Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes

The Rake Review: Season 2 #6

by Charlie Lane

All the world’s a stage—and Remington Ives plays the part of a rake to perfection.

His theater is failing, and Remmy needs money fast. A scandalous rake's reputation might be the only thing that saves it.

But when a country house party reunites him with his childhood friend, his carefully crafted image begins to unravel.

Because Tessa King refuses to believe he’s a scoundrel.

The boy she grew up with couldn’t have changed so much in six years. Even if the man he’s become kisses her like he means to claim her the moment they’re alone.

Tessa is tempted to uncover the truth behind his dangerous charm and the Brazen Belles’ scandalous article about him. But temptation is a luxury she cannot afford.

Her livelihood is at stake.

Tessa must choose between remaining a companion…or making a respectable marriage.

Unless Remmy can convince her there’s a third option.

Him.

Childhood friends, a rakish reputation, and a forbidden attraction collide at a scandalous house party—but risking their hearts may cost them everything.

Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes is book 6 in the multi-author series The Rake Review, Season Two.

Genres: Historical Romance, Friends To Lovers, Second Chance

218 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2026

About the author

Charlie writes Regency romance that's lighthearted and hot. Her books have a little bit of angst, a lot of laughs, and a whole lot of heart and heat.

Reviews

[Pam]

Thanks to Charlie Lane for sending me a complimentary copy of Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes from season two of The Rake Review.

Ultimate middle child and theatre owner Remington Ives has been in love with his childhood neighbor, Tessa King, for as long as he can remember. He was the middle of the eleven children of the local earl and countess, and Tessa was the eldest daughter of the clergyman, and they grew up running around the countryside together. When they were 20 years old, Tessa's parents pressured her to marry the curate, and when she refused, they turned her out. Remmy's mother found her a position as a paid companion to a viscount's widow, and Tessa has spent the last six years traveling Europe, broadening her horizons and figuring out who she is. In that time, Remmy inherited a theatre from his late uncle and has been doing all he can think of to fill the seats, including courting scandal and getting himself named June's Rake by the Brazen Belle.

Tessa's patron is about to marry, though, and she needs to decide what's next. Her employer's intended has a nephew who is a clergyman and is interested in marrying her, which would repair Tessa's relationship with her parents. Or Tessa could find another position as a companion. Neither of these outcomes is acceptable to Remmy, though, who finally wants to take their relationship from friends to lovers now that he has the means to support a wife. But if Tessa marries him, she'll never be able to return to her family, especially her younger sister. So it's up to Remmy to convince her that he is the best choice, even if it means destroying his image as a rake.

If you're looking for some fun, look no further than The Rake Review. These novellas are punchy, full of steam, and play on many of the classic tropes we love from the Regency romance genre. In Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes, we have the classic rake-wallflower trope with a twist. Remmy isn't really a rake; he just lets everyone think he is because scandal sells tickets. And Tessa is only a wallflower because she has spent her formative years traveling and doesn't know anyone outside the Ives family. My favorite part of this dynamic was that Tessa saw through Remmy's lie immediately and insisted there was no way this man she had known her entire life was actually a cad. He was so desperate to prove her wrong that he ended up looking like a bit of an idiot in front of his family, which was delightful.

Another twist on a typical trope was the family dynamics for both Remmy and Tessa. Typically, in Regency romance, the noble family is terrible and the more common family is full of love and acceptance. The exact opposite is true here. Remmy's parents and siblings are wonderful, while Tessa's—her mother especially—are judgmental and cruel. It was a nice switch from what we're used to reading in the genre and opened up different conflicts.

Overall, this was a very fun installment in this series of novellas. If you're new to The Rake Review, this is an easy place to jump in as well. 4 stars.

