*I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*

I love good Regency romance. I love interconnected stories. This sounded like the perfect place for me. Sadly, no.

I only made it 8.2% of the way through. At that point, I found weaknesses in the author's research that I could not get past. I read historical romances as much for the atmosphere as the plot, and while I understand that accuracy in tiny points of historical detail are a lot of work to get right, modes of dress and address are important to the mood of these types of romances. Even with an American main character, the British characters would notice these errors. I hope in future the author learns to enjoy the research as much as writing beefy American dudes.

First read by this author and I liked it very much. I just don't remember much as I read this book over a month ago.

Tall, dark and December by Tracy Summer is a perfect book for a spicy regency romance reader.

Weston
✅ American
✅ steam engineer
✅ trying to fit in the society

Penelope
✅ etiquette teacher
✅ family issues/ past scandal
✅ strong female character ( she knows what she want and she will get it)

✅reverse age gap
✅ he falls first
✅ tear jerker
✅ angst
✅ betrayal
✅ plenty of spicy scenes: intense and explicit 🔥🔥🔥🔥


I’ll definitely need to read Isabella’s story from the author.

Another winner by Tracy Sumner. She has the golden touch with romance novels, and I look forward to what she does next. Watching the romance bloom between West and Penelope, or Penny as he calls her, is quite enjoyable. It's the right mix of tension, lust, longing, and in the end, love. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

Tracy Sumner never disappoints and she packs so much in this novella. I loved how neither person is truly a part of society and neither really wants to be but also realizes that they need society to move on in life—or do they? 😉 However, they are drawn to one another and become friends with massive crushes on one another and I just ADORED it!

Tall, Dark and December by Tracy Sumner, and part of the Rake Review was a totally delicious tale! I absolutely love Penny and West, and their journey from friends to lovers. This was a great series and I hope that the authors will continue with another year of the Rake Review written by the Brazen Belle, perhaps in the end, we might find out who she is, and perhaps she will find and tame a rake of her own!

Weston Whitaker is an American in London looking for investors. Enmeshed in mechanics and numbers, he's also not adverse to a woman inviting him for an assignation, until the Brazen Belle exposes him and a lady. He needs some British polish and his brother, the duke, knows just the lady to help him, Lady Penelope Anstruther-Colbrook. As the lessons progress, the attraction them eventually leads to many descriptive steamy encounters. Only trust will take them a step forward. Two very likeable characters with their flaws exposed bring more depth to the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

My only complaint about this novella is that I wish it were a full length book! Super fun read with a hint of Christmas spirit.

Like everything Sumner writes, I LOVED it! There were a lot of elements that reminded me of Tobias and Hildy’s story. But I loved that romance so I didn’t mind. Low born hero-self made man. Prim and aristocratic, but financially strapped heroine. Sparks fly. 🔥🔥🔥. I highly recommend this for a fast, fun, steamy read with a happily ever after!

I was swooning the entire time. Sumner’s writing sparkles as usual and I couldn’t put this down once I picked it up. This December rake is both decadent and delicious. I loved the banter, the hero’s unconventional backstory and the heroine’s singular determination to keep him at sixes and sevens.
Read this phenomenal release if you love stories that are tender and swoony and full of both heart and heat!

Weston Whitaker, a self made engineer from Philadelphia is in England work on his design for a steam engine and trying to obtain financial backing for his enterprise. He is taken aback when one of his investors backs out when news of his affair with a society widow is made fodder for gossips in the Rake Review. Enter Penelope Anstruther Colbrook, a bluestocking who due to a transgression in her youth, now tutors people on the aristocracy. West is advised to hire Penelope to help him learn the ways of the aristocracy so that he can improve his business prospects. When they meet, there is an instant attraction that develops into a love affair. West has trust issues from his past and Penelope has secrets that she hasn't shared with anyone. Both West and Penelope will have to work hard if their relationship is to survive. Tall, Dark and December is a fantastic end of the year for the Rake Review. I am looking forward to the new year to see what will happen with the Brazen Belle.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I loved West and Penny’s story! Nobody writes love, desire, and dreamy male characters like Tracy Sumner. They always fight their feelings, but fall harder than ever. West and Penny were perfect for each other and I can’t wait to read Isabelle’s story.

What do you get when you mix a brash, American entrepreneur (who happens to be the illegitimate brother of the Duke of Mercer) who is in London seeking investors for his steam engine with London’s sharpest etiquette tutor who is tasked with bringing him up to scratch? A wonderfully, witty, banter-filled story that will have you smiling throughout the entire book. Both Penny and West have secrets and trust issues, but they eventually realize they are the one to help the other overcome those difficulties.

