This isn't my first book by Katrina Kendrick and like the others it is fast-paced, very sexy and has many interesting characters, from earls to assassins. The plot is good - Emma tries to find her sister who fled Paris in great danger. But her sister turns out to not be quite who she thinks she is.

The historical setting feels authentic (with the addition of spies and international crime organisations) and the romance is spicy so this makes for a quick and enjoyable read. The characters are flawed (frustratingly so at times) and are everything you would expect - brooding, misunderstood and unavoidably drawn together.

I particularly enjoyed the relationship between the two main ladies, Emma and Alexandra, the friendship develops despite the employer/employee dynamic and it's full of wit and sass. Alexandra is the antithesis of the English aristocratic lady, she has no interest in marriage and instead wishes to pursue her activism, she was fun to read.

At times, I found the romantic scenes a touch repetitive, as the setting didn't really change. But overall, I enjoyed this book for a what it is, a fun historical romance.

A seductive blend of Regency romance, intrigue, and high-stakes deception that grips from the first masked encounter. Katrina crafts a thrilling tale where secrets simmer beneath silk and stolen glances. James and Emma share a chemistry that crackles with tension and forbidden desire. The Masquerade sets the stage for passion, but it’s the unravelling of lies, loyalty, and danger that truly drives the plot. With strong pacing, emotional depth, and a dash of scandal, this is a wickedly satisfying historical romance.

Thanks for the ARC! This one brought the heat. The tension was on point and the romance delivered. A solid spicy read with enough plot to keep me hooked.

The spice kicked off pretty much straight away, I loved the fmc, there was a decent plot and it was well written!

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the e-book

I am still dipping my toes into Regency romances and I thought this would be a good pickup. I had to DNF because it was a bit boring. I would prefer my romances a bit fast-paced but this had a plot that slowed the overall progression down. If you like regency romances with mystery then this may work for you.

The book blends romance with a touch of mystery, making for an engaging page-turner. Kendrick’s writing is sharp and captivating, drawing you into a world of passion, intrigue, and unexpected twists. The characters are vibrant, especially the protagonist, who is complex and relatable, making her journey all the more compelling.

While the plot is full of excitement and drama, there were moments where I felt certain elements were a bit predictable. Nevertheless, the chemistry between the characters and the emotional depth of the story keep things interesting throughout. If you enjoy a bit of romance mixed with suspense and a dash of wit, A Touch Wicked is definitely worth picking up!

This book!! I don’t often read historical romance but after Bridgerton I needed more and I’m so glad I picked this one up!! The FMC was so fun to read, I didn’t expect her to be so engaging and feisty since you don’t see much of that in historical fiction but she was so entertaining to read. Not only that but I fell in love with the grumpy mmc and how obsessed he was with the fmc, especially because he loved both versions of her; the lady’s maid and the scandalous version he met at the ball.

A Touch Wicked is a period piece romance with some spice and a "mystery". Simply, this book was not for me. I found the story to be extremely slow moving and quite boring. While there was supposed to be a bit of suspense around the missing sister plot, it wasn't there. There was absolutely no character development. I would have loved to have learned more about all of the characters but especially Alexandra and Richard. While there was some spice, the scenes were a bit awkward. I know that there will be plenty of readers who will enjoy this book; however, I am not one of them.

This is a first time read for me by this author and I found this to be quite an intriguing story. It's a scandalous Regency romance that's full of forbidden passion, dark secrets, and a game of deception that kept me on edge from start to finish. With its tantalizing blend of scandal, suspense, and simmering chemistry, this novel explores love and danger in London’s glittering high society.
James, the dashing Earl of Kent, js London's most eligible bachelor and is ready to wed. But after meeting with a captivating stranger at London’s most notorious masque, he can't get her out of his mind. Little does he know, the woman behind the mask is Emma Dumont, a penniless woman on a desperate mission to save her sister from ruin. Emma’s cunning plan to infiltrate his household unravels as their undeniable attraction deepens, putting her heart—and her secrets—at risk.
The romance is electrifying, with tension that crackles in every encounter. James’s brooding charm and Emma’s determination create a dynamic pairing, while the backdrop of a dangerous conspiracy adds stakes that go beyond their burgeoning relationship. The story artfully navigates the balance between scandalous escapades and heartfelt emotion, delivering a plot that is both thrilling and deeply romantic. The story offers a perfect mix of high-stakes drama and forbidden love, making it an intoxicating read that is hard to put down.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This one was really giving Cinderella vibes and I LOVE that. Call me cliche, but I am a sucker for a retelling with a twist. Incredible vibes.

Other than being spicy and a period piece, this just didn't do it for me! I really wanted to love it but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

A fun and quick read with plenty of spice and a lovely romance

Great characters and how they relate to each within the story

Whew! This was spicy and oh-so-good! I loved the masquerade aspect and the mistaken identity trope as well. The characters were wonderful. Will be looking forward to more from Kendrick!

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 my first Katrina Kendrick book and I was quite impressed by it. I hope to read more from her in the future and may be expand this world.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6549174966

Give me a sexy historical romance any day, and I will read it in one sitting. Give me a sexy historical romance with tropes including a case of mistaken identity, a relationship with her boss, and a wealthy, single, broody hero... I'm sold.

The love story was reason enough for me to love the book, but what really elevated it to me was the disfunctional family dynamic featured in the plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I dnf this book, I just couldn't connect with the style of writing or the characters. I know this book has and will continue to connect with others readers, just sadly not for me.

Whew! A historal romance that is steamy and spicy. It was absolutely right on point for what I wanted. I need more books like this!! Not only was the steam, romance ans banter good but the storyline was great. 5 star read for me!
I just reviewed A Touch Wicked by Katrina Kendrick. #ATouchWicked #NetGalley
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A wonderfully seductive read with a fantastical masquerade center piece and brilliant characters. I'm curious to read more of Katrina Kendrick's world and the lives of James's brother and sister.

Wow. Fun. Intriguing. Spicey. Wit. Adventure. Mystery. Yep, this book has it all. And is even a quick read.
After her sister goes missing and is definitely in danger, Emma sets out to find her. Hiding who she is she finds a whole new life, new friends and unexpected love.
James is looking for someone to look after his slightly wild sister. He has so many responsibilities he is also looking for a small escape. What he didn‘t expect to find was a mystery lady full of adventure and a special lady to take care of his sister. Surprise, surprise they are the same person. And he is in love.
This book had everything I love all in one fun little package. I love the way this author writes and the creativity of her stories. Her characters are always full of personality. Their chemistry is always explosive. You are going to love this adventure.
1000 stars. I want more.