A Mayfield Family Romance Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have. Harry Stillman may be … have.
Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an ally.
When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust. But Lady Sabrina needs to keep Harry at a distance, even if he is becoming the kind of man worthy of her heart. After all, she is keeping a secret that, if exposed, could destroy everything she’s so carefully built.
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Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
The third book in the Mayfield Family Romance series is very different from the first two. There is a reversal of roles and several twists woven throughout the novel. The main female character in Rakes and Roses has the power usually only associated with males. This was one of those twists that I really liked. It’s not often that the female rides in to save the day, but this is exactly what Lady Sabrina does for Harry Stillman. He is the black sheep of his family with his gambling and drinking. He has no desire to marry and just wants to live his carefree life. When life turns upside down, Harry is left with nothing. Here is where Lady Sabrina enters his life and saves him in more than one way.
This novel is one of mystery, forgiveness, redemption, and coming full circle in one’s life. The story is slow-moving the first half of the book as readers learn many of the trials haunting both Harry and Sabrina’s lives. The story picks up as both the main characters start learning and growing as they mend themselves and grow as friends and more. Rakes and Roses is a great addition to the Mayfield Family Series. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Rakes and rogues are not my favorite type of hero in the Regency genre, but this author did a wonderful job of exploring the redemption of a young man from a life of dissolution. The lifetime of choices Harry made in response to his harsh upbringing and negative experiences eventually brought him to rock bottom, where he was more than desperate to escape his debts and dangerous lenders. The second chance he receives might have been wasted, but Lady Sabrina rescues him in more ways than one. The transformation of Harry was the most fascinating part of the book for me, and even though I wasn’t really feeling the romantic chemistry, I loved his friendship with Sabrina and her housekeeper Therese. I think because Harry was in such an early state of transformation, it was hard for me to trust him and his feelings of attraction. Maybe a longer timeline on the latter side of his sobriety would have helped me, but I think the pacing of the plot was right with respect to the intrigue of Sabrina’s secret and Lord Damion’s involvement. I thought the ending was done rather well and appreciated how Harry’s character came full circle. This is the third book in the series but can easily be read on its own or out of order.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
An endearing and captivating twist on normal regency plots. I love that the heroine is the rescuer in this story! Lady Sabrina perfectly captures the essence of all that I would expect in a respectful, graceful lady. She has risen above horrific circumstances and finds herself in a position to help others. Harry is the rake that you hate to love but love him you do. Two wounded hearts find a way to save one another in truly delightful, redemptive tale that will warm your heart and leave a smile on your face.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
I’m always happy when I get to read a new book by Josi Kilpack! She writes books that take you places. And that makes me happy.
I loved the way this book started with Lady Sabrina. She’s hiding in a rose garden from her husband. She’s helped by a stranger Harry Stillman, who ends up playing a big part in her future.
Lady Sabrina is amazing! I loved the way she goes out of her way to help others. Even when it ends up putting her in danger. She is the kind of woman that know it’s like to be the one everyone looks down on. She wants to give those around her a hand up and make their lives better.
I have to admit, at the beginning of this book I didn’t like Harry at all. He was proud and thought that he knew everything. He wouldn’t listen when a friend tried to help him. And he brought all his trouble down on himself. But Harry grew on me throughout the book. By the end, though he wasn’t perfect, I liked him.
I loved the plot of this one. It’s not one you typically see written about this time period. And it didn’t seem at all stuffy.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
I was sent a copy of Rakes and Roses by the author. All opinions are my own.
Oh how I love this series about the Mayfield Family. I was especially looking forward to Harry Stillman’s story because he’s such a mess–he’s in a lot of debt due to his gambling, he’s become an alcoholic and he’s a rake. Needless to say, he’s not thrilled with his uncle’s “marriage campaign” which requires him to find a wife in order to receive his inheritance. Harry has borrowed money from a very horrible man (think Regency loan shark) in order to pay his debts because his uncle has cut him off financially–a little tough love hoping it would prompt Harry to change his ways. With no way to pay off the debt Harry hits rock bottom.
