Wicked Designs

League of Rogues, Book 1

By: Lauren Smith

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

For too long Miss Emily Parr has been subject to the whims of her indebted uncle and the lecherous advances of his repulsive business partner. Her plan to be done with dominating men forever is simple: find herself a kind husband who will leave her to her books. It seems an easy enough plan, until she is unexpectedly abducted by an incorrigible duke who hides a wounded spirit behind flashing green eyes. Godric St. Laurent, Duke of Essex, spends countless nights at the club with his four best friends and relishes the rakish reputation society has branded him with.

He has no plans to marry anytime soon - if ever. But when he kidnaps an embezzler's niece, the difficult debutante's blend of sweetness and sharp tongue makes him desperate for the one thing he swears he never wanted: love. Yet as they surrender to passion, danger lurks in Godric's shadowed past, waiting for him to drop his guard - and to rob him of the woman he can't live without.

©2014 Lauren Smith (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Smith's fast-paced historical keeps [listeners] on their toes as they're taken hostage by a whirlwind of characters and an unforgettable romance." ( RT Book Reviews)

Nope....

I guess I’m not understanding Audible. The stories to pick from are nothing I want to read. This one included. I’ve picked some Classics like Hardy, Austin, Alcott and Outlander but I’m finding it hard to find something that doesn’t set my nerves on edge listening to it. Complete nonsense.

Loveable League of Gentlemen

I loved the main characters and their witty banter. I’m looking forward to listening to the whole series. Good narrator

Don’t get her

Saw reviews where people are going off about misogynistic behavior. Maybe you shouldn’t read romance novels. She however set out to win his heart in hopes of an offer.. gets it then when he is offering badly but says he loves her she is like big nope and nope to friends I’d rather find a stranger? Is she a freggin idiot? So much better to hope some mysterious guy will just step in and your uncle of course won’t give you to an a hole. Oh and of course so she can keep control of her fortune.. That she has no access too. Because the stranger husband would get that control. Like a say no logic to that . She could negotiate her freggin freedom with one of those guys. Stupid is as stupid does

Awesome narrator

I loved the writing. Funny story. A bit of a reverse harem but overall a fun listen

Awesome !!!

What an amazing book. This author is new to me and a keeper.
I love this book very much. The characters are funny and strong. This particular read is a little different for me of all the other books I have read. This one the heroine is so strong and doesn't give up on what she wants in her life from the beginning where she wanted freedom until she fight for the man she loved. This is a must read I am on Book 2 and I can't wait. Happy reading

Great Story

I Love it! Great story, fun characters, strong heroine, what's not to love?
It's a great start to the series! On to the next one!
I love a good, enemy to lovers, story!
The Narrator does a wonderful job!

FABULOUS!!

One of my all time favorites !!! Storyline, characters, narrations were all the best ever!!!! Storyline was so entertaining & creative, highly recommend this book. Thank you …want more like this one!

What a story!

Loved the story, the characters and, the narrator! I hated the story had to end. There’s nothing more to say except; I am on to the next great listen in the magical series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a wicked listen

pulled an all nighter I count stop it. It had everything. A duke with his group of rogues. An uncle that was mistreating his niece. A kidnapping and a nasty villain that mistreated the brothel ladies. Godrick the Duke of Essex kidnapped Miss Par for revenge against her uncle. There is a lot of twists and turns in this . It's beyond 5 stars. hopefully there will parts for all the rogues IFive devilish rogues and one woman at this point I am going to state, "take me with you, oh handsome rouges, let me be that one woman!" Onto what I thought of Ms. Lauren's historical debut. I really enjoyed this book. This is the first book in a series, so it would make sense to have all the characters introduced. Really- you're paying attention because you want to know which rogue you'll click with.

The story unfolds quickly with Emily Parr being kidnapped on her way to a ball by five gentlemen. What I like about Emily is she doesn't just sit back and cry she puts up a fight with these guys. She knows she cannot physically outmaneuver them so she uses her brains to get her out of the the situation. Since it wasn't an equal fight she is taken to Godric St. Laurent, Duke of Essex's estate to be held captive. Once there, Emily attempts to escape but is again, outmaneuvered, this is when she changes her strategy and friends these gentlemen to learn why she was the lucky girl taken from her carriage. The mastermind behind this kidnapping is Gordic St. Laurent, Duke of Essex. Emily's uncle owes him and to get payment he takes Emily. He had a dark childhood and doesn't feel worthy of love or giving love. His true nature is to care for people and after he kidnaps Emily a whole new side of him begins to blossom. I know you're thinking, "oh, she falls for her kidnapper oh-so typical"...yes, but no... There are four other gentlemen that find Emily's feisty personality intriguing and we see tension occur among life-long friends.

This story has a fast moving plot with great dialogue between characters, that kept me turning the page. Ms. Smith gives her characters a lot of depth and you begin to like these characters because each one is unique. This is great read and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Wonderful, historical debut Ms. Smith. You have yourself a new fan!! I also have the audio and a paperback

Loved it..

I can see how it might be triggering for some but I loved it. Can’t wait to start the next in the series.