Wild, Wild Rake: The Cavensham Heiresses

When a lady’s heart reawakens in presence of a rakish vicar, can they hope for more than attraction... I preordered this book immediately when it was proposed, even if I had reservations about Avalon, after all she was “portrayed as one of the villain” in Rogue Most wanted. So it is there that resides Mrs Janna MacGregor’s talent, her characters are one sided ones, they are multi faced, and they are far more complex than what they appear to be. In the previous book, she was called a greedy social climber, yet the end of it, presented in a different light, still I wondered if I would be able to like her. And now, pffffff .... What a rollercoaster ride of the sentiments it was, if I hadn’t worked today, I would have read it in one setting. While I do remember how I was upset at Avalon when she “jilted” William, and now I know how wrong I was, I forgot the mask people shows is not always who they are. The first chapter sets the pace and defines the future Avalon. At first, I was unsure about Devan, he too misjudged Avalon on the hearsay, and in between hurt her too. When they meet again, he provokes her at every turn, he angers her, yet in doing so, it brings sparkles back in her eyes. In fact, they are perfect for one another, he challenges her, she unsettles him. When Avalon was a victim of her circumstances, she tried to better herself and uses her own experience to help others around. Devan is manipulated by his kin, but it is willingly he follows the road drawn in from of him. Why he has a long way coming ahead of him to win her trust as very few persons did stand for her in the past, the scars are still lingering and she needs only a spark to fire her doubts. I loved they did not throw barbs all along the book, in fact once they passed the first enmity, they realized there was goodness in each other. Their story of more a tale of healing than one of hostility as Devan is the right cure for Avalon’s heart and soul. So be prepared to be swept of your feet while following Devan and Avalon in their moving quest as they will have to face their fears and uncertainties. I can only give 5 stars but it deserves more. I was granted an advance copy by the author and publisher St Martin Paperback through Netgalley and prior to it preordered my own. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.