One of the best things about romance stories is that you want to fall in love with the characters and are overjoyed when they find their happy ever after. ~ Amanda – Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Synopsis:
Lady Avalon Warwyk 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 a 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?
Wild, Wild Rake is passionate, heart-wrenching story that made me happy with relief that the heroine finally finds out what love is. My heart went out to the heroine, Avalon Caversham Warwyck, because she was sold into a 
marriage of convenience, treated horribly in her marriage, and publicly humiliated. Now a widow she has created a nice life for herself in the country. Having gone through what she did, she wasn’t going to let any man have control over her life again. The hero Devan Farris has led an easy life as a vicar. Handsome and charming he has pretty much let people believe what has been said about him being rake and womanizer. Little did he know that his reputation was going to be hard to overcome and convince a certain someone that he isn’t what they say he is. His teasing and pushing Avalon’s buttons did not endear him to me and he had to grow up in order to win me over. Once he got to know Avalon and hears her story, he realizes how strong of a woman she is and he finds himself falling for her.
I felt that the both of them grew over the course of the story and a strong attraction developed between Devan and Avalon that caught both of them off guard. She had to put down her guard and trust a man with her heart for the first time and it wasn’t that easy to do. Also, Devan needed to set the record straight about his true character and show people who he really is underneath the reputation. I loved his conviction and I believed that he could make Avalon happy and would do whatever it takes to make it happen.
What I struggled with were parts of the storyline. They felt a little weak in places and Avalon’s doubts and insecurities were a bit tedious, but it eventually got back on track and came to a nice conclusion. The author has created a wonderful historical romance series and it is one of my favorites. She has created very likeable characters with real emotions and qualities one can admire. One of the best things about romance stories is that you want to fall in love with the characters and are overjoyed when they find their happy ever after. Ms. MacGregor excels with each of couples and I’m extremely happy with each story. Avalon and Devan are two such characters and it makes all their hardships they’ve endured sweeter in the end.
4 stars
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