Customer Reviews

The Viscount's Wicked Ways

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wanted this book to be a 5 star one, but little things kept it from being that for me. I loved the story and, as always, the writer got the hero right. Thomas was everything a romance novel hero should be. Patience, the heroine, fared a little worse. I lost some patience with her. At times, she bordered dangerously close to TSTL territory for me. I found her social blunders a little monotonous. She surely should have known what to say and how to behave. Just a minor quibble, but it did bother me. Also, things seemed a bit rushed. Just when Thomas and Patience seemed to be getting somewhere, poof!, the scene was over. I felt the transitions were a bit rough. All in all, I liked this book, but felt the characters were not developed as much as they should have been, and the pacing seemed a little off. It was sort of like--Gothic Light.

I didn't even read the epilogue on this one. It's just so predictable (I know, for a romance novel), but without the sparks and life that make other similarly predicatble romances wonderful. Without that, all I notice are the flaws. I really wanted to like the hero and heroine. I enjoy historical romances that give the heroine something to do other than plan parties, but she never came alive and her dialogue was off-putting at several points to where I just couldn't find anything likeable. :( I mean, she's not acerbic, vain, pms-ish, or whiny. She should be likeable... The hero is the same and he also never comes alive, although I didn't dislike anything I read from him. Anyway, I guess I found the romance off-putting too. They don't seem to talk much and run around kissing and making out, but there's no real heat and the heroine feels no guilt or consideration for her reputation as she publically gallivantes around with the heroine. I'll admit, I like a little(very little) angst and drama about why they shouldn't be together because this is a historical and good girls wouldn't have done that without struggling a little over the desision(sp?). It wouldn't have had to b e much, just a moment in which she acknowledged that what she was doing was against society's strictures and could have acutal consequences. :sigh: I guess that's why I couldn't like the main characters, writing these reviews really helps put the mind in order. Anyway, so the writer waves a magic wand and the heroine's bad and unsavory reputation is dismissed and the world is sunlight and roses again, at least, that's the impression I got. For books that actively annoy me, I do usually try to finish the epilogues or last few chapters just to know what happens, but I started reading at some ball scene where the reputation is swept aside by the hero simply not listening to the gossip (very effective I'm sure and there children wouldn't be called names or hear their mothers' name besmirched at all, yep) and at this point I decided to focus my attention elsewhere.

This was an enjoyable, quick read, but it didn't really wow me. Mallory usually has a very distinctive style to her writing, so I was surprised by how anonymous this one seemed. It was pleasant, but rather bland, and was missing that spark that I'm used to feeling with her.

I thought Patience's overactive imagination and her inability to keep her foot out of her mouth in social situations was fun. She felt a bit silly at times, but I enjoyed her. The same goes for the hero, Thomas. I think the title of the book is completely out of place though. The hero is far, far from wicked. He's a regular, nice guy who is very easy to like.

There were a lot of red herrings thrown around and it left the final reveal of the villain feeling a bit underwhelming. All that build up and that was it? It was a little disappointing.

I thought the interactions between Patience and Thomas were cute. I liked when they'd have breakfast together and he'd relax and open up. It was amusing how he'd act grumpy and cold again and sweep out of the room when someone else joined them. Mustn't let them know he's a nice guy, after all. ;)

Very cute tale. The plot was boring for the first few chapters, I know. But it gets better. The romance is slow too. But at the end it all comes together very nicely. I wouldn't say this book was perfect, but it definitely deserves more than just a few stars.

I Liked this book alot better than the other 4 books I have read by Ms. Mallory. This one made sense and connected all of the characters in the story line. In her other books she dropped the story line and was quite repetative in what she wrote thur out the books, But she got it right with the Viscounts Wicket Ways! Interesting story of inventions being made labortories and spys trying to steal new inventions being developed put that with romance and you get a very good story to read. Finally for me she has redeemed herself!

Patience Harrington has never been able to behave to the standard of the Ton. So when she fumbles her Season, Patience is left with one option offered by her father. She is to visit ominous Blackfield Castle to appraise and catalogue the antiques.

Viscount Blackfield, Thomas Ashe, does not want any visitors especially one as distracting as the lovely Patience even for a few nights. He wants her to leave, but she refuses insisting she will first finish her task of assessing the antiques he inherited even though he does not seem to care about anything except brooding and glaring at her. In reality, Thomas struggles to stay focused on uncovering who endangers so many lives. Still for the first time since he became a spy, Thomas is unable to keep alert and concentrate on his inquiries as he desires Patience who he believes has been sent by his enemy to spy on him. Perhaps he can kiss the truth out of her lips.

This is a fun gothic historical romance that uses amusing scenarios to refresh and lighten the usual serious tone of the sub-genre. Thomas is out of patience with his desire that he fears hides his unwanted guest's nefarious activities while Patience ponders whether her host is the Frankenstein monster. Fans will enjoy this gender war starring two terrific combatants who misconceive everything about the other except love.

Harriet Klausner

I love Anne Mallory novels and this one had the mix of romance and mystery. It was a little less steamy but I loved the social lessons. The main female character goes to the Viscounts castle to collect items for the museum with team of specialist. She hears rumors about a 'monster' so she starts investigating and the Viscount thinks she is a spy! Sparks fly - Enjoy.

The story line was interesting, but the characters left a lot to be desired. It just dragged on without much meaning or romance.
I could barely get to the end fast enough.

I read romance to escape like everyone else the drudgery that which is the everyday. Boy, was I disappointed, sorry but she is definitely not a skilled writer because the characters were 1 demensional and plot and dialogue so cliche I was fighting to stay awake. And the sensual scenes? What sensual scenes??? No romance, no plot, and no sensuality.