Sophie Reads YA: Liana LeFey

2022 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Tempting the Vicar (The Wicked Waywards #2) by Liana LeFey

11:00

Tempting the Vicar
Series: The Wicked Waywards #2
Author: Liana LeFey
Published January 17th 2022 by Entangled Publishing LLC (Amara)

Goodreads Synopsis
After his twin brother pulls a foolish prank, Reverend Daniel Wayward's life is now decidedly complicated. With his family, his parish, and even his reputation at risk, there's only one way to avoid utter ruin—by swapping places with his rakish, wicked twin. And the second Daniel steps foot into his brother's worldly and sinful life in London, he's completely caught by temptation of the most enticing, green-eyed kind.

Miss Olivia St. Peters knows the son of the duke is a dangerous fellow, but something in those hooded, hungry blue eyes makes her blood sing with pleasure. She's determined to have this Wayward noble, no matter what Society—or even her father—says about the match. And if that means playing with fire, she'll gladly burn...

The more Daniel resists the oh-so-inviting charms of Olivia, the more determined she is to have him. Now he's caught between his vows of faith and the lure of sweet temptation. And the only thing standing between his heart and his immortal soul is one unforgivable deception...
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

After his twin brother breaks his leg while pretending to be him, vicar Daniel Wayward is forced to go to London and take Devlin's place until the injury is healed. Though they are twins, they're completely different personalities, and Devlin's rakish lifestyle is a shock to Daniel's more conservative ways. There's also the added pressure of Miss Olivia St. Peters, the daughter of Devlin's business partner, and someone who has set her sight's on Devlin, come hell or high water. Daniel needs to discourage her, but the chemistry between them is almost too much to bear.

This book was one I was looking forward too, after reading Devlin's story in The Devil's Own, but there was something - I'm not sure what - that I just didn't click with. Daniel and Olivia were alright characters - Olivia much better though - but I felt like their story was too contrived, and dragged on far too much. I liked the first book, and wasn't as bothered by the deception in that case, but here, with the supposedly saintly Daniel, I felt a little repulsed by how long he kept the truth from Olivia. It was an alright book, but nothing perfect, and not one I'll likely go back to.

Dates Read:
April 19-20, 2022

Rating
3 Stars

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: The Devil's Own (The Wicked Waywards #1) by Liana LeFey

10:00

The Devil's Own
Series: The Wicked Waywards #1
Author: Liana LeFey
Published June 14th 2021 by Entangled: Amara

Goodreads Synopsis
All hell breaks loose, when the devil falls in love with an angel.

Lord Devlin Wayward, gambler and dedicated rake, returns home for the first time in years, and lands himself and his identical twin, Daniel, the good reverend, in deep trouble. Devlin ends up with a broken leg and unable to travel to London, yet he must return. He’s got an important deal that will make or break his fortune. He persuades the reluctant reverend to take his place in London while he temporarily minds his brother’s flock.

Miss Mary Tomblin is taken with the devastatingly handsome reverend. He represents everything she desires in a husband, after narrowly evading a ruthless rake last Season. Mary knows she'll make him an excellent wife, but the vicar rebuffs every advance – until he suddenly accepts her help with pastoral duties while his broken leg heals. Mary seizes the chance to show the good reverend what an excellent helpmeet she will be.

The devil takes on the role of village vicar and discovers it's nowhere near as easy as he imagined—especially when he falls in love with an angel who mistakes him for a saint.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Miss Mary Tomblin has never had a true home, having to move around so much for her father's work. But, at her newest village, she starts to fall for the handsome vicar, Daniel Wayward, who hasn't so much as looked at her twice. But, all of a sudden, he starts to want to spend more time with her, and she has the opportunity to prove she is the perfect choice for a reverend's wife, tending to his parishioners and helping him with his troubles. The thing is, though, that the reverend who is paying attention to Mary is in fact Devlin Wayward, the vicar's rakish twin, who decided to masquerade as him one day, and broke his leg in full view of the village. Now he has to 'be' the vicar until he's healed, and he realises that though his brother is good and proper, he hasn't seen that perfection he has in front of him, and Devlin falls for Mary. Will the truth be revealed, or will they both be doomed to fall for the wrong person?

This book had everything you could want from a story of mixed identities. However, I found the main characters - Mary, Devlin, and Daniel - to be arrogant and annoying, especially at first. Devlin grew on me, as he matured a lot throughout the story, and it became clear that a lot of his initial impression was a facade of bravado to protect himself from the rejection he felt from his family. Mary was shallow and seemed only concerned with getting Daniel, at any cost, and I'm not surprised he wasn't interested with how full on she was being. There was no subtlety with her feelings, and though I liked her more towards the end of the book, she still never fully grew on me. We don't really see much of Daniel once Devlin takes on his role, as he travels to London to pretend to be Devlin instead. The relationship between Devlin - as 'Daniel' - and Mary was alright - nothing too special, but enjoyable nonetheless. The plot 'twist' was expected, and I think it just all felt a little too stereotypical and cliched that although I flew through the book, I didn't love it. I might read the sequel, to see what Daniel got up to in London, but I'm not in a big rush to do so.

Dates Read:
July 11, 2021

Rating
3 Stars