The Rake's Mistake (Signet Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: a goodish read although main plot lacked originality
Review: "The Rake's Mistake" revolves around the much used subplot involving the blossoming romance between a not quite so reformed rake (Lord Ramsdale) and a young lady with a very undeserved notorious reputation and his attempts to salvage her reputation and win her love.

Archer Everett Drake, Lord Ramsdale, has just returned from a three year exile (caused by his wild behavior) in order to take up his responsibilities to his estate and family, when he spies the incredibly beautiful but quite notorious Lady Daphne Wetherill. It is reputed that the lady is little better than a courtesan, and Ramsdale can think of no good reason why he should not number as the lady's latest conquest. And so striking up a friendship with Lady Wetherill's stepson, Ramsdale manages to insinuate himself into the lady's life. However, instead of finding a hardened but beautiful lady, eager for a liaison, Ramsdale finds Daphne to be not at all as he expected -- not only is she intelligent but she is also completely circumspect in her behavior towards him. And how he longs to protect from the sharp and censorious tongues of the ton! Does Ramsdale (who has fallen completely under her spell) still intend to seduce Daphne into an affair or does he have something else in mind for the lady?

By now, even though it still hurts, Daphne is quite used to people (esp men) thinking the worst of her. Her father was a talented artist, and she quite often posed for his paintings (and for his students). And somehow everyone just assumed that her reputation of being a lady of fast and loose morals was well deserved. Esp after her marriage to the aging Lord Wetherill. And so, for her stepson's sake (as well for her own peace of mind), Daphne has taken great care to live in seclusion. But the gossip mill about her supposed affairs still grinds. And now, here's Lord Ramsdale, who looks and acts like every young girl's dream come true, constantly at her doorstep, offering friendship, and perhaps a bit more? Daphne knows she has to be very careful or else loose what little reputation she has left. And then a scandal involving her father suddenly surfaces, and Daphne knows not what to do. Ramsdale is promising to help her resolve the issue. But can she trust him? Or will he use the situation in order to force her into something she doesn't want?

While "The Rake's Mistake" is quite a good read, I finished the book feeling rather frustrated that Gail Eastwood shied away from having Daphne and Ramsdale discuss his original expectation that she would succumb to having an affair with him. Halfway through the novel, they actually begin to have this conversation. Unfortunately, after an initial stab at standing up for herself and pointing out Ramsdale selfishness, Daphne allowed Ramsdale to get the upper hand in this discussion. And after that, the entire subplot involving Daphne's father and his painting got in the way, and this issue was never really broached again. I suppose I wanted something along the lines of Diane Farr's "Fair Game" where the hero realised the error of his ways (while the heroine never gave an inch) and made good. The other problem I had with this novel was that in spite of the fact that I rather liked Daphne (and Ramsdale was not too bad either), for me anyway, the whole romance between Daphne and Ramsdale somehow lacked sizzle. On the other hand, I thought that the author did a rather wonderful job of painting Daphne's untenable position in the ton, as well showing us her courage and resilience. If ever a heroine deserved a worthy hero, it was Daphne. I also thought that the author had done a rather good job of showing us how conflicted Ramsdale felt about Daphne -- his feeling for her and his conflicting intentions.

As you can see, I had conflicting feeling about this novel: on the whole it was a rather good read. But some things about this book still niggled, leaving me a little frustrated.

Rating:
Summary: something different in a Regency romance
Review: For anyone who is looking for reliable romance, deftly written, and an unusual twist on the setting, this book is for you. I can't recall another Regency romance where much of the action takes place sailing on the Thames, and other portions weave in and out of art galleries rather than ballrooms. Eastwood must have done tons of research, but tells the story in a natural, straightforward way so that her wealth of arcane information never intrudes or overburdens the reader. Her characters are well-drawn and the entire story was so absorbing that I couldn't put it down. Well done.