The Bedding Proposal (Rakes of Cavendish Square, #1)

by Tracey Anne Warren

From New York Times bestselling author Tracy Anne Warren, the first in a series about the most dashingly dangerous men in London. Pay a call to the most seductive address in London and meet the Rakes of Cavendish Square...

Lord Leo Byron is bored with the aristocratic company he keeps; he needs a distraction, preferably in the form of a beautiful new female companion. So when he sets eyes on fascinating and scandalous divorcée Lady Thalia Lennox, he’s determined to make her intimate acquaintance. But the spirited woman seems to have no intention of accepting his advances no matter how much he chases—or how hard he falls...

Once a darling of Society, Thalia Lennox now lives on its fringes. The cruel lies that gave her a notoriously wild reputation have also left her with a broken heart and led to a solemn vow to swear off men. Still, Leo Byron’s bold overtures are deliciously tempting, and, for the first time, she finds herself wondering whether it just might be worth the risk to let the attractive rake into her life—and her bed...

• ISBN10: 0451469224
• ISBN13: 9780451469229
• Publish Date: 3 March 2015
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 12 October 2022
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
• Imprint: Signet
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451469229

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books]

Michelle's Thoughts

The Bedding Proposal is the first installment in Tracy Anne Warren’s The Rakes of Cavendish series.  The heroine is Lady Thalia Lennox.  She was pretty scandalous for that day because she was a divorcee.  Unfortunately, Thalia was ostracized for her status and forced to live a life with few frills away from her few friends.  Lord Leo Byron sees her and is determined to take advantage of her divorced state and sordid reputation by acquiring her as his mistress.

The book got off to a slow start.  The hero seemed very shallow.  Thalia seemed shrewish, sad, and overwrought.   I just felt like she went overboard discouraging his advances.  There didn’t seem to be any chemistry between the two of them.  I think the story just moved very slow and seemed to be repetitive.  He would send her a gift, and she would return it.  He would try to visit, and she would rebuff him.  After a while we get the point and want to move on to see what happens next.

BUT……I am so glad I didn’t stop at the beginning.  I loved reading about Leo and Thalia’s romance.  I still think Thalia was a little overly dramatic (but I definitely know women like her).  I think Leo scored major points when he refused to give her up.  When he faced death but still acted to protect her I almost wept.  Their romance was white hot.  The chemistry between the two of them was nothing short of amazing.  I loved that they thumbed their noses in the faces of society by choosing to live according to love.  Leo’s family was nothing short of incredible when they welcome Thalia into their family.

When Thalia’s ex-husband got his comeuppance it took my delight to another level.  Ms Warren is definitely a great storyteller.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books.

[kimbacaffeinate]

First Date: Lord Leo Byron and his twin brother fresh out of school and twenty-five year old are discussing women and plans since earning their law degree. It is here that Leo spots the infamous divorcee Lady Thalia. Rumors abound within the ton about her scandalous divorce and her dalliances. Leo cannot seems to take his eyes off her and is determined to set her up as his mistress. When Leo introduces himself to the spirited Thalia and receives a glass of wine over his head for his troubles, I knew I was going to like Thalia and like her, I did. A feisty woman..I know there is a story here.

Second date: Leo is determined and so is Thalia. I loved the banter, pursuit and unveiling of the characters identities. You can feel the attraction simmer between them and I adored that she was a slightly older woman. Thalia is complicated and headstrong. I loved her inner battles as Leo attempted to woo her. As we learned her story I became more thankful I was not born to this era. Long live suffrage and women’s rights. Leo is charming and watching his feelings for Thalia grow and change made him swoon-worthy. The man snubs his nose at the Ton and he stole my heart. For me the banter and pursuit was delightful. I giggled aloud one moment and sighed the next.

Third date: WTH?!?!? Ooo I am fuming, English law is an abomination. I know, I know I must remember the times! Our couple meets obstacles; Leo gets some satisfaction and his family they rock. Thalia’s ex-husband is a turd. We learn all of the details, and see our couple face danger. This last date had me sitting up into the wee hours hoping we would get our happy.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer