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Sons of Sin #1.5
Days of Rakes and Roses
A Sons of Sins novella from bestselling and award winning author, Anna Campbell. "A lush, sensuous treat." -- Laura Lee Guhrke, New York Times bestselling author on Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed Lady Lydia Rothermere has spent the past decade trying to make up for a single, youthful moment of passion. Now the image of propriety, Lydia knows her future rests on never straying outside society's rigid rules, but hiding away the desire that runs through her is harder than she could have ever dreamed. And as she prepares for a marriage that will suit her family, but not her heart, Lydia must decide what's more propriety or passion? Simon Metcalf is a rake and adventurer. But for all his experience, nothing can compare to the kiss he stole from the captivating Lydia Rothermere ten years ago. Simon can scarcely believe he's about to lose the one woman he's never forgotten. The attraction between them is irresistible, yet Lydia refuses to forsake her engagement. With his heart on the line, will Simon prove that love is a risk worth taking?
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2013
55 people are currently reading
744 people want to read
About the author
Anna Campbell
91 books1,574 followersI've written 53 bestselling historical romances: 11 multi-award winning books for Hachette Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins, and more than 40 as an independently published author, These include my popular series The Sons of Sin (6 books), The Dashing Widows (7 books), The Lairds Most Likely (10 books), A Scandal in Mayfair (4 books), and Scoundrels of Mayfair (4 books). My new series, Cinderellas of Mayfair, launched with Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife in 2025.
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, K.J. Charles, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, K.J. Charles, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 16, 2013
4 romantic, sexy, lovely stars!
With her amazing story, Claiming the Courtesan, Anna Campbell instantly became one of my favorite historical romance authors! The way she tells a tale, I become part of the story; living the life, the hopes, the dreams, the passion, and getting caught up in a world I never want to leave. And she’s doing it again with her Sons of Sin series.
The Story -
Days of Rakes and Roses is book 1.5 in the series, and a truly lovely second-chance-romance, the second chance coming 10 years after Lady Lydia Rothermere’s father catches she and Simon Metcalf in a nigh unto compromising position. Lydia’s moment of indiscretion cost her dearly in her father’s cruelty towards his daughter, the slut, and Simon disappearing from her life. Now, just weeks before her marriage to an ambitious politician several years her senior, who should make his way back into her life but the man she never stopped loving, Simon.
Simon never forgot the stolen kisses shared with Lydia, and the passion that burned between them. In some ways it was a blessing that her father came upon them when he did – before he’d ruined her – because as a second son, Simon couldn’t give Lydia the kind of life she deserved. But after all these years, receiving a letter from Lydia’s brother, Cameron, the Duke of Sedgemoor, telling him that she’s about to marry and urging him to come home and stake his claim, Simon’s back, intending to do just that.
My Review -
Any novel you pick up by Anna Campbell is sure to be wonderful, so I expected nothing less than that with this one. But what makes Days of Rakes and Roses truly brilliant is the way Ms. Campbell has taken characters we’ve not been introduced to before and given them a story that doesn’t feel or read like a novella. Despite the shorter page count, Lydia and Simon are fully developed people I can’t help but care about, whose story I couldn’t put down, and whose happily ever after I was cheering for.
It’s books like this that make Anna Campbell’s stories irresistible!
My thanks to Forever Yours and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2014
I can't be the only person who read this novella and thought it didn't make a lick of goddamn sense. I hated Lydia, Simon was a tool, Cam was inconsistent, and Grenville was just a convenient tool (in more ways than one) for creating tension.
A sloppy, nonsensical farce that had me wanting the heroine to end up alone.
A sloppy, nonsensical farce that had me wanting the heroine to end up alone.
September 3, 2014
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Lady Lydia Rothermere was caught in a compromising situation 10 years ago with Simon Metcalf. She spent the years in between being a paragon of virtue and modest behavior. He left the country and, rumor has it, lived the life of a rake. Now he's back when she's just days from marrying a man she doesn't love.
I really liked how the story starts with Lydia's point of view and then shifts to Simon's. The picture she paints of him gets redrawn once I discovered what he'd been up to for the last ten years. I was at first reluctant to root for him but, things changed.
It's no secret that these two will end up together but the path back was more than a bit rocky. This series isn't titled Sons of Sin for nothing as both Lydia and Simon have questionable heritages. Though she's the daughter of a Duke, Lydia's passionate nature doesn't fall far from the proverbial apple tree and the story doesn't disappoint.
I loved the first book in the series and though this one is short, it sets up the next books in the series very effectively while giving us Lydia and Simon's story. It's one of the better historical romances on my shelf.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Lady Lydia Rothermere was caught in a compromising situation 10 years ago with Simon Metcalf. She spent the years in between being a paragon of virtue and modest behavior. He left the country and, rumor has it, lived the life of a rake. Now he's back when she's just days from marrying a man she doesn't love.
I really liked how the story starts with Lydia's point of view and then shifts to Simon's. The picture she paints of him gets redrawn once I discovered what he'd been up to for the last ten years. I was at first reluctant to root for him but, things changed.
It's no secret that these two will end up together but the path back was more than a bit rocky. This series isn't titled Sons of Sin for nothing as both Lydia and Simon have questionable heritages. Though she's the daughter of a Duke, Lydia's passionate nature doesn't fall far from the proverbial apple tree and the story doesn't disappoint.
I loved the first book in the series and though this one is short, it sets up the next books in the series very effectively while giving us Lydia and Simon's story. It's one of the better historical romances on my shelf.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
October 13, 2016
I could not get through this. I hate to say that about an Anna Campbell book, but this novella decidedly did not work for me. I stopped at the 50% mark. Campbell still had a great vocabulary and the premise of a couple that have been in love forever is a winner, so why didn't it work?
1. There was very limited dialogue. There would be a sentence and then pages of narrator explanation or internal angst. I would forget what had even been said and it no longer felt like a story.
2. Some of the phrasing was repetitive, almost like Campbell was on a tight deadline and she recycled from the first book in the series. I distinctly remember a line she used in book 1 that I loved about turning nights and hearts to flame. I loved the image, but when I saw it used again here, with characters I wasn't connecting with, it lost its heat.
3. I had no emotional connection to the characters. The language used in this book was too flowery and overblown for the wallpaper characters that were presented here. I didn't believe it and thus even the beautiful language couldn't move me.
I hate to give negative reviews to authors I really love, but this was not one of Campbell's best and I don't want new readers to give up on her if this is the only taste they get. Her newer, lighter novellas and her darker novels are better.
1. There was very limited dialogue. There would be a sentence and then pages of narrator explanation or internal angst. I would forget what had even been said and it no longer felt like a story.
2. Some of the phrasing was repetitive, almost like Campbell was on a tight deadline and she recycled from the first book in the series. I distinctly remember a line she used in book 1 that I loved about turning nights and hearts to flame. I loved the image, but when I saw it used again here, with characters I wasn't connecting with, it lost its heat.
