young half-siblings-until a roguish gentleman named Fitz stops for a rest, his rebellious daughter in tow. His etiquette is questionable, his parenting deplorable-so why does Abby delight in his flirtations? And when she seeks a suitor to help her regain the children, why does Fitz keep popping up?
Abigail Merriweather's farm has been quiet since she lost custody of her four young half-siblings-until a roguish gentleman named Fitz stops for a rest, his rebellious daughter in tow. His etiquette is questionable, his parenting deplorable-so why does Abby delight in his flirtations? And when she seeks a suitor to help her regain the children, why does Fitz keep popping up?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
1383 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Rice
153 books514 followersWith several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice writes emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances which have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards.
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
March 16, 2021
This was a fun diverting read. I look forward to more by this author. Thanks to Julia for recommendation!
August 4, 2011
This started off witty and bright, but so airy I had trouble sticking with it. It was like having a meal of nothing but cotton candy. Thankfully, not only did it get more substantial as it went on, it also got wonderfully romantic.
Abigail needs a husband to get custody of her young siblings; Fitz, the latest in a long line of wastrel Earls of Danecroft, needs a wife to look after his illegitimate daughter. Unfortunately, Fitz also needs a great deal of money to take care of the ravaged estate he’s inherited, so marriage between them is out of the question. If only they didn’t keep having these ill-timed feelings for each other.
In most Regencies with impoverished heroes, the lack of money never seems to affect their lifestyle in any noticeable way. Here, Fitz is seriously cash-poor as well as in debt, sometimes lacking funds for basic necessities. As a younger son with nothing to do, he’s used his brilliant mathematical mind to become a professional gambler, and though he trusts in his own abilities, he’s horribly down on himself. An interest in bugs (which he's never been able to explore, having had no real education) often shows in his thoughts: himself he thinks of as a termite or a cockroach, while a potential heiress named Lady Anne, "was an attractive woman who would probably bite the head off her mate after intercourse."
I loved Fitz because, despite his low self-esteem and seemingly insolvable problems, he doesn’t sit around brooding over his wrongs or try to escape his troubles, but just keeps plugging. Even before he meets Abby, he’s doing his best, but she inspires him even more:
"[Abby] regarded him with eyes so round, he didn’t know whether she looked on him as an insect or hero. He knew which he was, but he rather hoped he could be her hero for just a little while.”
And Abby does recognize his heroic qualities, seeing him as an "indomitable man who had fought to survive and succeeded... [she] saw his strength and determination, and wept that she could not have him."
I found the story a bit rambling and repetitious, and though the witty tone is mostly excellent at creating a historical atmosphere, a few modern sounding phrases stood out like sore thumbs: "lighten up", "good luck with that." A mystery element ends anticlimactically and a subplot in which Fitz and Abby are manipulated by two other characters for a wager was tedious. (Which is annoying, because I bet those characters and their wager are a running theme in the series, which will likely end with their romance, as is the way of these things.)
Still, I love Fitz and Abby together: their passion for each other is delightful and their strengths and weaknesses balance, making for a plausible happy ending. This isn’t one of those romances that makes you worry at the end; I can see them years down the road, happily popping out baby after baby and loving each other as much as always.
Abigail needs a husband to get custody of her young siblings; Fitz, the latest in a long line of wastrel Earls of Danecroft, needs a wife to look after his illegitimate daughter. Unfortunately, Fitz also needs a great deal of money to take care of the ravaged estate he’s inherited, so marriage between them is out of the question. If only they didn’t keep having these ill-timed feelings for each other.
In most Regencies with impoverished heroes, the lack of money never seems to affect their lifestyle in any noticeable way. Here, Fitz is seriously cash-poor as well as in debt, sometimes lacking funds for basic necessities. As a younger son with nothing to do, he’s used his brilliant mathematical mind to become a professional gambler, and though he trusts in his own abilities, he’s horribly down on himself. An interest in bugs (which he's never been able to explore, having had no real education) often shows in his thoughts: himself he thinks of as a termite or a cockroach, while a potential heiress named Lady Anne, "was an attractive woman who would probably bite the head off her mate after intercourse."
I loved Fitz because, despite his low self-esteem and seemingly insolvable problems, he doesn’t sit around brooding over his wrongs or try to escape his troubles, but just keeps plugging. Even before he meets Abby, he’s doing his best, but she inspires him even more:
"[Abby] regarded him with eyes so round, he didn’t know whether she looked on him as an insect or hero. He knew which he was, but he rather hoped he could be her hero for just a little while.”
And Abby does recognize his heroic qualities, seeing him as an "indomitable man who had fought to survive and succeeded... [she] saw his strength and determination, and wept that she could not have him."
I found the story a bit rambling and repetitious, and though the witty tone is mostly excellent at creating a historical atmosphere, a few modern sounding phrases stood out like sore thumbs: "lighten up", "good luck with that." A mystery element ends anticlimactically and a subplot in which Fitz and Abby are manipulated by two other characters for a wager was tedious. (Which is annoying, because I bet those characters and their wager are a running theme in the series, which will likely end with their romance, as is the way of these things.)
Still, I love Fitz and Abby together: their passion for each other is delightful and their strengths and weaknesses balance, making for a plausible happy ending. This isn’t one of those romances that makes you worry at the end; I can see them years down the road, happily popping out baby after baby and loving each other as much as always.
March 21, 2021
I loved the h and hr. They had great chemistry.The story had interesting secondary characters and funny, realistic children.
The book kept me guessing. I couldn't figure out how this couple would solve their dire situations and be together. The author did a good job.
All in all, this was a good , enjoyable read!
The book kept me guessing. I couldn't figure out how this couple would solve their dire situations and be together. The author did a good job.
All in all, this was a good , enjoyable read!
October 16, 2018
An enjoyable 3.5 stars.
This is a new-to-me author (thank you for reviewing it and bringing it to my attention, Jultri) and I am definitely going to read more of her books.
A charming and engaging romance with a very likeable hero who breaks with the tradition of the self-sacrificing, do-the-sensible-thing attitude so many of the more boring HR heroes display and simply goes for the woman he wants, even though he has no idea how it will all turn out. A newly-minted Earl who has inherited a mountain of debt and a crumbling estate, Fitz has to use the wits and skills that have got him through his first 30 years to find a way to turn things around. Theoretically, he needs a rich wife. Practically, he can't stand the thought of it, and upon meeting Abby, he knows he both wants and needs her.
Abby is a slightly older young woman (25) who is determined to devote her life to her younger siblings, and is consequently devastated when the executor of their dead parents' estate removes them from her care because she is a woman and unmarried to boot.
So dashing, mathematically brilliant (he counts cards so he has made a good income from gambling) Fitz meets down-to-earth country girl Abby. Add his illegitimate daughter to the mix and we have a crazy but fun ride through to the finish.
Well-written, with good characterisation, an interesting plot and some clever dialogue that had me smiling.
I have found a new author with a solid backlist to explore!
This is a new-to-me author (thank you for reviewing it and bringing it to my attention, Jultri) and I am definitely going to read more of her books.
A charming and engaging romance with a very likeable hero who breaks with the tradition of the self-sacrificing, do-the-sensible-thing attitude so many of the more boring HR heroes display and simply goes for the woman he wants, even though he has no idea how it will all turn out. A newly-minted Earl who has inherited a mountain of debt and a crumbling estate, Fitz has to use the wits and skills that have got him through his first 30 years to find a way to turn things around. Theoretically, he needs a rich wife. Practically, he can't stand the thought of it, and upon meeting Abby, he knows he both wants and needs her.
Abby is a slightly older young woman (25) who is determined to devote her life to her younger siblings, and is consequently devastated when the executor of their dead parents' estate removes them from her care because she is a woman and unmarried to boot.
So dashing, mathematically brilliant (he counts cards so he has made a good income from gambling) Fitz meets down-to-earth country girl Abby. Add his illegitimate daughter to the mix and we have a crazy but fun ride through to the finish.
Well-written, with good characterisation, an interesting plot and some clever dialogue that had me smiling.
I have found a new author with a solid backlist to explore!
November 14, 2020
I enjoyed the way the book started and the introduction to the characters. It bogged down a bit about a third of the way and picked up steam at the half way mark. I plan to read the rest in the series. It has a few spicy bits. I was on the fence about giving the book a 3.5 or a 4 but enjoyed the end so I rounded up.
