This is a new author for me. I enjoyed the book but I think I would have enjoyed it even more had a read the previous in the series. Overall, since Outlander, I don't think I have read a book with a virgin hero. Which does not in any way mean he is not super sexy! Good characters, kept me interested. I will definitely add this author to my TBR lists!

I've become a fan now of Janna MacGregor and enjoyed this story immensely. The plot was great and the characters were good also. When I first started I wasn't sure whether I was going to like the book but it turned out to be quite quite nice.

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC for a fair and honest re iew. All opinions are mine.

I have become a huge fan of Janna MacGregor over the last couple of years. She writes some of the most romantic, sensual and sweet romance around! Wild, Wild Rake doesn't disappoint. Its a charming and emotional story. Devan and Avalon have appeared in other books...but this book is all theirs! We find out the truth of Avalon's first marriage. What turned her into Lady Warlock, as Devan likes to call her. We learn why he cultivates the title of rake.
Devan becomes the Parish Vicar when his brother Lord Larkton sends him to spy on Avalon. He's suspicious of where she's getting the money to support the charity she has formed to house former prostitutes and their children. The last thing he wants to do is get involved in the business of this prickly woman. But as he gets to know her he sees her for the caring and loving woman that she is. Avalon thinks Devan is a flirt and a rake of the worst kind, that he only cares about himself and having fun. She's hurt that all those years ago he nicknamed her Lady Warlock. She likes her life now and objects to having him in her life. But the chemistry between them grows as they get to know each other better. And believe me the chemistry is HOT! Wild, Wild Rake is a delightful regency romance that's not to be missed!

I thought that this was a good story that was well developed with lots and twists and turns!

This was a book that kept me turning the pages and it was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

The characters were all good as was the plot line.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed the story and it is one that I will be very highly recommending!

Janna is an amazing writer. The story was riveting, sexy and suspenseful. I couldn't put the book down.

This was a sweet story with two very kind and genuine people. Devan is a vicar with a very wild, and untrue, reputation as a lady’s man which hides the truth that he is in fact a virgin. He is waiting to find the woman who will be his wife. Avalon is a woman who was forced by her parents into a loveless marriage and is now a widow and mother to a young son. She is scarred from the callous treatment she received by her husband but resolute in wanting to help others. The author attempted to have the two characters dislike each other at first but I do not think that premise worked. I found it tiresome that Devan kept calling her Lady Warlock. The characters do quickly fall for each other so the author attempted another impediment to their match that I also found unbelievable. Personally I like more plot in stories, even romance, and I love when these stories have fun dialogue and witty repartee. I also enjoy the fun of the chase between characters, but unfortunately these elements were all lacking here. This book is at its heart a sweet story between this couple so it’s best for those looking for that, as for me I wanted more. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wild, Wild Rake is the story of a beautiful, kind marchioness who is neglect and constantly berated by her husband. She wasn’t his choice, and neither was he gets. Her parents concocted the match and she’s been paying ever since. The marquess is gone to his reward now, but he still haunts her as he named one of friends, an Earl, as their son’s guardian. The marchoniess has tried to move on, creating a robust community of misfits and other forgotten individuals in a parish she treasures. Then enters Vicar Devan Farris, brother to the Earl. He’s been sent to spy on the marchioness and get her son ready to head off to Eton. It’s a tangle, complicated by the fact that Devon and Avalon think they know exactly who the other person is, though they couldn’t be more wrong. Before the tale is done, there are three proposals, one marriage, one scandal and a dead peer. It’s worth a read, for sure.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wild, Wild Rake is Jana MacGregor’s sixth installment in her Cavensham Heiresses series and I believe it is the best. Avalon Warwyk is a woman who has faced many difficulties in her life, from her parents who sold her into marriage to the husband who treated her with utter contempt. She has worked hard to build a wall around her heart, but she has allowed the women she has saved from a bad life into her heart as well as her beautiful young son. Devan Farris has known Avalon for a while and he never formed a good opinion of her until he was sent by his brother and his bishop to check up on Avalon’s son. Devan begins to see the true Avalon and the more he sees the more he loves. This is a heartfelt love story with many twists and turn that will keep the reader engaged until the very end. . I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

“I will always…always be with you through the brightest days and the darkest hours.”

