Gothic romance with all the twists and dark corners. Ridley is a connoisseur of historical romance and she continues to show it here.

I am a TOTAL sucker for Gothic romance. Like, to the extent that I would have loved to read Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron if that book actually existed (and apparently it will in Graphic Novel form). These books are wonderful examples of that genre. Full of haunted mansions, darkened coastlines, and crumbling (and not so crumbling mansions). Erica Ridley does a wonderful job of bringing the wonderful dreary, stormy worlds to life with memorable heroines and wonderful heros. My favorite part is that in all but the first story, the heroine saves her self! And even in the first book - she was on her way to getting free when the hero came to her rescue. The only thing that would have made these stories better is if they were all interconnected. The first two are loosely connected (the heroine of the second book plays a prominent role in the second, but other than that nothing.

I really enjoyed these and I think, if you love gothic, and the tongue-in-cheek prose of Erica Ridley you'll like them too!

Book 1: Too wicked to kiss
I think this one might be my first gothic romance. When I finished this book I was (actually) surprised how much I enjoyed myself.

This is the perfect example how I imagine that women were treated so many centuries ago. It showed how little power women had over their lives and how many dangers were lurking in the dark places. In the beginning every time Gavin was harsh and insulting towards Evangeline I cringed. She was struggling really hard to accept how much she liked him.
I like the way half way through the book she did found her self-worth and stared to help him prove his innocents.
Overall it was a decanted and enjoyable read.

Book 2: Too sinful to deny
I have to be honest and say this book didn't do it for me as well as the first one...It kinda moved a bit slow with the romantic part of the story. You kinda get the sense that they are attached to each other but are fighting their feelings with every step they take. As for the mystery and intrigue?? I was perfect with all the strange characters, smugglers and the danger..I just wished for more of the uncontrollable love that I usually read with HR books...
On to the next one 😉

Book 3: Too tempting to resist
Simply beautiful - this short story was everything I want in a second chance romance. It was hard to read when Daniel was struggling with doing what he thought was the right thing. And I loved Rebecca; she could have let life beat her down but she found little things to keep her (somewhat) happy.
Even though this was a short story it didn't seemed rush and it's pacing was perfect every step of the way.

Book 4: Too Wanton to wed
This book took me on a journey I found to be too short for my liking.

This story is one about wanting what was best for a child but in the process ended being second chance at love. I really liked Violet. She was running and ended up finding her safe place in the arms of Alistair and his daughter. The little girl was probably my favorite character in this book.
Even though at times Alistair made me roll my eyes due to his daughter illness I still liked him.

This story made me laugh, cry and smile at the end of it. I'm turning into a huge Erica Ridley fan and I can't wait to see what’s next in store for us.

Overall: 4,5*

This is a great series that’s a mix of longer and shorter romances. I was fully engrossed in Too Wicked to Kiss, which is a who do it, mystery romance. The second, Too Sinful to Deny, I wasn’t a big fan of, mainly because Susan the heroine didn’t engender herself to me in the first story. The third romance, Too Temping to Resist, was a quick second chance romance about childhood friends. This is my favorite trope and my favorite romance out of the bunch. The fourth and final romance, Too Wanton to Wed, had heft, like the first, and a captivating sets of characters.

For me, three of the four are real winners and 3 out of 4 is pretty good in my book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a fairly entertaining collection of 4 romantic tales about ghosts, clairvoyance, curses and vampires. In the 1st story, a lady with the ability to see events that happen to the people she touches, tries to solve a murder mystery to save the man she loves. The 2nd story .is centered around a secondary character from the first. She is a spoiled debutante who has been sent to a remote area as punishment. She gets caught up in murder and smuggling, Frankly, it was my least liked of the stories as a found it slow going. In the 3rd, a young lady has been given a month to find a bridegroom, as her uncle doesn't want to support her. Her best chance of assistance is a man who broke her heart years before. The last story involves a lady who becomes governess to a mysterious man and his strange young daughter who never go out into the sun. The collection is fun for those who enjoy gothic romance.

