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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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by anonymous user
Member Reviews
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
This book is exactly what I look for in regency romances. Plain, chubby, insecure heroine who is secretly a firebrand (her list of shocking behaviors she makes her way through in the book is adorable!). She's smart and charming, but she thinks herself too unattractive and boring to be loved. And the rake hero hurts her through a series of misunderstandings that prey upon her insecurity, but it all works out in the end. Chock full of steamy sex. I'll certainly be reading more by this author. (5 stars) (May 2011)
Re-read August of 2013. Still a favorite!!!! Such good angst!!
Re-re-read in March of 2016. Still stands up as one of my favorites!
Re-read August of 2013. Still a favorite!!!! Such good angst!!
Re-re-read in March of 2016. Still stands up as one of my favorites!
Lady Wombat says:
Strong writing (not surprising, given that the author is a Harvard grad) linked to rather conventional ideology in the construction of masculinity (typical alpha male afraid to love because of some tragedy from his childhood turns into a rake to compensate, immediately stops being a rake once he meets heroine). The protagonist is charming, and the idea of an on-the-shelf lady breaking out to try actions typically forbidden a "good girl" is amusing. An author worth reading again.
Strong writing (not surprising, given that the author is a Harvard grad) linked to rather conventional ideology in the construction of masculinity (typical alpha male afraid to love because of some tragedy from his childhood turns into a rake to compensate, immediately stops being a rake once he meets heroine). The protagonist is charming, and the idea of an on-the-shelf lady breaking out to try actions typically forbidden a "good girl" is amusing. An author worth reading again.
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
Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake
4.5 Stars
This book has all the familiar tropes of historical romance: A plump and plain heroine, a gorgeous yet tortured hero, the inevitable misunderstanding and declarations of undying love. Nevertheless, MacLean manages to bring it all together in this delightful read with its original premise, witty dialogue, sizzling scenes, and engaging characters.
Callie Hartwell is tired of being considered a passive wallflower and decides to defy convention by breaking the nine rules necessary for maintaining a pristine reputation starting with propositioning the most notorious rake in London, Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston.
Callie and Gabriel have amazing chemistry and their interactions more show more than make up for the predictable plot line. Callie is a feisty heroine determined to live life to the fullest in a time when women were little more than accessories and Gabriel is an earthy rogue convinced that love is for the weak. When these two come together, sparks fly and laughter abounds.
Highly recommended as a light, sexy, funny and relatively angst free read. show less
4.5 Stars
This book has all the familiar tropes of historical romance: A plump and plain heroine, a gorgeous yet tortured hero, the inevitable misunderstanding and declarations of undying love. Nevertheless, MacLean manages to bring it all together in this delightful read with its original premise, witty dialogue, sizzling scenes, and engaging characters.
Callie Hartwell is tired of being considered a passive wallflower and decides to defy convention by breaking the nine rules necessary for maintaining a pristine reputation starting with propositioning the most notorious rake in London, Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston.
Callie and Gabriel have amazing chemistry and their interactions more show more than make up for the predictable plot line. Callie is a feisty heroine determined to live life to the fullest in a time when women were little more than accessories and Gabriel is an earthy rogue convinced that love is for the weak. When these two come together, sparks fly and laughter abounds.
Highly recommended as a light, sexy, funny and relatively angst free read. 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
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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
Series
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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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- Reviews
- 93
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- (4.01)
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- 10 — Czech, English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil)
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
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