I liked Avalon and Devan (although him calling Avalon by a hated nickname was uncool). The storyline overall was ok, I just had a hard time getting into it. Others may love it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

Emotionally thrilling, sexy, fun and action packed adventure filled with exciting charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and undeniable passion. Was a great read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to more from this author.

Wild, Wild Rake by Janna McGregor is the sixth book in The Cavensham Heiresses Series. Ms. McGregor wrote a wonderful story which drew me right in, making me forget everything else and did not let me go until I turned the last page. Even though this is the sixth book in the series it can very well be read as a standalone, that being said you will definitely want to go and read the previous books. The book is very well written, the characters are well defined and likable. The book will keep you entertained and engaged with the twists and turns until the end. I enjoyed this book and think you will too. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

Janna Macgregor continues her enchanting Cavensham Heiresses series with an emotional, enthralling and enjoyable Regency tale of first impressions, second chances and unexpected romance: Wild, Wild Rake.

Lady Avalon Warwyck had once hoped to marry the man she had been head over heels in love with, but unfortunately her parents had other ideas for her. Determined that their daughter makes an advantageous match to a peer of the realm, Avalon had no other choice but to forego any chance she might have of marrying the man she loved and had instead been forced to marry someone of her parents’ choosing. A miserable Avalon had spent years being browbeaten, bullied and betrayed by her husband with the only good thing to come out of their union her beloved son, Thane. Now widowed and left to raise her son by herself, Avalon derives a great deal of comfort and satisfaction from seeing her son grow and flourish and for her charitable work with fallen women wishing to make something of themselves away from the horrors of their profession. For the first time in a very long while, Avalon feels safe, content and happy – until she receives a missive about a man who has never had the highest of opinions of her: Devan Farris, the brother of her son’s guardian and the best friend of the man Avalon had been unable to marry because of her parents.

Devan had always thought that Avalon was a scheming social climber who cared only about herself, until he had witnessed first hand her husband’s cruelty towards her. Since then, the reputed rake whose exploits frequently end up featured in the scandal sheets has realized that there is more to Avalon than meets the eye. When his brother Gavin sends him to the village Avalon lives in to keep tabs on her, he is initially hesitant, but unable to resist finding out more about this intriguing woman, he agrees, unaware of just what is in store for him…

Avalon and Devan lock horns from the off as she makes it perfectly clear that she has got no interest in getting to know him better. After her disastrous marriage, relationships are off the table for Avalon, yet the more time she spends with Devan, the more she realizes that the vicar with the rakish reputation has hidden depths and despite intending to steer clear of him, she finds herself growing closer and closer to him.

Will Devan be able to show Avalon that the time has come for her to let go of her fears and to embrace this unexpected chance at happiness? Or will Avalon continue to be held hostage by the past?

A witty, poignant, sensuous and uplifting Regency romance that sparkles with warmth, humor and charm, Wild, Wild Rake is a wonderfully written historical tale that is absolutely fantastic. Janna Macgregor has written a passionate, dramatic and heart-warming romantic read that features a resilient, intelligent and compassionate heroine readers will cheer for and a delectable and charismatic hero who will make them swoon.

An outstanding historical romance that will make readers laugh and cry, Janna Macgregor’s Wild, Wild Rake is an effervescent and scintillating Regency delight I simply could not stop reading.

In Janna MacGregor's Wild Wild Rake, the sixth and final installment in the Cavensham Heiresses historical romance series, this loveswept romance will have you weeping in no time. For Avalon Cavensham Pierce, she was forced into a loveless marriage to Richard Pierce, the Lord Warwyk. He treated her cold and cheated on her with his pregnant mistress, Mary Bolen. While she was pregnant with his heir, his mistress spared him from harming her and her unborn baby. Ten years later, Avalon is a single mother with her ten-year-old son Thane, who raised him for nine years ever since her husband died from a fever. She spent her time helping unfortunate women who were down on their luck and using her money as a charity. But when Devan Farris, the new vicar of his community, have been asked to spy on her for his brother Gavin, he had no choice since his brother forced his hand. And when he met Avalon and her son Thane, his luck had changed when he tutored Thane. Due to one incident in the wine cellar, magic happened between them when they've shared feelings and how much of the past had hurt them. But after that night in the cellar, there's been accusations against Devan that put his reputation to the test. Only Avalon and Devan knew the truth, and when asked, Avalon proposed a plan for them to marry by special license to salvage his career. All bets aside and the truth is revealed, they've found each other as true soul mates that belonged together with a fitting ending to the series.

