Wild, Wild Rake, the next sweeping, emotional, witty, and sharp romance in the Cavensham Heiresses series from beloved author Janna MacGregor. Her first marriage was an epic fail. Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: … can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry–that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.
Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?
Devan Farris–charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian–is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with a vicar with a wild reputation–even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside–a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?
Praise for the Cavensham Heiresses series
“Full-bodied romance…with intelligence and heart.”–New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell
“Sparkling…MacGregor brings England’s Regency era to life.” —Publishers Weekly
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Naughty, But Oh So Nice
At the start of this book, I was unsure about how I’d feel about the hero, Devan Farris. The early interactions between the heroine, Lady Avalon, and her jerk of a husband and his friends, Devan and his brother, had me questioning just how I was going to warm to this hero, this wild rake and his loose reputation with the women. It was hard to know who Devan Farris really was deep down. And that was his problem… how could she know and how would he win her over.
Lady Avalon Warwyk has been let down by her parents, handed over for marriage to an abusive and controlling lord. Upon his death, this strong and brave woman proudly claims her freedom and builds a new life for herself, her young son, and her sister. She vows to never let a man have power over her again, especially through marriage. With her kind and giving spirit she takes to heart what she feels is her responsibility to the village and it’s people, and is loved and respected by all. She has become a champion for fallen women and their children, contributing to their education and helping them achieve their dreams.
So when Devan is sent by his brother, the Earl of Larkton and guardian of Avalon’s son, to spy on her, his reception is more than cool. Will he be able to reach her and show her his real self, or is trust not to be?
The writing was perfect, the characters amazing, and I was thoroughly captivated with the love/hate battle between Devan and Avalon at the beginning and then developing into a teasing/sensual banter as the sparks began to fly. And then, as the secrets and feelings were revealed, their journey became something so much more than either expected.
A fantastic read! Of course, I expected nothing less from this talented author.
I was gifted an ARC of “Wild, Wild Rake” and I highly recommend Avalon and Devan’s book!
Wow, this is a super book. Davan Farris is a vicar with a past of being a Rake. The rumors have him as a lady’s man of the first order. Only problem is as with most gossip it’s not true. He watched his mother and father in a love match and wants the same for himself. He decide long ago to not give himself to anyone but his wife, so he is a virgin still… When he is sent by his brother the Earl Of Larkton to teach his ward Thane and spy on his mother, Lady Avalon Warwyck he refuses.
He will teach Thane and see if he is ready to start Eton, but will not spy on Avalon and tells his brother he will have to tell her why he is there. Devan has always found her intriguing.
As both Davan and Avalon work for the village, and spend time together they will learn much about each other they never knew. Even woman should have a man like Devan once in her life.
This is a fast moving story with love, laughter, sorrow and danger too.
You really need to grab a cup of coffee a nice blanket and get ready to read till the book is done.
you will love it.
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for sending me and ARC and am giving my honest opinion voluntary.
You don’t want to miss this one or any of the books in this series…
“I will always…always be with you through the brightest days and the darkest hours.”
Lady Avalon Warwyck has taken the lemons life has tossed at her and made lemonade. Set aside and banished to Warwyck Hall by her husband, Lady Avalon has done everything in her power to transform the lives of those misfortunate. After the untimely death of her husband, Avalon becomes a widow that refuses to answer to any man. So, when her son’s guardian sends his brother, a vicar, to spy on her charitable activities, she is beyond incensed, and determined to get ride of him…if only he didn’t look like a fallen angel sent to lead her astray…
Devan Farris is the fourth son of an Earl and as such led to a life in the church. Over time he has garnered the title of a vicar with a wild rakish reputation. His brother sends him to the parish at Warwyck Hall to oversee how Lady Warwyck has been handling the estate’s funds over the past 10 years, as well as seeing to the proper schooling of her son. It had been years since Devan had seen his “Lady Warlock”, and nothing could have prepared him for the whirlwind that he encounters…. especially when she manages to steal his virgin heart…
Avalon and Devan start their unholy alliance as frenemies that climaxes towards a heartwarming happily ever after. If they can manage to gain each other’s trust and get over the misconstrued perceptions of their character, it will be so worth all the heartache that brought them together… “I’ve waited my whole life for you. I promise, starting right this minute and all the others that follow, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and make you happy.”
