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A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club. Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried-and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing. But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss-to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone show more who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston-charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile. If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all-the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love . . . show lessTags
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Caramellunacy Both of these historical romances are based around the same general premise - a usually proper young woman decides to embark on a 'bucket list' of improper adventure under the dubious protection of an avowed rake. Sarah MacLean's Nine Rules involves a rebellion against the heroine's own incredibly upright reputation, and Enoch's heroine is rebelling against her overbearing brothers.
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Like MacLean's YA regency set romance, The Season, this takes a lot of typical tropes of the genre and gives them a firm whacking. Callie is twenty-seven years old, 'rubenesque' in physique and otherwise not very memorable. She has spent the last decade since her coming out slowly fading into the background and unfortunately becoming a wallflower spinster (complete with a lace cap). She has no idea when this took place, why she let it take place and is horrified to hear that her siblings feel she is too passive and unassuming to ever really change things.
Meanwhile Gabriel is thirty-five years old (give or take a year) and an unabashed rake. His reputation is quite fierce, something he is proud of holding, and constantly talked about by show more matrons and chaperons (in hushed scandalized accents). A chance encounter with a then seventeen year old Callie during a Ball at her house becomes a full blown one-sided infatuation on her part. He becomes embroiled in her 'List' and seeks to use the leverage of her wanting 'favors' from him in order to have her help with his newly found, half-Italian, younger sister Juliana. Juliana needs a highly respectable tutor to help her get acclimated to England and Callie wants his promise that he'll help her in the future (though she doesn't state why).
At first I had trouble believing that Ralston would want anything to do with Callie. He's not a cruel or malicious guy, but he doesn't comment favorably about Callie beyond the fact that she has a spotless reputation. Actually, despite his attraction to her (which even he can't deny for too long), he continues to describe her as plain and missish (or alternately, plain and recklessly insane). And this seemed to be a prevailing opinion of her appearance throughout the book. Other then Ralston, his former mistress and Callie herself, no one says she is plain, but its implied quite often.
What won me over was the fact that Ralston enjoyed seeing her face light up--in ire or happiness. He found her very eagerness--everything from trying scotch to kissing him--an attraction. For a while he didn't even notice her appearance anymore, only the fact that when she smiled she had a sparkle in her eyes and when she was enthusiastic about an undertaking she went full tilt. He became attracted to her personality and saw her as beautiful because of it.
Juliana was my second favorite character (after Callie). She had a certain energy to her mannerisms, a likability that made me want to read more about her. Nicholas was more flat to me, acting the opposite of whatever way Gabriel was acting at the moment (if Gabriel was being irrationally angry, Nicholas was in high spirits, when Gabriel was amusing himself, Nicholas was being serious). The banter between the two, and how easily he pushed Gabriel's buttons every single time, was entertaining however.
I could not stand, even for the limited amount of time she was in the book, Callie's mother. Not even a little bit. The woman, intentionally or not, seemed focused on making Callie's life miserable.
My real complaint was at the end when it seemed one obstacle after another presented itself in the course of 'true love' for Callie and Gabriel. One obstacle is surmounted and not even five pages later another one presents itself. It felt more like a way to tie up loose ends then true predicaments. I will admit that one of the funniest scenes in the entire book happens on page 345, though its more in the delivery then it is anything else.
Overall I was excited to read this book and read more of MacLean's writing. Book 2, about Gabriel's younger twin brother Nicholas, is entitled Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and due out in November, and I can't wait! show less
Meanwhile Gabriel is thirty-five years old (give or take a year) and an unabashed rake. His reputation is quite fierce, something he is proud of holding, and constantly talked about by show more matrons and chaperons (in hushed scandalized accents). A chance encounter with a then seventeen year old Callie during a Ball at her house becomes a full blown one-sided infatuation on her part. He becomes embroiled in her 'List' and seeks to use the leverage of her wanting 'favors' from him in order to have her help with his newly found, half-Italian, younger sister Juliana. Juliana needs a highly respectable tutor to help her get acclimated to England and Callie wants his promise that he'll help her in the future (though she doesn't state why).