The stories in this book reminded me of books bt Victoria Holt one of my favorite authors, Erica Ridley is on par with her in this genre. I loved all the stories but To Wanton to Wed was the best for me, it tells the story of Violet who is running from a murder charge which she acknowledges and claims she would do it again. She is brought into a monastery when she is found unconscious on Lord Waldgrave's property. Once she regains herself and talking to Waldgrave she is hired as a governess for his daughter She finds no windows or natural light in the Abby all doors are locked and she must wait to be let out of her room. Her charge Lillian lives below in the deeper reaches of the Abby, she is locked in her room and never is allowed out. Depending who you ask you will hear many reasons for this odd household but what is the truth? This is only one of four stories and they are all great.

The Gothic Love Stories series by Erica Ridley consists of books that were previously released before and have been edited and re-released. Books three and four were published under different titles in their prior editions: Too Tempting to Resist was known as Romancing the Rogue and Too Wanton to Wed was known as Dark Surrender.

Unlike a lot of Ridley’s writing, these books were darker and more substantial in length. The gothic theme is strong throughout three of the four titles—I found it lacking in Too Tempting to Resist, but the story was enjoyable regardless as a general historical romance. This series has murder, mystery, ghosts, creepy castles, intriguing plots, engaging characters, and so much more.

Each book is standalone with no cliffhangers and a HEA.

Individual book comments:

Too Wicked to Kiss (3.5 stars): Evangeline is dragged to a house party at the estate of a rumored murderer. Unfortunately for Gavin, someone gets murdered at the party. Was it him, as most suspect, or does one of the many suspicious house guests have a motive?

In Too Wicked, I really liked the build-up of tension behind the reveal of the murderer. This story crosses into the paranormal with Evangeline’s special power, and it made her useful to forwarding the plot. Gavin’s background was kept under wraps for a bit too long, at least in regards to the reader being left in the dark. Evangeline’s friend, Susan, was too flighty given the situation, which is thankfully improved upon in the next book when she gets her own story.

The murder theme is laid on so thickly in this book—enough such that I’m not sure if it was charming or overbearing after a while. You can only have so many thunderstorms, gargoyles, and red cloth laying about.

While I would have enjoyed more passion between the main characters, the epilogue was a great ending to their story. It is short yet brings us a satisfying look at Evangeline and Gavin after the story’s events, and what they have waiting in their future.

Too Sinful to Deny (3 stars): Following yet another scandal, Susan’s parents want her far away from London, and so she’s evicted to spend time with a distant aunt. Evan is a smuggler by trade, but when danger closes in, he finds himself working with the new pampered lady in town to uncover the answers.

I really enjoyed the core plot of this story, and liked how it used communication with ghosts for its gothic element. However, the ghost aspect often fell aside until the plot needed a new shove forward, so the way it was used felt like a crutch at times. There was murder and mystery, but the smuggling itself (especially after the build-up about its dangers) was anti-climatic. The plot was paced well and was intriguing, but the ending felt quite sudden in comparison to the rest.

Susan and Evan were distinct and delightful to read. I enjoyed that they were both tenacious and adventurous, each in their own ways.

Too Tempting to Resist (4 stars): When Rebecca’s uncle inherits the castle she resides in, she’s given an ultimatum: marry quickly, or get lost. Then the only man she ever loved—and the only man to break her heart—is summoned to the reading of the will. Daniel regrets his past choices and hopes to rebuild their friendship, and perhaps more.

This is the shortest of the four stories, and it isn’t as dark as the rest. It’s a second-chance romance set in a creepy locale—and that’s where the “gothic” part of this story ends. That didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story, but it was a notable contrast for the series.

I may have rated this five stars if it weren’t for the believability factor to be lost in regards to Rebecca’s life at her uncle’s manor. The fact that her uncles and the solicitor forgot she lived there was too much—the solicitor, if anyone, should have been aware from the moment she became a permanent resident. Another detraction is when Rebecca reflects in the opening chapter on how the staff doesn’t notice her and attributes things she does to ghosts of the castle, yet later in the book they recognize her and are at her beck and call.

That aside, the story of Daniel and Rebecca’s relationship was engaging, touching, at times heartbreaking, and satisfying. My only true lament is that the final chapter wasn’t just a little bit longer, as I wasn’t quite ready to let these two go.

