The Rake (Davenport, #2) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

Apr 28, 2012 Buggy rated it really liked it

Shelves: addicted, shelf-13, hist-rom, delightfully-roguish, regency

Opening Line: “When two gentlemen are related by blood, they do not usually address each other with formality.”

Based on all the glowing reviews and accolades THE RAKE has received I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this regency romance. And I guess because I’d heard so many good things I was a little surprised at well, frankly how dull this was. Even with Putney’s great writing, attention to detail and a reprobate bad boy as our hero this was a bit of a grind to get through.

My Opening Line: “When two gentlemen are related by blood, they do not usually address each other with formality.”

Based on all the glowing reviews and accolades THE RAKE has received I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this regency romance. And I guess because I’d heard so many good things I was a little surprised at well, frankly how dull this was. Even with Putney’s great writing, attention to detail and a reprobate bad boy as our hero this was a bit of a grind to get through.

My main issue was the tedious and repetitive descriptions of the day to day activities taking place at the estate. Sure I appreciate the research that must have gone into the time period and it was interesting to a degree but it was also too much. I kept waiting for something, anything to happen but it was just endless talk and dinners and details of farm life. The steam factor was also very low and even at the end I still felt like Reggie and Alys were more friends than lovers and don’t even get me started on the “letting you go because you’re too good for me” trope.

This really should have been titled “The Alcoholic” because Reggie is a very successful one, as a rake however he fails. We are told (continuously) about his rakish behaviour but he doesn’t often exhibit any. He’s basically just a drunk who makes questionable decisions while drunk. All his other choices are ethical and kinda heroic. He just allows people to think the worst of him, adding to his disgraced reputation which for whatever reason he seems to covet.

I will say though that it was refreshing to have an alcoholic as the leading man and I found the sections where he’s craving a drink and bargaining with himself (just one, I can stop any time) very well done. It does get a little preachy but Bill W would be proud.

Ayls Weston is running from her past, masquerading as a man in order to maintain her position as the (successful) estate manager of Strickland manor. All that’s about to change however when Reginald Davenport comes home, taking his place as the rightful master of his family estate. After extensive (see tedious) exploration of the grounds, Reggie decides to keep Alys on as steward and over time the pair realize they have much in common. Reggie is also on the run, trying to escape several decades’ worth of drink and debauchery in London which as of late has been causing him to experience blackouts. He just needs a rest, and Strickland will be perfect. When a fire destroys the steward house Alys and her wards move into the big house and a romance that could save them both takes hold.

First published in 1989 (THE RAKE AND THE REFORMER) stands up well by todays romance standards and I would consider it a must read for the genre, especially since I seem to be in the minority with my feelings. Cheers
360jb35 ...more

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May 17, 2010 Crista rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, 5-star, favorites, tear-jerkers

After being an avid romance reader for the past 15 years, this is the first book I've ever reviewed. I felt compelled to review this book because it is quite simply the best that I've ever read,...(and I've read a lot!).

Reggie Davenport is the quintessential rake. He is a womanizer, gambler, fighter, and an alcoholic. He is, in essence, on a spiral downward and is basically drinking himself to death. That's Reggie on the outside. On the inside Reggie is a kind, considerate, unselfish, humorous, ...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Zeek rated it liked it

Shelves: romance, hist-rom

Reggie, The hero has a drinking problem AND he’s a notorious womanizer. Lo and behold when he meets Alys, the heroine and the reformer to his reformee- he wants to change.

Although this is the biggest fantasy/fallacy pet peeve out there for me in romance, (in other words, the dream that our love can actually change a man), I went along with it because hey, that's why i read romance- to get away from reality. But I will give that it doesnt always work for me, if it feels too implausable.

The reaso ...more

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Dec 18, 2009 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: absolute-favorites, romance, favorite-heroines, favorite-hero, tortured-hero

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Excerpt:
Fate has given a disgraced Rake one final chance to redeem himself--by taking his place as the rightful master of an ancestral estate. But nothing prepares him for his shocking encounter with a beautiful lady who has fled a world filled with betrayal. Now he will awaken in her a passion more powerful than anything she has ever known--a passion that can doom or save them both if they dare to believe.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I got it after an recommendation and i'm ver Excerpt:
Fate has given a disgraced Rake one final chance to redeem himself--by taking his place as the rightful master of an ancestral estate. But nothing prepares him for his shocking encounter with a beautiful lady who has fled a world filled with betrayal. Now he will awaken in her a passion more powerful than anything she has ever known--a passion that can doom or save them both if they dare to believe.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I got it after an recommendation and i'm very glad i did.

Reginald Davenport is not your average hero. In fact he could probably be more considered a very lucky drunk. This all changes when his cousin givens him Strickland after discovering the land and hall was originally Reggie's to begin with. Reggie decides to go down to the estate after a rather rough night or drunkenness. There he meets Mr. Weston or rather "Miss. Weston" the steward of his estate. Reggie, amused at the fact that his steward is a female, allows her to stay on along with her young wards. This probably turns on to be one of the best decisions of Reggie's life. This is because Alys helps Reggie gets over his alcoholism. During his whole battle with alcoholism in the book she, along with his very tolerant and patient valet Mac, is Reggie's support system. The author really writes the disease of alcoholism quite well. In my family there has never been an alcoholic, but i'm addicted to Dr. Drew and his "rehab shows" and the alcoholism was depicted quite well from what i've scene and heard Dr. Drew describe. Reggie finally manages to quite alcoholism, but acknowledges the fact that it's going to be a life long process to avoid it. Of course in the end he also catches Alys. ^^

Now one of the things i'm usually am picky about in books is lack of plot. This book really didn't have one in terms of a "normal plot". Instead the plot was really about Reggie learning to deal with his disease and lead a better life. There is a tiny sub plot with Alys, but it doesn't encompass much of the book. Getting back to what i was saying that despite the lack of plot this book was really well written. It kept you interested and wanting the turn the next page. You also formed a connection with the characters. More so with Reggie in my opinion than Alys, but still a good connection. Reggie is also hilarious and makes you love him despite his many many bad faults (something he is not afraid to point out).

Therefore i bestow this book 5 stars due to: good writing, excellent characters, realistically portraying aspects of life, Humor, and nicely developed plot line.

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Dec 28, 2009 namericanwordcat rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, secondary-love-story, 5-star-romance, spinster, above-30-heroine, regency, rake, bbw, addiction, hardcopy-own

This love story is extremely moving as it shows how drinking and the ideas of a woman's honor aren't just a part of time period's culture but part of the human experience.

This book is most notable for its portrayal of the hero's struggle with alcoholism but the heroine has her own wonderful journey. The romance is not a steamy one but it is compelling.

The history is richly rendered and the secondary characters are all carefully drawn.

This is not a book I reread often because of the emotional t ...more

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