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Improper Ladies #3

Ravished by the Rake

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Rakes make very bad husbands, but what if he is impossible to resist?

When Lady Prudence Stanton’s father is murdered at his estate, the heir, her cousin, arrives to take charge. The soon-to-be new earl informs Prue that she has no option but to accept his proposal. Prue is aghast.

Intent on discovering who killed her father and fearing she will become trapped in an unhappy marriage, Prue escapes from her home during the night in her father’s clothing, intent on reaching her beloved great-grandmother. But when her horse becomes lame, the rakish viscount Jack Ross, Viscount Hereford, on his way to London in his curricle, gives her a lift to the nearest village. After her plan to join the stagecoach goes awry, Prue begs him to take her to her great grandmama in Richmond. Seeing through her disguise and recognizing the lady with whom he once shared a memorable kiss, he agrees.

Prue tries to ignore the strong attraction she feels toward him. Her sole purpose is to find her father’s killer and put an end to the scandalous gossip blighting his character. And her great grandmama warned her to never trust a rake. But as Prue comes to rely on his help, Lord Hereford is the only man she feels she can trust.

An agent for the Crown, Viscount Hereford is working on a case of some magnitude. After his mother’s abandonment of him as a child, Jack has vowed to keep women at arm’s length. But Lady Prudence intrigues him—her father’s attire does little to hide her feminine curves—and he agrees to escort her, against his better judgment. By the time they reach Richmond, Jack has become caught up in the mystery of her father’s murder and he promises to find out all he can.
He wants her, but the work he does for the Crown is dangerous, and he has no intention of giving it up. Lady Prudence deserves a happy marriage, but as things stand, he cannot offer it.

But Lady Prudence saw her father’s murderer. Does the villain view her as a threat? Jack must risk everything to protect her, including his heart.

Tropes you'll RakeDebutanteSpirited HeroineAgent for the CrownActionAlpha HeroWealthy HeroSuspenseAdventureMurder MysteryScandalIntrigue
This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a scorching-hot read with open-door steam.

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

Improper Ladies
Book 1 - The Mysterious Lord Ballantine
Book 2 - Falling for the Earl
Book 3 - Ravished by the Rake

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2025

13 people are currently reading
13 people want to read

About the author

Maggi Andersen

85 books327 followers
USA TODAY bestselling author of Regency romance, and winner of the RONE award, Maggi Andersen wrote her first book for publication after gaining a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. She lives on a farm in the beautiful Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia. She wrote her first adventure story at 8 years old. Her novels are mostly adventure stories, but also sensual romances. Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen inspired her Regencies and Victoria Holt, her Gothic Victorian mysteries She also writes contemporary romantic suspense and young adult novels.

Maggi supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.

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5 stars
36 (52%)
4 stars
21 (30%)
3 stars
7 (10%)
2 stars
4 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Pam  Bereznak.
1,827 reviews135 followers
December 27, 2025
This is my 30th book by Maggi Andersen. I read my first book in 2016, two books in 2017 and then picked her up regularly in 2018. I enjoy her books but until June 2024, I hadn't read anything of hers since 2022. She is not very steamy, really not hardly at all :) and would not make the steam level of some of my FB book groups but you'll get a good read. I really enjoyed book 1 and 2 in this series.

This one didn't disappoint. I really loved this story and the characters, Prudence and Jack. I really like stories that have a bit of suspense and intrigue. I like characters that work for the crown or Bow Street Runners, those kind of characters. I loved Prudence's independent streak. I liked that she could hold her own. I also love a good villain in a story. Got to have at least one :) Definitely not steamy but like I said above, she really will give you a good read so that wasn't a big deal. Really liked this book and this series.
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,218 reviews33 followers
December 24, 2025
Lady Prudence Stanton witnesses her father's murderer as he comes to the house, then quickly leaves. She has little description to give to Jack Ross, Viscount Hereford. An agent for the crown, he is willing to help solve Lord Stanton's murder. Prue has little patience and is determined to do her own investigating. Fortunately, Jack always comes to her rescue. Twists and turns reveal a hidden identity and discovery of another murder.
Mild descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.
127 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 16, 2025
This was the love story of Prudence and Jack.
Prudence forced when her father was murdered to seek help from a neighbour she meets Jack a government spy .
Unsure about the attraction each feel they come together to investigate the murder and as they do so become closer .
This story had lots of intrigue and drama. I really enjoyed reading and found I read it quickly
Both characters were strong and determined
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for my arc copy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Noni .
33 reviews
December 14, 2025
Going into this book, I figured with it being so short and having a very exciting premise that this would be a great engaging quick read. This was neither of those things. Right from the start, the pacing is all over the place. In one sentence, days will have passed while nothing interesting has happened in pages. The characters wander from location to location again without really learning or doing anything in particular but suddenly she simply must go to her house in the middle of the night and not even get dressed to go home and do, absolutely nothing. It's meant to be a murder mystery/romance, but both of those plot points are severely lacking. We never learn anything new or any clues about the murder beyond the immediate information we find out in the first few pages. The options for who the killer could is one singular person who, right from when you meet them, is obviously a bad person, which makes me wonder why it was written to be a mystery at all.

The two main characters are as flat as paper. Prudence sure is this independent woman who won't let men run her life, but that's it. That's her only personality trait. Which isn't even that strong because she falls in love with the first man who gives her romantic attention, which, mind you, is him assaulting her because he thinks she's a prostitute and never apologises for it. Jack meanwhile absolute nothing of a character, couldn't tell you one thing about him other than he's a lord who works for the crown. The blurb of the book says he doesn't trust women and will never marry, but nothing ever gives you the impression he thinks that. He's immediately attracted to Prudence, for no real reason I guess because she's a woman who stood in the same room as him long enough, but never finds her untrustworthy or doesn't want her because of his abandonment issues.

This is a apart of a series of interconnected stand alone but I never felt like I was missing any information thankfully, except when a bunch of tje characters from tne previous books showed up to nothing just stand there. I did have a higher expectation when I saw the author has several books out, but this was such a slog to get though I really don't think I'll want to read any of her other works.

And frankly, there is a noticeable lack of ravishing in ravished by the rake. Like what's the point of a sexy title if all there is a short scene in the epilogue.


Arc copy provided by netgalley.
Profile Image for Fanosse23.
668 reviews
December 22, 2025
Ravished by the Rake is a compelling historical romance that expertly intertwines a murder mystery with a slow-burn love story. The novel centers around Lady Prudence Stanton, whose life takes a dramatic turn after her father’s untimely murder. Faced with an unwanted marriage proposal from her cousin, Prue chooses to escape, disguised in her father’s clothing, determined to uncover the truth behind her father’s death.

Her path crosses with the enigmatic and rakish Viscount Jack Ross, an agent for the Crown with his share of secrets. Their initial encounter is far from smooth, yet it sets the stage for a captivating journey filled with intrigue, danger, and heartfelt moments. Jack, burdened by his own childhood scars and his vow to remain unattached, finds himself drawn to Prue despite his better judgment.

What truly makes this novel shine is the intricate murder mystery. The author masterfully connects the threads of Jack’s past with the circumstances surrounding Prue’s father’s death, creating a plot that’s both engaging and satisfying. The depth of the mystery kept me turning pages, eager to piece together the clues alongside the protagonists.

While the romance between Jack and Prue develops slowly, it adds authenticity to their relationship. Their growing trust and mutual respect are beautifully portrayed, making their eventual union feel well-earned. However, I found the title Ravished by the Rake somewhat misleading, as it suggests a more overtly passionate storyline than what unfolds. The romance is heartfelt and genuine, but not as torrid as the title might imply.

Overall, Ravished by the Rake is an engrossing read that balances mystery and romance with finesse. The characters are richly developed, the plot is thoughtfully constructed, and the connection between Jack and Prue is both touching and believable. Fans of historical romance with a strong mystery element will find this book incredibly satisfying.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
436 reviews
December 24, 2025
Jack and Prue

“Ravished by the Rake” is book three in Maggi Andersen’s series improper ladies. This historical romance has many layers but they do end up colliding along the way. Murder is the reason our story leads, Jack and Prue, meet. Unfortunately, Prue’s father is murdered and Jack takes it upon himself to investigate. Jack and Prue were both strong characters however, I liked Prue a little more. She was intelligent and spunky, she made a great main character. Jack had closed himself off from emotions because his mother disappeared when he was just a baby, and he had a high risk job working for the crown so he wasn’t looking for love or marriage. That began to change after he met and got to know Prue. I enjoyed their interactions, I just wish there had been more of them and a lot more spice. This book is a part of the Dragonblade Flame line after all. The story’s antagonist, Roland was extremely unlikable; whereas Prue’s great grandmother was a lovable secondary character. All in all, the plot is handled quite well, the characters are well defined ind interesting, I wanted more chemistry between Jack and Prue and I expected more spice and passion from a story in the flame line. The flame was on low for this one, a very slow burn. The title is definitely misleading, no one is ravished in this story. Except for that everything else works so I’ve given this book four stars.

