Book Review: One Wicked Sin

Author: Nicola Cornick
Title: One Wicked Sin
Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: November 1, 2010
Rating: 5 Stars
Book Blurb: Once the toast of the ton, Lottie Cummings is now notorious for being divorced. Shunned by society, the destitute beauty is lured to become a Covent Garden courtesan. Until a dangerous rake saves her with a scandalous offer.


The illegitimate son of a duke, Ethan Ryder rose to the ranks of Napoleon's most trusted cavalry officer—until his capture landed him in England as a prisoner of war. Now on parole, Ethan is planning his most audacious coup yet. But he needs Lottie's help to create a spectacular diversion. Yet their pact ignites a passionate bond that may scandalize even these two wicked souls….

Review: Nicola Cornick is truly a master of regency romance and with One Wicked Sin she not only creates a great story, but she does something different. Lottie Cummings isn't your ordinary heroine, she's over 30, divorced (and her husband was a homosexual) and a bit chubby, or so she describes herself early on in the novel. She's the type of character you instantly fall in love with. She's fallen on hard times but she fights to get back to where she was even if it means become the mistress to a French prisoner of war?

This book is a very sensual read. Lottie is a courtesan, though not a good one, as she admits to Ethan. She has lost her desire to be someone's lover now that she has to do it for pay. However Ethan is an exception. When those two get together things are explosive on the page.

Ethan is a very flawed hero. He's born on the wrong side of the blanket. He's technically the enemy though his father is a Duke. He feels that he's a failed father. The list goes on and on, yet he's very likable and a perfect match for Lottie.

Yet things don't go perfectly for them. Lottie is asked to spy on him by her brother to help the British side, and later both her family and Ethan's family try to convince her to give him up or get him to switch loyalties. Their love, that isn't declared is tested at every turn, and sometimes Lottie screws up. She is the queen of bad decisions. She wouldn't be in the position she's in if she weren't. That's what makes her come across so well. She's very human and very strong. She fights for herself and for those she loves, even if she's unsure if her love is returned.

This is definitely one of this year's best regency romances. Nicola Cornick has created something different with her Scandalous Women Of The Ton trilogy and One Wicked Sin is definitely a book not to be missed!

~  Ebook provided by Net Galley