BLURB
Frances
Thorne learned at an early age to rely on herself. Yet, losing her
job and her home and watching her father carted off to debtor’s
prison all in one day, is too much for her to bear alone. When a
generous offer of assistance falls into her lap, she ignores her
better instincts and decides to take a chance. The last thing she
needs is for the infuriating Lord Lucan Montwood to stand in her way.
The
end of the bachelors’ wager is near, and Lucan Montwood can taste
victory. Yet, on the precipice of finally gaining freedom from his
debts, he’s incensed to learn that the beautiful Frances Thorne has
fallen into an insidious trap in the guise of a new position. Lucan
can’t deny the way her lips call to him and knows he must risk his
own future to ensure her safety.
Convincing
her to trust him is the hard part and resisting her is next to
impossible. But falling in love with her? That’s far too simple.
MY THOUGHTS
I've been a huge fan of Vivienne Lorret since reading her Wallflower Wedding series and THE MADDENING LORD MONTWOOD did not disappoint. It's packed with the same suspense, passion and grin-inducing humor I've come to expect from her historicals. In TMLM the final Rake of Fallow Hall, Lucan Montwood, falls prey to love. Although I've always thought Lucan the most rakish of the Rakes, we learn that his reasons for instigating the marriage wager were due to a very noble need for the prize money. His character definitely displays hidden depths and vulnerabilities that we never expected from him based on his reputation. There's an amazing sweetness and selflessness to his character that sparks to life when he witnesses people in need. Plus, who doesn't love a man who's kind to dogs and children?
Our bespectacled heroine, Frances, has known Lucan since they were children though she never really knew him. She has suffered so much betrayal at the hands of men who claimed to love her that she's unwilling to trust a rogue of Montwood's repute, no matter how fine his posterior might be. And it's much more than just fine. Frances is inexorably drawn to Lucan, and when she finds herself in a precarious, possibly dangerous situation, it's in his arms that she discovers her safe haven. I really admired Frances' drive and strength in supporting herself financially and standing up for her convictions. She's kind of a bad-ass for dedicating her time to teaching women how to defend themselves.
The story was wonderfully paced, with the suspense and passion slowing building throughout. This novel makes sex on a piano sound a million times sexier than I'm sure it is in real life. Seriously hot stuff! I loved the characters and the use of Lucan's dog as a matchmaker for all the couples in the series. Vivienne Lorret does a great job of creating these cute little inside jokes that just make you smile when they pop up throughout the novel and series. This is the kind of historical that leaves me feeling so satisfied, with a grin on my face and a hunger for more. More novels that is, because whatever Vivienne Lorret's next series is, you can bet I'll be reading it. If you love a feel-good historical with a great build, loads of heat and a Rake with a heart of gold, then THE MADDENING LORD MONTWOOD needs to be added to your TBR pile.
Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
Avon is hosting a Tour Wide Giveaway for a Digital Download Bundle of The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series Books 1 & 2. Enter using the Rafflecopter below:
AUTHOR INFO-
USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Vivienne Lorret loves romance novels, her pink laptop, her husband, and her two sons (not necessarily in that order ... but there are days). Transforming copious amounts of tea into words, she is proud to be an Avon Impulse author of works including: Tempting Mr. Weatherstone, The Wallflower Wedding Series, and The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series.
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