A Rake’s Midnight Kiss by Anna Campbell
Released: August 27, 2013
Historical Romance
Forever

Reviewed by May

From Good Reads:

It Takes A Lady Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett knows how to keep a secret. Her identity as the author of her father’s academic articles has always been her greatest deception—until a charming housebreaker tries to steal the mysterious Harmsworth Jewel from her. She doesn’t reveal that she recognizes her father’s devastatingly handsome new student as the thief himself. For Genevieve, this will be the most seductive secret of all…

To Catch A Thief Sir Richard Harmsworth has been living a lie, maintaining a rakish façade to show society that he doesn’t care about his status as a bastard. Yet long haunted by his unknown father’s identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will confirm his claim as the rightful heir. But when Richard sets out to seduce the bookworm who possesses the stone, he instead falls for its beautiful owner. But even as she steals Richard’s heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure…

I wasn’t so sure about this premise, but book #1 of this series was so incredible I knew I had to try it anyhow. Unfortunately none of the emotion, heart, or anything that I had loved about the first book was here. In fact, I would not even call it a series but rather the stories are set in the same world but stand alone very well.

First off, I love a capable and intelligent heroine and Genevieve  is definitely that. She isn’t fooled by Sir Richard, isn’t so silly and foolish as so many historical heroines are, and I found myself really liking her. The thing is – she didn’t have a story here. Oh I know there is technically a story but I could never see the point.

Richard truly believes having some jewel in his hand will mean that people see him as the legitimate heir. Let’s be clear that his father claimed him as his own even though he wasn’t (and couldn’t have been) his real father so he hasn’t exactly had a hard life. He is his father’s heir, he has had every privilege. But when your father is gone for over a year and your mother gives birth way more than nine months after he left – well people can do the math.

In this story I felt that the real root of my problems was the lack of action and romance combined with distracting supporting characters. The story didn’t really have anywhere interesting to go, they are in the house and they get to know each other. They really don’t go anywhere and despite living in the same house during the book, and I was disappointed by the lack of courtship and how quickly it goes from her hating him to her wanting and trusting him.

Meanwhile, while rather bored and barely making it through we get a villain that I didn’t enjoy and her annoying father cluttering up the pages.  This book really didn’t fare well with me.

I struggle to find more to say about this story because it really was so bland, it just didn’t inspire much in the way of opinions and thoughts from me. Bottom line is that I didn’t enjoy it, but the book wasn’t awful. A glowing recommendation, no?

Grade: C-

Recommended by this author: Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed

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