Historical romance is probably my favorite romance subgenre but it’s also weirdly the subgenre I read the least frequently from. If I’m being honest, it’s because I’m a historical romance snob, so finding authors whose writing clicks with me is hard. I was thrilled to discover through her debut that Emily Sullivan’s writing is the kind that I enjoy in historical romance, so I was more than eager to pick up The Rebel and the Rake. Sullivan exceeded my expectations and she perfectly nailed the balance between the suspense storyline and the romance.

Ever since we met Rafe in A Rogue By Any Other Name, I’ve been impatiently waiting for his book. The author digs deep into his character here and I loved every bit of it. Rafe is a spy for the Crown and he has maintained the facade of being a rake in order to avoid detection. It’s always worked in his favor until he meets Sylvia, a lady’s companion with her own secrets, at a house party. I love a good house party in a historical rom because it’s the perfect set-up for all sorts of shenanigans to occur. Here, Rafe is tasked with figuring out who is sending the host threatening letters, and Sylvie has her own agenda as a secret political activist standing as a lady’s companion.

Emily Sullivan wrote two intelligent and well-layered characters here and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout The Rebel and the Rake. In particular, I was impressed with how she explored the rake archetype through Rafe. As much as I mindlessly enjoy rakes who are brought to their knees by their love interests in books, I need them to be more than just rakes. (Side note: I’m just now realizing how similar “Rafe” and “rake” sound!) He has been a spy for so long that he doesn’t quite know what he wants from his life and the book is an exploration of that journey. My favorite part of is arc was watching him go through all sorts of inner turmoils and them helping him grow.

Sylvia’s entrance into his life also pushes him to examine his beliefs and his desires of life. I adored Sylvia, who is a sharp-witted and strong-willed woman who stands by her convictions. She is deeply passionate about social reform but as she’s a woman in the Victorian era, her beliefs are not viewed kindly and are a source of danger. I really loved Sylvia’s friendship with Georgiana and I am now desperate for her pine-y and angsty book!

Both Sylvia and Rafe are unaware of each other’s double-lives, but the two feel an instant connection and attraction to each other. I’m not normally one for romances that develop on the faster end, but the forced proximity as a result of the house party makes it believable. That being said, it’s not as straightforward of a relationship given the secrets they are keeping and Sylvia’s reluctance to get involved with a man after a tainted affair.. It made However, there was no denying the two made each other stronger and that’s where the beauty of this romantic relationship lies. I loved how Rafe was SO unbothered by Sylvia’s disinterest in him, at first. And it was all very romantic how he subtly tries to pursue her. The tension between the two continues to heighten all throughout the story and when they give in, it’s fog-your-windows steamy.

Anyways, I’m really happy to have found a new favorite historical romance author in Emily Sullivan. Both The Rebel and the Rake and the previous book, A Rogue to Remember, are excellent, so they get my stamp of approval for readers who love the subgenre.

I obsessively loved Emily Sullivan’s last book and I take full responsibility for this book being “not for me”. The spy stuff was confusing and kinda boring at the same time. And I just couldn’t connect with the heroine. Maybe my brain is just frozen and bummed out from it being the end of Christmas.

This was my first book by Emily Sullivan and it's been such a delight. It is the second in the series but stands completely on its own.

I loved so many things in it - the writing worked great for me and I found the story engaging. I care fore both MCs right from the start and appreciate seeing life in the Victorian era in Europe was more than ballroom dancing and gossip.

This story has so many secrets at its heart, it made for a wild ride indeed. The heroine is a rebel, a suffragette in hiding, pretending to be something else. The hero is very much in hiding as well, he is a spy, spending his time playing a part. Their connection is based initially on seeing the true self of the other person behind the mask they wear in front of others.

Both Sylvia and Rafe are in a way so deeply undercover that they have lost their sense of who they really are. We see them question and coming to the conclusion that it is not worth to lose yourself, to give up on being your authentic self for anything.

Rafe has these big plans for himself and his career only to realise they don't make him happy. As a wealthy gentleman he was in a much better position than her to shape his own life.

