The Importance of Being Wicked

By: Victoria Alexander

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

For Winfield Elliott, Viscount Stillwell, finding a prospective bride always seemed easy. Perhaps too easy. With three broken engagements to his name, Win is the subject of endless gossip. Yet his current mission is quite noble: to hire a company to repair his family’s fire-damaged country house. Nothing disreputable in that - until the firm’s representative turns out to be a very desirable widow.

Lady Miranda Garret expected a man of Win’s reputation to be flirtatious, even charming. But the awkward truth is that she finds him thoroughly irresistible. While Miranda resides at Millworth to oversee the work, Win occupies her days, her dreams…and soon, her bed. For the first time, the wicked Win has fallen in love. And what began as a scandalous proposition may yet become a very different proposal.…

©2013 Victoria Alexander (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Sexy and humorous!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This book was a delight.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the humor in addition to the romance.

Any additional comments?

I've read this book previous in paperback some years back. But listening to the narrative of it was very enjoyable to listen to while I work on my computer.

Kinda Boring...

What did you like best about The Importance of Being Wicked? What did you like least?

I just coud not connect with the Hero and Heroine.

Would you ever listen to anything by Victoria Alexander again?

Yes I would

Any additional comments?

I just could not connect with story or the main characters. The book before this "What Happens At Christmas" was so much more engaging. I got lost in the story and lost track of time. I love when books do that. This book however just couldn't keep my attention.

Good story, but narrator distracted me.

Setting: England, 1887
Genre: Romance
Narration: I gave it 2 stars because I'm polite. Alrighty then... I cannot like Michael Page's voice, because it sounds like he is speaking from the back of his mouth, as if his vocal chords are tangled up. It wasn't irritating enough to make me turn off the book, but it did keep me from falling into the story as I do with a really good narrator. I will get the books I really want on Kindle rather than audio if he's the narrator.
The story has a nice plot. The hero is Winfield Elliott, Viscount Stillwell. He has the reputation of being somewhat of a rogue, plus he has had 3 broken engagements. But when his house burned, his stuffy side comes out, and so do his conservative ideals. The heroine is Lady Miranda Garret, a widow with a secret. She has been running her late husband's architecture firm, making her a (gasp!) woman of business. When her firm, Garret & Tempest, accepts the commission to rebuild, the architect is actually Lady Garret. But she had performed the same task when her husband was alive, allowing him to take the credit. In the Victorian era, women had their place, and that was in the home doing as their husbands directed, not performing in a man's profession. It was a time more restrictive to women of the nobility, as they were always in the eye of their peers, living their lives by what would or would not generate gossip. As Miranda and Winfield fall in love, the secret becomes harder for her to keep. So, the plot revolves around the secrets they have, as well as the matter of trust.
I enjoyed the novel very much. The plot, character development, and dialogue were above average. But if it had had a different narrator I would have enjoyed it more. It's worth the credit if you're okay with Michael Page performing it.

delightful!

What did you love best about The Importance of Being Wicked?

The interplay between the H & h. I loved how their spats were so juicy and fun.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Importance of Being Wicked?

The announcement near the end at the mid-summer ball.

What about Michael Page’s performance did you like?

I liked his male characters. The H's father in particular came across as befuddled and preoccupied, but was later proven to be quite wise. But his female characters were rather falsetto in their tone, and I feel they should have been portrayed by a female narrator.

Any additional comments?

It's a fun listen, not very long which is nice sometimes. It was very funny in places, and I enjoyed the dance between the lead characters. Highly recommended if you're looking for a light-hearted story.

QUARRELS, TANTRUMS, SECRETS, A FOLLY AND..... LOVE

As soon as Lady Miranda (19th century new thinking woman) and Viscount Winfield (19th century old school handsome male) meet sparks fly but unfortunately not in a good way. Every time one of them speaks the other one is ready to argue or disagree but the sexual chemistry is there whether they like it or not.

The characters are warm, kind and thoughtful (except to each other) and you eventually empathise with both of them as each have a strong belief that they just can't bend on, but their internal struggles make them realise they must change or lose love. Their verbal duelling at the start was so funny and well written and the storyline builds and builds until it's climatic romantic conclusion.

Michael Page breathes life into each of the many characters and makes it a joy to listen to.

Worth a credit? Yes, it would have been but for $9.79 I just bought it and saved my credit for a pricier listen and I will be downloading more of her books.

pretty good. Lead character voices were good

The plot was original, which I always appreciate. The lead character voices were good but there was a young, attractive, dark-haired character whose voice sounded elderly, which was a little confusing. I was unclear as to the female lead's flirtatiousness/motivation, given that she was still denying an attraction (in her own mind). Otherwise, I enjoyed the story and narration.

She loves him but I didn't

The story is good but I couldn't fall for the hero. He is just too much of a twit too often to suit me. Good strong heroine made the story happen and made the book entertaining. Fantastic narration by Mr. Page and that is something I don't often say about male narrators of historical romance novels.

Fun in a very safe way

This story is about Miranda, a modern day, free thinking widow and Winfield Elliot, a man who likes his world to be predictable and orderly. Needless to say, when his house burns down and he needs to rebuild, a woman is the last person he expects to come to his aid, but when no one else is available to help him in the short span of time he has to work with he is forced to utilize Miranda Garret's help. A battle of wills ensues that eventually leads to love. It has some funny and charming moments.

The premise sounds promising and it is mildly entertaining but predictable. Those aren't always bad qualities in a book and at the sale price its well worth the price. I really like male narrator, Michael Page, he is very well spoken and I enjoyed his voice. I was disappointed that he made the lead character sound so old and stuffy but I enjoyed all his other voices. Overall, for me, this story was ok. Its a likable story that's fairly reliable in it's plot.

Not Ms. Alexanders best work by any means but a fairly safe way to pass the time. I wouldn't waste a credit on it, at the sale price of $7.27 its a value, anything more is a waste of time and money.

What a narration

Would you consider the audio edition of The Importance of Being Wicked to be better than the print version?

A beautifully narrated tale. The story and characters are classic Victoria Alexander but what elevates this audiobook to a must buy is the narration which is truly inspired. I loved listening to it.

LOVED IT!

What a wonderful story, characters, dialogue. Cannot wait for the next Victoria Alexander book. A word about the narration: generally I avoid male narrators of regency romances. They don’t seem to be able to do acceptable female voices. Michael Page was a nice surprise. I will listen to him again.