Wicked Wager

I've had this book on my wishlist for a long time. Every time I wanted to buy it, I stopped before the deed was done because I wasn't really sure what to expect. I really love the cover, I think that it is beautiful but I wasn't sure if the cover or the blurb was an indication of the content. Sure, the blurb tells us what all of this is about but it doesn't tell us whether the emphasis is on the erotic part indicated by the cover (and somehow contradicted by the story told in the blurb) or on the story.

Actually it is a mixture of both I think. It has this captivating and really nice story about Penny and Marcus who fall for each other despite their very rocky start with Penny being part of her cousin's loss at the card tables and it also has a lot of rather steamy content. Tastefully written and sweet but a lot of it nonetheless. I must admit that I skipped several pages every now and then because of that. I wanted to read more of the story and how that turned out and less how compatible they are in bed. (They are, don't worry about that!)

I would have loved it better if the emphasis had been more on the story itself and the battle between hero and heroine and less on their mutual sexual attraction and its consequences. It was a nice story but it could have been much more as the characters are really great and I really enjoyed their verbal sparring.

This book turned out to be an average regency romance. I thought having Marcus win Penny's home through a bet would lead to some very humorous encounters, but that didn't really develop. The biggest problems I had with this book were the inconsistencies in what would have been acceptable during that period and the contradictions in the Penny character. First, I thought it would be odd that Marcus's best friend was more worried about Penny having a choice in the marriage then the possible damage being done to her reputation by living alone with her "fiance" without a proper chaperone and that none of the other characters found this to be a huge problem. Also, I couldn't follow Penny's logic after the beginning of the story in regard to her actions toward Marcus. Initially she doesn't want to marry him and tries to get him to call of the wedding, which made sense, but then after overhearing a wager between Marcus and his best friend, decides to seduce him into loving her to get out of the marriage with no thoughts of the consequences (the ruination of her reputation, falling in love herself, pregnancy, etc.). She also doesn't really consider that getting married to him might not be that bad, and readily jumps at any reason why it could be bad.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The premise for the book was vaguely similar to several others I have read. It was odd to me some of the conclusions the protagonists made and their reactions were certainly not run of the mill. Nevertheless, found myself rushing through just so I could finish the book.

Enjoyable book if not unbelievable, may not be for everyone, we all have different taste. The two main characters could have ended a lot of there problems had they just talked to each other, but that was not the case at first, however we probably would not have a book if that happened. It is truly a shame how thing worked back then when woman were sold as property, good things times have changed. My brother would have been dead.

a unique take on the storyline. Good solid writing. Enjoyed

Wicked Wager is a great story with well detailed character development. The period in time is explored in detail such that you can almost visualise all the scenes.
Marcus Revington was won a property called Horngate whilst playing cards with Adrian Withersby. However, as Adrian is only the guardian of the property, Marcus must marry Penny Mintgomery if he is to take ownership of Horngate. The story explores the blossoming romance between Marcus and Penny. It was lovely to see them fall in love but at times, their stubbornness made me shake my head in frustration. You will enjoy this romance! I received an ARC for an honest review for Netgalley.

'Wicked Wager' by Mary Gillgannon is the story of Penny Montgomery and Marcus Revington.
Marcus won land and a horse business in a card game from Penny's cousin. Which in fact was Penny's and the cousin was just the guardian. The cousin makes it clear that the only way he really can get the land is if he marries Penny. Penny is shocked when she is told that she will have to marry Marcus. So Penny sets out to make sure that Marcus doesn't want to marry her. Marcus has never own land and as a young son of a titled lord never to really have money. So Marcus learned to be good at cards and that is how he made most of his money. But now that he has seen the land he feels it is home and wants to work at the horse selling business. I liked the secondary characters too!
This is the first book by this author but not the last. Really enjoyed it!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

I was really looking forward to this book from the description, however, it turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment. The writing is done nicely, but the content is a little too much for me. I skipped many pages because it seemed to be all sex. I would of liked more of the story and less of the sex scenes. Historical romance is what I read, however the plots are all starting to be the same as well as being just another so there. Nothing really lifts out on this but the sex. Again the writing is done well, just not enough depth to the story for me. I was given this book in return for an honest review by Net Galley.
Anna Swedenmom