November 10, 2019
Bloody hell!!! Lost my review. Too tired to rewrite it. Great writing. Fab hero. Will check her other books out. Witty stuff.
Okay - quick summary, now that I've caught up on much needed beauty sleep. Fitz finds himself the supremely reluctant heir of an impoverished earldom, after his no good brother followed his father's example and carked it young, but not before squandering more of the limited family resources. Quick-witted, he has learnt to survive since childhood the only way he knows how - by being self-reliant and using his agile mind, his ample charms and his uncanny mathematical skills, the latter coming in handy at the gambling tables. He never had much, lived for the moment, but what he had was adequate for himself but not to revive his crumbling estate, pay the grumbling, recalcitrant servants and lines of creditors, nor to take on full-time the care of his natural born little daughter with the mighty temper. Utterly sweet how he fumbled his way through fatherhood, taking all the tears and tantrums and ripped, muddied clothing in stride and treating his little 6 year old imp with a combination of pride, bemusement and wonder. In fact, he treated the heroine in much the same way, only with a healthy dose of lust thrown in the mix. The heroine is a simple country gentlewoman, orphaned and grieving the recent loss of guardianship of her 4 young siblings. She plots their return perhaps with the aid of a powerful and reliable male peer. He plots money-making schemes (gambling and other numerical but not usually reliable endeavours) and a wealthy bride. They are wrong for one another, but the heart does not often see reason. Lots of mayhem and amusing scenes follow involving enterprising servants, mobs of creditors, possible assassination attempts and the oft butchering of the English language.
(Fitz escaping the creditors) Fitz opened the floor-to-ceiling-length mullioned window behind the desk, ducked his head beneath the peeling frame, and stepped over the rotten sill. The tall grass parted as he strode in the direction of the weed-smothered shrubbery where he’d heaved his baggage from the mail coach on his way to George’s funeral. Dignity belonged to butlers, not to Danecrofts.
Abigail was even less inclined to be forgiving when he seemed prepared to race right past her as if she did not exist. She was painfully aware that she was small and unprepossessing, and she supposed her gardening bonnet and hoe added to her invisibility in the eyes of an arrogant aristocrat. But she wasn’t of a mind to be treated like a garden gnome.
“And this is the rhubarb bed,” Miss Merriweather announced. Bored, and uncomfortable in his uncouth attire, Fitz gazed at rows of thick, wrinkled leaves and tried to link them with his hostess’s tone of admiration. “You grow weeds on purpose?” he asked, just to produce a reaction from the placid female. He’d offered smiles and charm and flattery during this tour of duty, and she’d yet to flap a flirtatious lash in his direction. Must be the clothes. How daunting to think women admired him only for his dashing attire.
He was watching her with admiration while buttering toast, proving he was a modern wonder, a man capable of accomplishing two tasks at once.
Okay - quick summary, now that I've caught up on much needed beauty sleep. Fitz finds himself the supremely reluctant heir of an impoverished earldom, after his no good brother followed his father's example and carked it young, but not before squandering more of the limited family resources. Quick-witted, he has learnt to survive since childhood the only way he knows how - by being self-reliant and using his agile mind, his ample charms and his uncanny mathematical skills, the latter coming in handy at the gambling tables. He never had much, lived for the moment, but what he had was adequate for himself but not to revive his crumbling estate, pay the grumbling, recalcitrant servants and lines of creditors, nor to take on full-time the care of his natural born little daughter with the mighty temper. Utterly sweet how he fumbled his way through fatherhood, taking all the tears and tantrums and ripped, muddied clothing in stride and treating his little 6 year old imp with a combination of pride, bemusement and wonder. In fact, he treated the heroine in much the same way, only with a healthy dose of lust thrown in the mix. The heroine is a simple country gentlewoman, orphaned and grieving the recent loss of guardianship of her 4 young siblings. She plots their return perhaps with the aid of a powerful and reliable male peer. He plots money-making schemes (gambling and other numerical but not usually reliable endeavours) and a wealthy bride. They are wrong for one another, but the heart does not often see reason. Lots of mayhem and amusing scenes follow involving enterprising servants, mobs of creditors, possible assassination attempts and the oft butchering of the English language.
(Fitz escaping the creditors) Fitz opened the floor-to-ceiling-length mullioned window behind the desk, ducked his head beneath the peeling frame, and stepped over the rotten sill. The tall grass parted as he strode in the direction of the weed-smothered shrubbery where he’d heaved his baggage from the mail coach on his way to George’s funeral. Dignity belonged to butlers, not to Danecrofts.
Abigail was even less inclined to be forgiving when he seemed prepared to race right past her as if she did not exist. She was painfully aware that she was small and unprepossessing, and she supposed her gardening bonnet and hoe added to her invisibility in the eyes of an arrogant aristocrat. But she wasn’t of a mind to be treated like a garden gnome.
“And this is the rhubarb bed,” Miss Merriweather announced. Bored, and uncomfortable in his uncouth attire, Fitz gazed at rows of thick, wrinkled leaves and tried to link them with his hostess’s tone of admiration. “You grow weeds on purpose?” he asked, just to produce a reaction from the placid female. He’d offered smiles and charm and flattery during this tour of duty, and she’d yet to flap a flirtatious lash in his direction. Must be the clothes. How daunting to think women admired him only for his dashing attire.
He was watching her with admiration while buttering toast, proving he was a modern wonder, a man capable of accomplishing two tasks at once.
January 15, 2022
Surprised
This started out as a buddy read, but I quickly fell behind because of time (not the story). I loved this book and all the characters! The writing was witty and entertaining. Since I only read one other book by this author (not HR) years ago and rated it one star, I was more than pleasantly surpised. I'd like to continue the series and may even revisit that old book. I don't think my tastes have changed that much, but maybe I wasn't in the right mood at the time.
This started out as a buddy read, but I quickly fell behind because of time (not the story). I loved this book and all the characters! The writing was witty and entertaining. Since I only read one other book by this author (not HR) years ago and rated it one star, I was more than pleasantly surpised. I'd like to continue the series and may even revisit that old book. I don't think my tastes have changed that much, but maybe I wasn't in the right mood at the time.
January 5, 2022
This was a nice read with charming H and h. I liked the humour between them. They both loved the children in their life’s and would do anything for them.
September 12, 2011
While this book was not quite as wonderful for me as the second book in the series, The Devilish Montague, it did have a lovely charm to it—especially when I reminisce about the hero. Once again the author dabbles in a Marriage-of-Convenience (MOC) plotline (or maybe I should say she dabbles in it for the first time, since I read them out of order?) and manages to turn my expectations on their ear again. In The Devilish Montague the author had the hero and heroine completely satisfied with their MOC. There were no tears or regrets, and I found it wonderfully refreshing. Here, the author has the hero and heroine engage in a MOC that is extremely inconvenient. Neither of them is the best (or most convenient) solution for the other, but they don’t care because at least they’ll be together. Sounds more like a love match, eh? :)
I had a few issues with the heroine in the beginning of the book, but I was pleased that they eventually smoothed out. I am not a fan of heroines that come off as the-bestest-mothering-figure-in-the-world-let-me-tell-you-how-you’re-doing-it-wrong, and that was my early impression of Abby. During the scene where she ends up meeting Fitz, she actually directs his daughter (who he is chasing after she bolts) to go into her kitchen and get a treat from the cook because he dad won’t find her in there. All because she thought he was handling the situation wrong and wanted to give him a set down. I mean, who does that?? That’s not your kid and you don’t even know these people! Yet you tell the little girl to continue running from her dad and to go into your house? It did not endear her to me.
I loathe people who think it’s their right to butt into any given situation because they assume their way is better. I’m not denying Fitz was floundering, but it wasn’t her business. Luckily, that air about the heroine died down. She was still motherly, but it had a more natural feel to it, and she didn’t have that smug/condescending attitude anymore.
The real star of the book was Fitz. I didn’t dislike Abby at all, but she never really resonated with me. I enjoyed whenever she was in a scene, though, because Fitz just lit up. He was such a great character. He was insecure about his lack of formal education and was very aware of his dismal prospects as a spouse, but he never wallowed. He was always willing to push forward into a new situation and gamble that it would turn out right. He wasn’t foolhardy or reckless, but he was not one to sit around waiting for the heavens to align and perfection to fall into his lap. He made his own destiny.
