I just couldn’t get over the backstory on this one. Ridley shows us the heroine as young and naive. Ridley shows us the heroine as an accomplished courtesan. She doesn’t show the five years in between, when a young girl was literally forced into sex work so she could eat. Every move she makes as an adult I had to think about her learning. Ridley doesn’t seem to have taken into account the trauma that would have come as a result of Gladys’s ruination.

There’s nothing wrong with sex work, and there is nothing wrong with a heroine who is involved with sex work. There IS something wrong with throwing in a sex work backstory solely to contribute to the girlboss-ifcation of your heroine.

While this book is well written I had concerns about Gladys. She was a sweet naive girl who suddenly becomes a successful courtesan and instead of laying waste to the man who led to her trauma she falls in love. I could not forgive someone like she did and I would have rather she found love with someone else. That would have been a better story. Some consequences like those for Gladys can not be forgiven no matter the hero

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley

⭐️ Read 40% of the book and gave up. Gladys is a wallflower who is on her fourth, and according to her mother, her last, season. She’s never danced with a single man and yet, thought the most notorious rake in London wanted her after he kissed her in the gardens when she went to get air after accepting a marriage proposal from a man who only wanted her dowery. Land that he already offered to purchase from her father. She then reject the arrangement the next day and is later ousted by society and her entire family, when an old woman shared that they saw Gladys come in from the tryst in the garden. Seriously?!? Jump 5 years later and Gladys is a rich courtesan out for revenge.

And here is where I just gave up.

Historical drama with all the required elements for a good read. A handsome dashing take and a plain Jane disowned by her family. Throw in a bit of revenge and a bit of humour. and you have an enjoyable read.

In a series of unfortunate events Gladys Bell ends up disowned by her family and unmatched on her last chance of finding a suiter during the Merrywell matching festival. Gladys is a naive wallflower who does not think very highly of herself. With her families help she has gone most of her life living in her younger, more attractive sisters shadow.
One suiter is prepared to ask for Gladys hand in marriage, but has offered Gladys a very miserable life with him.
Gladys then has an unexpected encounter with another potential suiter which she is willing to go all in for. The problem is that their encounter was an accident on his part, when he confused Gladys for someone else.
Certain that the man she wishes to marry will come ask for her hand, Gladys breaks off her prior engagement, but he never shows.
Their encounter becomes public knowledge and Gladys is forced to face life on her own.

This was a sweet wallflower story that was at times very upsetting because of the way Gladys is treated. Everyone plays a part in her misfortune and unwilling to help her see through it and her young and innocent stage. The storytelling was very well written and I did not want to put this one down. Loved it!

Taming the rake by Erica Ridley

Gladys was a wallflower and when she first
came across Rueben and when they were found in the garden and Gladys faces ruin and worse Rueben refuses to help her. After being disowned by her family she becomes a courtesan . Five years have past and Gladys is out for revenge by making him love her then leave him.

I found this book a tad unbelievably and it as lack I a number details about both characters. Not one of Erica’s best in my view . 2.5/5

First, the title intrigued me – who doesn't love an excellent rake-taming story? And Ridley delivered. The story whisked me away to a world of Regency romance, and I was here for it.

Characters? Check. Our leading lady and her rake had undeniable chemistry. The banter, the tension – like watching a dance, and I was happily twirling along with them—bonus points for a strong, independent heroine who knows her mind.

Plot? Classic romance with a dash of spice. Ridley knows her way around historical romance, and it shows. The pacing was on point – not too slow to bore you, not too fast to leave you breathless. Just right.

Writing style? Smooth as silk. Ridley has a way with words that effortlessly transports you to a bygone era. The attention to detail made the setting vivid, and I could almost hear the rustle of those historical gowns.

Humor? A+. Some moments had me snickering and others swooning—the perfect balance for a Regency romp.

Ending? Without giving anything away, let's say it left me with a satisfied smile. There were no loose ends, and the journey felt complete.

I would like to thank netgalley and webmotion for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable.

Just a good one.
Read it in one sitting. Four stars read.
I deeply enjoyed it.
Thanks to netgalley for this book

Gladys Medford is a wallflower, this is her last season and her only offer is from a man who doesn't really want her but the land that would become his when they marry, Gladys would so like a love match, she thinks she has one when she meets the man of her dreams in the gardens but when he doesn't turn up the following day to propose Gladys is ruined.

Five years later Gladys is a highly successful courtesan and she is out for revenge.

Ruben Medford is a rake and is proud to be so, he is the man who ruined Gladys five years ago but he doesn't remember her.

Gladys sets out to crush his heart but can she keep her heart out of the equation.

Another great story in the series, well drawn characters and a decent paced story

Once again this book by Erica Ridley did not disappoint. I was really not expecting Gladys family to turn on her based off of somebody’s snub against her.I really did not expect Gladys to return as a former courtesan. I really enjoy the exchange between Gladys and Rueben. Even though he got on my nerves sometimes being a pig but I’m so glad Gladys got her happy ending. And that Rueben changed his rakish ways

What a delight to read a regency era romance novel about a heroine who has done sex work that doesn't punish her for her situation and gives her the dignified happy ending she deserves! I would have loved to learn more about Gladys's life during the five years we skipped, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I loved Gladys and Medford's story. This is a true story of losing it all and climbing your way back to the top. Eric Ridley does a great job of bringing the reader into the story and making you feel like you are there.

This was everything I hoped it would be, but I could have used a bit more steam! Looooved how she took back her own narrative and also didn’t back down!

Erica Ridley's writing will always make me swoon. There are some incredible quotes in here.

The book is short and fast paced. The story was intense and very compelling. Per usual with Ridley, I loved it!

thanks to netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I like this author and have enjoyed some of this series, but this one didn't do it for me, just didn't feel invested in the two leads enough

An Erica Ridley novel always has a wonderful vibe to it. However, I was not able to enjoy this one. Perhaps because the heroine had to go through a lot and then some. Following all that, there is not enough closure to all of her sufferings. This just did not work for me.

Well, usually I enjoy reading books by Erica Ridley because they are easy to read, are a fast way to pass time and these books fall in the category of very light reads, but with this one I was sttruggling. I’ve skipped the first 30-40% of the book and skimmed the rest. Couldn’t stand wallflower Miss Bell. In the end she gets her revenge.

Full of romance and conflict and drama. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

I loved this revenge to love story. Ridley can tell a story so welll and the writing kept me engaged throughout. Gladys was such a vivid character.
Many thanks to WebMotion and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.