[Cassandra]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC from the author and I LOVED this. Charlie Lane is one of my favorite authors and this book reminded me of her art of love series because of his family. Everything was perfect in this book, the longing, we got the belle, Tessa and Remmy were both delights, and their families. Tessa is so sweet, She has always thought of her best friend Remmy as the family she never had as she felt familial love for him. However, when she returns to England she begins to realize that her feelings might be something different. Remmy is so smooth and charming. He is just such a kind person, we get to see it with his family and her sister. I laughed so much at his banter with his siblings. The lengths he was willing to go for her, just yes. The epilogue was great too! Does this mean we will get another story with this family? I hope so. And I loved the stepcover. I think I need to reread the Art of Love series.
6/6 stars

[Mephala]

I'm still conflicted about this book 😞

On one hand, the romance didn't really draw me in; I felt some of the interactions between the main couple were awkward and there wasn't much chemistry there.

Moreover, in some places the narration felt disconnected and events happened very quickly; they had unsatisfying resolutions that seem to miss the mark on some really well done deep dives into the reasons for many decisions made by the H and the h.

Still, on the other hand, somewhere around the middle of the story, I started to really appreciate how the author wrote Tessa's character, and how among the awkwardness of her romance with Remmy there was a portrait of a deeply hurt and mistreated heroine.

Most of my complaints about this story comes down to the lack of chemistry between the H and the h, in what seems to be mostly an one sided relationship. It felt like Remmy loved Tessa wholeheartedly and she seemed to not even consider him a love interest.

But, after reading more about her it actually made a lot of sense why their relationship seemed that way.

Tessa didn't even fathom Remmy loving her, because she perceived herself as "unlovable"; a person who didn't even know what love was, because people closest to her never showed her any care or affection. Tessa's relationship with her parents was not a main focus of the story, but even small interactions explained a lot why she seemed to just accept she's not worthy of love. Her quiet resignation and loneliness was really moving.

As a side note, after reading three books by Charlie Lane, I think I enjoy her fantasy regency setting more (like in the series Alchemy of Desire , and one if its books Binding the Baron) . I feel like a certain level of whimsy most of her stories seem to have fit that world better than just a “normal” regency.

I enjoyed Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes more as a story of a heroine who overcomes her trauma and starts to see value in herself, rather than just a love story.

4 (it would be a 3, but the extra stars goes to Tessa's character)/5 stars ⭐

[Margaret]

Tessa King has returned to London after six years traveling as a companion. The first person she wants to see is Remmy, Remington Ives, the owner of the Grand Folly Theater. Needing money, he decides to establishing himself as a rake. Acknowledged by the Brazen Belle will help sell tickets. Tessa doesn't believe he's a rake and sets out to prove it. Remmy does a good job trying, but he can't hide the real Remmy and stop his heart from loving her. A fated romance that may not be fated at all. Lots of angst, especially a broken heart!
Descriptive sex.

[Laura Harris]

learning what love is

Tessa and Remmy were friends for 20 years. Remmy is the middle child of 11 siblings of an Earl. He needs to make a place and an income for himself. Drama, music are his strengths. He’s also charming, kind and sensitive. Tessa is a Vicars daughter raised by strict unemotional parents. Love was never said and attention was only given when she obeyed her parents. Tessa was cast out of her home and spent six years as a companion to a free thinking widow who showed her affection. Remmy was the owner of a theatre and he promoted his theatre by becoming a Rake. And so the story of duty, obedience, love, respect, determination, freedom begins. Tessa doesn’t know what love is. Remmy knows because he’s seen it and experiences it with his family. But getting Tessa to understand is difficult. The banter is cute and funny. The heartbreak is terrible because Remmy is really sweet. The end is startling and then happy.

[Pam Bereznak]

This is only my 11th book by Charlie Lane. I read my first book of hers in Jan, 2021. I enjoyed her London Secrets series her past book in the Rake Reviews 1st series.

This was a cute read. I liked Remmy and Tessa's story. I loved that they were "friends" for years. Her parents were awful but overall a cute read. I liked the premise.

[Kristin]

I would like to thank the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a gloriously chaotic tale of childhood friends to lovers.

There was lots of misunderstandings, but I loved the hero’s family.