*Stands up and cheers* Oh, how I’ve been awaiting Devan’s story! Get ready to meet your next book boyfriend in the talented Mr. Farris! *Swoon* Dear Reader, this was an up past my bedtime page turner that I did not want to end! I’m over the moon in luv with Devan! Highly recommend!
5+++ stars!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
Wild,Wild Rake is book 6 in the Cavensham Heiresses series by Janna MacGregor. I have to say I adored the characters in this book. Vicar Devan Farris is a wonderfully delicious hero. It is rare to find a romance that portrays a man of integrity and honor. Devan is all that and more. But his romance has anything but an easy start. In fact, this is more of an enemies to lovers trope. I struggled at first with Devan’s teasing manner towards the heroine- Avalon Warwyk. But as the story progressed, I began to see his caring nature. Devan has portrayed himself as a selfish rake. But he has a secret that proves him otherwise. Will Avalon believe him when she discovers the truth or will she forever see him as a lying rake? Bravo Ms MacGregor! I thought this story had an emotional depth that pulled me into its waves and threatened to drown me in its’ steamy scenes. I was given a copy of the book.
Wild, Wild Rake is a phenomenal historical romance by Janna MacGregor. Ms. MacGregor has provided readers with a well-written book and filled it with a spectacular cast of characters. The Marquess of Warwyk was forced into marriage and hated his wife, not for anything she did, but it didn’t stop him from beating her down with lies to anyone that would listen. Avalon is sent to live in a village with her son and has raised him without a father. She’s not heartbroken when she becomes a widow. Devan was there to witness one of Avalon’s worst moments and had coined the name Lady Warlock for her. Devan and Avalon’s story is packed with drama, humor, angst, sizzle, action and suspense. I loved this 6 star book from cover to cover and look forward to my next book by Janna MacGregor. Wild, Wild Rake is book 6 of The Cavensham Heiresses but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I just recently started reading historical romance books. This was the first book by this author that I’ve read. This one just did not connect with me. It was hard to stay invested in the story, some of the writing was a bit too cheesy for me, and I just never got behind the two main characters. She seems to have a very good following and ratings on her books, so I may give another one of her books a try just to see if it was just this book that did not work.
I liked Avalon and Devan (although him calling Avalon by a hated nickname was uncool). The storyline overall was ok, I just had a hard time getting into it. Others may love it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Wild, Wild Rake by Janna McGregor is the sixth book in The Cavensham Heiresses Series. Ms. McGregor wrote a wonderful story which drew me right in, making me forget everything else and did not let me go until I turned the last page. Even though this is the sixth book in the series it can very well be read as a standalone, that being said you will definitely want to go and read the previous books. The book is very well written, the characters are well defined and likable. The book will keep you entertained and engaged with the twists and turns until the end. I enjoyed this book and think you will too. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next.
Loved this book, the characters and the plot. Can’t wait to read the next.
I had a really hard time getting into this one unfortunately. Normally this author’s book’s keep my attention and I can’t put them down. But this one just didn’t do it for me. The writing itself is, as always, excellent. But I had a very hard time connecting with the characters. The heroine just seemed to get on my nerves and I hard time even liking her. The hero made it worth to keep reading but I honestly doubt I would re-read this one. I just didn’t like it. That’s not to say that other’s wouldn’t, but it just wasn’t for me.
Devan Farris and Avalon Cavensham are not on good terms. Devan has not forgiven Avalon for jilting his best friend and has given her the sobriquet of Lady Warlock. Avalon believes the gossip in the Midnight Cryer that Devan has earned his reputation as the Naughty Vicar. I wondered how Janna MacGregor was going to craft a love story for two people who disliked each other so much.
Janna MacGregor make a great choice by setting the novel ten years after Avalon married Richard, the Duke of Warwyk. Now widowed, Avalon has moved to the family estate in Thistledown to raise her son and sister. She is loved and respected by her neighbors. Avalon has a passion—she’s devoted to helping women who want to better themselves. Gavin Farris is the guardian of Avalon’s son. He is convinced that Lady Warwyk is using funds from the estate to purchase the buildings and equipment to fund the homes she is building. He decides to send his brother Devan to spy on Avalon.
Loved reading the scenes which depicted Avalon is fighting her attraction to Devan. His presence unsettles her! Avalon ogles Devan during their first meeting and she is horrified when he tells her he has a collection of Midnight Cryers that feature his bad boy reputation!
I adored Devan. He enjoys being a vicar-he cares for his parishioners and community. He’s a handsome man, a consummate flirt and a romantic. Devan accepts the position and agrees to tutor Thane-Avalon’s son. This choice puts him in close contact with Avalon—and both of them realize that they misjudged the other.
