Edward, the Duke, is a guy on the spectrum during a time when they didn’t know what that meant. So he was considered cold, rude, and distant. But when he and Georgiana, a low ranking Miss from the country, are caught in a compromising position, they are forced to marry. But they are blithe determined to have a successful marriage and in time, Edward learns to give Georgiana the affection she craves. Georgiana learns all about Edward and his “quirks” and the fall for each other. It’s a very sweet story of love and acceptance. ( )

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book never really drew me in. The plot is straightforward as two people from different classes and with drastically different personalities are thrust together and come to love each other. I found it hard to stay engaged due to an excessive number of adjectives, abrupt time shifts, and disappearing items.

Full review: https://rebeccasreadingcorner.blog/review-eva-devon-the-spinster-and-the-rake/ ( )

Georgiana barely belongs on the spinster shelf - she’s referred to as plain a couple of times, but is very secure in who she is, and is more of a spinster-by-choice in that she prefers reading to society. The book is centered more on Edward’s insecurities and the walls he has up around himself; if anyone is doing any chasing, it’s the heroine. Normally, these things would dismay me greatly and I’d be rating the book a disappointing read. But, I liked this quite a bit! I really enjoyed all the characters and look forward to this new series. (3.5 stars) ( )

These two really came into there characters and they were opposites from the very beginning but they grew within themselves and became better people for each other and for themselves. I liked the banter between them and as I mentioned I liked how much they grew together. At the beginning, Edward had his preconceived ideas about Georgiana and he was a bit annoying but I was happy that Georgiana defended herself, she did not allow him to be that way with her. But then there was Georgiana, she was not who I was thinking she should have been when they first met, I was like huh? What in the heck Georgiana?, But all in all as the time when all, I was pleasantly surprised and the story developed and it got better, they got better and I utterly enjoyed...

rcvd an ARC at no cost to author...(netgalley)..voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions. ( )

This was the first book I’ve read by Eva Devon and it was an absolutely marvelous introduction to her. The writing was excellent, the story was excellently plotted and delivered, and the characters were absolutely perfect. I totally adored our flawed hero who did everything in his power to change himself, to make himself ‘acceptable’ for his lady. We definitely see his life-long struggle with fitting in and coping with what definitely has to be Asperger’s/autism.

Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield, is known for being icy and uncaring. That isn’t exactly the case – he just doesn’t pick up on subtle social cues such as facial expressions, he is hypersensitive to sounds and crowds, and likes things in a certain order. Luckily, he had loving parents – and then a loving aunt – who helped him develop coping mechanisms. I loved watching him learn to cope with his very unexpected new wife. He was such a lovely man.

Edward’s Aunt Agatha knows it is time for him to marry and she has arranged a house party filled with eligible debutantes to see if any pique his interest. (NOTE: For a loving understanding aunt, this seems like a really bad thing to do to him.) After one of those debutantes makes a particularly blatant attempt to trap him into marriage, he escapes to his ‘special’ room with his ‘special’ chair in order to calm himself before having to deal with the crowded ballroom that evening. He has to have the time to himself or he won’t be able to function at the ball. Yet, when he arrives in HIS room, someone is sitting in HIS chair. He has to make her leave – he has to have his time. He orders her to leave and, mistaking him for a servant, she refuses. He tells her he’ll kiss her if she doesn’t leave – and she dares him. He thinks the threat will scare her away – and she thinks no servant would do such a thing. They were both wrong. And the kiss – OMGoodness – sparks flew. Unfortunately, the door also opened and the kiss was witnessed. They don’t even know each other’s names – and now they are to marry.

Miss Georgiana Bly is a spinster – and intends to remain one. Her family is genteel, but only just barely. She isn’t comfortable dancing and has a terrible tendency to say exactly what she thinks. She is much, much more comfortable in a library – among books wherever they are. So, when she finds a small nook of a room filled with so many lovely books – and the most comfortable chair ever – she settles in for a nice evening of reading while her parents and sisters are dancing at the ball. Imagine the impertinence of a servant coming in and actually ordering her to leave! Well, she won’t have it. How dare he threaten her with a kiss! Then he does – kiss her.

I loved seeing the growth of the two main characters. He was the most honorable man and did his best to make his marriage work. I loved watching him go from believing she had deliberately trapped him into marriage to loving her beyond measure. I also loved watching her move from the hurt his seeming indifference caused her – to learning about and understanding his difficulties. Then, to put the icing on the cake, there is the most delightful epilogue.

I can definitely recommend this book and I do so look forward to my next read by this new-to-me author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )