What do you think?
Rate this book
Devine & Friends #2
To Wed a Wicked Earl
A marriage of convenience is anything but in To Wed a Wicked Earl, the second book from Olivia Parker, author of At the Bride Hunt Ball. This Regency romance is the story of an earl who must find a bride immediately, lest he lose his inheritance.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2009
133 people are currently reading
3568 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Parker
149 books487 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)romance author
Endowed with an insatiable yearning for happily-ever-afters, Olivia fell in love with the promise of happy endings found in the lovely pages of romance novels. When she's not reading or writing, she's quite the busy "governess" to a trio of lovely children.
She, sincerely, appreciates all of her emails as they often bring sunlight to some cloudy days. You can try to reach her via her Facebook page--though I should warn you, she's a bit of a recluse and Facebook continuously confuses (intimidates) her.
Presently, she's writing, working, and bargaining with a large yellow dog that trades cuddles for peanut butter
(1)romance author
Endowed with an insatiable yearning for happily-ever-afters, Olivia fell in love with the promise of happy endings found in the lovely pages of romance novels. When she's not reading or writing, she's quite the busy "governess" to a trio of lovely children.
She, sincerely, appreciates all of her emails as they often bring sunlight to some cloudy days. You can try to reach her via her Facebook page--though I should warn you, she's a bit of a recluse and Facebook continuously confuses (intimidates) her.
Presently, she's writing, working, and bargaining with a large yellow dog that trades cuddles for peanut butter
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
September 23, 2009
I picked this one up as an impulse and was very pleasantly entertained by this story. I loved the aspect of the hero, Lord Rothbury, being in love with Charlotte for six long years. She thought of herself as a wallflower, and was stuck on his best friend, Lord Tristan, who saved her mother and herself from a carriage accident, for that whole time.
Adam, who is known as Rothbury for this whole book, watched her grow from a skinny young girl into a willowy young woman, admiring her from afar, even loving her bookish, spectacled appearance. You see, he didn't think he was good enough for her. Rothbury comes from a family of degenerate rakes, and was taught to act the same way his whole life. Although rakes are not my favorite heroes, there was heart to this hero, so that I liked him, even from the beginning. He was a rake because he had been taught to be one, and really didn't know any other life.
The plot is rather convoluted, which is strange. It's not exactly as the blurb says. Mainly it's about the interaction between the on-the- shelf young woman, Charlotte, and Rothbury, who wants what he can't have, her. She doesn't realize how in love he is, because she can't imagine why a sophisticated man of the world would want her. Especially since she was was lead on slightly by Lord Tristan, that he would offer for her, but then he offers for another girl instead.
Charlotte approaches Rothbury with the offer of friendship, which was mainly a ploy for the author to have Charlotte and Rothbury interact, which they probably wouldn't have otherwise. What I found refreshing is that Rothbury didn't spend this whole book trying to get Charlotte in bed, and she didn't spend the book chasing or throwing herself at the rake so she could find out 'what it was all about.' I am very sick of this overused storyline in historical romances nowadays, and frankly it irritates me because it's unrealistic that a gently bred young virginal woman of good family would risk her reputation and future that way. Instead it was more of a friends to lovers story, and full of humor and quirkly moments which I found enjoyable. It was also very sweet how Rothbury really loved Charlotte, but wasn't sure how to let her know that, and didn't feel he had the right to. Plus he thought she was still in love/like with Lord Tristan. He saw her in ways that others didn't see. This is a couple you really want to get together instead of being annoyed at them the whole book.
Although there are few love scenes, the passion of their kisses was very well written and made the pages heat up. The love scenes towards the end were not long or graphic, but they were very intense and hot (for this reader). The love and passion that Rothbury shows Charlotte was very appealing. I think that there was some silliness in this story that wasn't needed for plot exposition, but it didn't ruin the story. I really ended up liking this book. It's a lighter read, but it has the emotional elements that I really enjoy. Plus I found this rake to be a lot more moral and honorable than some of the other heroes in this genre (even though he didn't see himself that way).
I will be adding Olivia Parker to my list of authors to buy, because she really succeeded in telling a romance story here that appealed to me, when I was starting to feel that a lot of the new releases were not to my taste.
Adam, who is known as Rothbury for this whole book, watched her grow from a skinny young girl into a willowy young woman, admiring her from afar, even loving her bookish, spectacled appearance. You see, he didn't think he was good enough for her. Rothbury comes from a family of degenerate rakes, and was taught to act the same way his whole life. Although rakes are not my favorite heroes, there was heart to this hero, so that I liked him, even from the beginning. He was a rake because he had been taught to be one, and really didn't know any other life.
The plot is rather convoluted, which is strange. It's not exactly as the blurb says. Mainly it's about the interaction between the on-the- shelf young woman, Charlotte, and Rothbury, who wants what he can't have, her. She doesn't realize how in love he is, because she can't imagine why a sophisticated man of the world would want her. Especially since she was was lead on slightly by Lord Tristan, that he would offer for her, but then he offers for another girl instead.
Charlotte approaches Rothbury with the offer of friendship, which was mainly a ploy for the author to have Charlotte and Rothbury interact, which they probably wouldn't have otherwise. What I found refreshing is that Rothbury didn't spend this whole book trying to get Charlotte in bed, and she didn't spend the book chasing or throwing herself at the rake so she could find out 'what it was all about.' I am very sick of this overused storyline in historical romances nowadays, and frankly it irritates me because it's unrealistic that a gently bred young virginal woman of good family would risk her reputation and future that way. Instead it was more of a friends to lovers story, and full of humor and quirkly moments which I found enjoyable. It was also very sweet how Rothbury really loved Charlotte, but wasn't sure how to let her know that, and didn't feel he had the right to. Plus he thought she was still in love/like with Lord Tristan. He saw her in ways that others didn't see. This is a couple you really want to get together instead of being annoyed at them the whole book.
Although there are few love scenes, the passion of their kisses was very well written and made the pages heat up. The love scenes towards the end were not long or graphic, but they were very intense and hot (for this reader). The love and passion that Rothbury shows Charlotte was very appealing. I think that there was some silliness in this story that wasn't needed for plot exposition, but it didn't ruin the story. I really ended up liking this book. It's a lighter read, but it has the emotional elements that I really enjoy. Plus I found this rake to be a lot more moral and honorable than some of the other heroes in this genre (even though he didn't see himself that way).
I will be adding Olivia Parker to my list of authors to buy, because she really succeeded in telling a romance story here that appealed to me, when I was starting to feel that a lot of the new releases were not to my taste.
February 23, 2022
After reading the first book of this series I was so curious to know what happened with the heroine's best friend that I had to pick this second book up right away. But I am a bit frustrated. Not because it was a bad book, but the hero's inability to do something towards the heroine was so frustrating that I wanted to shake him.
He's such a sweet rake that is secretly in love with the heroine for the longest time but did nothing because she was in love with his best friend and because he thought he didn't deserve her.
I liked the plot, I liked the characters but the amount of time we have to wait for the hero to make his move is unacceptable. It bordered on boring. That's the only reason why I am not giving this book a better rate.
But this book has one of the best last sentence. I laughed a lot.
PS: what was disappointing was the fact that we don't see the main characters from the first book not even once. Such a waste.
He's such a sweet rake that is secretly in love with the heroine for the longest time but did nothing because she was in love with his best friend and because he thought he didn't deserve her.
I liked the plot, I liked the characters but the amount of time we have to wait for the hero to make his move is unacceptable. It bordered on boring. That's the only reason why I am not giving this book a better rate.
But this book has one of the best last sentence. I laughed a lot.
PS: what was disappointing was the fact that we don't see the main characters from the first book not even once. Such a waste.
June 10, 2010
To Wed A Wicked Earl picks up where book one, At the Bride
Hunt Ball ends, immediately after Tristan Devine, younger brother of Gabriel, Duke of Wolverest, has announced who he has chosen for his bride. Charlotte Greene, heartbroken at having not been the lucky young lady chosen to wed the man she has worshipped from afar for the last seven years is about to leave the ball when Adam Faramond, Earl of Rothbury comes to her emotional rescue; offering support, kind words and to dance the last dance with her, she knows that he’s trying to make her feel better and to salvage what’s left of her dignity. However she also knows that Adam has a reputation for being a womanizer and wants nothing to do with him which isn’t too difficult because Charlotte’s mother has forbidden her to be anywhere near Adam, not wanting her daughter’s reputation sullied – guilt by association and all that such nonsense. However, some months after that night at The Bride Hunt Ball, they have a rather funny chance encounter where they form an unusual friendship which ends up being the basis for this truly wonderful story.
Once again, Olivia Parker has given us a book full of humor, tender moments and passion. Whereas I hadn’t given much thought to Charlotte Green in the first book, in To Wed a Wicked Earl she’s become a truly loveable, believable character with a depth of kindness about her which wasn’t apparent before. The same is true of both Tristan, who I thought was a cad, and Rothbury who was …a horrid cad! But both turned out to be such incredible people who I couldn’t help but care about.
The bottom line - This was another book that was a joy to read, one I couldn't put down and was sorry when it ended. If you're looking for something lighthearted yet, not brainless, I strongly recommend both At the Bride Hunt Ball and To Wed a Wicked Earl. Olivia Parker has become an "auto buy author" for me.
Lady Rosalind Devine, Gabriel and Tristan’s sister, will have her story told in the next book, Guarding a Notorious Lady, due out in August, I believe, and then I’m hoping – fingers crossed even – that Tristan’s book will be next because, I have no doubt, that he is not at all the man he appears to be.
February 4, 2012
I wanted to like this book. Parts of Olivia Parker's storytelling have a sort Julia Quinn feel. I really enjoyed The Bride Hunt Ball. Kind of quirky and fun, but there's so much about her writing, especially in this newest novel, that takes away from the fun element and makes me just want to throw the book across the room (if I didn't have an e-reader, I would).
First of all, she shows the reader nothing and tells the reader everything. For instance---apparently the hero is scoundrel. We are not led to believe this through his actions, but by being told over and over and OVER again that he is a scoundrel. That he comes from a long line of scoundrels. Where is the scoundrel-like behaviour from this hero though? There is none. Just constant reflecting on the fact that this man is a scoundrel.
Also, apparently the heroine is a shy, stuttering, wallflower. Does the author lead the reader into believing this through character interaction? NO! We only know this through constant reflecting about the heroine by the hero and the heroine. BUT, there is no ACTUAL action that leads the reader to this conclusion.
Sherry Thomas had a recent blog entry about character reflection. She discusses that a romance author shouldn't spend too much time with the characters reflecting on events that occurred previously in the story. We, as the reader, already read the actual events. We do not need prolonged reflection. It takes away from the story. There is TOO MUCH REFLECTION in this novel. It is almost as if the author really only had 100 pages worth of story, and needed to fill 300 pages, so she went back and reinacted the events over and over again in character reflection. Or she assumed someone would pick up the book and skip the first few chapters so she would need to bring them up to speed on events so far.
It's really annoying.
Also, apparently the hero is already in love with the heroine before the story starts. We never learn what it is about her that has him so in love with her. We're just told that he loves her. Why? Why does he love her? By skipping that very important element, the reader loses all of that tension and expectation that is CENTRAL to a romance novel.
Lastly, there is NO REASON why he can't have her. We're told the reason that he can't pursue her is because he's a SCOUNDREL, and she would never believe someone like him could love someone like her. But, why not try? It doesn't make any sense. If he actually loves her, why give up on them before he even attempts to win her?
And don't even get me started on the events that contrive to get these characters together. I actually decided to stop reading when the hero decided he had to trick the heroine into pretending to be his fiancee for one night rather than asking her outright, because she might say "no" and he couldn't risk it...... <<>>
First of all, she shows the reader nothing and tells the reader everything. For instance---apparently the hero is scoundrel. We are not led to believe this through his actions, but by being told over and over and OVER again that he is a scoundrel. That he comes from a long line of scoundrels. Where is the scoundrel-like behaviour from this hero though? There is none. Just constant reflecting on the fact that this man is a scoundrel.