The tone of the book is light and fun, but it never felt fluffy. The more we get to know Abby and Fitz, the more we see the hidden depths in them. They are more than just a loving older sister and a wicked gambler. They have hopes and dreams and feel buried under the hopeless situations they find themselves in. Even before they fall in love, they find themselves falling into a strong friendship with each other, which is just what they needed. Their personalities complement each other nicely, and you can really see why they fell in love with each other.
What I really loved about this book was how it avoided conforming to Romance standards. Abby and Fitz were poor and it showed. Their lack of funds was not something easily solved, included only to add temporary tension. They genuinely worried about how they would make ends meet and occasionally had to get creative to make it work. And things weren’t magically solved in the end--gasp! Added to that, Rice once again kept us out of the ton, even though the hero is an earl. It was refreshing and I enjoyed it.
Thank you for the lovely gift of this book, Sophia. Reading it made me smile.
Favorite Quote:
I had a few issues with the heroine in the beginning of the book, but I was pleased that they eventually smoothed out. I am not a fan of heroines that come off as the-bestest-mothering-figure-in-the-world-let-me-tell-you-how-you’re-doing-it-wrong, and that was my early impression of Abby. During the scene where she ends up meeting Fitz, she actually directs his daughter (who he is chasing after she bolts) to go into her kitchen and get a treat from the cook because he dad won’t find her in there. All because she thought he was handling the situation wrong and wanted to give him a set down. I mean, who does that?? That’s not your kid and you don’t even know these people! Yet you tell the little girl to continue running from her dad and to go into your house? It did not endear her to me.
I loathe people who think it’s their right to butt into any given situation because they assume their way is better. I’m not denying Fitz was floundering, but it wasn’t her business. Luckily, that air about the heroine died down. She was still motherly, but it had a more natural feel to it, and she didn’t have that smug/condescending attitude anymore.
The real star of the book was Fitz. I didn’t dislike Abby at all, but she never really resonated with me. I enjoyed whenever she was in a scene, though, because Fitz just lit up. He was such a great character. He was insecure about his lack of formal education and was very aware of his dismal prospects as a spouse, but he never wallowed. He was always willing to push forward into a new situation and gamble that it would turn out right. He wasn’t foolhardy or reckless, but he was not one to sit around waiting for the heavens to align and perfection to fall into his lap. He made his own destiny.
The tone of the book is light and fun, but it never felt fluffy. The more we get to know Abby and Fitz, the more we see the hidden depths in them. They are more than just a loving older sister and a wicked gambler. They have hopes and dreams and feel buried under the hopeless situations they find themselves in. Even before they fall in love, they find themselves falling into a strong friendship with each other, which is just what they needed. Their personalities complement each other nicely, and you can really see why they fell in love with each other.
She threw her hands around his neck, and he eagerly sought her mouth, and she remembered very distinctly why she had agreed to this insane marriage that would never ever work. It evidently had nothing to do with good sense and everything to do with lust and friendship and her utter adoration of this man who had come to her rescue. And a modicum of convenience.I enjoyed getting to backtrack and see a look at the characters and friendships from Fitz’s point of view. I have to admit that I liked Lady Bell and Lord Quentin better in The Devilish Montague, though. I did enjoy getting to see them first meet, but they seemed warmer there and less driven by their own machinations than they did here.
What I really loved about this book was how it avoided conforming to Romance standards. Abby and Fitz were poor and it showed. Their lack of funds was not something easily solved, included only to add temporary tension. They genuinely worried about how they would make ends meet and occasionally had to get creative to make it work. And things weren’t magically solved in the end--gasp! Added to that, Rice once again kept us out of the ton, even though the hero is an earl. It was refreshing and I enjoyed it.
Thank you for the lovely gift of this book, Sophia. Reading it made me smile.
Favorite Quote:
“We are not all of us born heroes, I fear. Women expect us to be wealthy and well-mannered and sophisticated. To be witty and thoughtful and honest. To be tender to children, loving to spouses and parents, and tough to bullies. Veritable saints, but...” He slanted her a look. “Pardon my bluntness, but women also expect us to be exciting, mysterious devils in the bedroom. Perhaps a contradiction?”
April 10, 2023
Entertaining, and comical, which was welcome.
October 30, 2022
This was an amusing Audible listen. Eliza Jane Cornell was an excellent narrator. It had me laughing out loud, and the exchanges between the Earl of many names and his daughter Penny are adorable.
I'm not sure how to do this one justice. Mainly, the dialogue and the actions of the MCs are in no way historically accurate. However, the setting, events and clothing seem well-represented. This isn't old-school Harlequin, but it has some pretty steamy scenes towards the end and may not appeal to those who like a clean read. It is probably ideal for those who loved the first season of the Bridgertons adaptation.
If you have Audible+ and you are looking for a good historical romance that is in the catalogue, I highly recommend it. All four of the books in the series are included and have the same narrator so I will keep listening.
I'm not sure how to do this one justice. Mainly, the dialogue and the actions of the MCs are in no way historically accurate. However, the setting, events and clothing seem well-represented. This isn't old-school Harlequin, but it has some pretty steamy scenes towards the end and may not appeal to those who like a clean read. It is probably ideal for those who loved the first season of the Bridgertons adaptation.
If you have Audible+ and you are looking for a good historical romance that is in the catalogue, I highly recommend it. All four of the books in the series are included and have the same narrator so I will keep listening.
August 24, 2022
3.5
Full disclosure, I only read this because it was the only historical romance I could find that was included in my audible membership. I’ve never read this author before but I don’t think the fact that I’d not read the others in this series made a difference.
For the most part I enjoyed this. There was some humour, lots of historical details about clothes and buildings and culture that sounded authentic to my ignorant ears and some jeopardy thrown in. There was even some smut, albeit the purple variety (he stormed her castle at one point, yikes) eventually. It was an engaging listen, with just a few things that jarred - we never say fall to describe the season, it’s always autumn and it’s pavement not sidewalk but it wasn’t too frequent. Oh and the narrator was…idk, awkward. I don’t know if she was trying to do an upper class accent and failed or if that’s her voice, but I wish she hadn’t. Every word ending ly was pronounced as ‘lay’ which ground on my nerves. Don’t know what was going on there but it would be sufficient to put me off listening to any others in this series I’m afraid.
But to read, it would be a good one.
Full disclosure, I only read this because it was the only historical romance I could find that was included in my audible membership. I’ve never read this author before but I don’t think the fact that I’d not read the others in this series made a difference.
For the most part I enjoyed this. There was some humour, lots of historical details about clothes and buildings and culture that sounded authentic to my ignorant ears and some jeopardy thrown in. There was even some smut, albeit the purple variety (he stormed her castle at one point, yikes) eventually. It was an engaging listen, with just a few things that jarred - we never say fall to describe the season, it’s always autumn and it’s pavement not sidewalk but it wasn’t too frequent. Oh and the narrator was…idk, awkward. I don’t know if she was trying to do an upper class accent and failed or if that’s her voice, but I wish she hadn’t. Every word ending ly was pronounced as ‘lay’ which ground on my nerves. Don’t know what was going on there but it would be sufficient to put me off listening to any others in this series I’m afraid.
But to read, it would be a good one.
January 20, 2021
Look, it probably does only deserve three stars, as the plot is neither original or logical or even making much sense. But I liked the characters, and the narrator‘s way of telling the story added much to the fun. It did seem rather long for the romp it was.
And warning for those who do not like children in their romance: run! There are SO MANY children in here ;-)
And warning for those who do not like children in their romance: run! There are SO MANY children in here ;-)
October 22, 2013
"Mr Wyckerly nodded as if he understood. 'We are not all of us born heroes, I fear. Women expect us to be wealthy and well-mannered and sophisticated. To be witty and thoughtful and honest. To be tender to children, loving to spouses and parents, and tough to bullies. Veritable saints, but...' He slanted her a look. 'Pardon my bluntness, but women also expect us to be exciting, mysterious devils in the bedroom, Perhaps a contradiction?'" p.49, loc.826
Author: Patricia Rice
First published: 2010
Length: 360 pages, 5482 locations
Setting: London and surrounds, 1820.
