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Davenport #2
The Rake
The Rake
Known as “the despair of the Davenports,” Reginald Davenport lived a reckless, rakish life while waiting for his hated uncle to die and leave Reggie an earldom. Then the rightful heir claims the title and property and offers Reggie one last chance: Strickland, the estate where he was born and the site of his greatest joys and sorrows. Reggie returns to Strickland, resolving to build a healthier, more honorable life—if he can.
The Reformer
Young Alys Weston fled her home in despair, vowing never to trust another man. Over the years, she’s built a good life with a foster family and a position as steward of Strickland. She uses her skills to help her people, and her initials to convince the elderly earl who owned the state that she’s male.
Then the new owner appears in all his dangerous masculinity and threatens everything Alys holds dear. Good resolutions crumble when two passionate, complicated people are drawn together despite their best judgment. Can love lead to redemption and trust? Or is it too late?
Known as “the despair of the Davenports,” Reginald Davenport lived a reckless, rakish life while waiting for his hated uncle to die and leave Reggie an earldom. Then the rightful heir claims the title and property and offers Reggie one last chance: Strickland, the estate where he was born and the site of his greatest joys and sorrows. Reggie returns to Strickland, resolving to build a healthier, more honorable life—if he can.
The Reformer
Young Alys Weston fled her home in despair, vowing never to trust another man. Over the years, she’s built a good life with a foster family and a position as steward of Strickland. She uses her skills to help her people, and her initials to convince the elderly earl who owned the state that she’s male.
Then the new owner appears in all his dangerous masculinity and threatens everything Alys holds dear. Good resolutions crumble when two passionate, complicated people are drawn together despite their best judgment. Can love lead to redemption and trust? Or is it too late?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
About the author
Mary Jo Putney
143 books2,223 followersShe writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 633 reviews
December 4, 2009
Another example of how romantic fiction is not fluff. This book was deep as the ocean. I loved how this book brought together two people who had been hurt or damaged by life, and helped them to find peace and love.
The Rake is an excellent portrayal of a person suffering from alcoholism. And coming from a family where both side has members who were alcoholics, I can testify to this. Reggie reminded me of a few of my uncles. They could have been better men had they not been under the influence of the drug that started as something they indulged in for fun, but became their lives and helped to destroy their lives.
The great thing about this book is that it was so well written that I couldn't turn away because I had seen too much of that behavior. Instead, I wanted to read more about Reggie's journey to sobriety.
Alyx also has issues. She is odd-eyed, meaning her eyes are different colors. She is also tall and buxom. In her mind, she is unattractive. And she heard a man that she adored dismiss her, so she ran off and gave herself to the first man who asked. Of course, he didn't want her for more than one night. Lesson learned, she retires to the country and gets a job as the steward to an absentee landlord.
This turns out to be the recently inherited property of Reginald, who is running away from London to try to get his life under control. This is how these two souls meet and find a love that helps them both to heal and gives them a hopeful future.
It's been a while since I read this one, but it is destined to always have a space on my keeper shelf. For the beauty of the storytelling, the compelling and realistic hero and heroine, and for the excellent handling of the tough subject of alcoholism.
The Rake is an excellent portrayal of a person suffering from alcoholism. And coming from a family where both side has members who were alcoholics, I can testify to this. Reggie reminded me of a few of my uncles. They could have been better men had they not been under the influence of the drug that started as something they indulged in for fun, but became their lives and helped to destroy their lives.
The great thing about this book is that it was so well written that I couldn't turn away because I had seen too much of that behavior. Instead, I wanted to read more about Reggie's journey to sobriety.
Alyx also has issues. She is odd-eyed, meaning her eyes are different colors. She is also tall and buxom. In her mind, she is unattractive. And she heard a man that she adored dismiss her, so she ran off and gave herself to the first man who asked. Of course, he didn't want her for more than one night. Lesson learned, she retires to the country and gets a job as the steward to an absentee landlord.
This turns out to be the recently inherited property of Reginald, who is running away from London to try to get his life under control. This is how these two souls meet and find a love that helps them both to heal and gives them a hopeful future.
It's been a while since I read this one, but it is destined to always have a space on my keeper shelf. For the beauty of the storytelling, the compelling and realistic hero and heroine, and for the excellent handling of the tough subject of alcoholism.
November 19, 2023
This is one of the few Regency romances that deals with alcoholism as one of the plot lines. I often read about drunkards, gaming and fortunes won and lost. It's an interesting book in that it describes how little young men of wealth had to do that was considered acceptable. The love story builds over time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has been around for years so many reviews of it have been written. I recommend it.
December 29, 2020
Fabulous. If you like this book, I highly recommend this audio version by Mark Meadows. If you haven't yet read this book, ditto. It's one of the classic historical romances of all time.
Alys Weston is running from her past, and Reggie Davenport is fleeing his future. Fate brings them together on Reggie’s Dorset estate, Strickland.
It’s uncommon, to say the least, for a woman to be an estate steward, yet Alys has been able to pull off that job for four years, communicating with the absentee owner in writing. When Reggie’s cousin, the new owner, gives the estate over to Reggie, Alys sees her idyll coming to an end. Yet, when the so-called despair of the Davenports arrives at Strickland, he proves to be surprisingly open-minded and impressed by Alys’s success; he keeps her on as the steward.
Reggie is a rake of the first order, but more than that, he’s a drunkard who, at the age of thirty-seven, has begun to suffer blackouts. Even he has become convinced that his life is on a dangerous trajectory; a voice in his head keeps telling him, “This way of life is killing you.” He believes that Strickland may be his salvation.
Alys and Reggie gradually become friends, and though they are attracted to one another, nothing more than a few kisses are exchanged. When a fire destroys the steward’s house, Alys and her three young wards move into the main house, and Reggie begins to know the joys of a family for the first time in his life.
But Reggie's real problem is his drinking, and a great deal of this story revolves around his efforts to first get it under control and later to stop altogether. It's heartbreaking to watch him try and fail and try again.
Mary Jo Putney does an excellent job portraying the inner demons that plague Reggie. At the same time, she doesn't succumb to the temptation that some writers might feel to make Reggie's recovery all about his love for Alys. Reggie is getting sober for himself, not for someone else. And while Putney does lapse into a bit of AA one-day-at-a-time-speak occasionally, she is able to keep the story from sounding too modern.
There's an engaging cast of secondary characters and a couple of other romances. And I particularly enjoyed how Putney handled the epilogue: after Reggie and Alys marry, the other characters are shown reacting to the news, wrapping the whole story up quite nicely.
I picked out this book because of its high GR ratings, its having won the RITA in 1990, and its ranking in AAR's Top 100 romances of all time. All these accolades are well and truly deserved.
I don't know what else to say other than this is a really good book, and I highly recommend it.
Alys Weston is running from her past, and Reggie Davenport is fleeing his future. Fate brings them together on Reggie’s Dorset estate, Strickland.
It’s uncommon, to say the least, for a woman to be an estate steward, yet Alys has been able to pull off that job for four years, communicating with the absentee owner in writing. When Reggie’s cousin, the new owner, gives the estate over to Reggie, Alys sees her idyll coming to an end. Yet, when the so-called despair of the Davenports arrives at Strickland, he proves to be surprisingly open-minded and impressed by Alys’s success; he keeps her on as the steward.
Reggie is a rake of the first order, but more than that, he’s a drunkard who, at the age of thirty-seven, has begun to suffer blackouts. Even he has become convinced that his life is on a dangerous trajectory; a voice in his head keeps telling him, “This way of life is killing you.” He believes that Strickland may be his salvation.
Alys and Reggie gradually become friends, and though they are attracted to one another, nothing more than a few kisses are exchanged. When a fire destroys the steward’s house, Alys and her three young wards move into the main house, and Reggie begins to know the joys of a family for the first time in his life.
But Reggie's real problem is his drinking, and a great deal of this story revolves around his efforts to first get it under control and later to stop altogether. It's heartbreaking to watch him try and fail and try again.
Mary Jo Putney does an excellent job portraying the inner demons that plague Reggie. At the same time, she doesn't succumb to the temptation that some writers might feel to make Reggie's recovery all about his love for Alys. Reggie is getting sober for himself, not for someone else. And while Putney does lapse into a bit of AA one-day-at-a-time-speak occasionally, she is able to keep the story from sounding too modern.
There's an engaging cast of secondary characters and a couple of other romances. And I particularly enjoyed how Putney handled the epilogue: after Reggie and Alys marry, the other characters are shown reacting to the news, wrapping the whole story up quite nicely.
I picked out this book because of its high GR ratings, its having won the RITA in 1990, and its ranking in AAR's Top 100 romances of all time. All these accolades are well and truly deserved.
I don't know what else to say other than this is a really good book, and I highly recommend it.
November 23, 2018
Reseña completa: http://masromance.blogspot.com/2018/1...
Pues me ha gustado tanto como la primera vez, está claro que no hay mucha sorpresa, Pero aún, así opino lo mismo sobre los personajes, la ambientación y la valentía de decantarse por este protagonsita masculino en la época en la que fue escrita la novela.
a ver si en las reseña consigo transmitir lo mucho que me ha gustado las novela
Una joyita indispensable para cualquier lectora de novela romántica
Pues me ha gustado tanto como la primera vez, está claro que no hay mucha sorpresa, Pero aún, así opino lo mismo sobre los personajes, la ambientación y la valentía de decantarse por este protagonsita masculino en la época en la que fue escrita la novela.
a ver si en las reseña consigo transmitir lo mucho que me ha gustado las novela
Una joyita indispensable para cualquier lectora de novela romántica
July 30, 2017
Alys Weston is running from her past, and Reggie Davenport is fleeing his future. Fate brings them together on Reggie's Dorset estate, Strickland.
It's uncommon, to say the least, for a woman to be an estate steward, yet Alys has been able to pull off that job for four years, communicating with the absentee owner in writing. When Reggie's cousin, the new owner, gives the estate over to Reggie, Alys sees her idyll coming to an end. Yet, when Reggie arrives at Strickland, he proves to be surprisingly open-minded and impressed by Alys's success; he keeps her on as steward.
Reggie is a rake of the first order, but more than that, he's a drunkard who, at age thirty-seven, has begun to suffer blackouts. Even he has become convinced that his life is on a dangerous trajectory; a voice in his head keeps telling him, "This way of life is killing you." He believes that Strickland may be his salvation.
