Ein Schotte macht den Juni heiß (Rake Review 6)

The Rake Review #6

by Fenna Edgewood, The Rake Review, Corinna Vexborg (Translator)

Eine zweite Chance, die sie fürchtet ...

Lady June Fairchild, die Gräfin von Windermere, ist in einer lieblosen und grausamen Ehe gefangen und wird von einem Geheimnis aus ihrer Vergangenheit heimgesucht. Bevor sie die Frau eines Grafen wurde, war sie schon einmal verheiratet ... und der Tod ihres Mannes wurde nie bestätigt.

Nun, fast zehn Jahre später, ist das Unvorstellbare geschehen. Ihr erster Mann ist zurückgekehrt - aber nicht, um ihre Liebe zurückzufordern. Diesmal will er sich für das Herz rächen, das sie ihm gebrochen hat.

Aus den Schatten des Verrats ...

In jener Nacht, in der er der Frau, die er anbetete, ewige Treue gelobte, war der Duke of Tulloch gezwungen worden, spurlos zu verschwinden. Bei seiner Rückkehr musste er seinerzeit feststellen, dass seine Braut nur zu geschwind einen Grafen geheiratet hatte, was sie in seinen Augen zu einer schamlosen Bigamistin macht.

Zehn Jahre später tritt der sitzengelassene Ehemann aus den Highlands mit einem einzigen Ziel aus dem Schatten Rache. Abgehärtet durch Verrat und die vergangene Zeit, ist er nicht mehr der junge Mann, der June einst liebte. Jetzt ist er ein furchterregender Herzog, der bereit ist, seinen Zorn zu entfesseln und seine Ehre zurückzuerobern, koste es, was es wolle.

Können zwei vom Schicksal verbundene und von Geheimnissen zerrissene Herzen einen Weg finden, wieder zu vertrauen und zu lieben?

Ein Schotte macht den Juni heiß ist Buch 6 der Multi-Autoren-Reihe The Rake Review. Wenn du Spaß daran hast, einige der berüchtigtsten Schurken Londons über den Tisch gezogen zu sehen, dann solltest du unbedingt alle zwölf Junggesellen in The Rake Review sammeln!

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Second Chance, Novella, Regency, Second Chance Romance

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Fenna Edgewood writes steamy, swoon-worthy stories of love, family, and adventure. Fenna lives on the Canadian Prairies with her husband and two tiny tots (who are adorable but generally terrible research assistants). She is an award-winning retired academic who has studied English literature for most of her life. Before becoming a full-time author, her last "real" job was teaching high school students above the Arctic Circle. After a long hiatus from writing make-believe as a twelve-year-old, she has returned to the genre with a bang!

For a FREE book from Fenna, join her NL: https://fennaedgewood.com/newsletter/
And be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest deals! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/fenna...

Reviews

[Hannah B.]

If you want to be fucking depressed in June, have at it 😭

Also why was the trigger warning list at the end of the book and not the beginning? My bad I didn’t see the link to it but ????

CWs: Marital rape, intentional miscarriage by her husband, spousal abuse on page, death of a child, near drowning

[Pam Bereznak]

Fenna Edgewood is a fairly new author to me. This is only my 8th book by her and I have really enjoyed her books. I feel she gets great depth in her characters and sex is pretty decent. This is a series I've been reading with 12 different authors, one book for each month.

What a great story. I loved the storyline and the characters, June and Cameron. It was so heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I just love when assholes get their dues. The only thing is, this is one book I really wish had an epilogue. This was a perfect book for one.

I love the concept, whoever came up with it, for all these great authors to write a book a month. Really enjoying this series.

[Jessica]

Stories that start with the heroine married to another always make me nervous. I know a happy ending will be coming, but I am always just a little annoyed with the author haha!

But this story ended very satisfyingly. Very. My favorite characters happened to be a couple of side characters - I love a mother and father figure in stories! The hero was everything you want a hero to be. Fenna Edgewood writes heroines in very realistic ways. She makes me understand why they choose what they do and they are definitely women of their time. I love that in historical romance.

This story was a little sad. Somewhat angsty. And a nice little read overall!

[Jennifer]

I had mixed feelings about this book, the sixth installment of The Rake Review series, by Fenna Edgewood. I wrote a previous review this evening - which I then proceeded to lose - so I am back at it for a second round of comments.

