Customer Reviews

The Rake and the Wallflower

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

"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.

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! ...

I hadn't read a Regency romance in months when I picked up Allison Lane's latest book. I've read many of them, and so many of them quite awful, I was much in doubt that I would be surprised. But Ms. Lane's book did.

Reading the previous book in this series might have helped me, but I enjoyed The Rake and the Wallflower just the same. Lane creates some very strong characters that attract loyalty and fascination rather quickly. Heroine Mary is not your average bluestocking, she's into birds and natural history. Used to being outshone by her beautiful but risk-taking sister Laura, she stammers and makes gaffes often. In fact, she's hiding behind some palm trees at a ball when she meets Lord Gradydon, the book's hero.

Graydon, to be frank, has to be one of the more unique heros I've found in a Regency. True, he's been branded a rake by society but for false reasons. He doesn't spend his time boxing, hunting or gaming. He isn't always buying a new horse. He actually hates any bloodshed and grows sick at the sight of it. The fact that in many instances in the book Graydon is unwell or overcoming a weakness when around Mary is very unusual and got my attention. I also enjoyed the verbal interplay between Gray and Mary, although he seemed to drop his guard around her rather quickly. The author gives the reader ample opportunity to watch this special relationship unfold.

My only tiny complaint was about Laura, the outrageous, spoiled sister. I found it a little difficult to believe that after all her tricks, it took everyone so long to realize what a deeply evil woman she was.

But it pales in comparison to the rest of the book's many fine points. I thought that most of the plot well constructed and found myself having grown quite attached to Mary and Gray. I only hope Ms. Lane will let us revisit them in her next book!

Miss Mary Seabrook has accompanied her sister Laura to London for their come-out. Promised by her brother-in-law that she would be able to meet others who share her scholarly interests in birds, Mary looks forward to the Season. The Season does not turn out to be quite what Mary expected. First, there's her sister Laura, a diamond of the first water and a spoiled brat determined to get rid of Mary and outshine everyone else. While hiding from the advances of an overly familiar gentleman, Mary takes to sketching the members of the ton as the animals their personalities most resemble. Lord Grayson is also hiding from scheming minxes, like Mary's sister, who think they are attracted to him because of his dangerous past. When Gray discovers Mary and her sketches, he is intrigued. Sensing that Mary is shy and nervous, he immediately puts her at ease, as he has often done for other shy misses in the past, much to his regret. One of those shy misses took her own life, accusing him of getting her with child. The incident of Miss Turner, combined with another young miss who set out to trap him into marriage by scheming, have contributed to his social ruination. Mary knows she shouldn't be talking with Gray, but he's so kind that she can't help liking him. Laura becomes a sensation, though not in the way she dreamed of, and is determined to have her own way and ruin her reputation and Mary's as well. Gray helps Mary find her confidence in order to save herself and when mysterious and dangerous happenings start to affect Gray, Mary is convinced he's innocent of all past wrongdoing and is determined to catch the would-be murderer and the true seducer of poor Miss Turner. Along the way, Mary falls for this kind, sensitive man who shares her scholarly interests and he discovers the pleasure of finding a woman who appreciates him for his own sake and not just his scandalous reputation.

I had a hard time liking this book. Mary and Gray are both likable and I wouldn't even classify Gray as a rake. He's much more kind and sensitive than most other Regency heroes thanks to his bullying father and kind mother. The plot leaves a lot to be desired. It's somewhat long and the mysteries seem to be solved too easily once the villains were discovered. There isn't a full explanation of what exactly happened to Mary's family 18 months ago. She shares a little bit of the story with Gray and Laura's story also comes out but I was left wondering what happened to Mary's father and Catherine's first husband. The plot is also darker than I would prefer and the characters have a hard time controlling their passions and get a little bit too carried away in some incredibly stupid and pointless scenes. I wouldn't recommend this one to true devotees of good literature or well-written Regency novels.

I did try to persist with this - mainly because it had received good reviews here but, in the end, because I was so jaw-droppingly amazed at the silly plot.

It all hinges on a family of three sisters and our heroine, Mary, is the youngest. She is shown both as vulnerable and intellectual but she has a mouth on her when she chooses and acts like a 21st century city girl.

Our hero, Lord Grayson, is flawed; the man is made faint at the site of blood - described over and over again. Also, the author uses this as a polemic against blood sports. Oh well. Rather a modern polemic - in those days no one would have given much thought to it at all. Portrayed as a really nice chap, he nonetheless has an overt talent for attracting mentally ill/unstable women. Really! Never came across that in a Regency novel before!

The storyline is a bit thin and I won't bore you with the details. The problem here is that the middle sister, Laura, was the only reason to read this book - shown to us as just about completely unhinged, she behaves so badly that you turn the pages to see what the author will make her do next. I really expected her to be murdered by one of the characters who would scream as the pistol discharges, "Help - get me out of this wretched novel!" Sadly, though hauled off to the country, she lives to fight another day. Surely the author didn't do a sequel to this? I can't bear to look and see. I would certainly not read it in any event!

Sorry - this was a silly, pointless and very boring novel. The characters acted out a storyline that was shallow and ultimately unbelievable and their conversations were so badly done that I truly struggled to finish this effort.

I can't recommend it. Two stars because I've read worse.

I loved this book. I loved the hero and the heroine, and despised the villains and the annoying sister. This is the first book I've read by this author, and I definitely want to read more! I think she is superb at drawing up characters.

I'm not going to go into each little thing I liked about this book it would take too long. I'll just say that if you've read any of Allison Lane's other books and enjoyed them, you will love this book. It's the second book in the Seabrook Trilogy and follows "The Notorious Widow".

This is a lovely book full of romance with a little intrigue mixed in.

I would recommend this book to anyone to read.

This book was a true pleasure to read! As some of the reviewers wrote, the hero and heroine are not your typical regency characters, but that's what I liked. They were not superficial and their qualities made them appear real.
The book flowed easily from one scene to the next and never lost my interest.
The only drawback I found was in the intimate scenes. They were a little too steamy for my taste.
My applause to the author for a well written book.

I originally bought this book because it was a sequel of the notorious widow. I wasnt expecting to enjoy it as much as the first one but found that i liked it the best of the trilogy.