Also, apparently the heroine is a shy, stuttering, wallflower. Does the author lead the reader into believing this through character interaction? NO! We only know this through constant reflecting about the heroine by the hero and the heroine. BUT, there is no ACTUAL action that leads the reader to this conclusion.
Sherry Thomas had a recent blog entry about character reflection. She discusses that a romance author shouldn't spend too much time with the characters reflecting on events that occurred previously in the story. We, as the reader, already read the actual events. We do not need prolonged reflection. It takes away from the story. There is TOO MUCH REFLECTION in this novel. It is almost as if the author really only had 100 pages worth of story, and needed to fill 300 pages, so she went back and reinacted the events over and over again in character reflection. Or she assumed someone would pick up the book and skip the first few chapters so she would need to bring them up to speed on events so far.
It's really annoying.
Also, apparently the hero is already in love with the heroine before the story starts. We never learn what it is about her that has him so in love with her. We're just told that he loves her. Why? Why does he love her? By skipping that very important element, the reader loses all of that tension and expectation that is CENTRAL to a romance novel.
Lastly, there is NO REASON why he can't have her. We're told the reason that he can't pursue her is because he's a SCOUNDREL, and she would never believe someone like him could love someone like her. But, why not try? It doesn't make any sense. If he actually loves her, why give up on them before he even attempts to win her?
And don't even get me started on the events that contrive to get these characters together. I actually decided to stop reading when the hero decided he had to trick the heroine into pretending to be his fiancee for one night rather than asking her outright, because she might say "no" and he couldn't risk it...... <<>>
January 5, 2010
Definitely not as good as the first, but Parker is such an enjoyable writer that I still give it four stars.
Charlotte and Rothbury are a couple of characters we met in 'At the Bride Hunt Ball'. Charlotte is introduced as a mouse who doesn't wear her spectacles because she 'reinvents' herself to go with other people's supposed desires. Rothbury is introduced as a rake with no conscience whatsoever (although his actions belie the other characters' perceptions).
So, I was very interested in the idea of the two of them getting together. It seems like the premise for a typical romance, right? Opposites attract.
But the premise is actually better than that. It seems Rothbury -- the rake who cares nothing for the women with whom he involves himself -- has been secretly in love with mousie Charlotte for years. He's never made a move because she's always fancied herself in love with Tristan -- his best friend. In fact, his bad behavior is partially a result of his unrequited love. Although his upbringing by a seriously despicable father and uncles is the main reason, he apparently has been cultivating this bad image of himself to guard his own heart.
Great setup. I love the idea. The execution -- not so much. It was disorganized. I knew how he felt about Charlotte because I was told that in the exposition. But I didn't see how that started or any of the interactions that led to his being smitten. This is years after the fact and all we get is a vague 'she was always nice, and never judged' kind of thing. Which is lovely, but a flashback would have helped set up the chemistry.
My biggest problem with all of this was Charlotte's POV. She never thought anything about Rothbury except that she should stay away from him. Then suddenly she's forming an alliance in order to get a mild vengeance against Tristan and help Rothbury win Lady Rosalind's (Tristan's sister) heart.
There was fertile ground in the premise but it just wasn't used, I thought. I didn't have any idea where things were going next because it just felt kind of jumbled. The stakes didn't feel all that high to me, either. And then, when there's actual danger, it felt like it was tacked on. Almost like an editor said 'we need something here.'
So why do I give it four stars? Because my harsh criticism is in light of having just read the excellent 'At the Bride Hunt Ball'. You set the bar high and expectations will be what they will be.
I was rooting for this couple. I loved Rothbury and Charlotte and thought they made a very fun couple. I guess one of my main problems was that we didn't get to see a real arc of their romance. We cut ahead three months at one point and there were interactions within that time that probably would have been delightful and founded their relationship in action rather than just exposition.
I have high hopes for Olivia Parker's historical romances. This left me slightly unsatisfied, but she's still one of my newest auto-buys.
Charlotte and Rothbury are a couple of characters we met in 'At the Bride Hunt Ball'. Charlotte is introduced as a mouse who doesn't wear her spectacles because she 'reinvents' herself to go with other people's supposed desires. Rothbury is introduced as a rake with no conscience whatsoever (although his actions belie the other characters' perceptions).
So, I was very interested in the idea of the two of them getting together. It seems like the premise for a typical romance, right? Opposites attract.
But the premise is actually better than that. It seems Rothbury -- the rake who cares nothing for the women with whom he involves himself -- has been secretly in love with mousie Charlotte for years. He's never made a move because she's always fancied herself in love with Tristan -- his best friend. In fact, his bad behavior is partially a result of his unrequited love. Although his upbringing by a seriously despicable father and uncles is the main reason, he apparently has been cultivating this bad image of himself to guard his own heart.
Great setup. I love the idea. The execution -- not so much. It was disorganized. I knew how he felt about Charlotte because I was told that in the exposition. But I didn't see how that started or any of the interactions that led to his being smitten. This is years after the fact and all we get is a vague 'she was always nice, and never judged' kind of thing. Which is lovely, but a flashback would have helped set up the chemistry.
My biggest problem with all of this was Charlotte's POV. She never thought anything about Rothbury except that she should stay away from him. Then suddenly she's forming an alliance in order to get a mild vengeance against Tristan and help Rothbury win Lady Rosalind's (Tristan's sister) heart.
There was fertile ground in the premise but it just wasn't used, I thought. I didn't have any idea where things were going next because it just felt kind of jumbled. The stakes didn't feel all that high to me, either. And then, when there's actual danger, it felt like it was tacked on. Almost like an editor said 'we need something here.'
So why do I give it four stars? Because my harsh criticism is in light of having just read the excellent 'At the Bride Hunt Ball'. You set the bar high and expectations will be what they will be.
I was rooting for this couple. I loved Rothbury and Charlotte and thought they made a very fun couple. I guess one of my main problems was that we didn't get to see a real arc of their romance. We cut ahead three months at one point and there were interactions within that time that probably would have been delightful and founded their relationship in action rather than just exposition.
I have high hopes for Olivia Parker's historical romances. This left me slightly unsatisfied, but she's still one of my newest auto-buys.
