A Bargain with the Rake is the third book in the Necessary Arrangements historical romance series, and I am a huge fan of the series. Each book can be read individually as a standalone but having read all of them I love how the characters intersect and love that old faces pop up in each new book!
This particular book is one I’ve been dying to read ever since I first met the two main characters – Evie and Gabriel - as side characters in an earlier book. I knew I loved them from that small glimmer and Sadie did not disappoint.
I completely adored the story and have to say this is probably my favourite of the series so far (though I do love them all!). I loved the concept of this desperate bargain made and the resulting wild adventure that Evie and Gabriel end up on. I won’t say much about the adventure as I don’t want to spoil it for you but suffice to say It was very entertaining with a lot happening on their trip including passionate interludes, unexpected rainstorms, and some eventful situations with hired brigands!
Evie was a delightful character that brings joy even through the hard times she lights up the page and I adored her interactions with Gabriel. They are not only hilarious, flirty, and bold but they are both so free. I really loved that Gabriel couldn’t care less about causing scandal and that Evie herself was courageous and less hampered by society's expectations than the average historical romance heroine. Gabriel was outrageous, hilarious, and unfalteringly real and adorable when it comes to Evie and their adventure. All the teasing was perfection and every moment of interruption or unfinished business had me nearly as frustrated as the characters!
Evie’s history was a breath of fresh air from the usual upbringings of girls of the ton and their venture into polite society. I felt that Evie’s story really brought such a fresh twist and I adored watching her journey from the moment she introduced the idea of the bargain to the end of the book with seeing how their romance all played out. Not only was the romance amazing but the storyline that made the bargain necessary was intriguing and kept me hooked in seeing how that would unravel. I thought there was a good deal of twist in the second half of the book and I thoroughly enjoyed the added layers of intrigue on top of the romance.
Overall, I loved every minute of this book and devoured the book start to finish with no breaks as I couldn’t put it down! I love that Bosque manages to make each book so unique, with each couple and their story being such a different tale with very different feelings evoked. This was another amazing read from Bosque and as always, I’d highly recommend picking up this book and series for a delicious slow-burn historical romance with guaranteed happily ever after - the angst in the run-up is painfully amazing! I can’t wait for her next book! I don’t know how I’ll cope with the waiting!
