A Week to Be Wicked

Minerva Highwood, a geologist in Spindle Cove, proposes a fake elopement to Lord Colin Sandhurst. Her plan involves traveling to Scotland to present her scientific discovery at a symposium, while offering Colin payment to escort her and protect her reputation. Colin, a notorious rake with a troubled past, agrees to the scheme despite his better judgment. The pair embarks on an eight-day journey filled with mishaps, encounters with highwaymen, and elaborate stories they craft to explain their presence to fellow travelers. Their forced proximity on the road leads to unexpected discoveries about each other. Minerva's academic passions and Colin's hidden depths emerge as they navigate both physical dangers and their growing connection. This Regency romance explores the transformative power of being truly seen and understood by another person. The story challenges societal expectations about proper behavior while celebrating intellectual curiosity and emotional vulnerability.

Readers describe this as a fun, fast-paced romance road trip with strong chemistry between the leads. The banter and humor stand out in reviews, with many highlighting specific funny dialogue exchanges. Readers liked: - The gradual character development of both leads - Balance of comedy and emotional depth - Strong female protagonist who maintains her intelligence/personality - Natural-feeling romance progression Common criticisms: - Some found the plot too unrealistic - Pacing drags in middle sections - Side characters feel underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (54,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Sample review quotes: "The dialogue sparkles - I actually laughed out loud multiple times" - Goodreads "Colin and Minerva's relationship develops naturally despite the crazy circumstances" - Amazon "Parts of the journey stretched believability too far" - Goodreads

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn A wallflower strikes a fake courtship deal with a rakish duke to solve both their social season problems.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean A proper lady creates a list of forbidden activities and enlists a notorious rake to help her complete them.

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare A seamstress enters into a marriage of convenience with a scarred duke who needs an heir.

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase A bluestocking meets her match in a notorious rake who requires reformation through love.

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn An overprotective sister finds herself matched with London's most notorious bachelor while trying to prevent her younger sister's marriage.

🌟 The novel's heroine, Minerva Highwood, is a paleontology enthusiast during the Regency era, reflecting a historically accurate period of fossil fever in Britain when many amateur fossil hunters made significant discoveries. 💫 Tessa Dare wrote this book as part of her Spindle Cove series, which features a seaside village nicknamed "Spinster Cove" that serves as a retreat for unconventional young ladies. 🌟 The road trip plot was inspired by the author's love of romantic comedies, particularly "It Happened One Night" (1934), which similarly features a journey with forced proximity between unlikely companions. 💫 The book was published in 2012 and went on to win the RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Romance that year. 🌟 The author incorporated real geological discoveries of the era into the story, including references to Mary Anning, a pioneering female paleontologist who made significant fossil discoveries in the early 1800s.