THE SPINSTER AND THE RAKE by Eva Devon tells the story of a headstrong young woman attempting to speak up for herself and live well in the highly regimented, extraordinarily life-stifling Regency. An impetuous moment with an irresistible duke and she finds herself engaged to a person she does not know, thrown into a role and social hierarchy she has never wanted or expected to inhabit. Love wins out -- along with passion and heady moments of agency in this story. Throughout the story, I felt like I had read this book before, complete with stiff language and predictable moments. I received an early reader copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.

This book never really drew me in. The plot is uncomplicated as two people from different classes and with drastically different personalities are thrust together and come to love each other. I found it hard to stay engaged due to an excessive number of adjectives, abrupt time shifts, and disappearing clothing.

My biggest issue with this book was the author's writing style. Especially the first part of the book is loaded with adjectives. Every other noun it felt like had a descriptor. There is also a jarring disconnect between some scenes that make it seem like both scenes are happening simultaneously, or there is no time between them. In one instance, an article of clothing is mentioned explicitly but is gone a little while later when the character had no chance to change clothes. ( I read an ARC, so some of these issues may be gone from the book's final version.) I was entertained by the word flibbertigibbet cropping up. I haven't heard or seen that in a long time.

The protagonists have unique personalities. Edward appears to have Aspergers or a mild form of Autism. He fails miserably with social cues but, with hard work, can function in society. Georgiana doesn't seem to pick up on these clues, giving her a flashpoint temper, sometimes to the point of unreasonableness. Aunt Agatha is the only one with a stable temperament throughout the book.

The plot wasn't complicated, and it also didn't bring anything new to the genre. It's a simple story of two souls spiraling towards each other and a happy ending.

If you're looking for an easy, mostly sweet read, this book is worth checking out. It didn't strike my fancy, but that doesn't mean that it's not worth reading.

#TheSpinsterAndTheRake #NetGalley #EntangledPublishing #Romance #RomanticMisunderstanding #Scandal #DifficultRelatives #Autism #AutisticSpectrum

The Spinster and the Rake, by Eva Devon, is a very unusual romance novel, as the romantic hero behaves in ways which clearly show that he is somewhere on the autistic spectrum. It was interesting to see such a sensitive portrayal set in a historical romance, at a time period in which it is clear that it is only the hero’s rank and wealth prevents him from being labeled as a freak, if not insane.

This is a new to me author and genre. If you are a historical romance lover than you are sure to love this book. You receive a lot of back story for the characters. (I’m assuming there will be another book - this will be a series?) I feel like it ended on a strange note. The steam and fire from the beginning of the book didn’t carry throughout and it fell a little flat for me but all in all a cute story and kept me intrigued.

First, I should note that I love the word "spinster" and suggest that all perpetually single women not doing as society pressures ought to reclaim it in a positive way. I hope to start a trend here, people. The spinster in question here is Georgiana. Pleased at her status, she accidentally gets ensnared in an engagement when a battle of wits with a duke results in a kiss. Caught together, their imminent nuptials are a rush job to protect her honor, something that makes neither party happy. However, a shared love of books and political discussion thrown on top of the spark of passion that got them into this mess, starts to cast things in a more optimistic light.

So why did I love it? First, I loved that our hero is neurodiverse. His Darcy-esque arrogance and stoicism is revealed to be far more nuanced when you see how he thinks and when you hear of the challenges in his childhood. I appreciated both the representation and the depth of his character. It also adds complexity to the couple's interactions beyond a classic personality clash trope. Georgiana is an amusing lead, vivacious and witty. She doesn't care much for crowds, but she picks up a debate with vigor and defends her opinions with careful logic. I loved her political acumen and the space given her in the book to level critiques at society rather than floating along with it while the reader is shielded from or expected to accept historical realities.

I was genuinely satisfied with this HEA and look forward to more from the series. Plus, the author has quite a backlist that I should investigate (late to the party here, folks). Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's out this week, 2/9! Treat yourself to a Valentine better than real life. Too bitter? Oops.

