ARC Review: "The Viscount's Wicked Wager" by Collette Perri (Tempting the Tycoons #2) ★★★★★

ARC Review: The Viscount's Wicked Wager by Collette Perri

Perri has done it again! This steamy enemies-to-lovers second-chance (dare I say third chance, fourth chance… possibly fifth chance) romance is delightful and enticing. 💙I liked a lot of this plot more than the first book – though I confess some moments had me desiring to knock the characters’ heads together because the miscommunication is strong in this one!

He hadn’t known her, truly *known* her, very long, and yet she had become the only thing that mattered in his life. Everything else he had—his title, his estates, his railway business, his fortune—was meaningless in comparison.

[Contains some spoilers]

PLOT SUMMARY
In 1932, 23-year-old Lucian Grey, Viscount Montgomery, lives up to the “curse” of his forefathers – all of whom were always reckless and thoughtless and often resulted in something unpleasant happening to them. He is a spender, drinker and philanderer. Lucian loses a bet against Lord Whitby, a baron, meaning he is to marry Whitby’s daughter 19-year-old Olivia Whitby. Olivia is rightly both hurt and furious about this, insisting they somehow call things off. This is impossible which makes Olvia hate him more.

Six years later, Olivia Whitby is now 24 and Lucian is 29. Lucian has tried to better his behaviour, ceasing the lavish party life and drinking, and has made great profits working for the Northeast Railway Company. They have prolonged the engagement for as long as possible. Lucian feels if he offers Lord Whitby a share of his company’s profits, he will end the engagement, but Lucian is not sure about Olivia’s prospects if he does so. He wants to right the wrong he did to her all these years, so desires to do the right thing now. He tells Olivia that she will want for nothing if she marries him, can spend his fortune as she pleases – and most importantly can get away from her horrid father by staying in London with Lucian. She decides to marry him.

A quick elopement at Gretna Green is the furthest from Olivia’s idea of a romantic wedding where all her friends and family are invited, and she still cannot stand Lucian. Indeed, she is determined to hate him. But as time goes on, Lucian is determined to prove that he is a changed man, Olivia finds Lucian better company than she expected, and suppressed feelings begin to surface.

But some of Lucian’s past comes back to haunt both him and his wife. And with the threat of scarlet fever sweeping through London, Lucien begins to wonder if he has wronged Olivia again – and not only ruined his second chance with her, but all other possibilities of a future.

This is told from the third-person past-tense POV of Lucian and Olivia.

“That’s the thing about trusting someone with your heart. It’s a gamble. But if you win, believe me... you’ll have won everything that matters.”

OVERALL OPINIONS
I love a good historical fiction romance if it is done right and Collette Perri really has the ability to churn out a fantastic story with a great plot and characters who are very much human: strong yet flawed. I loved her first book A Summer to Surrender and I loved this too! I really loved the way Olivia and Lucian’s story turned out. The scenes like on the train and at the art gallery were my favourite because they were getting on.

I confess, I preferred the first part more than the second and read this half the quickest. If you hate the miscommunication trope you will probably not enjoy the latter half. I don’t mind it if it is done in the right way and I felt it was, here. Of course, when you think they have finally got to the point where things are resolved, they are together again, one or other of them no longer wishes to be in the relationship. I facepalmed when it was Lucian’s turn haha I was like “please, not you too!”. But I did adore how it all worked out!

<< Setting (Location/Year) >>
The locations are London and Yorkshire:
• London is where the story begins, much like book 1, where the majority of the book takes place.
• Yorkshire is where Olivia lives, at Whitby House.
• Six years later, it is first set in Yorkshire with a bit of Gretna Green where they elope then the rest is in London.
• Derbyshire is mentioned as Lucian and Olivia got to visit his mother at their estate, Hawley House.
The novel is set in 1832 originally, then majorly set six years later in 1838, with the epilogue 8 months later in either December 1838 or early 1839.

<< Accuracy? >>
For me, inaccuracies don’t usually matter. However, I am pleased to inform you that this book is reasonably accurate. Perri’s research and effort really shows here and it is most commendable!

“In the final months of 1837, their company opened to the public a rail line that went all the way from London to York, with stops at stations in major towns along the way.”

