No True Gentleman

Rutledge Family #2

by Liz Carlyle

Lady Catherine Wodeway knows that no true gentleman would presume to kiss a lady senseless without a proper introduction -- not even to save her life. yet somehow, Maximilian de Rohan's dark good looks, brooding manner, and mysterious past make it all too easy for Catherine to forget that she's a lady.

Although Max is stunned by Catherine's beauty, honesty, and charm, he knows that getting mixed up with a noblewoman can end badly, especially when her brother is a murder suspect. But when Catherine stumbles onto the key to Max's murder investigation and unwittingly places herself in the killer's hands he will risk everything to pull her out of danger and into the arms of love.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Dear 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

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reread. This is classic Carlyle. Well-researched, beautifully detailed and historically accurate. Interesting characters, and a plot with plenty of drama and some suspense. An intense relationship between the MCs, with a few hot and sexy scenes, but not OTT. Great secondary characters.

Max is quite an original HR character, and he's well-written and believable. A dour, lonely London policeman. He has an interfering Italian grandmother. A fascinating and dramatic past. He's also intelligent and sexy. The full package, as Carlyle's best heroes are.

Catherine is also a likeable heroine. A widow, she's no innocent debutante. But she has self-respect and integrity. She's strong, but still fits into her times believably.

Overall, a quality HR with a different set of characters from the usual cliches. And no dukes! Hooray!!

[Gloria—aka—Tiger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made a mistake reading this book immediately after the first book in this series, Beauty Like the Night. If there had been a time lapse between, the similarities in the stories and characters might have been less glaring and my rating higher. But here we are and, frankly, I needed more originality.

Max is a man who has chosen his path in life, has dedicated himself to it, and has earned not one iota of happiness from it, much like Cam, the hero of Beauty Like the Night. Still, he stubbornly persists in devoting his life to the pursuit of justice, and is deeply resentful when his attraction to Catherine blurs his focus. He doesn’t welcome his feelings for her:

A man who committed himself to a greater—and more dangerous—good could never afford the luxury of a wife and family. It was both foolish and perilous to think otherwise.

If he told himself once that he simply could not entertain the idea of love and family, he told himself a hundred times. Twice would have been sufficient.

Catherine, like Helene in the first book, was a competent woman who had made a place for herself in the world and balked at risking her heart. Thankfully, she was braver and bolder than Helene and pursued Max, but wouldn’t entertain the idea of him as anything more than an affair. Helene, too, was willing to bed her man, but eschewed permanence.

With so many similarities already, I wasn’t at all surprised when Catherine unwittingly abetted her kidnapper by agreeing to accompany him on a ride, nor when he intended to rape her, nor when he pulled a knife on her and threatened to slice her throat. Remember those scenes from Beauty Like the Night?

Shouldn’t the author have spaced these two books a little farther apart?

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! This is the 2nd book in the Rutledge series and so far the best. Even though I did enjoy the first, this one was even better. Cat is a widow who is ready for something to change in her life.

In to her life walks Maxamillion De Rohan and big, gruff Italian stallion.(ok that description isn't in the book. But I think of a tall Sylvester Stallone when I think of Max.) They meet in the park and immediately Cat knows he is the one she must have a fling with.

Cat and Max make a great couple and become a pair that you want to be around. As their relationship progresses, I want to bash Max in the head a couple of times for thinking that he wasn't good enough for Cat. Cat was no mouse though and gave him hell whenever he got to thinking that. There is a murder that takes place in the book and Max must solve it, as he is a special investigator for the crown.

It doesn't overpower the story and stays pretty firmly in the background for most of the story. What did threaten to take over the story was a host of secondary fun characters: Nona Sofia (Max's scheming grandmother, Nate (Max's errand boy, Lucifer (Max's Neapolitan Mastiff) and last but not least George Kimball, (Max's friend and he was so much fun! I wanted to know more about him.)

I wasn't ready for this book to be over, even though it did have a lovely ending. I am looking forward to bad boy brother, Bentley "Hell-Bent" Rutledge's story.

[Sara Reads (mostly) Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reaaaaally liked this one. I've never read anything else by Liz Carlyle but boy I will DEFINITELY be re-reading this baby AND get her other books. Maximillian was HOT. Hot with a CAPITAL H.O.T. HOLLLLYYYY MOTHER.

Full review to come when I'm not feeling lazy/speed reviewing the way I've been doing, but I will for sure be reading this and her earlier books!! As soon as I get better at organizing my life

[_inbetween_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally, I thought, finally a guy was masturbating! Usually they all simply have to fuck another woman every day because of their poor beleagured physique. I was going to praise Carlyle - and then she makes it all so much worse by saying that of course he cannot possible come from frigging, because he loves her!

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAM

Let me try to put this into a broader context (A. probably hates me by now, and Ch. seems to have misunderstood me for a while):

This sort of mind-boggling and frankly sickening entitlement continues; at the first proper sex scene, when once again I thought that yes, ah, at least some nice intercourse now - a) she had planned to take him as a lover, with support from her aunt, and intruded into his rooms (as modern women do); b) he'd been used many times by higher class women (the one thing I liked, and I was hoping for a redemption re. his justified hurt there); c) when he puts her hand on his bulge, she stiffens, even while having him finger her. And now it gets worse: d) she's so innocent despite no virgin, he has to do better, which means lots of breast sucking (because women are entitled to lots and lots of servicing), so then e) she gets horny again and begs but he fingers her to orgasm with proper gentlemanly restraint (because she's a modern passionate women). But wait, there's more illogical shifts to appease the woman of today! F) now unable to heed whatever she might say, he finally plunges in (back to the essential man-must-be-overwhelmed-by-lust, because true love is being unable to restrain yourself sexually) except g) she wants it fast and hard now but he begs her to slow down (see servicing), but h) then he can't resist and finishes in her (see true love is blind lust) but h) pulls out (see true love is servicing).

I had to outline this to show the pathological insanity that currently published romance shows lurking in "modern" woman! I was going to say Catherine is the first one I don't like of Carlyle's, but actually I didn't like Frederica either. They are both too entitled and keep doing their men injustices but the men have to keep abjectly apologising - and I'm usually seeing only the reverse, in RL or in Hunter, and battling it, but here it's really revolting, so much so that by the end I not only didn't feel for her danger, but couldn't care less if the kidnapper hurt her. The antagonism between h/h, dissolved by sex and twisted female entitlement is what differentiates Carlyle from Chase most importantly.


Otherwise it's the usual disappointments: after the young damaged rogues Delacourt and Bentley had proven to be nondescript bores in their own novels, Max de Rohan with his big black dog and his police work still held so much hope and promise. Of course he can't fullfill that - and even worse, it took me 60 pages or more to figure out that Catherine is the sister of Cam and Bentley, the one I'd been also looking forward to - it's hard to see her as special or even one of them, the flattering descriptions and fawning make her less rather than more dear.

Another gripe is the liberally used Italian (always promptly translated as well *puke* nobody, nobody ever talked like that; it's different if Regency peeps used French phrases to be fashionable, but emigrants do not keep using native language in their second tongue, like that). Carlyle used that before as well as Raybourn, whom I think she wants to emolate here.

So Max is in fact the only good thing about it; Kemble is losing his appeal - perhaps due to ongoing gay stereotyping - Max was better in Woman of Virtue (as were Bentley and three others), but he's still got a little bit of personality left she didn't manage to erase. He might not get to wank and have to turn into a Viscount as well, but towards the middle his hangover is so bad that he contemplated suicide only to fall asleep while wondering where his pistol was - and that was the last appealing glimpse, because then his "loneliness" and "sorrow" suddenly come from hearing the Lord had slept with the maid while the Lady had been killed. Not his years in the slums, not raping of children and incredible poverty, no-ho, that then made him break - and his grandmother, because like Raybourn et al it's not enough to imitate Anne Perry, Carlyle also adds supersition, and who better for that "touch" than foreigners.

