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Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
Audiobook12 hours

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

Written by Sarah MacLean

Narrated by Carolyn Morris

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love . . .

LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperAudio
Release dateMay 13, 2014
ISBN9780062345400
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
Author

Sarah MacLean

A life-long romance reader, Sarah MacLean wrote her first romance novel on a dare, and never looked back. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romances translated into more than twenty languages, a romance columnist, and the co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast, Fated Mates. A graduate of Smith College and Harvard University, she lives in New York City.

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Reviews for Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

Rating: 4.122189115442279 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is easily one of my new favorites! Smart, funny, spicy, & a great narrator! Just read it! I can't wait to start the other books on this series!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A completely fun read! I did need to suspend my disbelief a few times, but I was happy to see this couple finally get together (as if there was ever any doubt) and the feel-good romance was the perfect antidote to dreary February weather!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    2.5 stars rounded up

    Regency Romance is not my cup of tea, even though I have tried many flavors. This is actually the first one that I was able to completely finish and it had zero to do with the theme nor the plot or any of the entire virgin aspect.

    This author is able to write and if she had written this in a contemporary style it would have been five stars!!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book but I wish some book of this genre would address the real problem of wemen in bed and give a solution instead of giving as one more fantasy that doea not exist
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    While I usually don’t read Historical Romances, I have to say that lately I’ve been really shocked at the good historical romances I’ve been reading, including this one. I was totally intrigued in reading the synopsis on the back because one of the things that I don’t like about historical romances is how the main lady is so dependent and how timid and shy they are. But this was not the case with this story, though in the beginning our main character Callie spent her beginning years up until she turned 28 being just that, she then decided to take her life in her own hands and decided to start living by her own rules. And so she devised a list of all the things that she wanted to experience in life, not giving a care to her reputation or what others would think of her. In comes the devastatingly handsome Gabriel St. John Marques of Ralston to help her in her quest to find the real Callie. We are thrown into a high paced romance between the two as each of them find what they are really looking for in life thorough the adventure of accomplishing every task on Callie’s list. The romance was so hot and steamy and the relationship between Gabriel and Callie had me so engrossed in the story that I couldn’t put it down; I had to know how Callie was going to accomplish the next task and how Gabriel would factor in helping her. I loved reading how Gabriel slowly fell in love with Callie and how Callie found her independence. The historical time period only enhanced the plot line, giving added intrigue and dept to the story. The plot was interesting, the characters compelling and the romance hot; with all those factors this was a wonderful well told story. I would defiantly be reading more historical romances and would recommend this book!!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When Lady Calpurnia's younger sister becomes happily engaged to one of the ton's best catches, she can't help but feel that she is firmly on the shelf and that life has passed her by. She makes a list of adventures that she wants to experience and top of the list is to be kiss passionately. In truth Callie has only one man in mind for the task, the Marquess of Ralston. When Callie shows up in Ralston's bedroom in the middle of the night he agrees to the kiss on the condition that she sponsor his newly discovered half sister in society. Soon Ralston catches Callie as she tries to complete the items on her list and finds himself attracted to the honest, open hearted Callie. Ralston, however, has no faith in love after his mother heartlessly abandons her family but Callie's generous and passionate ways have him reconsidering his roguish ways.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It was very predictable. I could easily guess what would happen!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved it! Such a passionate novel! The characters were lovely. I finished it in 2 days. The narrator was great too.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Nice, but nothing special. The male lead was supposed to be a rake, but I couldn't find much evidence of that. I would like to read another book by this author, though.

