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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
tina1001's review against another edition
3.0
It was good, wished it was centered more on the main couple. I'm more interested in reading about Helen and Winterborne
kmkasiner's review against another edition
3.0
My exploration of Lisa Kleypas continues...
I didn't like this nearly as much as the Wallflowers series. It kinda felt like a filler or setup for the rest of the Ravenels series, without much substance. I enjoyed the historical details and some of the side plots. But I didn't actually like the H/h. The hero was bland, basically just an aggressive alpha male with no defined personality. Kathleen, the heroine, was fine but my opinions of her were somewhat colored by the Hero's atrocious descriptions of her (cat eyes, looks like a child...blech.)
Still good enough for 2.5ish stars of fluff. My favorite part of the book was West and Kathleen's friendship. Hopefully West will get his own book in the future (and will keep his personality and not be a caveman like Devon.)
I didn't like this nearly as much as the Wallflowers series. It kinda felt like a filler or setup for the rest of the Ravenels series, without much substance. I enjoyed the historical details and some of the side plots. But I didn't actually like the H/h. The hero was bland, basically just an aggressive alpha male with no defined personality. Kathleen, the heroine, was fine but my opinions of her were somewhat colored by the Hero's atrocious descriptions of her (cat eyes, looks like a child...blech.)
Still good enough for 2.5ish stars of fluff. My favorite part of the book was West and Kathleen's friendship. Hopefully West will get his own book in the future (and will keep his personality and not be a caveman like Devon.)
kathens94's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.0