Lady Sabrina lives a life of solitude of her own making. She prefers it that way since the death of her abusive husband, and I don’t blame her after all she suffered at his hands. She acts as hostess for her unmarried brother during the season and tends to the multitude of roses in the garden of her home. When she comes upon a severely beaten man (Harry) she brings him to her secluded home to have his injuries tended to.
I loved this unusual love story. Harry is grateful to have been rescued and have been tended to, but he’s not prepared for Sabrina’s strict rules, and he thinks he can charm her to get what he wants, like he’s done so many times with other women. Those other women weren’t Sabrina and she’s not budging. As Harry recuperates and they start playing chess together after dinner, Harry manages to discover things about Sabrina and she in turn helps Harry discover and face truths about himself.
Harry was an easy character to dislike at first. He gambled and wouldn’t stop even when he was ahead, he drank a lot which clouded his judgement (and not just about gambling), and he acted so ungrateful towards Sabrina when she wouldn’t let him have more than a glass of sherry at night. I loved that Sabrina stood her ground. I loved how Josi Kilpack got these two characters together and how they each discovered things about themselves. Harry had to face painful things from his past that had lead to his self-destructive behavior, and Sabrina had to learn to risk opening her heart again. I also loved Sabrina’s staff and how they were part of her family.
This is part of the Mayfield Family series but I feel each one works as a standalone.
I loved this book just like the rest of the Mayfield Family books she has written. I will say it has been a long time since I read her other two in this series and I couldn’t remember a lot of the characters but it made absolutely no difference. SO this book can be read and enjoyed if you haven’t read the other two. I didn’t want to like Harry since he was a drinker, gambler and a rake, but I kinda fell in love with him after hearing his back story and seeing his cute sense of humor. The author did a great job developing the characters. Once I started the story I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. I’m hoping she will write a bit more about Harry and Sabrina in the next Mayfield family series because I want to know what else happens to them. Definitely a great read!
This was a beautifully written book of redemption. The first two chapters were hard to read, they were written so well you felt the desperation and the hurt of both characters to your very core. I was a little worried about how dark the book was going to get, but it never once felt heavy like that, the author handled the lowest lows and the darkness of life with a layer of hope and love. I instantly loved Lady Sabrina and the direction her goodness took the book. Harry Stillman could have easily been a character I hated, but the author wrote him with such raw vulnerability that you fiercely want him to succeed. I was so invested in Harry’s growth there was a moment when his growth shown through and I felt Lady Sabrina’s response was out of character, I had forgot for a moment that she was just as broken. That moment made the story more real to me, they were both broken in different ways and their combined growth made the story honest and empathetic. I loved Daisies and Devotion so much I wasn’t sure if I could love any of the books in the series as much, but they just keep getting better!
This novel is absolutely fantastic! The characters are so well done. The author does an amazing job of showing what a pathetic loser Harry starts out as with all his heartbreaking addictions. The process of watching him overcome is so inspiring. And I love how Sabrina helps him with just the right ratio of tough love and compassion. Their conversation about changing and becoming better is worth 5 stars to me all by itself.
The pacing is brilliant. I was a little worried how this wonderfully capable woman was going to fall in love with someone so pathetic, especially after having to watch him at his absolute worst. But I found it believable and sweet and felt like they complemented each other well.
***4.5 stars***
I love the premise of this series. A wealthy elderly uncle, who never married and is without an heir, decides to bestow an inheritance to his family on the condition that they marry. He doesn’t want them to live as he did. Alone.
This story is about Harry. He has many vices. He’s a rake, and alcoholic, and a gambler. He is indebted to a very horrible man and his uncle has cut him off. He has no way to fulfill his obligations until Lord Damion finds worth in him and loans him the money on condition that he reform his life and repay the debt.
I loved the characters in the book. Harry seems at first to be unredeemable until he discovers his own worth and decides to be a better person. His personality is fun and he is full of mischief. I enjoyed the teasing between him and Sabrina. He pulls her out of her lonely life and helps her rediscover happiness. She has also lived a difficult life and seeks to see her worth as a person and friend.