Lady Avalon Warwyck has taken the lemons life has tossed at her and made lemonade. Set aside and banished to Warwyck Hall by her husband, Lady Avalon has done everything in her power to transform the lives of those misfortunate. After the untimely death of her husband, Avalon becomes a widow that refuses to answer to any man. So, when her son’s guardian sends his brother, a vicar, to spy on her charitable activities, she is beyond incensed, and determined to get ride of him…if only he didn’t look like a fallen angel sent to lead her astray…

Devan Farris is the fourth son of an Earl and as such led to a life in the church. Over time he has garnered the title of a vicar with a wild rakish reputation. His brother sends him to the parish at Warwyck Hall to oversee how Lady Warwyck has been handling the estate’s funds over the past 10 years, as well as seeing to the proper schooling of her son. It had been years since Devan had seen his “Lady Warlock”, and nothing could have prepared him for the whirlwind that he encounters…. especially when she manages to steal his virgin heart…

Avalon and Devan start their unholy alliance as frenemies that climaxes towards a heartwarming happily ever after. If they can manage to gain each other’s trust and get over the misconstrued perceptions of their character, it will be so worth all the heartache that brought them together… “I’ve waited my whole life for you. I promise, starting right this minute and all the others that follow, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and make you happy.”

*Stands up and cheers* Oh, how I’ve been awaiting Devan’s story! Get ready to meet your next book boyfriend in the talented Mr. Farris! *Swoon* Dear Reader, this was an up past my bedtime page turner that I did not want to end! I’m over the moon in luv with Devan! Highly recommend!
5+++ stars!


**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was the next book in the Cavensham heiresses book. I wasn’t sure how I was going to like this one because Avalon in the previous books was just annoying. I did enjoy it a great deal though. the story was well done. I am glad she got her HEA.

This book felt like two different books crammed together.....it was a sweet romantic love story with lovely characters.....then was the love scenes that didn’t seem to be about the same characters. The historical romance was great and I loved the romance.

Sweet and Sensual Historical
Janna MacGregor's 'Wild, Wild Rake is a feast for the senses. She gives us an innocent woman, forced into an unwanted marriage to a man who wanted it even less than she did. She would have tried, but he had no interest in simply even being kind. He tossed her out of his townhouse, leaving her to raise his heir in the country. Mary, his mistress, and his son by her, lived with him in the townhouse.
Avalon Warwyck raised her son in the small village of Thistledown and was loved by the local community. She created a haven for a few soiled doves as a favor to one who had saved her from harm...and planned to do much more.
Interference by her son's guardian brought a new vicar to town. The new vicar, Mr Devan Farris didn't like Avalon, but he didn't know her. He only knew what he thought was the truth...and was ill informed. Becoming acquainted with the real Avalon sets him back on his heels.
This romance has humor, intrigue, angst, strong family and good people. The characters are multilevel and interesting. I recommend it for historical romance fans.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse and offer my own opinion.

A long involved telling, but interesting and emotional. My sympathy immediately went to Lady Warwyk as she was abused and humiliated by her cruel husband as his friends looked on. Then those same friends turn up later as guardian and vicar, I had a hard time trusting or liking either brother. It waso a long road to reveal their true nature and even longer for me, or Avalon to trust them! Lol. This was a well written absorbing story that I enjoyed immensely..

What a sweet story. Avalon has been trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband has a mistress whom he loves and with whom he has a child. After an ugly confrontation, witnessed by Devan Farris and his brother, Avalon returns to the estate where she awaits the birth of her child. Years later, Devan enters Avalon’s life again as the local vicar. He also tutors her son. Their story is sweet and slow.

Wild, Wild Rake by Janna MacGregor is a sweet read. The story develops quickly then simmers based on delightful lead characters and a large unique cast of supporting characters. At times it is heart breaking and others hear warming. A very independent heroine provides a strong baseline to the tale which wanders into other storylines but always comes back.

Avalon, Lady Warwyk, is unhappily married to a man she was forced to marry. Her husband isn't any happier with the marriage and insults his despised wife. at every opportunity. At the beginning of the story, she is shopping for layette items for her expected baby and accidently meets her husband's mistress - who's also expecting. Several months later, Lord Warwyk comes home with mistress and baby in tow and tells Avalon she is being sent elsewhere so his mistress can live with him. While this scene is playing out, two of her husband's friends walk in - The Earl of Larkton and his brother Gavin. Neither brother says anything to Warwyk about his disgusting actions. Gavin was friends with a man Avalon jilted to marry Warwyk, and he's called her "Lady Warlock" in public, despising her, ever since. and the name has stuck Gavin is also studying for the ministry. Strange behavior for a future minister let alone any decent person.. Avalon leaves and the story picks up 10 years later after Warwyk has died.. I started out really liking this book., as I got involved in the events and Avalon's situation. Unfortunately, I was disappointed when the book picked up the story 10 years after the initial exciting introduction. The Earl of Larkton has been made the guardian and trustee of Avalon's child. He is supposed to be a decent person but he never seems to sympathize with Avalon's situation in spite of the scene he witnessed. and what he must know of his friend's character. Gavin has suddenly turned into gentle and pious person, in a complete turnaround of his previous behavior. He now seems to feel sympathy for Avalon but continues to upset her by calling her "Lady Warlock" supposedly to tease her. I thought it was cruel and creepy. He's also is an outrageous flirt, supposedly to hide his virginal condition. Why should a pastor think he has to hide his virtue and how is it appropriate to his position? Evenually, Gavin's newly gentle behavior begins to win Avalon over but I didn't like him or his brother and thought Avalon was won over too easily.

I was invited to read this book by the publishers via Netgalley and I was excited to read more by Janna MacGregor because I had missed a few of her books in my reading and blogging hiatus. 

This book was okay for me it followed the set template within the historical romance genre and I enjoyed reading it to be honest but I felt that the book lacked in depth connections between the key characters which would have made me relate more to them or at least show me how they formed their relationship instead of Avalon saying how their relationship was formed. 

The relationship between Avalon and Devan, I did somewhat enjoyed although I wished that Avalon wasn't smitten by Devan so fast. I wanted her to like Devan slowly and come to respect him as an equal which did happen in the book but the inner monologue of Avalon showed a different case but then again I did understand, Devan is handsome.

In terms of plot, the book unfortunately was underwhelming. At first, I was intrigued because Avalon hated her husband and then she was widowed but as I was progressing through the plot of the book I realized there wasn't much interesting things going on and the action that was present was so ham-fisted that it seemed comical. 

To conclude, I felt like this book was a fun read albeit a non-impressive one and I have read better from the author. I'd still recommend this book if you are a fan of Janna and a fan of historical romance, just don't expect much that's all.

Who doesn't love a sexy, bad boy pastor? I am, however, always skeptical of any romance with a pastor as the hero. Especially when you factor in the time frame and level of intolerance and shabby treatment of women. I think this book hit all the right tones. Not overly pious, but still meaningful and kind.

Devan is a pastor, but he didn't necessarily start out wanting to be one. He wanted to be in the Army or Navy like his brothers, but agreed to join the clergy when he saw how much his brother was devastated by him wanting to join. The clergy, is a very good fit for Devan. But, I think, as part of a subtle rebellion against his brother he created a rakish persona to camoflauge his true nature.

Avalon was married to a man who didn't love her - and really treated her extremely badly. They were forced to marry, I guess. Avalon married him because her parents said she needed to. Her former husband married her to get a piece of property back that he had lost in a card game. Her former husband, was in love with a madame and did not want to give her up to marry Avalon. None of this warranted his treatment of Avalon.

Devan's brother was BFFs with Avalon's former husband (which again is something of a mystery as to why the hell he'd be friends with such an asshole, but I guess he was unaware of Avalon's side of things? It was a little confusing). Devan knew about it too - and had some history with Avalon where she broke off an engagement with his friend to marry said asshole. He even made up a nickname for Avalon that (when it started out at least) was pretty unkind.

This story picks up several years into Avalon's widowhood. Avalon is extremely dedicated to her charitable endeavors and has a young son to look out for. Devan's brother sends him to spy on Avalon and become the parish pastor. Given their history, Avalon doesn't exactly bring out the welcome mat. But Devan seems very focused on needling her at every turn.

I like a good rehabilitation of enemies story - and I like verbal sparring between the couple, especially when you can see they are both enjoying it. The only thing I took issue with, was the idea that Devan had been teasing Avalon for a long time and had always enjoyed it - whereas she had not. Teasing and sparring is all well and good, when both parties are invested in it. When it is one sided, it is bullying.

Stories like this had a lot of potential for slut-shaming. I think Janna MacGregor did a good job of navigating that mine field as well. Pointing out that for some it is a chosen profession - and there is nothing wrong with that (even if it is generally considered not socially acceptable) - but also pointing out the horrors that can go along with it when it is not your chosen profession and the dangers of it especially given the time period.

Overall, this is a fairly heavy story that is uplifted by the love between Avalon and Devan. It was hard to see Avalon doubt herself and the pain she had endured. It was also wonderful to see Devan acknowledge his role in some of the pain she experienced and grow to understand and support her through her healing process.

This book takes on some tough topics and handles them with grace and love.

I received an ARC of this story for free from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

If you liked my review, please check out my blog at http://thisbookthatlife.com

Wild, Wild Rake
The Cavensham Heiresses #6
Janna MacGregor
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lady Avalon Warwyck never really loved her husband and he was not her choice at all. Her parents made her marry him. He’s arrogant, selfish, cruel, and it’s nothing short of a blessing when she is widowed and left to raise her son Thane all by herself. She can finally live freely and do the work that she loves to do which is helping women become businesswomen that would not normally have that chance in life. She has lived her life in peace with no desire to marry for the last ten years until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town. 

Devan Farris is a charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian. He has been sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son, something he seems reluctant to do. He wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he doesn’t like to interfere with a woman’s independence. But she seems to want nothing to do with a vicar with a wild reputation even though he has never given his heart or body to another. All he wants is to find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside. He wants to show her that he is a good soul who is just looking for his other half to complete him. But how can he prove this to her. How can he prove that he wants her like he has never wanted another soul before? That he will love her until death do them part.

Janna MacGregor brings us a lovely tale of love that comes to two deserving people. These two main characters were just meant to be together. They have been through so much. Avalon had such a cold mean husband who seemed to delight in tormenting her. He hurt her in public in front of their peers and the ton without batting an eyelash. She in turn took it and held her head high even though it was killing her inside. Devan also comes from a well to do family, but as he is not the oldest he has become a vicar and his brother pushes him around and tells him what he will do and to what parish he will go. He goes because that is his only means of making money. So now he finds himself in love with Avalon and will do anything to win her love. This is where the story becomes sweet and you can only hope that Avalon will give him a chance. This is what makes the perfect enjoyable story in my book and I give this book a big thumbs up. Ms. MacGreggor you did a wonderful job and I really enjoyed this book.

One of the secondary characters, Penelope, is someone that I'd like to shake some since into. I actually had to put the book in timeout for a few minutes to calm down. I love how both Avalon and Devan handles it though. I truly did enjoy reading, Wild, Wild Rake.