I absolutely adored the third Mayfield Family series installment, Rakes and Roses. I am giving it five plus stars.

I finished this book a few days ago and the ending still makes me smile.
Its a romance novel like I havent read in a long time. The twist took me by surprised and I love interactions between the characters.
I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend this book.

Harry Stillman fell into the wrong crowd when he first came to London, and years of dice and drink have made him a slave to his appetites. Dun territory is a terrifying place, however, when your creditor is only too happy to break both your kneecaps. Harry is on the brink of selling his family estate to pay his debts when he gets an offer from the mysterious Lord Damion to buy up the loan if Harry can promise to mend his ways. But the thug who is Harry's chief creditor isn't willing to let his prey go so easily....

Born on the wrong side of the blanket, Lady Sabrina has always been on the fringes of society. After the death of her abusive husband, she finally receives control of her own life. Determined to use her fortune for good, she uses solicitors and go-betweens to involve herself in a financial world that is usually reserved for men.

When Sabrina discovers Harry Stillman, bludgeoned and bleeding in an alley, she takes him into her home and begins the project of nursing him back to health and sobriety. Five years her junior and an incorrigible flirt, he is not at all the sort of man for whom she would dream of giving up her independence, but no matter how many projects she pours herself into, Sabrina can't get Harry Stillman out of her head or her heart.

This book shows the romance of an unlikely couple, a woman of means who knows what she wants in the world and a young man who has had all the advantages in life yet has done nothing but squander them. Although Harry has a sweet nature, he is totally unable on his own power, to overcome his vices.  At the beginning of his convalescence, Sabrina must play the tyrant, enforcing Harry's sobriety despite his machinations to obtain brandy by any means possible. The stark picture of Harry's dependence on alcohol is unusual for a romance but well portrayed.

In his crippled state, Harry is passive for the majority of the book. Like Sabrina, I struggled to understand how there could be any compatibility between the two of them. The fact that Harry's face broke into a brilliant smile whenever he saw her and the fact that he looked quite handsome in his nightshirt wasn't quite enough to certify dependable husband material. The author does an excellent job developing the trajectory of the relationship, however, and the proving point comes at the end when Harry goes to face the thug who injured him in the first place. With remarkable aplomb, Harry demonstrates both ingenuity and insight, deftly handling a situation that could have turned ugly for both him and Sabrina.

Harry's final proposal--that Sabrina allow him to show himself a changed man before they marry--further demonstrates his growth, and I can say that I found myself won over just as Lady Sabrina was by this unusual romance.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was hard to rate. I liked the main character but couldn't stand Henry at all. His pitifulness wasn't worth finishing out and resolving. The premise sounds interesting though! I love Kilpack's books, but this one was a miss with me.

Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for the book!

A moving tale of mean husbands and no love. Sabrina Carlisle was married to Richard, who was not a nice man when he suddenly died during a horse race, the property and the money was unentailed and she inherited it all. It gave her independence and she didn't have to answer to anyone. She had not been able to have any children so she focused on the estate and doing good works.
Viscount Harrison Stillman was debauched, gambler and drunk. He had fallen so low that he had no money even to pay his debts. When he lost his last twenty dollars he went a little crazy and got kicked out and banned from the gambling place. Malcolm his biggest debt came upon him and was going to beat him up but he ran as did his friend. Lord Damian was a lender and Harry was given a chance to save himself and he took it.
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It had fun moments, it also had sad ones but he persevered. Sabrina found him and helped him. He had once been kind to her and she had appreciated it. It took a while to be able to get on crutches but he had business in London and he had to get back there. This was engaging and charming if not scary at times. There was action and a tear or two. The characters were amazing and entertaining. I do heartily recommend this book and hope you like it as much as I did.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This was a very interesting story line. I can't discuss particulars because I don't want to give out spoilers, but the heroine is involved with business that has brought negative attention to her from villains. The hero is also a victim of the villian and she offers medical care to him. The title doesn't really match the story. I was expecting a light-hearted regency romance, not an action and dangerous historical romance. There are some sensuous scenes, but nothing that isn't in any other historical romance. The hero is a widow from an abusive marriage and this makes it hard for her to decide to re-marry.
The story was well written with believable and inspiring characters. Some aspects of the plot were much different from any I had read before, but the overall tone of the story didn't match the title. In some ways the story was all over the place, but the author was able to make it work. There were a few grammar and spellings errors (then for than, etc), but easy to over look. It was simply written, easy to read and get through. The overall feeling was happiness, but I felt the ending was very abrupt. I expected a little more than what was written. While I recommend it and give it 5 stars, there were a few instances that could be approved upon.

