The Importance of Being Wanton

Wantons of Waverton, Book 2

By: Christi Caldwell

Narrated by: Justine Eyre, Timothy Campbell

USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell turns polite London society on its head in a delightful romance of unguarded hearts, second chances, and a scandalous rivalry between the sexes.

Emma Gately and the Earl of Scarsdale were betrothed as children - less a vow of future happiness than an obligation. Seventeen years later, the independent miss severs the contract with the now notorious libertine in an unprecedented act of independence. And Emma cofounds the Mismatch Society, where like-minded ladies are free of the constraints and inevitable broken hearts that men bring. But Emma’s rejection sparks in her intended a new consideration of the spirited woman he took for granted - and a determination to win her back.

Despite his wicked reputation, misguided and suddenly lovestruck, Charles Hayden is on a mission to gain Emma’s respect, and he has just the idea - one that the daringly unconventional Emma is sure to appreciate. But as Charles takes bold steps and sets tongues wagging, he makes himself an accidental opponent of his former betrothed. Soon a rivalry is born that has the whole ton abuzz.

Emma never anticipated that with every fiery test of wills, passion would surge. Passion that’s impossible to ignore. In going toe-to-toe with Charles, she risks her heart and pride by falling in love with the one man she vowed to scorn.

©2021 by Christi Caldwell Incorporated. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Interesting

The story was captivating but long and winded. too much repetition of scenes. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Double narration

I have loved everything that Tim Campbell narrates however this was very disappointing! Couldn’t get into the characters unless Tim Campbell was speaking! He makes both make and female so real but when the girl narrated I lost all interest. Bummed but won’t listen to the mothers in the series!

The importance of being wanton

I didn't like the women narrator. I prefer Tim Campbell as narrator. I didn't like the story very much.

He's a bully, she's a weak glutton for humiliation

What is it with female writers that can't seem to write a female lead that isn't a weak, glutton for humiliation? Take our hero, and I use that term VERY sarcasticly, as a prime example. He's engaged to our female doormat, by agreement between their parents, when he is in his teens, and she's just six. He hates the engagement and goes out of his way to hurt, humiliate and heap as much scorn and degradation on the poor girl as possible, before their families, friends, the ton and society as a whole. He flaunts his drinking, gambling, mistresses, whores, and illegitimate child in front society, while either ignoring her or being rude, dismissive and hurtful to her. He allows society and the gossips to savage her reputation, say awful things about her and spread terrible stories about all her failing as to why he hasn't married her. Instead of being a man and standing up to his parents and society, and ending the engagement, he continues to blame her for something that she had no control over and heaps his anger on her instead of where it belongs. That is until she has the nerve to end their farce of an engagement, then suddenly he can't live without her, and begins a campaign to win her back by upping the humiliation, degradation and at times down right abuse.

But, why would our frat boy hero think anything else, because our heroine has a backbone made of over cooked spaghetti and enough self respect it would fill a thimble with room left for an elephant. If you can have self-esteem in negative numbers, her's would be in negative double digits. After the way he has treated her, allowed others to treat her, she becomes a puddle of goo at his feet if he just looks at her. The more he abuses and humiliates her, the more she falls into his arms. If he beat her, she would probably give him a blow job in the middle of Hyde Park.

I also agree with other reviewers that this book becomes tedious with the constant repeats. We got it already, he hates the engagement. We figured that out the first 25 you told us, we didn't need the 40 other reminders. All her references to her pride could have been omitted, she didn't have any. Even the sex scenes got tedious. If it takes longer to read about it than to actually do it, that's a clue it's overwritten.

I've read/listened to most of Caldwell's books, most of which I've mostly enjoyed. However, it's really hard to enjoy a book that you spend part of your time yelling "yeah, you've told us already, get on with it"; part of it rolling your eyes thinking "really, I need to know minute details about his every stitch of clothing why"; and most of the rest just wishing someone would slap some sense and self respect into her and just whack him up side the head because he's a jerk.

Terrible Narration by Justine Eyre

Buyer Beware!

I purchased the audio because Tim Campbell was narrating the story. Unfortunately, every other chapter a whiny, monotonic female voice narrated. Campbell has narrated entire Caldwell books in the past.

Very disappointed by this audio presentation. I do not recommend the audio as it is presented in this form for this book.

Highly recommend all Christi Caldwell novels and books narrated by Tim Campbell (only).

Not Enough Plot

Have enjoyed previous Christi Caldwell novels with Tim Campbell narration. However this one was very disappointing. Simply not enough plot and far too much repetition.