Alys and Reggie gradually become friends, and though they are attracted to one another, nothing more than a few kisses are exchanged. When fire destroys the steward's house, Alys and her three young wards move into the estate house, and Reggie begins to know the joys of a family for the first time in his life.
But Reggie's real problem is his drinking, and a great deal of this story revolves around his efforts to first get it under control and later to stop altogether. It's heartbreaking to watch him try and fail and try again.
Mary Jo Putney does an excellent job portraying the inner demons that plague Reggie. At the same time, she doesn't succumb to the temptation that some writers might feel to make Reggie's recovery all about his love for Alys. Reggie is getting sober for himself, not for someone else. And while Putney does lapse into a bit of AA one-day-at-a-time-speak occasionally, she is able to keep the story from sounding too modern.
There's an engaging cast of secondary characters and a couple of other romances. And I particularly enjoyed how Putney handled the epilogue: after Reggie and Alys marry, the other characters are shown reacting to the news, wrapping the whole story up quite nicely.
I picked out this book because of its high GR ratings, its having won the RITA in 1990, and its ranking in AAR's Top 100 romances of all time. All these accolades are well and truly deserved.
I don't know what else to say other than this is a really good book, and I highly recommend it.
It's uncommon, to say the least, for a woman to be an estate steward, yet Alys has been able to pull off that job for four years, communicating with the absentee owner in writing. When Reggie's cousin, the new owner, gives the estate over to Reggie, Alys sees her idyll coming to an end. Yet, when Reggie arrives at Strickland, he proves to be surprisingly open-minded and impressed by Alys's success; he keeps her on as steward.
Reggie is a rake of the first order, but more than that, he's a drunkard who, at age thirty-seven, has begun to suffer blackouts. Even he has become convinced that his life is on a dangerous trajectory; a voice in his head keeps telling him, "This way of life is killing you." He believes that Strickland may be his salvation.
Alys and Reggie gradually become friends, and though they are attracted to one another, nothing more than a few kisses are exchanged. When fire destroys the steward's house, Alys and her three young wards move into the estate house, and Reggie begins to know the joys of a family for the first time in his life.
But Reggie's real problem is his drinking, and a great deal of this story revolves around his efforts to first get it under control and later to stop altogether. It's heartbreaking to watch him try and fail and try again.
Mary Jo Putney does an excellent job portraying the inner demons that plague Reggie. At the same time, she doesn't succumb to the temptation that some writers might feel to make Reggie's recovery all about his love for Alys. Reggie is getting sober for himself, not for someone else. And while Putney does lapse into a bit of AA one-day-at-a-time-speak occasionally, she is able to keep the story from sounding too modern.
There's an engaging cast of secondary characters and a couple of other romances. And I particularly enjoyed how Putney handled the epilogue: after Reggie and Alys marry, the other characters are shown reacting to the news, wrapping the whole story up quite nicely.
I picked out this book because of its high GR ratings, its having won the RITA in 1990, and its ranking in AAR's Top 100 romances of all time. All these accolades are well and truly deserved.
I don't know what else to say other than this is a really good book, and I highly recommend it.
June 21, 2017
While part of a series and with characters you're clearly expected to know, I didn't feel that left out without having read the first.
I liked the idea of this story well-enough but have a hard time rating it very high now I've finished it. It was fun getting to know Alys and I enjoyed her confidence and strength. I didn't enjoy so much her insecurity about being unattractive—mostly because she let it define her so much despite having respect and acknowledgement for her skill and competence in pretty much every other way. Oh, and it's only made worse when we realize that she only thinks she's unattractive, but really lots of men turn out to be panting after her (even before they learn who she really is). Also,
Reggie is more transparent but I had a hard time liking him much, either. My family has a history of alcoholism that I've mostly dodged by being faithfully Mormon all my life. So I've learned enough about the condition to fear it and maybe even understand it a little (drawing parallels to addictive behaviors I haven't successfully avoided, like, say, reading trashy novels—and yes, please, that is tongue-in-cheek), but I can't say that I enjoyed observing Reggie go through a Regency version of the 12 step program. Okay, that's a bit harsh as Putney is nowhere near so careless. Still, parts of this rang anachronistically modern (in understanding and approach to the condition by others and by Reggie's eventual methods to rise above it). Also, his stupidity in the end once he learns who Alys really is was almost unbearable. I have a strong dislike of unilateral action justified as love and Reggie takes a double helping of that particular stupidity.
Anyway, parts of this were outstanding enough that I didn't hate reading it. The side characters were lovely and an underlying thread of family and caring and acceptance were hard to discard despite problems with the main couple. So a solid three stars edging up, but not enough that I feel like rounding up.
A note about Steamy: This is only mildly steamy. There are two explicit sex scenes, but they are extremely short, with the curtain drawn quickly. Frankly, I'm not sure why they're there at all.
I liked the idea of this story well-enough but have a hard time rating it very high now I've finished it. It was fun getting to know Alys and I enjoyed her confidence and strength. I didn't enjoy so much her insecurity about being unattractive—mostly because she let it define her so much despite having respect and acknowledgement for her skill and competence in pretty much every other way. Oh, and it's only made worse when we realize that she only thinks she's unattractive, but really lots of men turn out to be panting after her (even before they learn who she really is). Also,
Reggie is more transparent but I had a hard time liking him much, either. My family has a history of alcoholism that I've mostly dodged by being faithfully Mormon all my life. So I've learned enough about the condition to fear it and maybe even understand it a little (drawing parallels to addictive behaviors I haven't successfully avoided, like, say, reading trashy novels—and yes, please, that is tongue-in-cheek), but I can't say that I enjoyed observing Reggie go through a Regency version of the 12 step program. Okay, that's a bit harsh as Putney is nowhere near so careless. Still, parts of this rang anachronistically modern (in understanding and approach to the condition by others and by Reggie's eventual methods to rise above it). Also, his stupidity in the end once he learns who Alys really is was almost unbearable. I have a strong dislike of unilateral action justified as love and Reggie takes a double helping of that particular stupidity.
Anyway, parts of this were outstanding enough that I didn't hate reading it. The side characters were lovely and an underlying thread of family and caring and acceptance were hard to discard despite problems with the main couple. So a solid three stars edging up, but not enough that I feel like rounding up.
A note about Steamy: This is only mildly steamy. There are two explicit sex scenes, but they are extremely short, with the curtain drawn quickly. Frankly, I'm not sure why they're there at all.
April 25, 2021
Oh wow, it is very interesting to read a book when the characters are quite intelligent. Both the hero and heroine were above average and super capable people, but while she used her intelligence for the good of others, he used his for his own destruction.
You know, the hero was so smart that he could read people in a way and manipulate situations that was oh so interesting seen. It was a pity that he was a drunkard and that's one strong aspect of this book. Showing how alcohol was destroying his life.
Some things were repetitive, but did not make this book any less enjoyable. If you wanna see a rake suffering the consequences of bad decisions and reforming when he is quite old, I super recommend this book.
You know, the hero was so smart that he could read people in a way and manipulate situations that was oh so interesting seen. It was a pity that he was a drunkard and that's one strong aspect of this book. Showing how alcohol was destroying his life.
Some things were repetitive, but did not make this book any less enjoyable. If you wanna see a rake suffering the consequences of bad decisions and reforming when he is quite old, I super recommend this book.
December 2, 2017
This may be the top HR in my Hall of Fame historical romances. Or at least it's in a tie with Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels for top billing. LoS has a bit more humor and this one has a tad more poignancy but each is excellent in its own special way. I have this Putney HR already in 2 paperbacks: The original 1989 The Rake and the Reformer (Super Regency, Signet) and the slightly rewritten 1998 reprint The Rake. For me it's such a great HR that I've now bought the e-book also . That way it's right at my fingertips for a reread instead of having to dig through my HR keeper boxes.
It's a beautiful, heartwarming and heartwrenching romance. The heroine Alys has run away from her home and her past and is now working as farm manager for the estate of Reginald Davenport, whom she has never met. Reggie is a gambler, rake and alcoholic, who, at the beginning of the story, finds himself in difficulties that require him to retreat to his estate.
Reggie, in spite of his many defects, is so charismatic that the reader prays all through the book that he can be reformed. And Alys is a delightfully strong woman, no shrinking violet. The developing relationship between the two is a joy to read, with great sexual chemistry, humor and many a poignant moment. It's a moving, powerful story that deals with alcoholism and troubled pasts and is so worth the read.
What is the mystery of Alys's past? Who is she really? Will Reggie be able to overcome his demons? Will these two charismatic characters find their happy ending? Well, read the book and find out. It's a great romance and for me it's a classic.
It's a beautiful, heartwarming and heartwrenching romance. The heroine Alys has run away from her home and her past and is now working as farm manager for the estate of Reginald Davenport, whom she has never met. Reggie is a gambler, rake and alcoholic, who, at the beginning of the story, finds himself in difficulties that require him to retreat to his estate.
Reggie, in spite of his many defects, is so charismatic that the reader prays all through the book that he can be reformed. And Alys is a delightfully strong woman, no shrinking violet. The developing relationship between the two is a joy to read, with great sexual chemistry, humor and many a poignant moment. It's a moving, powerful story that deals with alcoholism and troubled pasts and is so worth the read.
What is the mystery of Alys's past? Who is she really? Will Reggie be able to overcome his demons? Will these two charismatic characters find their happy ending? Well, read the book and find out. It's a great romance and for me it's a classic.
March 29, 2017
Este libro se merece 5 estrellitas o más!
Un libro muy bien escritos que ha ido de menos a más, que te va atrapando y enganchando.
El personaje que mas me ha gustado ha sido el del Lady Alys,
Una mujer que para la época en la que vive ha sabido demostrar lo que vale, no ha dependido de nadie para llegar a donde a llegado, independiente y fuerte.
Reggie a pesar de su fama como libertino es un personaje que ha pasado por mucho y ver como va logrando salir de su complicado pasado, afrontando sus altibajos, sin perder su forma de ser, es una de las cosas que también me ha gustado.
Otra cosa de la que he disfrutado es de la relación entre ambos, que ya desde el comienzo se veía que saltaban chispas y que ha ido de menos a más y que con cada acercamiento que tenían, los disfrutaba muchísimo.
