Name: Gabrielle Myers's review of Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas
Item: Cold-Hearted Rake
Rating: 3.75
Author: Gabrielle Myers

Lisa Kleypas

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?

Cold-Hearted Rake

Gabrielle Myers

'I'm just so excited for everyone to discover Cold-Hearted Rake, and for me to read the rest of the Ravenel series!' Sarah MacLean 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 more than 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 skilfully erotic seduction, only one question remains: Can she keep from surrendering her heart to the most dangerous man she's ever known? 'Kleypas can make you laugh and cry - on the same page' Julia Quinn This is the breath-taking first novel in the Ravenel series by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas - perfect for fans of Sarah MacLean, Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. The Ravenels: Cold-Hearted Rake Marrying Winterborne Devil in Spring Hello Stranger Devil's Daughter Chasing Cassandra Praise for Lisa Kleypas: 'Intricately and elegantly crafted, intensely romantic . . . A gratifying series starter from a not-to-be-missed romance author' Kirkus Reviews 'Kleypas is an amazing writer. In my opinion, she might be the most technically skilled historical romance author out there' Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 'Insightful characterisation, an abundance of super-charged sexual chemistry, a dash of dry humour, and a to-die-for hero, all of which will have the author's legions of fans giddy with delight at her triumphant return to historical romance' Booklist '[An] addictive, rewarding story . . This delightful, compelling story is the first in Kleypas's new Victorian series about the Ravenel family' Library Journal 'Readers are introduced to the unforgettable characters and their original personalities through a delightful storyline peppered with sharp repartee and steamy sensuality' RT Book Reviews (top pick) 'Cold-Hearted Rake brings to mind some of the best elements of her Hathaway, Wallflower, Gambler, and Capital Theatre series novels.... Reading Kleypas' long-awaited return to historical is akin to walking into the arms of an old friend' Heroes and Heartbreakers

Sonia Grgas

Everything a romance novel should be! On to the next one in the series....

Annabella

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance


  

 
  
    Summary
  
 

  
Devon Ravenel, a wicked rake with a reputation to span the country, has just learned that his cousin died in a accident, and now Devon is the Earl, which is his greatest fear! Now he has many responsibilities and all he craves is his freedom from it all. Devon, along with his brother Weston, are heading toward Devon's estate and make decisions. Upon arrival, all that Devon wants to do is to sell it, and sell of everything that is entitled to him as the newest Earl. He wants zero duties and responsibilities and wants to be able to return to his normal routine. But upon meeting his  cousins and the wife of his late cousin, Devon is startled into a new reality.

  
    “Never apologize to women. It only confirms that you were wrong, and incenses them further.”
  

A reality that takes both Devon and Weston out by storm. He realizes that he needs to give this a shot, he knows its near impossible to try to save everything with a huge debt he has also taken responsibility of, but he also realizes that there is something more driving him to be more than what he has always been. He sees hope and affection and a life outside what he has always imagined.
 
  
    The Hero
  
 
Devon is a hero that at first you don't like at all. Devon is irresponsible, cocky, arrogant and just wants to do what he wants with little or no consequence. Devon has never known affection apart from his brother. What Devon becomes in this story is a person that is remarkable and full of depth and strength of will that surfaces. We see a character that comes into his own skin, and finds purpose and meaning in life. Devon is a character that avoids anything serious, he is all about enoyment and being in the city. He can't stand country life or all that has been heaped upon his shoulders. What is truly miraculous about his character was the change that becomes evident from the very beginning. He starts as a young man that is determined to sell everything off and get as much as he can from it and move on. But then he meets a certain widow, and his whole perspective changes. It is truly wonderful to see this change happen, to see a character you don't like from the first page and become a hero to admire.
 
  
    The Heroine
  
 
Kathleen married Theo out of duty and because she thought that they would suit well together. Kathleen has never truly known love of family. Her own parents shipped her from Ireland, so that she could be raised on a horse farm. Then she grew up in a home of hard work and dedication, but no love was there, but was something she had always hoped to find. Kathleen is spirited and strong diligence, she fights for what is right not what is easy. Kathleen is a heroine that impressed me. Because she is grieving her husband's death, dealing with guilt and she is able to fight for the estate and all those that reside there. She can put sense into Devon and she knows exactly what buttons to push. I loved her determination. She has a short fuse though, so when she gets riled---you better watch out.
 
