Rake And The Wallflower [Paperback]

It all hinges on a family of three sisters and our heroine, Mary, is the youngest. She is shown both as vulnerable and intellectual but she has a mouth on her when she chooses and acts like a 21st century city girl.

Our hero, Lord Grayson, is flawed; the man is made faint at the site of blood - described over and over again. Also, the author uses this as a polemic against blood sports. Oh well. Rather a modern polemic - in those days no one would have given much thought to it at all. Portrayed as a really nice chap, he nonetheless has an overt talent for attracting mentally ill/unstable women. Really! Never came across that in a Regency novel before!

The storyline is a bit thin and I won't bore you with the details. The problem here is that the middle sister, Laura, was the only reason to read this book - shown to us as just about completely unhinged, she behaves so badly that you turn the pages to see what the author will make her do next. I really expected her to be murdered by one of the characters who would scream as the pistol discharges, "Help - get me out of this wretched novel!" Sadly, though hauled off to the country, she lives to fight another day. Surely the author didn't do a sequel to this? I can't bear to look and see. I would certainly not read it in any event!

Sorry - this was a silly, pointless and very boring novel. The characters acted out a storyline that was shallow and ultimately unbelievable and their conversations were so badly done that I truly struggled to finish this effort.

I can't recommend it. Two stars because I've read worse.

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!