There were fantastic secondary characters to round out the story - great cameos Tristan and Camille, the Duke and Duchess of Mercer. I loved watching the relationship grow between Tristan and West. I hope Penny’s younger sister Isabelle, who works with the Brazen Belle, gets her own book because something is brewing there, folks. Will we eventually find out who the Brazen Belle is?

If you are looking for a book with a little bit of mystery, lots of spicy bits, and banter galore, you have found the book! Buy the book and curl up on the couch and immerse yourself in the passion that is West and Penny.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC. I voluntarily read the book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

West and Penelope get the love they both richly deserve in this utterly delightful romance.

From uncertain first impressions a friendship grew, underscored by an attraction that refused to be denied. West loved to tease Penelope and bring out her wilder side, and I loved every clever barb and loaded look. The fledgling relationship with his brother also provided some very heart-warming moments.

It was easy to forget that this is just a novella, apart from the fact that it was over too quickly. West and Penelope were thoroughly developed as characters and their relationship had enough space and time to develop convincingly.

This book was so much delicious fun and I can highly recommend it if you like steamy historical romance.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Intriguing!

What a delight! Illegitimate half brother to the Duke of Mercer, Weston Whitaker is a mathematical genius and leader in the use of steam power. Not only that he’s as handsome as sin. He’s come from Philadelphia looking for investors in his scheme for minting coins using steam power.
He already had an investor when the offer was withdrawn after he was referred to in the Rakes Review. His acceptance of a Lady’s invitation to a dalliance had been noted. Wes hadn’t been concerned as the lady wanted nothing more than a good time. However, he’d broken one of the unacknowledged rules of society.
Now he has to be polished and made presentable to the ton.
Who better to do it than Lady Penelope Anstruther-Colbrook who’s making ends meet, barely maintaining her position in society by helping young women to know how to conduct themselves. Penny however has ‘secrets’!
What works for a woman should work for a man. Only Whittaker is all man. Penny’s heart and being acknowledges this at their first meeting .
Wes doesn’t know what’s struck him.
Tall, Dark and December indeed! Both Penny and Wes are going down flaming!

A Victory ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This was an exciting last month of The Rake Review, friends to lovers story. The characters were delightful, interesting, and complex. The plot was very entertaining and engaging with drama, intrigue, mystery, and the excitement of perhaps finally knowing who the Belle is. I enjoyed their humorous and witty banter and their passionate romance with such delicious steam. The ending was wonderful. I highly recommend reading! I heard there's a surprise coming soon....

This was my first read from this author, and I enjoyed it so much!

I loved the dynamic between these two. Their chemistry was palpable, and the banter they shared was so fun to read!

Their romance blossomed beautifully and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy. A perfect read to cosy up with this time of year!

I really enjoyed this spicy historical romance! Penny is a strong heroine and West is a compelling hero. Both have had difficulties in their past that cause them to be stubborn, but it works. The mains have really good chemistry and I really loved that Penny is older than West and unashamed of her past dalliances. She also knows what she wants, and it isn’t foolishness. West is a hot, jacked, brilliant engineer with a passion for steam engines and flouting social rules. Fortunately, Penny teaches etiquette to uncouth Americans! West is also the b-word brother of a duke… and the duke wants to be a good brother! Unfortunately, West is allergic to love… or is he? 🤔

I liked this book a lot. It made me blush, hit me in the feels, never lagged, and I’m glad I read it. Literally no complaints

I realized after I started reading this book that I had not read the previous books in the series. I did go and read the first three, but went ahead and read this one because it was stuck in my mind. It's so good! So reading the previous books aren't necessary before reading this one. I will go back and read the others and maybe this one again. Yes, it is that good.
I love a hero that is self-made and him being an American and half brother to the Duke of Mercer, ( Chasing the Duke, 12 Days of Christmas series) was a nice twist.
Lady Penelope was an easy to like heroine. Struggling to survive and take care of her sister and being prim and proper until the right man showed her it was okay to be herself.
Together, West and Penny fired up the pages. Their attraction was instant and lasted throughout the book. Nothing dull in this book.
Looking forward to Isabella's story and hopefully a story of the Brazen Belle.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for an ARC for a honest review.

I went into this on a whim and with fairly low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised! Penny and Wes are genuinely interesting characters and for a novella, it was easy to get immersed in their love story. It was a delightfully steamy way to spend a little bit of time!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.