This is the only thing that might be considered inaccurate, but really only by a few years. Concerning the York to London railway, the book is mostly set in 1838 and it is claimed the railway opened in 1837 – this is 3 years before the railway actually ran in 1840. This is only a few years so I really do not mind!

This book explores the epidemic of scarlet fever, which Olivia catches in 1838. This is very accurate! According to an report in 1864, by epidemiologist John Netten Radcliffe, there was an epidemic of scarlet fever between 1838 and 1842. This was a virulent strain, meaning it was malicious and spread easily. Prior to this, there had only been a mild strain of it. The doctor in this story, Dr. Harrison, is also correct in saying that children are more likely to die from it. It was the most likely cause of death among children under 5.

Lucian at one point asks his lawyer if it is possible to get a divorce to which they reply it is not, unless for adultery reasons. This is correct! Divorce before the 1857 Matrimonial Causes Act (allowing normal couples to divorce) was an exceptionally expensive process that needed a petition to go through Parliament containing proof of adultery or life-threatening cruelty.

<< Positives >>
🠚I loved their relationship! A perfect mixture of hate, companionship, humour, spice and angst. This story has very Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet vibes, especially because he improves himself based on what she says to him (though in this case it was in a letter).
🠚It was sweet to revisit Alex and Pheobe from book 1 again! They are so sweet, and very funny to read especially because of two things: firstly, when Lucian loses the bet and is saying to Alex “I’m a damn fool” to which he replies “You won’t hear me argue that”; and the way Pheobe just outright says she hopes a solution appears in time, Lord Whitby’s death hopefully. I forgot how much I missed them!
🠚To expand on the previous point, the humour was great from the very beginning exchanges between Olivia and Lucian. This is my favourite thing:

“Are you a rake, my lord?”
His mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry?”
“A rake. A cad. A rogue.” She glared pointedly. “You know well what I mean.”
She saw surprise flash across his features. “No one has ever called me that before.”
“Hmm. Perhaps not to your face.”
He made a noise that sounded like something between a gasp and a laugh. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

🠚The moments between Olivia and her sister Susanna were lovely. As someone with a sister, the essence of this relationship was captured well: being able to communicate concerns, have a laugh about things, and most of all support each other no matter the distance. I had thought that because she was going to try and bring Susanna with her, this was going to happen but didn’t.
🠚Catherine (Pheobe’s cousin from book 1) returning and assisting Olivia was sweet, and also quite amusing! “That Lady Russell was lucky you are so level-headed,” Catherine scoffed. “If it were me, I would have clawed her eyes out, right there in front of everyone.” I love her so much! 🠚The interaction between Lucian and his mother Diana was heartwarming. We needed a moment like this where they discuss his father and the alleged curse in the family and it was done well here.
🠚Diana is a beautiful mother-in-law for Olivia. I love how motherly and sweet she is to Olivia, even going so far as to saying “I know I’m [Lucian’s] mother, but that doesn’t mean I’ll take his side if he’s done something wrong.”

<< Negatives >>
🠚Some of the back-and-forth miscommunication plot of “he’s changed” and “no he’s not, he lied” got a little too repetitive for me. I would have preferred it if there had been less of that.
🠚I would have liked to have seen a final talk between Olivia and Lady Russell after they have recovered from the scarlet fever.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Olivia꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ Olivia would have loved the S(HE) BE(LIE)VE(D) era. 🤭
🠚She is very strong in her own way. When she stands up to her father, for example, that is a bold moment. ““What a cruel thing to say.” Olivia was trembling with hurt and rage. It took everything in her to keep her voice steady.” – I wish I was more like her, when I am hurt I really cannot keep it together when I speak.
🠚I did get annoyed at the number of times she was like “I trusted you, you let me down”, listening to voices other than Lucian’s. Insecurity is a terrible and relatable thing but really. He didn’t know they were going to go through with the marriage or that he liked her very much – which, I must add, is the same way that she didn’t like him or have the best opinion of him for six years. And I was right that Lady Russel was pulling her leg trying to upset her. It would be different if Lucian was still seeing her but he has nothing more to do with her.
🠚I do get both sides of this, especially when Lucian says Olivia is “getting upset over nothing” – Olivia’s feelings and concerns are valid and it is good she is sharing them. He isn’t very sympathetic in this situation because he has spent a lot of time here trying to reassure her. Glad she gets humbled.
🠚I love that she paints him a picture to keep because he has never had a gift for him before. This was lovely!

