Second Chances...
Rakes and Roses shares the story of Lady Sabrina and Harry Stillman. Harry's reputation precedes him- gambler, drunk and rake. When he finds himself in financial trouble with no one to turn to, he seeks help from a man called Lord Damion- a secretive supporter of men with no other options, so long as the turn their lives around. Harry is attacked by the men he owes money, and rescued by Lady Sabrina. While he heals in her home, Harry discovers he and Sabrina have more in common than he thought. Both have been mistreated by family members in the past. While he used hardships in his past as an excuse to gamble and drink, Sabrina made the best of her situation and has a successful life as a young widowed woman. Harry sees that he too has the potential to become a good person, and takes the chance to change for the better. While their relationship grows, Harry realizes there is more to Sabrina than meets the eye. Theirs is a sweet relationship based on deep understanding and love in spite of shortcomings.

Everyone deserves a chance to meet their potential. I loved the message that we are all our own masters- we can choose to change for the better. It doesn't matter what others think of us. Circumstances in our lives may have led us to problematic places, or we may coped with problems in a harmful way, but we can always choose to rise above. I loved the reminder that I choose how to react to what happens to me, and therefore I have control over my life.

Overall I really liked the book. I wish there could have been more to the story- much of it took place from the home while Harry was healing. However, this did give ample time for Harry and Sabrina's relationship to develop. I loved the idea of second chances and redemption, and that it's never too late to become who you want to be.

This author has done it again! I love love love this book. The story developed in such a natural way that nothing was forced and everything was totally believable. Let me say though watching Harry hit rock bottom from his life of gambling and drunkenness was sobering. I loved going thru the journey with him as he got a clearer head and found focus in his life once again. I loved how he became a man of action. I loved Lady Sabrina’s character so much too. I loved her determination to do right and help people any way she could. The best part of the story was seeing how they developed a deep baring their souls friendship. That then became so much more. A fantastic story!

I’ve enjoyed each of the Mayfield Family books and Rakes and Roses was no exception.

Since book 1, I’ve wondered about the story of Harry Stillman. I wondered what kind of life he was living and when the story starts, we get a glimpse of a kind man in the prologue. However, when chapter one starts, we see how far Harry has fallen.

But I so love a redeemable character and Harry definitely is one. Add in Lady Sabrina’s past and her current endeavors and you have a page turner folks.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and I eagerly await the next book Ms. Kilpack writes. Another Proper Romance for the shelf.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

The book start with Sabrina who's husband is abusive. This is glossed over. It would have given the book more depth is it gave more attention to Sabrina's emotions. Now it was more a detached background story. The romance in this book lacked chemisty. I didn't really like Harry. He is a gambler and is on the brink of losing everything. I like how Sabrina helps others, which is unusual for the time period the book is set in. Overall I liked the book.

#netgalley #rakesandroses
Josi S. Kilpack is one of my all time favorite authors, so I went got the chance to read another one of her books I couldn't wait to dive in! I don't think Josi has it in her to write a dull book, all of her books so far have been full of romance and twists and adventures. This book did not disappoint, i loved the storyline and how the characters grew in so many way but especially in love. I give this book 5 stars and i can't wait to read it again!

I have enjoyed each of Kilpack’s books in the Mayfield Family series, and this one was just as enjoyable. I will admit, it has been long enough since I’ve read the other books that I don’t really remember much about the other characters, but that’s not necessary, as each story works well as a stand-alone.

It was fun having Lady Sabrina be the strong rescuer, instead of the other way around, as is usually common in novels set in this time period. (But I don’t mind those either.) I cheered her on as she lived her life on her terms, and I also cheered Harry on as he finally started making much-needed changes in his life. This book was a page-turner, and I stayed up much later than I should have to finish it. I highly recommend this book - and the entire series.

I'm not sure how many books are planned for this series but this is my favorite so far. What a huge change Harry undergoes through the course of this book. In the last book he seemed irredeemable so to start this book at that point and end where he does is a large turnabout. I never thought I could like him but I did. And I really wanted him to succeed.
I loved Sabrina. She could see how much of her life really came from lucky circumstances and she was grateful for each opportunity. She also had some awful stuff to deal with like the circumstances of her birth but particularly being in an abusive marriage. Yet she took each opportunity given to her and used it to better her life as well as better the lives of others. I loved her feminist views that placed her well before her time but that she was also able to figure out a way to use her feminism (and money) in a way that fit in society. She was definitely bucking the system but few knew it.
I loved that Harry heard her feminist views and quickly realized what she said was true and he wanted that in his life. He didn't love her because of her money. He needed money to fix his life but that was all secondary to real love. He wanted to be a man worthy of Sabrina. His attitude by the end was more "I'll fix me and you fix you and we'll continue side by side".

