Historical Romance Road Trip, Anyone? • A Week to Be Wicked

A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare
Series: Spindle Cove #2
Publisher: Avon Romance
Publication: March 27, 2012
Source/Format: Edelweiss (Thanks!) || e-galley

[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way affects the contents of my review.]

Minerva Highwood, one of Spindle Cove’s confirmed spinsters, needs to be in Scotland. Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, a rake of the first order, needs to be…anywhere but Spindle Cove.

These unlikely partners have one week to:

• fake an elopement

• convince family and friends they’re in “love”

• outrun armed robbers

• survive their worst nightmares

• travel four hundred miles without killing each other

All while sharing a very small carriage by day and an even smaller bed by night. Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble. And maybe . . . just maybe . . . love.

Though I haven't read too many books by TESSA DARE, I can immediately tell that A WEEK TO BE WICKED is going to be one of my favorites forever. While I wish I could just gush and tell everyone to read it, I feel like this book deserves my objective review. So here goes nothing!

There are two things that cement this story's place in my heart - the amazing characters and the entertaining story.

I enjoyed getting know Minerva and Colin, both as individuals and as a couple. Minerva is intelligent and stubborn and determined to pursue her own interests - but she is all of those things and an innocent. Colin, on the other hand, is the complete opposite as a rake, handsome and charming and well, completely lovable even though he can often be annoying.

And together... well, it's certainly an explosive pairing. I admire how TESSA DARE had them progress from acquaintances, to sort-of friends, and then to something more. It's certainly makes perfect sense - especially considering how well they balance each other out. Minerva is insecure and she may be innocent, but she can sense that there's something more to Colin than just being a handsome rake. The same goes for Colin - he's completely insistent that Minerva is something else, someone special, someone extraordinary. (Plus, it's a major bonus that we find him completely besotted with her - I love when heroes fall in love that way!)

As for the story, there is so much more to it than the romance! There are hijinks and made-up stories and situations encountered en route to Scotland that left me amused and, at some points, laughing out loud. It's funny, it's intelligent, it's complex - and it's so well-crafted. I certainly had a fun time while I was reading it!

A WEEK TO BE WICKED is definitely one of the most well-written historical romances out there, with characters that you'll fall in love with and a story that will keep you on your toes. I would highly recommend this to first-time historical romance readers, even though it is the second book in the series. TESSA DARE is a master at crafting her historical romances, and I can't wait to read more of her books!