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Rutledge Family #3
The Devil You Know
Frederica d'Avillez is sure she will never marry. She's had a disastrous London season, and now her longtime beau has thrown her over for a more eligible miss. But if Freddie can't have a husband, she's hell-bent on experiencing at least one night of unforgettable passion. Where better than in the arms of the dashing rogue Bentley "Hell-Bent" Rutledge? So what if he's a rake, scoundrel, and all-round devil?
Scandal trails in Bentley's wake and fair maidens usually steer well clear of him -- and vice versa. But when the opportunity presents itself, Bentley can't resist Freddie's exotic beauty. When their wild, reckless passion has dire consequences, Bentley is forced to choose between honor and freedom. And Freddie soon realizes that Bentley's devil-may-care façade is just that -- for she has unwittingly unleashed his dark secrets...and secret desires.
Scandal trails in Bentley's wake and fair maidens usually steer well clear of him -- and vice versa. But when the opportunity presents itself, Bentley can't resist Freddie's exotic beauty. When their wild, reckless passion has dire consequences, Bentley is forced to choose between honor and freedom. And Freddie soon realizes that Bentley's devil-may-care façade is just that -- for she has unwittingly unleashed his dark secrets...and secret desires.
Paperback
First published April 22, 2003
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1946 people want to read
About the author
Liz Carlyle
46 books849 followersDear Readers,
The awful truth about novelists is that we are mostly dull, introverted homebodies who only write in order to live our fantasies vicariously. I came to writing rather late in life, and I’m still amazed I can get paid for doing something I love, and that I get to stay home while I do it.
My favorite comedian Steve Martin once said, "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art. But if you set out to make art, you’re an idiot." I have never tried to create art, but I do try to tell one heck of a good story. Yes, I try to write with a hot iron, while the heat of the story is in me. And I try, always, to entertain my readers.
Regards,
Liz
The awful truth about novelists is that we are mostly dull, introverted homebodies who only write in order to live our fantasies vicariously. I came to writing rather late in life, and I’m still amazed I can get paid for doing something I love, and that I get to stay home while I do it.
My favorite comedian Steve Martin once said, "I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art. But if you set out to make art, you’re an idiot." I have never tried to create art, but I do try to tell one heck of a good story. Yes, I try to write with a hot iron, while the heat of the story is in me. And I try, always, to entertain my readers.
Regards,
Liz
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
December 25, 2024
A reread. I liked Bentley. In spite of his many failings, he is at heart a kind man, and kindness is a quality that I value very highly. It doesn't hurt that he's physically sexy and appealing as well. In this book, we get to see what's behind Bentley's years of bad behaviour, and the horrible things that happened to him in his past. I'm not going to give any spoilers, although as the plot proceeds, it's pretty clear where this is going. But it's handled well by the author, and there's no lingering on the unpleasant stuff. It's all about Bentley falling in love with Frederica, and finding a way to deal with the past and move forward in his life.
Frederica at barely nineteen is young, but in some ways mature beyond her years. She genuinely loves Bentley. She knows there is something disturbing from his past that hangs over him, but in spite of all, she is loyal and tolerant, and helps him to work through it. She does cry quite a bit though, LOL.
It was nice to have revisits with a number of characters from previous books. It didn't feel artificial or forced by the writer - it was done quite naturally, as various family members gathered for various important events. The book could be read as a standalone, but having read the others first gives you more understanding of these secondary characters and their stories, as they contribute to Bentley's story.
I enjoyed the reread. Carlyle as always had an excellent grasp of historical detail, and there are some humorous moments as well. Worth a read, although IMO it's better if read after the previous books in the series.
Frederica at barely nineteen is young, but in some ways mature beyond her years. She genuinely loves Bentley. She knows there is something disturbing from his past that hangs over him, but in spite of all, she is loyal and tolerant, and helps him to work through it. She does cry quite a bit though, LOL.
It was nice to have revisits with a number of characters from previous books. It didn't feel artificial or forced by the writer - it was done quite naturally, as various family members gathered for various important events. The book could be read as a standalone, but having read the others first gives you more understanding of these secondary characters and their stories, as they contribute to Bentley's story.
I enjoyed the reread. Carlyle as always had an excellent grasp of historical detail, and there are some humorous moments as well. Worth a read, although IMO it's better if read after the previous books in the series.
April 19, 2021
3.5⭐
I read straight to the third book because I wanted to read a pregnancy story. I love seeing everything, you know? The courtship, the marriage, the pregnancy, getting used to the life as two... but here we only see about 4 months into the pregnancy (which was a pity for me).
There are a lot of dark things to go though with the hero. He is very damaged and hides behind his charm and rake ways. And oh my, what a horrible end of childhood he had. I would not have thought someone could be that cruel with a child.
This is the last book of this series and I did not read the other two, sometimes I felt lost but I was lost together with the heroine, we learned the dark things that happened with the family as we lived the story with her, which was okay.
This book was good but not great. I still want to read a pregnancy HR, so if you know any, please let me know!
I read straight to the third book because I wanted to read a pregnancy story. I love seeing everything, you know? The courtship, the marriage, the pregnancy, getting used to the life as two... but here we only see about 4 months into the pregnancy (which was a pity for me).
There are a lot of dark things to go though with the hero. He is very damaged and hides behind his charm and rake ways. And oh my, what a horrible end of childhood he had. I would not have thought someone could be that cruel with a child.
This is the last book of this series and I did not read the other two, sometimes I felt lost but I was lost together with the heroine, we learned the dark things that happened with the family as we lived the story with her, which was okay.
This book was good but not great. I still want to read a pregnancy HR, so if you know any, please let me know!
September 22, 2008
Reviewed for www.thcreviews.com
The Devil You Know is quite possibly the most truly romantic book I have ever read. It is a poignant story of love in the face of seemingly impossible odds, redemption, and facing the pain of the past so that recovery can begin. There is so much to love about this book, I hardly know where to start. The beautiful romance of the hero and heroine began as a beautiful friendship, yet it was a somewhat different friendship than what has been present in some of Liz Carlyle's other books, as the initial development of it was off-canvas. I also found it wonderful that yet another of Ms. Carlyle's heroes found peace and a sense of belonging in the warmth of Chatham Lodge, the lovely country home full of an eclectic mix of characters that played such a big part in My False Heart. The story contains one heart-stopping romantic scene after another that fairly made me swoon: Bentley (with Kem's help of course) pulling together a beautiful wedding in only a day; Bentley laying his head on Freddie's tummy and talking to their unborn child; Bentley holding and worriedly watching over Freddie while she is in the throes of morning sickness; Bentley and Freddie picnicking in his favorite spot in the whole world while discussing their future, just to name a few. The story is packed cover to cover with non-sexual scenes just like these which express the main character's love for and devotion to each other in wonderfully creative ways, as well as beautifully sensual and passionate love scenes. There are also some really adorable and heartwarming scenes such as the ones between Bentley and his nieces and nephews (he's wonderful with kids), and Bentley's brother, Cam laying on the floor of his library talking with his wife while kittens are crawling all over him. Everything simply comes together to create a beautifully crafted story.
I think Bentley Rutledge is now my all-time favorite romance hero, and the Rutledge brothers together top my list even though they are two very different characters. As Frederica tells him near the end of the story, he is “the sweetest, kindest, most perfect man” ever. Even as a mere secondary character in three previous books (Beauty Like the Night, A Woman of Virtue, & No True Gentleman), he could easily steal every scene he was in. I have to admit that I liked Bentley so much in the other stories that I had a little trepidation about whether the author would get it right when she wrote Bentley's own story. With it being in Ms. Carlyle's capable and talented hands, I should never have worried. She wrote the perfect story for him. The image Bentley projects in public is that of the jaded blackguard, a dissolute rake, but even in the earlier books, I knew there was much more to him than meets the eye. There are just so many layers to his character, that I don't think any other author I've read has created a character with so much depth. I have read that Bentley is Ms. Carlyle's favorite hero, and it most certainly shows in the care she used in crafting him. He is an incredibly genuine character that came to life so vividly, it almost seems that he truly exists somewhere. Most of the people around Bentley think that he is something of a failure and a screw-up who never thinks about his future, because that is the only side of himself that he usually allows others to see. He frequently sabotages himself, because he subconsciously doesn't think himself worthy of happiness and success. He has heaped guilt upon himself for a horrible incident from the past for which he clearly bears no responsibility, a tortured hero in the truest sense of the word. Yet, when he is thinking clearly, he is an incredibly intelligent man with a tender, sensitive heart who has so much to offer to anyone who takes the time and effort to recognize his true worth.
