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loverofromance 's review for:
The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes
by Eva Leigh
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππ.5
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯.5
Relationship Building: πππ.5
Heart & Feels:ππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§.5
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes is the first book in the latest of her books that she is working on, and when I saw the second book being raved about on Instagram, I realized how much
First Line
The wedding hadn't happened yet, and already the marriage was a disaster.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Kieran Ransome
A scandalous Rake, loves his women, and feels restricted when his parents are forcing him to get married while blackmailing him and his brother.
The Heroine: Celeste Killburn
Daughter of a self made man. She is being put in the position to save her family and get them recognized by the ton by encouraging a match with a Lord she despises.
Summary
In the The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes is a story of mutual longing and relatable circumstances to find a way to live life before both of our main protagonists are forced into unloveable marriages set forth by their parents. Both Kieran and Celeste have known each other for years. Celeste is the sister of Kieran's best friend. When it becomes apparent that they mutual interests, they both enter a daring arrangement. Where Celeste will show Kieran around at certain "Ton" themed events to make him seem respectable so that he can gain a match among the Ton as he has a history of being a rake and not appealing to certain levels of the marriage mart in higher society. And where Celeste can experience a sense of freedom while he shows her the true daring nights in London in the gardens and the gambling hells. What neither of them expected was that they would form a stronger attachment than just their sexual chemistry. Even though they know what they have is forbidden, they can resist the temptation...but will they find a way to their happily ever after or have to sacrifice each other for those they love?
What I Loved
This book was truly so wonderful and there is something about Eva Leigh that just pulls me into her stories and most especially the narrations she has for her audiobooks is what is worth listening to over physically reading her books. I absolutely adored everything about this one and its a story that will really dig deep into the heart and tangle with your emotions but while delivering some endearing fun sexy scenes to keep you fascinating and itching for more. Even though Eva Leigh tends to write more modern themes in her historical romances, they just click for me. She really balances them out so well that they don't overwhelm the reader with the modern scenes if you are looking for more authenticity in your historicals., I can tell you, you can trust this author to deliver what you seek.
I appreciated the dynamic that we see happen between this couple. The way in which they have common ground, and goals to move forward with and the way in which they learn to appreciate each other in the small moments not just the larger more impactful ways. And the sense of forbidden fruit really drew me in. There is something that gravitates me to a couple when there is a forbidden feel to their relationship. And that they are keeping it a secret is so wonderful. The author really balances it out so well so that its not super intense and has a sense of fun to their interactions. And the reveal at the end was perfectly executed by the author, honestly, the ending gets a five-star rating for me. What happens with the brother makes sense and even though I struggled with his naivety with what was happening with his sister, what he does when he does learn the truth had him becoming redeemed for me.
What I Struggled With
There wasn't anything super noticeable about what I struggled with, it didn't quite make it to a five star rating but is a solid enjoyable read that I had a blast with.
Narration
Zara Hampton is such a "dream" to listen to, she really makes historical regencies and victorian era romances come alive in just her voice alone. The way that she narrates this one, she tackles relatability of the characters just right.
Overall View
The Good Girl's Guide to Rake is a sexy scandalous romance that will curl your toes in the adventures, passions and challenges this pair comes across and works together to triumph in!
Favorite Quote(s)
βEver since my father made his fortune,β she said softly, βIβve been forced into a box. Celeste the Keeper of the Kilburnsβ Honor. Celeste the Respectable. Itβs so exhausting, being in that box. No one asking who I am, who I want to be. No one truly seeing me. But,β she went on in a low, urgent voice, βI see that youβre a kind and generous man. For whatever my opinionβs worth, I see that in you."
Thatβs the trouble with hearts. They involve themselves, whether we want them to or not.
βWeβre not always who the world believes us to be.β
βSo long as no oneβs harmed in its getting,β he said, his voice low, βwe ought to be free to find our joy where we can. God knows that in this life, none of itβs guaranteed.β
βIβm . . . a little afraid.β She pressed her forehead to his chest as she shivered. βNot of the pain, but what it might mean if I truly did set myself free.β βI swear to you that if you fall, Iβll catch you. But I know that you arenβt going to fall. Youβll soar.β
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance
Time Eera: Victorian Era in England
Character Types: Rake, Cinnamon Roll, Bluestocking heroine
Themes: Dirty Talking, Gambling Hells, Wager
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Fake Relationship, Best Friend's Sister
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Recommendation For Reading Order
You can do either, they are written that you can read as standalones if needed.
