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I love hisorical fiction and this "new to me author" didn't disappoint. Reading about Rose and Alexander's adventure was lively fun read. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the Wallflower series.
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I am a big fan of Romance books and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.
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Thoughts:
I’ve read a few romance books by Eva Devon now and she always keeps me entertained. This story is a romance with two characters they are really kind of complete opposites. Rose sets out to expose who she thinks are playboys that do whatever they want which she hates. But she soon finds herself making up a fake date to get into their click. But what she did loathes surprisingly takes a twist.
This book is a regency era romance that has Fake dating, Opposites attracts, redemption, and forgiveness and a romance with a little steam
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I found it challenging to get into this one, because our hero and heroine are set so at odds. It feels impossible for things to work out. And Rose is very judgmental, jumping to conclusions about folks based on nothing, with a righteous attitude — phew it’s hard to like her. I got whiplash by how quickly she changed once they made their additional arrangement. She hates that he is a rake even though there is no evidence of him actually acting as one? I was struck by this line ““You could have asked more about me. You could have given me some benefit of the doubt.”” — so true. There was a lot of pain and misperceptions on this novel. I’m glad I overcame them to finish it and get my HEA.
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I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rose has dedicated her life to showing the world the truth through her pamphlets. After her father's descent into madness after his debauchery saw them cast out by the Earl of Derby, Rose is determined to expose the truth about rakes. She needs her old friends her however, so she turns to Alexander the new earl.
Rose was a independent woman but it bothered me that it took everyone else to make her see how good Alexander truly was.
Alexander on the other hand was perfect. Dedicated to helping artists and writers who are suffering to make up for his father's sins. He has continued to love Rose and support her from afar. He was wonderful and romantic and I love that he refused to compromise who he was.
Alexander was 5 stars , Rose was a 3. So 4 stars for the book.
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This was not my favorite of Eva’s books. Something about Rose grated on me and I found her too abrasive without much to endear herself to me. I did like Alexander though and their interactions and banter were fun.
Thanks to Netgalley and Entangled for the advanced copy of this book.
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The story is a meaningful read, where a young woman forces people of nobility to open their eyes to how women who are considered mistresses are treated. I liked reading Rose and Alexander’s story. As many of times I read Alex throwing himself at Rose’s feet, I was hoping that she would get the hint. For me it took the woman forever. Alexander’s character is my favorite. His character was written perfectly. The book is one that for a reader to pass time with. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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I truly enjoyed this story of two people who finally find their way to each other. Rose and Alex, each for different treasons, feel unworthy and fight their love. But poetry saves the day, as it should. Delightful matchup of two “liars, but no pen can lie to love. I received an ARC but my opinions are my own.
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Rose wants to investigate and expose the world of rakes and mistresses and convinces her childhood friend Alex to help. I loved Alex's secret acts of kindness and the way he treated Rose and her brother. He is a five star main character. I liked Rose's commitment to her cause but I didn't like how judgmental she was of Alex and the world around her. Really it was the same for her brother - he was also very black and white, and both blamed Alex for the actions of his father.
I was glad that other women and men befriended and advised Rose, so that everything with her wasn't so black and white.
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The Rake and the Rose by Eva Devon is the 3rd book of her Once Upon a Wallflower Series and a complete standalone.
Of course Eva Devon didn't disappoint me! She just knows how to create the right amount of chemistry and everything else to fall in love with a historical romance.
The Earl of Derby and Rose Digby know each other since they were little. Her brother and the Earl are friends, but because of the different status in society there are a few differences.
Rose is only interested into writing. She'd like to reveal the true lives of courtesans and alike... but to write about the truth she needs to get inside clubs only a true Rake can get into... such as the Earl of Derby.
Will he help her although it's no secret that she doesn't like any kind of Rake? And will she be able to see behind all her prejudices to see the real Earl?
Be still my beating heart! Oh my!
How... how lovely this book was! 😍
(You know this moment when you're part of a certain world you read about? Yeah, that's me right now... part of historical love stories. ❤️)
I absolutely loved Rose and Alexander (the Earl of Derby) together!
How he helped her and how she dealt with the stuff she learned about the world she wants to write about.
Both learn so much and it was so nice to experience that!
OH MY GOODNESS! And I swooned A LOT!
I swooned and swooned and swooned... wonderful!
I can't tell you so much about the whole story, because I don't wanna spoil... but just let me tell you: I DEVOURED THIS BOOK!
Thank you so much to Eva Devon and Entangled Publishing for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.
My apologies for the delay.
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Rose Digby is trying to get enough courage to ask Alexander Markby, the sixth Earl of Derby to help her research about rakes since she has no personal experience to draw upon. She writes pamphlets about different causes to help others
Alexander has loved Rose almost as long as they've been friends, so he agrees to help her, but she has to act as his mistress to pull off the research. It does not take long before flames ignite and they soon can't keep their hands off each other - not that it will go anywhere.
A sexy, short and fun novella! Highly recommend - it's one of the better friends to lovers romances I've read in a long time.
I just reviewed The Rake and the Rose by Eva Devon. #TheRakeandtheRose #NetGalley
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This was a great book!!! I loved the characters. I loved the romance. I thought the story was well done. I would recommend to others.
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The Rake and the Rose by Eva Devon is a short historical romance. The novel opens with Rose Digby gathering her courage and asking Alexander Markby, the sixth Earl of Derby to help her with some research. Rose writes pamphlets about various causes. She is bold in her words uncovering the plight of others. However, this pamphlet is about the world of rakes who lose so much as their life is about playing.
Alexander Markby has known Rose forever and has been in love with her almost as long. Of course he is going to help her. She thinks he is a rake and he can act like one to help her with her research. She has to act as his mistress. Too quickly, the both realize that they can’t keep their hands off each other. An affair maybe, but never marriage, never true love.
The Rake and the Rose by Eva Devon is the third book in a series called Once Upon a Wallflower. It is about bold women who fight for what they have and fall in love with men with money, power and prestige. It is about falling in love with someone who you shouldn’t and finding your way forward. The Rake and the Rose is a good read.
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There is certainly some "steam" in this story. But it also tells a story of how Alexander, even though titled and wealthy, can still see the hurt people have and tries to use his influence and money to help raise others up. Interesting story and with several complicated characters.
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This is a good romance. For as long as pamphlet writer Rose Digby can remember, certain men of the ton gallivant about town with their own set of rules. Whether it’s gambling, drink, or women, these playboys of London suffer no consequences. When someone she holds dear falls prey to a rake of the highest order Rose is determined to expose them all. But she needs a way to enter their world undetected.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
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I am such a fan of Eva Devon, she writes snappy sweet historical romances and this one was no different; sort of star crossed childhood friends and fake dating going on here; lots of tropes and all done well. I was worried Rose wouldn't realize she was incredibly judgy and that sometimes it's better to bend than break--but the character development for both H and h was VERY well done here!
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This is Book 3 of the Once Upon a Wallflower series. I have only read Book 2 prior to this, so I missed out on the first book. Although I think it would be more enjoyable to read in order, this can certainly be read as a standalone. Rose is fed up with how rakes can do as they please without having to deal with any consequences, yet the people who fall prey to them have to suffer. She is determined to expose them for the scoundrels that they are and in order to do that, she needs to infiltrate their world. This is where Alexander comes in. He is Rose's brother's best friend and he can help her get access to his world of rogues. The only drawback is that she has to pose as his mistress in order to pull this off. But you see, Alexander is actually hiding behind the exterior of being a rake, but truly he desires someone to love and he only has eyes for Rose. Because of past grievances, Rose's brother has warned Alexander to stay away from Rose, but when she asks for his help, he can't refuse her.