People are not always what they seem. Even if you think you know someone, they may be hiding behind a reputation or a mask and it takes time to see what’s underneath. That could be the subheading for Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor.

Avalon aka Lady Warwyck and Devan have known each other as annoying acquaintances for years. Devan likes to poke fun at Avalon and call her Lady Warlock for refusing to marry his best friend, and Avalon really just wants to stay as far from Devan and his rakish ways as possible.

When we first meet Avalon, she is dealing with a horrible marriage and a baby on the way. It’s one of the more embarrassing moments of Avalon’s life because people (including Devan) are able to see exactly how her husband treats her.

But then Avalon becomes a widow (thank god) and she lives in the hall her husband allowed her to have with her sister and her son. She’s independent, but that doesn’t mean she has control over her finances. This is 1815, after all. Gavin Farris, Devan’s brother, her husband’s best friend, and Earl of Larkton approves her finances.

And all of a sudden, the Earl is curious on what exactly Avalon spends her money on. So… he sends his brother to spy on her. Devan becomes the new vicar of Thistledown, the village Avalon lives in and where she spends her money helping girls and women who either want to get out of the sex worker business by choice or find themselves forced into it and need help.

Since her husband chose a sex worker and madam as a mistress, Gavin does not understand why she would protect these women and thinks that her money must be going elsewhere. Ugh, men.

So, he pretty much forces Devan into the position and so the relationship between him and Lady Warwyck begins.

As soon as Devan arrives, it’s a battle of wits (the best kind of battle). Avalon tries everything she can think of to get him to leave the village and Devan sees right through her and becomes determined to stay.

As they get to know one another through their various interactions, something changes. He realizes he was wrong about Avalon all along and once they start a relationship, Avalon realizes that Devan is anything but a rake.

Wild, Wild Rake is intense, sexy, captivating, and a bit of a feminist utopia. Imagine a village in 1815 where women can be cared for no matter what their past looked liked or what they liked to do. The village still has its problems, but Avalon soon investigates what’s wrong and works things out.

Devan and Avalon’s relationship is as sweet as it is intense and I enjoyed how well they worked together. They both fit perfectly in each other’s lives with Avalon helping him solve problems and Devan being the perfect mentor for her son.

I did think their first kiss came on a bit too quickly in terms of pacing, but I also understand it needed to happen for them to get to other “activities” before the end of the book.

I am giving Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor 4 out of 5 stars.

If you love historical fiction and/or you’ve read the other books in The Cavensham Heiresses series (this is book 6), this is definitely a book you want to check out.

I am in love with Devan and his endless charm.

This was my first Janna MacGregor book, and she has made me a fan for life.

This story gives you heartache in the first chapter itself and I was left praying for Avalon, for her to overcome the utter betrayal handed to her. But my girl was strong, she made her life a glorious mission, and SHE DIDN'T NEED NO MAN!! I admire Avalon's spirit so much, everything about her is so awe-inspiring. I really loved her character.

Devan should have been named SWEET DEVIl because this man does not know when to quit with his charm. He was so adorable and smitten with Avalon, it made my heart swoon. Did I mention that he is a vicar??? A good man dedicated to saving lives and helping people on top of being madly in love with a badass woman? He is my dream man.

I loved the story and the way it progressed. I'll be honest though, Avalon's distrust of Devan made me annoyed with her a bit. I get that she was burned in the past, but sometimes she just bordered on disrespect and Devan kept blaming himself.

This is one scorching love story with the perfect slow burn. I'm definitely reading more of the books in this series.

I love a good enemies to lovers story. Add a vicar hero and a misunderstood heroine into the mix and I'm one happy reader.

