THE VICAR & THE RAKE BY ANNABELLE GREENE : BOOK REVIEW

The Vicar and the Rake (Society of Beasts #1) by Annabelle Greene 

BLURB 

As a young man, Sir Gabriel Winters left behind his status as a gentleman, turning his back on his secret desires and taking a self-imposed vow of celibacy. Now he’s a chaste, hardworking vicar, and his reputation is beyond reproach. But, try as he might, he’s never forgotten the man he once desired or the pain of being abandoned by his first love.

Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Caddonfell, is a notorious rake, delighting in scandal no matter the consequence. With a price on his head, he flees to the countryside, forced to keep his presence a secret or risk assassination. When Edward finds Gabriel on his estate, burning with fever, he cannot leave him to die, but taking him in puts them both in jeopardy.

With the help of a notorious blackmailer, a society of rich and famous gentlemen who prefer gentlemen, and a kitten named Buttons, they might just manage to save Edward’s life—but the greatest threat may be to their hearts.

REVIEW 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A man so thoroughly, happily debauched that a list of ruined soldiers, sailors, actors, earls and marriages only seemed to spur him on instead of shame him.

Gabriel Winters is a respectable Vicar who lives a simple and honest life.

When he receives a letter from his sister, Caroline telling him that his closest boyhood friend, a man who abandoned him years ago has returned to the countryside, all his buried feelings resurface. He loathes the man for abandoning him but he can't help desire the man that he has become, despite knowing his rakish reputation that precedes him.

A man who, in short, made Edward feel more worthless that his own dark thoughts ever could. A man who made him remember the boy he’d abandoned, leaving without looking back.

Edward Stanhope has always hated the countryside. When he turned eighteen, he got a chance to escape it along with Hardcote House, and all the horror within it.

Now, there is a price on his head and he is forced to seek refuge in a place he vowed he would never return to. He also has to face the last remaining piece of his past, the man he abandoned years ago without so much as a word.

When Edward finds his long lost friend burning up with fever on his estate, he has no option but to take him in and care for him. Edward wasn't sure what Reverend Winter's 

reaction would be after he left him and spent all their years apart,

but it certainly wasn't to be kissed like his life depended on it as soon as the man laid eyes on him.

Between escaping death threats, reuniting with a long lost love, rescuing an adorable kitten and uncovering a secret society, will two men bound together by their past and their love for eachother find a happily ever after in a time where loving another man was forbidden?

This was a sweet historical romance set in the early 1800's. 

I loved how despite being suave and a renowned master of seduction, Edward was anything but when it came to Gabriel! 

The plot was intriguing and captivated my attention throughout.

Not to mention, a certain adorable little kitten who added an extra charm to the storyline.

If you like a sweet Regency Romance with likeable characters, served with a dash of mystery and intrigue, this might appeal to you.

Content Warning 

The Vicar and the Rake deals with topics some readers may find difficult, including childhood physical abuse and the death of a mentor.

About the Author 

Annabelle Greene writes hot, heartwarming historical romances with plenty of humor. When she isn't crafting the perfect HEA, she's making pasta or walking along Italy's beautiful Adriatic coast.

You can find her on Twitter

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