Lucien, Earl of Ashcroft and the notorious leader of the Rakehells of Mayfair, indulged in all the vices that come with the title. But when his father gives him an ultimatum--marry a suitable woman and find a new vicar for one of their estates, Lucien’s carefree lifestyle is threatened.
Who better to assist with at least one of those tasks than the lovely Miss Charlotte Windsor? The orphaned daughter of the former vicar, Charlotte is a woman of strong opinions and determination. She’s also entirely too accomplished at innocently driving Lucien mad with desire. As the two work closely together to select a new vicar, their undeniable attraction paves the way to a scandalous situation that neither one expects.
Will the rake’s heart be won? Or will Charlotte’s own heart be broken when their arrangement comes to an end?
Tropes / ✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Opposites Attract
✅ Strong Heroine
✅ Hero Falls First
✅ Reformed Rake
✅ Beneficial Arrangement
✅ Possessive Hero
✅ Steamy Lessons
✅ Possible Scandal
✅ Class Difference
This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a scorching-hot read with open-door steam.
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
The Rakehells of Mayfair Book 1 - Redemption of a Rakehell Book 2 - Confessions of a Rakehell Book 3 - Sins of A Rakehell
April enjoys writing both historical and contemporary/dark romance with a generous splash of heat. When not penning tales of passion, she enjoys traveling with her husband, attending rock concerts with friends, and time spent with family. Brainstorming new storylines is best done while riding her horse or during long walks with her German Shepherd. A tumbler of good whiskey helps tie all the details together and brings her characters to life.
3.5⭐️ Lucien, Earl of Ashcroft and heir to a dukedom, is enjoying his responsibility-free life when his father orders him to A) get married and B) choose a new vicar for the family's country estate. Lucien of course doesn't want to do either of these things, as he prefers to spend his time drinking, whoring and gambling with his two best-friends and fellow "Rakehells of Mayfair". Lucien leaves for the country to choose a new vicar as soon as possible, hoping that doing so will put his father forget about getting married.
Here he meets Charlotte, daughter of the estate's previous vicar. He basically blackmails here into helping him interview candidates, but also instantly wants her. Charlotte for her part thinks Lucien is handsome but also morally despicable (she's right). The two proceed to have a back and forth where they're physically attracted to each other but Charlotte refuses to fully give in due to morals and not wanting to be used, and Lucien tries to find different ways he can convince her to let him use her.
This story was fun but I just didn't fully believe in the relationship between Charlotte and Lucien. They never have a single meaningful conversation in this entire book. They never once talk about what they want for their lives or their likes and dislikes, how they like to pass the time. Their connection is purely physical. We also don't ever get background on either of their lives the book starts. So we're expected to believe that this man-child who has a literal pact with his friends that they never marry, solely so they can go on being fuckboys forever, just forgets that entire life the moment he sees Charlotte.
We're also never given an explanation as to why Lucien refuses to marry. I guess he just didn't want to stop partying? But surely, there are men in the ton who have wives at home and still go out carousing all night so... that reasoning doesn't really hold up. Lucien easily couldn't found a marriage of convenience to get his father off his back and proceed as he had before. He also seems to think that his father will just forget about him getting married? Like...what? Does Lucien not know how inheritance works? This man grew up as the heir to a dukedom and yet thinks his father will just forget that he's unwed and has no heir?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found April Moran in 2018. This will be my 5th book by her. A few of her books weren't my genre so didn't read those. I didn't even know she was still writing. The last book I read of hers was in 2022. I was looking up which authors were published by Dragonblade because I like a lot of authors that are published by them and saw this book. I was so glad because I really loved the previous books I've read by her.
I really liked Lucien and Charlotte a lot. I loved the story. I loved the characters. Their chemistry was hot and the sex was hot. His friends were asses. Of course he was too before he met Charlotte, haha! Overall a really good read and can't wait for more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Zoo Wee Mama. It's been several months since I read a 5 star book. Redemption of a Rakehell hit me like a truck because I was not expecting this elevated level of writing. I was immediately enamored by this novel. I couldn't put it down and read it in two days. I stayed up late to finish this darling romance. This book focuses on the typical marriage-allergic gentry who needs to wife someone up for the sake of the family. He also needs to replace the town vicar who recently passed away. Who better to judge than the daughter of the deceased? Too bad the earl's first interaction with Charlotte is him tossing his cookies on the side of the road after a full night of drinking.
