Author: Janna MacGregor
Series: The Cavensham Heiresses #6
Audience: Over 18
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Release Date: February 25th 2020
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: St. Martin's
Blurb (from Goodreads):
A delightful story about a vicar with a lot of secrets, and a young widow with a broken heart. Basically this book was just what I needed right now. I have only read one other book in the Cavensham Heiresses series, which I can now see it is a mistake, one that I need to correct quickly.
I will always love a good enemies to lovers story, which is what Wild. Wild Rake is. And I adored how cute this love story was.
Avalon is trying her best to help society, raise her son, and keep her heart safe. She truly hasn't had an easy life, and in the context of this story, it makes her story be even sadder. In a era when women had no choice, she was trying to help out other women as much as she could. I liked Avalon, and in some way I understood her. Her parents bargained her off for fortunes, her late husband hated her and spread vile rumors about her, and he eventually sent her away from London, with strict instructions never to return. It's no wonder then, that when she hears about Devan Farris coming to her town, the same Devan who calls her Lady Warlock, she's not impressed at all. I understood her prickly nature, and her tendency to remember every detail of an embarrassing situation, especially when faced with someone who, by her impression, wronged her in any way. I truly understood her then. I loved how she tried to help the people around her, no matter their situation or their standing in society. She helped women find jobs and a safe place to live in, and I truly loved her for it.
Devan was a mystery to me. Because of how Avalon sees him in the beginning of the book, I was intent on hating him and hoping for a carriage to roll down his foot or something equally painful. I wasn't prepared for how charming or caring he was, which won me over, much like he won Avalon. Of course, his teasing tendencies sometimes went a bit too far, which made his charm confusing to me. Though he's not entirely heartless, and he redeemed himself in my eyes when he understood that he may have taken that teasing just a bit too far. I did feel a bit bad for him once I understood him a bit more, because his oldest brother was.... let's say controlling. Anyway. He had chemistry with Avalon, I won't lie, and the way he treated her and her son made me like Devan.
I loved the twist at the end, and what Devan and Avalon had to do. I loved Sophie, Avalon's younger sister, and a tiny part wishes for her story to be told, even though we see how her life will be like in the ending of this book. I had no patience for her friend, Penelope, however, even though the life that awaited her sounded brutal and something no one deserves.
Unfortunately this is the last book in this series, but I think it was a good way to end the series. As always, one of my absolute favorite thing about historical romances is the author's notes at the end, and this one didn't disappoint either.
All in all, a delightful story, full of twists and turns, a good way to end a series that I plan on reading from the start very soon. I cannot wait to see what Janna MacGregor will write next.
Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250296016
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She is the author of the Cavensham Heiresses series, which begins with The Bad Luck Bride. Janna credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs.
Her first marriage was an epic failure.*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of his book from St. Martin's in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.
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?
**Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As a result, my review may contain references to content intended for mature audiences only.
A delightful story about a vicar with a lot of secrets, and a young widow with a broken heart. Basically this book was just what I needed right now. I have only read one other book in the Cavensham Heiresses series, which I can now see it is a mistake, one that I need to correct quickly.
I will always love a good enemies to lovers story, which is what Wild. Wild Rake is. And I adored how cute this love story was.
Avalon is trying her best to help society, raise her son, and keep her heart safe. She truly hasn't had an easy life, and in the context of this story, it makes her story be even sadder. In a era when women had no choice, she was trying to help out other women as much as she could. I liked Avalon, and in some way I understood her. Her parents bargained her off for fortunes, her late husband hated her and spread vile rumors about her, and he eventually sent her away from London, with strict instructions never to return. It's no wonder then, that when she hears about Devan Farris coming to her town, the same Devan who calls her Lady Warlock, she's not impressed at all. I understood her prickly nature, and her tendency to remember every detail of an embarrassing situation, especially when faced with someone who, by her impression, wronged her in any way. I truly understood her then. I loved how she tried to help the people around her, no matter their situation or their standing in society. She helped women find jobs and a safe place to live in, and I truly loved her for it.
Devan was a mystery to me. Because of how Avalon sees him in the beginning of the book, I was intent on hating him and hoping for a carriage to roll down his foot or something equally painful. I wasn't prepared for how charming or caring he was, which won me over, much like he won Avalon. Of course, his teasing tendencies sometimes went a bit too far, which made his charm confusing to me. Though he's not entirely heartless, and he redeemed himself in my eyes when he understood that he may have taken that teasing just a bit too far. I did feel a bit bad for him once I understood him a bit more, because his oldest brother was.... let's say controlling. Anyway. He had chemistry with Avalon, I won't lie, and the way he treated her and her son made me like Devan.