Too Wanton to Wed (4 stars): After Violet commits murder (of a sort) to save a child, she flees to avoid retribution. She stumbles upon Waldegrave Abbey, where its denizens live inside the darkness of its boarded-up walls, for a shocking reason—a sensitivity to sunlight. Alistair doesn’t look like a vampire, nor does his young daughter, who is kept locked away. As Lily’s new governess, Violet seeks to bring some light into the little girl’s world while hiding from the demons of her own.

This story was full of mystery and the gothic element is at a high with the comparisons to vampirism, the dungeon-like structure of the abbey, and late night walks. I would have enjoyed some more concern over Violet’s original situation throughout the entire story, but the way it wove back into the narrative did feel natural.

The building of Violet and Alistair’s relationship was done well, as was the mending of Lily’s devastating childhood and Alistair’s heart. There is a brief epilogue that wraps everything up, but unlike the one in Too Wicked, it was too abrupt and didn’t give quite the same sense of completion.

One thing I hope for the future is that a grown-up Lily gets her own story!



I received an ARC of all four books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book.

Too Wicked To Kiss
I really enjoyed reading this gothic historical love story. It was engaging and entertaining. I loved how the murder of a guest was set up where any of the guests could be the guilty party. Gavin, rumored to have murdered his parents, is the primary suspect. Evangeline is caught between her attraction and wondering whether Gavin had murdered his houseguest. The attraction between Gavin and Evangeline is present from the moment they meet. Their relationship deepens as they spend time together. The book was hard to put down as I wanted to keep reading to find out how the story would end.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book.

Too Sinful to Deny

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Too Sinful to Deny.

This is the second book in the series and can be read standalone.

This is a great addition to the series. Susan and Evan are at odds from the start as a result of the circumstances they find themselves in. It’s not clear in some cases which secondary characters could be trusted and which could not. This story has subplots that intertwined with the mystery and keep the reader wondering how it would all be resolved in the end. I loved that Susan did not give up in her efforts to resolve matters and looked out for others. Evan is flawed but likable and his interactions with Susan change him for the better.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received an ARC of these wonderful gothic historical romance books. All four books in this series are superb, bringing in just enough of the supernatural to keep it fascinating. There's plenty of love and budding romances in all 4 books. One book deals with visions, the second with the ability tontalk to spirits. The third and fourth rely more on people's conceptions of what may or may not be factually accurate but certainly of the gothic variety. Great reads! Thoroughly enjoyed all 4!

An entertaining set of 4 romances full of twists, turns, great characters, romance and wonderful chemistry. This covers different gothic romances regency set and sometimes slightly paranormal, great set to keep you entertained for a few nights

Regency gothic delights!

Delightful gothic romp through four charming novels each with a different focus be it crippling psychic abilities, pirates and people with strange gifts. We have a bluestocking, a ton desirable, a rake and a governess, all with a different story to tell.
The full length novels are all Too Readable to stop:
Too Wicked to Kiss (Book 1)
Too Sinful to Deny (Book 2)
Too Tempting to Resist (Book 3)
Too Wanton to Wed (Book 4)
I thoroughly enjoyed these re-released novels that have now been published simultaneously. No waiting for the next in the series!
An added bonus for me is that I hadn't read these tales before.

An Author Collective 20 ARC via NetGalley

Four great gothic romances with plenty of drama suspense and loads of twists and turns. The characters for each read are amazing with loads of depth and great chemistry. The stories are entertaining and enjoyable. I really liked the entire series.

A set of books in the Gothic genre of historical romances. With brooding heroes and doughty heroines who fight for their right to romance etc.
For me, book 1 took quite a while to actually grab my interest. certainly a set of upper-class horrors were portrayed here, where a kiss makes a girl unmarriageable and age is no barrier, only money.
Women are possessions, things.
Interestingly, reading a recent article about millennial dating and sexual habits we seem to be coming back to this view - it is OK for a male to spit on his partner as one kind of kink/fetish, and semi-strangulation is OK too. Women put up with it as part of the norm for having a boyfriend rather than objecting. Women accept it and expect to be treated as a body rather than partner.
Whatever happened to feminism?!
So gothic heroes are perhaps more the normal type of male these days? Treating women badly is OK?
Luckily in the novels, the women fight back and demand better treatment and get it.
Not really my favourite genre but by the end of the set of novels I was enjoying them more.

