Never Trust a Rake [Mass Market Paperback]

Eileen Putman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

The uncrowned king of broken hearts, Gabriel Sinclair is rescued from an untimely end by an angel. But golden-haired Louisa Peabody is not only the most beautiful woman he's ever seen; she's also the first to find him totally resistible -- a challenge he can't ignore. So he willingly aids her in her reform efforts ... knowing that eventually, he'll get what he wants. Louisa has appointed herself the defender of innocents, knowing no man can be trusted -- yet she only pretends to unaffected by Gabriel. For his tantalizing whispers invite her to abandon her fears, and his stolen kisses make her burn. But which is more dangerous: his enticing smile, or his vulnerable heart? And does she really want to reform him ... or surrender to him?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Splendid storyteller Eileen Putman dazzles us."

"The genre's newest superstar."

"A highly talented writer of daring originality." -- Romantic Times

A marvel of writing craftsmanship. The witty repartee is clever and spirited. Great fun! I loved it! -- Rendezvous

A superior romance brimming with delicious wit, passionate intensity, and stunning originality...A wild and wonderful romp through Regency England that tickles your fancy while it provides surcease for the soul...A tour de force of characterization that will haunt your heart for a long time to come. -- Romantic Times, July 1999

From the Publisher

The Arrogant Rogue
The uncrowned king of broken hearts, Gabriel Sinclair is rescued from an untimely end by an angel. But golden-haired Louisa Peabody is not only the most beautiful woman he's ever seen; she's also the first to find him totally resistible--a challenge he can't ignore. So he willingly aids her in her reform efforts...knowing that eventually, he'll get what he wants.

The Determined Reformer
Louisa has appointed herself the defender of innocents, knowing no man can be trusted--yet she only pretends to be unaffected by Gabriel. For his tantalizing whispers invite her to abandon her fears and his stolen kisses make her burn. But which is more dangerous: his enticing smile or his vulnerable heart? And does she really want to reform him...or surrender to him?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380802899
• ISBN-13: 978-0380802890
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,569,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Only the submarine was interesting, November 27, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Trust a Rake (Mass Market Paperback)

I agree with two other reader/reviewers that this was a dull and badly written book. Louisa was (we are led to believe) an early feminist, with frustrated longings. Gabriel is a mixed up rake. Their sexual fencing is boring and unreal. The submarine was the only really interesting part of the book. I may try another Putnam, but only if I find it at the library.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gabriel finds salvation in the arms of a real-life angel., February 12, 2000

By 

B. S. Andrews "barbiesa" (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Never Trust a Rake (Mass Market Paperback)

Gabriel is a lord whose heritage was denied him by his father's madness. After his father's death, Gabriel escaped his island prison and went to London for many years of debauchery and hell-raising. A wild bet sends him to a convent to cut off a lock of a nun's hair, but while there, his purpose is misininterpreted and he finds himself in a hangman's noose. (I have to admit I found this an unlikely situation...a lord sentenced to death for supposedly raping a nun?)

Fortunately, a man-hating reformer and her assistant mistakenly rescue Gabriel in the nick of time. Although the last thing he wants to do is get involved with this crazy woman and her "flowers", he allows himself to accept her offer of a large sum of money to help rescue a woman from a prison ship.

As Gabriel gets to know Louisa, he finds himself attracted to her soul as well as her angelic beauty. But he is a convicted felon, a lord without a castle, a man emotionally scarred from his childhood. How can they have a life together?

From Louisa's point of view, Gabriel seems the epitome of everything she despises about men. But then she begins to see behind the cynical facade to the deeply scarred soul and realizes that she has the power to help him become a whole man again. And, surprise of surprises, he can help her get over her own past and deep-seated bitterness toward men.

The first part of the book reminded me of some of my favorite Amanda Quick novels, but the plot seemed to bog down toward the end and my attention waned. The submarine stuff at the end just didn't fit in with the rest of the story. And it was just too easy for Gabriel to get his death sentence reversed. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book and look forward to any others by this author.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sadly disappointing, September 28, 1999

By 

Karen Vore ([e-mail]) (So. California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Trust a Rake (Mass Market Paperback)

I had read Eileen Putman's earlier book, A Passionate Performance and was actually moved to write her a fan letter! (Which incidently I never mailed) Never Trust a Rake is so unlike her earlier writing that it's hard to believe it's the same author. I couldn't even finish the book. The story was uninspired and contrived. The writing was poor. The hero/heroine were never developed to any realistic degree. Their pasts didn't seem to shape their characters beyond their marked distaste for each other. I couldn't understand why Gabriel was so constantly "snarky" to Louisa. His character was totally one-dimensional. Ditto for Louisa. They snapped at each other throughout the book, and all I kept asking myself was WHY? 2 stars because the book held me for at least the first half. Barely. Anyone interested in reading what Ms. Putman is capable of should pick up a copy of A Passionate Performance.