The publisher and Netgalley provided me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Avalon has her choices taken away from her when she was seventeen. She was trapped in an emotionally cruel, bereft marriage without the support of friends or family. Her only comfort becomes her son. When her husband dies, she rejoices in the independence and freedom of her widowhood. She is determined to raise her son in the loving community she has built, and continue her charitable efforts.

Avalon is her son's guardian, but the purse strings to his fortune are held by one of her husband's former cronies. That crony wants to make sure she doesn't have her hands in the estate money, and dispatches his intrepid brother to investigate. Avalon has every reason to despise Devan Farris, as he witnessed her most humiliating moment.

But Avalon and Devan are more alike than they seem. They both have formidable intelligence, a stubborn streak a mile wide, and hide deep loneliness and the wish to belong to someone. Their efforts to take care of their community, she as the landholder and he as the new vicar, bring them closer together. Soon they are confidantes rather than sworn enemies.

One night, locked in a wine cellar, changes everything. But hidden foes, manipulative debutantes and their own doubts conspire to keep them from finding their HEA.

This was a wonderful installment in Janna MacGregor's Cavensham Heiresses series.

Good Book, I enjoyed the plot and characters. I would recommend to others. This author is becoming a must buy.

The good character and storyline development made this book a very enjoyable read! I look forward to reading more from this author!

Avalon was happy when the death of her husband made her a widow. She had made a life for herself and her son where she helps fallen women learn to be businesswomen. Here life seems to be just about perfect until Devan becomes the new vicar. His brother is guardian of her son and she just knows that Devan has been sent to spy on her.

Davan doesn't want to spy of Avalon for his brother, but his brother has promised to help further his career if he does this for him. But once he starts spending time with Avalon, he can't help but wonder if he made a devil's bargain. She might just be the other half of himself. Can she convince her that his reputation as a rake is not who he truly is?

I loved Davan and Avalon's story!! These two were so great together. I loved watching them learn who the other truly was which was much different from what the other had been led to believe. I loved the bantering between these two, which often had me laughing out loud.

I have absolutely adored this series and I hope that MacGregor is not done with it!!

I really liked this book, it was different from the normal regency romances. I loved watching Avalon and Devan find each other and fall in love. Their story keeps you reading to see what is going to happen next.

Full disclosure - I am a big Janna McGregor fan and love everything she writes but this is the most amazing book so far. Two people whose reputations are nothing like the real person, they have been at odds for years - ever since she broke off her engagement with his friend to marry someone else.
Now, over 10 years later, she is a widow and he is the new vicar of her parish. Her young son has inherited the title from the man she was forced to marry.
The characters are amazing and their interaction is delicious to read. Even as they try to avoid it you can see how they are drawn to each other. When you finally think they have found their happily ever after, something comes along to interrupt their happiness. Working together, they manage to save a young woman from ruin as well as find the happiness they both deserve.
I received an advanced copy of this book.

Poor Lady Avalon, her first husband was a jerk of the highest grade and the only good thing to come from their marriage was her son, Thane. Unfortunately, upon her husband's death he leaves a friend of his as overseer to the estate, its funds and Thane's future. Devan is sent to by his brother as vicar to the town where Avalon resides in order that Devan might spy on Avalon and learn where she is getting the funds to continue her good deeds.
Avalon and Devan have crossed paths in the past as he was a friend of her late husband and gave her the nickname of Lady Warlock. Avalon tries to persuade Devan to leave her town, but is unsuccessful. Before long, she realizes that Devan is really a very good vicar and he is also deals really well with teaching Thane. As the two begin to grow closer together, they must deal with Thane trying to get them to marry and with an enamored young lady trying to tear them apart. I thought that this book was well written and true to the period it was written in. It was well written and I enjoyed reading it.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publishers and I am freely and honestly giving my thoughts and opinions on what I read.

I have been on a historical romance kick for the past few months so when I was offered a chance to read an advanced review copy of this book I jumped on it. With this being book 6 of the series I initially worried I might be lost jumping into an established series, but I had no trouble at all as this was a complete standalone.

