The Rake and the Wallflower

by Allison Lane

Book Overview

Young, awkward Mary Seabrook is delighted when handsome Lord Grayson enters her life. But she soon discovers that danger follows him at every turn-and that his many mishaps may be more than mere... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451204409
• ISBN13: 9780451204400
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Very likeable Hero and Heroine

This Regency romance is so refreshing from the others I have read because the first time they meet, the Hero, Gray, and the Heroine, Mary, have a friendly, supportive, conversation and this continues every time they meet. There is no arrogance, no misunderstandings, no power struggle. They slowly fall in love through their friendly, supportive encounters. And SHE saves his life! I liked them both very much. I also liked how we got both Gray's and Mary's perspectives on their relationship. I hope to find more Regency romances like this.

A different kind of hero

Allison Lane is an auto-buy for me, and I was quite pleased with her latest Regency, The Rake and the Wallflower. I've read hundreds of Regencies, and it's hard to find one that's refreshingly different, but this one is. The hero is handsome, of course, but instead of being arrogant, he is sweet, kind-hearted, and generous. He is mistreated by society for being a rake, but he isn't one--not really. The heroine likes to tackle her problems head-on, and that's what she does in this book. She reminds me of Jamie Somers in The Bionic Woman--she doesn't wait around to be saved, but gives the hero help when he needs it. I like the book for two particular reasons: it contains many wonderful historical touches about the Regency period, and it successfully avoids being same-old same-old. Come to think of it, all of her books I've read have those qualities. I eagerly await Lane's next book.

Not your average Regency romance, a cut above the rest

I hadn't read a Regency romance in months when I picked up Allison Lane's latest book. I've read many of them, and so many of them quite awful, I was much in doubt that I would be surprised. But Ms. Lane's book did. Reading the previous book in this series might have helped me, but I enjoyed The Rake and the Wallflower just the same. Lane creates some very strong characters that attract loyalty and fascination rather quickly. Heroine Mary is not your average bluestocking, she's into birds and natural history. Used to being outshone by her beautiful but risk-taking sister Laura, she stammers and makes gaffes often. In fact, she's hiding behind some palm trees at a ball when she meets Lord Gradydon, the book's hero.Graydon, to be frank, has to be one of the more unique heros I've found in a Regency. True, he's been branded a rake by society but for false reasons. He doesn't spend his time boxing, hunting or gaming. He isn't always buying a new horse. He actually hates any bloodshed and grows sick at the sight of it. The fact that in many instances in the book Graydon is unwell or overcoming a weakness when around Mary is very unusual and got my attention. I also enjoyed the verbal interplay between Gray and Mary, although he seemed to drop his guard around her rather quickly. The author gives the reader ample opportunity to watch this special relationship unfold. My only tiny complaint was about Laura, the outrageous, spoiled sister. I found it a little difficult to believe that after all her tricks, it took everyone so long to realize what a deeply evil woman she was. But it pales in comparison to the rest of the book's many fine points. I thought that most of the plot well constructed and found myself having grown quite attached to Mary and Gray. I only hope Ms. Lane will let us revisit them in her next book!

brilliant follow up to "The Notorious Widow"

"The Rake and the Wallflower" by Allison Lane continues the sage of the Seabrook sisters, started in "The Notorious Widow." This time, however, the focus is on Laura and Mary Seabrook and their London Season. Now that Catherine, the eldest Seabrook sister has married the Earl of Rockhurst, she can afford to give her sisters a London Season that they both deserve. However, neither Laura, the beauty of the family, nor Mary, the shy bookworm, are truly over the moon at this turn of events. Laura, who has dreamed and schemed of having a triumphant Season, is furious that she has to share it with her dab of a sister; as for Mary, who is both plain and shy, and who has not quite recovered from the unpleasantness that her family suffered at Catherine's enemy's hands (brilliantly chronicled in "The Notorious Widow"), this London Season is proving to be hell on earth, especially when Laura keeps maliciously pointing out all of Mary's shortcomings and flaws in public for all to see and know. And then Lord Grayson, the Earl of Rothmoor, who is both incredibly rich and notorious comes to town.Laura immediately sets her sights on him in spite of his reputation of being a blackguard where women are concerned: he's supposed to have ruined two young debutantes, and to have actually driven one of them to commit suicide. But, it is shy Mary who actually meets and gets to know the notorious Grayson. And she senses that this is a man much maligned. Furthermore, Grayson seems to be suddenly dodging a lot of near accidents. Too many for them to be coincidence, Mary feels. And she is determined to save Grayson from both the twin threats of his invisible foe and her sister's, Laura's, machinations. Will Mary succeed in her attempts to keep Grayson safe? Or will Laura and Grayson's enemy have their way?"The Rake and the Wallflower" is an excellent follow-up to "The Notorious Widow." This novel does not have quite that gothicky and malevolent feel that "The Notorious Widow" had, however it is still an interesting read nonetheless, as we follow both Grayson and Mary trying to figure out who is out to get him. And unlike "The Notorious Widow" this novel spends more time on the developing romance between Grayson and Mary. I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel very much. Another thing I liked was the relationship that existed between Laura and Mary. These are two sisters who do not get along very well at all, and Ms Lane does a wonderful job of portraying this not very amicable relationship, snipping, warts and all. And what can I say about the portrayal of self-centered, jealous, living-in-her-own-reality, almost demented Laura? Nothing, except that the Book Huntress is right: it is a gem of a depiction!"The Rake and the Wallflower" is a truly excellent read, and well worth recommending, and raving about.

Her best novel to date!

Catherine insisted Mary and Laura have a chance to meet possible husbands. So Blake, Catherine's husband (the Earl of Rockhurst) was happy to sponsor his wife's two sisters. Mary Seabrook was much more interested in birds, animals, and natural history than the Season in London. Besides, Laura had all the beauty and quickly became the diamond of the Season. No one even noticed Mary, except Mr. Griffin who loved to inflict pain. But Laura had become more vain and self centered lately. She often made sure Mr. Griffin knew where to locate Mary. Therefore, Mary would find quiet places away from the crush during parties to read or privately sketch. Lord Grayson, Earl of Rothmoor, was considered a rake. Rumor stated he ruined at least two ladies within the last few years. Gossip also stated Lady Constance Turner found herself in the family way and Lord Grayson rejected her, leading her to take her own life! None was true, but Gray stayed away from unmarried ladies. While hiding from one such lady, he found Mary. Fate seemed to keep throwing them together after that. Then Mary saved his life! Only at that moment would Gray admit two things to himself: he cared a great deal for Mary and someone was out to kill him! Gray would help Mary with Laura's cruelties and help divert scandal on the family name. Mary and Nick (Gray's closest friend) would help prove Gray innocent of all Society's charges, restore honor to his name, and help find out who wanted him dead! ***** Here is Allison Lane's best book to date! I am telling everyone about it! Mary is such a level headed heroine, unlike most, and Laura is the type of two-faced person that everyone loves to hate! I even cheered aloud at one part which made my husband give me a curious look. Very highly recommended! ...