Cold Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas was skilfully written, and imbued with humour, romance and emotion…

Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

WARNING: This review contains more fangirling than a 13 years old girl at a One Direction concert. 

Do you even need a synopsis? This is a Lisa Kleypas book after all and even more than that, it is a HISTORICAL Lisa Kleypas book, something we have all been waiting for since she foolishly decided to dally in contemporary romance (although, I kind of loved those for the most part as well, the woman has skillZ with a capital Z). I admit, I didn’t waste time reading the blurb, I was too busy opening the first page and getting my read on.

This had the potential to seriously disappoint me, as you can tell, my expectations of Lisa Kleypas are sky high. I really didn’t want to topple to the hard ground of reality by finding this book less than what I expected. However, I should have known better than to doubt Ms Kleypas, to sum up in three small words: I loved it.

Cold Hearted Rake introduces us to the Ravenel family, famous for their hot passions and even hotter temper, in particular the last two men left in the family Devon and West. Devon has unexpectedly inherited the Earldom after the death of his cousin, a burden that he doesn’t want, especially when it comes with three younger girl cousins and Kathleen, his cousin’s widow. And he especially doesn’t want to feel this helpless fascination with Kathleen who manages to drive him mad even as she ignites his lust and other feelings he doesn’t want to think about.

As always Kleypas has delivered a romance that was intense, full of emotions and sexual chemistry as Kathleen and Devon alternatively battle each other and fall in love. She masterfully builds up the relationship between them with a bit of sexual tension, arguments and a few tender and vulnerable moments thrown in as well. But, it wasn’t just the main couple that I loved seeing, we were introduced to the quiet, shy Helen, the rambunctious twins Pandora and Cassandra and Devon’s younger brother the dissipated West.

Skilfully written, and imbued with humour, romance and emotion Lisa Kleypas has once again proven why she is the best in the historical romance genre. I am now impatiently waiting for the next  book in the series, which I have feeling I will love even more than this one, is it possible to give a book 6 stars?

Want to see more on the Ravenels? Check out our Ravenels series guide and fantasy cast!

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