Miss Georgiana Bly prefers quiet reading spaces to large ballrooms, sitting alone than engaging in social gossip, and has accepted her fate as a spinster until one night, hiding away from the dancing nearby, she runs into Edward Stanhope, the cold Duke of Thornfield. Soon, they find themselves engaged in a passionate kiss that is seen by the Duke's relative. The Duke, knowing that if he fails to marry Georgiana she will be ruined, announces their engagement to the crowd.

Two different people who see the world differently and come from staunchly different backgrounds, Edward and Georgiana are bound to argue, but attraction drives them to make the inevitable marriage work. I loved that this romance worked through the issues in the marriage through communication and boundaries. The steam was just right without feeling gratuitous. I appreciated the Pride and Prejudice themes -- Miss Bly is from a humble family with minimal connections to higher society, and the Duke is a refined, ultra-wealthy man who frowns upon the Bly family's eagerness to marry up. The chemistry was authentic and rarely felt cheesy.

Highly recommend this romance!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*

The Spinster and the Rake. The meeting of two people of different levels of society whose paths normally wouldn't cross. Georgiana being someone who would rather spend her time in the library than amongst groups of people ends up meeting Edward, who turns out to be a Duke. Edward would also rather hide away in his library when parties are held in his home. A kiss ends up with them becoming engaged to be married although not knowing each other previously. That kiss leaves them both sensing lingering sensations about the other and wondering if they'll they be happy in their marriage. But he is known for being cold and rude. Georgiana is a strong confident woman, mostly and hopes she can change him. I really enjoyed this book. It's well written and the story pulled me in.

The Spinster and the Rake is a wonderful beginning to what is sure to be a fabulous series. The story follows Georgiana and Edward, a pair pushed into a betrothal because of a steamy encounter in Edward’s library.

Georgiana was comfortable with the idea of being a spinster, but she can’t deny the attraction she feels for Edward. She determines to learn all she can about being a future Duchess and wife while Edward grows accustomed to the idea that he will no longer have the quiet, solitary, ordered life he desires. But Edward never expected to feel so strongly for this unique woman who has captured his heart. Can these two very different people from very different social circles find common ground and give in to their feelings?

I love Georgiana! She’s curious, intelligent, and unafraid to speak her mind. She is a woman ahead of her time, and, like Edward, she dislikes the unrealistic dictates of the ton. I love her gumption and her ability to stay true to herself regardless of the societal pressures that she faces.

I also like how Georgiana makes Edward think and reevaluate how he acts and how he judges others. She also makes him think about how his actions affect others. Edward is not used to being challenged, and he likes that Georgiana is unafraid to question him. He listens to Georgiana and tries so hard to please her, which says so much about his feelings. He’s not one to share his feelings, but his actions and thoughtfulness often show how much he cares for his betrothed.

I also love that the couple shares many interests. Some of my favorite parts of the novel were when Georgiana and Edward discussed politics and literature. They are both intellectuals, and their discussions of Shakespeare and other authors were fantastic. Sharp, astute, and curious, Georgiana and Edward are lovers of learning, and this shared passion is one of my favorite parts of the novel. Plus, their romance is swoon-tastic!

Georgiana and Edward have great chemistry, and I love that they have such a deep admiration for each other, even though they frustrate each other at times. It’s so amazing to see them at their most vulnerable and the complete acceptance and respect they gain from each other because of their honesty and truth. Neither sees this vulnerability and openness as a weakness. In fact, it’s the opposite. The more open and honest they are, no matter the topic, the more they seem to respect and admire each other. I think they also fall deeper in love. They are two people who never felt truly accepted and understood by society who found it in each other.

At one point in the story, Edward shares a passion of his, and it is something that he’s never shared with another. This is such a touching scene, and it really says something about his feelings for Georgiana. He trusts and accepts her and wants to share himself completely with her. Edward lets his guard down around very few people, and seeing him do this with Georgiana is really powerful.

This is a fantastic romance with great characters and a lovely romance. I think readers who enjoy historical romance will love the book! Thanks so much to NetGalley, Entangled: Amara, and Eva Devon for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

"If you must train me to be a better duchess, I must train you to be a better man."