Frederica is just such a woman. Even though she didn't want to marry Bentley at first because of his reputation, she had to admit that he was the sweetest man she had ever known. To convince her, Bentley had offered a six-month trial marriage, but it didn't take long for Freddie to realize that she wanted nothing more than a lifetime with this wicked charmer. When Bentley's moods turn black and he starts disappearing for long stretches of time, Freddie is patient and understanding, gently encouraging him to open up to her about what troubles him. Although Bentley is not very forthcoming at first, Freddie is a highly intelligent and intuitive woman. She slowly begins to gather bits and pieces of information and eventually puts together the puzzle that is Bentley's past. When all is finally revealed, she shows an incredible sensitivity toward him, and yet also exhibits unflinching strength and courage in the face of unspeakable evil. I also like the strong yet gentle hand Freddie takes with her occasionally errant husband, making it clear that she won't put up with any disrespectful or irresponsible behavior on his part. As an illegitimate orphan, Freddie has had some difficulties of her own to overcome, but she was raised in a household brimming to the rafters with love and is able to bring the light of that love into Bentley's dark and tortured world, giving him a much-deserved new beginning.
The Devil You Know was a veritable reunion of characters from Ms. Carlyle's past books, which gives her fans insight into where these characters are anywhere from a few to several years down the road. Freddie first appeared in My False Heart and from that book readers can also become reacquainted with Elliot and Evie, as well as secondary characters Winnie, Gus, Theo, Michael, Zoe and the servants of Chatham Lodge and Strath House. Elliot's former valet George Kemble, who also was first seen in My False Heart, makes a couple of appearances in The Devil You Know lending much-needed assistance to Bentley in acquiring appropriate formal attire for a ball and making wedding plans on extremely short notice. Kem also appears in A Woman of Virtue, No True Gentleman, A Deal with the Devil, and The Devil to Pay. From Beauty Like the Night there is Cam, Helene and Catherine as well as the secondary characters of Ariane, Basil, Joan, Queenie, and the servants of Chalcote Manor. Catherine also appeared in No True Gentleman along with the eccentric, fortune-telling Signora Castelli who put in another appearance in The Devil You Know. Also from No True Gentleman, as well as A Woman of Virtue, there are Cole, Robert, and Stuart. Other characters from the aforementioned books are also present in the background and mentioned by name, but have no dialog.
It is rare that a book touches me so deeply that I laugh out loud or cry. The Devil You Know was just such a book. There was a scene in the book which showcased the Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus concept that was straight out of a romantic comedy. I was so amused by it that I had to tell my husband about it and was still laughing about it in my mind hours later. Then, the last couple of chapters of the book brought tears to my eyes, because they were just so incredibly moving and unforgettable. I truly felt that Bentley's self-destructive behavior as a reaction to his past was very realistically rendered. When I am in the midst of reading a book, I often think ahead to how I would like the story to progress. When the story actually goes the way I envisioned, I know I have just read a truly good one. It isn't a matter of the book being simple or predictable. It's a connection of the reader to the author and her characters, which is something I rarely feel as strongly as I did while reading this book. The Devil You Know is the type of story that stays with the reader long after the last page has been turned. In fact, I found myself heartily wishing there was more. It is a rare piece of literary perfection about which I can honestly find absolutely nothing to criticize. It exceeded all my expectations and has forever earned a place on my keeper shelf to be re-read many times in the future. If you have never read this book, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Note: While none of Ms. Carlyle's earlier books seem to be officially considered a series and each seems to stand well on it's own story-wise, I would caution that reading her later books first may give away spoilers to her earlier books. Such was the case when I skipped one book and was left wishing that I had read it first. My suggestion for readers like myself who don't like any spoilers would be to begin with Ms. Carlyle's first book, My False Heart, and continue reading them in the chronological order in which she wrote them. It is also my opinion that the reading experience would be greatly enhanced by doing this, because Ms. Carlyle's character web is so complex. The entire backlist, in order, can be found on her website.
The Devil You Know is quite possibly the most truly romantic book I have ever read. It is a poignant story of love in the face of seemingly impossible odds, redemption, and facing the pain of the past so that recovery can begin. There is so much to love about this book, I hardly know where to start. The beautiful romance of the hero and heroine began as a beautiful friendship, yet it was a somewhat different friendship than what has been present in some of Liz Carlyle's other books, as the initial development of it was off-canvas. I also found it wonderful that yet another of Ms. Carlyle's heroes found peace and a sense of belonging in the warmth of Chatham Lodge, the lovely country home full of an eclectic mix of characters that played such a big part in My False Heart. The story contains one heart-stopping romantic scene after another that fairly made me swoon: Bentley (with Kem's help of course) pulling together a beautiful wedding in only a day; Bentley laying his head on Freddie's tummy and talking to their unborn child; Bentley holding and worriedly watching over Freddie while she is in the throes of morning sickness; Bentley and Freddie picnicking in his favorite spot in the whole world while discussing their future, just to name a few. The story is packed cover to cover with non-sexual scenes just like these which express the main character's love for and devotion to each other in wonderfully creative ways, as well as beautifully sensual and passionate love scenes. There are also some really adorable and heartwarming scenes such as the ones between Bentley and his nieces and nephews (he's wonderful with kids), and Bentley's brother, Cam laying on the floor of his library talking with his wife while kittens are crawling all over him. Everything simply comes together to create a beautifully crafted story.
I think Bentley Rutledge is now my all-time favorite romance hero, and the Rutledge brothers together top my list even though they are two very different characters. As Frederica tells him near the end of the story, he is “the sweetest, kindest, most perfect man” ever. Even as a mere secondary character in three previous books (Beauty Like the Night, A Woman of Virtue, & No True Gentleman), he could easily steal every scene he was in. I have to admit that I liked Bentley so much in the other stories that I had a little trepidation about whether the author would get it right when she wrote Bentley's own story. With it being in Ms. Carlyle's capable and talented hands, I should never have worried. She wrote the perfect story for him. The image Bentley projects in public is that of the jaded blackguard, a dissolute rake, but even in the earlier books, I knew there was much more to him than meets the eye. There are just so many layers to his character, that I don't think any other author I've read has created a character with so much depth. I have read that Bentley is Ms. Carlyle's favorite hero, and it most certainly shows in the care she used in crafting him. He is an incredibly genuine character that came to life so vividly, it almost seems that he truly exists somewhere. Most of the people around Bentley think that he is something of a failure and a screw-up who never thinks about his future, because that is the only side of himself that he usually allows others to see. He frequently sabotages himself, because he subconsciously doesn't think himself worthy of happiness and success. He has heaped guilt upon himself for a horrible incident from the past for which he clearly bears no responsibility, a tortured hero in the truest sense of the word. Yet, when he is thinking clearly, he is an incredibly intelligent man with a tender, sensitive heart who has so much to offer to anyone who takes the time and effort to recognize his true worth.
Frederica is just such a woman. Even though she didn't want to marry Bentley at first because of his reputation, she had to admit that he was the sweetest man she had ever known. To convince her, Bentley had offered a six-month trial marriage, but it didn't take long for Freddie to realize that she wanted nothing more than a lifetime with this wicked charmer. When Bentley's moods turn black and he starts disappearing for long stretches of time, Freddie is patient and understanding, gently encouraging him to open up to her about what troubles him. Although Bentley is not very forthcoming at first, Freddie is a highly intelligent and intuitive woman. She slowly begins to gather bits and pieces of information and eventually puts together the puzzle that is Bentley's past. When all is finally revealed, she shows an incredible sensitivity toward him, and yet also exhibits unflinching strength and courage in the face of unspeakable evil. I also like the strong yet gentle hand Freddie takes with her occasionally errant husband, making it clear that she won't put up with any disrespectful or irresponsible behavior on his part. As an illegitimate orphan, Freddie has had some difficulties of her own to overcome, but she was raised in a household brimming to the rafters with love and is able to bring the light of that love into Bentley's dark and tortured world, giving him a much-deserved new beginning.
The Devil You Know was a veritable reunion of characters from Ms. Carlyle's past books, which gives her fans insight into where these characters are anywhere from a few to several years down the road. Freddie first appeared in My False Heart and from that book readers can also become reacquainted with Elliot and Evie, as well as secondary characters Winnie, Gus, Theo, Michael, Zoe and the servants of Chatham Lodge and Strath House. Elliot's former valet George Kemble, who also was first seen in My False Heart, makes a couple of appearances in The Devil You Know lending much-needed assistance to Bentley in acquiring appropriate formal attire for a ball and making wedding plans on extremely short notice. Kem also appears in A Woman of Virtue, No True Gentleman, A Deal with the Devil, and The Devil to Pay. From Beauty Like the Night there is Cam, Helene and Catherine as well as the secondary characters of Ariane, Basil, Joan, Queenie, and the servants of Chalcote Manor. Catherine also appeared in No True Gentleman along with the eccentric, fortune-telling Signora Castelli who put in another appearance in The Devil You Know. Also from No True Gentleman, as well as A Woman of Virtue, there are Cole, Robert, and Stuart. Other characters from the aforementioned books are also present in the background and mentioned by name, but have no dialog.
