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Pennington #7
Reform of the Rake
A daddy for Christmas... Sensible Lowri had no intention of succumbing to Adam Hawkridge's careless charm. But Adam persisted, Lowri resisted - and gave in. Loving Adam had its price - soon Lowri was expecting his baby. He proposed marriage but Lowri knew his heart just wasn't in it. So she jilted him at the altar, pretending her pregnancy was a false alarm. Two years later, and Lowri was looking forward to spending Christmas with her pride and joy - little Rhosyn. But the festive season would bring with it a series of surprises and shocks - not least that Adam Hawkridge was about to discover the existence of his daughter!
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 11, 1994
25 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Catherine George
444 books73 followersDeirdre Matthews was born in a village on the Welsh-English border, where the public library featured largely in her life. Her mother, who looked upon literature as a basic necessity of life, fervently encouraged her passion for reading, little knowing it would one day motivate her daughter into writing her first novel.
At 18, she met a future Engineer, who had set in a pendant a gold sovereign, that his grandmother put in his hand when he was born, and she have never taken off since. After their marriage he swept her off to Brazil, where he worked as Chief Engineer of a large gold-mining operation in the mountains of Minas Gerais, a setting which later provided a very popular background for several of her early novels. Nine happy years passed there before the question of their small son's education decided their return to Britain. Not long afterward a daughter was born, and for a time she lived a fulfilled life as a wife and mother who always made time to read, especially in the bath!
Her husband's job took him abroad again, to Portugal, West Africa, and various countries of the Middle East, but this time she stayed home with the family. And spent a lot of lonely evenings in between the reunions when her husband came home on leave. "Instead of reading other people's novels all the time," he suggested one day, "why not have a shot at writing one yourself?" So she did.
But first she took a creative writing course. Encouraged by the other students' enthusiasm for her contributions, she decided to try her hand at romance, and read countless Mills & Boon novels as research before writing one herself. Her first novel was accepted in 1982 as Catherine George, which Romantic Times voted best of its genre for that year, along with more than sixty written since.
These days son and daughter have fled the nest, but they return with loving regularity to where she and her husband back for good from his travels live, with Prince, the most recent Labrador, in a house built at the end of Victoria's reign in four acres of garden on the cliffs between the beautiful Wye Valley and the River Severn.
At 18, she met a future Engineer, who had set in a pendant a gold sovereign, that his grandmother put in his hand when he was born, and she have never taken off since. After their marriage he swept her off to Brazil, where he worked as Chief Engineer of a large gold-mining operation in the mountains of Minas Gerais, a setting which later provided a very popular background for several of her early novels. Nine happy years passed there before the question of their small son's education decided their return to Britain. Not long afterward a daughter was born, and for a time she lived a fulfilled life as a wife and mother who always made time to read, especially in the bath!
Her husband's job took him abroad again, to Portugal, West Africa, and various countries of the Middle East, but this time she stayed home with the family. And spent a lot of lonely evenings in between the reunions when her husband came home on leave. "Instead of reading other people's novels all the time," he suggested one day, "why not have a shot at writing one yourself?" So she did.
But first she took a creative writing course. Encouraged by the other students' enthusiasm for her contributions, she decided to try her hand at romance, and read countless Mills & Boon novels as research before writing one herself. Her first novel was accepted in 1982 as Catherine George, which Romantic Times voted best of its genre for that year, along with more than sixty written since.
These days son and daughter have fled the nest, but they return with loving regularity to where she and her husband back for good from his travels live, with Prince, the most recent Labrador, in a house built at the end of Victoria's reign in four acres of garden on the cliffs between the beautiful Wye Valley and the River Severn.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 23, 2018
Truly disgusting hero zero. Heroine meets him when he comes into her shop to buy two lingerie sets for two different women: One naughty, black lace one with a thong, the other a virginal blush shade with full coverage. And he is so cocky and arrogant, laughing about it and enjoying making her blush in embarassment as she fumbles around trying to giftwrap these presents to his mistresses. BARF!
One could only hope he was going home to put these on a couple of blow up dolls but sadly the heroine does meet a few of his girlfriends and they are real flesh and blood though there must be a balloon where the human brain is supposed to be located. No wonder heroine told him he was a health risk to the female populace, later on when he tried his moves on her.
Alas, the idiot heroine eventually gives in to his smarmy advances, despite knowing he does not intend her to be anything other than another notch in his bedpost, with the added bonus that she will be an amusing breath of fresh air i.e. not tall, blonde, brainless, and with a huge rack, the way he usually likes'em. Yes, this zero is slumming it with the little country bumpkin who is so fresh and original and smart and athletic. As much as he enjoys her in and out of bed, he is not afraid to remind heroine constantly that the clock is ticking on their idyll. He is due to take over the reins of his father's company and after that, she will be donzo. But heroine is happy with crumbs.