3. I had no emotional connection to the characters. The language used in this book was too flowery and overblown for the wallpaper characters that were presented here. I didn't believe it and thus even the beautiful language couldn't move me.
I hate to give negative reviews to authors I really love, but this was not one of Campbell's best and I don't want new readers to give up on her if this is the only taste they get. Her newer, lighter novellas and her darker novels are better.
July 4, 2013
DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES by author Anna Campbell is July 2013 release.
Lady Lydia Rothemere doesn't want anymore scandal. She had to ignore Simon Metcalf and go ahead with her planned wedding with another man.
But she couldn't really forget that one passionate kiss she shared with Simon when she was seventeen, could she? Now he was here again, ten years later and asking her not to marry a man who left her cold. Could she put her trust in Simon again?
After all Simon had left her and gone. Left her to face all the scandal alone. Now her father was no more. And her brother had called Simon to try to persuade Lydia to call off her wedding, would she do it? Then her fiancé catches her in a clinch with Simon. He challenges him to a duel to avenge his honour. What would happen now?
DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES is a beguiling romance that tugged at my heartstrings and kept me enthralled from the beginning to end. Author Anna Campbell takes you on a thrilling journey with Ladies and Rakes and romances. It is written with warmth, compassion and charm. It is another sensational story from the superb pen of Anna Campbell.
Lady Lydia Rothemere doesn't want anymore scandal. She had to ignore Simon Metcalf and go ahead with her planned wedding with another man.
But she couldn't really forget that one passionate kiss she shared with Simon when she was seventeen, could she? Now he was here again, ten years later and asking her not to marry a man who left her cold. Could she put her trust in Simon again?
After all Simon had left her and gone. Left her to face all the scandal alone. Now her father was no more. And her brother had called Simon to try to persuade Lydia to call off her wedding, would she do it? Then her fiancé catches her in a clinch with Simon. He challenges him to a duel to avenge his honour. What would happen now?
DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES is a beguiling romance that tugged at my heartstrings and kept me enthralled from the beginning to end. Author Anna Campbell takes you on a thrilling journey with Ladies and Rakes and romances. It is written with warmth, compassion and charm. It is another sensational story from the superb pen of Anna Campbell.
September 27, 2016
I actually liked this novella better than the 4.5 novella!
Granted, it was all very convenient. 10 years of separation and the hero Simon returned on the betrothal ball of our heroine Lydia. Makes one wonder why Simon hadn't returned earlier, if he loved Lydia as much as he said. I appreciate the fact that Anna Campbell moved the story forward smoothly, touching the past without dwelling in it for too long. It is a novella after all. It was quick and to the point, we were introduced to the main characters and immediately could establish the premise. I thought it was very nicely done.
Simon and Lydia also had a rather believable relationship. It is a novella so expect convenient plots and quick declarations of love. But I could somehow go with it, as unreal as it was, I somehow believed that yeah Simon and Lydia still held a candle for each other. Their real conflict was that Lydia believed Simon abandoned her 10 years ago. It was kind of annoying how Lydia refused to listen to Simon and then all of a sudden everything was alright. Lydia's betrothed threw a fit when he caught Simon and Lydia in a passionate embrace and challenged Simon to a duel. Simon got conveniently only nicked and the princess and the prince lived happily ever after. The end.
Granted, it was all very convenient. 10 years of separation and the hero Simon returned on the betrothal ball of our heroine Lydia. Makes one wonder why Simon hadn't returned earlier, if he loved Lydia as much as he said. I appreciate the fact that Anna Campbell moved the story forward smoothly, touching the past without dwelling in it for too long. It is a novella after all. It was quick and to the point, we were introduced to the main characters and immediately could establish the premise. I thought it was very nicely done.
Simon and Lydia also had a rather believable relationship. It is a novella so expect convenient plots and quick declarations of love. But I could somehow go with it, as unreal as it was, I somehow believed that yeah Simon and Lydia still held a candle for each other. Their real conflict was that Lydia believed Simon abandoned her 10 years ago. It was kind of annoying how Lydia refused to listen to Simon and then all of a sudden everything was alright. Lydia's betrothed threw a fit when he caught Simon and Lydia in a passionate embrace and challenged Simon to a duel. Simon got conveniently only nicked and the princess and the prince lived happily ever after. The end.
December 4, 2013
This was such a great fast & furious [pun intended] short novella.
The couple, Simon and Lydia gets separated after their youthful indiscretion, but these two never forgot that incident, and both were forced by their parents to deal with the repercussions in a best way they saw fit, regardless of the young couple’s feelings.
My heart broke for these two, and Ms. Campbell wrote their emotions so well that I couldn’t help but feel for them!
After a full decade, just as our heroine is ready to take the plunge, here walks in her youthful indiscretion and with her brother’s blessing, the man now wants her back.
Anna Campbell is one of my favorite authors and I expect she will be for a very long time. The short format of a novella must be a challenge to many authors, yet she somehow managed to develop a great plot, entertaining and three-dimensional characters with plenty of action, romance and a killer dialogue.
Let me tell you, if you like a story with star-crossed lovers, then this story will touch your heart, your funny bone and just may have you dip into the cold swimming pool, for after all, this IS Anna Campbell, and she can sure write HOT!
Melanie for b2b
*Book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
The couple, Simon and Lydia gets separated after their youthful indiscretion, but these two never forgot that incident, and both were forced by their parents to deal with the repercussions in a best way they saw fit, regardless of the young couple’s feelings.
My heart broke for these two, and Ms. Campbell wrote their emotions so well that I couldn’t help but feel for them!
After a full decade, just as our heroine is ready to take the plunge, here walks in her youthful indiscretion and with her brother’s blessing, the man now wants her back.
Anna Campbell is one of my favorite authors and I expect she will be for a very long time. The short format of a novella must be a challenge to many authors, yet she somehow managed to develop a great plot, entertaining and three-dimensional characters with plenty of action, romance and a killer dialogue.
Let me tell you, if you like a story with star-crossed lovers, then this story will touch your heart, your funny bone and just may have you dip into the cold swimming pool, for after all, this IS Anna Campbell, and she can sure write HOT!
Melanie for b2b
*Book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
February 22, 2023
This is quite short, so I'm cutting it some slack. For me the relationship and feelings weren't established enough at the start though for me to care that much when they were parted, or to buy into their claims of love later on. Their story kind of hinges on the notion that theirs was a 'one true love' sort, and the evidence for that was just pretty scarce for me. Besides that particular failure it was okay. I liked the wide vocabulary used.
October 2, 2013
This was a well-written novella featuring the sister of Cam Rothermere, Duke of Sedgemoor (who appeared briefly in Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed), whose story will presumably be told in a future book in the Sons of Sin series.
At seventeen, Lady Lydia Rothermere and Simon Metcalf were desperately in love - but after catching them almost in flagrante delicto, her dictatorial father packed him off abroad, threatening to ruin Simon and his family if he ever came near Lydia again.
