I received an ARC copy in exchange for my thoughts.

First book by this author, and definitely a different vibe than your standard "employer-employee" Regency romance. I enjoyed it, though at times it was a bit far-fetched. It encouraged me to read the rest of her books, and I will keep an eye out for future books by this author.

Emma’s daring quest and the sizzling tension between her and the elusive Earl of Kent had me hooked from the start. Their stolen moments at the Masquerade are both thrilling and deeply emotional, making every twist and turn in their dangerous game of deception utterly riveting. The rich blend of romance, danger, and mystery is perfectly crafted, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely loved it.

The first time I read this book was when it originally came out as a novella. I loved it so much I read it in one sitting! Reading it as a longer fleshed out novel was fun and I enjoyed the added characters and plot. I think I enjoyed it more as a novella though to be honest. Since the author made this story longer, the pacing was not as well done as the original and the first half went really slow. The relationship between the MCs felt more lusty than love imo. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good spicy book but the relationship/love development is also important. It was still an interesting read, but didn't draw me in and keep me hooked as the shorter version did.

Book Name: A Touch Wicked
Author: Katrina Kendrick

ARC
Thank you to **Bloomsbury USA | Aria** for an ARC of A Touch Wicked.

Stars: 4
Spice: 4

Anthology Charectar series
Regency Romance
Bridgerton but crank it to 10

Thoughts
- scandalous masquerade
- FMC who takes charge
- GRUMPY Earl
- Rebelling against societal norms
- TROPE grumpy x sunshine
- TROPE he falls First
- Trope Triangle
- Cross Class Romance
- Miscommunication and secrets
- Anonymous Spice
- TROPE Forced Proximity

Pretty good historical romance! Some of the dialogue felt a little bit corny but it still slayed and the plot kept me intrigued. Honestly, not too much to say. 3.5 stars rounded up

A sexy steamy historical fiction enjoyed from first to last page.A wild romp of a book an author to follow.#netgalley #bloomsbury

I have found myself craving historical romances, and when I saw A Touch Wicked, I pounced on the opportunity!

This was such a fun and easy read, Katrina Kendrick just makes the story flow so well. Emma was such a fun FMC and her banter with James Kent was just chef's kiss. I devoured this in one sitting and could not help finding myself kicking my feet in the air. The two were meant for each other and the Masquerade scene, need I say more? The spice in here was perfect for me.

What I always love with historicals are the side characters who I sometimes look forward to reading about more and James' sister, Alex, has joined that club. She is so funny and I would love to see an entire story revolving around her.

Thank you so much Katrina and Bloomsbury USA for the ARC!

I absolutely devoured this book and found myself constantly giggling at the side characters comments. The spice was a bit overkill for me at times, but I still enjoyed the story despite that. I’m definitely curious to read more from the author. Especially if any of the other characters have their own novels. Definitely recommend adding this book to your list if you’re in the mood for a fast paced Regency-era romp! 4.75 ⭐️ rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, quick, and easy read.

I loved Emma as the FMC. She was super witty. The banter between her and James Kent, the MMC, was so well written. Even when she was dressed in her secret identity.

The best part is that the side character, Alexandra, was just as great. Her character was fully developed and made me giggle several times.

I thoroughly enjoyed that the plot was a mystery, as Emma searched for her missing sister. The level of spice was the right amount to keep the plot moving.

This was also a HEA, which always makes for a great ending.

Katrina Kendrick is a new author for me so I looked forward to reading her book. I was super interested in Emma and her sister’s story and hope the sister gets her own story. Really James’ sister Alex too! Great supporting characters in this book. I loved the backstory of the struggle that Emma and Isabel went through and how each dealt with it and how it led to James, the Earl of Kent. The Masquerade angle felt a little forced but did give an opportunity for some steam. If there was a downside for me it was how long Emma kept her secrets from James. The angst of it was a little more extended than I expected. I kept wishing she’d trust him but understood the fears that kept her quiet. I look forward to more by this author.

This is a steamy romance novella. Quick fun historic book but also very spicy scenes, so be prepared. Although it was short , the story was well written and characters well developed, with a great storyline. Definitely recommend reading it.

