Wild, Wild Rake

I really enjoyed this book. Avalon and Devan made a great couple and little Thane was really a sweet boy. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
It did drag a bit and Thane was a bit more mature at times then his age.

I have been on a historical romance kick for the past few months so when I was offered a chance to read an advanced review copy of this book I jumped on it. With this being book 6 of the series I initially worried I might be lost jumping into an established series, but I had no trouble at all as this was a complete standalone.

I really felt for Avalon. She is forced to marry at the tender age of 17 to a man she doesn't love and who doesn't love her. In fact he treats her abhorrently, cruelly, callously flaunting his mistress in front of her. The strength, tenacity and perseverance she displays throughout the story with whatever was thrown at her made me love her.

Devan was in deed a wild, wild rake. At first, I was not on board with this man being a Vicar and having the reputation he did with women. I mean, he's the Pastor of the church, leading a flock of parishioners, giving them spiritual guidance and assisting families. But once we get more acquainted with him, I grew to really love him. I think I loved him the most in this story.

The more time these two spent together, the more I liked them. I really loved the fact that they spoke to each other honestly and didn't keep secrets or try to be manipulative, even through they started out as enemies. After all, Devan was sent to spy on Lady Warwyk, so why should she trust him at all?

With this being my first read of Ms. MacGregor, I was impressed with her writing style. The story flowed smoothly for me and I really was enraptured in the story. Along with the main storyline, there are a few side stories that I was very invested in. I was so happy with the ending of this book, and I really wish there was more to read! I need to go now and look up all the other books in this series. There were a few key side characters that I hope have their own stories in this series, or will have at some point.

If you're looking for a story with a dashing hero - I mean, isn't that why we read historical romance? This book definitely has one with Devan. There's passion and intrigue, redemption and forgiveness. And drama! A perfect concoction for historical romance! A truly entertaining story!

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Straight to the Heart. Was he truly a wild, wild rake? Devan Farris, vicar, was undeniably handsome and charming and had a reputation, whether it was truly earned or not. Sometimes people saw what they wanted. He was really not happy when his brother, who was the guardian of Lady Avalon Warwyk's , sent him to Thistledown, near her estate to become the vicar there and tutor her young son. Unfortunately he was to spy on her and see where are her money was coming from she was spending on her "charitable endeavors". This was that last thing he wanted to do because he had witnessed the cruelty of her husband, Richard before he died. Avalon had enjoyed being free from her husband these last ten years. She has thrived doing what she can to help the women who had little choices in their lives and fallen into the only life they could. She never wants to marry again, one horrible time was enough. But when she receives the letter from her son's guardian that his brother Devan is coming to take up the vicorship and tutor her son, she knows he is only coming to spy. These two are in for a journey of finding out who each other really are and what in the end matters the most. Janna MacGregor always speaks to me in her writing and pulls me into her created words to find that love truly can win the day and redeem those who thought never thought to have it. Sigh.