I really felt for Avalon. She is forced to marry at the tender age of 17 to a man she doesn't love and who doesn't love her. In fact he treats her abhorrently, cruelly, callously flaunting his mistress in front of her. The strength, tenacity and perseverance she displays throughout the story with whatever was thrown at her made me love her.

Devan was in deed a wild, wild rake. At first, I was not on board with this man being a Vicar and having the reputation he did with women. I mean, he's the Pastor of the church, leading a flock of parishioners, giving them spiritual guidance and assisting families. But once we get more acquainted with him, I grew to really love him. I think I loved him the most in this story.

The more time these two spent together, the more I liked them. I really loved the fact that they spoke to each other honestly and didn't keep secrets or try to be manipulative, even through they started out as enemies. After all, Devan was sent to spy on Lady Warwyk, so why should she trust him at all?

With this being my first read of Ms. MacGregor, I was impressed with her writing style. The story flowed smoothly for me and I really was enraptured in the story. Along with the main storyline, there are a few side stories that I was very invested in. I was so happy with the ending of this book, and I really wish there was more to read! I need to go now and look up all the other books in this series. There were a few key side characters that I hope have their own stories in this series, or will have at some point.

If you're looking for a story with a dashing hero - I mean, isn't that why we read historical romance? This book definitely has one with Devan. There's passion and intrigue, redemption and forgiveness. And drama! A perfection concoction for historical romance! A truly entertaining story!

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Avalon is forced into an arranged marriage to a cruel lord who, after getting her pregnant, cast her aside for his long time mistress. The marriage ends with the death of her husband Lord Warwyk,. Avalon continues a relationship with his mistress, an owner of a brothel, and works with her to provide a haven for prostitutes who find themselves in need of protection. Devan Harris is assigned as a vicar to the village that Avalon lives in to spy on her and see if she is caring for her son and managing the money left for the child. The interaction between these two characters starts out on a bad turn, because of previous experiences and misunderstandings, but as the characters interact , the relationship take a romantic turn. Both Avalon and Devan are looking for true love, but are afraid of opening themselves up to the idea of happily ever after. The question is can these two characters get over their past and begin to trust each other with their hearts. I highly recommend this story and I will definitely go back and read the rest of the series.

I loved this historical romance because it seemed a little unconventional to me. The two main characters were likeable and filled with idiosyncrasies that made them memorable. I liked how the heroine cared for other people around her village and made her own "family." I also felt that the hero's view of sex was refreshing. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I received an advanced reader's copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was unfortunately just not for me. I am a big fan of historical romances and there is nothing technically wrong with the writing in this one (which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1), but it failed to interest me from the get-go, and though I diligently kept trying, it ultimately never captured me, and I started to skim. I can get behind the story and character ideas, but to put it quite simply, I was bored. I felt for the heroine's horrible past in her first marriage, and admired how she created a life for herself following it, but I didn't find that life interesting. As for the romance, I didn't feel any heat or connection between the couple at all. This was a complete miss for me, but I can see by the ratings that others enjoyed it so definitely read the sample (past the prologue, which was the most interesting part to me) and see if you are drawn in more than I was.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book

Wild, Wild Rake ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5


Lady Avalon Warwyk 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 a 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?

Overall I enjoyed the book. The characters were fully developed and the story line was just enough to keep me interested, although at times it seemed to go off kilter. I’m still trying to figure out the part of the “villain” as it just didn’t fit with the cadence of the story, but I guess everyone needs a bad guy to dislike.

I enjoyed that the main characters, Avalon and Devan were given the opportunity to get to know each other as a person and have meaningful dialogue before jumping in the sack. Avalon’s character seemed a bit too stiff at first that even knowing about her first disaster of a marriage I had a hard time showing any sympathy for her. I really enjoyed the charming vicar and alleged rake Devon. His character was like able from his first introduction.

The 6th book in the Caversham Heiress series can be read as a stand alone. While previous characters were also included in this book they had such a minimal role you hardly realized who they were as there didn’t seem to be much back story for them.

I received this ARC for free in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you NetGalley, Janna MacGregor and MacmillanUSA.

