I didn't realize this was a series, and while it was an ok stand alone read - I think I'd gotten more out of it had I read the other books in the series.

This one didn't seem finished - it started out interesting. Phillipa and her group of friends in a book club, that decides to help one of the girls take back her hairpin after a rake stole it. The Wild Wynchesters family helped. And it all wrapped up quickly at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

The Rake Mistake is part of a series, while it can be read alone, it is much better to meet the characters before this book or it will be confusing when it gets going. I can see a lot of people enjoying this book, but it is just not for me. I just prefer my books a bit darker or grittier maybe. However, if you're looking for a light read, I would recommend this.


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

Thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have to say that this was a madcap, joyous gem of a book. It was a quick read and yet full of wit - I was thoroughly entertained the entire time.

I love the Wynchester family and all the other characters, including Phillipa. I won't spoil anything but the cliffhanger at the end is marvellous. There isn't any steamy moments in this novel, so I think anyone could read it and enjoy it.

I've always enjoyed books by this author and I can't wait to read more about the Heist Club.

The Rake Mistake by Erica Ridley is historical comedy caper and a first book in Heist Club series.

What I didn't realize at the time is that it is apparently a prequel to another book. The reason why this was important to me is that there are so many characters at the beginning that I found it really hard to keep track of their names and roles, and had I feeling that I was missing out on something.

I thoroughly enjoyed the premise and was very excited as historical cozies are my favorite. Sad to say that confusion with the names significantly affected my enjoyment.
The characters are interesting and bold, they were likeable and smart. The mystery was well done and the story flows nicely.

Erica Ridley has written a fun and witty series revolving around the "Wild Wynchesters", who are a group of children who were adopted by Baron Vanderbean. Thieir peculiar/unusual talents lead them into devious capers to help the needy and solve wrong-doings. This particular story revolves around a young girl who has had a jewel stolen by a self-described rake, which means that she cannot makeit public knowledge as her reputation would be ruined. Enter the Wynchesters and their unusual methods of crime-solving. This was an enjoyable story that made for an entertaining read. The Rake Mistake was not an advance reader copy since it was published June 2 021, however, I received the book through the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review entirely my own.

Thank you to Netgally for providing me with a copy in exchange of an honest review.

Actual Rating 2.5 stars.

The Rake Mistake by Erica Ridley drew me in because of the depiction of a plus size character on the cover. What I did not realize before picking up The Rake Mistake that the book was a part of series. The world and characters felt already established with a little backstory. I thought it was confusing. I also felt the story focused more on the side characters versus the main character. The writing was very lovely and the concept was intresting. I will for sure be picking up the rest of the books then come back to this book. I feel I will enjoy it more after reading the other books.

A fun short story with lots of witty banter and interesting character's who make up the heist club. It's not a romance as just but a mystery and a bit of a prequel to introduce the people involved in the heist club.. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Funny story to read, I really like it!!!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book!
Erika Ridley is really good 😊

This is a fun story to read. Phillipa and her bluestocking reading group, with the help of the Wild Wynchesters , and their ancient mastiff, set off to find the hair pin stolen from Grace by the Duke. Hilarity ensues with the shenanigans that follow them trying to retrieve it. The characters are perfect for the story and leaves you wanting to read more about Wynchesters and their antics.

3.5 stars

it's an unusual series. The author has (currently) a free book 0.5 called the Governess Gambit which sets the scene about the siblings. 6 orphans were adopted by a Baron and they help the unfortunate. The story from book 0.5 was completed in book 1. This is book 1.5 and we meet Phillipa (from book 1) again. Her mother wanted her to marrry the hero from book 1 but she wasn't keen and wasnt disappointed that her friend married him instead. Chloe, herone from book 0.5 & 1 is one of the Wild Wynchesters ophans mentioned above. She is a member of Phillipa's bluestocking book club. Philippa also knows Chloe's siblings Tomasina (good at disguises), Graham (acrobat), Jacob (Dr Doolitle type), Marjorie (artist) & Elizabeth. One of the book club members has lost a hair pin and realises that a Rake has pinched it. Grace needs to get it back because it belongs to her sister and the sister's finacee is likely to dump her if he thinks she's been playing away. Philippa and her friends intend to get the jewellry back. They attend a house party at the Rake's neighbours house and Phillpa and Great Aunt Wynchester are tasked with getting the item back. Phillipa finds herself oddly attracted to the Great aunt and thus the end of book 1.5 leading on to book 2..

I think if I'd have purchased the book I'd have been disappointed as its at best a small novella which has loose ends.

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

A cosy read on a rainy day, a delightful tale of the Wynchester siblings and the hunt for a lost hairpin and a handsome thief

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc

My initial rating would have been a five, the first several chapters are engaging and filled with promise. The characters are all wonderful to begin with and then the character growth just doesn't happen. That initial promise went unfulfilled, it's like the author was more interested in rushing to the finish line then developing the characters and world. There is so much potential that just fell off the cliff into the abyss and left the reader stunned.

The Rake Mistake is a novella set between books 1 and 2 of Erica Ridley’s The Wild Wynchesters series. I haven’t read either book, or anything else by Ridley, but she’s been recommended frequently. And I am trash for heist plots. I thought I’d try this little bite and see what I thought. I liked it.

Miss Philippa York is starchy and entirely uninterested in men. She wants to read her books and spend time with her circle of Bluestockings. Her mother’s greatest wish and driving focus is to get her married, preferably to a Duke or someone who will become a Duke. Mrs. York is constantly interrupting Philippa’s time with her book club and threatening to get rid of her beloved illustrated manuscripts.

The heist comes in when one of the book club members, Grace, bursts in with the dire news that a known rake, Lord Rotherham, stole the hairpin she was wearing the night before, but the hairpin he stole has her twin sister’s name engraved on it. Grace’s sister is engaged to a man she loves, who will think her unfaithful if word gets around that Lord Rotherham has her hairpin. Fortunately a new member of the book club is also a member of a family that commits crimes to right wrongs – basically Regency era Leverage.

Heist plans are made, plans go awry, and the whole group travels to the countryside to try the heist again. Much to Philippa’s chagrin, the book club becomes Heist Club, and of course their is also a Fight Club joke. I liked Philippa and yes now I am more invested in finding out how she gets her happily ever after. I was so so on the resolution to the crime. A man learned something, but it felt a bit facile. Maybe we see more of Lord Rotherham in Perks of Loving a Wallflower and see the lesson sticks.

The Rake Mistake is not an advance reader copy since it was published last year, but I did read this through NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

Thank you, NetGalley and WebMotion, for the chance to read and review The Rake Mistake by Erica Ridley.

I read a lot of regency romance and thought that one way or another, The Rake Mistake would fit in that category. I was wrong! It's a charming prequel heist novella that makes a very interesting standalone.

While the book builds up to a heist, I loved getting to know Phillipa and her family dynamics in this one. I also think publishing this is fantastic from a marketing perspective! Not only will we get these great little heist stories featuring each woman from the heist club (I hope), but the books also tie into The Wild Wynchesters series, which is more of a romance novel series. The story was enjoyable to read and perfect for when you're in the mood to just be entertained!

I gave the book three out of five stars. A lot of the stuff was a little unbelievable to me. You can tell me that's stupid of me because the whole point of reading a book like this is to tell reality to bugger off. I think it was the animals and the amount of stuff I had to take in with the Wynchesters. If you read this after reading The Wild Wynchesters, you probably won't have this problem. I also didn't care for the ending; I know it's supposed to be happy ever after, but I would have found it more interesting if things with the rake and all the women had been more intense.

My last problem is with the cover. I wasn't expecting a cover like The Wild Wynchesters, but this one is not my favorite. It just seemed very low-budget to me. I don't know if the publishers will approve me again after that last comment. That being said, I want to acknowledge that I was drawn to this cover because we have evident diversity on it!

Overall, this is a lovely prequel novella that whets your appetite for other books by Erica Ridley.

This was a interesting book, kept me interested in the plot and the characters. I enjoyed reading this book. It is an entertaining regency romance worth your time.

I have been enchanted by the Wild Wynchesters series, and this novella focuses on my favorite part: the Ocean’s Eight style hijinks. Taking place between the first and second books in the series, here we see more of Philippa’s backstory and get to know some more details about the Wynchester family and their clandestine business (ad)ventures. While the reader definitely gets a glimpse at future romantic interests, the focus here is uncovering a jewel thief while simultaneously preventing the ruin of a young debutante. There is some action, some comedy and lots of women doing what it takes to protect each other. This whirlwind of amazing characters may be a tad confusing if you don't have at least the first book in the series under your belt, but this novella stands on its own as a fun romp through bluestocking espionage.

tl;dr
A nice supplemental story between Books 1 and 2 of the Wild Wynchesters. To the surprise of no one, very hard to follow as a standalone.

About
Philippa York's only joy in life is her weekly book club. So when a member shows up in distress, the victim of a scandalous theft, Philippa is determined to help. But how does one even track down a jewel thief?

Thoughts
I'm surprised by how sad this book made me. For context, this is a sort of bridge novella between books 1 and 2 of the Wild Wynchesters series and it focuses largely on Philippa trying to live under her mother's desire to see her married off to the best titled man they can find. It's meant to be a setup for us to understand her better in Book 2, but wow having all that frustration with no immediate conclusion was really tough to get through. As for the actual plot, the mystery was fairly light with a nice twist conclusion and some fun capers in between to save the day. A good quick read for anyone looking for a low stakes regency mystery, and definitely good for fans of the series.

I thought that this was a really enjoyable read, Fast-paced, funny and charming, this was a rollicking romp that was a definite treat.

Loved this book! I found it funny and very easy to read, couldn’t put it down. I pictured myself trying in that era trying to achieve the task with these fabulous ladies!

This novella was a delight! Set before book 2 of the Wild Wynchesters series, it's a caper involving a rake and a lost hairpin with the Wynchesters on the case and Phillipa joining in. If you've read The Perks of Loving A Wallflower it's especially fun to see some of these early interactions. And the Wynchester siblings are all a joy to read. I love the idea of these mini-adventures set with the same characters and can't wait for more in the series! Rompy historical romance with a diverse cast of characters is at its best in this series. I received a copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.