The Rake and the Wallflower [Paperback]

Allison Lane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2001

Young, awkward Mary Seabrook is delighted when handsome Lord Grayson enters her life. But she soon discovers that danger follows him at every turn-and that his many mishaps may be more than mere coincidence...

"Ms. Lane never fails to deliver the goods." (Romantic Times)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Forced to accompany her beautiful but vain, self-centered sister to London for the season, Mary Seabrook, intelligent, artistic, and shy, escapes from the social scene whenever she can. But when a flight from a lecherous rake lands her behind a potted palm and she is suddenly joined by a man with an even more disreputable past, her life becomes far more interesting and far more dangerous than she had ever expected. Two well-matched, sympathetic protagonists join forces to outwit a would-be murderer and foil a debauched villain in this lively, well-crafted story that also offers an insightful look at the realities of Regency life with a few surprising twists. Lane (The Notorious Widow) is a seasoned writer of well-done Regency romances and lives in San Jose, CA.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet (October 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451204409
• ISBN-13: 978-0451204400
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,142,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of hero, November 15, 2001

By 

Barbara R. Hume (Provo, Utah USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rake and the Wallflower (Paperback)

Allison Lane is an auto-buy for me, and I was quite pleased with her latest Regency, The Rake and the Wallflower. I've read hundreds of Regencies, and it's hard to find one that's refreshingly different, but this one is. The hero is handsome, of course, but instead of being arrogant, he is sweet, kind-hearted, and generous. He is mistreated by society for being a rake, but he isn't one--not really. The heroine likes to tackle her problems head-on, and that's what she does in this book. She reminds me of Jamie Somers in The Bionic Woman--she doesn't wait around to be saved, but gives the hero help when he needs it. I like the book for two particular reasons: it contains many wonderful historical touches about the Regency period, and it successfully avoids being same-old same-old. Come to think of it, all of her books I've read have those qualities. I eagerly await Lane's next book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant follow up to "The Notorious Widow", October 18, 2001

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rake and the Wallflower (Paperback)

"The Rake and the Wallflower" by Allison Lane continues the sage of the Seabrook sisters, started in "The Notorious Widow." This time, however, the focus is on Laura and Mary Seabrook and their London Season. Now that Catherine, the eldest Seabrook sister has married the Earl of Rockhurst, she can afford to give her sisters a London Season that they both deserve. However, neither Laura, the beauty of the family, nor Mary, the shy bookworm, are truly over the moon at this turn of events. Laura, who has dreamed and schemed of having a triumphant Season, is furious that she has to share it with her dab of a sister; as for Mary, who is both plain and shy, and who has not quite recovered from the unpleasantness that her family suffered at Catherine's enemy's hands (brilliantly chronicled in "The Notorious Widow"), this London Season is proving to be hell on earth, especially when Laura keeps maliciously pointing out all of Mary's shortcomings and flaws in public for all to see and know. And then Lord Grayson, the Earl of Rothmoor, who is both incredibly rich and notorious comes to town.

Laura immediately sets her sights on him in spite of his reputation of being a blackguard where women are concerned: he's supposed to have ruined two young debutantes, and to have actually driven one of them to commit suicide. But, it is shy Mary who actually meets and gets to know the notorious Grayson. And she senses that this is a man much maligned. Furthermore, Grayson seems to be suddenly dodging a lot of near accidents. Too many for them to be coincidence, Mary feels. And she is determined to save Grayson from both the twin threats of his invisible foe and her sister's, Laura's, machinations. Will Mary succeed in her attempts to keep Grayson safe? Or will Laura and Grayson's enemy have their way?

"The Rake and the Wallflower" is an excellent follow-up to "The Notorious Widow." This novel does not have quite that gothicky and malevolent feel that "The Notorious Widow" had, however it is still an interesting read nonetheless, as we follow both Grayson and Mary trying to figure out who is out to get him. And unlike "The Notorious Widow" this novel spends more time on the developing romance between Grayson and Mary. I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel very much. Another thing I liked was the relationship that existed between Laura and Mary. These are two sisters who do not get along very well at all, and Ms Lane does a wonderful job of portraying this not very amicable relationship, snipping, warts and all. And what can I say about the portrayal of self-centered, jealous, living-in-her-own-reality, almost demented Laura? Nothing, except that the Book Huntress is right: it is a gem of a depiction!

"The Rake and the Wallflower" is a truly excellent read, and well worth recommending, and raving about.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her best novel to date!, October 11, 2001

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rake and the Wallflower (Paperback)

Catherine insisted Mary and Laura have a chance to meet possible husbands. So Blake, Catherine's husband (the Earl of Rockhurst) was happy to sponsor his wife's two sisters. Mary Seabrook was much more interested in birds, animals, and natural history than the Season in London. Besides, Laura had all the beauty and quickly became the diamond of the Season. No one even noticed Mary, except Mr. Griffin who loved to inflict pain. But Laura had become more vain and self centered lately. She often made sure Mr. Griffin knew where to locate Mary. Therefore, Mary would find quiet places away from the crush during parties to read or privately sketch.

Lord Grayson, Earl of Rothmoor, was considered a rake. Rumor stated he ruined at least two ladies within the last few years. Gossip also stated Lady Constance Turner found herself in the family way and Lord Grayson rejected her, leading her to take her own life! None was true, but Gray stayed away from unmarried ladies.

While hiding from one such lady, he found Mary. Fate seemed to keep throwing them together after that. Then Mary saved his life! Only at that moment would Gray admit two things to himself: he cared a great deal for Mary and someone was out to kill him! Gray would help Mary with Laura's cruelties and help divert scandal on the family name. Mary and Nick (Gray's closest friend) would help prove Gray innocent of all Society's charges, restore honor to his name, and help find out who wanted him dead!

***** Here is Allison Lane's best book to date! I am telling everyone about it! Mary is such a level headed heroine, unlike most, and Laura is the type of two-faced person that everyone loves to hate! I even cheered aloud at one part which made my husband give me a curious look. Very highly recommended! ...