Catherine gets worse and worse - never having been shown doing anything - anything! - except move about and fuck, she's "utterly good and pure" and "honourable". WHAT THE HELL? Why? Oh, and an Earth goddess - that is exemplified by her rubbing her own breasts and hair while riding him. The stallion bit is spelled out more than once in the text, btw. And her eyes are melting repeatedly and her heart is throbbing between her legs. In earlier books Carlyle had the women at least play with the man's genitals a bit, but now it's all straight from mainstream porn: woman on top and performing for third party?

Obviously, this heroine cannot possibly not be breeding (their words) either. Yet again the previously barren woman has to be superfertile, as if it were worse than rape and murder that a woman would not bear children. *starts feeling hoarse from emotions by now* If only she'd stuck to one thing, but this schizophrenic veering between all extremes to make the woman and her happy end be superlative in all respects - it's just inducing motion sickness.

The first book of her read - A Woman Scorned - may or may not have been her best, as usual it's hard to say if the order or the quantity makes a difference, though others also rec it. Jonet certainly was unfairly maligned, while now the women just keep saying they are and I can't figure out when. Jonet's guy at least thought along lines that made him unpleasant, at least I thought so at the time, but then I also thought the strong attraction mixed with their antipathy was something particular to them, not universal to the author. His potential certainly hadn't been plumbed either, what with him being a priest, but Woman Scorned had been a better book - No True Gentleman completely misses the title mark, never lets her deal with his deep need to make himself a gentleman (the one scene where she seems to get it is a line only and then neglected). The quotes in front of each chapter never quite fit the content and from her afterword I realise she meant them as funny!

The one thing that touched me was least intentianal: Bentley had gone to great pains to get his sister a big painting of her dead husband. It hurts Max, but also she never properly discusses it with the disappointed brother, supposedly Hell Bent. still maligned by all and sundry, incl. his wife in the next book, while deeply scared from abuse they don't know - when really his behaviour should tell them he's sensitive. After his three weeks labour with that painting, we leave him confused and disappointed in her bedroom. But then nothing but her godness matters.

I'm glad I cancelled the Duke book, despite it having interesting things like male rape, anti-semitism and Kemble in it, because I know all that will also be neglected for the standard fare of a potentially interesting male being turned into the same nothingness, his great "love" being all about her having pretty parents, not eating much and not exposing her skin to the sun. Sadly I have yet one more book in my pile to go, which will just disappoint me again.

I'm tempted to say nasty things about the author picture now, remark about her fancied up, stupid and cross-eyed look = unfair and superficial, but then so is me not giving this better-than-other-genre-stuff more points.

[Aly is so frigging bored · Rating 4 out of 5]

After I read more then 1/2 of the book I was sure that it won't get more then 3*, but Liz Carlyle amazed me and the last 20% of the book were 5*. I liked how the heroine was so practical and that she didn't care about the aristocratic ladder. The hero was great too, he had such a strong moral compass, he wanted to help people, to make a difference.


Quote:
He raked his fingers through his disheveled hair again. “I’m not decent,” he mumbled, slowly backing toward his bedchamber.[...]

But Catherine already had him by the arm and was dragging him toward the table. “Nonsense,” she insisted. “You are an invalid.”

He glowered at her. “I am not an invalid.”

Catherine merely smiled. [men and their egos :))]

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second attempt to read Liz Carlyle. I am relieved that the 2nd attempt is slightly more successful than the 1st.

This book has one of my favorite types of heroes: a working man. Max was a policeman. He was other things too but he was a policeman at heart. I do admire a man who had worked for his station in life. He reminded me of Ross from Lisa Kleypas's Lady Sophia's Lover. A little more tormented than Ross, Max had not quite made peace with his family history. I also liked that Max was not 29 or 30. He was 37. I must be getting on in years because now I don't find men in their early 30s so attractive anymore.

The heroine Catherine, was a widow. By my calculation she was 27 (married Will at 17, stayed married for 8 years and widowed for 2 when the story started). I don't usually like widows and Catherine was one of the few widows who I found refreshing. I tend to find widows overly matronly. But Catherine was rather sweet. She was described to be "earthy", and I could see her that way. A down-to-earth woman who had a forgiving nature but wasn't acting like a know-it-all woman because she "had done it".