Loved the chemistry between Avalon and Devan. Sparks flew each time they were in the same room or shared a conversation. The romance was a slow, sensuous burn and it gave the readers a chance to understand that Devan was devoted to Avalon. Both of them needed to trust each other and believe the best of each other.
Janna MacGregor’s primary and secondary characters are well developed in the Wild. Wild Rake. I enjoyed reading about the real Devan Farris-not the person depicted in the Midnight Cryer. Avalon’s story was heartbreaking, I admired her courage to put the past behind her and create a new life for her family. The descriptive writing style and the dialogue is outstanding—the witty, teasing banter between the couple is laugh out loud funny! The plot is well developed and contains several plot twists.
Wild, Wild Rake has all the feels- a heartwarming, emotional; story between an unlikely pair, great supporting characters and a sensuous, complicated romance. I loved that Lady Warlock cast her spell on Devan—it provided the perfect ending to the series!
Janna MacGregor is becoming an amazing author. Her books keep me up all night.
Loved that the vicar keeps his vows but is still an incredible sexy hero. Fun ending to the Caversham series but easily a read alone book.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review.
Oh Janna you have another homerun with this boob! It grabbed me right from the beginning and held my interest to the very last page! Anyone will love this book! Thanks for writing us another great book!
Janna MacGregor’s “Wild, Wild Rake” is a satisfying conclusion to the stories of the Cavensham heiresses, with Lady Avalon Warwyk’s tale particularly poignant. Her first husband was cruel, and the opening scenes display that unkindness are difficult to read. Yet Avalon manages to make the most of her life, a task made much easier after her awful husband dies. She retreats to the country with her son and finds purpose in helping women seek second chances. Her hero, Devan Farris, also is a man of character — a vicar, who is sent to spy on her by his brother. The brother wants to make sure Lady Avalon isn’t wasting her son’s estate; he’s a guardian and he is upset to see so much money being spent on fallen women. The romantic pairing of these two is unlikely despite their intelligence, humor and worthy characters. It is Devan, after all, who penned the cruel name, Lady Warlock, for Avalon, a name her late husband used to demean her (yes, he was friends with the man she jilted, but, still; he didn’t know the reason). He saw the humiliation of Avalon by her husband in front of the man’s mistress and his friends. Most women would never want to see someone who witnessed such a low point, much less fall in love with him. And that’s tribute to MacGregor’s storytelling — we believe the love story despite its unlikely nature. We also believe — although this was a harder sell to me — that Avalon and her husband’s mistress became friends. This was a weakness in the book for me, mainly because a man as cruel as the Marquis doesn’t seem the type to have a mistress who was as lovely and kind as Mary Bolen. She even saves Avalon from her husband striking her, which is perhaps why it’s believable they might become friends later. What makes the book such a keeper is the sweetness of the love between Avalon and Devan; her learning that he is not a rake, just as she was no ‘warlock’. The side story of her younger sister and a friend’s escape to the bad side of London gives the book some extra pizzazz. Satisfying from start to finish. (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.)
I went into this book having only read book one of The Cavensham Heiresses series and felt as though it was fine to read as a standalone. The book was a bit rough for me unfortunately. The story neither held my whole attention nor engaged me as it started out slow and never kept me connected. The hero was the brightest spot in the book for me while it took a little longer for me to connect with the heroine. The hero’s compassion and understanding had me invested in him and the love he had to give. In historical romances I need really excellent story telling and while this was written well it just wasn’t compelling for me. Some lines, word choices and scenes were a little cheesy for my taste. The story is overall sweet and easy to read.
3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley & St Martins press for this ARC. The review is my own.
“Lady Avalon Warwyk never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry—that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.”
I liked this story in general, but thought that the plot took a little bit longer to build than would have been ideal. Fortunately, the characters were charming, so it didn’t feel laborious. This is part of a series, but could be a standalone.
A story of enemies to friends to lovers. Avalon and Devan have always butted heads but when they are thrown together sparks fly. Devan is the ultimate hero, kind and intelligent. And Avalon has a generous heart, using her wealth to help other women in need. I liked this couple and rooted for them to succeed together. Their banter was fun to follow. I laughed out loud at Avalon’s day dreaming of Devan. A fun read!
