Welcome to Reformed Rakes. We’re a historical romance podcast steeped in depravity. Tune in if you’re a gun slinger, kissable spinster, or a second son with a chip on his shoulder.

We update every other Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Spotify.

Recent Episode

Listen to our latest episode! The Rakes discuss The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dai Randall. In response to the question what inspires or interests Dai Randall about a time period, she said: “To me, the period of time is not as important as the historical figure or the event itself.” This focus is evident in her the book that imagines the early years of Empress Wu. Known as Mei, she enters the palace as a teenager in 639 and becomes a concubine to Emperor Taizong. She falls in love with one of his son’s Li Zhi. As their lives are dictated by the emperor, they hide their relationship. Join our discussion about how we characterize historical figures, how we define romance, political violence, and happy endings.

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The Reformed Rakes

Harvey Keitel in "The Duellists"

Chels Upton

ERRATIC DUELIST

Substack: The Loose Cravat

Dirk Bogarde as Sydney Carton in "A Tale of Two Cities"

Emma Kearney

DISGRUNTLED BARRISTER

Substack: Restorative Romance

James Spader in "Pretty in Pink"

Beth Haymond

THE SECOND SON

Substack: Ministrations