Tobias Walcott, the Earl of Blade, has learned it is best to exercise rigid control over his passions and emotions in all that he does. Uncaring that it makes him seem cool and aloof to most in the ton, he is content with his desire to only woo agreeable and demur females. Then unforeseen circumstances see him trapped in a closet at a house party with the last woman he would ever make his countess.
Lady Olivia Sherwood is everything he should not desire in a female-unconventional, too decisive, and utterly without decorum. But passion ignites between them and they are discovered. Honor demands they wed, and while Tobias finds himself unwillingly drawn to the bewitching beauty, he must do everything not to tempt the passion that burns in him for her, lest it leads to disastrous consequences.
"Wicked in His Arms" is the second book in the "Wedded by Scandal" series. It's my first time reading a book by Stacy Reid. It can be read as a standalone. I love a good "marriage of convenience" or in this case "marriage after a scandal" story! That's why I chose to read this book.
It's understandable that Olivia would have modern ideas of independence and marriage, mainly because of her unusual childhood. What was difficult to believe was that her inappropriate behavior and some of her actions, given the times, would simply be ignored.
I tend to avoid heroes that repeatedly treat the heroine with cruelty, and Tobias was exactly that for half of the book. But my biggest problem with this character was that he lacked consistency, he would suddenly change his mind and go the opposite direction.
The truth is I only started to like this couple after they got married. Tobias took his vow seriously and started to respect Olivia's wishes and treat her with kindness. The result of that was Olivia really making an effort to make their marriage work and stop being reckless. That's when I found myself cheering for them and fully immersed!
"Wicked in His Arms" didn't have a great beginning, but as the story developed the book became better and better. The sex scenes were OK, the story had a steady pace and good dialogue. I would read another book in the series!
I voluntarily reviewed an eARC.