My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander
(Sinful Family Secrets #2)
Historical Romance
January 31, 2012
Zebra

Reviewed by Mandi

Evelyn Hadley-Attwater has been happily married for two years to the very dignified and loving Adrian. As they are the picture of a proper couple by day and have wicked nights together, they are both content in the lives they are leading. But they both have secrets.

Prior to marrying, Eve was a spy for England, receiving written orders from a man just known to her as “Sir.” Never meeting in person, Sir and Eve corresponded for years. Beyond information about missions, they shared parts of their lives as well. But Eve eventually decided she was done with the spy life and got out. Unknown to her, Sir left around the same time. He then married a particular lady …

Two years later, the head of the spy agency, Max, needs Eve’s help. When she left, her name was expunged from all official records. Recently, someone has broken into Max’s office and stolen a personnel file that lists everyone involved in this secret agency – except for Eve. He needs Eve to do some spy work for him, and she very reluctantly agrees. Eve and Adrian have never shared anything about their lives prior to marrying each other, and she doesn’t want to lie to him now. But she can’t tell him about this spy work. So she tries to do it in secret. Of course, he notices she is acting odd and thinks she might be having an affair. But soon all their secrets come to light.

What immediately drew me into My Wicked Little Lies is that the hero and heroine have been married for two years when the book starts. I don’t remember having read a romance that starts with our two protagonists happy and married.

“You are the most proper man I know, Adrian.” She shook her head in a mournful manner. “And yet you have a decidedly wicked streak.”

He cast her a most wicked smile.

She heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I like it.”

He sipped his wine. “I know.”

They are already adorable together. But no worries, because there is plenty of conflict in this one as Adrian starts to fear his wife is being unfaithful. And it’s not just that she might be unfaithful, but Adrian starts to suspect Eve has lingering feelings for the man she knew as Sir (who is really Adrian, but Eve doesn’t know that). I really liked that these two do start to have some conflict with each other, but it is done in a more amusing manner, rather than true drama. Eve is totally exasperated that Adrian could ever think she would be unfaithful, which then leads her to exact some revenge on him. Very witty and clever dialogue fills these pages and will keep a smile on your face.

At first, I didn’t love the way Adrian went about seeing if Eve truly loved him or still had feelings for Sir. But once events unfolded, I liked how things turned out. It works, because Eve is a very mature heroine, who doesn’t fly off the handle until she gathers all the necessary information. I really liked that about her.

The supporting characters are fabulous, too. First we have Beryl Dunwell, who is a seductive temptress and surprisingly becomes friends with Eve.

“Your bosoms, dear.” Evelyn nodded at the other woman’s bodice. “Another quarter of an inch and you will pass daring and slide right into tomorrow’s gossip.” She adopted a falsetto voice. “My goodness, did you see Lady Dunwell’s bosoms spring free from her gown? And at a charity event, no less. The woman has no sense of propriety.”

“Oh dear, I hadn’t thought of that. But as you didn’t recognize me, no one else will.” She cast Evelyn a wicked smile. “I shall have to take off my mask should my bosoms escape their confines. I would hate for gossips not to have the correct information.” Beryl glanced down at her impressive display of décolletage. “Although I would think my bosoms would be recognizable to any number of people even with my mask on.”

Max, who is now in charge of this secret spy agency, also has a big role, and I enjoyed him very much. He is known as a playboy but is falling hard for Eve’s good friend Celeste. She makes him work very hard for what he wants, and their storyline adds much to this book. They’re also good friends with Adrian, and these four have some very amusing and exciting times together.

Although this is the second book in the series and the first I’ve read, it read well as a stand-alone. I can’t wait to read more from Victoria Alexander, and I am definitely going to go back and check out book one.

Rating: B

Note: This review first appeared at Happy Ever After.

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