Customer Reviews
The best romance this year!
Don't be fooled by the devil-may-care undertone of Liz Carlyle's latest romantic hero Bentley "Hell-Bent" Rutledge who thrives on risk and hedonistic pleasures. Why should we find ourselves falling for the egregious rake who recklessly engages in a night of passion with Frederica d'Avillez which she initiates after being spurned by her longtime beau Johnny?
Many reasons as you plunge into this sweeping romance by sensual mistress Liz Carlyle. He immediately proposes through a note that was unfortunately gone with the wind and hastily marries Frederica, leading her to believe this marriage was strictly out of honor. Their love spawns from passion but, alas not intimacy as Bentley buries a deep humiliation that threatens to fester the relationship between his brother Cam and demolish any hope of conjugal bliss.
This is not the typical 'open-the-bedroom-door' romance. It evolves from a light-hearted mismatch to a great love story of unflinching power where Bentley grapples with his shame of incest afflicted upon him. You will feel for this fallen angel as he prays for redemption and forgiveness from his brother and Frederica. He shoulders an emotional turmoil that will choke you in its sheer ugliness, heaved upon by his own father and Cam's malicious ex-wife.
And cried I certainly did. Liz Carlyle's latest is an emotional rollercoaster with deft touches of lively brio from her supporting ensemble like Lord Rannoch, Helene and gritty intrigue from the Signora Castelli with her damningly accurate tarot-card predictions. The happy ending is a heartfelt triumph well-deserving for the weathered couple. Why, The Devil You know might be the best romance this year!
This book was not meant to be read......
it was meant to be devoured which I certainly did. This book has one of the hottest, most intriguing opening chapters I have ever read.
Bentley Rutledge is the bad boy we all love to love. He has made drinking, gambling and all around debauchery his purpose in life. So when beautiful broken-hearted Frederica makes him a offer he can't refuse, he doesn't. However, the morning after Bentley finds that his long dormant conscience has reawakened and is pelting him with accussations. He can't handle the confusing mix of emotions and so he flees leaving a sleeping Frederica a hastily scribbled proposal. Frederica awakens to an empty bed and to the realization that her tender lover of the night before has dissapeared without so much as a goodbye (the proposal, literally, flew out the window). Soon enough Freddie starts to suffer the consequences of that night of pleasure and with Bentley nowhere to be found, what's a girl in her situation to do? Find someone to marry, of course. But Freddie finds that deep in her heart there's only one man she wants and he, it seems, does not want her. What Freddie does not realize is that Bentley's feelings for her run much deeper that she or he, for that matter, can imagine and that the real reason for his actions is fear. Bentley is afraid because he is convinced that in spite of how he feels he simply isn't good enough for her.
Can Freddie bring the outwardly careless but inwardly troubled Hell-Bent Rutledge to his knees? Yes she can and the best part of this book is watching her do just that.
I did not care at all for this authors last book. The emphasis on the murder/suspense plot really turned me off. However, in this book the emphasis is where it should be. That is on Bentley and Freddie's relationship and their journey to a happily ever after. Carlyle's writing is flawless and the love scenes are exquisitely written. On the other hand, I felt that the appearance of so many characters from her other books weighed the story down for me. The reason for this may be that I haven't read all of the books in this author's backlist. Still, I felt that this book does not stand alone so if you have not read her other works you might find yourself a bit lost. Regardless of this I still highly recommend this book because Bentley and Freddie's perfect love outshines all of that.
Not What I was Expecting
I usually steer clear of romance novels where the plot is centered around an early sexual encounter which results in a pregnancy. However, after reading Beauty like the Night and No True Gentleman, I simply had to know what became of Bently.
This was a fantastic read. I was all set to dislike Freddie--the little orphan girl thing has never really worked for me. However, she has such a vibrant personality and is so self possessed that I couldn't help but like her. She knows exactly what she's getting into and why, doesn't waste time feeling sorry for herself and is all around a very likable protagonist.
I was also impressed at the fine line Ms. Carlyle managed to walk in portraying Bently. He really was a rake, not just a wastrel trying to be a rogue--and you could tell right from the first page that his faults were serious and not just affectations. There were times when I really wondered if he was just a complete jerk--but what was great was that his behavior wasn't the kind of domineering, cliche male chovanist bad behavior so many romance novelists resort to when portraying men--it was linked to his personal demons on a level so subconscious that Bently himself hardly realized it. Then I started to see what was going on behind the scenes, in his head, and all my doubts were put to flight--he's so lovable, I just wanted to take him home with me. He doesn't really reform at the end either, which is nice--he finally comes to terms with himself and his past, and as a result his better nature, the side of him that Freddie comes to see and love, reasserts itself and becomes more visible.
Someone else mentioned in their review that there wer too many characters--I can se that. I really think that Ms. Carlyle's books are best read in order--I think she intended them that way. Characters from each novel reappear in later books, which is wonderful if you know who they are and what on earth they have to do with the story--it's great how she links all the families together. It does get a bit confusing though if you're missing one or more peaces of the narrative puzzle. Even so, Devil You KNow can work as a stand-alone read--it'll just be richer, I think, if you know the background.
I hope that made some sense, but even if it didn't this is a fantastic book like all of Liz Carlyle's work and is a definite must read. Just be sure to pick a long weekend, because you won't be able to put it down.