I loved the twist at the end, and what Devan and Avalon had to do. I loved Sophie, Avalon's younger sister, and a tiny part wishes for her story to be told, even though we see how her life will be like in the ending of this book. I had no patience for her friend, Penelope, however, even though the life that awaited her sounded brutal and something no one deserves.
Unfortunately this is the last book in this series, but I think it was a good way to end the series. As always, one of my absolute favorite thing about historical romances is the author's notes at the end, and this one didn't disappoint either.
All in all, a delightful story, full of twists and turns, a good way to end a series that I plan on reading from the start very soon. I cannot wait to see what Janna MacGregor will write next.
Excerpt
Avalon read the first line in the letter from her son’s guardian, Gavin Farris, the Earl of Larkton. By all appearances the words resembled something innocuous, purely designed to lull a person into thinking it contained real concern with a touch of whimsical affection.
My dearest lady, I do hope this finds you and your intrepid son well.
“Avalon, did you hear the news?” Seventeen, on the cusp of eighteen years of age, Avalon’s sister, Lady Sophia Cavensham, looked up from her embroidery and smiled. Her gaze darted to her friend Miss Penelope Rowley, the one and only niece of the wealthiest gentry landowner in the shire. Though she was two years older than Sophia, Penelope had become somewhat of a fixture at Warwyk Hall over the last six months since she’d moved to her aunt and uncle’s home. The two women were inseparable.
Penelope let out a dramatic sigh then collapsed in a swoon across the pink-and-gold brocade sofa. In the process, she kneed the table, upsetting the delicate pink china cup and saucer. “Oww.”
Avalon tried to ignore their chatter. The Earl of Larkton’s correspondence had increased in frequency over the last several months. The weekly letters were turning into biweekly posts. Each one wanted more and more control over the Warwyk estate and more decision-making control over her ten-year-old son, Thane Pearce, the Marquess of Warwyk. She doubled her concentration on the letter as she read the entire first paragraph.
The purpose of my correspondence is to inform you that I’ve appointed a new vicar for the village of Thistledown. The man comes with impeccable standing and experience. In addition, his educational training is second to none. He’s a protégé of Lord Bishop Marlowe.
“He’s extraordinary.” Sophia’s dreamlike whisper floated through the air like a dandelion seed.
“He’s . . . simply exquisite.” Penelope’s voice joined Sophia’s in a chorus of dazzled fascination.
My dear Marchioness, it’s my pleasure to announce that my brother—
Avalon swallowed the sudden onrush of bile that marched up her throat. It couldn’t be. Fate was not that hateful.
“Mr. Devan—” Sophia sighed.
“Farris.” Penelope finished the sentence and slowly drew her hand against her forehead as if saying his name caused her to faint.
“No. Not him.” Avalon murmured the words aloud. The sanctimonious prig had arrived to make her life a living hell. Avalon grimaced to keep from casting her accounts. Now she was just exaggerating like the girls. She wasn’t really physically sick, but the news could make a person ill. “When did he arrive in the village?”
Clueless as to how the news affected her older sister, Sophia scooted to the edge of the crimson-and-white striped club chair that sat adjacent to Avalon’s matching one. “Two days ago. Penelope and I just happened to be walking in front of the vicarage when we saw the Earl of Larkton’s coach arrive. The new vicar followed behind on horseback.”
Penelope nodded vigorously as if Sophia’s story needed affirmation.
Avalon wanted to roll her eyes. The two women “never just happen” to do anything. They orchestrated and connived everything from shopping to men. God save anyone who crossed their paths. If one of the girls took a shine to any of the ton’s marriageable men, then London’s finest would soon understand what it meant to be hunted.
As the girls continued their chatter, Avalon devoted her full attention to the rest of the letter. Better to finish the horrid task, then take a long walk through her gardens. Though it was January and bitterly cold outside, a brisk hour of exercise would help Avalon clear some of her unease at the news that Mr. Devan Farris had invaded her village.
I’ve considered your request that the young marquess continue his studies at home, but at the age of ten, his interests would best be served by attending Eton sooner rather than later. That’s where boys turn into men. Your suggestion that he attend Harrow won’t do. His father had insisted that I promise he attend Eton. However, since his Latin skills are somewhat lacking, I’ve decided to hire my brother, Mr. Farris, to tutor him in the subject.
Her blood simmered at the words. The earl’s declaration was nothing more than gilding the lily. Everyone within fifty miles of London knew that Devan Farris sought to marry an heiress. Until he found one, the fortune-hunting vicar thought to use her son’s marquisate to pay double for his services. Since her son’s estate paid for the vicar’s wages, Mr. Farris would receive another wage from the coffers for tutoring lessons.
But what really brought her blood to boil was that the smug vicar would be nosing into her business, and that wouldn’t do at all. She and only she ruled the parish with a fair and impartial hand. No one, including Devan Farris, would upset her world.
Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250296016
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