A Gift for a Rogue (Zebra Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: good with one issue
Review: This is a much better book then Ms. Park's previous efforts. Alex, an Earl, has decided, after some years of being a widow, to marry again. He has become a confirmed rake, but a likeable one. However, he discovers he is no longer considered eligible due to his rakishness. In steps Belle, his sister-in-law Grace's friend. She too is a widow with a small daughter and for the past 5 years, as sponsored misses for the season and has an excellent reputation. She is also going to possibly sponsor Alex's 2 wards for their upcoming season. He sort of hires her to help him polish his act so he can court a potentional wife. He holds a holiday house party and together they invite many eligible ton figures and matrons to see how well he has shinned up. Of course, they fall in love and are really a nice couple. He even becomes a more doting father on his two boys due to her influence. The extra characters in the story add to the mix in a positive manner. My main issue with the story is Belle herself. After being seduced 5-6 years earlier and having to marry as she was "increasing", she swears off rakes. She will not marry Alex since he is one. Well, that is true. But was so obvious was the fact that for all the years he was married, he loved his wife and was a faithful husband. So one would conclude he became a rake almost to drown his sorrow. Since he had been a faithful and loving husband once, why would he not again be one to a new love? While others in the story, including their own children, were trying to tell Belle he changed for the better, this one omission of his past marital fidelity, which should have been mentioned and discussed, was not and it was very annoying...