Anything But Innocent

Desperate and Daring #4

by Dayna Quince

Never give up…
Lucy is used to getting everything she wants, but for the first time, the one thing she wants above all else, is the love of the Earl of Winchester. But, he refuses to see her as anything more than an over privileged innocent girl.

Never surrender…
She is bored, she is beautiful, and she is determined to ruin herself. It wouldn’t be with him. He may want her, but he did not intend to have her. She had everyone wrapped around her finger, except him. He must show her that there can be nothing between them. That he is the wrong man for her in every way.

But the closer he gets—the harder he pushes her away—the deeper he falls under her spell.

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2016

About the author

Dayna Quince was only fourteen when she developed a serious addiction to romance novels. What began as an innocent desire to read became an all-out obsession with the romance genre. She gave book reports on romance novels, got in trouble for reading during lectures, and would rather spend her time reading than attending high school parties. After all, high school boys could not compete with the likes of Stephanie Laurens' Devil Cynster.

After getting her first job, her addiction only got worse. She now had her own money to spend and a car to get to Barnes and Noble as frequently as she wanted. She managed to maintain a somewhat normal life, marrying her high school boyfriend, who was aware he was competing with fictional men for her attention. She soon began writing her own romance novels, inspired by her love for all things romance.

Dayna and her family live in Southern California with their two children and three fur babies. She is happiest at home, where she can be with her family and write to her heart’s content.

Also published under Ella J. Quince and D.L. Rose.

Reviews

[Sandra Aaron]

This is an OK Regency romance, but I didn't like either Lucy or Dean. Because of that, it gets 2.5 stars, rounded down to 2 stars.

Lucy was a spoiled brat, who just couldn't take the word "no" for an answer. I wanted to lock her in her room a few times, because her behavior was incredibly childish and selfish. I honestly didn't see why Dean ever fell for her. Dean was an arrogant, womanizing, a$$, and I didn't see why any woman would have wanted to marry him. I didn't like either one of them, so I didn't care if they found their HEA -- but I guess they deserved each other.

I also thought that Lucy's behavior just didn't fit the time period. Any young woman of that time who did as many outrageous things as Lucy would have been shunned from society. Widows could get away with that kind of behavior, but not young unmarried women -- they were expected to be sweet and innocent. Lucy was definitely not either of those things.

My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.

[MooseGirl]

This is Lucy's story in this series. Lucy is headstrong and confident, and she chafes under the restraints society place on her as a gently bred young woman. Winchester is a wanderer and a self-confessed rake who believes he isn't right for Lucy. As a result, he is determined to dissuade her from their mutual attraction. Sadly for him, Lucy is equally determined to change his mind.

I did love that Lucy begins the story banished to the country for shoving a badly behaved nobleman into a fountain. I found her character quite interesting and full of life. The exchanges between her and her brother were also amusing. I enjoyed Lucy and Winchester's secret battle, and I found this book to be a pleasant read.

I am, however, confused as to where book 1 in this series is. I assume it is Heather's story as she was recently married in book 2, but I can find no mention of the first book in this series. Very odd!

[Margaret Watkins]

An unconventional young woman determined to break free of the restrictions of society and a rake that has vowed to avoid emotional entanglements at all costs, find themselves under the same roof. Lady Lucy has exasperated her parents and although she feels she has been banished to the country, she quickly changes her mind when her brother arrives with Dean, the Earl of Winchester in his wake. Dean tries ignoring Lucy but doesn't take into account her determination to arouse his interest in her. The story is very different from most Regency romances, but if one is looking for a steamy story with a strong hero and heroine, there is no need to look further. This book is part of a series and although characters from previous novels appear in this one too, it is a standalone and comes to a scintillating close.

[Rachel]

Lucy and Dean.

This book was well written. I just did not like Lucy. She is well liked by her friends, but she is impulsive and does not think before she speaks or acts. Then again, she rarely regrets either.

Dean is Lucy's brother's best friend. He sees her for what she is - a childish, spoiled little rich girl. He is a good guy trying to save her from herself. But he can't help himself from falling for her even though he knows he won't marry her.