    Grade: B-/C
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has lived a life of always living by the rule book, never breaking any rules especially that in society, and yet she is still unmarried. So deciding that she wants some changes in her life, she writes a list of nine things that she wants to do, that she has always wanted to that she feels she has missed out on now that she feels that she is on the shelf; but because she is a woman, she is restricted to respectable activities. But as she starts crossing items off of her list, she starts to see that she has a partner in her list of daring things, who is none other than Gabriel St John, the Marquess of Ralston, who is too charming and wicked for his own good. But as the risks of her adventures escalates so does the passion that ignites between them, that starts to blossom into a love that will come up behind them and surprise them in ways that they never expected.Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake by Sarah Maclean, was purely wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it and had it read in just under a few hours, I found it to be such a enthralling romance that had me resisting to ever putting it down despite the bruised elbows (since my favorite position is to read on my stomach) And I think one of my favorite things about their relationship is the witty interchange between the two and had me amused till the very end of the book. Also the plot was truly entertaining. We have Callie, who has always obeyed the society rules, which have brought her only loneliness and a yearning for dreams and desires and that fear that they will never be fulfilled. So she starts writing a list of things that no respectable lady would ever do, and would cause a scandal. Such as Fence, Attending a Duel, Gambling at a Gentlemans Club (where women are never allowed), but she somehow adopts a companion that protects her reputation yet steals sensual embraces that would cause anyone sensible to blush the roots of a carrot. Yet there is a strong connection between these two characters that are so enjoyable to see progess throughout this story that leaves the reader breathless with anticipation with every page turned. I truly have enjoyed reading this story and am looking forward to reading the next one in the series, I can hardly wait!!!! Sarah MacLean is such a remarkable writer into historical romance, that no one would want to miss out on!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has never been bad or adventurous in her life. The first time you meet a twenty eight year old Callie, she is fantasizing.

    "If only others knew that Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, proper, well-behaved spinster, entertained deep-seated and certainly unladylike thoughts about fictional heroes."

    When she hears people who love her talk about her as passive, she decides to try all the things she shouldn't. She makes a list. The first item on the list is to be kissed. Who better for that than the man she loved for the past ten years, the Marquess of Ralston.
    Callie knows she is not as what is considered beautiful as the women around her. What I loved about her character is that even though there are a few moments of self-pity, they don't last long and even during those moments, Callie's self-pity is just something she has to overcome. And she does, every single time. She made her list and she is going to check each item on it without help.

    "How could she discuss the season when there was scotch to be tried? A tavern to visit? A new Callie to encourage?"

    She doesn't expect help in her adventures, but somehow Ralston ends up helping her every time.
    Ralston believes in lust, attraction, but he doesn't accept love. He and his brother didn't have anyone to show them its worth. When Callie storms his world with her silly list and disregard for society rules (even while she is careful not to be found), he finds himself in a place he can't recognize. That doesn't prevent him to come back for more adventure, more laughter, and pretty much more of everything.

    “Of all the clandestine outings I’ve taken in my life, I will say that this is the first one that included oiling squeaky hinges.”

    He is a character who doesn't need to grow, just to accept certain things. Watching him come to the right conclusion is not boring or tiresome at all. Ralston understands Callie perfectly.

    "...You’re trying to find Callie.”
    Her eyes widened. “Yes! Somewhere along the way, I lost Callie. Perhaps I never had her. But today, here, I found her.”
    He smiled wryly. “Callie is a fencer?”
    She matched his smile with one of her own. “Callie is many things, my lord. I also found her in the tavern.”
    “Ah,” he said, knowingly. “So Callie is a rake.”

    What he did about one item on that list was so wicked and unexpected to her, I read it twice.
    What makes this book even more wonderful are Callie's interactions with other characters. It isn't just Ralston. Her maid Anne is a great addition to the story if only for the comments she has about Callie's newfound adventurous personality.

    The maid bustled back into the room, arms laden with brown wool.
    Consumed with excitement, Callie couldn't stop herself from clapping her hands, eliciting a scowl from her companion.
    “I should think you’re one of the first people to ever applaud brown wool.”
    “Perhaps I am the first person to recognize brown wool for what it really is.”
    “Which is?”
    “Freedom.”