It is rare that a book touches me so deeply that I laugh out loud or cry. The Devil You Know was just such a book. There was a scene in the book which showcased the Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus concept that was straight out of a romantic comedy. I was so amused by it that I had to tell my husband about it and was still laughing about it in my mind hours later. Then, the last couple of chapters of the book brought tears to my eyes, because they were just so incredibly moving and unforgettable. I truly felt that Bentley's self-destructive behavior as a reaction to his past was very realistically rendered. When I am in the midst of reading a book, I often think ahead to how I would like the story to progress. When the story actually goes the way I envisioned, I know I have just read a truly good one. It isn't a matter of the book being simple or predictable. It's a connection of the reader to the author and her characters, which is something I rarely feel as strongly as I did while reading this book. The Devil You Know is the type of story that stays with the reader long after the last page has been turned. In fact, I found myself heartily wishing there was more. It is a rare piece of literary perfection about which I can honestly find absolutely nothing to criticize. It exceeded all my expectations and has forever earned a place on my keeper shelf to be re-read many times in the future. If you have never read this book, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Note: While none of Ms. Carlyle's earlier books seem to be officially considered a series and each seems to stand well on it's own story-wise, I would caution that reading her later books first may give away spoilers to her earlier books. Such was the case when I skipped one book and was left wishing that I had read it first. My suggestion for readers like myself who don't like any spoilers would be to begin with Ms. Carlyle's first book, My False Heart, and continue reading them in the chronological order in which she wrote them. It is also my opinion that the reading experience would be greatly enhanced by doing this, because Ms. Carlyle's character web is so complex. The entire backlist, in order, can be found on her website.
July 24, 2009
My hopes for The Devil You Know were set too high because of the great reviews I had read here and in Amazon. However, I had only read one book by Carlyle so far, My False Heart, and I wasn't impressed with her style.
It turns out I was right to be wary after all; the book had so much potential but finally it did not deliver, not for me at least. The premises were interesting: The hero, Bentley, and the heroine, Frederika=Freddie, spent a night of passion which results in her pregnancy. When Bentley finds out he does the honorable thing and demands that she marry him. Freddie is hesitant since Bentley is a known rake and afraid he'll make a terrible husband and father but in the end she accepts. Shortly after the marriage they depart for Bentley's country house, owned by his brother, Lord Treyhern. As soon as they arrive there, it becomes obvious to Freddie that the relationship between Bentley and his brother is strained to say the least. Also, the usually carefree, frivolous Bentley starts having depression spells that he refuses to explain to his wife. Although the passion and attraction between them becomes stronger every day, Bentley refuses to trust her with his secrets and that is a cause of arguments between them. Will Freddie break through Bentley's defenses and cure him from his troubles? Because if she can't, there probably won't be any future for the two of them.
My impression is that Bentley Rutledge's character is very close to that of Sebastian St Vincent from A Devil In Winter: a very handsome, charming rake who has slept with more women than he can count but with a gold heart underneath. Certainly, this should be a good omen, since I love DIW.
However, there are a few problems with this book:
Many important parts of Bentley's past are described in previous books and are here only briefly mentioned, which leaves the reader who hasn't read the previous books in a confused state. His character is not fully developed, especially his rakinesh(!); instead the reader of TDYK meets a sweet, caring but deeply hurt young man but she's told that he was a famous and even dangerous rake.
Also, my worst peeve, is that Bentley talked and acted in a way a man never would; he was just too sweet and romantic to be believable, and IMO, his attitude was that of a lovestruck teenager and not that of a man. Of course, my peeve is probably many a reader's best aspect of the story:)
The number of secondary characters and pets(!) is overwhelming; readers who have not read Carlyle's previous books, will be lost in her universe, and the use of unsual and/or jawbreaking names for most of them, didn't make them particularly memorable. People who want to fully appreciate this one, should at least read Beauty Like The Night and No True Gentleman (I haven't) for an insight at Bentley's past, since he's the star in this one; Freddie is more or less supportive cast.
And finally, I strongly believe that Carlyle is too prone on melodrama in order to create angst in her books. I love angst in my romance novels, I adore it, but somehow both in this one and in My False Heart, it seems forced and fake and somewhat over the top.
All things considered, the plot was interesting, Bentley's actions justified after his big secret was revealed. Also the story picked pace in the last 100-150 pages and Bentley's character became more consistent. I'm sure that less cynic or younger readers, will fully appreciate the romance and sweetness of it anyway; however, reading her previous books before this one is highly recommended.
Since I have another book by Carlyle in my TBR, Never Romance A Rake, I decided to read that one before I reach a final verdict about how I feel for her style. I'm feeling though that she's too flowery and melodramatic for my tastes.
It turns out I was right to be wary after all; the book had so much potential but finally it did not deliver, not for me at least. The premises were interesting: The hero, Bentley, and the heroine, Frederika=Freddie, spent a night of passion which results in her pregnancy. When Bentley finds out he does the honorable thing and demands that she marry him. Freddie is hesitant since Bentley is a known rake and afraid he'll make a terrible husband and father but in the end she accepts. Shortly after the marriage they depart for Bentley's country house, owned by his brother, Lord Treyhern. As soon as they arrive there, it becomes obvious to Freddie that the relationship between Bentley and his brother is strained to say the least. Also, the usually carefree, frivolous Bentley starts having depression spells that he refuses to explain to his wife. Although the passion and attraction between them becomes stronger every day, Bentley refuses to trust her with his secrets and that is a cause of arguments between them. Will Freddie break through Bentley's defenses and cure him from his troubles? Because if she can't, there probably won't be any future for the two of them.
My impression is that Bentley Rutledge's character is very close to that of Sebastian St Vincent from A Devil In Winter: a very handsome, charming rake who has slept with more women than he can count but with a gold heart underneath. Certainly, this should be a good omen, since I love DIW.
However, there are a few problems with this book:
Many important parts of Bentley's past are described in previous books and are here only briefly mentioned, which leaves the reader who hasn't read the previous books in a confused state. His character is not fully developed, especially his rakinesh(!); instead the reader of TDYK meets a sweet, caring but deeply hurt young man but she's told that he was a famous and even dangerous rake.
Also, my worst peeve, is that Bentley talked and acted in a way a man never would; he was just too sweet and romantic to be believable, and IMO, his attitude was that of a lovestruck teenager and not that of a man. Of course, my peeve is probably many a reader's best aspect of the story:)
The number of secondary characters and pets(!) is overwhelming; readers who have not read Carlyle's previous books, will be lost in her universe, and the use of unsual and/or jawbreaking names for most of them, didn't make them particularly memorable. People who want to fully appreciate this one, should at least read Beauty Like The Night and No True Gentleman (I haven't) for an insight at Bentley's past, since he's the star in this one; Freddie is more or less supportive cast.
And finally, I strongly believe that Carlyle is too prone on melodrama in order to create angst in her books. I love angst in my romance novels, I adore it, but somehow both in this one and in My False Heart, it seems forced and fake and somewhat over the top.
All things considered, the plot was interesting, Bentley's actions justified after his big secret was revealed. Also the story picked pace in the last 100-150 pages and Bentley's character became more consistent. I'm sure that less cynic or younger readers, will fully appreciate the romance and sweetness of it anyway; however, reading her previous books before this one is highly recommended.
Since I have another book by Carlyle in my TBR, Never Romance A Rake, I decided to read that one before I reach a final verdict about how I feel for her style. I'm feeling though that she's too flowery and melodramatic for my tastes.
January 30, 2022
3.5 stars
tw: sexual abuse
It was refreshing to see a rake man up and claim his pregnant heroine even though she hid the pregnancy from him and didn't want to marry him. He was given a way out, but he wanted the marriage and fought for it in his own clumsy way.
— rake
— marriage of convenience
— insta-lust
* Our heroine is strung along by a beau.
* So Frederica sleeps with a rake in a fit of anger.
* And discovers that the horizontal tango has consequences.
* But hiding a pregnancy from Bentley “Hell-Bent” Rutledge is a really bad idea.
* Our scoundrel mans up and claims his girl.
* Of course a marriage of convenience is a given.
* But alas a mysterious cloud hangs over their marriage.
* What ails our ne’er do well but soft-hearted hero?