April 16, 2023
[UPDATE after reading again in September 2015: Enjoyed it, but had to go down to 3.5 stars. Those issues really are issues; don't know why the author/editor didn't change it. The beginning third is really not great and we miss out so much on actually SEEING their "friendship" develop. Oh well; enjoyed it nonetheless.]
Took me awhile to decide on a rating for this book. Some parts were 3 stars, other parts were 4.5s. I would say most of the last 2/3 of the book were in the latter category though, so I'm going with 4 stars. When I finished the book, I had one of those *RIDICULOUS* grins on my face, turned off my bedside lamp, and fell asleep with that silly expression ... which has to count for something, right?! ;-)
Don't feel like writing a full review, so ...
The Good
-- *Loved* the plot of having a rake who had secretly loved a wallflower for years (and Parker made it work and very believable)
-- Rothbury was a delicious hero and I was constantly sighing at his hidden thoughts about Charlotte and secret motives for doing things to be near her; his feelings for her were innocent and pure, while also being very mature and well-developed. He's always thinking to himself how he wants more than just her friendship, just her body, just her affection ... he wants her heart (awww!).
-- Charlotte was a delightful heroine (though somewhat annoying and naive in the first few chapters) and every time she would tell herself - or say out loud - that it was unbelievable Rothbury had any designs on her, the reader can't help but smile because we now how wrong she is!
-- Also loved how feisty Charlotte was in the last few chapters when she's finally being confident and trying to get Rothbury to come clean
-- There were several laugh-out-loud scenes
-- Several cute and adorable scenes and exchanges between Rothbury and Charlotte
-- Chemistry was **sizzling** - some authors are more explicit or "hotter," but the build-up between the two characters is so skillfully done here that it makes those scenes all the more charged. It's in stories like these where I'm having to pull out the fan or kick off the covers, lol
-- An epilogue! (I'm a big epilogue person when it comes to romance)
The Bad
There's no other way to say it, but that the story was not "tight" in many ways - and this was a problem throughout the whole story. Things like:
-- We start off with the ball where Tristan is going to choose a bride ... and we don't find out till almost page 100
-- Charlotte's father, who is mentioned but whom we literally never meet (he's in a scene at the end but it's being recalled); some of the things below, etc.)
-- The basis for their "friendship" being formed is weak ... basically it's just needed for the story to play out as it does
-- That last little evil-subplot-curve ball ... I mean, really?
Parker completely skips the formation of Rothbury's and Charlotte's relationship!! There's the ball ... there's an encounter 8 months later between them where Rothbury is drunk (and so adorably pining ::sigh:: woops, getting sidetracked), Charlotte comes to his rescue, and declares they need one another and should be friends ... then we're at 3 months later and they're bosom buddies. In about three sentences, we're told how they've seen one another on the sly several times (including one location that is completely period-inappropriate, but oh well) and I guess now they're the best of friends ...? I felt like I had whiplash! Although we love watching the hero and heroine going from whatever-they-were-before to in love, if the progression is from acquaintances (not taking into account Rothbury's longing from afar) to friends to in love you kind of want the whole "a to b"!! C is great, but I want to see their full journey!
NEVER does Charlotte call Rothbury anything but that! She never gets more intimate and calls him Adam!! Sorry to be indelicate, but the man has been inside you = you can call him by his first name .
Bottom Line
Glad I bought it, so glad I read it, and am looking forward to reading it again in the future. The beginning should really be tidied up and the book could use a tighter plot and structure, but I just cannot tell you how wonderfully ::sighhhhh::-worthy Rothbury is. And I'm a sucker for the heroine-is-a-wallflower romances, and who doesn't love it when that wallflower ends up catching herself a rake?! (Again, loved the twist that she had caught him awhile back and no one - herself included - knew it).
P.S.
The summary on the back makes it seem like it's one of those stories driven by a fake-engagement-of-convenience where one of the characters (usually the hero) has to get married for whatever reason - it's not! Yes, there is that plot twist and it has ramifications, but doesn't come in till a good ways through. ALSO (huge pet peeve), the cover is NOT ACCURATE!!! We're told repeatedly how they're both blonde ... yet the artist, editor(s), and/or publisher(s) seemed to have obviously not read the book!
(Written on September 10, 2010)
Took me awhile to decide on a rating for this book. Some parts were 3 stars, other parts were 4.5s. I would say most of the last 2/3 of the book were in the latter category though, so I'm going with 4 stars. When I finished the book, I had one of those *RIDICULOUS* grins on my face, turned off my bedside lamp, and fell asleep with that silly expression ... which has to count for something, right?! ;-)
Don't feel like writing a full review, so ...
The Good
-- *Loved* the plot of having a rake who had secretly loved a wallflower for years (and Parker made it work and very believable)
-- Rothbury was a delicious hero and I was constantly sighing at his hidden thoughts about Charlotte and secret motives for doing things to be near her; his feelings for her were innocent and pure, while also being very mature and well-developed. He's always thinking to himself how he wants more than just her friendship, just her body, just her affection ... he wants her heart (awww!).
-- Charlotte was a delightful heroine (though somewhat annoying and naive in the first few chapters) and every time she would tell herself - or say out loud - that it was unbelievable Rothbury had any designs on her, the reader can't help but smile because we now how wrong she is!
-- Also loved how feisty Charlotte was in the last few chapters when she's finally being confident and trying to get Rothbury to come clean
-- There were several laugh-out-loud scenes
-- Several cute and adorable scenes and exchanges between Rothbury and Charlotte
-- Chemistry was **sizzling** - some authors are more explicit or "hotter," but the build-up between the two characters is so skillfully done here that it makes those scenes all the more charged. It's in stories like these where I'm having to pull out the fan or kick off the covers, lol
-- An epilogue! (I'm a big epilogue person when it comes to romance)
The Bad
There's no other way to say it, but that the story was not "tight" in many ways - and this was a problem throughout the whole story. Things like:
-- We start off with the ball where Tristan is going to choose a bride ... and we don't find out till almost page 100
-- Charlotte's father, who is mentioned but whom we literally never meet (he's in a scene at the end but it's being recalled); some of the things below, etc.)
