His Wicked Reputation (Wicked Trilogy)

This the first book in Madeline Hunter’s new Wicked Trilogy, which feature three brothers. This is about Gareth, the first born son of a duke, and also a bastard.
Eva Russell is an artist spinster and a gentleman’s daughter, who has fallen on hard times and ekes out a simple existence with her younger sister, Rebecca, a bluestocking. Eva has been copying paintings found in an abandoned estate house nearby, for practice in her art. But when Gareth takes the house, she covertly returns it as well as other possessions that she and the villagers “borrowed.”
Eva hopes to see Rebecca well married well so she can pursue her own career in art. She is already starting to see some nice income from her paintings and is encouraged that she will succeed.
Gareth is very close to his two younger brothers, Ives (christened Ywain) and Lance, the new duke after the death of their mutual antagonistic and hostile elder brother, Percy. It is when Gareth claims the small estate his father intended for him upon his death–and that Percy denied him–that he meets Eva in the village.
Eva is not Gareth’s usual type but she intrigues him with her forthrightness and her desire for sexual experience. And he’s just the man to give it to her. They indulge in an illicit but mutual affair with no strings attached. Indeed, most people assume that Eva could never attract a man like him, something that Eva has come to expect. So it delights and surprises her when he avidly pursues her. Secretly, of course. He tells her he is not interested in marriage and that is okay with her because she isn’t either. Until it isn’t.
“When she embarked on this affair, she assumed it would be brief. She thought he would make it so, being who he was and who she was. A dalliance for him and a chance to know a woman’s carnality for her.”
It is in keeping with Gareth’s reputation that he falls into an affair with Eva but, to be fair, she seduces him, not the other way around. But Gareth is taken by surprise by his intense interest in Eva. When a friend of his brothers expresses a dishonorable interest in her, it angers him. Despite the nature of their secret affair, he feels protective of her and treats her with the utmost kindness and consideration. He isn’t a rake, he’s a ladies’ man. And Eva knows this.
“He had uncovered yearnings and needs she did not even know existed in her.”
Gareth’s brother, Ives, is an attorney and has been asked to locate a large collection of valuable paintings that were hidden during Napoleon’s reign for safekeeping by peers and have since gone missing. He asks Gareth for help as Gareth is fully immersed in the art world, acquiring art collections for clients for a fee. It’s a lucrative business for him so he is happy to help. But, as a bastard, he must tread carefully because people do not trust him as they trust Ives and Lance. That and also because of “his wicked reputation” with women.
I like the camaraderie and affection between Gareth and his brothers and Hunter shows this relationship well. Much like Grace Burrowes, Hunter depicts sibling relationship dynamics with humor and authenticity. I look forward to reading their stories in future installments in this series.
Real life artist Mary Moser makes an appearance when she shares an audience with Eva in London upon an introduction by a mutual friend. And there is mention of the Prince Regent as well as the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, who are indirectly connected to the mystery plot in the story.
As in all of Hunter’s novels, there is a lot of sex but it is brief, understated, and sometimes even fading to black. She doesn’t go into pages and pages of graphic descriptions but, instead, creates a mood that is powerful in its simplicity. The relationship between Eva and Gareth is also sweet and tender. It is simply two adults who know what they want and agree to mutual pleasure. They also become very good friends, a quality that leads to lasting relationships.
Hunter writes with a quiet and understated power, her characters are richly portrayed and likeable, especially her secondary characters. Gareth’s brothers are very important to him while Eva enjoys a close bond with her philosophical and precocious sister, Rebecca. Also, Eva’s cousin Sarah and her husband, Wesley, new money in trade, are a charming couple who take Rebecca under their wing in order to find her a suitable husband. I would like to read about Rebecca in a future story as well.
The mystery of the missing paintings is nicely paced alongside the growing romance and the way they connect to both Eva and Gareth makes it more interesting and, at times, almost funny, in its irony. The reader figures things out faster than our hero and his brothers.
An enjoyable start to a new series.

Madeline Hunter brings readers the first book in her new Wicked trilogy, His Wicked Reputation. This is one historical romance that will leave readers swooning. With a very handsome and unscrupulous hero, and a very unlikely lucky lady. Gareth, can handle the women of the ton and all of their fancy ways, but he doesn't know exactly what he is in for with Eva. Fans of Hunter will love the intense connection between this hero and his lady. A great start to a new series!

