After a sheltered upbringing, Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe is finally embarking on her first season, eager to experience everything she’s missed. When Lucy realizes that her uncle plans to quickly marry her off in exchange for a slice of her fortune, she begs a favor of a new acquaintance, Ciaran Ramsey. If Lucy remains single until she turns twenty-one, she–and her money–will be out of her uncle’s … uncle’s power. All the charming Scot needs to do is woo her for six weeks, and then jilt her.
The Ramseys don’t need the scandal of a false engagement attached to their name. But Lucy’s older suitor is both distasteful and dangerous, and Ciaran can’t allow his lovely friend to be forced to marry such a man. And besides, the more time Ciaran spends with his new “betrothed,” the more their ruse begins to feel very much like the real thing. Passion like this is impossible to feign, but how much is a rogue willing to risk for love?
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I adored this new release from Anna Bradley, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Lucy and Ciaran are both good people and very likable, and I found myself smiling through most of the story.
3.5 rounded up
Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe has lived a very sheltered life and is now finally about to have a season. As she spends time in Brighton with her aunt and uncle, Lucy embraces freedom and danger, making the acquaintance of heroic Scotsman Ciaran Ramsey, who seems to always be there to save her from a scrape. Lucy doesn’t really need saving, but her friendship with Ciaran continues to grow stronger and when she learns of her uncle’s plan to sell her off in marriage to a scoundrel in exchange for the forgiveness of his debts and a piece of her fortune, Lucy realizes she does need Ciaran’s help. She only needs to avoid marriage for a few weeks until she turns 21 and gains control of her fortune so a fake engagement to Ciaran is just the thing. She plans to have him jilt her once her birthday has passed, but their feelings soon become all too real, only Lucy continues to believe them to be one-sided.
Lucy was ridiculously frustrating. She was stubborn and willfully naive, despite the fact that she was fully aware of just how sheltered she really was. Even after learning of her uncle’s scheming, she didn’t really think he would stoop to doing such a thing to her, despite the fact that his own wife and daughter hate him. She just never stopped to think about anything, especially Ciaran’s feelings, and refused to listen to him; she was happy enough to doubt Ciaran while putting undeserved faith in her terrible uncle’s sense of decency. It made no sense.
This one was full of angst, people who have no idea how to communicate, and scheming relatives who are constantly being underestimated. This was definitely a slow burn between Ciaran and Lucy because they started off as friends and because of this stunted communication. The plot was heavily driven by Lucy making stupid decisions and I found myself rapidly losing patience with her. The pace did finally pick up in the last quarter or so, though still plagued with poor decisions and lack of communication, but it did hold my attention and kept me invested. When the communication did finally come, however, it was truly lovely, especially on Ciaran’s part and given his struggle with depression and apathy in the previous books of this series. All in all, I enjoyed this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Brighton, England, May 1818
Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe – Lucy – is being very daring. For once she has some freedom, and goes for a swim, all alone before sunrise, without a bathing machine and attendants. How very scandalous! But surely nothing bad could happen; she’s careful in her recklessness. And this is how tiny Lucy came to meet huge Scotsman Ciaran Ramsey. They’re both bored, he’s been depressed for some time, and is itching to return to Scotland. But Ciaran is a born protector, so he’ll protect his new friend, who seems bent on achieving her own ruination; the road to hell and all that… Lucy is a few weeks short of turning 21, then she’ll inherit her considerable fortune and she will be free from her tyrannical guardian, her despicable Uncle Jarvis, who desperately wants her money.
I absolutely adored the two previous installments in this series and I was eagerly waiting for this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t find FOR THE SAKE OF A SCOTTISH RAKE as sparkling as Anna Bradley’s works. It had a pleasant beginning but I thought it was a bit slow to get started; on the other hand, this allowed Ciaran and Lucy’s relationship to develop properly. But however charming Lucy and Ciaran were, the story continued to drag as other romances develop, villains multiply, and the drama goes into overdrive. At times it felt like elements were added to make the book last longer. My favourite parts are those featuring Sebastian, the charismatic and flamboyant Lord Vale; he is simply magnificent and he stole the show, as far as I’m concerned.
The nefarious Jarvis almost steals the show as well, and not in a good way. I felt he was too present in the story, and that it created unnecessary unpleasantness. It just took so very long for anything to progress, there were so many repeated thoughts, too many rehashed conversations, and it took forever to conclude while a crucial matter was dealt with rather too swiftly. Ms. Bradley’s prose is impeccable, as always, the characters well developed, and she creates such wonderful visuals that the story unfolds like a movie. But it took so long to reach the end, with all the melodrama that only got worse as the unappealing villains took too much space. I love Anna Bradley but FOR THE SAKE OF A SCOTTISH RAKE didn’t entirely work for me. Pity.
