Too Wicked To Kiss

TOO WICKED TO KISS is a sexy, gothic historical that is sure to please. Ridley's characters are unique and intriguing--so intriguing, one is able to kill a member of the ton without anyone knowing. Evangeline Pemberton's mother dies forcing Evangeline to seek shelter elsewhere. If she stays with her step-father, he'll lock her in the pantry because of her "gift" and use her like a wife. She has no choice but to escape with her friend's family to London. Too bad this family doesn't tell her they agreed to let her tag along because they have plans for her to help snare the bachelor recluse for her friend. They also fail to tell her that this recluse, whose house they plan to visit for a fortnight, killed his parents and somehow was never convicted. While everyone at the annual party fear Gavin Lioncroft, Evangeline sees through the recluse's gruff exterior, and is willing to risk it all to help prove he's innocent of the murders. This fast pace novel is rife with gothic setting, chock full of mystery, and laced with enough sexual tension to please everyone. (Did I mention Gavin Lioncroft is a tortured, sexy man to die for?) Read this now!!

Too Wicked to Kiss has all of the aspects of a great romance surrounded by husband hunting mamas, awful relatives, adorable nieces, hidden wall passages and a murder. Charming Evangeline has the Gift inherited from her mother of visions from skin to skin contact. Thus, she never wants to touch or be touched by anyone. Evangeline frequently has migraines once she has had a vision after touching someone. The only person she can touch and not 'see' is Lioncroft which totally confuses her as that has never happened before.

Dark, brooding, arrogant Lioncroft was immediately attracted to Evangeline. Lioncroft was known throughout for having killed his parents. Evangline did not know exactly how he had killed them, but knew he even admitted their death was his fault.
This sweet romance begins due to a house party planned by Lioncroft’s sister to try to help her daughter find a husband. Lioncroft really does not want all of these people in his home and is an inhospitable as a host can be even to the point of placing guests in the worst rooms of his home.

Evangeline is brought to the house party by a childhood friend of her mother’s, Lady Stanton. In addition to Lioncroft’s sister trying to ensnare a husband for her daughter, Lady Stanton is trying to compromise Lioncroft with her daughter Susan and needs Evangeline’s help to do so. She wants to use Evangeline’s Gift to help with the compromise. Susan is Miss Personality. She seems flighty, spoiled and entitled, as well as, being Lioncroft’s social equal. Evangeline does not want to help, but says she will just so she can get away from and hide from her abusive step-father. Evangeline’s mom married the horribly abusive man in order to give Evangeline a home, but it proved to be the worst mistake for both mom and daughter.

There is so much going on in this book behind the scenes that you are kept on your toes trying to determine the real killer. It will take you by surprise. With all of this going on Evangeline finds her true inner strength. She is unwilling to be used by people and really wants to use her Gift for good. She is unsure of Lioncroft’s innocence in the death of his brother-in-law, but her heart tells her is a good man and maybe a lot misunderstood. Lioncroft admits to having done some fairly awful things in his younger days which does not endear him to Evangeline.

Too Wicked to Kiss is a great a beginning to this series. I, actually, read Too Sinful to Deny first without realizing it was the second in the series. Both can be read as standalone books, but I would have preferred to have read this one first. It gave me more insight into the mischievous character and machinations of Susan in Too Sinful. All in all, you will love the character development and growth of Evangeline and the ‘awakening’ of Lioncroft as he becomes a better person. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Erica Ridley's debut novel, TOO WICKED TO KISS is a wonderful addition to the gothic romance scene. And the title couldn't be more perfect. Just who is too wicked to kiss? Is it the hero, the darkly mysterious rumored murderer, Gavin Lioncroft? Or the heroine, Evangeline Pemberton, a strong, feisty runaway with a paranormal gift? Actually, it could also be anyone of the well drawn secondary characters because this book is just plain wicked. Wicked fun that is.

TO WICKED TO KISS has it all. A gothic romance filled with sexual tension, a touch of the paranormal, plenty of humor and a murder so tightly plotted you'll never be able to guess "whodunit". It's a true winner and I can't wait for the next in the series. Ridley is a new author not to miss.

Evangeline Pemberton has a gift - one that has caused her much drama and heartache in the past. When she touches someone, she gets a glimpse into that person's life - whether it is in the future or the past, she has no control. It gives her debilitating headaches as a result, and in many instances she has been labeled a witch. She has run from one bad situation, only to find herself mixed up in something way above her head. Her mother passed away recently at the hand of her step-father, the very man Evangeline is running from. Not having many options, she goes under the wing of Lady Stanton and her daughter Susan to a house party. Susan has had trouble of her own, and is disgraced in ton society. The only option her mother sees of Susan landing a husband, lies with Gavin Lioncroft. He may be more than she bargained for though. Arriving at the house, he is incensed his sister, Lady Hetherington invited guests and his demeanor is cold at best. Worse, rumors are swirling that he has committed murder in the past, including killing his own parents.

With a house full of people, all Gavin wants to do is retreat into the shadows. But there is something about Evangeline that catches his attention. She holds his eye when he stares at her and doesn't simper and cower in fear as everyone else does. When a guest turns up dead, by an unnatural cause, the house goes into an uproar. All fingers point to Gavin as the perpetrator - but Evangeline knows there were lots of people sneaking around that night - and she is going to stay to prove it. Soon, Gavin and Evangeline become unlikely allies, in investigating and love.

Too Wicked to Kiss really does feature quite a wicked hero in Gavin Lioncroft, or "Lionkiller" as he is nicknamed. He is cold and brooding and suffers throughout life alone. At this point in his life, he could care less what people accuse him of. He doesn't really have anything to motivate him, until Evangeline comes into his life. Evangeline stands up for herself, and doesn't take nonsense from anyone. He knows something is off with her when he sees her flinch when she touches people, and he soon uses her to help solve the murder case in his house.

Being used is something Evangeline is used too, but the more she gets to know Gavin, the more she doesn't want him to use her. She wants to help him escape being hanged for a crime he didn't commit, but there is a tricky line between trusting someone who everyone sees as a murderer. Can she make that leap? And can he accept that someone may see him as a man, and not just a murderer? They go on an interesting journey, fraught with romantic tension.

While I enjoyed the spooky house and many murder suspects, there are a few things that bothered me. First, Gavin has a dark past, and everyone believes he is responsible for his parent's death. He is wild, and untamed and anything but a gentlemen. Yet, Lady Stanford thinks he is an acceptable solution to her daughter's fall from grace? After they find the murdered guest, everyone automatically assumes Gavin is guilty. Yet they talk about him as the murderer right in front of him - almost like - Haha, you killed him, so when is dinner served? If the guests actually fear him like they supposedly do, I didn't feel the joking nature of murder would be present.

Also, when Evangeline touches Gavin, she sees no glimpses. He is the only person she can touch and have peace. This is never explained. It even isn't made into that big of a deal when discussed. I would have liked more of the story dedicated to this interesting development.

Too Wicked to Kiss had the potential to be a unique gothic murder mystery book. However, it seemed to be a bit over-played with scenarios that didn't always make sense.

While this had all the makings of everything I love a romance to have, it just didn't hit the mark with me. First, let me say as a first book I see good things for this writer but, even though I love detail, this book was way too wordy and long winded and took alot to get to the end where it starts to move at a brisker pace. Also for as long as it was there was not alot of detail about the past of the different characters. The "steamy" romance scene was well written but, steamy?. All in all above average but, not enough to make it memorable.

This book is one of the best I've read in awhile.. You will not be disappointed.. Can't wait fer the next book... It is truly a Great Read!!

I've read literally thousands of historical romances, and they can get repetitive. However, even though this was basically Jane Eyre crossed with Agatha Christie, it was still a winner. There is great chemistry between the leads, and their exchanges are witty and amusing. I adored the hero, Gavin. Even though his life has had its tragedies, he's still a decent person inside, and he's really funny. I found him quite endearing, very charming. He's irresistible. I also liked the way the heroine was really intelligent and logical. No silly, dumb behaviors. They were a good match and the book is a wonderful debut.