Sportochick's Musings: REVIEW Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor

Sportochick's Musings ~ Heartfelt and memorable story

Wild, Wild Rake

The Cavensham Heiresses #6

by Janna MacGregor

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press Romance

Genres ~ Historical Romance

Her first marriage was an epic failure.

Lady Avalon Warwyck never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry―that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.

Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?

Devan Farris―charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian―is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with vicar with a wild reputation―even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside―a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?

This book will shred your heart with all the misunderstandings, lack of love, and love that must be hidden. Throughout the pages you will read about disappointment, heartbreak, hope and new found friends. But the greatest gift to this book is the heart warming story of how various people survive hate, lost love and find compassion to others that they once had none for.

The star of this story is Lady Avalon Warwyck. Her character is so fully dimensional and how she works through a horrible disgraceful marriage to help the very people who brought her shame is done with compassion, understanding and love. This is who she made herself to be after the death of her husband.

So in walks Devan Farris newly appointed vicar and brother to her son's guardian. It doesn't help that he is gorgeous, kind and all the ladies fall in love with him. At first I felt Devan's character was too soft but as the story progresses it becomes evident that he is exactly the man for Avalon, He is hot in that slow burn way. His tentativeness is part of his saving himself for marriage vow. This makes sense to his uncertainty towards what to do with her.

All of this works to create a heartfelt and memorable story earning it 4 STARS.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.