An arranged marriage was an alarming prospect for a hopelessly romantic young woman.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Lucian꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ When we are first introduced to Lucian, we find that he is very perceptive, shown through his observations of Lord Whitby: “he was startled by the venom in the baron’s tone. He felt a jolt of sympathy for the man’s daughter…it hit him that there might be something worse than having a dead father”. I knew from this point that I would like him because he is clearly an empath and notices small things about people. This was proved right when he pays attention to Olivia and her behaviour (such as tucking her hair behind her ear when she’s nervous or her bold watercolour paintings).
🠚He has in his own way the most character growth. He gets taught a painful lesson about his actions having consequences and having to face them. And then when he thinks he is righting the wrongs, he only gets more guilt and life lessons. The way he is not doing any of this for him but for Olivia is beautiful and I instantly fell in love with him for that. Even when he thought the best thing to do would be to let her go!
🠚There are so many things I love that he does that I must list them: from him covering her with a coat while she slept in the carriage, to buying her gorgeous jewellery, being protective and concerned about her health, ensuring his estate has the finest easel for Olivia to use. My absolute favourite is this one:

Just yesterday, he brought her to the largest bookshop she had ever seen and bought her an entire trove of novels at great expense, then surprised her by doubling the order and having the duplicate copies sent to Whitby House. “This way you and your sister can discuss the novels you read,” he had told her simply, as if he had done nothing at all extraordinary. Her heart had melted on the spot.

MY HEART TOO MELTED! Marry him, again!
🠚Asking for consent too, always so attractive! You know that video of a girl screaming “how is he so hot? AND RESPECTFUL??” – that’s me with him because wow! What a man!
🠚The desire for maturity too? “What he wanted to do was go to her and demand that she explain herself. They were married. They should discuss things between them like adults.” Green flag.

“I still want you,” he admitted. “I have never stopped wanting you, not for a moment.”

FAV QUOTES
• This was not a woman who was content to be a pawn in her father’s games. She deserved better than that, and she knew it.
• “If you marry me, Miss Whitby, I can show you London. The whole world will be available to you, in fact. You can travel, go anywhere you want to go. You’ll have more funds at your disposal than you will know what to do with. You will want for nothing.”
• She had made him a better man, reversed the downward trajectory of his life, just by writing him a letter. What things could he accomplish with her at his side? It was a risk, to be sure, but the idea of it excited him in a way nothing had in a long time.
• He looked like what she would imagine Lucifer looked like in human form—the hard, lean physique, the all-knowing eyes, the roguish grin. He was so very beautiful, and that made him so treacherous.
• So, he would wait. He would wait as long as he had to and give her all the time and space she needed. He would prove to her with each day that passed that he deserved a fresh chance, that they deserved a fresh start. Lucian could be patient. For something this important, he could do it.
• He was either a genius or the world’s biggest fool. Time would tell.
• “Olivia.” She loved the way he said her name. It made her feel powerful. Desired.
• His feelings for Olivia went much, much deeper than his feelings for any other woman. He was in love with her. He had eyes for no one else. Did she not see that? • He could not bear another hour of distance between them. He felt as if he were missing half of himself. They had been together, happy, for a mere fortnight, but in that short time she had claimed his heart. It was hers now—he did not want it back. He only wanted *her* back.
• But despite everything, she still loved Lucian. If there was a chance to salvage their future happiness, she owed it to both of them to take it. One more chance, she promised herself. That’s all she would give him. She only hoped it would be enough.
• His eyes darkened a shade, and the arm that had been around her waist all night pulled her closer. “I have done nothing to deserve you, Olivia.” | She smiled against his warm chest. “That may be true, but you are stuck with me anyway.”
• “You asked me once, what made me change my lifestyle. I didn’t tell you the truth then. I was afraid of scaring you away.” His hands gently cradled her face. “It was you, Olivia. It was all you. You made me want to be a better man.”

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I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Collette Perri, and BookSirens for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.

“The Viscount's Wicked Wager” is out September 14th