I had zero chemistry with this book though I'd rather stay away from dramatic romances. For this reason and others, we could presume I probably simply wasn't the intended audience. My mother, on the other hand, for sure would love the story. I received a free advance copy of the book for review. A huge thank you to the publisher!

This is a new author for me. I LOVED this book! I have a new author on my TBR list. I loved the characters of Sabrina and Henry. I felt they were well-developed. They were likeable. The story quickly captured me in a spell and kept me entralled to the end. This book is beautifully written. I've have to get this author's other books!

I have enjoyed the previous stories of this series, and this one didn't disappoint! I enjoyed watching how Sabrina changed and watching how she made a great thing out of a bad situation. I enjoyed seeing Harry change his life and turn over a new leaf! It was a great story, I can't wait for the next one!

I loved this book just like the rest of the Mayfield Family books she has written. I will say it has been a long time since I read her other two in this series and I couldn’t remember a lot of the characters but it made absolutely no difference. SO this book can be read and enjoyed if you haven’t read the other two. I didn’t want to like Harry since he was a drinker, gambler and a rake, but I kinda fell in love with him after hearing his back story and seeing his cute sense of humor. The author did a great job developing the characters. Once I started the story I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. I’m hoping she will write a bit more about Harry and Sabrina in the next Mayfield family series because I want to know what else happens to them. Definitely a great read!

I am always so leery about books with abusive spouses/family/etc., as a main point in the plot, but Josi S. Kilpack handles the topic with grace and a gentle hand, allowing the love story between two broken, damaged people to blossom as they fight past their respective pasts for a beautiful, more whole future. Highly recommended, but if abuse backstories are a trigger for you, it might be worth asking a friend to read it first and help you get through the tricky bits!

Excellent book, 5 Stars!

So. This is my first book by this author, and I really didn't know anything about the series before requesting it lol

The book starts w/ Sabrina having a panic attack, thanks to her abusive husband, and that's when she meets Harry, the hero of this whole thing. It then skips to six years later, with Harry in debt, gambling away everything and wasting himself on alcohol, while Sabrina, after her husband's death, now controls her finances and houses and her own life.

Sabrina does some charity and helps ruined young men using the name of Lord Damion, and that's how she finally meets Harry again, after all these years. It took... so long for them to be together again?? Maybe I'm just used to other romances but it felt really slow, with so much description about their own lives and business...

Harry was... really unlikeable until the second half of the book. He's pathetic, whiny, completely ruined, and I don't know how Sabrina could ever be attracted to him - despite the title he didn't seem much of a rake or a charming person at all. Maybe we just have different tastes lmao but his character development is quite good. Sabrina just... doesn't seem to develop much? Despite her situation w/ her abusive husband I feel like the book lacked a bit on the whole ~learning how to trust men again~. Just because Harry wants to be good and not die poor I don't think I'd instantly trust him to like not be a shitty husband.

There's a lot of exposition, talking about the past, and most interactions happen in the final part of the book only. It's like a slow burn, but it didn't even feel like much of a romance considering how long it took for anything to happen between them. I didn't really feel the connection or the sparks or whatever.

Honestly I feel like this was better as historical fiction instead of (historical) romance. Harry's growth was much more interesting than what went on between him and Sabrina.

Also, considering some climax revelations... it felt like something was missing from the ending. I don't think that got addressed at all??? So yeah.

Anyway it was enjoyable I guess, despite the boring beginning, so 3 stars!

I throughly enjoyed this book. I hope I can adequately explain why. I've always enjoyed Josi Kilpack's novels. This story was no different. Even though this is #3 in a series I think you could read this as a stand alone and still enjoy it fully. Reasons why I give the book 5 stars: The setting and courtship/romance blossoming was unique and original.
I liked how the role reversal was written. The h was more in the postition of the upper hand & older. Though I didn't feel one wasn't equal to the other.
We got to see a bit of historical fact & the struggles women had at the time through the h's life experience & 1st marriage.
I thought the H & h were a good match for one another & their affection genuine. As I got towards the end of the story I was wondering how all the plot points would come together!? The author had me guessing and in suspense. Would Sabrina take her Naples trip? Is the H genuine? How will the author show it? I think though those answers were handled towards the end the story didn't feel rushed.
This was a wonderful redemption story. It wasn't a typical Regency romance with settings in ballrooms & the like.
There were a few heated kisses but the book was still a pg & clean level. The romance wasn't focused on the physical aspect.
I think the series idea is original and a fun & creative way to write a Regency book.
I do wonder what happened to the H's friend Ward. That felt like a loose end to me. Also, I'd love to see a chapter or epilogue of the couple a little ways down the road.
Overall, I felt the story had good pacing & flow & natural character development.
I'm already hoping and anticipating for book #4.

Lady Sabrina is an independent woman of means after an abusive marriage and young widowhood. She has found purpose, and is content with her life, but a face from her past gives her the opportunity to repay a kindness.



Harry Stillman is an alcoholic gambler, and rogue. His dangerous living find him beaten by thugs in an alley, which is where Sabrina comes to his aid.



As they rekindle their friendship, will their pasts and secrets threaten their chance of happiness?



Sabrina has always felt like an outcast of society, despite being a talented hostess. She is compassionate and thoughtful, a good friend to those around her, ans has survived a lot of pain. I loved the relationship that she has with her dear brother Nate, who is her protector and supporter through everything. I loved her confidence and determination.



Harry is not a very likable character at first, and it took quite a while to warm up to him. Honestly it made me love Sabrina more for her saint-like patience with him. Harry is a man of many undesirable vices, but has he grows to thinking more outwardly, he sees the error of his past. He is a very charming man, with an engaging quality about him. I admired his journey and how faith is shown in this story.



An engaging book with excellent character development and growth throughout. I loved the full cast of characters, and engaging plot. Sabrina is a admirable heroine, with a heart of gold, she is compassionate and vulnerable, savvy, and strong.



Overall, and engaging and entertaining read, with fantastic characters. Secrets and surprises abound. Great chemistry. Definitely recommend for fans of proper romance!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rakes and Roses is the third book in the Mayfield Family book series, and it opens up six years earlier when Lady Sabrina is the recipient of Harry’s kindness when she needs it. At the time, Lady Sabrina is married to a man, Richard whose anger gets the best of him, and she is concerned about the unborn child she bears, and it is then that Harry comes upon her and offers to help her in any way he can.
Fast forward six years later, Sabrina’s husband Richard is dead, she has miscarried their child, but she has the respect and honor that she didn’t have being an illegitimate daughter of nobility. She has worked very hard to earn the respect that she wasn’t given to her by her father or husband.
Harry Stillman is a handsome and charming young man, but his enormous debt has finally caught up with him. Malcolm is after that money that Harry owes him. He is finally at his bottom, he’s tried asking his Uncle Elliot, but his uncle won’t help him anymore.
Sabrina has created a wonderful life for herself using the wealth of her husband, she is well looked upon by society. Nathan her half-brother who treats her with love and respect has afforded her an ability to act as his hostess until he marries. This has allowed her to become the woman that she always wanted to be and she tells herself that she doesn’t need another man to be happy. But truth be told she isn’t happy, she won’t allow herself to feel the loneliness or the emptiness that she feels
.
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I Iiked either Sabrina or Harry.

Sabrina seemed closed off to me, and Harry was only concerned about more money, gambling and women. He was selfish in his needs. He finally reached out to Lord Damion who is known as a lender to those in dire straits for men like himself. Circumstances bring Harry to Rose Haven, Sabrina’s home outside of London where he is tended to by Theresa her housekeeper, who has knowledge of healing arts that Harry is in great need of. It is during this time that Sabrina reveals more of herself as does Harry through their chess games together. It during this time that they learn they are able to be themselves with each other.
I enjoyed Rakes and Roses. As I got to know Harry he showed a side of him that had me hoping that Sabrina would accept him, despite his younger age and that he wouldn’t reject Sabrina like the men before him had in the past.
My gratitude to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for a copy of this ARC. Opinions expressed are my own.

Very unique book. Good strong storyline. Slower romance plot so if you are looking for that, you won't find much of it in this book. The strong character development in this book!
I would say you will love this if you have a day when you are ready for something completely different!

Rakes and Roses by Josi S. Kilpack, 320 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2020. $16.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Running from their pasts, Sabrina and Harry are looking at futures of uncertainty if nothing changes. When they cross paths, Sabrina and Harry clash over everything, but soon find that the other might just be what they need to move forward.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sabrina and Harry’s story, which is full of hope and forgiveness, strength and perseverance, motivation and confidence to change. The most powerful message is the one that we can all change, that not one of us needs to let our past define who we are today or who we will become tomorrow. Kilpack has dreamed up a unique situation for her characters that is engaging all the way to their happily ever after, though I feel that a couple points were not adequately addressed and resolved.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This is the third book in Kilpack's Mayfield series. Uncle Elliot amassed a fortune in India saving his family estates. However, he was unable to save his family until now. Creating a "marriage" campaign to entice his nieces and nephews to change for the better, Elliot offers monetary compensation for those willing to make thoses changes. But Harry wants nothing to do with Uncle Elliot's "bargain" and continues in his pathway to ruin.
In an act of desperation, Harry appeals to a lender that also offers a way out of his disolute life. But Malcolm, his current lender doesn't like being squeezed out and his men severely beat Harry. Fortunately, kind hearted Lady Sabrina finds Harry and becomes the second person to help him. As Harry"s reformation begins, both he and Sabrina are given a second chance at happiness and love.
Kilpack is a wonderful writer with the ability to create interesting characters. Readers are pulled into the tale and become emotionally connected. It was wonderful to be able to take Harry's journey with him as he met with setbacks and triumph. I thoroughly enjoy this series. By my calculations, there are at least 4 more stories to come and I am looking forward to them. I appreciate the opportunity to review this ARC given to me by #Netgalley.

Rakes and Roses is a story about two broken people coping with trauma and fear in different ways. While one drowns in self-fulfilling, irrational desperation and weakness, the other finds strength they never knew they had to face adversity and save others from a similar fate. This reads more like a historical mystery than a typical sweet/clean Regency romance. The relationship between hero and heroine is slow-burning, although their wariness is realistic given the extreme disappointments in their pasts and their resulting self-doubts. It was an intriguing character study with an authentic yet satisfactory conclusion.

Harry Stillman has truly reached rock bottom. He has lost all his money, pushed away all, his friends, and his uncle refuses to pay his debts. A mysterious Lord Damion offers to settle those debts if he changes his life and Harry takes the chance. But leaving behind the vices he has live by is not so easy, even when a beautiful woman is there to encourage him to do so.

Having followed the series from the beginning and seeing the other Mayfield romances, I was eager to read about the rake of the family. Harry is your typical young man of the Regency era. He has lived to enjoy himself and sought to improve his fortune at cards. His uncle's offer to give him an inheritance if he married well was not something he wanted. The author said this was her first attempt at a "playboy" character, and it shows.

Opposite our drunkard is Lady Sabrina, who is the illegitimate daughter of a duke and survivor of an abusive marriage. She has spent her years as a widow trying to help those who she believes are capable of turning their life around. She travels, acts as hostess for her brother, and is content with her independence.

On the surface, it seemed as though this would be a sweet and fun read. My biggest problem, however, is that there was no romance. Attraction, yes. Harry is described as a handsome and charming man, and Sabrina is witty and fierce. However, the story took a while to set up. In fact, I believe I was halfway through the book before they had a conversation where Harry was sober and in his right mind. A month was not long enough for there to be love.

I definitely have enjoyed other novels by this author a lot more than this one. I'd give this one a 3.5 stars, rounding up to be generous. Still, I am curious how the series will continue.