Here's what I liked: Overall, it's a good story, and the hero, Cameron McBain, formerly Fraser, the Duke of Tulloch, eventually shows himself to be a good, solid man, who has remained true to June for much of the 10 years that they've been separated. He does start out as an angry former lover bent on revenge, which made him unlikable to me initially, but he gradually won me over during the course of the book. I was glad he and June were able to get a second chance at love since they never really fell out of love with each other. Obviously since this is a historical romance, I appreciated their getting a happily ever after, despite so much strife and misunderstanding beforehand. I also liked the twist at the end of the book that made all things come right. The end was satisfying, and I was gratified they could start anew with each other, leaving their years apart behind them.

Here's what didn't gel with me: this is a much darker story than the other installments from previous months in The Rake Review series. It has a section listing content warnings (which ironically is at the back of the book) and delves into heavy issues such as spousal abuse and domestic violence, which is shown on-page in this story, revenge, and the death of an infant child, caused deliberately by the villain. Given these darker themes, I found it quite a departure from the tone of the previous stories and also a stark mismatch to the frivolous nature of The Brazen Belle's snarky observations revealed in her gossip column. What the Belle wrote about Cameron and June didn't bear much on the story (I didn't think of Cameron as a rake, just one angry duke), and to my mind, it seemed a bit out of place. Other things that didn't gel with me were redundant dialogue bits between June and Cameron, whereby one would ask a question and the other would repeat it almost verbatim and then answer. It was a pattern in their speech and in the writing, and once I noticed it, I couldn't un-notice it. Additionally, I'm not a huge fan of dialogue written phonetically to convey accents, in this case, Cameron's Scottish brogue. All of these things took me out of the story and made it a less engaging read for me.

Will I keep reading the forthcoming stories in The Rake Review series? Definitely, but I'm hoping that the levity and lightness return in the next half of the series to make the stories a bit more enjoyable to read.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Imromanticallyinvolved]

The Scot Who Made (insert your name here) Hot!

Oh the emotions I went through in this short story that felt anything but short! I have to be honest and say that in the first few chapters I wasn't sold on Cameron. His thoughts and actions worried me to the point that I didn't think they'd be redeemable. But I kept an open mind and hoped for the best. I'm so glad I did! I ended up loving Cameron! June's quiet strength was truly admirable. I was so sad and angry on her behalf for what she endured.

This is not an easy read with so much tragedy surrounding Cameron and June. There's anger, heartache, compassion, cruelty, love and forgiveness. Angst, mistrust, longing and redemption.The author expertly wove all of these feelings and more into the story making it almost impossible to guess what would come next. Unpredictable reads like this are my favorite and I could not put it down.

I highly recommend this to readers who like an emotionally charged, quick read. The author's writing style gives a great sense of the characters through thoughts, actions and conversations. The chain of events happened at a pace I appreciated, with no lag in the story. The side characters are people that I wish I had in my own life. Unveiling secrets gradually and unraveling the mystery added an intriguing element to the storyline.There are a few stolen moments with touching and kissing. One full sex scene that's on the lighter side but fits the length of the story.

I only wish there was an epilogue that neatly tied up the consequences faced by the villains and I do prefer a bit more detail in intimate moments. Overall it was an excellent addition to the Rake Review Series and I look forward to reading Fenna's backlist!

I received an early copy directly from the author (Thank You! ) All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tabetha Waite]

A lovely second chance with a twist! Halfway through the Rake Review and the hits keep on coming!

[Bonnie]

Thanks to BookSprout and the author for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion...

I really hope that at the end of this series we get some kind of denouement as to who the Belle is and what her motivation is. But this is June's installment of the Rake Review and it is a second chance story of two star crossed lovers torn apart by circumstances beyond their control.

Lady June Fairchild, the Countess of Windermere is living a miserable life as the abused wife of a cruel, abusive man who wed her for her dowry, and forces her to live loveless marriage where she if forced to hide herself as much as possible, psychologically and emotionally, so as not to become a target of his ire. He relishes in his cruelty, including forcing her to live in the country with him, and flaunting in her home, his mistress and his family with her, while keeping June childless, and with no prospects for any joy. But he has run through her dowry and needs a new source of income, and has arranged a house party to bring in investors for one of his schemes, with Jane to plan and act the part of his charming hostess.

The main fat fish he hopes to lure is the notorious rake, the Duke of Tulloch. Already, the Brazen Belle has noted his attendance at the Windermere's and publicly speculates on his seduction of the Countess - sparking Windermere's anger, despite this being a part of his plans.

June is willing to fall in with his plans, just to keep the peace and avoid his anger. What she does not expect is that the Duke is her childhood love, and hand fasted husband, Cameron, whom she knew and loved as a poor man, with whom she pled her troth through the Scottish rite of handfasting and only shared one night with before he suddenly disappeared. She did not know what happened to him, and believes him dead. The end, was forced to expose her ruin to her father, leading to his arrangement of her marriage to Windermere.

