Wild, Wild Rake
by Janna MacGregor
The Cavensham Heiresses - Book 6
Publisher: St. Martin's
Release Date: February 25, 2020
Reviewed by PJ
Her first marriage was an epic fail.
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?
PJ's Thoughts:
I love a good enemies to lovers story. Add a vicar hero and a misunderstood heroine into the mix and I'm one happy reader.
One of the things that I most enjoy about Janna MacGregor's writing is the complexity of her characters. Having been introduced to both Devan and Avalon earlier in the Cavensham Heiresses series, assumptions were made about who they were as people. To be honest, I wasn't overly fond of either of them. How fun it was to have those assumptions turned on their head. MacGregor slowly and skillfully guides both characters through a steady progression of peeling back the layers they've each used as protection while exposing their innermost thoughts and feelings to one another as well as to us, the readers.
I adored Devan and Avalon together. So much delicious friction there just waiting to be ignited. Once the motivations for Avalon's past actions were revealed, I began to soften toward her and, after learning everything she'd endured and overcome, as well as what she had, and continued, to accomplish for the people of her small community, I was firmly in her corner. By the end of the book, I wanted to be her friend, and Mary's as well.
As stated earlier, I love a good vicar hero but, early on, I had doubts whether Devan would be able to fulfill my hopes. I'm happy to report I was very wrong about him. He evolves so beautifully throughout the story, as his feelings for Avalon deepen and as he allows his true character to surface. I especially enjoyed how MacGregor unveiled his character not only through his relationship with Avalon but also through his interactions with Avalon's young son, Thane, as well as the members of his parish.
I turned the final page of the book with a deep sigh and firm conviction that these two will spend a lifetime challenging one another, laughing together, nurturing their family, and enjoying a deep, enduring love.
Wild, Wild Rake is the final book in Janna MacGregor's The Cavensham Heiresses series. Each book in the series, including this final one, can be read as a standalone though there are characters whose stories continue to evolve throughout the series. While I'm sorry to bid these characters farewell, I can't wait to discover what MacGregor has in store for readers next.
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Wild, Wild Rake
I love a good enemies to lovers story. Add a vicar hero and a misunderstood heroine into the mix and I'm one happy reader.
One of the things that I most enjoy about Janna MacGregor's writing is the complexity of her characters. Having been introduced to both Devan and Avalon earlier in the Cavensham Heiresses series, assumptions were made about who they were as people. To be honest, I wasn't overly fond of either of them. How fun it was to have those assumptions turned on their head. MacGregor slowly and skillfully guides both characters through a steady progression of peeling back the layers they've each used as protection while exposing their innermost thoughts and feelings to one another as well as to us, the readers.
I adored Devan and Avalon together. So much delicious friction there just waiting to be ignited. Once the motivations for Avalon's past actions were revealed, I began to soften toward her and, after learning everything she'd endured and overcome, as well as what she had, and continued, to accomplish for the people of her small community, I was firmly in her corner. By the end of the book, I wanted to be her friend, and Mary's as well.
As stated earlier, I love a good vicar hero but, early on, I had doubts whether Devan would be able to fulfill my hopes. I'm happy to report I was very wrong about him. He evolves so beautifully throughout the story, as his feelings for Avalon deepen and as he allows his true character to surface. I especially enjoyed how MacGregor unveiled his character not only through his relationship with Avalon but also through his interactions with Avalon's young son, Thane, as well as the members of his parish.
I turned the final page of the book with a deep sigh and firm conviction that these two will spend a lifetime challenging one another, laughing together, nurturing their family, and enjoying a deep, enduring love.
Wild, Wild Rake is the final book in Janna MacGregor's The Cavensham Heiresses series. Each book in the series, including this final one, can be read as a standalone though there are characters whose stories continue to evolve throughout the series. While I'm sorry to bid these characters farewell, I can't wait to discover what MacGregor has in store for readers next.
~~~~~~~~~~
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND
About the Author
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs.