* Something’s rotten in the Rutledge family.
* Miscommunication rears its head between our hapless lovers.
* Yet our heroine perseveres and saves her man and marriage.
tw: sexual abuse
It was refreshing to see a rake man up and claim his pregnant heroine even though she hid the pregnancy from him and didn't want to marry him. He was given a way out, but he wanted the marriage and fought for it in his own clumsy way.
— rake
— marriage of convenience
— insta-lust
* Our heroine is strung along by a beau.
* So Frederica sleeps with a rake in a fit of anger.
* And discovers that the horizontal tango has consequences.
* But hiding a pregnancy from Bentley “Hell-Bent” Rutledge is a really bad idea.
* Our scoundrel mans up and claims his girl.
* Of course a marriage of convenience is a given.
* But alas a mysterious cloud hangs over their marriage.
* What ails our ne’er do well but soft-hearted hero?
* Something’s rotten in the Rutledge family.
* Miscommunication rears its head between our hapless lovers.
* Yet our heroine perseveres and saves her man and marriage.
July 1, 2015
The Devil You Know is not something that you read for pleasure, because I felt so many things while reading the novel--pain, agony, shock, frustration--and pleasure was definitely not one of them. I'm putting this out in the open right now: this is not a happy story (at least not my idea of happy). The angst here is so intense that it seemed over-the-top already.
It is devastatingly dark, and so overwhelmingly realistic, that it will make you cry. God knows I cried enough while reading it.
Both the heroine and the hero were flawed. Freddie was strong, but frustratingly reckless. Despite that flaw, she was able to redeem herself by the end of the book.
And Bentley...
Oh, God, where do I start? Bentley was just... extremely complicated. I feel so conflicted about him, because over the course of the novel, I have grown to hate and love him at the same time--with the same intensity. I felt really bad for Freddie because Bentley was such an asshole at times (more than an asshole, really!), but--hell, I can't believe I'm saying this--he was a... justified asshole. I understand that he had his reasons for acting the way he did, but that doesn't stop me from wishing that he could have acted differently. He broke my heart so many times I actually lost count. And you know what, I'm not entirely convinced that he was even worth all that crap. He definitely did not redeem himself in the end. Sigh. If I were Freddie, I would have left him ages ago.
So why exactly did I give this a 3 star rating? Well, I guess, it's because I respect the fact that it's the kind of book that makes you feel things, whether you want to or not. I also appreciate that it's so beautifully written. Ms. Liz Carlyle should be proud of not only her flawless writing style, but also of her ability to weave such such a realistic and complex tale.
... It can get too realistic at times, though, so if you're looking for a fun, light read, move along.
It is devastatingly dark, and so overwhelmingly realistic, that it will make you cry. God knows I cried enough while reading it.
Both the heroine and the hero were flawed. Freddie was strong, but frustratingly reckless. Despite that flaw, she was able to redeem herself by the end of the book.
And Bentley...
Oh, God, where do I start? Bentley was just... extremely complicated. I feel so conflicted about him, because over the course of the novel, I have grown to hate and love him at the same time--with the same intensity. I felt really bad for Freddie because Bentley was such an asshole at times (more than an asshole, really!), but--hell, I can't believe I'm saying this--he was a... justified asshole. I understand that he had his reasons for acting the way he did, but that doesn't stop me from wishing that he could have acted differently. He broke my heart so many times I actually lost count. And you know what, I'm not entirely convinced that he was even worth all that crap. He definitely did not redeem himself in the end. Sigh. If I were Freddie, I would have left him ages ago.
So why exactly did I give this a 3 star rating? Well, I guess, it's because I respect the fact that it's the kind of book that makes you feel things, whether you want to or not. I also appreciate that it's so beautifully written. Ms. Liz Carlyle should be proud of not only her flawless writing style, but also of her ability to weave such such a realistic and complex tale.
... It can get too realistic at times, though, so if you're looking for a fun, light read, move along.
January 9, 2025
I appreciate irony in the title of a book. Bentley may have been a “devil,” but only his cousin Joan knew him, knew his past and the secrets he holds close to his chest, buried in his heart. Until, that is, his feelings for Frederica force him to choose between a life with her or a debauched, meaningless existence.
This story is so well-written. The pacing is spot-on. The focus stays on Bentley and Frederica as the author slowly peels away layer after layer of Bentley’s public facade to reveal the scared, broken little boy underneath the careless rake hell exterior. Each revelation shines a new light on Bentley’s past actions, giving the reader little “aha” moments as the story unfolds.
In the end, it all makes sense. And that end happened around 4:00 a.m. because I couldn’t put it down.
This story is so well-written. The pacing is spot-on. The focus stays on Bentley and Frederica as the author slowly peels away layer after layer of Bentley’s public facade to reveal the scared, broken little boy underneath the careless rake hell exterior. Each revelation shines a new light on Bentley’s past actions, giving the reader little “aha” moments as the story unfolds.
In the end, it all makes sense. And that end happened around 4:00 a.m. because I couldn’t put it down.
April 28, 2023
4 Stars
I read this book as a part of the BOTM challenge for HRBC.
Highlights...
- This was my first from this author, and what I read was excellent.
- There were layers of darkness to this story and not just a simple "oopsie baby" trope.
- The woman and the psychologist in me adored Bentley. He was a very well-developed character and brought out a lot of emotional reactions.
- The romance was sweet and steamy!
- The only downside was that there were far too many ancillary characters and I felt lost at times.
I read this book as a part of the BOTM challenge for HRBC.
Highlights...
- This was my first from this author, and what I read was excellent.
- There were layers of darkness to this story and not just a simple "oopsie baby" trope.
- The woman and the psychologist in me adored Bentley. He was a very well-developed character and brought out a lot of emotional reactions.
- The romance was sweet and steamy!
- The only downside was that there were far too many ancillary characters and I felt lost at times.
May 27, 2014
I couldn’t really get into this story. Once I got to where she went to the stables, it was better to read. The thing I noticed is that this author puts too many words on the page, and sometimes its just boring to read. I just wanted to skim&scan it half the time.
The wench thing where he hired a wench for some guy, but the guy didn’t want her, so he just decided to take her himself was repulsive &I should have stopped reading there.
And also at the comment where he could give the pox to Freddie. If you’re seriously thinking you might have the pox, then you shouldn’t get with anyone, especially an innocent girl. But this innocent girl was an idiot who knew what she was getting into, so maybe she deserves it.
He didn’t go 2 days w/o sex! Should have stopped reading there.
you plan to use discretion with your affairs after you marry Freddie. Well arent you considerate!
“sweetie and sweet pea” and “this is suicide” are modern. So go ahead and use them in a book set over a hundred years ago.
‘Unka Benky’ sounds stupid!
After he sleeps with the main character, he grabs this maids butt and then proceeds to kiss her. Idc if it was a kiss of gratitude. You.dont.freaking.do.that.
‘janie had been dear to his heart-and some of his other organs, too.’ comments like this raise my blood pressure to dangerous heights.
Oh great. The situation was difficult enough without her getting pregnant. Ugh, this sucks!
Her ‘innate French insight’ made her see that Freddie was pregnant.
“a lax lifestyle.” How modern!
His butler had no accent and then suddenly says “verra gude, my lady,” which makes him sound like the butler in Mr. Deeds.
I thought they were close, but suddenly Rannoch just up&says you’re breeding, mking her sound like a horse. &she keeps calling him sir.
Theres way too many names in here to keep up with, and who’s related to who.
Rannach had a child out of wedlock?! &is it zoe? Im so confused!
“monogrammed soup spoon.” do you really think they said that back then?
She’s from Portugal? She doesn’t even have an accent! Then you say she’s brown. How could you leave that out?
Zoe is annoying. &Rutledge really needs to stop touching women. Placing a finger on her lips is innapropriate.
“penciled into my social calendar.” Nothing more frustrating than modern expressions!
WHAT THE H***! He had a kid with some girl named mary. This author loves throwing surprises at us. Really really bad surprises that you should tell us in the beginning. So I can slam it down before I get too far in the book. Before I put that I am “currently reading” this piece of trash.
I cant believe she’d make a joke about how he’s probably sired a whole cricket team. And he actually says just one, as if that isn’t more than enough. What is it with this author? All the guys in here are rakes, and have had illegtimate children.
“somebody’s vengeance f***.” That sounds so stupid.
He keeps saying stuff and then apologizes for it. im getting sick of that already.
He ended a 3 year affair with his mistress, and then is all woe-is-me about ending his usual habits. Grow up.
Idk why Bentley said he secretly loved Frederica when he acted like he was being sent to the gallows over marrying her when he had to end his 3 year affair.&then says ‘got myself leg-shackled’ in a letter. Um, yeah, sounds like he’s real happy for this wedding.