Ten years later, Lydia is poised to marry Granville Berwick, a rising politician in his early forties who is, quite frankly, boring old fart. It's clear he's marrying Lydia because of her family connections and that eventually, he would crush Lydia's spirit. Cam sees this, and has tried to talk her out of it to no avail, so he does what any self-respecting brother would do, and summons Simon back to England after his ten year absence.
And of course, he turns up on the night of the ball being held to celebrate Lydia's wedding...
The story is slight and predictable and I admit, I really dislike it when the heroine goes rushing headlong into a duel in order to save her beloved. By distracting the participants, she's just as likely to get him shot!
Where this novella did score though, was in letting us become a little better acquainted with Cam and discovering just why he and Lydia have had to be so careful about retaining their respectability.
All in all, Days of Rakes and Roses passed the time pleasantly enough, but you don't need to read it in order to appreciate the events in the following book in the series.
At seventeen, Lady Lydia Rothermere and Simon Metcalf were desperately in love - but after catching them almost in flagrante delicto, her dictatorial father packed him off abroad, threatening to ruin Simon and his family if he ever came near Lydia again.
Ten years later, Lydia is poised to marry Granville Berwick, a rising politician in his early forties who is, quite frankly, boring old fart. It's clear he's marrying Lydia because of her family connections and that eventually, he would crush Lydia's spirit. Cam sees this, and has tried to talk her out of it to no avail, so he does what any self-respecting brother would do, and summons Simon back to England after his ten year absence.
And of course, he turns up on the night of the ball being held to celebrate Lydia's wedding...
The story is slight and predictable and I admit, I really dislike it when the heroine goes rushing headlong into a duel in order to save her beloved. By distracting the participants, she's just as likely to get him shot!
Where this novella did score though, was in letting us become a little better acquainted with Cam and discovering just why he and Lydia have had to be so careful about retaining their respectability.
All in all, Days of Rakes and Roses passed the time pleasantly enough, but you don't need to read it in order to appreciate the events in the following book in the series.
May 1, 2020
Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell was a snazzy and spiffing read.
A compelling short novella featuring a stubborn heroine and a dashing, strong, unrelenting hero… after an incident Simon fled and 10 years later he has returned to claim his true love, Lydia. The two are drawn to one another however before they get their happy ever after the reader is offered a bit of fun watching the hero trying to win the heroine back.
A compelling short novella featuring a stubborn heroine and a dashing, strong, unrelenting hero… after an incident Simon fled and 10 years later he has returned to claim his true love, Lydia. The two are drawn to one another however before they get their happy ever after the reader is offered a bit of fun watching the hero trying to win the heroine back.
October 10, 2016
Days of Rakes and Roses was originally released in July 2013 but regrettably it was not available to purchase in the UK until earlier this year. In the intervening three years, I read all the other books in the excellent Sons of Sin series. Now reading this lovely second-chance romance is just like enjoying a small but delicious dessert after the main course and I can definitely confirm that it can be read as a standalone.
I adore Simon. He truly loved Lydia but, when her father caught them in a compromising situation, he was forced to leave England or see his family destroyed. Simon knew that he could never have asked Lydia to run away with him because, as a penniless second son, he could never offer her a life worthy of her. So he had struggled to forget Lydia, drinking and whoring his way across Europe, but to no avail because:
…through all that time, nothing had erased the memory of the one woman he’d ever loved. And nothing had eased his yearning for her.
I could sympathise with Lydia’s situation. The Rothermere family has lived in the shadow of scandal for many years and Lydia has always been afraid of disappointing her father or tarnishing the family reputation. She has been in love with Simon forever but he always seemed impossibly out of reach. When she discovers that Simon feels the same way, she is willing to cast caution to the winds, but it costs her dearly. Finding Lydia in a compromising situation with Simon, her father’s retribution is swift and harsh and, from that moment on, she vows that she will be epitome of propriety. Over the years, the passionate 17-year-old has become:
…a mature, sensible woman of twenty-seven marrying a mature, sensible man of forty-one. She was content with her decision.
So when Simon re-enters her life, Lydia is beset by all sorts of emotions. She still loves him but, for ten years, even after her father died, she had heard nothing from him, only the occasional report of his rakish exploits abroad. She’d finally accepted that he cared nothing for her and decided to move on with her life and marry Sir Grenville. I can understand her stubbornness in revealing her true feelings and trusting Simon with her heart.
I love that Simon is honest about his feelings for Lydia and prepared to fight for her even though he fears she no longer feels the same about him.
In his heart, she was his, she’d always be his. The problem was he had a strong suspicion that, while she may once have felt the same, she felt the same no longer.
Ms Campbell provides just enough conflict before these two can attain their overdue Happy Ever After.
I like how Camden, Lydia’s brother, wants her to be happy and feels she deserves better than a cold marriage with Sir Grenville and is even willing to weather any resulting scandal. I also like how he sees beyond Simon’s reputation:
Aren’t you worried that you invite a libertine into the family?”
Cam leveled an uncompromising stare on him as he lifted the decanter. “Do you mean to play my sister false?”
“Of course not.” He paused. “But how can you trust me?”
“You can’t have changed that much from the boy I grew up with.” Cam refilled both their glasses. “Anyway the best proof of Lydia’s hold on you is that you came the moment I sent for you.”
There is also a brief appearance by Sir Richard Harmsworth (A Rake’s Midnight Kiss).
MY VERDICT: Once again, Anna Campbell enchanted me with this short but captivating love story. If you haven’t read the Sons of Sin series, I can definitely recommend it to all lovers of historical romance.
The Sons of Sin series (click the covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
I adore Simon. He truly loved Lydia but, when her father caught them in a compromising situation, he was forced to leave England or see his family destroyed. Simon knew that he could never have asked Lydia to run away with him because, as a penniless second son, he could never offer her a life worthy of her. So he had struggled to forget Lydia, drinking and whoring his way across Europe, but to no avail because:
…through all that time, nothing had erased the memory of the one woman he’d ever loved. And nothing had eased his yearning for her.
I could sympathise with Lydia’s situation. The Rothermere family has lived in the shadow of scandal for many years and Lydia has always been afraid of disappointing her father or tarnishing the family reputation. She has been in love with Simon forever but he always seemed impossibly out of reach. When she discovers that Simon feels the same way, she is willing to cast caution to the winds, but it costs her dearly. Finding Lydia in a compromising situation with Simon, her father’s retribution is swift and harsh and, from that moment on, she vows that she will be epitome of propriety. Over the years, the passionate 17-year-old has become:
…a mature, sensible woman of twenty-seven marrying a mature, sensible man of forty-one. She was content with her decision.
So when Simon re-enters her life, Lydia is beset by all sorts of emotions. She still loves him but, for ten years, even after her father died, she had heard nothing from him, only the occasional report of his rakish exploits abroad. She’d finally accepted that he cared nothing for her and decided to move on with her life and marry Sir Grenville. I can understand her stubbornness in revealing her true feelings and trusting Simon with her heart.
I love that Simon is honest about his feelings for Lydia and prepared to fight for her even though he fears she no longer feels the same about him.