Miss Georgiana Bly can’t bear the thought of having to deal with those attending the ball at the Duke of Thornfield’s residence. Hiding away in a library is more to her liking…until a grumpy bear of a man dares to intrude into her sanctuary…how was she supposed to know he was soon to be her future husband…

Edward Stanhope, Duke of Thornfield, has had enough of young ladies throwing themselves at him in the hopes of becoming his duchess. Eager to hide away, Edward goes into his private domain only to discover someone is sitting in his chair, and no matter how much he huffs and puffs, she won’t be budged…until he dares her to allow him a kiss…but that one kiss is only the beginning of what becomes a battle of wills between one very grump of a duke and the opinionated mistress that will tame him…

The Spinster and the Rake is an enjoyable regency romance. I’m still trying to figure out what it was about these characters that just didn’t quite click for me, and when that happens, it’s difficult for me to do a proper review. Overall, the author did a fun twist on the My Fair Lady storyline, and I would recommend to fans of this genre.


**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

This was a fantastic read. It is only my second one of Eva Devon's books before, but you can bet I've got her on my TBR pile now.

The spinster, one Miss Georgiana Bly, has no more desire to be trapped in the parson's noose than any self-respecting rake. Only she's not a rake. But she is caught in the arms of the Duke of Thornfield, she is well and truly snared.

This "marriage of convenience" is less about convenience and more about two people being put into a situation they do not wish to be in. Edward exhibits signs of someone on the autism spectrum (this is MY thought and not from the writer.) He is a very interesting character. He is cold but not because he is mean.

Georgiana is a blunder of a duchess but she gives it her best.

I would have liked to have seen more of Georgiana's interactions with the ton as she learned how to be a duchess worthy of her own self esteem. Also how she managed her erstwhile Duke was very fun.

Definitely going to read more of Eva Devon's work.

Neither of them wanted to get married, much less to each other, yet Georgiana and Edward find themselves engaged after a battle of wills that got out of hand. She is unprepared and intimidated of becoming a Duchess and he is certain that she planed the compromise somehow. And I'm standing by the side hooked from the first page.
They fit so well together yet it took them a bit to realize that they can find more in each other than the sizzling air between them whenever these two would find themselves alone together. It was great to see these two discover that their connection went beyond their instant physical connection and how they developed a deep understanding of one another.
I also weirdly enjoyed their misunderstandings, probably because they were based on perfectly reasonable assumptions they had made about each other and how they learned to communicate better.
What I loved best about this story were the two main characters, the author wrote them so well-rounded and realistic, that it was a joy to follow their story.
Edward especially is (positively) different to any other romantic hero I've ever read about. He reads like he is on the spectrum and as people with invisible disabilities and mental illnesses existed throughout history, I appreciated this character a lot. This book did a great job portraying how someones life who is on the spectrum could've looked like if they lived in 1795 and the right vocabulary and the proper guidance on how to cope is just not there.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Eva Devon, and I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were fully developed. At first I thought the Duke of Thornfield, Edward, was going to be a typical duke who is distant because he sees himself as better than others until he meets the love interest. As we get to know Edward it becomes clear that he does it to protect himself and that he struggles with what people think is normal behavior. Today we would have a name for what he struggled with, but I enjoyed seeing a character who wasn't perfect. Georgiana was a bookish woman from a much lower background and I liked that she was accepting and open. She also had a sense of humor which I appreciate in a novel.

The reason I'm giving it four stars instead of five stars is that I felt like the characters both needed to live up to the other's high standard and they didn't really listen to each other. Edward and Georgiana both thought the other needed something from them that wasn't what the other person was saying they needed. So while the romance was real and didn't feel forced, I did feel like they didn't grow as much, in my opinion, as was intended.

The book was a light easy read and I'm happy to have immersed myself in the story. The characters were flawed like real people and the romance was believable. I will be looking for other books in the series in the future and reading more from the author.

I loved Georgiana and Edward! I don't think that Georgiana was really a spinster, however, so that title was misleading, but I loved the quick pace, the passion, the way she stood up to him, and the way he softened for her!

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the characters in this book but had a hard time settling into the story. Their connection was hard to feel and the plot was good, but never quite grabbed me enough to keep me invested deeply. It was a sweet story with a lot of redemption and learning from both people.