I love a good historical romance and I know Eva Devon is somewhat of a master in the genre, so I had high hopes. While this one wasn’t my favorite regency, there were a number of things I really did enjoy, and I had a great time reading it.

Georgiana Bly is from a lower class, and wants to be a spinster for the rest of her life. Hiding away from people, lost among stacks of books, is where she’s happiest. Edward Stanhope, Duke of Thornfield, hates crowds, hates hosting balls, is annoyed when his routine is thrown off, and has an Aunt trying to set him up in a marriage every other minute. When Georgiana and Edward meet at a ball being hosted at his house, it’s completely by chance. She’s hiding out in his library when he stumbles in, muddy from a day of riding. She refuses to leave his quiet little oasis, and he threatens to kiss her and ruin her reputation if she doesn’t.

Clearly, Georgiana doesn’t leave. So they kiss and sparks fly (this book moves fast and I love it).

And then Edward’s Aunt walks in and the rumors begin to spread faster than you can blink.

This is how Edward and Georgiana end up engaged, and thus our journey begins. Edward is stoic, rude, and standoffish, while Georgiana is stubborn, opinionated, and in awe of her new surroundings. While Edward and Georgiana navigate their new relationship (filled with steamy nights and stolen encounters) they learn to trust one another and get to know each other on a deeper level. What I loved the most is that Edward wasn’t any of his worst qualities intentionally, and with the help of Georgiana, learns how to truly be himself and how to interact more comfortably with others. This was the first historical romance for me in which there is a neurodiverse character (our hero, and you figure it out pretty quickly) and while I’m not sure how well it was executed (it’s not my place to judge), it was still wonderful to see. I think how it was discussed (or rather, not discussed) also fit the tone of the story and the time period, and I absolutely loved reading about how this had an impact on Edward’s relationship with Georgiana, and how they worked through it.

Now, this story wasn’t perfect, there were definitely a lot of loose ends that seemed to have been neglected and the story jumped forward a few times in a way that didn’t always work, but it was still enjoyable. I liked our two main characters enough that I could look beyond everything else, and while there wasn’t too much of a plot so much as just circumstance, the characters were strong enough to drive the entire story forward through to the end. It’s supposed to be a slight twist on Pride & Prejudice, and while it’s not totally obvious, the connections can be made if you really think about it. I wouldn’t call it a retelling, but you can see how it was some of the inspiration behind the story.

Plus the epilogue was a lot of fun and I read it about 4 times. Edward is my favorite.

All this to say, it was a fun story with unique characters, and I really enjoyed it. It was my first Eva Devon, but it definitely won’t be my last.

Many thanks to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy!

This book was so delightful! It was refreshing having a handsome attractive standoffish duke be actually a man who has struggled with social interactions, sensory overload and social cues. Everyone interpreted him as being cold and off.  His parents were loving but his nannies and teachers told them to send him off to a home due to his tantrums. 

We start the book with him needing to find calm in his chair that he had specially designed to block noise, but instead he finds a woman reading his book. A woman that also didn't like to be in crowds and was a wallflower destined to be a spinster. Being found alone together in a compromising position these two are forced to marry.

They both have chemistry that their odd behaviors have never experienced with anyone. This is a delightful romance these two would have been miserable with other people who wouldn't have taken the time to understand them or they wouldn't have been able to be vulnerable or open with. 

There was a nice set up for book 2 as well. And the epilogue was so sweet! 

Thank you @netgalley and @entangled_publishing for the copy for my honest and voluntary review.

Will she see past his society’s demeanor to find the true man hidden behind the mask ...

One more new-to-me author to add to my increasingly long list of authors to not miss a new release.

I do not know if this novel was short or not but the pages flew in no time, as I hanged on the words running along them.
Definitely a must-read.
I loved the banter between Georgiana and Edward, and how she found her own footing to be his duchess but also herself.
But Oh my!
I do think I might finally be a violent person!
How many time I would have bashed Edward for his unfair and preconceived ideas and his lofty view of himself at the beginning.
I cheered each time Georgiana gave him a set-down.
But I was also disappointed with her as she was truly out of character upon their first meeting, for a mouse she played the shrew and I thought Edward was in his own right to want her out.

