Ten years ago, Elliot Armstrong’s engagement ended when his fiancée became pregnant by another man. Since then he has been embracing a most debauched lifestyle. His exploits at the gambling table, in the boudoir and on the dueling field are the subject of scandal and gossip. He is a rake of the first order.

Ten years ago, Evangeline Stone crossed the English Channel with her artist father and young brother and sister following the death of her mother and two other siblings. They have been living quietly in near-obscurity ever since. Her father has died, and Evangeline heads an energetic family and earns her living as a painter.

It is now 1819, and Elliot has succeeded to the title of Marquess of Rannoch. Following a notoriously public quarrel with his latest mistress, he pursues her to her family home to end their arrangement. On the way he becomes lost during a driving rainstorm and stops at an isolated country manor to ask directions. He is mistaken for an expected guest and welcomed into the house. He gradually realizes that someone else has arranged to have his portrait painted by Miss Stone. Elliot further compounds the error by providing only a partial name so that he is known as Mr. Roberts. After half-heartedly trying to correct the mistake in identity, Elliot slips into his new persona.

He is attracted to the beautiful and capable Miss Stone and is entertained by the dynamics of the large expanded family where children are both seen and heard. His visits to the Stones’, ostensibly for the purpose of sitting for his portrait, become lengthier and more frequent as his attraction for the lovely artist develops into something deeper and he becomes more and more involved with the other family members. He begins to reevaluate his life.

Evangeline is just as powerfully attracted to the steady Mr. Roberts, but she knows that her family obligations will prevent her from marrying. She begins to contemplate carrying on an affair. Elliot intends to reveal his true identity but never quite gets around to it. It is only when Evangeline’s step-grandmother and uncle and aunt (one of Elliot’s former mistresses!) pay an unannounced visit, that Elliot’s true identity is revealed. Will his infamous reputation forever end his hopes for love and happiness?

Countless romances have featured the classic plot of the degenerate rake who sees the error of his ways, reforms, and finds a lasting and true love with a good woman. Rarely, however, does the author provide much support for this personality change. Where Ms. Carlyle’s book excels is in the how and why. I suspect that My False Heart will be my personal standard of comparison for this story line for a long time to come, and I doubt that many succeeding books will measure up.

I’ve never been much of a fan of this story line because it often seems to be as though the hero turns over a new leaf without much effort. A life of sin and depravity must hold some attraction, or surely he would have been a model of rectitude long ago. Furthermore, I usually wonder whether the charms of that old rakish lifestyle might lure him back to the fleshpots and gambling dens down the road.

In the development of Elliot’s character, Ms. Carlyle has credibly supported the motivation for his sordid career as a rake and for his resolve to reform. While Evangeline and her family may have been the spark for his new attitude, it’s his own desire for a different life -- not Evangeline forcing goodness and virtue on him -- that makes his conversion so believable. And as the story continues, Elliot’s change of heart only becomes more convincing.

While Elliot is the major character, Evangeline is a strong match for him. She’s no immature, society belle who is swayed by the hero’s gorgeous physique and powerful position. This is a woman who’s used to handling her own affairs and those of her family. They complement each other so perfectly that it’s easy to believe Elliot could fall in love with her. Moreover, Elliot’s love for Evangeline is no easy, shallow love -- there’s a scene in a carriage that is both passionate and moving. I believed.

There’s also a subplot concerning Cicely Howell, Elliot’s ex-fiancee, woven through the main plot, which provides a tinge of mystery. My sole reservation about My False Heart is the pat resolution to this subplot; real life isn’t this accommodating.

A five-heart book means it’s a keeper. There’s no better description of My False Heart. It’s going on my keeper shelf because I loved it and know I’ll want to read it again. I think you will, too.

--Lesley Dunlap