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frenchpb's review
4.0
Great read that I couldn’t put down!
Key word: banter!
The characters gave so much banter, which, for me, was the most enjoyable about the book. It very much gave 1990s movie montage and I was hear for it. I found the characters to be lovable and to own growth and development. Will read other books by this author.
Key word: banter!
The characters gave so much banter, which, for me, was the most enjoyable about the book. It very much gave 1990s movie montage and I was hear for it. I found the characters to be lovable and to own growth and development. Will read other books by this author.
ladywhistledown's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
So continues the slump because what the fuck was this? It sounded so cute and the cover although I am preferential to a cute little cartoon cover this one was so pretty like I was so excited but it was just bad and awkward I started skiming about halfway through but I was curious about the 3rd act breakup and that was the WORST 3rd act breakup I've read in awhile the MMC fucked the FMC on the floor of a barn and THEN CALLED HER A FRIEND AND NEVER APOLOGIZED? She apologized for never seeing him as more but he should've groveled for that shit she let him RUIN HER IN A GODDAMN BARN and he was just like oh it was just passion sir she would be shunned from society she didn't just give it up on the floor of a barn because of passion and then he was jealous she continued to look for a husband SIR SHE NEEDS TO MARRY QUICKLY BECAUSE HER "FRIEND" TOOK HER IN A BARN honestly when I saw the rest of the book I was glad I stopped when I did I also understand now why this series was obviously supposed to be 5 books but stopped at 3 I'm honestly surprised it made it past this one
stillhurtingolive's review
4.0
I really loved the final third of this book but the first two thirds felt soooo slow.
aries_sun1419's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookishrealm's review
4.0
Wow...so I was pleasantly surprised. This was my first historical romance.
My Fake Rake may have proven to little ole me that I actually might end up really enjoying historical romances. I didn't really think about the fact that a lot of them would probably end up being slow burn because of societal expectations of the time, but that's definitely right up my alley! I read a few reviews of this book before finishing it and I learned that these books may possibly be based on 80's films. If so, this definitely reminded me heavily of Can't Buy Me Love which I really enjoy! This book and the movie focus on a young woman taking the opportunity to teach her friend how to be "cool/popular." Of course in doing this both realize their attraction and fall in love. In this first book of the series, Grace enlists the assistance of anthropologist Sebastian to transfer him into rake in hopes of attracting the attention of another man. Of course, things go in a completely different direction than expected.
Some of the things that I enjoyed most about this book definitely included the characters and the notations and push back against traditional societal gender roles. I loved that Grace was confident in her career as well as the exploration of her own body. There was a specific scene in which she admits to exploring her body on her own and I was here for the confidence she exuded in admitting that. It was amazing to see that placed within the framework of this book because it not only pushes back against the idea that women should be chaste and not engage in such things back then, but it also pushes back against those who still have those standards today. There were also side characters who addressed issues regarding sexism and colonialism. Leigh definitely captured two delightful souls in Grace and Seb. They are both bookworms who come off as really shy but dedicated to their work. I think that the awkwardness that they exude around each other once that attraction occurs is purely delightful. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT SEB'S MOUTH DURING THAT STEAMY SCENE. All I'm going to say is that I was not expecting that AT ALL and I was here for every single word!
I did have a few issues with this book in terms of plot. I like the friends to lovers trope for my own personal reasons *wink*; however, sometimes I feel like getting to the point at which they recognize that they are lovers takes too long and it felt that way for me in this book. There was a miscommunication that happens in the second half of the book that was completely unnecessary in my opinion and it extended the length of the novel. For me this creates situations where I get bored or frustrated with the characters and I felt a little frustration towards Grace and Seb. Don't get me wrong I do understand why Leigh used that as a means to get to certain aspects of the plot; however, I feel as though the communication was so minor and happened at such an awkward moment that she could have used something else. I also wish that she would have had Seb's father on page for some conflict resolution. It felt almost like it was included for plot development but then forgotten by the end of the book.
Other than that I thought it was a great romance. I enjoyed Seb and Grace as a couple and I'm excited to see what else is in store with the rest of the series!
My Fake Rake may have proven to little ole me that I actually might end up really enjoying historical romances. I didn't really think about the fact that a lot of them would probably end up being slow burn because of societal expectations of the time, but that's definitely right up my alley! I read a few reviews of this book before finishing it and I learned that these books may possibly be based on 80's films. If so, this definitely reminded me heavily of Can't Buy Me Love which I really enjoy! This book and the movie focus on a young woman taking the opportunity to teach her friend how to be "cool/popular." Of course in doing this both realize their attraction and fall in love. In this first book of the series, Grace enlists the assistance of anthropologist Sebastian to transfer him into rake in hopes of attracting the attention of another man. Of course, things go in a completely different direction than expected.
Some of the things that I enjoyed most about this book definitely included the characters and the notations and push back against traditional societal gender roles. I loved that Grace was confident in her career as well as the exploration of her own body. There was a specific scene in which she admits to exploring her body on her own and I was here for the confidence she exuded in admitting that. It was amazing to see that placed within the framework of this book because it not only pushes back against the idea that women should be chaste and not engage in such things back then, but it also pushes back against those who still have those standards today. There were also side characters who addressed issues regarding sexism and colonialism. Leigh definitely captured two delightful souls in Grace and Seb. They are both bookworms who come off as really shy but dedicated to their work. I think that the awkwardness that they exude around each other once that attraction occurs is purely delightful. I thought it was the cutest thing ever. BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT SEB'S MOUTH DURING THAT STEAMY SCENE. All I'm going to say is that I was not expecting that AT ALL and I was here for every single word!