Yet at mid-mark, Edward gives a glimpse of himself which erased my own preconceived view of him. He showed a vulnerability he hides well behind his duke’s facade. For Georgiana he tries to be different, to be more open in his own way. But his true self is not easily accepted, thus his need for a society’s mask.
So when everyone believed Georgiana would be a failure, impeded by her low origines, she demonstrated that her initial awkwardness was due of a lack of practice, and her absence of need to belong in this crowd. Edward grew up in this sphere, yet he still does not feel like he belongs, why he built walls all around his persona, a fortress to keep others at bay.

Their relationship began as one against the other, until they see the benefit to walk toward one another to finally stand together. The witty banter of the beginning quickly move to praise to the other as they get to learn to navigate the muddy waters of the ton and the blurred lines of a marriage of convenience and one of attraction.
5 stars for this wondrous tale of acceptance and love beyond society’s strictures.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen detailed steamy lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Entangled Amara, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, likes his life in a certain order. Give him a strong drink, a good book, and his dog for company, and he’s content. But when he goes to his library and finds a woman sitting in his chair, petting his dog, what starts as a request for her to leave quickly turns to a fiery battle of wits, leading to a steamy kiss that could ruin them both if they were caught. So of course, damn it all, that’s when Edward’s Aunt Agatha walks in, and thereafter announces Miss Georgiana Bly is the future Duchess of Thornfield. Georgiana was content to be a spinster, spending her days reading, now her days are spent locked away with a dour duke, learning how to be the perfect duchess.
It’s been awhile since I read one of the author’s books & after reading this engrossing page turner I need to hunt out more of them. I loved Georgiana who was a breath of fresh air & rose to every challenge with a smile on her face. I also loved Edward who was a very private flawed man who held a tight rein on himself. I found it very touching when he told Georgiana about his childhood & his fears & how he copes & once again she rose to the challenge. He also tried his best to be the man she wanted, even playing bowls to please her. Their verbal banter was a delight & the chemistry between simmered then sizzled. A lovely romance with a charming epilogue to round off the story (I love an epilogue)
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I received a digital advanced reader’s copy of The Spinster and the Rake by Eva Devon through NetGalley. The Spinster and the Rake is scheduled for release on February 9, 2021.

The Spinster and the Rake is described as My Fair Lady meets Pride and Prejudice. Hints of both of these are present in the story if you are looking for them, but this story is not closely connected to either of its comparisons.

The spinster is Georgiana, a woman who is not in search of a husband, content to tuck herself into the library during a party rather than forcing herself to mingle with the ton. The rake is Edward, a Duke content to life his life exactly as he sees fit, without the constraints a wife would place on his life. When Edward comes across a woman in his library during a party he has lost interest in, a battle of wits leads to attraction and a dared kiss. Caught in the midst of the kiss, the two are forced to marry to save Georgiana and her family from ruin.

From here, Edward has the challenge of teaching Georgiana what she needs to know to be his Duchess. Georgiana seeks to teach Edward how to be a proper husband (well, what she believes a husband should be).

The first half of this novel began to build what I was hoping for from this story. The two main characters were attracted to each other, but determined to win what they thought they were after. The conflict between the two, twined with their attraction, results in banter and flirting that is just a fun read. The problem for me was that this conflict and banter disappeared once we hit the midpoint of the story, shifting to a conflict that wasn’t much of a conflict at all. This shift in the story was a bit of a letdown. I would have liked the story to have true tension throughout, rather than what felt like a drawn-out polite conversation.

Overall, The Spinster and the Rake was a fun historical romance, though I would have like more of the banter, wit, and challenge that started the story off.

