Reviews - The Spinster and the Rake

186 reviews for:

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I believe I've discovered the conundrum for modern authors writing regency romance. You see, the modern romance reader is going to expect mild smut from their romance book. But if you are writing a book set in the regency period, and you are specifically writing about lords and ladies, it's improper for them to have sex before marriage. I think this is a little weird, because the modern reader isn't necessarily going to see it like that. Obviously an actual regency reader would have viewed it as a sin, but we are generally past that, but I digress. So if your female character has sex before marriage she isn't a proper lady. So basically, you need your romantic couple to be married before the very end so that they can have sex. But you still need some type of storyline. So the solution is that our characters get somehow "trapped" into marriage (usually by acting on urges by kissing and getting caught), but they are still at odds somehow, and not in love yet (or at the very least haven't admitted it to each other). So the sexual tension can be resolved and give readers smut, while the romantic tension will be the plotline that carries the book to its end.

But this solution in and of itself runs into a few different problems. For one, there actually has to be romantic tension, which was one of my problems with The Viscount Who Loved Me. I believe that this book did do a good enough job with the romantic tension.

The other main issue is just that I've read this three times and I'm already bored with it. I don't have issues with reading tropes over and over again (as my ao3 history with a ridiculous amount of soulmate aus can attest), but this particular trope is so completely uninteresting to me. I can't say for sure, possibly I just prefer a slow burn. It's also possible that I'm not a huge fan of the roguish rake man character that usually accompanies it.

Anyway, now that I've delved into the genre issue, let's actually get into this particular book. Up front, I have to say that if you are interested in reading a regency romance, I would certainly recommend The Spinster and the Rake. It's not the Pride and Prejudice that it wishes it was, but it is what The Viscount Who Loved Me wishes it was. So here's my thoughts on the book overall.

Representation: From the beginning, I thought that Edward read as neurodivergent. He was not merely a regular introvert, he found it painful sometimes to be in crowds. He didn't quite know how to read people properly. As we went on, it became more evident but I couldn't figure out if it was on purpose or not. Turns out it was! I thought it was a pleasant addition to the story. As a NT, I can't speak specifically to how well it was done, but I did think it was quite nice to have a neurodivergent male hero.

Banter: Solid. Would have even liked more of it, especially in the library scene at the beginning (touched on later), but I really liked the "bowls" scene. Favorite line goes to "If you must train me to be a better duchess, I must train you to be a better man."

Character Arcs: The execution of Edward's character arc was not necessarily excellent. But it was there and I liked it.

Spoiler

But the only thing sexier than a man who admits to his mistakes, is a man who ALSO buys you a bookstore.

Same with the development of their relationship overall. It didn't feel entirely natural, but it was obviously there, where both of them were growing and learning to overcome their assumptions and learn more about each other.

Writing: This is where I found the most issue. When I read the description, I didn't assume that the library exchange would be so incredibly quick. I would have much preferred the opportunity to stay in that scene for longer, because I think if it had been longer, it could have even better set the stage for their romance. The first few chapters also just felt extremely info-dump-y, with way too much telling instead of showing. Instead of showing us that both our heroes are introverted, it is shoved in our faces in a blatant manner. Instead of showing us the tension between them, we instead got, "He was compelled...Anytime she was in his presence, he wished to consume her and to be consumed." It just doesn't quite do it for me.

Conclusion after this self-indulgent, overly-long review? If you want a sexy regency romance, this is one I would recommend. I found some issues with the writing, but I did still enjoy it. Personally, I think I'd better just stick to contemporary romance because I seem to like it much better.

chisom01's review against another edition

5.0

relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

zerp's review against another edition

4.0

The Spinster and the Rake grabbed me right away. There were parts of this book that I love and a few parts that were just okay, but I really enjoyed it.

I think that the chemistry between the main characters was really well done. Georgiana and Edward are good, likable characters. Georgiana is bold and determined to do her best, but is maybe too perfect sometimes (with a tiny bit of not-like-other-girls thrown in). Edward cares a great deal for many things, but is grumpy and unsocial (which I, for some reason, like in book heroes). The story is fun and some of it seemed pretty unique for a regency novel. I would definitely read more by this author.

angelreads's review against another edition

4.0

I received an e-arc of The Spinster and the Rake by Eva Devon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings about the book.

I didn’t know too much about this book or the author before I started reading The Spinster and the Rake. I picked it up because it sounded really interesting and something that I would love – and in the end, I ended up really enjoying it.

The Spinster and the Rake follows Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield who doesn’t want much with life. He is pretty content with the way things are going. But when the Duke’s aunt interrupts and fiery battle the Duke and Miss Georgiana Bly things change, very quickly. Now engaged both Edward and Georgiana need to learn to live with the changes in their lives.
Georgiana is very similar to Edward in many ways and I think that is why they clash so much. And while he wants to have his quiet life, Georgiana wants to do as much for her family as she can. As much as any women can. And as the novel goes on we get to see why she is this way.

From the start, I was hooked by the fantastic romance. I also love a grumpy male that doesn’t want to fall in love, but then is taken about with how quickly he falls. Georgiana and Edward both break down each other’s walls. And then the reader really gets to see them for who they are. Edward and Georgiana were fire and ice and I adored it.

Overall I had a great time reading The Spinster and the Rake by Eva Devon. It’s not my favourite historical romance out there, but I will pick up more books in this series and by this author. The romance was great, the pilot was great and I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. It’s a good introduction to historical romance as well.

Edward is grumpy and is the type of male that wants things to go his way. And it’s all turned on its head when Georgiana comes into this life. He is the type of protagonist that I hate to love. He can be mean sometimes, but you can also see his soft side that he tries to hide.