[Nicole]

Charlie Lane knows exactly how to deliver a book with laughter, love and everything in between.

Remmy and Tessa started out as childhood friends.

But these two were never meant to be just childhood friends. And even his family knew it, his family knew that he loved her and they knew that they would end up with each other.

The chemistry between Remmy and Tessa was explosive from the prologue to the epilogue..

The way that even Tessa and Remmy younger sisters stepped in to help these two be together was so sweet..

I definitely can't wait to read the next book from Charlie Lane.

And I can't wait for the next Rake Review!

[Rainelle]

If you are looking for a romantic story that very satisfying, then I think that this is the book for you. I had such a fun time reading a story about two young people whose true feelings spans over a number of years. Remmy and Tessa a two souls who are so meant for one another even though one of them refuse to see it. Perhaps their mindset is still set back in the young kids days when all was not so serious. I loved this story.
I loved the funny moments and the comments and even the name Tillibunny. But what I absolutely loved the most was the pursuit of love. Oh it was all so sweet and romantic. I was carried away by the charm of the story. I found it entertaining and very saucy.
Remmy is a handsome devil who shared with Tessa many irresistible ways to fall under his spell. I may want to read this story again I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Elizabeth Connor]

What a thoroughly delightful book this is. I loved everything about it. It’s a classic story of best friends falling in love. Remmy has been in love with Tessa for as long as he can remember. In the opening scene, he tells her, but she misunderstands because she thinks he loves her as a sister. She’s sent away and returns six years later, during which time Remmy attempts to convince himself he doesn’t really love her. That delusion is quickly dispelled.

Now, the trick is convincing Tessa that his feelings for her are not strictly platonic. He’s afraid of being hurt again, but he comes to understand that Tessa was never shown unconditional love by her parents, so she doesn’t know what it looks like. She covets her parents’ approval, even when they’ve never shown her the love she so desperately needs. It takes her a while to recognize that the love she’s been looking for has been right in front of her in the form of her best friend.

There were some wonderful descriptions that I have to share. This first one captures Remmy’s desire to hold onto Tessa and earn her love, even as he fears she’s merely using him to experience the physical side of love because she doesn’t believe she deserves real love.

“When a moan slipped between her lips, he shot a hand up to cover her mouth, to smother those throaty little cries she couldn't seem to control. Or to keep them forever in the palm of his hand.”

Tessa is faced with a choice. She must find a new position as a companion or marry the vicar her parents approve of. They do not approve of Remmy. Meanwhile, Remmy wants her to see him as a choice; he knows he can compromise her publicly and force her to choose him. But he won’t do that.

“She wanted choices, and if they were found out, she'd have none but him. He wished he loved himself as well as he loved her, then he'd ruin her without compunction and take what he wanted most by forcing her hand.”

I love this description: “His grin had a wolf in one corner of it and a court jester in the other.”

In a painful scene for Remmy, he asks Tessa what she truly wants from him. She tries to find the words to tell him that she wants him to touch her, to show her how a man and a woman can join together because she fears that if she chooses to become a companion, she may never know. When he asks why she wants him, she shrugs a shoulder and says it’s because she trusts him, and he has the experience to ensure she enjoys it. He is devastated. “Slowly, he turned on his toe and made for the door, seeming to make each step as carefully as she’d chosen each word. At the door, he looked over his shoulder, just a little, enough for her to see his profile, still hiding whatever he was feeling. ‘If you decide to be a companion again, let me know. See how easy that is, to say what you want?’ One long stride took him out of her sight.”

In a subsequent scene, Remmy tries to be supportive of Tessa’s choices, even if she chooses to marry the vicar to gain her parents’ approval. Seeing Tessa hugging her mom after her mom’s manipulations convinces Remmy that she’s choosing the vicar. He walks away, but not before saying, “I’m good enough a man to walk away…because I don’t want my happiness. I want yours. And if this” —he waved at her mother, her father, Tilbury—"makes you happy, I'll cut my own heart out to give you what you want.”

