I am DNFing this book at Chapter 4.

There is a lot of "telling" in this book and it was getting annoying. It would have been better to start this book when the heroine was a widow and then do flashbacks of the diary entries that she wrote. Heck, chapter 2 was just 4 years of diary entries which was pretty boring to me, TBH.

This book was first published in 2008, but I got the ARC for this in 2017.

I kinda want to read the first book in this series, though.

I did not enjoy it nor did I dislike it. I am all mixed feelings about this novel. It was pretty average and not really thrilling.

I really liked this one. Celia's story is authentic and heart-wrenching, and her struggle to trust men following the two-faced nature of her first husband makes so much sense. I like that Anthony is complicated; a selfish rake on the one hand, and on the other hand wise enough to spot a diamond in Celia from the beginning. Two broken people who can help each other is my favorite sort of story, and this one does it well.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

Anthony Hamilton cannot help it. The way he looks, the way he lives, his past—it all conspires to make him a man men fear, women desire. His name fills gossip circles in a seemingly endless, lurid drama. But he’s never forgotten the only woman he’s ever truly wanted—yet could never have. Celia Reece knew Anthony well before he forged his scandalous reputation. The young man she remembers spoke kindly to her, made her laugh, and his devilish good looks always quickened her pulse. But Celia’s mother had other designs—designs that didn’t include marriage to Anthony. Now, Celia is widowed, and her mother is intent on finding her a new husband. Refusing to let any obstacle stand in his path this time, Anthony sets out to win Celia’s heart by using the same skills that made him London’s most irresistible rake.
This was a pretty good book in a tried and true trope of wrong guy falls for friend’s sister and nobody would approve. I really don’t like it when the author makes the hero or heroine out to be a rake, regardless of what timeline the story is in. It makes it hard for me to want to read books that blatantly have that listed in the description. I’m very happy I tried it anyways. The author did a great job with both main characters. They each went through serious problems to find a strong love with each other. I can’t wait to read the other two stories in this trilogy. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

He Must Rely On His Talents In The Bedroom...

Anthony Hamilton cannot help it. The way he looks, the way he lives, his past--it all conspires to make him a man men fear, women desire. His name fills gossip circles in a seemingly endless, lurid drama. But he's never forgotten the only woman he's ever truly wanted--yet could never have. . .

To Make Her Fall In Love. . .

Celia Reece knew Anthony well before he forged his scandalous reputation. The young man she remembers spoke kindly to her, made her laugh, and his devilish good looks always quickened her pulse. But Celia's mother had other designs--designs that didn't include marriage to Anthony. Now, Celia is widowed, and her mother is intent on finding her a new husband. Refusing to let any obstacle stand in his path this time, Anthony sets out to win Celia's heart by using the same skills that made him London's most irresistible rake...

My Thoughts

This book was first released in 2008 and is being reissued, I have read many of Caroline's other books but this is the first time that I have read this book. I can recommend this book I found it a enjoyable read.

In society Anthony Hamilton is known as a rake and a gambler and sometimes he likes the wealthy widows and matrons. I found Anthony to have a kind heart and when he finds love he gives it wholeheartedly, its such a shame his father never saw any of this, to society Anthony's father never repudiated his wife or son, but in private it was a whole different story. Anthony and his mother spent most of their time away from Linley Court and Anthony was asked to leave three schools for fighting and once for cheating a professor at cards.

Throughout the book I was always routing for Anthony I could see the good in him, when most people was always trying to discredit him.

When we first meet Celia she is enjoying her season, gossiping with friends and dancing with young men. She has known Anthony before when she younger and he was friends with her brother David, but because Rosalind Celia's mother didn't like him, he wasn't allowed back at the family home. Then at the ball after Lord Euston made a rather impromptu offer of marriage, and Anthony comes to Celia's rescue.

So from here the story then changes Celia marries Bertie and for four years her marriage isn't what she thought it would be, especially when Bertie's friends visit and Celia is then left with her father in law, who only wants to have a grandson to keep the family name going. But when Bertie dies Rosalind brings Celia back to the family home.

