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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Rebel and the Rake is the follow up to Sullivan's incredible debut and I was extremely excited about this one. Rafe is a spy who has carefully cultivated his reputation as a rake so that no one really looks at him twice. He's sent off to this house party to investigate the guests of the rich man host. One of those guests is Sylvia. She is being blackmailed because her past of advocating for equal rights for women and against some of the policies of the Crown means that she's not exactly approved company for her best friend who married a stodgy viscount. The two have immediate sparks that they try to ignore, but they keep finding themselves drawn back to one another.
Ultimately, this book was an enjoyable romp, although I don't think I loved it as much as the first one. Rake and Sylvia keep secrets from one another for obvious reasons for quite a bit of the book and I think I would have enjoyed it more if they had been honest with one another a bit sooner and spent more time working together. That said, I really loved the book and the way it ended and Emily Sullivan definitely has a fan for life!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy! I actually purchased an audiobook and read that copy.
Ultimately, this book was an enjoyable romp, although I don't think I loved it as much as the first one. Rake and Sylvia keep secrets from one another for obvious reasons for quite a bit of the book and I think I would have enjoyed it more if they had been honest with one another a bit sooner and spent more time working together. That said, I really loved the book and the way it ended and Emily Sullivan definitely has a fan for life!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy! I actually purchased an audiobook and read that copy.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
CW: death of a parent
This was an enjoyable read. I liked the spying aspect. I found Syliva's character and background fascinating. I liked Syliva and Rafe's slow steps for each other. I did figure out some of the mystery of what was going on pretty early. Rafe's grovel was perfect for them. I, also, appreciated that Sylvia apologized to him, too.
This was an enjoyable read. I liked the spying aspect. I found Syliva's character and background fascinating. I liked Syliva and Rafe's slow steps for each other. I did figure out some of the mystery of what was going on pretty early. Rafe's grovel was perfect for them. I, also, appreciated that Sylvia apologized to him, too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
I loved the first book in this series and loved this one even more for the New Woman heroine in Sylvia; the spy-romance genre crossover is a delight and executed beautifully!
I particularly liked that the heroine had previous sexual experience, which is something I especially want more of in historical romance novels!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder
9/02/2022
3.5 ⭐️
A bit of fun and includes one of my favourite tropes - the secret spy! An interesting enough idea but not enough time to get to know the characters beyond a very surface level.
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3.5 ⭐️
A bit of fun and includes one of my favourite tropes - the secret spy! An interesting enough idea but not enough time to get to know the characters beyond a very surface level.
Blog | Letterboxd | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you enjoy charismatic spies and sassy bluestockings, then you will love this book! The Rebel And The Rake expertly blend intrigue, mystery, and romance. Rafe Davies has carefully created the careless rake persona to aid in his job as a spy for the crown. Rafe is an excellent spy but has lost himself in the facade he presents. Miss Sylvia Sparrow is a companion. She is intelligent and daring, which led to scandal in her past. Both Rafe and Sylvia harbor dangerous secrets, but when they meet at a house party, sparks instantly fly.
I liked how Rafe presented this self-assured persona to the world, yet deep down, he is tired and lonely, exhausted from trying to win approval. Rafe has much hurt in his past, and throughout the book, he works on finding his identity. Sylvia knows who she is but is forced to lie and hide in the shadows. This oppression is slowly dimming her spirit. Rafe and Sylvia must face their past demons and insecurities to hope for future happiness.
The setup of a house party as a background worked well. The main characters had emotional depth and were vibrant. The plot was uneven, lagging at times and being too full of content at others. However, the story's foundation was exciting, and I was fascinated; my attention didn’t falter. The Rebel And The Rake is the second book in the League Of Scoundrels series. The third novel is hinted at, and I am looking forward to it. Some improvements in plot flow could be made, but all in all, this was an engaging book full of dazzling dialogue, shocking twists, and a wonderful happily ever after. Emily Sullivan creates a delicious world of intrepid spies, feisty heroines, and dastardly antagonists. This is a solid second installment to a burgeoning new series. If these books keep growing and improving, we will have an eye-catching, riveting read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you enjoy charismatic spies and sassy bluestockings, then you will love this book! The Rebel And The Rake expertly blend intrigue, mystery, and romance. Rafe Davies has carefully created the careless rake persona to aid in his job as a spy for the crown. Rafe is an excellent spy but has lost himself in the facade he presents. Miss Sylvia Sparrow is a companion. She is intelligent and daring, which led to scandal in her past. Both Rafe and Sylvia harbor dangerous secrets, but when they meet at a house party, sparks instantly fly.
I liked how Rafe presented this self-assured persona to the world, yet deep down, he is tired and lonely, exhausted from trying to win approval. Rafe has much hurt in his past, and throughout the book, he works on finding his identity. Sylvia knows who she is but is forced to lie and hide in the shadows. This oppression is slowly dimming her spirit. Rafe and Sylvia must face their past demons and insecurities to hope for future happiness.
The setup of a house party as a background worked well. The main characters had emotional depth and were vibrant. The plot was uneven, lagging at times and being too full of content at others. However, the story's foundation was exciting, and I was fascinated; my attention didn’t falter. The Rebel And The Rake is the second book in the League Of Scoundrels series. The third novel is hinted at, and I am looking forward to it. Some improvements in plot flow could be made, but all in all, this was an engaging book full of dazzling dialogue, shocking twists, and a wonderful happily ever after. Emily Sullivan creates a delicious world of intrepid spies, feisty heroines, and dastardly antagonists. This is a solid second installment to a burgeoning new series. If these books keep growing and improving, we will have an eye-catching, riveting read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a very enjoyable read! I loved the two main characters, and while it felt a little insta-lovey I had no problem with that! The side characters were a joy as well. This one’s has a bit more adventure going on, and while I love a dash of bonkers, I wish we had more time with the two MCs together. Also was a little bit of a slow start for me, but after about 20% I was bought in. Can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No