His Wicked Heart

This book was exactly what I wanted! The characters were witty and charming, the story was solid, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

I love Book 1 about Fox and Michelle (Jasper’s sister) but loved this one a bit more! Jasper is a good person who suffers a lot of guilt but who is also stuck with awful parents. His salvation is his aunt. Olivia is a gentle sound who has had a very difficult life but has never given up. The attraction between she and Jasper is like fuel to a fire but her lack of ‘ blood’ in this historical novel makes their love a challenge.

The reason I did not give this book a 5 is becasue some of the same mistakes were done over and over by the characters and I found it annoying when It lasted almost the entire book. Jasper continously didn’t trust Olivia, even when he finds out that his Aunt knew her secrets all along and was ok with them. Olivia didn’t trust Jasper until close to the end as well and it just made for too much reptition. I disagree with a review here, which says sthat Jasper is hung up on his previous love, Abigail. I think the history just haunts him, I wouldn’t say he can’t love Olivia because of Abigail. It kept me turning the page, but I am glad it was free.

Honestly, there wasn’t enough heat in their courtship to make them believable. Jasper was clearly still pinning for his first love Abigail and the fact the Olivia wasn’t bothered by it seemed strange. Something just wasn’t right between the two. Yes they are both charitable... it just seemed sooo implausible the fight club, Mr. Gifford’s attack... I wasn’t buying it, don’t waste your time reading. This is the first HR I have ever given a bad review. Trust me not with your time, with plenty of others to read.

Jasper Sinclair, Earl of Saxton, has worked so very hard to separate himself from the near scandal, that would have destroyed him. He's sold his soul to the devil, to ensure the happiness of his sister, and it's time to pay up. Olivia West, dreams of owning her own dress shop, but is having a tough time finding reliable sewing work. A chance encounter with Jasper leads to a case of mistaken identity and a proposition that she cannot accept. This is the fourth Darcy Burke book I've read and it is by far my favorite. I quite liked the fact that Jasper associated with people from all walks of life. This story is fast paced and had many interesting plot twists. My favorite part of the book is when Jasper's unacceptable friends come to help him make the right choice. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical romances and fairytale endings. I am privileged to be a part of Darcy’s Dream Team, where I receive ARCs in exchange for honest reviews.

In "Her Wicked Ways", Darcy Burke provides us a story of a broken man who feels trapped by his station, and his father; and a woman who feels burdened by her poverty and her own troubled childhood. They meet by happenstance - a misunderstanding, actually - and Jasper (Duke of Saxton) is intrigued. Even in their meeting, though, we see the sensitive side of Jasper when he interrupts an aggressive suitor. Jasper is a truly sensitive character and throughout the book, we see him picking up "strays". We didn't spend much time at his home in this book, but I feel certain it's completely staffed with people down on their luck who need a hand up - and Jasper provides it. Jasper is definitely a complicated character, because while we see him trying to change the world, one hard-luck case at a time, we also see how he deals with the tension in his life - through fighting. He spent much of his life on the receiving end of violence, so I find it interesting that his method of dealing with the stress and tension in his life is violently - but controlled violence in the fighting club. But, you never see him display that violence outside of the club unless when warranted (i.e. when he is attacked). He uses his helping of those in need, and his fight club, to soothe the life-long hurts he has experienced. He may seem fierce but I actually think he's very gentle. I know he doesn't expect a woman to ever do more than fill his needs sexually and in society - and he fully expects those needs to be met by different women. Until he meets Olivia and struggles with his feelings for her. Poor Olivia. I loved her but it is clear that she is trapped in a vicious cycle dictated by her station and her lot in life. She is an honorable woman and works hard to meet her meager needs honorably. Ironically, she meets Jasper when he mistakes her for exactly what she never intends to be - a prostitute. I think he sees her as a challenge - something for him to strive for - but knows that nothing can come of his relationship with her. Olivia is a strong woman - at least as strong as a woman can be in London of the time. But beneath that strength is the 14 year old girl who is still seeking approval from her aunt and uncle, and love from her mother. She finds that love in an unlikely place - a dear old woman who embraces Olivia into her family - and Olivia comes willingly because I think its the first real unconditional love she's felt from another. Olivia also understands her lot in life and even though she is being embraced by Louisa, she doesn't believe this will secure her a place in society. It does, however, secure her the love of a wonderful widow in Louisa, and puts her right in the Jasper's sites - and in his bed. Throughout the book, Olivia struggles with balancing what she knows is proper behavior for a woman of the time with her overwhelming feelings towards Jasper, even as she knows they are wrong. Both Jasper and Olivia struggle to fight their feelings for each other, and what they know to be their duty to their station, and it creates a lot of angst as their relationship develops. I think what I liked the most about this story is how Jasper, with Louisa's help, finally realizes that he has more power over his destiny than he realizes. Jasper feels trapped by his place in society and it takes Louisa to help him understand that his position in society can be a position of power and not just shackles on his life. Jasper is acting as though his father has all the power, but Louisa helps him see that he can leverage what he knows about his father's desires to achieve his own goals - a life with Olivia. We see a huge turnaround in his father's relationship with Jasper once Jasper turns his position into a position of power. I almost think that his father begrudgingly gains respect for Jasper when Jasper finally stands up for what he wants in life. In the end, we see a great transformation in Jasper as he realizes that happiness and love IS in the cards for him with Olivia, and he finds a way to have the life he wants with her. And she happily joins him in that life! Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love the whole series!

I really enjoyed this book as with the first in the series. The characters are relatable and real and I was intrigued throughout. We'll done. I can't wait to read the next installment!

I really enjoy Darcy Burke's historical romance novels! I first read "Her Wicked Ways," and was instantly hooked on the kind-hearted, generous, and giving characters in such an era of high society. I can't wait to read the next book!

Simply lovely, and wickedly charming.