-- The basis for their "friendship" being formed is weak ... basically it's just needed for the story to play out as it does
-- That last little evil-subplot-curve ball ... I mean, really?
Parker completely skips the formation of Rothbury's and Charlotte's relationship!! There's the ball ... there's an encounter 8 months later between them where Rothbury is drunk (and so adorably pining ::sigh:: woops, getting sidetracked), Charlotte comes to his rescue, and declares they need one another and should be friends ... then we're at 3 months later and they're bosom buddies. In about three sentences, we're told how they've seen one another on the sly several times (including one location that is completely period-inappropriate, but oh well) and I guess now they're the best of friends ...? I felt like I had whiplash! Although we love watching the hero and heroine going from whatever-they-were-before to in love, if the progression is from acquaintances (not taking into account Rothbury's longing from afar) to friends to in love you kind of want the whole "a to b"!! C is great, but I want to see their full journey!
NEVER does Charlotte call Rothbury anything but that! She never gets more intimate and calls him Adam!! Sorry to be indelicate, but the man has been inside you = you can call him by his first name .
Bottom Line
Glad I bought it, so glad I read it, and am looking forward to reading it again in the future. The beginning should really be tidied up and the book could use a tighter plot and structure, but I just cannot tell you how wonderfully ::sighhhhh::-worthy Rothbury is. And I'm a sucker for the heroine-is-a-wallflower romances, and who doesn't love it when that wallflower ends up catching herself a rake?! (Again, loved the twist that she had caught him awhile back and no one - herself included - knew it).
P.S.
The summary on the back makes it seem like it's one of those stories driven by a fake-engagement-of-convenience where one of the characters (usually the hero) has to get married for whatever reason - it's not! Yes, there is that plot twist and it has ramifications, but doesn't come in till a good ways through. ALSO (huge pet peeve), the cover is NOT ACCURATE!!! We're told repeatedly how they're both blonde ... yet the artist, editor(s), and/or publisher(s) seemed to have obviously not read the book!
(Written on September 10, 2010)
Read
September 27, 2024DNF at 9%. The writing is cutesy and trite, I can’t even smell historical accuracy—an earl is brushing tears off the face of a girl in the middle of a ballroom, for heaven’s sake! AFTER she’s been lined up at the end of a ballroom with other girls so that a duke’s younger brother could choose his intended bride from the lineup and hand her a bunch of roses à la The Bachelor and boo hoo, it wasn’t her—and the author is playing some sort of game with the reader where the earl has been secretly in love with some woman and we’re not supposed to know it’s the wallflower he’s wiping tears off of. I’m not up for this.
July 2, 2021
DNF @ around 40%. Disgusting story. I really liked the first book in this series but this one made no sense at all. The hero is supposedly in love with the heroine but continues to be a HUGE manwhore for what seems like years while he lusts for her in secret. He doesn’t try to approach her or win her over. Instead he just continues his slutty ways while supposedly mooning over the heroine. I don’t buy that shit.
Unsafe... He goes to meet OW at 40% into this book for a “quick release” before approaching the heroine for a favor. Unclear what actually happened between him and OW at this point, but just the fact that he went ruined this book for me permanently. What a terrible hero.
Unsafe... He goes to meet OW at 40% into this book for a “quick release” before approaching the heroine for a favor. Unclear what actually happened between him and OW at this point, but just the fact that he went ruined this book for me permanently. What a terrible hero.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2010
What a cute,well-written regency romance with a spinster/rake friends to lovers theme. The two characters are first introduced in Parker’s excellent At the Bride Hunt Ball. Charlotte is one of the last two contenders to marry Lord Tristan and Rothbury the notorious rake is Tristan’s best bud. Rothbury has been secretly in love with Charlotte for years but never thought she’d care for him because they were so different. She decides to become his friend so they can mutually help each other find a mate. He tells her upfront that men and women can’t be friends because eventually it leads to one person wanting “more” but she basically tells him he’s being dumb and that they could be friends. And so the story starts to get interesting…..
Olivia Parker has quite a talent for tension building. She manages to keep it up right to the end without frustrating the reader. You’re just dying for the h/h to get together and when they finally do it’s so worth it and very emotionally charged. There are some funny scenes with Rothbury’s grandmother who will speak only in French (even though she speaks perfect English) and he thinks Charlotte doesn’t understand a word. This leads to some serious laugh out loud moments (despite some of the French being mangled) and Rothbury reveals some interesting tidbits about himself which have him come off less as a scoundrel and more as a man desperately in love even though he’s trying to fake this whole friendship thing. The two manage to meet clandestinely at dances and parks so that her parents don’t find out that she has anything to do with him which makes for some funny situations. When he asks how it is that she can suddenly spend time with him she reluctantly reveals that she told her mother he was like her uncle Bertie –who happens to be gay. That was just too hilarious! There are also some serious 2am page turner scenes like when Charlotte kisses him for the first time but he doesn’t know it’s her. You find yourself reading and reading and reading some more well into the night and all you want to do is keep reading as soon as you can peel your eyes open first thing in the morning.
As for the sex, there isn’t a lot of it but the tension alone makes the stolen kisses and hot and heavy moments well-worth the read. Not many authors can do that without the reader getting fed up. The ending is also excellent and will leave you with a chuckle and a big ol’ goofy smile on your face :)
August 29, 2009
This is Parker's second book and the sequel to At the Bride Hunt Ball. I found her debut book stupid, but not offensively so, mediocre, but readable. I would basically say that if you liked her first book, this is more of the same: loads of slapstick, some funny twists of phrase, lots of anachronisms, huge jumps in logic. This book reminded me of any number of authors who writes light-weight wallpaper historicals with no accountability for historical accuracy like Leslie LaFoy, Melanie George, Victoria Alexander, etc. altho there was a certain sweet rapprochement between the H/H which lead me to grade this 3 stars instead of 2.
The hero is a Fake Rake tho, which is part of the author's pattern of Telling and not Showing and just adds to the air of implausibility around the whole book.
The hero is a Fake Rake tho, which is part of the author's pattern of Telling and not Showing and just adds to the air of implausibility around the whole book.
September 8, 2019
A reread and I'm sad to say it went from 5 stars to 3.5/5. Almost on-the-shelf bespectacled wallflower strikes up unlikely friendship with handsome earl with rakish reputation. She's been infatuated for years with his best friend while the hero himself has eyes only for her - even all the while his penis went wandering around town. The premise was not convincing and there were many inconsistencies which added up to an uneven reading experience. Elevated by a couple of amusing lines, but unfortunately not enough for 4 stars. Love the hero's French granny.
May 15, 2022
2.75! I was intrigued by the premise of the book, because I liked the idea of the Hero falling in love first but… I don't think their relationship was explored enough. Adam is in love with her but it's just mentioned, sometimes it almost seems that he forgets it. Something was missing.
August 3, 2022
This was fine.
Main characters took too long to figure out their feelings or make their move. I enjoyed the end, but wished they had spent more time building their romance so it didn't feel so incomplete and rushed at the end. Maybe I should have read the first book, but I don't know how much these characters are involved in it.
Main characters took too long to figure out their feelings or make their move. I enjoyed the end, but wished they had spent more time building their romance so it didn't feel so incomplete and rushed at the end. Maybe I should have read the first book, but I don't know how much these characters are involved in it.
March 28, 2022
Candlelight Historische roman 883 .
Beetje schattig verhaal eigenlijk , niet super romantisch of sexy maar op de een of andere manier aandoenlijk of zoiets .
Beetje schattig verhaal eigenlijk , niet super romantisch of sexy maar op de een of andere manier aandoenlijk of zoiets .
December 15, 2014
Charlotte Greene is shy and spectacled and a wall-flower, and after being spurned by Tristan, the boy-duke-wonder, she finds herself "rescued" by the scandalous Earl Rothbury. There's a bunch of skipped time and suddenly they're friends! Except there are boners and as we all know from When Harry Met Sally: boners ruin friendships! And then it tapers off into a pretty mild HEA except for one strange kidnapping attempt.
This was surprisingly hard to enjoy.
1. It's disjointed as all hell. The development of the alleged friendship is pretty much entirely skipped over. We're told that they're friends, even though they can't acknowledge each other in public. The development of romantic feelings is also patchy and disjointed; it felt like a bunch of unconnected scenes taped together and published.
And it's shallow. There's no depth to any of the characters or their interactions with one another. By the end of this thing, I felt like my brain had been given Novocaine: I could barely remember why these two idiots weren't confessing their love (spoiler: there really wasn't a reason? THEY'RE JUST IDIOTS?)
2. The fact that I couldn't summon an instant of empathy for Charlotte Greene, the timid wall-flower who just wants to find love, is a huge warning sign. That is basically my MO. That is my SOP. That is what I eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But I didn't care about Charlotte because the story kept things so damned surface level and boring and repetitive and dull.
3. SO DULL.
4. I really enjoyed At the Bride Hunt Ball by Parker, and for this one to bounce off my brain so painfully was really frustrating. :(
This was surprisingly hard to enjoy.
1. It's disjointed as all hell. The development of the alleged friendship is pretty much entirely skipped over. We're told that they're friends, even though they can't acknowledge each other in public. The development of romantic feelings is also patchy and disjointed; it felt like a bunch of unconnected scenes taped together and published.
And it's shallow. There's no depth to any of the characters or their interactions with one another. By the end of this thing, I felt like my brain had been given Novocaine: I could barely remember why these two idiots weren't confessing their love (spoiler: there really wasn't a reason? THEY'RE JUST IDIOTS?)
2. The fact that I couldn't summon an instant of empathy for Charlotte Greene, the timid wall-flower who just wants to find love, is a huge warning sign. That is basically my MO. That is my SOP. That is what I eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But I didn't care about Charlotte because the story kept things so damned surface level and boring and repetitive and dull.
3. SO DULL.
4. I really enjoyed At the Bride Hunt Ball by Parker, and for this one to bounce off my brain so painfully was really frustrating. :(
July 6, 2010
Great sequel to At The Bride Hunt Ball, 4 1/2 Stars!!
I loved the characters in this book... Charlotte and Adam, the Earl of Rothbury. Charlotte was a quiet, shy and proper lady. She wore spectacles and thought that nobody saw her as the type of girl one would want to court. She had been in love with a man who was recently betrothed to another, in At The Bride Hunt Ball, and was broken hearted about it.
Adam, the Earl of Rothbury, had been secretly in love with Charlotte for six years! He was a bad boy for sure and I loved reading how much he ruffled Charlotte's feathers! He loved showing just how much pleasure could come out of getting under her skin.. or dress!
I thought this book was perfect all the way until the end. It had written in it exactly the kinds of things I love to read about; a bad boy in love with a spinsterish girl and his grandmother was a hoot too! It would have gotten 5 stars from me until something happened at the end of the story... a conflict was thrown in that was strange and to me seemed as if it had been forgotten about in the editing process. It just didn't fit. But don't worry, it wasn't something that messed up Rothbury and Charlotte's HEA.
I am certainly looking forward with great anticipation to the next installment in this series!!
I loved the characters in this book... Charlotte and Adam, the Earl of Rothbury. Charlotte was a quiet, shy and proper lady. She wore spectacles and thought that nobody saw her as the type of girl one would want to court. She had been in love with a man who was recently betrothed to another, in At The Bride Hunt Ball, and was broken hearted about it.
Adam, the Earl of Rothbury, had been secretly in love with Charlotte for six years! He was a bad boy for sure and I loved reading how much he ruffled Charlotte's feathers! He loved showing just how much pleasure could come out of getting under her skin.. or dress!
I thought this book was perfect all the way until the end. It had written in it exactly the kinds of things I love to read about; a bad boy in love with a spinsterish girl and his grandmother was a hoot too! It would have gotten 5 stars from me until something happened at the end of the story... a conflict was thrown in that was strange and to me seemed as if it had been forgotten about in the editing process. It just didn't fit. But don't worry, it wasn't something that messed up Rothbury and Charlotte's HEA.
I am certainly looking forward with great anticipation to the next installment in this series!!
March 30, 2017
The jaded rake falls in love with the wallflower. Cute story!
September 9, 2019
3.5 stars rounded down
June 7, 2011
I love this book and I love its author. I love the story, the characters, etc. But its cover- no. It's not even bad. I just wanted an excuse to make my own imaginary cover of the book:
See. What I do for things I love.
For the Review:
Truth be told, I wasn't bracing for something ~awesome because I have already read ~awesome in the form of the author's previous work At the Bride Hunt Ball. Besides, the ratings are lower and the reviews are so mixed. -shrugs-
Ah, but then I still followed my instincts and succumbed to these waters. And I am really glad I did. I've long ago figured that the varied opinions of others are indeed helpful, but what's most important is mine, and I had to get my hands on this book. And it was just as awesome. Maybe more. Ah, no. no-no. I can never tell.
I can't compare both books. I loved each to pieces. All the same high giddy level.
Surely enough, I've learned to trust Olivia Parker in her works. The characters are well-handled. The humor is so endearing. Well actually everything is ~endearing. She seems to be writing most of the things I would've loved from a happy historical romance novel.
Charlotte and Adam and every other characters in the story are all fascinating and wonderful and I am captivated and humored.
Everything is beautiful and this reader claims that nothing, absolutely nothing hurts.
See. What I do for things I love.
For the Review:
Truth be told, I wasn't bracing for something ~awesome because I have already read ~awesome in the form of the author's previous work At the Bride Hunt Ball. Besides, the ratings are lower and the reviews are so mixed. -shrugs-
Ah, but then I still followed my instincts and succumbed to these waters. And I am really glad I did. I've long ago figured that the varied opinions of others are indeed helpful, but what's most important is mine, and I had to get my hands on this book. And it was just as awesome. Maybe more. Ah, no. no-no. I can never tell.
I can't compare both books. I loved each to pieces. All the same high giddy level.
Surely enough, I've learned to trust Olivia Parker in her works. The characters are well-handled. The humor is so endearing. Well actually everything is ~endearing. She seems to be writing most of the things I would've loved from a happy historical romance novel.
Charlotte and Adam and every other characters in the story are all fascinating and wonderful and I am captivated and humored.
Everything is beautiful and this reader claims that nothing, absolutely nothing hurts.
January 27, 2010
Similar to her debut, To Wed a Wicked Earl is a fun, fast read liberally sprinkled with humor.
Lord Rothbury is generally considered a rake, scoundrel and wastrel and in love with the Duke of Wolverest's sister Lady Rosalind. What he doesn't make known to anyone is that he's been in love with the wallflower Miss Charlotte Greene. He'd happily abandon his hedonistic lifestyle if he thought Charlotte would have him, but she's been in love with his best friend for years. Charlotte is intrigued by the wicked earl, but is certain he sees her as a sister or the like.
Much of the book is a series of mutual misunderstandings, but Parker manages to keep them funny, rather than angsty or frustrating to watch. Each is pushing the other away, while simultaneously keeping within arm's reach. Charlotte tells her mother that Rothbury is just like her mother's twin brother, who is apparently fond of men, to be able to spend time with Rothbury. Rothbury tells his grandmother that he and Charlotte are engaged, but neglects to mention this to Charlotte.
The moment where Rothbury finally comes clean and admits he loves her is really quite touching. I liked how he stayed in character, rather than turning to a sugary mush. He was proud and guarded, even when admitting weakness. It made the admission all the more touching.
It's nothing groundbreaking or poignant, but it was a fun trip, amusingly told.
Lord Rothbury is generally considered a rake, scoundrel and wastrel and in love with the Duke of Wolverest's sister Lady Rosalind. What he doesn't make known to anyone is that he's been in love with the wallflower Miss Charlotte Greene. He'd happily abandon his hedonistic lifestyle if he thought Charlotte would have him, but she's been in love with his best friend for years. Charlotte is intrigued by the wicked earl, but is certain he sees her as a sister or the like.
Much of the book is a series of mutual misunderstandings, but Parker manages to keep them funny, rather than angsty or frustrating to watch. Each is pushing the other away, while simultaneously keeping within arm's reach. Charlotte tells her mother that Rothbury is just like her mother's twin brother, who is apparently fond of men, to be able to spend time with Rothbury. Rothbury tells his grandmother that he and Charlotte are engaged, but neglects to mention this to Charlotte.
The moment where Rothbury finally comes clean and admits he loves her is really quite touching. I liked how he stayed in character, rather than turning to a sugary mush. He was proud and guarded, even when admitting weakness. It made the admission all the more touching.
It's nothing groundbreaking or poignant, but it was a fun trip, amusingly told.
December 1, 2009
I really don't get the plot. At first I found it funny, however the relationship between the characters was so unclear. I keep expecting some explanations why or the past scene when Rothbury fell in love with Charlotte. Halfway through the books, still nothing. Everytime the characters met, it was under some ridiculous fiasco. The problem was I didn't feel the flow between each scene or any worthwhile emotion from the characters. That's why I stop reading halfway as the story stucked , no progress at all and any explanations given are plain illogical.
October 26, 2010
I enjoyed this one, but not as much as The Bride Hunt Ball. I am so glad the book started out with the last few scenes from the previous book as they pertained to Charlotte and Rothbury and let to story take off from that point. I wavered between 4 and 3 stars. I'd give this one a 3.5
I am looking forward to Parker's next book!
I am looking forward to Parker's next book!
May 2, 2014
The cutest thing about this book is how this guy has had a crush on her (it didn't seem a lot like love to me but hey that's what I thought) for like years and this girl had no idea and was not even secretly crushing back on him as well.
ADORABLE.
ADORABLE.
January 18, 2011
Dear Miss Parker,
thank you all so very much for writing this book.
To Wed a Wicked Earl is the first book that I have ever read from this author and I can honestly say that I loved every part from it, no exceptions. Rothbury is truly a hero to die for with his wicked charm and naughty behavior; no to mention the small glimpses to his gentler side that only soften me more. Oh, my good. I am so in love with this man.
To Wed a Wicked Earl is the basically the second installment after At the Bride Hunt Ball, though it is good to read Gabriel and Madelyn's story first, it is not necessary and the joy that this book will bring you will not be affected.