Sex: heated kisses, a couple of explicit bedroom scenes towards the end, after they are committed to marriage.
Hero: Younger son who is suddenly an Earl after the death of his father and older brother. Has an illegitimate daughter. Is "uneducated" but a "mathematical genius".
Heroine: After the death of her father and stepmother, our heroine has taken on the care of her younger siblings; recently the executor of the estate removed them from her care (how can a spinster care for a young male, let alone four children?).
Series: Book 1 of 3
Includes: Excerpt from The Devilish Montague by Patricia Rice.
A solid book that plays with the ton requirements of
- marrying for money
- inheriting entailed property and debt
- lack of interest in the heir's spare
- women and children as chattel / powerless
- children to be seen and not heard, illegitimacy to be abhored
It's a nice story, neatly resolved. It isn't brilliant. It needed... something. Maybe more engaging characters. I wasn't convinced to truly care.
However, the foretelling of future books is intriguing. Montague has a brilliant mind, Nick has a hidden past. And the simmering romance between Quentin and Isabell is forced yet intriguing - the fulfillment of the romance between these two is IMO worth following up.
It's a series worth following but, hopefully, this isn't Rice's best work.
The Rebellious Sons:
The Wicked Wyckerly - John Fitzhugh Wyckerly and Abigail Merriweather
The Devilish Montague - Blake Montague and Jocelyn Carrington
Notorious Atherton - Nick Atherton and Nora Adams
References:
Author's website: http://www.patriciarice.com/
(ISBN 9781101188682)
-CR-
Author: Patricia Rice
First published: 2010
Length: 360 pages, 5482 locations
Setting: London and surrounds, 1820.
Sex: heated kisses, a couple of explicit bedroom scenes towards the end, after they are committed to marriage.
Hero: Younger son who is suddenly an Earl after the death of his father and older brother. Has an illegitimate daughter. Is "uneducated" but a "mathematical genius".
Heroine: After the death of her father and stepmother, our heroine has taken on the care of her younger siblings; recently the executor of the estate removed them from her care (how can a spinster care for a young male, let alone four children?).
Series: Book 1 of 3
Includes: Excerpt from The Devilish Montague by Patricia Rice.
A solid book that plays with the ton requirements of
- marrying for money
- inheriting entailed property and debt
- lack of interest in the heir's spare
- women and children as chattel / powerless
- children to be seen and not heard, illegitimacy to be abhored
It's a nice story, neatly resolved. It isn't brilliant. It needed... something. Maybe more engaging characters. I wasn't convinced to truly care.
However, the foretelling of future books is intriguing. Montague has a brilliant mind, Nick has a hidden past. And the simmering romance between Quentin and Isabell is forced yet intriguing - the fulfillment of the romance between these two is IMO worth following up.
It's a series worth following but, hopefully, this isn't Rice's best work.
The Rebellious Sons:
The Wicked Wyckerly - John Fitzhugh Wyckerly and Abigail Merriweather
The Devilish Montague - Blake Montague and Jocelyn Carrington
Notorious Atherton - Nick Atherton and Nora Adams
References:
Author's website: http://www.patriciarice.com/
(ISBN 9781101188682)
-CR-
March 6, 2012
John Fitzhugh Wyckerly inherited a bankrupt estate when his drunken older brother broke his neck tumbling down the stairs. It didn't take Fitz long to calculate that, if he could organize the family's assets well enough to produce 10,000 pounds a year, he'd be out of debt in about 100 years - not good news! So he knew that he didn't have time for women "unless they came accompanied by boundless wealth - and immense stupidity." Then why is he having soft thoughts about Miss Abigail Merriweather, who is equally penniless and has had her 4 younger siblings taken away from her care. Well, she does seem competent enough to handle his very out-of-control 6-year-old daughter, the daughter he just recently met when he decided that becoming a responsible earl should begin with taking responsibility for his illegitimate child. His interest in Miss Merry has nothing to do with her mothering skills, but he soon realizes that her interest in him is based on his possible ability to help her find a good solicitor who can help her get back her siblings. How lowering is that?! - but also very intriguing! And so begins this impossible match that doesn't meet their financial needs - but Ms. Rice does a great job of resolving their problems, and throws in some surprises about the Wicked Wyckerlys.
March 11, 2024
3.5 stars
My first book by this author and the first 85% of this book convinced me I would be reading a lot more of her work. The characters were well-rounded and interesting and fallibly human, especially the main male character, Fitz. Fitz was dealt a bad hand, family-wise, and had spent his life scrambling for existence until he unexpectedly inherited the Mt. Everest-sized family mess, which made his previous penurious existence look like a walk in the park. Abby was a sensible country lass with her own family woes who found Fitz and his illegitimate daughter on her doorstep. I really enjoyed following along as these two fought through any number of obstacles to their attraction. There was some contrived nonsense regarding a bet between a bullying marchioness and Fitz’s friend Quentin, but that was only a minor annoyance.
And then it all unraveled at the end.
***spoilers***
Right after Fitz convinced Abby to marry him, invasion of the body snatchers happened and the characters I’d come to know and love from the first 85% of the book disappeared and were replaced by idiots who started making bad unilateral decisions and sobbing hysterically. Fitz thrashed his cousin for no good reason, the big reveal about who was lobbing hard objects at Fitz’s head was idiotic, and the bullying countess got all soft and forgiving. Ugh. So disappointing.
Would I read another book by this author? Yes. But I wouldn’t get my hopes up before the ending next time.
My first book by this author and the first 85% of this book convinced me I would be reading a lot more of her work. The characters were well-rounded and interesting and fallibly human, especially the main male character, Fitz. Fitz was dealt a bad hand, family-wise, and had spent his life scrambling for existence until he unexpectedly inherited the Mt. Everest-sized family mess, which made his previous penurious existence look like a walk in the park. Abby was a sensible country lass with her own family woes who found Fitz and his illegitimate daughter on her doorstep. I really enjoyed following along as these two fought through any number of obstacles to their attraction. There was some contrived nonsense regarding a bet between a bullying marchioness and Fitz’s friend Quentin, but that was only a minor annoyance.
And then it all unraveled at the end.
***spoilers***
Right after Fitz convinced Abby to marry him, invasion of the body snatchers happened and the characters I’d come to know and love from the first 85% of the book disappeared and were replaced by idiots who started making bad unilateral decisions and sobbing hysterically. Fitz thrashed his cousin for no good reason, the big reveal about who was lobbing hard objects at Fitz’s head was idiotic, and the bullying countess got all soft and forgiving. Ugh. So disappointing.
Would I read another book by this author? Yes. But I wouldn’t get my hopes up before the ending next time.
Want to read
December 22, 2019This is free on Amazon right now!
In case anyone wants to snatch it up :)
In case anyone wants to snatch it up :)
October 10, 2021
Unread book in my library, and I enjoyed it. Loved the H who adores his illegitimate daughter. He's impoverished and not sure about his future but it's clear he wants and needs the h. She's rather bossy with good reason. She's also very caring and embraces the H and his daughter. The pace is furious, too fast and the overly complex plot devices distracted me from what could have been a 5 star story.
March 7, 2013
DNF. I read about 28% of the book before I stopped. I was bored, for the most part. The H/h are, well bland characters. The plot seemed to become convoluted, contrived, thrown together like pulling ideas pieces from a hat and trying to force it together to make up a recognizable big picture. And those pieces are elements found in other romance novels.
I stopped reading the book several days ago and when I started writing this review, I couldn't remember anything (really a bad sign when not even one scene sticks in my brain as interesting).
Hero just came into a title without any wealth. Retrieved his illegitimate daughter from a bad situation while on his way to sell his only asset - a breeding stallion. His little girl doesn't travel well so he stops at a stranger's house where the heroine lives. He doesn't tell her he has a title.
The unmarried heroine misses her step siblings. After her father died, the children were taken away to live with new guardians. She wants them back but doesn't have any money and is living in the house/small estate/farm??? her eldest step brother will one day inherit.
Okay, so she has some type of distant connection to a Marquiss whom she writes to for help to get her siblings back. The hero informs her the man died and the new Marquiss lives in Scotland (an even more distant family relation). Unknown to her, the old Marquiss' widow, who inherited all of the wealth behind the title, receives her letter and decides to spend her dead husband's wealth on making the Heroine into an heiress (one-thousand pounds per year income, not a lump sum).