Rannoch&his wife sounded young, but I think they are really kinda old-ish. And cam sounds old, even though he’s supposed to be young.
I cant BELIEVE he warned his brother against getting with his wife. Who does that?! &then has another weird moment where he panics. this guy's got issues.
&whats up with his weird freakout moments? I cant take it because its so confusing.
He told his brother he likes her, but doesn’t love her. I swear the beginning hinted at or even said he secretly had feelings for her.
This book just isn’t romantic. It sounds like he has some serious issues.
&then he tells her not to turn away from him, and she says she sees ‘the potential for both cruelty and kindness’ in his eyes. Um, that’s not good.
This guy isn’t romance material at all. Or husband material. Or anything material. Idk why anyone would get with him, considering the way he is. The illegitimate child. the fact that he's constantly getting with women.
‘has been bedding women on a daily basis since he was sixteen-probably a dam*** sight younger.’ And ‘not a week went by that Bentley wasn’t caught diddling one of the dairy maids or shoving himself under the skirts of some tavern wench.’ And this is our main character.
I cant believe this idiot actually married him knowing he had a child, and his habits with women. Then he has the audacity to say “no, ive never been one for keeping women. And there wont be another, Freddie. Not while we live beneath the same roof.” Your childs mother was your mistress. &unless im mistaken, before your marriage you went and ended an affair with your mistress of 3 years. Im appalled and freakin mad that hes lying.
I find it funny that Frederica can be innocent about some things, like how to touch Bentley. I mean rlly, she didn’t even know how to touch his chest or w/e. just use your hands, you idiot. But then she knows that having sex wont hurt the baby. How would she know that?
authors never know how to do a blend of innocence and knowledge.
&then he says some women don’t wear well. &she actually makes a joke about it. who wants to hear about their husbands past sexual encounters?
The child says “weally” but then can pronounce “Bentley.” &She cant climb the bed but can shoot a gun.
“the pukes.” Well don’t that sound modern.
Babies brought by the stork. This author keeps using modern expressions!
Im already getting sick of their every sexual encounter being amazing and profound. I mean after that time in the woods, he’s all ‘he fell against her in a state of perfect bliss. Clean and new. And somehow a better man than he’d been before.’ but I know it wont last, because this character keeps sinking into his moods, and then panics about stuff. im not going to constantly be reading about him feeling good one moment, and then regressing the next. let's either make progress or not.
“oh! How perfectly amazing! I did not know one could do this standing up.” way to sound like an idiot.
Im not saying theres anything between Bentley and joan or that there has been in the past, but the way joan was talking about them being close made it seem like there was, and stupid Frederica is sitting there complimenting their relationship.
Why put a weird spin to the book in saying that everyone is charmed by Bentley, even children. Even his neice, who ‘smiled flirtatiously at her uncle.’ that's not funny or cute.
I really don’t like this character. she gave in to the marriage way too easily, and then opened the door for him when he was beating it like a psycho. &she was actually scared of him then. do you really want your character to be scared of her husband?
“you black-eyed protuguese witch.” How nice of Bentley.
It’s annoying how a character will all of a sudden whisper something, especially when she would be yelling at Bentley. &then he’s actually trying to explain how he grabbed the servant in a vulgar way&then kissed her on the mouth. What kind of explanation could you possibly have that would even atone for it, except if you were possessed by an evil spirit or the devil?
This book can go up in flames for all I care.
I shouldn’t have picked it up, I shouldn’t have kept reading it, especially after I found out he had a kid out of wedlock, had so many mistresses he cant keep count, and then makes a comment about maybe giving his wife the pox. That’s nothing to joke out, and so far from romance, its not even funny. Why would an author want a character like that? He’s not romantic. He’s a b******, plain and simple. This book absolutely sucks.
the pox is a serious issue, so im unclear about why authors write about male characters that get with a lot of women. do you want your character to end up with the pox? do you think the pox is romantic? I mean, do you really value experience in the bedroom so much that you'd endanger your character with that crap? that's directed at about 98% of romance authors. get it together, girls, and write about a male lead we'd actually care and root for. i.e.the exact opposite of Bentley.
Idc about his stupid psychological problems that will probably be blamed on his dad. Im sick of characters like this that excuse their behavior on the way they were raised or some event in their past, as if that makes it right. Grow up and own up to your mistakes and take some responsibility for the way you are.
He sits there and cheats on his pregnant wife and has the nerve, the absolute nerve, to go and act all pitiful and sad and tryin to be funny with his brother the next morning. Well it wasn’t funny. &I don’t give a crap if hes acting sad. Who cares what he feels like?think about how your wife feels, you know, the person you cheated on? If he cared about his pregnant wife he wouldn’t have done it in the first place. Plain&simple. Wth did he think he was doing? &im about to sit here and read Frederica forgiving him for it, because she will. &she’ll be an idiot for doing it.
Bentley doesn’t deserve love, he doesn’t deserve happiness. Anyone who could put up with him and all his problems is an idiot. This is the most undeserving character ive ever read about, and not only will I not finish this book, I will now steer clear of this author.
Just like this author is an idiot for writing this utter crap. Idk what happened in your personal relationships, but don’t ruin romance books.
i only kept reading this because of the occasional funny comment, but not even humor can keep me reading this filth. I actually don't know who could read this book when the characters-all of them-are so completely boring/unworthy/crappy. way to go there, author. you really wrote a winner.
The wench thing where he hired a wench for some guy, but the guy didn’t want her, so he just decided to take her himself was repulsive &I should have stopped reading there.
And also at the comment where he could give the pox to Freddie. If you’re seriously thinking you might have the pox, then you shouldn’t get with anyone, especially an innocent girl. But this innocent girl was an idiot who knew what she was getting into, so maybe she deserves it.
He didn’t go 2 days w/o sex! Should have stopped reading there.
you plan to use discretion with your affairs after you marry Freddie. Well arent you considerate!
“sweetie and sweet pea” and “this is suicide” are modern. So go ahead and use them in a book set over a hundred years ago.
‘Unka Benky’ sounds stupid!
After he sleeps with the main character, he grabs this maids butt and then proceeds to kiss her. Idc if it was a kiss of gratitude. You.dont.freaking.do.that.
‘janie had been dear to his heart-and some of his other organs, too.’ comments like this raise my blood pressure to dangerous heights.
Oh great. The situation was difficult enough without her getting pregnant. Ugh, this sucks!
Her ‘innate French insight’ made her see that Freddie was pregnant.
“a lax lifestyle.” How modern!
His butler had no accent and then suddenly says “verra gude, my lady,” which makes him sound like the butler in Mr. Deeds.
I thought they were close, but suddenly Rannoch just up&says you’re breeding, mking her sound like a horse. &she keeps calling him sir.
Theres way too many names in here to keep up with, and who’s related to who.
Rannach had a child out of wedlock?! &is it zoe? Im so confused!
“monogrammed soup spoon.” do you really think they said that back then?
She’s from Portugal? She doesn’t even have an accent! Then you say she’s brown. How could you leave that out?
Zoe is annoying. &Rutledge really needs to stop touching women. Placing a finger on her lips is innapropriate.
“penciled into my social calendar.” Nothing more frustrating than modern expressions!
WHAT THE H***! He had a kid with some girl named mary. This author loves throwing surprises at us. Really really bad surprises that you should tell us in the beginning. So I can slam it down before I get too far in the book. Before I put that I am “currently reading” this piece of trash.
I cant believe she’d make a joke about how he’s probably sired a whole cricket team. And he actually says just one, as if that isn’t more than enough. What is it with this author? All the guys in here are rakes, and have had illegtimate children.
“somebody’s vengeance f***.” That sounds so stupid.
He keeps saying stuff and then apologizes for it. im getting sick of that already.
He ended a 3 year affair with his mistress, and then is all woe-is-me about ending his usual habits. Grow up.
Idk why Bentley said he secretly loved Frederica when he acted like he was being sent to the gallows over marrying her when he had to end his 3 year affair.&then says ‘got myself leg-shackled’ in a letter. Um, yeah, sounds like he’s real happy for this wedding.
Rannoch&his wife sounded young, but I think they are really kinda old-ish. And cam sounds old, even though he’s supposed to be young.
I cant BELIEVE he warned his brother against getting with his wife. Who does that?! &then has another weird moment where he panics. this guy's got issues.
&whats up with his weird freakout moments? I cant take it because its so confusing.
He told his brother he likes her, but doesn’t love her. I swear the beginning hinted at or even said he secretly had feelings for her.
This book just isn’t romantic. It sounds like he has some serious issues.
