This Rake of Mine

Bachelor Chronicles Series, Book 2

De: Elizabeth Boyle

Narrado por: Susan Duerden

When the rakehell Lord Jack Tremont kissed Miranda Mabberly, mistaking her for his mistress, neither realized his reckless act would cost Miranda her reputation, her fiance, and her future. But for Jack, it was a kiss that would haunt - an intoxicating memory of a woman lost to him forever.

Years later, hiding incognito far from London - a teacher at Miss Emery's Establishment for the Education of Genteel Ladies - Miranda has made a respectable life for herself, away from the ton and the dangerous men who inhabit it. When a penniless, much humbled, though still damnably attractive Jack arrives at the school to escort a rebellious young niece home, Miranda does her best to avoid the rogue only to end up tumbling into his arms - and reawakening a desire that is anything but proper. She might want to deny her heart, but Miranda's resolve is no match for a trio of schoolgirl matchmakers who knows true passion when they spy it. Now they won't rest until their all-too-proper teacher and the reprobate lord discover the love that is their destiny.

©2005 Elizabeth Boyle (P)2020 Tantor

Almost didn’t read this one

The lead female was so young, weak, and whiny in a previous book that I passed on this one for almost a year. I’m glad I came back to it, it takes place 9 years later and the character is now a mature woman and not annoying like I was expecting. Loved the story

Delightful

Well written humorous romance with a whole cast of characters you want to know. A lively plot full of witty dialogue that kept me chuckling. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

Great plot twists!

While I completely enjoyed this tale, I felt like I was missing something. Characters and events were mentioned from the first book, as if there had been an entire book between them, but this is listed as book 2.

wonderful story

love the narrative and the story. this series has likeable characters. past love and happiness

Best Elizabeth Boyle book so far

The characters were wonderful and the story plot was so intriguing ! Kept my interest from start to finish. I loved it!

Mistake turned out to be a great thing!

I m going to listen to the whole series. One of my favorite author and narrator!
Awesome smart group of girls and their teacher…

Soooo Good!

The romance only flutters in and out until the end but the buildup is so worth it. Very exciting tale of intrigue and spies and the war with France. Interesting how others profited from either side, highest bidder regardless of patriotism or lack there of. Great humor and comedy relief introducing the next three FMCs of the series. My only issue is I think between book 1 & nine years later to book 2 we miss a whole bunch that I assume is explained in other novels... I just don't know where. For example Temple and Diana... their story went from. unrequited to something else I assume but no explanation how or when. Also much insisting on how friends were lost and Clinton's relationships with his brother. That was kind of out of eft field. so before I proceed to the next generation's stories I'm going to try and final the completion of the characters in their 30s & 40s already introduced. I just with the author had done better with stacking timeliness.
Narration carries the story through any bumps.

Fun and full of world building

I so enjoyed the cameos and leading roles from characters in the other books. Such a treat and expertly woven together. Really brings the characters to life. The explosion wasa little far fetched but I enjoyed it anyway. Very good descriptions I really got a sense of the house. Well done

Once a Rake, always a Rake

This is the second book in a series, but it easily stands alone. The first book, Something About Emmaline, is much better, in my opinion. This book is a little slow, totally ridiculous plot and I did not feel any chemistry between the male and female leads. The narrator is excellent.

I am returning this book. I would never listen to it again.

Not for me

This book makes me wonder if I really like historical romances. So, please take my review as subjective and not objective—as all reviews should be. I did choose this story based on ratings and reviews, for which I don’t agree.

There were many times I almost stopped reading/listening. And maybe it’s just because I came off of a stunning series in a different genre, but I felt this story was more in the characters heads, listening to what might’ve been, what could’ve been, desires that just went on and on with no real action—more tell to the storyline rather than show. I felt forced around in that space with plot ploys such as coincidence, the lack of communication, ignorance, and non-stop desirous internal monologues.

The main characters were well crafted and I was along for the ride with the setup, which is why I probably finished the book. The slow progression of positive changes the MC’s make due to the conniving misses was not lost on me—nor was sense of redemption for the MC’s at the end.

Beyond those strong positives, the book did not move me, and at times, the story felt predictable. I want a historical romance to woo me, not just the MFC. Then I hoped for great banter to change up the storyline, but that didn’t happen. There was the foreshadowing of upcoming villainy, which could have helped, but the action happens towards the end. If I was a character in a Napoleonic-tangent historical romance, I’d have started shooting as close to the first chapter as I could get. The final letdown was when the MFC behaved ignorantly. It was not the organic behavior of a clever character.

The narrator has a great voice and does a fine job with differing ages and genders. I wouldn’t mind listening to her again, however, she has a rhythm of narration that is noticeable and often kicks me out of the story.