Baron of Rake Street

Baron of Rake Street

Sisterhood of Secrets #2

Jennifer Monroe

Andrew St John is in big trouble; he has lost all his family fortune in gambling and is desperate to get it back. He has been talking young girls out of their money by having them invest in his various schemes. When he over hears Emma Hunter telling a tale about her rich father, he thinks he has found a way out of debt: Emma is beautiful and wealthy, so he sets about wooing her for a bride. Emma is infatuated with Andrew and reluctantly plays along with the lie so he will stay interested in her.  While spending time together, Andrew realizes that he is falling for Emma, with or without her money, and that she sees him for himself, not a Baron with holdings. Emma gains confidence to stand up for herself and go after what she wants. Between Emma’s betrothal to a mean, old man and Andrews financial woes, they find that love is stronger than money and find their happy ever after.  

The Plot

I enjoyed the storyline, even if all the lies were incredibly frustrating at times. I also am loving the way Ms. Monroe uses each book as a way to reveal how Mrs, Rutley sneakily helped each of the girls find their happy ever after. Very creative! Emma was wonderful, short of the lying, she was a well developed character and I enjoyed reading her story. Andrew, however, drove me nuts with his lying and wafting between being a drunk, gambling scoundrel and his redemption. I just wished I felt more of a strong pull toward his redemption, instead it felt anticlimactic when he finally figured it out. The story of the prince and princess was a definite highlight for me and made the end that much sweeter!

The Heroine

Emma Hunter is a sweet, shy girl who is picked on at school and embarrassed by her short stature and lack of wealth.  She is destined to marry an older man per her parent wishes, but she is infatuated with Andrew, Baron St John. She is desperate to spend time with him, so she carries on with the lie that her father is wealthy.  Through the book she grows as a character to a mature young woman who is confident in herself and her choices. 

The Hero

Andrew St Johns is a young, naive man who was thrust into being Baron too soon when his father died. Overwhelmed by the responsibilities, he turns to drinking and gambling, bankrupting his estate, Desperate to fix the mess, he swindles people to invest in various schemes. He doesn’t like it, but believes it’s necessary to recoup his loses. Through getting to know Emma, he realizes that she is truly interested in him, not his title, not his holdings, but she found HIM interesting and believes he is a good, honorable man. He finds himself wanting to be that man, for Emma.

The Steam

This was a clean romance, but there was definitely some romantic words exchanged. 

Stand Out Moment

When she goes to say good bye and he asks her to run away with him; she wants her prince to face the storm with her!

Who Would Like This

Anyone looking for a clean, sweet happily-ever-after romance. 

Final Thoughts

This was a good read, not a favorite but I enjoyed the story.

Tropes

Georgian Era, Clean Romance, Historical Romance, Country Life, Unworthy Hero, Blackmail, Anti-Hero, Gambler, Fake Relationship, Class Difference, Secret Identity, Titled hero, Tortured hero, Virgin heroine, Unworthy hero, Fortune Hunter Hero, Betrayal, Redemption, Secrets & Lies

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