The Spinster and the Rake

Eva Devon

Feb 2021 · Never a Wallflower Book 1 · Sold by Entangled: Amara

About this ebook

The marriage game is afoot in this clever blend of My Fair Lady meets Pride and Prejudice with a twist!

Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, likes his life in a certain order. Give him a strong drink, a good book, and his dog for company, and he’s content. But when he goes to his library and finds a woman sitting in his chair and petting his dog, a fiery battle of wits ensues—leading to a steamy kiss that could ruin them both if they were caught.

Of course, that’s precisely when Edward’s aunt walks in, and introduces Miss Georgiana Bly...the future Duchess of Thornfield.

Georgiana was content to be a spinster, spending her days reading and working to keep her family out of debt. But now her days are spent locked away with a growly duke and learning how to be the perfect duchess, and her nights are spent fighting the undeniable attraction to a man who was never meant for her.

As their wedding day approaches, the attraction between them burns hot and fierce, but is it enough to melt the duke’s chilly facade?

Each book in the Never a Wallflower series is STANDALONE:
* The Spinster and the Rake
* Much Ado About Dukes
* The Duke's Secret Cinderella

Ratings and reviews

First impressions are often what solidifies how we see someone else. We forget to look beneath the surface. Edward and Georgiana have a rough start as a result of their first impressions. And when caught in a situation that forces them together, they are also forced to look beyond those impressions to the real selves beneath. Georgiana has no desire to join the ton, and is perfectly happy reading, walking the Dales, and soaking in life. In other words, she is not aspiring Duchess material. Edward is a Duke with an arrogance in keeping with his station. He appears cold, rude, and snobbish. Although these impressions seem to capture these two, they are wrong. Edward begins to realize Georgiana is “strong, determined, and not to be intimated.” Georgiana starts to see Edward is passionate, with a sense of adventure and hope. They fascinate each other. Their journey to an HEA is funny, emotional, tender, passionate, and well worth the read.

4.5* When it comes down to it, cute is really the only word that would adequately describe this book. I did often find myself flummoxed and a bit exasperated at Edward's issues. I felt as though I was either reading two separate books or maybe a version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with how contradictory his personality ended up being. The beginning of the book showed him as being hot and cold at the same time with a heavy dose of arrogant pride (much like many other historical romance heroes). In the second half we learn that he is really a vulnerable, gentle soul with issues of his own, who is kind and goes out of his way to please those around him, even if that means hiding who he really is. I was disappointed, however, that his friend Montrose didn't play a bigger role after the beginning chapters. I thought their love was rather romantic and I liked how perfect and accepting the are for each other. It's just... a cute book. 🤷😚

Different social backgrounds and finding true love despite each other's short coming. great story line

About the author

USA Today bestseller Eva Devon was raised on literary fiction, but quite accidentally and thankfully, she was introduced to romance one Christmas by Johanna Lindsey's Mallory novella The Present and a romance addict was born. Now, she loves to write her own roguish dukes, alpha males, and the heroines who tame them.