But then, Remmy shows his humanity: “’Actually, I’m not that good a man.’ With a few running steps, he swung his fist right into Tilbury’s nose, relished the crack of bone on bone, then walked into the woods. Alone.” This is the moment Tessa finally realizes how much Remmy loves her.

Charlie Lane is a wonderful writer who uses clever banter and heartfelt moments to create real relationships with memorable and relatable characters. Supporting characters are not one-dimensional, even if they only appear in brief snippets. And the depth of emotion conveyed when characters make choices that break their hearts will break your heart, too. Even if you remember that every good romance has a happy ending. Sometimes, you just have to wade through heartache to get there.

[Fanosse23]

I was absolutely swept off my feet by this story! Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes—book six in the dazzling multi-author series The Rake Review, Season Two—is brimming with charm, wit, and heart.

From the very first page, the emotions soar. Remington Ives, our irresistible rake with a golden heart, has secretly adored his childhood friend, Tessa King, for years. Tessa, raised in a home where love was scarce, carries her heart like a fragile secret. Watching it bloom in the warmth of Remmy’s devotion is pure magic.

Remmy revels in his rakish reputation—his theater thrives on the scandal, and he knows exactly how to play the part. He actually does outlandish things because he wants to be highlighted in The Rake Review. For all of us devoted Rake Review fans, usually our rake is upset to be the rake of the month, but not our Remmy.

But the game changes when Tessa returns, crossing paths with him at a country house gathering. She sees straight through the theatrical mischief to the man beneath, and suddenly Remmy’s carefully crafted persona wobbles. He’s ready to lay down his cards and prove he’s no scoundrel when it comes to her heart.

This friends-to-lovers tale is a swirl of humor, chemistry, tender confessions, and just the right sprinkle of spice and angst. Remmy leapt off the page for me—rakish in public, vulnerable in private—and Tessa’s slow realization that her best friend is her forever love? Utterly swoon-worthy.

The supporting cast shines, too. Remmy’s family radiates warmth, and Tessa’s bond with her sister Verity adds dimension and heart to the journey.

I have to highlight the brilliance of Charlie Lane, whose emotional storytelling and unforgettable characters make every page a delight. She has a gift for writing heroes and heroines who linger in your heart long after the last chapter.

By the last page, I was grinning and misty-eyed, basking in their well-earned happily-ever-after. This installment is everything I love about The Rake Review: romance that sparkles and sings, characters that stay with you, and a story that refuses to let you go.

I received an ARC (advanced review copy) for free and am sharing my thoughts voluntarily.

[Nanna]

Hum, I had a hard time with this book, I have read a lot of Charlies books and enjoyed them all. This one I just didn’t understand most of the time. Childhood friends, Remmy, is one of Earl’s sons and Tessa is the Rector’s oldest daughter. They were never apart except for a few months at a time in over twenty years! Yet as the story goes, Remmy has loved her forever and no matter that he was always there for her, which she knew he would always be. She never saw him as anything more than a friend? Tess has had a very rough home life which also didn’t make sense to me. Her father is the rector, and her mother works in the church also. How can they be so overbearing to their own daughter and no one in the church body knew? My father was a minister and let me tell you the members of the church were always in our family business. When Tess will not marry the man, her parents have picked out for her they throw her out! If not for Remmy’s mother, saving her and finding a position for her, what would happen to her? After being away for six years, she returns and can wait to see Remmy and his very large family. As they spend time together again, she is still blind to his feelings and still wants her parents to show they love her, which am not sure they do. Again, they have a plan to marry her off. It was a very different read for the Rake Review with it taking place in the country. I did like how Remmy would do anything to save his theater and how all his brothers and sisters were trying to help win Tess over. I hated how her parents treated both her and her sister. Why Tess would, after spending six years away and learning many things, still falls for her parents' nasty remarks and overbearing thinking. There are some laugh out loud moments along with tons of secrets, twist and turns witty barbs and passion too. Am on to the next book in this series. Get your own copy and decide what you think.

