I had DNFing books, but time is finite and I shouldn't read things that make me angry. The writing is simple, but pleasant. It's definitely a quick read. DNF'd around 56 pages in. I can't get past the fact that she's terrified for her livelihood and he's intentionally needling her because she's hot when she's angry. That's not okay.

"Wild, Wild Rake" unfolds as a passionate and emotionally charged narrative, bringing relief and joy as the heroine, Avalon Caversham Warwyck, discovers the true essence of love. My sympathy extended to Avalon, who endured a marriage of convenience, mistreatment, and public humiliation. Now a widow, she has forged a fulfilling life in the countryside, determined not to let any man control her destiny again. The hero, Devan Farris, initially basks in the easy life of a vicar, his handsome and charming demeanor overshadowed by rumors of rakish behavior. Unaware of the challenge ahead, Devan must overcome his tarnished reputation to convince a certain someone that he defies the gossip. His initial teasing and button-pushing didn't endear him to me, but as he matures and discovers Avalon's strength, he finds himself falling for her. While the story had a slow start, it gained momentum and depth as I delved into subsequent chapters.

Took me some time to get in the mood to read this book but I’m glad I finally did. I really liked Lady Avalon as the FMC. I thought she was a great example of “rising above” and was happy how her story ended. This is a great series overall but this is probably one of my favorite books in the series now.

After a loveless marriage that left Lady Avalon a widow she is in no hurry to remarry. She has the means, a son and the ability to pursue her interests so why would she? The catch, as there is always a catch when you have a young, interesting women is, there is always a man, a rake, a love interest that throws all her thoughts out the window. What will Lady Avalon do when she doesn't want a husband and has never known love?

A Virgin, a Vicar, an enemies to lovers story that gives all the feels.

When Lady Avalon Warwyk and Vivar Devan Farris's paths cross there will be expectations, assumptions and challenges. Is it possible to find comfort in the arms of one who destroyed your best friend? Is it possible to give yourself to the one person you never imagined?

After an abusive and horrible marriage, Lady Avalon has discovered friendships in the most unexpected places. Taking care of her son, she's built a life for the two of them. Is the notion of love still a possibility? What will happen when she falls for the Vicar? The very man who taunted her all those years ago?

This enchanting, sexy, and spicy romance is one you will devour in one sitting.

It took me a little while to get into this one, but once I was I read this one quite quickly. I love love a good historical romance and this one was a nice addition to my collection.

This historical romance is a great read! You will fall in love with Avalon and Devan! Janna MacGregor pens yet another great story thats hard to resist.

At this time, as I am guessing is obvious by the publication date that was literally years ago, I have decided not to review this title.

Technically, I made this decision a while ago, but was not as prompt with sending feedback as I should have been. My apologies for the delay, as well as clogging up your inbox with this very late review response.

As always, while incredibly late, I thank you for the opportunity to read and review one of your titles.

Laura

This is book 6 of the Cavensham Heiresses Series. Lady Avalon is happy when her abusive husband dies and she can raise their son on her own. That is until someone is sent to keep an eye on her. Will she remain the independent woman she wants to be or will the guardian throw a huge wrench in her plans?

This was my first book by Janna MacGregor and I can see why she is such a popular author. Her writing style is entertaining and engaging. However, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked. I think I had issues with the characters themselves, the pacing in a few places of the book, and both of those issues created a lack of connection or concern for the characters. I started enjoying the story more in the last half of the book, but by then, it felt like too little too late. Despite my thoughts on the first book, I do plan to dive into the author's backlist as I truly did enjoy her writing.

I wish this story had held my attention a bit better, because I like a good story about a woman finding both herself (the most important thing, really) and love after an emotionally abusive relationship. It’s not a bad book - as you can see from the other reviews. It just… Maybe I read it at the wrong time.
You should definitely read it if you like your characters growing from page one (Declan was not a favorite of mine) but still feel real in their flaws. And really, for a classic historical romance.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you

Avalon’s life has not been her own for many years. She was a pawn to her husband and her presence was not welcomed. Taking her soon she began a new life that supported others when life was difficult. Having Devan as the vicar that joined their small community set her world into a spin. Devan simply loved to antagonize the woman and he was ready to take a next step forward. Was he a wild rake or is he so much more?

In this story, Avalon had a marriage that was a nightmare. Her husband was downright evil and hated her. He went out of his way to make her life miserable while at the same time he played the victim to any one that would listen. He made Avalon out to be a monster and most of society believed him (you have to love how society treated women!). Avalon was left with many emotional and physical scars from her marriage after he passed away. The only happiness that she had from the marriage was the birth of her son.

Devan was one of her husband’s friends and also one who believed the lies. He even had a not so nice nickname for Avalon. When he becomes the vicar of the town she is now living in, they are both suspicious of each other. He was sent to spy on her and she knows this.

I loved Avalon’s character – she had been through so much but was still a fighter. She never gave up nor backed down, even when the weight of what she was carrying was too much. But this strength was also at times her weakness – she did not want to allow others to help her, even when she needed it. I loved watching our two characters grow in maturity and understanding. There was a feeling of healing and hope throughout the novel. That despite all of the bad that had happened, maybe just maybe those wounds could be healed and they can move forward (although both individuals want to heal and move forward).

This is a beautiful story of healing, forgiveness and second chances.

This was a book that I had originally put down and marked as a DNF. (Not good, right?) I decided to give it a second chance and I was glad I did. I loved the book. Avalon is an amazing heroine. She deserved every bit of happiness she got from her relationship with Devan. And Devan was a wonderful hero. I liked how he grew to love Avalon with a true devotion. This was such a fantastic book!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

Another great MacGregor book this time with a delightful naughty vicar and the love he can't ignore. A must read for any of her fans, or any fans of the genre.

Avalon was married to a man who despised her because he was in love with his mistress who was pregnant at the same time Avalon was. Devan who took on the vocation of vicar didn't care for Avalon because she was supposed to be married to his friend. When Devan witnesses Avalon being cruelly treated he feels some compassion. Several years later, widowed Avalon has set up a sanctuary for soiled doves and their children. When Devan is relocated to her parish she tries to get him to leave. He is relentless and breaks down her barriers and finds out how wrong he was about her. The evolution of their relationship is beautiful. I loved it. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.

Wild, Wild Rake is passionate, heart-wrenching story that made me happy with relief that the heroine finally finds out what love is. My heart went out to the heroine, Avalon Caversham Warwyck, because she was sold into a marriage of convenience, treated horribly in her marriage, and publicly humiliated. Now a widow she has created a nice life for herself in the country. Having gone through what she did, she wasn’t going to let any man have control over her life again. The hero Devan Farris has led an easy life as a vicar. Handsome and charming he has pretty much let people believe what has been said about him being rake and womanizer. Little did he know that his reputation was going to be hard to overcome and convince a certain someone that he isn’t what they say he is. His teasing and pushing Avalon’s buttons did not endear him to me and he had to grow up in order to win me over. Once he got to know Avalon and hears her story, he realizes how strong of a woman she is and he finds himself falling for her.

I felt that the both of them grew over the course of the story and a strong attraction developed between Devan and Avalon that caught both of them off guard. She had to put down her guard and trust a man with her heart for the first time and it wasn’t that easy to do. Also, Devan needed to set the record straight about his true character and show people who he really is underneath the reputation. I loved his conviction and I believed that he could make Avalon happy and would do whatever it takes to make it happen.

What I struggled with were parts of the storyline. They felt a little weak in places and Avalon’s doubts and insecurities were a bit tedious, but it eventually got back on track and came to a nice conclusion. The author has created a wonderful historical romance series and it is one of my favorites. She has created very likeable characters with real emotions and qualities one can admire. One of the best things about romance stories is that you want to fall in love with the characters and are overjoyed when they find their happy ever after. Ms. MacGregor excels with each of couples and I’m extremely happy with each story. Avalon and Devan are two such characters and it makes all their hardships they’ve endured sweeter in the end.

Wild, Wild Rake by Janna Macgregor
Subgenre: historical romance
Release date: 25 Feb 2020
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Format: ebook and print
Length: 361 pages
RRP: $7.89 (ebook); $16.99 (print)

The Marquis of Warwyck, known for his wicked ways, prefers his mistress to his wife. His wife was nine months pregnant when he told her she was banished to the country property as he was installing his mistress, with their child, into the city house, and he is in love with his mistress. And this is the opening to this story.

Through the words of her husband, Avalon the Marchioness of Warwyck, is deeply maligned and has been given the nickname of Lady Warlock. Naturally as a young girl she was in love with another, but her parents organised this marriage for her. Both Avalon and Richard did not want to be in the marriage, but the times dictated they stay together.

The Marquis died (thankfully) leaving his unwanted wife and his beloved mistress. Avalon has decided that the Warwyck family seat should become a place that protects women from men like her husband. Avalon works hard to develop a sense of security and sense of worth for women who have been abused by men. Unfortunately, her husband’s words have convinced his friends that she is mean and a spendthrift. So a guardian has been assigned for their son who will also oversee the finances.

Devan Farris has been asked to fill the parson’s role at the local vicarage, and also tutor the young Marquis. He does this under suffrage as he knows he is at his brother’s service as the family vicar. Devan also has a reputation as a wild rake even though he is a vicar, a possibility I suppose. But Devan has a secret about his wild ways.

Naturally, as Devan comes to know Avalon, he finds a woman very different to what has been said and ascribed to her. He helps her with her charitable works and sometimes takes over. Avalon explodes when he does this as she will never be ruled by a man again.

Devan has an admirer who creates some rumours about her and Devan, but Devan and Avalon know this wasn’t possible as they were together locked in the wine room. They decide they need to marry and quickly, more to save Devan’s reputation than hers as a widow. This leads to some uncomfortable moments, but they work their way through it.

The opening of the story really blew me away. I hadn’t read an opening like that. As I read further, I found that the story did have some interesting twists and innovative storylines which kept me reading. There were some very obvious storylines but that is balanced by the twists, so the story felt new.

I did enjoy this story.

Reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

I've been waiting for Devan's story and here it is! Finally with the enigmatic and strong-willed Avalon!

Devan might be a rake but he is so adorable especially when he admitted that he never gave his heart and body to a person. You are such a lucky girl, Avalon!

I super enjoyed their story and this is probably so far my favorite from the series. Great job Miss Janna.

Thank you St. Martin's Paperbacks and Netgalley for the ARC!