About the Book:
Title: The Good Girl’s Guide to Rakes
Author: Eva Leigh
Series: Last Chance Scoundrels #1
Page Length:384
Publication Date: Feb. 22, 2022
Publisher: Avon
Synopsis: In USA TODAY bestselling author Eva Leigh’s new novel a notorious rake and an innocent debutante strike a scandalous bargain…
When Kieran Ransome’s latest antics result in a massive scandal, his father issues an ultimatum: find a respectable wife or inherit nothing. But as one of London’s most inveterate scoundrels, Kieran doesn’t know any ladies who fit the bill. Or does he?
Celeste Kilburn is a society darling, beloved by influential members of the ton. But keeping a spotless reputation leaves little room for adventure and she longs to escape her gilded cage, especially with her impending engagement to a stuffy earl. When Kieran—her older brother’s best friend and an irresistibly attractive rogue—begs for her help, Celeste makes a deal: she’ll introduce him to the right social circles if he’ll show her the scandalous side of London.
In between proper teas and garden parties, Kieran escorts Celeste—disguised as “Salome”—to rowdy gaming hells, wild fêtes, and sensual art salons. As they spend more time together, their initial attraction builds to a desperate desire that neither can ignore. But when someone discovers their midnight exploits, Celeste’s freedom and reputation are endangered, and Kieran must save the woman he loves… respectable or not.
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My Review:
The Good Girls Guide to Rakes begins as Kieran Ransome and his brother help stop the wedding between his sister and his best friend. Outraged by their selfish and impulsive actions, his parents and the groom’s parents issue an ultimatum – Kieran and the other two men involved in the disaster must marry respectable women within the year or they’ll be cut off. So, Kieran turns to the only respectable woman he knows, his best friend’s sister.
Celeste Kilburn is the very definition of proper. However, she longs for more. So, Celeste and Kieran agree to help each other. She will introduce him to polite society and suitable, marriageable women if he shows her some of the less reputable activities and adventures she longs for. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings for each other grow. What will the pair do when someone learns of their exploits and threatens to reveal the truth?
How else could he have known that she was indeed as celestial as her name, and that he would be guided by her? The destination was unknown, but he welcomed the journey.
Celeste and Kieran have a fantastic love story. He is so poetic and passionate and romantic, and his feelings for Celeste are beautiful. There are many incredibly swoon-worthy moments in the story, and one of my favorites is when Kieran reads one of his poems to Celeste. It is clear she is his muse, and the poem is so romantic! That scene epitomizes his feelings for her and shows how deeply moved he is by her. It’s wonderful!
I really like the inclusion of poetry and the way the author used poetry to show Kieran’s growing feelings and trust in Celeste. Kieran’s poetry is lovely, and it’s so moving when he shows Celeste this side of himself, as he doesn’t show it to many. I think this is something Celeste and Kieran have in common – lack of familial support and acceptance forces them into personas that they don’t wholly embrace.
We’re not always who the world believes us to be.
Celeste and Kieran have much in common even though, at first glance, they seem so different. They both feel alone even though they have family around. I like that they both see past the rumors, the personas, and the families’ judgments and see the true person underneath it all. Kieran isn’t a rake, and Celeste is more than a proper debutante. I like that they encourage each other to accept all parts of themselves. It shows how deeply they care for each other and how completely they accept each other, and it leads to some really powerful transformations.
Overall, I think this is a fun, entertaining, and romantic story with great messages, dynamic characters, and some amazingly swoon-tastic scenes! The characters have a ton of chemistry, and there are also hints of potential romances in future books in the series. I’m eager to see how these develop and if the men find their loves before their year is up. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Avon, and Eva Leigh for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!
- The poetry.
Favorite Lines:
Everyone was eager to hear of someone else’s misbehavior, if only to feel marginally netter about their own paper-thin lives and spongy morality.
One self-serving act of dependability hardly negates a lifetime of suspect behavior.
She looked like a woman on the verge of a transformation, a phoenix that would emerge even more magnificent from its own flames.
Everything she is, she owes to no one but herself.
Recommendations:
This is a great read for people who enjoy historical romance with dynamic characters and a swoon-worthy love story.
YESSSSS, so excited for this one!
I think you’ll really enjoy it!!