I can't express enough how wonderfully this book was written. The yearning, exquisite balance between steam and sweetness, and the dialogue all culminated into a perfect historical romance. Everything gelled so well and nothing felt rushed. I really appreciated how Charlotte refused to be his mistress and strove for a relationship filled with respect. Lucien's friends have some of their own reformation headed their way, which makes me shiver with anticipation for their forthcoming romances. I haven't enjoyed an ARC so completely in a long time. This was perfection, I tell ya!
Redemption of a Rakehell was a lovely surprise that had me smiling from ear to ear. I would love to explore the author's historical backlog in the future. Dragonblade Publishing continues to deliver the bangers with stories like these. I wish this book never ended and we could have spent 200 more pages with the Earl and Countess of Ashcroft. I'm excited for the next Rakehell and we can whip him into shape just like Lucien's much needed redemption. These rakes got a big storm coming, honey!
When your wildflower turns out to be an indestructible weed...
Charlotte & Lucien She’s a country miss, the orphaned vicar’s daughter raising her little sister and helping out the local community to make ends meet. The vicarage – a quaint but cosy cottage – has been their home for a decade, and they would very much like to keep it that way. He’s a playboy earl banished to the country by his father the duke and strongly advised to find a bride or lose his privileges. And since his two best friends received a similar warning, they made a pact to mislead their fathers and remain bachelors for as long as possible.
There’s a bit of class-difference, some reforming the rake, a cabin in the woods during a storm, and nursing back to health. He falls at first sight, but rather than courting her, he strongarms her into doing his bidding by forcing her to help him select the next vicar for the village – and thus the person who will claim her home.
The basic plot was promising, and the writing and flow were compelling, I just had a really hard time liking Lucien. He’s a bully, a spoiled manchild – arrogant, selfish, possessive, controlling, pushy, and really doesn’t understand the word “no”. He has a heart and a conscience, and occasionally even consults one or both, giving him an air of honourability, but it’s obvious he’d much rather follow his “other” head. Much respect for Charlotte and the fight she puts up to resist the man! She’s pragmatic, smart and loved by all. She detests being pushed around, but has no other choice than to go along – and with his relentless overtures, she can’t help but become a little curious and eventually succumb to his charms. There’s very little substance between them other than lust, and I would have liked a lot more growth for him. I really liked the side characters though. A good read, and I’m kind of curious about his dopey, equally debauched, wingmen.
I've always enjoyed the premise of a band of rakes being forced to reconsider their lifestyle when brought up short by a parent or guardian who holds the purse strings. It usually involves a very good time with laughter for their antics and a heartfelt sigh when they find the one they love. Redemption of a Rakehell was good in some parts but fell short for me, and I think that's due to not finding the main characters very likeable.
Lucien, the Earl of Ashcroft, does have good personality traits. He's dedicated to those he cares about and does show glimpses of being a good person. But he's also extremely pushy and dominant. Very controlling. Lucian takes advantage of Charlotte's precarious situation as the daughter of the deceased vicar to help him choose a new vicar. He uses every opportunity though to manipulate Charlotte into an affair. I liked Charlotte's feisty and independent personality, but I couldn't understand what she saw in Lucien. Their connection seemed based purely on physical attraction. Lucian's fellow rakehells were as funny as could be. I may potentially be interested in what happens to them.
The steaminess between Lucien & Charlotte was off the charts, definitely 5 chili peppers on the meter. They have a very fixed dom/sub relationship. I don't want to yuck anyone's yum, and it hasn't bothered me much in other books but I think the relationship was a bit too strong for me this time. This was the first book I've read by April Moran so I'm probably not a good fit for her target audience. For those that are, I think you will enjoy Redemption of a Rakehell.
Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest opinion of the book.