Surprisingly I found their relationship lacking. Max and Catherine are both good characters and they had something going. I liked how they were together. But strangely enough I just couldn't feel the passion between them. Their intimate scenes seem rather passionless to me as well, even though it had nothing to do with the book. Liz Carlyle was explicit in her sex scenes. But I couldn't really feel their passion, so it hardly mattered what they did.

I thought Max's family history an unnecessary twist since it was not exactly clear just what had happened. There were descriptions alright. But I didn't feel that that part of Max's psyche was properly explored. It was like a given. Liz Carlyle said so, so it must be that. Since it served as the cornerstone of Max's reluctance to be tied to Catherine, I found that hard to believe. It probably discredited Max's struggle and the obstacles in this relationship.

Even though I found the plot lines unsatisfying, I must say that I liked Max and Catherine as characters, and I liked them a lot. Their story is rather undeserving of them, to my dismay, but they made this book more readable for me. The mystery bit was overshadowing Max and Catherine, all the secondary characters also took the spotlight away. I like the story to center on the lead characters and the plots to serve as a canvas for the relationship development. This story didn't really do that for Max and Catherine. The relationship was not poorly written but nor was it memorable. I would argue that, had the story spent more time on Max and Catherine's relationship, the story would have improved greatly.

I heard that the 3rd book of the series, the story of Bentley is the best out of the Rutledge family. Having read 2 books from the series, I am not sure I am in a hurry to read about Bentley. Liz Carlyle writes beautifully, but I seem to have trouble appreciating the way she tells a story.

[Penny Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

No True Gentleman by Liz Carlyle (2002)

This is one of my favorite re-reads. It is brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I am seriously in love with Maximilian de Rohan....how's that for a name! Dark, brooding, moody, sexy....yowzah! This book really transcends the romance genre...it is something much more than one would expect. Carlyle's prose is rich and nuanced, and this book is not a fast read-sort of romance novel. It needs to be savored like a fine wine, and it is well worth it. In the same way that I need to adjust to Annette Blair's unique style of writing each time I read one of her books, Carlyle's voice as a writer is also something unique and special. This is a romance novel for the intelligent, curious and demanding reader...just the way I like them!

Carlyle's characters are nothing short of amazing. The contrast between Max, the dark and introspective investigator, and Catherine, the proper English widow, is wickedly delicious. Everything about this book is spot-on...the structure of the story, the unfolding of the mystery, the revelations about the characters, and the masterful writing. The love story is at times wicked, touching, sensual, intense and emotional. Wow! It's absolutely amazing.

The secondary characters are also fascinating, and many have their own stories, also (although this book is by far my favorite). I must admit that there are quite a few romance novels that I find enjoyable to read, but I can't remember the character's names the next day. This one stays with you for a while. It is fascinating. I don't think this book is for everyone...some readers may find the pace too slow, the prose too rich...it is certainly a more complex book than many romance novels I have read. I honestly think this book is a treasure. I defy you to read this one and not fall madly in love with Max. He is not your typical romance hero, but he sure is a memorable one. Grade: A+

Penelope

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich habe mich schon lange nicht mehr so sehr durch ein Buch gekämpft wie durch dieses und leider muss ich sagen, dass es mitunter an der Übersetzung liegt, die das Lesen verkompliziert hat, denn mittlerweile habe ich es mir auf Englisch organisiert und da liest es sich wesentlich flotter.

Eine junge Witwe, gerade ist ihr Trauerjahr abgeschlossen, begiebt sich zögerlich wieder in die Gesellschaft und so reitet sie jeden Morgen aus. Im Park begegnet sie einem Mann mit einem großen Hund - einem Polizisten. Aufgrund seiner Vergangenheit und seines niedrigeren Standes weiß er, dass es ihm nicht zusteht, ein Verlangen nach ihr zu verspüren, obwohl er sie einmal hemmungslos küsst. Auch Catherine ist von ihm angetan, ist er doch ganz anders als all die Männer der besseren Gesellschaft.
Und da Max Polizist ist, kommt der ganzen Bekanntschaft noch ein Mordfall in die Quere.

Abgesehen davon finde ich, dass Catherine nicht eine der best entwickelten Charaktere ist, die Liz Carlyle geschafffen hat, in manchen Situationen wirkt sie platt. Max ebenso, besonders wenn es um sein Verlangen nach ihr geht ....

[Ahgase · Rating 4 out of 5]

อ้าว ในเซตมีอีกตั้งหลายเรื่อง
แล้วคือยังไง มีแปลมั้ย หรือว่าไงอะ
จะหาข้อมูลจากไหน โอยยยย เซ็ง
เกิดช้า ไม่รู้เรื่อง 555555
ชื่อไทยของเรื่องนี้คือ สุภาพบุรุษที่รัก
งงนะ สุภาพบุรุษยังไง 55555
คือสุภาพก็สุภาพแหละ แต่ไม่ถึงกับน่าจะที่รัก
เพราะมันก็ทำไม่ดีอยู่ในอดีต
กับนางเอกก็อึกอัก ไม่เปิดใจ
แถมกับยัยซิซีเลียนี่ยังไง ชอบไม่ชอบ?
แต่ถามว่าสนุกมััย ก็สนุกแหละ
มีงงๆบ้างเพราะสำนวน

[Alexandra]

DNF at 5%. Cringeworthy prologue with the veiled, tarot card-reading, widowed Italian grandmother. Subsequent couple of chapters full of mildly clunky exposition and just nothing new or interesting enough to grab my attention.

[Blackjack · Rating 4 out of 5]

No True Gentleman, Liz Carlyle - This was a little hard to "grade" given that it's such a nicely written romance with such great characters. Before I write about the main protagonists, I just have to say how much I love the secondary character, Kemble, here. He's in this series and is more intriguing and contradictory than most characters in romances. Anyway, Maximillian and Catherine are the protagonists and are a lovely couple, and though they start off on rocky footings, this is a novel that puts the main couple together in a loving way for most of the novel. The drawback I had to it is that there is not much conflict to keep them apart or for them to sort through. Max is opposed to his noble heritage and feels disdain for Europe's social hierarchy. He has a long family history to explain his contempt. And he chooses to work as a police functionary as a way to honor his rejection of the aristocracy and to fulfill his need for social justice. His prejudice against nobility puts him initially at odds with Lady Catherine Wodeway despite an early attraction to her. Catherine is no snob though and is quick to challenge Max on his biases. I admit to growing a little weary of Max's jabs at Catherine as they were clearly unfounded and he seemed to need just about every person he knew to point this out to him. However, he didn't let this stop him from falling in love and pursuing an affair. I questioned just a bit too the freedom Catherine displays in traveling back and forth with just a footman, and during the day no less, to pursue her affair at Max's home. That seemed a bit carefree and even though she's a widow, it's a little hard to believe that she carried on so openly without knowing the risks or even accumulating some. The main conflict of the novel then turns on the mystery, which was interesting and even a bit surprising to resolve. I think in the end that if the conflict between the couple had been more developed I might have loved rather than just really liked this book. Also, I have to love a man who faints at the sight of his lady's wound. I can't remember if I've read another romance novel where the hero faints.

[Dangermousie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It's by far my favorite of all of Carlyle's stuff I read so far. Set in the 1820s, it follows Max de Rohan and Lady Catherine - despite their social differences (he is a foreigner! a police inspector!), the intense, closed-off Max with a giant chip on his shoulder about the aristocracy and the pragmatic, straightforward Catherine are drawn to each other. I loved this in every way! The hero is a police inspector, which would have made me love it all by itself (a man who works! Imagine!), but both Max and Catherine are just such good, smart, intense people and - guuuuuuh. I like most of Caryle's heroes but think Max is the first of them that I wouldn't mind hooking up with in real life.

[Brian Sirith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the fact that the hero is a magistrate / policeman. I only wish the author had not made his family filthy rich (but at least they're cits) and given him a title (siiiigh) in the end. It ooook if he doesn't have a title. We can enjoy a book with a guy who is not "rich a Croesus" and titled. He doesn't need to be dirt poor, there's a looot of space in between dirt poor and filthy rich.