I believe I've discovered the conundrum for modern authors writing regency romance. You see, the modern romance reader is going to expect mild smut from their romance book. But if you are writing a book set in the regency period, and you are specifically writing about lords and ladies, it's improper for them to have sex before marriage. (I think this is a little weird, because the modern reader isn't necessarily going to see it like that. Obviously an actual regency reader would have viewed it as a sin, but we are generally past that, but I digress.) So if your female character has sex before marriage she isn't a proper lady. So basically, you need your romantic couple to be married before the very end so that they can have sex. But you still need some type of storyline. So the solution is that our characters get somehow "trapped" into marriage (usually by acting on urges by kissing and getting caught), but they are still at odds somehow, and not in love yet (or at the very least haven't admitted it to each other). So the sexual tension can be resolved and give readers smut, while the romantic tension will be the plotline that carries the book to its end.

But this solution in and of itself runs into a few different problems. For one, there actually has to be romantic tension, which was one of my problems with The Viscount Who Loved Me. I believe that this book did do a good enough job with the romantic tension.

The other main issue is just that I've read this three times and I'm already bored with it. I don't have issues with reading tropes over and over again (as my ao3 history with a ridiculous amount of soulmate aus can attest), but this particular trope is so completely uninteresting to me. I can't say for sure, possibly I just prefer a slow burn. It's also possible that I'm not a huge fan of the roguish rake man character that usually accompanies it.

Anyway, now that I've delved into the genre issue, let's actually get into this particular book. Up front, I have to say that if you are interested in reading a regency romance, I would certainly recommend The Spinster and the Rake. It's not the Pride and Prejudice that it wishes it was, but it is what The Viscount Who Loved Me wishes it was. So here's my thoughts on the book overall.

Representation: From the beginning, I thought that Edward read as neurodivergent. He was not merely a regular introvert, he found it painful sometimes to be in crowds. He didn't quite know how to read people properly. As we went on, it became more evident but I couldn't figure out if it was on purpose or not. Turns out it was! I thought it was a pleasant addition to the story. As a NT, I can't speak specifically to how well it was done, but I did think it was quite nice to have a neurodivergent male hero.

Banter: Solid. Would have even liked more of it, especially in the library scene at the beginning (touched on later), but I really liked the "bowls" scene. Favorite line goes to "If you must train me to be a better duchess, I must train you to be a better man."

Character Arcs: The execution of Edward's character arc was not necessarily excellent. But it was there and I liked it. But the only thing sexier than a man who admits to his mistakes, is a man who ALSO buys you a bookstore. Same with the development of their relationship overall. It didn't feel entirely natural, but it was obviously there, where both of them were growing and learning to overcome their assumptions and learn more about each other.

Writing: This is where I found the most issue. When I read the description, I didn't assume that the library exchange would be so incredibly quick. I would have much preferred the opportunity to stay in that scene for longer, because I think if it had been longer, it could have even better set the stage for their romance. The first few chapters also just felt extremely info-dump-y, with way too much telling instead of showing. Instead of showing us that both our heroes are introverted, it is shoved in our faces in a blatant manner. Instead of showing us the tension between them, we instead got, "He was compelled...Anytime she was in his presence, he wished to consume her and to be consumed." It just doesn't quite do it for me.

Conclusion after this self-indulgent, overly-long review? If you want a sexy regency romance, this is one I would recommend. I found some issues with the writing, but I did still enjoy it. Personally, I think I'd better just stick to contemporary romance because I seem to like it much better.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Spinster and the Rake from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is the first book in the brand-new Never a Wallflower series and this was just such a great way to start off a new series. I just really enjoyed this story and I just didn’t want it to end. I just lost myself in and I just couldn’t get enough of these interesting characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Wow! This book is spectacular! It is full romantic, heartfelt, moving, passionate, and quite steamy at times. Whenever I picked up "The Spinster and the Rake", I was whisked back in time, and found myself not wanting to put this book down!

