The Rakess

The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham, 383 pages

Everyone, even those who don't read romance novels, are familiar with the historical romance stereotype of the rake, that ne'er-do-well dashing man without a care in the world who leaves broken hearts in his wake wherever he goes. Well, in this novel, Peckham gender-swaps that role, with notorious authoress Seraphina Arden taking on this traditional role as the titular Rakess. But unlike her male counterparts, Seraphina is the target of harassment, slander, and dirty looks wherever she goes. The abuse doesn't seem to bother her, though her temporary neighbor, architect Adam Anderson, begins to see both the kind woman behind the facade, as well as the cracks the taunts are leaving in her carefully constructed persona.

This is a wonderful take on the traditional stereotype, and Peckham has created some fantastic characters in Seraphina, Adam, and Seraphina's band of feminist friends. I didn't think I'd enjoy an 18th Century romance set on the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall, but here we are.