Madeline Hunter caught my interest with her Rarest Blooms series, but I didn't feel the same connection to other books she had written, until now. Hunter has a knack for knowing the customs and the nuances of the era she writes about and I thought she did a great job with that in His Wicked Reputation. I liked the fact that the hero is a man of the ton, while the heroine is not in the same class. I wasn't quite sure what 'old gentry' meant, but it was interesting learning the differences in the classes of the times.

What a hero! Gareth is just plain sexy in every way. I liked his bad boy attitude, his confidence and that alpha male spirit about him. He knew he was good with women and he flaunted it. Until he came up against one that just really didn't care what he thought he could do. I think he found Eva to be a real challange and that fueled him throughout the book. I think Hunter gives readers that hero they wish they could find in real life.

Eva was a great heroine and the perfect match to Gareth's brash and entitled attitude. I loved her quiet beauty and simple ways. She was a real treat. I liked everything about this character. She just had a spirit about her that was special and I think readers will just love her. Hunter hit the jackpot with these two characters. A great leading couple.

Bottom Line:

I'm looking forward to seeing where Hunter takes us with this series. I think there is a lot of potential for greatness with this one. Hunter is one of those authors that just gets under the skin of the reader with her intense characters and great sense of the period she writes about. Her lyrical style and descriptive prowess is profound in this one as well. A great start to a new series!

This is another winner for Ms. Hunter. I always enjoy her books and this new series has wonderful promise as we follow the exploits and loves of three brothers. There is always an adventure and subterfuge involved with her stories and His Wicked Reputation is no exception.

Gareth Fitzallen is an art dealer who enjoys his life as the bastard son of a Duke. He was always treated well by his father and got along with his two half brothers, Ives and Lance. However his oldest brother Percival was a miserable person and took out his anger on Gareth making his life hell.

Fortunately for all, Percival died under suspicious circumstances leaving his brother Lance the new duke. When Ives asks him to find some missing paintings, he is happy to help as it will bring him back to the house his father gave him.

Eva lives in a small village not far from Brighton, to make money she copies famous paintings she found in a nearby run down house and sells them to a dealer. When Gareth comes to claim the house he is intrigued by the neighbor and wants to get to know her. Little does he know that things will get treacherous and dangerous before too long.

A little mystery, danger and romance always make for a great story, place the setting in the historical London area and it is even better. I believe I have read all of Ms. Hunter’s books and enjoyed each one. There is always something intriguing about the characters, some mystery to solve and of course danger and romance to engage the reader.

Gareth is known around town as an irresistible lover, women ask for more than he is willing to give and he always leaves them wanting. When he finds out his oldest half brother has died he rushes to meet Ives and Lance for more information. Since Percival has died, things will be different for the brothers, Lance will become the new duke and Gareth will be able to own the property his father gave him free and clear. As Gareth plans to leave for the village, Ives asks him to help find some missing paintings while traveling and the adventure begins.

Eva lives in a small village with her younger sister, they do not have much money so she sells her paintings to make a living. When she meets Gareth there is an attraction but his reputation precedes him and she tries to stay far away. He finds her intriguing and seeks her out and even though he is use to women with more experience and sophistication, there is something about her that he can’t let go of. When they are alone the sparks fly and she finds him as irresistible as he is famous for.

There are several engaging characters that round out this story, I thought Gareth’s mother was very interesting and like their relationship. I also really like his two half brothers and look forward to their stories. The secrecy surrounding the paintings and Eva’s brother who died mysteriously is fascinating and produces fun and excitement. The pace of the story is a bit slow at times as there are a few side stories that overlap with Eva’s and Gareth’s romance but with a few twists and turns the pace picks up in all the right places. All in all a wonderful start to a new series and I look forward to more.

Review also posted at Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind

Copy from publisher for an honest review

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Gareth Fitzallen has quite the reputation, of loving and leaving women, and the women doing anything they can to hold on to him and the pleasure he brings. That’s quite an accomplishment for the bastard son of a duke!

His father has long since passed away, and he has not been able to get a hold of the land that was left to him, thanks to his half-brother Percy contesting it. But now Percy has passed and Gareth sees his chance to finally be able to claim what is rightfully his. His remaining half-brothers have no problem giving him the property, but he must do one thing for them. Find what happened to a huge collection of famous paintings that went missing long ago. They will even let him stay at his inherited house, which is severely run down with neglect now, while he investigates. While there Gareth runs into an intriguing spinster, Eva Russell, who he just can’t get out of his head.

