The Perfect Rake (Merridew Series)

Ever since I read "Tallie's Knight," I've had an immense admiration for Anne Gracie. Here was an author who had managed to infuse her novel with romance, sensuality, tenderness and poignancy. I've always regretted that I have been unable to easily find her other romance novels, so that when I discovered that the first installment in a new series written by her was about to be published, I knew that I had to keep an eye out for this book. "The Perfect Knight" lived up to my every expectation -- here was a book full of tender romance, sensuality and poignancy, complete with a touch of the gothic.

Ever since their parents tragic death, the Merridew sisters have been living with their brutal and heartless grandfather, Lord Dereham. A man driven almost mad with bitterness and anger, Dereham has been beating his five granddaughters for years, as well as isolating them from society. Finally escaping from their mad grandfather, the Merridew sisters make for London and for their granduncle Oswald's house, where they hope that he will launch the elder sisters into society, and where they're devoutly counting on the second Merridew sister, Charity (who happens to be exceedingly beautiful) to contract an advantageous marriage. Their plans, however, hit a snag when granduncle Oswald insists that plain jane Prudence, as the eldest sister, make her come-out before her more beautiful sisters. At her wit's end, Prudence concocts an imaginary engagement to the hermit duke, the Duke of Dinstable. But once again, Prudence's plans hit a snag when she finds, through of a comedy of errors and mistaken identities (you really have to read the book to appreciate this plot gambit), she finds herself engaged in earnest (in her granduncle's mind at least) to the duke's rakish and sinfully handsome cousin, Lord Carradice. As Prudence tries to distance herself and protect her susceptible heart from this engaging rouge, a very smitten Lord Carradice tries to persuade the plain and courageous Prudence Merridew that he has fallen in love in earnest, and that she was fashioned solely for him. Will Lord Carradice succeed in his endeavours? Certainly the poor man has his work cut out for him...

"The Perfect Rake" turned out to be a stellar read, and is definitely going on my keeper shelf. I've always had a soft spot for novels where either the hero or heroine was considered to be plain and was quickly dismissed as not being up to snuff by the sharks that seemed to congregate at Almacks. So that "The Perfect Rake" was truly my cup of tea. The novel was a standout because of several factors -- good storyline, witty and humourous prose style, wonderful hero & heroine, the sensual heat that the hero & heroine generated, and in particular for the tenderness of the love that developed between Prudence and Carradice. But what really made "The Perfect Rake" a memorable romance novel for me, was the character of its sterling and totally endearing hero, Lord Carradice, and how the author portrayed his total captivation for the novel's heroine, Prudence. It's the kind of book that will make one sigh with satisfaction, and make for enjoyable rereading over the years. All in all, "The Perfect Rake" is a superb romance novel that shouldn't be missed, and is definitely worth both the cover price and touting as an excellent read.

I wanted to like this book but found that finishing it was a chore. The herione let everyone stomp on her just because she wasn't a "diamond of the first water" like her three sisters. The author found little to recommend to her anyone let alone this "notorious rake". Of the hundreds of books I have read in the genre, what make the story line of the "ugly duckling" appealing is the discovery that other attributes make them beautiful and eventually they find their own self love and acceptance and stand up for themselves. This did not happen in this story. Even at the end she contiunues to accept physical abuse with a resignation that everyone is correct in her being ugly and worthless. Her own sisters are vain selfish twits who never thank her properly for all her sacrifices. All she gets in the end is our "alpha" hero who walked the line of being a dandy in my opinion, not a rake.

Prudence Merridew has four younger sisters, all terribly beautiful. Although she is considered plain, she loves her sisters and would do anything to protect them from their tyrannical grandfather. When opportunity presents itself, Prudence, using forgery and wit, whisks her sisters away to their their Great-Uncle in London. Unfortunately, Great-Uncle Oswald insists Prudence secure a husband before her younger sisters. That Prudence already has a fiance, albeit without her grandfather's approval, is a secret Great-uncle Oswald cannot learn.

Gideon, Lord Carradice, a dashing rake, is amused and intrigued by the spirited young woman that has mistaken him for his cousin, the Duke. Deciding to play along with Prudence and her fictitious story of a secret engagement, Gideon enjoys the farce that ensues, along with the stolen embraces. Finding Prudence enchanting, Gideon's rakish nature struggles with unexpected new feelings. Can he win her heart away from her absent fiance, Phillip Otterbury?

Gideon is not only handsome and sensual, he's very amusing. His perception of Prudence brings a smile to my face. I adore his single-minded infatuation. Smart, witty, and fast thinking, Prudence's stubborn will and loyalty make her a heroine worthy of such a splendid rake!

I am really looking forward to the rest of this series! I must say that while there were times in the story that I wanted to smack Prudence because of her loyalty to the undeserving Phillip, I found the book very satisfying. Ms. Gracie has a talent for adding humor into an already delightful romance. If you are a fan of historical romance, you will enjoy The Perfect Rake.

Annabelle

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Like Tregatt above, I, too, have been enchanted by this author since her debut a few years ago. Indeed, I wrote the first review for amazon of her first book, The Gallant Waif. I am only sorry her books do not appear with more frequency. However, they are worth waiting for!