&then he tells her not to turn away from him, and she says she sees ‘the potential for both cruelty and kindness’ in his eyes. Um, that’s not good.
This guy isn’t romance material at all. Or husband material. Or anything material. Idk why anyone would get with him, considering the way he is. The illegitimate child. the fact that he's constantly getting with women.
‘has been bedding women on a daily basis since he was sixteen-probably a dam*** sight younger.’ And ‘not a week went by that Bentley wasn’t caught diddling one of the dairy maids or shoving himself under the skirts of some tavern wench.’ And this is our main character.
I cant believe this idiot actually married him knowing he had a child, and his habits with women. Then he has the audacity to say “no, ive never been one for keeping women. And there wont be another, Freddie. Not while we live beneath the same roof.” Your childs mother was your mistress. &unless im mistaken, before your marriage you went and ended an affair with your mistress of 3 years. Im appalled and freakin mad that hes lying.
I find it funny that Frederica can be innocent about some things, like how to touch Bentley. I mean rlly, she didn’t even know how to touch his chest or w/e. just use your hands, you idiot. But then she knows that having sex wont hurt the baby. How would she know that?
authors never know how to do a blend of innocence and knowledge.
&then he says some women don’t wear well. &she actually makes a joke about it. who wants to hear about their husbands past sexual encounters?
The child says “weally” but then can pronounce “Bentley.” &She cant climb the bed but can shoot a gun.
“the pukes.” Well don’t that sound modern.
Babies brought by the stork. This author keeps using modern expressions!
Im already getting sick of their every sexual encounter being amazing and profound. I mean after that time in the woods, he’s all ‘he fell against her in a state of perfect bliss. Clean and new. And somehow a better man than he’d been before.’ but I know it wont last, because this character keeps sinking into his moods, and then panics about stuff. im not going to constantly be reading about him feeling good one moment, and then regressing the next. let's either make progress or not.
“oh! How perfectly amazing! I did not know one could do this standing up.” way to sound like an idiot.
Im not saying theres anything between Bentley and joan or that there has been in the past, but the way joan was talking about them being close made it seem like there was, and stupid Frederica is sitting there complimenting their relationship.
Why put a weird spin to the book in saying that everyone is charmed by Bentley, even children. Even his neice, who ‘smiled flirtatiously at her uncle.’ that's not funny or cute.
I really don’t like this character. she gave in to the marriage way too easily, and then opened the door for him when he was beating it like a psycho. &she was actually scared of him then. do you really want your character to be scared of her husband?
“you black-eyed protuguese witch.” How nice of Bentley.
It’s annoying how a character will all of a sudden whisper something, especially when she would be yelling at Bentley. &then he’s actually trying to explain how he grabbed the servant in a vulgar way&then kissed her on the mouth. What kind of explanation could you possibly have that would even atone for it, except if you were possessed by an evil spirit or the devil?
This book can go up in flames for all I care.
I shouldn’t have picked it up, I shouldn’t have kept reading it, especially after I found out he had a kid out of wedlock, had so many mistresses he cant keep count, and then makes a comment about maybe giving his wife the pox. That’s nothing to joke out, and so far from romance, its not even funny. Why would an author want a character like that? He’s not romantic. He’s a b******, plain and simple. This book absolutely sucks.
the pox is a serious issue, so im unclear about why authors write about male characters that get with a lot of women. do you want your character to end up with the pox? do you think the pox is romantic? I mean, do you really value experience in the bedroom so much that you'd endanger your character with that crap? that's directed at about 98% of romance authors. get it together, girls, and write about a male lead we'd actually care and root for. i.e.the exact opposite of Bentley.
Idc about his stupid psychological problems that will probably be blamed on his dad. Im sick of characters like this that excuse their behavior on the way they were raised or some event in their past, as if that makes it right. Grow up and own up to your mistakes and take some responsibility for the way you are.
He sits there and cheats on his pregnant wife and has the nerve, the absolute nerve, to go and act all pitiful and sad and tryin to be funny with his brother the next morning. Well it wasn’t funny. &I don’t give a crap if hes acting sad. Who cares what he feels like?think about how your wife feels, you know, the person you cheated on? If he cared about his pregnant wife he wouldn’t have done it in the first place. Plain&simple. Wth did he think he was doing? &im about to sit here and read Frederica forgiving him for it, because she will. &she’ll be an idiot for doing it.
Bentley doesn’t deserve love, he doesn’t deserve happiness. Anyone who could put up with him and all his problems is an idiot. This is the most undeserving character ive ever read about, and not only will I not finish this book, I will now steer clear of this author.
Just like this author is an idiot for writing this utter crap. Idk what happened in your personal relationships, but don’t ruin romance books.
i only kept reading this because of the occasional funny comment, but not even humor can keep me reading this filth. I actually don't know who could read this book when the characters-all of them-are so completely boring/unworthy/crappy. way to go there, author. you really wrote a winner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2021
Love it!! One of my favorites by this author.
July 19, 2018
I generally enjoy books from Liz Carlyle, however, there are some that I liked more than this one.
Abandoned by her beloved for another woman, Freddie spends a passionate night with a long-time friend of the family - Bentely, a well-known lecher and a rake. When it turns out that she is pregnant, she is in trouble. Driven by complicated feelings, Bentley marries her and they go to his family estate together. Soon, it turns out that the rake may be a better husband than she expected and that he is tormented by demons with whom they both will have to deal if they want to be happy.
I didn't like the beginning of this story, it is mostly based on a misunderstanding and lack of communication between the main characters. This is not a scheme I like to see in my books. Bentley as a tortured hero is quite fascinating and complicated, he makes an interesting hero. I also like that Freddie, despite her young age, is rather mature and she does not run away from the confrontation when she depends on something. It was nice to watch the dynamics of their relationships and feelings between them. I do not have the slightest doubt that they both care about each other and it was easy for me to believe that they love each other.
I have not read the other books in this series, but they may be interesting. Although I think that Freddie and Bentley are probably the most interesting couple.
Abandoned by her beloved for another woman, Freddie spends a passionate night with a long-time friend of the family - Bentely, a well-known lecher and a rake. When it turns out that she is pregnant, she is in trouble. Driven by complicated feelings, Bentley marries her and they go to his family estate together. Soon, it turns out that the rake may be a better husband than she expected and that he is tormented by demons with whom they both will have to deal if they want to be happy.
I didn't like the beginning of this story, it is mostly based on a misunderstanding and lack of communication between the main characters. This is not a scheme I like to see in my books. Bentley as a tortured hero is quite fascinating and complicated, he makes an interesting hero. I also like that Freddie, despite her young age, is rather mature and she does not run away from the confrontation when she depends on something. It was nice to watch the dynamics of their relationships and feelings between them. I do not have the slightest doubt that they both care about each other and it was easy for me to believe that they love each other.
I have not read the other books in this series, but they may be interesting. Although I think that Freddie and Bentley are probably the most interesting couple.
August 23, 2010
This entire series was very good and Bentley's book was no exception. He and Freddie made a fantastic couple. You knew throughout the book that there was something a bit off with Bentley, but he hid it so well. Then we started figuring it out that he had a secret that was going to possibly tear the family apart.
Meanwhile, he keeps a cool distance from his new wife, but he can't keep his distance or his hands to himself in the bedroom. Those scenes were very hot! This was a great ending to the trilogy and why I said it was like good mac and cheese, nice solid and satisfying. But, it is actually a bit more than that, yes it started out like a typical regency romance with a standard troupe, but it didn't end up like one.
I won't give away anything else, because it is too important to the overall story. I would read the series in order, so you can appreciate the overall story arc.
Meanwhile, he keeps a cool distance from his new wife, but he can't keep his distance or his hands to himself in the bedroom. Those scenes were very hot! This was a great ending to the trilogy and why I said it was like good mac and cheese, nice solid and satisfying. But, it is actually a bit more than that, yes it started out like a typical regency romance with a standard troupe, but it didn't end up like one.
I won't give away anything else, because it is too important to the overall story. I would read the series in order, so you can appreciate the overall story arc.
March 20, 2009
This is one of the best historical romance I've read in years. It's also the first book I've read in months that I simply couldn't put down; I read it straight through late into the night. The writing, dialogue and setting are all nearly flawless, and I loved the Hero and Heroine, though secondary characters could have been better developed. Much, if not most, of the book reads from Bentley's perspective, which I greatly enjoyed and made for some exceedingly hot sex scenes. At this point I'm a bit 'burnt out' on romance as a genre; most sexy writing doesn't have much of an effect. I imagine this is similar to porn burn out for men... This book has both enough sex - but not too much - and it actually succeeds in its purpose.