For the Sake of a Scottish Rake
Besotted Scots Series #3
Anna Bradley
https://www.facebook.com/annabradley472/
Release date 02/18/2020
Publisher Kensington Lyrical Press
Blurb :
After a sheltered upbringing, Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe is finally embarking on her first season, eager to experience everything she’s missed. When Lucy realizes that her uncle plans to quickly marry her off in exchange for a slice of her fortune, she begs a favor of a new acquaintance, Ciaran Ramsey. If Lucy remains single until she turns twenty-one, she–and her money–will be out of her uncle’s power. All the charming Scot needs to do is woo her for six weeks, and then jilt her.
The Ramseys don’t need the scandal of a false engagement attached to their name. But Lucy’s older suitor is both distasteful and dangerous, and Ciaran can’t allow his lovely friend to be forced to marry such a man. And besides, the more time Ciaran spends with his new “betrothed,” the more their ruse begins to feel very much like the real thing. Passion like this is impossible to feign, but how much is a rogue willing to risk for love?
My review :
When a young lady needs a friend, one to assist her to go through a scheming kin’s plan …
After reading the previous book in this series, my first one by this author, I knew I would not be my last read.
And here, Mrs Anna Bradley does not disappoint. I loved how nothing was rushing, how Mrs Anna Bradley introduces her characters and let them grow before they get to know one another.
It was awesome to watch Ciaran and Lucy coming closer, from wary to trusting.
The author took the time to bring her heroes to life before throwing them in the fury of what will become their life once the action is on motion.
Lucy, short for Lucinda has longed for years to leave her gilded cage, sure she was not unhappy but her father’s awkwardness with his peers prevented her to mingle in society. But now he is gone, she hopes to have a taste of freedom, alas her gardian is far from an arranging fellow as he lurks after only one think from her and it is not her welfare.
Ciaran is living half a life since he left his birth place, he feels like empty, as if he left a part of him back there. But in close contact with Lucy, she revived the spark he has lost, she shows him there is more to him than just the shell he has become. Why he can’t leave her under the clutch of her greedy uncle, without proposing his assistance.
Their friendship is so sweet and lovely and has no equal than their stubbornness at hiding their deeper feelings.
My only complain is I would have liked them to resolve their differences a bit earlier in the story, I am not fond of couple whose drama lingers until the very end, yet I turned the pages anxiously, so eager to know what would come next.
Their romance is accompanied by two others, a bit less complicated and source of some fun with the bewilderment on the male counterpart.
As for the villains, Mrs Bradley portrayed them as ugly and vile beings, they made me shriver, alas they didn’t get their right reward, but as life is, nor all light or dark.
4.5 stars for this friends to lovers story.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington and preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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I love Anna Bradley’s books! She truly has a way with witty, snappy dialogue and swoonworthy heroes. Ciaran. Sigh. I just adored everything about him. He and Lucy are both lost souls at the beginning of this story and through friendship and attraction help each other heal from their respective wounds. Lots of drama in this one with Lucy’s evil uncle, but never fear–the HEA is satisfying and heartwarming. Ciaran is my new book boyfriend.
Ciaran and Lucy meet on the beach and form an unlikely friendship. Ciaran is determined to return to Scotland, and Lucy is biding time until her 21st birthday, when she will come in to her inheritance. They form an alliance when they discover Lucy’s uncle/guardian has betrothed her to an abusive older gentleman, to whom he owes an extremely large gambling debt. I received an ARC of this book.
What a delightful story! It was packed with humor, a spirited independent heroine, surprising story turns and a hero with a capital H. It was full of my favorite things, a guardian protector a heroine who’s makes her own choices and scots. Plus we get THREE HEAs by the end of the book!
Lady Lucinda, Lucy, Sutcliffe is a few weeks of turning 21 and receiving her father’s substantial inheritance. Her father after losing his beloved wife, retreated to his country estate with Lucy and locked them away. Society considered her father mad and she therefore was probably mad too. Unfortunately after her father died, she was under the unfortunate control of her selfish and self indulgent Uncle Jarvis. Uncle Jarvis is determined to get a piece of Lucy’s substantial inheritance to pay for his mountain of gambling debts. Her marital stock in the London’s Ton is low because of her father’s madness. Enter Lord Godfrey, who is a scheming, abusive gambler who loves to inflict pain, especially on young women. His former young wife died after one year of marriage to the awful man. Godfrey is determined to marry Lucy as he’s holding all of Uncle Jarvis’ gambling debts.
