Helpful Score: 4
I just did not expect to love this book so much. Having read about Max in other Carlyle books, I expected him to be too much into his work and he did not seem to have that much appeal - at least to the ladies. Well, was I ever wrong. The dark, smoldering,deep and mysterious policeman - magistrate who is now working in the home office - fighting crime on all levels. Max is so protective of his heart, after being played false many years before by some lady of the ton. So, Max thinks wrongly that all ton ladies have potential to be dangerous and he wants nothing from any of them. Of course when he meets Lady Catherine he is immediately struck right in the heart. He fights all of these feelings and at first insulsts her so badly one would think that would be the end before these two even begin. However, fortunately they seem to have mutual friends, and of course the powers of Nonna and her tarot cards helping things along. Catherine pursues Max just enough to keep the posibility of something real. And of course there is the dangerous case Max is working on to have both Max and Catherine in peril just enough to make the other realize how life would be without the other! The passion between this couple is intense and absolutely one of the best parts of the book. Carlyle seems to be able to write scenes that sizzle and she gets high marks for this book. I am also pleased that this series of Carlyle seems to have so many varying people of so many different types that none of the love stories have any resemblance to the others. I loved Max and Catherine - if you like Carlyle you will not be disappointed in No True Gentleman!!
Helpful Score: 3
Max de Rohan's story is my favorite! Great story with dark, magnetic hero & strong heroine - what's not to love?!
After having read, and loved, 2 of her novellas in anthologies, I decided to try one of Liz Carlyle's novels. I couldn't put this one down, she has definitely earned a place on my all-time favorite authors list!
Melinda F. (Lindy67) -
Any Liz Carlyle is worth the read, but this was humorous and sexy!
I bought this for a local reading group but never got around to reading it and will let it go as I have too many others screaming my name.
Blurb Courtesy of Publisher's Weekly:
The trend in romance novels has been to throw the bedroom door open as wide as possible, and Carlyle (A Woman of Virtue) succeeds in doing so in this steamy romantic intrigue. Set in Regency-era London, this book chronicles the adventures of Catherine Wodeway, a vivacious country widow who has recently come to town, and Maximillian de Rohan, an enigmatic Westminster magistrate. Despite their disparate social backgrounds he hails from a family of Italian vintners and she's a lady Max and Catherine share a scandalous kiss in Hyde park. A few days later, the two meet again when a murder among the aristocracy takes Max to the home of a mutual acquaintance. Caught up in her desire for Max and her curiosity about him, Catherine seeks to seduce him, but Max's inability to trust may keep him from giving up his heart. When Max isn't puzzling over his emotions, he's fending off his meddlesome grandmother and working to solve a murder. Although Max is no gentleman according to the standards of the time which were defined by Lord Chesterfield's The Fine Gentleman's Etiquette, a book Max tries and fails to read he is an extraordinarily well-developed and believable romantic hero. Catherine is also a strong heroine, and together, they make this one of the year's best historical romances.
Blurb Courtesy of Publisher's Weekly:
The trend in romance novels has been to throw the bedroom door open as wide as possible, and Carlyle (A Woman of Virtue) succeeds in doing so in this steamy romantic intrigue. Set in Regency-era London, this book chronicles the adventures of Catherine Wodeway, a vivacious country widow who has recently come to town, and Maximillian de Rohan, an enigmatic Westminster magistrate. Despite their disparate social backgrounds he hails from a family of Italian vintners and she's a lady Max and Catherine share a scandalous kiss in Hyde park. A few days later, the two meet again when a murder among the aristocracy takes Max to the home of a mutual acquaintance. Caught up in her desire for Max and her curiosity about him, Catherine seeks to seduce him, but Max's inability to trust may keep him from giving up his heart. When Max isn't puzzling over his emotions, he's fending off his meddlesome grandmother and working to solve a murder. Although Max is no gentleman according to the standards of the time which were defined by Lord Chesterfield's The Fine Gentleman's Etiquette, a book Max tries and fails to read he is an extraordinarily well-developed and believable romantic hero. Catherine is also a strong heroine, and together, they make this one of the year's best historical romances.
Elizabeth G. (rizuchan) reviewed No True Gentleman (Rutledge Family, Bk 2) on + 12 more book reviews
A high society murder, scandal, unlikely lovers. Everything you expect from a good romance novel, plus more.
I got this off the quarter shelf at the library.
I got this off the quarter shelf at the library.
A high society murder brings scandal to the lords and ladies of the ton---and unexpected desire to a pair of unlikely lovers.
This was a very entertaining book. Liz Carlyle is a fantistic author.
Loved Max's grandmother and dog. Tells you what kind of hero he is. A great one.
Liz Carlyle is one of the finer romance writers in the genre and No True Gentleman lives up to her high standards.
Carlyle brings together two characters we know from other books: Catherine from her brother Cam's story, Beauty Like The Night, and Max de Rohan from A Woman of Virtue. She's widowed and lonely, he's a bachelor cop who doesn't realize he's lonely. There's a mystery to solve and hearts to engage. We get to visit with Cecilia and David (lord Delacourt) and peek at other characters who make appearances in other Carlyle books.
Engaging characters, the continuing development of Bentley Rutledge, hero of Carlyle's next book, and a number of sweetly sensual love scenes.
Carlyle brings together two characters we know from other books: Catherine from her brother Cam's story, Beauty Like The Night, and Max de Rohan from A Woman of Virtue. She's widowed and lonely, he's a bachelor cop who doesn't realize he's lonely. There's a mystery to solve and hearts to engage. We get to visit with Cecilia and David (lord Delacourt) and peek at other characters who make appearances in other Carlyle books.
Engaging characters, the continuing development of Bentley Rutledge, hero of Carlyle's next book, and a number of sweetly sensual love scenes.
This is one of my favorites. I read it years ago and it bothered me that I did not own it. Now that I have it again, I have reread it a few times. A most romantic story and a page turner that you have to finish.
exciting