So the window arrives to inform the heroine of her good fortune (telling her it is an inheritance so she won't think it's charity. She informs the Heroine that she must go to London to find a husband and won't take no for an answer. A husband can help her in her fight to reclaim her step siblings. (Huh? Really? she has no proof her siblings are in a bad situation or any guarantee a husband will agree to take on another man's children. If she has money now, why not move closer to the kids so she can visit on a regular basis and get to know the people who are taking care of them rather than risk her entire future on finding the right man to take on the burden?) I know the ties between siblings are close and I understand her need to be part of their lives. But finding a husband does NOT seem like the right solution regardless of what the widow says.
The widow recognizes the hero and informs him that everyone thinks he committed suicide. So the Heroine is now an heiress, but it's not enough money for the hero to repay the debts against the estate. He must find and win the wealthiest heiress on the marriage mart - one who won't mind raising his bastard daughter. (Good luck with that one buddy.)
The "bad boy" hero and the "too good to be real" heroine are bland. The little girl is obnoxious. And the plot filled with coincidence and illogical assumptions.
I stopped reading the book several days ago and when I started writing this review, I couldn't remember anything (really a bad sign when not even one scene sticks in my brain as interesting).
Hero just came into a title without any wealth. Retrieved his illegitimate daughter from a bad situation while on his way to sell his only asset - a breeding stallion. His little girl doesn't travel well so he stops at a stranger's house where the heroine lives. He doesn't tell her he has a title.
The unmarried heroine misses her step siblings. After her father died, the children were taken away to live with new guardians. She wants them back but doesn't have any money and is living in the house/small estate/farm??? her eldest step brother will one day inherit.
Okay, so she has some type of distant connection to a Marquiss whom she writes to for help to get her siblings back. The hero informs her the man died and the new Marquiss lives in Scotland (an even more distant family relation). Unknown to her, the old Marquiss' widow, who inherited all of the wealth behind the title, receives her letter and decides to spend her dead husband's wealth on making the Heroine into an heiress (one-thousand pounds per year income, not a lump sum).
So the window arrives to inform the heroine of her good fortune (telling her it is an inheritance so she won't think it's charity. She informs the Heroine that she must go to London to find a husband and won't take no for an answer. A husband can help her in her fight to reclaim her step siblings. (Huh? Really? she has no proof her siblings are in a bad situation or any guarantee a husband will agree to take on another man's children. If she has money now, why not move closer to the kids so she can visit on a regular basis and get to know the people who are taking care of them rather than risk her entire future on finding the right man to take on the burden?) I know the ties between siblings are close and I understand her need to be part of their lives. But finding a husband does NOT seem like the right solution regardless of what the widow says.
The widow recognizes the hero and informs him that everyone thinks he committed suicide. So the Heroine is now an heiress, but it's not enough money for the hero to repay the debts against the estate. He must find and win the wealthiest heiress on the marriage mart - one who won't mind raising his bastard daughter. (Good luck with that one buddy.)
The "bad boy" hero and the "too good to be real" heroine are bland. The little girl is obnoxious. And the plot filled with coincidence and illogical assumptions.
March 23, 2019
What a read it was, so witty, funny and romantic too.
I do think I’m in love with Fitz, he is such a wonderful man, he made do all his life, relying only on his wits and adaptability, always finding a way to get through what always life throws on his path. Never he gives up. While he knows he might seek after a heiress, he can’t shake out the idea that his Rhubarb girl is the one for him. His thoughts processes is incredible, he never despairs, he solves everything as if it is a mind game. And he is always his charming self, even when he must face bankruptcy, run after his hellion of a daughter or do some gardening to put a roof over his head....
With Abby he is so protective and caring, trying to find a way to rescue them from their own predicament, but the only thing he can’t agree is to give up on her and their potential future.
Plus despite the errors he made in his past, he really wants to be a father for Penelope, I do adored how he deals with her antics, never belittling her nor mocking her and even more praising her.
Abigail has always known what it is to love and be loved, why she can’t stand to be separated from her siblings, even distressed she tries to find a way to get them back. Why she accepts to follow the dowager marchioness of Belden in London, hopeful to seek out how to win her sisters and brother’s guardianship but at the same time she feels so ill at ease among the ton, only comfortable around Fitz even if he lied by omission about whom he is when they first meet.
It was such an entertaining and enjoyable read, at every turn of a page, something comes up, and while Fitz and Abby’s life’s are turned upside down, they never lose their wits nor hopes.
A lot of things happens, so many it is impossible to sum them up but I adored to read this witty story.
I do think I’m in love with Fitz, he is such a wonderful man, he made do all his life, relying only on his wits and adaptability, always finding a way to get through what always life throws on his path. Never he gives up. While he knows he might seek after a heiress, he can’t shake out the idea that his Rhubarb girl is the one for him. His thoughts processes is incredible, he never despairs, he solves everything as if it is a mind game. And he is always his charming self, even when he must face bankruptcy, run after his hellion of a daughter or do some gardening to put a roof over his head....
With Abby he is so protective and caring, trying to find a way to rescue them from their own predicament, but the only thing he can’t agree is to give up on her and their potential future.
Plus despite the errors he made in his past, he really wants to be a father for Penelope, I do adored how he deals with her antics, never belittling her nor mocking her and even more praising her.
Abigail has always known what it is to love and be loved, why she can’t stand to be separated from her siblings, even distressed she tries to find a way to get them back. Why she accepts to follow the dowager marchioness of Belden in London, hopeful to seek out how to win her sisters and brother’s guardianship but at the same time she feels so ill at ease among the ton, only comfortable around Fitz even if he lied by omission about whom he is when they first meet.
It was such an entertaining and enjoyable read, at every turn of a page, something comes up, and while Fitz and Abby’s life’s are turned upside down, they never lose their wits nor hopes.
A lot of things happens, so many it is impossible to sum them up but I adored to read this witty story.
March 23, 2022
This was book 1 in the
"Rebellious Sons"
series. I don't read or listen to a lot of historical reads but this one was pretty good. Abigail Merriweather is smart, resourceful, and willing to fight for what she believes in. Her father who was a magistrate has died and she is raising her young half-brothers and half-sisters. Being a single woman, she is deemed unfit to raise children and they are taken away and placed with another family. She is trying everything she knows to get them back home where they belong. John Fitzhugh Wyckerly has just inherited a bankrupted title Earl of Danecroft. Fitz also has an illegitimate young daughter Penelope needs his care. Fitz knows he needs to find an heiress to repair the mess that his estate is, and Abigail needs a wealthy man to help her fight to get the children back. Abi offers to help him and his daughter by hiring him to work in her fields. Fitz is the second son and has earned money in London by gambling. Math is Fitz's real skill, but he applies it at the gaming. They do not need each other but them attraction growing between them. This was a pretty good book that I listened to on audio. I loved the narrators of this book.
September 28, 2015
Inheriting an earldom, along with a crumbling estate and massive debts that would take him a lifetime to pay back, John Fitzhugh Wyckerly the new seventh Earl of Danecroft considered his options; one of which was running away to America and letting his wealthy cousin inherit both title and the debts! But Fitz was not a quitter, and decided he should do the right thing, so he set out to reclaim his illegitimate daughter Penelope and travel to London in search of a very wealthy wife!
Abigail Merriweather has been devastatingly quiet since she lost custody of her four half-siblings. Without warning, a roguish gentleman (Fitz) and his uncontrollable terror of a daughter descended upon her farm when they were unceremoniously booted off of the post chaise taking them to London. Abigail took note of how his parenting skills were quite appalling but his good looks and flirting were so quite heady. Abigail needs a suitor to help her regain her siblings, so why does Fitz keep looking like the best candidate, even though both know it could never work?
*** When thinking about Patricia Rice I tend to think of the magic and mystical worlds she has so delightfully charmed her readers with over these past few years. In THE WICKED WYCKERLY she has left the magic behind and relies solely on the magic of true love and an enchanting romance set in the lively Regency world where social standing and money are of prime importance in the beau monde and glittering ballrooms of the ton.
