Monday, January 18, 2016

Review: The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan

The Art of Taming a Rake by Nicole Jordan
Series: Legendary Lovers, Book 4
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 9780553392555
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Despite his notorious reputation, Quinn Wilde, Earl of Traherne, has mostly honorable intentions. So when beautiful Venetia Stratham boldly enters a gentlemen’s club, demanding that Quinn stop courting her sister, he does what any bachelor would do: He kisses her. With her sharp wit, intoxicating passion, and surprising vulnerability, Venetia is irresistible—except for all this nonsense about threatening to shoot Quinn. But when clandestine enemies make an actual attempt on the earl’s life, Venetia is implicated. To save her good name, Quinn does what any true gentleman must do: He proposes.

Thus Venetia finds herself wed to arrogant, wickedly sensual Quinn, whose devilish ways are as legendary as his rumored skills as a lover. Yet vexingly, her body rebels against her vow to remain immune to his many charms. If only she could reform the infuriating nobleman—without diminishing his undeniable allure. As Venetia discovers that a true rake is hard to tame, Quinn faces an even greater challenge: winning his wife’s fragile trust…while defending both their lives.

Regency England meets Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in The Art of Taming a Rake. Nicole Jordan gives playful nods to the Bard while still managing to deliver a story uniquely her own in this fast-paced, sexy, highly entertaining romance.

Quinn is an utterly delicious hero. He’s got that easy, natural charm I adore, a sinfully sensual nature, is intelligent, loyal, and honorable. How can a reader resist a hero like that? Quinn was burned in the past by love and has lost loved ones, so he’s determined that he will guard his heart and never fall in love. Of course, it’s obvious from the start that he’s completely entranced by Venetia and could easily lose his heart to her. She’s an outcast, a lady who dared to publicly call off her wedding after learning of her fiancĂ©’s infidelity. Since that fateful day, Venetia has been living abroad, honing her talent as an artist and living a life quite unlike the one she had been raised to lead. Like Quinn, she was hurt, badly, by someone who should have loved her. Quinn used to be close with her former fiancĂ© and his rakish reputation is well known, so no matter how tempting she finds him, Venetia resists her attraction to him. Her sharp tongue and independent nature may intimidate much of the ton, but not Quinn. When he and Venetia find themselves wed in a most unusual set of circumstances, the forced time together gives them the opportunity to truly see the person they have married. It was delightful watching them grow close, even as they try to fight the inevitable. It isn’t easy for them to open their hearts, to trust each other and their growing closeness enough to risk everything on love, but Ms. Jordan makes every bump in the road worth it. Venetia and Quinn have powerful chemistry and this makes the pages of The Art of Taming a Rake fly by.

The Art of Taming a Rake is the fourth book in Ms. Jordan’s Legendary Lovers series, but it can be easily read as a standalone. But fans of the series need not worry – Quinn’s family members play strong supporting roles and add even more liveliness to the tale. Their appearances made me want to go back and revisit the first three Legendary Lovers books again, and it made me more eager than ever to see what Ms. Jordan has in store for the only unmarried Wilde left – Katharine. So whether you’re a dedicated Legendary Lovers fan or just enjoy a sexy and fun historical romance, you won’t want to miss The Art of Taming a Rake!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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