This is the first book in Eva Devon's new series, "Never a Wallflower", and I hope there will be many more! Her storytelling is incredible! She truly takes you on a journey that hooks you from the first page to the very last, and you can envision each and every moment. Her characters all feel like such incredibly real people, and their interactions felt authentic and true to who they are. You feel their fears, wants, needs, desires, and truly pull for them to find happiness.

Georgiana is such a kind, strong-willed, spunky, intelligent, loving, warm-hearted woman who truly wants the best for those around her. To escape a gathering, she goes into the library to read. Never could she have imagined who she will see there...and what it all will eventually lead to.

Edward is such a kind, hard-working, passionate, and driven man who often puts up, what others consider to be, a hard exterior. However, in reality, what others perceive is very different than the truth. Having experienced horrific pain in the past, he is understandably scared of letting anyone else in, and is concerned with trusting again. However, never could he have imagined what the moment in the library with Georgiana leads to.

(Possible Spoilers!)
I found myself rooting for Georgiana and Edward from the beginning, as their chemistry is there from the very start. Through ups and downs, they come to truly understand and respect one another...and love begins to grow and blossom. Though Edward sets out to teach Georgiana how to become, what he considers to be, a proper duchess, I think he learns quite a lot from her, as she is able to truly bring out the best in him. She opens his eyes to many things, and watching them both grow toward such strong love together is simply beautiful.

If you enjoy historical romance, I highly recommend this book! I read into the early hours of the morning to see what would happen next, and so came to care for the characters, and I hope we see many of them again in future books! I was also so moved by many of the poignant messages in the book as well.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for the ARC of this book, I loved it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

When the Duke is found in a compromising situation with Miss Georgiana Bly he is honour bound to marry her, even though she is not of his station and he is convinced that she engineered the whole thing. Women are always throwing themselves at him but usually he sees such machinations coming; for some reason with this bold young lady who talks back at him, rather than with deference, he feels more like kissing her than avoiding her! Georgiana is convinced that the rude man in ill-fitting clothes who wants her to vacate the small private study in which she has hidden herself, is a servant and is dismayed when she discovers that is not the case. Now she must study to become a duchess and hope that she can find some kindness in the distant, arrogant man who is to become her husband.
Hopefully the errors and typos in the unfinished proof that I read will have been corrected by the time of publication.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book will kill your reading slump. Right from the start, Devon sucks you in to the story of Georgiana Bly and Edward, Duke of Thornfield. The second these two are on the page together, when Georgiana mistakes Edward for a servant and refuses to leave his private library, the story flows in such a delicious way that you don't want to put the book down. She calls Edward's bluff of his threat to kiss her to scare her away and the two are caught into an unwanted marriage on both sides. What's particularly great about this book is both characters are so likable. Georgiana is smart and witty and unafraid to say what's on her mind...even to a Duke. Edward is that grumpy hero with a soft center that is truly a good person deep down, despite what he may think of himself. I loved that Devon wrote Edward to be on the spectrum and how he handles the challenges that brings. I love that Georgiana is put in an unwanted to very difficult position as she is not someone of rank before her marriage to Edward and still puts on her big girl panties and deals with it in the best way she knows how. The writing is great and this book was just fun. I'm looking forward to more in this series. 4.5 stars!

Have you ever sat through a movie needing to go to the restroom but afraid you would miss something good? That is the way this book is. From the moment Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield, finds Georgiana Bly sitting in his favorite chair and he kisses her you are hooked. There is definitely something going on with the Duke of Thornfield and I am a little sad that the author didn't explain the malady but Georgiana is determined to fix him. She sees a cold and distant Duke and she wants a warm and affectionate husband. Once I started this book I just could not put it down. The life and marriage this couple was building was so fragile that you pray that it holds together while at the same time looking for it to fall apart.

Thank you Eva Devon and Entangled Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Miss Georgiana Bly has a very thin thread attached to the aristocracy. Her mother, the daughter of an earl, married a mere mister, a mister who is quite inept when it come to the family finances. Georgiana and her sisters are so far down on the ton ladder, she never expects to ever marry. That is until she mistakes the Duke of Thornfield for a servant and is caught with him in an unusually passionate kiss.