Rakes and Roses was a fun book to read. I look forward to any book that comes out by Josi Kilpack. I hope that there is another Mayfield book to look forward to.
Source: I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
In a time when gender roles were very strict, a businesswoman and a man who enjoyed knitting found their way to each other.
Rakes and Roses is the third book in the Mayfield Family Series but can be read as a standalone. It is a clean, romantic and uplifting historical romance set in England, in the early 1800s.
This is my first book by this author, and I enjoyed her rich and articulated writing style.
Lady Sabrina, an affluent widow, knew Mr. Harry Stilman from a brief encounter they had several years before. She would have forgotten him but for the fact that he was kind when she needed it most.
Suddenly, their situations were reversed. Harry was wounded and left to die in the gutter, and Sabrina was his only chance of surviving.
While the romance builds, the author explores complex themes like domestic abuse, alcohol addiction, gambling, loss, and the role of women in society.
All is done positively, focusing on the ability to overcome traumas and redeem vices with dedication and a little help of faith and friends.
Harry was a rake, but more by circumstance than disposition. He was sweet, loyal, and determined once he chose his path. Sabrina was kind and strong but had built a thick wall around her heart after her terrible first marriage.
Despite being a clean romance, the author managed to convey the deep connection and sensual tension between the couple.
There are some adorable side characters, in special the housekeeper Therese and Sabrina’s loyal solicitor, Mr. Gordon. I thought they would make a lovely couple themselves.
If you like an uplifting story with a sweet yet flawed hero and a strong and independent heroine, this book is for you.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Josi’s writing never fails to wrap me up in a happy little book bubble. Rakes and Roses is no exception.
The love story takes a backseat to Harry’s redemption. In a genre that is flooded with romance, this was a really nice change of pace. Harry is essentially an addict. He’s addicted to alcohol, gambling, and general carousing. His uncle offers him a way out of this lifestyle, but Harry is not at all interested in reforming his ways. About a year later, Harry hits a personal low and owes thousands of pounds to what we would now call a loan shark. He’s burned bridges with family and friends and gets one last opportunity to change his ways. As with most who struggle, Harry has highs and lows and ultimately has to decide for himself to change his life.
Rakes and Roses is a clean regency and an easy read.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
While this is the third of the Mayfield Family Romances, it can be read as a stand-alone. I really liked the redemption plotline and seeing how Harry embraced the opportunity to become better, although not without a struggle and some tough love from Sabrina and her staff. I thought the Lord Damion twist was really interesting–a unique way for Sabrina to help others. The romance was slow and steady and sweet. This was a very enjoyable book.
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Rakes and Roses is a beautifully written and captivating book that had me turning the pages late into the night and you know what… I’m not complaining. This was entertaining, fun, romantic, and such a wonderfully moving story that absolutely warmed my heart.
I haven’t read too many regency/historical romances and have never had the urge to pick them up until a few months ago. I’m personally into contemporary and paranormal romance stories, so I didn’t see the appeal with these type of romance books. I like to try new things and step out of my comfort zone, so I finally decided to give it a go and the rest is history. I’m still not super crazy about them and if given a choice, I’d probably pick other romance books, but regency/historical romances are suprisingly really enjoyable, interesting, gripping, and heartwarming. I’ve loved and enjoyed reading them and Rake and Roses is another beautiful story that kept me engrossed until the end.
I’m new to Josi S. Kilpack’s storytelling and have not read the previous books in the series, but after a few pages into this book, I found myself quite intrigued and fascinated. While this can be read as a standalone, I think getting through the other books would have made my experience with this installment a little more satisfying. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and I think Kilpack’s writing is just so lovely and irresistible that I can’t wait to read more from this series and her other works.
I love complex and flawed characters who go through changes for the better and become the best versions of who they can be. There is something sweetly satisfying and uplifting about healing and redemption stories and Kilpack definitely delivers. Sabrina and Harry are both amazing characters and I enjoyed getting to see them change and help each other heal. I loved seeing their relationship blossom into something beautiful and real. I rooted for both of them individually as characters and also for their romantic relationship. I enjoyed their amusing interactions, their fun and serious conversations, the delicious tension between them, and all their flirty, sweet, and romantic moments.
