Customer Reviews

The Rake

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reginald Davenport is the exact opposite of the typical romance hero: villain of a previous book in the series, he's an alcoholic, a gambler and a rake who is offered one last chance to atone for his past mistakes when he retires to Strickland. The first surprise awaiting him there is that the skilful manager of his new estate is a woman, Alys Weston, strangely beautiful and very competent.

Alys is afraid to lose her position as Strickland's manager when the new master settles on the estate, seemingly for good. But Reggie, although intrigued by this woman who dresses in pantaloons and supervises the estate in a masterful way, doesn't dismiss her, and he quickly treats her as his equal. It's not just her managerial skills that fascinate Reggie, but also her uncommon beauty. She's taller than the average woman and her eyes don't match, but what she sees as flaws makes her even more beautiful in the eyes of her new master.

The unusual relationship that develops between them keeps the reader enthralled from start to finish. If Reggie's reputation as a rake followed him to Strickland, Alys doesn't let it destabilise her. She fears for her wards at first, especially the lovely and innocent Meredith, but Reggie is quick to reassure her that he has no interest in the young woman. Indeed, his fantasies are set on Alys herself.

One aspect of the book that was particularly interesting is Reggie's fight against his addiction to alcohol. There are several powerful scenes that show how far alcohol can lead, and without any voyeurism or overboard drama, Mary Jo Putney draws her hero's journey through this delicate part of his life, as well as Alys' influence on his behaviour.

Alys' character is as complicated as her male counterpart's. She hides a background and a life that Reggie doesn't suspect, but can her secrets compromise the future of any relationship that might settle between them?

Once again, Mary Jo Putney draws three-dimensional characters whose attitude takes root in their tumultuous past. The world she pictures in her novels is never black and white, and The Rake is no exception to her outstanding writing-style.

The other review I wrote of this book got mangled almost beyond recognition, so I'm going to post a better one.

I only discovered Mary Jo Putney earlier this year, and bought a few of her earlier books to get me started. Since I noticed that The Rake is a sequel to The Diabolical Baron, I read the latter first; found it enjoyable but nothing wildly out of the ordinary. I was thus not expecting too much when I realised that the villain of 'Baron' was the hero of The Rake. But I realised very quickly that I underestimated Putney.

She doesn't try to force anyone to like Reggie; it's clear from the outset that he is a drunk and a gambler, and that he doesn't see anything wrong in sponging off his cousin, the Earl. But we also learn fairly early on that his behaviour has been shaped by circumstances. Put into the *right* circumstances, he begins to mend his ways.

Alys is a wonderful heroine, and her first meeting with Reggie is a terrific read. She knows he wants her - and, of course, her very unorthodox position as his farm manager, dressing in trousers most of the time, won't give him any illusions about her virtue. But she insists that she's not that kind of woman... and gradually, they become friends.

Reggie is an alcoholic, as becomes clear, and Putney pulls no punches as to its effect on his behaviour. Like some of her other books, this one contains harrowing scenes. And yet these are enlivened by flashes of humour; Reggie, when he's sober, is a delightful and witty person.

I just loved this book from start to finish. And now that I've written about it, I want to go and read it again!

You know what they say, "Reformed rakes make the best of husbands." Reggie makes a great rake, but even better is his struggle to reform. The way the author writes this book adds realism and credibility. While most romance books prefer to not broach serious topics like alchoholism (usually they get a bit dark and depressing), Ms. Putney does an excellent job at entwining it with the romance. I liked this book very much.

The heroine isn't bad, but the hero is delightfully complex, and just this side of delectable. The whole book was utterly realistic until the end, which I thought was a bit stretching reality, but that's really the most I can find to complain about. This book was absoloutly wonderful.

I'd recommend this to someone that wants a romance with realistic characters and a good plot. This author's writing is very good.

I read this book back in 1991 and at that time, as an addiction counselor, wrote Ms. Putney a letter raving about the accuracy and compassion with which she wrote about alcoholism. But this book is not at all "preachy." She definitely shows, not tells, what it is like to overcome addiction. Her hero, while a "rake" and bad boy, has an extremely noble and generous heart. The heroine is wonderful, too. Another of Ms. Putney's strong, independent, and wonderfully compassionate and giving heroines. I also particularly loved in this book the fascinating interweaving of historical details about farming on estates in the Regency.

