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  • The Perfect Rake

  • Merridew Series, Book 1
  • By: Anne Gracie
  • Narrated by: Heather Wilds
  • Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (79 ratings)

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The Perfect Rake cover art

The Perfect Rake

By: Anne Gracie
Narrated by: Heather Wilds
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Publisher's Summary

A phony engagement turns into real passion in this delightful Regency romance from award-winning author Anne Gracie.

Fate has lavished beauty on the Merridew sisters - that is, all save the eldest. But plain Prudence bears no grudge; she loves her four beautiful sisters infinitely. So when their abusive grandfather is laid up with an injury, she seizes the opportunity to concoct an ingenious plan that will allow all five of them to escape the clutches of their legal guardian. All it will take is a little matrimonial deception....

A renowned rake, Gideon, Lord Carradice, has a way of making ladies swoon. But when Prudence arrives at his doorstep and mistakes him for his cousin, the Duke, it is Gideon who's infatuated. The delightful spitfire claims she and the Duke are engaged - although a taller tale was never told. In spite of the lies, Gideon is so taken with charming Prudence that he's eager to join her game, especially if it will award him a stolen kiss or two. Now, Prudence's plot is about to go terribly, albeit deliciously, awry....

Contains mature themes.

©2005 Anne Gracie (P)2020 Tantor

What listeners say about The Perfect Rake

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Worth the time

A well written regency romance with scandal, intrigue and drama in good measure.
Great Uncle Oswald delivered many laugh out loud moments and Prudence was equal parts coquettish and innocent as well as forthright and bold.
Really enjoyable story which was mostly well delivered by Heather Wilds, but she has an annoying tendency to run from on paragraph or character to the next without pause, which results in some confusion while the brain registers that she is now delivering the story from another characters point of view.
That aside, I really enjoyed and would definitely recommend this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A surprising gem of a HR story

Although it opened darkly, the story was very well-developed and to my pleasant surprise was peppered with humour. As each chapter unfolded, I eagerly anticipated the next. The writing was excellent, as was the narration. It had an interesting mix of characters from loving, quirky, loyal, and chivalrous, to misogynistic, callous and violent.

This book sat in my wish list for about a year however I wish I’d listened to it sooner. It’s definitely a goodie, and I’m now eager to listen to all of the other books in the series. I highly recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

Great story with some different twists, easy listening and met expectations. Recommended to others who like historical romance

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Terrible narration

This story is ruined by a narrator that although she has a pleasant and refined voice, reads every sentence with the same inflection. There is no emphasis on the important words leaving you constantly aware she is mindlessly reading without involvement.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

story of love betrayal and heros

the author takes you through the story of a big sister who madly protects her sisters. eventually escaping to find help family and love.
an adventure ending happily.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Great story that keeps you fully engaged with a well balanced mix of drama and humour with excellent characters. Narrator is excellent too. I’ve listened to a lot of these regency romance type novels and this one is up there with the best.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It surprised me many times and I laughed out loud as well as cried. I want to warn people that there is domestic abuse and reference to sexual assault. I did still very much enjoy this story. 5/5

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

D lightful

So entertaining with lots of good laughs in a good story line. I'll be looking for more like this.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story.

I loved this book. Although it started very hard - it soon developed with a great mix of drama and romance. The humour was very well written with lol moments. I thought the narration was also well done given the number of different characters throughout the story. Will be looking for more from this author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this story - very interesting

This a delightful romance with twists and turns and some excitement and sadness as well - and of course happiness. It has some ugly issues to work through but nicely done - well written and narrator is fine - i will listen to again some day
This is the fist edition in the Merridew sisters tales, and although you can listen to each book on its own it is great to follow in order and the characters develop through the books. A very good series to listen to all. i just love Anne Gracie and her books.

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