I’ve waited too long to read a Julie Anne Long book and I’m so glad that I had a chance to read I’m Only Wicked With You. This book review was almost the book review that wasn’t. Check out why with my review below.
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I’m Only Wicked With You
by Julie Anne Long
Category: Historical Romance
Series: The Palace of Rogues
Tags: Opposites Attract
Published August 2021
Amazon | Goodreads
Rating: ★★★★
Boyfriend Rating: 💍💍💍💍💍
Nothing and no one can stand in the way of Hugh Cassidy’s drive to build an American empire until he meets the sheltered darling of London, Lady Lillias Vaughn.
When they meet, sparks ignite and lead to an inevitable indiscretion. Hugh’s proposal salvages Lillias’ honor but kills their dreams for their futures…until they arrive at a plan that could honorably set them free.
I honestly had a hard time rating this because initially I almost stopped reading it!! I couldn’t get into the first 30-40% of the book as I was just confused on all the characters and what was really happening but by the 50% mark the story finally flushed itself out and I totally fell for these two.
I wish that the first part was just cut out or rewritten as I’m afraid it will turn off many a reader but then they would miss the moving, eloquently written and tension filled conversations between Hugh and Lillias. Man, the sparks between those two just hooked me!
Lillias and Hugh meet while staying at the same hotel. They have these amazing, clandestine, unplanned meetups where it’s just the two of them and their simmering attraction.
You can tell that Lillias is a free spirit who longs to do the unexpected but that goes against everything she was raised to be. She’s suffering from a broken heart when she meets Hugh but he makes her feel unlike anything she’s ever felt before.
Hugh is definitely a man on a mission. He’s come up from nothing but is determined to see his plan for success through. He just happens to be making a detour, taking a trip to England to retrieve a woman who’s run off from her family.
While neither are looking for a soulmate, that is what they both found in each other. Lillias is always seen as someone always “a bit more” but Hugh loves that about her and has no desire to tame her or settle her.
If you can get through the muddled beginning, this love story is definitely worth it. There were so many passages that I highlighted because the depth of feeling shared was so strong or the dialogue was just so amazing. Plus, it has such a terrific epilogue! Also, a perfect title and cover.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
