I received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
50 Ways to Ruin a Rake by Jade Lee Series: Rakes and Rogues #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on May 5th 2015
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 1492604992
Mellie has a plan…
Mellie Smithson is trapped in the country with no suitors and no prospects on the horizon except, perhaps, the exasperating—although admittedly handsome—guest of her father. She's looking for any excuse to go to London to meet more eligible men.
Trevor has a problem…
Trevor Anaedsley's grandfather has cut off his funds until such time as he gets engaged. Trevor escapes to the country—ostensibly to visit his old tutor, Mr. Smithson, but actually to duck his creditors—where he meets Smithson's lovely daughter, Mellie. The obvious solution is suddenly before him—but the lady has ideas of her own, and Trevor's going to have to measure up…
Summary
Mellie, has zero suitors and prospects since she lives in the country with her father. but there is one man, that she and her father have had the opportunity to work with, Trevor Anaedsley. Mellie has her own goals for her life, including a new formula for a beauty product she hopes will one day be successful. She loves her father, but is lonely at times too. She wants more, but has no idea how to gain that until Trevor offers her a deal. Act as his fiancée and go to London, and have the opportunity to meet other young gentlemen she could set her sights on and marry one day. Trevor has been cut off from all of his funds until he marries, his grandfather is determined to show him the “true path” and Trevor knows he will have to find a way around it. So he decides to offer Mellie a deal, to soften his grandfathers hand. But there is one problem….Trevor is attraction to one woman, a woman he is supposed to help find another man for…he is in big trouble….because he is starting to love her but will he lose her to another man…
The Hero
Trevor has always had an interest in the sciences. He has studied under a respected scientist, and his daughter Mellie. Trevor is also a future lord, he is easy-going and intelligent, but a bit naive at times. He was charming and quite the rogue at times, and I loved how protective he is of Mellie. Trevor is quite cunning and can be creative in his plans, and I enjoyed how he pulls some run around his family and friends. When he wants something, he doesn’t let anyone stand in his way.He was a charming hero, and there were many qualities I liked about him, he never gives up and is very smart and romantic.
The Heroine
Mellie Smithson, is a winning heroine. I grew to really love her. She is spirited and lively, she doesn’t hold back on her opinions, and lets others know what she thinks. She is comfortable with who she is, she is very smart and sassy. I loved her attitude and the ways she views life. She could be a bit more firm in her certain aspects, but overall I grew to admire her overall. I loved the way she fights for what she loves and believes in, and I couldn’t help but adore her strength and courage to face new things with a positive attitude.
Plot and Story Line
I was very excited to read 50 Ways To Ruin A Rake, I have loved Jade Lee for years. I had high hopes for this story, and I did enjoy this story…it was enjoyable and humorous and very entertaining bantering. But I couldn’t fully get into the story like I wanted to. I felt like it was a bit predictable in certain areas, and it didn’t hold my attention like previous books from this author have done. I found other aspects quite enjoyable though, but I think I put my rating a bit lower because I became bored with the plot at times. It felt pretty uneven at times, but what I did love was the entertaining bantering between Mellie and Trevor. Quite a few giggles and snorts, the humor and light and witty and I enjoyed seeing how they interacted with each other. The love story was evenly paced and I felt that it had a consistency that wasn’t true with other portions of the story, which is why I kept with it. The ending was tender and sweet and I love it.
The Cover
Can I say WOW!! I just adore this cover…that sensual pose, with the yellow colors, and I love the tone of the colors. It is probably one of the best covers I have seen all year.
Overall View
50 Ways To Ruin A Rake was a light and sweet romance, a story of humor and wit, poignant romance and following your dreams.
“Remember, I am well acquainted with impulsiveness. And given the example of my mother and two younger sisters, I can also firmly state that you are not prone to fits, moods, or even the normal female range of excitation.”
She blinked at him “Are you saying that I am not a normal female?”
He snorted “Of course you’re not normal! Good lord, do you think I would engage myself to a normal female? They are the most impossible, unmanageable, and difficult creatures on Earth. You, my dear, are nothing of the sort, and I revere you for it.”
Sorry to hear it didn’t live up to all of your expectations but glad it ended up entertaining in the end. I’ve read some of her other work but haven’t picked this series up quite yet.