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Gambit #2
Rake's Gambit
SEDUCTION WAS A GAME THAT COULD BREAK HER HEART... — At five-and-twenty, heiress Ann Forester did not care that she was rather plain. She prided herself on her skill at the pianoforte and her superior intellect. She certainly would not let a dashing rake outwit her. Had the Christmas party at a country estate not been as dull as dishwater, she knew Lord Robert Lyndhurst, who had his choice of the ton's prettiest ladies, would not have given her a second glance. Nor a kiss.
But the bored nobleman had done both and challenged her to a contest. He would try to seduce her. She must try to reform him. Never had Ann been so outraged, so shocked... so intrigued. Neither realized how dangerous it was to play with desire. Sharp words could wound, smoldering looks could ruin one's reason, and sweet caresses could carry them both into a compromising situation... unless these clever sparring partners discovered that the only game worth winning was a game called love.
But the bored nobleman had done both and challenged her to a contest. He would try to seduce her. She must try to reform him. Never had Ann been so outraged, so shocked... so intrigued. Neither realized how dangerous it was to play with desire. Sharp words could wound, smoldering looks could ruin one's reason, and sweet caresses could carry them both into a compromising situation... unless these clever sparring partners discovered that the only game worth winning was a game called love.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 22, 2018
This also takes place in and around Christmas (two separate ones, across the spanse of a year) so it ALSO counts as a holiday romance in my book. Fight me.
I remember when I bought this book. At the time I was obsessed with Regencies and if the back over interested me AT ALL I got it with what money I could scrounge up or beg from my dad. Since I largely bought them at used bookstores it worked out well.
I fell for this book instantly. I loved the cover - which eschewed the style for Regencies having the couple in a romantic, but largely chaste pose. It had an older then normal heroine (25) and a wager. I had not, and still have not, read LOVE'S GAMBIT, which takes place in the year this book describes.
Something about Ann and Robert though seemed...wonderful. My 15 year old heart was smitten. I read the book so much as a teen I could tell you exactly what page they first kiss on.
But as happens my interest in Regencies died down and I moved onto historical romances - books still set in largely the same time frame (1805-1838 mostly) but that were racier. So I put this aside, kept it safe, but did not read it for the last 13 years I'd say.
Rereading it now, feeling both the old nostalgia as I revisit the book and a creeping sense of "oh no" it's hard to feel u biased.
Objectively speaking this is an ok book, but a slow romance. Not a slow burn, but just...drawn out in a way that's not endearing. Then there's the scene near the end which left a bad taste in my mouth.
I love the premise - a woman of adequate looks, sparkling intellect and musical skills (as well as a lot of money) enters into a wager with a renown rake. He will seduce her or she will reform him during the course of a mutual friend's gathering.
It backfires on them both, but it becomes something real...until a misunderstanding occurs. Communication occurs a bit later and things seem to be working out...until another misunderstanding occurs. Eventually it all works out.
I...gosh it does so hurt when one's cherished memories are broken doesn't it? Maybe as I am in a different place in my life, view some actions with a wary eye, the romance feels lessened.
Regardless I'll hold on to it for the place it still holds in my heart.
I remember when I bought this book. At the time I was obsessed with Regencies and if the back over interested me AT ALL I got it with what money I could scrounge up or beg from my dad. Since I largely bought them at used bookstores it worked out well.
I fell for this book instantly. I loved the cover - which eschewed the style for Regencies having the couple in a romantic, but largely chaste pose. It had an older then normal heroine (25) and a wager. I had not, and still have not, read LOVE'S GAMBIT, which takes place in the year this book describes.
Something about Ann and Robert though seemed...wonderful. My 15 year old heart was smitten. I read the book so much as a teen I could tell you exactly what page they first kiss on.
But as happens my interest in Regencies died down and I moved onto historical romances - books still set in largely the same time frame (1805-1838 mostly) but that were racier. So I put this aside, kept it safe, but did not read it for the last 13 years I'd say.
Rereading it now, feeling both the old nostalgia as I revisit the book and a creeping sense of "oh no" it's hard to feel u biased.
Objectively speaking this is an ok book, but a slow romance. Not a slow burn, but just...drawn out in a way that's not endearing. Then there's the scene near the end which left a bad taste in my mouth.
I love the premise - a woman of adequate looks, sparkling intellect and musical skills (as well as a lot of money) enters into a wager with a renown rake. He will seduce her or she will reform him during the course of a mutual friend's gathering.
It backfires on them both, but it becomes something real...until a misunderstanding occurs. Communication occurs a bit later and things seem to be working out...until another misunderstanding occurs. Eventually it all works out.
I...gosh it does so hurt when one's cherished memories are broken doesn't it? Maybe as I am in a different place in my life, view some actions with a wary eye, the romance feels lessened.
Regardless I'll hold on to it for the place it still holds in my heart.
March 8, 2011
3.5 stars. Not as enjoyable as Love's Gambit, which is a related book that occurs earlier but with a somewhat overlapping timeline. Even so, a very good traditional Regency with believable characters and good emotional development. Robert learns he is more than just the rake he believes himself to be, and Ann finds that she cannot hide behind her plain looks when their two hearts recognize each other's true selves.
March 19, 2011
Enjoyable. Believable emotions. And of course the requisite happy ending. However somewhat drawn out.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews