Only Rakes Need Apply

Name: Only Rakes Need Apply
Brand: Tantor Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Kate Pearce
ISBN: 9798331923860

Author: Kate Pearce

Series: Rakes of London

Narrator: Susan Duerden

Unabridged: 9 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/28/2025

Categories: Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Erotica

Synopsis

What's a woman to do when her husband has departed but her desires very much remain? The only thing Lady Carenza Smythe-Harding misses about her late spouse, a notorious gambler and adulterer, is his expertise between the sheets. After two years donning mourning dresses, it's her turn for some fun. But with no intention of remarrying, how can she find the right devil-may-care rogue for the job?

Titled lady seeks experienced, unmarried rake for afternoon dalliance.

The anonymous newspaper advertisement leaves little to the imagination, and has the gentlemen of the ton wagering who is the temptress taking applications to fill a most enticing position.

Thanks to an inheritance, confirmed bachelor Julian Laurent is free to indulge his passions—including the occasional seduction of married ladies. Still, he is appalled to discover his longtime friend, Carenza, is behind the public proposition. Surely Julian can prevent a scandal by pleasuring the lady to her heart's content. After all, it's the gentlemanly thing to do. But as their escapades tumble into a dangerously addictive game, might their friends-with-benefits arrangement take them from bedding to wedding?

Contains mature themes.

About Kate Pearce

Kate Pearce is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for her unconventional heroes and her joy in subverting romance cliches. She was born and raised in England, but after acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British Civil Service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband. A member of RWA, she writes novels in several genres for Kensington, Penguin Random House UK, Rouge Romance, Carina and Cleis Press. Along with being a voracious reader, Kate loves trail riding "Western style" with her family.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Caroline on October 06, 2025

3.75/5 Heat Index: 7/10 —widows have needs, you know —what's a sex deal between buddies? —maybe don't advertise your needs in the newspaper, though The Basics: Carenza is a widow, and like many widows, she still wants sex. What she doesn't want is a husband as disappointing as her last one. She also doesn......more

Goodreads review by Gina on September 01, 2025

I thought this was actually a really cute story. I love the time period and appreciated the spicyness. When it was spicy was *chef’s kiss* but despite the title it wasn’t too much. I’m still not sure about Mrs. Olivia Sheraton - is she a friend or a villain? Frenemy? It’s almost like she’s trying to......more

Goodreads review by Jacklyn on November 14, 2025

This was such a unique and fun read! It was funny and a little quirky and completely different from any other regency era romance I have read. I loved the idea of a regency era lady taking out an anonymous ad looking for…a gentleman’s company - oh the scandal!!! Carenza and Julian are long time frien......more

Goodreads review by MMJ on June 24, 2025

Having read and enjoyed other books by Kate Pearce, I’m sad to say that I was disappointed by this one. While the plot elements were interesting and flowed well, it was the way the characters were written that fell flat. There was a lack of introspection and interactions lacked depth and transitions......more

Goodreads review by Pam on October 28, 2025

Thanks to Hambright and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC of Only Rakes Need Apply. Lady Carenza Smythe-Harding misses only one thing about marriage: sex. To that end, she and her friends joke that she should place an advertisement in the paper to find a lover, since the last thing Carenza wants is......more