Only Rakes Need Apply is a historical romance that suffered from an identity crisis by it's author. Was it a traditional historical novel (which can have relatively low to high steam) or was it erotic historical romance? Kate Pearce writes both genres well, embodied by her Millcastle and Simply series, respectively. So I was excited to read Only Rakes Need Apply but it seemed an uneven amalgamation of the two types of novels, and the racy scenes seemed to be there to be racy versus being there to be part of the plot/characterization (which she did successfully in the Simply series). Unfortunately, this one didn't quite work for me, though I'm interested in what she tries next.

3.5 stars

An ARC was provided to me for free by NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this novel and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first bool of a new series by Kate Pearce, and is a story that seems to be just as much about complicated family and friend relationships as it is about about an intimate relationship between the MMC and FMC. I enjoyed the story in general, but left with some questions and conflict about some of the relationships in the story. Not necessarily a bad thing really, but I am left with a vague sense of dissatisfaction that is colouring my feelings about the story.

Lady Carenza is a widow, and while she clearly does not miss her husband and their failed marriage, she does miss the fun physical aspects of the marriage bed. In an episodic of female bonding and gossip, she jokingly mocks her desires, and she and her friends come up with a joking advertisement for a lover, which one of her friends submits to a newspaper verbatim. This sets them on a scandalous path where Carenza and her friends have to tread carefully to maintain secrecy to protect their reputations. As it is, Carenza must be especially careful because of her own family's notoriety, and her husband's scandalous behaviour, all of which are held against Carenza and her sister.

Her old friend, as well as her rakish husband's best friend, Julian Laurent, catches wind of their scheme and steps in to prevent their scandalous scheme from being revealed... and offers his own services as a lover and a safe option if Carenza is so in need of a lover.

Such an unusual and provocative advertisement catches the attention and curiosity of the Ton and the situation escalates though, especially as the ladies secretly involved become targets for blackmail and threats, and Julian and Carenza's secret affair develops and is also threatened to be revealed, and Julian and Carenza each slowly realize that what starts as a friends with benefits affair is turning into something more, but are each reluctant to risk revealing their vulnerability.

To add context, Julian and Carenza are two people who have built hard shells to protect their vulnerable underbellies from being hurt repeatedly. Carenza and her family have been the targets of Society's venom because of her parents passionate loving marriage, because of their mother's background, and Carenza herself because of her husband's open affairs and his treatment of her. Julian, because of his family's rejection of him, specifically his mother, which he does not understand, and which started from childhood and continues. Her spite and hypocrisy are evident in the story and she is one of the aspects of the story that leave me dissatisfied because while she is confronted, her relationship with Julian is neither resolved or fully addressed. Carenza, Julian's, and her husband, Hector's, relationship. Carenza and Julian were supposed to be friends from childhood, and later, it was alluded that Julian may have felt more for Carenza, but was cut out by Hector. Then Hector and Julian were best friends, but Julian still considered Carenza a friend as well. I found it difficult to wrap my head around Carenza and Julian having an enduring friendship while Julian was a witness to Hector's disrespectful and profligate behaviour while married to Carenza. I could not help feeling that, if I were Carenza, I would not be able to not hold Julian to account either in his loyalty to her as a friend, or his ability to influence Hector as a friend as well. Perhaps I would expect too much.

Regardless, this was an enjoyable read in that there are complex, challenging relationships, scandalous intrigue and secrets, steamy open door sex, but hidden deeper feelings. Friendships and loyalties are challenged by difficult revelations. But some aspects of the past are revealed but not followed through to a satisfactory ending for me. At least Julian finds an unexpected ally and loyalty from his brother, in spite of his mother's attempts to alienate Julian from his own family and an HEA is alluded to for Carenza and Hector, but I felt that they need an epilogue to anchor their HEA and future happiness, considering how hard other appear to try to take any happiness away from them.

3.5 stars out of 5, rounded down because of that sense of dissatisfaction because of unresolved issues

Kate Pearce brings us the first part in a new series about three ladies who are seeking out a rake or rogue in a no strings type of relationship. Here, we meet Lady Carenza Smythe-Harding who puts out an advertisement with her friend and sister hoping to find someone who fits the bill. As a result, they receive many replies hoping to be the chosen one. Her friend and neighbor Julian Laurent is appalled when he learns about the advertisement but then convinces Carenza to take him on instead of the other applicants. Was this a good idea? Will being friends help them navigate this unknown territory of being lovers, or will it just complicate things further?