Lucien, Earl of Ashcroft and one of the notorious three Rakehells of Mayfair, indulged in all the vices that come with the title. But when his father gives him an ultimatum--marry a suitable woman and find a new vicar for one of their estates, Lucien’s carefree lifestyle is threatened. Who better to assist with at least one of those tasks than the lovely Miss Charlotte Windsor? The orphaned daughter of the former vicar, Charlotte is a woman of strong opinions and determination. She’s also entirely too accomplished at innocently driving Lucien mad with desire. This is the first full length book I’ve read by the author & it won’t be the last. I loved both Lucien & Charlotte, their banter was delicious, the chemistry sizzled & they brought out the best in each other. Charlotte was coping admirably in binging up her younger sister, eking out her small inheritance, doing jobs around the village to help them survive whereas Lucien was living a life to please only himself, arrogant, lazy & self centred. I loved how Lucien in particular grew & matured into a loving, caring man & by the end he deserved Charlotte’s love. A very good series opener I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
This was a steamy novel about a vicar’s daughter, Charlotte, and a rakehell earl, Lucien, that has been told he must marry or be cut off by his father. Lucien has no intention of marrying but when he is sent to the country for a while, he meets the woman that steals his heart and eventually changes his ways. Initially the characters weren’t very likable. They presented as rude a d judgmental, but their true natures were revealed as the story progressed. They were actually both very likable, but there were side characters that were annoying at times. Tuis steamy story had the themes of class difference, innocent meets a rake, orphaned heroine and younger sister, no villains but misguided friends, and a HEA. This was my first time reading this author and I enjoyed the story although it did seem a little wordy and long at times.
I received an ARC from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Charlotte is not by far what Lucien expects to find when he’s forced by his father to leave London, his friends and an endless supply of amusements, to go to his country estate with the task to employ a new vicar. Charlotte knows that after the death of her father she will be asked soon to leave the vicar’s cottage but secretly hopes she will be able to stay for the sake of her sister. So she enters a sort of partnership with Lucien but Lucien, egged on by his friends and his ingrained conviction that his life as a rake is paramount, with his hot and cold behavior puts her in front of a hurtful choice. First book in the Mayfair Rakehells, Lucien’s impulsive and intense passions and Charlotte’s sweet and altruistic nature will melt your heart I hope to read all about the other Rakehells’ resistance to love very soon!
A scorching hot, historical romance. This is the first book of a series centered around three "rakehells" who are defying their parents. They believe the life they are enjoying in Town will satisfy them for ever. Our hero has been banished to the countryside until he performs a task for his father. Our heroine is quite comfortable with her life but knows it must soon change. Because she needs to look after her younger sister, her life must follow the rules her father taught her. This is a very spicy read with characters who know exactly what they want. Or think they do. The secondary characters are also a lot of fun. I look forward to reading the next one in the series. I'm pretty sure who will be next. Great fun.
This was a very fun read, and you could definitely feel the chemistry between Charlotte and Lucien. For me though I would have liked more tension a little bit longer before getting to the spice. Also Lucien makes Charlotte a deal, where she has to help him choose the next vicar, and I felt like that part of the story lacked a bit for me. I would have liked to have delved deeper into the interviews since there were 9 applicants and we only saw a "glimpse" of the first two interviews. But other than that, this was a fast-paced read, and I would recommend it if you like historical romances. I will definitely read the next story in the series, since I'm intrigued by Simon and Wylder.
Rakehell redemption, signed me up. Were Lucien and his friends rakes? Hell yeah they were and I loved it. Sometimes you need a story like this one. Lucien is caring and kind underneath it all and therein lies a great story. There’s a scene in the book that totally affects Lucien and you can see from that scene how he totally changes. You’ll have to read to see his transformation. The love-dislike relationship is superbly written. April can spin a tale and I just kept reading in basically one sitting. I don’t think my review is doing this book justice so let me just say – get it, read it, enjoy it.
