Wicked by Susan Johnson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Wicked
Book Review: Historical, yes. Romance, no.
Summary: 1 Stars
In a word, disappointing. This was the first book by Ms. Johnson that I have read and it will most certainly be the last. The plot was no more than an excuse to string together a series of sexual encounters. While the attempt is to be erotic, the result is simply crude. Briefly, our "heroine", who is running away from her position as a governess to avoid the unwanted affections of her employer's son, stows away on a ship belonging to Beau St. Jules, well known rake and all around scoundrel. They fall immediately into bed, where they spend most of the rest of the novel. There is no character development, and I simply can't comprehend what they see in each other -- I found both Serena and Beau to be rather unlikeable. I rarely consider a book to be a waste of time or money, but this one certainly was both.Book Review: Horrible
Summary: 1 Stars
This book was a large disapointment. There was no time for the charachters to develop any sexual tension before they were in bed together. They never had any time (although the book is quite long) to develop into real characters either. Save your money and your time. Buy something else.
Book Review: Hot Without Plot
Summary: 2 Stars
This was one of the most unromatic Romance novels I've ever read. It was very hot, very erotic, but the characters were unbelievable and unlikable, and the paper thin plot full of unmotivated decisions.
There were good things here: The historical research was obviously thorough, but it was an odd mix with what was essentially an erotic novel, despite its being marketed as a Historical Romance. Johnson's voice and prose was very good. Certainly, it is evocative. The sex scenes were extremely hot and the prose was nicely emotional. So much so that the raw word choices in describing anatomy and acts was very intrusive in what was supposed to be a Historical Romance, or at least a love story.
There is more that is bad: The plot is almost non-existant. The two main characters make decisions without much rhyme or reason, and change their minds without any kind of justification.
The characters were unlikeable and unbelievable. The hero, who at the tender age of 22 has apparently slept with every woman in England, Italy, and Naples, objectifies women in an apalling way. I thought perhaps he'd change as his feelings for the heroine developed, but he's basically doing the same thing right up to his last minute unmotivated
"epiphany". The heroine is completely unmemorable except in her whining jealousy and utter capitulation to the hero in every matter. She's inconsistant, as well, accepting money from the hero, but not gifts (though she accepts those after token objection as well), sniping jealously, then saying she's not jealous. And why she loves this misogynistic phillanderer is a mystery.
This was obviously not the Johnson book to start with. There was more believable affection between the hero's parents in two scenes than all of the (many) sex scenes between the main characters. Perhaps this is a good author, but a bad book.
I would split the five in the author's favor at give it a 3, but the hero's treatment of the heroine (and all women) gets it a 2.
Book Review: Hot and steamy!
Summary: 4 Stars
Serena Blythe, a beautifully put together young lady; a virgin, a blonde and beauty, an intelligent, well-rounded individual encounters a lover much different from her. I guess opposites do attract. "Wicked" somehow allows one to relate to their very first time..., it also shows the endless possibilties of the power of love. The intriguing Beau St. Jules; the Earl of Rocheport, the hunk that swore would he never marry, would never dance, would never entertain a female on a voyage with him...has broken all his rules for this delighful young female that has captured his heart. The sex is definitely steamy and explicit. Susan Johnson allows its readers to put themselves into the character's shoes and feel their pain, their sensations, their love, their emotions...an exquisite writing!Book Review: Hot but not romantic.
Summary: 3 Stars
I enjoyed Wicked only due to some of the erotic love making scenes. That's it. It is because of heroes like Beau St Jules that the the term 'male chauvinist pig' has been coined. Inspite of being REPEATEDLY unfaithful to the heroine, he was always getting jealous even if she spoke to another guy!Susan Johnson can write a good erotic romance as evinced in Brazen and Forbidden, where the heroes (inspite of being male sl*ts) were redeemable and lovable.
Susan Johnson went so over the top with her description of Beau being the biggest rake in England that I have a hard time imagining Beau being faithful to Serena afer their marriage...