[Beth]

Tessa King a mistreated pastor’s daughter
Remington Ives, a middle son of 11 siblings and Tessa’s childhood friend

After Tessa (Tess), a pastor’s daughter, rejects a marriage proposal from a man of her parents’ choosing, her parents throw her out and don’t speak to her.

She takes a trip to the continent with Remington’s (Remmy) aunt as her companion and is gone for 6 years!! She has to return when the aunt accepts a marriage proposal from her love.

When she returns and stays with Remmy’s parents’ as they are the ones who took her in after her parents threw her out and she loves them like her real parents. But first she stops in London to see Remmy and his theatre.

Remington is in London and owns a theatre that is not doing well. So Remington hatches a plan to get The Belles’ attention and be written up in the Rake Review for June. He is hoping that appearing in the notorious Review will save the theatre as people will want to attend just to get a glimpse of The June Rake.

Chapter 11 is wonderful!! Remmy’s siblings 4 out of 11 confront him on how he feels about Tessa! It is touching and funny and gratifying!

This story is satisfying and wonderful and I could not put it down!! Even though it is a story on the shorter side (around 200 pages) it is a well-crafted story with beautifully developed characters and an angsty, spicy, page-turning plot!!

I couldn’t wait to read this story and now, I want to read it again!

Enjoy this spicy, well-crafted Summer read with a satisfying happily ever after!! Happy June!!

[Alexandra G]

Best friends for 20 years, separated for 6, and one final chance to get things right!

She’s the (dis)obedient rector’s daughter thrown out by her parents turned lady’s companion – and now she’s out of a job.
He’s an earl’s notorious middle son and struggling theatre owner who carefully cultivated his lothario rep to draw the Brazen Belle’s attention. Because scandal sells... tickets?
They reunite at his father’s 60th birthday house party, right on the heels of his grand exposure.
But how can he be scandalous when his heart yearns for her? And why is she so set on disbelieving him? Even worse, why is she being courted by another?!
Convinced she’s unlovable, she just wants her old BFF back – and her little sister. So marriage to a parentally pre-approved vicar it is. Or is it?

The story was mostly lighthearted fun, teasing and delectable steam, but it had some nice introspective moments for both MCs as well. For her it’s a combo of family pressure and confused curiosity. For him it’s fear of failure and rejection. She wants to break free, and he’d like nothing more than to give her wings.
The fact it took Tessa the five stages of grief to actually understand she’s in love with Remmy, and that he would sacrifice EVERYTHING for her, was both funny and frustrating.
And he’s no help; he goes from “hell no, not again” over “let me prove just how rakish I am” to “Choose me. Pick me. Love me!” all the while trying – and failing – to keep his clothes on. Darn! 🫣🤤😍
What I loved most was R’s nearly naked TED talk with his parents, and how all his siblings suddenly conspire to fats forward his happily ever after.
T’s sister was a marvel too! I do hope she gets a book sometime soon 🤞🏼
And I cannot deny all the outdoor entertainment was most fascinating 😉

[Lana Birky]

This couple grew up together - twenty years as best friends, then apart for six long years - now she is back & they have an opportunity to get things right between them, but will either step-up?

If Remington Ives put half as much effort into emotional communication as he does into manufacturing scandals for his theatre, he & Tessa King would’ve been married years ago. But no, he is out here staging chaos like it’s his side hustle.

Tessa has survived strict parents, the general misery of being a rector’s daughter with opinions & now she is faced with unemployment. She walks back into Remmy’s life & immediately clocks that his “I’m a wicked rake” routine is about as authentic as a three‑shilling wig.

Their chemistry is off the charts.
Their banter is delightful & fun.
Their emotional baggage - they have matching monogrammed trunks.

Watching Remmy drop the theatrics & Tessa finally trust her own heart is the kind of slow-burn payoff that makes you kick your feet like a teenager. And Charlie Lane delivers it all with humor, heart, and just enough spice to make you raise an eyebrow. This book is friends-to-lovers comfort food with a side of theatrical nonsense, and I devoured every bite.

