Told with insight and tenderness, Putney pens a moving story of a lovable, yet deeply injured, rake whose struggles with alcohol addiction shape the development of his friendship and eventual romance with Lady Alys. 

A strapping, beautiful woman working in a male profession, Alys Weston is the steward of an estate that Reggie comes to inherit. Their friendship helps Reggie through his darkest moments of withdrawal and a mature love develops between them. With humor and kindness, he gives her the freedom to develop her confidence, something she sorely needed. 

This is a moving book that’s better than most. It’s special. I don’t think another romance novel could replicate the feeling of this book. The singular nature of Reggie and Lady Alys.l can’t be replicated. The Rake is memorable and unique and all lovers of historical romance should read it. 

(Would I have preferred if it were shorter? Sure. Could I have done without some of the secondary plots? Sure. Could the intimate scenes have been more detailed? Yes. 

But that doesn’t take away from this being a 5-star book worth of its status as a classic in the genre. )