Fitz as the new Earl of Danecroft, despite his rakish life style before inheriting the title as a second son, never prepared or trained to become an Earl. He’d lived by his wits and remarkable mathematical abilities surviving solely on his expertise in gambling to modestly support himself in his bachelor rooms. However, after the loss of father and brother so close together, he found he wasn’t able to brush off the responsibilities so lightly. So Fitz decided to try and do better than his forbears and show that not all of his line deserved the “Wicked Wyckerly” title.
Rice developed Fitz by giving him a conscience beginning with taking charge of his six year old illegitimate daughter Penelope even while he didn’t have a clue as to what fatherhood entailed. The author showed a correlation between Fitz’s upbringing and Penelope’s when he realized his uncaring attitude was much like what he himself had experienced.
Abigail was fleshed out perfectly and was a complete joy. For Fitz, who had never been shown love or caring, meeting up with Abigail whose abundance of love and plain common sense was captivated by her beauty and her character. Rice couldn’t have created a better match up than Fitz and Abigail. Their attraction and what each brought to the table in terms of natural talents to enhance one another was perfection. Fitz needed to marry money and Abigail needed someone with a stellar reputation in order to regain custody of her half-siblings.
Rice added a plethora of secondary characters that kept the action going, from a ‘fairy godmother type’ in the guise of the Abigail’s dowager marchioness cousin who decided to play matchmaker; to Fitz’s cousin and heir as well as the few friends who actually were mourning his rumored demise as well as Fitz’s faithful butler. Add to that the lovely humorous and sensual romance; several attempts made to Fitz’s life; and the delight of Fitz learning to deal with his six year old daughter and you have one perfectly enchanting read that I can HIGHLY recommend. This was total fun!
Abigail Merriweather has been devastatingly quiet since she lost custody of her four half-siblings. Without warning, a roguish gentleman (Fitz) and his uncontrollable terror of a daughter descended upon her farm when they were unceremoniously booted off of the post chaise taking them to London. Abigail took note of how his parenting skills were quite appalling but his good looks and flirting were so quite heady. Abigail needs a suitor to help her regain her siblings, so why does Fitz keep looking like the best candidate, even though both know it could never work?
*** When thinking about Patricia Rice I tend to think of the magic and mystical worlds she has so delightfully charmed her readers with over these past few years. In THE WICKED WYCKERLY she has left the magic behind and relies solely on the magic of true love and an enchanting romance set in the lively Regency world where social standing and money are of prime importance in the beau monde and glittering ballrooms of the ton.
Fitz as the new Earl of Danecroft, despite his rakish life style before inheriting the title as a second son, never prepared or trained to become an Earl. He’d lived by his wits and remarkable mathematical abilities surviving solely on his expertise in gambling to modestly support himself in his bachelor rooms. However, after the loss of father and brother so close together, he found he wasn’t able to brush off the responsibilities so lightly. So Fitz decided to try and do better than his forbears and show that not all of his line deserved the “Wicked Wyckerly” title.
Rice developed Fitz by giving him a conscience beginning with taking charge of his six year old illegitimate daughter Penelope even while he didn’t have a clue as to what fatherhood entailed. The author showed a correlation between Fitz’s upbringing and Penelope’s when he realized his uncaring attitude was much like what he himself had experienced.
Abigail was fleshed out perfectly and was a complete joy. For Fitz, who had never been shown love or caring, meeting up with Abigail whose abundance of love and plain common sense was captivated by her beauty and her character. Rice couldn’t have created a better match up than Fitz and Abigail. Their attraction and what each brought to the table in terms of natural talents to enhance one another was perfection. Fitz needed to marry money and Abigail needed someone with a stellar reputation in order to regain custody of her half-siblings.
Rice added a plethora of secondary characters that kept the action going, from a ‘fairy godmother type’ in the guise of the Abigail’s dowager marchioness cousin who decided to play matchmaker; to Fitz’s cousin and heir as well as the few friends who actually were mourning his rumored demise as well as Fitz’s faithful butler. Add to that the lovely humorous and sensual romance; several attempts made to Fitz’s life; and the delight of Fitz learning to deal with his six year old daughter and you have one perfectly enchanting read that I can HIGHLY recommend. This was total fun!
July 20, 2010
Reviewed by Mandi
Abigail Merriweather has found herself very alone, and she doesn’t like it. Her four half brothers and sisters were taken from her after her father and step-mother died. The executor deemed the children needed proper male guidance and shipped them away to a more “suitable” guardian. She is desperate to get them back, even if that means taking a husband. Her solitude is suddenly interrupted by a dashing man with a very unruly six year old in tow.
John Fitzhugh Wyckerly, or Fitz, is now the seventh Earl of Danecroft after the passing of his brother. But this title brings does not bring him happiness, rather extreme debt and the press of many creditors who want their money. Fitz is at a loss of how to begin the task of organizing the estate and paying back the debt. He knows he must marry wealthy, but his first obligation is to visit his daughter, whom he finds abandoned by her mother and being raised by poorly mannered servants. So he finds himself in a coach with a very loud, and dirty Penelope in front of Abby’s house.
Abby, having much experience with raising children helps Fitz get Penny under control. She also can’t help but find this stranger very attractive. She offers him to stay in her guest house and work the fields while she tends to Penny. Of course, Abby has no idea this is an Earl she has staying at her house. She writes hoping that her distant relative, The Marquess of Beldon might be able to persuade the executor to send the children back. Fitz, accustom to the ton circles, knows the Marquess has recently died, and his wife, Isabella is in charge. Fitz can’t help wanting to aid the lovely, head strong Abby. Abby goes to London to meet with Lady Isabella, hoping with her guidance, she will land a husband, and then retrieve her siblings. But Fitz and Abby’s paths will cross again.
What to say about The Wicked Wyckerly – first, “wicked” is used to describe Fitz countless times in this book, and guess what – I never found him to be that wicked at all. Apparently he comes from a family of wicked, careless men – but the Fitz I read about cares for his abandoned daughter (although he does wait six years to figure out she needs him) and wants to be respected by Abby. Which is all fine and dandy, except I wanted to see the more reckless side of him. I didn’t buy into the fact that he would drop everything from his old life and immediately start living with morals and responsibility.
Abby never appealed to me. First she takes in this total stranger because she is smitten with his cute daughter. She assumes he is a lower class man, not an earl – but either way, she trusts this man to stay on her grounds? Then she ends up under Isabella’s guidance and finds herself letting go to a stranger again. I understand she will do whatever it takes to get her siblings back, but when the time comes and she receives a marriage proposal from Fitz, she refuses him because of his gambling problem. But she only hears of his gambling through a third party. Before you throw away your chance at getting your siblings back, don’t make a rash decision!
The supporting characters also fell very flat for me. I never warned up to Fitz’s friends, nor did I find Isabella nor her partner in crime, Quentin fun to read about. I can’t recommend this one.
Rating: 2/5
Abigail Merriweather has found herself very alone, and she doesn’t like it. Her four half brothers and sisters were taken from her after her father and step-mother died. The executor deemed the children needed proper male guidance and shipped them away to a more “suitable” guardian. She is desperate to get them back, even if that means taking a husband. Her solitude is suddenly interrupted by a dashing man with a very unruly six year old in tow.
John Fitzhugh Wyckerly, or Fitz, is now the seventh Earl of Danecroft after the passing of his brother. But this title brings does not bring him happiness, rather extreme debt and the press of many creditors who want their money. Fitz is at a loss of how to begin the task of organizing the estate and paying back the debt. He knows he must marry wealthy, but his first obligation is to visit his daughter, whom he finds abandoned by her mother and being raised by poorly mannered servants. So he finds himself in a coach with a very loud, and dirty Penelope in front of Abby’s house.
Abby, having much experience with raising children helps Fitz get Penny under control. She also can’t help but find this stranger very attractive. She offers him to stay in her guest house and work the fields while she tends to Penny. Of course, Abby has no idea this is an Earl she has staying at her house. She writes hoping that her distant relative, The Marquess of Beldon might be able to persuade the executor to send the children back. Fitz, accustom to the ton circles, knows the Marquess has recently died, and his wife, Isabella is in charge. Fitz can’t help wanting to aid the lovely, head strong Abby. Abby goes to London to meet with Lady Isabella, hoping with her guidance, she will land a husband, and then retrieve her siblings. But Fitz and Abby’s paths will cross again.