Wild, Wild Rake is a delightful addition to author Janna MacGregor's Cavensham Heiresses series. The two main characters, Lady Avalon and Vicar Devan Farris are very likeable and I was rooting for them to have a HEA from the beginning of the story. I really liked the interesting surprises throughout the storyline. The secondary characters added much to the story, especially Mary Bolen. I applaud Ms. MacGregor for providing this most excellent entertainment.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have anticipated Wild, Wild Rake ever since Devan Farris’ first appearance in The Good, the Bad, and the Duke, only becoming more eager upon seeing his interactions with Avalon in Rogue Most Wanted. And this book delivers on all I wanted and more.

Devan remains lovable, and one of the things I enjoyed was exploring the contradictions between the somewhat rakish persona he presents to the world and the depth of his personal convictions to save himself for marriage. I absolutely adore a good virgin hero, and he blew me away by being just an all-around good person.

He’s balanced very well by Avalon. I didn’t really know what to make of her upon her first introduction, other than thinking her a bit prickly, but that only intrigued me all the more, as I wanted to know how the charming vicar would make her tick. And indeed, their romance is beautiful, with him showing great patience and respect for her, which is so important, given Avalon’s first marriage was arranged, and was to a man who didn’t love her, even flaunting an affair with an another woman (the woman he really loved) while she was pregnant.

And to my surprise, this led to something I really admired about Avalon: she develops a rapport with the other woman, and this leads her to finding her cause in helping single mothers and illegitimate children, a major issue during the Regency, as MacGregor discusses in her historical note, and one that still resonates today. To see an aristocratic woman engaged in charitable work, even of this nature, is not that uncommon when I think about the historicals I’ve read, but I was deeply touched by the exploration of the connection between her and the “other woman” and the maturity with which she handled the situation.

This is a delightful Regency romance, with MacGregor’s signature style of combining humor with emotion, and this may be my favorite book of hers to date. If you love a Regency romance with flawed, yet lovable characters, then I strongly suggest you pick this one up.

Wild Wild Rake (The Cavensham Heiresses #6). Janna MacGregor. 2020. St. Martin’s Paperbacks. (ARC ebook).

Lady Avalon, the widowed Marchioness of Warwyk, has spent the last nine years raising her son and younger sister by herself, as well as establishing a well-respected standing in the community of Thistledown; all with little interference from her son’s guardian, the Duke of Larkton. But now, as the young lord Warwyk is of age to attend Eton and Avalon is attempting to expand her charity work, she finds that the Duke has sent his brother to spy on her under the ruse of tutoring her son in Latin. Avalon has no use for Devan Farris but it proves harder than expected to send him on his way as he quickly ingratiates himself in the parish as the charming new vicar.

Both Avalon and Devan think they know who each other are; Devan is a reputed rake, untrustworthy of Avalon’s confidences, and Avalon is cold and haughty, having jilted Devan’s best friend in the past. But they will find that they could not be more wrong.

This regency romance is set in a unique countryside parish and is full of heart and intelligently-written characters. A definite read for those looking for a determined heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, and delightful banter.

In another super success, Janna brings the hard life of women without rights in the 18th century, brilliantly and palpably.

Avalon, marchioness of Warwyk, had finally become pregnant.
A marriage without love, of convenience, that allowed her to have access to a lot of money, but without any attention from her husband.
So much so that he sent her to their home in the country, a place she praised for knowing that it was there that his mistress lived before he getting married.
Tired of waiting for his reply to her letters, Avalon decided to go to London, and upon arriving at the couple's property, the biggest surprise.
Her husband, Richard Pearce, the marquess of Warwyk, was with his mistress, who had already given him a son. A son who should be his rightful heir. The woman he loved and would marry if he hadn't been forced to marry Avalon.
Humiliated not only by her husband's attitude, but by knowing that that woman had met Avalon four months earlier, at the seamstress, Avalon still had to face the presence of two of Richard's friends, Gavin Farris, the Earl of Larkton, and his brother, Devan Farris.

Devan despised Avalon in every way, being happy with the humiliation she experienced, for thinking that she had jilted his best friend, Lord William Cavensham.
William was Avalon's third cousin, and in fact, she had been in love with him. But her parents banned the match, just as they forced her to marry Richard, under threat and blackmail.

