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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
It's the exact sort of book I wanted to read when lying in bed mostly motionless due to back problems. It's not deep. It's not very complex. It's about two mildly dysfunctional people who have the hots for each other and go through a lot of melodrama and drama on their road to being less dysfunctional and happily together. It has pirates, mysterious vigilantes, serial killers, dukes, orphans, miraculous recoveries, BDSM in brothels, sword canes, capes, brooding, sex in carriages... if this makes you mildly excited, go for it. If you want the great americal novel, uhm, I think you got lost in this lane of the library.
Temperance runs a orphanage in the slums of London with her brother. She is widowed and an upstanding citizen amid the thieves and prostitutes of her neighborhood. Lord Caire is trying to track down the killer of his mistress and needs a guide to the slums. He chooses Temperance (even though her brother would be a more likely candidate).
They have secrets: Lord Caire likes to tie up women during sex because he has repressed emotions regarding touch. Temperance is trying to not feel passion.
A lot of time is spent "in danger" trying to figure out the murder. Even suspending regular romance novel disbelief, there were enough problems here to make for a full recommend. The time period (not a Regency) feels murky. Also the fact that Lord Caire magically overcomes his sexual preferences in the light of true love seems a cop-out.
Quick moving, this was pretty easy to get into though I didn't really care too much for the characters. There is a fire!
They have secrets: Lord Caire likes to tie up women during sex because he has repressed emotions regarding touch. Temperance is trying to not feel passion.
A lot of time is spent "in danger" trying to figure out the murder. Even suspending regular romance novel disbelief, there were enough problems here to make for a full recommend. The time period (not a Regency) feels murky. Also the fact that Lord Caire magically overcomes his sexual preferences in the light of true love seems a cop-out.
Quick moving, this was pretty easy to get into though I didn't really care too much for the characters. There is a fire!
Does anyone recall that YouTube video of that Twi-tard who expresses obsessive adoration for the book Twilight by saying "amazing book" in a rather awkwardly freakish way? Well, take those exact sentiments and apply them to a far, far better novel, Elizabeth Hoyt's Wicked Intentions to be exact, and you've pretty much summed up the review for this work of fiction!
Hoyt absolutely blew me away to every degree imaginable with Wicked Intentions! I devoured this novel in under two days, and was on one of the best historical romance book-highs I've ever experienced for several hours afterward. While I've only read a handful of Hoyt's novels in the past, I'm quickly coming to the realization that this particular writer has a flair for unique historical romance plots coupled with amazingly fleshed out characters!
What fascinates me most, though, about Hoyt's brand of characters, at least as far as Wicked Intentions was concerned, deals with the fact that she has constructed very flawed but likable people. What's more interesting was that, ironically, her characters Lazarus and Temperance, were even more likable because of their character flaws. While this is rather typical of well written and dynamic fictional peoples, I think it speaks volumes that Hoyt decided not just to utilized a flawed hero, which is a fairly common character type in today's historical romance book market. Instead, Mrs. Hoyt made the conscious decision to give seeming imperfections to both the hero as well as his heroine.
Aside from being unique in the character arena, Wicked Intentions also held a truly interesting storyline. While I'm a sucker for the glittering ballrooms and elegant dinner parties so frequent as a backdrop to most modern historical romances, even I must admit the gritty, seedy setting of St. Giles, which was predominate throughout most of this book, was ironically a breath of fresh air. This dangerous setting allowed the secondary murder mystery plot-line to carry a lot of credence.
The technical components to this work were, additionally, near perfection! The pacing of Wicked Intentions was very well established, and set a great rhythm to the book as a whole. The subtly of the interplay among all the characters was phenomenal, so well done, in fact, that I'm left hungry with curiosity in regards to what happens with the remaining cast of characters. (This is specifically noted in regards to Silence and Winter, Temperance's sister and brother respectively, Charming Micky, The Ghost of St. Giles, Lady Hope, as well as the remaining siblings belonging to Temperance.) Lastly, while I've heard criticisms against authors who utilize an on-going chapter introduction story throughout their novels, I have to admit that I, for one, found Hoyt's story about King Lockheart simplistically beautiful, and exponentially relevant to the plot-line in Wicked Intentions!
Truly an amazing book! Five stars, easy, Mrs. Hoyt. Phenomenal story!
Hoyt absolutely blew me away to every degree imaginable with Wicked Intentions! I devoured this novel in under two days, and was on one of the best historical romance book-highs I've ever experienced for several hours afterward. While I've only read a handful of Hoyt's novels in the past, I'm quickly coming to the realization that this particular writer has a flair for unique historical romance plots coupled with amazingly fleshed out characters!
What fascinates me most, though, about Hoyt's brand of characters, at least as far as Wicked Intentions was concerned, deals with the fact that she has constructed very flawed but likable people. What's more interesting was that, ironically, her characters Lazarus and Temperance, were even more likable because of their character flaws. While this is rather typical of well written and dynamic fictional peoples, I think it speaks volumes that Hoyt decided not just to utilized a flawed hero, which is a fairly common character type in today's historical romance book market. Instead, Mrs. Hoyt made the conscious decision to give seeming imperfections to both the hero as well as his heroine.
Aside from being unique in the character arena, Wicked Intentions also held a truly interesting storyline. While I'm a sucker for the glittering ballrooms and elegant dinner parties so frequent as a backdrop to most modern historical romances, even I must admit the gritty, seedy setting of St. Giles, which was predominate throughout most of this book, was ironically a breath of fresh air. This dangerous setting allowed the secondary murder mystery plot-line to carry a lot of credence.
The technical components to this work were, additionally, near perfection! The pacing of Wicked Intentions was very well established, and set a great rhythm to the book as a whole. The subtly of the interplay among all the characters was phenomenal, so well done, in fact, that I'm left hungry with curiosity in regards to what happens with the remaining cast of characters. (This is specifically noted in regards to Silence and Winter, Temperance's sister and brother respectively, Charming Micky, The Ghost of St. Giles, Lady Hope, as well as the remaining siblings belonging to Temperance.) Lastly, while I've heard criticisms against authors who utilize an on-going chapter introduction story throughout their novels, I have to admit that I, for one, found Hoyt's story about King Lockheart simplistically beautiful, and exponentially relevant to the plot-line in Wicked Intentions!
Truly an amazing book! Five stars, easy, Mrs. Hoyt. Phenomenal story!
Uggghhh.... I'm torn. On one hand, this book has some great characters, Temperance's family and the children at the orphanage they run, the cat named Soot, even St. John, but sadly I don't care for the hero or the heroine. For one, Lord Caire has some Christian Grey in a cravat vibes going on that just don't fly with this reader. At least we know why Temperance's past affects her relationship with Lazarus, but I didn't see anything to explain his aversion to touch. Did I miss it? If it is just explained in a line or two, since that plays such an important role in why he is the way he is, it's poorly done. Also, I love an HEA (duh, I am a romance junkie), but the ending here is too rushed and wrapped up in too neatly. Suddenly everyone is reunited, everyone is perfectly content, and everything is peachy in Lazurus Huntington's dysfunctional family. It seems to me in a place like the slums of St. Giles and Maiden Lane, this is not realistically possible.
Word of warning -- this book is definitely R rated for language and graphic sexual content. :( I probably won't be reading the next book in the series which is sad because I really did like most of the citizens of Maiden Lane.
* I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Word of warning -- this book is definitely R rated for language and graphic sexual content. :( I probably won't be reading the next book in the series which is sad because I really did like most of the citizens of Maiden Lane.
* I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
As a general rule, I'm not a fan of the romance genre, but every now and then I get in the mood for them--I regard them as book candy. And I'm usually sorry to have bothered by the end, but I admit, I enjoyed this book enough that I actually listened to the next two in the series(/trilogy?). Do not read if you have aggressive #metoo sensibilities.
I enjoy Elizabeth Hoyt's writing as a rule.
Thought this was a bit edgier when it comes to the sex which was an interesting choice.
I am guessing all the characters are lined up ready for the rest of the series, but the two who I thought might get it together in the next book apparently don't so what do I know!
Thought this was a bit edgier when it comes to the sex which was an interesting choice.
I am guessing all the characters are lined up ready for the rest of the series, but the two who I thought might get it together in the next book apparently don't so what do I know!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
I would like to give this a 4.5/5. I was not expecting such a complicated story. All the [a:Elizabeth Hoyt|16202|Elizabeth Hoyt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1232234340p2/16202.jpg] novels I have read in the past were more simple and mostly focused on the romance. They were still amazing stories. But this one focused a great deal on the murders in St. Giles, on the foundling home, and on Caire's complicated character.
Caire was such a tortured character that I felt like I was reading a character from an [a:Anne Stuart|13635|Anne Stuart|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1241802910p2/13635.jpg] or [a:Sherrilyn Kenyon|4430|Sherrilyn Kenyon|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1382066830p2/4430.jpg] novel. Elizabeth Hoyt's Princes were never that tortured and I loved it. Tortured heroes are my absolutely favourite type of leading man. Throughout the book people kept saying he was notorious for his "unusual bedsport" or his "sexual perversions" and it kept making me nervous because I hate BDSM, but more specifically I hate S&M. So I was extremely relieved that we eventually found out that he prefers the B&D aspect of it. So, that's not so bad, plus it was fairly tame. But maybe for some that's still bad, so just a warning. I dont know why this would be anyone's business or how society knew of his preferences, but everyone had a stick up their butt back then. I felt so sorry for Temperance who was led to believe there was something wrong with her because she enjoyed sex, and her husband had told her that women who sought out sex were to be pitied. And poor Silence, she couldnt even kiss her husband good morning because in the light of day that would be considered wanton. Blech, how I have come to hate that word.
I will jump right into book 2, [b:Notorious Pleasures|8597949|Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, #2)|Elizabeth Hoyt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1340943364s/8597949.jpg|13361916]. I have already book 5 as an ARC a while back and I cant wait to fill in all the blanks in between. Once I catch up I will have to reread [b:Lord of Darkness|12907444|Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane, #5)|Elizabeth Hoyt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1353226683s/12907444.jpg|18062082].
Caire was such a tortured character that I felt like I was reading a character from an [a:Anne Stuart|13635|Anne Stuart|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1241802910p2/13635.jpg] or [a:Sherrilyn Kenyon|4430|Sherrilyn Kenyon|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1382066830p2/4430.jpg] novel. Elizabeth Hoyt's Princes were never that tortured and I loved it. Tortured heroes are my absolutely favourite type of leading man. Throughout the book people kept saying he was notorious for his "unusual bedsport" or his "sexual perversions" and it kept making me nervous because I hate BDSM, but more specifically I hate S&M. So I was extremely relieved that we eventually found out that he prefers the B&D aspect of it. So, that's not so bad, plus it was fairly tame. But maybe for some that's still bad, so just a warning. I dont know why this would be anyone's business or how society knew of his preferences, but everyone had a stick up their butt back then. I felt so sorry for Temperance who was led to believe there was something wrong with her because she enjoyed sex, and her husband had told her that women who sought out sex were to be pitied. And poor Silence, she couldnt even kiss her husband good morning because in the light of day that would be considered wanton. Blech, how I have come to hate that word.
I will jump right into book 2, [b:Notorious Pleasures|8597949|Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, #2)|Elizabeth Hoyt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1340943364s/8597949.jpg|13361916]. I have already book 5 as an ARC a while back and I cant wait to fill in all the blanks in between. Once I catch up I will have to reread [b:Lord of Darkness|12907444|Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane, #5)|Elizabeth Hoyt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1353226683s/12907444.jpg|18062082].