Customer Reviews

Wicked Angel

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I finished reading Wicked Angel, I had to just stop everything and let my mind rest. I was overwhelmed and exhausted emotionally! From almost the beginning of this book, I knew that it was a five star rated book. It was immediately engrossing.

Alex Christian, the Duke of Sutherland, carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He is, of course, known in all of England because he is a duke, terribly handsome, very rich, single, young, and extremely influential politically. As he believes it is time for him to marry and produce an heir, he has requested the hand of an important political ally's daughter in marriage two years previously. They will be married within six months. He doesn't love the girl but is fond of her and knows she will make a great duchess. He is yet another one of those heroes that think love for a spouse is neither realistic nor desirable. Then his well-ordered life takes a sudden shift. He is hunting at his country lodge when he stumbles upon a country lady having a disagreement with a belligerent hog. He is so taken with her that he extends his hunting trip just to be around her. He knows it is all nonsense because of all his duke duties but cannot resist her for a little while. During this two-week period, their relationship is innocent and sweet. But his responsibilities require him to return to London and Alex never expects to see the lovely country lady again although it makes him very sad.

Lauren Hill is that lovely country lady. Although her speech, education, and mannerisms proclaim her a lady, she first encounters Alex as she is singing to a hog in a cornfield right before the animal charges her and she leaps across the fence into Alex's arms. For the next two weeks, he observes her perform all sorts of manual chores and even sees her wearing her brother's old pants and shirt. He is shocked but pleasantly surprised to find that she has five wards, orphans, who she cares for and loves deeply. Lauren is totally taken with Alex and finds herself in love with him. She has no idea that he is a duke. Lauren lives on a run down country estate with her uncle, brother, housekeeper, a mentally challenged boarder, and the five orphans. She is desperately attempting to make a living from the old estate. Her uncle wants to her to marry and better their situation but Lauren has no desire to marry again.

Lauren's uncle, some years previous, had bartered her in marriage to a very old Count from Germany. She was married to the old Count for two years prior to his death. Since she had not provided him with an heir - a portion of the marriage agreement - she returned her inheritance, as his Countess, to the next Count and returns home to England penniless, much to her uncle's chagrin.

Now fast-forward four months to London. Lauren's uncle has forced her back into society so that she may marry well once again. She is introduced everywhere in London by her married title of Countess. Imagine both Alex and Lauren's great surprise when they encounter each other at a party and find that each bears a title. Neither one of them is very happy with the other because of the little secrets they have both withheld. However, Lauren is ecstatic to see Alex and then heartbroken when she is informed that he is engaged and will be married in two months.

Now the real story begins and it is a roller coaster. Lauren's uncle is blackmailing her to remarry well. She cannot waste time with Alex but he won't leave her alone. He seems to be everywhere she goes and although he believes he can never marry Lauren, he is obsessed with her. Of course, several very eligible men are pursuing Lauren and are very serious in marrying her. This makes Alex crazy with jealousy. This is certainly a time when the old saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too" would definitely apply to Alex because that is exactly what he wants. He wants Lauren despite the fact that he is getting married.

We see much kindness and caring from both Alex and Lauren. They are both very likable characters. The story was wonderful and it was difficult for me to ever put it down. There are only two sensual scenes and they rate a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). You don't miss these sensual scenes because this is one of those books that has such good writing - it isn't missed. Towards the end of the book, the leads hit some really rough spots and you feel drained and a little betrayed that the story has taken such a sudden turn. There are some major issues to be addressed. This is my one criticism of the book. This sudden turn of events feels like one of those overwritten romance novel plot lines that just doesn't seem necessary.

This was my first book by Julia London. I am definitely looking forward to reading her other books. I think I have uncovered yet another great author. And although I did not appreciate the plot twist late in the book, I still hold Wicked Angel in very high esteem. It was fun, entertaining, amusing, sad and, at times, distressing. It is overall a very well written book that deserves its high rating.

