Beauty and the Rake by Erica Monroe

[Birdlady1950]

Historical Romance

This is the third book of the Rookery Rogues, but can be read as a stand alone.

Beauty and The Rake is the first of this series I have read. Ms. Monroe has created a wonderful take on the old fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast. This is a different type of Victorian novel as it does not involve nobles nor people of quality. I found this very refreshing.

Abigail and Inspector Michael Strickland are definitely not from the noble class. Abigail Vautille lives in impoverishment in the poorest area of Whitechapel. Life is an exhausting business in the rookery. She is disfigured by evil and can no longer work. Her father is an wastrel, who only lives to gamble. She must make a decision that will change everyone's life. To pay her father's gambling debt and save her sister from starvation and worse, she offers herself to Michael for two weeks. Her virginity is a small price to pay for her sister.

Michael carries his own demons. Unbeknown to Abigail, Michael saved her after the torture she received, he felt guilty. He had failed to stop the evil stalking Abigail. He couldn't save his mother and couldn't save Abigail; guilt is a heavy burden.

What follows is fast paced, well developed novel of property, personal demons, real evil, innovations in crime solving, sex, acceptance, and love. A very refreshing historical novel. Thank you Ms. Monroe for such delightful entertainment.

I would recommend this book for young adults to adults.

I received this novel from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Nicole]

Thanks Birdlady1950 for your review! It was informative, without having to give away spoilers.

Definitely bookmarked on Goodreads. Can't wait to read this on my free time!