Led Astray by a Rake

The Husband Hunters Club #1

by Sara Bennett

The hunt is on for the perfect husband...

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

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

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Regency, Adult, British Literature

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 26, 2009

About the author

Sara Bennett writes with passion. She has been published by Avon HarperCollins in the USA, and also publishes independently. She recently wrote a series of Regency novellas about Second Chances called Mockingbird Square. The four novellas are Unforgettable, Enraptured, Surrender and Reckless. They're available at all eBook stores.

Currently she is writing a second series of Mockingbird Square. The first three novellas, Fascination, Seduction and Temptation are available, and Obsession is under way.

Sara also writes paranormal romance as Sara Mackenzie, steamy historical romance as Evie North, and Australian Women's Fiction as Kaye Dobbie.

Reviews

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Led Astray by a Rake" is a delightfully sinful historical by Sara Bennett. It has luscious sex, family secrets, and a hero that's both tortured and gallant at the same time.

Livy is an icy blonde who burns to be a little bad. Watching her friends fall in love and marry happily has made her determined to get the man she wants...Wicked Nic.

Nic knows Livy is absolutely the last woman he could consider marrying, but spending time with her brings him a measure of peace at the same time her beauty seduces his sensual soul. When he inadvertently 'ruins' her, he finds himself surprised to realize the thought of marrying her is not distasteful at all...quite the opposite in fact.

I didn't guess the family secret until the author revealed it even though, looking back, there were plenty of clues. That's always so much fun. The pull between these two is absolutely electric and there's even a secondary romance between the upper staff that adds to the plot and its denouement.

"Led Astray by a Rake" is a lush historical with a bit of mystery, a bit of wickedness, and more than one subplot. Quite a fun way to spend the afternoon!

[Angelc · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was only okay. I didn't like the hero and heroine very much, so I wasn't that interested in their story. However, the unique mystery kept me reading til the end because I couldn't figure it out!

Proper, young Olivia Monteith is a part of a circle of friends called the Husband Hunters Club (also the name of this series). The ladies have just graduated from finishing school and now their goal is to land a husband. Olivia has her sights set on the man she's loved since age 10, Lord Lacey, also known as Wicked Nic for his rakish ways. Nic is an unrepentant rake, afraid to give his heart to anyone because of something from the past.

True to the Husband Hunter's Club, Olivia boldly proposes marriage to Nic at the start of the story, after not seeing him for three years. Nic promptly refuses, not wanting a wife, and knowing he would be an awful husband so someone so proper.

I usually love stories where a couple is reunited after being childhood friends, but this one didn't feel real enough. And a 10 year old girl meeting in secret with a 20 something year old man felt a little creepy even though nothing untoward happened. I felt like Olivia was more interested in "a husband" than Nic. She walked in after years and wouldn't give up on making him marry her. I also thought she acted really trashy for someone who was supposed to be so proper.

Nic was the typical rake with a heart, but was somewhat boring. I liked that Olivia was actually jealous of his past mistresses instead of just pretending he hadn't led that lifestyle.

The mystery in the book really intrigued me. There is a reason why Nic wanted to keep Olivia at a distance. Olivia's parents know a secret about Nic and don't approve of him as a husband for their daughter. Even Nic's valet is worrried for Olivia around Nic. I won't give any spoilers but the secrets all come together quite interestingly.

Overall, the lack of development in the characters is what kept me from enjoying the book, because the mystery was quite unique and entertaining.

Reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/

[Kerry Allen]

Quit after Chapter 21 (63%).

Henceforth, the phenomenon of giving the protagonist a goal to which there is no real obstacle, running out of conflict halfway through the word count requirement because the goal has been achieved, and pulling random shit out of a hat to pad the remaining length rather than going back to the beginning and making the goal enough of a challenge to be story-worthy shall be known as "Crazy Brother Alphonse."

Likewise the phenomenon of creating a toothless antagonist and having him passively do damage through a third-party independent agent acting on his own initiative on behalf of said antagonist, who remains blissfully ignorant.

I already have names for allegedly heinous rakes who are always impeccably behaved, allegedly headstrong young ladies who yield to societal expectations whenever anyone is looking, and "You REALLY need to know this life-changing information... but now is not a good time, maybe later, next week, two weeks from Thursday, for your birthday. Just don't make any decisions in the meantime that would be affected by this life-changing information that everyone knows but, for no particular reason, refuses to share with you, or you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

[Sara Bennett]

I am rereading this book at the moment to refresh my memory. I'm planning to write an epilogue to all the Husband Hunters Club books in time for the new release...well, I'll try, lol.

[Bohica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd fight Livy in a dark alley. She's just that awful.

[Gamze · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5 Bu kitap için eh işte bile der miyim? Sanmıyorum. Fazla yüzeyseldi, hiç zevk alamadım okurken. Yazar güzelim Dominic ismini Nic diye yazmasıyla zaten beni benden aldı. Olivia ismine de Livy demesi üzerine tuz biber oldu. Rahat bırak güzelim isimleri, değil mi.. Dominic, Olivia'ya afedersiniz etmediği kelimeleri bırakmadı kız da ne gurursuzmuş hep peşinden gitti. Peh dedim. Yazar gerçi bir yerde ters köşeye yatırdı. Zaten onu da yapmasaydı rezil bir kitap olmuş bu ne böyle derdim. Aslında konunun zemini iyi ama üzerini sağlamlaştıramamış, bu konuda başarısız kalmış yazar. Bir de bu kitap seri. Diğer kitapları da basılsa okur muyum, sanmıyorum..

Seriyi merak edenlere;

1. Led Astray by a Rake - Aşkın Kollarında
2. A Most Sinful Proposal
3. To Pleasure a Duke
4. Sin With a Scoundrel
5. Wicked Earl Seeks Proper Heiress

[Wench · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really. Really? REALLY?

Really.

REALLY.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

AFTER READING THIS, IT FELT MORE LIKE THE HERO WAS LED ASTRAY BY THE HEROINE 😂😂

HERO has his own secret which I was so sure I was spot on about and I was glad it ended up as an option 2 scenario that totally slipped my mind. 她有 了孩子，之是他爸爸的. He's being determinedly pursued by our heroine and I loved how the tables were turned when he's cornered, and for once the rake feels at a loss and obviously he isn't a bad guy...not when he has a conscience to NOT SEDUCE an innocent woman no matter how attractive he finds her. Nic does a lot of pushing her away but instead of feeling let down or loss, Olivia perseveres. It wasn't hard for him to fall for her and get his feelings sorted out after they finally have sex and later he proposes. Due to his past with his mom, dad and a particular lover, he hasn't spoken to his mom in years and his father had died that fateful night they argued.

HEROINE is a breath of fresh air, I can just imagine her as a great commander in the modern century. She's been in love with Nic ever since she was 10 and when he jokingly proposed, she accepted...and took it seriously. Now at 20, she knows that she only wants to marry him but the man can be so stubborn and refuses to seduce her!! So she arms herself with her feminine wiles with a bit of help from the servants and I was thinking that if Nic was so afraid of revealing his secret and thought she would judge him for it...he obviously didn't know her very well. Of course, given the secret that was exposed later, if it really had been Nic's child with Olivia's sister...their marriage would have been close to incest.

OVERALL it was a lovely story with just a very very small tidbit of angst towards the end. Other than that it was sweet and passionate, though nothing intense.

[Elisa Vangelisti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questa rilettura mi ha davvero fregato. Stavo quasi per assegnargli una stellina in più e conservarlo per rileggermelo ancora, quando il finale mi ha tolto ogni buon proposito. Per tutto il romanzo ho assistito con piacere alle azioni di questa coppia, che si è rivelata sorprendente. Sono innamorati, affiatati, perfetti l’uno per l’altra, nonostante le lievi imperfezioni del loro carattere. Poi (attenzione, dirò cose che forse non vorrete sapere…) il romanzo finisce come se fosse stato tagliato a metà. Che ne è della sorella della protagonista? L’accoglieranno a Castel Lacey? E il bambino? Sarà accudito da Olivia, la protagonista? Quest’ultima avrà un confronto con i genitori, che le hanno mentito per tutta la vita? Cosa c’entra il pretendente di Olivia? Che ruolo ha, oltre che rendere a Mr.Lacey le cose un po’ più difficili? È stato avvelenato dal cuoco? E se sì, perché? Perché il fratellastro del pretendente è finito arrestato dal guardiacaccia? Non sarebbe stato meglio se avesse ferito Lacey alla gamba così che si rinsaldasse bene, eliminando la zoppìa? La madre di Lacey saprà mai che il defunto marito l’ha tradita con sua cognata? Perché costruire un castello di segreti, se poi non se ne capisce l’utilità? Non so come ho fatto a conservare questo romanzo per oltre un anno. D’accordo che è il primo di una serie, ma mi par di ricordare che ognuno narra di una ragazza per volta, quindi è collegato ad altri, ma non credo che questi enigmi saranno risolti nei romanzi futuri. E comunque la fine di un romanzo non può essere così.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I loved that Olivia wanted Nick and his penis. A woman who isn’t shy about what she wanted. I also enjoyed the story telling. I liked that we got little rid bits from other players in the story. But I just didn’t love Olivia. She seemed a little childish at certain times. The sex was very good so I will be reading the next one.

[Denise Prewett · Rating 3 out of 5]

She's been in love with wicked Nic ever since he rescued her from the creek when she was 13...Now she is old enough o marry and she doesn't want o marry the man her parents have chosen for her but Lord Dominic Lacey. Can she convince him that it is a good idea?

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Lane Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

The scandals and plot twists in this book came out of nowhere. I was so thrown and I wanted more.

[Rose May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review, and all my reviews, comes from my blog - Romantic Rose's Bookshelf (http://romantic-rosesblog.blogspot.com)

Book 1 in The Husband Hunters Club Series

Olivia Monteith has just been finished (that is she has graduated from finishing school). She is expected to make a good marriage to Mr. Garsed who is a rich, attractive, though obnoxiously stuck up and vain man. However the only man she truly desires is “Wicked Nic” – Lord Dominic Lacey, who vowed to marry her when she was ten. She has loved him ever since he saved her small self from drowning in the stream. They had become good friends until he cut their acquaintance short and she went to school.