Once again sent to the country house, Avalon would still be the marquess' official wife. And she would live up to the title by making him pay, literally, for his mistake.
She gave birth to the title heir, Thane.

Ten years later, her son inherited the title, and had Gavin Farris as guardian, much to Avalon's despair.
Wanting to find out how the widow lived, since he had news that she was in the company of prostitutes and women without resources in the region, Gavin asked his brother, Devan, now a vicar, to go and see what she did.

Devan was forced to accept this investigation, and to live close to Avalon. And despite their contempt for the other, they were not prepared for this emotion to become something bigger, more visceral.
They fell in love.

And when the enemy becomes an ally, other adventures emerge to prevent the couple from being together.

Definitely Janna's writing makes us feel every journey lived by the characters.
With conflicting feelings, I went from hatred to compassion for Devan, but, perhaps because some triggers were pulled, even though the story is so beautifully told, I felt no connection with the characters.
There is redemption, there are discoveries, there is resilience and a second chance.
Certainly a different historical romance.
4 stars

Best book in the series so far by a mile. I love the book cover too. What a refreshing turns of events to read about a virgin Hero. They should be written more often instead of always the Heroine. Avalon, what a fiesty woman. She knows exactly what she wants. Her and Devan were a perfect match. The chemistry was palpable between them. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Fans of Regency Romance with a twist, should pick this ONE for sure.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC and the opinions expressed here are all mine. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher.

What a wonderful twist this has! Avalon is finally free of her loathsome husband and she's happily raising her son and doing good works. And then, horror of horrors, Devan, a vicar who is the brother of her son's guardian, turns up in the parish. He's said to be a rake - a man who makes his way freely among women. He's actually a moosh inside and he finds himself falling for Avalon. But he's got a secret! You know there's going to be an HEA, don't you- but these two have some things to work through. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I hadn't read any of the earlier books in this series so I enjoyed this guilty pleasure as a standalone and was happy for it.

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the chance to read and review Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor in advance of release. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

This is by far the best book in the Cavensham Heiresses series. Wild, Wild Rake is an historical novel set in the Regency period and has all the characteristics I love most in this sub-genre. The pacing is excellent, and I became enmeshed in the story from the beginning and remain so until the end.

Lady Avalon Warwyk is an endearing heroine. She’s a nurturing mother to her son and will do whatever is needed to protect him. After years with a bully, now that she’s a widow, she will live her life as she wants, devoting her energy to her charity.

Devan Farris is a great hero. He’s unique since he’s a vicar. I can only recall reading two other novels with a man of God as the hero. His brother wants him to spy on the charming widow. His integrity makes him such an honorable man. He refuses to spy on Avalon, instead he tells her what his brother wanted him to do. I loved the tenderness he showed toward her son. He has an undeserved reputation as a rake, when he’s far, far from one which comes out in the story.

The romance between Avalon and Devan is lovely and fulfilling. There’s plenty of the sexual tension which makes Regency romance such a delight to read. They are perfect for each other, and I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy Regency romance with engaging characters and a great plot, then you will love Wild, Wild Rake as much as I did. I’m so glad I took a chance and read this wonderful novel. Happy reading!

Avalon Pearce, Marchioness of Warwyck, was forced to marry Richard Pearce, the Marquess of Larkton, He was
cruel, belittle, and verbally abused her and it didn't matter where they were or who was there. She was pregnant
was tired of staying at Warwyck hall and come to London. He came in sporting his baby by a mistress, his mistress and a couple of other ladies of the night. Then a couple of men came in Gavin and Devon Farris, her husband told her he was moving his mistress in and that Avalon his wife could be ladies maid to his mistress. he said some other things but as you can see, he was cruel. She named her son, Thane he was the apple of her eye'
Devon Farris had become a vicar but he wanted to be a soldier, His brother sent him to Thistledown to spy on Avalon.' He felt he had the right because he was the boy's guardian. When he got in town Avalon told him why he had come and made no bones about it.
I really enjoyed this story. The talk between the Vicar and Avalon could be funny at times. The twists and turns in this tale were interesting. The characters for the most part were warm and inviting. It is well written, easy to read
and kept it more entertaining. A lot happens.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.