Review + Giveaway - Never A Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer

TITLE:    Never a Gentleman
AUTHOR:    Eileen Dreyer
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 433 pages
PUBLISHED:   Forever, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Blog Tour and Review

FROM GOODREADS:    HE HIDES HIS TRUE COLORS . . . Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier's daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton. She may have been caught in a scandal with society's favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?

WHILE SHE HIDES HER TRUE SELF . . .Diccan Hilliard doesn't know which of his enemies drugged him and dumped him in Grace's bed, but he does know the outcome. He and Grace must marry. To his surprise, a wild, heady passion flares between them. Yet Diccan is trapped in a deadly game of intrigue Grace knows nothing about. Will his lies destroy Grace just as he realizes how desperately he needs her? And how can he hope for a future with her, when an old enemy has set his murderous sights on them both?

MY TAKE:    I enjoyed this second book in Eileen Dreyer's "Drake's Rakes" series.  It stands alone quite well, but I would like to read the first book Barely a Lady as well as the upcoming Always a Temptress.  I found that I am hooked on the author's storytelling ability and writing style.

This story was quite the ride.  Ms. Dreyer is very adept at taking her readers on a wild roller coaster of emotions.  I was amazed that I felt so much empathy for Grace while at the same time wanting to kick her.  She was such a likable and thoughtful lady who tries to do everything for everyone else while always paying the price herself.  I grew frustrated by her lack of self-esteem, especially when she was surrounded by people who adored her.  There were a few times when I wanted her to grow a spine and take action.

Diccan was a pain in the rear.  I would have kicked him.  It helped that the reader was privy to Diccan's thoughts and reasons for his actions, but it didn't excuse or make them any more acceptable.  I usually fall for the hero in romances, but the author did a great job of making it more difficult for Diccan to win my heart.  She creates believable characters that aren't hard to accompany on their journey.

In trying to keep my review spoiler-free, I won't get into too much more detail regarding the plot.  Eileen Dreyer kept things hopping and flowing beautifully.  The intrigue and romantic drama blend into one of those stories that you won't want to put down until the last page. I wasn't ready for it to be over so I really am looking forward to Kate and Harry's story in the next installment - Always a Temptress, due out this Fall.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Never a Gentleman and The Book Depository

Learn more about Eileen Dreyer, her Drake's Rakes Series and future reads:
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The generous folks at Hachette along with Ms. Dreyer are offering 3 lucky readers a chance to win their own copy of "Never a Gentleman"!  Usual rules apply:

• Must be 13 years old or older
• Residents of the US or Canada only
• No PO Boxes
• Leave a comment WITH your email address and tell us what your favorite type of romance novels are
• Drawing ends May 5th
• Winners will have 72 hours to respond
• ONE prize of this title per household

Good luck and as always,

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.