Cameron, however had neither died, nor abandoned June, but a sudden circumstance forced their parting, and he presumes, on finding out she had wed another, that she had betrayed him for wealth, and a title, abandoning him and betraying their vow. He is bitter, and angry, and fosters the image of a wealthy, carefree rake, to hide his hurt and anger, and that deep down, inside, that June is still the only woman for him.

This is the story of how they meet again, and rediscover their attraction and ultimately their love for each other, and the uncovering of the mystery of their broken relationship. As well, it is a story of intrigue and mystery as well, as there is more to the story of Windermere and June's relationship, and the barrier it forms to Cameron and June finding their happily ever after.

Trigger warning - June is the victim of domestic abuse and assault in this story - both emotional/psychological, and physical.

4.25 stars out of 5

[Suzanne]

1.5 stars

Wow. It's got lack of communication, a cardboard villain, the hero treating the heroine awfully and without cause, incorrect inheritances based on a faulty understanding of the not very difficult laws of primogeniture (if there's a son, he inherits, not the brother), a mistress/dowager who birthed four children with the villain without any shame upon her name, even though it was after the former earl died, and more more more more more. I'm not sure I liked anyone except the heroine. The hero was an absolute jerk and the reason for his disappearance totally unbelievable (servants talk; the whole neighborhood would have known), as was the fact he never got in touch with her after. And then suddenly it's ten years later and he never did anything about it? For real?

Nope. This book is a total mess.

[Karmen O]

The Scot that Made June Hot by Fenna Edgewood, a part of The Rake Review author collaboration series
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Cover: 5/5
Story: 2.5/5
Steam: 🔥 (+kissing, a fade out)
Ending: HEA
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Stand Alone or Series: Can be read as a stand alone but each book in series takes place in the same "universe" via a gossip columnist.
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England, Regency (1820)
Brooding Scottish Duke
Trapped Loveless Countess
Second Chance
Revenge Plot
Tortured Heroine
House Party
Protective Hero
Married Heroine
English Country Estate
Lovers to Loathing to Lovers
Spinster Subplot
Emotionally Charged
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This book contains themes that some readers may find disturbing or overly traumatic. If you are someone who is concerned about triggers, please see the content warning section at the end of this review. There is a courtesy warning of a major theme within the title that doesn't spoil other details before the true content warning.
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If you are looking for a light-hearted read, this isn't the one for you. However, if you are a reader who enjoys darker themes in an HR (think Maiden Lane-ish or older historicals) I believe that you will enjoy this month's edition of The Rake Review. I feel like the book trumps the March edition for most dark HR in the series.

Cameron and June have a past that few ever knew of. It has been ten years since they last saw each other, and a great deal was left unsaid. This is a complex tale of misunderstanding, trauma, and reconnection. Personally, I happen to enjoy these types of messy tales. June and Cameron have delicious chemistry and had me rooting for them the whole time.

To be honest, I've not read an HR that had some of the themes contained in this book. It was an interesting tale that slowly unraveled into a bit of a jarring and truly sinister tale. While there is an HEA, I do feel that this complex story would have benefitted greatly from a longer page count. Additionally, I would have loved to see an epilogue because I feel like we were left with a touch of a cliffhanger all around. While it is clear that June and Cameron will have a true HEA, there are some series consequences I would have enjoyed learning more about. Lastly, I was truly confused by the laws of succession being overlooked.
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As for steam, Edgewood largely uses explicit terms with open door scenes. The one scene is a touch on the short side, but I found it to be well-rounded.
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Read as a physical copy and eBook.
Honest review left voluntarily.
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Content Warning
**Courtesy Warning:
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Domestic Violence
(may contain spoilers beyond this point:)
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Domestic Vi*lence- physical (on page and off page)
Injuries due to D.V.
Marital Infidelity- husband (on page)
De*th of spouse
Fire
Mention of pregnancy
De*th of child- off page
D.V. resulting in early labor and infant de*th
Marital S.A.
Near drowning
Bigamy

[BookishMya]

The Brazen Belle has done it again, outed another dastardly rake for all in the ton to shame. Little does she know, Cameron is the least shameful person involved in this tale. Cameron’s only mistake is losing the love of his life. June’s biggest mistake is marrying the wrong man, and she has paid for that mistake for 10 years. Once upon a time these two loved one another, but life and unforeseen occurrences kept them apart. Through a series of bizarre circumstances they may just get a second chance. This story is certainly different from the past Brazen Belle stories, this one is littered with angst and discontent. Your heart is breaking for poor June from the start. A lady easily lands in your heart, but is trapped in a seriously unfortunate marriage whilst loving another. I was utterly enthralled trying to guess how this could possibly end well. I was thrilled with the conclusion and my inner investigator truly did not foresee the elaborate explanations that came about. There is something wonderful in an author that manages to keep you guessing, while maintaining your interest in the love story. I greatly enjoyed Cameron and June’s love. First loves are simply beautiful second chance stories.