I thought this was a decent start to a new trilogy. I enjoyed the characters and the plot in general.

Gareth is the usual sexy rake that is well versed in carnal pleasures. He is also a stand-up guy, never wanting to ruin an innocent’s reputation. This is why he generally beds the more experienced and often married ladies. Imagine his surprise when he starts to desire the poor virgin spinster, Eva!

“You are ill, correct? The warmth and shivering had no other particular cause, did it?”

“Not only am I ill, I am sure I am contagious.”
Eva is what you would expect from a character in a historical romance. Proper and doing whatever she must to survive. Her brother’s death left her alone to support her younger sister and herself. She’s had to do things she’s not proud of, like stealing from Gareth’s empty home. But now he’s back and it all must change! Once Eva opened up to Gareth in the most sensual of ways, she became pretty wicked herself … at least in the bedroom … and garden too!

But this book isn’t all about this couple heating up the sheets! I found the mystery over the paintings quite entertaining as well, even if I knew all along where the missing paintings were hidden!

This was a good story with likable characters and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Tall, Dark, and Wicked.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Gareth understands his place in his family and has been fighting his eldest half-brother, Percy, for his rightful inheritance. Gareth immediately returns home after learning of Percy's death. Since Gareth isn't bound by societal conventions of mourning due to being illegitimate, he is tasked with investigating a theft of many well-known pieces of artwork.

Eva is trying to find a way to survive since her brother's death. She is trying to earn enough money for herself and her younger sister to keep their family home. She has resorted to selling items and copying the paintings stored in the seemingly abandoned home of her closest neighbor. Her prospects seem brighter when there's a sudden interest in her copies.

Eva is walking back home when a rider unceremoniously runs her off the road. This sexy, devil of a stranger elicits quite the reaction in Eva. She lets Gareth know exactly what she thinks of his behavior. Gareth is surprised by Eva's candor and is delighted to run into her while shopping. When Eva runs into trouble, Gareth immediately comes to her assistance. As Gareth gets closer to figuring out who was behind the art theft, Eva runs into more problems. They share an undeniable attraction and he is unusually possessive and protective of Eva when other men show their interest.

His Wicked Reputation is an entertaining romance between a rake and a spinster. Madeline Hunter created another intelligent and enterprising heroine in Eva. Ms. Hunter also crafted an intriguing storyline with interesting secondary characters. This was a really good start to a new series!

*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review

Gareth, the bastard brother of the Duke of Aylesbury, has been asked to search for missing art work that had been stored away from the coast in fear of a French invasion. During his search he learns that the new Duke has rescinded the dispute on property his late father left to him. Since he wants to restore it and it is where he is searching for the art work, he makes it his base. Unfortunately it has been burgled but Eva, a neighbor and one of the thieves, asks that people who took things from it bring it back. He meets her as he almost runs her over the first time he is in the neighborhood. She is trying to keep her family's estate and ensure her sister marry well by selling copies of paintings stored in Gareth's new home. She does not tell him what she is doing. He is attracted to her but she is not his typical type. So why does he keep going back to her?

I loved Eva. She is spunky and speaks her mind. She is able to explore her curiosity while keeping the gossip down. Gareth is fun. He does not have to behave like the Ton since he is the bastard son. He loves helping Eva explore. The two together are wonderful.

The secondary characters are colorful. I cannot wait for the other brothers' stories. The townsfolk around Eva's home are an interesting lot. Some who have taken Gareth's property return it under cover of night. Some work for him. All have nothing but good to say of Eva. Some also betray.

I loved this first book of her new series and anxiously await the next installment.

The "Wicked" series opens with the story of Gareth Fitzallen, bastard son of the third Duke of Aylesbury, and of the lovely artist, Eva Russell. His half-brother, Percy, has died suddenly and the second son, Lance, has inherited, but is also under suspicion for murder of the duke. Once Gareth moves into the country home in Langdon's End, and meets Eva, he becomes fascinated with her and the local area. Eva, however, knows that a man like Gareth, who can charm any woman will be a problem for her. They share an interest in art and this becomes a common pursuit for them, as Gareth searches for "lost" artwork, and Eva "borrows" paintings from an unused house.

There were a few surprises and an intriguing mystery; it was a great read!

"The only shame is if all the "must" and "should" drown out the "wants" that we hear inside ourselves."

