The Rake

by Georgina Devon

Book Overview

The Rake has found a bride... When Juliet Smythe-Clyde is forced to spend several nights in the Duke of Brabourne's house - unchaperoned - her reputation is ruined. And, despite his cynical nature,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373304471
• ISBN13: 9780373304479
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
• Length: 298 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Interesting storyline; nice characters but...

The requisite happy ending was not a reality at the end of this book. Even the epilogue did not leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. It reminded me a little of the ending in Balogh's "Dancing With Clara" because the rake was not sure that he was reformed. Otherwise, the storyline in "The Rake" was worth following. The novel pulls you in from the beginning with an early morning duel. The "son" of the wronged man takes his father's place in a duel and is injured by Sebastian, Duke of Brabourne. Sebastian directs servants to take the injured boy to Sebastian's home for medical care. Much later Sebastian finds out the boy is Juliet Smythe-Clyde, daughter of the man he was to duel. Word gets out from Juliet's unscrupulous, man-hungry, society climbing step-mother about Juliet being in Sebastian's house and Juliet suffers the snubs and shunning of the ton. Much of the story revolves around Sebastian trying to raise Juliet's standing in society's eyes. He does not trust women at all and we find out why along the way - one can't help but sympathize with his lonely childhood. As much as Sebastian tries to avoid it, he is forced to save Juliet's reputation by marrying her. There are some interesting meetings with Prinny and Juliet's step-mother is worthy of note. She does add a different dimension to the brew! Even Juliet's weak father develops a little spine towards the end. Juliet, herself, is a wonderful heroine full of fire and innocence. I liked her a lot. One is left with hope in the end, if not complete faith in the future happiness of Sebastian and Juliet. But happiness is the gamble all couples face even under the best of circumstances. Well worth picking this book up for an entertaining read!

Traditional Regency

Possibly 3.5 stars not 100% to my personal taste, too much mention of Dukes and Prinny. Juliet decides to fight a duel rather than let her father fight one. Then complications set in.From the back cover.....The Rake has found a bride...When Juliet Smythe-Clyde is forcedto spend several nights in theDuke of Brabourne's house- unchaperoned - her reputation isruined. And, despite his cynicalnature, Brabourne can't help butfeel sorry for her...So when all his strategies to restore her in society fail, he offers for her hand. But will this proud chit agree to be his wife for the sake of herhonour - or is he going to have toadmit he loves her?A Regency delight!