Cover Image: The Rakehell of Roth

The Rakehell of Roth

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

While I enjoyed this book it was not up to the quality of its predecessor "The Beast of Beswick" for me it seems our hero here spent more time just being an ass than displaying any redeeming qualities. We find out eventually he was not such a bad kind but was manipulated as a child and had some mental issues dealing with things from his youth. All that together still did not endear him to me until late in the story when he started to display some redeeming qualities. Our heroine was a much better character as a mouse to lioness transformation and her alter ego "Lady Darcy" . The story was very good but unlike the "The Beast of Beswick" which had an equally unpleasant hero, I was hardly able to put that book down, I had no such problem with this story. I am still liking the overall series so far and I see the next one coming from the co-owner of the "club" our hero co-owns. If I had to make a recommendation I would have to say, be sure and read "The Beast of Beswick" and then maybe this right on the heels of that book and it might go a bit better since this does have a good ending for all and bad guys get what's coming but while "The Beast of Beswick" was close to 5 Stars, this was barely crawled over the 4 Stars mark for me.

Was this review helpful?

This second book is a standalone but it does mention characters from the first book. Nice for readers like me who loved the first book!

The heroine smart and resourceful. I love how she grows. The hero is kind of broody and scarred from the past. They helped each other and it's nice to see how they both learn... And there's a happily ever after of course. Love the ending especially. :)

Another terrific read...

Was this review helpful?

This was my first time back in the historical romance genre in probably 5 years! I am so happy I have dived back in with the Rakehell of Roth! To say I loved this book would be an understatement.
Isobel married when she was young, only 18, to escape Beaumont's clutches after he had already ruined her sister. Isobel was young and full of hope for her marriage to the Marquess of Roth. The Marquess of Roth, Winter, had always been vocal that he never wanted to marry. But he did one good thing and stepped up to help Isobel by giving her his name, and family's protection.
Spending a single night with her, to consummate the marriage, he fled back to his life of debauchery in London. Leaving his young wife in the care of his father. Winter’s wasn’t really what everyone thought he was. And that one night with Isobel was all it took to have him obsessing about his wife. However, his hatred for his father following the deaths of his mother and sister have left him enraged, and he won't do anything that would please the duke, not least be back with his wife and have a family.
For three-years Isobel has been sequestered in the country while reading all the exploits of her husband in London. Isobel sick of reading the tales her husband is up in London comes to town to reign her husband in and fight for him. She arrives in London, and makes it plainly clear that she is wanting a proper marriage, and children, they come to a sort of wager, where if she hasn't managed to seduce him back into her bed by the end of a month, she'll go home, and might find another way to have children, without involving Winter at all.
These two characters are everything! They are fighting against themselves as much as they are each other. Isobel is a Lady Boss. In the time she has been in the country away from husband she has found her voice. She knows what she wants and when the stories of Winter’s antics become too much she goes all in to get what she wants.

This story starts of hot but there is a slow burn element to it. Amazing banter and characters you want to smack and hug all at the same times. I loved every second of this story.

Was this review helpful?

Yes yes yes! Freaking love this one!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let me just say that this story is totally not what I was expecting and I am so glad! This is one hot and fiery story. The heroine is bold and outspoken and totally in love with her husband.

He was pretty much a jerk but, oh, how the sparks fly. This book is wild and crazy, with shades of erotica that takes the story to new levels. Humorous and bold; I absolutely I love it!

I have never read Howard before this book and while I am super sad on one hand, the fact is now I have a new author whos works I get to devour! Her writing is unapologetic as she blends her lusty sass into a historic based, typically conventional storyline. You will not look at historic romance in the same light again!

Fast paced, exciting, and definitely not full of boring banter, The Rakehell of Roth is one you won’t forget and will have you craving even more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

When I read the marriage in crisis trope I was hitting that request button, but alas it was for not. The hero in this is REALLY unlikable. He's like dirty mop water to the heroine's clean floors. Basically why it took me two days to read this book was because of him. Heroine on the other hand, is all that and bag of chips. I could read Clarissa and her all day long. The epilogue for this did save it for me though.

Was this review helpful?

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

The author was very good at describing the surroundings and people painting a clear picture. However, I didn't connect with the characters in this book but they did have a strong chemistry between them in spite of the fact they hardly communicated with each other at all. The villain also seemed a little cartoonish to me.

Was this review helpful?