Now she is back, and seeking Nic’s hand in marriage. Yes, miladies, she proposes to him. He says no. She pursues him - adorably, and with unmatched determination. She follows him to places no finished lady would go and he drags her back to where its safe, because he cares about her (even if he won't admit it). He spends a lot of his time being a grouch because he wants her and doesn’t believe he is good enough to have her. She plagues him anyways, because she believes he is good enough - she can see the real him. Normally I get annoyed with heroes that are all emo and constantly mope, but Nic isn’t nearly as annoying as most of those heroes. In fact, its more endearing than irritating with Nic.

I won’t say too much about the plot – just that it was excellent, suspenseful, and twisted. The characters were fantastic, the romance was the focus of the story, but Bennett led us through an adventure as we explored “Wicked Nic” and his past's secrets. And those secrets were really… ah… surprising, I must say. All in all, the plot was amazing, the characters even better. Olivia was a great break from the usual damsel-in-distress. She was take-charge, bold, witty, and loveable. No wonder Nic found her irresistible!

“Sexy”ness rating: Hot!

Overall Rating: A

Bottom Line: Full of love and understanding and sweet, sweet temptation. This book is for any historical romance lover, and anyone who loves a heroine who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go get it.

[Tarra · Rating 1 out of 5]

After what I thought was a fun and promising beginning, I became quickly bored. I did not like any character in this book. The situations were ridiculous . The one mystery involving the sister was what kept me reading to the end, but then I was ticked that it went nowhere! These characters showed an insane lack of judgement and feelings. When Livvy meets up with her presumed long dead, mentally ill sister, there's zero emotion. And don't get me started on Alphonse, the "why the heck is he even in this book" creepy brother of one of Livvy's suitors. So he'll kill for his brother. That's all we know. He shoots at Livvy and Nic from the bushes, the bullet barely misses the couple. What do they do immediate following this trauma? Why role play sacrificial sex games on an altar, of course? Huh? So does getting shot at turn you on? The book seemed to come to a stopping point for the "happy" couple, but NOOOOOOOO. Alphonse had to literally blow himself up. Really? This was such a strange way to end, right after the couple declare their love. Seriously, this book was just aggravating.

[Lady Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a (currently) series of 4. I had read No. 3 before realising this so (as I tend to do with series) have started out from the beginning.

Miss Monteith and her friends from Miss Debenham's Finishing School have set up a club with a clear view of finding themselves a husband as soon as they can. Miss Monteith has set herself to marry Lord Dominic Lacey or rather Wicked Nic rather than the man her parents have sought for her.

Wicked Nic is a slightly stereotypical rake and as per usual, after deciding she wants to marry him and falling for him, she finds out the truths of her own past as well as his and decides that it isn't quite so straight forward.

Although this book is fairly standard in the normal pattern, there is a twist in the tale that you don't see coming. It's because of this twist I give it four stars and look forward to the next book.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really care much for the heroine, who at times did completely stupid things to get her way and seemed to not think through the consequences or care. Which made her seem immature and selfish. The hero was alright, but something of a stereotype - the tortured rake. In the end I thought the plot stretched beyond credibility and into the melodramatic, and other plot threads were tied rather too neatly. In fact, I could have done without the one minor plot and instead given the main characters more depth. It wasn't a terrible book, but it wasn't good, either.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a girl power book. Livy has set her sights on the neighborhood bad boy and proceeds to hunt him down until he finally marries her. In the process, she uncovers a horrible lie she has been told for the past several years that nearly does her in.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I read this book in one evening and was disappointed when it ended. I can't wait to read the rest of The Husband Hunters.
Please read my full review at my blog: http://letague.blogspot.com/2013/12/l...

[Yumru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yer yer keyifli yer yer sıkıcıydı,kızın azmine diyecek sözde bulamıyorum adamla evlenmek için neler yapmadıki :)Aslında konu güzeldi de bazı şeyler olmasaydı daha iyi olurdu dedim.Neyse sözün özü okunsada olur okunmasa da dediğim kitapların arasına girdi desem yeridir:)

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot twists in this book. One didn't see them coming

[Cathie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first one by Sara Bennett. I couldn't finish it.

[LuvBug · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Çisem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kitabın başı nere sonu nere anlamadım okurken.Bir şeyden bahsederken bir bakıyorum başka bir noktaya gelmişler falan konusu sıradan kurgu rezalet.

[siriusedward · Rating 2 out of 5]

mostly coz H doesn't regret his rakish past.. ilike my H to forget n regret his rakish past very sincerely after he meets d woman of his heart and soul... ;)

[Melissa Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st book

this is the 1st book of the husband hunters series I read. interesting story, ended abruptly. a twist in the plot

[Seema · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of sexually explicit scenes,story was above averagw

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. I liked that the heroine was so determined.

[Siska · Rating 2 out of 5]

it is dull story. boring

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and entertaining romance with a wonderful story and journey to love for Olivia and Nic.