Vera Morgan: Seven Nights With a Rake

 read in 2025

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242265232-seven-nights-with-a-rake

Lady Sophia wants her independence she doesn't want to end up in a loveless marriage like her mother had with her father and has so far managed to not be forced into marriage but times are tough and creditors are closing in on them their father's lavish lifestyle for years has caught up to them and while Sophia's brother cares about her deeply not knowing what else to do and with fears of losing the estate he begins to consider "all" options including letting a shady Earl offer for his sister's hand in marriage.

Sophia doesn't want anything to do with the Earl and has to tell him multiple times throughout their interactions that she doesn't want to accept his suit and he should look elsewhere for his bride he is persistent in his pursuit.

James Montague the Marquess of Montingdale is Sophia's brother's best friend he is handsome and charming they also share a love of horses and this is discussed in great detail at times throughout the book.  James has offered to help with his friends financial situation on many occasions but he has been stubborn and managed to refuse his help at every turn but he still wants to help and he sees a way to help his friend through Sophia she is beautiful and has caught his attention he is not really at a point where he wants to settle down but perhaps he can make a wager if they have a race and she wins he will help with their debts, if he wins she owes him seven nights in his bed... scandalous yes but Sophia accepts seeing a way to at least make a decision with her own future. 

Sophia has also been sharing her ideas about how to raise and breed horses through a pen name and has been published in the papers this is a secret of course, what would happen to her families reputation if anyone found out?  

Sophia and James keep ending up together at different society events and they are drawn to each other to the point where it becomes hard to stay away somewhere along the way of this dangerous wager something more dangerous has happened when their hearts get involved but would Sophia's brother allow James to marry his sister?  He does have quite the reputation with the ladies.

With some enemy after her families horses and causing problems in the stables, an evil Earl not leaving Sophia alone and her feelings growing towards her brother's best friend will Sophia ever be able to find her happily ever after or is she doomed to repeat her mother's life?  

*Historical Romance  *brother's best friend  *indecent proposal  *shady side character  

*slow burn *rake *Fierce FMC  *rivals --> more  *some spice (lighter on the spice)

-->  this was an ok quick read for historical romance, I felt that a little too much time was spent discussing horses and not as much time was spent on the actual romance between our lead characters but I did like that our FMC was out spoken and not afraid to stand up for herself and speak her mind and our MMC went from being a bit of a rake to being all about Sophia during their time together.  

The earl is truly an unlikeable character and really has you rooting even more for our lead couple to realize what everyone else already knows and that they care more for each other than they have admitted even to themselves.