Overall, Rakes and Roses is fun, delighful, and heartwarming and I truly enjoyed it. I adore Sabrina and Harry and the side characters are pretty fun too. The writing is gorgeous, the plot is exciting, and story’s message is meaningful and important. This was such a wonderful and a heartfelt story and I think all romance lovers would enjoy this.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have enjoyed each of Kilpack’s books in the Mayfield Family series, and this one was just as enjoyable. I will admit, it has been long enough since I’ve read the other books that I don’t really remember much about the other characters, but that’s not necessary, as each story works well as a stand-alone.
It was fun having Lady Sabrina be the strong rescuer, instead of the other way around, as is usually common in novels set in this time period. (But I don’t mind those either.) I cheered her on as she lived her life on her terms, and I also cheered Harry on as he finally started making much-needed changes in his life. This book was a page-turner, and I stayed up much later than I should have to finish it. I highly recommend this book – and the entire series.
I think Harry may be my favorite Mayfield yet. He is stubborn, obstinate, and the worst sort of person at the beginning of this journey, which makes this romance all the more fulfilling as he puts aside his ways through the help of a savior or two.
Lady Sabrina has seen the worst of life and the best of life. She is the daughter of a Duke and his mistress and was married to an abusive husband in a time when she had no recourse. She has landed on her feet due to some fortuitous twists of fate.
Lady Sabrina saves Harry from a beating in the street and takes him into her home to heal. It is here that he heals in more than just body.
The relationship between these two starts tumultuously at best, but softens as time goes on. Josi Kilpack wins again with this fabulous story of a Rake who needs to reform. While all these stories are based on Elliot Mayfield’s offers to his nieces and nephews to start a better life through an appropriate marriage, this doesn’t truly factor in for Harry until much later. He is independent and wants to do what he can to restore his fortunes.
I am happy to recommend this book and the entire series.
I won an early copy from the author in a contest on Facebook and am more than happy to review it.
Lady Sabrina Carlisle was married to Richard and expecting a baby. She was happy that he had not beat her once she became pregnant. But close together she lost the baby and Richard died suddenly.
Sabrina is the illegitimate daughter of Duke of Angelsey. When her mother passed away, she went to live in the duke’s house. Now, her half brother is the current duke and they are quite close. He depends upon her to act as hostess for him.
Harry Stillman is addicted to gambling and drink. His Uncle Elliott has tried many times to help him with his debts, but each time he gambles it all away. He has even taken to selling off acres of his estate to pay his debts. Uncle Elliott has offered him an inheritance if he marries a genteel bride and changes his ways. He refuses to do so.
Sabrina is a person who cares for others. She secretly and anonymously goes by the name of Lord Damien. She helps people gets themselves out of debt and back on the right path. They must also write letters of apology to those they have harmed. But these people must prove that they truly want to change before she will help them. Thus, when Harry hits rock bottom and the money lenders are going to kill him if he doesn’t pay them, working through her attorney, Harry comes to Lord Damien for help. But the night he agrees to her help, he is severely beaten by a money lender. Sabrina finds him in the street and brings him home for her housekeeper to nurse back to health.
As Harry goes through the throes of withdrawal, he tends to be begging and whiney. As things get better, he wants to know about Sabrina. Attracted to one another, Sabrina feels she will never marry again and Harry doesn’t seem to know “what he wants to do when he grows up.”
This entire book was a turn-off to me. I found Harry to be a total waster and Sabrina, even with what she went through in her marriage, to be uninteresting. This book was quite dull which is a shame because having read/reviewed/enjoyed two other books by this author, I was looking forward to a good read but was disappointed.
Copy provided by NetGalley and Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I can always count on Josi Kilpack to deliver a sweet Regency story that steps outside of the typical formula. In this offering, she tackles a rakish gambling drunk who finds himself well below rock bottom. Fortunately for him, he had a very brief encounter with Lady Sabrina in the past and she can’t forget the kindness shown her and is ready to return the favor.
I found a deep level of pride for Sabrina and her stalwart character and integrity, which caused me to feel a realistic camaraderie with her. Harry is the type of guy who is easy to hate, but knowing the background to his demise made me feel sympathetic towards him and it was more than easy to root for the best outcome possible for these characters.
I loved the way this author crafts this story, bringing this family to life in a way that makes me feel like an honorary family member. I love the gentleness and sweetness, along with the authentic historical feel. This isn’t your typical Regency and I appreciated the breath of fresh air so much!
Content: very mild romance; mild moments of drinking, gambling, violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
While we see a glimpse in the prologue of the caring man that Harry Stillman could be, we are introduced to him in chapter one when he is at the lowest of the lows that is of his own making through drinking and gambling. Lady Sabrina is introduced to us as a battered wife who is hiding in a rose bush in fear of her brutal husband.
As a 32 year old widow, I like that Sabrina is an older more mature heroine. While she has had many benefits in her upbringing, she is very much aware of what her life could have been like as the illegitimate daughter of a Duke. She now wants to use her position for something good.
Even if we cannot personally identify with Harry’s struggles of drunkenness and gambling, there are a number of things we can learn from it in this book.
Whether positive or negative, the words that we say can greatly affect another person. Harry’s father’s words tore him down but Sabrina’s words helped lift him up.
We also have to be careful not to become an enabler for other people. Feeding in to their vices is not helping them in any way.
I usually have a hard time liking a rake. Especially one who has put themselves so far into the gutter because of things they did. I liked that this story showed what could happen if someone believed in them and extended them mercy and grace. No matter what we have done, we all need this in our life.
*This book includes topics of drinking, gambling, domestic abuse, and the loss of a child. All of this happening in the very first chapter.
Lady Sabrina endured an abusive marriage, a miscarriage, and early widowhood to emerge as a smart, successful, confident woman who found a way to make her mark in a man’s world. She has friends and purpose, but cannot hide from the emptiness she feels when the parties are over and the friends have gone home to families she will never have. Harry Stillman may be charming and handsome, but he’s a gambler and a rake who has made a mockery of his privileges. He turns to the mysterious Lord Damion for financial relief from his debts, but still ends up beaten nearly senseless by thugs and left in an ally. When Lady Sabrina comes upon Harry after the attack, she remembers the kindness Harry once showed to her six years ago and brings him to her estate to heal. Though their relationship begins on rocky footing, it soon mellows into friendship, then trust.
This is the third book in the series & is easily read on its own. I found it to be a well written book, that started off slowly but the pace did increase but not until well over half way through. It also took me some time to get to like both Harry & Sabrina but eventually I did like them but didn’t love them. The one thing I did love was how things resolved in the end, I wish the majority of the book had been as good as the ending
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I’m not sure how many books are planned for this series but this is my favorite so far. What a huge change Harry undergoes through the course of this book. In the last book he seemed irredeemable so to start this book at that point and end where he does is a large turnabout. I never thought I could like him but I did. And I really wanted him to succeed.
I loved Sabrina. She could see how much of her life really came from lucky circumstances and she was grateful for each opportunity. She also had some awful stuff to deal with like the circumstances of her birth but particularly being in an abusive marriage. Yet she took each opportunity given to her and used it to better her life as well as better the lives of others. I loved her feminist views that placed her well before her time but that she was also able to figure out a way to use her feminism (and money) in a way that fit in society. She was definitely bucking the system but few knew it.
I loved that Harry heard her feminist views and quickly realized what she said was true and he wanted that in his life. He didn’t love her because of her money. He needed money to fix his life but that was all secondary to real love. He wanted to be a man worthy of Sabrina. His attitude by the end was more “I’ll fix me and you fix you and we’ll continue side by side”.
Sex: innuendo, kissing
Language: no
Violence: brutal beating, references to brutal spouse abuse in the past
*I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.