The Love of a Rake

The Brothers of the Aristocracy, Book 1

By: Linda Rae Sande

Narrated by: Michael Troughton

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

At the age of 35, Randall Roderick, Marquess of Reading, decides it's time to trade in his life as the Rake of Reading for the life of a married man. Trouble is, his reputation precedes him, and he's not particularly attracted to the milk water misses who make up the eligible ladies of the ton.

His counterpart, Charles Goodwin, Earl of Wakefield, is only 25 and enjoys his life as a rake far too much to consider marriage. A visiting prostitute may change his mind on the matter, though, if only because he wants to do the right thing.

When the Earl of Norwick's skittish cousin, Constance, meets Randall in the park, she's intrigued by the gentleman she thinks is merely a well-to-do cit with a fascination for horse racing, but she's only in London to find out what's become of her inheritance. She's determined to return to her home and horses in Sussex to live the life of an independent woman.

Her counterpart, Eleanor Merriweather, is in London for her coming-out with a dream to marry her perfect knight, but having been duped by a brothel's madam upon her arrival, she suddenly finds herself completely and thoroughly ruined.

When the lives of these four are suddenly upended by their chance meetings, the events of two nights and two days will prove that it takes a bit of horse sense to get on the right track in The Love of a Rake.

©2015 Linda Rae Sande (P)2016 Linda Rae Sande

A well done regency romance

This story takes place over a period of about 48 hours. In just this short amount of time, can two confirmed "rakes" be reformed?

I loved how each chapter jumped from one persons perspective to another's for the same set of events. Even though there are four main characters, their stories are all interwoven, and the secondary characters bring it all together.

I thought that for the most part, they narration was well done. I wasn't much of a fan of the way the characters inner thoughts were conveyed, but I did get used to it.

Enjoyable Regency Romance!

This Regency romance follows the story of four people through mistaken identities, lost fortunes, and reformed rakes.

Randall, Marquess of Reading, is tired of meaningless physical relationships with women. He decides he's ready to settle down and take a wife. Randall is intrigued by a friend's novel suggestion that he marry for love. When he meets Constance in the park, her quiet love for horses attracts his notice. But Constance isn't interested in marriage, and her only goal is her inheritance and independence.

Charles, Earl of Wakefield, has no intention of settling down. His regular arrangement with a brothel keeps him supplied with all the entertainment he needs. When the madam sends him a virgin as his birthday gift, Charles realizes that this girl is not his usual fare and decides to do the right thing by her. But Eleanor has been in love with a different gentleman for a year, and she's not quite ready to give him up.

This was a steamy read with some explicit language. This isn't a book you can listen to with half an ear, there are quite a few characters and their names and titles are used interchangeably. There are also some time jumps in the beginning. It took a little focus to get all the characters straight, but once I did the story flowed well.

This was the first book I've read by Linda Rae Sande, and it was an enjoyable read. I was rooting for the two couples from the beginning. I especially liked that the men weren't portrayed as perfect rakes whose looks melt women's knees and hearts. Randall's frequent mention of his impending double chin had me laughing out loud. I thought the two couples were adorable together.

The narration was interesting, I'm used to a particular type of female narrator for historical romances. Michael Troughton was a very different sort of narrator, but his voice fit so well with the male characters. I thought he was a great choice, and overall it was a great performance.

Good!

I really enjoyed this regency romance! Two different couples and two men who fall fast - this was a very sweet story but with just enough angst to keep in interesting. Narration was great - I really enjoyed his voice!

**I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review**

like going back in time

first I would like to Say. I love when the auther uses British terms for a British historic story. there is Nothing more irritating then listening to a book and the words is all wrong for the time. so a big thank you to Linda for doing the reserch that is needed to make it authentic.
I was abit confused at the beginning of this book. I couldnt hear the difference in the narrators voice to indicate wich person he was acting at the time. so I had to really concentrate to get the full meaning of the story. It might be better in paper to keep track.
But when i did get a hang of it. it drew me in and back in time, to a time when men had to court a woman. to follow the etikette of the time not to offend the delicate females. I like the universe Linda has opened up to me in this book. and i really feel like i want to Know more About the finer people of london. want to come to tea and hear the latest gossip of who did what with who.
this is not my last book by Linda rae Sande. I will be back for more.

A good read.

**** SPOILER ALERT ****
"The Love Of A Rake" is another fine story from Sande. The author turns in great world building and character development as they balance action and exposition. This entertaining tale explores if some of the characters can rise above their reputations.
While I listened to this book on Audible, I would recommend it to my fellow readers in whatever format that they prefer.
Those of you that prefer the hardcopy, or ebook  formats can skip this next bit as I'm going to talk about the book's narrator.
Michael Troughton turns in another very fine performance bringing this book to life. His voicing is phenomenal and his audio production on the book is top notch!   I particularly like that he, very sparingly, utilizes sound effects that help make things a bit clearer while listening to the story. 
In the interest of transparency: I was given a review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.,

good but poor example of women

The women were tedious. If they would have just been honest and communicated they wouldn't have caused half their own problems. Smh!!! The men were kind and oversolicitous despite the women's deceitfulness. I wish the women had been nicer and smarter and honest from the start. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job.

Tin-can recording is more than I can get past.

The story premise has promise, and the narrator’s delivery seems on point, but I can’t listen any further to something that sounds so tinny (yes, sounds as though it was recorded by way of a tin can). Ugh!