Happy Tuesday sweeties! Today, I’ll be sharing my review for Rakes and Roses by Josi S. Kilpack, the third book in the Mayfield Family Romance Series and published by Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I’ve been reading and really enjoying regency/historical romances and this book was another lovely story. Josi S. Kilpack wrote such a moving and heartfelt tale about love, second chances, and redemption. I had fun reading this book and I hope you grab yourself a copy cause this beauty is out today!

Published: May 5, 2020

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

ISBN: 9781629727356

  Page Count: Paperback, 320

Genre(s): Fiction, Romance, Regency

AMAZON – BOOK DEPOSITORY – DESERET  BOOK 

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 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.

A Beautifully Written, Captivating, and Wonderfully Moving Romance that Absolutely Warmed My Heart

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.

 

Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and has written thirty-three novels, one cookbook, and several short stories since then. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner, including two Novel of the Year awards for Lord Fenton’s Folly and As Wide as the Sky and a Best of State winner in Fiction. She writes her national women’s fiction under the pen name of Jessica Pack (say Josi Kilpack really fast and you’ll see why she chose it). Josi currently lives in Northern Utah and is the mother of 4 wonderful kids.

For more information about Josi or her books, please visit her blog, What is a Sundial In the Shade?

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Thanks for stopping by lovelies! I hope you enjoyed reading this review and add this book on your TBR!

Until next time, take care, be safe, and happy reading!