The Perfect Rake

Book 1: The Merridew Sisters

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RITA Finalist 2006 (Best Long Historical) Romance Writers of America
Finalist for Romantic Book of the Year 2002 (Long), Australia
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She ran from a brute…

Fleeing the harsh guardianship of her grandfather, Prudence Merridew escapes with her beautiful younger sisters to London. One of them must marry—and fast. To act as her sisters’ chaperone, Prudence invents a secret engagement to a reclusive duke… But when the duke arrives unexpectedly in London, she needs his help to avert disaster.

…into the arms of a rake

Aristocratic Gideon, handsome, rakish and with a strong frivolous streak, casually hijacks Prudence’s game, awarding himself a stolen kiss or three along the way. Used to managing sisters and elderly men, Prudence is completely out of her depth with a charming, devious and utterly irresistible rake. And her plot goes terribly—if deliciously—awry…

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Reviews

“This is a wonderful book, full of twists and surprises…A must-read book for all lovers of historical romance.”

— Affair de Coeur, Deborah Elliot, A Reviewer’s Pick – 5 Stars

“Gracie’s humor is as engaging as ever and Prudence and Gideon spar most charmingly…. Gideon is a goner. And he is adorable… it was very nice to read another Anne Gracie novel, to enjoy her delightful humor and dialogue and to know that there will be another book coming in November. I know I’ll be there!”

— All About Romance, Cheryl Sneed

“With wit and tenderness, pathos and lessons on the meaning of family loyalty, Gracie entertains and satisfies her fans.”

— Romantic Times

“As expected, Anne Gracie provides a wonderful Regency-era romance that through her ensemble of secondary cast brings to life the era … THE PERFECT RAKE is a near perfect sub-genre entry.”

— Review Center, Harriet Klausner, 10/10

“… a cleverly witty novel… Anne Gracie has a magical flair for putting words together. She can elicit laughter as readily as tears, rend hearts as easily as amuse…. a plot that contains bushels of humor, a tiny bit of farce, a generous dollop of romance, the right balance of sweet and tart, a dash of suspense, and, for spice, a soupçon of retribution.”

— Romance Reviews Today, Jane Bowers

“Anne Gracie has returned to the Regency genre with a wonderful story that drew me into the adventures of the Merridew sisters… Her hero is enough to make a woman swoon. She has written some of the wittiest repartée that I have read in quite a while… Gideon is divine! …Don’t miss this one!”

— Rakehell, Leanne Davis

“THE PERFECT RAKE is jam-packed with adventure and romance and, for me, humor. The girls absolutely love each other and would do anything for each other. The relationship between Gideon and Prudence is serious, but some of the things they say and do absolutely cracked me up. I had a really good time reading this story and I’m sure you will too.”

— Fresh Fiction, Tammie Ard