En fin que me ha gustado todo, hasta los personajes secundarios y "to" bicho viviente que salia, jajaja
Una delicia de lectura, gracias al #RetoRita
Un libro muy bien escritos que ha ido de menos a más, que te va atrapando y enganchando.
El personaje que mas me ha gustado ha sido el del Lady Alys,
Una mujer que para la época en la que vive ha sabido demostrar lo que vale, no ha dependido de nadie para llegar a donde a llegado, independiente y fuerte.
Reggie a pesar de su fama como libertino es un personaje que ha pasado por mucho y ver como va logrando salir de su complicado pasado, afrontando sus altibajos, sin perder su forma de ser, es una de las cosas que también me ha gustado.
Otra cosa de la que he disfrutado es de la relación entre ambos, que ya desde el comienzo se veía que saltaban chispas y que ha ido de menos a más y que con cada acercamiento que tenían, los disfrutaba muchísimo.
En fin que me ha gustado todo, hasta los personajes secundarios y "to" bicho viviente que salia, jajaja
Una delicia de lectura, gracias al #RetoRita
February 14, 2014
Opening Line: “When two gentlemen are related by blood, they do not usually address each other with formality.”
Based on all the glowing reviews and accolades THE RAKE has received I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this regency romance. And I guess because I’d heard so many good things I was a little surprised at well, frankly how dull this was. Even with Putney’s great writing, attention to detail and a reprobate bad boy as our hero this was a bit of a grind to get through.
My main issue was the tedious and repetitive descriptions of the day to day activities taking place at the estate. Sure I appreciate the research that must have gone into the time period and it was interesting to a degree but it was also too much. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen but it was just endless talk and dinners and details of farm life. The steam factor was also very low and even at the end I still felt like Reggie and Alys were more friends than lovers and don’t even get me started on the “letting you go because you’re too good for me” trope.
This really should have been titled “The Alcoholic” because Reggie is a very successful one, as a rake however he fails. We are told (continuously) about his rakish behaviour but he doesn’t often exhibit any. He’s basically just a drunk who makes questionable decisions while drunk. All his other choices are ethical and kinda heroic. He just allows people to think the worst of him, adding to his disgraced reputation which for whatever reason he seems to covet.
I will say though that it was refreshing to have an alcoholic as the leading man and I found the sections where he’s craving a drink and bargaining with himself (just one, I can stop any time) very well done. It does get a little preachy but Bill W would be proud.
Ayls Weston is running from her past, masquerading as a man in order to maintain her position as the (successful) estate manager of Strickland manor. All that’s about to change however when Reginald Davenport comes home, taking his place as the rightful master of his family estate. After extensive (see tedious) exploration of the grounds, Reggie decides to keep Alys on as steward and over time the pair realize they have much in common. Reggie is also on the run, trying to escape several decades’ worth of drink and debauchery in London which as of late has been causing him to experience blackouts. He just needs a rest, and Strickland will be perfect. When a fire destroys the steward house Alys and her wards move into the big house and a romance that could save them both takes hold.
First published in 1989 (THE RAKE AND THE REFORMER) stands up well by todays romance standards and I would consider it a must read for the genre, especially since I seem to be in the minority with my feelings. Cheers
360jb35
Based on all the glowing reviews and accolades THE RAKE has received I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this regency romance. And I guess because I’d heard so many good things I was a little surprised at well, frankly how dull this was. Even with Putney’s great writing, attention to detail and a reprobate bad boy as our hero this was a bit of a grind to get through.
My main issue was the tedious and repetitive descriptions of the day to day activities taking place at the estate. Sure I appreciate the research that must have gone into the time period and it was interesting to a degree but it was also too much. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen but it was just endless talk and dinners and details of farm life. The steam factor was also very low and even at the end I still felt like Reggie and Alys were more friends than lovers and don’t even get me started on the “letting you go because you’re too good for me” trope.
This really should have been titled “The Alcoholic” because Reggie is a very successful one, as a rake however he fails. We are told (continuously) about his rakish behaviour but he doesn’t often exhibit any. He’s basically just a drunk who makes questionable decisions while drunk. All his other choices are ethical and kinda heroic. He just allows people to think the worst of him, adding to his disgraced reputation which for whatever reason he seems to covet.
I will say though that it was refreshing to have an alcoholic as the leading man and I found the sections where he’s craving a drink and bargaining with himself (just one, I can stop any time) very well done. It does get a little preachy but Bill W would be proud.
Ayls Weston is running from her past, masquerading as a man in order to maintain her position as the (successful) estate manager of Strickland manor. All that’s about to change however when Reginald Davenport comes home, taking his place as the rightful master of his family estate. After extensive (see tedious) exploration of the grounds, Reggie decides to keep Alys on as steward and over time the pair realize they have much in common. Reggie is also on the run, trying to escape several decades’ worth of drink and debauchery in London which as of late has been causing him to experience blackouts. He just needs a rest, and Strickland will be perfect. When a fire destroys the steward house Alys and her wards move into the big house and a romance that could save them both takes hold.
First published in 1989 (THE RAKE AND THE REFORMER) stands up well by todays romance standards and I would consider it a must read for the genre, especially since I seem to be in the minority with my feelings. Cheers
360jb35
February 7, 2017
(2º del Reto Rita)
Una relectura que he saboreado de principio a fin, más incluso que la primera vez que la leí. La historia está tan bien contada que casi cada párrafo es una delicia, con las palabras justas y apropiadas para hacer que nos sintamos, como lectoras, parte de ella, y que cada personaje se adentre en nosotras con gran facilidad.
Él es el protagonista por excelencia de la novela, aunque la trama gire en torno a ella, y es un personaje perfectamente construido, coherente, de los que enamoran y cuesta olvidar. La relación de pareja avanza despacio, con más virtud que pecado, pero la autora ha conseguido que no eche de menos escenas tórridas, porque la tensión sexual se mantiene constante y en un nivel medio que permite al lector imaginar más de lo que nos cuentan las palabras o menos, a gusto de cada uno. Los pocos momentos bajos quedan cubiertos por pinceladas de dos tramas de amor secundarias que redondean la novela.
El tema principal, el perdón, está presente en la mayoría de personajes y en toda la historia: perdonarse a uno mismo y perdonar a otros por el mal que hayan podido causar es primordial para poder seguir adelante con la vida y disfrutarla. No se trata de un perdón "católico" sino del real, el que implica una dura lucha personal en la que es más importante al voluntad y el quererse a uno mismo que a la persona de la que nos enamoramos. Eso me ha encantado, porque es diferente de lo que acostumbramos a encontrar en las novelas del género, donde el amor de pareja es casi fundamental para la felicidad personal, mientras que en "Pecado y virtud" prevalece el individuo sobre la pareja. Creo que es un punto de vista más cercano a la realidad y que no por ello quita importancia al hecho de enamorarse. Esta novela es una historia preciosa, imprescindible para las que os guste la romántica histórica, y muy recomendable para las que preferís otros subgéneros.
Una relectura que he saboreado de principio a fin, más incluso que la primera vez que la leí. La historia está tan bien contada que casi cada párrafo es una delicia, con las palabras justas y apropiadas para hacer que nos sintamos, como lectoras, parte de ella, y que cada personaje se adentre en nosotras con gran facilidad.
Él es el protagonista por excelencia de la novela, aunque la trama gire en torno a ella, y es un personaje perfectamente construido, coherente, de los que enamoran y cuesta olvidar. La relación de pareja avanza despacio, con más virtud que pecado, pero la autora ha conseguido que no eche de menos escenas tórridas, porque la tensión sexual se mantiene constante y en un nivel medio que permite al lector imaginar más de lo que nos cuentan las palabras o menos, a gusto de cada uno. Los pocos momentos bajos quedan cubiertos por pinceladas de dos tramas de amor secundarias que redondean la novela.
El tema principal, el perdón, está presente en la mayoría de personajes y en toda la historia: perdonarse a uno mismo y perdonar a otros por el mal que hayan podido causar es primordial para poder seguir adelante con la vida y disfrutarla. No se trata de un perdón "católico" sino del real, el que implica una dura lucha personal en la que es más importante al voluntad y el quererse a uno mismo que a la persona de la que nos enamoramos. Eso me ha encantado, porque es diferente de lo que acostumbramos a encontrar en las novelas del género, donde el amor de pareja es casi fundamental para la felicidad personal, mientras que en "Pecado y virtud" prevalece el individuo sobre la pareja. Creo que es un punto de vista más cercano a la realidad y que no por ello quita importancia al hecho de enamorarse. Esta novela es una historia preciosa, imprescindible para las que os guste la romántica histórica, y muy recomendable para las que preferís otros subgéneros.
November 14, 2018
Akdklflskfk
ME
ENCANTÓ…
Tenía mucho tiempo queriendo leer este libro y las expectativas no me defraudaron, quedé encantada.
Tiene a uno de los protagonistas que más disfruto, libertino, descarado, sarcástico, con un humor negro y siempre tiene una respuesta ingeniosa pero sobre todo que es inteligente y con un gran corazón. Y todo eso es Reggie, aunado a que tiene una de las peores reputaciones de toda Inglaterra.
La evolución de Reggie fue increíble pero más que evolución y crecimiento demostró todo lo que era en realidad y era capaz. Tenía un gran problema de alcoholismo y sufrió para poder vencerlo.
Si quieren leer sobre una protagonista atípica lean este libro, Alys no es nada convencional para empezar es la administradora de la finca que heredó Reggie y la ha hecho crecer gracias a su trabajo e inteligencia, ella no se cree menos que un hombre.
Aparentemente es una mujer dura y fría pero es bastante protectora, es dulce y tiene muy buenos sentimientos, siempre quiere ayudar a las personas a mejorar su calidad de vida. Es una mujer con un autoestima muy bajo que gracias al amor de Reggie empieza aceptarse.
El amor de Reggie y Alys se coció a fuego lento, disfrutabas sus interaccione, sus conversaciones sus estira y afloja, cuando al fin se rindieron a su pasión ya era una escena muy esperada.
La verdad es una historia muy bonita.
ME
ENCANTÓ…
Tenía mucho tiempo queriendo leer este libro y las expectativas no me defraudaron, quedé encantada.
Tiene a uno de los protagonistas que más disfruto, libertino, descarado, sarcástico, con un humor negro y siempre tiene una respuesta ingeniosa pero sobre todo que es inteligente y con un gran corazón. Y todo eso es Reggie, aunado a que tiene una de las peores reputaciones de toda Inglaterra.
