I hate giving books a single star, so I really try to round up to 2 if there's a way. But there weren't really any aspects I liked in this book to offset some of the ones I didn't. There's faulty reasoning all over the place, the historical setting is as thin as wallpaper, the relationship is hardly more than lust, the heroine is just a shell of a character, and the hero was genuinely off-putting to me. The hero could easily be considered a rogue even by today's standards, much less for that time.

There's basically been a bounty put on ruining the heroine, who is the daughter of a family friend of the hero's. So, with that connection in mind, the hero decides to ruin her himself. As a kindness, you know, as one does. lol. I found his attentions kind of creepy, but that's in the eye of the beholder I guess. He seduces her and beds her without any intention of marrying her. (And doesn't take any precaution not to impregnate her either, by the way. A real catch.) Oh, and he's also a guest in her family's home when he does this, to add insult to injury. Of course her heart gets involved out of nowhere because she's only 22. And he doesn't really have any plan how to make her ruination public, which is a necessary aspect of the bet in order to call off the other dogs he's supposedly protecting her from... At one point a rival actually abducts her, which is a classic villain move, but *his* plan is to only have them found in a compromising position together, not actually debauch her, much less get her to fall in love with him first *before* publically ruining her. And honestly, I liked this bit-part character considerably more than the hero based on that alone. ( )

Review can also be found in Chill and read


Ambrose Worthing is a notorious London Rake. His only purpose of life is to bed as many beautiful women as he can. When he hears of a wage on ruining his father’s best friend daughter, he signs himself on the wage, aiming to protect the woman by winning the wage himself.

Lady Alexandra Rockford prefers lining in the country with her father, rather than going from one London ball to another as her mother does the whole season. She got her heart broken once and she intends not to suffer again. Looking for a husband in London is not what entertainment means to her.

“The Rakehell’s Seduction” is the second book in the Seduction series, however it can be read as stand alone. The story of the first book is covered briefly, through memories, thoughts or revelations of the heroes and there is no blank space left.

The story evolves on a past time England, where each high society Lady would attend balls and festivities over a whole season in her pursue to find the right husband. The author gives us a picture of that time, while in parallel describes how this was not always a girl’s dream. This is a very romantic story, with a savior hero and a proud heroine that eventually find love! ( )

THE RAKEHELLS SEDUCTION is the 2nd book in Lauren Smith's SEDUCTION series. I loved this book on sooo many levels. Her writing is superb as usual. I fell in love with the characters immediately. They are so well written and seem so real. The story flows like a movie. And I loved the mention of The League of Rogues! My curiosity is definitely piqued as to who Lady Society is. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer!

I received this a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for my unbiased review. ( )

ARC Review: The Rakehell's Seduction (The Seduction Series) by Lauren Smith

It was so easy to dislike Ambrose, except when it wasn't. Contradicting statement? Yes, but that is the way that I felt. He hid his heart well, but when it came out to play, it set the whole novel on fire. Arrogant, decadent, seductive and brooding this man thrived on being a walking contradiction. When a secret bet puts Alexandra in his sights, his heavily guarded heart may not survive the blow. Alexandra at first glance seems naive in her views, but underneath all of the surface optimism lies a woman with an inner strength and hidden fire just waiting to find it's target. Ms. Smith loves to dole out surprises and with The Rakehell's Seduction she not only gave an enchanting story, she delivered characters that were as mesmerizing and complicated as the writer herself. Well done. ( )

THE RAKEHELLS SEDUCTION is the 2nd book in Lauren Smith's SEDUCTION series. I loved this book on sooo many levels. Her writing is superb as usual. I fell in love with the characters immediately. They are so well written and seem so real. The story flows like a movie. And I loved the mention of The League of Rogues! My curiosity is definitely piqued as to who Lady Society is. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer!

I received this a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for my unbiased review. ( )