Devon Ravenel is quite happy with his life. He and his younger brother Weston live comfortably, are reasonably well off, and are popular with the ladies. So, Devon is less than overjoyed to learn that his not-so-beloved cousin Theo has died, leaving him as heir to the Trenear earldom. The late earl was a newlywed, married just three days before being killed in an accident. In addition to his widow, he has three sisters, dependent on the debt-ridden earldom. As Devon is bemoaning his fate to Weston and telling how he plans to sell the estate and send the widow and sisters packing immediately, he is unaware that Kathleen (the widow) has entered the room and heard every word he said. Rather than slink away, she boldly confronts him, telling him that she and her sisters-in-law will plan on departing the estate as soon as possible, leaving him to "loot and pillage in an organized fashion." (Oh, how I love that line!)

Kathleen believes she loved Theo when she married him, but quickly became disillusioned with his behavior and drunkenness after their wedding. Now she doesn't even have a place to call home. She plans on finding a small cottage for herself and her three sisters-in-law, and she hopes they are able to survive on her small income if they live frugally. She is infuriated that the selfish Devon will destroy the earldom and the lives of all the tenants and servants who depend on it for their livelihood. Devon's investigation of the state of the earldom only confirms what he suspected - it's debt ridden and sadly in need of major improvements. Yet, instead of immediately selling, he goes back to the estate. Kathleen's scorn of him, not to mention her beauty and her boldness, affected him on some level. He begins to have crazy thoughts of actually restoring the earldom, and recruits Weston to assist him.

COLD-HEARTED RAKE is an apt description of Devon in the beginning. He is incredibly selfish, as well as a love 'em and leave 'em womanizer, with Weston following in his footsteps. I loved watching the change in Devon as he actually began to care for someone and something. He has feelings for Kathleen that he's never felt before. It did my heart good to see him mature and become a man worth admiring. I loved Kathleen from the get go. She is strong and not afraid to state her opinions, yet she does so while remaining a lady. She is generous, as evidenced by her willingness to take on the support of her in-laws of only three days duration. She is also willing to admit that people can change, and takes another chance on love, despite being so recently and bitterly disappointed.

I am so happy that Lisa Kleypas is back to writing historical romance, and she does so in fine fashion here. She takes a character I can't imagine as a hero, and totally redeems him. There were several charming lesser characters, two of whom are going to be the subject of the next book in this new series, Helen and Rhys. The glimpse we get into their story is tantalizing, but the stars are Kathleen and Devon, and their developing love. This wonderfully written book flowed so smoothly, and ended in one of the most romantic and touching declarations of love that I have read. Welcome back, Lisa!