I received this free book from NetGallery, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Janet.
5,194 reviews64 followers
December 10, 2025
When Lady Prudence Stanton’s father is murdered at his estate, Roland, the heir & her cousin, arrives to take charge & informs Prue that she has no option but to accept his marriage proposal. Intent on discovering who killed her father and fearing she will become trapped in an unhappy marriage, Prue flees to her beloved great-grandmother. But when her horse becomes lame, the rakish viscount Jack Ross, Viscount Hereford, gives her a lift to the nearest village. An agent for the Crown, Viscount Hereford is working on a case of some magnitude. After his mother’s abandonment of him as a child, Jack has vowed to keep women at arm’s length. But Lady Prudence intrigues him and he agrees to escort her, against his better judgment. By the time they reach Richmond, Jack has become caught up in the mystery of her father’s murder and he promises to find out all he can.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. An engrossing mix of romance & mystery, I was drawn in from the start & devoured it in two sittings, the pages flew by. I loved both Jack & Prue, she’s a strong young woman & was determined to find her father’s murderer, Jack had some baggage which coloured his view of women. I loved the chemistry between them & how Prue wriggled her way into his heart. The mystery was also well done & I loved how all the threads came together. I loved it & highly recommend
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Profile Image for Bridget Love to read Lewis.
2,464 reviews28 followers
December 27, 2025
We have Lady Prudence Stanton whose father is brutally murdered at home! She finds him and his last words direct her to a neighbor’s home!
Here is a scandalous party going on and fearful for the servants and just generally upset by the harsh turn of events she tries to leave!
Jack Ross, Viscount Hereford encounters Prudence kisses her as he mistakes her for the evening’s entertainment! She slaps him soundly and thereafter their destinies are intertwined!
Jack on a mission from the crown is immediately drawn to the spirited beauty and sense she is troubled beyond her father’s murder!
He follows her and does not like how her cousin manhandled her!
Their next encounter he again protects her this is definitely becoming a habit!
Jack continue a to aid Prudence and again rescues her from a kidnapping!
Her cousin won’t rest and Jacks inquiry for crown matters may just be linked!
These two are like a moth to a flame and are constantly drawn into danger!
Now Jack has found a link to their past that beggars the imagination! But can a spy marry? Will these two have a HEA?
Bravo nonstop action!
I received an ARC copy for my unbiased review!
593 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 19, 2025
This story had a lot happening in the plot. There was a mystery to be solved from the very beginning. Then, there were mysteries solved from decades ago that no one saw coming. There was a cute flirtation between the main couple, but the relationship seemed to jump to love rather quickly although the couple wasn’t together that much. The book didn’t give a lot of detail to support the leap so quickly. It all seemed a bit abrupt. I did like the characters. They were funny and witty while also showing moments of seriousness and depth. There were a lot of outside details regarding political issues that really didn’t seem essential to the storyline. The story contained a slow burn romance that happened more in their minds than with one another. They did finally get to their HEA at the end of the story. This story contained colorful characters, kidnapping, deceitful relatives, potential danger, political issues, murder mysteries, and love.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Lb.
156 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2025
I'd rate this 3.5 stars rounded up

This was a cozy quick read for me, I’ve been reading historical romance since I was a teenager so nothing really was new but I enjoyed the banter between our couple (when they were actually together) for a short story they spend a lot of time apart and there unfortunately was not much ravishing.

FMC is a bit too independent for the time and often goes out on her own potentially getting herself into danger where Jack would need to rescue her.

This is a stand alone and I read this without reading the first two books, I didn't even realize it was the 3rd in the series until after I had finished the book, the characters from the first books make very brief appearances in the book but it's not necessary to read their books to read this book.

