[ARC Review] Taming the Rake by Erica Ridley

Publisher's synopsis: All her life, Miss Gladys Bell was a wallflower whose parents despaired of her ever attracting a suitor. Then she met the man of her dreams, who said she was the woman of his. One passionate night later, Gladys awaits a marriage proposal that never comes. Reuben Medford, the ton’s most notorious rake, doesn’t even remember her name.

Thanks to his cold-hearted callousness, Gladys lost her reputation, her dowry, and her chance at love. But now she’s back, and bent on revenge. He’s trifled with the wrong woman: This wallflower has thorns. Once Gladys holds that damnable rake’s arrogant, fickle heart in her hands… She’ll crush it, just as he did to her.

This time, he’ll remember her name.  

My thoughts: Ooh, talk about a revenge plot! Did I ever love Gladys and her relationship (or attempted lack thereof) with Reuben. 

After being ruined by the ton's infamous rake, Gladys had very little options left in her life. With nowhere to go but up, Gladys returns to the scene of her amorous downfall - the Merrywell Matchmaking Festival. 

Gladys was a woman on a mission, and I loved that determination. Gladys gave pure main character energy; there was no wilting wallflower to be found here. 

But determined or not, Gladys was able to admit (at least to herself) that maybe her plans to make Reuben fall in love with her weren't foolproof. The more time she spent trying to seduce him, the more Gladys could see herself falling for Reuben all over again. It was a dangerous plan, but Ridley sure made it fun to watch all the pieces fall in (and out) of place. 

Since the main character was a ruined woman, Ridley was able to make this historical romance a bit steamier than the usual fare. Centered around the same locales that readers were introduced to in the first Lords in Love novella, Ridley was able to jump right into the characters and their adventures rather than spend valuable time building up the location. I felt this made for a fulfilling novella, as the plot and characters had all the focus and no time was wasted setting the scene. 

I truly enjoyed this addition to the Lords in Love series. It was fun, it was steamy, and both Reuben and Gladys were well done characters whom any historical romance lover will enjoy watching having their second chance.  

*A huge thank you to Erica Ridley for providing a review copy of this novella! All opinions are my own.*

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Release date: 3/24/23

Format: eARC

eARC provided via: author/Erica Ridley's Review Crew