Edward, the Duke of Thornfield, at first believes Miss Bly is a schemer like all the rest of the single ladies at his house party. Even after he accepts his fate to make her his duchess, he has severe doubts about her abilities to stand by his side. To ready her for the position of a lifetime, Edward with his Aunt Agatha, begin giving Georgiana “duchess lessons” to teach her what her mother never thought to prepare her for. As things progress and the wedding date nears, the duo can’t deny the passion that flairs between them even if Edward is somewhat frosty most of the time.

While Devon keeps an air of mystery around the reason for Edward’s personality traits until later in the novel, I understood his slow thaw where Georgiana was concerned. Georgiana was true to herself throughout the entire novel. While she found herself in a situation she never expected to be in, she wanted to learn all she could about being a successful duchess and wife. I really loved the little moments between the duo that brought them inches closer. By the time the end of the novel arrived, they were so naturally at the perfect place for their burgeoning relationship.

Devon has a five star novel to begin this unforgettable new series. While we know Georgiana’s sister begins a romance in this novel, we don’t get all the juicy details. Maybe Devon will grant us the story of a jovial earl and another Miss Bly as the Never a Wallflower series continues.

I received The Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower, #1) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Georgianna and Edward are an interesting couple that had my attention from the get go. I loved their initial meeting, especially since it was not only a great display on how different they are between their own social classes, but how they have great chemistry despite that.

I loved that their first meeting lead to a compromising situation in which they had no choice to marry: I love that we didn’t have to wait for it, as it meant there was more time throughout the story for them to interact with one another.

I especially loved that Georgina didn’t cower to Edward and constantly kept him on his toes. And the fact that he’s on some sort of spectrum was really intriguing to how they navigated their budding relationship.

But I can only give this a 3. As I enjoyed it but it felt like I was missing something. I can’t really pinpoint it, I just didn’t love it.

Georgianna and Edward end up in a compromised position and are forced to wed when neither of them wanted to marry at all. Both have very interesting personalities. Gerogianna is very new to whole London and the various ton practices making her refreshingly straightforward. Edward might be someone on the spectrum who has anxiety and is high functioning.

It was interesting to see how two people with such interesting personalities come together and handle their marriage. The first half of the book was on the slower side and the plot gets more interesting only midway so readers will need to push through to get to the good part.

ARC received for review

I really enjoyed this book. Georgianna maybe have been a virgin but she was not a simpering one. She's actually pretty knowledgeable for one. She gave as good as she got, if not better. She was willing to learn anything and everything she needed to be a Duchess.

Now Edward is an interesting Duke. He is on the spectrum. Things have to be done just so and his brain gets taken over by numbers and procedures. He reminds me of Lord Ian from The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

They both work to overcome with stumbling blocks in their relationship to fall in love.

I wonder who's going to be next...maybe one of her sisters.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Miss Georgiana Bly is more at home in a library than on a dance floor, but her propensity to hide soon finds her in hot water when she is seen embracing Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, in his private library. Now they are forced to marry, lest her and her family are ruined. For Edward, he knows he should marry, if only to beget an heir, but he hates being in company, and when his solitude is broken. Georgiana is as far away from the perfect duchess as you could find, but Edward, and his Aunt Agatha, must work together to support her, and she might just turn out to be the making of Edward, after all.

This book just blew me away, and I could not put it down as soon as I started it. I hated even clicked on about the Pride and Prejudice reference when I first read the synopsis, but thinking back to the plot, I can see that link. Georgiana is from a genteel family in Yorkshire, but they don't have any connections, and it's only really luck they happen to be at the Duke of Thornfield's ball. She is a lovely character, who faces some difficulty in her transition to Duchess, but she is strong, and her caring nature allows her to blow off all naysayers, and even melt Edward's icy heart. Their relationship was swoony, from near strangers when they met - and kissed - to slowly getting to know each other's history, and what makes them tick. I loved Edward too, who lost his parents when he was young, and had been treated abominably by his nurse and tutors for his behaviour - I think he may be on the autistic spectrum - and really felt ill at ease when with near strangers. He pushed against Georgiana's attempts to learn more, at first, but soon softened, and it was then it was clear they really loved each other. Yes, there are some moments of angst - a la Lydia and Wickham's elopement, but not quite, and I can't wait to read more from this author.