[Sonia]

This was a great second chance romance which I read in one sitting. June and Cameron's young love had ended in heartbreak. Cameron had always felt that June was responsible for their breakup. As far as June was aware, Cameron had simply disappeared and she feared that he was dead. Fast-forward ten years and Cameron arrives hoping to gloat at June's miserable life. He ends up feeling compassionate because she is essentially the same girl that he had once fallen in love with. For her part, June had never stopped loving him. She was only doing what she had to do.
This story also has a good mystery and some entertaining supporting characters. The baronet and the Pembrokes would be welcome guests at my house party any time. June and Cameron's happy ending was steamy and definitely worth waiting for.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Isobel (Semi-Hiatus)]

In "The Scot Who Made June Hot", the author Fenna Edgewood brings us a second chance love story between a Scottish Hero and a very realist FMC with a sad and cruel story.

This book was full of intrigue, deception and steamy scenes. Our couple is one of those that really deserved their long-awaited HEA. Oh how they suffered. For me is a very heavy read for summer but to each their own...

Overall, is was a well build story with complexed and well developed characters.

Trigger warning: Marital rape and domestic abuse and husband forced miscarriage.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paper Ghost]

Ну что, половина серии позади. Подводить итоги в целом пока рано, но уже можно с уверенностью сказать, что «Шотландец, Который Сделал Июнь Жарким» - одна из самых мрачных историй в «Обзоре Повес» . Вот, без шуток. Если остальные книги, условно, романы Остин то книга Фенны Эджвуд попахивает чем-то из под пера Бронте.

Список триггеров в себя включает, но не ограничивается: домашнее насилие, изнасилование в браке, измены, выкидыш в результате насилия, убийство и поджог с целью его сокрытия.


Кэмерон МакБейн, Герцог Таллохский, приезжает на светское мероприятие в графство Уиндермир с целью отомстить. Когда-то Кэмерон и Джун (ныне графиня Уиндермир) любили друг друга, но та, не пожелав быть с милым в шалаше, вышла замуж за более выгодную партию. Кэмерон за эти десять лет унаследовал титул от дяди и приехал в графство, чтобы показать бывшей, что не на помойке себя нашел и вообще всё у него замечательно. Но радовался он своей победе недолго, ведь довольно быстро выяснил, что десятилетний брак с графом Джун конкретно так помотал. Муж её регулярно избивает и, более того, в открытую проявляет внимание к вдове своего брата, Горации, у которой аж четверо детей и всех их она родила после смерти мужа. Несложно догадаться, кто их отец.

Изначально понятно, что Джун вышла замуж за графа не от хорошей жизни. Голубки предались греху до брака и в результате этой связи Джун забеременела. Кэмерону пришлось ненадолго уехать, а отец Джун соврал дочери, что тот умер. Папаша быстро сбагрил Джун замуж за Уиндермира, а тот жёстко и радикально избавился от бастарда. И вот тут опять повторяется самый слабый для меня сюжетный момент, который есть в большинстве книг этой серии. У героев травма связанная с родителями, которая не получает внятной резолюции. Отец Джун не считал Кэмерона подходящей партией для дочери, потому что тот был на тот момент беден, без титула и вообще шотландец. Он выдал дочь замуж с целью скрыть её позор, надеясь, что граф Уиндермир будет хорошо к ней относится. На момент начала событий книги папаши Фейрчайлда уже нет в живых, так что читателю не раскрывают, что он думал о браке дочери. Знал ли он о насилии и унижении, которым она ежедневно подвергалась? Сама Джун на своего отца даже не злится, но не потому что она такая добрая, а потому что она Сьюха. Серьезно, даже на фоне ежедневных избиений она не утратила своей ангельской красоты, её пот пахнет медом, и срет она исключительно розами. Она типичная дама в беде, а Кэмерон – это рыцарь, которому суждено её спасти, теперь когда он знает правду.

