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The game of vice is on….

Lady Eliza Towers is as mischievous as a lady can be and more so. She has been sent to the Hadnall Heath house party to find a respectable husband, but she has other plans. Plans in the form of seducing handsome, stoic Bow Street Runner, Mr. Adolphus Gibbon. When the house party guests are invited to participate in a scandalous treasure hunt, she sees her perfect opportunity.

Adolphus Gibbon has come to the house party for one reason only—to bring one of the guests who has committed a crime to justice. NOT to enjoy himself. But he cannot resist the sinful allure of Lady Eliza. When business and pleasure collide as he discovers the man he is hunting has a painful connection to Eliza, his manhunt becomes a personal vendetta. And when the star witness disappears, he and Eliza find themselves searching for more than they bargained for.

A light-hearted, fun, SUPER steamy, Regency romp—a quick read, not to be taken too seriously.

PLEASE BE ADVISED – Steam Level: Five-Alarm Fire with a few F-bombs. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

When the Wallflowers were Wicked:

THE ACCIDENTAL MISTRESS
THE INCORRIGIBLE COURTESAN
THE DELECTABLE TART
THE BLUSHING HARLOT
THE CHEEKY MINX
THE CLEVER STRUMPET
THE DEVILISH TROLLOP
THE PLAYFUL WANTON
THE CHARMING JEZEBEL

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2019

191 people are currently reading
91 people want to read

About the author

Merry Farmer

289 books1,137 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Merry Farmer lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Justine and Peter. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. Her books have reached the top of Amazon's charts, and have been named finalists for several prestigious awards, including the RONE Award for indie romance.

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5 stars
121 (44%)
4 stars
96 (35%)
3 stars
40 (14%)
2 stars
10 (3%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,241 reviews101 followers
January 4, 2020
As mischievous as they come and with a mostly ruined reputation, Lady Eliza Towers is attending her friend Lady Caroline's house party to find a respectable husband. The only man to catch her eye, however, is the gruff and very attractive Bow Street Runner Adolphus Gibbon, whom she sets out to seduce. Her friends organize the perfect circumstances in the form of an indoor scavenger hunt.

Adolphus is at the party to bring one of the guests to justice for his crimes, not to enjoy the party himself. But Adolphus finds Eliza irresistible and when he realizes she has a painful past with the man he's targeting, his assignment becomes personal, especially when his witness disappears and Eliza begins helping him find her.

I just love these quick, light, and steamy reads. The plot is fast paced, which I appreciate as it means I don't really have time to become frustrated by the characters. Even with the fast pacing, there was so much build up of sexual tension between Eliza and Adolphus that it felt right for them to be together when they did. Their relationship also developed past lust and into a true bond, which is always lovely. Adolphus was one of those strong, silent types I'm such a sucker for and his protectiveness helped Eliza realize her own self-worth. I loved it and I can't wait for the next one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Hazel.
711 reviews58 followers
April 28, 2024
I really enjoy this series and how all the women go after what they want even if it’s not acceptable at that time in society. It’s historical with quite a bit of spice! This book had me laughing at the scavenger hunt and finding the clues and the side story of catching a criminal. This book felt quite short so I didn’t feel I got the same interaction with the couple or the friend group that has happened in previous books. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Lori D.
4,079 reviews130 followers
September 10, 2019
Those wallflowers can certainly be wicked and when Lady Eliza attends a house party she cannot help but notice Adolphus Gibbon, Bow Street Runner extraordinare. Oh love those Bow Street Runners!
But Adolphus is only at the party to catch a criminal and he was running out of patience. Well, truth be told, he was having a hard time with all the ladies and scandalous goings on! Such a worthy hero who has to protect his witness who will identify the criminal. But Eliza pulls his focus away and when they put together on a scavanger hunt, there is not telling what they will find!
A fast paced fun read that will have you anxious to see what happens to these two. A mystery, murder and shenanigans all work together to bring this story to a wonderful conclusion!
2,310 reviews11 followers
December 15, 2025
In Eliza and Adolphus' story, Eliza is determined not to get serious about marriage, after all she is a wanton and enjoying life so much and Adolphus is totally work motivated but it has been some time since he played the field, so ......
Of course the inevitable happens and they both find that their feelings for each other have changed and grown into something more than just friendship, but would either be able to make the leap into something more permanent?
Gosh, I think this is possibly one of the most exciting stories which I have read in a long time. It kept me guessing all the time and I just loved Eliza and Adolphus as a couple. They made magic together!
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,297 reviews
May 30, 2022
👌