Book blog: https://elbyslibrary.blogspot.com/202...

*ARC read 2025 *Netgalley *historical romance *mystery *handsome rake *quick read *instalust *interconnected stand alone *spy MMC *Fierce/feisty/independent FMC *happy ending *political issues *banter
431 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2026
Great potential as a mystery with some suspense and twists. Generally a middle of the road for clean vs steam.

Yet, I was disappointed with the plot and characters. I felt the mystery lacked clues for the reader to try figuring out before the ending. The general flow of the story was not really evenly paced and the characters didn't have as much depth as they could have.

To the author, this may sound harsh, yet it's not really meant to as I have read other works by this author that I fully enjoyed. It's not a bad read, just not up to the standard I expect for this author. That said, it's only my opinion, so take a chance, read it and make your own decision as it could be just the one that sparks you.
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,565 reviews88 followers
January 6, 2026
All is not as it seems in this suspenseful romance as Lady Prudence discovers when she sets out to discover who murdered her father. With his dying words ringing in her ears, Prudence follows her father's instructions and inadvertently walks into a scandalous houseparty. If that was not bad enough, she is accosted by one of the guests, only to later discover that he is, in fact, the only one able to help her. The novel is is fast paced and suspenseful from beginning to end, and Viscount Jack Ross is the knight in shining armour that she needs if she is to make her escape. The novel comes to an exciting conclusion with more than one mystery solved. I received a copy of this enjoyable novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
1,003 reviews13 followers
December 7, 2025
When Prue's father is murdered in their home, she turns to a neighbor for help. Attending a wild party at said neighbor, Jack notices the beautiful Prue though she is told to stay out of sight. An agent for the crown, Jack is concerned about the assassination. He decides to help her to escape her cruel cousin who plans on marrying her for her inheritance. He becomes determined to help her find out who killed her father. They try to deny their growing attachment. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for their honest review.
Profile Image for Alison.
58 reviews2 followers
December 12, 2025
This is a short quick read. The story has a lot going for it; an independent woman, her loving grandmother, a handsome spy who comes to her aid. Throw in a murder and it’s something I thought I would enjoy. The characters were flat and had very little personality. I thought they fell in love too quickly and the mystery wrapped up too quickly. I would give the author a second chance and read another title, but this book is not something I would recommend to others.
1,708 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 15, 2025
This is a fun, entertaining, adventurous story. Jack and Prudence are intriguing characters that captured my attention from the start and held it until the very. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. These two are fun to spend time with. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. The story is easy to read and get into.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
8 reviews
January 10, 2026
Loved this book, holds one’s interest from the opening dialogue where a lady disappears until the end where it has come back to where it began. Prudence, the daughter of a well respected noble man, sees an unknown rider, hears a gunshot, and finds her father dying on the floor.
This story has it all, murder, kidnapping, evil cousin and of course romance. Enjoy reading Maggie Andersen’s great story

2,003 reviews22 followers
December 9, 2025
Loved reading the exciting and entertaining historical romance story. When Lady. Prudence's father is murdered, and her life is in danger, Jack Ross, Viscount Hereford and spy, offers to help. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully. written full of mystery and intrigue, and a must read riveting love story.
Profile Image for Mojo.
160 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 12, 2025
I found myself devouring this story, however I was more invested in the murder mystery plot over the romance. I liked both leads, I just wished we saw more interactions between the two.

Thank you Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for the arc.
Profile Image for Petula.
3,090 reviews87 followers
December 22, 2025
In this historical romance we get a brave, but terrified heroine and a hero who is disguising his intentions. There is danger and political intrigue along with an amusing romance. A fast paced story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are strong, and determined to get to the truth.
Great fun.
6,150 reviews30 followers
December 27, 2025
A lot going on...

Including murder. Lady Prudence is on the hunt for who murdered her father. Jake is a rake, a viscount and callous, He is also working as a spy. There was a lot going on, maybe too much. Prue is great and Jake is pretty vapid.
Profile Image for Jill.
533 reviews12 followers
December 12, 2025
A suspenseful love story that was fun to read.
269 reviews
January 11, 2026
Great story line, good characters, compelling plot and a joy to read. Once again Maggi has written a great book. Loved it and highly recommend it to regency romance lovers
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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