Charlie Lane

The Fake February Rake by Charlie Lane
The Rake Review #2

Loved this month’s rake who is not really a rake but painted so by a gossip rag’s brush. Dr. Hades Jones needs to set things straight and in doing so manages to secure a better future than he had ever dreamed of.

What I liked:
* Hades: raised by his mother and the man she married, has a half-sister, excellent physician, impeccable standing in the community, biological father was of the ton though he never acknowledged Hades, learns a lot about what he really wants in life and pursues it
* Ophelia: daughter of the Earl of Plinkton, disillusioned by her father’s behavior, has turned down eleven suitors, inspired to and actively pursues helping women in need, confronted by Hades about the coat she stole to use as a disguise, learns to trust as she never has before
* Hades’ mother who rose above her disgrace, married a man she loved, and created a family in the country
* That the lines between ton and those not really in the ton managed to be crossed with a happy ending for Ophelia and Hades
* The way the two found their way to trust, love, and a fruitful happy life together
* Wondering who Lucy might end up with in the future

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like – specifically Ophelia’s father and the man who ruined Hades’ mother
* Thinking about how the power of men in the past and how it was used too often against women – no matter which class the woman was from

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (más)

Lillian has had a crush on Lord Devon for as long as she can remember but he does not notice her AT ALL. After her disastrous last season, she commits herself to become an incomparable for the next year. And she does it. She transforms herself with clothes and confidence and successfully conquers the ballrooms the next season. She is determined to help other wallflowers find their confidence and their happy ever after. Meanwhile, the man she is trying to desperately to forget has taken up residence in her house as her fathers apprentice, which gives her very little room to move on from him.

Devon’s job is to wait. To sit around and wait incase he is needed to replace his brother as Duke. But he is determined to be a self made man and not live off his family’s money. Devon didn’t mean to become an inventor but, after meeting Lillian’s father, he wants to invent a machine that will filter the grinds out of a cup of coffee. He hasn’t been very successful yet, but he has successfully annoyed Lillian!

When an late night explosion sounds in the workshop, Lillian checks to make sure Devon is okay. But when she helps him solve his problem, he kisses her and things start to escalate…until her father walks in and demands that they marry.

They resolve to make the best of their new marriage but find that they quite enjoy each other’s company and intimacies. They open up and share their dreams as well as their fears.

Both Lillian and Devon have issues of feeling worthless or unnecessary; Devon as only being useful as a 'spare' to his brother and Lillian being an invisible wallflower. But when Devon finally 'sees' Lillian and Lillian "chooses" Devon, they both feel the attention and love they have been looking for.

While going after their dreams together and making a life, they stumble, but in the end, they both realize that they simply need each other.

I thought the story was very well done. They both had hang ups with insecurities, but I didn't feel like it bogged the story down or become tedious to hear about. I loved Devon's transformation from being a flirt in previous books to a serious inventor and husband. And Lillian determined to be "seen" and standing up for herself when the ton cuts her down.

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Era, Ton Society, Season/Marriage Mart, Self-Made Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Carriage Steam, Enemies to Lovers, Married in Scandal, Unrequited Love… (más)

The Plot
This was an enjoyable book...I felt like it was a bit ridiculous at times and I was frustrated by some of the holes left at the end of the book, but overall it was a nice, quick read. What started out as a dare, softened and changed both Tabitha and Arthur for the better. I really enjoyed seeing the changes take place, especially in Arthur, and eventually see them realize they will be a great Duke and Duchess because they care for others and for each other.

The Heroine
Tabitha Hampton is a very smart girl who has a photographic memory. She basically runs her family household since her mother died and her father is sick. She takes care of her little sisters too. After an investment she made goes wrong and she loses a lot of their money, she is desperate to finally marry...someone rich who can help her family and ensure her sister can afford a Season and get married as well. But Tabitha is older and many men are scared off when they find out about her eccentric mind and her inability to hold her tongue at times. But she is determined to help her family so she convinces Arthur to give her a chance to prove she can be the perfect duchess for him.

The Hero
Arthur is a bit of a stick in the mud. He father died when he was young and he was raised by his mother, uncle and grandmother, all of whom still hold great power over him. He is determined to marry the perfect woman to be his Duchess because, in order to get his beloved childhood home, his whole family needs to approve of his future wife. His Uncle is very controlling and disapproving of Arthur which has left him with needs to be the perfect Duke with ridiculous tasks. Thankfully, Tabitha came along, got through his façade and was able to help him see that "perfection" is not necessary and you'll be happier once you set that mantle aside.

The Steam
The steam was okay; I loved that their first time together was in a romantic, meadow setting.

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Era, Season/Marriage Mart, Ton Society, Beta Hero, Politician Hero, Starchy Hero, Titled Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Spinster Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Marriage of Convenience/Arranged Marriage, Dare or Bet… (más)

Jane believes she is the definition of "Plain Jane," being nothing special to look at and having average intelligence. She has been overlooked on the marriage mart forcing her into the life of a spinster wallflower. But, after ruining her reputation, she must stop her hoyden ways, stop with the dares, and simply marry anyone who will have her. George, being a family friend, has offered to help her, but it turns out they have both long suppressed feelings for each other. Jane is surrounded by the damage love can bring; her father's devastation at her mother's loss and marrying a woman he doesn't love, George's uncle who heals his widowed heart with an opium addiction, George's sister who is watching her beloved husband slowly die, and her lonely mother-in-laws sister. Jane is determined to avoid love and simply marry for the security, children and a family, and to get out of her father's home. I loved Jane. She loves deeply and genuinely cares for others. George is quite the same; he loves his family and will do anything to take care of them, including taking care of his opium addicted uncle who wakes in the night with dangerous night terrors. But when he has to watch Jane find a suitor among the men he has sent to the house party, he is forced to recognize his desire to take Jane for himself. Just when Jane is done with daring behavior, George dares her to fall in love with him. It is frustrating that they cannot get their timing right, but I didn't find is too angsty and still enjoyed the story. One other thing that bothered me a bit was the fact that they slept together before their marriage and it didn't really seem to bother Jane...in fact, she was not worried about what anyone would say or if any other suitor would have her anymore!

I enjoyed George as well. He was starchy but without being a jerk about it. He has been taking care of his Uncle for as long as he can remember and he is clearly fearful of what happens during his Uncle's night terrors. But he can't keep the burden to himself and thankfully, he eventually finds the ability to ask for help so he can have his HEA as well.

The Steam
There are a couple of steamy scenes, lots of passion, a steamy letter, and an enjoyable carriage ride.

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Romance, House Party, Beta Hero, Starchy Hero, Titled Hero, Compromised Heroine, Hoyden Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Wallflower Heroine, Carriage Steam, Best Friends Sibling, Friends to Lovers… (más)