A Rake Needing A Rescue and Redemption

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance

SETTING: London and Wimbledon, England in 1822

SERIES: Mayfield Family Romance #3 (This book is a standalone novel in this series)

SYNOPSIS: Harry Stillman, who grew up in privilege and wealth, has become a man ruled by his vices – gambling, drinking, and occasionally women. For years Harry has been powerless to stop the control these addictions have over his life, and now he currently finds himself in the most desperate of situations with an unscrupulous lender demanding a large repayment. But Harry has the blessed good fortune to cross paths with two saviors – Lord Damion, who is an unorthodox and mysterious lender who helps him pay off all his debts, and Lady Sabrina Carlisle, a wealthy widow who discovers him badly beaten lying in an alley. Harry spends several weeks recovering from his injuries at Lady Sabrina’s estate – Rose Haven. While spending time together, Harry, who has never thought of marriage and love in a positive way before finds himself starting to change his views. But Sabrina, who has secrets and a painful past of her own, finds it hard to place her trust in others….especially when she knows they have vicious vices and a bad track record.

WHAT I LOVED:

• Regency Role Reversal: It’s not the heroine who needs saving in this story, it is the hero! And that is quite a surprising switch for the Regency era, when women didn’t have the rights or liberties they do now. I enjoyed this flipped premise, it definitely stands out as unique. And I love that author Josi Kilpack decided to unbalance this reversed dynamic even more by making Lady Sabrina a few years older and Harry’s superior in “class, wealth, and life experience.”

• Lady Sabrina: Speaking of a capable, impressive, and independent women…Lady Sabrina is a most worthy and admirable heroine! I am awed by her strength to overcome such a harrowing first marriage, not too mention the challenges with being a duke’s illegitimate daughter. And I love that in addition to responsibly managing her estate and becoming involved with prosperous business ventures, Lady Sabrina spends her time on a special and altruistic project to save others.

• Real-Life Challenges: Abusive relationships, tragic losses, addictions, feeling confined and alone, Sabrina and Harry face some difficult challenges – ones that many readers can understand or find familiar. I enjoyed how skillfully and sensitively Josi Kilpack addressed these topics and seamlessly wove them into her story.

• Redeeming and Redirecting: This story has some inspiring life-rebuilding. I love that Sabrina had the courage to rebuild her life into something amazing…she didn’t let her past, her family, or her first marriage define her. Her strength and resilience are truly wonderful. And I love that Harry is in a position to find his own redemption. It isn’t always an easy path to take…and I appreciated Ms. Kilpak evenly portrays both the stumbles and strides.

• Part of a Series: I like that this book is part of a series (Mayfield Family Series) where Lord Elliott Mayfield sets up a “marriage campaign” for his nieces and nephews. Marriage plots with meddling but supportive relatives sounds like a fun combination to explore!

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• A Question of Worthiness: Ms. Kilpak mentioned that she knew writing a “playboy” would be a challenge because it is a type of character she finds difficult to like. And I kind of agree. Although, Ms. Kilpak made Harry charming and endearing, I often felt he was unworthy of Sabrina. Maybe more time spent depicting his improvements and atonement and a few less chapters of Harry’s selfishness and immaturity would have tipped the scales more firmly in his favor.

• Missed Opportunity: I was hoping for them to have a more raw and honest conversation about their painful pasts and experiences. Especially Sabrina…with her past so strongly influencing her views on marriage. It would have been great for the reader to witness such a conversation taking place, and see their relationship dynamic change because of these painful truths and soul-bearing revelations.

CONCLUSION:

Rakes and Roses is an inventive and heartwarming Regency Romance with a meaningful and inspiring message. The gender role reversal and secret schemes felt a little Heyeresque. And while it may not be my most favorite Regency tale, I still loved the trip back in time and the well-crafted world Josi S. Kilpack created.

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My thanks to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose for putting this lovely blog tour together and inviting me to take part!