A Little Bit Wild

I selected this book because Victoria Dahl is one of my favorite authors, complete with her own folder on my Kindle. I once one a copy of one of her books and still bought a copy for my Kindle. What this means is that I'm going to be more inclined to like her books, because it's clear her voice appeals to me.

This is, however, my first historical. I'd actually started it a few times and got distracted. I knew I loved her contemporaries, but I was worried that, I dunno, I was worried.

Ended up really loving this after the very beginning. I was concerned after the opening scene that the characters were going to be cardboard. Fast forward to the end when I am sleep-deprived and cannot stop reading it!

What I like about Victoria Dahl is she's not afraid to give her heroines libidos and “pasts” to varying degrees. A lot of romance novels make the heroines virgins with never a tingle down below, until he walks in. Victoria Dahl's women are spirited and fun, and that makes a huge difference. For the edification of people who seek out or avoid these things, there are always at least couple scenes of that spirited fun which are funny, explicit-ish, and pretty steamy.

What was great her is the hero looked at Marissa, saw her inner vixen, and accepted it all kit and kaboodle. When someone seeks to blackmail her, using knowledge of a birthmark as collateral, the heroine has a small – but scandalous for the time – list of suspects. The hero takes it in stride, knows she's curious and high-spirited, and hopes to see the birthmark too some day. Oh, there might have been some jealousy, but he never treated her like she was damaged good for what amounted to playing doctor. There is a pivotal scene where Marissa realized that – that all the men she'd been smitten with took whatever she was willing to give, all the while telling her she really shouldn't allow improprieties, or was – in one case – a notorious ladies man. Jude was the guy to encourage her passion and exploration, the person she knew she could try anything and everything with.

Marissa starts the book as very shallow and unkind to Jude, who in a practical sense is doing her a favor and is steadfastly kind and supportive toward her. A trope a lot of people like is a hero or heroine going into a good grovel when they realize how mistaken and stupid they've been and Marissa provides that.

The is always genuine heat in a Victoria Dahl love story, and this is no exception, but what made the book over-the-top good is the heart there. Marissa grew and learned and had to deal with the possibility it was too little, too late. The author did a terrific job of making me fall in love with Jude and then ache for him when Marissa behaved like a mean little girl instead of a woman. Then, I applauded when she pulled her head out of her rear.