How to Rescue a Rake by Jayne Fresina Series: Book Club Belles Society #3
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: January 5th 2016
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Format: eARC
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Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
HOW TO RESCUE A RAKE:
Reject his marriage proposal
Nathaniel Sherringham has returned to Hawcombe Prior a changed man. Gone is the reckless rake who went out on a limb to propose to Diana Makepiece three years ago. Now Nate’s mysterious new wealth has the town’s rumor mill spinning. To stir things up (and get Diana’s attention), Nate boldly announces his plans to marry “any suitable girl” under the age of 25.Run away
Diana, now 27 and still single, is acutely aware of Nate’s return. When her mother suggests a trip to visit a cousin in Bath, Diana leaps at the chance to escape the heartbreak and regret she can’t help but feel in Nate’s presence…and avoid his irritating charade to find a bride.But for Nate, Diana has always been the one. He might just have to follow her to Bath and once again lay his heart on the line to win her attention-and her heart.
Review
This year my interest in historical romance is at an all-time high and it was fun to start with HOW TO RESCUE A RAKE, especially because the word ‘rake’ in a title or blurb makes me really interested in watching a ladies’ man fall hard for that one woman. Well, that was not exactly the case here, but Nate and Diana’s story was no less interesting.
The three years that Nathaniel Sherringham spent away from Hawcombe Prior have made a great difference. Gone is the gambler and rogue who gave no thought to the broken hearts he left in his wake and in his place is a successful and respectable businessman, one who still keeps the gossip mill churning, but for different reasons. Nate never got over Diana and her refusal of his marriage proposal three years ago and when their paths cross away from home, he sees a perfect chance for a fresh start with her.
Diana Makepiece turned down Nate’s drunken proposal because of his shiftless lifestyle and lack of ambition but her heart was broken when he left town without a word. She’s the only one of her group still single and has resigned herself to life as a spinster. Her trip to Bath to recuperate from her illness away from her mother’s watchful eye gives her a chance to spread her wings and the fortuitous arrival of Nate gives them a second chance.
This is my first read from Ms. Fresina and I really enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed Diana’s transformation from the meek wallflower to a confident woman, and Nate’s growth from an aimless degenerate to a businessman. At the heart of it, this is a sweet second chance story for two people who are perfect for each other. There is an interesting and colorful cast of supporting characters, from Diana’s smothering mother whose meddling irritated me to no end, to the boisterous Plumtree sisters who made me laugh and whose stories I look forward to. I haven’t read Jane Austen’s Persuasion but the references to it have piqued my interest.
A caveat to readers: this story is mostly on the slow side, but worth reading to the end.
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