La evolución de Reggie fue increíble pero más que evolución y crecimiento demostró todo lo que era en realidad y era capaz. Tenía un gran problema de alcoholismo y sufrió para poder vencerlo.
Si quieren leer sobre una protagonista atípica lean este libro, Alys no es nada convencional para empezar es la administradora de la finca que heredó Reggie y la ha hecho crecer gracias a su trabajo e inteligencia, ella no se cree menos que un hombre.
Aparentemente es una mujer dura y fría pero es bastante protectora, es dulce y tiene muy buenos sentimientos, siempre quiere ayudar a las personas a mejorar su calidad de vida. Es una mujer con un autoestima muy bajo que gracias al amor de Reggie empieza aceptarse.
El amor de Reggie y Alys se coció a fuego lento, disfrutabas sus interaccione, sus conversaciones sus estira y afloja, cuando al fin se rindieron a su pasión ya era una escena muy esperada.
La verdad es una historia muy bonita.
December 5, 2017
#Reto Rita.
¿Hay más de 5 estrellas? Porque sinceramente, este libro se merece muchas más.
Es una historia de oportunidades:
Oportunidad a conocerse a si mismo.
oportunidad a desear más para uno y poder hacerlo.
Oportunidad a cambiar y mejorar tanto como individuo de una comunidad como persona.
Oportunidad para amar, que te amen y sobre todo amarte y respetarte a ti mismo.
Podrías seguir con la lista, pero sinceramente, !Hay que leer este libro¡. No tengo palabras para poder explicar o haceros entender todo lo que me ha hecho sentir. TODOS, todos los personajes de este maravilloso libro están exquisitamente construidos. Todos son un todo, en esta maravillosa historia.
Por favor leerlo, es todo un descubrimiento está autora.
¿Hay más de 5 estrellas? Porque sinceramente, este libro se merece muchas más.
Es una historia de oportunidades:
Oportunidad a conocerse a si mismo.
oportunidad a desear más para uno y poder hacerlo.
Oportunidad a cambiar y mejorar tanto como individuo de una comunidad como persona.
Oportunidad para amar, que te amen y sobre todo amarte y respetarte a ti mismo.
Podrías seguir con la lista, pero sinceramente, !Hay que leer este libro¡. No tengo palabras para poder explicar o haceros entender todo lo que me ha hecho sentir. TODOS, todos los personajes de este maravilloso libro están exquisitamente construidos. Todos son un todo, en esta maravillosa historia.
Por favor leerlo, es todo un descubrimiento está autora.
January 24, 2019
I have some rather mixed feelings about this book. It is not exactly what I expected. I generally enjoyed it but still.
Let’s start with the good things. I really like the characters. Alys is a strong and smart heroine without being annoying. And I really like Reggie – he is not your typical alpha man from the historical romance. Even disregarding his addiction to alcohol, he is a very interesting hero – intelligent, with witty humour and tragic past. And it should be stated that despite the fact that he is definitely a tortured hero, his past is not overwhelming. He makes a very nice couple with Alys.
Another thing that I want to mention and this one I’m not so positive about is the plot. The whole book doesn’t focus on the romance, as you may expect, but more on Reggie’s struggle with his addiction. The other events are somewhat secondary. I would really prefer to see more romance or in fact a relationship development. Instead Alys and Reggie feel a strong connection between them from the very beginning and fight with the blooming passion. Don’t get me wrong. I like this aspect of the story and the fact that they don’t just go to bed on the first few pages. But I get the impression that the book does not pay too much attention to their relationship. I feel unsatisfied.
I enjoyed the whole experience, even though, it is not what I was looking for. I can recommend this book to the readers who are in search of something different in their historical romance, something more than simple romance.
Let’s start with the good things. I really like the characters. Alys is a strong and smart heroine without being annoying. And I really like Reggie – he is not your typical alpha man from the historical romance. Even disregarding his addiction to alcohol, he is a very interesting hero – intelligent, with witty humour and tragic past. And it should be stated that despite the fact that he is definitely a tortured hero, his past is not overwhelming. He makes a very nice couple with Alys.
Another thing that I want to mention and this one I’m not so positive about is the plot. The whole book doesn’t focus on the romance, as you may expect, but more on Reggie’s struggle with his addiction. The other events are somewhat secondary. I would really prefer to see more romance or in fact a relationship development. Instead Alys and Reggie feel a strong connection between them from the very beginning and fight with the blooming passion. Don’t get me wrong. I like this aspect of the story and the fact that they don’t just go to bed on the first few pages. But I get the impression that the book does not pay too much attention to their relationship. I feel unsatisfied.
I enjoyed the whole experience, even though, it is not what I was looking for. I can recommend this book to the readers who are in search of something different in their historical romance, something more than simple romance.
March 7, 2013
The Rake, huh?
More like ‘The Alcoholic’ but that probably wouldn’t make a good title for a bodice ripper and supermarkets wouldn’t stock it.
This must be the first historical romance written along the lines of 12 steps of AA clubs. You can see it in its structure but I am not admonishing Putney for using it. It provided a good frame for an exciting novel which would get more stars from me if the heroine’s secret and at the same time her reason for hiding from the world for a decade weren’t so utterly silly in the end. Talking about blowing things out of proportions!
Read this one if you like your romances a little darker, full of self-destruction tendencies and some violence and rest assured that this is not one of those sorry stories of a man being changed by the love of woman. Those stories are toxic. I AM looking at you Fifty Shades of Fuckery.
In ‘The Alcoholic’, er, I mean ‘The Rake’, the hero finds it in himself to change and embarks on that long journey before he meets the heroine. She might make it a tad more rewarding to be sober but it he is not changing for her or because of her, which is a healthy thing to read in a romance novel. The alcoholism and all the mess associated with it are not glorified but they are, of course, romanticised. But hey, when hasn’t alcoholism been romanticised?
More like ‘The Alcoholic’ but that probably wouldn’t make a good title for a bodice ripper and supermarkets wouldn’t stock it.
This must be the first historical romance written along the lines of 12 steps of AA clubs. You can see it in its structure but I am not admonishing Putney for using it. It provided a good frame for an exciting novel which would get more stars from me if the heroine’s secret and at the same time her reason for hiding from the world for a decade weren’t so utterly silly in the end. Talking about blowing things out of proportions!
Read this one if you like your romances a little darker, full of self-destruction tendencies and some violence and rest assured that this is not one of those sorry stories of a man being changed by the love of woman. Those stories are toxic. I AM looking at you Fifty Shades of Fuckery.
In ‘The Alcoholic’, er, I mean ‘The Rake’, the hero finds it in himself to change and embarks on that long journey before he meets the heroine. She might make it a tad more rewarding to be sober but it he is not changing for her or because of her, which is a healthy thing to read in a romance novel. The alcoholism and all the mess associated with it are not glorified but they are, of course, romanticised. But hey, when hasn’t alcoholism been romanticised?
September 21, 2023
This book is so This Is Me Trying coded it hurts
September 23, 2019
I have no idea how to rate this book.
I loved the heroine and her bossy, strong, clever mind.
I loved the rake hell hero. He was a far better man than expected.
I loved the secondary characters and stories.
The villain was a bit wacked in the head...but that was acceptable. And I love a good murder plot.
I didn't like the secret identity/missing heiress/ duchess plot. The reason behind it was weak.
I didn't like the battle with alcoholism...drove me bonkers.
This may have been a 3.25-3.5 star read.
I loved the heroine and her bossy, strong, clever mind.
I loved the rake hell hero. He was a far better man than expected.
I loved the secondary characters and stories.
The villain was a bit wacked in the head...but that was acceptable. And I love a good murder plot.
I didn't like the secret identity/missing heiress/ duchess plot. The reason behind it was weak.
I didn't like the battle with alcoholism...drove me bonkers.
This may have been a 3.25-3.5 star read.
February 8, 2017
Me ha gustado mucho más que el primer libro de esta serie. Una historia sobre segundas oportunidades, con dos personajes nada convencionales y muy modernos para la época que les ha tocado vivir. Su historia de amor me ha parecido preciosa.
Mi tercer libro del #RetoRita.
Mi tercer libro del #RetoRita.
May 9, 2017
Es difícil escribir una reseña de un libro ya clásico en la literatura romántica y muy bien valorado. Quizá deba empezar por decir por qué no lo leí antes.
Realmente el tema del libertino, tan abundante en histórica, me repele. Se los suele mostrar como héroes simpáticos justificando su inmadura conducta en un pasado traumático. Personalmente pienso que es el peor tipo de hombre para un romance, a menos que haga muchos años de psicoterapia.
Pero bueno, ya sin saber qué leer y ante tantas críticas positivas empecé “Pecado y virtud” pese a que su título en inglés en justamente “The rake” (El libertino, disoluto, calavera entre sus varias traducciones).
Me encantó. Es de esos libros que una empieza a leer y no quiere parar. La historia fluye y fluye, emociona y satisface. Los conflictos están claros y el desarrollo es interesante y atractivo. Quizá el desenlace me pareció un poco apresurado y cosas complejas se aclaran demasiado rápido. Pero vale.
Reggie es un hombre maduro de edad (37) pero no de mente. Traumado por varias cosillas, entre ellas haber quedado sin familia a los ocho años, dedicó su vida a las juergas, el juego, las mujeres y la bebida. También para fastidiar a su tío, el viejo conde de Wargrave, del que era presunto heredero. Pero ya no, debido a la aparición del nieto del conde. Esto aumenta su angustia al punto de llevarlo al alcoholismo. Pero el nuevo conde, fallecido el anterior, le da una oportunidad que en realidad es hacer justicia: le devuelve una propiedad en el campo, Strickland, donde se crió y que pertenecía a la madre de Reggie pero que su tío le ocultó.
A lo largo de la novela vamos conociendo la vida que tuvo Reggie, muchas veces a través de sus crudas palabras. Juego, peleas, duelos, sexo fugaz, borracheras que lo están llevando a la depresión. Manejar su finca será su última oportunidad de encontrarle sentido a la vida.
La propiedad está siendo brillantemente administrada desde hace unos años por el señor A. Weston pero, cuando Reggie llega, se entera de se trata de la señorita Alys Weston, una mujer extremadamente capaz y con un pasado misterioso.