Wild, Wild Rake, by Janna MacGregor, is available at booksellers on 2-25-20. Wild is part of Ms MacGregor’s The Cavensham Heiresses series, but I found it to work well as a stand-alone story. It was nice at the end to catch up on the members of the other books, especially my favorite, The Duke of Southart. Oh my, Paul is delicious *grrrr*. This small insight into other characters will whet your appetite for the previous books in the series. Go for it.
I’ve been waiting for this book, the hero was a delight in the previous stories & I wanted more. Devon Ferris is now my all-time favorite good guy historical hero. He’s such a nice person you can’t help but love him. He cultivated a rakish reputation as it protected him from letting others into his business. Now he is a flirt, he’s witty and fun. These traits made it easy for people to pigeonhole him, if he spoke with a woman the papers said it was an affair. He’s refreshing after my steady diet of bad boys. It’s also nice to have a God fearing man who’s not dull or pious. I’d love to be the lady he turned eyes too. That happens to be Avalon, Marchioness of Warwyk. Avalon is a widow from a super bad arranged marriage. She’s a great strong female character. I like that she took charge of her life & made it work. She’s lovely.
I can’t, and won’t, tell you too much about the plot, it’s a terrific read and I want you to enjoy it for yourself. I was invested in the characters and their HEA. I do hope that Ms MacGregor will follow up with at least a novella about Sophia and Marcus. You’ll understand what I mean by the end. Happy reading. I voluntarily read and reviewed and advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Netgalley #JannaMacGregor #Wild,WildRake #CavenshamHeiresses #Historicalromance #StMartin’sPaperbacks
In another super success, Janna brings the hard life of women without rights in the 18th century, brilliantly and palpably.
Avalon, marchioness of Warwyk, had finally become pregnant.
A marriage without love, of convenience, that allowed her to have access to a lot of money, but without any attention from her husband.
So much so that he sent her to their home in the country, a place she praised for knowing that it was there that his mistress lived before he getting married.
Tired of waiting for his reply to her letters, Avalon decided to go to London, and upon arriving at the couple’s property, the biggest surprise.
Her husband, Richard Pearce, the marquess of Warwyk, was with his mistress, who had already given him a son. A son who should be his rightful heir. The woman he loved and would marry if he hadn’t been forced to marry Avalon.
Humiliated not only by her husband’s attitude, but by knowing that that woman had met Avalon four months earlier, at the seamstress, Avalon still had to face the presence of two of Richard’s friends, Gavin Farris, the Earl of Larkton, and his brother, Devan Farris.
Devan despised Avalon in every way, being happy with the humiliation she experienced, for thinking that she had jilted his best friend, Lord William Cavensham.
William was Avalon’s third cousin, and in fact, she had been in love with him. But her parents banned the match, just as they forced her to marry Richard, under threat and blackmail.
Once again sent to the country house, Avalon would still be the marquess’ official wife. And she would live up to the title by making him pay, literally, for his mistake.
She gave birth to the title heir, Thane.
Ten years later, her son inherited the title, and had Gavin Farris as guardian, much to Avalon’s despair.
Wanting to find out how the widow lived, since he had news that she was in the company of prostitutes and women without resources in the region, Gavin asked his brother, Devan, now a vicar, to go and see what she did.
Devan was forced to accept this investigation, and to live close to Avalon. And despite their contempt for the other, they were not prepared for this emotion to become something bigger, more visceral.
They fell in love.
And when the enemy becomes an ally, other adventures emerge to prevent the couple from being together.
Definitely Janna’s writing makes us feel every journey lived by the characters.
With conflicting feelings, I went from hatred to compassion for Devan, but, perhaps because some triggers were pulled, even though the story is so beautifully told, I felt no connection with the characters.
There is redemption, there are discoveries, there is resilience and a second chance.
Certainly a different historical romance.
4 stars
This book was unfortunately just not for me. I am a big fan of historical romances and there is nothing technically wrong with the writing in this one (which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1), but it failed to interest me from the get-go, and though I diligently kept trying, it ultimately never captured me, and I started to skim. I can get behind the story and character ideas, but to put it quite simply, I was bored. I felt for the heroine’s horrible past in her first marriage, and admired how she created a life for herself following it, but I didn’t find that life interesting. As for the romance, I didn’t feel any heat or connection between the couple at all. This was a complete miss for me, but I can see by the ratings that others enjoyed it so definitely read the sample (past the prologue, which was the most interesting part to me) and see if you are drawn in more than I was.
Thank you to Net Galley for the free review copy of this book