But, of course, it all works out and they are together in the end. Lucy matures a little, but not enough imo. But again, it was written well. I just did not care for Lucy.

[Sammie]

I tried, really tried to keep an open mind but I just couldn't like this book. The writing style is okay but the main characters are just so unlikeable. The female lead is this Lydia Bennet meets Madame Bovary type of person; spoiled, selfish, manipulative, and oh so desperate. The main male lead just keeps blowing hot and cold, and I still don't understand how, when, or why on earth he fell for Lucy. Honestly, this book would have been more enjoyable if they'd both ended up with unhappy but karmic endings. The HEA doesn't make any sense.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis]

Persistent passion

Lucy is immediately smitten by Dean and has had many suitors but he is not impressed by her! Dean is a world traveler leaving mistresses is his wake forming no true attachments! Staying with Lucy and her family and enjoying the undeniable bond between them he is slowly unthawing towards Lucy but is it too late when a ex mistress comes to call and Lucy gets tangled up with a reprobate believing Dean will never be hers! Is there a HEA?

[Christina Reed]

Lucy was bold, brash, and everything a lady of her time shouldn’t be. She set her sights on Dean and did everything short of seducing him to get what she wanted. Dean felt a connection to Lucy immediately, but because of his past, he refused to fall in love. Well, that didn’t work out the way he hoped. This story was well written and a fun read.

[Sarah]

Slow. Plodding.

Not the best in the series. Very little character development. I kept waiting for the drama. Too much angst. Then the book was over.

[Ishara]

This book wasn't awful but it was not as good as some of the earlier books in this series. It was too slow for the most part, then had a rushed ending.

[Tom Prejsner]

Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you

[Jayda]

This book had me tetter-tottering between liking and hating the characters. It was good.

[Marika]

⛔️(in notes)

[Tagseen Samsodien]

I just don't like Lucy. I tried, really I did. But I found her annoying. Then again, I didn't much like Winchester either. I found his constant reiteration of how attractive he was to the opposite sex rather off-putting. Confidence with a dash of arrogance I can get on-board with. But when it borders on conceit and narcissism, I'm out. And all this in and amongst the glaring spelling and grammatical errors and the complete lack of plot. I feel like nothing happens. It's so boring.

I've already listed all my gripes with this author's writing, but one thing I forgot to mention was her complete lack of subtlety. You know very clearly from one book to the other who will end up with who. I love little hints dropped here and there, but I feel like I'm constantly knocked over the head with it. It eliminates the mystery completely...

...and yet I can't stop myself from finishing the series. I deserve everything I get.

[Anna]

Not sure how historically accurate this was and there were some issues which I think an editor could've helped with, but I noticed these were self published, so I would say very good quality for that. And sort of just what I needed...

[Belle K Kalkstein]

Great story!

Dean Winchester...lol! Love it! Read previous books in the series's. This book is my fav. Can't wait for Thea's story.

[Elaine]

Lovely story, I just didn't like Lucy very much.
Superbly written as usual from EJQ!
4*

[Patricia Perez]

Awesome

I just loved Lucy. And I am so not wanting this series to end. This series is definitely a must read. Get yours now.

[RomLibrary]

What to get for the girl who has everything? An unattainable rake.

Bored, beautiful and determined to ruin herself, Lady Lucy Flynn is used to getting everything she wants. But for the first time, the one thing she wants above all else is the love of a man: Lord Dean Warren, Earl of Winchester, injured and lately returned from East India. Unfortunately, the scurrilous earl refuses to see her as anything more than a pampered, privileged, innocent girl. But Lucy is not one to give up so easily.

A jaded rake, Dean enjoys travel and taking his pleasure where he may, determined never to return to Society’s constricting realm. Though tempting, a lady like Lucy does not belong amidst his sordid circle of paramours. A harsh lesson in love from his earlier years convinces Dean he must push Lucy away and prove to her that he’s the wrong man for her in every way.

But the closer he gets—and the harder he tries to push—the deeper he falls under her spell.