Ciaran Ramsay is a lost man, wounded by events that happened in Scotland. When he spies a young woman in the Brighton surf and thinks she’s drowning and jumps in to save her. It’s just Lucy having an early morning swim in the ocean. This starts their unconventional friendship. She’s determined to experience adventures after being locked way at home. Ciaran finds himself “saving” her several times when she has an escape planned out and sees herself perfectly safe. As they’re drawn together he finds her a unique female that shakes him up and helps him feel again. When she disappears from Brighton he delays his trip back to Scotland to make sure she’s safe. And this begins their journey to discover women and men can be friends but it turns to love quickly. I loved Lucy’s intelligence and independence. I also enjoyed seeing Ciaran come back from numbing mindlessness to burn hot for Lucy. He is a born rescuer and I adore those types of heros.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book has a very strong female character that is so easy to like, and cheer for, that I almost felt like I was her best friend. Lucy’s father has recently passed, and she is bound and determined to see more of the world than her father allowed her in his final years.
The male was also one I could imagine falling in love with from the moment he tried to save me from drowning. Ciaran, is a man with good moral fiber, even if his behavior makes him a rake.
The book follows the romance of a girl who unfortunately has the stigma of her father’s mental illness attached to her as she tries to navigate the London Season with her aunt, uncle, and cousin. Unfortunately, her uncle is not one to look out for her interests, even though he is her guardian since she is not old enough yet to collect her inheritance. This creates the drama and tension to make the reader turn the pages to see how it will turn out. Will the uncle have her marry the man he wants, or will Lucy make it to her birthday and be able to make her own decisions.
Determined not to marry, but falling in love with a man who keeps showing up in her life, we learn more about Lucy, as well as Ciaran and his past. Again, both characters are well written, and as the end of the book gets closer, one feels like you are starting to have to say goodbye to some old and beloved friends.
I truly enjoyed this romance, because that was what this was. A romance. One that sticks with you even after you close the pages.
I loved this book! filled with so many interesting and complex characters. I loved all the details. A wonderful read that will take you away from it all!! I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington from Netgalley and
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-18T
Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe has been a ward of her Uncle Jarvis since her father died. Lucy’s life has been sheltered, to say the least, since her father kept her at home and secluded. The death of Lucy’s mother left her father, the Earl of Bellamy, crushed, and some even say mad. Now her uncle has taken Lucy, along with his own wife and daughter to Brighton. Lucy hates the restrictions placed upon her, and sneaks out every day while the rest of society sleeps, to swim in the sea. Her exhilarating frolic is interrupted when a gentleman rushes in to “save” her, believing she is drowning.
Ciaran Ramsey is just returning home from another dreary night of drinking and gambling, when he spots Lucy. He mistakes her joyful romping for struggling, and rushes to rescue her. After her initial resistance, Lucy realizes what’s happening, and allows Ciaran to take her to shore, letting him believe that he was a hero. Eventually, Ciaran will come to realize that Lucy is an excellent swimmer, who plans to continue her early morning exercises. Almost every day, Ciaran finds himself coming to the beach, where he and Lucy lie on the sand and talk about their lives and wishes. Before long, Lucy declares Ciaran to be her best friend.
Ciaran and his family were forced to leave their home in Scotland, when an unfortunate incident ruined the family’s reputation and standing. Ciaran had been betrothed to Isobel, who rejected him, leaving him with a broken heart. Now, forced to live in England, and having lost his love, Ciaran spends his time listlessly drinking and wagering. His acquaintance with Lucy is the first thing in forever that has brought him any happiness at all. The beautiful and unusual young lady has somewhat stirred him to life again, and he values the friendship greatly. So when Lucy no longer appears, and he finds her home vacated, Ciaran again feels lost. He plans to go to London, hoping to find her there.
Lucy’s uncle had immediately whisked the family away to London after learning of Lucy’s early morning excursions. He can’t afford a scandal, as he has plans of his own for Lucy and her substantial fortune. Before Lucy comes of age in a few short weeks, Uncle Jarvis plans to marry her off to a disgusting old man three times her age, one to whom he owes a substantial debt. Lucy soon realizes just what her uncle’s intentions are, and is determined to thwart his plans. When she encounters Ciaran in town, she’s overjoyed to see her friend again, and asks for his help. Will he pretend to court her? Just for the short time until she’s in control of her own funds?
I don’t think there is any trope I love better than friends-to-lovers. Ciaran’s and Lucy’s friendship deepens and solidifies, and their affection slowly turns to attraction, then love – though neither recognizes it for what it is at first. They realize that they will do anything for the other. Ciaran is even willing to marry Lucy, though she refuses, believing his heart belongs in Scotland with his former fiancée. Ciaran was such a sad man, homesick and broken hearted, with no purpose to his life. Despite that, he has an inner core full of honor and compassion, and I totally adore him. Poor Lucy has been stifled, and tainted by her “mad” father, and is about to be forced into another prison, one of an unwanted marriage. Still, she has a lovely and strong spirit, and is brave and unselfish. FOR THE SAKE OF A SCOTTISH RAKE is a beautiful, slow developing romance between best friends, who try to outwit Lucy’s evil uncle, who has even more nefarious plans up his sleeve. I love how each of them came to realize their true feelings, and how right and perfect they are for each other. I adored seeing Ciaran come back to life, and leave his depression and his childhood infatuation behind. There are two other secondary romances involving Lucy’s cousin and their friend, which were also very enjoyable. I found FOR THE SAKE OF A SCOTTISH RAKE to be a wonderful read, one that will appeal to readers who enjoy a slow building romance instead of instant lust. Did I mention that I adore friends-to-lovers?
Brighton, England 1818
Lucy was determined. She wanted to live life after being closed up with her father before his demise for the last four years. Now in the custody of her uncle, she just wanted to experience everything! Her first adventure was going out early in the morning and swimming on her own since her cousin Eloisa would not go in. But she was about to meet her fate, whether she knew it or not in the form on one braw Scot, Ciaran Ramsey who thought she was drowning and pulled her in to the beach!
Thus the adventure begins! Ciaran ends up rescuing her out of a real scape and it seems they are bound to meet again!
Then Lucy’s uncle (vile man) is determined to marry her off before she turns twenty one and can access her inheritance and picks a terrible husband. She goes to Ciaran and asks him to pretend to be her betrothed and court her. Well, you know how that could end, don’t you?
Everything needed to turn this story into the perfect must read! Adventure, lies, witty banter, amazing characters and a couple who need each other, they just don’t know it to begin with! Another truly delightful story by the fabulous Anna Bradley will “Wow” you until the end!
Sake of a Scottish Rake by Anna Bradley is book 3 in the Besotted Scots Series. This is the story of Lucinda Sutcliffe and Ciaran Ramsey. I have read (and Loved!) the previous books but I did feel this could be a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Lucinda comes to live with her Uncle and family after her father passes. This opens her up to some adventures where she meets Ciaran. They become somewhat friends because he keeps ‘saving’ her when she gets into situations. So when her Uncle starts bringing a older/senior man around planning to marry her off to she ask Ciaran to pretend to court her. If she can stay single until she is 21 her money will come to her instead of being lost to her uncle and the man he has chosen,
This was a very good story line. This author is one of my favorite authors and I always know I will be getting a good read with her books.
0
While I would say that I thought that this was a fun read I ultimately had mixed feelings about it. To start I liked the premise of the book and the basic outline of the characters. Unfortunately, after these things the murkiness sets in. The book very much tries to be a friends-to-lovers romance but in my opinion that really wasn’t the case. Lucy and Ciaran were in fact new acquaintances that had their relationship growing simply because of plot reasons. I also took issue with some issue of the actions and behaviors that the characters engaged in, seemingly without fear of reprisals. This seemed very inaccurate for the era that this story takes place in. Tongues would seriously wag and ruination and disgrace would loom and lastly, I kind of found Lucy’s attitude annoying, which I refuse to elaborate on do to spoilers. So in the end I would say this was an OK read.
