rainelle_barrett's review
4.0
Oh wow! The writer did such a wonderful job with introducing Harriet and Lucas love story. Creating Whitt characters that humorously hounded Lucas in his journey of raising his two wards while placating his mother was quite entertaining. I love the simple telling of a love story about a couple who battled the hardships of having decisions made for your well being without your input. And how decisions made by family that effect the ones you love.
The writer shared a story behind those tragedies that have the readers believing that love always conquers the things that try to destroy it. Until next time my fellow readers… read in!
The writer shared a story behind those tragedies that have the readers believing that love always conquers the things that try to destroy it. Until next time my fellow readers… read in!
heathermollauthor's review
This is the third in a series about four friends who swore to never marry and be rakes about time. Lucas, the Duke of Dorman, is the only know still single but he’s never even considered marriage since five years ago the woman he was about to propose to was forced to marry another man to pay her father’s debts. While out with his friends he saves a woman on a runaway horse and it turns out to be Lady Dudley, the now-widowed woman who broke his heart.
Harriet was abused by her late husband and even though she’s always loved Lucas, she had such a horrible marriage that she’ll never marry again. She never knew why she was sold to her first husband and never had any closure with her father.
This felt very overwritten. You don’t have to always pen a missive, you can just write a letter, even in 1818. Instead of requesting some sustenance to be readied, you can just order dinner. It was very distracting.
I don’t think the author knows how a sidesaddle works or that you can’t get a woman with a sprained ankle up onto another horse and on a man’s lap. I hoped once we moved on from horses this second chance romance would take off but it never did for me. Too many horses and flat secondary characters and subplots with new wards took a lot of time away from the couple. I never connected with them and wasn’t too sure why they still liked one another.
I received an arc from NetGalley
Harriet was abused by her late husband and even though she’s always loved Lucas, she had such a horrible marriage that she’ll never marry again. She never knew why she was sold to her first husband and never had any closure with her father.
This felt very overwritten. You don’t have to always pen a missive, you can just write a letter, even in 1818. Instead of requesting some sustenance to be readied, you can just order dinner. It was very distracting.
I don’t think the author knows how a sidesaddle works or that you can’t get a woman with a sprained ankle up onto another horse and on a man’s lap. I hoped once we moved on from horses this second chance romance would take off but it never did for me. Too many horses and flat secondary characters and subplots with new wards took a lot of time away from the couple. I never connected with them and wasn’t too sure why they still liked one another.
I received an arc from NetGalley
amandasbookreview's review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
"Calling all second chance love trope fans, this book is for you!"
Check out my full review at InD'tale Magazine:
https://issuu.com/indtalemagazine/docs/june_2022_issue?fr=sOTA0NjQ5MzMzNjI
Check out my full review at InD'tale Magazine:
https://issuu.com/indtalemagazine/docs/june_2022_issue?fr=sOTA0NjQ5MzMzNjI
onebookmore's review
4.0
Newly widowed and free of an abusive husband, Lady Harriet Dudley vows never to give up her independence to a man. When her horse is spooked, Harriet is rescued by her first love, Lucas Pemberton, the Duke of Dorman. Lucas has no desire to marry, especially after having his heart broken when he went to ask for Harriet’s hand only to learn her father married her to another. However, Harriet and Lucas quickly realize that old feelings still remain.
This is the third book in the Rakes of Mayhem series, and I was eager to read it after being introduced to the characters in the earlier books. Harriet and Lucas are well-developed protagonists, and I like how they slowly work their way back to each other. They have a lot to work through because of their complicated past and the feelings they still share, and they both have to face their fears before finding happiness with each other. They have great chemistry, and I liked their love story.
No one ever understood why Harriet’s father arranged a marriage between her and such a loathsome man, especially since everyone knew how much she cared for Lucas. Harriet’s father staunchly refuses to explain himself, which has fractured many relationships. Then, when her husband’s heir contacts her, Harriet worries the past is coming back to haunt her. Harriet has suffered so much. Abused, separated from her family, cut off from society, and completely controlled by her husband, Harriet searches for answers while trying to reconnect with those she missed most.
I love Harriet’s relationship with her sister. They have a strong bond, and when they’re together, it’s almost as if no time has passed. I also really liked Lucas’s mother. She and Harriet’s sister work together to reunite Lucas and Harriet, and they are a great team. Other characters, like Lucas’s friends and his wards, are also wonderful additions to the story. Lucas’s youngest ward is a delight! She’s so fun and spunky, and she’s a little troublemaker but in the cutest of ways.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, though I wanted more resolution and apology from Harriet’s father, especially after all Harriet went through. There are definite messages throughout the story about the lack of choice women had and the control med exerted over the women in their lives. Other messages about friendship, family, and taking chances, as well as the lovely romance, balance the story well.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and the author for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
This is the third book in the Rakes of Mayhem series, and I was eager to read it after being introduced to the characters in the earlier books. Harriet and Lucas are well-developed protagonists, and I like how they slowly work their way back to each other. They have a lot to work through because of their complicated past and the feelings they still share, and they both have to face their fears before finding happiness with each other. They have great chemistry, and I liked their love story.
No one ever understood why Harriet’s father arranged a marriage between her and such a loathsome man, especially since everyone knew how much she cared for Lucas. Harriet’s father staunchly refuses to explain himself, which has fractured many relationships. Then, when her husband’s heir contacts her, Harriet worries the past is coming back to haunt her. Harriet has suffered so much. Abused, separated from her family, cut off from society, and completely controlled by her husband, Harriet searches for answers while trying to reconnect with those she missed most.
I love Harriet’s relationship with her sister. They have a strong bond, and when they’re together, it’s almost as if no time has passed. I also really liked Lucas’s mother. She and Harriet’s sister work together to reunite Lucas and Harriet, and they are a great team. Other characters, like Lucas’s friends and his wards, are also wonderful additions to the story. Lucas’s youngest ward is a delight! She’s so fun and spunky, and she’s a little troublemaker but in the cutest of ways.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, though I wanted more resolution and apology from Harriet’s father, especially after all Harriet went through. There are definite messages throughout the story about the lack of choice women had and the control med exerted over the women in their lives. Other messages about friendship, family, and taking chances, as well as the lovely romance, balance the story well.
Special thanks to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and the author for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
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