The accuracy of the sex - this is, after all, a rather Puritanical place and time - was spot on, not mere modern romance sex thrust into an older time period. It actually fits the era, and Carlyle uses clever devices to introduce more racy sex. Roughness/passion abound, and rarely is the sex over-the-top; it's just very, very good without being unrealistic. A few phrases bothered me - a bit of exaggeration, the repeated 'plumbing her depths' which in combination with other descriptions reminded me of tongue rapists I've had the misfortune of kissing, some laughable analogies - but the for the most part, the smut evaded cheesiness, and sometimes the hyperbole struck me as hilariously tongue-in-cheek. Bentley is just the sort of rake who's insanely hot - and a little scary, in a skin-shivering, gasp-inducing manner - without being TOO typical. He's a bad boy and love changes him, but in a believable fashion.
In addition to sex, this story has true romance - not common in the genre - which evolves naturally. None of that 'love at first sight' business, though of course the characters share an immediate electric chemistry. Both the jaded, rather damaged Hero and naive Heroine must struggle to make their relationship work and to love each other. As a result, their eventual success is all the sweeter, and the emotional moments in the book truly made my heart ache and leap, without ever inducing eye-rolling. Carlyle tailors the combination of love, romance, and sex to appeal expertly to the female psyche.
I won't spoil you, but the plot mixes predictability and utter surprise well, compelling & propelling the reader onwards. The general premise is a bit shocking - and hot and unique -and most of the book deals with the consequences of the opening event, so even though another major plot point slowly builds later in the book, I was completely surprised by the final reveal, and I've never read that particular plot device in any context. I'm sure it's not unique, but it's very original in this setting and explains earlier behaviour nicely. I'm sure I'll be reading this book again, which is rare for me, especially in romance.
The accuracy of the sex - this is, after all, a rather Puritanical place and time - was spot on, not mere modern romance sex thrust into an older time period. It actually fits the era, and Carlyle uses clever devices to introduce more racy sex. Roughness/passion abound, and rarely is the sex over-the-top; it's just very, very good without being unrealistic. A few phrases bothered me - a bit of exaggeration, the repeated 'plumbing her depths' which in combination with other descriptions reminded me of tongue rapists I've had the misfortune of kissing, some laughable analogies - but the for the most part, the smut evaded cheesiness, and sometimes the hyperbole struck me as hilariously tongue-in-cheek. Bentley is just the sort of rake who's insanely hot - and a little scary, in a skin-shivering, gasp-inducing manner - without being TOO typical. He's a bad boy and love changes him, but in a believable fashion.
In addition to sex, this story has true romance - not common in the genre - which evolves naturally. None of that 'love at first sight' business, though of course the characters share an immediate electric chemistry. Both the jaded, rather damaged Hero and naive Heroine must struggle to make their relationship work and to love each other. As a result, their eventual success is all the sweeter, and the emotional moments in the book truly made my heart ache and leap, without ever inducing eye-rolling. Carlyle tailors the combination of love, romance, and sex to appeal expertly to the female psyche.
I won't spoil you, but the plot mixes predictability and utter surprise well, compelling & propelling the reader onwards. The general premise is a bit shocking - and hot and unique -and most of the book deals with the consequences of the opening event, so even though another major plot point slowly builds later in the book, I was completely surprised by the final reveal, and I've never read that particular plot device in any context. I'm sure it's not unique, but it's very original in this setting and explains earlier behaviour nicely. I'm sure I'll be reading this book again, which is rare for me, especially in romance.
March 8, 2010
You won't find more well-developed characters anywhere. Liz's lush style captivated me from the beginning, and I adore her characters, especially the intelligent and strong-willed women.
November 3, 2012
Liz Carlyle is one of my favorite new authors - I enjoyed this one as much as the previous one I read by her -
. She has a great writing style - everything flows very well, the story development and characters. Only problem with this one - tons and tons of names. Didn't realize it was the third in a series and you really need to know the history between everyone. So I was somewhat lost.
The main couple - Freddie and Bentley - are great together - friends to lovers. They knew each other forever and Bentley was secretly checking out Freddie for years, even though he wouldn't act on his attraction. Freddie actually puts the moves on him! The sexytimes started early in the story. But then there is the misunderstanding part and a short separation. Bentley is a tortured hero but never annoyed me (his history is explained little by little and by the end everything is revealed). Usually I hate tortured heroes - not this time! He was very romantic and caring toward Freddie.
I guess I have to order the previous books!
. She has a great writing style - everything flows very well, the story development and characters. Only problem with this one - tons and tons of names. Didn't realize it was the third in a series and you really need to know the history between everyone. So I was somewhat lost. The main couple - Freddie and Bentley - are great together - friends to lovers. They knew each other forever and Bentley was secretly checking out Freddie for years, even though he wouldn't act on his attraction. Freddie actually puts the moves on him! The sexytimes started early in the story. But then there is the misunderstanding part and a short separation. Bentley is a tortured hero but never annoyed me (his history is explained little by little and by the end everything is revealed). Usually I hate tortured heroes - not this time! He was very romantic and caring toward Freddie.
I guess I have to order the previous books!
January 23, 2015
If you've read one historical romance featuring Dark Secrets and Tragic Pasts you've read them all, and such was the case with this one. There was nothing outright wrong with it, the writing was decent and the characters were fairly pleasant if not very deep (since they spent a great deal of time acting like numpties to fill the dictates of the story), but the plot was so very meh.
I liked the first chapter or two where the innocent girl pretty much seduces the devilish rake and then forthrightly owns up to her share of the responsibility when she winds up "ruined" and pregnant without wailing how unfair it all was and how was she to know. Soon after that I felt things started going down hill though. The author suddenly seems to decide that the cheerful, charming rogue can't be happy with a nice, normal marriage with a woman who returns his love, no, he suddenly has to develop a Dark Secret/ Tragic Past that can be tip-toed around for the other half of the book and spawn a great many stupid misunderstandings brought on by not discussing anything and leaping to conclusions. Of course all these issues that have haunted him are worked out in a Hallmark Moment mere pages from the end of the book, just in time to shoehorn in the reconciliation and perfect HEA epilogue.
I guess I'd class this as a "business as usual" regency romance. If you like them you stand a good chance of liking this. If you don't or, like me, you're a casual acquaintance to the sub-genre, then it's probably not going to wow you as the best thing you've ever read, but neither will it be the worst. I suggest grabbing a sample and browsing the highlights of a few high and low starred reviews to give yourself a better idea of whether you want to bother or not.
I liked the first chapter or two where the innocent girl pretty much seduces the devilish rake and then forthrightly owns up to her share of the responsibility when she winds up "ruined" and pregnant without wailing how unfair it all was and how was she to know. Soon after that I felt things started going down hill though. The author suddenly seems to decide that the cheerful, charming rogue can't be happy with a nice, normal marriage with a woman who returns his love, no, he suddenly has to develop a Dark Secret/ Tragic Past that can be tip-toed around for the other half of the book and spawn a great many stupid misunderstandings brought on by not discussing anything and leaping to conclusions. Of course all these issues that have haunted him are worked out in a Hallmark Moment mere pages from the end of the book, just in time to shoehorn in the reconciliation and perfect HEA epilogue.
I guess I'd class this as a "business as usual" regency romance. If you like them you stand a good chance of liking this. If you don't or, like me, you're a casual acquaintance to the sub-genre, then it's probably not going to wow you as the best thing you've ever read, but neither will it be the worst. I suggest grabbing a sample and browsing the highlights of a few high and low starred reviews to give yourself a better idea of whether you want to bother or not.
April 9, 2011
"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't." With these words, Freddie is reconciled to marry Bentley "Hell-Bent" Rutledge after she becomes pregnant following a passionate night together.
Normally I am not that big on romances where the heroine becomes pregnant early on or the couple weds now and falls in love later, but this story just did it for me. Of course, Carlyle is a superb writer, and the story just flows from the page like so much magic. Purely lovely.
Normally I am not that big on romances where the heroine becomes pregnant early on or the couple weds now and falls in love later, but this story just did it for me. Of course, Carlyle is a superb writer, and the story just flows from the page like so much magic. Purely lovely.
March 26, 2015
3.5 stars. Good story but difficult to read, the characters had real issues that needed to be dealt with. The H needed to learn to trust his wife,brother and himself.
January 12, 2012
I've always believed that men are different from the ladies. Men don't plan elaborate weddings nor imagine clouds in the sky romantic moments nor stress out if their beloved is thinking about them right at that second. So when marriage does get on their brains, it happens quickly and they are almost immediately ready, so if you are that lucky girl that passes by when the moment is right... much like a Taxi that has its available light suddenly light up on top... a man 'BING' is ready to become a husband.