Кэмерон и Джун - не самая плохая пара в серии (этот титул пока что у Алека и Эмили), но они меркнут на фоне других персонажей и парочек в книге. Сир Монтагю и Миссис Пембрук – вот главный корабль романа. Пока наши ГГ выясняли отношения, и сам Кэмерон готовился к дуэли с мужем Джун, эти двое успели разгадать тайну смерти бывшего графа Уиндермира. Тот умер в результате пожара в церкви, где он якобы обвенчался с Горацией. Книга ведомостей тоже считалась сгоревшей, а посему все поверили Горации на слово. Ну вы чуете, да? На самом деле Горация была кузиной братьев и всегда имела близкие отношения с Джоном, мужем Джун. Старший брат Реджинальд был против настолько близкородственного брака. Книга ведомостей уцелела и все это время была у Горации, а там черным по белому написано, что в тот день она обвенчалась с Джоном, а не Реджинальдом. Парочку быстро спалил старший брат, те его вырубили и подожгли церковь. Позже Джон женился на Джун, чтобы поправить финансовое положение графства за счет её приданого. Поэтому у них за все это время так и не появилось детей, чтобы наследником считались дети Горации. Сама Горация сладким речам Джона давно не верила, поэтому под шумок умыкнула книгу, с целью обезопасить себя. Чем вам не сюжет Агаты Кристи?

Кончается все, разумеетсям Хеппи Эндом, а как иначе? Единственное, тут абсолютно не релевантна роль Наглой Красавицы и её колонки. Есть у меня подозрение, что эту историю Фенна Эджвуд писала отдельно, но позже решила опубликовать в рамках серии. Именно поэтому роль Красавицы настолько нерелевантна и присобачена белыми нитками. Но это так, просто теория.


Серия «Обзор Повес»

1. Кара Максвелл - Брошенная в Январе
2. Чарли Лэйн - Фальшивый Февральский Повеса
3. Сэйди Боск - Безумный Мартовский Герцог
4. Аннабель Андерс - Дождь из Повес в Апреле
5. Кортни МакКаскилл - Один Прекрасный Май
6. Фенна Эджвуд - Шотландец, Который Сделал Июнь Жарким
7. Кейт Бейтман - Скандал в Июле
8. Кэтлин Айерс - Наследница для Августа
9. Диана Болд - Соблазнение Сентябрьского Негодяя
10. Табита Уэйт - Охота на Мистера Октября
11. Шана Гален - Мистер Печально Известный и Гнусный Ноябрь
12. Трэйси Самнер - Высокий, Темный и Декабрь

[Nicole]

An excellent story

Another great story in this multiple author series

This story has a Scottish Hero, and a Lady who is loves him for who he is despite their past.

If you enjoy a story with banter, angst, happiness, a little bit of steam and a bit of why would you do that to him or her then this is the story..

I can't wait for the next book in this amazing collection.

[Mephala]

CW: domestic abuse (on heroine, NOT by hero)

Firstly, I can't decide if the title is clever and funny and I like it, or if it’s too on the nose and makes me cringe a little. I'm leaning towards liking it, ha!

Too bad I didn't quite like the book itself.

I feel it's very much a case of not being in the right mood to appreciate the story and the characters.

To be honest, neither held my attention and I was never fully invested in June and Cameron’s relationship.

Maybe it was because the heroine was constantly described as painfully perfect, despite herself claiming she wasn't.
And I know she's a tragic character, because of the abuse she suffered, but June was most of the time described as an almost ephemeral fairy-like creature, gliding around in her (always!) white or light dresses, with golden hair floating behind her in the most gracious manner.

There was one scene, almost at the end, when she was running to stop Cameron from dueling her non-husband . Obviously, she was exerting herself, as well as wearing her night clothes, with hair being a mess, etc. But, the way the whole set up was described made me think she's the type that insists she doesn't sweat, but ✨glistens✨. Basically, the message she's so pure and perfect came on too strong for me.

The lack of chemistry between June and Cameron didn't help either.

They were supposed to be still in love with each other, a feeling so strong that made Cameron forget about his “revenge” almost instantly upon seeing June again. And yet, all of their interactions felt so awkward.

Also, the ending had a little bit of a deus ex machina feel to it, with how neatly all the plot's loose ends got tied, but I'm not going to rag on it too much as it came about because of one of the more interesting characters of the whole book - Sir Montegue. At first, he seemed suspiciously eager to befriend the hero, almost coming on too strong, to later on reveal his intentions were mostly good.

That's the thing about this book - background characters, like Sir Montegue or Mrs Pembroke (even Horatia), were so much more interesting than the main couple.

Now, I feel bad for criticizing The Fake February Rake for being boring.

Unfortunately, it seems this book is, so far , the weakest in the series.

