The Midnight Rake

The Midnight Rake - Anabelle Bryant

3 stars. This could've been a much better read. It had some hilarious moments involving a macaw and it's equally hilarious lines (very unsubtle attempt from the H's mother, the owner of the dratted bird, to get him to marry ASAP :p). However:

1. The h, Penelope, was a bit of a TSTL. She'd be perfectly fine, then do something that'd set my eyes rolling. She had a suitor that jilted her at the altar and rob her family off of money and valuable stuff, on the same day. When her father dies after the shock of being ruined (mother passed away long ago), she and her younger sister, Aubrey, are forced to come to London since they were in dire financial trouble. Her plan was to seek out that guy and confront him about the money and valuables. I understood she was desperate, so I didn't mind it at first even though she had no idea of what to do, no plans to speak of. I didn't mind it when Phineas's generous and kind mother, The Countess of Fenhurst, took them in but Penelope decides not to divulge everything to veritable strangers. I knew she was ashamed as she held herself responsible for their ruin, so I thought it was fine. Then, she and Phineas finally acknowledge their feelings, with him knowing everything and trying to avenge her. He knew that man to be dangerous and made sure Penelope knew as well. She knew she isn't supposed to be going out, alone, and anywhere near him. Yet, in the end, why would she willingly step into that guy's trap just because he send her a letter stating she meet him urgently... alone? That was so..... *SMH* It didn't work that the author made it look like it was Phineas's fault somehow.

 

2. This reminds me of something that I forgot to add earlier; Phineas's butler calling the Countess 'Her Grace' in one scene in the beginning... er, isn't that something saved only for Dukes and Duchesses (Her/His/Your Grace)?


3. Why is this story titled The Midnight Rake? Phineas was an adorable H TBH; kind, honest and a veritable gentleman. Not even a womanizer from whatever I saw in this book and the previous installments; so far from what a 'rake' by definition is. The only woman I saw him panting after the whole story was Penelope, which is how it should be, so I don't see the point.


Now I need to know if poor Julia, Phineas's younger sister, has a story or not. After being ignored by her crush Devlin in book 2 and dropped by her spineless suitor in this one, she deserves her HEA! She may come off a bit strong sometimes but I don't think she has harmed anyone to have to suffer so. *sigh*