NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE

Author: Sarah MacLean ISBN: 9780061852053 3/2010 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: London, 1813, 1823

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing. But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile. If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love ...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE is sheer fun! From the very first page I was completely taken into Lady Calpurnia Hartwell’s “failure” of a life and her upsetting foray into society. I disliked her mother for insisting on her disastrous tight gown and was annoyed with her parents for saddling her with such an awkward name, but then I was enchanted by the man who finds her at her most embarrassing moment and calls her “Empress”.  I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next to Callie!

Her fate seems sealed when her sister announces her engagement to a duke, and relatives smile over the idea that Callie’s mother will, at least, have one daughter’s wedding to plan. But when Gabriel arrives on the scene, it is as if the unfortunate cloud surrounding Callie is blown away and her luck begins to take a definite turn for the better. It is not all luck, however, that leads this intelligent heroine to discover the truth within her own heart.

One of the most emotionally searing love scenes I’ve read in a long time, Callie’s first encounter with Gabriel is one to remember. His thoughtfulness does not take away from his intention to force her surrender, both emotionally as well as physically. I held my breath through the scene, completely engaged in this woman finally feeling some of what she had been so desperate for. I cheered for Callie, and loved the way Gabriel immediately realized the where and how of their liaison might not have been entirely appropriate.

This is, though, a case of all’s well that ends well. With engaging characters and an unusual heroine, this story is a great read. I enjoyed it, and I believe others will, too. 

Kay James