Her Notorious Rake: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Courtships of Acceptance Book 2)
They call him a heartbreaker…
Lord Dalton Blake’s reputation as a rake hides his haunted past, but when he meets Gemma Hayesworth, a simple country girl with dreams of love, his carefully controlled life begins to unravel.
Gemma knows she should avoid the scandal surrounding Dalton, but his magnetic pull and the mysterious darkness in his eyes captivate her.
As their connection deepens, long-buried secrets threaten to surface, and one wrong step could cost them everything. Can love grow between them, or will the shadows of Dalton’s past tear them apart forever?
This enchanting regency romance with approximately 60,000 words.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after, this book promises a swoon-worthy romance that lingers in your heart long after the final page is turned.
Also Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
SL
Her Notorious Rake
This was a great story. It was well written and keeps you entertained the whole time. I enjoyed the ending.April 14, 2025
M**************l
Her Notorious Rake
I enjoyed the book. It showed them drugs were just as bad then. His cousin came through in the end. They all found happiness.February 12, 2025
J**y
Relations
They met and bonded over stars. He changed his ways, she made him a better man. Families against match, one even willing to commit murder to get what he wants.January 3, 2025
M******************a
Redemption and Reformation in the heart of a pure woman
Despite their differences in stations, Lord Dalton Blackmore and Miss Gemma Hayesworth found each other at a time of inner personal turmoil and distress. Their grief and loss over their beloved fathers had made them empathetic towards each other’s pain. What is remarkable though is Miss Gemma’s trust and hope that Lord Dalton is not the rake and reprobate that society’s Ton painted him to be. Her purity and innocence, and eagerness to believe the goodness in Lord Blackmore after they shared a magical night under the constellations gave the motivation he needed to change for the better; to be a better man for the only woman who captured his heart. People do change, and it’s the love depicted in this story that allowed a rake to hope for true love and his happily ever after with the woman he loves regardless of social status and caste. Wonderful historical romance highly recommended for those who love clean regency love stories.October 10, 2024
M************r
a very good story
This book had some unexpected twists and turns which made it interesting. The couple who fall in love must overcome doubts and the opinions of others but, finally, do find their way. The ending was sweet.October 10, 2024
M**V
A Love for the Stars/A Conspiracy
A lovely girl with her cats & books finds a love in the stars with her beau, but it is short lived as a devious relative threatens to undo their love and almost succeeds. But true love finds the way into their hearts forever!October 8, 2024
L*****G
Liked it
Enjoyable story! They had so much in common and so many obstacles. Was nice to see how the love story unfolded.October 8, 2024
T********l
LOVED IT
I had to finish it so I could not be left not knowing what the outcome would be for everyone involved ! When I finish it and the epilogue, I’m going, this was really great then it offers me more, so yes, I’m reading till midnight because I had to know how it ended !October 8, 2024
B***Y
Good and entertaining
Liked Gemma and Dalton as the main characters. They had many obstacles but were able to get together regardless. Well written and interesting.October 6, 2024
S*****a
Country Mouse & Her Notorious Rake
Emily Barnet has written a delightful story about two very different people. One Gemma a country mouse and two Dalton a notorious rake. How does she get these two together? You’ll have to get it for yourself. I’m doing an ARC and reviewing freely. Get it and enjoy!October 3, 2024
M*********l
Characters
Believable characters, well defined. Enjoyed the book.October 3, 2024
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.October 2, 2024
M**K
Sweet clean regency romance
Enjoyed this sweet story of Gemma and Dalton! Both had hurdles, so was a compelling but satisfying read! Thank you, Emily Barnet; look forward to the next novel in this series!October 2, 2024
r**e
Star bright
Well written, full of love, drama, secrets, scandal, emotions, passion, intrigue and twists. Gemma is going to London for the season with her Aunt. Hoping to have a good time and hopefully find a husband. Dalton is also in London but just to have a good time his style. Both meet at a ball and enjoy the evening when they share the experience of the night with lots of stars. Both have a love of astronomy and for their past fathers. Has a great storyline/plot. The characters are involved in some personal growth and are able to get to their happily ever after. Would recommend to everyone.October 2, 2024
J**********e
Star-crossed love
Loved reading this delightful romance of star-crossed lovers. Gemma touched my heart when she said, My heart is my north star. Then again later when Dalton said to himself, She is my north star. So precious, so tender.October 2, 2024
R*********e
Beautiful like the stars shining in the night sky!
The love between Dalton and Gemma was magnetic and dazzling. Gemma had moments of doubt because of his reputation as a rake but whenever she saw him, whenever she was with him, she could not deny the strong affection that was between them. After his father’s death and the way his mother had retreated into herself, Dalton tried to numb the pain as a rake. When Gemma came into his life, he began to remember who he really was and he realized she was the only remedy for the hopelessness he felt. Their shared love of astronomy was lovely and the epilogue wrapped everything up very nicely. A wonderful read!October 1, 2024
G**********y
Loved the story
Great characters in a great story. Really enjoyed reading this story and had a hard time putting it downOctober 1, 2024
J*d
Great read!
Wonderful love story with a bit of intrigue. The characters are real and very engaging. Lord Dalton Blake was known to be a notorious rake yet when he met Gemma every thing was different. She had a love for astronomy as he had and it drew then together. Their relationship had many obstacles with lies and deception. Will their love survive?October 1, 2024
W******j
Loved this book!!
What a great book! Our main characters (Gemma and Viscount Blakemore (Dalton)) were each very close to their father and developed a love for astronomy as they grew up. Both fathers passed away and while Dalton was the heir to his father, Gemma and her mother fell on hard times and were forced to sell most of their belongings and move to a small country home where they lived in genteel poverty. Gemma’s Aunt Philippa decides that she will sponsor Gemma for a season and over the objections of her mother, she goes with her aunt to London, where Phillipa hopes Gemma will make a great match. Both Gemma and Dalton carry deep sorrow and emotional scars from the loss of their fathers, but the way they deal with their loss is very different. For his part, Dalton feels inadequate to help his grieving mother and he resorts to heavy drinking and carousing, leaving most of the management of his estate to his father’s brother. There is a lot more to the plot, but I will say that this is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It was so touching to see these two meet and attempt to fight their irresistible attraction. They truly needed and helped each other and their shared interest in the stars plays a big part.October 1, 2024
E******e
Loved it
This is the sweet love story of Gemma and Dalton she is a country miss and he is a notorious rake. Can the love of astronomy bring them together or will the gossip of the ton keep them apart. A very good read!!!October 1, 2024
G**.
facades
How come you can hardly ever do something right in the eyes of polite society? So when two unusual characters like Gemma and Dalton meet, I wished for them to find the audacity ignore society’s rules and choose love and happiness for themselves.September 30, 2024
A**********n
Cool
Very good readSeptember 30, 2024
B***y
Another Good One
Ms. Barnet has done a great job once again. This book is well-written and well-developed. The plot and characters are interesting and engaging. I have yet to be disappointed in any book written by this author, and this book is no exception. I received this book as an ARC preview and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.September 30, 2024
T**i
Shared love of stars draws an unlikely couple togethher
Loved how both sweet Miss Gemma and Lord Dalton Blake are both fleeing the cruel expectations and gossip of the London Ton. A chance meeting under the stars on the terrace starts a slow change in the Duke from a rake to a man in love. Unfortunately their are those who try to manipulate and force them to marry others . Many interesting twists occur as the pressures build. So glad it once again comes to a very happy ending. Insightful in the way personalities and emotions are described by the author. A great romantic historical novel.September 30, 2024
Jo
Lovely
What happens when a country girl meets a notorious rake? Find out in the second book of this series by an author who brings, creativity to a new level. Full of page turning enjoyable reading, you won’t want to put this down until the last page ends.September 30, 2024
