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The Righteous Rakehell
First published 1988 · 222 pages
A sparkling battle of wits where a marriage of convenience becomes a dangerous game of jealousy and seduction.
What it feels like
Reading this traditional Regency romance feels like stepping into a brightly lit ballroom where every glance is a calculated move in a high-stakes game of hearts. The narrative moves at a brisk, theatrical pace, driven by sharp banter and the delicious tension of a marriage of convenience gone delightfully awry. The prose is crisp and period-appropriate, focusing on the lively psychological warfare between a notorious rake and a spirited heroine determined to beat him at his own game. It carries a breezy, sparkling mood that balances lighthearted comedy of manners with genuine romantic awakening. This is a perfect afternoon escape for readers who adore the classic Georgette Heyer tradition, where jealousy is a weapon, wit is a shield, and love is the ultimate surrender.
- Mood
- sparkling
- theatrical
- breezy
- Tone
- wry
- playful
- romantic
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- marriage of convenience · turning the tables · jealousy and awakening · battle of wits
- The writing
- Crisp and period-appropriate, favoring sharp dialogue and lively internal monologues over dense description.
- The arc
- Moves from a cool, pragmatic arrangement to a fiery, jealous awakening and ultimately genuine affection.
- Who it's for
- Fans of traditional Regency romances who love a spirited heroine outsmarting a notorious rake.
Content notes
- mild period-typical sexism
About the book
Justin Avery, Viscount of Kenelm, pretended nothing to young Lady Catherine Talbot when he proposed. He asked for a marriage of convenience, leaving him free to pursue the libertine life that made him the most notorious lord in London--as well as the most handsome and charming.
But beautiful and spirited Catherine had her own ideas when she accepted this pernicious proposal. She would find a way to become the first woman to stir the viscount's heart as well as his senses.
To do this, Catherine set out to teach Justin the meaning of jealousy by showing. him that two could play the game of scandalous amour--only to discover how dangerous for a beginner this daring game could be....
Description from Open Library.
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