[Tiffany P]

A hero/rake who bared it all……..

I enjoyed this story of Tessa and Remmy. He had loved her since they were young, but her parents and their demands tore them apart. He hadn’t seen her in six years, but the moment he saw her it all came back. A birthday party in the country put them back in each other’s orbit and they reconnected like no time had passed. She saw her friend from her youth, but he saw the woman he loved that never loved him back. The story was full of his large family trying to help him get the woman he loved, and her meddlesome mother trying to make her live the life she wanted to be accepted. It took a while for her to understand her feelings, but her uncertainties became frustrating and annoying to read. Remmy was an ideal hero even though he was a rake. He was all in and was willing to do whatever to be with him, but she wasn’t as clear in her choices. That was annoying. However, she did finally get it together, but I feel like everyone else had to get her to stand up for herself. I really did enjoy the banter within the story. It was from the siblings, Remmy’s parents, Remmy and Tessa. It was entertaining and funny. The story was full of deep conversations, funny characters, steamy scenes, meddling family, and a HEA.

[Laura Braley]

An absolutely delicious childhood friends to lovers!

Childhood friends to lovers is a trope that can be hit or miss, and Charlie Lane nailed it in this fabulous Regency romance - book 6 is season 2 of the Rake Review.

We first met Remington Ives in book 5 - when a wager is struck between him and Kenneth Fraser to determine who is the bigger rake. Remmy takes a naked swim in the Serpentine, whilst Kenneth falls in love with the woman he’s supposed to seduce. Score for Rent, who is named the June Rake by the Brazen Belle.

Except is he? really?

Remmy has nursed a broken heart for six years, after being warned away from proposing to the girl he’s grown up with and fallen in love with. Even worse? The warning came from his own parents.

Instead, when Tessa refuses a suitor picked by her parents, she is turned out of their home. Remmy’s mother finds Tessa a position as a companion for her friend Lady Chattaway, who is about to embark on a tour of the Continent.

And that is where the story begins - Tessa has just returned to London, and refuses to believe her friend is the Rake he portrays himself as to the public. Meanwhile, Remmy is determined to do whatever he must to ensure the success of the theater he owns - even if it means becoming a scandalous rake.

The two end up at a house party to celebrate Remmy’s father’s birthday. Remmy is determined to ruin Tessa’s heart, whilst Tessa must decide between finding a new position as a companion, or settling into a ‘respectable’ marriage that will ingratiate herself with her parents once again.

The Ives family - a close knit family with ELEVEN children - provide a lively cast of side characters determined to help their brother and their childhood friend find the happiness they deserve.

This was an absolute delight to read!

[Lizzeth Ruiz]

So far I love this series. Remington was so like able even though he was trying to be in the rakes review and was doing anything he could to act wild. Tessa was such a sweetheart who just wanted her family to love her. They basically kicked her out bc she wouldn’t marry the man her parents wanted. To be back in their good graces she was introduces to some guy who wanted to marry her. She was willing to accept him only to have her family back. This book had a lot of om drama along with ow too. I got a little frustrated with Tessa bc she was not thinking of herself and was trying to pleased the family who didn’t want her. I love how Remy loved her. She was everything to him but she saw him as her dearest friend. She kept fighting with herself bc she wasn’t sure how she felt for him. The love scenes were great and passionate. I honestly felt the love that Remy had for her, it was beautiful. I al glad they got their happy ending and it did take her some time to finally realize how horrid her family was.