  
    Plot and Story Line
  
 
What a beautifully woven story that kept me warmed to the toes! This is the first time Kleypas has returned to writing historical romance, after being so involved in her contemporary series so I was impressed with what she has done with Cold Hearted Rake. Now not only is this a fantastic love story, but she also sets the stage for future books in the series and to set up the feeling of the Ravenel's. I loved the course that the plot takes in this story.

Its sets off with our hero and heroine meeting and hating each other from the beginning. There is no quick love match here. In fact, it takes time and work for these two to build something worth fighting for. It was quite interesting to see the tempers flare, and ignite into one hell of a fire. Oh boy, do these two like to go at it like wolves. No light playing here, full on and intense. But is there chemistry! This is what I admired so much about this book, is seeing the hate to love feeling develop. Now this isn't your average angsty romance, because it doesn't have that feel to it. Its fun and easy going at times, and the humor just hits the right spot with the tone of the story. This is what I have come to truly admire about Lisa Kleypas, is her ability to balance out variables and come out on top with a delectable romance.

The secondary characters were the icing on the cake for the Cold Hearted Rake here. First we have Weston. Now Weston was a hoot!! He is very much alike his brother, but in some ways worse off as far as how much he drinks and carouses around town. Started to get fat (from all the laziness and drinking) and has no real motivation to do anything meaningful. Then that all changes, when his brother challenges him with the estate and boy do we ever see a change. He takes to the country and farm life like a fish to the sea. A complete natural once he gets his hands dirty. He also has developed a close bond with the girls here...both the widow and his cousin's sisters. Then we have Helen, Cassandra and Pandora were such a unique aspect to the story and each of them play vital roles. Helen (which is our heroine in the next book) is wonderful. Talented, education but shy at times, which is probably why I was so endeared to her. But watch out, because this character has spine when you least expect it from her. Cassandra and Pandora are twins and what spirit these two have. In fact, they are 'heathens" don't care about rules at all, and love to play and do what they want. These two added a good energy level to the story that really aids in some other aspects of building of the plot.

  
    “Time is what I'm giving you," he said, staring down at her. His hand curved beneath her chin, compelling her to look at him. "There's only one way for me to prove that I will love you and be faithful to you for the rest of my life. And that's by loving you and being faithful to you for the rest of my life. Even if you don't want me. Even if you choose not to be with me. I'm giving you all the time I have left. I vow to you that from this moment on, I will never touch another woman, or give my heart to anyone but you. If I have to wait sixty years, not a minute will have been wasted- because I'll have spent all of them loving you.”
  

The romance is slow and easy, and I love seeing this in romances. In my mind, it builds more depth and the reader is able to connect with the story on a deeper level. There are certain key points that happen in the plot that are essential to Devon and Kathleen truly coming together. This is a story that is enriching, heart warming and is a must read for any historical romance lover.
 
  
    The Cover
  
 
Aww!! I just adore this cover...its so pretty. I just can't get enough of her dress especially since I love pink. And I like the manor in the background, with the garden and the teal colors....the cover almost has a "painting" quality to it.
 
  
    Overall View
  
 
The Cold Hearted Rake is a phenomenal story that is sweet and full of laughs, plenty of endearing character to keep you asking for more, and a love story that leaves you breathless!! A TRUE GEM!!

Arianna M

My favourite parts were the ones concerning the family dynamic as well as the beginnings of Rhys/Helen.

Connor 

Magda Silva

It seems odd that I gave a two-star rating to a book that I read in just a day. I have already tried to read this book once, a few years ago but dropped it because I didn't like the characters or the story. But these days I wanted to read more historical fiction and the since I had the book why not try it again? But once again I didn't like the characters, Devon was absolutely annoying and just made me angry all the time. But Kathleen? She was even worse. I didn't buy the romance between them. Even do the two main characters were terrible I liked West. He was the typical bad boy that turned responsible and the fact that made me like him even more? The fact that he changed because he found something he loved that wasn't a girl. *Happy dance*. Sorry. But I liked West and the writing so I intend to read more Lisa's books.

Jaclyn

This was a great start to the series!! I loved all the characters and I’m so excited for each of them to get their HEA, especially West and the twins!! I’m also super interested and already invested in Helen and Rhys relationship and I can’t wait to see where that goes! The reason this one isn’t a 5 star for me is because I was really annoyed with Kathleen most of the book. She was really frustrating for me and while I liked how headstrong she was, it got very repetitive. That being said, I did love the romance between her and Devon, it was definitely very push-and-pull and the steamy scenes were as wonderful as you would expect from a Lisa Kleypas novel! I’m super excited to read more of the Ravenals!