On that note if anyone can suggest a regency book where the heroine is from an upper class and the guy is merchant or working class (and does NOT have a rich titled uncle that leaves him a title and a hoard of gold) go ahead. :)

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Maximilian de Rohan from the very first second he was introduced with his big dog in the previous book, and I was really REALLY hoping he didn't turn out to be some secret Italian duke. He turned out to be a secret Italian viscount, which frustrated me, but I suppose at least they did it in the best way they could have. It was at least plausible.

[Addicted2Luv · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was too much mystery and not enough romance. Maybe I'll attempt it again someday. Carlyle is hit-and-miss for me.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of Carlyle's better books. The hero and heroine are absolutely kick-ass characters.

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for www.thcreviews.com

After reading several of Liz Carlyle's books, I have come to the conclusion that she, in my opinion, simply does not write a bad story. Some are better than others, but I have not yet found one that I didn't like. Such is the case with No True Gentleman. It was yet another worthy effort from Ms. Carlyle. The story hooked me in right at the beginning with the murder of a lady of ton. As usual the author kept me guessing about the solution to this mystery right up until the big reveal. The middle section of the book moved a little slower for me, but it had a truly wonderful ending. I thought the climax was very exciting, and the final pages showed a hint of humor as well as Ms. Carlyle's talent for writing beautifully romantic scenes. One of my favorite aspects of this book was the exploration of a romance involving class differences between a titled lady and a middle-class man who is rather rough around the edges. Even though there were a couple of plot devices used to make this pairing more plausible and acceptable to society, Max chose to live a very simple life and truly hated all the conventions associated with trying to be a proper gentleman. Yet Catherine fell in love with him anyway, and it was Max who felt unworthy of her. It is also rather rare, when one of the main characters had a previous spouse, for that person to have been likable, and for those characters to have shared love in their marriage. I really like when authors are able to believably pull this off. It was a refreshing change for Catherine to have been in love with her first husband, Will, and still missing him at the beginning of the story, but yet she had room in her heart to love Max. It was just a different kind of love and a very different relationship that they shared.

In spite of it being a likable story, there were a few weaknesses in my opinion. One was that until close to the end of the story, I did not feel that I could fully understand or become involved in the emotional issues that seemed to be plaguing Max. I think the story might have benefited from the author revealing more of Max's past and his emotions surrounding it earlier on. It also would have been nice if Max and Catherine had had more discussion of his family, his past, and his feelings surrounding their differences. I think this was part of the reason that some of the story moved slowly for me, but another reason was Max and Catherine's romance beginning as a casual affair. Of course this made for lots of steamy sensuality, but few of the heartwarming romantic moments and building of friendship between the two main characters that are present in some of Ms. Carlyle's other books. Because of the limited communication, I didn't feel that a deep friendship was ever truly built and the beautiful romance didn't really happen until toward the end when both characters were beginning to accept that they were falling in love. In the past, I have really enjoyed the child and animal characters in Ms. Carlyle's other works as they usually help to create a deep sense of home and family. Unfortunately, the only child character in No True Gentleman, was the street urchin, Nate, who was a very cute, likable and well-written secondary character, but didn't really add much in a familial sense. I did really like Max's dog, Lucifer, a lovable canine who could be sweet and docile one minute and viciously protective the next.

I really enjoyed the hero and heroine. Max's simplistic way of life was sweetly endearing, and I loved his sense of justice and fairness and his compassion for people of the lower classes. I also found his need to be out amongst the masses, doing hands-on work instead of just pushing papers, to be very attractive as well. Also, I just adore a hero who is an animal lover. And of course, what woman could resist a man who whispers endearments in a romantic foreign language during lovemaking. Catherine was another of Ms. Carlyle's independent and unconventional heroines. She seems to be the perfect mixture of her two brothers, Cam and Bentley. She showed Cam's commitment to responsibility in that she was apparently the brains and discipline behind the running of her late husband's estate, and she is an expert horsewoman who prefers the outdoors and the country to the stuffiness of London society. Yet, she shows a bit of Bentley's mischievousness when she climbs over the wall at Max's apartment to secretly visit him. Readers who dislike clingy heroines will not find one in Catherine. In fact, she stubbornly drives Max to distraction by keeping her distance, patiently waiting for him to come to terms with the possibility of them having a future together. All in all, these are two wonderful characters whose passion rules their hearts and whose stubbornness leads them into a few heated moments.

