Member Reviews

Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Witty and romantic! Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

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Secrets have a way of being exposed but for now Inis Fitzgerald will play along with the fact that Alexander 'Alex' Ashley thinks she's just a servant and not the ladylike type born to an aristocratic family. Still, she can't keep up the pretense forever, right? Or can she?

Such an interesting book, as Alex and Inis have been through so much in their pasts and it's hard for either to trust. There are reasons for Alex to be bitter and the more I got into this book, the more I understood why the hero acted the way he did. He was betrayed by the woman he wanted to marry and has a brother that will never do right by family. No wonder why payback seems like such a good option for Alex.

While Inis, she never wanted anything to do with an arranged marriage and I can understand her reasons for leaving all she's ever known behind. Why shouldn't she? Isn't it better to find love when you least expect it than to be in a loveless arranged marriage? I could also understand her reasons for wanting to help Alex while wanting to hide the truth about her heritage from him. Moreover, the heroine's spunk and determination shine bright throughout this story and I enjoyed every interaction between Alex and Inis. She's good for him and shows him that he can open up to another woman and be happy and find someone to put his trust in, despite the secret she's keeping that when exposed could leave Alex and her relationship in tatters.

Overall, Ms Breeding pens a wonderful read in this book with strong characters that are perfect for each other, a storyline that was interesting and flowed nicely and an ending that left me happy for this couple after everything they've been through in their pasts. Both have to eventually find someone to put their trust in and I'm glad that they did. Love deserves to blossom and I smiled that these two didn't let anything stand in their way of finding happiness.

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This was a simple and sweet historical that I would recommend to anyone trying to get into the genre but not wanting to read the generic take on the rake tamed by firey girl trope.

When I initially picked up the book, I was worried that it was going to be another basic rendition of the trope we have seen so often. However, I was pleased to see that even though some aspects were pretty basic, the story was pretty refreshing and felt like a new story. There were some unexpected plot twists that really kept me on my toes which I appreciated.

I really enjoyed reading the main characters. I loved watching the two grow and butt heads throughout the book. Their chemistry and their relationship seemed really real to me.

I hadn't read the previous books prior to reading this book but now I am definitely interested in picking up the rest of them.

An overall great read.

- 4 stars -

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Cynthia Breeding had me at the cover! Sizzling. I LOVED this story. I like stories where the hero and heroine back themselves into a corner and have to come clean to have their happily-ever-after. This was fun.

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This was the third book in the series and I enjoyed it as I enjoyed the previous books. This was Alex's book and if you have read the previous books (I really hope you did) you know what had happened to him, how he got jilted, how his brother was truly not a very nice person and why Alex is bitter and wanting to get some sort of payback. Alex is sleeping his way thru the tons supposed "ladies" all married to titled friends of his pompous brothers, he is very specific he gives them a night to remember and then sends them a parting gift. However one lady gets obsessed with him and is not understanding that he does not do repeats. Alex wins a groomer for his stables in a game of cards but he ends up getting more than he bargained for, 1, it is a woman, 2 she is a titles lady but he does not know that part just yet. Wanting to embarrass his brother he decides to have Inis come with him to his brothers ball and has his friend help him get Inis ready and while spending more time with her, starts falling in love. Inis is attracted but she does not want to become part of his mistresses and she is also keeping a secret from him and to top it all off someone is trying to get her out of the way..Enjoy!

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Enjoyable story, story line was kind of funny...his former lovers formed a club. I liked Alexander and Inis together, their connection was nice to watch grow.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Entangled Publishing through NetGalley and I also purchased a copy of this book as well as I loved it.

This is the first book that I have read from this author. I truly enjoyed this intriguing story. Inis flees Ireland dressed as a lad. Through a series of events, she comes to stay with Alex to as a hostler (a groom). Alex immediately discovers that she is a woman as her cap flies off her head as she rides a horse. Alex hatches a plan to teach Inis the fine art of being a lady to trick his brother. Unbeknownst to him, Inis is a Lady as she is a niece to an Irish Duke. This sets off a chain of events that really was a great read.

I loved the author having to write the plot from multiple POVs. While this allowed me the reader to understand the different characters' thoughts, it also allows the identity of the person behind the attempts on Inis' life. While this may be a turn-off for other readers, it was not for me. This is a romance story first and foremost and it was intriguing to see how they went about discovering that person's identity.

This was one scene that may put a put off to other (a sexual one) but it was not erotically written but was just lightly written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

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Ahhhhhh this book was just so good. I just couldn't get enough of it. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

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This was a fun book to read. It was well written, fast paced and kept the readers attention. The story line was amusing, full of drama, and has some unsuspecting twists. This was the first book I have read by this author and I was surprised at how well written it was. I would recommend it.

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I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via Entangled Publishing through NetGalley. This book was just amazing. I just lost myself in this story and didn’t want it to end. It was really well written and just drew in you into these characters lives. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

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A well written historical romance with a nice storyline and plot. I like the author has made a research to make the details and language better in the story. Likeable characters that have a nice chemistry.
It is fun, romantic, sweet, emotional and enjoyable to read. It caught me from the first to last page. A story of a nice length with twists and turns.
I like the theme is different and that is so well written that you get caught in it. The writing style and use of words makes it absolutely worth the read. But some of the actions I do not understand. How is it going to be a bad thing to present her to his brother and tell she is an orphan? That is not kind towards her.
The mix of deception, murder attempts, lies revealed and love possibly lost makes this story a fun, sweet and engaging story.

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An entertaining story, I forgot how much I used to love historical romance stories. Overall a well-written story with enough detail provided to help form a clear picture, but not overly wordy to the point of causing boredom and skimming of the book. This manages to combine a few different tropes: mystery, romance, humor, and a slow build romance between Alex and Inis.

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Lady Inis Fitzgerald has run away from an unwanted betrothal. She hopes that by leaving Dublin for London it will make it that much harder for her uncle the powerful Duke of Kildare to find her.
Alexander Ashley is quite deliberately sleeping his way through the married wives of his brother's friends. It's an act of revenge, because his brother married the woman he once intended to marry. She decided she would rather have the oldest son and heir.
Our hero's twisted sense of humour and desire to humiliate his brother is sure to come back and bite someone. Our heroine is doing her best to stay hidden, but still can't stay out of trouble.
An amusing and slightly saucy historical romance with great characters. I'm sure we will meet many of the secondary characters again in their own stories. I for one will definitely be waiting for them.
I loved it.

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A Rake's Redemption
by Cynthia Breeding

Crime, Mystery, Romance, Humor. What a wonderful adventure this read has been for me. I got lost within the pages and just enjoyed each and every step of it! From characters to plots to action, this book covers a lot of territory for the readers. So... buy and enjoy it was totally a nice read! I was given this book via NetGalley. All opinions here are my own. Regards, Anna

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Here's the thing, I haven't read that much historical romances this far. Surprisingly this one peaked my interest and I actually enjoyed it!!

Alex is a Duke's brother. His almost betrothed jilted him for his brother, because of his title. Now Alex seduces women that are married to men with a connection to his brother and after one night with them sends them a silk negligee. Inis, is the niece of an Irish Duke. Her uncle wants to marry her with a man twice her age and in order to escape this fate, she boards a ship dressed as a man and leave for England. Alex after a successful poker night, he finds himself with a new servant for his horses. What he doesn't know is that his new servant is actually a woman, Inis, and a Duke's niece nonetheless. After finding out that Inis is a woman, he feels attracted to her but in order to save herself, Inis tells him that she's a poor orphan. Alex, ignorant to her real identity, he wants to teach her proper etiquette and present her to the Prince. However, someone is not happy about Inis being near Alex and decides to remove her once and for all!

I really liked the book! It was hilarious that the women Alex slept with had a fan club and discuss his performance! The plot was really interesting! I'm so glad that I gave this historical romance a chance! I'm definitely reading more from the author.

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This was a fun start to Cynthia Breeding's new Regency Rakes series. Inis, a member of Irish nobility, dresses herself as a boy and takes off for London in order to escape a marriage to a man her uncle the Duke is forcing her to marry. She is quickly robbed and hides in a carriage, and the Lord who owns the carriage forces her to work for him as punishment. Alex wins the "boy" in a card game, and Inis's cover is quickly blown

Alex is basically a likeable man whore. He sleeps with married women of the ton, and each one only once. After each encounter, he sends the woman a negligee. He is angry at his brother, a duke, who married Alex's intended fiancee. In order to get revenge, he intends to groom Inis (who he believes to be a penniless orphan) to appear as a lady, and then reveal what she really is to his brother. This is one part of the story that I really didn't get; how would that punish his brother?

What follows is fast paced fun, as Alex and his friend Caroline try to teach Inis how to be a lady. There is also a former (one time) lover of Alex who is NOT amused that Alex spends so much time with Inis. There is deception, murder attempts, lies revealed, and love possibly lost. Though you may have to suspend belief of plot plots occasionally, it's worth it for such an entertaining story.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

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With engaging characters, A Rake's Redemption by Cynthia Breeding is an interesting and unique historical romance that flows across the pages and keeps you entertained from start-to-finish.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

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A Rake's Redemption by Cynthia Breeding is a unique view of two individuals and their frustration with the expectations put on them. A great read and a thought provoking one at the same time. The secondary characters are helpful in moving the story along but it is Inis and Alex that make the story come alive.
Extra bonus for all the horsemanship in the novel.

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For Lord Alexander Ashley, jumping out the bedroom window of his latest assignation is not anything new. He is a rake after all, and In A Rakes Redemption, he finally meets his match.

After his brother, the Duke of Dansworth steals his fiancée he decides to take his revenge. He has assignations with all of the wives of his brother’s friends, once only. The wives are rewarded with an exquisite tryst and a lovely négligée.

When Lady Inis Fitzgerald is confronted by her uncle, the Duke of Kildair, she realizes she needs to get away. He wants to marry her off to an oaf. The Earl of Adair’s eldest son is not someone to look up to. He really only wants Inis for her dowry and to produce the next heir.

Inis wants nothing to do with being the Chatelaine for the Earl and his son, she just wants to take care of the horses. Trained (before he died) by her father to handle horses, she is more comfortable on horseback.

Running away to England disguised as a boy is the only way. But after all of her savings are stolen she ends up as the horse handler for none other than Lord Ashley.

Ridiculous And Fun

After Lord Ashley learns Inis is a girl he decides to pull a prank on his brother. He will turn the “orphaned commoner” into a lady and then present her to the Prince at a ball. It is a completely ridiculous premise. That somebody could think that they could teach that much information to someone with little or no education in such a short time is absurd.

But as ridiculous as the premise is, it was fun to read. The sparks that grew between the two were exciting to follow as well.

Cynthia Breeding has created a great novel, I look forward to the rest of the trilogy.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

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“A Rakes Redemption” by Cynthia Breeding.
This is a fun enjoyable read with charismatic characters and a seamless flowing storyline of revenge on snobbish members of the ton, and, the danger of a cunning and jealous ex lover. The rake and his female horse trainer were sweet together with a slow burn romance that ignited into a steamy passion that burned on both ends.

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