limabean74's review against another edition
4.0
Such a wonderful story, I just loved Sabrina and Harry.
bookswithnopictures's review against another edition
4.0
Josi's writing never fails to wrap me up in a happy little book bubble. Rakes and Roses is no exception.
The love story takes a backseat to Harry's redemption. In a genre that is flooded with romance, this was a really nice change of pace. Harry is essentially an addict. He's addicted to alcohol, gambling, and general carousing. His uncle offers him a way out of this lifestyle, but Harry is not at all interested in reforming his ways. About a year later, Harry hits a personal low and owes thousands of pounds to what we would now call a loan shark. He's burned bridges with family and friends and gets one last opportunity to change his ways. As with most who struggle, Harry has highs and lows and ultimately has to decide for himself to change his life.
Rakes and Roses is a clean regency and an easy read.
Thank you, Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
The love story takes a backseat to Harry's redemption. In a genre that is flooded with romance, this was a really nice change of pace. Harry is essentially an addict. He's addicted to alcohol, gambling, and general carousing. His uncle offers him a way out of this lifestyle, but Harry is not at all interested in reforming his ways. About a year later, Harry hits a personal low and owes thousands of pounds to what we would now call a loan shark. He's burned bridges with family and friends and gets one last opportunity to change his ways. As with most who struggle, Harry has highs and lows and ultimately has to decide for himself to change his life.
Rakes and Roses is a clean regency and an easy read.
Thank you, Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
ebgracie77's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it. I do feel like there could have been more but is it a bad thing when a book leaves me wanting more?
bandnerd77's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
Full review and content guide at https://betterbookbureau.weebly.com/reviews/rakes-and-roses-kilpack
Full review and content guide at https://betterbookbureau.weebly.com/reviews/rakes-and-roses-kilpack
karenthornell's review against another edition
4.0
Josi Kilpack is one of the best clean romance authors when it comes to writing about internal growth. This story was no different. Harry starts about as low as you can go, and it was very realistic and rewarding to watch him overcome his many vices and become a better man. It was also rather gratifying to see the hero of the story really in the position of damsel in distress. Sabrina, by contrast, was a force to be reckoned with, and the real hero of this story. She has dealt with her truly horrible past life and has come out on top in a most benevolent way. Overall, the romance was fairly nonexistant in the first half of the book while Harry went through what he needed to in order to be even considered a match for Lady Sabrina. The story really picked up in the last third, as the plot line took a turn for the fast-paced and exciting. With the exception of Harry's speech where he admits his feelings for Sabrina (which was incredible), the epilogue was my very favorite part of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book!
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this third book in the Mayfield Family series! Harry is a drunk, gambler, and rake. When he finally reaches a point where his drinking and gambling has nearly ruined him, he gains a glimmer of hope from a mysterious financer named Lord Damion. Lady Sabrina has had a difficult life. Born on the wrong side of the blanket and married to a detestable man, she finally gains her freedom and wealth untold when her abusive husband unexpectedly dies. When she comes across Harry at his lowest point, she immediately remembers the man who once captured her imagination with his kindness years before. She decides to help him but must remain on guard lest she lose her heart and everything she has gained.
I loved the romance between Harry and Sabrina. They have a unique relationship where in this case the woman has the upper hand and advantage. I loved how their interactions lead to love as they get to know one another. Love this series and can't wait for the next book!
I loved the romance between Harry and Sabrina. They have a unique relationship where in this case the woman has the upper hand and advantage. I loved how their interactions lead to love as they get to know one another. Love this series and can't wait for the next book!
tboofy's review against another edition
4.0
Third in the Mayfield Family romance series. Lady Sabrina comes from an abusive marriage and a miscarriage, just to be widowed (to her relief) fairly young. She comes across the gambler Harry after he has been beaten nearly to death. She recognized him from 6 years previously when he was kind to her at a party--though he doesn't remember--and takes him home and nurses him back to health. She is fond of him, but she has a big secret she needs to keep from him... A unique plot for this type of book; enjoyable.
the_jessmarie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
I really liked the overall story. I enjoyed the plot and thought the romance was well executed. The writing and pacing itself, however, is where it loses a star. I found myself pushing to keep picking it up because it felt slow and a tad boring at times. Very unfortunate because I liked the characters a lot and the plot.
Would recommend if you like a slower romance with beautiful themes of redemption and recovery from a sad, purposeless life.
Would recommend if you like a slower romance with beautiful themes of redemption and recovery from a sad, purposeless life.
fred_phreddey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
4.25
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book but I felt something was a little too simple about it.
It is not the fact it was a regency, I felt that the romance just seemed... lacking?
Henry starts off doing a small deed for our Lady, which is not forgotten by her when she meets him five years later. Though she has sworn off love and has established herself as a self-assured widow, she opens her heart to him when their paths meet. She also is secretly the money lender he goes to see for a last chance at saving himself from his fall from grace.
While I felt our lady was well written, I felt Henry lacking a bit? Could it be his age - he is five years younger than her? I struggled to think what it was that kept me from giving this book a full five stars.
The writing felt a little hokey at times (even for a regency). So could that be the reason?
This book is still a nice, kind read. I did read the afterward written by the author that she wrote about the type of male that she does not normally like. Which was refreshing since usually the female is trying to change the male or the female changes her mind on the male. In this book, the male seemed to change on his own accord. So it was well done in my opinion.
Still, if you are looking for regency and a clean-romance, I'd recommend it.
It is not the fact it was a regency, I felt that the romance just seemed... lacking?
Henry starts off doing a small deed for our Lady, which is not forgotten by her when she meets him five years later. Though she has sworn off love and has established herself as a self-assured widow, she opens her heart to him when their paths meet. She also is secretly the money lender he goes to see for a last chance at saving himself from his fall from grace.
While I felt our lady was well written, I felt Henry lacking a bit? Could it be his age - he is five years younger than her? I struggled to think what it was that kept me from giving this book a full five stars.
The writing felt a little hokey at times (even for a regency). So could that be the reason?
This book is still a nice, kind read. I did read the afterward written by the author that she wrote about the type of male that she does not normally like. Which was refreshing since usually the female is trying to change the male or the female changes her mind on the male. In this book, the male seemed to change on his own accord. So it was well done in my opinion.
Still, if you are looking for regency and a clean-romance, I'd recommend it.