Rose was a character that was a bit hard to like at first. Her opinion of Alexander and how she made him feel bad for what happened in the past, was a bit harsh, especially since the past occurrences weren't his fault. Same goes for her brother, Harry. Both were entirely too judgmental of him. Despite all that, Alexander always looked out for them and made sure they had what they needed, which was one of the reasons he was such a good hero.
The story was well-written and kept my interest till the end. The storyline flows nicely as the plot smoothly unfolds with a mixture of misunderstandings and twists along the way. An enjoyable and entertaining addition to the series!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
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I absolutely loved Alex and Rose's story. Rose and Alex have a sad history and when fate intervenes it can be beautiful. When young Alex's father threw out his best friends family and the girl he knew he loved and When his father passed away he was determined to make up for his fathers cruelty. He secretly paid for his best friends education and looked after Rose, along with supporting struggling artist, writers. However Rose and her Brother thought Alex was a no good rake and Alex was crushed by his friend and the women he secretly loved thought this of him. So when Rose ask him to help her he jumps at the chance even though he made a vow to her brother to stay away. But he is determined to help her and prove he is not the man she thinks he is and Rose is to hurt to see otherwise.. It will take healing for Rose to see that love is not risky and to take a chance.
Loved this story.
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Normally I love an Eva Devon story. Sadly, this was one of my least favorite from her. I really liked Alex from the other books in the series and was excited for his story, but sadly it was a bit lackluster. First off, Alex is really not a rake like at all? Yet we are told over and over again that he is. But we saw nothing of the sort and Alex just says that he is, but there is no proof. Honestly, all he does is go to these salons and gentleman's clubs to find writers and artists to support. He doesn't go around seducing every woman he meets (or really any at all?) so I found it very weird that everyone was just like HE'S A RAKE! STAY AWAY! It made no sense. The backstory of his best friend Harry and the sister Rose was sad for sure, but it kind of went to extremes. I don't know why exactly Harry would tell Alex to stay away from Rose. And while I understand that their position and everything was yanked out from under them, they both went to extremes in their responses to it: Harry basically goes on penance and works to become a vicar and apparently goes on a 10 mile walk every single day? While Rose is like a social justice gal who writes pamphlets that are popular, but her latest pamphlet idea is to tear down and expose rakes and mistresses? But she understands why the women would go into the profession. She was a little wishy washy on her thoughts about things even before she met the people in the club that she did, especially the ideal mistress Evelyn, who I adore and really want a story about (lowkey ship her and Harry and they've never even met, but could you imagine?). Anyway, I liked that Rose learned and understood more as she did more research, but I really hated the way she treated Alex most of the time, and yes it was to protect herself, but she completely ignored every action he did to cling to this really unsupported claim that he was a rake. I actually think she needed to grovel more after their big blow up because it really was all her issues.
I still love Eva Devon as an author and her ability to make me love her side characters and how interesting their lives seem to be in the little snippets we get is unmatched. I always want books for all her side characters.
Overall, I would say this is a 3.5 star, but marking as 3 star since I didn't love how Rose and Harry treated Alex most of the time. Very interested to see what she writes next! (Though I would love a spin off with Evelyn and the other women or even the artists that Alex sponsors from the club. I think that would be really fun)
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The Rake and the Rose by Eva Devon, book three in the Once Upon a Wallflower series, is an enjoyable, and emotional story; an enchanting historical that revolves around the intriguing relationship between Rose Digby and Alexander Markby, the sixth Earl of Derby. Their history is filled with unspoken love, misunderstandings, and a generous dose of secret acts of kindness. Alexander, a man who appears to be a reckless rake on the surface, hides a heart of gold and a deep affection for Rose. Rose, on the other hand, is unwavering in her judgment of him, stemming from past grievances. Rose's unyielding, stubbornness and her dedication to her causes, make her journey of personal growth all the more enjoyable. The story unfolds smoothly, with a perfect blend of misunderstandings and surprising twists, ultimately leading Alexander and Rose to their well-deserved happily ever after. Eva Devon masterfully crafted a tale of love, forgiveness, and redemption, making The Rake and the Rose a highly recommended read for other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.