Book Review: Too Wicked To Wed by Cara Elliot

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Import edition (19 Jan 2012)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0446584576
• ISBN-13: 978-0446584579

Outspoken and independent, Lady Alexa Bingham enjoys the heady freedom of making all her own decisions, even though the challenges of overseeing her family's country estate are daunting. But when a chance encounter with London's most notorious rake awakens a secret longing for adventure, she accepts her aunt's invitation for a Season in Town . . . only to find that breaking the rules of the ton has serious consequences.

The Earl of Killingworth uses his rakehell reputation to hide the fact that poverty has forced him to work for a living. As the owner of a gambling den and brothel, Connor has no time for glittering ballrooms or innocent young ladies. But after a reckless wager leaves him with a new business partner, he is forced to take a risky gamble . . . Will the cards fall in their favor? Alexa and Connor begin to play a dangerous game of intrigue and deception as they seek to outwit a cunning adversary who wants to put them permanently out of business. But if they are not careful, it is the flames of their own fiery attraction that may destroy them.

A chance encounter lands Alexa in the lair of the most notorious rake in Town, it irrevocable changes them both. Outspoken and unafraid, Alexa is refreshing for Connor, the Earl of Killingworth, and for Alexa, she has never met anyone quite like Connor.

When her aunt asks her if she would like to visit to spend a season in Town, Alexa eagerly agrees. But glittering ballrooms and forced pleasantries aren’t what she thought they would be, and Alexa finds herself craving the company of someone she shouldn’t, if not to spice up her evenings a little. Alexa struggles against the confines of the ton and makes the rash decision to pose as a male to enjoy a little freedom. And with a lucky hand at cards, Alexa wins half Connor’s business…a gambling hole and brothel.

But Connor has bigger things to worry about than his new female business partner. Someone is determined to see him fall…and willing to go to deadly measures to ensure it. With Connor injured, he and Alexa retreat to his crumbling family home and pose as newlyweds to stop wagging tongues. But somewhere down the line, their lie doesn’t feel false, and it is all to easy to forgot about the dangers awaiting them back in the real world, while they are surrounded by wild countryside.

Alexa and Connor’s love story was intoxicating, and very, very frustrating. With great action and steamy romance, Too Wicked To Wed is an amazing regency romance with a strong beating heart, sure to lure anyone in.