This was a well-written, entertaining book. Lucy is going to London for the Season, and realizes her uncle plans to marry her off to get part of her fortune. She asks her new acquaintance, Ciaran, to woo her for six weeks until her birthday when her fortune comes into her control. Ciaran doesn’t want a false engagement, but he doesn’t want Lucy to be married against her will either. It was lovely to read about Lucy and Ciaran developing an actual friendship and really getting to know each other. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
This is a best friends to lovers trope and very nicely done. A very sweet story with no real angst – just friends talking and listening. It showed a real relationship without the trappings of sexuality in everything that they did. I also liked the two romances taking place at the same time. I just wished there was more in the story about them. I thought their stories were very interesting. I wanted more “Scottish” from Ciaran than I got but if you want a sweet story to take you away for a few hours, this story is for you.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe has been isolated with her father Since just after his beloved wife dies. He wants to protect Lucy. So they live in a big manor just them and a few servants. Her Uncle Jarvis is made temporary guardian. Her twenty-first birthday is just around the corner. She had gone nowhere and had not done anything and she so wanted to do it all. On one of the days of the week, she was strolling down the street, there was a huge crowd and she was curious. So she partly climbed a coach and looked over. Two men were bare to the waist and pounding on each other. She had never seen such a thing. When a brawl starts Ciaran runs and grabs her and scoops her up and runs to his carriage. Mr. Ciaran Ramsey when he went to balls, danced with the wallflowers so they didn’t feel left out. When she saw him at Lady Ivey’s ball she knew she had fallen in love. She never thought she would. He was her hero.
What a sweet couple. She knows he wants to go back to Scotland And the childhood sweetheart, who betrayed both his family and him. She will not tell him she loves him and he is oblivious to his feelings. The author did a great job with their story, It was well written, fun and serious as well. I just can’t say enough about this neat book. It is entertaining, Interesting, keeps your attention.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
4.5 Stars
Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe is finally embarking on her first season after spending years on her family’s estate & she’s eager to experience everything she’s missed. When Lucy realizes that her uncle plans to quickly marry her off to Lord Godfrey in exchange for a slice of her fortune, she begs a favour of a new acquaintance, Ciaran Ramsey. If Lucy remains single until she turns twenty-one, she–and her money–will be out of her uncle’s power. All the charming Scot needs to do is woo her for six weeks, and then jilt her.
This is the third book in the series & can easily be read on its own. I really liked both Ciaran & Lucy who became best friends whilst all the time they were falling in love & refused to believe it. He was strong & honourable, she was feisty, independent & forever getting into scrapes. They were perfect for each other, their journey to their HEA made for a highly entertaining read plus there were two other romances unfolding too. A well written book that flowed well, it drew me in from the start & left me with a smile on my face. I would have liked for he villains to have suffered far more in fact one seemed to get away scot free!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is my first book from Anna Bradley, and I could not put it down. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the characters and absolutely loved that the minor characters found love and married just like the hero and heroine. I hate seeing an obvious infatuation of minor characters and then having to wait for their story/book to get their happy ending.
Lady Lucinda Sutcliffe, Lucy, wants to tip toe around the rules and hope for the best. When she takes an early morning swim in the ocean she is “rescued” by Ciaran Ramsey. Ciaran becomes her rescuer in several scenarios and eventually learns that in none of them did she actually need to be rescued. Over the days they form a friendship and when she finds out her Uncle is planning on selling her to a someone with evil intentions then he agrees to a fake courtship. But through the days and the time spent together the lines get blurred between friends and faux courting. When her uncle keeps pressuring her to marry the man of his choosing and her home life becomes unsafe; will Ciaran be able to keep Lucy safe? Will they give into their budding love or remain friends forever?
It was such a fun story and I absolutely loved the characters. I am looking forward to reading more from Mrs. Bradley and this is one book you should not skip.
Cute
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Besotted Scots
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
For the Sake of a Scottish Rake is the third book in the Besotted Scots series. I haven’t read all the earlier books in the series, but I don’t feel like I missed anything by not reading them. The main characters were well-developed, and the book had a lot of humor. At first the book seemed to drag, but it speeds up once they arrive in London for the Season.
Lady Lucinda “Lucy” Sutcliffe had led a sheltered and she was ready for adventure. She meets and is “rescued” by Ciaran while swimming in the ocean. Although she didn’t need rescuing then, she does once she realizes her uncle had plans to marry her off and steal her money.
Ciaran Ramsey had been wandering through life after having to leave Scotland the woman he had loved all his life. Meeting Lucy seemed to rouse Ciaran from dull life. He tried to stay away from Lucy, but finally admitted to his interest in Lucy and their morning meetings on the beach.
When Lucy comes up with the idea of a fake engagement for six weeks, Ciaran was not going to let it be to any other man but himself. The more time they spend together as an engaged couple, the stronger their feelings become. Will they realize their love for one another before her uncle accomplishes his plans?
Once my interest was caught by the book it was hard to put down. Lucy was self-reliant, feisty, and full of spunk. Ciaran was a hero needing someone to help bring him back to life. I enjoyed the book, although I wish the author would have let the two other couples have their own books. Their courtships sounded like they had a great story behind them.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.