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emmawyn's review against another edition
closer to Mary Balogh's style of slow-paced writing. was fine, just wasn't in the mood
fringebookreviews's review against another edition
3.75
I really love Gracie’s writing!! The plot wasn’t always my thing but the writing and storytelling was so fun it was incredibly hard not to root for both characters even when they were being boneheaded. The audiobook was great! It needed one more on page sex scene because the first one was pretty rushed. I’ll definitely be looking out for book 3 and will for sure be doing a series reread before it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
The Rake's Daughter is the second book in the "Brides of Bellaire Gardens" and I was excited to return back to Anne Gracie. I love how she writes her historicals, they are just more authentically feeling. I was fascinated to see the set up of the romance. It was well narrated and it really pulled me into the story. I adored the friendship and sisterhood between the two sisters. The way that they defend each other is completely solid, you instantly become endeared by the way that they protect and stand by each other. I was slightly disappointed with this story though, in that the romance could have used more focus. It was very slow burn and we don't get much action in the romance until the ending, so I was disappointed in how the romance was developed. I am glad that I chose to listen to this as it was a super slow burn and I think if I had read this one physically, it would have been more of a struggle to read. I still enjoyed the story in some ways, but in other ways, it was highly disappointing. I am hoping that we get the sister's book because I want her to reach her HEA.
plottrysts's review
4.0
The Rake's Daughter is a romance reminiscent of a traditional Regency. Izzy and Clarissa are half sisters - one legitimate, one illegitimate - who are fiercely loyal to each other. When their father dies, the new Earl of Salcott is named ward of Clarissa, the legitimate daughter. Leo is a perfect romance hero: young, sexy, principled, with a wounded soul from past encounters with women. Of course, he just can't stay away from Izzy, whose presence in Clarissa's life is a potential scandal.
On its surface, the book is a low-angst romance on the sweet side (although there are some kisses and one intimate scene). It does have some hidden depths, with Izzy interrogating exactly why she is less respectable than her sister and the double-standard applied to "rakes" vs. "fallen women." Leo runs a bit hot and cold, which is as frustrating for the reader as it is for Izzy. The final denouement, though, is fun and feels appropriate for both characters. On a final note, we're hoping that Clarissa's romance is next in line!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
On its surface, the book is a low-angst romance on the sweet side (although there are some kisses and one intimate scene). It does have some hidden depths, with Izzy interrogating exactly why she is less respectable than her sister and the double-standard applied to "rakes" vs. "fallen women." Leo runs a bit hot and cold, which is as frustrating for the reader as it is for Izzy. The final denouement, though, is fun and feels appropriate for both characters. On a final note, we're hoping that Clarissa's romance is next in line!
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
chandelierskies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
robinlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
Leo, the new Earl of Salcott, is suddenly responsible for finding a marriage mate for his new ward, Clarissa. However, Clarissa does not come on her own. She is accompanied by her half-sister Isobel. Penniless and illegitimate, Izzy does not have a place in London society. Despite her lack of options, neither sister will accept any separation. To Leo's consternation, Clarissa thwarts Leo's attention to her situation any time he strives to ignore Izzy's needs.
There is a catch here. Leo cannot ignore the amazing draw he has to Izzy. He doesn't understand the chemistry that they share and he does his darndest to ignore it. To complicate matters further, when Leo leaves to attend to business elsewhere, the girls plot a plan that thrusts them both into society equally. How frustrating for Leo once he returns. Scandal is too close to comfort, especially when it comes to how Izzy and Leo begin to recognize the feelings they both have for each other.
The Rake's Daughter follows The Scoundrel's Daughter in the Brides of Bellaire Gardens series. Although I did read the first book in the series, readers will be happy to know that each book is easily read as a standalone novel. However, Anne Gracie's writing is such a delight that I am more than eager to read book three in this wonderful series.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/LkECMq8uxMA
There is a catch here. Leo cannot ignore the amazing draw he has to Izzy. He doesn't understand the chemistry that they share and he does his darndest to ignore it. To complicate matters further, when Leo leaves to attend to business elsewhere, the girls plot a plan that thrusts them both into society equally. How frustrating for Leo once he returns. Scandal is too close to comfort, especially when it comes to how Izzy and Leo begin to recognize the feelings they both have for each other.
The Rake's Daughter follows The Scoundrel's Daughter in the Brides of Bellaire Gardens series. Although I did read the first book in the series, readers will be happy to know that each book is easily read as a standalone novel. However, Anne Gracie's writing is such a delight that I am more than eager to read book three in this wonderful series.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/LkECMq8uxMA
elspethm's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this story of two (half-) sisters who are sent to London to look for husbands after their father dies. I wouldn't have called the father a "rake" since "rake seems to be more positive in these books, but he was an awful person who barely cared for his legitimate daughter, and actively maligns his illegitimate one. When he dies, care of his legitimate daughter, Clarissa, is given to the son of a friend (by mistake) and his illegitimate daughter, Isobel comes along as they are inseparable. As they try to come out in society, Lord Salcott does on some level the minimum he needs to to get them married off. They had been sequestered in their previous life in the country so they work against him to get as much society as they can before Isobel's status is discovered. Isobel ends up charming a lot of the ton, and Lord Salcott as well. He is kind of a wishy washy character and the admission of his love for Isobel is not done that we'll, but overall I liked the characters, liked the story and loved (on some level) Milly, the obnoxious neighbor who keeps coming by and saying she'll "tell her mother on them'.
It was a great story and even though he outwardly was pretty awkward and rude, Leo did love Isobel and she him and that finally came out in the end. I'd love to see what happens with Clarissa finding her own husband and it would be amazing if Gracie, the author, did a book about Mrs. Price-Jones, their chaperone who was out trying to find her own husband after she was widowed.
I received a pre-publication copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.
It was a great story and even though he outwardly was pretty awkward and rude, Leo did love Isobel and she him and that finally came out in the end. I'd love to see what happens with Clarissa finding her own husband and it would be amazing if Gracie, the author, did a book about Mrs. Price-Jones, their chaperone who was out trying to find her own husband after she was widowed.
I received a pre-publication copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.
ceng1018's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
4.0
A little predictable but still enjoyable. I found the male lead annoying.
robinwalter's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Ms Gracie's books have been a downward arc for some time now, and this one reached a new nadir. When I first started reading some of her earlier works, they at least had some semblance of period authenticity, but that thin veneer has been vanishing. The "Chance sisters" series, and the now MCU-franchise like determination to write all her books in the same "universe" have led to Lazy, sloppy couldn't give a damn writing. It's clear the author literally can't be bothered making ANY effort at all to make her characters think and act according to the norms of the era in which she allegedly sets her stories. I only finished this one because I'd bought it, not a mistake I'll be repeating. Since she clearly writes contemporary characters, she should do so in contemporary settings, not just throw in a few corsets and carriages and pretend her C21 romances are Regencies.
writer595's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0