Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on February 25, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Romance
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: ARC
Wild, Wild Rake, the next sweeping, emotional, witty, and sharp romance in the Cavensham Heiresses series from beloved author Janna MacGregor.
Her first marriage was an epic fail.
Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry—that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.
Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?
Devan Farris—charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian—is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with a vicar with a wild reputation—even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside—a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?
Praise for the Cavensham Heiresses series
“Full-bodied romance...with intelligence and heart.”—New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell
“Sparkling...MacGregor brings England’s Regency era to life.” —Publishers Weekly
I am a sucker for enemy-to-lovers, though to be fair most of the antagonizing that Devan does is just to see Avalon give a reaction. Throw in a virgin hero with a reputation as a rake and I’m one happy reader.
I was hooked immediately in the prologue by Avalon. Her husband was ridiculously cruel but I love that she took him by the coin purse, literally, and eventually found a community that loved and respected her. I loved how complex Avalon was and her aloof exterior obscuring her desire to help others and her community. Devan was a delightful hero! Our naughty vicar was equal parts charismatic, sweet, and just a hint of naughty when teasing Avalon.
The pacing in this story is quick and yet MacGregor deftly maneuvers Avalon and Devan in a realistic shift from adversary to friend and then lovers. Readers aren’t forced to trudge through the miscommunication trope, after all Devan is an accomplished man of the cloth, which was a relief for this reader. Instead, we see two individuals learning to see each other in a new light, not shadowed by the cruel ghost of Avalon’s first husband.
My only complaint is the end felt a little rushed. Though, I freely admit that this was a story I just didn’t want to end because I’m greedy like that. I’m going to have to trudge back to read some backlist to get more of MacGregor’s delightful romance.
I think it is pretty clear that I adored this romantic story and I have thoroughly enjoyed what I have read of the Cavensham Heiresses series. Wild, Wild Rake works perfectly as a standalone but, of course, I recommend you circle back to read the rest of these romantic tales like I am going to. If you are curious, you can read my review of Rogue Most Wanted (Cavensham Heiresses #5) here.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book after winning it in a Goodreads Giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Goodreads and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy!