It was much more difficult for Sylvia. It was fascinating for me to see how Sylvia reclaimed her place in the world, a world which had forced her to make herself as small and invisible as possible.

The story had everything - drama and suspense, solid romance, sexy times, messed up families and corrupt politicians. Ultimately, it was hopeful, the bad guys getting their dues, some family reconciliations, second chances and lovely marriage proposals.

Now, I am excited to read more in the series.

CW (as listed on author's site): Grief, Parental death (in the past), on page sex, murder/violence, suicide (off page), blackmail, slut-shaming, caretaking (in the past)

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC of this!

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and was looking forward to this one. Both characters are hiding something about their identity and falling in love whilst not knowing really who the other one is, and I struggled a bit with how much they judged each other for that but didn't compare it to what they were doing. Overall, I found it a fun, easy read, and I recommend the series to fans of historical romance, hidden identities/spies, and independent women.

Light, captivating, and entertaining!

The Rebel and the Rake is a mysterious, engaging tale set in Scotland during 1897 that features the sassy, distrustful Sylvia Sparrow who, after being disgraced and left brokenhearted because of her progressive thinking in the past, reluctantly finds herself in need of a little help from the one man, the debonair son of an Earl and spy for the crown, Rafe Davies who seems to be hiding more than one secret of his own.

The prose is fluid and light. The characters are charming, passionate, and endearing. And the plot is an engaging mix of societal expectations, tricky situations, scheming behaviour, friendship, desire, deception, scandal, subterfuge, tender moments, witty banter, chemistry, and romance.

Overall, The Rebel and the Rake is an enticing, amusing, delightful read by Sullivan that is the second novel in the League of Scoundrels series, that in my opinion, shouldn’t be missed.

Emily Sullivan's debut showed she brought a fresh voice to the historical romance scene. This one confirms it. I loved the undercover aspect of them both, that they were each presenting a fake version of themselves. The uncovering to their true selves was a lovely journey.

We met Rafe Davies in the previous book A Rogue to Remember as the best friend of the hero. Rafe used his shield as a notorious rake to cover up his work as a spy for the Crown. Invited to investigate a thief crime in Scotland, he encountered Sylvia Sparrow, a bland lady's companion/secretary. While being attracted to each other, they both had their own secret identities to hide and own agenda during their time spent at the castle.

This book started of a bit slow, but it picked up the pace later on when secrets were eventually uncovered. I had a little quibble with the plot when the main villain was dealt with quite easily, making it a bit anticlimactic. I also felt the couple lacked the sparks, perhaps it'd be better if they had communicated and worked together. So the way they came back at the end was just okay to me. That being said, Ms Sullivan's writing is excellent and I enjoyed seeing the investigation unfolded. I'm now looking forward to the next book featuring Sylvia's best friend Lady Georgiana and Rafe's best friend Henry!

*Special thanks to Forever Publishing for gifting me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Rebel and the Rake by Emily Sullivan

Rafe Davies might look like just another tall dark and handsome, but he's also one of the crown's most valuable agent. The rake has never failed seducing the woman of his choice, or failed on a mission for the majesty. But when he meets the fiery bluestocking Sylvia Sparrow, he's determined to charm her. Sylvia is having none of it, duped by a man just like him in the past she won't fall for it a second time. Until a chance encounter brings to light hidden depth and an attraction that is not easily avoidable.

CW: Suicide on page (by the "villain".), blackmails, toxic ex-relationship (off and on page).

Emily Sullivan's writing style has once again charmed me. With flawless storytelling that flows like silk the intrigue she adds to the romance had me plotting and asking myself who's behind all of it right until the big reveal. The banter between them was like addicting candy that you can't help but always want more. I loved the secret identities that cracked open once they met each other, they just couldn't help being truly themselves, even if they had so much to hide. I loved the friendship between Georgianna and Sylvie, how it was a little strained at some point, but they still loved and supported each other, just wanting the best for their long time friend. There's so many other details I love about this novel, but I don't want to soil anything. Go read it!

Also got to say kudos to Emily for that deliciously steamy tied-up sexual encounter, it was scorching hot.

Thank you Read Forever Pub for sending me a advanced reader's copy via Netgalley. As always all my thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

3.5/5 stars!

The hero is a spy and he encounters the heroine during a party while he's on assignment. The heroine is resolved to ignore the hero due to her experience of being hurt by trusting the wrong man. Yet the two became closer after another encounter, yet their secrets are keeping them from truly opening with each other. How can they overcome this hurdle as the pair falls in love in this story?

I enjoyed this second book in this series more than the first book. I liked both the hero and the heroine together and as individuals, flaws and all. This book also had a nice set of secondary characters. However, the progression of the story was too slow for my taste. It also needed some more details in certain parts of the story for my personal preference. Overall, it's an enjoyable addition to the series and I look forward to reading more Emily Sullivan books in the future.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

Sylvia is interesting...

Rafe not so much. I liked the independent and smart Sylvia. I liked that she had a past and had a great affair (from which she learnt her lesson, thank you very much). Rafe was too perfect and I don't like when he finds humor in Sylvia's discomfort or embarrassment (which he does quite frequently). So a miss on Rafe, but a win on Sylvia. Rafe is the predictable, boring rake, who;'s spy (imagine that). Yawn. Whereas Sylvia is making her way in the world by her wits and patience in 1897.

The Rebel and the Rake was such a fun book! I haven’t read a lot of historical romances where the hero is a spy! Sign me up for all of the historical spy romances, please. Rafe and Sylvia have a spark from their very first encounter. However, an attraction to each other is the last thing they need. Rafe is on a mission to find out who is stealing sensitive information at a house party. Sylvia is creating a new future for herself and moving on from her past. Needless to say, these two can’t stay away from each other. Soon, they realize they also share a deep, emotional connection in addition to attraction.

If you’re looking for a fun, sweet romance, then this book is for you! Sylvia is a firecracker full of passion and opinions. Meanwhile, Rafe is a secret sweetheart who desperately wants to be seen for who he truly is. Together, they are one of the sweetest and cutest couples ever. Their characters are developed really well. They both undergo a lot of change in this book. They realize they have to accept who they are and move on from their pasts. Fans of historical romance won’t want to miss this book! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Honestly... trying to get myself to have some sort of coherence about how much I adored this book. Every single page.

I adored Sylvia - she is all the badass, self-possessed, radical leading lady that I could ever ask for. I adored every moment of her! The research behind this characterization is brilliant too! Not only does Sylvia hold to her values but she isn't static in any way! She grows and learns to see beyond her own family's pressures and wants - which is something I definitely needed to hear right now! - and not to mention the unique HEA. Rafe is not to be overshadowed though! His own journey to self-acceptance and growth is just as awesome. I adored watching him wrestle with his own emotional trauma from his lack of acceptance. Not to mention - they have both fantastic banter and steam with each other. I absolutely cannot wait for book three!


TL/DR Review
Stars: Five Stars (all the stars really!)
Steam: multiple steamy scenes, no overt kink - does have some ropes though! - also the burn is worth it.
Tropes: competence kink, experienced heroine, solve the crime,
For Fans Of: Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
Theme Song: Common People by Pulp
Subgenre: Historic Romance
CW/ TW: death of parents, threats of violence on page, some bloodshed, references to torture

Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The Rebel and the Rake is the second in the League of Scoundrels series. It can be read as a stand-alone. I did enjoy this one a bit more than the first, so I’m definitely more optimistic going forward about Emily Sullivan as an author.

I liked the characters overall. I particularly liked the exploration of Sylvia’s political leanings. Her role in the anarchist and suffragette movements, especially with Sullivan’s added context as to the overlap between the two, is fascinating. The fact that her activities attracted scandal and worse was also exciting to me.

I waffled a bit on Rafe. He didn’t bug me in the same way the hero of the previous book did, but I still felt a bit rattled all the same. A random gardener is talking to Sylvia, a poor, “defenseless,” woman? Better go charging in without any further evidence! I mean, the gardener ended up being up to no good in the end, but there was very little indication he was a threat. I also found him trying to get Sylvia’s estranged brother to “give her what she was owed” more presumptuous than a romantic gesture. But I did generally like them together, even if I wasn’t super won over by then as a couple. They do make a pretty fun team, both romantically and as crime solvers.

The pacing is a bit on the slow side, especially in terms of developing the mystery element. While the romance is obviously the central part, I did feel like there was a lot of meandering along for a good chunk before things really picked up.

While I enjoyed this one only marginally more than the first, I definitely see the appeal, and I found it to be a fairly pleasant read overall, even if it didn’t exactly hit me in the feels. If you like historical romance with a bit of mystery, you might like this one.

When you read the description of this book, you think you know exactly what you are getting.
Rafe and Sylvie are both living double lives for different reasons. What they don't expect is each other. Can they work together and achieve their goals?
Both Rafe and Sylvie bring a lot to the table in this story. Both strong, and working for good causes. I enjoy seeing Sylvie's strength, and how Rafe becomes absorbed in her.
There is definitely a bit of an "insta attraction" between them. But at the same time, they both grown and change throughout the course of the novel for the better.
Though this is book 2 in the series, it stands well on its own also. If it sounds interesting, I would for sure pick it up.

Having really enjoyed the first book in the series, A Rogue to Remember, I was super excited to get my hands on the next installment.
The Rebel and the Rake is just as much fun as A Rogue to Remember. There's intrigue, spies, adventure and romance. The romance is built nicely between the heroine and the hero. I really liked seeing the two of them banter and go back and forth.
The heroine is probably my favorite aspect of the book. She fights for what she wants and believes in. She was easily likeable and I constantly was rooting for her.
The writing is as good as before and certainly left me wanting more of her books!

On the surface, Rafe Davies is nothing but a rake floating from society gathering to gathering… at least that is what he has been portraying to the world. He is. Spy for the crown and has come to this particular house party to see about the threat of an uprising…

Miss Sylvia Sparrow is also in disguise! She’s been acting as the mild mannered lady’s companion to her old school friends Aunt since her world imploded years ago when she was arrested for being part of an anarchist group. Now all she craves is peace and enough savings to live out a quiet life…

Too bad that someone has found out her secret and now she but follow the demands of a blackmailer! Lucky for her she finds a little help with the party’s resident rake- who doesn’t seem that rakish at all…

This story had a slower start to it compared to Emily’s debut, but these characters don’t have a mutual history to start on. The beginning provides ample set up of both characters and tier motivations and the difficulties they will have. By the midpoint of the story I was deeply invested in Sylvia and Raf’s plight and how they were going to find a solution to the dangers that had unfolded and an HEA that wouldn’t make either character give. Up too much of themselves or their beliefs.

Sylvia the activist and Rafe the duty bound man of the crown had so much to overcome personally and externally to reach an HEA. I really enjoyed these opposite characters and their journey!

Bonus! Emily set’s up book 3 with characters we meet and fall for in The Rebel and the Rake! I cannot wait to see the second chance romance between Sylvia’s friend Georgian and Rafe’s buddy, Henry in the next book!

The Rebel and the Rake by Emily Sullivan is scheduled to release December 28th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever Grand Central Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheRebelandtheRake #EmilySullivan #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

