I enjoyed this novel more than I thought I would. It's been a long time since I read a regency novel so it took me a little while to get into it but once I did, I found it hard to put down (I think that's because the chapters ended in the middle of scenes and I just wanted to see the scene through).

I read some reviews on this site while I was anticipating to read the book or not. I think that some of the opinions posted might have influenced how I read this book and what I liked and didn't like.

I liked that there was a lot going on. I can understand that some people might not like this but I would have been bored if the only mystery was Rhys' military betrayal and the seduction. I didn't expect the military betrayal to be solved this book because there are two other characters involved in that and their books are next in the series so obviously that is the link. There was plenty of romance too so that was entertaining.

I really liked the history interwoven into it as well. You could tell that the author did her research.

My only peeve with this book is Olivia. There is a difference between being gullible and innocence and she is just plain gullible. At first I was excited because (like nearly every heroine in a historical novel) she was a well educated girl who rebelled from society's social norms--she was witty and liked science. But then she quickly became unintelligent. Sometimes I felt like I was reading two different characters--like her personality was a hypocrisy in itself--so I got a little annoyed with her.

Despite that though, I really liked the story. It had suspense, action, mystery and romance. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Check out more book and series reviews on my blog SERIESous Book Reviews as well as book recaps! ( )

This was a really fun book. Olivia is in the running to marry one of the royal dukes, even though she is a commoner. She's not thrilled with the idea but she doesn't really have a choice. Rhys has been sent to evaluate her suitability, but there is an underlying mission also. He is supposed to public seduce her and ensure that she does not become the duke's bride. He expects it to be accomplished easily, thereby receiving the information he needs to clear his name. He doesn't expect to actually like her and begin to regret what he is being forced to do.

There were a lot of sparks from the moment Rhys and Olivia met. She is innocent but not naive and is quite taken by his looks and his forthrightness. Rhys is equally attracted to her and expects that he will have little trouble accomplishing his mission. I loved the fact that he was completely honest with her about being a rake and warned her that she probably shouldn't trust him. Olivia is very intelligent and also independent so she likes to make up her own mind about things.

Rhys is pretty outrageous in the things he says to her, even tricking her into using his first name. He is patient in his attempts to get close to her and is therefore on hand to save her from an accident that turns out to be no accident. He begins to think that there is someone out there that wants her permanently removed from the competition and is determined to protect her. He wagers her into letting him stay in her room at night and starts his efforts to seduce her at the same time. Olivia turns the tables on him when she decides that she wants to know more about what goes on between a man and a woman before being stuck in a loveless marriage. These scenes are fantastic as it becomes obvious that Rhys has bitten off more than he expected. When Rhys accomplishes his mission without actually doing anything he ends up married to her. The scene with Rhys, her father and the absinthe was hilarious.

Olivia has admitted to herself that she has fallen in love with Rhys but doesn't know how he feels about her. As they spend more time together she is able to get him to tell her more about his life. Rhys isn't sure how she did it but he even told her about what happened in France and what haunts his dreams. He is surprised at how just telling her about it has relieved some of the guilt he feels. As they spend time together on their honeymoon in Scotland they learn more about each other and how to merge their lives. There are some truly spectacular confrontations in which Rhys usually ends up on the losing end. I also enjoyed the arrival scene and Olivia's reaction to the woman who embraces Rhys.

When another threat against Olivia shows up in Scotland, Rhys realizes that it was never about the possible marriage. He is determined to find out who is behind it and ensure her safety. To that end he takes Olivia to his father, who he hasn't seen in three years, knowing that he will keep her safe. He is also finally able to have the discussion with his father that was denied him back then and start to repair their relationship. That scene was very emotional as both admitted to their mistakes.

The final resolution to the mystery of the attacks on Olivia was very good. There was a hint of who was behind it earlier, but the twists of the background were very well done. The final confrontation was quite intense. You know it will end happily (it IS a romance) but getting there was quite nerve-wracking.

I enjoyed the epilogue and the glimpse into the happy future of Rhys and Olivia. ( )

This review can also be found on my blog.

I'm not a big fan of historical romances, but my first introduction into the romance world was through historical romances when I was a teenager. There was just something about the genteel manner between men and women from that time that has always held an appeal for me. Not so much the often prudish restrictions, but the effort a man would put forth to court a woman, and the way a woman could win a man over without being overly … flirtatious. I like heroines who buck convention and society's rules. I got that in this story, even if it was to a lesser degree than what I usually read. This story was still very enjoyable to me on every level. Maybe even more so because the gentleman was a rake, and a delicious one to boot.

