Janna MacGregor: Wild, Wild Rake

This book will be released in February 2020.

Her first marriage was an epic failure.

Lady Avalon Warwyck never did love her husband. Arrogant, selfish, and cruel, it’s a blessing when she’s widowed and left to raise her son all by herself. Finally, Avalon can live freely and do the work she loves: helping fallen women become businesswomen. She’s lived these past ten years with no desire to remarry―that is, until Mr. Devan Farris comes to town.

Can he convince her to take another chance at happily ever after?

Devan Farris―charming vicar, reputed rake, and the brother of Avalon’s son’s guardian―is reluctantly sent to town to keep tabs on Avalon and her son. Devan wishes he didn’t have to meddle in her affairs; he’s not one to trod on a woman’s independent nature and keen sense of convictions. But she’ll have nothing to do with vicar with a wild reputation―even though he’s never given his heart and body to another. If only he could find a way to show Avalon who he really is on the inside―a good, true soul looking for its other half. But how can prove that he wants to love and care for her. . .until death do they part?

This is the first time I have read Janna MacGregor but was intrigued by the synopsis, so eagerly downloaded. The beginning starts with devastating scenes showing the backstory of the story’s heroine, Avalon. I have seldom read a crueler or more heart wrenching scene…especially not this early on in the book. It does a beautiful job, in a minimal amount of words, setting up sympathy for one of the MCs. I love how the other woman is not the bad guy (no easy virgin/whore modelling going on here) and that we see two women within a love triangle being graceful, elegant, and sympathetic. Instead, it’s the dude who is an absolute a-hole.

In retrospect, I also love the way MacGregor teases (maybe unintentionally) that this could’ve easily been a love story with Lord Warwyck and his mistress whereby Avalon is demonized as the social/money climber who traps him into marriage and presented as a villain/foil. I have seen this plot before, and in fact, MacGregor actually uses this a bit as later conflict…which I did not love. Although MacGregor ends up making her second foil sympathetic as well, I really responded to the first and the idea that we were finally seeing the “other side” of the story. It was refreshing and interesting.

MacGregor also deals with scenes, conflict, formula, plot, etc in a different way that was at sometimes very effective and other times jarring. The result of this was to make me feel like the last quarter of the book was draggy and saggy, with a lot of inconsistent melodrama thrown in that I was not prepared for given the beginning and middle of the book.  I think had I not found much of the first three quarters of the book novel, however, then I would have DNFed.  So those looking for formulaic presentations/plots probably should steer clear. 

The titular MC, Devan, is anything but a wild, wild rake. He is actually a virgin (which the synopsis reveals…so no spoilers there) who is hella hot so everyone assumes he is a rake. No 40 year old virgin awkward nerd. Instead, he reveals himself to be a man of deep faith and conviction. So yes, there are Christian themes, some preaching/scripture references, and generally some content that skirted inspirational romance. I liked him as a Beta type man (hey, I have been transparent about my preference) but he wasn’t necessarily my particular brand of Beta. Maybe it’s the religious elements, or maybe that I wanted him to at least be a little wild, but meh. He did nail it in the sack the first time around, however, and those scenes were pretty sexy (albeit vanilla-ish), so readers who like the choir boy type Beta will go wild for him, I think.

MacGregor gives her heroine something to fight for, and there is a strong sense of found family which readers may respond to.  I liked the idea of her focusing on building her own community in response to rejection on many levels. That message was certainly empowering.  MacGregor also gives a lot of elements of historical detail and conditions to make good use of the era and showcase her research.  Regency era is used to help bolster the story, rather than as wallpaper, so Reg readers will enjoy the historical elements.

Overall, I think this was an entertaining read with much to recommend it. As part of a larger series, I am sure MacGregor offers up readers a chance to play with some of their favorite tropes and MC types, so its worth searching The Cavensham Heriesses series to see if one of them might float your boat. There were intimate scenes, adult themes, and some violence, so better for mature readers who don’t mind on the page sex and violence.

Content warning: domestic violence, assault, and sex worker/sex worker violence

4 out of 6 Unlikely lovers find solace and power with each other

*A review copy was received by Netgalley.  No other compensation was provided.