HIS WICKED REPUTATION is book one in the new Wicked Trilogy, a Regency romance series by Madeline Hunter. This trilogy will feature three brothers whose eldest brother just died. The fourth brother Percy just died of a mysterious illness, and the three remaining siblings might be suspected by the general public of murdering the awful deceased brother. HIS WICKED REPUTATION showcases Gareth Fitzallen, the illegitimate half-brother, son of the earl and his young mistress, who was the daughter of the earl's butler. This book does a nice job of smoothly setting things up for book two with a different brother as well.

Now that his half-brother Percy is no longer alive to dispute his inheritance, Gareth travels to Langdon's End to restore the property he inherited from his father the earl. Gareth is a perfectly pleasant rake, who quickly gives up his indiscriminate bedroom capers once he meets the appealing Eva. An art broker, his brother the Crown Prosecutor requests his brother Gareth to track down looted art from a massive art cache, drawn from many lords' collections as they tried to hide their paintings in fear of Napoleon's possible invasion of the English countryside. The stolen paintings have disappeared without a trace, and Gareth must range far and wide to track them down. The mysteries of the brother's death and the missing artwork add a lovely spice to the romance, and drive the plot along merrily.

Eva Russell is an impoverished spinster gentlewoman, trying to support herself and raise funds to marry off her lovely sister by copying Gainsborough paintings that she's found in Gareth's previously abandoned country house. Eva and Gareth very (too?) quickly fall into bed shortly after a disagreeable first meeting, although Eva keeps trying to break their affair off. Eva is plucky and resourceful, and I feel I should like her more than I do. Perhaps I am distracted by what I feel to be a somewhat unbelievable reason why Eva feels she cannot trust Gareth with her truths?

While I found HIS WICKED REPUTATION to be a pleasant afternoon read, I did not find it compelling. Madeline Hunter is a favorite author of mine, however, and I definitely plan on picking up her next book as soon as it is released. I love her sweet turns of phrase and lively dialogue, and while not her best, HIS WICKE REPUATION is still a diverting read.

Book Summary

From the New York Times bestselling Madeline Hunter comes this first in a stunning new trilogy about three irresistibly attractive brothers. This is the story of Gareth, the bastard brother.... For fans of Mary Balogh and Amanda Quick.

Gareth Fitzallen is celebrated for four things: his handsome face, his notable charm, his aristocratic connections, and an ability to give the kind of pleasure that has women begging for more. Normally he bestows his talents on experienced, worldly women. But when he heads to Langdon’s End to restore a property he inherited—and to investigate a massive art theft—he lays plans to seduce a most unlikely lady.

Eva Russell lives a spinster’s life of precarious finances and limited dreams while clinging to her family’s old gentry status. She supports herself by copying paintings while she plots to marry her lovely sister to a well-established man. Everyone warns her of Gareth’s reputation, and advises her to lock her sister away. Only it is not her sister Gareth desires. One look, and she knows he is trouble. One kiss, however, proves she is no match for this master of seduction.