Awhile back Ms. Dreiling published her little novella ‘A Season for Sin’ which is a short introduction into the upcoming series Sinful Scoundrels, and this is where we meet our heroine and her step son as well as get a glimpse into a life of our hero’s aristocratic day-to-day life. I highly recommend you read it first as it is a sort of prequel to ‘What a Wicked Earl Wants’ and I loved it.

‘A Season for Sin’ only hinted of the love story that was to come and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with this grown-up tale of courting and romance.

From reading this author’s earlier work, I knew she can do ‘witty and fun’ characters, yet I wasn’t so sure if she could ‘bring it on’ when it came to a more serious plot and more mature romance. Well, shame on me for doubting her!

I was blown away by the degree of maturity she did bring on! Frankly, I was ready for someone to take a chance on an older, mature couple to tackle some real life problems and do some serious, grown up courting.

Every character in this story is given much care and the plot is interesting and entertaining enough to keep you glued until the end.

Even though this is an adult romance, Ms. Dreiling still manages to infuse the tale with quick, witty dialogue and wonderful prose.

I loved the pairing of Andrew, a first-rate rake, with an aversion to marriage and intimacy issues, with a widow Laura who loved her husband and now is left with a teenage stepson who she loves with all her heart, yet is faced with his restless spirit which can bring an unwanted man to their doorstep.

What made this story even more beautiful was the solid, perfect pace of the story that had the two developing a friendship that bloomed into an affection of the heart.

This is a new series, and if the rest of them are filled with strong and complex characters, witty dialogue and her signature prose, I’m there with bells on!

Melanie for b2b

*Book provided by publisher through NetGalley. ( )

I have been waiting for this book since I read the series prequel, A Season for Sin. I wasn't disappointed in the least. Laura will do just about anything to save her stepson from his uncle and you have to respect someone who is willing to do that. Bells just happens to be there when a confrontation takes place between the uncle and Laura and becomes part of her scheme to save the stepson, but becomes the one to get saved by Laura's love.

The characters are well developed and are quite funny. I can't wait to read about Colin and Harry's romance escapades, because I'm sure they will be just as entertaining as they were during this book. I've only read this series by Ms. Dreiling, but by reading some of her other reviews found out that Bells plays a supporting part in her "How To" series so you know what that means....buying up her other books. I'm sure they'll be just as engrossing as this one.

I really liked Laura and Bella together. She was just enough innocence and passionate enough to handle him and keep him interested while providing him with the love and family he needed (but didn't know he needed). While Bells was strong enough to curb Justin's wildness and the uncle's underhanded tactics, he was also strong enough to handle Laura the way she needed, with passion. ( )