Review: To Refuse a Rake by Kristin Vayden

Print Length: 166 pages

Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing (July 8, 2014)

From Goodreads.com: Emma has sworn off love.

After all, it is pointless to subject oneself to such torture when in the end, heartbreak is inevitable. Just like her sister had suffered. So, when Lord Daventry, the muddy brown-eyed boy from her childhood, returns to society she refuses to even look at him... well, maybe she'll look once.

Or twice.

But only because his eyes have changed into the most decadent color of dark chocolate. And his tanned skin from his travels is distracting, especially paired with his wide and devilish grin.

The stirring of her blood from his hot whisper in her ear is nothing... at least that's what she tells herself.

Lord Daventry has one response to marriage. Drink Brandy. Especially when his mother decides it is time for him to produce an heir. Reluctantly, he attends his first ball since returning from India, swearing to head to White's shortly after the first dance. However, he is pleasantly surprised to discover that Miss Emma Kingsly, the same girl he tried to kiss when she was nine, is still unmarried.

Her frigid demeanor should have warned him off... but unable to ignore a challenge, he plunges in head first... never expecting to fall in love with the one woman in the ton completely set against marriage.

                                                         *******************

My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

The prologue of this story was so cute that I had high hopes for the rest of their story. However, as decent a story as it was it isn't one that I will remember for long. There is a definite history between Hudson and Emma that should have kept my interest - however the constant reference of his either "chocolate" eyes or his "muddy brown" eyes reached the point where I found myself rolling my eyes whenever either was mentioned (which was frequently unfortunately). 

Also, I wish there had been more of a story regarding the "scandal" and "hurt" that Emma's sister suffered so that we may have been better able to understand her reluctance to marry. There was next to nothing to go on which made it hard to relate to Emma and her feelings on the subject of matrimony. 

On the whole, I am sure there are numerous people to whom this story will appeal (the five star ratings alone speak to this). However, while I will definitely give this author another chance, this isn't a story that I will be keeping on my kindle.

                                                          ********************

To Refuse a Rake is available from Amazon.com