The Spinster and the Rake is a delightfully told story of a low-born lady and one of the richest, most feared and respected men in all of England. It’s easily read and easily enjoyed, and although it does move somewhat slowly early on, it has at its center an immensely likeable pair of protagonists and scene-stealing secondary characters.

Over the course of the last two years, I have managed to read a range of historical romances, and never have I come across a hero quite like Edward, Duke of Thornfield. Just in case it’s not clear, that’s a good thing. Edward is viewed by most as cold, distant, and arrogant, and yet, author Eva Devon deftly gives us glimpses of the kind-hearted soul that lies beneath the ducal exterior almost from the beginning while also sharing with us the why behind his behavior. And it’s truly a marvel—an acknowledgement that throughout history, the world has seen all types of people and that we are none of us the same. Moreover, The Spinster and the Rake shows us that happily ever after isn’t limited to the neurotypical; we can all find love as long as the ones we bravely reach out to are willing to see us for who we are at our core.

Just the idea of it, the memory reading it, makes me smile. Much like Georgiana, the bold and sassy heroine does and did. I do love to see a woman who knows their own mind, who is strong when she needs to be, but also able to show the softness that I personally find essential to a good romance. And a good romance The Spinster and the Rake is. It takes the reader into the life of a Duke and Duchess without always sugar-coating the immense task that living such a life entailed. It’s clever, it’s fun, and it’s full of sparkling banter, and speaking as someone who doesn’t necessarily see or know what is considered “correct” and accurate to the times, it also feels very real. A rewarding read, The Spinster and the Rake is a book I would most definitely recommend to friends who are as historically inclined as I am.

And if they’re also inclined to love Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennett, and Pride and Prejudice, then all the better because there are clear hallmarks of Jane Austen’s beloved work here. It’s in the family connections, the stations of Edward and Georgiana, the challenges they face as they overcome their differences and the way they are viewed within society. But fear not, you are not getting a repeat of that oft-reworked classic; The Spinster and the Rake is its own book, with its own travails and tensions and tenderness.

This is the first book by Ms. Devon I have read, and I am confident in saying that it will not be my last. I’m always on the hunt for historical romance authors who can capture and keep my attention—make me think about the book when I am not reading it, make me long to return to the rich world between the covers—and she absolutely did that. I look forward to meeting more of her characters, especially those aforementioned scene-stealing secondary characters, in her future books.

I didn't hate this book but I didn't love it either. The plot is not one of my favorite; compromised and must marry. The MC were interesting however, I found some of their issues a bit too much to handle. I didn't really feel the romance and much of the book was plodding (is that a word). I am not sure I will read anything else by this author.

Good story with strong characters. A bit predictable in parts. 3.5 stars
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This book was a little interesting for me. I actually have mixed feelings about the story.

Of course, one of the interesting parts of historical romances is the overly proper methods in courtship. The author blended in some very straight-laced situations into the story and I felt very stiff and formal in spots myself while reading it. LOL

While it starts off with a bit of fire and spark that soon gives way to the uncomfortable situations and conversations while getting to know each other. For me, there was a lot of conversation and back-and-forth banter that didn’t really cut it for me. I know a lot of readers enjoy that so it’s just a personal thing for me. Plus, it was a bit predictable in spots.

But the story did have some unusual quirks with strong, unique characters and situations that makes it memorable and engaging. The heat level is moderate and it’s a very satisfying, easy to read trope with a lead-in to the next story in the series to come.

A perfect story for the historical romance lovers to cozy up with and dive in.

I seldom give 5 Star reviews for books anymore since after all these years I am much more discerning about my ratings but this one made the grade. Our Edward and Georgiana were one of the more strange couples in my history of historical romance. He has a secret but he is a very stern and cold Duke and she is the exact opposite. In addition to being exceptionally well read for a lady of her time she has an indomitable spirit which crashes upon his dour personality many times. Theirs is a rocky start to a romance as there ever has been but watching it develop into more than a competition was intriguing and the author let you know something about the Duke was off but a well kept secret and has you guessing for most of the book until it is revealed. While most books of this nature put most of the story development on one or the other this one seems to do a much better job of letting you into the minds of both of our couple and what makes them do what they do and why. Add to the fact that if I was not reading the book I was wondering about things in teh book which is always a good sign of an expectational novel. I will highly recommend this story and add this author to my "auto-buy" list until she disappoints me . 5 Stars for a wonderful story told very well.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. A story that underlines the idea that whatever you status in life, however you "think" you should be, whatever your limitations, someone else struggles with their own issues. YOU can make a difference, YOU can overcome what ever you need to be just you. Really good story.

