⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Absolutely, yes. A compelling second-chance love story that was impossible to put down.

No. Absolutely not. Persephone Cuthbert would rather walk over hot coals than say one word to the man who broke her heart, let alone help him. The author of The Rake Review may have declared him the most marriageable man in London, but Persephone knows the truth. Edward Johns is the cold-hearted bastard who broke her heart. She will not allow him to play her or the unsuspecting ladies of London false. Except Persephone has made helping people her life’s work. How can she refuse him when a man’s life is in danger? Ten years ago, Edward Johns jilted the love of his life for the sake of familial duty. He’s hardened his heart to steel, and he has no desire to marry, he intends to leave all of that to his younger brother, Alfred. Until said wastrel disappears without a trace. Naturally, the one woman in London who can help him is the very angel who has haunted his dreams for a decade. But family always comes first. To save his brother, Edward will keep his hands to himself, mostly, and his heart under lock and key, no matter how bewitching his angel has become. 

MY THOUGHTS

Jilted in January is the first book in The Rake Review series, one book for each month of the year by different authors each month. And reminiscent of Bridgerton, it comes complete with its own scandal sheet, The Rake Review, penned by the Brazen Belle. Mr. January in our calendar of rakes is Edward Johns, the son of a Chinese immigrant and a Duke’s great-grandson.

I enjoyed everything about this book. Edward and Persephone had this palpable attraction that made it clear neither one had really moved on from their mutual heartbreak. Their journey back to each other was arduous and fraught with the same old insecurities that caused their break-up before. Edward’s Chinese heritage and the prejudices that he experienced added an interesting and complex layer to the story.

On the writing style front the kidnapping plot of Edward’s brother and their efforts to find him unfolded beautifully, as well as the other investigations that Persephone had taken on as the Lady Fixer. It was a true pleasure reading every single word.

Don’t miss this if you like steamy historical romances with some intrigue afoot.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: January 1, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: The Rake Review
Tropes: Second Chances, Opposites Attract