My GOD how can anybody say this was book was not good? I literally did not want it to end so.... I just started reading from the beginning again. I read Julia London's newest novel "The Dangerous Gentleman" and liked it so much that I decided to read all of her books. I read "Devil's Love" but out of all her books, "Wicked Angel" is my favorite. Never have I read a book twice. Lauren and Alex were so real. I really cannot fathom why ANYONE could possibly say this book was not good. I wish there was a higher rating than 5 stars, this book deserves it. She is definitely on my list of favorite authors. I can't wait until her next book. Julia, if you read the reviews, how about writing Arthur's story (Alex's brother). I sure would love to see him smitten by love. Keep it up Julia, you do know how to capture a reader's attention!

This is my first Julia London novel. I picked the book based on the reviewers comments. It is a well-written book full of tension and torment. Although I love both Alex and Lauren, I was so tensed over the over-bearning sense of duty and responsibility they each felt that I couldn't really enjoy the book. On one hand, the book kept me reading until I finished it in one sitting, but it really moved too slow for my taste. It has beautiful moments between the two of them, but lacked humor throughout. I agreed with one reviewer that it seemed to take the two such a long time to get together that It almost forced me to skip pages. I thought the supporting characters could have been a little funnier to balance off the desparate main plot. If you the sort of reader who enjoys lots of sexual tension, sad feeling of bad timing, a good cry... this would be a book for you.

Julia London is quickly nipping at the heels of Judith McNaught. This book was a refreshing change from the overused plots of most other novels. The character's had a real depth to them and while reading my heart REALLY hurt during the most touching moments of the book. And just when you think she's gonna wrap things up because there is only a few pages left, Julia throws another curve ball in there! With out a doubt one of the best books I have ever read!

I have such mixed feelings about this book. Here is another book that starts out great and ends with me hating the characters. The story started out rather slowly. The two main characters don't meet until page 46. I found myself trudging through these initial pages. When they do meet it is very original and the dialogue is great. They continue seeing each other and you can feel the love blossoming. When Alex abruptly leaves for his home you can feel both of their hearts breaking. They soon meet again and both are surprised as to their true identities. Sparks fly and the conflicts are quite entertaining. After a few chapters of conflict the book goes downhill. It's not that the writing is bad but there is just too much of it. Lets just say that the book should be 200 pages shorter. For a story that has absolutely no plot other than the forbidden love of the two main characters it was a very, very long story.

While I really liked the two characters at the beginning, I grew to dislike them quite a bit by the end. Their personalities changed drastically and they became bitter and annoying. Lauren was a really lovely character and then turned into a horrible shrew. She was perfectly happy to let Alex make a huge sacrifice for her but then when the exact same sacrifice is hers to make she refuses because she wants to be honourable. Who cares if Alex is dishonoured!

The conflicts in this book started to seem contrived and I just wanted the book to be over. It's a pretty bad sign when you skim half the book and don't miss a thing. Could have been a 4 or 5 star if the author had just let the story happen.

Was I the only one who didn't like this book. I found it to be very dull. It didn't move very fast and I found it a challenge to keep reading it. I thought the stubborn pride of Alex and Lauren was a little over done and the story could have ended a long time before it did, if the two would really have listened to each other. Do youself a favor and don't read it, if you don't have a lot of time.

This is the first book by Julia London I have read. I was searching for some new authors to add to my collection and found her. Although I thought this book wasn't too bad for a first read...I must admit I enjoyed the beginning the best. The middle and end changed what was on course for a 4 star book down to a 3 star read.

Although nothing was really bad in this story...the characters changed behaviors in the middle of the book and what made them interesting and appealing at the start stopped. I didn't care for that. I liked that Lauren was an open hearted, kind, loving and happy country miss when our hero Alex first met her. Their time in the country was enjoyable as they were simply country folk meeting and enjoying their time together. No restrictions of titles, money, powerful families, or what the ton thought. They had fun walking, talking, riding, eating and playing with the orphans Lauren had taken in. There was only openness, laughter and joy. Once they ended up in the city together by the middle of the book, their appeal and attraction for one another continued but, the way they acted toward one another took a new direction. One I didn't care for. They started being argumentative, irritable, distant, haughty, and roped in by society restrictions. Yes...I know this is possible for the time but, it wasn't enjoyable to read.