[Peggy]

Remington Ives is determined to live up to his designation by the Brazen Belle as the June Rake. After six years abroad as Lady Chattaway’s companion, Tessa King is back in England. The first thing she does is go to the Folly Theatre to see her childhood best friend, Remmy. They are all gathered now at the Ives country estate to celebrate his father’s birthday. While there, Remmy continues to act the part of the consummate rake, he and Tessa spend some quality time together, Lady Chattaway announces her intent to marry, her parents present a possible suitor, and a meddling family attempts to nudge Tessa and Remmy together. Will it work? This is a wonderful friends-to-lovers, second chance romance. Remmy and Tessa are delicious together. Their shenanigans are funny. There are some emotional moments with Tessa’s family that lead her to difficult choices. The Ives family is positively delightful. In a dramatic performance on the stage at the Folly, two best friends finally find their happy ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Cynthia]

Another great installment in The Rake Review! The Belle certainly knows how to pick the rakes and have them reformed into married men!

I liked how this rake and the past two have all been "connected" by a small thread. Such as in May, Remmy was one of the two to take the bet. Remmy was mentioned in May as having been in the Serpentine to cause a scandal to hopefully be featured in The Rake Review... and he succeeded, in June!

This story was so emotional, gave me all the feels from heartbreak and sorrow to jubilation and romance! Charlie Lane really knows how to write compelling and believable GMC. I love second chance romances with the boy next door. I'm so happy that Tessa King and Remmy realized their love could weather any situation as it had already lasted a lifetime!

I can't wait to read who will be chosen for July!

[Marilyn]

“Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes” by Charlie Lane transported this reader into a wonderful combination of excellent writing, friendship, second chances, romance, family, and heart-felt emotions. I loved it from start to finish. Separated childhood friends, Tessa and Remmy, find themselves together and with a second chance at discovering and exploring their emotions and feelings. They adventure through their faced conflicts and escapades with bantering at its best, delightful humor, and cherished friendships/ sibling-ships. The closeness of Tessa and Remmy stood throughout time and to their journey of happy ever after. This is my first read by author Charlie Lane and I am looking forward to reading much more. “Jealous Rakes and June Mistakes” is Book 6 of The Rake Review, Season Two series and highly recommended.

[Gylene]

I absolutely loved this book and thought it was fabulous!! It was so delightful, very entertaining, and a lot of fun!! I instantly fell in love with both Remmy and Tessa, and I felt their characters were perfect for each other. I thought the author did a fabulous job of conveying the emotions that the characters were going through, so the readers could feel them as they read the story. My heart went out to Remmy as he tried to show Tessa that he loved her as more than a sister. I also felt for Tessa as she was convinced that she was not lovable due to her upbringing. I enjoyed how they finally confessed their love for each other and were able to find their HEA. It truly was a fun friends-to-lovers story that was enjoyable to read and did not disappoint!! I highly recommend this book!!

[Lindsay pinkcowlandreads]

It appears Remington Ives hard work has paid off just in time! He’s been granted the title of June‘s rake by the brazen Bell, and he needs this un flattering attention to draw the crowds to his floundering theater! He’s worked hard the last few months to earn his rakish reputation and he’s not going to let his former love and childhood best friend who’s just returned to English soil to muck it all up!

Tessa King has been off acting as a companion for the last six years after being kicked out from her family home. The first thing she does when she gets back to London is to find Remmy- but who she finds is not who she left six years ago. Her former best buddy has grown up into an intimidating man, and no matter how much he protests she’ll never believe he’s the wild rake he claims to be!

Remmy shows Tessa just how much a rake he is when his jealousy over a completing bow forces him to fight his way out of the friendzone and into Tessa’s arms!

I had so much fun with Remmy and Tessa! I loved seeing Remmy pull out all his deductive moves to show Tessa that he’s not just her sweet friend anymore, but someone she can fall for, depend on and spend the rest of her life with!

I have been enjoying the season of the rake review and I think what I really liked about this book, was the introduction to Remington in May’s book- it was fun to get a sneak peek and then watch his rakish ambitions come to fruition in his own book!

Thanks to author Charlie Lane for the ebook review copy!