Until she gets pregnant. Predictably, a furious zero accuses her of planning to trap him into marriage then morosely tells her he will do the right thing by marrying her. The only time the heroine showed some spunk is when she jilts his sorry ass at the altar and leaves him a Dear John letter falsely telling him that the pregnancy was just a false alarm and spelling out some very needed home truths to him about his callousness.
Two years later, they meet accidentally and thecat Seekret Baybee is out of the bag. Zero shows how incredibly he has matured and become reasonable over the years when he makes everything about HIM. How he was humiliated at the jilting, how he was mistreated by his former friends and the heroine's family members who decided to side with heroine, how he wasn't able to form any relationships with other women because he was so overworked, how he missed out on his daughter's birth and his parents missed out on being grandparents. Wah-Wah-Wah!!!! It is ALL heroine's fault. A wonder she didn't have to change his nappy along with her daughter's!
Any part he had in the debacle is reduced to a few meaningless words that were said in the heat of the moment then it's back to pity party central because according to him, she has become a hard, cruel woman bent on revenge and making him pay for a few words.
It took a completely random kidnapping subplot to wring this mess out for the dismal, happy if she is happy, conclusion.
The only good thing to come out of this book was a cameo by Patrick and Carey Savage, the only Catherine George characters I have adored, from her earlier book A Civilised Arrangement.
One could only hope he was going home to put these on a couple of blow up dolls but sadly the heroine does meet a few of his girlfriends and they are real flesh and blood though there must be a balloon where the human brain is supposed to be located. No wonder heroine told him he was a health risk to the female populace, later on when he tried his moves on her.
Alas, the idiot heroine eventually gives in to his smarmy advances, despite knowing he does not intend her to be anything other than another notch in his bedpost, with the added bonus that she will be an amusing breath of fresh air i.e. not tall, blonde, brainless, and with a huge rack, the way he usually likes'em. Yes, this zero is slumming it with the little country bumpkin who is so fresh and original and smart and athletic. As much as he enjoys her in and out of bed, he is not afraid to remind heroine constantly that the clock is ticking on their idyll. He is due to take over the reins of his father's company and after that, she will be donzo. But heroine is happy with crumbs.
Until she gets pregnant. Predictably, a furious zero accuses her of planning to trap him into marriage then morosely tells her he will do the right thing by marrying her. The only time the heroine showed some spunk is when she jilts his sorry ass at the altar and leaves him a Dear John letter falsely telling him that the pregnancy was just a false alarm and spelling out some very needed home truths to him about his callousness.
Two years later, they meet accidentally and the
Any part he had in the debacle is reduced to a few meaningless words that were said in the heat of the moment then it's back to pity party central because according to him, she has become a hard, cruel woman bent on revenge and making him pay for a few words.
It took a completely random kidnapping subplot to wring this mess out for the dismal, happy if she is happy, conclusion.
The only good thing to come out of this book was a cameo by Patrick and Carey Savage, the only Catherine George characters I have adored, from her earlier book A Civilised Arrangement.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2018
‘I want two of these things, and the other bits to go with them—one set in thirty-six C, the other in thirty-two E.’ He cast an assessing eye over the display. ‘The first lot in that pinkish colour, I think, and the other one black. Mmm, yes, definitely black.’
‘Well, well—the little cousin!’ He clasped her hand warmly. ‘This is my friend, Fiona Childe.’
‘Miss Thirty-two E, black lace,’ murmured a deep voice in Lowri’s ear, and she stiffened, swallowing a giggle.
‘Typical! Next week he’ll probably be back for more of the same in two quite different sizes.’
Lowri had no illusions about her looks. She was more rounded than she would have liked for her lack of inches, and regarded her large, dark eyes as her only redeeming feature.
He’s Caroline’s “friend”. She’s crazy about him. Women flock round Hawkridge in droves. Can’t think why. He’s no oil painting.’
‘Is Caroline the thirty-six C angel blush?’ Adam threw back his head and roared with laughter, then squeezed her hand, winking at her. ‘Actually, no. You haven’t met Miss Thirty-Six.’
So I refused. Besides,’ added Lowri tartly, ‘I objected to the way he breezed up at the cricket match, expecting me to accept with humble gratitude because somebody else stood him up tonight.’ ‘How do you know that?’ ‘What other reason could there be? I’ve got my pride, Sarah. It was pretty obvious he expected me to drop everything and run.’ She sniffed. ‘No chance.’
