Perfect for a couple of hours escapism. The dialogue is a little clunky and the characters are stereotypical but sometimes you just need that happy ending, 3 stars.

Eliza, the heroine, finds herself at the mercy of her father yet again when she thought she was beyond his grip. He is an abusive man who has harmed both her and her mother over the years, and he wed her to a known rake (the Wicked Earl of the title) as a means to his own end, not caring about her happiness one wit. Though it took time, she and the earl eventually did come to have a genuine love match before he was killed in a riding accident when she was pregnant with their first child. Eliza's father now wants to use her to marry again for his benefit, and he even threatens his granddaughter to try to force Eliza to comply. Her loving in-laws develop another plan, and on her way to hide out from her father, Eliza meets Nate when she attempts to stop hooligans from attacking an old woman.

I absolutely adored the hero, Nate. He is charming to watch as he becomes at first fascinated and then infatuated with the heroine; she affects him like no other woman, and the author actually did an excellent job of showing this. Right from the start, he could see that there was something more to her, a deeper and darker past that made her who she was and gave her the complexity that drew him in. I thought the author did a good job showing the effects of abuse in Eliza in a believable way. Eliza is at turns docile and obliging while at other times is filled with a rage that doesn't seem to be within her character unless you know her background. I thought the scene with her whipping the hooligan showed her mental and emotional state with surprising complexity and truth. I loved little Althea. She was absolutely precious and could be as fiery and protective as her mother, as she showed in her first meeting with Nate.

I didn't particularly appreciate how Eliza was so quick to want to give in to her father's demands at various points in the story. She was never as alone as she thought, and she did have protection from a variety of sources. I just hated that whenever things started to look like they were (or even might) be going sideways that one of her first thought was that she should just go back to her father, accept the heinous older man as her husband, and give up her child to protect her from being drawn in to her grandfather’s vicious world. I also thought the title was wrong for this book. The use of the words “Wicked Earl” make you believe that this book has some naughtiness at some level to it, but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, this is actually a very well-thought-out and well-written story of a woman who has been traumatized most of her life finding true happiness, love, and her happily ever after.

i actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.
Yes, it was predictable but in the very best way. The villain was clear from the outset and, although there was mention of previous heroines, it didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous books in the series.
I did call the majority of the "big reveals" before they happened but it didn't take away my enjoyment and I still couldn't put it down.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My first read by this author and what a surprise. I just live the story of Eliza and Nathaniel story of Pendleton. A sweet Regency Roman that I honestly can recommend to all my friends

This book had it all...drama, romance, intrigue. Aubrey Wynne is a wonderful story-teller. This book hooks you on the first page and delivers with a great ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Some people should not be parents like at all and poor Lady Eliza had one of those horrid parents. Her father was physically and mentally abusive to her and her mother. She was able to have freedom when she got married even though her father had tried thought to have given her a horrible marriage mate, but he was wrong and the husband that she had was great and she got a lovely child do to that. Unfortunately he dies and her father is at it again with his wickedness, now my friends I will not tell you what happens..Grab a copy and enjoy!

A Wicked Earl's Widow by Aubrey Wynne is book Two in the Once Upon A Widow Series. This is the story of Nathaniel, Viscount of Pendleton and Eliza, Dowager Countess of Sunderland. This can be a standalone book.
Eliza's abusive father married her off for financial gain...but surprisingly it ended up being a good marriage. But then her husband died and now she is left with a baby daughter. Eliza's father is in need again and looking toward Eliza to be used again. Nathaniel has had the weight of a Title from a early age and knows compassion for others. Now looking toward doing his duty of marriage he starts to slowly move forward for that. Nathaniel happens upon Eliza helping a elderly women and he is immediately sparked by her. But he knows that Eliza has secrets that he wants to find out and help her with.
Enjoyed their story!

Without being exploitative or gratuitous, Wynne makes an abusive parent a compelling and significant plot point as a widow fights to keep her child and find happiness, and a dashing nobleman finds that his intended lady needs not a protector but a partner.

This was "Eh" for me. Not bad, but not excellent either. A solid historical fiction. I thought the characters were a bit overdone and dramatic, but no more than many other of this genre.
Eliza is the victim of an abusive father, who escaped into marriage, only to become widowed early. Even though she lives with her family-in-law her father manages to intimidate her and threatens her daughter. Since women are chattel in this time, her father-in-law determines the best way to keep her safe is to hide her among relatives. So off Eliza goes. She meets up with Nathanial when her carriage is held up due to ruffians and he takes her in to protect her. Nate ends up falling for Eliza and must convince her of his love.

Eliza is forced into marriage with no idea her life will change for the better. Married less than a year, her unwilling rake of a husband is surprisingly kind to her.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Aubrey Wynne is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

I try to read a lot of books during the week. You can say I am historical romance fan and paranormal romance fanatic.
This is the first book for me by this author and I found it fine, except, it ended too fast for me. The book was unpredictable which I liked, but I wished it would be more romantic.
The main leads did not have a Lot of chemistry, I found, but it was a fun book to read.
I would recommend it, and perhaps read more of Aubrey Wynne's books in the future if time permits.

My heart smiled as I turned the last page on this sweet Regency romance. A widow with a small daughter, threatended by her father to marry an older man for money. He will harm his grandaughter if she does not obey.
Fleeing from town with her daughter and the child's governess to hide away at her cousin Grace's estate, she stops her coach when she sees two bandits beating an older woman. Eliza jumps down and takes a whip to the blackguard and about that time, Nathan, Viscount Pendleton comes to the rescue.
I loved this thought from Nathan "Fate definitely has a sense of humor." Well fate did step in that day as he took them home to see to their needs before they traveled on to his neighbor.
Eliza is really damaged from the treatment of her father but has such a strong spirit internally. His attraction to her is immediate and she feels some definate flutters herself! But her father is not done with her yet and he is really a bad man and my heart ached with what happens.
The writing of this author was so enjoyable and I even learned a couple of words or phrases I had to look up! Bumble bath and Johnny raw. So fun to see the expressions of the day even if it was only in the hero's thoughts!!
Do not miss this wonderful story that you will not be able to put down once you begin!!