Ms. Carlyle continues her web of interconnected characters in No True Gentleman. Max and his dog, Lucifer, first appeared in A Woman of Virtue, while Catherine and her brother, Bentley, made their first appearances in Beauty Like the Night. Incorrigible rakehell, Bentley, added another layer to his character by showing off his thoughtful and sensitive side with Catherine periodically throughout the story, making him one of the fullest and most satisfying secondary characters I have ever read. He also appeared in A Woman of Virtue and gets his own story in The Devil You Know. The intriguing and multi-talented antiques dealer, George Kemble, who was formerly a gentleman's gentleman, also appears in My False Heart, A Woman of Virtue, The Devil You Know, A Deal with the Devil, and The Devil to Pay. Kem is another well-rounded secondary character who is fun to read and always full of surprises. Also making an appearance are Lord and Lady Delacourt, aka David and Cecelia; Cecelia's brother and stepson, Harry Markham-Sands and Giles Lorimer, respectively; and Catherine's aunt, Isabel, Lady Kirton, all of whom were first seen in A Woman of Virtue, except for David who was the hero of that story, but was originally conceived of in A Woman Scorned. Overall, No True Gentleman was yet another fun and enjoyable story to come from Liz Carlyle's fertile imagination. She is truly a talent and an asset to the romance writing profession.

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.

[Miriamgreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

don't analyze it to shreds. best parts: a Neapolitan mastiff [google that] and Kemble is back in action. Add to that Signora and her tarrochi which was truly fascinating. add to that her swoon worthy grandson whose mission and pride encompass his police work. add to that a widow, Catherine, and a meeting in the fog with Maximilian, a promiscuous and devastating kiss which seals the fate of H and H as reluctant lovers that morphs into meeting of body, soul, spirit. o yes, a murder investigation. Found this far more entertaining that the succeeding book of Bentley's escapades. Farther down the line of Carlyle's series when we run into Max and Kemble again, read sometime back, found Max's story entirely appealing. Yes the mystery was a little far-fetched, the attempted rape somewhat appalling but rescue quite successful and Lucifer, the mastiff finally got to truly gorge on the villain. Nate also totally appealing character. Villain was somewhat obvious from excessive attention to Cat and she was pretty stupid to accept his company. but hell, that is the plot. the love scene were entirely satisfying though would have rather had one or two fewer and more of the grandma. all in all up for a reread down the road.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