At first I had trouble believing that Ralston would want anything to do with Callie. He's not a cruel or malicious guy, but he doesn't comment favorably about Callie beyond the fact that she has a spotless reputation. Actually, despite his attraction to her (which even he can't deny for too long), he continues to describe her as plain and missish (or alternately, plain and recklessly insane). And this seemed to be a prevailing opinion of her appearance throughout the book. Other then Ralston, his former mistress and Callie herself, no one says she is plain, but its implied quite often.
What won me over was the fact that Ralston enjoyed seeing her face light up--in ire or happiness. He found her very eagerness--everything from trying scotch to kissing him--an attraction. For a while he didn't even notice her appearance anymore, only the fact that when she smiled she had a sparkle in her eyes and when she was enthusiastic about an undertaking she went full tilt. He became attracted to her personality and saw her as beautiful because of it.
Juliana was my second favorite character (after Callie). She had a certain energy to her mannerisms, a likability that made me want to read more about her. Nicholas was more flat to me, acting the opposite of whatever way Gabriel was acting at the moment (if Gabriel was being irrationally angry, Nicholas was in high spirits, when Gabriel was amusing himself, Nicholas was being serious). The banter between the two, and how easily he pushed Gabriel's buttons every single time, was entertaining however.
I could not stand, even for the limited amount of time she was in the book, Callie's mother. Not even a little bit. The woman, intentionally or not, seemed focused on making Callie's life miserable.
My real complaint was at the end when it seemed one obstacle after another presented itself in the course of 'true love' for Callie and Gabriel. One obstacle is surmounted and not even five pages later another one presents itself. It felt more like a way to tie up loose ends then true predicaments. I will admit that one of the funniest scenes in the entire book happens on page 345, though its more in the delivery then it is anything else.
Overall I was excited to read this book and read more of MacLean's writing. Book 2, about Gabriel's younger twin brother Nicholas, is entitled Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord and due out in November, and I can't wait! show less
Sure, this was a perfectly captivating romantic read. I didn't expect much from the book with its tongue in cheek title. But it was both full of earnest drama and deliciously, wickedly scandal. Agree with another reviewer that the dialogue between the heroes was great. I never give such a high score, but there isn't much to fault about this book. It had good pace.
Callie Allendale has spent a decade doing everything society has expected of her and all it did was land her squarely in spinster seating on the edge of every ball. When her younger sister gets engaged, Callie is finally spurred to think about what she'd do if society's rules didn't apply to her. Of course, while pursuing the first item on the list she encounters the notorious Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston and they both discover the delights of breaking the rules together.
Such a lovely romance, I've now added Sarah MacLean to my list of favourite authors. Callie is a great heroine, who happens to be plus-sized, and her goals to break out of the rules that bind women of her class are admirable and aren't really about snaring a show more man. Ralston is brooding and handsome and everything one can ask of a hero in an historical romance. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series and more of MacLean in general. show less
Such a lovely romance, I've now added Sarah MacLean to my list of favourite authors. Callie is a great heroine, who happens to be plus-sized, and her goals to break out of the rules that bind women of her class are admirable and aren't really about snaring a show more man. Ralston is brooding and handsome and everything one can ask of a hero in an historical romance. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series and more of MacLean in general. show less
Lady Calpurnia is a lonely spinster who has harbored a crush for the gorgeous Marquess of Ralston since the time she was an 18 year old wallflower. As the novel opens, Calpurnia's family is celebrating the marriage of her younger sister and she becomes unbearably aware of the fact that her own opportunity for love and life has passed her by, leaving her to a life of spinsterhood and loneliness. Impulsively, she decides to take life by the horns and creates a list of the things she would want to do if she doesn't have to worry about society's restrictions and rules. And so, MacLean does a fantastic job of setting up the action of the story.
The first 100 pages or so are absolutely charming. Needless to say, Calpurnia's plan brings the show more Marquess into the mix with delicious results. There are many things which are quite enjoyable about the book. I like that MacLean creates a character who is lonely and truly vulnerable emotionally, a character who has a lot of personal development that needs to take place. I really enjoyed the dialogue because I thought it was well done and not too much. I loved the family dynamic, especially the amazing, supportive Benedick (the overbearing older brother is so overdone) and the loyal Anne (I could have done without the irritating Mariana.) I think the author did a great job of fleshing out the character of Calpurnia, who I found sweet and adorable.
There were some things in the novel, however, that I most definitely did NOT like. The novel tended to drag for me a little bit toward the end and I thought it could have been 50 pages shorter. I thought the Marquess was kind of an ass, honestly, and he doesn't seem that bright. Their verbal interactions were interesting because of Calpurnia's insights and passion, not because of his. He was hot, though, I'll give him that. I thought the whole "evil mother" premise sort of weak, and in my mind it didn't excuse his poor behavior. Furthermore, I felt like the pacing of the conflict was inconsistent. Calpurnia and Ralston would get into an argument, for instance, and both would flounce off, and the next time they meet, they start going at it, seemingly forgetting their previous fight. It got kind of old toward the end...
A last word: I thought it kind of cool that the author chose not to frame Ralston's mistress into evil Satan, just because she's hotter than the heroine and happened to be with him before her. I think it may be interesting if MacLean chose to write a book featuring Nastasia's story. And let's not forget adorable Benedick... show less
2nd read- I believe I really like what this book is going for, but a couple things bring it down a bit for me. The heroine is kind of a ninny. I don't blame her for being naive about vices, that information was kept from her. But her judgement is just generally poor. She does things like lie about something dumb that isn't even worth lying about, *especially* because she's a terrible liar and isn't going to be able to pull it off anyway. So it's just foolishness. Impulsive, reckless, she feels very, very young. And it's a major plot point that she's 'on the shelf' so she's not 17 or something. Childish leads just aren't as interesting to me. The hero also has some pretty bad judgement some of the time, but it kind of seems more in line show more with his character/station, it'll be because he's being too arrogant or something.
I remember feeling annoyance the first read, but perhaps it has bothered me more on this 2nd one. I gave it 4 stars originally, and I think it's still a better than average book, so I'm not going to remove one. But with the irritations it's perhaps a 3.5 rounded up.
Complaints aside, there are bunches of great parts, and lines that make me laugh. So overall worth reading. show less
I remember feeling annoyance the first read, but perhaps it has bothered me more on this 2nd one. I gave it 4 stars originally, and I think it's still a better than average book, so I'm not going to remove one. But with the irritations it's perhaps a 3.5 rounded up.
Complaints aside, there are bunches of great parts, and lines that make me laugh. So overall worth reading. show less
Having been told by my grandpa (quite out of the blue)at Christmas dinner several years ago I was going to be an old maid, I could quite sympathize with the plight of our intrepid heroine. I rather admired Callie's desire for a more adventurous life and the way she actually went out and crossed things off her list, scandalous as those items were for the day. I did have to skip the part where she marched herself into the bedchamber of a man who was essentially a stranger to her and requested he kiss her, because just no, no, no. If someone showed up at my house with that same demand, I would be calling the cops and having a restraining order placed on the weirdo, not ask them to chaperon my younger sister into Society.
I also could not show more understand Callie's decade-long attraction to Gabriel, though I think a lot of that has to do with my personal preferences. I am not the type to find bad boys attractive. Add in man-whore and an alpha-male, domineering personality and I'm apt to run, not walk in the opposite direction. Needless to say, Gabriel was not my favorite person in the world to read about. Of course, I shouldn't have expected anything different with the word rake in the title.
Also, what is up with all the plundering of mouths? That puts to mind a pirate running off with treasure, not a kiss. Surely there's a better verb out there. Oh, and less of the word lush, please and thank you. That's right up there with moist, juicy, and creamy in terms of ickiness. Am I the only one who cringes when I hear certain words? Maybe I'm just weird. Anyway, moving right along . . .