Alex kept his engagement to a high ranking woman of society from Lauren and even once it came out, he continued to pursue Lauren even though he knew nothing could come from it. Alex pursued Lauren regardless how it looked to his family, friends, fiancé' or her family. I do like a hero to goes for what he wants. But... I didn't appreciate a hero who took most of the book to realize he cared for Lauren enough to break off his obligations to a woman he didn't love, a family he didn't want to be part of or work in government he didn't care for at times. I would have liked to see him wise up and do the right thing much earlier - it would have saved the constant back and forth attraction then arguments and fighting that ensued between him and Lauren until they worked things out.

The ending of the book fell flat for me. Reason: first Alex turns against all he had planned in his life and made a decision to love and honor and marry Lauren. He goes to her, confesses all and lays his heart on the line. She turns him away as now she has made choices and feels she must stand by them. Alex tries to right earlier wrongs but, Lauren won't give in. Alex leaves defeated. Lauren not longer after comes to her senses and is relieved of her promises and chases back after Alex and professes all to him - only to have Alex now turn her away. So back and forth it went. One loved, the other wouldn't forgive. Then one forgave and the other refused to love. It got tiring and a bit boring. It took Alex's mother to finally get the two to clear the air and make up. Glad to see two adult children still need "mommy" to make things right.

Once the ending came, I was glad to not have Alex call Lauren one more time, "My Angel", "My Wicked Angel" and so on. There was nothing angelic to Lauren nor wicked or naughty. This was a very silly nickname for his other half and I wish he would have stuck to her name and not silly endearments. It did nothing for me. Same with Lauren constantly quoting lines from historical stories/plays and books. It was a nice touch now and then...not all the time. Some things are better left in small doses.

There were some inconsistencies in the book but, not enough to make me stop reading. For one...Lauren pretty much acknowledged from the beginning that her first marriage was arranged by her family and to a man much, much older than her, senile and barely knew who she was during their time together. She made plain they didn't do "anything" and no heir came from their marriage. Yet later, Alex is shocked that he makes love to her and she is still a virgin. Wasn't he listening to her story earlier? Hello....tune in Alex! And...Lauren is constantly referred to as a forgein Countess of Bavaria while in the city and everyone knows it. Later...after Alex breaks off with his fiance' and rumors abound of his having an affair with a forgein countess, does anyone consider it Lauren and him? No...guess they are not to bright of a crowd after all. Also...Alex's finace' acted like this proper and timid thing yet she constantly went after Lauren to draw the boundaries and put her in her place. This was never addressed later on between any of the characters. Little things like this were off but, the book was still readable.

Although the love scenes were fine - nothing really moved me. The passages were written well and the action played out as planned. I just never felt the grand passion or desire the two felt between themselves. I think I started tuning out by the middle as I didn't care for their personality changes and the back and forth negative dialogue so...the love scenes lost impact along the way. That's too bad.

I think this author is talented and I will try reading one or two more books and see how she fares. I really liked the way her characters in this book began and just wish the gentleness, innocence and tenderness it began with would have stayed. That was refreshing. The way they went at each other later was not. I didn't need two shrill people taking root by the middle to end of this book. I want lovers not fighters.

I'm off to read another. Hopes it's a lot better.

Julia writes deep, moving stories that will win awards, if they haven't already. This is not a light, refreshing read. Be prepared to go through some heart-wrenching, gut-wrenching sadness. It is too much sadness and angst for me -- I wish she did not heap that much conflict upon the character relationships, but she does write a good long happy ending with an epilogue. I will go back and read more from her after I recover by reading a few lighter novels. <grin>

After reading the first two books in this series, I don't think I can read anymore. Don't get me wrong. I think she writes very well. Her characters are believable and she does a great job of creating sexual tension, but the stories are so heart wrenching. Perhaps I am just too sensitive, but by the time I reached the happy ending, I was so emotionally drained that the ending seemed anticlimactic. I think the characters had to experience too much pain before they could be together - it was moving, but not what I look for in a romance novel.

I found Wicked Angel to be everything I wanted it to be and MORE! I laughed, I cried, I LOVED every page of it. Julia London is now and will forever be one of my favorite authors. In my book she rates right up there with Johanna Lindsey and Julia Quinn. I ran to the bookstore and bought her other two novels, The Dangerous Gentleman and Devil's Love and am anxiously awating The Ruthless Charmer! I look forward to a refreshing new series!