Anna Campbell

"Historical romance, Grand Central Publishing"--Spine.

A Rake's Midnight Kiss

Lover of Romance 

Sir Richard Harmsworth, has had to work very hard to gain respect as a member of the Ton, despite the fact he is a bastard. When he learns that a certain artifact, a jewel, will prove his legitimacy, his goal is to obtain it no matter the cost. Genevieve, is a scholar, and is the writer behind all of her fathers work. She hopes with the Harmsworth Jewel that was given to her, by a elderly woman who was always kind to her, that she will create a name for herself and have a career. She is content in being a spinster, until a certain rake comes along and stirs a hidden passion in her. Richard has come to seduce Genevieve into his bed, to gain the jewel, but as the progresses further into his seduction, he starts to lose his heart to her. Can he still go through with his plans or will the lovely Genevieve be his future?

A Rake's Midnight Kiss is the second in this fantastic series that Campbell has created for us. Ever since I read the first book last year, I was hooked. I fell in love with the first one, so I had super high expectations for this one. However despite how much I enjoyed it, I think I was expecting a story to make me fall in love again just like"Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed" did. There are quite a few things that I did enjoy about it. And it still was a lovely romance that kept me hooked all the way through. The beginning set the stage for the story in such a perfect way, I couldn't have imagined it any better. There is a scene of Genevieve being robbed, only the robber doesn't know she is at home and she surprises him, and oh boy.....did this scene definitely made me laugh and stir up all kinds of senses. It took my breath away and I guarantee you won't have any problem getting started with this one. We see Richard slowly seducing Genevieve, in very creative and playful ways, you just want to trade places with the heroine so you can experience it too. The heat in the story isn't explosive or anything, its more of a gradual journey for them both, and the scenes were a bit steamy but not over much...just perfect for the style of this author and the way the story turns out.

The characters in this story were such fun. Richard, is a rake and a rogue but a fun one. He isn't all serious or anything, to me he was as playful as a kitten and passionate as any grown man would be. We definitely see his faults first hand, but he makes up for it in many other ways that I am sure will delight the reader. The heroine was stubborn and very "Bluestocking" and I loved how Richard uses creative ways to soften her up. She has never been courted really, and has always known books and study and scholarly pursuits. It was very interesting seeing a different side to Genevieve blossom in ways you don't expect from the beginning. We do see the other sons of sins in this book. We see Jonas and Sid-and they added some flavor to the story and it was fun seeing their involvement in helping this couple work their issues out since they have already obtained their HEA. Then we see Cam who is the next book. And oh boy, did he give me tingles in anticipation for his book--should be a whopper. There is a villain in the story but the villain isn't fully realized until later half of the book, so his involvement in the story definitely adds a edge of suspense and tension that you don't expect in the beginning but will blow you away in the end!!! 

Overall A tender romance that is guaranteed to pull at the emotions and make your forget about reality and you live in the precious moments between Genevieve and Richard. BEAUTIFULLY DONE!!

Francesca G

The first 3/4 dragged so much that I can't, in good conscience, give this more than 3 stars. But it was pretty good towards the end; the epilogue made me tear up a little bit.

A Rake's Midnight Kiss

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