I guess the long and short of it all is that I need to find a romance book where the focus is more on the development of the main characters' relationship with one another, rather than on a series of physical encounters interspersed with a few misunderstandings and a smattering of disagreements. Also a male lead whom I can respect and like and root for. That would be nice. Does such a book exist? show less
I also could not show more understand Callie's decade-long attraction to Gabriel, though I think a lot of that has to do with my personal preferences. I am not the type to find bad boys attractive. Add in man-whore and an alpha-male, domineering personality and I'm apt to run, not walk in the opposite direction. Needless to say, Gabriel was not my favorite person in the world to read about. Of course, I shouldn't have expected anything different with the word rake in the title.
Also, what is up with all the plundering of mouths? That puts to mind a pirate running off with treasure, not a kiss. Surely there's a better verb out there. Oh, and less of the word lush, please and thank you. That's right up there with moist, juicy, and creamy in terms of ickiness. Am I the only one who cringes when I hear certain words? Maybe I'm just weird. Anyway, moving right along . . .
I guess the long and short of it all is that I need to find a romance book where the focus is more on the development of the main characters' relationship with one another, rather than on a series of physical encounters interspersed with a few misunderstandings and a smattering of disagreements. Also a male lead whom I can respect and like and root for. That would be nice. Does such a book exist? show less
Lady Calpurnia Hartwell feels a bit ridiculous. A self-proclaimed, plain Jane, with a rather silly name, and more figure and curves than are fashionable, she even looks ridiculous in the horror of a dress her mother insisted she wear to her debut ball. Adding to the ridicule of being plain and looking horrid, Callie hasn't danced with one eligible or desirable man all evening and has been reduced to a wallflower at her own coming out ball. Feeling rather sorry for herself, and loathing all the rules of society that claim a well-born lady must make nice with everyone, even undesirable oaths, she escapes to the garden where she can feel sorry for herself and dwell on the shame of being such a disaster at her own ball. Ladies are not show more suppose to hide unattended in the garden, at night, and they aren't suppose to engage in conversation and flirtation with a well known rake, like the Marquess of Ralston even if he is devastatingly handsome. He's kind are not intended for girls like Callie.
Ten years later, Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has been relegated to permanent spinster with no hopes of a match and she hasn't danced at a ball in years. With her lace cap, and still ridiculous dresses chosen by her mother, she seems much older than she is. Sitting on the side lines with the other unfortunates of her class, she watches as life and love happens around her. When her younger sister lands not only a duke, but a duke that loves her, Callie can't help but feel that her last ten years have been wasted and she longs for a love of her own- and an adventure. Problem is, for the last ten years her fantasy hero has had only one face, that of the irreputable Marquess of Ralston. She decides then and there that she is quite fed up with her role in life and pens a scandalous list of nine, forbidden adventures she would like to have and she's going to accomplish at least one of them tonight-
"Kiss someone- passionately."
It's ok to stop at this point and squeal. I am. I'm also sleep deprived because I read this book in one sitting because it's impossible to put down. This story is so much fun! Callie is such a refreshing character, an ahem, older heroine in search of adventure and freedom from her everyday life and the unspoken rules and regulations of a society that has kept her trapped, even from herself, for ten years. By day she is the picture of decorum and manners as she councils a young lady about to enter society and by night she is daring and rash, shocking even herself as she breaks every rule she's ever adhered to. She engages the Marquess as her partner in crime and the ill reputed playboy quickly has to take on the roll of protector as this well-born lady goes down her list, astounding even the Marquess.
I just adore Callie and envy her lack of restraint, especially in a time when a lady was only ever allowed to be a lady. Her adventures may not be shocking by our standards but for 1823 England her actions were unheard of and her single-minded determination is admirable in any age.