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. --these are some fun sexy scenes with some dirty talking and some neck fetish that is delightful but not crazy amount of steam. But higher level than what you normally see in historical's
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrators:
Zara Hampton-Brown
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππ.5
Cover:ππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯.5
Relationship Building: πππ.5
Heart & Feels:ππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Narration:π§π§π§π§.5
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes is the first book in the latest of her books that she is working on, and when I saw the second book being raved about on Instagram, I realized how much
First Line
The wedding hadn't happened yet, and already the marriage was a disaster.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Kieran Ransome
A scandalous Rake, loves his women, and feels restricted when his parents are forcing him to get married while blackmailing him and his brother.
The Heroine: Celeste Killburn
Daughter of a self made man. She is being put in the position to save her family and get them recognized by the ton by encouraging a match with a Lord she despises.
Summary
In the The Good Girl's Guide to Rakes is a story of mutual longing and relatable circumstances to find a way to live life before both of our main protagonists are forced into unloveable marriages set forth by their parents. Both Kieran and Celeste have known each other for years. Celeste is the sister of Kieran's best friend. When it becomes apparent that they mutual interests, they both enter a daring arrangement. Where Celeste will show Kieran around at certain "Ton" themed events to make him seem respectable so that he can gain a match among the Ton as he has a history of being a rake and not appealing to certain levels of the marriage mart in higher society. And where Celeste can experience a sense of freedom while he shows her the true daring nights in London in the gardens and the gambling hells. What neither of them expected was that they would form a stronger attachment than just their sexual chemistry. Even though they know what they have is forbidden, they can resist the temptation...but will they find a way to their happily ever after or have to sacrifice each other for those they love?
What I Loved
This book was truly so wonderful and there is something about Eva Leigh that just pulls me into her stories and most especially the narrations she has for her audiobooks is what is worth listening to over physically reading her books. I absolutely adored everything about this one and its a story that will really dig deep into the heart and tangle with your emotions but while delivering some endearing fun sexy scenes to keep you fascinating and itching for more. Even though Eva Leigh tends to write more modern themes in her historical romances, they just click for me. She really balances them out so well that they don't overwhelm the reader with the modern scenes if you are looking for more authenticity in your historicals., I can tell you, you can trust this author to deliver what you seek.
I appreciated the dynamic that we see happen between this couple. The way in which they have common ground, and goals to move forward with and the way in which they learn to appreciate each other in the small moments not just the larger more impactful ways. And the sense of forbidden fruit really drew me in. There is something that gravitates me to a couple when there is a forbidden feel to their relationship. And that they are keeping it a secret is so wonderful. The author really balances it out so well so that its not super intense and has a sense of fun to their interactions. And the reveal at the end was perfectly executed by the author, honestly, the ending gets a five-star rating for me. What happens with the brother makes sense and even though I struggled with his naivety with what was happening with his sister, what he does when he does learn the truth had him becoming redeemed for me.
What I Struggled With
There wasn't anything super noticeable about what I struggled with, it didn't quite make it to a five star rating but is a solid enjoyable read that I had a blast with.
Narration
Zara Hampton is such a "dream" to listen to, she really makes historical regencies and victorian era romances come alive in just her voice alone. The way that she narrates this one, she tackles relatability of the characters just right.
Overall View
The Good Girl's Guide to Rake is a sexy scandalous romance that will curl your toes in the adventures, passions and challenges this pair comes across and works together to triumph in!
Favorite Quote(s)
βEver since my father made his fortune,β she said softly, βIβve been forced into a box. Celeste the Keeper of the Kilburnsβ Honor. Celeste the Respectable. Itβs so exhausting, being in that box. No one asking who I am, who I want to be. No one truly seeing me. But,β she went on in a low, urgent voice, βI see that youβre a kind and generous man. For whatever my opinionβs worth, I see that in you."
Thatβs the trouble with hearts. They involve themselves, whether we want them to or not.
βWeβre not always who the world believes us to be.β
βSo long as no oneβs harmed in its getting,β he said, his voice low, βwe ought to be free to find our joy where we can. God knows that in this life, none of itβs guaranteed.β
βIβm . . . a little afraid.β She pressed her forehead to his chest as she shivered. βNot of the pain, but what it might mean if I truly did set myself free.β βI swear to you that if you fall, Iβll catch you. But I know that you arenβt going to fall. Youβll soar.β
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance
Time Eera: Victorian Era in England
Character Types: Rake, Cinnamon Roll, Bluestocking heroine
Themes: Dirty Talking, Gambling Hells, Wager
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Fake Relationship, Best Friend's Sister
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Recommendation For Reading Order
You can do either, they are written that you can read as standalones if needed.
Steam/Spice Explanations
Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. --these are some fun sexy scenes with some dirty talking and some neck fetish that is delightful but not crazy amount of steam. But higher level than what you normally see in historical's
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Narrators:
Zara Hampton-Brown