I enjoyed these four gothic romances that have been revised and reissued. These stories involve feisty, strong women who fight for what they want and rakes who are willing to reform to win the ladies they love. The dialogue is sharp and sassy. I enjoyed the interaction between these characters. It adds spice to the stories. The romances are filled with passion and seemingly impossible obstacles which pulled me. I wanted the couples to find their HEA. I found that the setting added to the feeling of fear and dread. The first genre I read was gothic romances so it was nice to go back to my roots. Erica Ridley deftly handles these romantic stories.

Too Wicked to Kiss - Fleeing her stepfather after several fear-filled days following her mother's death, Evangeline Pemberton finds herself at the mercy of the charity of Lady Stanton, who invites Evangeline to join her and her daughter, Susan, at a house party. However, Lady Stanton is less than charitable and demands Evangeline help trap the host, the reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, a rumored murderer, but also a wealthy man, into marriage to Susan. Evangeline is loath to participate in such deception, initially terrified by Gavin's menacing presence, but soon finds herself drawn to him.

Gavin would prefer to keep his peace and quiet undisturbed. He knows the only ones who tolerate his company do so because they want his money. He certainly didn't want the house party his sister has organized. When one of the guests is found dead, suspicion immediately falls on Gavin, but Evangeline is beginning to wonder if the surprisingly vulnerable murderer could in fact be innocent.

The gothic, slightly paranormal setting of this was delicious. The pacing was a bit slow fo rme, but it wound up being terribly romantic. I'm all for intrigue and mystery, but this did drag out long enough to test my patience just a bit. Evangeline kept falling into the same trap of judgmental thinking and that frustrated me to no end, though thankfully she did learn eventually. I loved the gothic setting, the plot, and the hero, just no so much the heroine.

Too Sinful To Deny- Spoiled London debutante Susan Stanton has finally taken her gossiping and reckless curiosity too far and been banished to live with a distant cousin in a remote seaside manor house. As soon as she arrives, Susan realizes something is off about the house and nearby town and that's before she starts seeing ghosts. To make matters worse, it seems the only one with a chance of helping her figure out just what is going on is roguish smuggler Evan Bothwick, the farthest thing from the wealthy, titled husband Susan hopes to secure. For his part, Evan is trying to solve his late brother's murder and doesn't have time for feminine distractions, though keeping his distance may be easier said than done.

I couldn't stand Susan as a secondary character in the previous book in this series and I disliked her even more as a main character here. I hoped there would be some depth and redemption for her vapid character, but alas there really was not. She was honestly just too stupid, vain and shallow for me to cheer for her. The rakish Evan wasn't much better, but he was rather charmingly noble in his underhandedness. Despite the fact that she recognizes that her big mouth and recklessness continue to get her into trouble, Susan fails to learn and continues to jump to conclusions and display a general airheadedness. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the gothic vibes and plot of this one, though the pacing was a little slow to hold my attention, I did keep picking it back up. I always love when a rake gives up his wild ways for the perfect woman and this did not disappoint on that score.

Too Tempting to Resist-Miss Rebecca Bond has been content living in quiet anonymity in the [supposedly haunted] castle of her great uncle, an earl, but when he dies, she's left with few options. As a poor relation Rebecca is wholly dependent on the new earl's whims and he determines she must wed immediately or be turned out completely. When the only man she's ever loved arrives for the reading of the will, Rebecca decides he's her best option to teach her how to find a gentleman to marry, despite the fact that their last meeting was a disaster and they haven't spoken in the years since.

Daniel Godwin, Viscount Stoneberry, has always regretted the loss of Rebecca, his one true friend who saw him for himself and not his title. Now that he has a second chance, he will do all he can to win her trust, even guide her into another's arms, though he'll do his best to see she picks him instead.

This was a quick, sweet second chance story about learning where your priorities lie and I enjoyed it.

Too Wanton to Wed-Former street urchin turned art instructor Violet Whitechapel is now on the run after committing a terrible crime to save a child. Delirious with hunger and fatigue, she stumbles upon a secluded abbey and begs refuge. When its master offers her a position as a governess to his daughter for a one month trial period, Violet cannot refuse.

Alistair Waldegrave keeps his daughter, Lillian, locked away for her own safety. Both he and Lillian are afflicted with a terrible disease that renders them incapable of tolerating any sunlight. As he continues to search for a cure to their disease, the new governess begins to bring him hope he hadn't felt since the death of his beloved wife. But just as Violet begins to feel comfortable in her new home, her past catches up to her and threatens any hope she was building for a future with the Waldegraves.

This was a good read and I enjoyed the overall story and mostly enjoyed the characters, though the pacing was too slow to hold my interest entirely in some parts. Overall, this was a good ending to a solid series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gothic Love Stories is the complete series by Erica Ridley with three novels and one novella. The stories are an excellent mix of gothic and regency romance. The heroes have reputations that proceed them and each lady is in dire need of rescuing. With little tastes of paranormal and mystery, the novels are a delightful mix that each have a satisfying HEA with bad boys that will tug on the heart strings. A collection of stories that will be put on the to be reread shelf for sure. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

I just love Erica Ridley’s books. Wonderful! Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

This series of books by author Erica Ridley is very well written and engaging, but i did not get connected with the characters and their respective partners, and missed more cute scenes showing them falling in love, for me it focused more on unraveling the mysteries of the plot of the story than in romance. I really love the author's other books i have read ; the Dukes of War, Rogues to Riches and 12 Dukes of Christmas, and Ms. Ridley is on my top 10 favorite authors but this one didn't work as well for me. Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who knew a Gothic romance could include humor?
That is certainly true with this collection. I never suspected that Erica Ridley could write such dark romantic titles and include a humorous side.
This set is a re-worked and re-released set of four earlier works by this wonderful author and they are not to be missed by fans of Erica Ridley books.

TOO WICKED TO KISS

When an impoverished bluestocking finds herself at the mercy of an irresistible scoundrel, his touch holds her captive to his every dark desire...
Wonderful! You will find yourself laughing, crying and frightened for the hero and heroine.

Who knew a Gothic Romance could include humor?
That is certainly true with this collection. I never suspected that Erica Ridley could write such dark romantic titles and include a humorous side.

I gave this book 4.4 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.

TOO SINFUL TO DENY

When a disgraced socialite is exiled to an isolated manor atop a pirate-infested cove, the only person who can help her escape is the one man who cannot be trusted with her heart... 


One look at the towering ocean-side manor that is to be her new home, and exiled socialite Susan Stanton knows: This is a place haunted by secrets, and riddled with menace.
For Susan, there is no escaping the most dangerous element of all—dark-haired smuggler Evan Bothwick

But Susan has a secret of her own—a special gift that renders her privy to the darkest mysteries lurking within the walls of the manor and in the labyrinthine cellars beneath.

Great read! Are there really ghosts in this frightening manor house?
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.

TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST

A rakish lord has the chance to win forgiveness from a lost love... if he can spirit her away from a haunted castle. 


This is another Gothic treat!

Haunted castles, frightening circumstances and a heroine who tries to run away.

This sweet second chances title will reel you in.

I gave this book 4.0 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.

TOO WANTON TO WED

A secretive governess seeks shelter in the towering home of a mysterious recluse who may be even more dangerous than the man she fled.

A true Gothic treat!
Violet Whitechapel committed an unspeakable crime to save a child. To escape the hangman’s noose, she takes refuge in a crumbling abbey with secrets darker than her own.

Alistair Waldegrave keeps his daughter imprisoned in the black heart of his Gothic abbey. As he searches for a cure to the disease the villagers call demonic, his new governess brings much needed light into their lives.

This fourth and final book of this Gothic Romance series is by far the best one.
Lily makes this title! The child just wants to be free of her bonds which are there only to keep her safe but she needs her freedom more than she needs her safety.
Violet is her salvation as well as the one person who can bring happiness to all of them.
Her secret may just be her doom though.
I loved this book and although it is a re-mastering of an earlier book it has been masterfully re-edited and presented.
I gave this book a well deserved 4.75 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
This romance is so much more than romance with it's poignant tale..
I received a complimentary copy of all four books in this series as a combined set. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Different from so many books situated in this time period. It isn't about the "ton" and not placed in London during high season. Right there caught my interest. Big properties with castles, an abbey, ghosts and more made the reading a big fun read. I liked the stories. The characters were interesting and kept me turning pages.