Kate Pearce brings us a sexy new series filled with desire and intrigue as Carenza and Julian try to figure things out while keeping it a secret from the ton. What happens when things get complicated as others start suspecting things are not as they seem? Add in family, members of the ton, and the newspapers who are all trying to figure out who wrote the advertisement and how these two are involved to add to the mystery of it all. I enjoyed the banter between the ladies and between our two central figures. I wanted to see what happens next as I turned the page and then realized that I wanted to slow down as I got closer to the end. I look forward to reading about the other two ladies in the next installments of this series and who I will see again from the first.

I have received and read an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington for this privilege.

Only Rakes Need Apply is spicy and so sweetly hot! Julian and Carenza (beautiful name) are friends who make the most lovely transition to lovers. Carenza is missing her husband's attentions but not missing her husband. He wasn't a faithful man. She decides to advertise for a lover.

Julian is appalled that Carenza would put a scandalous advertisement in the paper. He was her husband's best friend and wonders why she didn't turn to him for comfort. Julian wants to be the only applicant for the position of Carenza's lover.

These two are on fire and create a wonderful match. This is a very sweet story of two people who finally find each who are meant to be.

Thank you for this arc!

I really like this books tropes, the friends to lovers and the premise of their feelings are cute. This is my first regency romp and I really enjoyed it! The tone of the book was just amazing as their chemistry! Definitely recommend!

If you like Kate Pearce's House of Pleasure series, don't miss it.
Although it's not as steamy, it's refreshing, as Carenza isn't afraid to pursue what she wants—in this case, enjoying a sexual adventure with her childhood friend Julian—although it doesn't end as she originally planned.

Another enjoyable historical romance from Kate Pearce. It was filled with romance and spice. I enjoyed both Julian and Carenza's characters. Their banter was spot on and enjoyable. I thought it was well written and perfectly captured the friends with benefits to lovers trope. I enjoyed all the ladies, Maude, Olivia and Allegra, so much, and cannot wait to see who will be next!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of Only Rakes Need Apply.

I hate to leave truly negative reviews (especially since I have written zero books, and thus, should keep the nuanced critique to myself), but this book just wasn't a great read for me.

I really liked the premise, friends-to-lovers and whoops-caught-feelings are my favorite tropes. The cheeky addition of placing an add could have been fun! Sadly, that fun was caught short by everyone acting with brash immaturity (that felt like malice if we are being honest) and a MMC who meddles in the least helpful way from the start. Of course, all of this seemingly wild behavior is just from "tragic pasts" revealed as if they are the big plot twists. Alas, the reader can infer all the mystery's solutions within a few chapters.

All of this could be glossed over if the spice was solid. Sometimes the plot and characters serve only to get to the good stuff, and that type of book is also a win. I didn't feel a ton of chemistry, or see any real character growth. Honestly, the only character I cared about was the older brother who only plays a supporting role.

Other reviews are also mixed, so this may be the perfect book for another reader, however, it did not hit for me.

5 stars

A good story. A widow misses sex with her unscrupullous husband. Chatting with her friends they decide to advertise. Unfortunately her friend Julian realises that without some serious subtefuge it's going to be obvious who has placed the advert so he volunteers himself and works behind the scenes to protect her. Both weren't intending to marry but luckily after all that lovely passion there looks like theres a HEA. Recommend.

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

I'm usually not a fan of historical novels, but I have to say this was the best one I have read so far. It was steamy and romantic. The ending was really good. I love reading the books that Kate Pearce writes. This one was her best one yet. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book is everything I want in a Regency romp and so much more. It’s clever, irreverent, and deliciously bold in all the best ways. The tone is delightfully cheeky without ever losing its emotional core, and the result is a romance that’s just as tender as it is daring. Their chemistry crackled from the very beginning, but it was the emotional layers that really made their story sing. I adored the way friendship, pleasure, and vulnerability intertwined in their relationship. The banter is sharp, the heat is potent, and the slow shift from casual to something deeply meaningful is handled with such grace. I also loved how the book plays with tropes and expectations, letting the heroine steer her own story while still delivering all the swoon and spice I crave in historical romance. It’s is playful, passionate, and gorgeously written.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This book was so cute . The idea of the widow placing an ad for a lover is what had me. I had a lot of laughs and enjoyed all the side characters and side stories with the mixed in scandals! If you love Bridgerton or Gilded Age - this book is for you! I hope to see more about the other characters! It could be a series!

Funny premise - a widowed Countess only misses one thing about her (very very not OK) husband. She places (via her very mischievous friend) an advert in the newspaper for a lover. Her good friend Julian, gets wind of this and is horrified, and to stop what he sees as inevitable catastrophe, volunteers himself. What he does not bargain on is just how compatible he and Lady Carenza turn out to be. She never wants to marry again, he never intended to marry.... best laid plans and all that!

Some interesting side characters perhaps for later books! Particularly enjoyed Julian's older brother Aragon.

Received an ARC and this is my unbiased review.

This was pure Regency indulgence in the most delicious way. The chemistry between Carenza and Julian was scorching. Their dynamic struck that perfect balance of tension, tenderness, and teasing, with a heat that felt earned rather than excessive. Moreover, I adored how the story celebrated female agency without ever losing the charm and sparkle of a Regency romance. The friendships, the scandalous setup, the sharp dialogue; it all came together in a way that felt bold and fiercely enjoyable. If this is just the start of the series, I already cannot wait for more.

Spice and Steam.

There's plenty of it in this read by this author.

Carenza and Julian are former childhood neighbors prior to falling into bed with one another. Found Carenza's confidence in what she wants and how to secure it refreshing. This is not the run of the mill Regency romance of an shy, retiring widow but rather one forged by the persona she donned with her former husband. As for Julian, his antagonistic relationship with his mother and his wealth were more understood than his rakish ways. (don't think really saw the latter)

There were quite a number of subplots that made story needless distracting (the sheer amount of villains, for example if you include the bff betrayal, are about 1/2 a dozen too many).

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Kensington Publishing | Kensington , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#OnlyRakesNeedApply #NetGalley

I am a big fan of Kate Pearce and was thrilled to read an advance copy of this book. This is, as usual, an easy read. Kate Pearce is amazing at writing spicy moments, which feel just right for the mood of the story.

I really enjoyed seeing Carenza’s character develop from the person, who has been cowed by her difficult marriage and abusive husband and open herself up to the possibility that she is “enough” and deserving of love with Julian. Julian is following similar trajectory in a sense, having always felt unexplained contempt from his own mother throughout his life. He adjusted his outward persona to fit with the image of the man, who is not bothered by much, but really he feels deeply for his friends and loved ones. It is a wonderful story of two imperfect people falling imperfectly in love.

This is also a series starter and included vivid, descriptive references to supporting characters, who I imagine will become subjects of the upcoming novels. I can’t wait to read more about Maude, Allegra and Olivia, as well as about Aragon and Ms Cartwright.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this wonderful advance copy read.

Very spicy Regency Romance book!!! I was shocked that some very modern terms were used! Love that part! Reminded me of a Knights Tale movie where more modern music was used. In the beginning it was hard to keep the women straight for some reason for me. I love the friendship between the four women though. So Carenza puts an ad in the paper requesting a lover/rake. They spent the rest of the book trying to cover up who placed the ad.

Having read and enjoyed other books by Kate Pearce, I’m sad to say that I was disappointed by this one. While the plot elements were interesting and flowed well, it was the way the characters were written that fell flat. There was a lack of introspection and interactions lacked depth and transitions. Often, characters acted and said things that were in direct opposition to how they had been originally presented, with no explanation regarding the change of view or personality. There was little to no build-up to the spicier moments which made the actions perfunctory and emotionless, lacking real passion. I would suggest an interested reader try her Millcastle series for better stories.

Lady Carenza doesn't miss her late spouse but she wants her dalliances..... She places an ad in the newspaper and the ton wagers who the temptress is. Julian is appalled to discover that his friend is the lady who placed the ad...

Love the fun and the banter.... Enjoy Lady Carenza's sass and spunk. Julian is a nice guy and I love his caring for his friends... A spicy rom-com. Love the steam. Also appreciate the feminist msg.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Let me tell you thus novel does a wonderful job of speaking out against double standards when it comes to the lifestyles of men and women. I for one was very impressed with this story and thought it was lovely. I had been wanting to read this book since it was first listed so I was happy when I was approved for it a couple of days ago.
Anyways out story is set in Regency England and our main focus is on a young lady named Carenza who is a widow looking for a lover which is quite scandalous for the time period. However Carenza has always felt like an outsider in society so she doesn't let it bothet her. Her friend Julian is more than happy to step into the role of lover.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.