Much better than the first book in the series, where I had a hard time liking anyone other than the main couple. Ellie, however, was an intriguing character in the first book who only put in a brief appearance. James, OTOH, was a featured characters and kind of awful as a person, even one who was supposedly in love. This novel takes place two years later, and James is trying to be a grown up, realizing that his rake days are falling behind him. Ellie is trying to take care of her ungrateful family any way she knows how, and in this case, that involves dressing as a man and fleecing people of their money (and a certain diamond necklace) during card games. The diamond necklace belongs to James, and he wants it back. There is a lot of comedy of errors in this one, and still a few disagreeable characters (I continue to wonder why Fresina insists that nearly EVERY SINGLE MEAN PERSON is fat). Setting aside all my issues, the writing is decent, and the romance is a lot of fun. Yes, you have the misunderstandings (and they're pretty big), but they way these two bicker and argue is so full of joy. Definitely a OTP worth the time to get to know. ( )

I had forgotten that the hero was in book 1 (yes me and my memory), but forgetting did make it better in a way cos I got to know him again. This was my first impression. Since in book 1 he wanted to marry someone else. Yes you can see why it's good to start on a fresh page ;)

Right then, Ellie is, well she is a lot! She is not one of those usual women of the Ton. She is so much more. She has a reputation of broken engagements and the scandal is that a duke died in her bed. She is also masquerading as a French Count and gains money that way. She is a handful and I liked her.

James and Ellie, well the families are bitter enemies, he called her Ellie Phant once and yes she does not like him. He is a rake, but a rake that has grown old and realised that it does not work as well anymore. In comes Ellie, that menace and he does not know what to do about her. A fun couple to read about.

The book was light, romantic, a bit funny and it made me want more. More will come in form of another menace. Poor ton ;) ( )

The Wicked Wedding Of Miss Ellie Vyne by Jayne Fresina was a fast read. I read it in about a day and a half. I enjoy Historical Romances and this was no exception. I do however like my HR with a little more romance than I got out of this one.
Ellie is the witty elder daughter of a man who has raised her to be independent, since her mother died when she was a young girl. Ellie, not only takes care of herself but her father and two younger sisters, who happen to be married. In need of money Miss Vyne sets out in disguise as a french Count, gambling and betting to win money to pay the family bills.
James Hartley, ten years Ellie senior and her childhood nemesis appears one night and comes to “save” Ellie from the thieving Count who has stole his diamonds from his mistress. James has no idea that that Ellie and the Count are one and the same.

Ellie is always causing mischief and her name is notorious in scandal, James name in none the cleaner. So when certain circumstances push these two together it is nothing but teasing and smart mouth comments. Will these two ever find common ground?

While this book had some steamy sense it was mild and I found it more funny and corny than your typical Historical Romance. I wanted a little more body to the story and I felt the ending was good it could of been better. This book did have me smiling and wanting to join in some of the fun that these two found for themselves.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves HR’s and mischief.

I received this book from the publisher though netgalley ( )

The Wicked Wedding Of Miss Ellie Vyne by Jayne Fresina was a fast read. I read it in about a day and a half. I enjoy Historical Romances and this was no exception. I do however like my HR with a little more romance than I got out of this one.
Ellie is the witty elder daughter of a man who has raised her to be independent, since her mother died when she was a young girl. Ellie, not only takes care of herself but her father and two younger sisters, who happen to be married. In need of money Miss Vyne sets out in disguise as a french Count, gambling and betting to win money to pay the family bills.
James Hartley, ten years Ellie senior and her childhood nemesis appears one night and comes to “save” Ellie from the thieving Count who has stole his diamonds from his mistress. James has no idea that that Ellie and the Count are one and the same.

Ellie is always causing mischief and her name is notorious in scandal, James name in none the cleaner. So when certain circumstances push these two together it is nothing but teasing and smart mouth comments. Will these two ever find common ground?

While this book had some steamy sense it was mild and I found it more funny and corny than your typical Historical Romance. I wanted a little more body to the story and I felt the ending was good it could of been better. This book did have me smiling and wanting to join in some of the fun that these two found for themselves.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves HR’s and mischief.

I received this book from the publisher though netgalley ( )

“Ellie Vyne never had much sympathy for men, until she temporarily became one.” Her secret life as the gambling Count de Bonneville is helping her take care of her family and it is going to land her in more trouble that she ever dreamed. She is classified as an outspoken old maid at 27 years old according to society’s standards, but she is perfectly happy being single and has broken several engagements to prove it. Disguised as the Count she is given a lavish diamond necklace as an IOU payment from Lady Ophelia Southwold. What she doesn’t know is that the necklace belongs to James Hartley. The one man she despised since she was 16 years old when she overheard him denigrating her character in public.

See my complete review at The Eclectic Review ( )