In his heart, she was his, she’d always be his. The problem was he had a strong suspicion that, while she may once have felt the same, she felt the same no longer.
Ms Campbell provides just enough conflict before these two can attain their overdue Happy Ever After.
I like how Camden, Lydia’s brother, wants her to be happy and feels she deserves better than a cold marriage with Sir Grenville and is even willing to weather any resulting scandal. I also like how he sees beyond Simon’s reputation:
Aren’t you worried that you invite a libertine into the family?”
Cam leveled an uncompromising stare on him as he lifted the decanter. “Do you mean to play my sister false?”
“Of course not.” He paused. “But how can you trust me?”
“You can’t have changed that much from the boy I grew up with.” Cam refilled both their glasses. “Anyway the best proof of Lydia’s hold on you is that you came the moment I sent for you.”
There is also a brief appearance by Sir Richard Harmsworth (A Rake’s Midnight Kiss).
MY VERDICT: Once again, Anna Campbell enchanted me with this short but captivating love story. If you haven’t read the Sons of Sin series, I can definitely recommend it to all lovers of historical romance.
The Sons of Sin series (click the covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
November 9, 2018
Light, sweet read. It's a novella, so I gave it some passes on things (Simon has been falling in love with Lydia, yet that one kiss is the first time she sees any romantic interest on his part, even though she's loved him forever? He still stayed away after her father died? etc.).
I thought the premise of the heroine was interesting — in this instance, a scandal caused her to swing in the completely opposite direction, but it wasn't really a scandal because it's not known about by anyone; it didn't ruin her reputation, it's just her dad caught them and freaked out and was a complete asshole.
Also liked her brother, Cam, and their relationship dynamic. Am interested to look into his story, since I'm guessing he's one of the "Sons of Sin."
Good quick read; nothing earth shattering.
I thought the premise of the heroine was interesting — in this instance, a scandal caused her to swing in the completely opposite direction, but it wasn't really a scandal because it's not known about by anyone; it didn't ruin her reputation, it's just her dad caught them and freaked out and was a complete asshole.
Also liked her brother, Cam, and their relationship dynamic. Am interested to look into his story, since I'm guessing he's one of the "Sons of Sin."
Good quick read; nothing earth shattering.
July 16, 2013
Sometimes our past haunts us. Sometimes it's our past relationships that keep holding us back. That is until we do something about it. Such is the case for Simon. After years of traveling the globe trying to forget Lydia. Until he hears that she's engaged. All he can do is hope that he can convince her that their love is still there and that it's worth it.
July 12, 2013
Truly amazing story after years of seperation Simon Metcalf comes back to try and claim the woman he has always loved Lady Lydia and stop her from marrying someone she does not love. I fell into this one and didn't want to put it down another magical story my MS Campbell
January 12, 2021
I still can't believe how well this works as a novella. No rush to finish at the end, no confusion over characters.
From the flashback at the beginning we are locked in Lydia and Simon's world and are rooting for them. I really loved this book.
I wish we'd had access to it earlier in the UK.
From the flashback at the beginning we are locked in Lydia and Simon's world and are rooting for them. I really loved this book.
I wish we'd had access to it earlier in the UK.
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July 27, 2013
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
I was really looking forward to Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell ever since I found out about it. But unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novella. I could barely stand the characters and their activities throughout, so it barely made 3 stars. Too bad, the cover is so lovely!
When I read book 1, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed (which I LOVED), I found no indication that there might be a novella. We met Jonas’s (H of book 1) friends, Camden and Richard though. This story takes place a little earlier. Lydia, the h, is Cam’s sister, who was briefly mentioned in book 1.
Lydia and Simon used to be childhood friends. Both have also been in love, a childhood crush IMO, though it wasn’t successful, thanks to Lydia’s mean father, the Duke of Sedgemoor. A young Lydia was caught making out with Simon, a mere ‘Mr.’, by the Duke. He was horribly mad and treated Lydia very harshly for this. It is a common knowledge and gossip in the Ton that Lydia’s mother, the late Duchess, had a scandalous affair with her own brother-in-law, the Duke’s rakish younger brother. Because of this, Cam’s paternity has been left undecided, even though he later inherited the Dukedom being the only son. Simon left London a few days after the incident and never to communicate with Lydia ever again. This broke her heart and she has hated him ever since.
Or so Lydia thought, until Simon returns in her life, after 10 long years. As Lydia has always been judged because of her mother’s actions (and also for her youthful indiscretion), she has cultivated this ‘paragon-of-virtue’ kind of reputation in these past years. She hasn’t married because in secret, she pined away for Simon, hoping someday he’ll return. But now, she’s engaged to be married to this older man, an aspiring politician, Berwick. Apparently she wanted this match. Even though Cam was not happy as it’s not going to be a love match, Lydia believes she’ll be happy in this marriage, even if it lacks the passionate kind of bond she shared with Simon.
But on the day of her engagement ball, Simon returns. When Cam brings Simon to introduce to her fiancé, Lydia knew her brother had a hand in his return. Also, as Simon begins to woo her secretly (sometimes not even quite so), Lydia is determined to thwart his advances at all cost because she hates him, remember?
Oh, I remember Lydia, but do you? *eyeroll*
Now, let me tell you why I didn’t enjoy this novella:
# I hated that Lydia pined away for Simon even though he was kind of a douche. I can’t really recommend anything about him other than his so-called golden good looks and charming words. The reason he gave her for not communicating with her for so long was lame IMO, especially when I think of the 10 years in between (5 years since Lydia’s father died). So WTF he did in these years if he was so in love with her? Oh, let me tell you what; he was sowing his ‘wild oats’ in the exotic parts of the greater world! He even had a rakish reputation build on that in London and Lydia knew about it well.
# I didn’t like Simon at all. I felt that he was more of a charmer with empty words. As I said, I can’t recommend anything about him, not even an interesting personality.
# I didn’t like Cam’s interference, especially when they had no specific plan of what to do. He wanted Simon to woo Lydia out of the marriage, which is why he wrote to him to return. Why now? Why not right after his father died when she was still pining away for Simon???
# When Lydia and Simon started dancing around this push and pull, I began to grow annoyed. Lydia would ‘show’ that she would never allow Simon’s advances, but inside, she’d grow wet instead every time he’s near her, Berwick can go to hell. WTF? At one point, she even tells Cam that she’d marry Berwick no matter what. But I distinctly felt she said that just to show Simon that he means nothing to her. Was that a smart, mature statement for a 27 yrs. old woman?
# Lydia’s hypocrisy where her feelings were concerned was just... ugh! She planned on using Berwick for her own gain and yet, at the end of the story, Berwick was made the villain, one of the reasons was his interest in Lydia for her family connection. I, for one, can’t blame him cause I didn’t find anything else interesting about her myself.
# And so, the unsubtle attempt of making Berwick the most obvious villain at the end to smooth things over just didn’t work for me. After all, Lydia does cheat on him with Simon.
