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burningupasun's review against another edition
3.0
I'm torn. I wanted to love this, and I did really enjoy parts of it. The sisters, Kathleen, the setting, some of the events and plot. But god did I kind of hate the love interest. I know these stories follow a similar theme of "man is an asshole but becomes kinder and is changed by love" but honestly Devon kind of stayed a dick to the very end, and it was exceedingly frustrating. He also bordered way too close on the line of consent quite a few times and I really don't find that appealing. Also I get that it's a sexy romance but do the men in these books literally ever not think about sex? Sheesh.
But I do want to find out what happens to the characters so I'll probably read the next one. Hopefully it'll be better, though I'm not optimistic given what we saw of he next book's love interest in this book.
But I do want to find out what happens to the characters so I'll probably read the next one. Hopefully it'll be better, though I'm not optimistic given what we saw of he next book's love interest in this book.
debrakelsey's review against another edition
5.0
I ate this up!! With all of the time spent teasing Rhys and Helen, I’m feral to start their book.
etclibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kelseyreadshr's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Cold Hearted Rake is the first book in the Ravenel series. I was excited to start this series as it’s one of LK series’ that I see most quoted.
There’s a lot of setup for the series with some future characters introduced (Ravenel siblings&cousins, Winterbourne, and Severin). I found the friendship between Kathleen and West endearing and was surprised by the amount of backstory for Helen and Winterbourne’s book from their POV. I didn’t mind this as much as I did in Seduce Me at Sunrise, mainly because Helen’s story hasn’t happened yet.
I enjoyed all the ancillary parts of the story a little more than the main romance though. But I did like how the MC started off prickly with one another and through letters over several months a truce and friendship seemed to grow. Dev was very possessive but I wasn’t completely turned off by it. I loved Kathleen for having a back bone and standing her ground with him.
The turnaround of feelings at the end felt rushed and I never understood the point of what seemed like a big deal about Kathleen not showing her feelings in the first few chapters. I wanted to see that point brought back up at the end to bring it full circle.
Overall though, I liked the story and am still excited for the rest of the series.
There were six encounters.
There’s a lot of setup for the series with some future characters introduced (Ravenel siblings&cousins, Winterbourne, and Severin). I found the friendship between Kathleen and West endearing and was surprised by the amount of backstory for Helen and Winterbourne’s book from their POV. I didn’t mind this as much as I did in Seduce Me at Sunrise, mainly because Helen’s story hasn’t happened yet.
I enjoyed all the ancillary parts of the story a little more than the main romance though. But I did like how the MC started off prickly with one another and through letters over several months a truce and friendship seemed to grow. Dev was very possessive but I wasn’t completely turned off by it. I loved Kathleen for having a back bone and standing her ground with him.
The turnaround of feelings at the end felt rushed and I never understood the point of what seemed like a big deal about Kathleen not showing her feelings in the first few chapters. I wanted to see that point brought back up at the end to bring it full circle.
Overall though, I liked the story and am still excited for the rest of the series.
There were six encounters.
colleend's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
isabelbrieler's review against another edition
1.0
i'm sorry but the consistent lack of consent throughout the book made me want to scream and let's just get this straight rn: violating boundaries isn't sexy! it's actually super gross!
konvineo's review against another edition
2.0
I was kind of enjoying this until the male lead started getting feelings of ownership over the the female lead. I know it's a historical romance novel but I kind of hate the feeling of reading about someone getting their agency taken away, or just plainly not being listened to about what she thinks in the situation.
That being said, Kleypas is way better in English than in Danish. The note of non-con is mostly gone when you don't have to read a literal translation.
That being said, Kleypas is way better in English than in Danish. The note of non-con is mostly gone when you don't have to read a literal translation.
winemakerssister's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I know I've read this before but it wasn't marked as 'Read' on GR so I figured I'd read it again. The ultimate reformed rake storyline.
I know I've read this before but it wasn't marked as 'Read' on GR so I figured I'd read it again. The ultimate reformed rake storyline.
saynabreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Lisa Kleypas came back with a BANG, LOVED THIS BOOK