Definitely twisted in plot as the story plays through, and most definitely wicked when a know rake has to be seduced. I found Gareth and Eva to be quite a pair. Not only that was the fact that he had no problems claiming his bastard state.

What I did find amusing at the end of things was that her brother and his half brother (though Percy would roll over in his grave before claiming any familial relationship) were in cahoots in the thief of priceless art. Especially since Gareth and Ives were investigating it all and none were the wiser until almost the very end.

I have to admit that I started this series backwards since I'd read "Tall, Dark, and Wicked" first, which was Ives story. I was interested enough in the Trilogy that I checked this out for reading and now am anxious to read the third and final that will be Lance's story. I can only imagine what Hunter will come up with for a Duke who suffers ennui.

Madeline Hunter is a queen of historical romance. She draws you into the time and characters as the story unfolds. Her books have it all ---- mystery, intrigue, humor, and sexy romance. She builds chemistry between the hero and heroine and I cheer them on! I have read and enjoyed all of her books and the latest one is always my favorite. I love how she plots the endings ---- Girl gets Boy!

His Wicked Reputation is Madeline Hunter’s first book in a new trilogy. Gareth is the bastard son of a Duke. He is an Art Broker. The relationship with his half-brothers adds another dimension. Percy, the oldest, has a mean streak and detests Gareth. Lance and Ywain welcome him as a brother. Ywain asks Gareth to find a trove of lost paintings.

Eva and her younger sister Rebecca are old gentry, but money is a problem. Eva wants Rebecca to marry well and finds a way to support them. Eva “borrows” paintings from an abandoned house, copying them for sale. Then she returns the original painting. Small town gossip, the search for a prospective groom and a ransacked house send Eva into Gareth’s path.

I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. I relished reading His Wicked Reputation and can’t wait for the next one in the series!

I started reading this author because she has been compared to Jayne Krentz, and I LOVE her Victorian era heroines. This is the 5th - and last - book I will read of this author (other 4 were the Regency Quartet) because her heroines were the exact opposite of a 2015 Krentz heroine (although somewhat like the wimpy female leads Krentz wrote about in the 1980s). This heroine's brains leak out of her ears when she beholds the perfect male lead, she is totally helpless, and does not take part in the resolution of the mystery central to the book's plot. The hero is an unrepentant jerk - making her acceptance of his terrible behavior (getting her drunk & taking advantage) more like abuse, not love. Her self-esteem is low, and really never gets better - and, unfortunately, she is a boring idiot who does not question her lot in life. Having been introduced to the brothers who will feature in the other 2 books in the trilogy, I just don't care who they end up with, nor do I want to read about a painfully pathetic female lead - who is not heroine material.

From the first meeting between Garth Fitzallen and Eva Russel, there was sexual tension that both of them felt and sensed. You knew that they eventually will have to stop the “dancing around each other” and do something about their attraction. They, and all the other characters of the book are very colorful and real fun, especially the spinster sisters, which have their own version what is acceptable for a young lady or not. Garth was a solid shoulder for Eva, a great friend first and foremost when she needed it the most. When she came back from a fun vacation with her sister and found their house ransacked and vandalized she knew that she will be able to get the help she needed from Garth. When her sister was kidnapped Garth and his brothers came to her rescue and together they figured out the mystery about the break in. This book has it all: humor, intrigue, mystery, secrets, betrayal, murder and the disappearance of valuable pictures. It also shows the loyalty between brothers, even though Garth was ‘’’born on the wrong side of the blanket”. The love, total acceptance and loyalty between the brothers and Eva and her sister featured prominently in the story line. I could not put the book down; it was absolute entertainment and fun to read.
I cannot wait for the next installment of this series. Madeline Hunter has another bestseller on her hands. I recommend this book 100%.

His Wicked Reputation is a funny, intriguing and masterful story. Madeline Hunter's characters make you want to be a part of the story. Gareth Fitzallen is the bastard son of the former Duke of Aylesbury. He is also fighting to regain the property that his father bequeathed to him. Eva Russell is a gentlewoman who is trying to support her sister and herself after the death of her brother who left the two without any income. Eva paints and has copied paintings that she borrowed from the vacant house down the road. Gareth is assisting his brother in locating stolen art. Gareth and Eva meet accidentally and an adventure ensues that leads to the love that they both thought would be denied them.