Kelly Casey

Devon Ravenel is a cold-hearted rake who becomes a duke of a failing estate when his awful cousin dies in an accident. Devon is selfish and does not want to nor know how to care for an estate, his cousin's three sisters, or his cousin's widow who he had only been married to for three days before his death. However, sparring verbally with said widow causes Devon to change his mind and take on the estate. From there it's a whirlwind of seduction, and plot revolving around financial matters and an accident that takes place.

I liked the romance a lot. It was very steamy. However, there were many decisions and actions that Devon would make that really contradicted how decent of a man he had become, and it was hard to believe he would do those things if he had changed like he is portrayed through the rest of the book. It also made it difficult to love his character. However, I did manage to overlook these things because I really enjoyed the majority of the romance.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the secondary romance that took place until the end conflict which really upset me. I don't know how the second book will resolve that, but it was rough.

Lisa Kleypas' writing is quite beautifully descriptive and easy to envision. I also thoroughly enjoy her steamy scenes. She tends to include a shocking plot at some point in her novels such as accidents and explosions that are very riveting. I thoroughly recommend picking up her novels.

Mayra Melo

laura

This has been the first ever read in this genre that I read. I really loved this book. I thought this book was such a fun read. I loved not only the love to hate romance but also the setting that this place took place in. I also love the side characters that we meet and so excited to get them in future books. I really loved the main female character as well. I like how this book dealt with dealing with grief and other unique elements. This book was so sexy, but i loved it. I can't wait to read more in this series in the future.

Amanda J 

I liked it! The romance was good. The couple had enough spark in the beginning and the relationship actually developed. At times Katheleen's emphasis on propriety read strangely. Not any major conflict. It also establishes the world of the series nicely. 
I'll definitely be reading the next one

Renee Delcourt

I had so much fun reading this book! I really enjoy Lisa Kleypas' writing. Her stories feel so much more real to me. They are messy and relatable in so many ways without taking away the HEA that you love. 

I really adored each character, flaws and all. Each character brings a freshness to the story and add such varying personalities to what I hope is going to be a new favorite series. I definitely will be reading Helen's story soon and hopefully I will devour it as quickly as I read and loved Kathleen's.

B. K.

4 stars. Really liked this, although the title is misleading- honestly the "rake" seems like a fairly decent guy from the start. 

I only started reading historical romance this year and this is my first Lisa Kleypas novel, but I'll definitely continue on in the series. I picked this up on audiobook as soon as I saw it was narrated by Mary Jane Wells, who narrates Tessa Dare's Girl Meets Duke series; she's quickly become one of my favorite narrators.

Heather Harrington

*3.5

This felt a little slower-paced than other romances I've read, but I still really enjoyed it!

b.andherbooks

I've heard good things about Kleypas, and this was my first. I'm not entirely sold. I enjoyed the fact the Rake didn't already have his fortune made and had struggles, but I did not truly enjoy or buy the pairing of the two.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


Whyyyyyy did I wait so long to read Cold-Hearted Rake? Anyone? (And why have I still not read the second two books in the series? Sometimes I'm the worst.) I don't make time to read a lot of historical romance these days, but every time I read one, I wish I did. Lisa Kleypas is my HR queen. 
I wasn't 100% sure I would get onboard with Devon, but after Sebastian became one of my favorite heroes EVER in Devil in Winter, I should've known better than to doubt Lisa. I mean, sure, Devon put me through some ups and downs, but when it was all said and done, I was hopelessly in love with him. Kathleen was pretty special herself. Together they delivered an amazing slow burn romance with many swoons and feels along the way. There are so many interesting secondary characters in this book, I can't wait until I can read their stories. 

I can't say enough about Lisa's historical romances and how much I always end up loving her characters — even the ones I'm convinced I'm going to dislike. She has a special way of redeeming even the most challenging character and I am here for it every single time. 

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

Ravenels had always been too hot-blooded and impulsive. They yielded to every temptation, indulged in every sin, and scorned every virtue, with the result that they tended to die faster than they could reproduce. 

"Yes, I have a conscience. It's been abused and neglected for years, but even so, it occasionally manages to be a nuisance."

Marriage had taught her that men forgot themselves when aroused. They lost control and turned into beasts. 

"The last moment, I thought... I would die wanting you."

Gabrielle Myers &
Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

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