Reign of Wicked Temptation by Jen Bradlee

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Prince of Whispers, #3

Release Date: August 9, 2022

After the cliffhanger ending of book two, left the fate of Ruby, Henry, and Crispin in question, the wait for answers is finally over, and be prepared to pick your jaw up off the floor!!! Please be warned, if you have not read the previous installments and plan to, do not read this review as parts of it may be spoilerish to those who haven’t read books one and two.

At the end of the last book, Crispin’s older brother Francis returned from the dead, badly scarred and posing as Ruby’s friend the monk known as Brother James. Despite his return and his position as the rightful heir to the throne, he swears he has no desire to take his rightful place as king. Crispin doesn’t trust him but his fears seem pointless, especially when Francis/James returns to the Monastery. But shortly thereafter, Ruby and Henry disappear, leaving Crispin frantic.

Ruby wakes to learn she is being held captive by Francis, who has finally shown his true colors and does in fact plan to reclaim the throne and force Ruby to honor their betrothal – but first, he wants to make Crispin suffer. She soon learns that Francis is also holding Henry captive and that they were betrayed by Ivy.

Crispin questions Ivy and learns that she is an assassin from the “Guild” but she refuses to tell Crispin who her master is, she admits to helping him capture Ruby and Henry – he forces her to take him to her meeting place, but when a badly beaten Henry arrives in place of her master, she once again betrays them, by taking them by surprise and turning them over to Francis. It seems as if all is lost and Francis will succeed in his plan to destroy Crispin, force Ruby to marry him, and claim the crown. But help comes from an unexpected source and secrets are revealed that change everything.

OMG – this entire series has been fantastic and this final installment is by far the best of the collection. I loved Ruby and Crispin and especially loved watching Crispin transform from the self-centered lothario that he was into a just ruler. This book was filled with heartbreak, betrayal, secrets, lies, shocking revelations, forgiveness, healing, a soulmate-type love, and finally a hard-won HEA. This is the third installment of the series and the books really need to be read in order. I absolutely loved this entire series and if you like bad-boy heroes, then this is the series for you!

Important Note: This book does contain a scene that might be a trigger for some readers – I will not say what it is as it is a spoiler, but if you would like to know, feel free to contact me privately.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*