The only way to expose a rake is to conspire with one…in this lively novel from USA Today bestselling author Eva Devon.
For as long as pamphlet writer Rose Digby can remember, certain men of the ton gallivant about town with their own set of rules. Whether it’s gambling, drink, or women, these playboys of London suffer no consequences. When someone she holds dear falls prey to a rake of the highest order Rose is determined to expose them all. But she needs a way to enter their world undetected…
Alexander Markby, the sixth Earl of Derby is her brother’s closest friend and is positively rife with roguishness. Too much money, too much time, and much too well-endowed…with good looks (obviously). He’s the perfect cover to help Rose infiltrate his world. He has just one rule. In the name of “protecting” her—she must pose as his mistress. The very idea!
Now Rose will have to become what she loathes. She’ll have to flutter her eyelashes, flatter the Earl of Derby, and pretend to be completely, utterly, and totally smitten with him. But it’s for a good cause. Because there’s nothing more dangerously charming—and completely ruinous—than a rake. No matter if he’s friend, foe…or hiding a secret that will shake the foundations of Rose’s world.
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Ebook)
ISBN: 9781649376008
Pub Date: 30 Oct 2023
REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I truly enjoyed this book. This is the third standalone in Eva Devon’s Once Upon a Wallflower series, and I absolutely loved the characters and premise of the story. The plot has a nice flow and is pleasant to read.
Rose Digby is a pamphlet author and aims to expose the lives of the debaucherous rakes of English society by infiltrating the exclusive gentlemen’s clubs they frequent. The catch is, she needs someone to get her into those clubs. Enter her childhood best friend, now the sixth Earl of Derby, Alexander Markby, who reenters the picture and reluctantly agrees to her show her the ropes so long as she agrees to pose as his mistress. A seemingly dangerous scheme, indeed, for both are unknowingly attracted to the other. A rake himself, Alexander struggles internally with keeping everyone in his circle happy while hiding unaddressed secrets within.
What I appreciate most about this book is the accurate portrayal of society during the Regency era. With this period of the burgeoning of the arts and free-thinking, Devon’s use of Regency diction is spot on.
All in all, there are mixed messages and promises made, causing certain confusion, but rest assured, everything is cleared up for you in an endearing way!
Rose Digby is a pamphlet author and aims to expose the lives of the debaucherous rakes of English society by infiltrating the exclusive gentlemen’s clubs they frequent. The catch is, she needs someone to get her into those clubs. Enter her childhood best friend, now the sixth Earl of Derby, Alexander Markby, who reenters the picture and reluctantly agrees to her show her the ropes so long as she agrees to pose as his mistress. A seemingly dangerous scheme, indeed, for both are unknowingly attracted to the other. A rake himself, Alexander struggles internally with keeping everyone in his circle happy while hiding unaddressed secrets within.
What I appreciate most about this book is the accurate portrayal of society during the Regency era. With this period of the burgeoning of the arts and free-thinking, Devon’s use of Regency diction is spot on.
All in all, there are mixed messages and promises made, causing certain confusion, but rest assured, everything is cleared up for you in an endearing way!
If you enjoyed Devon’s previous writings, you’ll definitely love The Rake and the Rose. Grab your copy through the publisher link above!
#HistoricalFiction #RegencyRomance #AdultRomance #FoundFamily #TheRakeandtheRose #EvaDevon #Entangled #NetGalley
