The Rake's handbook - Sally Orr

The Rake’s Handbook was written on a dare, and soon took the ton by storm. Now its author, Ross Thornbury, is publicly reviled by the ladies—who are, of course, forbidden to read the handbook—but privately revered by the gentlemen. Unfortunately, Ross’s notoriety is working against him and he flees London painfully aware of the shortcomings of his own jaded heart.

Spirited young widow Elinor Colton lives next to Ross’s country estate. She’s appalled not only by his rakish reputation, but also by his progressive business plans. Elinor is sure she is immune to Ross’s seductive ways. But he keeps coming around…impressing her with his vision for England’s future and stunning her with his smiles.

How does one resist the man who wrote the manual on love? 

My thoughts:

Oh these two, it was pretty amusing. Especially when she was told a rake was coming to the village. It was really life and death.

Ross is a rake. What can one say. Women are fun and he only plays around with those who want it, and well flirts a lot with all of them. And manages to seduce the rest. Now his mother wants him to settle.

Elinor is a widow, and she is just coming out of mourning. She has quite the number of would-be suitors too. I liked how she really missed her husband and was afraid to move on.

These two meet, flirt. Meet again, flirt and then well the rest is history. But there is tension too, he wants to build a mine. She is afraid everything will get polluted. He is progressive, she wants things to stay like they are cos she is happy where she is. That is the drama in this book. It's pulling them in different directions (not to mention that his mother wants a suitable daughter in law.

Conclusion:

'But as we all know the HEA will conquer in the end. Quite the fun road to it.

Cover

Come hither look

Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Published November 4th 2014 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
The Rake's Handbook #1
Historical romance
For review