It is the first time I have read a book by this author, which turned out to be somewhat witty and interlaced with humor. However, I found it difficult to like Lucien, and if I were in Charlotte's shoes, I would have avoided him at all costs. His approach towards Charlotte bordered on disrespectful, and the physical side of their relationship made me uncomfortable. Faith brought some lighthearted moments to the plot, as did Mrs Merriweather. I was glad that Lucien eventually came to his senses, bringing the novel to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Oh how I enjoy a good Rakehell story where rich ,I fun loving earls fall hard ….and this is a great one . Vowing never to marry and being sent to the country by his father to settle some business , his world is turned upside down when he meets the very person he has to evict from the vicars cottage . There story is reckless , stormy with sizzling passion that we all know and love from this fabulous author who writes great stories . Has this rakehell earl got a heart after all you must read on to find out you will not be disappointed.
I don’t know what I’m missing with this book as so many people enjoyed it. But it just felt completely built around lust, which doesn’t typically annoy me but I just didn’t see anything else between these two. At one point he was talking about why he liked her and it was basically her looks and that she was kind. Nothing specific about how she was kind so it made it feel so very generic. And I kind of wished it had leaned in more to the BDSM since it was brought up so much. It could have been fully committed to that.
And Lucien … I don’t know, I just didn’t connect to him.
This book was unreal. The redemption of a rake trope was totally unconvincing, when (a) H bullies the h into helping him (b) he pants after her and tries several ways to compromise her (with her consent) and (c) there was absolutely no rational for his play boy ways other than he was lazy and selfish.
Most of the romance, and I use that very loosely, was just good old lust. There really was no development of the relationship.
A Dazzling Outstanding Romance My first time reading this author and I was surprised at the Indepth yet delightful story where opposites do attract. This was a perfect romance story for me, and it captured my heart completely. I loved the characters even though they were not perfect. Lucien is definitely a rake and Charlotte completely opposite. To be honest there are a few adult behaviors I skimmed over. 💋Mature Advisory:3+/5 💖 Cover Excellent
Lucien is awful. At twenty eight, he only cares about bedding the next thing in a skirt. From barmaids to prostitutes. He is bound to be riddled with the pox. He's immature. bratty, drunk and has no plans to change or grow up.
Unfortunately for Charlotte, he seems to be the one she ends up with, despite her intelligence, manners and independent spirit. She truly deserved a better man, as Lucien will never change. There is no redemption for him.
I loved this Rakehell! Lucien is being pressured to settle down, marry, and be responsible. Charlotte oñ the other hand has had responsibility thrust on her since her father's death. When they collide, it's a force of wills in picking a new vicar. The falling is so fun and delicious seeing him suddenly develop a conscience. I can't wait to see Simon and Wylder's fall from being rakehells.
3.5⭐ 2.5🌶️ There is nothing better than a good, yummy Regency Romance. We have a vicar's daughter mixed up with a duke's son, who both have different ideas of what they want their future to look like. Whether it was the rain-soaked see-through dress scene in the cabin, or being slayed out on a garden bench, I was hooked! Look forward to reading more by April Moran. Release date 8/22/25
Redemption of A Rakehell book 1 of The Rakehell s of Mayfair series. This book is Lucian & Graces' story. Lucian is banished to one of the family properties, Ashcroft. He's to find a new vicar & get the books up to date while running it smoothly. I'm excited to find a new Recency author to me! DC
What happens when a morally strong woman meets an immorally active man? First there are fireworks, manipulations, bribery, tension and more until someone gives in. Will that be Charlotte, the x vicar's daughter or Lucian? Always a fully engaging and entertaining story when the plot takes two strong characters and melds them into situations that challenge and confront them.
I am not yucking anyone’s yum but I myself am not into even the lightest BDSM so when Lucien was already thinking of spanking Charlotte to the point of turning her red, I was out.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the chemistry between Lucien and Charlotte. This was a spicy historical and I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to the other Rakehells stories.
DNF. I know the word "rakehell" is right in the title there, but this guy gives off serious creepy, predator vibes. Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
This was just okay. Insta-attraction and the MMC was kind of a Mary Sue. All three Mayfair Rakehells are described as looking exactly the same which is kind of boring. The plot is just basically a will they won’t they back and forth with very little motivation or logic on either side. I’d say skip it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.