Sweetest Little Sin by Christine Wells
May 4, 2010
Historical Romance
Paperback, 304 Pages
Berkley


Why I read: Received from publisher for review


Favorite Quote: “Damn you, Louisa.” The soft growl was all she heard before a savage, beautiful mouth found hers.

The Marquis of Jardine has many secrets, of course being a secret agent lends to his covert nature. He doesn’t necessarily work for the British Government, he likes to be on his own, but he has worked closely with many official agents over the years. One of his secrets is that he is in love with Lady Louisa Brooke. They have quite a history together, and she definitely shares his affection, but to keep her safe, something Jardine will do at all costs, he finds he has to push her away. Louisa is desperately in love with Jardine, and although she wears a brave face, she is crumbling on the inside.

Louisa is considered a spinster by society, and although she went through a time where her family had no money, her family now bears a wealthy title and they are invited into the homes of the elite ton. Louisa could care less about the frivolity associated with these people, but to bear the unimaginable pain that Jardine causes her when he kicks her out of his life, she accepts as many invitations as possible to keep her mind occupied.
Louisa and Jardine have something in common, although they don’t know it. Faulkner, a secret agent whom Louisa helped briefly recently, wants Louisa to do one small task – get invited to Radleigh’s house party. Faulkner is convinced Radleigh has a list of secret agents he is trying to sell and that could be disastrous to the country. If Louisa can get an invite, she will be able to bring a female companion, although this companion will be very much a spy herself. Louisa is up for the house party, and for the part where she pretends to be in love with Radleigh – anything to get her mind off Jardine. She not only gets invited to the house party, but Radleigh is so taken with her, an engagement develops. When word of this returns to Jardine – he becomes livid. The thought of Louisa in danger, and the thought of Radleigh’s hands on the woman he loves, almost sets him over the edge.

Jardine also knows Radleigh has the list and has his own agenda for wanting to get his hands on it. When Jardine and Louisa arrive at the house party, they are both after the same mission, they are both in love with each other, but there are so many secrets flying around, there is much investigating before all can come to the forefront

I’m not sure if I agree with the “sweetest” part of Sweetest Little Sin. While I very much enjoyed this book, I wouldn’t call our hero Jardine nor our heroine, Louisa sweet. Maybe intense, aggressive, or sordid. The concept that these two people love each other so much, yet can not be together for fear of losing their lives had my anxiety in full swing by page fifteen. Jardine is forced to push Louisa out of his life, knowing the bad guys would love to get their hands on anything Jardine holds dear. Louisa is crushed, but not necessarily sulky. She is very strong and smart and would rather get angry than mope about in tears. When these two do come together it is explosive. This is not a mushy romance, folks. This is – if you touch my woman I will slowly rip you to shreds kind of romance. Jardine is alpha, intense, hard core, and Louisa wants it all. Heck, I want him too! He is so over the top possessive of her, yet always has to look at her from afar.

I think the mystery plays out well and I was surprised a couple of times at the end by some turn of events.  The one thing that bothered me a bit as I read is at points it felt like the reader is missing out on a big part of Jardine and Louisa’s back story. I do not know if these characters make an appearance in her previous book, Wicked Little Game. I don’t know if the lack of their history together is part of the mystery of the book, but I think I would have benefitted from knowing more about the circumstances that bring these two together to begin with.


Sweetest Little Sin captured my attention from the beginning and I really enjoyed both Jardine and Louisa. I will definitely be checking out Christine Wells again.

Rating: 4/5

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