The Knave of Hearts
Rhymes With Love #5
By: Elizabeth Boyle
Releasing January
26, 2016
Avon
Avon
Blurb
In the fifth novel of the captivating Rhymes with Love series from New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Boyle, a young woman’s hopes of a match encounter a wickedly handsome complication…
Lavinia Tempest has been eagerly
anticipating a spectacular Season. But one disastrous pile-up on the Almack’s
dance floor derails all her plans. Add to that, the very stunning revelations
about her mother’s scandalous past have become the ton’s latest on
dits. Lavinia’s future has gone from shining bright to blackest night in
one misstep.
Alaster “Tuck” Rowland admits he’s partly to
blame for Lavinia’s disastrous debut. But it’s not guilt that compels him to
restore her reputation. Rather, he’s placed a wager that he can make Lavinia
into of the most sought-after ladies in London. Who better than an unrepentant
rake to set Society astir?
Tuck’s motives are hardly noble. But in
teaching the lovely Lavinia how to win any man she wants, he suddenly finds
himself tangled in the last place he ever imagined: in love.
My Thoughts:
My Thoughts:
Back in 2014 I read The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane, where we actually meet Louisa and Lavinia Tempest. However, the story focuses on Louisa and Pierson. There are somethings that over lap between that book and The Knave of Hearts. Yet, The Knave of Hearts focuses on how Lavinia and Tuck end up together. They certainly have an adventure together. I vaguely remember Lavinia from The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane, but one thing that stuck out the most is her need to follow the rules of society. It all stems from her scandalous mother's behavior, and how she doesn't want to be anything like her mother.
Poor Lavinia, she truly tries to fit into society's mold, but it's hard when her mother's past is looming over her head and she makes a scandalous splash at Almack. When doors start closing and options dwindle it's hard to keep a positive attitude about being a success. Fortunately, she's a willing rogue to help her be a diamond of the first water. Too bad it's not for altruistic purpose, oh no he has to win a wager. *Face/palm* As Tuck gets to know Lavinia, he realize she's not meant for society, but for him.
These two characters are so much fun; I love them both. Lavinia and her rules. However, I absolutely fell in love with the Knave, I mean Tuck. I love his character, because he's portrait as rogue, knave, one lacking any moral conviction. Love how he's described:
Overall, I loved The Knave of Hearts. Yes, there is a little pacing issues in the story, but overall the antics and fun overwhelmed me. I absolutely loved Lavinia and Tuck. Those two seemed like oil and water, but once Lavinia realize what she originally planned out wasn't going to work for her she had to go for a knave. I love how the story starts out as Lavinia recounting how she met her husband, very nice touch. So, if you are looking for scandalous antics that would make the matrons of Almack raise a brow, this is your kind of read.
Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
Excerpt:
Poor Lavinia, she truly tries to fit into society's mold, but it's hard when her mother's past is looming over her head and she makes a scandalous splash at Almack. When doors start closing and options dwindle it's hard to keep a positive attitude about being a success. Fortunately, she's a willing rogue to help her be a diamond of the first water. Too bad it's not for altruistic purpose, oh no he has to win a wager. *Face/palm* As Tuck gets to know Lavinia, he realize she's not meant for society, but for him.
These two characters are so much fun; I love them both. Lavinia and her rules. However, I absolutely fell in love with the Knave, I mean Tuck. I love his character, because he's portrait as rogue, knave, one lacking any moral conviction. Love how he's described:
"he's a madcap, impetuous fool most of the time, but when it matters. Alaster will go to any depth to do right by those he loves--even if it leaves him in the suds."He does bend over backwards for Lavinia. However, there is a little trouble when his mother enters the picture. She's a special kind of trouble. Dear lord, Tuck is an angel compared to the antics of his mother.
Overall, I loved The Knave of Hearts. Yes, there is a little pacing issues in the story, but overall the antics and fun overwhelmed me. I absolutely loved Lavinia and Tuck. Those two seemed like oil and water, but once Lavinia realize what she originally planned out wasn't going to work for her she had to go for a knave. I love how the story starts out as Lavinia recounting how she met her husband, very nice touch. So, if you are looking for scandalous antics that would make the matrons of Almack raise a brow, this is your kind of read.
Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss.
Excerpt:
“Come now, Miss Tempest, my uncle expects me to
dance with one of you,” he said as he came wavering up to her. “You cannot
stand here all night.”
She looked around for her sister, Lady Aveley.
Anyone. “I-I-I, oh dear. Mr. Rowland, I don’t believe—” she stammered out, even
as Mr. Rowland took her hand, his strong, sure fingers lacing around hers.
No man had ever just come up and claimed her
before for the simple reason that Kempton was a small village, and everyone
knew (thanks in no small part to Mrs. Bagley-Butterton) that dancing with
Lavinia was akin to asking to have your toes trimmed—or those of your neighbors—or
to have something valuable broken.
Or a section of your house scorched.
Mr. Rowland, completely unaware of the mortal
danger into which he was placing himself and a good portion of London society,
just caught hold of her hand and tugged her out onto the floor, utterly and
completely deaf to her protests.
“No, please, sir, I don’t think this is wise,”
she told him. And she meant it. This was a very bad notion.
But unfortunately, her protests had no effect on
Mr. Rowland, horrible scoundrel that he was …
Has that been mentioned as yet? That Mr. Alaster
Rowland, the presumptive heir to his uncle’s barony, is the worst sort of
knave? It should be. And often.
He was also the most handsome devil Lavinia
Tempest had ever met. Or had held her hand. Or smiled down at her with a wicked
light in his eyes.
Lavinia had never seen brown eyes hold that sort
of promise, the kind that sent a shiver of something so delicious, so
dangerous, down her spine that she made a note right there and then to add a
new rule to her list at her first opportunity:
No. 83. A proper gentleman should not make one’s insides get so
very warm.
In truth, as Mr. Alaster Rowland slid his hand
around her waist, took her other hand in his, something altogether improper
happened to Lavinia.
It had to be improper, for it certainly wasn’t proper.
“Mr. Rowland, I cannot,” she protested one last
time, when to her horror, the band struck up a cotillion.
A cotillion? The last time she’d tried to dance a
cotillion, Lady Essex’s house, Foxgrove, had caught fire.
Yet here was Mr. Rowland, laughing and leaning
closer. “But of course you can,” he whispered in her ear, his breath warm
against her skin.
It was as if he had brushed his fingers there
—right against the curve of her neck. It was so intimate, so promising a
gesture, that it left Lavinia in a blinding daze.
Yet Lavinia, the girl who had made a study of all
things proper, knew exactly how to behave when all was proceeding at a proper
pace, but right now she was being steered down a path she’d never taken before
and assailed by a river of improper desires.
At least she assumed they were desires, for it
was a dangerous, heady sort of warmth spreading through her limbs.
That, and something else happened. Her feet—which
before had always seemed two sizes too big—untangled. It was as if the warmth
of Mr. Rowland’s touch, his teasing glance, his confidence in her, awakened a
very graceful part of her.
Lavinia straightened, head held just so, and a
long-forgotten admonishment from the dancing master Lady Hathaway had hired
years ago, tripped through her thoughts.
Dancing is all about elegance.
And right there and then, Lavinia felt elegant.
Not because her gown was proper. Or that she was standing on the dance floor of
Almack’s (though that certainly helped) but because the man gazing down at her
held her, not at arm’s length and in obvious fear, but with all the proper care
and respect of a gentleman.
Moments later, Lavinia Tempest found herself
dancing.
Perfectly. Like a lady. Mr. Rowland moved, as did
everyone else, and Lavinia moved as well.
And in the right direction.
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