One of the things that I most enjoy about Janna MacGregor's writing is the complexity of her characters. Having been introduced to both Devan and Avalon earlier in the Cavensham Heiresses series, assumptions were made about who they were as people. To be honest, I wasn't overly fond of either of them. How fun it was to have those assumptions turned on their head. MacGregor slowly and skillfully guides both characters through a steady progression of peeling back the layers they've each used as protection while exposing their innermost thoughts and feelings to one another as well as to us, the readers.

I adored Devan and Avalon together. So much delicious friction there just waiting to be ignited. Once the motivations for Avalon's past actions were revealed, I began to soften toward her and, after learning everything she'd endured and overcome, as well as what she had, and continued, to accomplish for the people of her small community, I was firmly in her corner. By the end of the book, I wanted to be her friend, and Mary's as well.

As stated earlier, I love a good vicar hero but, early on, I had doubts whether Devan would be able to fulfill my hopes. I'm happy to report I was very wrong about him. He evolves so beautifully throughout the story, as his feelings for Avalon deepen and as he allows his true character to surface. I especially enjoyed how MacGregor unveiled his character not only through his relationship with Avalon but also through his interactions with Avalon's young son, Thane, as well as the members of his parish.

I turned the final page of the book with a deep sigh and firm conviction that these two will spend a lifetime challenging one another, laughing together, nurturing their family, and enjoying a deep, enduring love.

Wild, Wild Rake is the final book in Janna MacGregor's The Cavensham Heiresses series. Each book in the series, including this final one, can be read as a standalone though there are characters whose stories continue to evolve throughout the series. While I'm sorry to bid these characters farewell, I can't wait to discover what MacGregor has in store for readers next.

This book hooked me right from the first page and didn't let go. I loved the heroine Avalon. She was strong, compassionate and confident. The hero Devan I came to love. At first he seemed cruel and shallow. Hoewever, by the end of the story I loved him. The best part of this story was the fact that these were two mature characters that talked things through.
I received an ARC for my honest review.

At a young age Lady Avalon Warwyck was forced into an unwanted marriage that left her widowed with a young child years ago. She turned her life around by focusing on raising her son and her charities helping single women and their children in a small town outside of London.
Devan Farris is sent by her brother to lead the parish in Thistledown, where Lady Warwyck lives, and in turn, keep an eye on the young lord and his family. An old acquaintance of Lady Warwyck, Devan will have to force her hand at first to stay in his new position.
Once again, I find myself with a less than stellar review for a book in this series. Though Avalon and Devan are great characters with enthralling back stories that have turned them into guarded souls, I’m still finding myself losing interest after 75-80% of the story when it starts to slowly circle a drain. Their story is sweet and compelling with good supporting characters, but it was an uphill battle to make it to the end.

3 stars

Wild, Wild Rake
The Cavensham Heiresses Series - Book 6
By Janna MacGregor

St Martin's - Mar 2020

Historical Romance


Lady Avalon Warwyk had wished to marry her cousin, but she had been forced to marry another. The only good that had come of her marriage had been her son, and an unlikely ally with her now deceased husband's mistress. She was quite content, and competent enough to run her own life and make appropriate decisions for her son, as well as his inheritance. Unfortunately, someone else had been made her son's guardian, and he had a poisoned opinion of her, and differing goals for her son. And he had just sent his brother, Devan Farris to spy on her.

A less likely vicar Avalon had never met. He had a wild reputation in society, tormented her, called her Lady Warlock, and had seen her at one of her lowest moments. She would be on her guard and would not allow him to undermine her.

Vicar Devan Farris didn't appreciate being sent to do his brother's bidding. However, he had no control of where he was sent. He hadn't cared for her after she jilted his friend, but he had witnessed a horrible scene with her husband, and seen her strength and fire. He enjoys sparring with Avalon, and knows she would be surprised that he begins to see a different side of things than his brother's point of view. However, that doesn't mean he is completely under Avalon's spell. He just plans to help her see a middle ground, both with his brother's valid plans for her son, and him as not quite so wild a rake, but rather the perfect match for her.