Rather than sum up the plot (which, by the way, is quite complicated) I'd rather comment on the characters the author places on her stage. The idea of a family of a family of beautiful sisters with an ugly duckling in charge has been done many times but rarely with such charm. The heroine, Prudence, is feisty, spirited and charming but like her sweet, gorgeous sisters, she is a tortured heroine. The mad grandfather (somewhat over-drawn but nevertheless very fearsome) has been a child abuser and none of the five sisters was spared. However, Prudence has borne the brunt of his ire and the reason why is something I found unique in a Regency novel. I won't spoil it!

Our hero, Gideon, Lord Carradice, is also tortured. He is one of my favourite sorts - the rake with a secret hurt and a heart of gold. He is steadfast and loyal to Prudence and his love for her is satisfying and realistic to the reader. He has looks, charm, a great sense of humour, etc but ultimately, it is his deep and abiding love for Prudence which marks his character.

There is a great deal of sexual tension in this novel - something Anne Gracie has always managed to achieve with great skill. Although nothing happens between the H/H until the end of the novel, you can feel the sizzle between them and the consummation is written with great skill and in the very best of taste. Yes, taste. Too many sexual scenes in romance novels are a tale of gymnastics rather than an expression of love.

I'm looking forward to the next novel in the series - A Perfect Waltz - as I am very keen to meet Prudence and her delightful sisters again. Highly recommended and a keeper!

Both the hero and heroine were written as good people, but they didn't have a story to match. The hero really was too good to me true. The author seemed be trying to make him out-Darcy Mr. Darcy. She failed spectacularly.

There was zero sexual tension between the leads(having couples kiss at their first meeting generally does that). The writer was also heavy handed in beating it into the reader's heads that the hero found the heroine attractive. Why did he have to be blind to all others to find Prue attractive? Why could he not simply have preferred her type of look? Silly.

The tone in this book waivered wildly. Darkness and brutality was followed by the prolonged alledgely witty reparte. Strange.

The book lacked direction and details. What, exactly, was Gideon's title? His title was Lord Carradice, but servants and others addressed him as "sir" rather than "my lord". To be Lord "anything other than his first name" would mean that he would be at least a viscount, yet no one in a title obsessed society ever said what his title was or expressed the least bit of excitement about the granddaughter of a baron marrying up or the social barrier that would had been at lease discussed since the mother's family was in trade(see Pride and Prejudice). This was mentioned in passing about another couple in the book, but it would also have been a consideration for the main couple.

The historical voice was consistently off.

This is my first and last Anne Gracie book. I gave her two stars because I thought she should get credit for the left turn towards the end. Unnecessary, but atypical and daring for the genre. Still, the negatives(only a few of which I have gotten into here) far out weigh the positives.

I wish I could give this book no stars. The characters were horrible. Wimpy deluded heroine, ungrateful idiot sisters, stupid old men and an okay hero. This plot had so much potential and the author went and ruined it with the horrid characterization!

I wish I could give this book no stars. The characters were horrible. Wimpy deluded heroine, ungrateful idiot sisters, stupid old men and an okay hero. This plot had so much potential and the author went and ruined it with the horrid characterization!

I just love Anne Gracie's stuff, she manages to infuse things with an irrepressible sense of fun and wit. There is tenderness, passion and obligatory bonking too of course - but what I like best about her books is that they are really good-humoured.

It doesn't really start out that way, the Merridew sisters have to escape from their guardian who is cruel and beats them, they make for London and to the house of Uncle Oswald. They want to marry well and the second sister Charity is the most gorgeous and probable to make the best match.

At this point Heyer fans might be making the connection with Heyer's book Frederica where the Merivale family make for London and the second sister - the most beautiful is called Charis - Anyway, as I know Gracie is a heyer fan herself I think this is more her knowing wink to fans. Anyway, I digress.

The book turns into a comedy of errors when Oswarld insists that Prudence the eldest sister make a match first. Prudence isn't that keen and so pretends she is engaged to a reclusive duke, only she ends up with the duke's rakish cousin Lord Dinsdale....

Gracie just gets better and better. Along with Diane Farr they are two of my absolute favourite Regency authors around these days and their books are always keepers on my shelf.

This was my first book by this author and I will be buying more and more. I love when the heroine is not so pretty and then we have a hero who is so so handsome. Whats great about this story is that the hero just thinks that the heroine is sexy and beautuful even tho she doesn't. And he will do just about anything to help her. I am a sucker for sweet but not to sweet heros. And the heroine just loved her sisters and only thought of there happiness. Grace really pulled my heart with this story. I love emotional reads when you really feel the love between each other. So many writing love to use the "Big Misunderstanding" and then throughout the whole book the H/H are not together or fighting with each other until the very end when they say I love you, I feel like the author just through that in so I would know that with all the fighting that the actually liked each other. Not Grace - it was heaven all the way.

Prudence Merridew, the oldest of five orphaned sisters, devises a plan for them all to escape their physically abusive grandfather. In a few weeks she will become 21 and, by the terms of her father's will, guardian of her sisters. They flee to London. I don't want to give away too much of the plot but Prudence quickly meets Gideon, Lord Carradine, a renowned rake. Their meeting and those subsequent are full of humour although, as time goes by, they are able to reveal to each other the more painful events of their pasts. Prudence and Gideon are well drawn, delightful characters; you'll enjoy meeting them.

Anne Gracie writes with grace and humour. It is such a pleasure to read a Regency where the characters speak grammatical English and seem to act within the constraints of their time.