A Touch Wicked by Katarina Kendrick

Emma and her sister are bastards of an infamously cruel Duke. Their mother died after a slow painful illness and now Emma’s only family left, her sister, has disappeared. The circumstances appear that Isabel, her sister, most likely has engaged in some very dangerous activity and Emma is on a mission to find her. In order to find that mission, she must find employment as a ladies maid.

James, the Earl of Kent, is turning 30 and is ready to descend on his version of hell- marriage. Before, he does his brother has tempted him with a racy and scandalous Masquerade invitation. The two women James finds himself intrigued with most are his sister’s maid- Emma and the masked seductress from the Masquerade club.

Wow! I’m used to reading romantic historical romances but this one felt like 50 shades of grey meets the 19th century. Whoa! Once it started, it was incredibly intense and hard to believe. Come on! Yeah, I don’t read the stories for the believability factor, I read them for the romance factor which this one definitely had.

Overall, I like a saucy romance but this was too much for me. Others will love it. I did really like the relationship between Emma and James and his sister. James’ brother was a favorite of mine as well.

Read this book if you like :
✅ historical romance
✅ descriptive sex scenes
✅ a woman who takes charge, knows her body and knows what she wants

Thanks to Private Arrangements who gave me an ARC of this republish expanded edition in exchange for my review.

This book is about a girl named Emma who is looking for her lost sister after finding her apartment destroyed. She finds herself in London after discovering a clue as to her whereabouts. There she becomes employed by an Earl as his younger sister's lady's maid. From here Emma must keep on her toes as she continues to discover the secrets surrounding her sister. This book had romance (the spice tho), mystery, action, and had me chuckling.
I loved this book and devoured it in less than a day. I loved it so much that I am going to read more books by this author. Well done!

Emma Dumont arrives in London from Paris looking for her sister. She knows Isabel is in trouble as death strikes her as well. Her only clue to finding Isabel is a ticket for the Masquerade in London. Under a false name, Emma is employed working as a maid for Robert, the Earl of Kent. Unknowingly they encounter each other at the Masquerade and it leads to a hot and steamy affair. Meanwhile, secrets concerning Isabella are revealed and assassins follow. A fast paced mystery romance. A new author for my TBR.
Extremely hot descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Super sexy. Historical romance. Masquerade spice. Take charge (in bed) FMC. Mystery and danger. Witty side characters. It was great.

Intriguing book by a new-to-me author. I was impressed by the gorgeous writing and I liked the dark atmosphere of the book. I found it just a touch repetitive, with Emma’s constant dithering and her tendency to flee instead of being honest with James and letting him decide for his life. And as much as I love steamy scenes, this time I would have preferred more emotional connection between the couple, some frank conversation instead of witty banter and lovemaking whenever they were together. But in general it was a very entertaining book and I hope to read the others of the series as well.

This was a cute, regency romance. I feel like it fairly hastily jumped from lust to love, but I enjoyed the read and the ending as well as the writing style. I would read more by this author!

This one took me a little to get hooked but once I got past the first few chapters I was in it. I liked the mystery and romance and the will they or won’t they aspect. The writing was on point and not overly done. A great read.

This book delivered on all fronts for me. I was instantly hooked from the first page and did not want it to end. Katrina has a fan for life!!

You know what it's like when you hire a lady's maid for your sister and you're 99% sure that she's lying about her references but she's hot and intelligent and funny and - oh crap - now you get so many boners that your brother suggests that you go to an anonymous sex club called "The Masquerade" so you can work off the uresolved sexual tension? And then while there, you meet another woman who's hot and intelligent and funny and (the kicker) she's also totally DTF and even if she weirdly reminds you of your sister's lady's maid ... nahhh, it can't be ... you just enjoy the no-strings-attached liaison for what it is? But even that can't distract you from your sister's lady's maid (her name is Emma, omg isn't that the best name)?
...
...
You DON'T?
...
...
Huh, weird.

(This book is why I love historical romance. If you do, too, then you should probably read it.)

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.