The book starts by giving us a backward glace at the last book when Gabriel's brother - Tristan all so lightly disregards Charlotte's feelings for him ( Thank you God!) and chooses Harriet Beauchamp, leaving our heroin brokenhearted and on the verge of tears. And this is the perfect timing for Adam to step up and be the one that shows her kindness in this tough moment, surprising her and him with his behavior.
All it takes is a lot of misunderstandings, an almost head concussion due to a flying from a really high window rather large tome, a loon grandmother, and a plan for revenge to bring these two together. And it is so much fun !
I loved the idea that Adam has loved Charlotte for nearly six years yet he stays away thinking that she would never want to spend her life with one of the most notorious rakes in the country. And even in the moments that passion and lust ruled every sell of his body he still thought about her, not wanting her to experience any pain, no matter briefly or not, what so ever.
I was totally blown away by this book. It was so much fun to read about their emotions and to see the love blooming between them. To Wed a Wicked Earl is a light, easy read and I can, with a clear heart, say that the historical romance has won the lottery with Ms. Parker's presence.
thank you all so very much for writing this book.
To Wed a Wicked Earl is the first book that I have ever read from this author and I can honestly say that I loved every part from it, no exceptions. Rothbury is truly a hero to die for with his wicked charm and naughty behavior; no to mention the small glimpses to his gentler side that only soften me more. Oh, my good. I am so in love with this man.
To Wed a Wicked Earl is the basically the second installment after At the Bride Hunt Ball, though it is good to read Gabriel and Madelyn's story first, it is not necessary and the joy that this book will bring you will not be affected.
The book starts by giving us a backward glace at the last book when Gabriel's brother - Tristan all so lightly disregards Charlotte's feelings for him ( Thank you God!) and chooses Harriet Beauchamp, leaving our heroin brokenhearted and on the verge of tears. And this is the perfect timing for Adam to step up and be the one that shows her kindness in this tough moment, surprising her and him with his behavior.
All it takes is a lot of misunderstandings, an almost head concussion due to a flying from a really high window rather large tome, a loon grandmother, and a plan for revenge to bring these two together. And it is so much fun !
I loved the idea that Adam has loved Charlotte for nearly six years yet he stays away thinking that she would never want to spend her life with one of the most notorious rakes in the country. And even in the moments that passion and lust ruled every sell of his body he still thought about her, not wanting her to experience any pain, no matter briefly or not, what so ever.
I was totally blown away by this book. It was so much fun to read about their emotions and to see the love blooming between them. To Wed a Wicked Earl is a light, easy read and I can, with a clear heart, say that the historical romance has won the lottery with Ms. Parker's presence.
November 1, 2021
DNF at 29%. This book doesn’t seem to have been well thought out. It reads like a mishmash of ideas even before a cogent first draft. At the end of the last book, Charlotte talks about pursuing a relationship with Rothbury. In the beginning of this book she just wants to be friends with him.
And, we learn that he has been in love with her for six years and disappointed when she loved his best friend. However, at no point does his behavior match the thoughts we are told he’s thinking. It really just makes no sense and as much as I enjoy the characters which means I must enjoy the writing somewhat, I just need to stop this book. There are other things to read that are better
This book also has one of my least favorite sentiments of all time! “Men and women can’t be friends!” I don’t believe that. I think it’s actually detrimental crap!
And, we learn that he has been in love with her for six years and disappointed when she loved his best friend. However, at no point does his behavior match the thoughts we are told he’s thinking. It really just makes no sense and as much as I enjoy the characters which means I must enjoy the writing somewhat, I just need to stop this book. There are other things to read that are better
This book also has one of my least favorite sentiments of all time! “Men and women can’t be friends!” I don’t believe that. I think it’s actually detrimental crap!
dnf
February 18, 2013In a time where dancing with a woman more than two times was tantamount to a proposal and women with a broken engagement were beset with scandal and rumors that something's wrong with them, I'm supposed to believe that society wouldn't object to a Bachelor like contest involving 5 young virgins? WTH?
The book came highly recommended but that silliness is too much for me. I can't believe lots of things but not that.
DNF
The book came highly recommended but that silliness is too much for me. I can't believe lots of things but not that.
DNF
September 21, 2009
This was a cute second effort by Olivia Parker. I enjoyed the hero and I loved that it was he that had a crush on her for the longest time... and that she wasn't an apparent stunning beauty and only he could see that she had this allure. Not as funny as the first but very cute.
July 11, 2025
4 stars
It was SO good. Maybe I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and title, after all.
It was SO good. Maybe I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and title, after all.
January 19, 2018
“To Wed a Wicked Earl” is just was lovely as “At the Bride Hunt Ball”.
This one is about Charlotte, Madelyn’s best friend and her search for a husband leading her to befriend the scandalous Earl of Rothbury.
Their friendship blossoms into more but neither of them wants to acknowledge it. It takes prodding from friends and family to point them in the right direction.
It is a quick, light, funny read. My favorite character is Rothbury’s grandmother. That is a devious lady. :D
So glad I stumbled upon this author. Look forward to reading more from her.
This one is about Charlotte, Madelyn’s best friend and her search for a husband leading her to befriend the scandalous Earl of Rothbury.
Their friendship blossoms into more but neither of them wants to acknowledge it. It takes prodding from friends and family to point them in the right direction.
It is a quick, light, funny read. My favorite character is Rothbury’s grandmother. That is a devious lady. :D
So glad I stumbled upon this author. Look forward to reading more from her.
June 8, 2022
Does this book get a low rating because it wasn’t anywhere close to as cute as its predecessor? Maybe. Probably.
This book was so lackluster I have no memory of it two days later when I’ve come for this review.
The hero was in love with the heroine but for some paper thin reason didn’t pursue her.
The heroine doesn’t want the hero for an even flimsier reason.
Bored. So bored.
This book was so lackluster I have no memory of it two days later when I’ve come for this review.
The hero was in love with the heroine but for some paper thin reason didn’t pursue her.
The heroine doesn’t want the hero for an even flimsier reason.
Bored. So bored.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews