Emily Dickinson's "Cold-Hearted Rake": A Captivating Novel

Rosemary: This book is rather more...meaty than I was expecting, in the best way possible. I found myself thinking about the characters all the time, and wanted to get back to them ASAP. Thank heaven for audio! Without the ability to read and listen, I'd never get anything done! This is an excellent book. Kudos and grateful thanks to the author.

United States on Jan 01, 2024

G. Hanhart: Devon Ravenel has just inherited an earldom following the death of his cousin Theo. On arriving at Eversby Priory (the ancestral family home) he discovers Theo’s widow Kathleen.

Both Devon and Kathleen have had difficult family backgrounds with parents that were at best distant or incapable of showing affection. In Devon’s case this has resulted in his believing himself unlovable and thus appearing the Cold Hearted Rake of the title.

Gradually each discovers that they are capable of love and affection.

I really enjoyed this story which is the first in Lisa’s new series set in the later part of Queen Victoria’s reign.

I am looking forward to seeing how each of the various family members find their own HEA’s.

United Kingdom on May 09, 2023

Alison: Love it.

Canada on Apr 13, 2023

Gatorfan: COLD-HEARTED RAKE is a standalone read with a happy ending. It is quite sexy at times so if that is an issue, better pass on this one. All that being said, and since I am reviewer 1000+ I doubt this one will ever be read. BUT I am so in love with this story that there is no way I could not write and say how much I loved it. I don't think ANYONE can write a historical novel as good as Ms. Kleypas. God, I love her books. It makes me want to live during that time period. Then again, the way some of the live it would never suit!! Course, I probably would have been a kitchen maid so... The time period is 1875 November. Hampshire, England.

Devon, 28 a rake of the highest order has just inherited a dukedom that he never in a million years wanted. He is now an Earl and he has inherited many things, one the ancestral home of the Revenel's. Most what he has inherited is a bucket load of debt. The home is tumbling down around their feet. The previous Earl's have been more interested in having a good time at gaming halls, etc. than looking after their properties. Plus, he has no idea how to be an Earl. He wasn't raised to inherit. His stupid cousin had to get his neck broke when he...

United States on Jan 28, 2021

Buba: Cold-Hearted Rake é o primeiro livro da série The Ravenels.
O ponto central é a bela história de amor entre Devon e Kathleen, porém este romance vai muito além.
A trama traz um diversificado mix de romance, ação, com uma boa dose de humor graças as gêmeas Pandora e Cassandra, porém talvez o aspecto mais encantador deste romance esteja no desenvolvimento dos diversos relacionamentos dentro do núcleo familiar Ravenel.
Se a história peca por algumas vezes deixar em segundo plano o romance entre o casal de protagonistas, por outro Lisa Kleypas mostra todo o seu talento ao detalhar a dinâmica dentro do núcleo familiar dos Ravenel.
Com maestria e riqueza de detalhes a autora tece a história da improvável família Ravenel: 3 jovens irmãs órfãs que foram neglicenciadas pelos pais emocionalmente ausentes, 1 cunhada recentemente viúva e os 2 primos distantes que de repente se veem às voltas com as responsabilidades de assumirem o comando da família. Praticamente estranhos que aos poucos passam a formar uma verdadeira família. Belos momentos em que a autora começa a arquitetar o arcabouço da família, de um grupo de parentes distantes sem qualquer...

Brazil on Dec 12, 2019

ちえ: 心理描写、登場人物がお互いに良い影響を与えて、成長して変貌していく様子が読んでいて心強く、困難に立ち向かって行きていく時、人はどうあるべきか、よくわかります。愛、恋愛に関する食い違いも。現代に通じる男女の感覚の違いですね

Japan on Aug 10, 2019

Dan: Ho iniziato a leggere questo nuovo libro della Kleypas con grande entusiasmo, nonostante fosse disponibile solo in inglese, quando ho saputo che è il primo di una nuova serie romance. L’aspettativa era quella di leggere una nuova raccolta di avventure, come quella delle Wallflowers o della serie Hathaway, che mi sono piaciute moltissimo.
Questo primo romanzo però non è niente di particolare, principalmente a causa di una trama molto dispersiva: c’è la storia d’amore, ci sono le sorellastre della protagonista, poi si parla di come gestire una tenuta e della gestione dei fittavoli, e poi di come allevare cavalli, e quindi di come coltivare le orchidee, e dei primi viaggi in treno, e del Natale in arrivo e di altro ancora.
Insomma, la trama è fitta di elementi e situazioni che, a mio parere, la complicano inutilmente e appesantiscono la storia centrale, con il risultato di rendere più interessanti alcuni personaggi di secondo piano rispetto ai protagonisti.
Per quanto riguarda la storia d’amore, la protagonista, Kathleen, non mi è piaciuta, l’ho trovata noiosa e inutilmente pedante e penso che anche Devon, il protagonista maschile, si sia prestato un po’...

Italy on May 27, 2016

Judge Tabor: When I began reading historical romance novels after a 20 year absence, Lisa Kleypas was one of the first authors I discovered. To say she has mesmerized me with "The Hathaways" and the "Wallflower" series with the most awesome rakish story by far being,  The Devil in Winter (The Wallflowers, Book 3) , is it any wonder, I've been waiting with bated breath for this long awaited story.

Perhaps I was expecting too much. Or, perhaps not. At any rate, I've struggled between 3 to 5 stars, even though I'm certain beyond any doubt, this book is not a 5 star read for me when compared to most of her books. It's more like a 3.5 star read. I liked most of the characters in the book and totally disagree that the hero, Devon Ravenel, was heartless. In fact, he continually disproved that fact early on and during the course of the book. Even with his "less than loving" background with parents who cared more about themselves than their children, he was a good brother to West and decided very early on to offer his protection to the young women left in his care, after his cousin, Theo, passed - leaving the "less-than-thriving" unwanted earldom in Devon's hands.

Regarding his...

United States on Oct 28, 2015