Sex: innuendo, kissing
Language: no
Violence: brutal beating, references to brutal spouse abuse in the past
*I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

I was hesitant at the beginning of thos book. I did not love hoe quickly it revealed the identity of Lord Damion. However I forged ahead and believed in Josi Kilpack's ability to weave a beautiful story and I was not disappointed! This story of redemption, grace, and hope had me hooked. I was rooting for Harry and hoping that Sarah's heart would heal and make space for him! I loved how Harry wanted to be sure he had complete control of himself and his former vices before marriage. Such a surprising love story.

This novel is absolutely fantastic! The characters are so well done. The author does an amazing job of showing what a pathetic loser Harry starts out as with all his heartbreaking addictions. The process of watching him overcome is so inspiring. And I love how Sabrina helps him with just the right ratio of tough love and compassion. Their conversation about changing and becoming better is worth 5 stars to me all by itself.

The pacing is brilliant. I was a little worried how this wonderfully capable woman was going to fall in love with someone so pathetic, especially after having to watch him at his absolute worst. But I found it believable and sweet and felt like they complemented each other well.

Another wonderful book by Josi Kilpack! I have loved this series. I love how each book follows one of Elliott’s nieces or nephews and how he knew what was best for them. I loved how this book was a story about redemption and about learning to trust. I loved the romance between Harry and Sabrina. I loved how Sabrina helped Harry to overcome many of his weaknesses and to become the man that she knew he could be. I also like how Harry showed Sabrina that there are good men in the world. I thought this was a great book and I would recommend it.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

The story of the rake, Harry and the rose, Sabrina. Quick and easy description is it's about the love, compassion, caring and the desire to change. Excellent HEA without being sappy or overly done. I enjoyed the characters & their motivations.

I enjoyed this read would give it a 4.5 if possible. Maybe it's just the period of time when I read this (during COVID19 shelter in place), but I like reading about being able to change for the better. I know I have had lots of time on my hands to try and improve myself & reduce my faults during this time, so this story was a lovely way to continue that theme at night when I can read.

3 installment in the series, honestly wish I had learned about this series when they were all published because it's going to be torture to keep waiting!! However, I like how the author didn't waste loads of time explaining the previous two. While this story could maybe an acceptable stand alone, it is best when read in order

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I have mixed feelings about this story. I thought the depiction of Harry’s gambling addiction was very well done; it was painful to read. I also was moved by the description of Sabrina’s loneliness and her business success and philanthropy. Maybe what was lacking for me was that the romantic connection really didn’t feel that strong. Harry’s redemption was helped along as much by Sabrina’s housekeeper, Therese, as it was by Sabrina herself. Another problem for me was the gap of time near the end when Harry was moving on to make something of himself and Sabrina was traveling. I wanted to know more about how he was progressing. I don’t think the title “Rakes and Roses” was that descriptive of the story although Harry was a rake and Sabrina grew roses.
Kilpack is a good writer so I am giving this book 3 stars.

This was a new series for me, but it was a quick read and I read it in one day. I had a hard time connecting to the Characters in the beginning. I think its because the characters were really harsh toward each other, but didn’t really know one another.

The second half was sweet. As the characters started to get to know each other and feelings began to form, they had a very playful way of communicating, and it allowed the story to move forward naturally.

This was an interesting read.

My review will be posted to the Book Confessions blog the first week of May.

***4.5 stars***

I love the premise of this series. A wealthy elderly uncle, who never married and is without an heir, decides to bestow an inheritance to his family on the condition that they marry. He doesn't want them to live as he did. Alone.

This story is about Harry. He has many vices. He's a rake, and alcoholic, and a gambler. He is indebted to a very horrible man and his uncle has cut him off. He has no way to fulfill his obligations until Lord Damion finds worth in him and loans him the money on condition that he reform his life and repay the debt.

I loved the characters in the book. Harry seems at first to be unredeemable until he discovers his own worth and decides to be a better person. His personality is fun and he is full of mischief. I enjoyed the teasing between him and Sabrina. He pulls her out of her lonely life and helps her rediscover happiness. She has also lived a difficult life and seeks to see her worth as a person and friend.

Rakes and Roses was a fun book to read. I look forward to any book that comes out by Josi Kilpack. I hope that there is another Mayfield book to look forward to.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Thankful to have received an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

Rakes and Roses is a pleasantly surprising reversal of roles that is so eloquently written. It gives a different yet realistic and authentic representation of love, abuse, sobriety and gambling addictions.

Sabrina Carlisle is an illegitimate daughter growing up who despite having been raised in privilege has never truly been accepted into society. Her desire to be accepted by London's elite leads her to an empty, abusive and unhappy marriage. Despite her harsh upbringing and horrendous encounters with the opposite sex, she has managed to transform herself into the epitome of a strong, independent and wealthy high society lady.

