It Takes a Rake by Anna Bennett: Review

This is my second book by this author; she is still a bit new to me regarding her storytelling. I really enjoyed her last publication, which is a part of this stand-alone series. So I was looking forward to this upcoming release.

Continue on for my thoughts and review below.

It Takes a Rake by Anna BennettSeries: Rogues To Lovers, 3
Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin’s Paperbacks (January 23, 2024)
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250793959

OVERVIEW:
She’s about to face her biggest challenge yet…

Since she was a girl, Miss Kitty Beckett has been adept at finding trouble: sneaking brandy, running away, and getting under the skin of the boy who, like her, was an apprentice to an architect. Now Kitty’s a talented heiress who can take a dry building plan and breathe life into it with her pencils and paints. Also? She can spot a rake at a hundred yards―and she won’t be tricked or charmed into marriage. Certainly not by a man who might interfere with her dreams. When Bellehaven Bay announces its first ever architectural design contest, she vows to win―with a little help from her childhood rival.

Turning her buttoned-up nemesis into a certified rake.

Leo Lockland, a hardworking architect with a gift for numbers, has returned home after a few years in London, and he has secrets. The biggest? He’s been in love with Kitty since they were both apprentices. She refuses to give her heart to any man, but Leo’s determined to beat the odds―even if it means learning how to be a rake. Fortunately, Kitty’s willing to tutor him in the nuances of fashion, flirtation, and seduction in exchange for his help with the contest. But the whole plan would fall apart if she knew how he felt, so he’d have to be very convincing.

Let the lessons begin…

Leo proves to be a surprisingly quick study in the ballroom, on the beach, and in the bedchamber. Before long, he’s softening Kitty’s hard edges with his wicked words and kissing his way past all her defenses. Perhaps she’s a bit too skilled at teaching, because her lessons are threatening to backfire, putting her closely guarded heart in grave danger…

It Takes a Rake by Anna Bennett Review

This book has so many positive parts to it. I enjoyed the concepts and the forward-thinking the author puts into her stories. The female leads are usually “normal” people with jobs or businesses of some sort. Not just titled women needing a man. Her strong women are a key part of the story.

For me, the characters have to be a likable part of the book. We have to connect with them and get the buy-in for the story to flow. Leo was awesome. I love that he was all in for Kitty and he showed his heart on his sleeve many times.

Kitty was stubborn and overbearing in many ways. She came off hot and then cold to me, and while I understood her plans, she was annoying and close-minded in many ways. But when the two of them figured out their agreement, it was a delight. Swoony with a sweet second chance romance which takes a bit to find that delicate balance.

For me, I just did not care for the female main character. She annoyed me with her bossy and overbearing attitude much of the time and everything was always his fault. Not a favorite part of the book for me.

Loaded with heat and some great twists, It Takes a Rake is a unique story that is strong on women empowerment and independence of women long before it was fashionable. A tight connection with friends as a unit makes this a fun story with a great ending.

3.5 STARS!!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.