The year is 1818 and the race for the crown is on. Three dukes are determined to wed and sire a future heir. Each duke has an eye on a prospective bride. The Duke of Clarence has his eye on the rich commoner, Olivia Symon. However not everyone wish to see these dukes succeed. Enter Lord Rhys Warrington, a dishonored former military captain and notorious rake. He is sent to seduce and ruin sweet Olivia in exchange for information that could change his life and save his family further disgrace. However Olivia is unlike any woman Rhys has ever met, and he soon finds feelings of guilt warring with his sense of honor. How does he choose between her, his honor and his family?

Olivia was a great heroine. Mainly because she was both a bit of a tomboy as well as a refined lady. She had opinions and wasn't afraid to voice them in selective company. She may be a virgin, but she wasn't completely naïve, thank goodness. Rhys was the perfect counterpart for her. He's our classic tortured hero. He struggles with the demons of his past – regrets and self-chastisement that he left behind on a bloody battlefield in France. After being outcast from his family and society, he spent his time gambling and numbing his feelings in the arms and beds of countless women, building his reputation. But even said reputation doesn't seem to scare Olivia away. She's intrigued by him and his being very upfront about it. When the slow seduction begins, it made me shiver and laugh at times. It wasn't a full on assault, but a sweet teasing. It was meant to coax Olivia, arouse her, intrigue her. Her naivete and inquisitiveness eventually seduces him right back. Seeing him so perplexed was actually quite adorable.

I also enjoyed the element of danger that added to the drama. Someone had it in for Olivia, but for what reason we don't know until the end. I had my suspicions, but I was wrong. Another reviewer noted that the villain's motive seemed random. I disagree. It may not have had that “bam” impact, but the circumstances surrounding it were legitimate. It sounded to me like the villain was a little off his rocker.

The love scenes were all sizzling hot, which surprised me a little. Were men and women in that time that wanton? Either way, they got no complaints from me. If I read this again, I'll need to have a fan at the ready. The climax at the end was predictable, but I liked the hero swooping in like a knight in shining armor to save his beloved. That's something I normally look forward to – the swoon.

If you like historical romances with some drama thrown in, and you look forward to the hero and heroine engaging in scandalous behavior, then this is a book for you. I really enjoyed it for the romanticism and I'll definitely be reading this again. It will get a spot on my nightstand.

Note: I know the blurb says Rhys Warrick and that I refer to him as Rhys Warrington, but the ARC copy I received was an uncorrected advance copy. Personally, I hope the author goes with Warrington. It just sounds sexier :)

I won the ARC review copy in a contest hosted by the author. An honest review in exchange was requested but not expected.
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I won an advanced copy as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

I'm new to the world of historical romance so this was my first introduction to Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe. Waking Up with a Rake is an enjoyable and fast-paced read with a twisty mystery that keeps you guessing. The characters, Rhys and Olivia, are witty and fun and I really liked their development. I wish the romance had been drawn out a little longer. I was having so much fun with Rhys and Olivia that I hated to let them go! An overall enjoyable book. I'll definitely keep up with this series. ( )

Read in January, 2013

Read for Bookclub (won book)
Overall Rating 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.50

Book Club Review: For the Frisco TX Barnes and Noble First Monday's book club hosted by yours truly and sponsored by DFW Tea/Fresh Fiction. If you live in the DFW area we would love for you to join us!

What I personally thought: This was a great book with a spunky leading lady that I adored. While the story started out with a storyline that I wasn't sure about, it quickly won me over. Connie Mason/Mia Marlowe did a great job of pulling me into the story, making me like the characters, and giving me quite a few smiles in-between all the action and romance. It was pretty much right up my historical reading alley.

What the book club gals thought: Overall this one was a hit with everyone who read it at book club. The overall consensus was that the leading lady stole the show. She was spunky, fun, and not a victim. Things only happened to her with the leading man when she allowed it. She had gumption, smarts, and was just wonderful all around. The story took a bit to get into in the beginning but once it started rolling it was an easy read.

Final Thought: This was a strong beginning to a new series! Definite thumbs up! ( )