Guest Review: Led Astray by a Rake by Sara Bennett.

Posted July 21, 2009 by Rowena in Reviews | 2 Comments

Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins


Monroe’s guest review of Led Astray by a Rake (Husband Hunters series, Book 1) by Sara Bennett.

The hunt is on for the perfect husband . . .

Beneath Livy Monteith’s icy blonde exterior beats a passionate heart, a heart that will not abide by society’s rules. No, Livy will simply not marry the proper young man her parents have chosen for her husband. She’d rather die! But even her friends at Miss Debenham’s Finishing School are shocked by the man she desires. Lord Dominic Lacey, the man they call Wicked Nic, is quite handsome, even more notorious, and every bit a scoundrel.

Nic thinks he knows all about Livy. She’s a proper young lady from an upstanding family, the kind of woman any respectable man would be thrilled to take as his bride—but Nic is not a respectable man. For Livy, even being seen with him would lead to certain scandal. So why is the ravishing innocent doing everything in her power to seduce him? Bedding her would be a delight. But a sinful night with a man like Nic would lead a girl very far astray indeed . . .

***WARNING THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS ***

I would have to say overall this book was just OK for me. I liked the idea of the “Husband Hunters Club” series, which centers around a group of friends that recently came from a finishing school declaring they will not marry out of convenience, but for love. Although the idea is intriguing, it unfortunately fell flat.

First we meet Livy Monteith. Livy is very strong willed and unafraid of getting her hands dirty to get the job done. My kinda girl! Livy has set her heart out to pursue a childhood crush, Nic Lacey as her husband. Wicked Nic Lacey, being ten years her senior and the reputation of a rake, never really thought of Livy in that light. So when Livy first steps foot back into Nics life as a beautifully grown woman that’s “popping the question” he finds it very hard when he says no.

The first half of this book is basically filled with either many different attempts of Livy trying to persuade Nic into marriage or Nic trying to scare Livy off by ravishing her in ways she is not used to. I did enjoy this part of the book and thought it was very funny and light. There is another man after Livy’s heart that of course her parents approve of. This would be where Mr. Garsed comes in. Nic and Garsed go face to face a few times and I just love how Nic wittingly puts the pompous horses ass in his place! But my favorite part of the first half would have to be watching Nic’s internal fight with his feelings about Livy. He gets very confused as to why he is so caught up on her when no other woman has ever made him feel this way. Soon he gives into his urges and Nic takes Livy’s virginity. A scandal arrives shortly after and to save Livys reputation Nic and Mr. Garsed both offer their hands in marriage! Obviously you can guess as to whom she chooses.

The second half of the book grows with Livy and Nics marriage. Them going into society, Nic learning how to treat a lady as apposed to one of his mistresses…etc. The bigger gist of the second half is Nic trying to keep his past hidden from Livy. At this point of the book you know that Nic has some hidden secret that could compromise his new found love in Livy. He has a child. Or that’s what the author wants you to think. Something happens to the child and Nic has to go to him in the middle of the night. Livy finds out the story from her maid and goes to see this “Mrs. Lacey” that seems to be Nics mistress. Well who is the mistress? None other than Livys assumed to be dead sister Sara. Nic lied to Livy about knowing her sister was alive and he lied about this child. You later find out (and this was about the only surprise int he story for me) that the child is Nics deceased fathers. Nic promised to keep the secret from his mother to help his father from ruining what he thought was a love matched marriage. All is forgiven in the end. Oh and lastly Mr. Garseds freakishly odd brother attempted to shoot Nic in the woods but the gamekeeper got to him first. I could’ve done without that somewhat undeveloped side story.

So this book wasn’t terrible by far. Maybe continuing in this series it might even get better. It was a light read and it even had its funny moments. My few complaints were I would say, and I’m sure your thinking the same thing, was that it was terribly predictable. When trickles of the past would weave its way into the story I was able to easily piece EVERYTHING together. I was however surprised to hear the outcome of the baby’s father. But honestly that was it. Another complaint was that I felt their relationship was based on lust. You didn’t get much into the feelings between them. It was all sex! There weren’t many touching moments at all! So that part left me kinda dry. And the story with the sister Sara never got settled. She went to see her sister and left and that was it! I felt there needed to be more there. I mean she thought her sister was dead for 10 years and she gets 2 pages! Oh and one more thing would be the odd role playing they did with each other. Listen, I’m all for different lovemaking in my books but playing “I’m the master of the land and you’re my field worker that I’m raping” was just weird!

So I can see if you haven’t read a lot of historical’s before this book may be right up your alley! BUT if you have read a bunch and you’re looking for something new, I would say you might want to pass this one by.

Rating: 3 out of 5

This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


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2 responses to “Guest Review: Led Astray by a Rake by Sara Bennett.

  1. Hi 🙂
    That was a very elegant review, well thought out and reasoned. I appreciate your sharing it in this great blog.
    Love from Northern Ontario
    twitter.com/RKCharron
    xoxo

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