So Freddie jumps on 'Hellbent' Bentley at just the right moment in his life. Of course this all takes place in many many more words then my review. This is really well written, the male POV is believable masculine which made it clear who's POV is going on at any given moment. This is rare to find in the historical England romance literature, so I felt it was important to mention.
There is a large cast of characters in this story, each with a different voice and personality. This must be part of series because this rarely happens with single issue novels. I didn't get lost with the multitude of characters because they were never all in the same room, each had their own introduction and development. I am impressed by the flow and pacing in this story.
Spoiler (sort of).... So the child abuse angle of the book was subtle and treated with respect. I thought that the stereotypes and assumptions that are made by the main characters and a supporting character (Cam) were awful and understandable at the same time. There are so many double standards and men suffer as much as women, perhaps more as they don't share freely or ask for help as often as a woman would. That is one of the reasons that I have always been grateful to be a woman, our networking and close relationships with others and our connection with our feelings and the feelings of others. I love being a woman in our society, we get so much more freedom to be who we are then at any other time in history.
Oh, plus the romance genre is so rich and delicious in modern times as well.
3 stars!
So Freddie jumps on 'Hellbent' Bentley at just the right moment in his life. Of course this all takes place in many many more words then my review. This is really well written, the male POV is believable masculine which made it clear who's POV is going on at any given moment. This is rare to find in the historical England romance literature, so I felt it was important to mention.
There is a large cast of characters in this story, each with a different voice and personality. This must be part of series because this rarely happens with single issue novels. I didn't get lost with the multitude of characters because they were never all in the same room, each had their own introduction and development. I am impressed by the flow and pacing in this story.
Spoiler (sort of).... So the child abuse angle of the book was subtle and treated with respect. I thought that the stereotypes and assumptions that are made by the main characters and a supporting character (Cam) were awful and understandable at the same time. There are so many double standards and men suffer as much as women, perhaps more as they don't share freely or ask for help as often as a woman would. That is one of the reasons that I have always been grateful to be a woman, our networking and close relationships with others and our connection with our feelings and the feelings of others. I love being a woman in our society, we get so much more freedom to be who we are then at any other time in history.
Oh, plus the romance genre is so rich and delicious in modern times as well.
3 stars!
April 8, 2013
Frederica d'Avillez is young, high-tempered and upset that her long-time beau ditched her. Still, there were perhaps wiser courses of actions open to her than an impulsive one-night stand with Bentley Rutledge, a family friend, a gorgeous charmer, and a totally unpredictable, carefree rake. To his credit, Bentley writes her a proper proposal of marriage before he leaves, but it's misplaced and Frederica never gets it, assuming the one-night stand was the beginning and the end. Only she finds herself pregnant and she and Bentley are hitched in an arrangement where, if either party doesn't think the marriage is working, they can live separately after six months.
For their honeymoon, the newlyweds go to visit Bentley's family and family home but it's not a happy visit and Frederica discovers there is something seriously amiss with her new husband - he wears the carefree attitude as a mask over darker issues and the secrets of his past can destroy the fragile new relationship.
I like Freddy, who is pragmatic and plucky, but it's one of those rare books where I was all about the hero. I got it as part of my 'books where hero has a massive past trauma' kick but I pretty much forgot that this was part of that stack, so the reveal of the cause of Bentley's issues, which was pretty late in the book (though hints are sprinkled throughout) was a bit of a shock and pretty damn horrifying (this is a rare book where I seriously felt bad there was no therapy back in 1820s or whenever this book is set in, because a loving wife and a loving and guilt-feeling brother are seriously not a good enough coping/healing mechanism for his past and the issues that stem from it). But I confess to loving him from long before that - his adorable, haphazard, and earnest attempts to be a good husband and good (future) father were ridiculously endearing, and the way he was rather desperate to not realize what he felt for Freddie or his family or his life made me want to send him a time-traveling hug.
For their honeymoon, the newlyweds go to visit Bentley's family and family home but it's not a happy visit and Frederica discovers there is something seriously amiss with her new husband - he wears the carefree attitude as a mask over darker issues and the secrets of his past can destroy the fragile new relationship.
I like Freddy, who is pragmatic and plucky, but it's one of those rare books where I was all about the hero. I got it as part of my 'books where hero has a massive past trauma' kick but I pretty much forgot that this was part of that stack, so the reveal of the cause of Bentley's issues, which was pretty late in the book (though hints are sprinkled throughout) was a bit of a shock and pretty damn horrifying (this is a rare book where I seriously felt bad there was no therapy back in 1820s or whenever this book is set in, because a loving wife and a loving and guilt-feeling brother are seriously not a good enough coping/healing mechanism for his past and the issues that stem from it). But I confess to loving him from long before that - his adorable, haphazard, and earnest attempts to be a good husband and good (future) father were ridiculously endearing, and the way he was rather desperate to not realize what he felt for Freddie or his family or his life made me want to send him a time-traveling hug.
March 17, 2023
UPDATE: 4 stars
This book made me cry once again. I just can’t help but wish we had more content of the couple with their kids.
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4.5 stars
When I first started reading this book, I found it a bit dull and the constant change of POVs annoyed me. Yet, I decided to go on and continue reading—merely because the smut was superb and some of the characters were really funny—and to be honest I’m glad I did.
Not only did the story have a plot twist that was slowly building up to a big reveal, but also it explained a lot about why certain characters behaved the way they did. Nevertheless, this book made me both laugh and tear up, which in my opinion made it worth staying up till 4am to read it.
This book made me cry once again. I just can’t help but wish we had more content of the couple with their kids.
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4.5 stars
When I first started reading this book, I found it a bit dull and the constant change of POVs annoyed me. Yet, I decided to go on and continue reading—merely because the smut was superb and some of the characters were really funny—and to be honest I’m glad I did.
Not only did the story have a plot twist that was slowly building up to a big reveal, but also it explained a lot about why certain characters behaved the way they did. Nevertheless, this book made me both laugh and tear up, which in my opinion made it worth staying up till 4am to read it.
November 17, 2010
Hero was not believable for me. The author kept telling me he was this bad boy rake but all I got was lovesick/tortured soul. The heroine I know was supposed to be good intentioned and weary of marriage to Bentley but I felt she came across as sanctimonious. She kept telling him how she needed him be and things he needed to do to be good enough to be w/her. I have to say I did enjoy the first few chapters but then it went steadily downhill. Basically skimmed the last 1/2 of the book.
May 11, 2022
Uhmmm no.
The Hero was supposed to be this rake / man whore who sleeps around, however, we got to know his real feelings towards the heroine from early on - giving us no illusions whatsoever that could keep the readers guessing of what his actual feelings are.
No mystery. No angst.
So no, this was an unfinished read.
The Hero was supposed to be this rake / man whore who sleeps around, however, we got to know his real feelings towards the heroine from early on - giving us no illusions whatsoever that could keep the readers guessing of what his actual feelings are.
No mystery. No angst.
So no, this was an unfinished read.
November 14, 2010
I loved Bentley... He was such a tortured hero.. His secret is awful and heartbreaking, and although he's never wanted a woman for himself before, he refuses to give Freddie up. I loved Freddie who didn't take any sh** from Bentley, and who pushes him until she figures out his secret.. 5*
August 3, 2013
I loved how the book started out! Especially the first chapter! The last half of the book dealt more with the hero's dark problems that he needed to deal with, so it was a bit heavy for me... but, it was a great story with great characters.
February 13, 2010
There really needs to be a grade between Liked it and Really Liked it :) but I did, I really did, liked it!
September 17, 2021
Do anyone really know this devil?
I have been asking myself while reading the last three novels and I distinctly thought no! My heart hurts for him without knowing how to address his issues! All I knew was his brother and sister 's faults did not receive the notice that he received from everyone! Even when he did something right it was downplayed! I eagerly awaited how the author would elevate this character!
I have been asking myself while reading the last three novels and I distinctly thought no! My heart hurts for him without knowing how to address his issues! All I knew was his brother and sister 's faults did not receive the notice that he received from everyone! Even when he did something right it was downplayed! I eagerly awaited how the author would elevate this character!
Read
November 11, 2022I need to reread this one.
Did not finish
June 8, 2022A nineteen years old who she just went through her first season ends up sleeping with the notorious rake because she is afraid of getting "dried up" 🙄.... Wouldn't it have been better, and more believable, if the heroine was in her late twenties and was counting on this single marriage proposal to get married and when it got broken up, the desperation and the weight of her impending spinsterhood drove her to such act? Because she was, you know, already old? Just a thought. Anyways, dnf.
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