‘About time you grew up, Lowri. Hearts don’t break. And I’ve never misled a woman in my life. I admit I enjoy the company of your sex, make the most of any privileges I’m offered—and I do mean offered—but always on the strict understanding that the arrangement’s temporary. No strings and eyes wide open are the rules of the game. Permanence is out for me. At least for a good few years yet.’
‘Wait a minute. Clarify. While you’re indulging in these wholesome activities with me, would you also be out partying with Caroline and Co.?’ He shrugged. ‘Not if it’s an obstacle to your agreement.’ He smiled wryly.
She was never sure whether he was sincerely attracted to her, or merely thought of her as the Clares’ little cousin, a playmate whose obvious crush on him was entertaining to indulge. One thing he made very clear was that their weekend expeditions into the country together would have bored his other playmates rigid.
‘Stop putting yourself down!’ he said, exasperated. ‘I think you’re cute.’ ‘Cute!’ she exploded.
‘Would you like some more coffee?’ ‘I’d rather take you to bed.’ She stared at him, startled. ‘You don’t beat around the bush!’ ‘Normally there’s none to beat around.’
‘He’s staying the course with you far longer than he usually does with the Carolines of this world.’
You’re not conventionally pretty or a sensational shape—’ ‘Like the others,’ she snapped. ‘Will you stop banging on about the others? Just believe me when I say that our experience together was a rare and beautiful thing. For me, anyway,’
‘Are you telling me the truth, Lowri?’ he said slowly at last. ‘Or did you by any chance engineer this little “accident” deliberately, to trap me?’
‘None of my so-called “other women” ever put me in this position,’ he hurled back, his face white with anger.
‘Don’t be stupid. It is happening, so something must be done about it,’ he said forcefully.
‘You’re being stupid again, Lowri. There’s nothing else for it. I’ll arrange a quiet wedding as quickly as possible —’ ‘To hide my shame?’ she said derisively. ‘Get real, Adam. Times have changed.’
‘Don’t be stupid, I’ll drive you,’ he snapped angrily.
‘If you call me stupid once more I’ll hit you, so stop it!’ she bit back, cut to pieces because he hadn’t insisted she stay.
Adam changed from a laughing, demanding lover into a humourless, businesslike stranger who condemned her insistence on utter secrecy as both juvenile and irritating.
‘You hardly eat anything. We might as well stay at home and have a sandwich—I could save money for my approaching commitments.’
‘No time for women these days. Work fills my life.’ Lowri gave him a sceptical smile. ‘That’s hard to believe.’
You didn’t want her, so she’s mine—mine alone. And I didn’t marry you because I couldn’t face the thought of life with a man who was taking me on sufferance.
If it soothes your ego a little I freely admit I was in love with you, Adam. Otherwise I couldn’t have let you make love to me. But to you I was just a surprisingly sexy little playmate to take to bed.
I needed someone passionately eager to marry me, not just willing.’
‘Wasn’t Lady Hadley afraid your sorry little tale would be a bad example to her stepdaughters?’ said Adam cuttingly. Lowri gave him a hostile glare. ‘On the contrary. Rhia felt my predicament served as a graphic warning to them in their future dealings with your sex.’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2022
It wasn't as bad as I expected. He actually was celibate while apart but he was kind of a jerk. I know why she didn't want to marry him. But she got on my nerves too. She was so stubborn and adamant that he couldn't see his daughter it made me mad. He had every right. I did like the story over all. At the beginning he was a manho of epic proportions and was still sleeping with his playthings I think. Disgusting! But it ended up okay. I bet that they will have a very tempestuous relationship however. They are both stubborn and mean. The whole kidnapping thing was just bizarre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2017
The blurb gave it all away, thank heavens I didn't read it before I started the book.
What worked for me :
Alex courting Lowri. He was charming, fun and protective. Lowri was naive and fell a little more in love each time she saw him. You are easily convinced by her youth and inexperience, all this is believable.
Secret baby - I have a love hate relationship with this trope. If you're walking away, keeping the baby daddy in the dark; you better have a strong reason for doing it.
Lowri had her reasons and most people would agree. Alex was not looking for marriage and Lowri didn't want to force him into anything.
Lowri's independent nature is highlighted in other areas of her life and she didn't treat this situation differently.
She was not scared or dependent on Alex during this difficult time.
By walking away she saved herself and the reader from a lot of angst, drama and blame.
Alex gets to confront his feelings and drown in despair.
We see Rupert and Sarah again, they are happy together.