This was a new to me author and I couldn't get over that gorgeous dress on the cover, so between the title and the synopsis, I greedily jumped in.

I loved Georgiana. She's smart and opinionated and stands up for herself. Edward is gruff and stand off-ish, but there are reasons behind that. Together they are delightfully antagonistic at first and I really enjoyed reading them figure things out. Oh, and the chemistry is there right from the start.

Plot wise, it did seem like nothing really happened and I was okay with that. This story is about two people learning about themselves while navigating a new marriage and I was here for all of it. There is a bit of a slow burn in the affection area and it was delicious. And the slight angsty conflict was at the end and fixed up rather quickly.

Overall, it was a quick read with characters I could really root for. The epilogue was fantastic and I'm really hoping book two will be Elizabeth's. Regardless, I'll be reading it for sure.

**Huge thanks to Amara for providing the arc free of charge**

The Duke of Thornfield (Edward Stanhope) is a man known to like order in his life and sees his future surround by his dog and his creature comforts. Yet when he meets Miss Georgiana Bly in his library, he is in turmoil. She manages to disturb his balance and the only way in which he moves forward, is to kiss her. However, what Edward does not plan for is that his aunt and many others, will see this kiss and force him into marriage with Georgiana. Whilst Edward believes he is trapped, so too does Georgiana who cannot mask her dislike for the ton. Yet as the date of their wedding approaches, they find themselves drawing closer in many ways.
The character of Edward was interesting, and his personality was one that did develop. I found his unique personality worked well with Georgiana’s distinct personality. Whilst shy, Georgiana was confident in herself and one that gave Edward the strength to grow emotionally. Overall an enjoyable story, despite the middle section taking time to garner a steady pace.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a sweet story with loveable characters. Their first meeting in the library was just not believable and exciting. She thought that he was a servant. He kiss her. They get caught and now are bound to get married. But I liked the way they get to know each other emotionally.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. The opinion expressed here is all mine.

This is a book that surprised me. It started off fairly cliched, though quickly I knew there was something more interesting to the male protagonist, Edward. Though the book went back and forth between cliched romance to interesting, this particular character development kept me going. I found the dynamics of it with Georgianna compelling and the character growth connected to it satisfying. I liked both of the main characters and the side characters, and I always enjoy nods to my fave novel, P&P. I wavered between giving it a 3.5 or 4 star rating, but when in doubt I always bump it up because I’d rather over support books then tear them down. 🥰

I received an advanced copy of this novel via NetGalley, though that did not affect my review or rating.

A glowing romance with a hint of Pride and Prejudice

Frothy at first sight, this romance soon reveals a deeper, more significant story about a man who struggles daily with an approach to life that is easily misunderstood and maligned.

Moments after escaping one marriage trap, Edward finds himself apparently caught in another. Georgiana feels equally trapped by the events that quickly spiraled out of control. These two agree to wed to save both their reputations and family names, but neither is confident that a true partnership can develop.

As their relationship deepens, we see a side of Edward that not only explains his eccentricities but also allows us to sympathize with his rare situation even as we contemplate the larger picture of what life was like back in a time where neurodiversity was almost completely misunderstood.

This story has more than a few passing similarities to the seminal Austen romance, which makes it somewhat predictable at times. However, it is rescued by its well-developed characters and forthright approach to what surely was a difficult situation in 1795, the year in which this book is set.

I enjoyed this delightful story very much, and look forward to reading more from this author. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.