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A review by booksuperpower
The Rake to Rescue Her by Julia Justiss
5.0
The Rake to Rescue Her by Julia Justiss is a 2015 Harlequin Historical publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story is emotional ,very intense, and is historical romance written the the way it should be. I couldn't put it down.
Eight years ago, Diana stunned everyone who knew her when she betrayed Alastair. He was planning to ask for her hand in marriage, but without any notice or explanation she married a Duke many years older than herself.
The only conclusion Alastair could come to was the obvious one. She threw him over a for a title and money.
Returning home to Bath where his sister resides, Alastair is stunned to discover Diana has also arrived in Bath, is now a widow and the mother of a young son, James. To his mortification is would appear his nephew has struck up a friendship with James forcing a confrontation.
Diana promised herself that if she ever got a chance to explain to Alastair why she married the old duke, she would tell him what really happened, plus she is willing to do anything she can to make things better for him. Alastair is stunned by her confession and doesn't believe a word of it, but yes, there was something she could do for him... she could become his mistress. Expecting a face slap, he is shocked into silence by Diana's easy agreement! Thinking this would be a perfect way to purge Diana from his mind and heart forever, Alastair decides to go through it.
But, when he begins to hear unseemly rumors about Diana and her marriage, when old friends beg him not to seek revenge against her, he is determined to find out the truth..
What he discovers is truly horrible and what is worse, Diana is still fighting off villains, and could even lose custody of her son....
This is a powerful story that shows the true strength of character a woman can have in the face of adversity. While so many historical romance novels today bend over backwards to make the heroine a strong, independent woman, in order to please the modern reader, it becomes so contrived, it loses something in the translation.
Here we have a strong woman who finds herself in a nightmare house of horrors, abused in every way imaginable, but finding the strength to soldier on and do whatever it took to keep her son safe. This is a person who feels deeply, who loves with all her heart, and has made incredible sacrifices for her family, all while being shamed in the court of public opinion and losing Alastair, the great love of her life. If this wasn't a high enough price to pay, Diana is quite damaged emotionally and struggles to reconnect to her son. This period of time gave women no rights, they were considered property, so Diana fought back in the only she knew how.
Alastair also suffered in those eight years, shunning any emotions in his relationships with women, and facing the harshest of military battles hoping to somehow keep his mind off Diana. In all these years, despite what he believed about her, his heart never stopped loving her. So, in spite of his reservations, and their painful parting of ways, Alastair rises to the occasion to rescue the woman he has always loved, and always will.
Diana's situation was so frustrating, since she was pretty much at the mercy of men and had little recourse. She could fight back, but the odds were not in her favor. This adds a level of intense suspense that was nearly unbearable.
But, as powerful as her enemies were, they were not match for the power of love. Alastair may have been a rogue, but I think those days are behind him now, as he is transformed by love into Diana's hero... and mine.
What a great story, and so refreshing because it is a departure from the light weight stories featured in so many regency period romances. I loved that the author stayed true to the period in the use of language and customs, which is another thing newer regencies have all but tossed away. I am really impressed with this book! I highly recommend it!
This story is emotional ,very intense, and is historical romance written the the way it should be. I couldn't put it down.
Eight years ago, Diana stunned everyone who knew her when she betrayed Alastair. He was planning to ask for her hand in marriage, but without any notice or explanation she married a Duke many years older than herself.
The only conclusion Alastair could come to was the obvious one. She threw him over a for a title and money.
Returning home to Bath where his sister resides, Alastair is stunned to discover Diana has also arrived in Bath, is now a widow and the mother of a young son, James. To his mortification is would appear his nephew has struck up a friendship with James forcing a confrontation.
Diana promised herself that if she ever got a chance to explain to Alastair why she married the old duke, she would tell him what really happened, plus she is willing to do anything she can to make things better for him. Alastair is stunned by her confession and doesn't believe a word of it, but yes, there was something she could do for him... she could become his mistress. Expecting a face slap, he is shocked into silence by Diana's easy agreement! Thinking this would be a perfect way to purge Diana from his mind and heart forever, Alastair decides to go through it.
But, when he begins to hear unseemly rumors about Diana and her marriage, when old friends beg him not to seek revenge against her, he is determined to find out the truth..
What he discovers is truly horrible and what is worse, Diana is still fighting off villains, and could even lose custody of her son....
This is a powerful story that shows the true strength of character a woman can have in the face of adversity. While so many historical romance novels today bend over backwards to make the heroine a strong, independent woman, in order to please the modern reader, it becomes so contrived, it loses something in the translation.
Here we have a strong woman who finds herself in a nightmare house of horrors, abused in every way imaginable, but finding the strength to soldier on and do whatever it took to keep her son safe. This is a person who feels deeply, who loves with all her heart, and has made incredible sacrifices for her family, all while being shamed in the court of public opinion and losing Alastair, the great love of her life. If this wasn't a high enough price to pay, Diana is quite damaged emotionally and struggles to reconnect to her son. This period of time gave women no rights, they were considered property, so Diana fought back in the only she knew how.
Alastair also suffered in those eight years, shunning any emotions in his relationships with women, and facing the harshest of military battles hoping to somehow keep his mind off Diana. In all these years, despite what he believed about her, his heart never stopped loving her. So, in spite of his reservations, and their painful parting of ways, Alastair rises to the occasion to rescue the woman he has always loved, and always will.
Diana's situation was so frustrating, since she was pretty much at the mercy of men and had little recourse. She could fight back, but the odds were not in her favor. This adds a level of intense suspense that was nearly unbearable.
But, as powerful as her enemies were, they were not match for the power of love. Alastair may have been a rogue, but I think those days are behind him now, as he is transformed by love into Diana's hero... and mine.
What a great story, and so refreshing because it is a departure from the light weight stories featured in so many regency period romances. I loved that the author stayed true to the period in the use of language and customs, which is another thing newer regencies have all but tossed away. I am really impressed with this book! I highly recommend it!