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sarah_moynihan's review against another edition
4.0
'SHE WAS HIS SAVIOR
Banished from London for her reckless behavior, Lady Miranda Sinclair is robbed by a dashing highwayman en route to the country. By offering him a kiss in lieu of the jewels she had to leave behind, she commits the very type of act that caused her exile. When her dour guardians extend her punishment to performing charitable work at the local orphanage, she's further tempted by the home's owner, a provincial gentleman who stirs her passion in a most wicked way.
HE WAS HER DOWNFALL
Desperate to save his orphanage from financial catastrophe, Montgomery "Fox" Foxcroft leads a double life as a highwayman. The arrival of wealthy, well-connected Miranda, whose kiss he can't forget, presents a lawful opportunity to increase his coffers. His problems seem solved-until she rejects his suit. Out of options and falling for the heiress, Fox must risk what principles he has left and take advantage of her wicked ways-even if it ruins them both.'
_________________________________
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
Her Wicked Ways is the first book in Darcy Burke's Secrets and Scandals series.
I have been reading some of Darcy Burke's more recent books and have really enjoyed them. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors and so I've decided to go back and read some of her earlier works, starting with Her Wicked Ways.
I liked both main characters, but I found Fox to be significantly more likable than Miranda. He is incredibly selfless and caring. He wears himself and his coiffers thin in order to do his utmost to protect those that rely on him for their survival. He is even willing to face the risk of the hangman's noose if it means doing everything he can to keep the orphange going.
Miranda is labeled as rebellious, but I'd really just say that she is more fliratatious and less reserved that one would expect for the time, she really doesn't exhibit any other signs of rebelliousness in my opinion. That is until she undergoes some growth, which she inarguably does, but it's a near thing for her. The develpment her character makes happens in fits and bursts and she has a few steps backward along the way and she often disappointed me. For me, her character only came fully around within the last dozen pages or so and she was making me anxious that she wasn't going to pull it together.
Fox and Miranda are an interesting pairing, in that their attraction is largely only physical for much of the book and the emotional/romantic attraction is more inconstant, but strangely is worked for them. More than anything though, I wish that they had been honest which each other much earlier, but I was still happy with how the story ended and the plot was unique. I love that Burke writes about women that don't quite follow the rules of the day.
I'm curious to learn just what Jasper meant in his cryptic response to Miranda at the end of the book and so I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series, His Wicked Heart, and to learn more about his character.
It is important to note that this is one of Burke's earliest books and I did not find it to be as strong as her more recent books. I still enjoyed it though and would recommend this book if you enjoy historical romance or any of Darcy Burke's other books. This is not a clean romance.
Banished from London for her reckless behavior, Lady Miranda Sinclair is robbed by a dashing highwayman en route to the country. By offering him a kiss in lieu of the jewels she had to leave behind, she commits the very type of act that caused her exile. When her dour guardians extend her punishment to performing charitable work at the local orphanage, she's further tempted by the home's owner, a provincial gentleman who stirs her passion in a most wicked way.
HE WAS HER DOWNFALL
Desperate to save his orphanage from financial catastrophe, Montgomery "Fox" Foxcroft leads a double life as a highwayman. The arrival of wealthy, well-connected Miranda, whose kiss he can't forget, presents a lawful opportunity to increase his coffers. His problems seem solved-until she rejects his suit. Out of options and falling for the heiress, Fox must risk what principles he has left and take advantage of her wicked ways-even if it ruins them both.'
_________________________________
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
Her Wicked Ways is the first book in Darcy Burke's Secrets and Scandals series.
I have been reading some of Darcy Burke's more recent books and have really enjoyed them. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors and so I've decided to go back and read some of her earlier works, starting with Her Wicked Ways.
I liked both main characters, but I found Fox to be significantly more likable than Miranda. He is incredibly selfless and caring. He wears himself and his coiffers thin in order to do his utmost to protect those that rely on him for their survival. He is even willing to face the risk of the hangman's noose if it means doing everything he can to keep the orphange going.
Miranda is labeled as rebellious, but I'd really just say that she is more fliratatious and less reserved that one would expect for the time, she really doesn't exhibit any other signs of rebelliousness in my opinion. That is until she undergoes some growth, which she inarguably does, but it's a near thing for her. The develpment her character makes happens in fits and bursts and she has a few steps backward along the way and she often disappointed me. For me, her character only came fully around within the last dozen pages or so and she was making me anxious that she wasn't going to pull it together.
Fox and Miranda are an interesting pairing, in that their attraction is largely only physical for much of the book and the emotional/romantic attraction is more inconstant, but strangely is worked for them. More than anything though, I wish that they had been honest which each other much earlier, but I was still happy with how the story ended and the plot was unique. I love that Burke writes about women that don't quite follow the rules of the day.
I'm curious to learn just what Jasper meant in his cryptic response to Miranda at the end of the book and so I'm looking forward to starting the next book in the series, His Wicked Heart, and to learn more about his character.
It is important to note that this is one of Burke's earliest books and I did not find it to be as strong as her more recent books. I still enjoyed it though and would recommend this book if you enjoy historical romance or any of Darcy Burke's other books. This is not a clean romance.
iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition
4.0
She was his savior
Banished from London for her reckless behavior, Lady Miranda Sinclair is robbed by a dashing highwayman en route to the country. By offering him a kiss in lieu of the jewels she had to leave behind, she commits the very type of act that caused her exile. When her dour guardians extend her punishment to performing charitable work at the local orphanage, she’s further tempted by the home’s owner, a provincial gentleman who stirs her passion in a most wicked way.
He was her downfall
Desperate to save his orphanage from financial catastrophe, Montgomery "Fox" Foxcroft leads a double life as a highwayman. The arrival of wealthy, well-connected Miranda, whose kiss he can’t forget, presents a lawful opportunity to increase his coffers. His problems seem solved—until she rejects his suit. Out of options and falling for the heiress, Fox must risk what principles he has left and take advantage of her wicked ways—even if it ruins them both.
**
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
Her Wicked Ways by Darcy Burke
He and he buddies are there to rob the coaches but all he is offered is a kiss. He needs money for those at the orphanage for medicine.
He finds her name Miranda, appealing. Because of her behavior she's being sent to work at the orphanage in the way of punishment.
She had hoped to help Beatrice find a husband. That kiss though, was like one she never had before.
Fox is a farmer and helps at the orphanage, his family owns and runs it. She is able to ask others for contributions and lets him know he appeals to her.
Rob tries to pursuade him to go after Miranda before others get her.
Love hearing how she wants to teach the girls new things and how she handles the boys and manners at the table.
They are able to spend a lot of time together and the orphanage and learn more about each other.
Very explcit sexual scenes. Lots of mystery that involve money, missing money.
Very boring and long drawn out for my liking. Other works and excerpts are included at the end.
Received this free review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
He and he buddies are there to rob the coaches but all he is offered is a kiss. He needs money for those at the orphanage for medicine.
He finds her name Miranda, appealing. Because of her behavior she's being sent to work at the orphanage in the way of punishment.
She had hoped to help Beatrice find a husband. That kiss though, was like one she never had before.
Fox is a farmer and helps at the orphanage, his family owns and runs it. She is able to ask others for contributions and lets him know he appeals to her.
Rob tries to pursuade him to go after Miranda before others get her.
Love hearing how she wants to teach the girls new things and how she handles the boys and manners at the table.
They are able to spend a lot of time together and the orphanage and learn more about each other.
Very explcit sexual scenes. Lots of mystery that involve money, missing money.
Very boring and long drawn out for my liking. Other works and excerpts are included at the end.
Received this free review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
hinalovestoread's review against another edition
3.0
It was OK.
They were both selfish. They both learned. Both evolved. The girl took more time as she was more selfish and stupid.
They were both selfish. They both learned. Both evolved. The girl took more time as she was more selfish and stupid.
golden_lily's review against another edition
2.0
A historical romance, brought to my attention by Courtney Milan, with some really hot scenes. So why the low rating?
Both H/H were unlikable, selfish brats. Lady Miranda, a spoiled socialite exiled to the country for taking a dark walk with an unmarried man, was really unrealistic in her mood swings, going from strong temptress to pouting child in a breath. To prove she really is bad to the bone, she makes out with a sexy highwayman in front of her puritanical cousins. The highway man is altruistic Fox, disguised to steal the cousins' money because they're annoying. Oh yes, in a novel about overcoming class differences, Fox robs not one, not two, but THREE people in his Robin Hood-lite quest to keep his orphanage going. Because they have so much and they're not donating in a way he deems suitable. Bra. Vo. (Even though one of the men he robs is basically innocent and caught in an extortion web. And Fox faces no repercussions. And when Miranda finds out, she's just like, "eh. So you lied and stole my money. I still want your body.")
