The Last Rake in London

by Nicola Cornick

Book Overview

"All my winnings tonight against one night with you."Under a blaze of chandeliers, in London's most fashionable club, Jack Kestrel is waiting. He hasn't come to enjoy the rich at play, he's there to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373294999
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Harlequin Historical
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

The Last Rake in London--a sparkling read

I was compelled to read Nicola Cornick's, The Last Rake in London, after learning it was a Rita nominee and also about the Edwardian era. I'd never read any books by this author before and I must say I enjoyed this immensely. When I think of the times, I think: Titanic, unbridled wealth without taxes (at least in the US) and a time when social forces were struggling for a foothold to make a better society. The author brings all of that into this book (except the sinking of the ship!) always keeping the emphasis on the romance. The chemistry between Jack Kestrel and Sally Bowes burns up the pages and their dialogue sparkles. A few instances occurred where I had no idea how the author would get Sally gracefully out of the predicaments she found herself in, yet she did so, with style. A delightful read!

for any historical romance reader looking for a sweet love story

Jack Kestrel is cool and calculating when he decides to destroy the woman who is blackmailing his uncle. Sitting in Sally Bowes club The Blue Parrot, playing a game of cards with the King, he decides that bankruptcy is one way to go. After accusing Sally of blackmail, he learns he's accused the wrong sister. He is really looking for Sally's sister Connie. Which is a good thing, because Sally intrigued him with her dignified and calm ladylike manner. Intrigued he ups his ante and offers her a daring proposal. Sally is shocked at his audacity but finds herself attracted to his charm and irresistible good looks. However she is concerned and devastated that her sister has put her reputation on the line once again and this time it can literally ruin her. After a confrontation with her sister Connie, Sally informs Jack that her sister is back and together they seek her out. But they are too late; Connie has fled with his cousin to elope before anyone else can stop them. Not believing that Sally did not help them escape he forces her to tag along with him as they follow the pair of lovers, arriving at his sister's estate smack dab in the middle of a family gathering. As to not alarm the others of their real reason for being there, they pretend to be engaged and madly in love. A situation that neither claims they can tolerate, but privately wish was a reality. Nicola Cornick's latest novel The Last Rake in London is a novel for any historical romance reader looking for a sweet love story. It is well written, with the right blend of a humour and drama to match the engaging story and well-developed characters. Jack was considered to be the rakes of all rakes in this turn of the century novel. He was a cool reserved character, with an egotistical charm determined not to love another woman again. Sally is a widow and successful businesswoman who started her life over by opening the Blue Parrot escaping the sorrow and pain from her past. She would do anything for her two sisters even if it casts doubt on her intentions which leads Jack to think the worst of her. She is a strong and likable character, a perfect match for a man whose own sister thinks, "He's a great rake trapped in the wrong century." Something I found rather humorous but in this case entirely true. I enjoyed this story and characters; I look forward to reading more novels from this talented author.

Enjoyable Edwardian romance

I'm always on the look out for out of the ordinary settings in historicals, and Nicola Cornick's latest fit the bill. Conveying this unusual period quite well and with distinction, the romance between Sally and Jack was warm and passionate. The characters were well-drawn and the conflict was believable. I did grow annoyed with Sally's martyr tendencies and Jack's hard-natured prejudice against her, but it ended nicely. I do have to warn potential readers about a development regarding Sally that can rub many wrong, but the good outweighed the "bad" and I'd recommend The Last Rake in London as a pleasant way to divert a few hours.