I did have a few issues with this book in terms of plot. I like the friends to lovers trope for my own personal reasons *wink*; however, sometimes I feel like getting to the point at which they recognize that they are lovers takes too long and it felt that way for me in this book. There was a miscommunication that happens in the second half of the book that was completely unnecessary in my opinion and it extended the length of the novel. For me this creates situations where I get bored or frustrated with the characters and I felt a little frustration towards Grace and Seb. Don't get me wrong I do understand why Leigh used that as a means to get to certain aspects of the plot; however, I feel as though the communication was so minor and happened at such an awkward moment that she could have used something else. I also wish that she would have had Seb's father on page for some conflict resolution. It felt almost like it was included for plot development but then forgotten by the end of the book.
Other than that I thought it was a great romance. I enjoyed Seb and Grace as a couple and I'm excited to see what else is in store with the rest of the series!
nicole_defran's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
hammock_and_read's review
5.0
So the lead male is an anthropologist in 1817- so of course this is going to get 5 stars but its also the male lead that gets the make over to become a rake. The Lady aka Lady Grace is also a nerd that would spend all her time in the field or library studying snake, frogs, lizards than being out at a ball. I just loved loved these characters with their witty comments, take down of society, trying to learn how to be a rake, funny remarks about culture or animals, and just them falling into HEA but not knowing they are.
This was my first Eva Leigh book and just loved the writing. It was very nerdy which I loved! Can't wait for more of this series. We get a bit of a taste of the other boys in this series I'm guessing as well. I can tell some are going to be fun to read about them falling in love!
Overall, 5 stars and 4 steam.
This was my first Eva Leigh book and just loved the writing. It was very nerdy which I loved! Can't wait for more of this series. We get a bit of a taste of the other boys in this series I'm guessing as well. I can tell some are going to be fun to read about them falling in love!
Overall, 5 stars and 4 steam.
00laura23's review
hopeful
lighthearted
4.0
This is a fun entertainment read. I enjoyed the romance and the path it took to get to Grace and Sebastian’s HEA. These are fun characters to spend time with. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.
oofie's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
3.75 - liked it a lot
This book follows Lady Grace, daughter of an earl, and an avid herpetologist. She's mostly sworn off thoughts of romance and marriage in favor of her studies, though she does have a crush on fellow life sciences scholar, Mason Fredericks.
When her father has a heart attack (or something like it), he worries about her future, and asks her to find someone to marry. Grace already has Fredericks in mind, except he's never looked at her as a viable bride.
Grace comes up with a plan to change this: turn her good friend and fellow scholar Sebastian Holloway into rake. Specifically, a rake interested in her, to make her perceived value higher. Sebastian agrees, because he values Grace so much as a friend. Although...he's definitely hsdns crush on her for their entire friendship.
The two spend a lot of time together due to their plot, and Grace begins to wonder if she's pursuing the right man at all.
I liked this book a lot. It's regency era, but Grace not like your typical regency heroine. She's brilliant, determined, sensitive, and not naive to sex, like the normal heroine is. She's more than just a woman who needs to secure her future by marrying. She's got a bustling social network and standing in the scholarly world, despite her sex and the disadvantages the time period gave her.
Sebastian is a wonderful love interest as well. I love sensitive, considerate, kind love interests. He's a big softie, and not at all toxic. It's lovely. I also liked his issues with social anxiety and him working through them. His humanify only endeared himself to me (and likely other readers as well).
Overall, the book was well written and enjoyable to read. Would definitely recommend if you like regency romances, strong heroine, and kind love interests.
This book follows Lady Grace, daughter of an earl, and an avid herpetologist. She's mostly sworn off thoughts of romance and marriage in favor of her studies, though she does have a crush on fellow life sciences scholar, Mason Fredericks.
When her father has a heart attack (or something like it), he worries about her future, and asks her to find someone to marry. Grace already has Fredericks in mind, except he's never looked at her as a viable bride.
Grace comes up with a plan to change this: turn her good friend and fellow scholar Sebastian Holloway into rake. Specifically, a rake interested in her, to make her perceived value higher. Sebastian agrees, because he values Grace so much as a friend. Although...he's definitely hsdns crush on her for their entire friendship.
The two spend a lot of time together due to their plot, and Grace begins to wonder if she's pursuing the right man at all.
I liked this book a lot. It's regency era, but Grace not like your typical regency heroine. She's brilliant, determined, sensitive, and not naive to sex, like the normal heroine is. She's more than just a woman who needs to secure her future by marrying. She's got a bustling social network and standing in the scholarly world, despite her sex and the disadvantages the time period gave her.
Sebastian is a wonderful love interest as well. I love sensitive, considerate, kind love interests. He's a big softie, and not at all toxic. It's lovely. I also liked his issues with social anxiety and him working through them. His humanify only endeared himself to me (and likely other readers as well).
Overall, the book was well written and enjoyable to read. Would definitely recommend if you like regency romances, strong heroine, and kind love interests.