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Bluestocking Brides #4
Last Rake in London
"All my winnings tonight against one night with you." Under a blaze of chandeliers, in London's most fashionable club, Jack Kestrel is waiting. He hasn't come to enjoy the rich at play, he's there to uphold his family name. But first he has to get past the ice-cool the beautiful Sally Bowes. And Jack wants her to warm his bed--at any price! Edwardian society flocks to Sally's club, but dangerous Jack Kestrel is the most sinfully sensual rogue she's ever met. Inexperienced with men, the wicked glint in Jack's eyes promises he'll take care of satisfying her every need....
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
22 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Cornick
224 books1,172 followersInternational bestselling author Nicola Cornick writes dual-time historical mysteries that draw on her love for genealogy and local history. She studied History at London and Oxford and worked in academia for a number of years before becoming a full time author. Nicola acts as a guide and researcher at the stunning 17th century hunting lodge, Ashdown House and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of Lydiard Park in Swindon. She gives talks and tours on a variety of historical topics.
Nicola lives near Oxford and loves reading, writing, history, music, wildlife, travel and walking her dog. She also loves hearing from her readers and chatting to them. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter @NicolaCornick and Instagram.
Nicola lives near Oxford and loves reading, writing, history, music, wildlife, travel and walking her dog. She also loves hearing from her readers and chatting to them. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter @NicolaCornick and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 13, 2021
London 1908. Had some sexual tension and sexy scenes
(which needed a tad more foreplay). I enjoyed the banter-
ing, even the arguing. Jack needed to think before he spoke.
Ultimately Sally deserved a better grovel.
Wealthy Jack confronted Sally w/o all the facts. Widowed
Sally was part owner + operator of an exclusive men's
club. Even King Edward frequented the club. Sally's sister
Connie stayed in trouble and sought a man with status.
Jack & Sally had an electric connection. Sally knew friend
+ partial club owner Greg wanted more than friendship.
Sally and her sister Nelly supported the right to vote for
women, but Nelly took a more radical approach & ended
up in jail.
Jack would not listen when Sally told him the truth. He
acted jealous of Sally+ Greg, his friend too.
My fav scene: Jack's great-aunt Otto told Connie what's
what & called her "a spiteful, empty-headed china doll."
Before she banished her. Wow!
(which needed a tad more foreplay). I enjoyed the banter-
ing, even the arguing. Jack needed to think before he spoke.
Ultimately Sally deserved a better grovel.
Wealthy Jack confronted Sally w/o all the facts. Widowed
Sally was part owner + operator of an exclusive men's
club. Even King Edward frequented the club. Sally's sister
Connie stayed in trouble and sought a man with status.
Jack & Sally had an electric connection. Sally knew friend
+ partial club owner Greg wanted more than friendship.
Sally and her sister Nelly supported the right to vote for
women, but Nelly took a more radical approach & ended
up in jail.
Jack would not listen when Sally told him the truth. He
acted jealous of Sally+ Greg, his friend too.
My fav scene: Jack's great-aunt Otto told Connie what's
what & called her "a spiteful, empty-headed china doll."
Before she banished her. Wow!
June 27, 2019
The season of 1908, and at Sally Bowes' Blue Parrot Club gambling was in full swing with King Edward VII one of the regular visitors. He was joined by one of London's so-called rakes, Jack Kestrel.
Kestrel wins large sums and becomes infatuated with Sally, who initially takes an instant dislike to him. However, he uses his charm and has his wicked way with her and she is suddenly besotted with him although she realises the danger of falling in love with such a rake.
Sally's sister gets into some trouble and then runs away with a cousin of Kestrel who, along with Sally, sets off to try and find the pair. They all end up at a country house party at Dauntsey Park where Lady Ottoline, a great old character, holds sway.
The machinations are plentiful, the fashions are sumptuous, and the characters, all of whom are extremely life-like, flit about as Kestrel thinks he will never fall in love again (he lost his first wife). But Kestrel eventually fulfils his destiny and as for Sally ...
As a footnote there is a tremendously interesting view of 'Dauntsey Park' and how it was written, by the author, who also contributes some wise words on writing regency and romantic novels. There is also a potted biography of the author, all of which add colour to an excellent read.