Rafe Davies is a skilled Crown agent posing as an irredeemable rake and he’s quite a good actor… Women swoon at his feet while he works to uncover nefarious plots against the Government. But this time his mission could be more difficult than expected, due to the presence of a very distracting woman who seems immune to his charm…
Sylvia Sparrow is hiding from a turbulent past. She’s now content with working as companion and secretary to an old lady while trying to forget all about charming men like the one who ruined her life and her future… Well, maybe not exactly content, but resigned. So why is she attracted to lazy and charming Rafe? Why is she reading something more in his eyes than what he’s showing to the world?
Yes, I definitely loved this book by Emily Sullivan. She is a new author to me and I gather that this is only her second book, but she’s a very promising and talented author. And I must confess that spy plots are my favorite, because they enliven a book quite a lot when they are well written, as this one was. The author has wonderfully fleshed out a surprisingly kind and tender male character, Rafe, a spy who’s sick and tired of his cover, of being someone else, of the façade he hides behind. And Sylvia is equally intriguing. She’s a character who fits very well in the world of her time: a modern woman who wanted to fight for women’s rights, but has been crushed by society and by an unscrupulous man for having dared to love freely. The chemistry between Rafe and Sylvia is off the charts and their love scenes are awesome, steamy, but also very emotional. And of course I look forward to meeting the two most interesting side characters, Henry and Georgiana, again, for their own love story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Rebel and the Rake was an enjoyable historical romance with a bit of mystery and suspense thrown in. I haven't had a chance to read the first book in the series, but I didn't feel lost and think this book works well as a standalone.

Rafe and Sylvia were an interesting pairing and I loved that both were much more than what they presented to the world. Sylvia was especially intriguing and I admired her strength and conviction. Things were a little too instalove for me, but their scenes together were definitely spicy. I do wish that Rafe would have reacted a bit differently once everything came out into the open (especially after the personal sacrifices of Sylvia and Georgiana) and given a bit more grovel, but the epilogue was very sweet and I enjoyed seeing that vulnerable side of him. It was Henry and Georgiana that grabbed my attention though and I am very interested to read their (possibly second chance romance) next.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 3 stars
Story 4 stars

I both listened and read The Rebel and the Rake. Victoria Aston is a new to me narrator and she gave an entertaining performance, but it wasn't my favorite. I found it hard to determine who was speaking at times, even between Rafe and Sylvia, because there wasn't much variety in the voices used. Many characters sounded very similar, while others felt very over the top and almost comical.

*I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*

Lady's companion Sylvia wants nothing more than to lead a quiet life. A blackmailer has other plans. And when Rafe, a spy for the crown, sets his sites on her, things suddenly get very…complicated. Rafe can see through her façade, in the best—and worst—ways. She holds her own until the blackmailer gets impatient. Will the risks be worth the reward of falling in love?

This is a fun book with great characters and a plot that will keep you guessing. This is my first book by the author, but I look forward to reading more!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I read the bulk of The Rebel and the Rake on Christmas Day and it was perfect for cuddling under a warm blanket - a rake that's actually a spy! A bluestocking who is more than she seems!

The good:

- Rafe has cultivated a persona as a rake to better hide the work he's doing for the Crown. He's good at it, but Sylvia sees through the tiniest chinks in his armor. Rafe also gets the sense that Sylvia may be more than she seems. These "I see you for who you really are" moments are so satisfying when done this well.

- Secrets are being kept for Actually Good Reasons, huzzah! It's 'I need to keep this secret so I can do an important thing', not 'I need to keep this secret because, um, embarrassing'.

- It's been a while since I've read a historical set in the Victorian era and the (slightly) looser social rules and advances in technology are a breath of fresh air.

- Sylvia is a strong woman, and is allowed to be so throughout the entire book. Rafe offers but does not push, allowing her to make decisions for herself from beginning to end. Her happiness and well being aren't dependent on ending up with the guy, and I love that.

- We get a peek at social movements of the 1890s, especially where women's rights are concerned. I like that the issues give insight into the characters as people and are woven throughout, not info dumped once.

- Likewise, I appreciate that the inequities of the class system, not to mention Britain's imperialism, aren't ignored.


The not-so-good:

- It took a few chapters to get into the story, but after that there was no putting it down.

- Every once in a while there was a small dropped thread in the plot, to the point where I noticed and wondered, but wasn't outright bothered.


All in all The Rebel and the Rake was just the fun and escapism I wanted. I'll be going back to the first book in the series and eagerly awaiting the next book - we've already met the love interests and cannot wait to read their story.


Content notes (also on author website): Grief, mentions of parental death, on page sex, murder/violence, suicide (off page), blackmail, slut-shaming, mentions of past caretaking