The Ruin of a Rake: An Enemies-to-Lovers Historical Romance Novel of Forbidden Love

What makes Cat Sebastian’s books unique to me is how kind they are, both to their subjects, but also to their reader. “Come on over, and be happy with us,” they always seemed to say to me. A new Cat S. book is something to be cherished, and enjoyed when you’re feeling down. Ever since Soldier’s Scoundrel, I’ve felt comfortable and safe reading them, knowing I could trust her not to let me down. When a book supposedly based on Lord Courtenay’s exploits gets published, he gets denied access to his beloved nephew by his protective father. Seeing how hurt her beloved friend is, Eleanor Standish asks her younger brother, the very prim and proper Julian Medlock, to help repair Courtenay’s image. Julian, desperate to get back onto his sister’s good graces, grudgingly accepts the challenge. Forced to work together, they find companionship and hidden depths in each other, yearning for things they are unsure they deserve. Courtenay and Julian are both wonderfully complex characters who, despite everything, absolutely belong together. If asked, Julian might say he’s a bad person, who’s trying to be better. He is manipulative, completely out of touch with his emotions. He’s bossy and cold, cares too much about what others think about him and hides his true self behind a polished and shiny façade. But he’s also fiercely protective of those he loves, capable, clear-headed, and so, so very smart. People tend to forget how young he really is, Julian himself included. But when he’s around…

Oh, I like Cat Sebastian's writing a great deal and this play with the uptight hero and the rake is lovely. The connection between Courtney and Julien thrills and yet the heat between them is a sweet loving heat. I love that Courtney is turned on by Julien's genius. The plot is a fun one of making a rake respectable again but with a deeper look at why rake was a rake. Julien's illness is really well drawn and I trust that they can make their HEA work. I wanted a bit more from the book as I had read the others in the series and didn't think most of characters that have appeared before acted in character. I liked the secondary romance but wanted more insight and wanted to see Julian work through his relationship with his sister on page. Overall, a delight.