Sabrina has a depth of character very uncommon for regency/historical romance that tends to have a damsel in distress seeking a handsome man to save her. Instead, we have Sabrina, who has a very dominant personality and a firm grasp of who she is and does not allow society or its stereotypes of "men only" in business to hamper her. I love that she manages to still have a heart and a deep appreciation for her good fortune and spreads it as widely as possible to those she encounters.

If there were ever an opposite to her it would be Mr. Harrison (Harry), Stillman. Instead of using his position and power within society to rise, he succumbs to the lure of gambling and drink and soon finds himself inundated by gambling debt and loan sharks. With his life on the line and the fate of estate in jeopardy he has truly hit rock bottom in society.

He receives word of a different type of lender, the magnanimous Lord Damian who may be able to assist him however there is a steep price to pay. He must renounce all his gambling and drinking vices and make amends with his past. For Harry, who has suffered at the abusive hands of his tyrant father, his pride is all that remains and he finds it hard to accept the harsh realities of his past which is essential to moving on,

A chance encounter with Sabrina leads Harry to the realization that perhaps love and marriage may be an option for him in the future. Can he reconcile his past and do right by Lord Damian in order to prove his worth to Sabrina? Can Sabrina open her heart to love a second time, or will she seclude herself for fear that once again a man will rule her life?

There is a strong message of finding self-worth and happiness within and being appreciative of what you have instead of chasing what you think you need.

This third book is as entertaining as the first two. I’ve got to say, this series is a go-to for sweet romance. In the first two books, we only know Harrison as the playboy black sheep of the family; in fact, he may be the best example of why his uncle started the marriage campaign. In his story, we see how far he’s fallen in pursuit of his devil-may-care lifestyle.

Sabrina is an altogether interesting character. After the (welcome) death of her husband, Sabrina goes on a campaign of her own—to save the prodigal sons of society. When Harrison needs help, she gives it—though he isn’t certain of the identity of his benefactor.

What follows is a story of Harrison’s (and Sabrina’s) redemption as they find love and forgiveness.

As with the first two books in this series (Promises and Primroses Book #1 and Daisies and Devotion Book #2), the characters in this story are likable, the romance is light and engaging, and the read is fun. I definitely recommend trying this series out.

Rated PG for intense situations
—clean romance
—no language
—some violence and bodily injury
—no gore

I received this ebook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The rare series book that absolutely can stand alone--there are no tie-ins or untold backstories.

The characters make some rather quick changes in their lives, but overall it's a nice escapist romance.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.

I absolutely adored the third Mayfield Family series installment, Rakes and Roses. I am giving it five plus stars.

I finished this book a few days ago and the ending still makes me smile.
Its a romance novel like I havent read in a long time. The twist took me by surprised and I love interactions between the characters.
I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend this book.

Harry Stillman fell into the wrong crowd when he first came to London, and years of dice and drink have made him a slave to his appetites. Dun territory is a terrifying place, however, when your creditor is only too happy to break both your kneecaps. Harry is on the brink of selling his family estate to pay his debts when he gets an offer from the mysterious Lord Damion to buy up the loan if Harry can promise to mend his ways. But the thug who is Harry's chief creditor isn't willing to let his prey go so easily....

Born on the wrong side of the blanket, Lady Sabrina has always been on the fringes of society. After the death of her abusive husband, she finally receives control of her own life. Determined to use her fortune for good, she uses solicitors and go-betweens to involve herself in a financial world that is usually reserved for men.

When Sabrina discovers Harry Stillman, bludgeoned and bleeding in an alley, she takes him into her home and begins the project of nursing him back to health and sobriety. Five years her junior and an incorrigible flirt, he is not at all the sort of man for whom she would dream of giving up her independence, but no matter how many projects she pours herself into, Sabrina can't get Harry Stillman out of her head or her heart.

This book shows the romance of an unlikely couple, a woman of means who knows what she wants in the world and a young man who has had all the advantages in life yet has done nothing but squander them. Although Harry has a sweet nature, he is totally unable on his own power, to overcome his vices.  At the beginning of his convalescence, Sabrina must play the tyrant, enforcing Harry's sobriety despite his machinations to obtain brandy by any means possible. The stark picture of Harry's dependence on alcohol is unusual for a romance but well portrayed.

In his crippled state, Harry is passive for the majority of the book. Like Sabrina, I struggled to understand how there could be any compatibility between the two of them. The fact that Harry's face broke into a brilliant smile whenever he saw her and the fact that he looked quite handsome in his nightshirt wasn't quite enough to certify dependable husband material. The author does an excellent job developing the trajectory of the relationship, however, and the proving point comes at the end when Harry goes to face the thug who injured him in the first place. With remarkable aplomb, Harry demonstrates both ingenuity and insight, deftly handling a situation that could have turned ugly for both him and Sabrina.

Harry's final proposal--that Sabrina allow him to show himself a changed man before they marry--further demonstrates his growth, and I can say that I found myself won over just as Lady Sabrina was by this unusual romance.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.