What a wonderful story! I loved all the characters, setting, storyline and the fact that there will be more stories with these characters. I don't like to write about what the book itself is about, you can read that in the previews, but I do like to write how I felt about it and I loved it. It's delightful, suspenseful, wicked and romantic. This is exactly what I look for in historical romance. I did try to read it more slowly but couldn't wait to see what happened next. This is yet another great book by Madeline Hunter, who I thank for so many hours of good reading.

Ms Hunter does not write predictable stories. In this latest story the mystery and romance are equal in fun and importance. Eva is an unusual heroine matched with an equally unusual hero. Gareth is a bastard. Not in demeanor but in birth. He has three brothers who are legitimate which adds dimension to the story and all of the relationships. Hunter adds humor with two elderly ladies who mentor the beautiful and brainy sister of the heroine. The story was just a joy to read. All of Hunter's novels are wonderful, but I find myself rereading parts of this book and anxiously waiting for brother Ives story

*pets the pretty man chest* His Wicked Reputation was oh so delicious. The perfect balance of heat, humor and romance with bold, passionate characters and an easy storyline that had me grabbing for my book every chance I got. Love that feeling!

The quick of it is that Eva and Gareth are new neighbors. And a fiery start--homeboy totally almost mowed her down with his horse when she was maybe kinda sneaking one of his paintings out of his house to copy--led to some seriously luscious little sparks. Sparks that turn into a lot more when some strange happenings push them together and they decide...it might just be time to see what's between them.

Eva and Gareth were lovely. I really enjoyed these two. They were easy to like. Easy to cheer for. Easy to get all smitten over. Both have had set backs in life. Eva's brother left her and her sister alone and poor while Gareth was the bastard son of a Duke. Both could have easily moaned over their lots in life but instead they were fighters and rather scrappy. They were good people who worked hard for what they had and to improve their lives. I just...liked these two.

The connection and romance between them was nice. They've got the chemistry happening, they're jumping in with a no strings attached thing and exploring each other but slowly they start depending on each other and all those pesky strings start wrapping around them. I love when that happens. Things do heat up and oh there were some moments of yummeh as she caved to his wicked reputation.

While the mystery wasn't too much of a mystery and from nearly the beginning most things are fairly obvious there were a couple little turns that kept it interesting as Gareth tried to track down some missing paintings and everything unfolded with a touch of danger added to the mix.

All in all, I was a damn happy reader-girl when I closed that last page. For hours after I finished His Wicked Reputation I kept rushing through things so I could sit down for a few more minutes with Gareth and Eva only to remember dangit I'm already finished! I so could have spent more time with them. Definitely looking forward to seeing Gareth's brother's stories. Both popped into the story a few times and oh they're going to be good! Hunter has me hooked and I cannot wait for more.

New Series from Madeline Hunter, is starting off with a bang! Loved this book, and can't wait for more of these brothers.
I wasn't thrilled with the personalities of Rebecca and Sarah- minor characters. But I did love the main characters: Eva and Gareth.
Eva pushes a fine line with her art, then her reputation. Gareth is trying to be a good friend but wants so much more.
God, I loved his unconventional proposal at the end of the book!

A must read for Madeline Hunter fans, as well as Historical Romance fans
I was given a copy by the publisher/author for review

This was my first book from Madeline Hunter and I really enjoyed it! I saw a lot of reviews on Goodreads that said that it wasn't as good as some of her earlier work. After I finished this one I read Ravishing in Red the first book in her Rarest Blooms series and I have to say I thought the His Wicked Reputation was a better read.

Plot was ok but familiar. The narration, rushed in parts and sounding perfunctory in others, completely took me out of the story. There were many times I could not tell which character was speaking, there was insufficient differentiation -perhaps because of the narrator's pace. I'll avoid this narrator in the future. Much prefer Susan Duerden (Eloisa James' narrator).

Exciting new series from Madeline Hunter!
**I was given a free copy of the book to review, however, I am free to rate this as I choose**
His Wicked Reputation starts out a new trilogy by Hunter that will focus on the three remaining sons of the Duke of Aylesbury (the oldest brother, Percy, has just died, leaving two legitimate brothers: Lance and Ywain). . The opening scene of the book introduces the hero, Gareth Fitzallen, as he lies in bed with one of his ‘client’s’. Gareth is the bastard brother of Lance and Ywain and has made his modest fortune by brokering art collections between members of the Quality. It’s a different way to meet the H and not a situation that would normally endure me to the Hero. However, Gareth is not portrayed as a ‘wicked’ seducer of women, as he is simply a man, one who has enjoyed many women. If anything, Gareth appears almost bored with relationships, it seems women use him as much as he has enjoyed them. As Gareth had not yet met the heroine, this scene didn't bother me. It sets up his part in the art business which is the background plot line for the book and introduced his relationship to the remaining brothers. I liked Gareth. He is a character that is essentially lonely, and you can see that he is looking for acceptance and love.
Eva Russell is the heroine. She is the responsible, older ‘spinster’ sister who has managed to keep her and her sister Rebecca fed and a roof over their heads despite the fact that their father and brother has died and left them with no money. Eva is admirable in that she does not dwell on her situation nor regret any decisions she makes. It is a refreshing take on a heroine. I like that she can initiate a kiss with Gareth and not make a big deal about regretting the fact later on. She does get embarrassed and go home at one point, but even then, she quickly admits her embarrassment and feelings to Gareth and moves on. She stands strong is situations, but is not afraid to cry a little bit first. It often seems in stories that heroines either have to been incapable of taking care of themselves at all or they are the exact opposite and so strong that they are afraid to let any emotion out at all.
The storyline centers on a collection of paintings that were hidden during the war with Napoleon and have now disappeared. Gareth is tasked to find them. Eva, just so happens to be a painter herself, and has been making money for herself and her sister by creating copies of some master works she found in an abandoned manor in her town; the manor in question, is now Gareth’s residence’ The ensuing tangle of ‘lost’ artwork, legitimate ‘copies’ of paintings later sold as forgeries, a crazy duo of spinster sisters, and two unlikely people falling in love help to create a truly enjoyable read.
The missing paintings story line does not distract from the relationship between Gareth and Eva. It flows seamlessly through the book, the conclusion to the mystery is not rushed and reaches a conclusion that neatly ties in both H and h.
I look forward to the third book which I assume with be Lance’s story. He is definitely the most troubled of the three brothers and the back story on his life will definitely be interesting!

I liked this historical romance and was pleased with the characters and the writing. I do not recall reading Madeline Hunter before. I will try more of her books. I did think the ending too abrupt and unsatisfying regarding the mystery.

Madeline Hunter always delivers! This is a wonderful Historical Romance. Gareth and Eva are beautifully drawn, believable characters who take us on a merry chase. This one is a keeper, can't wait for the next book in the series.

This book takes places in Regency England and a few of the characters are Eva and her sister Rebecca, Gareth and his brother Ives, Eva's aunt Sarah, Erasmus and Harold two townsmen who help Gareth.

I felt bad for Gareth that some of his family and society did nto accept him as a rightful heir or part of the family because he was the son of his father's mistress. I can also only imagine how hard it was on Eva and Rebecca trying to make ends meet. Eva seemed to take the weight of it on her shoulders as she was the oldest of the two sisters.

The more I read of this book the more I enjoyed it. There was also a bit of a mystery in this story with the missing art that Gareth was trying to find. I did like the sense of adventure that played a part in this story as well. The relationship that Eva and Rebecca had was nice and I liked how Eva protected her sister no matter what it cost her. At times I found Eva and Gareth to be frustrating as I wanted them to have a relationship other than what they had. It was nice though to see Gareth and Eva become lovers then good friends. As a side story you had the relationship between Gareth and his brothers and what was going on since their brother Percy passed away. I liked how the two that were still living seemed to accept Gareth as one of the family. I enjoyed the ending of this story and am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Madeline Hunter is a queen of historical romance. She draws you into the time and characters as the story unfolds. Her books have it all ---- mystery, intrigue, humor, and sexy romance. She builds chemistry between the hero and heroine and I cheer them on! I have read and enjoyed all of her books and the latest one is always my favorite. I love how she plots the endings ---- Girl gets Boy!

His Wicked Reputation is Madeline Hunter’s first book in a new trilogy. Gareth is the bastard son of a Duke. He is an Art Broker. The relationship with his half-brothers adds another dimension. Percy, the oldest, has a mean streak and detests Gareth. Lance and Ywain welcome him as a brother. Ywain asks Gareth to find a trove of lost paintings.

Eva and her younger sister Rebecca are old gentry, but money is a problem. Eva wants Rebecca to marry well and finds a way to support them. Eva “borrows” paintings from an abandoned house, copying them for sale. Then she returns the original painting. Small town gossip, the search for a prospective groom and a ransacked house send Eva into Gareth’s path.

I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. I relished reading His Wicked Reputation and can’t wait for the next one in the series!