MacLean has made an instant fan. Her writing is clean and precise making for a seamless story that tells without so much as a hiccup from start to finish. There's nothing silly about her characters, they are well defined and immediately lovable- even our bad boy, and her love story never comes across as sappy.
Be advised that the Ralston's dialogue is best read with a fan handy. show less
Ten years later, Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has been relegated to permanent spinster with no hopes of a match and she hasn't danced at a ball in years. With her lace cap, and still ridiculous dresses chosen by her mother, she seems much older than she is. Sitting on the side lines with the other unfortunates of her class, she watches as life and love happens around her. When her younger sister lands not only a duke, but a duke that loves her, Callie can't help but feel that her last ten years have been wasted and she longs for a love of her own- and an adventure. Problem is, for the last ten years her fantasy hero has had only one face, that of the irreputable Marquess of Ralston. She decides then and there that she is quite fed up with her role in life and pens a scandalous list of nine, forbidden adventures she would like to have and she's going to accomplish at least one of them tonight-
"Kiss someone- passionately."
It's ok to stop at this point and squeal. I am. I'm also sleep deprived because I read this book in one sitting because it's impossible to put down. This story is so much fun! Callie is such a refreshing character, an ahem, older heroine in search of adventure and freedom from her everyday life and the unspoken rules and regulations of a society that has kept her trapped, even from herself, for ten years. By day she is the picture of decorum and manners as she councils a young lady about to enter society and by night she is daring and rash, shocking even herself as she breaks every rule she's ever adhered to. She engages the Marquess as her partner in crime and the ill reputed playboy quickly has to take on the roll of protector as this well-born lady goes down her list, astounding even the Marquess.
I just adore Callie and envy her lack of restraint, especially in a time when a lady was only ever allowed to be a lady. Her adventures may not be shocking by our standards but for 1823 England her actions were unheard of and her single-minded determination is admirable in any age.
MacLean has made an instant fan. Her writing is clean and precise making for a seamless story that tells without so much as a hiccup from start to finish. There's nothing silly about her characters, they are well defined and immediately lovable- even our bad boy, and her love story never comes across as sappy.
Be advised that the Ralston's dialogue is best read with a fan handy. show less
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Author Information
28+ Works 11,586 Members
Sarah MacLean grew up in Rhode Island. She majored in European History at Smith College and later earned her Masters degree in Education from Harvard University. MacLean is the author of the series Love by the Numbers and Rules of Scoundrels. The fourth book in that series, Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover, made it to many bestseller lists as did show more The Day of the Duchess. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Sarah MacLean is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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Awards
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
- Original title
- Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
- Alternate titles
- Mit neun verruchten Dingen einen Lord bezwingen
- Original publication date
- 2010-03-30
- People/Characters
- Lady Calpurnia Hartwell (Callie); Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston; Nicholas St. John; Lady Mariana Hartwell; Benedick Hartwell, Earl of Allendale; Juliana Fiori (show all 9); Baron Rubert Oxford; James Talbott, Duke of Rivington; Simon Pearson, Duke of Leighton
- Important places
- England, UK; London, England, UK
- Important events
- 1823; Regency Era
- First words
- Lady Calpurnia Hartwell blinked back tears as she fled the ballroom of Worthington House, the scene of her most recent and most devastating embarrassment. The welcome night air was crisp with the edge of spring as she rushed ... (show all)down the great marble steps, desperation shortening her footsteps and propelling her forward into the shadows of the vast, darkened gardens. Once hidden from view, she let out a deep sigh and slowed her pace, finally safe. Her mother would be livid if she discovered her eldest daughter outside without a chaperone, but nothing could have kept Callie inside that horrible room.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)His mouth hovered just above hers and he spoke in a dark whisper, "Far be it from me to deny you an adventure."
- Publisher's editor
- Feron, Carrie
- Blurbers
- James, Eloisa
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PS3613.A27377
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- 17,825
- Reviews
- 92
- Rating
- (4.01)
- Languages
- 10 — Czech, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil)
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
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- ASINs
- 8