What to say about The Wicked Wyckerly – first, “wicked” is used to describe Fitz countless times in this book, and guess what – I never found him to be that wicked at all. Apparently he comes from a family of wicked, careless men – but the Fitz I read about cares for his abandoned daughter (although he does wait six years to figure out she needs him) and wants to be respected by Abby. Which is all fine and dandy, except I wanted to see the more reckless side of him. I didn’t buy into the fact that he would drop everything from his old life and immediately start living with morals and responsibility.
Abby never appealed to me. First she takes in this total stranger because she is smitten with his cute daughter. She assumes he is a lower class man, not an earl – but either way, she trusts this man to stay on her grounds? Then she ends up under Isabella’s guidance and finds herself letting go to a stranger again. I understand she will do whatever it takes to get her siblings back, but when the time comes and she receives a marriage proposal from Fitz, she refuses him because of his gambling problem. But she only hears of his gambling through a third party. Before you throw away your chance at getting your siblings back, don’t make a rash decision!
The supporting characters also fell very flat for me. I never warned up to Fitz’s friends, nor did I find Isabella nor her partner in crime, Quentin fun to read about. I can’t recommend this one.
Rating: 2/5
July 21, 2011
I had one heck of a good time with the main characters in this book. This is my first Patricia Rice historical and it’s definitely not going to be the last. I like the way she gives her characters attitude with a sense of fun. That combination just makes reading all that much more entertaining for her fans.
As Abby is fretting over how to regain custody of her four younger brothers and sisters, the answer to her prayers may have dropped into her life by way of a mail coach. She needs help, as does the handsome Fitz and his rambunctious six-year-old daughter. Agreeing to watch the child while he takes care of urgent business, he’ll help Abby out with her predicament when he returns.
Since inheriting the earldom after his father’s and brother’s deaths, Fitz now has an estate that is in ruins and he has no way of paying creditors or taking care of the people he’s suddenly responsible for. He could run off to America or fake his death, but instead he decides to do the right thing as best he can. To do that, he needs a very wealthy wife.
What he wants, however, is Abby. But he knows he can’t have her, so he does the right thing again by turning her over to a distant dowager marchioness cousin of Abby’s, someone who knows how things are done and has the right connections. Just as he wasn’t prepared to become an earl —he’s a second son who’s survived by his wits and his amazing talent with numbers — Fitz is not prepared for his surprising feelings for Abby. He does face them, though, and begins his quest to wear her down into accepting and trusting him to make life work for them.
Getting used to the way the ton lives is not for Abby. She’d rather be back home on her farm with the children, but since that’s not going to magically happen, she tries her best to fit in to find that one man who has enough money to perhaps reverse a legal decision and who doesn’t care she brings four kids into a marriage. But it’s Fitz who she keeps thinking about and who keeps popping up in the most unexpected places. And who has the crazy idea they can work their problems out together if they marry. Crazy it may be, but his idea has merit.
These two people are just delightful. Abby is no nonsense in running a home but is full of love and life. Fitz is full of life but has never felt love. I had fun watching him turn from a man who knows nothing about children to a father who would give his life for his daughter, all due to the love — and no nonsense — he finds with Abby. Their banter throughout the book adds an extra level of entertainment for the reader, as do all the secondary characters who abound page after page.
Of course, the romance goes without saying, but I like that it’s Fitz who wants love and romance and has to basically talk Abby into giving it a try with him. He’s not a rake but he knows his way around women and Abby doesn’t stand a chance once he puts his mind to making her his.
Though there is mystery and danger woven into the story, this is just an all-around fun book. I look forward to the next books in this series, especially after meeting the heroes in this one. More fun is sure to follow.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
As Abby is fretting over how to regain custody of her four younger brothers and sisters, the answer to her prayers may have dropped into her life by way of a mail coach. She needs help, as does the handsome Fitz and his rambunctious six-year-old daughter. Agreeing to watch the child while he takes care of urgent business, he’ll help Abby out with her predicament when he returns.
Since inheriting the earldom after his father’s and brother’s deaths, Fitz now has an estate that is in ruins and he has no way of paying creditors or taking care of the people he’s suddenly responsible for. He could run off to America or fake his death, but instead he decides to do the right thing as best he can. To do that, he needs a very wealthy wife.
What he wants, however, is Abby. But he knows he can’t have her, so he does the right thing again by turning her over to a distant dowager marchioness cousin of Abby’s, someone who knows how things are done and has the right connections. Just as he wasn’t prepared to become an earl —he’s a second son who’s survived by his wits and his amazing talent with numbers — Fitz is not prepared for his surprising feelings for Abby. He does face them, though, and begins his quest to wear her down into accepting and trusting him to make life work for them.
Getting used to the way the ton lives is not for Abby. She’d rather be back home on her farm with the children, but since that’s not going to magically happen, she tries her best to fit in to find that one man who has enough money to perhaps reverse a legal decision and who doesn’t care she brings four kids into a marriage. But it’s Fitz who she keeps thinking about and who keeps popping up in the most unexpected places. And who has the crazy idea they can work their problems out together if they marry. Crazy it may be, but his idea has merit.
These two people are just delightful. Abby is no nonsense in running a home but is full of love and life. Fitz is full of life but has never felt love. I had fun watching him turn from a man who knows nothing about children to a father who would give his life for his daughter, all due to the love — and no nonsense — he finds with Abby. Their banter throughout the book adds an extra level of entertainment for the reader, as do all the secondary characters who abound page after page.
Of course, the romance goes without saying, but I like that it’s Fitz who wants love and romance and has to basically talk Abby into giving it a try with him. He’s not a rake but he knows his way around women and Abby doesn’t stand a chance once he puts his mind to making her his.
Though there is mystery and danger woven into the story, this is just an all-around fun book. I look forward to the next books in this series, especially after meeting the heroes in this one. More fun is sure to follow.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
July 2, 2010
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Historical Romance – July 6, 2010
4 ½ Starts
The Wicked Wyckerly is the first book in Patricia Rice’s new historical Rebellious Sons series. This Regency series starts out with a charming cast of characters and a lively plot.
The Wicked Wykerly tells the story of John Fitzhugh Wyckerly who as the younger son to the Earl of Danecroft he uses his mathematical genius to make his living. As a successful gambler, he is able to win enough money to sustain an appearance of luxury. Contented with his way of life, his life is turned upside-down with the unexpected death of his older brother. Now he has become the fifth Earl of Danecroft. But upon becoming the new Earl, Fitz discovers he has inherited a crumbling estate and massive debts. This in addition to the mounting money problems are added responsibility of caring for his recently reclaimed illegitimate daughter, Penelope. But Fitz feels he must do the proper thing but he needs time alone to decide on the best way to set things right. So he leaves London to claiming a prized stallion he has won and encounters the lovely and enchanting Miss Abigail Merriweather. Abigail is currently dealing with her own set of problems. The new Earl is immediately enchanted by Miss Merriweather but realizes he can’t get involved. For he knows it would be dishonorable to start a relationship when his only way of saving the Earldom is to find a rich wife in London to save his mortgaged estate. So, no matter how delectable Miss Merriweather is, she is a complication he doesn’t need.
Miss Abigail Merriweather is a woman on her own. She needs to find a solicitor who will help her to reclaim her younger siblings; children who were unfairly taken out of her custody due to the lack of male influence. When she meets Fitz she is immediately drawn to him but both of them soon recognize any relationship will not end well. Luckily fate takes a hand in the form of the recently widowed Dowager Marchioness of Belden. She is a distant relative of Miss Merriweather’s and whisks Abigail off to London. Where despite their best efforts Abigail and Fitz are constantly thrown together! As a result, both have a hard time keeping their increasing feelings for one another a secret.
Patricia Rice is a fabulous storyteller. This book was an engaging and fun read. The 2 main characters are great. Both are somewhat flawed which makes them all the more real. This allowed me to easily relate to them and hope they would end up happily together. The main characters are appealing and as their troubles mount their personalities make them more compelling to read. The many sub characters add extra sparkle and extra excitement to this charming romance. I can’t wait for this series to continue and hope for more stories that continue more characters’ journeys toward love.
For readers who are looking for an enjoyable historical romance that is chocked full of entertainment and includes characters that make readers feel invested in their lives then THIS is the book for you!