No True Gentleman (83) ออกขายในเดือน กรกฎาคม 2002 เล่มนี้สร้างความฉงนให้กับแม็กซ์ค่ะ เพราะตอนที่อ่านครั้งแรกแม็กซ์ไม่ชอบเลยนะคะ คะแนนต่ำต้อยยิ่งกว่า BLTN เสียอีก แต่แล้วก็ต้องขอบคุณเพื่อนคนนึงที่ซื้อหนังสือเล่มนี้ฉบับภาษาไทย และคุณกัญชลิกาคนแปลที่ทำให้แม็กซ์เมื่อได้อ่านเรื่องนี้อีกครั้งในฉบับภาษาไทย (ซึ่งถ้าไม่แปลแม็กซ์คงไม่เลือกจะหยิบเล่มนี้มาอ่านอีกรอบหรอกค่ะ เพราะก็ไม่ชอบไง จะเอามาอ่านอีกทำไม) จึงทำให้แม็กซ์รู้สึกว่าเรื่องนี้มีอะไรมากกว่าที่คิดนัก จนอ่านจบก็ทำให้แม็กซ์ทบทวนคะแนนอีกครั้ง และพบว่าบางครั้ง First Impression is not alway a last impression หนังสือซึ่งเป็นเรื่องราวของแม็กซ์ (ที่ไม่ใช่แม็กซ์คนเขียนบลอกนะ) ตำรวจน้ำที่ออกมามีบทใน A Woman of Virtue และแคทเธอรีนน้องสาวของพระเอกในเรื่อง Beauty likes the night ซึ่งเป็นตัวอย่างว่า จงอย่าเกิดเป็นน้องสาวของพระเอก เพราะคุณอาจจะโดนคนแต่งฆ่าสามีของคุณ แล้วจับคุณมาย้อมแมวเป็นนางเอกในหนังสือเล่มต่อไปของเธอได้ ในเล่มนี้แคทเธอรีนที่เสียสามีไป เดินทางมาลอนดอนเพื่อร่วมฤดูกาล การเป็นแม่ม้ายของเธอจึงเปิดโอกาสให้เธอสานความสัมพันธ์กับแม็กซ์ผู้ชายที่ดูจะไม่เหมาะสมกับเธอเลยสักนิด เขาเป็นคนต่างชาติ (ยายของเขาเป็นอิตาเลียน) เป็นตำรวจ อาชีพที่ไม่เหมาะกับสังคมชั้นสูง และทั้งคู่ก็เข้าไปพัวพันกับการฆาตกรรมที่ใกล้ตัวเกินคาด

[Susan Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Triggers: There is an attempted rape.

Max is from European nobility yet he's constantly belittling himself by saying he's socially below the English ton. Yes, he's worked as a policeman, Bow Street Runner and now, criminal investigator, but his background is nobility nevertheless. The war with France caused his family to lose almost everything. His constant worry about ranking below Catherine got a little tedious as did his refusal to give in to the love he had for her.

At the end of the book, Catherine, who is insightful and intelligent and actually helps Max on his case, makes an incredibly stupid decision that made me just shake my head in disgust. It led to more drama, but really? Her naiveté was totally out of character and the ruse was so obvious as to be ridiculous.

I wasn't thrilled with the ending although it was a HEA.

[Vilesena · Rating 3 out of 5]

+ I'm rounding up my rating because of the interesting secondary characters. The hero's grandmother was a hoot and I wanted to read more about the fabulous Mr. Kembel.

- The hero was too broody for my taste. He was also not a very good professional. Instead of focusing on his detective work, he spent a lot of time moping around feeling sorry for himself. The murder mystery was intriguing in the beginning but ended in the most ridiculous way.

Writing style: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Plot/storyline: 🌟🌟
Characters: 🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟

[Almanz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has some completely unnecessary anti-abortion passages and an attempted rape. If you read this book and have chosen abortion care, please know that the judgemental BS in this book is not ok and I 100% support your decision. 1-in-4 women will obtain abortion care by the time they're 45 years old and deserve to be able to read books like this without having to worry about the author shaming them.

[Linda Trim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and well written

This is the second book in the Rutledge Family series, but each novel is self contained. Max de Rohan meets Lady Catherine Wodeway in Hyde Park where he is on duty. Sparks fly between them from the beginning Catherine was a Rutledge before her marriage to Will Wodeway, but Will has been dead for nearly two years and she has come to London to seek romance. Which after some ups and downs she finds.

[Jewel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty entertaining. The mystery and a desire to know "what's going to happen?" kept me reading. It's got that hook factor. Although, the main characters never really grabbed me. I was way more interested in secondary characters. I liked it enough to read the 3rd and final book in the series, though.

[María · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve found this work entertaining, interesting and surprisingly erotic. Max de Rohan is a good man anda sexy lover. Catherine is a Lady with a great sense of humour though sometimes too superficial for the hero. Maybe it was just what he needed.

[Bianca · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no depth to any of these people. And a wet firecracker has more spark than the romantic leads. But I enjoyed—and picked this up for—the historical references. Those were nicely done.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute. I really loved the couple and enjoyed how they fell in love. I think I might reread Bentley’s book because I miss him.

[Lea S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl fights for what she wants. You don't get that often.

[Olena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid and catchy.