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A Week to Be Wicked

Book 2 in the series:Spindle Cove

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'A Week to Be Wicked' by Tessa Dare follows the story of Minerva Highwood, a geologist, who persuades Viscount Colin Payne to fake an elopement with her to attend a geology conference in Scotland. As they embark on a road trip filled with adventures, their witty banter and growing attraction lead to a romantic and humorous journey. The writing style is described as witty, modernish romance with entertaining characters and a well-crafted romance plot that keeps the readers engaged.

Characters:

The characters are well-drawn; Minerva is a nerdy scientist, while Colin is a humorous rake. Their relationship evolves as they challenge each other's perspectives.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is light-hearted with sharp, witty banter, creating a seamless flow that enhances the comedic and romantic moments featured throughout the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The book blends adventure and romance through a comedic road trip, where the protagonists engage in a fake elopement that leads to a growth of their relationship amid various challenges.

Setting:

Set in Regency-era England, the story travels between Spindle Cove and Scotland, intertwining academic themes with a romantic road trip backdrop.

Pacing:

The novel maintains a steady pace with well-timed comedic and romantic elements, allowing for organic character development throughout their journey.
Rather nonsensical, that she needed to state just which Miss Highwood she was. From Minerva’s view, it ought to be obvious. Her younger sister, Charlotte, was an exuberant yet tender fifteen years of ...

Notes:

Minerva Highwood is a character who loves paleontology and wants to present her fossil discoveries.
The story features a road trip from Spindle Cove to Edinburgh.
Minerva and Lord Payne pretend to elope to convince society of their love.
The book has a comedic element, mixing humor with romance.
Minerva is described as intelligent, bookish, and inexperienced in romantic matters.
Colin, also known as Lord Payne, is portrayed as a charming rake with a playful personality.
The book includes themes of forced intimacy as they share a small carriage and limited sleeping arrangements.
The narrative balances lighthearted adventure with deeper character development.
The story explores the relationship dynamics between a scientist and a notorious rake.
The writing style blends historical romance tropes with modern humor.

Has Romance?

Romance is a central theme of the book, characterized by strong chemistry between the lead characters.

From The Publisher:

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

When a devilish lord and a bluestocking set off on the road to ruin . . . time is not on their side.

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

to convince family and friends they're "in love"

to outrun armed robbers

to survive their worst nightmares

to travel four hundred miles without killing each other

All while sharing a very small carriage by day and an even smaller bed by night.

What they don't have time for is their growing attraction. Much less wild passion. And heaven forbid they spend precious hours baring their hearts and souls.

Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble. And maybe . . . just maybe . . . everlasting love.

Ratings (37)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (16)
Liked It (10)
It Was OK (5)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (79):

Read It (38)
Want To Read (18)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (20)

4 comment(s)

Incredible
2 weeks

so so enamoured with this beautiful and funny romance♥️

 
Loved It
3 months

The more I think about this book, the more I like it. It's a road trip romance, in which Lord Colin Payne is somewhat unwillingly escorting Miranda Highsmith to Edinburgh, where she wants to present her findings on a fossilized lizard footprint at the Royal Geological Society. In addition to presenting her findings, Miranda wants to keep Colin from proposing to her older sister Diana, whom she thinks is too good for the notorious rake.

Tessa Dare keeps any of this from being predictable, even the HEA.

A Week to be Wicked rises far above the first book in the Spindle Cove series. I love how Miranda's determination shifts from getting to Edinburgh at all costs to protecting Colin at all costs. I love that Colin's tortured past is actually pretty tortured for once. And I can't wait for the third book, when we finally get to see Kate Taylor tussle with the Corporal.

 
Loved It
7 months

Spindle Cove is a haven for women. A haven which is led by Susanna Finch with the goal of providing a safe place for those with delicate constitutions, overbearing family members, scandalous secrets or outlandish hobbies. There are few year round residents and even fewer male ones. Until Bram and his men turn up and are tasked with starting a militia. Although these books could be read by themselves, the plot makes much more sense having read the preceding books.

I really liked Minerva and Colin in the first book of the series. Every time they got near one another they were throwing off sparks and the banter was hilarious, the insults cutting and the rocks hard. And their book didn't disappoint. But I did feel like it was a rollercoaster of a ride. Colin could send you high but man could he take you low. My emotions were all over the shop - fluttery happiness, overwhelming disappointment and it was just this endless cycle til I didn't know what was going on. Colin was such an ass at times. But he didn't mean to be and that made it all the worse. Honestly that scene where Minerva is dumbfounded with the way she's believing he needs healing - I had no trouble believing any of it. That said, the roller coaster ride got a bit ridiculous towards the end.

They seriously didn't get married on the steps of the Royal Geological Society - are you freaking kidding me? After everything she failed to make her presentation. I get it was supposed to be some affirmation of her commitment to their love or whatever but she already proved that by shooting Francine (Francine is the plaster mould of the footprint). I would've liked to see her get married, go present and wow them with Colin cheering on the side.

I loved how Minerva comes out of her shell over the course of the novel. She starts as this awkward lanky colt and blossoms into this confident, fiery woman who knows what she wants and feels confident enough to take it. I did think her naivety was a bit much with all her talk of science and that. I liked her intelligence and her interest in geology. The point of view changes to show what was happening back in Spindle Cove worked really well too and had me chuckling.

The chemistry between them was off the charts and the plot was a lot more action packed than I was expecting. There's a lot happening but it made for a very entertaining read. 4 stars.

 
It Was OK
7 months

I'm confused. I had high hopes with this book. The story of Minerva and Colin seemed so fascinating. But I was disappointed. I’ve lost my interest in the middle of the book. It was too strange and I really hated Colin’s fake stories.

 
 
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