~2/5 stars

[Barbara]

June was handfasted to Cameron and the next day he disappeared. She assumed he was dead since she couldn’t believe he would desert her. She was forced into marriage with the cruel Earl of Windermere, who mistreated her. Ten years later Cameron shows up to a house party, now the Duke of Tulloch, ready to punish June for breaking his heart and marrying another. Circumstances had forced him to leave, he never heard from her, and then shortly after, he learned she had married another. Of course all of these misunderstandings must be figured out if the two of them are ever going to be together. The husband is a fairly large impediment as well, and it was interesting to see how that was resolved. I love second chance at love stories, and this one was lovely. Cameron was a formidable but kind man who was ready to slay dragons for his love and June was so deeply unhappy and beaten down that I couldn’t wait for her to find happiness with the man who was always in her heart. I’m really enjoying the Rake Review stories since they have introduced me to some new authors that I hadn’t read before, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Janet]

Lady June Fairchild, the Countess of Windermere, is trapped in a loveless and cruel marriage, haunted by a secret from her past. Her cruel husband wants to persuade Cameron The Duke of Tulloch to invest in a scheme so a house party is being held. Imagine June’s surprise when her secrets come back to haunt her when Cameron arrives. He’s only there for revenge until the couple meet.
A very well written romance with strong characters, a well paced story, sizzling chemistry & a sack full of secrets. I loved both Cameron & June & wondered how they could have their HEA & loved how the twists & turns played out – so much so that I couldn’t put it down & read it straight through finishing it well into the night. I also loved that there was a secondary romance quietly progressing between two secondary characters. At times heart wrenching but with a satisfying end
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Cassandra]

This book has too many ideas/plots for them to be deeply drawn out in this novella. I didn’t connect with either of the main characters. I never understand how a man can feel that wronged by a woman who is considered property. At the same time I don’t know what his plot for revenge was going to achieve nor how going to this party would give him the revenge. Montage and Mrs. Pembroke were good supporting cast though. I liked them quite a bit. And I was confused why the brother would become the Earl, I thought it would be the son with the brother as guardian role ( I could be wrong). Overall poor June, her life has been incredibly hard and she deserved none of it. Oh! I loved the cast of character cheat sheet at the beginning! All books should have this! Thank you for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Historical romance nerd]

This book is one of the most unhinged that I've read in recent memory.

Let me say, despite the title that sounds like a fun romp, this book is a bit dark. Please check the trigger warnings prior to reading.

I'm not inclined to post spoilers, so there aren't many details I can provide, but this wasn't really my jam.

I will say that it did make me have some strong feelings, and I did want to finish it to see what happened.

I think this is probably a "your mileage may vary" situation. It could be a good fit for some readers,but not me specifically.

I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Beth]

Like all Fenna Edgewood’s books, The Scot Who Made June Hot was a fun, romantic page-turner. It’s got secrets, pining, a hero & heroine you’ll love, and a villain you’ll hate.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the Brazen Belles series, and I can’t wait to read the rest of them as the year continues!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[Margaret]

Ten years is a long time for a woman to mourn the man she loves. Ten years is a long time for a man to want revenge for the woman he believes betrayed him. A house party brings them together. Explanations maybe hard to believe, but the eventual evidence of wasted time, gives them a second chance. A novella with pain and compassion. May have triggers.
Descriptive sex.

[Lady Nilambari Reads HR]

Second chance trope in a novella, lol, I think not! Same fight again and again with a hasty resolution. Not the best of the series.

[Dolly Dagger]

This is a fast moving novella. Almost too fast, trying to fit so much story into 200 pages felt that most of the storyline was incomplete.

The MMC is out for revenge and the FMC has been manipulated by every man in her life since childhood. For the two of them supposedly being star crossed lovers, it takes him way too long to consider that his assumption that she abandoned him 10 years prior might not be accurate.

Angsty

[Anne]

It was difficult to get past the author's lack of knowledge on the laws of succession. The dead Earl's son would automatically have inherited, not the younger brother of the Earl.

[Lina]

This is my first book from Fenna Edgewood and part of “The Rake Review” series.

June is caught in a loveless marriage, and she is abused by her husband, who treats her badly. Cameron – the Duke of Tulloch is the man who had his heart broken by June when she chose money before their love. But now, years later, she is a different woman from what she was before. Her husband is the reason for her change, with him constantly mistreating her. He even has the audacity of showing his mistress and their children in front of society to embarrass his wife even more. Then again, this story is June and Cameron’s second chance in love. But even though that included, I didn’t like the fact that the heroine was married to another man and not the hero.

Their story was full of intrigues, deception and hot scenes and I would like it better for the time period of their second chance love to be less than 10 years. They did manage to fight for their love and have the long-awaited HEA, but at a high cost.