Speaking of Fox, his entire character is that he loves his orphans. So when Miranda suggests holding a fundraiser to fix the roof, he throws a complete fit and storms out. Why? Because his precious Miranda, (they're not together yet,) will be hosting with Fox's MORTAL ENEMY! (The guy caught in the extortion scheme.) Oh yes, there's the magnanimous and loving father figure we've come to know and hate. Much better to try to force yourself on a wealthy heiress. And yes, that's precisely what Fox tries to do. As much as he likes Miranda, he spends 3/4 of the book thinking of "compromising" her to force her into marriage, and after he does, spends the rest of the book pouting that he doesn't want her to marry him just because he did. Shut the fuck up you rapey asshole.
The whole second half of the book was overlong and unnecessary. After the ball and consummation of their love, I was more interested in the questions raised by Miranda's father than whether or not the brats would be able to get married. Why doesn't Fox have any money? His father gambled, OK. This year's crop was bad. Got it. What about last year's crop? The money from the sheep? Where are the taxes from the tenants? Miranda has a smaller estate that brings in $5,000 a year. It does sound like Fox CAN'T properly run a household, but we're supposed to think the Duke is a big meany head for pointing that out.
Speaking of, Miranda's parents are mustache-twirling villains. Flat, cardboard, and serving no purpose but to drive H/H apart. Oh wait, that also describes the cousins and the actual villain, who might as well be the Sheriff of Nottingham. He steals tapestries from orphans. Gleefully.
At the end, Miranda rebuffs Fox because he didn't ask for her hand nicely enough and her parents hate him. They have sex anyway, and Fox rebuffs her right back. She goes back to the cousins' house and realizes her family hates her too. She tries to tell them she's changed her mind, but they just evilly twirl their mustaches. Some cackling may have been involved. Miranda runs back into Fox's arms, and he forgives her, and they get their HEA. And so do I, because the book is over.
Both H/H were unlikable, selfish brats. Lady Miranda, a spoiled socialite exiled to the country for taking a dark walk with an unmarried man, was really unrealistic in her mood swings, going from strong temptress to pouting child in a breath. To prove she really is bad to the bone, she makes out with a sexy highwayman in front of her puritanical cousins. The highway man is altruistic Fox, disguised to steal the cousins' money because they're annoying. Oh yes, in a novel about overcoming class differences, Fox robs not one, not two, but THREE people in his Robin Hood-lite quest to keep his orphanage going. Because they have so much and they're not donating in a way he deems suitable. Bra. Vo. (Even though one of the men he robs is basically innocent and caught in an extortion web. And Fox faces no repercussions. And when Miranda finds out, she's just like, "eh. So you lied and stole my money. I still want your body.")
Speaking of Fox, his entire character is that he loves his orphans. So when Miranda suggests holding a fundraiser to fix the roof, he throws a complete fit and storms out. Why? Because his precious Miranda, (they're not together yet,) will be hosting with Fox's MORTAL ENEMY! (The guy caught in the extortion scheme.) Oh yes, there's the magnanimous and loving father figure we've come to know and hate. Much better to try to force yourself on a wealthy heiress. And yes, that's precisely what Fox tries to do. As much as he likes Miranda, he spends 3/4 of the book thinking of "compromising" her to force her into marriage, and after he does, spends the rest of the book pouting that he doesn't want her to marry him just because he did. Shut the fuck up you rapey asshole.
The whole second half of the book was overlong and unnecessary. After the ball and consummation of their love, I was more interested in the questions raised by Miranda's father than whether or not the brats would be able to get married. Why doesn't Fox have any money? His father gambled, OK. This year's crop was bad. Got it. What about last year's crop? The money from the sheep? Where are the taxes from the tenants? Miranda has a smaller estate that brings in $5,000 a year. It does sound like Fox CAN'T properly run a household, but we're supposed to think the Duke is a big meany head for pointing that out.
Speaking of, Miranda's parents are mustache-twirling villains. Flat, cardboard, and serving no purpose but to drive H/H apart. Oh wait, that also describes the cousins and the actual villain, who might as well be the Sheriff of Nottingham. He steals tapestries from orphans. Gleefully.
At the end, Miranda rebuffs Fox because he didn't ask for her hand nicely enough and her parents hate him. They have sex anyway, and Fox rebuffs her right back. She goes back to the cousins' house and realizes her family hates her too. She tries to tell them she's changed her mind, but they just evilly twirl their mustaches. Some cackling may have been involved. Miranda runs back into Fox's arms, and he forgives her, and they get their HEA. And so do I, because the book is over.
sassysmutlover's review against another edition
5.0
I fell in love with Fox from the start because well who doesn't love a man that takes care of orphans and will do anything to care for them. And the idea of a falling in love with a highwayman that is pretty much another Robin Hood would make any woman love the story.
Unlike most I loved Miranda and her rebellious ways from the start. I got the feeling she acted that way to get attention and loved how she changed, but still had some rebel in her. They really were a perfect match and the tension between them is great.
Unlike most I loved Miranda and her rebellious ways from the start. I got the feeling she acted that way to get attention and loved how she changed, but still had some rebel in her. They really were a perfect match and the tension between them is great.
gasoline_allie's review against another edition
4.0
Among romances, "Historical" is not my favorite subgenre. In particular, I'm typically bored by Recency romances, which usually feature rich, bored Dukes and Earls of the "indolent scoundrel" type and Ladies who are long-suffering in some way--past prime marrying age, escaped from brutal marriages, tainted by some long ago scandal, etc.
I think that's why I liked Her Wicked Ways so much. It's different, in a good way.
Here we have an untitled, desperately poor, heart-of-gold (though not above donning a highwayman's mask and robbing the rich) hero and a spoiled, snobby, scandalous-and-she-likes-it-that way heroine with daddy issues. See? Different. I liked how Miranda grew over the course of the story, and I flat liked everything about Fox. Yes, he's willing to compromise Miranda to make her marry him--ostensibly for his orphanage, but really all for himself. It may be the first selfish thing he's done.
This is also one of the few historical romances I've read were class is truly an Issue. (It deserves the capital I because it's a real, ugly, painful, nigh-insurmountable problem for them.) Miranda and Fox are in completely different social strata, and basically the whole world wants to keep them apart. I could eat that stuff up with a spoon.
I think that's why I liked Her Wicked Ways so much. It's different, in a good way.
Here we have an untitled, desperately poor, heart-of-gold (though not above donning a highwayman's mask and robbing the rich) hero and a spoiled, snobby, scandalous-and-she-likes-it-that way heroine with daddy issues. See? Different. I liked how Miranda grew over the course of the story, and I flat liked everything about Fox. Yes, he's willing to compromise Miranda to make her marry him--ostensibly for his orphanage, but really all for himself. It may be the first selfish thing he's done.
This is also one of the few historical romances I've read were class is truly an Issue. (It deserves the capital I because it's a real, ugly, painful, nigh-insurmountable problem for them.) Miranda and Fox are in completely different social strata, and basically the whole world wants to keep them apart. I could eat that stuff up with a spoon.
rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book a joy to read. It had romance and heartache drama. I rooted for Fox and Miranda. Miranda needed Fox as much as Fox needed her. I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
tomokizu's review against another edition
5.0
I only recently discovered Regency settings for myself and am always eager to read new and fresh approaches to the theme. This story was exceptionally well crafted. The story was packed with subtle action, reluctant heroines and heroes, morale, and the discovery that money and parties alone won__t make you happy in life.
Lady Miranda Sinclair has been banished to the country side, because she has been seen in a compromising situation by a family friend. Her parents send her to live a summer at a distant relatives country estate where she is to learn to be humble, demure and hard working. But Miranda is no such thing. She wants to go back to London and meet her friends at the different social festivities.
Having no other choice and having been sent to work at the local orphanage in Wootton Basset, Miranda meets the grumpy Foxcroft, the head of the orphanage. Since the orphanage needs money Foxcroft__s long-time friend Rob tells him to try to woo the aggravating Miranda and become the benefactor of the dowry of said Lady. Foxcroft, Fox to his friends, doesn__t like this idea, but nevertheless tries to woo Miranda. Unfortunately while trying to woo her for her money he discovers that Miranda is actually a really caring person, good with his kids and not as aggravating as he thought. Will their love have any chance, since they live in totally different social circles?
A recommended read!
Lady Miranda Sinclair has been banished to the country side, because she has been seen in a compromising situation by a family friend. Her parents send her to live a summer at a distant relatives country estate where she is to learn to be humble, demure and hard working. But Miranda is no such thing. She wants to go back to London and meet her friends at the different social festivities.
Having no other choice and having been sent to work at the local orphanage in Wootton Basset, Miranda meets the grumpy Foxcroft, the head of the orphanage. Since the orphanage needs money Foxcroft__s long-time friend Rob tells him to try to woo the aggravating Miranda and become the benefactor of the dowry of said Lady. Foxcroft, Fox to his friends, doesn__t like this idea, but nevertheless tries to woo Miranda. Unfortunately while trying to woo her for her money he discovers that Miranda is actually a really caring person, good with his kids and not as aggravating as he thought. Will their love have any chance, since they live in totally different social circles?
A recommended read!
aboutthatstory's review against another edition
4.0
Historical Romance isn't something I normally read but I decided to give it try. I am so happy I did! I truly enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the characters and the style of writing.