The Chivalrous Rake (Harlequin Historical) [Mass Market Paperback]

Elizabeth Rolls (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical | Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Winner 2004 Laurel Wreath Best Regency

Editorial Reviews

Review

An entertaining, delightful romp full of engaging characters, outrageous misunderstandings and inspiring trysts. Readers are in for a real treat. -- Romantic Times, June 2006

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373294042
• ISBN-13: 978-0373294046
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,284,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Chivalrous Rake, September 19, 2006

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chivalrous Rake (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

Jack Hamilton is in a foul mood. He has broken his collarbone, making it impossible for him to participate during hunting season and visitors do not help his mood any. A dear old friend of Jack's family has arrived for an unexpected stay at his home. Dr. Edward Bramley and his daughter Cressida have come to stay for an undetermined amount of time. Jack and Cressida get off to a rocky start. Their tempers seem to flare whenever they are around each other.

Jack thinks there is a mystery behind Edward and Cressida's arrival (which there is) and Cressida is determined to keep her secrets. Their constant bickering continues but a secret attraction is growing as well. When Cressida's secrets are revealed, will Jack be willing and able to protect the woman who has snuck into his heart?

In The Chivalrous Rake, Jack and Cressida are very strong and emotional characters. They constantly go back and forth regarding their feelings for each other, which at first is an accurate depiction of their personalities but eventually it just feels frustrating. The Chivalrous Rake has an interesting storyline and many endearing characters, especially Cressida's father Edward. If not for the constant angst Jack and Cressida go through, I would consider The Chivalrous Rake to be a very good story.


Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A reveiw from an avid reader, April 23, 2010

By 

dame_ashley "dmeashley" (Pittsburgh, Pa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Chivalrous Rake (Kindle Edition)

Having only read three novels by Ms. Rolls, I am new to her work. In general, I have found her work entertaining and I have enjoyed what she has had published. She has a wonderful grasp of the Regency eras social, class and political agendas. However, it does need to be stated that after reading three novels from her, her plots tend to be VERY repetitive, meaning that it is the same plot with a tweak and a twist in characters and thus predictable and therefore a wonderful story idea becomes lost and then goes stale.

I was annoyed with this story, The Chivalrous Rake (the plot is outlined in the books information). It was a good story, but I could have done with out the Vocabulary lesson. Peagoose, Ninnywit, Cockahoop and other vernacular aside, her use of weighty and tongue twisting words in various languages (mostly French and Latin) tended to sound pretentious. The use of these words didn't help the plot along; in fact I tended to find my self-skipping long blocks of writing JUST to get to the point of the conversation or the character's thoughts. The main characters do a round about "country dance" for so long that I actually got dizzy! By the third time that the main characters (Jack and Cressida) accuses, insults, threatens, and then laments their actions, or lack of action, I was ready to toss the book aside. I also found that the character wrap-ups were a bit thin and rushed. I would have liked to known what happened to Fairbridge and his mother in the end.

I can't say that I am not going to read anything from Ms. Rolls in the future, but I can say that this particular book has not made my shelf, and I am wondering if I can return this Kindle edition for a refund.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good storyline & characters, but needed pruning, July 21, 2009

By 

R. Stickley (Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chivalrous Rake (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Chivalrous Rake has a lot of strengths. The supporting cast of characters is well drawn and contribute depth to the story. The sexual tension, misunderstandings between the protagonists, and his unforgiveable behavior (in several instances) became tedious. This good story could have been excellent if repetitive angst had been edited out. I recently read Ms. Rolls's Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride and thoroughly enjoyed it.