Wild, Wild Rake is a touching romance with a wily vicar and a fierce heroine. Avalon hadn’t thought much of Devan being a vicar, but as she sees him at work, she realizes there are facets of him she was unaware of. He truly cared, and had a knack for dealing with the challenges faced by the members of their community. Devan has only seen Avalon at her most unflattering moments in life which included hurting his friend. It was a true pleasure watching as they reveal their true selves, even that which they hide from others, and learn just how perfect they are for one another.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

Lady Avalon has been through a lot with a marriage where her husband was cruel and flaunted his mistress in front of her face and the ton. But when she is widowed she finally has freedom to do as she pleases and she becomes a supporter of fallen women. She helps the women get out of the profession they find themselves in. By doing so she becomes a compassionate and screwed business woman who is determined to help any and all in her community. Then Devin Farris arrives as the new Vicar sent to her community to become her son's tutor and to spy on her. He is instructed to report back to his brother all findings and prepare her son to attend Eaton which she is against.

Unbeknownst to her Devin has developed feelings for her and discovers who the real Lady is. Can they find the HEA?

This is a good read. I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

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.

This has a tantalizing premise, a vicar who’s also a rake, but reading it was a dreary slog. The amount of plot in Wild Wild Rake almost reached 1990s crazysauce level, yet it wasn’t a compelling read.

I found most of the characters in Wild Wild Rake confusing, or unlikable. The hero was both. At the beginning of the book, Devan is a dissolute gentleman who’s cultivated a reputation as a womanizer, and publicly loathes the heroine. After a time jump of ten years, Devan’s reputation hasn’t changed, but he is now deeply religious. Why and how this happens isn’t clear. What hasn’t changed is his arrogance. Devan is protective, but frequently tells the heroine that her feelings are wrong. While the couple begin the book arguing, by the end the heroine happily agrees with him. This story felt like a description of Stockholm syndrome, not a loving relationship.

With a large stable of secondary characters who serve as plot devices, the many B storylines were hard to track. There’s so much going on, the story should have felt fast-paced, but because I didn’t like the characters, I had trouble caring about the subplots.

London - 1805

Avalon, the Marchioness of Warwyk, is due to have a baby in a few months. Her marriage to her husband was pushed upon her and him by her parents. Thus, they cannot stand one another. He is very ugly, brutish, and demeaning to her. But when he dies, she is so relieved.

1815

Avalon lives with her son, Thane Pearce, age 10, in the village of Thistledown. Gavin Farris, the Earl of Larkton, is the guardian and conservator of Avalon’s son, Thane, and the estate. Gavin thinks that Avalon may be using funds from the estate to help support her projects to build housing to rehabilitate prostitutes and their children. However, that is not the case as she is using her own funds. Therefore, Gavin decides to send his brother, Devan, a vicar, to become the new vicar of Thistledown. This does not set well with either Devan or Avalon as there as always been animosity between them. He calls her the Marquess of Warlock and she calls him the Vicar of Vermin. So, they start off on the wrong foot as she tries to thwart any authority he might have and he gives it right back to her. However, Thane proves to be the mediator between them as Devan helps to tutor the boy in Latin and teaches him to play chess. He wants to prepare him for Eton. Thane and Devan bond well and enjoy being together. But Avalon continues to resent him being there. What can be done especially when their animosity turns to attraction? Is there a way that these two opposites can come together?

An enemies to lovers book that is very sweet. Lots of chuckles as each of them learns to see the other for the really good person that they are. I truly enjoyed this book and Janna MacGregor has quickly become a favorite author of mine. Well done! Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a good read. I liked Avalon and Devan. Devan helped Avalon to learn how to live a little again. He also helped her to learn to realize that her son was growing up quicker than she wanted. This had some romance and a little bit of intrigue. I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Publishing group for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I had not read any of this series but thankfully the author wrote this book in such a way that there was very little previous knowledge that was required to enjoy this novel. At the start I was not sure if I was going to like this book but it moved rather quickly into a decent historical romance after a horrible beginning for our heroine. This was a bit of enemies to lovers between Devan and Avalon and the fact that Devan is a vicar and has a reputation as a rake I found a bit odd but not being versed in historical morals of the period I still thought that a sexually active officer of the church would have been tolerated but if you put that aside the story itself was excellent. Devan and Avalon were a perfect match, the author placed just enough drama from other sources to make this more than just a "romance" . There are several subplots that make it very interesting to read and the transition from enemies to lovers was done well since she tried to pay him to leave town at the start of their relationship.