Winter Vance, Marquess of Roth, enters into a marriage of convenience with Miss Isobel Everleigh. She received the protection of his name and he met a codicil of his inheritance. Although he is attracted to his beautiful wife, he abandons her in the country and continues his fake-rake identity in London, managing his club. But three years later, Isobel has had enough! She's matured, and has her own scandalous hidden identity, so she heads to London to show Winter that she won't be ignored any longer.

This is the second book in the Everleigh Sisters duo. It can be read alone, but there is a certain part of the plot that makes a bigger impact if one has read The Beast of Beswick. Isobel's sister, Astrid, also makes an appearance.

I really liked this book! Isobel's and Winter's connection is established early, as the story starts right after their wedding. The reader isn't waiting for a meeting or attraction, it's already there. This is a case where I feel like the time separation is necessary and works well. Winter is only 21 when they marry; he has no interest in marriage or children and has animosity towards his father and younger brother. Isobel also needs a chance to grown up and gain confidence. When Isobel arrives in town, Winter just can't seem to get out of his own way! They are both lusting after one another, but Winter is determined to resist and keep an upper hand, even if it's at a cost of his own happiness. This book is SUPER sexy and I loved every sizzling encounter!

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Second Chance, Secret Job

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheRakehellOfRoth #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Everything is not as it seems. While I am hesitant to read stories where there is a lot of misunderstanding that goes on in the entire book, this story is really so much more than that. I found the interactions between the characters to be outstandingly witty and clever. Isobel is terribly clever and even though she feels hurt sometimes it almost never lets her abandon her real purpose. Winter frustrated me at times with his letting Isobel believe certain things that were absolutely not true. Men! Slowly Winter realizes that the love, not lust, of his life is right before him. I also like that it has a secondary romance and I would have loved to see more of that relationship on the page. I thought this book was great fun and it is one of the top two books I have read of Amalie’s.

Is Westmore next, I hope so!

Was this review helpful?

The Rakehell of Roth was pure fun!
If you find some historical romances a little tame for your taste, then this is the one to try!
This story follows the author's previous book, The Beast of Beswick and features Astrid's sister, Isobel.
After her wedding night, Lord Roth leaves Isobel without a word, a note, or anything!
Fast forward THREE YEARS and Isobel has grown, matured and is no longer the same shy, innocent girl that Lord Roth left behind.
With the help of her friends she sets out to get her husband back.
There is so much push and pull between these two. They flirt with each other and taunt each other constantly.
It's hot and sexy. It's tender at some points and fun at others.
I HIGHLY recommend this one!

Was this review helpful?

I received a digital ARC of The Rakehell of Roth by Amalie Howard from the publisher (Entangled). The Rakehell of Roth is scheduled for release on February 9, 2021.

The Rakehell of Roth is the second book in the Everleigh Sisters series. The novel begins with Isobel in a carriage shortly after her wedding to Winter (the Marquess of Roth). Roth took a wife to meet the requirements of his inheritance, while Isobel avoided marriage to an extremely unsuitable suitor. Immediately after their wedding night, Roth disappears, leaving Isobel on her own at his country estate while he returns to London to maintain his reputation as a rake and run his club.

The story then jumps ahead three years. Isobel is still alone, having not seen her husband since her wedding night. Left to her own devices, she has grown in ways Roth can’t begin to imagine— until she shows up in London, intent on winning him as her actual husband. Isobel is not prepared for the seductive power of one of London’s best known rakes, and a contest immediately ensues to see which of them will give in to the desires of the other first.

This story gives us an interesting premise, but I struggled a bit with where we jumped into the premise. We did not see any of the courting (however brief and motivated by external factors it may have been) that came before the wedding, and then our couple was separated almost immediately. As a result, it was difficult to get to know them as individuals (as their thoughts were largely about the other) or as a couple. This is the second book in a series, which brought up a lot of questions for me. Typically with romance series, the books are independent, and can be read out of order without missing any of the story, as each book focuses on a different couple. I had the feeling here that part of the story of Winter and Isobel was told in the first book, even though that book was dedicated to Isobel’s sister. My difficulty in feeling disconnected from the characters improved later in the story, as we finally saw more of them interacting and revealing both their relationship and individual characteristics.

This book also uses the “heroine disguises herself as a boy” trope, which is a difficult one for me to believe in any story. Its use in this book was particularly problematic for me, as the situations we were asked to believe Winter would not recognize his wife in were just not plausible. In the end, this trope allows a turning point in the couple’s relationship, but I wish Howard had found a different way to accomplish that turn.

Overall, The Rakehell of Roth was a mostly enjoyable romance story. I am curious if readers who have read the first book in the series had a different experience of the story than I did. I would recommend this book to readers looking for a romance where the woman does not wait for a man to bring her happiness, but sets out to find it for herself. I would, however, recommend reading the books of the series in order, as I think this is the rare romance series with threads running through the books.

Was this review helpful?

This 2nd title in a series, and I suspect there will be at least one more. Isobel married before her first London season to escape the clutches of an evil earl - the same despicable man who ruined her sister 9 years ago. She marries Lord Roth, a devilishly handsome scoundrel, rakehell, and (unbeknownst to her) a secretly nice guy. He marries her, deflowers her, leaves her at his father's country estate and returns to London without her. For three years.

Eventually, Isobel goes after him in London. Sparks fly. They spar and spat and can't stand each other but also are acutely aware of each other and, well, sparks fly.

I found a bit of it Just Too Much, but overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Will look forward to the next one, which I think will feature the enigmatic Duke of Westmore. (Given name - Wulfric Bane. Ack!)

Was this review helpful?

This is a fun, light-hearted book....perfect for an afternoon's escape. Lady Isobel is newly married to the Marquess of Roth. Immediately following the wedding, he whisks her away to the ducal estate to consummate the marriage and then leaves her. For over three years. Isobel is lonely, frustrated and angry. She wants a husband and a family and decides it's time to demand both. Her husband, Winter, is not only surprised when Isobel reappears in London but also finds himself still wholly attracted to his wife. Something he sees as a true inconvenience.

This is a sexy escape. Isobel finds her fire and the game of seduction between her and Winter is entertaining to watch. I liked Winter for the most part. I didn't always see his reasoning behind insisting he avoid Isobel but it still worked for "romance reasons." Same goes for several plot points in the book that seemed pretty implausible. But once I reminded myself that this is a story...and a fun one at that....it's easy to overlook these things and I found that I really couldn't put the book down.

This is my first book by Amalie Howard. I knew that it was part of a series but stands just fine on it's own. I would recommend this to any fan of historical fiction looking for a fun, steamy, quick read.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 Lady Darcy stars!

Amalie Howard, where the hell have you been my entire life?! I cannot believe that this is the first book I've read by Amalie as I absolutely adored her writing style; it was so effortless and perfectly balanced in dialogue and character growth. I loved every single word of her novel, and I could not read fast enough even though work this week made it hard to devour as quickly as I would have liked.

However as much as I loved this story, I do have one minor hang-up which caused me to drop 1/2 a star. I really wanted Winter to grovel more and have this grand moment of "I'm such a bastard and a blathering fool and I would be nothing without you and I'm so sorry, please forgive me and I'll spend the rest of my angst-riddled days making it up to you." Even though we hear his guilt and remorse, I felt he wasn't as contrite towards Isobel after he majorly f**ks up multiple times and just wish he would have given her the epic grovel she deserved after putting up with his nonsense.

Nevertheless, there were so many aspects of this amazing story that I loved. I loved Winter's constant swearing; his sailor mouth definitely felt in sync with my own! The side characters were just as lovable as Winter and Isobel; I found myself rooting for Oliver and Clarissa almost more than I was for Winobel and cheering whenever Clarissa sampled Oliver's tea... **wink, wink** There was just enough OW drama, angsty thoughts of unworthiness from our hero, danger and excitement with guns and swordfights, and plenty of scenes of our heroine taking the reins and showing our hero what a dumba** he really is (lovingly, of course). I will definitely be reading more of Amalie Howard's books, beginning with THE BEAST OF BESWICK, and look forward to more from her!

*ARC provided by the publisher, and I voluntarily reviewed it*

Was this review helpful?

We meet our unwilling hero and heroine as they start their married life together. The Marquess of Roth has decided to hedge his inheritance bets and take a wife, while rescuing Lady Isobel from a dreadful match. After a shy performace of the marital act these two don’t see each other for threes years while Roth lives it up in London and Isobel matures in the country…

First, I’m not a big fan of the saving our marriage trope. Only in a historical can. Hero dump with wife in the country and live like a bachelor in the city… that is until at the heroine’s biological clock rings the alarm and it’s time for her to show her husband that she’s not the girl he left and get him back. Lord Roth runs hot and cold for Isobel throughout the book and is constantly making her second guess her worth.

I found it hard to root for these two. Lady Isobel is headstrong and obstinate, Lord Roth won’t listen to anyone or anything, especially his own heart. This was another classic tale where if the character would listen to others instead of running away and ignoring their problems, their lives would be way easier.