    There are a few painful moments in the book, of course, but even with the cliched theme and a predictable plot, I couldn't help but enjoy the story. The characters are great and there are a few moments where you expect them to act in one way, but they do something else. I would recommend this to anyone who like reading historical romances with a bit of humour and occasional painful moment (you can't avoid those in a story like this).
    I don't know what people who hated this book expected considering the title and the genre.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this book!!! I loved Callie. She was such a strong, independent woman - especially given the era. I also loved Gabriel and enjoyed watching him realize he was in love with her. There were a lot of great moments in this story and some interactions with all of the characters. The words just flowed across the pages. Once it got steamy, it was really steamy! MacLean knows how to write an amazing love scene.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book totally deserves 5 stars. I was thoroughly entertained from the first to last page.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was a wonderful romance! Funny, sexy....all of the things I love!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed this book, but there were a few issues.A subplot with Ralston's sister, Juliana was introduced, but never followed through with. I don't understand why it was in the book. There were a few grammatical and wording errors, for example statutes instead of statues.Also, the sex scenes had some strange wording. There were too many references to her "sweet rain" and "sipping", which made me think of nursing.Although, I complained a lot in this review, overall the book was really good. I stayed-up too late finishing it and am going to follow this author.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really loved this. The chemistry between both of the main characters was excellent. And the plot was engaging. My only criticism was that it was a little long. But I enjoyed it immensely overall.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Heady, funny, stuff -- the adventures of a deeply bored and proper woman venturing out of her comfort zone on all sorts of improper adventures.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    2nd read- I believe I really like what this book is going for, but a couple things bring it down a bit for me. The heroine is kind of a ninny. I don't blame her for being naive about vices, that information was kept from her. But her judgement is just generally poor. She does things like lie about something dumb that isn't even worth lying about, *especially* because she's a terrible liar and isn't going to be able to pull it off anyway. So it's just foolishness. Impulsive, reckless, she feels very, very young. And it's a major plot point that she's 'on the shelf' so she's not 17 or something. Childish leads just aren't as interesting to me. The hero also has some pretty bad judgement some of the time, but it kind of seems more in line with his character/station, it'll be because he's being too arrogant or something.

    I remember feeling annoyance the first read, but perhaps it has bothered me more on this 2nd one. I gave it 4 stars originally, and I think it's still a better than average book, so I'm not going to remove one. But with the irritations it's perhaps a 3.5 rounded up.

    Complaints aside, there are bunches of great parts, and lines that make me laugh. So overall worth reading.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this! It's a very quick read with a loveable heroine, witty humor, and a passionate romance. There are a few romantic stereotypes thrown in, but they simply add to the fun. And the supporting characters, from siblings to friends, are beautifully drawn. I definitely want to read more in the series!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Too much on the 'typical romance novel' side of the scale for me - substantial consent problems, unrealistic plot situations, and half-assed feminism.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Callie Allendale has spent a decade doing everything society has expected of her and all it did was land her squarely in spinster seating on the edge of every ball. When her younger sister gets engaged, Callie is finally spurred to think about what she'd do if society's rules didn't apply to her. Of course, while pursuing the first item on the list she encounters the notorious Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston and they both discover the delights of breaking the rules together.Such a lovely romance, I've now added Sarah MacLean to my list of favourite authors. Callie is a great heroine, who happens to be plus-sized, and her goals to break out of the rules that bind women of her class are admirable and aren't really about snaring a man. Ralston is brooding and handsome and everything one can ask of a hero in an historical romance. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series and more of MacLean in general.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is exactly what I look for in regency romances. Plain, chubby, insecure heroine who is secretly a firebrand (her list of shocking behaviors she makes her way through in the book is adorable!). She's smart and charming, but she thinks herself too unattractive and boring to be loved. And the rake hero hurts her through a series of misunderstandings that prey upon her insecurity, but it all works out in the end. Chock full of steamy sex. I'll certainly be reading more by this author. (5 stars) (May 2011)

    Re-read August of 2013. Still a favorite!!!! Such good angst!!

    Re-re-read in March of 2016. Still stands up as one of my favorites!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake
    4.5 Stars

    This book has all the familiar tropes of historical romance: A plump and plain heroine, a gorgeous yet tortured hero, the inevitable misunderstanding and declarations of undying love. Nevertheless, MacLean manages to bring it all together in this delightful read with its original premise, witty dialogue, sizzling scenes, and engaging characters.