***I received an ARC from the author and my review is given voluntarily.***

[Chelsea Johnson]

3.5 Stars!

This entry was a little darker(?) than the previous entries in this series. Yes, the books covered more difficult topics, but this just felt different.

I did actually wish the book had been a bit longer. Clearly the history between Cameron and June was a big deal (I know, I know, duh!), but it also felt like we were just told that it was because June's father didn't approve and Cameron was just out of it enough to not make the effort initially. Once things got cleared up, I liked that Cameron was all in on being June's guardian, not only because she had no one else, but because he wanted to.

At the beginning, Cameron actually kind of annoyed me. I'd pegged the issue as being due to miscommunication on purpose from the moment I read the summary. And whether June had seriously run off with someone else or not, it didn't give Cameron the right to be an a** when she'd admitted she didn't know he'd be there. Given the length of the overall story, Cameron's immediate switch to guardian once he finally allowed June to explain worked, but I wish there'd been a little more consideration. Whether or not I think he was being a jacka**, he still had ten years of feelings to get through and I just wish his anger hadn't evaporated so quickly. Or maybe it's that I wish he'd turned that anger on her father, even though he was dead. Once John caught them, I liked Cameron antagonizing him and calling out, even if it was a boneheaded move.

I felt bad for June, honestly. All her internal thoughts, it was clear she did not like that house or John yet she was right about not being able to do anything, unfortunately. I guess the only good thing about the situation is that considering the reveals at the end, the reasons John never went beyond physical abuse made sense. Small mercies and all that, I guess. I did like that June wanted to help Mrs. Pembroke/Miss Pembroke, and that she was able to make friends with Mrs. Pembroke. I did want a little more on things between June and Horatia though. There was one real interaction between them where Horatia sewed the seeds that led to John's demise, but otherwise, there was just a lot of "no one could believe how brazen he was being with his own cousin and his brother's widow".

NGL, I really loved Mrs. Pembroke and Sir Montague. They were both willing to tell it like it is and I liked them taking the respective characters under their wings. I liked Montague's reveals at the end and the way he built the suspense just a bit before all the reveals made it very theatrical and just entertaining to watch John finally get his. Mrs. Pembroke calling Horatia a hussy was hilarious and I loved it.

The overall ending was really the best that could have happened, all things considered. If John had stayed, he would have fought any annulment/divorce/whatever proceedings and would have done everything in his power to make June a prisoner wherever he could. While it's unfortunate that Horatia now has to deal with that fallout alone, at least June knows the truth and is able to more easily get free.

[Slwd]

A Second Chance

Fenna Edgewood wrote “The Scot Who Made June Hot” June’s installment in the multi author series entitled The Rake Review. This offering fits right into the series and is a second chance Regency romance. The Brazen Belle’s highlighted rake is the Duke of Tulloch. She has a lot of interesting bits to say about the Scottish duke. Cameron, the Duke of Tulloch, has been invited to a house party given by John, the Earl of Windermere who hopes Cameron will invest in his plan to make money. The hostess is June, the Countess of Windermere, and Cameron’s long lost love. Cameron is bent on revenge against June who he believes married the earl for comfort and riches, which he couldn’t offer ten years prior. Meanwhile, June is unaware that the Duke of Tulloch is her Cameron from her youth. She is in for a surprise. I am glad Cameron and June have a heart to heart conversation earlier in the story rather than later. Reader beware, this story has several trigger warnings. June’s life over the last ten years had been painful and unhappy. Her husband, the Earl, is a cruel and conniving man. In spite of the passage of time, Cameron and June still have feelings for one another and are drawn together. However, June is still a married woman. There are some interesting supporters characters. Hortatia is the earl’s mistress, a very unlikable character. She has joined the events of the house party as if it was perfectly normal for a mistress to do so. She is constantly lording her relationship with June’s husband and her children over June to cause upset. Other supporting characters include Baron Montague, a likable, well informed, witty older widower with grown children and an eye for the ladies. He befriends Cameron right from the start and shares his knowledge of the household and its goings on. Mrs. Pembroke is a widow chaperoning her daughter. She offers June motherly comfort and a listening ear. All of these people come together to make a house party full of surprising twists and turns. Cameron and June manage to rekindle the passion and steam from their youth. This was a fast paced, quick read, although some parts were darker and an emotional read. The end is surprising and Cameron and June manage to achieve their long overdue happy ever after. Their second chance was a long time in coming but well deserved. This can be read as a stand-alone or part of the series. I recommend this story to lovers of Regency romance. July will be here before we know it. Who is The Brazen Belle going to target next?

[Sandy]

It was a well written story for the most part but it still had a lot of problems. And I haven't read every book in the Rake Review series but the tone of this one is definitely more depressing for most of the book.

I don't mind second chance stories but hate when they take years to resolve and this was no different and also made no sense. Why? Why wait? He clearly has followed her life as he knew she married and he knew of her father's death but he waits 10 years to finally get his "revenge." Why now?

And if he'd moved faster at the time, maybe she wouldn't have had to marry this horrible man in the first place. The timeline there is fuzzy - Cameron was gone maybe weeks or even months without word. If months, you could definitely see why June felt she had to marry fairly quickly. He sent ONE letter. Got no response and then I guess he later hears she's married and then pouts for 10 years.

Also what REALLY made no sense was it was said that her father thought Cameron was only after her money - which was supposed to explain why he didn't try to track Cameron down - but then sells her to Windermere, knowing he was cash strapped. Just for a title? Guess her dad didn't bear her much love after all.

And then two very misplaced passionate scenes - one after she nearly drowned in the middle of the lawn where anyone can see and then in her freaking main hallway. This woman is terrified of her husband. I don't care how hot the Scot is or how much she loves him. No way would she be that caught up. And kind of made me feel like Cameron was really selfish. He has to have her, he doesn't care what happens (but he really does so maybe he should, I don't know be more discreet?)

And why did Cameron's last name change when he became duke? I guess to match his uncle's surname when he became the next duke? Minor point but it bothered me as a good chunk of the story hinged on that (ie she had no idea that he'd become a duke)

I'd give if 2 1/2 stars because Montague was an interesting side character and June was well written even if she was horribly depressing and broken.

[Fanosse23]

The Rake Review Series is outstanding! Every author has delivered a wonderful, steamy, captivating story, each uniquely different. “The Scot Who Made June Hot” is Fenna Edgewood contribution and it was another stellar addition to this wonderful series.

If you are looking for a steamy, romantic story that is humorous, light, and upbeat, this story won’t fit the bill. However, if you want to read an amazing story of betrayal, heartache, tragedy, and redemption that eventually leads to love and forgiveness you will enjoy June and Cameron’s journey.

Lady June Fairchild, has been trapped and unhappy for the last ten years, married to a cruel and abusive man. She knows what true love is because she had the love of a good man once, he disappeared without a word, so she assumes he is dead.

Cameron Fraser, the Duke of Tulloch, returns from the dead and seeks revenge from the women he loved. They even had a handfasting ceremony, pleading their love to each other, with every intention of marriage, but she ignored their vows and quickly married another.

Their reunion is turbulent, full of ups and downs, and Cameron is unwilling to hear June’s explanation, he has convinced himself that whatever she tells him is nothing but lies. When he finally listens to her and sees what she has endured these last ten years he cannot ignore that he never has stopped loving her and she tells him she has never loved anyone but him.

Cameron and June’s story is heart wrenching and beautiful, happy and sad, lovely and tension filled, passionate and touching. We had heartache and secrets, and some very unexpected twists and turns that captured my attention until the very end. I enjoyed this story very much, I could hear Cameron’s brogue in my head, and just loved his protective side while being so deliciously sexy! I look forward to the next book in this marvelous series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[JenReviews4U]

Thinking her husband was dead, June, remarried. Now the Countess of Windermere, her first husband has shown up, the problem is she never told anyone she was married before and her former husband wants revenge.
Cameron was forced to leave and hide those ten years ago and is angry that the girl who had pledged her life to be his left. When he is invited to a house party thrown by June's current husband, he sees a chance for revenge.

Overall I loved this book! Fenna Edgewood knows how to write such lively and colorful characters that just leap off the page.
What to know: This is an in-depth, messy, oftentimes dark historical romance. There are several triggers in here, particularly domestic abuse. The story is very well written by an accomplished author who takes her readers on a rollercoaster of emotions. Given that this is a second-chance romance with many misunderstandings that need to be worked out, there is lots of drama. There is some kissing and a steamy scene but it is not gratuitous and fits the story. The characters are well-rounded and have development and growth, especially Cameron. The author writes Cameron's words using phonetic Scottish prose. The story itself is rather short and this would have benefitted from having an epilogue. Compared to the other books of this series, this one is heavier and a bit more in-depth, dealing with sensitive material.
What didn't work for me- Cameron's excuse of why he disappeared on June, the bloodlines and inheritance didn't make any sense, too many misunderstandings that try too hard to cause drama, Cameron brooding way too long and blaming June for her unfaithfulness, the length of this was way too short for how in-depth this story needed to be in order to sort out everything properly.

I still really liked the story and I like Ms. Edgewood's writing so I do recommend it, just go in knowing that June's life is very sad and depressing, there is lots of drama, but this does have a happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.