Which is were she meets Anthony again, because Rosalind has arranged to have a house party. Rosalind comes across as very caring but she is trying to hard with Celia, and of course she still doesn't like Anthony. But that does change and for the better.

There was one character that I did like and that's Lord Warfield Anthony's uncle. He is constantly standing up for Anthony much to Rosalind's annoyance. But in the end Rosalind agrees that Anthony is a good man, and even Rosalind and Lord Warfield start to like each other.

I would give this book 4/5 stars, and can be purchased at Amazon.

I recieved this book from Netgalley for a honest review.

A man who wants what he can’t have. Makes him want it even more. Bold read.

This book was a bit different than most historical romances, in my opinion. I really liked that.

Anthony is the typical rogue/rake with a heart of gold for the heroine. He's there for her, he makes her laugh - he helps her become more like herself before she was married, when she was happier and more relaxed. Her mother , on the other hand, only sees him as a bad influence.

Celia is a woman who, although strong, was a hurt by life - her husband who pretty much left her alone with her father-in-law, the father-in-law who depended on them too much , the children she wanted but didn't have... and sadly she became a shell of her younger self.

Anthony helps her and he doesn't push her, which I liked. She evolves at her own pace.

I really enjoyed seeing their relationship rekindle and grow, and I became quite envolved with these characters.

Definitely another win for me with Caroline Linden.

I absolutely loved Caroline Linden's A Rake's Guide to Seduction. It was so sweet.

In loved Anthony and Celia's story!!

Anthony had fallen in love with a woman who made the world much brighter with just her presence. When he reconnects with her after husband dies and she is a shadow of the woman she once was, he does everything in his power to bring back the woman he fell in love with.

I loved watching Anthony bring Celia back to life again and in the process find his true self. They were perfect for each other!! I loved this trilogy and am sorry to see it end.

DNF
I had a hard time getting into this book unfortunately. I normally love Caroline Linden's books, but there was a disconnect for me between the characters.

A Second Chance at Love is what I call this one. I loved that they both saw the wisdom of not wondering "what if" about each other. Celia was almost flighty in the beginning and had turned into a more mature woman by the end, even if she was only 22/23 (I forgot which). Watching these 2 figure out their feelings and how they developed along the was was a joy and I do hope we hear a bit more about Rosalind! The twist at the end was the final touch. Loved the book! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this story. The broken hero who's reputation is in tatters. He doesn't think he's worth of love especially not love from the sister of one of his closest friends. She's a widow who is saddened after surviving a marriage she thought was based on love but really wasn't.

The story is well written, the characters are multi dimensional and the plot is intriguing. I really enjoyed ot

Generally I am a fan of all things Caroline Linden, but this re-issue from nine years ago is not one of my favorites from her. It’s sort of a second chance at love story, except the hero and heroine never really made it to the “love” stage the first time around.

Linden introduces us to Celia and Anthony four years prior to the main events of the story. She is a debutante in her first season and he is the disreputable friend of her older brother. Everyone knows that Anthony is a rake of the first order, and a gambler too. The gossip sheets report on him constantly, but Celia remembers the boy he was as she was growing up and isn’t so quick to judge him on his reputation. He is taken by the way she sees him, but he is too late when he asks her brother to court her. She has already accepted another man’s proposal.

We basically spend one chapter of the book with diary entries from Celia detailing her unfortunate first marriage, which ends in her first husband’s death. The crux of this story is her mother’s attempt to bring her back into society after her morning. And Anthony’s inability to stop himself from falling for her all over again.

The love story is easy, which is one of the things I always like about Linden romances. But I was tempted to put down the book in that depressing chapter about Celia’s first marriage. After that, it was really a slow build for me. The romance did not take off quickly, and frankly Celia, was a very unhappy person. While it is nice to see her evolution back into a happy and functioning young woman, a lot of this book felt kind of like a downer for me.

It was nice how Anthony saw Celia as something special, but he wasn’t much happier than she was. People constantly thought the worst of him, insulted him. And he just took it. She was the widow, but neither of them is really in a good place.