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. a wicked Carl's widow was a enjoyable short book. Eliza's husband has died and now her abusive father is demanding she marry one of his cronies. during her escape from her father Eliza meets nate who is determine to protect Eliza and her daughter. nate was really sweet and for such a short book, the story was compelling.

This romance packs a punch, touching on one of the worst crimes – domestic abuse. Aubrey Wynne uses it to show how horrific the abuse can be, but also, how love can assist the abused, even bring them together when it really counts. In the previous book, Earl of Sunderland, we saw how Carson’s death affected his twin Kit, saw how close they were, saw how Kit supported Carson when forced to marry a woman he did not love in an arranged marriage. We saw how Kit was affected when his twin died, making him the Earl of Sunderland. Step forward to A Wicked Earl’s Widow.

These two books are very closely interwoven and could be read as a set to enhance the story, but the way Aubrey Wynne weaves her books, you could alternate the books, reading either first and still enjoy both just the same.

Being forced into marriage to Carson, was not what Eliza wanted. She wanted to marry for love. Fortunately, their marriage grew in affection and respect for each other. Only Carson died too young. Eliza horribly abusive father needs money and arranges another marriage to her. Only this time it is to someone much older. Eliza and Althea, her daughter, live with her in-laws. They love both of them and credit Eliza with helping their son turn his life around before his untimely death. When they learn of her father’s plan, they take care to help hide her and their granddaughter. Thus, the reason she ended up at the home of Lord Nate Pendleton. That event is best explained in the book.

Needless to say, they grow to love each other in spite of her difficulties. You will fall in love with Nate yourself. He is not a man who makes decisions lightly, but he does want to help protect Eliza and her daughter. Eliza is a gentle soul at heart. These two are perfect for each other. There are some parts that may seem hard to read, but you know Nate and Eliza will have their HEA.

There are some sweet secondary characters that will touch your heart strings, Althea and her dog, Cyrano, to name two of them.

This is not necessary a light read, but it is heartfelt all the same. I encourage you to pick up both A Wicked Earl’s Widow and the Earl of Sunderland. You will enjoy both!

A Wicked Earl's Widow by Aubrey Wynne. Plato Publishing, 2019. Once Upon a Widow Book 2.

Young widowed Eliza is afraid her disreputable, abusive father will take Althea, her toddler daughter hostage unless Eliza accepts a second, unwanted marriage. Luckily her loving, caring, sensible in-laws arrange for Eliza and Althea to travel to safety. En route, Eliza meets Nate; her father is an obstacle to any romance between them.

I did not find the writing style, the characters or the plot particularly compelling. It is a short book and could have been shorter if extraneous details included for no obvious reason were eliminated. This lite historical romance would perhaps more accurately be titled “the Wicked Marquess’ Daughter”.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of A Wicked Earl's Widow via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eliza is forced into marriage by have father but finds love with her husband until his untimely death. However, she stills fears for the safety of her daughter and her fears confirmed when her father reappears, demanding that she remarry in order to repay his debts. Her in-laws decide to send her away for her protection, to their son and his wife Grace (who is also Eliza’s cousin). It is on this journey that she meets, Nathaniel, the Viscount of Pendleton. Nathaniel quickly comes to her rescue and soon finds himself captivated by Eliza.
Whilst this is the second book in the series, it is definitely a standalone novel. This novel has everything – a love story, a villain in the form of Eliza’s father and great secondary characters. However, what makes it stand out is that it does not try to hide the violence that Eliza has been exposed to but does so in a manner that conveys not only her hardship but those experienced by her extended family. Both Nathaniel and Eliza are two wonderful characters who have their own issues to deal with but are quite prepared to let others into their lives. Admittedly, Eliza does struggle with this, but it is understandable given her fears for her daughter, Althea. In many ways, Althea and Cyrano (Nathaniel’s dog) will capture the heart of many readers, whilst only adding to this delightful story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The plot is good the characters are fine, it needs a good proofreading. Far too many errors in this one. They were distracting and made it difficult to read.

This was a sweet, endearing read that had it all. A widow and her young daughter are on the run from her horrid father who after beating her most of her life, is now threatening her daughter unless she marries an old man that he owes money too. To escape this horrible predicament her husbands parents send her to the country to hide with her cousin. Unfortunately, or fortuitously, that is not where she ends up! Humor, passion, horror and revolution are just some of the emotion experienced whilst reading it and I finished it in one sitting eager to see the happily ever after. Five stars are a must for my first Aubrey Wynne novel! Now I have to go back and read the first one!

I was pleased to have received a Netgalley copy and I have freely given this review.

Eliza has suffered abuse from her father all of her life. He marries her off to a rake of a husband who then dies while she is pregnant with their daughter. She lives with her husband's family and is the happiest she has ever been. Then her father shows up again and says she will marry an old man he does business with as he will pay her father for her and then he can pay his debts. She is gong to her husband's twin for help when her carriage is stopped by a thief. Plans change and the story has its ups and downs from there. Can she find love and be left alone by her father? Read the story to see.

I have read and enjoyed this author's Christmas novellas (one was on my 10 best list last year) but I'm sorry to say that the heroine's "dark secret" is triggering for me and I won't be able to finish this one.