Genevieve and Richard had nice chemistry, and I liked his journey from cad to decent guy. Also the author really made me hate the villain. ( )

Drat. I wanted to like this one, and it seemed like it had potential, but I just enjoyed it less and less as it went along. The hero did a couple big things that bothered me Such as having sex with the virgin heroine while still not telling her his actual identity, *and* not even having the decency to *attempt* to protect her from pregnancy even though she would be unlikely to want to marry him after she learned of his deception. That would have been the very lowest bar of decency, and he still failed it. , and the heroine did a million little things that were off-putting, kind of a shrew really. She was just so quick to make cutting and snide remarks and generally chose to be unpleasant at the least provocation. I've read prickly heroines that I could still get behind, but this was not one of them. Also they were both just terribly foolish, and their connection was mostly skin deep. It was just disappointing. ( )

fun plot, enjoyed the scholarship and the modern female romantic lead ( )

Author Anna Campbell continues her emotionally compelling "Sons of Sin" series with Book Two, "A Rake's Midnight Kiss". Sir Richard Harmsworth learned long ago to present a pleasant facade in order to endure the poisonous barbs from society's sharpest tongues. Called a bastard from his mother's supposed dalliance while his father was away on a diplomatic mission, Richard had nonetheless inherited the title of baronet. It came without respect, however, and Richard had determined that recovering the lost family heirloom, The Harmsworth Jewel, would give him a credulity that society could not deny. After determining the possible hiding place of the jewel, he verifies its location by breaking into the owner's home. Met by a blonde beauty brandishing a gun, Richard makes his escape after a delightful tangle of words with the gorgeous lady. As bright as she is beautiful, Genevieve Barrett is the daughter of a scholarly vicar who takes credit for the articles his daughter writes. A brainy bookworm with little worldly experience, Genevieve is stirred by the confrontation with the masked stranger, and the tantalizing scent of his cologne lingers in her memory. Shortly after their encounter, a new student arrives at the vicarage, expressing his wish of studying her father's work. Mr. Christopher Evans is charming, clever, and intent upon disturbing Genevieve's equilibrium. Something about the man unsettles her, but she must not let herself be distracted from her goal of establishing her own academic reputation. When she realizes that Christopher is the man who broke into the vicarage, she keeps the awareness to herself. She has yet to learn the reason for his criminal intentions, and she is also taken aback by her own very personal reactions to this all-too-attractive pretender. Richard's guise as Christopher Evans brings him closer to obtaining the Harmsworth Jewel than he's ever been, but after Genevieve steals his own heart, what does he really want in life? In spite of herself, Genevieve is captured by Christopher's warmth, wit, and wanton flirtation. Could there be more happiness and fulfillment in her future than she ever imagined? When all secrets are revealed will love be the greatest truth of all? Written with Anna Campbell's trademark passion and poignancy, and enlivened with delicious banter and intriguing story line turns, "A Rake's Midnight Kiss" is highly recommended for lovers of ravishing romance.

Review Copy Gratis Grand Central Publishing ( )

This is a reread since I reread the first book in the series and just continued. Rake Richard has always been aware of his illegitimate status and determines to steal a lost family jewel in hopes it will confer some legitimacy on him. Currently, Genevieve, a bluestocking scholar, has the jewel, hoping to use it to bolster her scholarly reputation. Richard assumes a disguise to get close to Genevieve.
This is a fun book if you ignore some of the plot holes. Both Richard and Genevieve are interesting characters, but I found the villain's machinations to be somewhat unbelievable. Ms. Campbell always writes a good romance though and this is a good continuation of the series. ( )