What didn't work for me :
Alex is clever, persistent and financially well off. We know this because of the courting phase.
So why didn't he just hire a detective to look for Lowri if he missed her so much?
I'm certain that if a revenge or blackmail part was involved, Alex would have been extremely motivated and Lowri would be trapped in less than a week.
I'm baffled by the contrary nature of H's in Harlequins....They have joined the dark side, indeed.
What worked for me :
Alex courting Lowri. He was charming, fun and protective. Lowri was naive and fell a little more in love each time she saw him. You are easily convinced by her youth and inexperience, all this is believable.
Secret baby - I have a love hate relationship with this trope. If you're walking away, keeping the baby daddy in the dark; you better have a strong reason for doing it.
Lowri had her reasons and most people would agree. Alex was not looking for marriage and Lowri didn't want to force him into anything.
Lowri's independent nature is highlighted in other areas of her life and she didn't treat this situation differently.
She was not scared or dependent on Alex during this difficult time.
By walking away she saved herself and the reader from a lot of angst, drama and blame.
Alex gets to confront his feelings and drown in despair.
We see Rupert and Sarah again, they are happy together.
What didn't work for me :
Alex is clever, persistent and financially well off. We know this because of the courting phase.
So why didn't he just hire a detective to look for Lowri if he missed her so much?
I'm certain that if a revenge or blackmail part was involved, Alex would have been extremely motivated and Lowri would be trapped in less than a week.
I'm baffled by the contrary nature of H's in Harlequins....They have joined the dark side, indeed.
October 3, 2016
This book made me realise I have grown up from my MB days.. alas.. :(
May 28, 2013
It was a simple and good feeling novel, although it took quite a while to get there.
January 27, 2023
The H is a playboy and the h meets H when he comes in to buy Lingerie in the shop she is helping out with. Knowing his reputation, she has an affair with H and when she learns she is pregnant, the H proposes but doesn’t welcome the news and feels trapped. The h decides to lie to the H that she wasn’t pregnant and jilts him at the altar of their secret wedding.
The two meet after almost 2 years and the h decides to continue lying and the H finds out she had his child. Since the two were at impasse as the h has influential family, support and trust fund and has no dependency on the man, the author couldn’t figure out how to get them back together. She is unable to develop their character naturally. Hence, she introduces a very convenient plot device
The two meet after almost 2 years and the h decides to continue lying and the H finds out she had his child. Since the two were at impasse as the h has influential family, support and trust fund and has no dependency on the man, the author couldn’t figure out how to get them back together. She is unable to develop their character naturally. Hence, she introduces a very convenient plot device
March 9, 2018
Reform of the Rake
This was a good read from the beginning. She fell for him but knew of his reputation. He did like the pursuit of her. But things fell apart when she finds out that she was pregnant. He was not happy. So she lied to him and left him at the alter. I liked that she was not your typical door mat for him. What happens next when he finds out is the rest of the story.
This was a good read from the beginning. She fell for him but knew of his reputation. He did like the pursuit of her. But things fell apart when she finds out that she was pregnant. He was not happy. So she lied to him and left him at the alter. I liked that she was not your typical door mat for him. What happens next when he finds out is the rest of the story.
March 26, 2020
An OK romance using one of Catherine George's favorite plots, girl falls in love, girl gets pregnant, guy proposes. However this time the girl says no and takes off. The two eventually get back together when baby is 1. Plot goes a little wild with baby kidnapped, etc.
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December 30, 2017A daddy for Christmas...
Sensible Lowri had no intention of succumbing to Adam Hawkridge's careless charm. But Adam persisted, Lowri resisted - and gave in.
Loving Adam had its price - soon Lowri was expecting his baby. He proposed marriage but Lowri knew his heart just wasn't in it. So she jilted him at the altar, pretending her pregnancy was a false alarm.
Two years later, and Lowri was looking forward to spending Christmas with her pride and joy - little Rhosyn. But the festive season would bring with it a series of surprises and shocks - not least that Adam Hawkridge was about to discover the existence of his daughter!
Sensible Lowri had no intention of succumbing to Adam Hawkridge's careless charm. But Adam persisted, Lowri resisted - and gave in.
Loving Adam had its price - soon Lowri was expecting his baby. He proposed marriage but Lowri knew his heart just wasn't in it. So she jilted him at the altar, pretending her pregnancy was a false alarm.
Two years later, and Lowri was looking forward to spending Christmas with her pride and joy - little Rhosyn. But the festive season would bring with it a series of surprises and shocks - not least that Adam Hawkridge was about to discover the existence of his daughter!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews