Never Dare a Wicked Earl (Infamous Lords, #1)
by Renee Ann Miller
Anna Swedenmom's review Jan 25, 2018

FIVE STARS *****
Okay , arguably you will tell me it deserves only 4. However............................NO! I have to give five stars for it touches your senses. From the smells to the food to the picture it creates in your mind. Each part of this novel was an experience. Not one that is normal any longer. It allows the reader to open their senses to such an extent that you are there and may even experience some of them for yourself! While the story line may be familiar the execution of it will not be. This was an extremely enjoyable read for me in many many ways. I look for more from this author and hope each book has the elements where your senses are awakened! A truly talented author. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Regards, Anna

This book had humor and a well built relationship between Hayden and Sophia. Sophia waneed to become a doctor so was learning medicine by essentially being a medical assistant.. Hayden had gotten shot by a crazy ex lover and needed medical attention. He had sent others away with his temper but Sophia was made of stronger stuff. They are strongly attracted to each other although Hayden has a bad reputation as a rogue, heartless and unreliable. Sophia comes from famous relatives but she does not divulge that fact. Hayden is much kinder, thoughtful and caring then people think. The mystery unfolds nicely around strange accidents and events that and they get over misunderstandings to trust each other. I really like this book.

Never Dare a Wicked Earl was a fantastic debut from Renee Ann Miller set in Victorian era London with a rakish hero and the heroine who has him rethinking his ways.

Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield, is known throughout the ton for his rakish behavior, so it should come as no surprise when he is shot in the leg by a vengeful ex-mistress. Hayden has little patience while waiting to recover and goes through several attendants before Sophia Camden is hired for the position. Hayden is immediately intrigued by the woman who refuses to bend to his will and is further surprised when she dares him to allow her ten days to prove herself or she will be beholden to him for any request. Sparks quickly fly as Sophia aims to meet her end of the bargain while Hayden imagines all the wicked things he could request.

Sophia is considered unusual for her time in that she hopes to become a physician despite the law forbidding women to sit for the exam. After losing her entire family to illness, Sophia entered the medical field with hopes of saving other families from experiencing the same loss. Prior to their deaths, Sophia was incredibly close to her family and the loss devastated her. She hopes that by proving her competency to Hayden she will be able to convince him to put his support behind a fellow member of the House of Lords who is trying to change the law and allow female physicians. Sophia is very good at her job and is very dedicated to her work and helping others.

Hayden is an incredibly kind man who uses his wealth to help those less fortunate than he, but because he believes he needs to be punished for ignoring his wife who died several years prior to the start of the book Hayden refuses to allow anyone to know about his charitable deeds. Instead he gives off every appearance that he is a rake who cares for no one but himself. I won’t get into the reasons Hayden ignored his wife as I don’t want to spoil anything, but the story is a good one and I can understand why Hayden acts the way he does as a result. When he isn’t laid up after being shot, Hayden spends a great deal of time with his daughter Celia or managing the interests he has in several businesses.

Sophia and Hayden had great chemistry and their scenes were filled with tons of banter and teasing. The scenes where their relationship turns physical were quite steamy and very well done. One of my favorite parts of their relationship was that Hayden would actually stop when Sophia didn’t want to do certain sexual acts (A+ on consent). Hayden does have a bit of that alpha male protection side to him and there are several occasions where he keeps information from her in a bid to protect her. There was only one part of their relationship I disliked, but it is very much a personal preference thing and not something I imagine will bother most.

There were a few suspenseful scenes in Never Dare a Wicked Earl with Hayden getting shot and multiple kidnappings. You pretty much know who the bad guy is throughout the book, but that in no way detracted from the story or the suspense. I did question Hayden’s judgement a few times in his unwillingness to turn the person over to the authorities, but I guess I can see why he would be reluctant to do so.

Overall, Never Dare a Wicked Earl ended up being an excellent read and I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.

The beginning was interesting. I did like the banter between Sophia and Hayden. This one had quite a few ups and downs as far as interest/plot goes. There were some things unexpected, but overall it was a good read.

I always give a fair and honest review in return for this ARC. What a great read. Two very determined people at odds. At times I was chuckling out loud due to the banter between the hero and heroine. Well written.

A marvelously written historical with a solid well-written plot. Hayden was fascinated by Sophia when he meets her. What follows is a sinfully good historical romance. Sophia and Hayden are meant for each other. Loved it.

Terrific historical romance from Renee Ann Miller. Well plotted with relatable characters who are definitely of their era. I loved the heroine immediately, the hero--not so much. But both characters carry baggage from their pasts and bit by bit Ms. Miller reveals their many dimensions until I was rooting for them to overcome the obstacles that kept them apart. This was an interesting and well written story that kept me engaged right to the end. I look forward to the next book in the Infamous Lords series.

I feel in love with Hayden and Sophia. When we first meet Hayden...it's sort of iffy if he's going to be someone I liked...but as the story developed, he got better and better. Sophia is a strong girl who has been through so much. She is determined not to lose her self-respect! The interaction between these two is wonderful. There is a spark between them right away. The story develops so beautifully. So glad I got to read this wonderful story!

Really enjoyed this , book .It had great characters and setting .
A real page turner , I’ll definitely be reading more from this author
Recommended

Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield, has a terrible reputation as a philanderer - a reputation he cultivated after mistakenly believing that his wife cheated on him prior to their marriage since she gave birth to a child less than nine months after the nuptials. (I won't spoil the shocking truth by explaining what really happened; you'll just have to read it for yourself.) Hayden's last conquest was a mentally unstable woman who didn't quite handle the breakup very well and wound up shooting him in the leg in retaliation.

Enter Sophia Camden - Hayden's nurse and his new love interest. Hayden knows Sophia deserves a better man than him, and he tries to chase her away before to save her from him. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Sophia doesn't scare easily, and she accepts Hayden's dare to stick around as his nurse despite the fact that he is tormenting her and trying to frighten her off. And when Hayden isn't trying to scare away Sophia, he's trying to protect her. Oh, and he's also trying not to fall in love with her while she's trying not to fall in love with him. The sexual tension and witty banter between Hayden and Sophia keeps the reader engaged in the story. And the misunderstandings and outside factors interfering with the budding relationship cause the reader to keep turning the page to see what happens next. Sophia finds herself as a damsel in distress in need of saving from her white knight - you didn't think Hayden's crazy ex-girlfriend just rode off into the sunset after shooting him, did you? - and Hayden comes through not once, but twice! Eventually Hayden and Sophia marry, misunderstanding are cleared up, and their love blossoms.

NEVER DARE A WICKED EARL (the first novel in the Infamous Lords series) is a charming debut romance novel by Renee Ann Miller. Both of the main characters are engaging and well developed, as are the secondary characters. Hayden is a brooding, irredeemable rogue on the surface, but, underneath the wicked mask he has created, Hayden is a decent man with a good heart. And Sophia is an independent woman who is determined to hold on to her career as a nurse despite her marriage and new obligations to her family and position in Victoria society. Aside from the well-rounded characters, Miller also brings Victorian England to life in her descriptions.

I liked how this book kept my interest until the very end. Great story!!

Sophia and Haydens story is one I could not wait to turn the page to see what was going to happen next.. Their story captivates the heart and had the reader rooting for the two to end up together. I loved that Sophia was a strong working girl. I would definitely reccomend this book.

A good read that I didn't want to put down. I almost wish this wasn't an arc because I need more! Lol. The characters were great and the conflicts well done.

This is a charming historical romance with witty dialogue between Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield, and his nurse Sophia Camden. Their romance hits a few bumps in the road but is true to the genre. I was only taken out of the story at one point with an anarchistic word, "uptight," which threw me into Woodstock days. I read it in one sitting.

Rake Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield is shot at by his pyscho ex-mistress and in need of medical help while he’s recuperating. Hayden has already fired two previous medical assistants so Sophia Camden arrives to act as his personal medical assistant he’s outraged. She offers him a dare that he can’t refuse that she will stay ten days and the battle of wills begins. Hayden knows that she will not last 10 days as his nurse and she accepts the dare on the condition that the Earl use his influence on a bill to allow women to study medicine.
The sexual tension and witty banter between these two is great. Sophia comes to realize there’s more to Hayden than what he shows the outside world and Sophia simple wants to help people and become a doctor. She fights her attraction to him, even as he warms to her wit and strength. This story is filled with intrigue, mystery, and humor with a whole lot of simmering passions in this battle of wills.
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

If Renee Ann Miller’s first book “Never Dare A Wicked Earl” is anything to go by, she will be a very successful romance novelist. This is a great novel which commences with Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield being shot by his former lover and ending up in the care of Sophia Camden. Sophia is training to be a doctor after several tragedies befell her family. She finds herself bargaining with the Earl to assist her and other women be allowed to study medicine, in exchange for staying as his nurse for 10 days. Hayden does his best to upset Sophia but his attitude changes as they spend more time together.
What has set this novel apart is the complexity of the characters. Both have secrets that slowly begin to be revealed as the passion between them also intensifies. The secondary characters also added to the depth of this novel as does the dialogue between all the characters. The images evoked from the detail provided by the author, also bring this story and London to life.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield, is shot by a jealous lover, Sophia Camden agrees to be his nurse while he recuperates. Hayden is an unrepentant rake, but Sophia is not intimidated. Instead she challenges Hayden at every turn and the witty banter between these two carries the book.

Ms. Miller has written a compelling and thoroughly delightful story. I loved how she teased out the back story for these two. Is Hayden really as bad and unrepentant as the gossips say? Does Sophia really want to be a dr.? This story kept my interest until the last page. I especially enjoyed the epilogue. It was a nice closure to the story.

Fans of historical romance will definitely enjoy this book.

Wasn’t sure I would like the Hof this story as it began, but he won me over. The h is a nurse, assigned to caring for the H, a nobleman wounded by a former lover. He has a horrible reputation, and is cantankerous and rude upon meeting her. She is attracted to him, but fights the feeling, as he warms to her wit and strength. An interesting and passionate story with a wonderful couple and great HEA. He was redeemed!

This is a new Author for me, even though it started off slow, it picked up rapidly, and I truly enjoyed the book. Miss Sophia Camden wants to be a Doctor. She works with a Dr. Trimble, helping the poor, and abused. Yet, she takes on a job, taking care of an Earl, who has been shot by his ex lover! They tangle from the beginning, he wants her gone, however, he can't fire her, because his sister Lady Edith, hired her. This is a story of brutal betrayal, love conquering hate, and redemption to both h/ h in the bliss of true love!
I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

I received a copy of Never Dare a Wicked Earl by Renee Ann Miller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read! Well written characters, entertaining plot, and witty dialogue in a historical setting.