Kestrel wins large sums and becomes infatuated with Sally, who initially takes an instant dislike to him. However, he uses his charm and has his wicked way with her and she is suddenly besotted with him although she realises the danger of falling in love with such a rake.
Sally's sister gets into some trouble and then runs away with a cousin of Kestrel who, along with Sally, sets off to try and find the pair. They all end up at a country house party at Dauntsey Park where Lady Ottoline, a great old character, holds sway.
The machinations are plentiful, the fashions are sumptuous, and the characters, all of whom are extremely life-like, flit about as Kestrel thinks he will never fall in love again (he lost his first wife). But Kestrel eventually fulfils his destiny and as for Sally ...
As a footnote there is a tremendously interesting view of 'Dauntsey Park' and how it was written, by the author, who also contributes some wise words on writing regency and romantic novels. There is also a potted biography of the author, all of which add colour to an excellent read.
Read
August 6, 2008I read The Last Rake in London in one sitting, just couldn't put it down.
Jack and Sally were a delight to get to know. I loved Great-aunt Ottoline and Jack's sister, Charley. Excellent secondary characters add so much to any story and Ms. Cornick played their part in this one delightfully perfect. I loved the Edwardian time setting. Interesting and heart touching storyline. A perfect read!
Jack and Sally were a delight to get to know. I loved Great-aunt Ottoline and Jack's sister, Charley. Excellent secondary characters add so much to any story and Ms. Cornick played their part in this one delightfully perfect. I loved the Edwardian time setting. Interesting and heart touching storyline. A perfect read!
March 10, 2023
Ah I really enjoyed this read. The couple were well suited. The story was engaging and kept me hooked
September 5, 2009
I believe I have at last encountered the fabled Regency alpha male: I spent most of this book hoping the heroine would buck up and kick her boorish hero squarely in the family jewels. The writing wasn't horrible (which barely saved this from a one-star rating), except for repeated misuse of the word "quiescent." Although, given what a doormat the supposedly independent and self-minded heroine is, perhaps quiescent IS the word for her....
January 23, 2019
This was part of a series. I couldn’t really remember any of the previous books. It was a typical romance except that it was set in the Edwardian era which was a bit different. I didn’t find either the hero or the heroine very interesting. Though there were a lot of sexual scenes which I skipped the story was a bit improbable and I found the secondary characters more interesting. It was okay.
February 24, 2022
2.5 stars
Good looking rich entitled nobility tries to manipulate a beautiful and level headed nightclub owner by blackmail, lies and lust. Pretty much how the story goes … ok read, not difficult as plot only really centres around few characters.
Good looking rich entitled nobility tries to manipulate a beautiful and level headed nightclub owner by blackmail, lies and lust. Pretty much how the story goes … ok read, not difficult as plot only really centres around few characters.
January 29, 2019
DNF at 47%. Instalust for the first 25% of the book, a nonsensical plot, and an awful hero.
June 27, 2019
excellent recreation of the period
details as Fortuny gown, Worth gown, Lanchester auto
best character Aunt Otto
definite reread
details as Fortuny gown, Worth gown, Lanchester auto
best character Aunt Otto
definite reread
August 11, 2024
I wanted to smack Jack all throughout this book.
March 31, 2015
Reading in the Italian sun is great. I really have to say that here because I am sitting on a friend’s balcony and am about to write this review.
I read quite a few Nicola Cornick novels lately and I thought I knew her style so I started to read, not thinking about the timeframe of the book. And suddenly I was like: Cars? Shut the front door there were no cars in the Regency Era. So I headed back to page one and suddenly I noticed that I am in complete different time.
June 1908 – A man notices a young, beautiful woman at the Wallace exhibition in London. They talk a little bit. She isn’t that typical kind of beautiful but he is fascinated by her from the very first moment. They see a few paintings, also of his family.
A minimum of time later Jack Kestrel arrives at a nightclub to speak to Sally Bowes about a case of blackmailing. But when he is brought into the room, he realizes that he is standing in front of the woman he talked to the day before. But she is dressed differently, doing some accounting on her nightclub “The Blue Parrot”.
