This is the third installment of The Three Graces series but can easily be read as a standalone. Evelina is the last of the Grace sisters and though it is her time to find a husband, her plan is to settle only when she finds love. But when her friend Daisy runs off and elopes and Daisy 's brother, James, a notorious rake, sees this as an opportunity to get close to Evelina and seduce her, and Evelina doesn't stand a chance. Her plans to marry for love are foiled when she and James are caught in a compromising situation and they are forced to marry. But despite this, Evelina is determined to at least maintain her independence in certain things. James agrees on a condition of his own: he wants an heir. It doesn't take long for Evelina's desires to change and match those of James.
This was an entertaining and enjoyable read. Despite James and Evelina always being at odds, the attraction and chemistry between them was undeniable and it was fun to see them finally give in to what they both wanted.
My thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing a complimentary copy. This is my honest review.

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

Evelina Grace has seen her sisters find love and happiness, and that is all she wants for herself. Unfortunately, the only man who has caught her eye is the infuriating Lord James Raine, who ever fails to get her blood boiling, or her heart singing. Trying to avoid him at every turn has failed, and when a moment's passion leads to them being seen by the ton, and forced to marry, Evelina will not go down the altar without a fight. Vowing to marry only if she has her freedom, her dowry, and her own bed, Evelina refuses to be anything other than a wife in name only. Her heart has other thoughts though.

I have been waiting for this book since I read the first in the series. Evelina and James' romance had the perfect buildup of tension in the background of the previous books, and their story did not disappoint! Both were very passionate and headstrong characters, and clashed regularly. However, they weren't really "enemies-to-lovers", but rather fighting their attractions. I loved that James seemed to be the one the most affected by his feelings, and though his lapse of judgement in kissing her at a ton event forced them to marry, he was always true to his feelings. He even went so far as to stay away from her after they married because that's what she wanted, even though being away from her was breaking his heart. Evelina just needed a push to realise she wanted him, always, and was already in love, but just in denial. James' mother was vindictive, and I hated everything she did, but luckily the couples love was strong enough to overcome it.

Blame it on Lord Raine is the 3rd book in The he Three Graces series by Alanna Lucas. This is a marriage of convenience because the fmc is "compromised". The second half of the book is much better than the first. I enjoy finding out that the rake is not really a rake and instead has a heart of gold. Now the heart may be buried deep inside his chest , but it's still there! Evelina and James' relationship takes a long time to develop, but they did get a HEA.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

A kiss on the terrace, witnessed by the worst gossip, leads to a marriage of convenience between Evelina Grace and James, Viscount Raine.
Evelina always promised herself she would only marry for love. James only wants to marry Evelina. As the months go by, they aren't getting any closer. Who started the lies going through Society? Barriers finally break and they grow closer together. Until trust is broken.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Just another rake.

Yawn. I'm so over rakes. James is just another rake, trying to get under the skirts of Evelina. Due to his machinations, they are forced to wed. She has her conditions. He has his.
I just would really like better male leads than another rake.

Enjoyable, Enemies-to-Lovers, Historical Romance

Evelina and James were always at odds, but the pull between them was undeniable. He accused her of seducing him, and she was outraged. Then, one treacherous kiss would change everything. To avoid scandal, they must marry. However, despite their marriage, they were the objects of endless gossip.

He wanted an heir; she wanted love. Could these two married enemies get their wish? Someone must wish them ill. Someone wanted them to be miserable. Who was spreading lies about them, and could they weather the storm? Could what have started out as an attraction they both resisted turn into love? The two would have difficult challenges ahead.

This is an entertaining story. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with an enemies-to-lovers trope and a mystery to solve.

"Blame It On Lord Raine" is a neither really good nor really bad. I love a marriage from compromise situation but this one was a little nonsensical with the MMC kissing the FMC out of nowhere with half the ton looking on. Much of this book is driven by miscommunication, which is not my favorite trope. Evelina and James do have nice chemistry, and it is nice to see James take a stand towards the end. While this is the third book in a series, it is easily read as a standalone.

Three stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.

This author was new to me and I really enjoyed this lovely enemies to lovers, marriage by scandal story with its nice plot, some steam, a touch of intrigue and endearing characters.
I loved the chemistry between them, the sensual tension between them kept growing as the story progressed.
I’m sure to add the author on my TBR list.

When James' sister elopes and marries against the wishes of her family, he is certain that Evelina and her salon have supported her.

James has been the bane of her existence for some time now. Although Evelina feels strongly attracted to him, she tries to keep her distance from the rake, who always turns up wherever she is, pursues her mercilessly and tries to seduce her.

When James confronts Evelina and kisses her, they are caught. Now she has to marry the man she can't even stand. But she always wanted to marry for love and keeps her husband at arm's length, not willing to succumb to his charm. And additionally, rumors about them are circulating amidst the ton and threaten to destroy their budding relationship…

If you like swooning rakes and determined heroines, you are sure to enjoy this book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Lord James Raine, never overreacts. His sister may have eloped with the lowly third son of a viscount, but the situation provides him an opportunity to seduce Evelina Grace, Daisy’s friend. When Evelina met James, she decided to avoid him at all cost, but through no fault of her own, he’s present at every turn, disrupting her thoughts and stirring unwanted feelings.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I felt so sorry for Evelina & wanted her to find her HEA. I liked James & felt the couple took one step forwards only to be driven two steps back. A well written quick read which I thoroughly enjoyed & I really enjoyed their rocky journey to a HEA
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Interesting plot as part of a series. While it can stand alone, reading about the other Grace sisters may deepen the readers enjoyment. Evalina is the last Grace daughter, who has a mind of her own and is determined to fight for what she wants. Her friend, Daisy, went off and married someone the family didn't approve of. So James, Daisy's brother, believes Evalina had something to do with it. This is what makes it interesting. His family, however is horrible to Evalina and it took me a good long while to warm up to James as well. Fast moving and engaging. This author brings the reader around to embracing both the main characters which is a unique talent.

James, Lord Raines has many challenges including a difficult mother and an exasperating woman named Evelina.
When they find themselves married due to a pending scandal, they are at odds and cannot find enough common ground to make their marriage. The ton and rumors hinder their communication and damages any inroads they make to salvage their marriage.
Enjoyable read but frustratingly long amount of time for them to resolve their issues.

For me. This was a fresh take on an old theme and was a quick read. That being said, I felt there was very good character development that swept me up with the rest of the characters.

In many ways, this was a difficult book to read as Evelina was unfairly treated by Lord Raine's family and society at large. Neither she nor James were aware of the reasons for the backlash against them but just as it seemed that they were making headway, their world imploded once again. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Evelina, and although James tried to resolve some of the conflict, the wool had been pulled over his eyes and he was unable to truly see the truth of the matter. Fortunately, a loyal retainer imparts relevant information that puts him on the right trail. Although this romance is part of a series it is a standalone and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I feel like just not enough actually happens just a lot from both main characters that the other is an lying without clear definition as to why. And a lot of I don’t want to but I do think of the other person. And I don’t like or care for historical accuracy but if he was really the rake horrible man that she for some reason but we are never told why she thinks this, I don’t think he would really care what she consented to regarding an heir. I enjoyed the others in this series more. Thank you NetGally for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.