WICKED IN YOUR ARMS by Sophie Jordan

Publisher:  Avon

Published:   July 26, 2011

ISBN:  978-0062032997

Genre:   Historical Romance  

Format:  Paperback
Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Gina@loveromancesandmorereviews.com

THREE HEARTS

 

After long years of civil war, his family almost gone, Prince Sevastian Maksimi finds himself in England searching for a bride.  Not just any bride, but one suitable to be the queen of Maldavia.  There is a bit of a fly in the ointment so to speak.  She must not only have good breeding but she must be rich – rich enough to fill the coffers of the war-torn country.

Grier Hadley grew up in a rural town, loved by her parents until their death.  With both parents gone her birth father, Jack Hadley, turns up and Jack has his eye on a title—any title will do.  With a large sum of money to offer as a dowry he pushes Grier onto the marriage mart.  While she prefers the wide open spaces of the country, all Jack cares for is that she land a husband and land him soon. 

It was one thing for Grier to grow up with slights from those of her village, but here in London she’s about had enough.  Choosing to hide behind ferns and enjoy the rather tasty treats served at the interminable parties her father drags her to, she has so far avoided the marriage mart.  But when she overhears Prince Sevastian speak of her in rather nasty terms, she’s had enough.  She promptly pours her glass of lemon water on his head and makes to leave.  Sevastian is not about to be treated as such and engages Grier in a battle of words and wits.  He needs a bride.  She needs a husband.  But society deems them unfit.  Despite what they tell themselves, their hearts object.  Which will win?  Head or heart?

Sophie Jordan’s WICKED IN YOUR ARMS was a pleasant read.  Not a lot of drama, not much emotional pull, no spell binding characters that I couldn’t walk away from.  Just a blandly pleasant read.  I have to admit whenever I read about Maldania I was reminded of the old Moldavian Massacre storyline from the Dynasty TV show…only without the drama. 

I never warmed up to Sevastian or Grier.  I didn’t get their attraction to each other and the constant reminders that they themselves knew how unsuitable each other was grew tiresome after the fourth or fifth reminder of it.  By the end I didn’t care if they got together or not—and I read romance for the chase, the emotion, the passion and finally the promise of true love. 

I did like Lady Libbie and her secondary story.  Now that would have been a great one to read.  The thread in the book had an aura of mystery, romance and a hint of passion ruling common sense. 

The bit with Malcolm at the end seemed to come from out of nowhere, but it was a nice addition.  I just wish there’d been more build-up of what was going on with him.

I don’t see myself continuing on with the series at this time more so because of my rather large TBR.  Fans of Ms. Jordan or those who like a pleasant romance will enjoy WICKED IN YOUR ARMS.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.