When she finally does realize what’s in front of her, I thought things sped up really quickly, at least in the physical department. Maybe that’s because she’s a widow and not a blushing virgin. But still…

I don’t know. I guess the pacing was just uneven and there wasn’t enough feel good until the very end. It wasn’t bad. But I have read many of her books that I enjoyed much more.

Rating: C+

This is a steamy romance, I enjoyed it a lot.The hero is strong, complex, and misunderstood. The heroine grows into a woman who learns her own strength.Both are interesting.

3.5/5

In love with Anthony, and maybe a bit jealous of Celia, lol. I liked that the characters knew each other before, even if it was a long time ago. I really liked their interactions and then coming together. Such a fun read.

4.5 Stars

Anthony Hamilton is the legal son and heir of an earl, but rumors have circulated about his true parentage because he wasn't born until ten years after his parents' marriage, and his looks are decidedly unlike the earl's. His relationship with his father was always rocky, and when he was expelled from school, he was thrown out of the house, with his allowance cut off. From that day forward, Anthony discarded his courtesy title, and insisted on being called plain Mr. Hamilton. In order to survive, he used his brilliant math skills to let him win at gambling. He became adept at business transactions, and at seducing investment money from unhappy wives. While he slowly worked at building himself a future, his reputation suffered, and he stayed on the fringes of society.

Celia Reece, is the beautiful daughter of a duke, and is enjoying her first season. When one of her suitors becomes too ardent in his unwanted proposal, Celia is surprisingly rescued by Anthony, who is a friend of her brother's. Anthony was a large part of her childhood, and a dear friend, until her mother banned him from their home due to his scandalous reputation. Anthony is struck by the woman his little friend has become. Her sparkle and loveliness cause Anthony to ponder changing his ways and becoming a man suitable to court her. When Anthony finally finds the courage to approach her brother for permission to call on her, with a heartfelt plan of how he will change his life, he is informed that Celia has just become engaged and will be married in a month.

Celia is young and in love, and her marriage to Bertie begins on a high note. They have a lovely honeymoon at his family's country estate, but the contentment doesn't last long. Bertie's father, who controls the money, insists the newlywed couple stay in the country, though they both want to return to town. Bertie seems to need laughter, companions, drink, and gambling to be happy. Soon, Celia is left more and more on her own, as Bertie seeks whatever entertainment he can find. Unfortunately, that entertainment eventually includes another woman, and the marriage continues to steadily deteriorate. Then Bertie becomes ill and dies, leaving a disillusioned Celia in the country with Bertie's aging, ill, and grieving father.

A year after Bertie's death, Celia's mother, Rosalind, arrives to take Celia back home. Her beautiful daughter, now only twenty-two years old, is just a shell of her former self. The sparkle, the laughter, and happiness are all gone, leaving a quiet, sad eyed ghost. In an effort to cheer her up, Rosalind plans a house party, inviting several of her closest friends from her debut season. (Much to Rosalind's chagrin, her son has insisted that Anthony be invited, as well.) Celia finds herself very uncomfortable around her former friends, who are now married. They seem hard, overly willing to indulge in malicious gossip, and even eager to have affairs. The only person who she feels comfortable with is Anthony, who is greatly shocked at the changes in her. While Anthony no longer has any expectations regarding Celia, he's determined to bring her back to life, and begins his campaign to do so.

For me, this is where the story begins. Anthony certainly has not followed a straight and narrow path, but, oh, how I adore him. As his history unfolds, the treatment of him going back to when he was a child broke my heart. He endured gossip, snubs, and outright vicious attacks, much of it being undeserved. I love his care of Celia, how he made her laugh again and brought her back to life. Celia is so broken by her failed marriage. She doubts her ability to make wise choices, and is conflicted. I cheered at how she believed in Anthony and supported him, even when all evidence pointed against him. Just when it seemed that happy ever after was in their grasp, I realized that there was a whole lot of book left, and there was another twist.

A RAKE'S GUIDE TO SEDUCTION is a truly satisfying and heartwarming read. I love the theme of a second chance, and Anthony and Celia got their second shot at love, while Anthony develops some self worth, and Celia comes to terms with her earlier marriage. This appealing couple is made for each other, and I heartily recommend this somewhat steamy and very romantic read.

Anthony Hamilton is thought to by a bastard son of the Earl of Lynley. While the Earl claims him, he shuns him so Anthony sets out on his own. He has no money and only his knowledge for investing and card play help him get by. He is considered a rogue and society does not accept his wild reputation. Except for Celia Reece who he finds himself falling for.

After getting a wake up from foolishly following what is expected of her when it comes to marriage with a "good match", Celia makes her way back to the fold of her family who try to cheer the new widow out of the depression of a miserable marriage. The only one who seems to break through is Anthony. He may be wealthy but his reputation still could be a barrier to their budding relationship.

The build up of the story is a bit long and I was beginning to lose interest when the meat of the story began. While I realize the premise of the story was about "not judging a book by its cover", I felt that Anthony became more of a beta male and too much of a pushover to what society labeled him as. I would have liked to see a bit more fight in him especially when confronting his father at the end of the novel.

This was a good read but needed less build up in the beginning and more backbone from the hero at the end.

What’s with the ridiculous way historical romance is marketed? This book isn’t about a “guide to seduction”. I question whether it’s even about a rake!

In all the years he had known her, he had never once touched her except very properly on the hand, on the elbow, and once on the back, when he had helped her into a carriage.

Caroline Linden is one of my favourite authors in this genre because she is one of the few who actually captures what life was like back in the Georgian/Regency eras. There’re very few who can do what she does (Madeline Hunter being another), working with the social rules of the time to create conflict and romance rather than throwing it all away and writing a contemporary story in pretty dresses.

This is the third book in a trilogy and I’ve not read the other two yet (but I certainly will). A Rake’s Guide to Seduction is about growing up and changing and losing your silly childish dreams. There’re so many wonderful references to the realities of upper class marriages of the times. I know readers who prefer anachronistic fluff have criticised the book for the more serious tone, but I can’t read anachronistic fluff, so I loved it.

The more time she spent with Jane, Mary and Louisa, the more she realised her marriage had not been the only one made on short acquaintance and uncertain affection. Louisa liked being a viscountess, but otherwise had little fondness for Lord Elton. Mary’s marriage had been arranged by her parents, and she made no secret of being resenting being treated like a child by her elderly husband.

The attitudes to physical contact between the genders is also much closer to how it would have been – making the anticipation much better.

Celia sat beside him on the sofa, where he could touch her hand discreetly from time to time to make her cheeks turn pink.

Our hero, Anthony Hamilton, misses the boat by only moments at the start of the story. He has just made up his mind to ask permission to court our heroine, Celia Reece, when her engagement to another man is announced. Things don’t work out the way anybody planned, and when we catch up with Celia again she is isolated, disillusioned, depressed and widowed. Her family plans a house party to try and bring her back to herself, fearing for her life. Our hero is only a rake in name; his reputation has been built by the cruelty of the gossips.

Depressing plot? Well, no, actually. Things change and our now more mature heroine learns what true love is as she grows and changes. I was so happy to have some real evolution for both main characters. I was thrilled that all the social restrictions of the time were shown more realistically. I loved the whole concept of the book.

Another great thing about this one was the subtle secondary romance involving “older” characters. Remembering how young everyone married and reproduced in the past, I don’t see why we couldn’t have more romances like this one. After all, these “older” characters would be considered pretty young these days!

I was also overjoyed that this heroine seemed to love the colour blue as much as I do!

There’re very few complaints I have about the characters’ actions in this one (though why US editors insist on including the term gotten nonstop in their historical romances is beyond me). There were the usual niggles: only in American English will you hear anyone calling autumn fall, or saying write me.

This is a brilliant author with a firm grasp of the past. I wish there were more like her.

Ion really enjoyed this novel. It was an interesting story with equally interesting characters. I love how the author took a different twist with the story by not making Celia fall instantly in love with Anthony or pine over him for years. There was a mutual attraction between the two which went deeper than the surface. If you want to read a true love story then this is the book for you!