2.5 rounded up. I really liked the premise of this book, each wanting to marry for different reasons but feeling like they should hide their own motives so as to not scare off the other. And there wasn't anything horrid in this... but it didn't live up to my hopes. Not a whole lot really even happened, and it dragged terribly. I feel like a decent editor could remove a quarter of the text without changing the overall story very much at all, and a talented editor could probably remove an entire third! Nearly every chapter includes some scene of seduction. And it could be if I found them more engaging I wouldn't even have minded, but they mostly just felt like filler. Or maybe they were the main point of the story and everything else was the filler loosely stringing things along between their makeout sessions. lol. Either way, it was largely a miss for me, but I'm choosing to round up to three stars. ( )

Amelia Cynster offers to marry Lucien Ashford 6th Viscount Calverton when he returns to home drunk. He accepts but she assumes it's only to fix his fortunes. Meanwhile there's precious items going missing among the Ton (and that felt a little like a little too much on top of the main story). The two find that they are a good couple but secrets are a problem.

It's fun, readable and interesting. ( )

On a Wicked Dawn
2 Stars

Determined to marry the only man she has ever loved, Amelia Cynster finally works up the courage to propose to Luc Ashford under the pretense of a marriage of convenience. Astonished when he agrees, Amelia's preference is for an immediate wedding, but Luc has other ideas and insists on wooing his betrothed in public and in private.

Similar to the previous book about Amelia's twin, On a Wicked Dawn begins well, but ultimately falls apart mainly due to the fact that there is no actual plot.

The majority of the storyline focuses on Luc's repetitious, ridiculous and tedious internal angst. What is it with Laurens' heroes and their reluctance to admit loving their wives because they fear being manipulated? They really need to get over themselves!

In addition, the keeping secret trope is one of the more absurd in the genre. Luc refuses to tell Amelia the truth about his financial circumstances and leaves her to believe he is a pauper. He fears telling her he's as rich as Croesus and didn't marry her for her money. Seriously?!

The minor mystery is woefully underdeveloped and the culprit is obvious from the first moment. Moreover, the sex scenes are repetitive and mechanical and lose their charm very quickly. In fact, this is one big purple prose sex fest :(

All in all, a very disappointing installment and I can only hope that the next one is better. ( )

I adore this series!! Stephanie Laurens is a master at the Alpha Rake!! I love the men pursuing their ladies!! ( )

First things first, Ms. Laurens, please never use the word "ruthless" ever again. This request also includes the words "ruthlessly" and "ruthlessness." Really, never again. You probably want to lay off "rampant" as well. You're welcome.

There were elements of this book that were fun. Amelia Cynster is a great character and Luc has his moments. Sadly,the structure and pacing is just off. The "mystery" is completely tacked on. It comes out of nowhere and then is not mentioned for close to 100 pages. Also, the relationship hurdles are repeated without progress or regress over and over. The book would have been better if it had been 100 pages shorter. Not an unpleasant book, and the sex scenes are fun, but if you skip it you won't miss it. ( )