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance – July 6, 2010
4 ½ Starts
The Wicked Wyckerly is the first book in Patricia Rice’s new historical Rebellious Sons series. This Regency series starts out with a charming cast of characters and a lively plot.
The Wicked Wykerly tells the story of John Fitzhugh Wyckerly who as the younger son to the Earl of Danecroft he uses his mathematical genius to make his living. As a successful gambler, he is able to win enough money to sustain an appearance of luxury. Contented with his way of life, his life is turned upside-down with the unexpected death of his older brother. Now he has become the fifth Earl of Danecroft. But upon becoming the new Earl, Fitz discovers he has inherited a crumbling estate and massive debts. This in addition to the mounting money problems are added responsibility of caring for his recently reclaimed illegitimate daughter, Penelope. But Fitz feels he must do the proper thing but he needs time alone to decide on the best way to set things right. So he leaves London to claiming a prized stallion he has won and encounters the lovely and enchanting Miss Abigail Merriweather. Abigail is currently dealing with her own set of problems. The new Earl is immediately enchanted by Miss Merriweather but realizes he can’t get involved. For he knows it would be dishonorable to start a relationship when his only way of saving the Earldom is to find a rich wife in London to save his mortgaged estate. So, no matter how delectable Miss Merriweather is, she is a complication he doesn’t need.
Miss Abigail Merriweather is a woman on her own. She needs to find a solicitor who will help her to reclaim her younger siblings; children who were unfairly taken out of her custody due to the lack of male influence. When she meets Fitz she is immediately drawn to him but both of them soon recognize any relationship will not end well. Luckily fate takes a hand in the form of the recently widowed Dowager Marchioness of Belden. She is a distant relative of Miss Merriweather’s and whisks Abigail off to London. Where despite their best efforts Abigail and Fitz are constantly thrown together! As a result, both have a hard time keeping their increasing feelings for one another a secret.
Patricia Rice is a fabulous storyteller. This book was an engaging and fun read. The 2 main characters are great. Both are somewhat flawed which makes them all the more real. This allowed me to easily relate to them and hope they would end up happily together. The main characters are appealing and as their troubles mount their personalities make them more compelling to read. The many sub characters add extra sparkle and extra excitement to this charming romance. I can’t wait for this series to continue and hope for more stories that continue more characters’ journeys toward love.
For readers who are looking for an enjoyable historical romance that is chocked full of entertainment and includes characters that make readers feel invested in their lives then THIS is the book for you!
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
June 15, 2011
I can’t help the involuntary cringe whenever I pick up a romance novel with any of these words in the title: rogue, scoundrel, scandal…wicked. The list could go on. I’ve learned not to judge a book by it’s title (or cover), especially after reading this. I actually contemplated picking this up a few weeks ago but put it back. Then a few days ago I saw it on the RITA nominee list and thought I’d give it a go. I’m glad I did, because it was a delight to read.
I love a romance novel that really shows the full development of a relationship. Fitz and Abby go from complete strangers, to sort of friends, to definite friends, to lovers, and then, well…I don’t want to spoil it. It’s lovely to watch. Abby is a country girl, born and raised, and is independent and strong. Fitz has always been a bit fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy until he’s bestowed with the title of Earl and forced to confront the demons his father and elder brother left behind. He’s intelligent and witty, and he particularly enjoys being around Abby.
The glue that really holds them together, however, is their love of children. Abby is on a quest to get back custody of her half siblings, and Fitz just rescued his illegitimate daughter from a shady governess. That’s what initially brings them together. And their love of children is what keeps them together.
Confession time – I’m not that big on kids. I don’t have anything against them. I’m just not at that maternal hemming and hawing moment in my life. These kinds of story lines don’t always appeal to me. In fact, sometimes they down right turn me off. There were a few moments in Wyckerly where I teetered on that edge, but really the engaging romance between the two main characters kept me invested and focused. And really, this is a terribly romantic book. If you’re looking for a heart warming story with a heavy dose of romance, family life, and a splash of wit, I’d definitely recommend giving The Wicked Wyckerly a go.
Rating: B
Romance: 5/5 Raunch: 3/5
I love a romance novel that really shows the full development of a relationship. Fitz and Abby go from complete strangers, to sort of friends, to definite friends, to lovers, and then, well…I don’t want to spoil it. It’s lovely to watch. Abby is a country girl, born and raised, and is independent and strong. Fitz has always been a bit fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy until he’s bestowed with the title of Earl and forced to confront the demons his father and elder brother left behind. He’s intelligent and witty, and he particularly enjoys being around Abby.
The glue that really holds them together, however, is their love of children. Abby is on a quest to get back custody of her half siblings, and Fitz just rescued his illegitimate daughter from a shady governess. That’s what initially brings them together. And their love of children is what keeps them together.
Confession time – I’m not that big on kids. I don’t have anything against them. I’m just not at that maternal hemming and hawing moment in my life. These kinds of story lines don’t always appeal to me. In fact, sometimes they down right turn me off. There were a few moments in Wyckerly where I teetered on that edge, but really the engaging romance between the two main characters kept me invested and focused. And really, this is a terribly romantic book. If you’re looking for a heart warming story with a heavy dose of romance, family life, and a splash of wit, I’d definitely recommend giving The Wicked Wyckerly a go.
Rating: B
Romance: 5/5 Raunch: 3/5
November 5, 2020
The book that took me out of my "average historical romance" boredom : it felt like a breath of fresh air !
No extreme complications, no misunderstandings, no richer than hell characters, it was a lot of fun to read : I loved the main characters, the (numerous) children weren't put too much on the front and acted as children should, I kept smiling at Fitz's constant good mood and cheerfulness. Fitz and Abigail are perfect for each other and even if they know their road is going to be rocky, they just go for it.
I also liked the secondary characters and can't wait to read about Mrs Bell and Quentin, I just have to !
It's funny how everyone adores books that I hate or moderately like, and how the reverse is also true : this book doesn't have great ratings, but honestly, I got it as a freebie and I'm so glad I discovered this author, don't miss out on your fun and go get it !
No extreme complications, no misunderstandings, no richer than hell characters, it was a lot of fun to read : I loved the main characters, the (numerous) children weren't put too much on the front and acted as children should, I kept smiling at Fitz's constant good mood and cheerfulness. Fitz and Abigail are perfect for each other and even if they know their road is going to be rocky, they just go for it.
I also liked the secondary characters and can't wait to read about Mrs Bell and Quentin, I just have to !
It's funny how everyone adores books that I hate or moderately like, and how the reverse is also true : this book doesn't have great ratings, but honestly, I got it as a freebie and I'm so glad I discovered this author, don't miss out on your fun and go get it !
February 28, 2019
It's really cute and I love how realistic the hero is. Most heroes are idealized, but this one is a scamp, but by necessity and not nature. It is refreshing to see a hero willing to give up everything for the woman he loves.
Our heroine is no giggling idiot. She's not brazen or sassy. She's caring, smart and has an enormous heart. I liked her very much.
This is a great afternoon read. It's a little long winded, but not horribly so. The romance is a slooow build, but it's so much more believable this way. The sex scenes are pretty tame, but not boring!
Our heroine is no giggling idiot. She's not brazen or sassy. She's caring, smart and has an enormous heart. I liked her very much.
This is a great afternoon read. It's a little long winded, but not horribly so. The romance is a slooow build, but it's so much more believable this way. The sex scenes are pretty tame, but not boring!
June 1, 2016
4 1/2 stars ! A truly enjoyable read !!!
A witty-clever-brave- family loving heroine + unusual- clever- big hearted - fool in love - kind hero + an original trope + no instalust/instalove = a wondeful HR !
If you want steam and sensual that's not your book. Lust is born out of love in this book and the two of them are also taken by other loves : their children.
It was through and through an heartwarming story, the kind one would love to read around christmas.
A witty-clever-brave- family loving heroine + unusual- clever- big hearted - fool in love - kind hero + an original trope + no instalust/instalove = a wondeful HR !
If you want steam and sensual that's not your book. Lust is born out of love in this book and the two of them are also taken by other loves : their children.
It was through and through an heartwarming story, the kind one would love to read around christmas.
December 14, 2018
This story felt to drag too long. It just bored me. The romance is not great either. The narration was monotone and with bad accent. Skip this one.
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