Alys es una mujer alta y de fuerte carácter que se siente poco atractiva para los hombres debido a experiencias del pasado. Entre ella y Reggie se establece una relación muy rica, primero entre patrón y empleada y luego de amistad. Ella empieza a sentir una fuerte atracción por él pero, una vez más, siente que no le resulta atractiva dado que las únicas veces en que él se le aproxima con interés son cuando está borracho.
La historia desarrolla todos los intentos de superación de Reggie, la “amistad” con Alys que avanza con algunos momentos de tensión sexual y otros de gran temor o inseguridad, varios personajes secundarios con sus propias historias hasta que el pasado de ella regresa poniéndolos en peligro.
La leí de un tirón con un gran placer. Le perdono a Reggie su pasado porque se porta bien y, en realidad, está enfermo por la bebida. Quizá el tratamiento me resultó demasiado moderno. Finalmente nos damos cuenta de que es un hombre de honor y con gran sentido de justicia.
Aunque le puse cinco estrella hay algo que no me convenció:
Pero como disfruté muchísimo el texto igual, le puse la máxima puntuación.
Realmente el tema del libertino, tan abundante en histórica, me repele. Se los suele mostrar como héroes simpáticos justificando su inmadura conducta en un pasado traumático. Personalmente pienso que es el peor tipo de hombre para un romance, a menos que haga muchos años de psicoterapia.
Pero bueno, ya sin saber qué leer y ante tantas críticas positivas empecé “Pecado y virtud” pese a que su título en inglés en justamente “The rake” (El libertino, disoluto, calavera entre sus varias traducciones).
Me encantó. Es de esos libros que una empieza a leer y no quiere parar. La historia fluye y fluye, emociona y satisface. Los conflictos están claros y el desarrollo es interesante y atractivo. Quizá el desenlace me pareció un poco apresurado y cosas complejas se aclaran demasiado rápido. Pero vale.
Reggie es un hombre maduro de edad (37) pero no de mente. Traumado por varias cosillas, entre ellas haber quedado sin familia a los ocho años, dedicó su vida a las juergas, el juego, las mujeres y la bebida. También para fastidiar a su tío, el viejo conde de Wargrave, del que era presunto heredero. Pero ya no, debido a la aparición del nieto del conde. Esto aumenta su angustia al punto de llevarlo al alcoholismo. Pero el nuevo conde, fallecido el anterior, le da una oportunidad que en realidad es hacer justicia: le devuelve una propiedad en el campo, Strickland, donde se crió y que pertenecía a la madre de Reggie pero que su tío le ocultó.
A lo largo de la novela vamos conociendo la vida que tuvo Reggie, muchas veces a través de sus crudas palabras. Juego, peleas, duelos, sexo fugaz, borracheras que lo están llevando a la depresión. Manejar su finca será su última oportunidad de encontrarle sentido a la vida.
La propiedad está siendo brillantemente administrada desde hace unos años por el señor A. Weston pero, cuando Reggie llega, se entera de se trata de la señorita Alys Weston, una mujer extremadamente capaz y con un pasado misterioso.
Alys es una mujer alta y de fuerte carácter que se siente poco atractiva para los hombres debido a experiencias del pasado. Entre ella y Reggie se establece una relación muy rica, primero entre patrón y empleada y luego de amistad. Ella empieza a sentir una fuerte atracción por él pero, una vez más, siente que no le resulta atractiva dado que las únicas veces en que él se le aproxima con interés son cuando está borracho.
La historia desarrolla todos los intentos de superación de Reggie, la “amistad” con Alys que avanza con algunos momentos de tensión sexual y otros de gran temor o inseguridad, varios personajes secundarios con sus propias historias hasta que el pasado de ella regresa poniéndolos en peligro.
La leí de un tirón con un gran placer. Le perdono a Reggie su pasado porque se porta bien y, en realidad, está enfermo por la bebida. Quizá el tratamiento me resultó demasiado moderno. Finalmente nos damos cuenta de que es un hombre de honor y con gran sentido de justicia.
Aunque le puse cinco estrella hay algo que no me convenció:
Pero como disfruté muchísimo el texto igual, le puse la máxima puntuación.
February 4, 2017
#RetoRita
Dejamos atrás el ambiente de lujo de las típicas novelas de regencia y nos trasladamos a una propiedad en el campo, con sus escenas diarias, la siembra, ovejas, una alfarería. Nos adentramos en las tareas cotidianas que se viven allí .
Dos protagonistas muy distintos. Reggie un libertino, bebedor en exceso, con mucho mundo y de camino a la autodestrucción. Tiene muchas virtudes pero intenta taparlas bajo ese manto de libertinaje que también le hace tapar sus debilidades, la parte de su desdichada infancia que recuerda y la parte que no quiere recordar. Vuelve a la casa de su infancia, que encierra muchos recuerdos y ve una oportunidad para empezar de nuevo y dejar atrás su vida anterior.
Alys, una mujer poco común para su tiempo,que desempeña con gran competencia un trabajo que está reservado para hombres. En su huida de su vida anterior ha sabido salir a flote y se desenvuelve perfectamente en su trabajo y es tutora de una chica y dos chicos. Respetada y querida por todos, con virtudes y con una gran inseguridad en lo que se refiere a su aspecto físico.
Es una novela de segundas oportunidades, no en el amor, en la vida. Es el "renacimiento" de Reggie, su redención. Se da cuenta del momento en el que está y que es hora de decir basta. Hay momentos muy duros durante ese camino y no es fácil. Sufres con él en esos momentos de desesperación.
Es una historia de amistad, de gran ternura y de amor. Así es como surge su historia.
Los dos protagonistas me han parecido maravillosos y muy reales. El sentir de Alys hacia Reggie, su apoyo, su paciencia y comprensión. No es la típica protagonista que se enamora a primera vista. La historia se va cociendo poco a poco. No es que quiera cambiar a Reggie, es que quiere ayudarlo a superar el grave problema que tiene. Reggie también la ayudará a ella a superar inseguridad.
Me ha parecido sublime la manera en la que Mary Jo Putney cuenta esa vida cotidiana, con sus momentos de dulzura, realidad, dureza y una gran dosis de realidad.Sublimes me han parecido los dos protagonistas. Todos los personajes secundarios tienen su lugar y no me ha sobrado ninguno.
He disfrutado muchísimo con este libro, como dice mi querida Pepa, es una joyita. Por lo distinto del ambiente, de los protagonistas, por la dulzura, la dureza, la realidad, por sus estupendas descripciones, por esas conversaciones de Alys y Reggie, por todo lo que lo he disfrutado, le doy las 5 estrellas.
Dejamos atrás el ambiente de lujo de las típicas novelas de regencia y nos trasladamos a una propiedad en el campo, con sus escenas diarias, la siembra, ovejas, una alfarería. Nos adentramos en las tareas cotidianas que se viven allí .
Dos protagonistas muy distintos. Reggie un libertino, bebedor en exceso, con mucho mundo y de camino a la autodestrucción. Tiene muchas virtudes pero intenta taparlas bajo ese manto de libertinaje que también le hace tapar sus debilidades, la parte de su desdichada infancia que recuerda y la parte que no quiere recordar. Vuelve a la casa de su infancia, que encierra muchos recuerdos y ve una oportunidad para empezar de nuevo y dejar atrás su vida anterior.
Alys, una mujer poco común para su tiempo,que desempeña con gran competencia un trabajo que está reservado para hombres. En su huida de su vida anterior ha sabido salir a flote y se desenvuelve perfectamente en su trabajo y es tutora de una chica y dos chicos. Respetada y querida por todos, con virtudes y con una gran inseguridad en lo que se refiere a su aspecto físico.
Es una novela de segundas oportunidades, no en el amor, en la vida. Es el "renacimiento" de Reggie, su redención. Se da cuenta del momento en el que está y que es hora de decir basta. Hay momentos muy duros durante ese camino y no es fácil. Sufres con él en esos momentos de desesperación.
Es una historia de amistad, de gran ternura y de amor. Así es como surge su historia.
Los dos protagonistas me han parecido maravillosos y muy reales. El sentir de Alys hacia Reggie, su apoyo, su paciencia y comprensión. No es la típica protagonista que se enamora a primera vista. La historia se va cociendo poco a poco. No es que quiera cambiar a Reggie, es que quiere ayudarlo a superar el grave problema que tiene. Reggie también la ayudará a ella a superar inseguridad.
Me ha parecido sublime la manera en la que Mary Jo Putney cuenta esa vida cotidiana, con sus momentos de dulzura, realidad, dureza y una gran dosis de realidad.Sublimes me han parecido los dos protagonistas. Todos los personajes secundarios tienen su lugar y no me ha sobrado ninguno.
He disfrutado muchísimo con este libro, como dice mi querida Pepa, es una joyita. Por lo distinto del ambiente, de los protagonistas, por la dulzura, la dureza, la realidad, por sus estupendas descripciones, por esas conversaciones de Alys y Reggie, por todo lo que lo he disfrutado, le doy las 5 estrellas.
July 12, 2019
I read that THE RAKE is regarded as one of the most popular, most beloved historical romances ever written and I can now understand why, because I loved this book and it will definitely find a place among my all-time favourites.
At the age of thirty-seven, Reggie is the archetypal rake – his life having been spent in a continual round of womanising, gambling and hard drinking. But, as details of past events in his life are revealed, I appreciated how much these have shaped his current lifestyle. I like the fact that he does not blame his present circumstances on anyone but himself; he chose the path he took and admits to making unwise decisions. (I could not help thinking how different Reggie’s life might have been had he inherited Strickland all those years ago, and not been denied his birth right by his unfeeling uncle.)
Unlike so many other hard-drinking rakes who regularly grace the pages of Historical Romances, Reggie is an alcoholic, although he has yet to recognise the fact. It is only when he starts to suffer memory losses, which are becoming more frequent and longer in duration, does he accept that his current way of life is slowly killing him. Blaming his excessive drinking, Reggie believes that he can control the habit but…
…somehow his resolution always dissolved once he swallowed his first drink.
Ms. Putney handles Reggie’s alcoholism with compassion and sensitivity, but does not gloss over the harsh reality of his struggles to stop drinking. There is one particular scene where a horrified Alys finds Reggie drinking in the library and he runs out into the night as though the demons of hell are at his heels. It is one of the most heart-rending scenes I have ever read and the moment when Alys finds him is so moving.
