Review: "The Rake" by Mary Jo Putney

"The Rake"
Author: Mary Jo Putney
Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781420117271
Source: Publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Published: March 27, 2012 by Zebra
Author's Website: http://www.maryjoputney.com/

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
A man's past doesn't have to map his fate, especially when a woman holds the key to his destiny in this timeless novel by New York Times bestselling author and legend in historical romance Mary Jo Putney...

Disinherited and disgraced, Reginald Davenport's prospects cried for a dire end. But fate has given him one last chance at redemption—by taking his rightful place as the heir of Strickland, his lost ancestral estate. Davenport knows his way around women, yet nothing prepares him for his shocking encounter with Lady Alys Weston.

Masquerading as a man in order to obtain a position as estate manager of Strickland, Alys fled a world filled with mistrust and betrayal. She was finished with men—until Strickland's restored owner awakens a passion she thought she would never feel. A passion that will doom or save them both…if only they can overcome their pasts.

 An entertaining historical romance that was exciting, romantic, humorous and satisfying to the very end. I really enjoy the dialogue in historical romances and this one is no different. It made me feel as if I was there at the time, transported to the past where all that occurred within the pages was happening right before my very eyes. Any fan of the historical genre will enjoy The Rake :)

Alys (in my eyes) is an amazing, independent, smart, determined and very trustworthy beautiful woman that does not think as highly as herself as she should. Leaving her home and father at her teenage years, she started her life a new. Disguised as a man she took a position on an estate that only a man would ever be hired for and proved her abilities ten fold. After about 4 years of holding the position, the owner comes to visit and to possibly stay. The last thing Alys expects is for him to be a very well known Rake and to be attracted to him in every way shape and form.

Reginald is a legendary Rake. His reputation is correct, in some ways, incredibly wrong in others. He’s very smart, handsome and resourceful, he learns of his due property, which was also formally his home, and makes his way straight to it. Shocked when he finds one of the best stewards known, is a woman and a woman that he must steer clear from because she’s way too good for him and he does not want to sully her impeccable reputation. Well that and the fact that he is her boss.

Both characters have troubled pasts and cannot seem to let go. Reginald fighting his past and current demons, while Alys is left with a huge hole in her heart and soul from a past that she has run away from long ago. But when they find each other and get to know one another, there’s a sense of healing happening with both of them, both thinking of forgiveness and letting go so they can finally move forward in their lives. Can they make it last and can they remain as good as friends as they have become?

The only thing that bothered me about this read was how abruptly Alys and Reginald really got together. Yes, there was some tension and build, but it seemed as if it was missing a little something… more. Other than that, all of the characters are likeable and there’s much growth with both the hero and the heroine, as well as with many of the other characters.


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