Bookbub’s Top 25, reviewed: Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake

So far in my discussion of Bookbub’s Top 25 Best Romance Novels of All Time we’ve covered a paranormal (and one of my personal favorite series) Slave to Sensation as well as a contemporary novel, The Kiss Quotient. I’m not sure how official publishers think about the divisions within romance but for me there are three major settings: contemporary, paranormal, and historical. I’ve found books I love within all three but my first love of romance started with books set in the Regency era of England. There are so many books from that era so if you’re looking for dashing dukes (and the occasional viscount or earl), exquisitely-detailed fashion, hushed assignations in moonlit bedrooms, and heroines who consistently defy social rules with few consequences, then regency romance is for you.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean is without a doubt one of the best in the genre. Lady Calpurnia (Callie) is viewed by society as a retiring, bland young woman, already considered a spinster at the ripe old age of twenty eight. When her beloved sister’s betrothal brings unwanted commentary about whether she shall ever marry, Callie’s brother suggests that she need not hold herself to such painfully strict standards. A discussion ensures between the siblings of all the ways she would love to break society’s rules that he supposes is entirely theoretical. For Callie, though, it becomes the lifeline she needs to break out of the dull life she’s been settling for.

Callie’s brave spirit carries her as far as the bedroom door of the Marquess of Ralston, seeking her first kiss from London’s most well known rake. Ralston is startled by a young lady of good breeding showing up in the middle of the night with demands for a kiss but he’s built a reputation for sex and scandal perhaps, in his well-hidden heart, he means to give her a bit of a scare so she doesn’t take such risks again. However, Callie is undeterred, and her adventures lead her to go out to a pub for a drink, to attempt fencing while disguised as a man, and to brave the inner recesses of an exclusive men’s club. Coincidence brings them together after their first encounter and then Ralston realizes Callie is determined fulfill her list, leaving him no choice but to assist her and provide some level of protection. Drawn to her sharp mind and indomitable spirit, Ralston can’t help but fall in love, but an unwise wager nearly brings their betrothal crashing down. Callie gets her wish to see a duel but will she be too late to save the man she loves?

The rest of the series is also quite charming, as are many of MacLean’s other novels. If you like her, you might also like the Dressmakers Series by Loretta Chase.