The title characters of THE BLUESTOCKING AND THE RAKE couldn't be more different. Georgiana Blakelow is a moral-minded miss on a mission to save her home. Robert Holkham, Earl of Marcham, is a confirmed rake, who didn't set out to win Miss Blakelow's home in a card game, he just got lucky. When the determined young woman arrives at his home, demanding his help to rebuild her family's estate, he finds himself drawn to her strength -- and to the mysteries around her.

The supporting cast in THE BLUESTOCKING AND THE RAKE are interesting and unique characters. Author Norma Darcy has crafted intriguing main and secondary plots, and I quite enjoyed the story through most of the book. As I came to realize that Georgie was hiding a dark secret, it drew me in even more; I love a mystery with my romance.

Unfortunately, I became frustrated during the final chapters. I found myself looking back for references to minor characters that are more important to the story than previously suggested. I feel that even Georgie's thoughts about her family are misleading, that we readers are not given the information we needed to grasp Georgie's full situation. To me, the denouement felt convoluted, rushed, and thrown together.

On one hand, I want to recommend the book, because I enjoyed the characters and the situations so much. Georgie's brothers take drastic action at one point that is shocking and funny at the same time. On the other hand, if you want to be able to solve the mystery as you read, as I do, you won't find the clues you need until it is spelled out in a lengthy confession-style monologue.

THE BLUESTOCKING AND THE RAKE will be of interest to readers who enjoy Regency romance.