The club isn’t a shallow establishment but a place where people can play cards and drink champagne, even the king does. Sally had inherited the house years ago but couldn’t pay for its maintenance without using it so she established this club. Married before all that, quite unhappily, she decided to go her own way after her divorce that left her reputation .....
Kestrel on the other side just came back from fighting in the army after the “so said killed” his first big love – Merle. The only woman he ever loved. He doesn’t want to be interested in Sally but solve the blackmailing his frail uncle has to survive. But it isn’t Sally who us behind it but her younger sister Connie – Constance and it’s apparently not the first scandal she is involved in.
Sally lives for her two sisters – Connie and Nell. The first all about money and lovers. The second a suffragette taking care of imprisoner’s children but always in the debts.
As the story goes on, Connie about to get married to Jack’s cousin, they had to Charlie’s home, Jack’s sister. Without knowing they get themselves into Aunt Ottoline’s birthday party weekend and pose as an engaged couple.
Honestly said I haven’t watched “Downtown Abbey” yet and I am not sure if I ever will. I am more the “Castle” kind of type, I love the Beckett-Castle chemistry. BUT to read some story that is taking place in the early 20th Century was quite a change after all the Regency novels I inhaled lately.
My favorite line of the book – and those do not always exist – is:
“As kong as you support the right of women to have the vote, then I am sure there shall be no problem,” Sally said smiling.
“I try,” Greg said, “but when I think of your sister Connie having the right of suffrage ….”
“Well”, Sally said, “if it comes to that, I need only think of the likes of Bertie deciding the future of the country ….”
Without knowing too much about Connie and Bertie – and I am quite thankful for that because I wouldn’t have liked the characters at all – it brings their inner values to a point. You cannot like Connie nor Bertie but you have to love Aunt Ottoline, Charlie, Sally and Jack.
I really have to the other “Bluestocking Brides” books a look when I am back home. I read mostly on my kindle lately but with the Cornick books I prefer those adorable, beautiful paperbacks (even without having the chance to look one or the other word up)
Rating: 5*****
I read quite a few Nicola Cornick novels lately and I thought I knew her style so I started to read, not thinking about the timeframe of the book. And suddenly I was like: Cars? Shut the front door there were no cars in the Regency Era. So I headed back to page one and suddenly I noticed that I am in complete different time.
June 1908 – A man notices a young, beautiful woman at the Wallace exhibition in London. They talk a little bit. She isn’t that typical kind of beautiful but he is fascinated by her from the very first moment. They see a few paintings, also of his family.
A minimum of time later Jack Kestrel arrives at a nightclub to speak to Sally Bowes about a case of blackmailing. But when he is brought into the room, he realizes that he is standing in front of the woman he talked to the day before. But she is dressed differently, doing some accounting on her nightclub “The Blue Parrot”.
The club isn’t a shallow establishment but a place where people can play cards and drink champagne, even the king does. Sally had inherited the house years ago but couldn’t pay for its maintenance without using it so she established this club. Married before all that, quite unhappily, she decided to go her own way after her divorce that left her reputation .....
Kestrel on the other side just came back from fighting in the army after the “so said killed” his first big love – Merle. The only woman he ever loved. He doesn’t want to be interested in Sally but solve the blackmailing his frail uncle has to survive. But it isn’t Sally who us behind it but her younger sister Connie – Constance and it’s apparently not the first scandal she is involved in.
Sally lives for her two sisters – Connie and Nell. The first all about money and lovers. The second a suffragette taking care of imprisoner’s children but always in the debts.
As the story goes on, Connie about to get married to Jack’s cousin, they had to Charlie’s home, Jack’s sister. Without knowing they get themselves into Aunt Ottoline’s birthday party weekend and pose as an engaged couple.
Honestly said I haven’t watched “Downtown Abbey” yet and I am not sure if I ever will. I am more the “Castle” kind of type, I love the Beckett-Castle chemistry. BUT to read some story that is taking place in the early 20th Century was quite a change after all the Regency novels I inhaled lately.
My favorite line of the book – and those do not always exist – is:
“As kong as you support the right of women to have the vote, then I am sure there shall be no problem,” Sally said smiling.
“I try,” Greg said, “but when I think of your sister Connie having the right of suffrage ….”
“Well”, Sally said, “if it comes to that, I need only think of the likes of Bertie deciding the future of the country ….”
Without knowing too much about Connie and Bertie – and I am quite thankful for that because I wouldn’t have liked the characters at all – it brings their inner values to a point. You cannot like Connie nor Bertie but you have to love Aunt Ottoline, Charlie, Sally and Jack.
I really have to the other “Bluestocking Brides” books a look when I am back home. I read mostly on my kindle lately but with the Cornick books I prefer those adorable, beautiful paperbacks (even without having the chance to look one or the other word up)
Rating: 5*****
May 4, 2018
I rarely find a romance set in the beginning of the 20th century, it worked quite well, and for once the rake is a credible rake! I struggled a bit in the beginning, but loved the end.
October 5, 2015
One of the best Edwardian period romances I have read. This is such an under-developed time frame. I adored the way Cornick brought out the modernity of the era, but also the old fashioned values in a time when women still did not vote.
Beautifully developed characters added to the charm of the book. I liked Jack and Sally, they were real people within the pages of the book and Connie, Sally's sister is a thoroughly marvellous bitch.
Re-read - 05/10/2015 - This was a delightful re-read. I enjoyed seeing the glittering sophistication of Edwardian era and Dirty Bertie [or King Edward's character] so well represented in the story. Sally and Jack are both hurt by love, love that they were betrayed and let down by. The way in which Jack and Sally negotiate the trouble caused by Bertie and Connie and their lies and machinations are so interesting. I loved Sally's independence, and her great ability to trust and take a chance in seeing the good in people.
Beautifully developed characters added to the charm of the book. I liked Jack and Sally, they were real people within the pages of the book and Connie, Sally's sister is a thoroughly marvellous bitch.
Re-read - 05/10/2015 - This was a delightful re-read. I enjoyed seeing the glittering sophistication of Edwardian era and Dirty Bertie [or King Edward's character] so well represented in the story. Sally and Jack are both hurt by love, love that they were betrayed and let down by. The way in which Jack and Sally negotiate the trouble caused by Bertie and Connie and their lies and machinations are so interesting. I loved Sally's independence, and her great ability to trust and take a chance in seeing the good in people.
January 25, 2011
When Jack Kestrel meets Sally Bowes at an art exhibition he is attracted to her until she tells him her name. The next day he goes to The Blue Parrot Club which is owned by Sally, to accuse her of blackmailing his uncle and to ask her to stop or else! Sally does not know what he is talking about but after some discussion she realizes that he is after her younger sister Connie who seems to have disappeared with Jack’s cousin Bertie.
This book is fast moving because before you know it they are in bed together and falling in lust with each other and Sally is in danger of losing her heart to this rake.
It was a good little story, a quick and easy read.
This book is fast moving because before you know it they are in bed together and falling in lust with each other and Sally is in danger of losing her heart to this rake.
It was a good little story, a quick and easy read.
March 15, 2015
I wasn't a big fan of 'The last rake in london'. I've given this book a 4 star rating for the free bonus story 'The notorious lord' which I really did enjoy very much. Would've been able to finish it in one day if I hadn't been so busy. This is the first I've read from this author. I'll detinitely try some more.
September 27, 2011
I liked this one because it was a nice break from Cornick's usual Regency-era romance. This one is set a bit later, in the Edwardian period. We actually meet Edward a couple times - I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get more detail about him.
July 9, 2014
I thought this book had a slow start but very quickly picked up. Albeit at times the plot was extremely predictable this book was not without its surprising moments and there were a few delightful events. Nicola Cornick has a very descriptive style of writing and this really added to the content.
January 18, 2009
Am I the only one who doesn't believe a woman could realistically stay married to a man for a few years and NOT lose her virginity? What's with that.
September 25, 2009
Edwardian
February 22, 2013
So romantic finshed it yestday I really love the sences where they make love the athour really makes you want to read on so goood.
August 11, 2013
Love love LOVE Nicola Cornick :)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews