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tessanne's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for this book, mainly because it did So.Much. Having the heroine as the rake(ss) was very interesting! It really made me think about how her character behaved in comparison to most rake stories we get, though those usual stories often show less of the rather darker side of the rakes’ behavior. We actually get the story of Sera overcoming and moving past—or trying to—some of her difficulties, not just the all-too-frequent change that happens with a traditional rake story, when he seems to quickly be able to change because of his new feelings.
The one disappointment I had with this book was the sex—for being The Rakess, it was tamer than I expected, especially the pacing.
Very enjoyable read, definitely nice to have this different perspective.
The one disappointment I had with this book was the sex—for being The Rakess, it was tamer than I expected, especially the pacing.
Very enjoyable read, definitely nice to have this different perspective.
pattydsf's review
4.0
I have been reading romances since the 1970's and the changes have been incredible in the last few years. I am not sure what my teenage self would have done with this book, but I am in love.
The best review of this book is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3442627380?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The best review of this book is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3442627380?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
petersenftleben's review against another edition
5.0
ARC won in Goodreads giveaway.
As expected, this was spectacular. I loved Seraphina so much, and not only because she's the antithesis of women of her era. Some of the lines describing her hit so close to my heart, and I can't help but connect with a droll, witty, intelligent heroine who, in the beginning, sees men as good for one thing. Adam is a worthy hero, but Sera is the heart of the book, and her backstory is the deeper of the two. I also really enjoyed a little hint of a failed romance of Marianne's, Adam's sister; I hope we see more of her and her story at some point as well.
As expected, this was spectacular. I loved Seraphina so much, and not only because she's the antithesis of women of her era. Some of the lines describing her hit so close to my heart, and I can't help but connect with a droll, witty, intelligent heroine who, in the beginning, sees men as good for one thing. Adam is a worthy hero, but Sera is the heart of the book, and her backstory is the deeper of the two. I also really enjoyed a little hint of a failed romance of Marianne's, Adam's sister; I hope we see more of her and her story at some point as well.
abrittlebee's review against another edition
3.0
Despite the fact I read a lot of romance, I tend to shy away from the genre’s most popular subclass; historical. This isn’t due to any sort of aversion to historical novels in general. I simply find myself disinterested in many of their more common themes. However, I have been trying to remedy this and seek out historical and regency romances that pique my interest. For The Rakess, my draw was definitely the characters.
In truth, had it not been for the character role reversal, I could see this falling in with the plethora of other historicals that are enjoyable but might not be particularly memorable. The storyline itself isn’t that uncommon. Widow with young children is seduced and tames the promiscuous rake. Yet, it is the gender swap specifically that makes this novel so different and intriguing. Instead of a widow we have a widower, and instead of a rake a rakess. With this simple alteration it changes the dynamic of the novel and puts the heroine, Seraphina, at the forefront as the more charismatic of the two protagonists. It also changes one of the overarching external conflicts to one that many romance readers can understand and relate to, the one for gender and sexual equality. It was a feminist twist I greatly appreciated.
The Rakess is by no means perfect. The story is a little predictable, and Adam, though charming and sweet, is a little bland when compared to his female counterpart. All the same, the good of this book far outweighs the mediocre, making it a joy to read and a definite recommendation.
In truth, had it not been for the character role reversal, I could see this falling in with the plethora of other historicals that are enjoyable but might not be particularly memorable. The storyline itself isn’t that uncommon. Widow with young children is seduced and tames the promiscuous rake. Yet, it is the gender swap specifically that makes this novel so different and intriguing. Instead of a widow we have a widower, and instead of a rake a rakess. With this simple alteration it changes the dynamic of the novel and puts the heroine, Seraphina, at the forefront as the more charismatic of the two protagonists. It also changes one of the overarching external conflicts to one that many romance readers can understand and relate to, the one for gender and sexual equality. It was a feminist twist I greatly appreciated.
The Rakess is by no means perfect. The story is a little predictable, and Adam, though charming and sweet, is a little bland when compared to his female counterpart. All the same, the good of this book far outweighs the mediocre, making it a joy to read and a definite recommendation.
juliakahrss's review against another edition
4.0
seraphina could run me over with a car and i'd say thank you
greylandreviews's review
4.0
4.25 stars
ARC provided by HarperCollins Publishers (Avon) through NetGalley for honest review
I really liked how this story was so different from other Georgian era romances. This book really goes into the double standards between women and men during this time; how men were able be scot-free with sexual encounters and not be shunned, while women were basically treated like they carried a horrible disease and it would spread like wild fire and corrupt all of society.
Following Seraphina's character development through out this book and how she faces her past is very eye opening and so were Adam's own personal struggles as well. Like how Adam was somewhat beta in character and let Sera be her own person. But do have to say the last 25% of this book did seem a little rushed and does end in cliffhanger.
If you want a more diverse historical England set romance, then I really recommend this one.
Trigger Warnings: verbal abuse, animal violence, asylum; mentions of ice bath, death; from child birth, mention of miscarriage, slut shamming, alcoholism, and kidnapping.
ARC provided by HarperCollins Publishers (Avon) through NetGalley for honest review
I really liked how this story was so different from other Georgian era romances. This book really goes into the double standards between women and men during this time; how men were able be scot-free with sexual encounters and not be shunned, while women were basically treated like they carried a horrible disease and it would spread like wild fire and corrupt all of society.
Following Seraphina's character development through out this book and how she faces her past is very eye opening and so were Adam's own personal struggles as well. Like how Adam was somewhat beta in character and let Sera be her own person. But do have to say the last 25% of this book did seem a little rushed and does end in cliffhanger.
If you want a more diverse historical England set romance, then I really recommend this one.
Trigger Warnings: verbal abuse, animal violence, asylum; mentions of ice bath, death; from child birth, mention of miscarriage, slut shamming, alcoholism, and kidnapping.
sbelasco40's review
5.0
Okay first of all, the cover of this book is SO MUCH. But also I think its extreme romance-novel-ness doesn’t reflect how much this book subverts a lot of the more frustrating romance novel cliches. For one thing Seraphina is a complex and flawed heroine who never has to sacrifice any of her complexity to fall in love, which I enjoyed so much. I also honestly enjoyed how moving beyond her traumatic past meant reckoning with her own anger, while her lover had to learn how to convert shame and guilt over his own desire into an understanding of what he could control versus what he couldn’t. Also her friends were so great? I don’t remember reading many other historicals where the friend groups were quite so well rendered, though I don’t know why. Overall: A++ read.
l1nds's review
5.0
I read a book! At something approaching my pre-lockdown pace! If that was the only thing in this books favour I would rate it highly, but wait! There's more! *takes a deep breath* Heroine loosely inspired by Mary Wollstonecraft, hero in the Jamie Fraser mould*, asylum breakout, feminism, non-cringey sex (on the whole, I think?) and some genuinely romantic passages!
*I know that other Scots are available but come on, if Sam Heughan is appropriate why wouldn't you make that your head canon!? Plus something about their early encounters reminded of Jamie and Claire's wedding night!
*I know that other Scots are available but come on, if Sam Heughan is appropriate why wouldn't you make that your head canon!? Plus something about their early encounters reminded of Jamie and Claire's wedding night!
sarahcophagus's review against another edition
4.0
Some weird contrived plot choices and it felt more intense overall than the Charlotte Street books that ended up kind of working for me. I really liked the pacing and length. The characters were all over the map from over the top to dull beyond words. Just kind of uneven with a lot of highs and lows.
timitra's review against another edition
4.0
The Rakess wasn't what I'd expected which isn't a bad thing since I enjoyed it. It's very feminist in nature which I absolutely adored. I loved the main characters, Sera and Adam as well as the secondary characters. I'm very much looking forward to reading their stories. I definitely recommend it.
Copy provided by publisher through Edelweiss
Copy provided by publisher through Edelweiss