It Takes a Rake - Anna Bennett

It Takes a Rake

By Anna Bennett

  • Release Date: 2024-01-23
  • Genre: Historical Romance
Score: 4
4
From 22 Ratings

Description

The swoony, frothy finale to the Rogues to Lovers series from award-winning author Anna Bennett.

She’s about to face her biggest challenge yet…

Since she was a girl, Miss Kitty Beckett has been adept at finding trouble: sneaking brandy, running away, and getting under the skin of the boy who, like her, was an apprentice to an architect. Now Kitty’s a talented heiress who can take a dry building plan and breathe life into it with her pencils and paints. Also? She can spot a rake at a hundred yards—and she won’t be tricked or charmed into marriage. Certainly not by a man who might interfere with her dreams. When Bellehaven Bay announces its first ever architectural design contest, she vows to win—with a little help from her childhood rival.

Turning her buttoned-up nemesis into a certified rake.

Leo Lockland, a hardworking architect with a gift for numbers, has returned home after a few years in London, and he has secrets. The biggest? He’s been in love with Kitty since they were both apprentices. She refuses to give her heart to any man, but Leo’s determined to beat the odds—even if it means learning how to be a rake. Fortunately, Kitty’s willing to tutor him in the nuances of fashion, flirtation, and seduction in exchange for his help with the contest. But the whole plan would fall apart if she knew how he felt, so he’ll have to be very convincing.

Let the lessons begin…

Leo proves to be a surprisingly quick study in the ballroom, on the beach, and in the bedchamber. Before long, he’s softening Kitty’s hard edges with his wicked words and kissing his way past all her defenses. Perhaps she’s a bit too skilled at teaching, because her lessons are threatening to backfire, putting her closely guarded heart in grave danger…

Reviews

  • It takes a rake

    4
    By Rt2025
    Leo has strong feelings for Kiddy. He suspects she might feel the same, so he goes through different steps to get her to trust and love him back!
  • Challenges

    4
    By Peg1951
    They made a deal. He will help with her design questions (mostly numbers), and she will teach him how to be a rake so he can attract the woman he wants to impress. What Kitty doesn’t know is that the woman Leo is secretly in love with is her. Kitty wants to win the design competition to prove herself as an architect. Kitty isn’t sure she wants to find love or marry. She doesn’t want to be left alone, again. Leo has some family secrets and old hurts that have been an obstacle in his life and career. This is a slow-burn (on Kitty’s part) romance with lots of humor, a bit of drama, a moment of chicanery, and a wonderful happy ending. Entertaining story. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
  • Rivals to lovers

    5
    By FebruaryAquarius
    Rake lessons brings rivals Kitty Beckett and Leo Lockland scandalously closer in “It Takes a Rake” by Anna Bennett! The female main character is daring, refreshing, and breaks gender norms. She is self-assured and talented in her craft yet humble to know when she needs help in order to win a building design competition. I love that she could be dramatic yet comedic. The male main character utilizes his rake lessons however is still a cinnamon roll. With the longing he has for his nemesis, their love story is so much fun to devour. I thought his grand gesture was entertaining, hysterical, and sweet! This close proximity, teenage friends to lovers story was a quick and enjoyable read. Kitty and Leo’s banter and secret feelings makes this book a page turner. If you also enjoy class difference, working female aristocrats, and opposites attract, then I highly recommend this book! Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.