All things considered it was very entertaining and interesting, the idea of the vicar with the reputation he has (a few surprises on that one) and a very young boy who seemed wise way beyond his years pulled me away from the story a few times but a strong 4 Star reading experience and I may want to visit some of the previous books in this series.

I’m a little late to the start line with this review but better late than never.... this book just released and I totally overlooked the ARC I got... sorry. Still....this book was fabulous. Are you in the mood for a historical regency type novel with fallen women, and Vicars to help guide them... look no further.. I implore you.
I was horrified at the treatment that Lady Warwyk got from her miserable husband as he pranced his paramour in front of his wife. After she became pregnant with his child, he sent her to the country to live out an existence without him. There she flourishes.

What did I like? I was puzzled over the first part but quickly became enthralled in the second part of the story. So that which doesn’t break us makes us stronger. Lady Avalon created a town where fallen women could come and learn a trade so they could better themselves... then comes the new Vicar. Deemed a wild rake, the Vicar soon finds himself ensnared with Lady Avalon himself.

Would I buy or recommend? Yes, this was a lovely romance. I was truly ensnared. It sucked me right in. Her first husband was a class A douche... sorry. The story was beautifully done, and I just loved Devan. He was so wicked. Buy this and I definitely recommend!

Thoughts for the author? Congratulations on your book baby! I loved it. Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion. Five huge stars. I was swept away.

Something I’ve realized that I love about historical romance, and romance more generally, is that although the synopsis creates a sense of conflict and light hardheartedness there’s typically a lot of depth behind it. I loved that MacGregor created characters that seemed fully fleshed out and understandable.

I felt like Avalon and Devan’s characters were interesting and real despite that facade of regency era romance. Avalon experienced a brief but abusive marriage and her parents were social climbers. After the death of her parents and husband, Avalon has clawed out a home of her own within a kind village and has set up a sort of underground railroad for women wanting to get out of prostitution and away from abusive partners. Avalon has a number of reasons for her high walls and chilly demeanor. While Devan’s rakishness is a cover for his hope of finding a woman to love and call his wife forever. Both of them have to let down their walls to find their happiness and I thought the author did an excellent job!

I devoured this book in two days so it thoroughly held my attention! I thought the pacing was good (though it always astonishes me with the plot of a book takes places over only a few weeks… seems unrealistic at times but is consistent with the genre). This can be read as a standalone, thankfully, but I have a feeling I’ll be going back and reading the first five books now that I’ve been introduced to this series and author!

What I really love about Janna MacGregor's Cavensham Heiresses Series is that you do not need to have read the others to read the newest one, but if you have read them all, you get these fun easter eggs.

In this particular installment, the book opens with out heroine in a disastrous marriage. We don't normally start a romance book with a terrible couple, but Janna MacGregor uses this relationship as the perfect base to build a host of complex characters.

Because of her terrible first husband, the heroine, Avalon, hides her insecurities with a false tough exterior. What we come to discover, is that Avalon has hidden her issues for so long that she has even fooled herself. She is often surprised by her own genuine responses, having spent her entire life repressing her actual thoughts and feelings in order to please someone else or hide her own pain. This creates a woman who does not truly know herself when she tries to envision a life joined with someone else.

Then there's the hero. He is not terribly likable in the beginning, as he coins Lady Warwyck's, Avalon's, dreadful nickname of Lady Warlock. I have to say, while not very original, it does fulfill its purpose in making Avalon seem dreadful. Then we slowly begin to understand why he dislikes Avalon, but like any good historical romance, his less than amorous feelings are based on false assumptions. So when he discovers the truth about Lady Warwyck, he sees the strong, beautiful, and broken women he has helped torment for years.

Through a series of miscommunications and hopeless shenanigans, our two main characters find their way to each other. Their paths are tricky, and even once they come together, their previous actions have the ability to drive them apart.

Wild, Wild Rake is a really good historical fiction romance novel that does a brilliant job showing that you can't believe everything you hear about someone. It's always best to listen with an open heart and make your own decisions, because you never know what's inside a person.