He stretched out his hand. She took it, her fingers far warmer than his, her clasp light and sure. Linking his fingers with hers, he brought their joined hands to his chest, against the beat of his heart. The tide of hope was running stronger now.
I like how Ms. Putney does not fall into the trap of having Reggie redeemed by the love of a good woman. He wants to overcome his alcoholism for himself alone.
He hadn’t gotten sober for Allie’s sake, or to live up to his parents’ hopes, or for anyone else. He had done it for himself.
Having a soft spot for unconventional heroines, how could I not love a heroine who is a magnificent Amazon (Reggie’s description) with mismatched eyes and has managed to hide the fact that A E Weston, who has been the highly successful steward at Strickland for four years, is not a man but a woman? The reforms she has undertaken at Strickland have made the estate prosperous and earned her the respect of all those around her. She has also created a loving family home for her three wards.
Alys may be strong and independent but deep down she is beset by insecurities. Something in her past made her flee her former life and has left her believing she is unattractive and no man would ever want her.
I enjoyed the steady development of the relationship between Reggie and Alys, and it is Ms Putney’s ability to convey the emotional connection between them that makes this unlikely pairing work so beautifully. There is an initial attraction but, more importantly, a genuine friendship is forged based on their mutual liking, respect and trust. The love scenes are not overly explicit but rather tender, sensual and romantic.
“I am beginning to believe that you are not at all the wicked care-for-nobody that your reputation claims.”
Just like Alys, I discovered that beneath the sarcastic, rakish exterior, Reggie is intelligent, charming, fair-minded, honest and witty. He also shows a remarkable knowledge of farming and is willing to ‘muck in’ with the sheep-dipping, earning him the respect and acceptance of the estate workers. It made me see that this is the real Reggie and I was rooting for him to overcome his addiction.
Reggie admires Alys’ ability, honesty and generosity of heart, and her wit is as sharp as his own. He treats her as an equal and is always willing to listen to her ideas. Not having been a member of a loving family for so many years, it was heart-warming to see him enjoying the family dynamics between Alys and her wards and even starts wondering what it would be like to have children of his own.
I love how Alys is a true friend to Reggie and is always there to support him whenever he needs it.,
If she could not even try to help, she was unworthy to be anyone’s friend.
When Alys reveals her secrets to Reggie, I thought his actions revealed how noble and unselfish he is. I also like the scene where Alys convinces a reluctant Reggie that they are meant to be together.
There is an interesting cast of secondary characters including:
- Richard, Earl of Wargrave – genuinely wants to help his cousin, Reggie, and I was was so happy to see the friendship that developed between them.
- Meredith (Merry) Spencer – Alys’ eldest ward, who is delightful and wise beyond her years.
- Junius Harper- the priggish, self-righteous vicar
- The Honourable Julian Markham – Reggie’s young friend who falls for Meredith.
- Mac Cooper – Reggie’s valet, groom, butler and footman
Amid the darker elements of the story, there is also humour such as the confrontation between Reggie and Junius Harper, which almost ends in a brawl; the hilarious scene where Reggie cleverly manipulates Lord Markham into allowing his son to marry Merry and agree to Julian’s plan for the management of his estate; the various antics of Attila, Alys’ cat, and the long-suffering Nemesis, Reggie’s dog.
I loved the charming Epilogue where the various characters react to the news of Reggie and Alys’ marriage and I will let Reggie have the final word…
“And, my beloved, you have performed the miracle of your reforming career in changing me from a care-for-nobody rakehell into a faithful, adoring husband.”
MY VERDICT: What more can I say other than this is a must read!
At the age of thirty-seven, Reggie is the archetypal rake – his life having been spent in a continual round of womanising, gambling and hard drinking. But, as details of past events in his life are revealed, I appreciated how much these have shaped his current lifestyle. I like the fact that he does not blame his present circumstances on anyone but himself; he chose the path he took and admits to making unwise decisions. (I could not help thinking how different Reggie’s life might have been had he inherited Strickland all those years ago, and not been denied his birth right by his unfeeling uncle.)
Unlike so many other hard-drinking rakes who regularly grace the pages of Historical Romances, Reggie is an alcoholic, although he has yet to recognise the fact. It is only when he starts to suffer memory losses, which are becoming more frequent and longer in duration, does he accept that his current way of life is slowly killing him. Blaming his excessive drinking, Reggie believes that he can control the habit but…
…somehow his resolution always dissolved once he swallowed his first drink.
Ms. Putney handles Reggie’s alcoholism with compassion and sensitivity, but does not gloss over the harsh reality of his struggles to stop drinking. There is one particular scene where a horrified Alys finds Reggie drinking in the library and he runs out into the night as though the demons of hell are at his heels. It is one of the most heart-rending scenes I have ever read and the moment when Alys finds him is so moving.
He stretched out his hand. She took it, her fingers far warmer than his, her clasp light and sure. Linking his fingers with hers, he brought their joined hands to his chest, against the beat of his heart. The tide of hope was running stronger now.
I like how Ms. Putney does not fall into the trap of having Reggie redeemed by the love of a good woman. He wants to overcome his alcoholism for himself alone.
He hadn’t gotten sober for Allie’s sake, or to live up to his parents’ hopes, or for anyone else. He had done it for himself.
Having a soft spot for unconventional heroines, how could I not love a heroine who is a magnificent Amazon (Reggie’s description) with mismatched eyes and has managed to hide the fact that A E Weston, who has been the highly successful steward at Strickland for four years, is not a man but a woman? The reforms she has undertaken at Strickland have made the estate prosperous and earned her the respect of all those around her. She has also created a loving family home for her three wards.
Alys may be strong and independent but deep down she is beset by insecurities. Something in her past made her flee her former life and has left her believing she is unattractive and no man would ever want her.
I enjoyed the steady development of the relationship between Reggie and Alys, and it is Ms Putney’s ability to convey the emotional connection between them that makes this unlikely pairing work so beautifully. There is an initial attraction but, more importantly, a genuine friendship is forged based on their mutual liking, respect and trust. The love scenes are not overly explicit but rather tender, sensual and romantic.
“I am beginning to believe that you are not at all the wicked care-for-nobody that your reputation claims.”
Just like Alys, I discovered that beneath the sarcastic, rakish exterior, Reggie is intelligent, charming, fair-minded, honest and witty. He also shows a remarkable knowledge of farming and is willing to ‘muck in’ with the sheep-dipping, earning him the respect and acceptance of the estate workers. It made me see that this is the real Reggie and I was rooting for him to overcome his addiction.
Reggie admires Alys’ ability, honesty and generosity of heart, and her wit is as sharp as his own. He treats her as an equal and is always willing to listen to her ideas. Not having been a member of a loving family for so many years, it was heart-warming to see him enjoying the family dynamics between Alys and her wards and even starts wondering what it would be like to have children of his own.
I love how Alys is a true friend to Reggie and is always there to support him whenever he needs it.,
If she could not even try to help, she was unworthy to be anyone’s friend.
When Alys reveals her secrets to Reggie, I thought his actions revealed how noble and unselfish he is. I also like the scene where Alys convinces a reluctant Reggie that they are meant to be together.
There is an interesting cast of secondary characters including:
- Richard, Earl of Wargrave – genuinely wants to help his cousin, Reggie, and I was was so happy to see the friendship that developed between them.
- Meredith (Merry) Spencer – Alys’ eldest ward, who is delightful and wise beyond her years.
- Junius Harper- the priggish, self-righteous vicar
- The Honourable Julian Markham – Reggie’s young friend who falls for Meredith.
- Mac Cooper – Reggie’s valet, groom, butler and footman
Amid the darker elements of the story, there is also humour such as the confrontation between Reggie and Junius Harper, which almost ends in a brawl; the hilarious scene where Reggie cleverly manipulates Lord Markham into allowing his son to marry Merry and agree to Julian’s plan for the management of his estate; the various antics of Attila, Alys’ cat, and the long-suffering Nemesis, Reggie’s dog.
I loved the charming Epilogue where the various characters react to the news of Reggie and Alys’ marriage and I will let Reggie have the final word…
“And, my beloved, you have performed the miracle of your reforming career in changing me from a care-for-nobody rakehell into a faithful, adoring husband.”
MY VERDICT: What more can I say other than this is a must read!
June 2, 2021
What can I say? The Rake has earned its title to be sure. I really enjoyed this book. The hero and the heroine, Reggie and Alys, both were likable and easy to root for. They were both broken and hiding from the world. The way they saved each other was pure romance.
May 23, 2021
I don't think Mary Jo Putney is a writer for me. This rating is obviously subjective.
I can see this was a good book but very drawn out and very dryly written.
I can see this was a good book but very drawn out and very dryly written.
February 21, 2017
Una lectura muy bonita.En mi opinión, Mary Jo Putney se adelanta con esta novela a otras publicaciones de la época, con unos protagonistas que, siendo el fruto de la nobleza gallega, no son ni tan tópicos ni tan perfectos como solían ser en las novelas de entonces.
La novela está muy bien escrita y mantiene el interés todo el tiempo, aunque no puedo decir que me haya deslumbrado como la anterior, que fue todo un descubrimiento. Esta no exige una atención constante, ni buscas tiempo desesperadamente para seguir leyéndola, pero cuando te sumerges en ella, es una lectura muy agradable.
Reseña más extensa:
http://www.teresacameselle.com/2017/0...
La novela está muy bien escrita y mantiene el interés todo el tiempo, aunque no puedo decir que me haya deslumbrado como la anterior, que fue todo un descubrimiento. Esta no exige una atención constante, ni buscas tiempo desesperadamente para seguir leyéndola, pero cuando te sumerges en ella, es una lectura muy agradable.
Reseña más extensa:
http://www.teresacameselle.com/2017/0...
August 6, 2021
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.
May 22, 2024
Review from 2017
I've given this an A for narration and an A- for content at AudioGals.
Dear Dreamscape Media,
THANK YOU!
So often have I seen a favourite and/or long awaited book come out in audio only to have my heart sink when I see the name of the narrator, or for me to start listening with high hopes – only to have them dashed within minutes because the narration is poor. I cannot tell you how happy I am that this didn’t happen when I started listening to your new recording of Mary Jo Putney’s The Rake, one of the most popular, most beloved historical romances ever written. Mark Meadows was a splendid choice of narrator and I will be eternally grateful to you for putting this much loved story into such capable hands.
Much love (and please, get Mr Meadows to record some more historical romances!),
Caz
Mary Jo Putney’s <=The Rake (originally published in 1989) is, quite deservedly, listed in All About Romance’s Top 100 all-time favourite romance novels. It’s a book I’ve long hoped would become available in audio, so I was delighted when I stumbled across it while on one of my regular trawls through Audible’s new release lists. As I had never heard of or listened to Mark Meadows I was a little apprehensive, but I decided to give it a try anyway, and after about twenty seconds, I heaved a huge sigh of relief, because Mr. Meadows’ performance is an absolute barnstormer. Yes – we’re talking someone who could give Nicholas Boulton or Alex Wyndham a run for his money.
Known throughout society as the Despair of the Davenports, thirty-seven-year-old Reginald Davenport is quite thoroughly debauched. For years, his exploits have provided entertainment for the ton, his numerous mistresses, frequent carousing and high-stakes gaming generating gossip wherever he goes and earning him quite the blackest of reputations.
Up until two years earlier, Reggie had been the heir to his uncle, the Earl of Wargrave, but things changed abruptly when a missing heir to the earldom was located and Reggie suddenly found himself facing a very different future to the one he had envisioned. The fact that he was no longer heir to a title didn’t exactly bother him – rather it was the fact that he had no idea what he to do with himself; if not to become a landowner and peer, what is he going to do for the rest of his life? Bitterness and uncertainty plunged him even deeper into debauchery, seeing his alcohol consumption increase drastically, and by the time we meet him at the beginning of this story, it’s clear that his drinking has gone beyond his control and he’s become an alcoholic. He has yet to recognise that, though, in spite of a niggling voice in his head which occasionally tells him “this way of life is killing you.”.
Following the old earl’s death, Reggie’s cousin, the new earl, discovers that among the estates left him is one that should, by rights, belong to Reggie, the Dorsetshire estate of Strickland. Strickland was Reggie’s childhood home – and he is both furious that the old earl kept him from inheriting it, and surprised at his cousin’s generosity in giving it back to him. Fortunately for Reggie, Strickland has, for the past decade, been managed by an exemplary steward by the name of A.E Weston, whom Wargrave has never met, so Reggie is more than a little surprised when he arrives unexpectedly at Strickland to discover that the “A” in A.E Weston stands for Alys. She is, of course, worried that his discovery will lead to her dismissal, but Reggie quickly proves to be very open-minded and, given her successful management of the estate, keeps her on as steward.
Reggie and Alys are strongly attracted to each other, but Reggie knows it isn’t the done thing to dally with the staff and tries – not always successfully – to keep his hands off Alys. They become friends, as Reggie begins to show what he’s really made of; that, far from being an indolent wastrel, he has a good grasp of the principles of land management and that he isn’t afraid to muck in and get his hands dirty, toiling alongside his farm workers – and when Alys’ home burns down, he gets his first real taste of what it means to be part of a family when she and her young wards move into Strickland.
This is a romance so you don’t need me to tell you where things are headed – but it’s far more than ‘just’ a romance; it’s also the story of a man struggling to turn his life around who doesn’t always make the right choices. The author’s incredibly realistic portrait of Reggie’s battle with the bottle makes this book stand out from so many other historical romances and it’s utterly heart-breaking to listen to him as he tries – and fails – to get his drinking under control and makes poor decisions. Mary Jo Putney does an amazing job here of portraying the demons that plague him, and just as amazingly doesn’t fall into the trap of having him miraculously redeemed through the love of a good woman. While Strickland – and Alys – are great motivators, Reggie decides to get sober for him, not someone else.
Although The Rake really is Reggie’s story, Alys is an engaging character in her own right. She has secrets of her own that come into play in the latter part of the book, and although she is strong and capable when it comes to her work, she harbours long-held doubts about her attractiveness which make her a very relatable heroine. The romance between Alys and Reggie is beautifully developed, they have terrific chemistry and the love scenes, while not overly explicit by today’s standards, are sensual and romantic.
Mark Meadows is an experienced narrator, with over seventy titles to his credit at Audible. Sadly, none of those are romances, and that is something that really needs to be remedied quickly. He delivers an absolutely superb performance here, and I really can’t praise it highly enough. His pacing in narrative and dialogue is spot on, he brings the right degree of emotional nuance to the story and his character differentiation is extremely effective throughout. There is never any confusion when there is a group of men speaking in any particular scene, the local tenants and farmers are given appropriate accents, and he performs the female characters using a slightly raised pitch and softened tone, without resorting to the use of falsetto. But just as Reggie is the star of the show in the story, so Mr. Meadows’ portrayal of him is the star turn in the narration. He gets Reggie’s ennui-laden, aristocratic drawl just right; enough to show his disregard for what people think of him, but not so much that he sounds ridiculous and unattractive. He changes it subtly over time, showing that Reggie is changing, too, his artificial manner of speech gradually leaving him as he slowly reveals the truly good, kind man that always lurked beneath the rakish exterior.
Fans of The Rake will, I hope, be utterly delighted with this audio version and with Mr. Meadows’ excellent performance. I will definitely be listening to it again in the not too distant future, and I am delighted to give it the strongest of recommendations.
I've given this an A for narration and an A- for content at AudioGals.
Dear Dreamscape Media,
THANK YOU!
So often have I seen a favourite and/or long awaited book come out in audio only to have my heart sink when I see the name of the narrator, or for me to start listening with high hopes – only to have them dashed within minutes because the narration is poor. I cannot tell you how happy I am that this didn’t happen when I started listening to your new recording of Mary Jo Putney’s The Rake, one of the most popular, most beloved historical romances ever written. Mark Meadows was a splendid choice of narrator and I will be eternally grateful to you for putting this much loved story into such capable hands.
Much love (and please, get Mr Meadows to record some more historical romances!),
Caz
Mary Jo Putney’s <=The Rake (originally published in 1989) is, quite deservedly, listed in All About Romance’s Top 100 all-time favourite romance novels. It’s a book I’ve long hoped would become available in audio, so I was delighted when I stumbled across it while on one of my regular trawls through Audible’s new release lists. As I had never heard of or listened to Mark Meadows I was a little apprehensive, but I decided to give it a try anyway, and after about twenty seconds, I heaved a huge sigh of relief, because Mr. Meadows’ performance is an absolute barnstormer. Yes – we’re talking someone who could give Nicholas Boulton or Alex Wyndham a run for his money.
Known throughout society as the Despair of the Davenports, thirty-seven-year-old Reginald Davenport is quite thoroughly debauched. For years, his exploits have provided entertainment for the ton, his numerous mistresses, frequent carousing and high-stakes gaming generating gossip wherever he goes and earning him quite the blackest of reputations.
Up until two years earlier, Reggie had been the heir to his uncle, the Earl of Wargrave, but things changed abruptly when a missing heir to the earldom was located and Reggie suddenly found himself facing a very different future to the one he had envisioned. The fact that he was no longer heir to a title didn’t exactly bother him – rather it was the fact that he had no idea what he to do with himself; if not to become a landowner and peer, what is he going to do for the rest of his life? Bitterness and uncertainty plunged him even deeper into debauchery, seeing his alcohol consumption increase drastically, and by the time we meet him at the beginning of this story, it’s clear that his drinking has gone beyond his control and he’s become an alcoholic. He has yet to recognise that, though, in spite of a niggling voice in his head which occasionally tells him “this way of life is killing you.”.
Following the old earl’s death, Reggie’s cousin, the new earl, discovers that among the estates left him is one that should, by rights, belong to Reggie, the Dorsetshire estate of Strickland. Strickland was Reggie’s childhood home – and he is both furious that the old earl kept him from inheriting it, and surprised at his cousin’s generosity in giving it back to him. Fortunately for Reggie, Strickland has, for the past decade, been managed by an exemplary steward by the name of A.E Weston, whom Wargrave has never met, so Reggie is more than a little surprised when he arrives unexpectedly at Strickland to discover that the “A” in A.E Weston stands for Alys. She is, of course, worried that his discovery will lead to her dismissal, but Reggie quickly proves to be very open-minded and, given her successful management of the estate, keeps her on as steward.
Reggie and Alys are strongly attracted to each other, but Reggie knows it isn’t the done thing to dally with the staff and tries – not always successfully – to keep his hands off Alys. They become friends, as Reggie begins to show what he’s really made of; that, far from being an indolent wastrel, he has a good grasp of the principles of land management and that he isn’t afraid to muck in and get his hands dirty, toiling alongside his farm workers – and when Alys’ home burns down, he gets his first real taste of what it means to be part of a family when she and her young wards move into Strickland.
This is a romance so you don’t need me to tell you where things are headed – but it’s far more than ‘just’ a romance; it’s also the story of a man struggling to turn his life around who doesn’t always make the right choices. The author’s incredibly realistic portrait of Reggie’s battle with the bottle makes this book stand out from so many other historical romances and it’s utterly heart-breaking to listen to him as he tries – and fails – to get his drinking under control and makes poor decisions. Mary Jo Putney does an amazing job here of portraying the demons that plague him, and just as amazingly doesn’t fall into the trap of having him miraculously redeemed through the love of a good woman. While Strickland – and Alys – are great motivators, Reggie decides to get sober for him, not someone else.
Although The Rake really is Reggie’s story, Alys is an engaging character in her own right. She has secrets of her own that come into play in the latter part of the book, and although she is strong and capable when it comes to her work, she harbours long-held doubts about her attractiveness which make her a very relatable heroine. The romance between Alys and Reggie is beautifully developed, they have terrific chemistry and the love scenes, while not overly explicit by today’s standards, are sensual and romantic.
Mark Meadows is an experienced narrator, with over seventy titles to his credit at Audible. Sadly, none of those are romances, and that is something that really needs to be remedied quickly. He delivers an absolutely superb performance here, and I really can’t praise it highly enough. His pacing in narrative and dialogue is spot on, he brings the right degree of emotional nuance to the story and his character differentiation is extremely effective throughout. There is never any confusion when there is a group of men speaking in any particular scene, the local tenants and farmers are given appropriate accents, and he performs the female characters using a slightly raised pitch and softened tone, without resorting to the use of falsetto. But just as Reggie is the star of the show in the story, so Mr. Meadows’ portrayal of him is the star turn in the narration. He gets Reggie’s ennui-laden, aristocratic drawl just right; enough to show his disregard for what people think of him, but not so much that he sounds ridiculous and unattractive. He changes it subtly over time, showing that Reggie is changing, too, his artificial manner of speech gradually leaving him as he slowly reveals the truly good, kind man that always lurked beneath the rakish exterior.
Fans of The Rake will, I hope, be utterly delighted with this audio version and with Mr. Meadows’ excellent performance. I will definitely be listening to it again in the not too distant future, and I am delighted to give it the strongest of recommendations.
January 11, 2024
Thirteen years ago, I read The Bargain. I enjoyed the story (4 stars) and had every intention of reading the next two books in the series. Unfortunately, time passed, and it wasn't until 2021 that I read the next romance, The Diabolical Baron. I didn't like it as much and, sadly, I put off reading The Rake until now.
I could kick myself because this romance touched me in ways, I didn't think possible. It was a deep emotional hinterland. Reggie's background and what occurred to him in the present time was loaded with angst and I ate it up. Alys was the yin to Reggie's yang.
The Rake was complex and engaging. A portion of the story occurred below the surface. The writing was beautiful and haunting, and at the same time, wistful and restrained. I couldn't help but become witness to the many layers of Reggie and Alys.
On a side note: I often wonder when reading historical romances, and they mention the quantity of alcohol men imbibed, what happens in the long run? Ale, beer, grog, sherry, bourbon, gin, rum, whiskey...the list goes on. Will the MCs still love each other or become a burden?
I could kick myself because this romance touched me in ways, I didn't think possible. It was a deep emotional hinterland. Reggie's background and what occurred to him in the present time was loaded with angst and I ate it up. Alys was the yin to Reggie's yang.
The Rake was complex and engaging. A portion of the story occurred below the surface. The writing was beautiful and haunting, and at the same time, wistful and restrained. I couldn't help but become witness to the many layers of Reggie and Alys.
On a side note: I often wonder when reading historical romances, and they mention the quantity of alcohol men imbibed, what happens in the long run? Ale, beer, grog, sherry, bourbon, gin, rum, whiskey...the list goes on. Will the MCs still love each other or become a burden?
August 28, 2021
4 stars. This book has been on my TBR for a long time, and I have started and then stopped reading it multiple times. I finally gave in and listened to the audiobook (available on hoopla btw). I’m definitely being generous with the rating because MJP knows how to tell a good story, even if I don’t always love all of the content.
I think I have made it painfully clear in the past that i am not at all a fan of rakes/manwhores/sexual inequality in my romance books. I have a hard time with the latter especially - since it’s almost always the woman who is a virgin or nearly so. This book is definitely all that triggers me typically… and I did have a hard time with all of the talk of his past conquests.
However, this book is so much more than just the story of “the rake”. MJP packs a lot into this book, and the way that the relationship between the hero and heroine progressed was really well done. There was also a lot to love in the various side characters and their unfolding romances.
There were two things that really did bother me though:
1. The heroine was strong but bordered on pathetic when it came to the hero. There’s a fine line in this story between her being a good friend and being a hanger-on who’s willing to take any crumbs given. She crossed it a few times.
2. The hero’s sudden ability to control his drinking because he prayed. I just can’t with this shit. His recovery from being an alcoholic started out believable and then just wasn’t.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I stayed up well into the night finishing it, which I now greatly regret since I’m half asleep. MJP is a talented writer and I’m always very impressed by the quality of her writing.
Safety info… I don’t even know where to begin!
-hero is only with the heroine after meeting her - his last sexual encounter was while drunk with his friend’s mistress, he barely remembered it, but she came on to him and he gave in - this mistresses comes back and causes drama and tries to get with hero again, he’s not interested - a maid working in the house comes to hero’s bed naked and propositions him - he definitely considers her offer but ends up realizing she’s pregnant and just looking for someone to be the father of her baby - heroine sees this maid leaving his room and assumes hero is having an affair with her - she later assumes the baby is the hero’s - she still thinks that he has a pregnant mistress living under the same roof as both of them when she has sex with the hero the first time - lots and lots of mentions of his past lovers - heroine not a virgin but has only had sex once with a rando and it wasn’t a good experience. Triggers: alcoholism including violent alcoholic outbursts
I think I have made it painfully clear in the past that i am not at all a fan of rakes/manwhores/sexual inequality in my romance books. I have a hard time with the latter especially - since it’s almost always the woman who is a virgin or nearly so. This book is definitely all that triggers me typically… and I did have a hard time with all of the talk of his past conquests.
However, this book is so much more than just the story of “the rake”. MJP packs a lot into this book, and the way that the relationship between the hero and heroine progressed was really well done. There was also a lot to love in the various side characters and their unfolding romances.
There were two things that really did bother me though:
1. The heroine was strong but bordered on pathetic when it came to the hero. There’s a fine line in this story between her being a good friend and being a hanger-on who’s willing to take any crumbs given. She crossed it a few times.
2. The hero’s sudden ability to control his drinking because he prayed. I just can’t with this shit. His recovery from being an alcoholic started out believable and then just wasn’t.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I stayed up well into the night finishing it, which I now greatly regret since I’m half asleep. MJP is a talented writer and I’m always very impressed by the quality of her writing.
Safety info… I don’t even know where to begin!
-hero is only with the heroine after meeting her - his last sexual encounter was while drunk with his friend’s mistress, he barely remembered it, but she came on to him and he gave in - this mistresses comes back and causes drama and tries to get with hero again, he’s not interested - a maid working in the house comes to hero’s bed naked and propositions him - he definitely considers her offer but ends up realizing she’s pregnant and just looking for someone to be the father of her baby - heroine sees this maid leaving his room and assumes hero is having an affair with her - she later assumes the baby is the hero’s - she still thinks that he has a pregnant mistress living under the same roof as both of them when she has sex with the hero the first time - lots and lots of mentions of his past lovers - heroine not a virgin but has only had sex once with a rando and it wasn’t a good experience. Triggers: alcoholism including violent alcoholic outbursts
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2009
What a GREAT historcial regency-era romance. The passion, desire and tension is taught between the hero/heroine, but in a typical 90's style regecy romances there was very little bedroom action. But I swear I didn't miss it as the romance and tension was so good.
The story centers around Alys, a 30-year old spinster working as a land manager at a country Estate. And Reggie, a wealthy commoner who takes ownership of the estate where Alys works and is shocked to discover a woman running the property. Alys ran away from home at age 18, but her past will catch up her. Reggie is an alcoholic trying to make a better life for himself. Together these two form an odd friendship that of course evolves into a beautiful love and romance.
I read this one because it is listed on AAR's top 100 romances. Not everything on that list I agree with, but this one was really good.
The story centers around Alys, a 30-year old spinster working as a land manager at a country Estate. And Reggie, a wealthy commoner who takes ownership of the estate where Alys works and is shocked to discover a woman running the property. Alys ran away from home at age 18, but her past will catch up her. Reggie is an alcoholic trying to make a better life for himself. Together these two form an odd friendship that of course evolves into a beautiful love and romance.
I read this one because it is listed on AAR's top 100 romances. Not everything on that list I agree with, but this one was really good.
July 9, 2023
Received a 1990 RITA under original title.
IMO a keeper!
England 1817. This story of 2 lost souls has held up to
several re-reads. Per the copyright page, the original
title was "The Rake & the Reformer."
Gave this 5 of 5 stars.
This had 3 love stories.
1) Allie & Reggie: 30 & 37 respectively.
2) her beautiful ward Merry and a young man.
3) his valet & a woman betrayed by another man.
Reggie an earl's heir, adjusted when his cousin, former
army officer, Richard, became earl instead. Reggie,
orphaned at age 8, was sent away to school by his
uncle. Richard informed Reg that his mom bequeathed
him a 3K acre Dorset property yrs ago. (Where Reg lived
as a child.) Reg always considered being a horse breeder.
The earl assumed Reggie's Dorset property's steward of
4yrs, was a man. Actually Alys "Allie" turned this place
around & put the property solidly 'in the black.' She added
several small businesses to benefit tenants & ex-soldiers.
Reggie praised her for her accomplishments & allowed her
to keep her position. Allie had 3 wards living w/ her,
including Merry.
Allie thought she was too tall (nearly 5'10') & unattractive.
The color of her eyes didn't match. She kept a secret. Reg
showed his gentleman side which belied his rake moniker.
He denied his alcohol problem. The author sensitively
explored his struggle with this. MCs drew closer together
after facing many challenges. Both MCs exchanged witty
convos, but some convos: not so calm.
The author had many interesting side characters. I liked
Mac the valet, best. Merry was as kind as she was
beautiful. The vicar needed to reflect on his judgmental
ways.
My fav. scene? Reggie used reverse psychology on his
friend Jullian's upset sire. A well done story!
Revised.
IMO a keeper!
England 1817. This story of 2 lost souls has held up to
several re-reads. Per the copyright page, the original
title was "The Rake & the Reformer."
Gave this 5 of 5 stars.
This had 3 love stories.
1) Allie & Reggie: 30 & 37 respectively.
2) her beautiful ward Merry and a young man.
3) his valet & a woman betrayed by another man.
Reggie an earl's heir, adjusted when his cousin, former
army officer, Richard, became earl instead. Reggie,
orphaned at age 8, was sent away to school by his
uncle. Richard informed Reg that his mom bequeathed
him a 3K acre Dorset property yrs ago. (Where Reg lived
as a child.) Reg always considered being a horse breeder.
The earl assumed Reggie's Dorset property's steward of
4yrs, was a man. Actually Alys "Allie" turned this place
around & put the property solidly 'in the black.' She added
several small businesses to benefit tenants & ex-soldiers.
Reggie praised her for her accomplishments & allowed her
to keep her position. Allie had 3 wards living w/ her,
including Merry.
Allie thought she was too tall (nearly 5'10') & unattractive.
The color of her eyes didn't match. She kept a secret. Reg
showed his gentleman side which belied his rake moniker.
He denied his alcohol problem. The author sensitively
explored his struggle with this. MCs drew closer together
after facing many challenges. Both MCs exchanged witty
convos, but some convos: not so calm.
The author had many interesting side characters. I liked
Mac the valet, best. Merry was as kind as she was
beautiful. The vicar needed to reflect on his judgmental
ways.
My fav. scene? Reggie used reverse psychology on his
friend Jullian's upset sire. A well done story!
Revised.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 633 reviews