A Rake by Midnight

Hunter Brothers #4

by Gail Ranstrom

James Hunter cannot forget the night he rescued Eugenia O'Rourke from a terrifying ordeal— how she felt in his arms, warm and vulnerable. Now working in the Home Office by day, he doesn't find it difficult to assume the role of her rake protector by night….

Gina is painfully aware that James witnessed her deepest humiliation. Her biggest fear was her captor's return, but as midnight strikes she's more afraid of being the object of James's pity.

But pity is not what James feels….

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Harlequin Historical, Harlequin

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 17, 2010

Reviews

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I would recommend reading the first in the series as there was a continued storyline. I missed out on some rhyme and reason behind characters.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out great, but towards the last third, things got ridiculous. The heroine's post-coitus reason for resisting the hero was also really stupid. But the book was entertaining enough.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical romance, which happens to be one of my favorite genres. Ms. Ranstrom did not disappoint in her storytelling. I was sucked right into Eugenia O’Rourke’s plight, needing to join her on her journey of discovery. Unfortunately, it is not a pleasant discovery as she wishes to fill-in the blanks in her memory from a night when she was drugged, abducted, stripped, and almost raped and slain. She was in this predicament because she was trying to find information on the persons responsible for the murder of her eldest sister, Cora. Now she is determined to get justice for herself and her dead sister. In her desire to this end she is aided by some friends and relatives. Some of her “in-laws” work for the Home Office and are trying to keep her safe. See, her family is now “married into” the Hunter family and the majority of the Hunter brothers work for the Home Office. One brother in particular, James, rescued her on the night of her abduction and has “witnessed her deepest humiliation”. She thinks James pities her and she cannot abide that. Truth is, James’ feelings are something quite different…

[Monica H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warning for those who need it
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For those who need it. Much of this book hinges on the possibility of assault that may have happened. Lady was drugged and doesn’t remember. Also annoying hint that her virtue is all that matters to her, without it she is worthless. (Which is NOT what defines you, you are not that experience).

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow paced read.
I found this book to be somewhat dull to be honest with the plot . Even when the story got to the ending with the main character in danger it wasn't exciting.

[❥ Azzurra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anche con questo si torna a girare sempre attorno agli stessi cattivi e agli stessi personaggi, senza portare nulla di nuovo ed interessante. Le ultime 30 pagine, poi, hanno dato la mazzata finale ad un libro già non propriamente entusiasmante. Quel pò di parte investigativa che nei precedenti volumi era stata trattata abbastanza bene, qui sembra ideata da un bambino di 2 anni. L'intenzione di tenere il dubbio sulle motivazioni di un personaggio cattivo, cade nel ridicolo da tanto è trattata male (insomma, non c'è alcun dubbio e non ci si pone nessuna domanda. è chiarissimo!).
Se quindi la parte iniziale può essere interessante, se non altro per il rapporto tra Gina e James, più si prosegue e più -sia i personaggi e le loro motivazioni, sia la storia in se e per se- mi hanno reso insofferente e irritata.

[Marci Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an okay romance. I like the plot setup and I feel like I should like the characters more. The problem is the lead male is awfully stupid for an agent of the crown (he works for the Home Office) and the woman is a bit too impulsive and reckless to be believable. How does she go from hiding in her home to cavorting around at night in a tavern unescorted wearing servants clothing? Answer: without very much transition at all. And that wasn't even the really stupid piece.

As usual in these slightly improbable historicals, the woman gets to behave in a completely reckless manner with no consequences. While I can understand her need to fill in the blanks for herself, I can't understand the lengths to which she will go to fill them.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another regency romance that sucked me and refused to let me go until it's conclusion. I really like the vulnerability of the heroine, and her plight was sad and yet believable. The depth of their feelings was nice too. My only complaint is that I had to read this one between shifts at work and I couldn't fully focus on the story, but that was due to circumstance and not the book itself. Recommend for other regency romance lovers.

[Tabetha Waite · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it started out rather promising, with a good premise, I felt the writing was a bit choppy and where there should have been more description, it was sadly lacking. Not only that, but I wasn't too impressed with Eugenia (Gina), for she unnecessarily put herself in trouble with a man who easily found her, but was himself, nearly impossible to capture throughout.

[Zinnia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bra

[Fanniny Moreno Zavaleta · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Hunter story *-*