Finally, have to mention this... So your fiancé and your lover are fighting a duel (because you both were stupid enough to get caught while making out, again, in a public place). You want to stop it. What do you do? You of course run to the dueling ground and call out your lover’s name just when he’s about to shoot your fiancé, right? Wrong! That is exactly what Lydia did and Simon was injured. But Berwick was made to look like the villain because he shot Simon. Simon later thanks his ‘love of life’ for saving him, huh? I mean, hello!? It wasn’t even a fair duel because of Lydia’s very TSTL move so putting the blame on Berwick and being done with it isn’t just ok! Moreover, Simon had already given up on life knowing he can’t shoot Berwick even if his life depended on it (irony, anyone?) because Berwick’s very good with his pistol. Seesh!
I read one of the reviews mentioning that everything in here felt ‘forced’ and I completely agree. Together with such uninteresting characters... *sigh*
After all these being said, I’m still looking forward to book 2, A Rake's Midnight Kiss, as I was ever since I finished book 1. It’s Richard’s story and the excerpt was really interesting. Can’t wait to find out what he’s about! Also hoping to find some update on Jonas and Sidonie in it.
3 stars.
I was really looking forward to Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell ever since I found out about it. But unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novella. I could barely stand the characters and their activities throughout, so it barely made 3 stars. Too bad, the cover is so lovely!
When I read book 1, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed (which I LOVED), I found no indication that there might be a novella. We met Jonas’s (H of book 1) friends, Camden and Richard though. This story takes place a little earlier. Lydia, the h, is Cam’s sister, who was briefly mentioned in book 1.
Lydia and Simon used to be childhood friends. Both have also been in love, a childhood crush IMO, though it wasn’t successful, thanks to Lydia’s mean father, the Duke of Sedgemoor. A young Lydia was caught making out with Simon, a mere ‘Mr.’, by the Duke. He was horribly mad and treated Lydia very harshly for this. It is a common knowledge and gossip in the Ton that Lydia’s mother, the late Duchess, had a scandalous affair with her own brother-in-law, the Duke’s rakish younger brother. Because of this, Cam’s paternity has been left undecided, even though he later inherited the Dukedom being the only son. Simon left London a few days after the incident and never to communicate with Lydia ever again. This broke her heart and she has hated him ever since.
Or so Lydia thought, until Simon returns in her life, after 10 long years. As Lydia has always been judged because of her mother’s actions (and also for her youthful indiscretion), she has cultivated this ‘paragon-of-virtue’ kind of reputation in these past years. She hasn’t married because in secret, she pined away for Simon, hoping someday he’ll return. But now, she’s engaged to be married to this older man, an aspiring politician, Berwick. Apparently she wanted this match. Even though Cam was not happy as it’s not going to be a love match, Lydia believes she’ll be happy in this marriage, even if it lacks the passionate kind of bond she shared with Simon.
But on the day of her engagement ball, Simon returns. When Cam brings Simon to introduce to her fiancé, Lydia knew her brother had a hand in his return. Also, as Simon begins to woo her secretly (sometimes not even quite so), Lydia is determined to thwart his advances at all cost because she hates him, remember?
Oh, I remember Lydia, but do you? *eyeroll*
Now, let me tell you why I didn’t enjoy this novella:
# I hated that Lydia pined away for Simon even though he was kind of a douche. I can’t really recommend anything about him other than his so-called golden good looks and charming words. The reason he gave her for not communicating with her for so long was lame IMO, especially when I think of the 10 years in between (5 years since Lydia’s father died). So WTF he did in these years if he was so in love with her? Oh, let me tell you what; he was sowing his ‘wild oats’ in the exotic parts of the greater world! He even had a rakish reputation build on that in London and Lydia knew about it well.
# I didn’t like Simon at all. I felt that he was more of a charmer with empty words. As I said, I can’t recommend anything about him, not even an interesting personality.
# I didn’t like Cam’s interference, especially when they had no specific plan of what to do. He wanted Simon to woo Lydia out of the marriage, which is why he wrote to him to return. Why now? Why not right after his father died when she was still pining away for Simon???
# When Lydia and Simon started dancing around this push and pull, I began to grow annoyed. Lydia would ‘show’ that she would never allow Simon’s advances, but inside, she’d grow wet instead every time he’s near her, Berwick can go to hell. WTF? At one point, she even tells Cam that she’d marry Berwick no matter what. But I distinctly felt she said that just to show Simon that he means nothing to her. Was that a smart, mature statement for a 27 yrs. old woman?
# Lydia’s hypocrisy where her feelings were concerned was just... ugh! She planned on using Berwick for her own gain and yet, at the end of the story, Berwick was made the villain, one of the reasons was his interest in Lydia for her family connection. I, for one, can’t blame him cause I didn’t find anything else interesting about her myself.
# And so, the unsubtle attempt of making Berwick the most obvious villain at the end to smooth things over just didn’t work for me. After all, Lydia does cheat on him with Simon.
Finally, have to mention this... So your fiancé and your lover are fighting a duel (because you both were stupid enough to get caught while making out, again, in a public place). You want to stop it. What do you do? You of course run to the dueling ground and call out your lover’s name just when he’s about to shoot your fiancé, right? Wrong! That is exactly what Lydia did and Simon was injured. But Berwick was made to look like the villain because he shot Simon. Simon later thanks his ‘love of life’ for saving him, huh? I mean, hello!? It wasn’t even a fair duel because of Lydia’s very TSTL move so putting the blame on Berwick and being done with it isn’t just ok! Moreover, Simon had already given up on life knowing he can’t shoot Berwick even if his life depended on it (irony, anyone?) because Berwick’s very good with his pistol. Seesh!
I read one of the reviews mentioning that everything in here felt ‘forced’ and I completely agree. Together with such uninteresting characters... *sigh*
After all these being said, I’m still looking forward to book 2, A Rake's Midnight Kiss, as I was ever since I finished book 1. It’s Richard’s story and the excerpt was really interesting. Can’t wait to find out what he’s about! Also hoping to find some update on Jonas and Sidonie in it.
3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2017
I really didn't like this. The heroine got on my nerves and the hero was a tool. I couldn't understand why they loved eachother so much. This novella just didn't work for me and I didn't care at all for either the hero or the heroine at all.
October 28, 2022
read this in one scandalous night
July 24, 2024
Onorigineel kort verhaaltje .
October 27, 2018
Lovely novella. There's just something special about a second chance romance...
October 29, 2017
83 page eBook.
Not a fan of this author's writing style.
This story began promising, then dragged on. He main characters loved each other, but decided it was best if they verbally sparred, until it was almost too late.
I doubt I will read any more of this author's work.
Not a fan of this author's writing style.
This story began promising, then dragged on. He main characters loved each other, but decided it was best if they verbally sparred, until it was almost too late.
I doubt I will read any more of this author's work.
June 20, 2013
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2013/06...
Scandal has long followed Lady Lydia Rothermere’s family, which is why she tries desperately to follow society’s rules to a T. Now engaged to a man perfectly suited to her needs, Lydia can see her life laid out before her. If part of her rebels at the notion of living without passion, well, then she can at least find comfort in the fact that she is upholding her family name. Then a man from her past appears, threatening to derail Lydia’s plans.
Simon Metcalf’s name is synonymous with sin and for ten years Lydia has tried to forget her love for him…and the way their desire for one another had nearly ruined her. Simon’s return to London sends Lydia’s emotions into a tailspin and before long she’s forced to make a choice: stay safe and marry a man who’s all wrong for her or court scandal by risking her heart for the only man she’s ever loved.
True love can’t be denied in Days of Rakes and Roses . Lydia and Simon are a couple whose burgeoning romance was cut short once upon a time by Lydia’s father, and since that fateful day Lydia has tried to be the model of propriety. Needless to say, she’s thrown for a loop when Simon reinserts himself into her life right before her wedding to another man. I love Lydia and Simon together, yet even though it’s clear they’re a far better fit than Lydia and her fiancé, she can’t simply throw caution to the wind and break her engagement. Anna Campbell makes Lydia’s dilemma compelling, and though I won’t spoil the story by revealing the obstacles in Lydia and Simon’s path, I will say that I avidly read Days of Rakes and Roses , wanting to see how things would work out.
Days of Rakes and Roses can be read as a standalone, but it is part of Ms. Campbell’s Sons of Sin series (chronologically it comes before the first book, Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed). Lydia is the sister of future Sons of Sin hero Camden, and eagle-eyed readers might remember Cam briefly mentioning Lydia and her “new husband” in Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed. Cam plays a large supporting role in Days of Rakes and Roses and I loved learning more about his character, though now I want to read his book more than ever. As for the other Sons of Sins heroes, Jonas is briefly mentioned and Richard, hero of the upcoming A Rake’s Midnight Kiss, dazzles whenever he appears on the page.
Anna Campbell is a supremely talented author whose books never fail to entertain. Days of Rakes and Roses is a compelling story fans of historical romance are sure to adore.
Scandal has long followed Lady Lydia Rothermere’s family, which is why she tries desperately to follow society’s rules to a T. Now engaged to a man perfectly suited to her needs, Lydia can see her life laid out before her. If part of her rebels at the notion of living without passion, well, then she can at least find comfort in the fact that she is upholding her family name. Then a man from her past appears, threatening to derail Lydia’s plans.
Simon Metcalf’s name is synonymous with sin and for ten years Lydia has tried to forget her love for him…and the way their desire for one another had nearly ruined her. Simon’s return to London sends Lydia’s emotions into a tailspin and before long she’s forced to make a choice: stay safe and marry a man who’s all wrong for her or court scandal by risking her heart for the only man she’s ever loved.
True love can’t be denied in Days of Rakes and Roses . Lydia and Simon are a couple whose burgeoning romance was cut short once upon a time by Lydia’s father, and since that fateful day Lydia has tried to be the model of propriety. Needless to say, she’s thrown for a loop when Simon reinserts himself into her life right before her wedding to another man. I love Lydia and Simon together, yet even though it’s clear they’re a far better fit than Lydia and her fiancé, she can’t simply throw caution to the wind and break her engagement. Anna Campbell makes Lydia’s dilemma compelling, and though I won’t spoil the story by revealing the obstacles in Lydia and Simon’s path, I will say that I avidly read Days of Rakes and Roses , wanting to see how things would work out.
Days of Rakes and Roses can be read as a standalone, but it is part of Ms. Campbell’s Sons of Sin series (chronologically it comes before the first book, Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed). Lydia is the sister of future Sons of Sin hero Camden, and eagle-eyed readers might remember Cam briefly mentioning Lydia and her “new husband” in Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed. Cam plays a large supporting role in Days of Rakes and Roses and I loved learning more about his character, though now I want to read his book more than ever. As for the other Sons of Sins heroes, Jonas is briefly mentioned and Richard, hero of the upcoming A Rake’s Midnight Kiss, dazzles whenever he appears on the page.
Anna Campbell is a supremely talented author whose books never fail to entertain. Days of Rakes and Roses is a compelling story fans of historical romance are sure to adore.
July 4, 2013
A story about lovers reunited, this book was so sweet. Days of Rakes and Roses was a lovely historical romance novella and a wonderful read.
Lydia and Simon were in love and intent of being together years ago. However, Lydia's father found out and tore the couple apart. He sent Simon away and made sure that Simon knew that pursuing Lydia further meant ruin for him and him family. Heartbroken for 10 years, the lovers are finally back together and things get interesting. Throw in regret, resentment, and a stuffy fiance, and you have this lovely story.
Lydia was an okay heroine. I liked that she was a strong woman and didn't wither in the face of her father's anger after he found out about her and Simon. Instead, she picked her life back up and became a perfect lady. I got a little annoyed with her, however. I didn't understand why she blamed Simon for leaving her. It's not like he had a choice. It was either leave her or ruin both of their lives. If we really want to play blame games, why didn't she go after Simon when he was banished? And I didn't get why she was so intent on marrying her bore of a fiance after she was reunited with Simon and found out why he stayed away so long. It was just frustrating. But, it wasn't a major problem, since Lydia did see the light and get over her "proper" ways closed to the end. Overall, I liked her character, despite the issues I had with her. She just wasn't my favorite heroine.
Simon, on the other hand, I adored immediately. When I say he was brokenhearted after leaving Lydia, it's almost an understatement. The poor man was utterly destroyed after being forced to leave the love of his life. That made him a very sympathetic character. Add to that he was totally sweet and adorable and determined to win back the woman he loved, and we have a perfect hero. I thought he was wonderful. Loved him!
The romance was adorable. I thought it was sweet how neither of them ever fell out of love with each other after all those years. On the contrary, they were as in love as ever when they met again. And, they definitely had some serious chemistry. When it finally exploded, it was very hot. They were a wonderful couple.
The plot was fast paced. I was interested the entire way through. And the ending was perfect.
Days of Rakes and Roses was a lovely historical romance novella. Lovers of the genre, you should definitely read this wonderful book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Yours for a copy!
Lydia and Simon were in love and intent of being together years ago. However, Lydia's father found out and tore the couple apart. He sent Simon away and made sure that Simon knew that pursuing Lydia further meant ruin for him and him family. Heartbroken for 10 years, the lovers are finally back together and things get interesting. Throw in regret, resentment, and a stuffy fiance, and you have this lovely story.
Lydia was an okay heroine. I liked that she was a strong woman and didn't wither in the face of her father's anger after he found out about her and Simon. Instead, she picked her life back up and became a perfect lady. I got a little annoyed with her, however. I didn't understand why she blamed Simon for leaving her. It's not like he had a choice. It was either leave her or ruin both of their lives. If we really want to play blame games, why didn't she go after Simon when he was banished? And I didn't get why she was so intent on marrying her bore of a fiance after she was reunited with Simon and found out why he stayed away so long. It was just frustrating. But, it wasn't a major problem, since Lydia did see the light and get over her "proper" ways closed to the end. Overall, I liked her character, despite the issues I had with her. She just wasn't my favorite heroine.
Simon, on the other hand, I adored immediately. When I say he was brokenhearted after leaving Lydia, it's almost an understatement. The poor man was utterly destroyed after being forced to leave the love of his life. That made him a very sympathetic character. Add to that he was totally sweet and adorable and determined to win back the woman he loved, and we have a perfect hero. I thought he was wonderful. Loved him!
The romance was adorable. I thought it was sweet how neither of them ever fell out of love with each other after all those years. On the contrary, they were as in love as ever when they met again. And, they definitely had some serious chemistry. When it finally exploded, it was very hot. They were a wonderful couple.
The plot was fast paced. I was interested the entire way through. And the ending was perfect.
Days of Rakes and Roses was a lovely historical romance novella. Lovers of the genre, you should definitely read this wonderful book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Yours for a copy!
July 29, 2014
"Days of Rakes and Roses" is the 1.5 novel in the Sons of Sins series by Anna Campbell featuring Lady Lydia, sister of Cam Rothermere who will soon have his own book in the series.
She's 17 and she's head over heels over Simon Metcalf, second son and presumed riff raff according to her Duke father. She's always loved him and never fully believed he reciprocated those feelings, but one day when he finally kisses her does she believe his feelings. She's close to letting him ruin her, but they are interrupted presumably by her father.
Cue to 10 years later and Lydia is engaged to an older man, nothing to foul or senile, but just not the right man. Lydia waited for Simon for 5 years assuming he would come to her after her father died or just having some word from him. But after waiting she's decided she needs to marry and hopefully have a lot of children to spend her love on. But her interring brother has other plans and tells Simon of Lydia's intentions.
There are a few misunderstandings between the two stemming from young adulthood. Simon was threatened by her father, but when he heard of his impending engagement stepped away. Lydia heard of his exploits on the Continent and assumed he moved on and was never going to retrieve. Both living under that assumption they never made any contact within the 10 years of separation. Had someone said anything I think things would of been different. In a way, it's a shame that they wasted so much time, but who doesn't love a second chance at love story. That may be my favorite trope.
It's a novella so we're short on the page count and for characters we've never met before we do get to know them. It's rare when we get characters who are pretty well developed in novellas. We have Lydia who since her indiscretion has become the epitome of propriety and a proponent of charitable causes. It was rather painful to learn she was beaten by her father because of "indiscretion". And we have Simon who tried to drink and whore his way to oblivion. He never felt completely whole without Lydia.
Regardless, the pacing is really quick and we get to the heart of the matter really quickly. You can easily see the drama of their estrangement lasting and lasting, but luckily it moves quickly and makes room for their reunion. I really liked it and look forward to Richard's story.
She's 17 and she's head over heels over Simon Metcalf, second son and presumed riff raff according to her Duke father. She's always loved him and never fully believed he reciprocated those feelings, but one day when he finally kisses her does she believe his feelings. She's close to letting him ruin her, but they are interrupted presumably by her father.
Cue to 10 years later and Lydia is engaged to an older man, nothing to foul or senile, but just not the right man. Lydia waited for Simon for 5 years assuming he would come to her after her father died or just having some word from him. But after waiting she's decided she needs to marry and hopefully have a lot of children to spend her love on. But her interring brother has other plans and tells Simon of Lydia's intentions.
There are a few misunderstandings between the two stemming from young adulthood. Simon was threatened by her father, but when he heard of his impending engagement stepped away. Lydia heard of his exploits on the Continent and assumed he moved on and was never going to retrieve. Both living under that assumption they never made any contact within the 10 years of separation. Had someone said anything I think things would of been different. In a way, it's a shame that they wasted so much time, but who doesn't love a second chance at love story. That may be my favorite trope.
It's a novella so we're short on the page count and for characters we've never met before we do get to know them. It's rare when we get characters who are pretty well developed in novellas. We have Lydia who since her indiscretion has become the epitome of propriety and a proponent of charitable causes. It was rather painful to learn she was beaten by her father because of "indiscretion". And we have Simon who tried to drink and whore his way to oblivion. He never felt completely whole without Lydia.
Regardless, the pacing is really quick and we get to the heart of the matter really quickly. You can easily see the drama of their estrangement lasting and lasting, but luckily it moves quickly and makes room for their reunion. I really liked it and look forward to Richard's story.
July 6, 2013
Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews
What a fun novella! I usually avoid them because 98% of the time I'm left unsatisfied, but this novella felt like a full novel from beginning to middle to ending. As part of the Sons of Sin series, Days of Rakes and Roses has some familiar faces in the form of Jonas Merrick, Camden Rothermere and Sir Richard Harmsworth, the hero of the upcoming full length novel A Rake's Midnight Kiss.
Days of Rakes and Roses is Lady Lydia Rothermere's story and a story about rekindled love.
When Lydia was only 17 she was caught in a compromising situation with Simon Metcalf, by her uncompromising father. After that night, Simon fled England and Lydia became the very image of propriety. Ten years later, Lydia is engaged to a man she doesn't love and Simon has come rushing home to try and win her back.
I adore rekindled romances and this was no exception. At 27, Lydia is now a distinguished, proper beauty in society but on the inside she's still the same insecure, lonely girl she was when she was caught with Simon. As stubborn as she was about her feelings for Simon, I understood Lydia's dilemma. She had so much pressure placed on her as a child and the one time she tried to take happiness for herself, she was punished severely. I was pleasantly surprised at Simon. I expected an out and out scoundrel and at times he was, but he was more focused on winning Lydia for himself and was honest about his feelings. Lydia was the one in denial and it was a refreshing switch for me. Simon never denied he was in love with Lydia ten years ago and he didn't deny it when her brother asked him point blank. It was refreshing.
Naturally since Days of Rakes and Roses is a novella, it unfortunately doesn't take long to finish. As much as I loved Simon and Lydia, I understand why their story was a novella and not a full length novel. However, I enjoyed it nonetheless and recommend that if you've read Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed and liked it, you should add Days of Rakes and Roses to your collection.
What a fun novella! I usually avoid them because 98% of the time I'm left unsatisfied, but this novella felt like a full novel from beginning to middle to ending. As part of the Sons of Sin series, Days of Rakes and Roses has some familiar faces in the form of Jonas Merrick, Camden Rothermere and Sir Richard Harmsworth, the hero of the upcoming full length novel A Rake's Midnight Kiss.
Days of Rakes and Roses is Lady Lydia Rothermere's story and a story about rekindled love.
When Lydia was only 17 she was caught in a compromising situation with Simon Metcalf, by her uncompromising father. After that night, Simon fled England and Lydia became the very image of propriety. Ten years later, Lydia is engaged to a man she doesn't love and Simon has come rushing home to try and win her back.
I adore rekindled romances and this was no exception. At 27, Lydia is now a distinguished, proper beauty in society but on the inside she's still the same insecure, lonely girl she was when she was caught with Simon. As stubborn as she was about her feelings for Simon, I understood Lydia's dilemma. She had so much pressure placed on her as a child and the one time she tried to take happiness for herself, she was punished severely. I was pleasantly surprised at Simon. I expected an out and out scoundrel and at times he was, but he was more focused on winning Lydia for himself and was honest about his feelings. Lydia was the one in denial and it was a refreshing switch for me. Simon never denied he was in love with Lydia ten years ago and he didn't deny it when her brother asked him point blank. It was refreshing.
Naturally since Days of Rakes and Roses is a novella, it unfortunately doesn't take long to finish. As much as I loved Simon and Lydia, I understand why their story was a novella and not a full length novel. However, I enjoyed it nonetheless and recommend that if you've read Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed and liked it, you should add Days of Rakes and Roses to your collection.
August 22, 2013
If you are looking for a sweet and sexy second-chance- at-love story, look no further. This one hit the spot for me!
Lydia has spent the last 10 years mourning her chance lost love with Simon. They were caught in her father’s barn together –just before they could, er, cross the threshold in their relationship. Her father tossed him out and Simon left the country. Even though her father died five years ago, she has heard nothing from him. And no man has ever made her feel what Simon did. At some point, though, she realized that he may never come back and she made herself move on.
Now Lydia is engaged to be married to another man. She doesn’t love him, of course, but it’s a good match. It’s at her engagement ball that Simon makes his comeback. Lydia’s brother summoned him to stop the wedding. He’s sure that his sister would be miserable with a man she doesn’t love. But it’s not as easy as he hoped to reunite her with his old friend. She was so hurt by Simon’s abandonment and it has eradicated her ability to trust a man. How could she trust him, of all people, with her heart again?
What I liked about this story was that Simon was just as miserable as Lydia over the past decade. He left to protect her reputation and muddled through life just as heartbroken as she did. And when they were reunited, they both still felt that long ago love for one another. Yes, there were roadblocks, but there weren’t too many and they didn’t feel contrived. It was just right for the length of the story.
This is part of Anna Campbell’s Sons of Sin series, and while I loved Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed (and totally think you should read it) you don’t have to be familiar with the previous book to enjoy this one.
Rating: B
*ARC Provided by Forever via NetGalley
Lydia has spent the last 10 years mourning her chance lost love with Simon. They were caught in her father’s barn together –just before they could, er, cross the threshold in their relationship. Her father tossed him out and Simon left the country. Even though her father died five years ago, she has heard nothing from him. And no man has ever made her feel what Simon did. At some point, though, she realized that he may never come back and she made herself move on.
Now Lydia is engaged to be married to another man. She doesn’t love him, of course, but it’s a good match. It’s at her engagement ball that Simon makes his comeback. Lydia’s brother summoned him to stop the wedding. He’s sure that his sister would be miserable with a man she doesn’t love. But it’s not as easy as he hoped to reunite her with his old friend. She was so hurt by Simon’s abandonment and it has eradicated her ability to trust a man. How could she trust him, of all people, with her heart again?
What I liked about this story was that Simon was just as miserable as Lydia over the past decade. He left to protect her reputation and muddled through life just as heartbroken as she did. And when they were reunited, they both still felt that long ago love for one another. Yes, there were roadblocks, but there weren’t too many and they didn’t feel contrived. It was just right for the length of the story.
This is part of Anna Campbell’s Sons of Sin series, and while I loved Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed (and totally think you should read it) you don’t have to be familiar with the previous book to enjoy this one.
Rating: B
*ARC Provided by Forever via NetGalley
January 25, 2016
The reckless Rothermere parents left their children social maze with very few outlets to live in. Following a youthful, but major, indiscretion, Lady Lydia is finally to marry a staid older man. Her love is still for the man involved with her fall from family grace, but he fled to the continent instead of standing by her. Her brother, with his own social handicaps, fears for his sister...should she marry as planned, he foresees a long, miserable life.
Simon only left because he had no choice. Had he stayed, Lydia's father was promising his imminent demise. However, one of his very best friends has written, requesting that he return. That would be, Cam Rothermere, is begging him... Following his return, the story concentrates on rescuing the two from the villain, and their own adherence to social structures. Watching the author bring love to a triumph was a wonderful experience.
Simon only left because he had no choice. Had he stayed, Lydia's father was promising his imminent demise. However, one of his very best friends has written, requesting that he return. That would be, Cam Rothermere, is begging him... Following his return, the story concentrates on rescuing the two from the villain, and their own adherence to social structures. Watching the author bring love to a triumph was a wonderful experience.
January 10, 2014
Note: page references refer to an ePUB version.
Book number 1.5 in Anna Campbell's sensual and deliciously gothic Sons of Sin series.
Rakes refers to Simon’s reputation (as well as Lydia’s brother Cam’s) while roses were Lydia’s signature scent and favorite flower. I always enjoy finding the title in the story and interpreting its meaning.
This was a lovely romance punctuated by some angsty drama: Simon’s return after ten years’ absence, Lydia’s passionless existence and engagement to an influential politician—most likely her last chance at marriage at the age of 27, her brother Cam’s attempt at matchmaking, and a duel. Lots of drama in a short format which means the story flew by in a whirlwind.
For my full review on my romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1fiP2jB
Book number 1.5 in Anna Campbell's sensual and deliciously gothic Sons of Sin series.
Rakes refers to Simon’s reputation (as well as Lydia’s brother Cam’s) while roses were Lydia’s signature scent and favorite flower. I always enjoy finding the title in the story and interpreting its meaning.
This was a lovely romance punctuated by some angsty drama: Simon’s return after ten years’ absence, Lydia’s passionless existence and engagement to an influential politician—most likely her last chance at marriage at the age of 27, her brother Cam’s attempt at matchmaking, and a duel. Lots of drama in a short format which means the story flew by in a whirlwind.
For my full review on my romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1fiP2jB
July 27, 2013
I really, really enjoyed this novella!
Unlike some novellas that feel like they could be expanded on or feel like something is missing, this felt like it was complete. A tad fast maybe, but it also felt like Lydia and Simon always had a fast relationship as well. I could picture them running as kids along with Cam, or dodging servants to cause mischief, that sort of thing.
Also,
Unlike some novellas that feel like they could be expanded on or feel like something is missing, this felt like it was complete. A tad fast maybe, but it also felt like Lydia and Simon always had a fast relationship as well. I could picture them running as kids along with Cam, or dodging servants to cause mischief, that sort of thing.
Also,
January 11, 2015
I really did not like this novella. I don't have a specific reason as to why I didn't like it, but it just felt forced.
I understand that it was a novella, but the author spent most of the book talking about how they both felt. I was kind of bored to be honest.
I also felt that Lydia was an idiot. She didn't use her free will and never said what she felt, until the very end that is.
2.5 stars
I understand that it was a novella, but the author spent most of the book talking about how they both felt. I was kind of bored to be honest.
I also felt that Lydia was an idiot. She didn't use her free will and never said what she felt, until the very end that is.
2.5 stars
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