Another element I had difficulty with was the kink club attached to the regular club owned by our hero. I didn’t buy it and I felt that it added too much contemporary erotic vibe to the story. It felt out of place in a historical.

I wanted to like this one a lot more than I did, but I just didn’t feel a connection to these characters and their situation.

The Rakehell of Roth by Amalie Howard is scheduled to release February 9th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheRakehellofRoth #AmalieHoward #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed The Rakehell of Roth immensely. If you're looking for an entertaining and steamy historical romance, look no further.

I loved the fact that Amalie Howard brings us a trope with a married couple. Sometimes that makes the romance and story even better, and it definitely did that here.

In the Rakehell of Roth, Isobel and Winter were an estranged couple that never really knew each in the first place. When they reunited after 3 years, they had chemistry and sexual tension in spades, and the buildup was spot. on.

The banter and repartee between the two was edgy and entertaining, and their slow-burn was brutally satisfying. I enjoyed both Winter and Isobel, but I especially liked Isobel. She was an excellent combination of innocent yet strong-willed and independent, slightly reserved while also surprisingly blatant and passionate.

Isobel's best friend Clarissa was a blast, and I was hoping she'd get her own full story but (alas) she starred in a secondary romance in this book.

Winter was also a great character, but the miscommunication with his family deterred me from fully appreciating him. I got frustrated with how long the misunderstanding between him and his father and brother went on.

Overall though, this was an excellent read. Now I'm hoping to hear the Duke of Westmore will be getting his story.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Was this review helpful?

After being abandoned by her husband after their wedding night three years ago, Lady Isobel Vance is tired of waiting around and reading about his rakish exploits. So she storms back to London to confront him.

What I loved about this book is Isobel. For so much of this book, she is a tiny bundle of rage. Rage at her husband, rage because she wants her husband, and just generally rage. And she channels it. When she had to choose between being timid and barreling forward, she always barrels forward. She and her husband go back and forth testing each other, often with very sexy results.

Also, she spends a fair amount of time cross dressing in a secret identity, which is delicious in its own right.

I enjoyed this book overall, but felt like it was over a couple of chapters before the book ended. I guess I liked the story between the characters and the action scenes, but didn't really care as much once things are mostly worked out and we're in the HEA.

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

Was this review helpful?

Surprising depth and extremely well thought out characters. This was a one sitting read that I simply could not put down. The author wrote emotion so vividly it seemed to seep directly into my heart as I read. Absolutely recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I couldn't put the book down!! I was actually reading it while I was working, that's how amazing this read was! If you have watched and loved Bridgerton on Netflix, this book is definitely for you! It has small glimmers of 50 Shades of Grey woven in and it's perfect. The characters are relatable, loveable and seem so real. Also, small confession, I didn't read the first book in this series, but I was more than able to follow the story, and I'll be going back to read the first one.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this book—wonderful heroine, good supporting characters, interesting locations (such as the club). I also was grateful that we got to see chapters from the previous book in the series. However, things really dragged after around the 85% mark. After the big climactic moment, for the hero to engage in his usual stupidity was annoying. I found myself losing patience with him and hoping that Isobel and Clarissa would run off together. They’re the couple I would have liked to see in the end!

Was this review helpful?

When Lady Isobel married the Marquess of Roth, Winter Vance, she did so with her heart open and high hopes for love. Winter had married her to help her escape the dangerous eye of Lord Beaumont and she was sure his gallant manners and gentle touch on their wedding night meant he cared for he to some degree. However, when Winter slips away after their wedding night and leaves her ensconced at his country estate for three years, Lady Isobel grows up quite quickly. With the companionship of the Duke's solicitor Clarissa, a outspoken young woman with five older brothers, she has also learned much about the world and men. Isobel and Clarissa's natural curiosity and good humor lead them to writing a women's advice column that is the talk of the ton. So after one too many wild rumors about her husband's bachelor antics during the London season, Lady Isobel decides to take her own advice and go to London to confront the scoundrel. However, while seeming to lead a life of vice, Winter has been pining away for the wife he left behind three years ago. He doesn't believe he deserves her and is doing his best to stay away. When Lady Isobel appears on his doorstep unannounced, she is not the meek girl he remembers but a vivacious woman who knows what she wants. Who will win the battle of wills and wit?
VERDICT is that this is a decent historical romance. It will definitely scratch an itch for fans of Julia Quinn as the secret letters/advice column of Lady Darcy reminds us of Lady Thistledown. The characters are likable and the story reads quick. There is not a lot that stands out for me as unique in this novel, but it was a quick and mostly enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?