The Wicked Cousin

Rockliffe, Book 4

By: Stella Riley

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Sebastian Audley has spent years setting every city in Europe by the ears and keeping the scandal-sheets in profit. Word that he is finally returning to London becomes the hottest topic of the Season and casts numerous young ladies - many of whom have never seen him - into a fever of anticipation.

Cassandra Delahaye is not one of them. In her opinion, love affairs and duels, coupled with a reputation for never refusing even the most death-defying wager, suggest that Mr. Audley is short of a brain cell or two. And while their first, very unorthodox meeting shows that perhaps he isn't entirely stupid, it creates other reservations entirely.

Sebastian finds dodging admiring females and living down his reputation for reckless dare-devilry a full-time occupation. He had known that putting the past behind him in a society with an insatiable appetite for scandal and gossip would not be easy. But what he had not expected was to become the target of a former lover's dangerous obsession...or to find himself falling victim to a pair of storm-cloud eyes.

©2017 Stella Riley (P)2017 Stella Riley

A rake and a sensible girl - or maybe not

Any additional comments?

Another great addition to the series, this book features a secondary character from the previous books as a heroine, Cassandra Delahaye, kind, sensible and eminently respectable - and a new character, Sebastian Audley, notorious hero of the scandal sheets as a daredevil and a rake. It is a case of opposites attracting each other, but also that Cassie secretly longs for more drama and romance in her life (or maybe, more accurately, the strong and passionate love shared by many of her friends, the characters from previous novels) instead of the dull and boring gentlemen usually paying court to her - and Sebastian wishes to settle down and free himself from the image shaped by his riotous past. The story is complicated by a villainess who for all her cunning proves to be literally mad, and a rake who, although selfish and cunning, turns out to be too much a weakling to do more than provide comic relief.Aside from the romance between very likeable protagonists, the setting of the Georgian aristocracy life, masked balls, dances, gaming clubs and fencing saloons, I found that a great strength of this book is the strong friendships - both male and female. Loyalty, trust, acceptance, instant help in all crazy and dangerous situations is always ready at hand from the strong network of admirable characters, as in all the books in this series. In addition, I enjoyed Cassie's family in particular. After all the mistakes and abuses from family members described in the other books and even in this one, in the case of Sebastian, the Delahayes prove to be loving, sensible and kind - a safe haven for Cassie and Sir Charles a substitute father figure for Sebastian until his own father could make the attempt to right his past wrongs and mistakes. A further good point was Sebastian's willingness to forgive his father for his childhood sufferings.I can only recommend this book to any historical romance fans. It's easy to fall in love with these dashing gentlemen and their strong and sensible ladies, the author's excellent style, dialogue, vivid descriptions, and the excellent audio rendition of the talented narrator Alex Wyndham.

Delightfully Convoluted Romance

The book was original and captivating. The ending bedroom scene was unnecessary in reinforcing the characters' love for each other. In this instance, less would have been better. The narration was "off the chain" great. Alex Wyndham ' vocal talents are par excellent. Thanks Stella Riley.

sweet love story by Stella Riley

This was a less complicated than usual, rather sweet love story than usual from Stella Riley. Cassandra is a lovely, elegant girl who does all the proper things, and although she does not approve of the many indiscretions of Sebastian, she does seem to long for a bit of passion. very early on, we see her get a gown altered so that it's discreetly provocative. So Cassandra is not as stiff-rumored as she appears. and, of course Sebastian isn't as wicked as he appears either. Rather, he was, but he's finally grown up and is truly determined to change.

They kind of meet cute, and it goes from there. there are a few misunderstandings but nothing dire. It's enjoyable and rather sweet to see them tumble into love. I've seen some readers complain that Cassie is not a good character because her main characteristic is that she's just against trusting Sebastian. I disagree. She quickly realizes there is more to him than the gossip sheets ever reveal. She's just hesitant to show him she's fallen in love because she's unsure of his feelings.

While these two are sweetly falling love, danger lurks in the background. One of Sebastian's mistakes from more than a year ago comes back to haunt him in the form of an old mistress turned stalker. Her one obsession is getting him back. She causes some big problems but they are so quickly solved that her villainy isn't as scary as it should have been. Her plots are pretty diabolical but ineffective, and that is my only complaint with this book. In the end, there really is very little conflict to trouble this love story.

The dangerous villainess just really wasn't all that scary after all. and she should have been cuz girlfriend was looney tunes.

As always, the narrator of Ms. Riley's books is excellent.

My favorite so far!

I’ll start by saying Alex Wyndham makes each of these books a treasure. The depth and feeling he adds to the characters with his narration really makes the stories.

I have read nearly all of the books in this series and this is one of my favorites. I love Cassandra’s character and found Sebastian likable and understandable. What I really loved about them is that they did not jump to conclusions in tough situations and always thought logically about them. So often in regencies, the characters come to ridiculous conclusions in times of trouble or believe others based on zero facts and in defiance of lots of previous experience telling them otherwise. This is NOT the case for Cassie and Sebastian. They are steadfast in their appreciation for each other and are not easily manipulated. The drama happens around them, not because of them. A very sweet and heart warming couple!

Another Winner in the Rockliffe Series!!!

This was another enjoyable/engaging plot with a sweet loving romance!!! I enjoyed the leading man’s character as well as him being more open with expressing feelings that men are usually too “manly” to say out loud.
The leading lady was also a fighter and made intelligent decisions more often than not. And their romance was very sweet!!! Final note, for once….an old fashioned romance where at least one of the main characters has just nice, kind, decent parents!!!! So lovely!
And, if you are like me, you will delight in hearing Alex Wyndham say your name but sorrow at the same time that it’s Miranda haha. Fabulous narration as always!!!

Very Well-Written. Amazing Narrator

I've read or heard almost all of Stell Riley's books and have enjoyed them all....even the ones I didn't like very much. She is such a wonderful story teller that even her GREAT details are enthralling. I've read/heard most of her books multiple times....except the ones I don't love. I'm an avid reader of historical romance and never have I experienced a writer who can creat ANNOYING female characters like Stella does. It's a testament to Stella's writing abilities....and Alex Wyndham's narration that readers such as I can relate to the characters. In this book and in The Mesalliance, I was ready to strangle Belle and to a lesser degree.....also Madelaine. On the other hand, Harry and Nicholas are such likeable characters, it makes the two women look even worse. I feel so sorry for Harry and think he deserves better. As for Nicholas, I want him to find some nice girl....like Cassie. He doesn't deserve Madeline. This is my third time to listen to this book.....and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I just had to listen when I was patient and understanding.

On edge

All Stella Riley books I have had the pleasure to read get to that point where you really don’t know how you get from the current drama and hubris of the make lead to sweet happy ending a romance promises.

It is the best and worst part of her books. I had to take a considerable break at that crucial moment in the narrative because it was getting intense. However, I’m glad I came back and finished this one and look forward to the others in the series.

Wyndham's Narration & Reformed Rake - 5 stars

I've enjoyed Cassie throughout this series and was looking forward to her story. Very well done. Sebastian was an interesting, and eventually, lovable character. Definitely a great romance (in spite of his past coming back to bite quite a bit!)

Add Alex Wyndham's narration to The Wicked Cousin and you have a sure 5 star read!

Subtle Humor & Laughable Moments

Stella Riley continues to entertain with humor, providing the reader with a window seat into the antics of men and women who eventually come to terms with what society demands of them.

I enjoy the subtle fun-making author Riley weaves into the plot. Narrator, Alex Wyndham’s marvelous job in nailing down the perfect voice for each character, pulls the story together, delighting any connoisseur who wants to read/llisten to a ‘damn good story’!
We get to reacquaint ourselves with memorable and sometimes tedious individuals from the previous reads in the sequel, along with characters of good taste and breeding, already holding a place in my heart.

Lady Sarre, the wife of Adrian, first meets Sebastian Audley. Her grandfather, Mr. Maitland, arrives from Halifax, on his heels. Then Adrian, looking much like a farm laborer, Earl of Sarre, meets Hubert Maitland. It’s a wonderful scene, showing us what stock Caroline and Adrian are from.

Cassandra Delahaye has been attracted to Sebastian in the past, but since, word of his past roguish ways has put her off. Cassie is at the marriageable age, a sweet, biddable young woman any mama would like as a daughter-in-law. But Cassie doesn’t like what she sees in the mirror. She’s not happy with herself. She wants to work outside the box.

Richard Benhalligan, someone who pays attention to Cassie, is a man who blows hot and cold. Is he, or is he not interested in Cassie? Are his intentions honorable? And what about Sebastian Audley? Is he interested in her or just playing with her, true to his reputation?

Charles, Cassie’s father, is a father who really cares for his daughter. It’s very touching. Her French maid, plays a role in giving Cassie more self-esteem.

Sebastian and Adrian, being old friends of youth, and having been years apart, have a wager, privately recorded at Sinclair’s gaming house, which gives Sebastian some protection against himself. He has problems NOT accepting any wager, and with this one, if he takes any other wager that jeopardizes this private wager, he won’t do it. Adrian makes a very astute wager!

If you enjoy laughing at how society amuses itself, how men and women deal with the demands of society and their own esteem, you’ll enjoy engaging this read. I am never disappointed with one of Riley’s books.

Loved it

I absolutely loved this book... and also the rest of Stella Riley's Rockcliff series. Great adventure, great romance! Alex gives a wonderful performance. I highly recommend this book!