[Zena]

Addictive!
In this really very easy to read friends to lovers story we have Remmy, who is absolutely besotted with Tessa, the young lady he grew up with but she chooses to not understand his declarations of love and Tessa who doesn't know the warmth of love due to her strict upbringing, who also knows she feels something for Remmy, but can't recognise it.
I was glued to this story, grabbing my reader every moment I could to read a bit more.
It is the kind I call addictive. It certainly is for me!
Our characters are quite real and very easy to picture and their antics for recognition are extremely amusing.
I have enjoyed this story so very much and am happy to leave my voluntary review having finished reading an early copy of it.

[Jini]

So crude and farcical! Finally gave up at 50%.

What's gone wrong with Charlie Lane? Her previous work in the Rake Review series was also abysmal, but I did like her Art of Love series.

This had the potential to be a sweet yet spicy romance between two childhood friends with the female being totally oblivious. Instead their scenes are absolutely vulgar. Not to mention some very idiotic things are mentioned - the ML parades his cyprians at his father's party, he rides his horse on his father's estate in his underwear(!), the FL walks in on her employer mid-coitus and very nonchalantly walks back out. The ML's siblings mention they saw all (ALL) his sex escapades with the FL. At which point I nearly threw away my Kindle.

Was the author high?

[Millie Bowker]

I absolutely love childhood friends to lovers!!!

This is one of my absolute favorite tropes, and Charlie Lane delivered this PERFECTLY with Tessa and Remmy! Their humour & effortless friendship made the transition to romance feel so genuine and I was completely obsessed with Tessa being oblivious about how much Remmy has loved her for years - it made every interaction between them even more satisfying!z

I also loved the relationship between Tessa & Verity and although I absolutely loathed their mother, she was incredibly well written and really added to the emotional risk

Another beautiful installment in the Rake Review series - heartfelt, spicy, funny and impossible to put down!💕

[Maria]

What an absolute joy it was to read Remmy and Tessa's brilliant story of a rake who may or may not be the rake mentioned by the Brazen Belle in the latest addition of The Rake Review. Remmy is a theatre owner, rake and he desires only to be good enough for one woman Tessa King the rector's daughter if only her mother would agree. Tessa needs an escape from the stifling silences of home so she seeks out Remmy at a house party they ate both attending to finally find out if he truly meant it when he told her 6 years ago that he loved her or whether he is the scoundrel portrayed in the latest rake review.

[CATHERINE BURHANS]

Charlie Lane’s books are pure delight, and this Blazen Belles series is one of her best. Remington Ives (Remmy) runs a failing theatre and what better way to attract business than to get on the cover of the Blazen Belles magazine as their June Rake. Easy for him to play the part of an irresistible rake. But when his childhood friend, Tessa King, turns up at the country house party she sees right through his act and knows something is off. Such a wonderful friends to lovers story! This one has all the feels with very likable characters!

[Kelly S. Simmons]

This has been such a fun series--I'm only sorry that now there's only six books left for this season of the Brazen Belle. We met Remington Ives in the previous book, placing a bet trying to become the Brazen Belle's rake of the month in order to bring attention (and an audience) to his theatre. His childhood BFF and secret soulmate, Tessa, is not impressed or convinced of his rake act when she visits his parents' estate for his father's birthday house party. Tessa has been a companion to one his mother's friends for the last several years, but that is coming to an unexpected end. It takes a while for her to realize that Remmy's love for her isn't platonic and his seduction is not part of the rake act. Poor Tessa is trying to win the affection of her own parents at a huge sacrifice to her own happiness. The only love she's ever known is from Remmy and his family. This pretend rake is a sweetheart and it's a delight to tag along on the road to his HEA. I always seem to have a soft spot for Charlie Lane's sweet and spicy heroes!
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Rosemary]

A cute book by a great author, this book is about Tessa and Remmy. They were friends for years, and Tessa had to leave her house and went to travel as a companion. When she comes back home, will Tessa and Remmy remain friends or be more. It bothered me that Tessa’s mother was so mean and unforgiving, but I was happy she had Remmy and his family.
I received an ARC and am leaving my honest opinion