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Rake I'd Like to F... by Adriana Herrera, Joanna Shupe, Nicola Davidson, Eva Leigh, Sierra Simone
phi222's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lifeand100books's review against another edition
3.0
I really loved the first anthology from this group of authors and was happy hearing they'd be compiling another series of stories. The stories aren't bad in this, but they didn't draw me in like they did in the first anthology.
My favorite two stories in the set were definitely The Last Crime of Peregrine Hind by Sierra Simone and Sold to the Duke by Joanna Shupe.
My favorite two stories in the set were definitely The Last Crime of Peregrine Hind by Sierra Simone and Sold to the Duke by Joanna Shupe.
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
This anthology was so much fun! And surprisingly queer! I wasn't expecting it, but was very pleasantly surprised. A few of the authors featured are ones I'm familiar with and I wasn't let down in their spectacular writing. Two authors were new to me and I look forward to perusing their work in the future. Definitely give this book a read--it's fast and fun and sexy as hell.
topy_loving_books's review against another edition
3.0
5 novellas and only 3 I loved way more than the others. Shupe & Leigh again, but also Herrera this time.
Two Rakes for Mrs. Sparkwell by Eva Leigh - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
She did it again, making it steamier and filthier than her previous books. Those three are so damn hot together that they can go in the same league than New Camelot by Sierra Simone's trouple. I wish this was a full length book to get more of the three of them and potentially some steamy things between the two guys. They definitely did it in my mind anyway.
Two Rakes for Mrs. Sparkwell by Eva Leigh - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
She did it again, making it steamier and filthier than her previous books. Those three are so damn hot together that they can go in the same league than New Camelot by Sierra Simone's trouple. I wish this was a full length book to get more of the three of them and potentially some steamy things between the two guys. They definitely did it in my mind anyway.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason, I think I liked [b:Duke I'd Like to F...|54908981|Duke I'd Like to F...|Sabrina Darby|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601990093l/54908981._SY75_.jpg|85586522] a little better than this collection as a whole. Some of the relationships felt rushed imo - the two novellas I liked best were Adriana Herrera's and Joanna Shupe's and both of those had longer elements of time in them and worked really well for me.
It's all very, very sexy of course. Many chili peppers.
It's all very, very sexy of course. Many chili peppers.
tessanne's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the last two stories the best.
Felt the first two were too similar and not interesting enough. I think there was a lack of connection. The third was slightly better but still felt odd for some reason.
The fourth was the shortest, but seemed like it packed more connection between the characters into it. More intimacy. And the last was the best, though the “I must lose my virginity to you or you will take advantage of me” was a bit much.
Felt the first two were too similar and not interesting enough. I think there was a lack of connection. The third was slightly better but still felt odd for some reason.
The fourth was the shortest, but seemed like it packed more connection between the characters into it. More intimacy. And the last was the best, though the “I must lose my virginity to you or you will take advantage of me” was a bit much.
allymarciewrites's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn’t the hugest fan of the Shupe story which stinks because I usually LOVE her. The rest of them were pure magic, though. Can’t wait for the Villain entry in this series!
profromance's review against another edition
5.0
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In a word, the newest anthology, Rake I’d Like to F…, is titillating (beyond measure.) It would be easy to call it “smutty;” in doing so, however, it would be reductive. Each of the talented authors in this anthology has brought the steam factor, ratcheting it up to a 5. However, infused in their $exy historical tales are messages about autonomy, diversity, and power dynamics. It would be easy to focus solely on the eroticism of this new book, but you would miss out on the endeavors of this anthology and its predecessor to infuse equity into the historical fiction genre. So what should you expect with the stories of Rake I’d Like to F…?
“The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hill” by Sierra Simone
As always, Simone has crafted an elegant, beautifully wrought story infused with erotic romance. This is an MM romance between a highwayman bent on revenge and a $exually adventurous, seemingly irresponsible brother of a duke, the rake of this story. Peregrine and Sandy steam up the pages, while also stealing your heart.
“Two Rakes for Mrs. Sparkwell” by Eva Leigh
What is not to love about a MFM story! Especially one set in 1700s London. Vivian Sparkwell is determined to control her future. A widow hoping to tarnish her reputation so that she can live a solitary, comfortable life, she asks Rushton Cantley, renowned rake, to ruin her so she cannot be married again. Ruston is intrigued with her and agrees to it, not realizing that she will steal his heart. Rush’s friend, Jack, is also beguiled by Vivian’s kindness and empathy, and they realize that they are a perfect throuple. Unfortunately, Rush is so good at his intrigue, and Vivian falls so easily under his spell that her reputation becomes too tarnished for them to continue as a threesome. However, this is romance, and they find a way in the end. This story challenges the lack of authority women had over their lives during this time, and Vivian’s characterization decidedly challenges that societal norm. What should be wholly erotic becomes a treatise on autonomy.
“A Rake, His Patron, & The Muse” by Nicola Davidson
This story is all MMF. Unlike “Two Rakes…” and the other stories in this anthology, “A Rake, His Patron & The Muse” is just plain fun. This is the smut of Rake I’d Like to F… Every turn of the page of this story draws you into an erotic world that leaves everyone satiated in the end...including the reader.
“Monsieur X” by Adriana Herrera
Monsieur X is probably my favorite story of this anthology. It’s a MM story with its own batch of eroticism. However, there is a sensitivity to the characterizations here. Of the 5 stories, the rakishness of this story is the most innocuous. Instead, the main POV, Cantor, is a man looking for more without the hope of it. Given the danger of a same-sex relationship at this time, he only allows himself dalliances at a $ex club. When he meets X at the club, though, he craves more. For me, the depth of characterization, the insistence on diverse characters, and the overall story grabbed my heart from its beginning.
“Sold to the Duke” by Joann Shupe
Sold to the Duke is my second favorite story of the five. It’s an MF story. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoyed every story in this anthology. They are well-written and exhilarating in their articulation. However, “Sold to the Duke” underscores the lack of authority of a woman with a noble background. The heroine of the story, Eliza, has been forced to sell herself in order to care for her sister. Having lost her family and the title associated with it, she has fought to mete out a life for her sister without the assistance of friends or extended family. When her autonomy becomes threatened by the friend of her brother who buys her at auction, she continues to fight to maintain her choice and independence. This fight is an important one, and I loved reading it in the pages of Shupe’s story.
Sometimes, you read an anthology and most of the stories are great, but there might be one or two that could be stronger. Across the board, Rake I’d Like to F… is well-written, intentional, and the perfect way to while away a weekend.
In a word, the newest anthology, Rake I’d Like to F…, is titillating (beyond measure.) It would be easy to call it “smutty;” in doing so, however, it would be reductive. Each of the talented authors in this anthology has brought the steam factor, ratcheting it up to a 5. However, infused in their $exy historical tales are messages about autonomy, diversity, and power dynamics. It would be easy to focus solely on the eroticism of this new book, but you would miss out on the endeavors of this anthology and its predecessor to infuse equity into the historical fiction genre. So what should you expect with the stories of Rake I’d Like to F…?
“The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hill” by Sierra Simone
As always, Simone has crafted an elegant, beautifully wrought story infused with erotic romance. This is an MM romance between a highwayman bent on revenge and a $exually adventurous, seemingly irresponsible brother of a duke, the rake of this story. Peregrine and Sandy steam up the pages, while also stealing your heart.
“Two Rakes for Mrs. Sparkwell” by Eva Leigh
What is not to love about a MFM story! Especially one set in 1700s London. Vivian Sparkwell is determined to control her future. A widow hoping to tarnish her reputation so that she can live a solitary, comfortable life, she asks Rushton Cantley, renowned rake, to ruin her so she cannot be married again. Ruston is intrigued with her and agrees to it, not realizing that she will steal his heart. Rush’s friend, Jack, is also beguiled by Vivian’s kindness and empathy, and they realize that they are a perfect throuple. Unfortunately, Rush is so good at his intrigue, and Vivian falls so easily under his spell that her reputation becomes too tarnished for them to continue as a threesome. However, this is romance, and they find a way in the end. This story challenges the lack of authority women had over their lives during this time, and Vivian’s characterization decidedly challenges that societal norm. What should be wholly erotic becomes a treatise on autonomy.
“A Rake, His Patron, & The Muse” by Nicola Davidson
This story is all MMF. Unlike “Two Rakes…” and the other stories in this anthology, “A Rake, His Patron & The Muse” is just plain fun. This is the smut of Rake I’d Like to F… Every turn of the page of this story draws you into an erotic world that leaves everyone satiated in the end...including the reader.
“Monsieur X” by Adriana Herrera
Monsieur X is probably my favorite story of this anthology. It’s a MM story with its own batch of eroticism. However, there is a sensitivity to the characterizations here. Of the 5 stories, the rakishness of this story is the most innocuous. Instead, the main POV, Cantor, is a man looking for more without the hope of it. Given the danger of a same-sex relationship at this time, he only allows himself dalliances at a $ex club. When he meets X at the club, though, he craves more. For me, the depth of characterization, the insistence on diverse characters, and the overall story grabbed my heart from its beginning.
“Sold to the Duke” by Joann Shupe
Sold to the Duke is my second favorite story of the five. It’s an MF story. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoyed every story in this anthology. They are well-written and exhilarating in their articulation. However, “Sold to the Duke” underscores the lack of authority of a woman with a noble background. The heroine of the story, Eliza, has been forced to sell herself in order to care for her sister. Having lost her family and the title associated with it, she has fought to mete out a life for her sister without the assistance of friends or extended family. When her autonomy becomes threatened by the friend of her brother who buys her at auction, she continues to fight to maintain her choice and independence. This fight is an important one, and I loved reading it in the pages of Shupe’s story.
Sometimes, you read an anthology and most of the stories are great, but there might be one or two that could be stronger. Across the board, Rake I’d Like to F… is well-written, intentional, and the perfect way to while away a weekend.
marureviere's review against another edition
3.0
Rating only applicable to Sierra Simone's The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hind
annapsxx's review against another edition
4.0
This was very enjoyable, but I'm crying just thinking I'm going to need to wait another year for the next anthology (it's villains!!! i need it now so badly!!)
Anyways, my favorite story was "A Rake, His Patron, & Their Muse" (so so good) and "Sold to the Duke" was a second favorite. "The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hind" and "Monsieur X" were also very nice.
I dnf-ed "Two Rakes for Mrs. Sparkwell" I was bored since the beginning and I couldn't care less. So... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Anyways, my favorite story was "A Rake, His Patron, & Their Muse" (so so good) and "Sold to the Duke" was a second favorite. "The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hind" and "Monsieur X" were also very nice.
I dnf-ed "Two Rakes for Mrs. Sparkwell" I was bored since the beginning and I couldn't care less. So... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