He’s mended his ways.
Dr. Ernest Montford has left behind his rakish youth for a respectable life mixing medicinal potions and helping patients. So when his best friend’s sister is threatened with incarceration in an asylum, he rushes to help. But Lady Astrid Wembley isn’t keen to heed Monte’s medical advice. Worse, she’s part of his wild past: the mysterious girl he could never forget.
But the … forget.
But the woman he can’t forget…
Astrid has fond memories of her long-ago passionate encounter on the beach, but the Monte who kissed her so thoroughly that day shows little resemblance to the stuffy, abstemious doctor with his absurd health advice. Still, she has little choice but to put up with him until her sanity is proven and she can return to her life of scientific study.
Might be his undoing.
Dangerous potions and unethical experiments await Astrid if she fails, and only with Monte’s help can she expose the true horrors of the asylum and thwart the plans of the men controlling it. But the longer Astrid and Monte are together, the more their old passion sparks, and the more she longs to unleash the rogue that still lurks inside him.
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I love this steam punk series, with its zany characters and interesting take on issues. Astrid was a delightful eccentric and played off of the stuffy Ernest to a tee. This opposites attract romance had them getting on each others last nerve in the most amusing way possible. I really enjoyed the themes of self-acceptance and breaking gender norms, as well as the creative but not overpowering world building.
I absolutely loved ONCE A RAKE ALWAYS A ROGUE!
ONCE A RAKE, ALWAYS A ROGUE by Catherine Stein is a “Brothers Best Friend”, “2nd Chances” Steampunk intrigue/romance with delightfully quirky characters and a positive message – it’s okay to be yourself!
This is book 3 in the POTIONS AND PASSIONS series. ONCE A RAKE, ALWAYS A ROGUE can be read as a standalone title but I highly recommend them all. Ms. Stein is one of the few authors I still auto-buy on preorder without hesitation. She does not disappoint! Stein’s main characters are often the underdog, the unusual, or the misunderstood – people I would welcome as friends (or fight to protect from harm). Her books are fun, unique, quirky & clever! with HEAs.
SUMMER 1877. SEPTEMBER 1884 and LATER.
Dr Ernest Montfort/MMC once had a reputation as a flirtatious and fun loving rogue, and has been a good friend of Lady Astrid’s twin brother, Cal, since their Cambridge days. But a number of years have passed and as the 2nd son of titled peer, Monte now practices in London as a respectable physician.
Unbeknownst to anyone else, 26yr old brilliant and unusual Lady Astrid Wembley once enjoyed a memorable yet interrupted romantic tryst near her isolated beach property with the (then) flirtatious rake, Ernest (Monte) Montfort. Neither Astrid nor Monte knew the others actual identity at the time. Seven years pass. Astrid has applied for acceptance into a renown scientific London society, an oddity for a woman. Just as it appears she may be confirmed, a number of anonymous yet formidable complaints are filed against her character. The unknown party goes so far as to question her sanity and charges her of being a threat to the general public. Fearing Lady Astrid’s safety and personal freedom, Cal (newly the Marquess of Montfort) urgently requests his dear friend from Cambridge, Dr. Earnest Montfort, to speak in her defense as a doctor. Can Monte keep Astrid from being committed to an asylum? Who wants Astrid committed, and Why? Will Astrid’s reputation as a knowledgeable scientist and as a lady be totally ruined by the gossip and charges? After 7 years of separation, yet both still single, will either Astrid or Monte even recognize the other? And could the spark still remain?
READER CAUTIONS –
*PROFANITY – Yes. Strong language is used occasionally.
VIOLENCE – Minimal. PG movie level in violence.
*SEXUAL SITUATIONS – Yes. On-scene adult intimacy occurs several times. Each is somewhat brief in nature and could be skipped while enjoying this delightfully positive adventure.
*Due to the aforementioned, young readers and those who would be offended should consider looking elsewhere.
3 1/2 stars. This was my first read in the series. It took a bit for me to get into the story. I felt there was too much description regarding food and potions, and the arguments between Astrid and Monte seemed a bit forced. It improved when the element of danger entered and continued with the investigation of asylums and who could be the threat to Astrid. I enjoyed Astrid’s independent spirit and love for fossils and geology. Monte was a bit of a stick-in-the-mud when it came to healthful eating, but I loved how he wanted to protect Astrid and the lengths he went to. Overall, I felt the story was entertaining.
I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
A fantastic potion made out of humor, characterization, competence porn, and depth. Full review is at maidamalby.com.
This is another home run for Catherine Stein! I adore Astrid, the sassy scientific woman. I love Monte, the reformed rake. Together, they’re magic. Stein weaves a tale of love, delicious lust, enticing potions, and just enough dastardly deeds to keep me turning pages. This cements it for me: I’ll read anything Catherine Stein writes.
Ms. Stein is a new author for me. She writes this genre very well…. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I will be checking out more works by thia author.