Cold-Hearted Rake
Ratings21
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings21
Average rating3.5
Lisa Kleypas is back with a stunning new historical romance! Readers have long waited for the return of New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas to historical romance—and now she's back with her most breathtaking yet. A twist of fate . . . Devon Ravenel, London's most wickedly charming rake, has just inherited an earldom. But his powerful new rank in society comes with unwanted responsibilities . . . and more than a few surprises. His estate is saddled with debt, and the late earl's three innocent sisters are still occupying the house . . . along with Kathleen, Lady Trenear, a beautiful young widow whose sharp wit and determination are a match for Devon's own. A clash of wills . . . Kathleen knows better than to trust a ruthless scoundrel like Devon. But the fiery attraction between them is impossible to deny—and from the first moment Devon holds her in his arms, he vows to do whatever it takes to possess her. As Kathleen finds herself yielding to his skillfully erotic seduction, only one question remains: Can she keep from surrendering her heart to the most dangerous man she's ever known?
Series
7 primary booksThe Ravenels is a 7-book series with 7 primary works first released in 2015 with contributions by Lisa Kleypas.
Reviews with the most likes.
I really love Kleypas's way with minor characters - West, Helen, and the twins were as vivid for me as the main characters. I think this is the first historical I've read that has a pregnancy scare, and a realistic one, not just an aside about the possibility. It's a minor note but I liked it. Kleypas's historicals also seem a bit more concerned with accuracy to the time period, which is nice. Really enjoyed this one, starting the second book in the series as we speak.
A commitment phobic aristocrat unexpectedly inherits a big pile of responsibility. A headstrong and damaged widow tries to maintain control of a household she no longer has any right to. They have a power struggle over the estate and later have a sexy times power struggle.
The efforts to modernize the estate and turn a profit, during the time period when large estates are in decline, are pretty interesting. Unfortunately rather than resolve the problems through cleverness and good business sense, there's a deus ex machina to magic all the problems away.
There's pretty good chemistry between the leads but half the sex scenes are the ever popular and unfortunate “rape but she liked it so it's okay” variety. A secondary couple is introduced halfway through with absolutely no chemistry.
I haven't read any Kleypas since the beginning of 2023 (her Hathaways series), so excited to bookend (hah...I'll see myself out) with another series! This has all the Kleypas characteristics I read for: smart women, well-developed relationships in addition to the romantic duo (in this case, two brothers maturing with good humor together), class politics, etc. I liked that the "crisis" in this one came mid-plot, not 75% of the way through, and looking forward to plowing through the rest of these.