This story was slow to begin with, but became increasingly enticing to the point where I could not put it down. I feel like the ending was incomplete, I wanted- for lack of a better word- more. I wanted to know more than what I was told; it came to a point where I just couldn't put this book down. Over all, this novel deserves a high rating because it was deliciously good.
Profile Image for AmazingJ.
988 reviews7 followers
April 7, 2025
A Wonderful, Delightful & Romantic Story.

I enjoyed reading this book.

Eliza & Afopholis were wonderful.

I an excited ri read Ophilu#scs story in the next book in this series.
1,180 reviews3 followers
September 28, 2019
Joy, joy, another cliffhanger

I actually rather enjoyed this book-right up to the very last page.
When what to my wondering eyes did I see? A cliffhanger.
The most grubby, money-hungry device an author has at their disposal.
The idea is supposed to be that by the point you discover it is a cliffhanger, you are so engrossed in the story, you can’t possibly not buy the next one.
For some however - me for example - it has a different result. It makes me angry, and irritated, and I add that author’s name to a list of likeminded grubby authors, whose books I will never buy again. Thereon, is this author’s name.
808 reviews8 followers
September 5, 2019
This is a quick and fast-paced read. Eliza puts up a cheerful front, but her history tells us she has a low self-esteem and has let herself be used by men - the word "gentlemen" is not applicable. But this aspect of her character and history plays a very minor role in this story. She is determined to enjoy the house party.
Adolphus is very straight-laced and duty-driven; he deserves the title of "gentleman". But he can withstand only so much of Eliza before succumbing.
I read an advance copy; the thoughts are my own.
2,418 reviews21 followers
September 1, 2019
Bow Street Runner - I am so there. I love them. Adolphus is stoic and too serious. Can Eliza bring out the passionate man underneath? You bet and what a passion she unleashes. And as Eliza learns, no woman should ever be ashamed of her sexuality. I love these Regency romps by Ms. Farmer. They are fun and flirtatious.

I received a complimentary copy from the author.
1,296 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2019
Who could not be amused at the antics taking place at this party? Eliza and Adolphus! This book is so much fun. I think these two are the cutest couple. Eliza has been used by too many men and abandoned by her family. She doesn't realize Adolphus sees her in a totally different light. Entertaining scandal drives this house party and gives them a chance to find each other.
Profile Image for gary c lehn.
1,724 reviews7 followers
September 27, 2019
Great series.....

I've enjoyed reading this story from the series, When the Wallflowers were Wicked, the author is a little to descriptive during love. I know how it works, and don't need a blow by blow........ but some do, so ......I love the stories and the endings.
Profile Image for Phylis Collins.
2,845 reviews8 followers
September 4, 2019
This is a wonderful story with some steam, laughs and drama. what a fun delightful plot. Loved the characters.
555 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2019
The Playful Wanton

This was an amazing book I loved the characters and the drama and suspense and all the love. Thank you
Profile Image for Patricia Perez.
655 reviews6 followers
October 29, 2019
Great read

Great read.Love 💘and laughter made it awesome.Can't wait for more.Get your copy today 😁. I love 💘this series. It is a difinite must read
Profile Image for Anita Rohn.
1,957 reviews10 followers
December 5, 2019
Eliza

Another party with games and a little suspense as the characters try to leave titles and gossip behind and have fun. The escapades are many.
Profile Image for Richard Burlton.
708 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2024
This was the end of the road for me with this series and really I should only give it 3 stars. It is a light romp with a thin plot and daft characters.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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