The Rebel and the Rake

The lovers in Sullivan’s immersive second League of Scoundrels Victorian romance (after A Rogue to Remember) must reveal their innermost secrets to ensure their happy ending. Sylvia Sparrow has put aside a shady past to become a lady’s companion to Mrs. Crawford, helping her to write her colorful memoirs while staying at Scotland’s Castle Blackwood. When the castle’s owner, Mr. Wardale, hosts a house party, it throws Sylvia in the path of Rafe Davies, the rakish son of an earl and a spy for the crown. Mr. Wardale invited Rafe in hopes that Rafe can help uncover who has been threatening him and stealing his documents. Though Sylvia’s mistrustful of men after being betrayed in a previous relationship, there’s no denying her immediate spark with Rafe. When an unknown blackmailer threatens to reveal Sylvia’s secret past unless she steals an envelope from Mr. Wardale’s chambers, Sylvia agrees—but then the blackmailer puts Rafe in danger, and Sylvia comes clean in order to keep him safe, though doing so risks her reputation, her livelihood, and her chance at love. The subterfuge provides an intense backdrop that only enhances the complex romance between Sullivan’s intelligent, progressive protagonists. Readers will be taken by independent Sylvia’s quest for love and companionship. Agent: Amanda Jain, BookEnds. (Dec.)