Helpful Score: 7
Absolutely utterly fantastic!! Wow - a definite reread. It was wonderful and I was so glad to read a great Putney book after finding her most recent release pretty weak. THE RAKE, however, is not weak at all, but rather completely 100% great!!!
One of the greatest things about this book was that it tackled the very serious issue of alcoholism extremely well, dealt with it compassionately, and portrayed it very vividly/starkly. Seriously, I *never* get emotional when I read my historical romances (unless it's extreme giddiness, lol), but there were parts of this book that were just utterly heart-wrenching.
The other great aspect of the story was, as it should be, the relationship between Alys and Reggie. It was very well developed and the intellectual/emotional connection between them was wonderfully written. It's a romance so obviously there is romance and the hero and heroine have great physical chemistry, but the book focuses on much more than just that aspect. They are complete opposites starting off - Reggie is one of the most dissolute and disgraceful rakes that I have ever come across in the genre (that's saying something) and Alys is a hardworking, admirable, very responsible, reserved, and almost-stern woman. They're both extremely lonely, though, and it's great watching them not wham-bam fall-in-love but see it slowly happen as they come to like, respect, admire, and trust each other and form a wonderful and - dare I say it? oh, it's so corny - beautiful friendship.
(http://historical-romance-heaven.blogspot.com/)
One of the greatest things about this book was that it tackled the very serious issue of alcoholism extremely well, dealt with it compassionately, and portrayed it very vividly/starkly. Seriously, I *never* get emotional when I read my historical romances (unless it's extreme giddiness, lol), but there were parts of this book that were just utterly heart-wrenching.
The other great aspect of the story was, as it should be, the relationship between Alys and Reggie. It was very well developed and the intellectual/emotional connection between them was wonderfully written. It's a romance so obviously there is romance and the hero and heroine have great physical chemistry, but the book focuses on much more than just that aspect. They are complete opposites starting off - Reggie is one of the most dissolute and disgraceful rakes that I have ever come across in the genre (that's saying something) and Alys is a hardworking, admirable, very responsible, reserved, and almost-stern woman. They're both extremely lonely, though, and it's great watching them not wham-bam fall-in-love but see it slowly happen as they come to like, respect, admire, and trust each other and form a wonderful and - dare I say it? oh, it's so corny - beautiful friendship.
(http://historical-romance-heaven.blogspot.com/)
Helpful Score: 5
Good read. FYI this is a rewrite of The Rake and the Reformer. Has a bit more intensity that R & R - we have both versions on our keeper shelves.
Helpful Score: 4
Wow, this was 5+ stars. An incredible story with two very strong and amazing characters. The secondary characters are all well done too. The H&H are not like those in any other romance I have ever read. Possibly the best thing Putney has ever written, and a top notch example of the "reformed rake" story. She does not take the easy way out, because her H&H both make mistakes and do things that could be dealbreakers, yet they remain likeable and you are rooting for them all the way through. This is not a light book, although there is some humor. It's very emotionally intense. The rake's reform is quite realistic and does not happen overnight, but by the end you really feel he has earned his HEA.
In short, I loved this book. If you haven't read it, get it right away!
In short, I loved this book. If you haven't read it, get it right away!
Helpful Score: 2
Fabulous story of an alcoholic rake who changes his ways.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a love story about Reggie, an alcoholic, and his redemption, and the woman who helps save him. A keeper.
Helpful Score: 2
Good book, great author. I have read many of Putney's books and have not been disappointed yet.
Helpful Score: 2
Mary Jo Putney writes with depth and great character development.
This is one of my favorite books. I related to it alot due to what was going on in my life at the time. It was an emotional and touching love story that I did not want to end.
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book years ago when it was called The Rake and the Reformer. A much better read than The Lost Lords series currently out.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the same book as the Rake and the Reformer.
Title says it all really. Another "reformed rake" romance novel. Although this one did get a bit serious at times with the "hero" having alcoholism problems! It was a good read.
Good story, but I didn't like the alcoholism angle.
I thought this was a great book
Great book. On my keeper shelf.
Reginald Davenport has a well-earned reputation as a Rake. Known as the "Despair of the Davenports", Reggie has no prospects. He spends his days sleeping off a hangover, and his nights drinking and carousing. When his cousin calls him to his estate, Reggie believes his allowance will be cut off. Instead, his cousin offers him an unentailed property called Strickland which happened to be Reggie's boyhood home. Reggie agrees to move to the country and take over the very prosperous property.
Reggie is very surprised when he meets Strickland's estate manager, Lady Alys Weston. She has taken the small property and made it a very successful estate. Now Alys needs to prove herself to Reggie, or find a new home for herself and her three wards.
I read this book over a dozen years ago and loved it since it is unique in that the hero is an alcoholic. Reggie doesn't believe his drinking is a problem, but others around him see it for what it is. Reggie and Alys are very well matched. They were both hurt in the past and they are both lonely. They become friends before realizing that they bring out the best in each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating: 5 Stars.
Reggie is very surprised when he meets Strickland's estate manager, Lady Alys Weston. She has taken the small property and made it a very successful estate. Now Alys needs to prove herself to Reggie, or find a new home for herself and her three wards.
I read this book over a dozen years ago and loved it since it is unique in that the hero is an alcoholic. Reggie doesn't believe his drinking is a problem, but others around him see it for what it is. Reggie and Alys are very well matched. They were both hurt in the past and they are both lonely. They become friends before realizing that they bring out the best in each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My rating: 5 Stars.
Regency romance.Lady Alys is masquerading as a man to work as an estate manager in order to support her family. When the new owner comes to claim it, sparks fly.
regency romance about a masquerade.
Putney is one of my favorite authors!
masquerading as a man in order to obtain a position as estate manager of strickland, alys fled a world filled with mistrust and betrayal.
Book Description
It was predicated that Reginald Davenport, disinherited and discrased, would come to a violent end. But fate has given him one final chance to redeem himself, by taking his place as the rightful master of Strickland, his lost ancestral estate.
Masquerading as a man in order to obtain a position as estate manager of Strickland, Alys fled a world filled with mistrust and betrayal.
It was predicated that Reginald Davenport, disinherited and discrased, would come to a violent end. But fate has given him one final chance to redeem himself, by taking his place as the rightful master of Strickland, his lost ancestral estate.
Masquerading as a man in order to obtain a position as estate manager of Strickland, Alys fled a world filled with mistrust and betrayal.
was given to me and never read it
TBR--Give me at least a week if ordered to read it and mail it.