This is a re-write of one of the best romance stories ever written. Period. Full stop. Mary Jo Putney displays her mastery of psychologically realistic characters, Regency England detail and sensual story telling. Her heroine, Alys, is intelligent, resourceful and independent but hurting because of her lack of faith in her own feminine appeal. Her hero, Reggie, is the ultimate gorgeous bad boy. He has wasted his own talents and intelligence on reckless living but has been given a chance to redeem his life, if only he can face up to his alcoholism. This rewrite heats up the sensuality and takes nothing away from the impact of the original. Ms. Putney manages not only to deal with a serious problem realistically and sensitively, but does so while building sexual tension, introducing lively secondary characters and making us fall in love with her wryly self aware main characters whose dialogue sparkles with insight and humour. Ms. Putney is a thinking person's romance writer and should be on the A list of anyone who loves a good story well told.

Reginald Davenport is an alcoholic. Alys Weston is a gifted businesswoman and estate manager living a life of lies layered on one another like an onion. What an unlikely pairing - but it works! Reginald's cousin opens the door to his transformation by restoring an estate to him which had been unlawfully withheld; however, it is up to Reginald to walk through that door. The book traces Reginald's journey, as Alys becomes a reluctant companion along the path. That the two fall in love is not surprising; what makes it interesting, is that in the end, it is Alys's flaws that threaten to destroy their relationship, and not Reginald's addiction.

Reginald's character is written so well - it's as if MJP was able to get inside the head of an addicted person and those around him who either collaborate with the addiction, or try to neutralize it. This story has credibility and depth, and is one that I'll be recommending to my friends. Excellent job.

This is only the second MJP book I've ever read but I would rate it in my top ten list of historical/regency romances. It's an extremely well written, intense book about a complicated hero and a strong heroine.

Reggie Davenport is the Rake of the title with a dreadful reputation. He's a damaged individual who has so far spent his life womanising, gambling and above all, drinking to excess yet he is inevitably charming, has a wicked sense of humour and you find that he has his own code of honour. He is given a chance to turn his life around when his cousin gives him a prosperous estate in Dorsetshire and there he encounters the steward responsible for running his property so successfully.

The steward in question, AE Weston, turns out to be Alys Weston who has her own demons to escape from. The story of their developing relationship is really well drawn, the author lets you see into the heads of both of the main protagonists. The plot lines are believable and there are two charming secondary romances. A big part of the story concerns Reggie's gradual realisation of his dependence on alcohol and his fight to become sober but this is all really sympathetically done and well woven into the story line. Alys's support is vital and gives their relationship a great added dimension.

I absolutely loved both the main characters, found the whole story charming, funny on occasion and also very moving in parts. It's a shame this book is out of print - it deserves to be reissued.

As an avid reader of romance novels, I have come across many exceptional books over the past 15 years. Of them all, "The Rake" is the most emotionally satisfying and unforgettable. Mary Jo Putney has a GIFT for developing characters who are so three-dimensional you feel as if they could walk through your front door fully formed and breathing. Through her prose, not only was I able to identify with Alys as a strong, independent, intelligent women who doubts her femininity, I was brought to tears as Regie, the most well-developed hero I've EVER come across, struggled to control inner demons that are universal and unnerving in any historical period. Bravo to Ms. Putney! If you, too, enjoy escaping into the world of romance tinged with real emotional punch, this book is a MUST READ.

I debated whether to rate this 4 or 5 stars; it falls somewhere in between. But I decided that it's closer to 5 stars for Reggie's realistic struggles overcoming alcoholism and Alys' maturity and strength of character. There are some exceptionally well-done emotional moments, plenty of deep character analysis, real character change, and a heartfelt romance. It hits almost all the right notes and leaves the reader feeling not only happy (as all romances should) but also empowered. A must read.

As historical romances go, this one is very grown up, very realistic. I love the way Reggie and Allie interact. There is such a depth of comeraderie and humor and friendship that seems so real as opposed as opposed to the 'over the top' melodrama that occurs in so many romances. Short on sex but long on substance and real love and engaging storyline.

This was my first Putney and I will definitely read more.