Waking Up with a Rake by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe

Miss Olivia Symon has the chance to be queen by marrying a duke who could be the heir to the throne.  Problem is, she has no interest in this but her mother is positively thrilled by the idea and tries to insure Olivia impresses the dukes man, Rhys Warrick, who is there to see if Olivia would be a good match for the duke.  Rhys is there with his own agenda though...to seduce the lovely Olivia so she is no longer able to marry the duke in exchange for some information to clear his tarnished name.  What Rhys doesn't expect is to feel something for Olivia and he promises never to lie to her, and since she never doubts his reason for being there, he never needs to reveal the truth of the matter.  But their situation takes a turn when it becomes clear someone is out to harm Olivia and Rhys vows to protect her and if that means staying in her bedroom at night...and maybe instructing her in some finer arts, that works out well for his plan.  Rhys guilty conscience prevents him from doing any final seduction but it still alters the course of his life forever.  When Olivia finds out the truth behind Rhys place in her life, can she forgive him and believe any truth to the lovely words he has told her?

This was a smoldering, fun romance and I really enjoyed it!  I liked watching Olivia spar with Rhys as she is quiet in public but in private she is feisty and bold and she finds her attraction to Rhys disconcerting.  She has a strong love of horticulture and is a strong horsewomen but is still a lady.  Rhys was a good pairing to her as he has a tortured memory he is keeping to himself from his days at war and it is eating him up and Olivia is the perfect balm to helping him heal, both for himself and to help bridge the gap that has divided him from his family for years.  I thought the resolution with his family was handled well and not just glossed over which I liked.  The mystery aspect adds some drama and when the villain is exposed at the end, it was nothing that I had thought of.  Olivia did seem to forgive Rhys a little to easily but given the circumstances they found themselves in, it is understandable.  Overall, a wickedly fun, hot, sexy heart pounding romance that will curl your toes!  4 stars

eARC provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley

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