    Callie Hartwell is tired of being considered a passive wallflower and decides to defy convention by breaking the nine rules necessary for maintaining a pristine reputation starting with propositioning the most notorious rake in London, Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston.

    Callie and Gabriel have amazing chemistry and their interactions more than make up for the predictable plot line. Callie is a feisty heroine determined to live life to the fullest in a time when women were little more than accessories and Gabriel is an earthy rogue convinced that love is for the weak. When these two come together, sparks fly and laughter abounds.

    Highly recommended as a light, sexy, funny and relatively angst free read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was the first time I have read this author. It was a 5 star book up until about a 1/4 left. Then I found the heroine really needy and annoying. So I didn't really want to finish that part. (hence the loss of star). But up until then I loved Callie and Gabriel! It was a fun book that I couldn't put down. I will try more from this author!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Lady Calpurnia Hartwell is tired of being good, it hasn't got her anywhere and now she's approaching the shelf at speed and she feels like she hasn't really lived. She makes a list of what she wants to do, would like to do in her life and she decides to go about doing them. She enlists the help of Gabriel St.John, the Marquess of Ralston to help and he discovers that he's more interested in her than he thought.Fun romp with a character trying out some things that stretch her and the limits society put on her.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this story. I was laughing and rooting for our heroine Lady Calpurnia. This is my first book by Sarah MacLean and I think I have found another great romance author.Lady Calpurnia is a young lady in London whose season has passed and has never married or been in a serious relationship. Her brother tells her to create a list of things she would like to do but he doesn't expect her to actually go through with doing the things listed. Some of the items are things we wouldn't think twice about doing. Entering a men's pub. Drinking Whiskey etc. Lady Calpurnia has a younger sister who is engaged to a Duke and this is what starts her thinking about her life. The man of her dreams Gabriel St. John is a notorious rake and she remembers the first time she met him. I know I will be looking into more books by Sarah MacLean.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    So fun! It's naughty, clever and slightly more believable than some other contrived historical romance plots. Lady Calpurnia isn't an eye-catching deb her first season and easily and quickly gets relegated to wallflower status. Her one moment of excitement it would seem was being flirted with by Ralston, a hot, naughty Marquess (but then, aren't they all?) which she too soon discovers was really some gamesmanship on his part to get rid of her so he could get to his assignation in the garden with some other wanton lady :) Much time passes and her little sister is out, engaged and reminding Callie of all she's missing out on. She decides one night to write up a list of things she would do--if she could. Things that she's prevented from doing either by her status in society or because she's a woman. She wants to drink scotch, smoke, gamble, fence and have her first kiss. She takes leave of her senses and goes out in the middle of the night to kiss Ralston.

    Ralston has recently discovered his loose moralled mother had a daughter who needs looking after and proper entrance into society. He gives Callie her kiss and ends up somewhat unwittingly and unwillingly being her partner in crime to finish Callie's scandalous list.

    Such an entertaining ride. And hot, did I mention hot? Yet another fantastic book from Sarah MacLean. If you're into historical romance, you must read this one. Soon. Now. Next.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Not bad, sort of fizzles out towards the end. Seems to be a problem with this genre, the writer loses steam halfway through and starts repeating themselves.

    That said, the heroine is a breath of fresh air. Over the age of 22, plump, and assertive. She tries various male pursuits. And the writer through her heroine questions the gender roles a bit, but not enough to be truly interesting. In the end, it's a reassertion of the status quo and traditional roles.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I did like the story in this historical romance and often found myself feeling the emotions of the heroine. Lady Calpunia, firmly on the shelf, decides to break the rules and creates a to-do list. Her first task is to kiss Marquess of Ralston. A fun steamy read but so many books incorporate a rogues stubbornness.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I skimmed a lot--most of the last 40% of the book. I kept thinking the h/h had lost their sense entirely. He wants her to bring his sister out because of her sterling reputation, and then proceeds to compromise her in public places every time they meet.