It’s a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour for The Rake’s Rescued Bride by Josie Bonham, and sharing my review: this is the fifth in her Reluctant Brides series, published on 2nd September (and with a particularly perfect cover!), and is now available for kindle (just 99p as an opening offer – and free via Kindle Unlimited) and in paperback. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for both the invitation and support, and to the author for my advance reading e-copy.
You’ll know already that Regency romance is rarely my reading of first choice, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series (and Josie’s writing) since reading the first, A Good Match for the Major, back in 2020. It was just so gripping, a beautifully told story, with characters I loved, one of those perfect romances, and such a well captured historical setting (you’ll find my review here). I was hooked, and delighted to pick up her second, The Viscount’s Convenient Bride (you’ll find my review here) – you really can feel how much the author loves writing, and her enthusiasm is totally infectious. Her third, The Marquess’s Christmas Runaway was one I sadly had to pass on (Christmas, as you’ll know, is always a bit manic…), but her fourth, The Duke’s Bluestocking, was another really lovely read (you’ll find my review here). And now we have number five – and it’s one I was rather looking forward to…
A Rake To The Rescue
Lucy Vaughan has never wanted a husband after witnessing her father’s mistreatment of her mother. Now she faces her worst nightmare, a forced marriage to a man she fears. Who better to help her to flee than Bertie Lovell, the boy who slayed dragons for her when they were children.
Bertie is the black sheep of his family but longs to leave his wild ways behind him and settle down. Lucy’s suitor proves difficult to shake off. Spending so much time together on the road leads to their friendship developing into something deeper. Bertie offers to marry Lucy himself. Can Lucy overcome her fear of marriage and accept Bertie’s offer?
Georgette Heyer meets Mary Balogh in this romantic adventure.
Already aware of the cruelty her drunkard father regularly inflicts on her mother – the bruises often visible – Lucy has already firmly decided that marriage is something she really never wants to consider. But their forced return from London brings an unpleasant surprise – driven by debt, her father is intent on her marrying a man who has pursued her relentlessly in the past, and who she knows to have a reputation worse than her father. When she flees, she doesn’t know where to turn – but is grateful to find that childhood friend Bertie is at home close by, having been her protector in the past, and only too willing to help her escape. As her nemesis comes ever closer to finding her, Lucy and Bertie discover that they have feelings for each other beyond friendship – and although she’s averse to the idea of marriage, it could be the perfect solution to her current situation. But the threat and danger continues to increase… with a lot more drama to come before any possibility of a happy ending.
There was a great deal I really enjoyed about this book – particularly Lucy herself, a particularly feisty heroine who’s perfectly happy to climb ivy-covered walls, have her hair shorn to fit under a cap so she can pass as a groom, and rediscover the joy of donning britches so she no longer needs to ride side-saddle. She’s both likeable and sympathetic – but so is Bertie, the loyal friend trying to resist the attraction between them until he knows she’s safe again. As they flee – and find sanctuary with a friend – the author really captures the mounting threat as her pursuers draw closer, until mistakes are made and the danger becomes considerably greater. The Regency setting is really well done too – society’s restrictions and expectations, the realities of life for a young and marriageable woman. And there are some really well-drawn friendships – and the developing romance strong, believable, and with just the right emotional touch.
I did think this book had a slightly different feel from others in the series – a bit more dialogue (although always really well written) and a little less breakneck with the action, although the pace and drama certainly pick up significantly towards the book’s particularly satisfying end. And no heat this time – not something I often look for, but was perhaps expecting rather than the more gently simmering romance. But the author’s enthusiasm for her story is still as infectious as ever – despite the overall atmosphere of threat and impending danger, there were plenty of moments that really made me smile. A lovely read, as always, and one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys Regency romance with a bit of a difference – and I’ll look forward to seeing what the author does next.
About the author
Josie lives in the English midlands, surrounded by towns full of history such as Evesham, Stratford-Upon- Avon, Warwick and Worcester. Which is perhaps why her favourite reads are historical. Out of all the periods to choose from the Regency Era stirs her imagination the most. The true Regency lasted from 1811 until 1820 but dates as wide as 1789 to 1837 have been included in the extended Regency period. For Josie the true flavour of this period emerges after the iniquitous hair powder tax of 1795, unsurprisingly, scuppered the fashion for hair powder almost overnight.
Josie has always dabbled in stories but it took the combined efforts of her sister and eldest niece to set her on the path to writing novels. Her Regency romances, with a dash of adventure and intrigue, are the result.
There is more information on her website at www.josiebonhamauthor.com
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