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How to Ruin a Rake
Turning the conventions of Regency London upside down, a single lady desires a carefree, no-strings-attached dalliance with a devilish rogue in this spicy, irresistibly sensual new romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce.
But is her all-wrong scoundrel actually her Mr. Right?
Lady Allegra Musgrove has resigned herself to never marrying. Creating a scandal worked out well for her sister, Carenza, now happily wed after advertising for a no-strings-attached arrangement with a willing gentleman from the ton. But the fallout has landed squarely on poor Allegra, who is ordered to leave London for her family home in the countryside.
Sometimes, though, fate comes knocking—or, in Allegra’s case, a rake who abducts her as part of a men’s club drunken wager!
Furious, Allegra quickly takes charge when their speeding carriage overturns and her masked captor is Lord Max Devereux, a notorious ne’er-do-well who pays his way out of trouble and beds women with impunity.
Suddenly sober, Max wants to forget the whole debacle and return Allegra to the city. Obviously, Allegra is aware that there could be no one worse to be stuck with in the middle of nowhere than such a rake, especially one so . . . experienced. Or . . . could there be no one better?
But is her all-wrong scoundrel actually her Mr. Right?
Lady Allegra Musgrove has resigned herself to never marrying. Creating a scandal worked out well for her sister, Carenza, now happily wed after advertising for a no-strings-attached arrangement with a willing gentleman from the ton. But the fallout has landed squarely on poor Allegra, who is ordered to leave London for her family home in the countryside.
Sometimes, though, fate comes knocking—or, in Allegra’s case, a rake who abducts her as part of a men’s club drunken wager!
Furious, Allegra quickly takes charge when their speeding carriage overturns and her masked captor is Lord Max Devereux, a notorious ne’er-do-well who pays his way out of trouble and beds women with impunity.
Suddenly sober, Max wants to forget the whole debacle and return Allegra to the city. Obviously, Allegra is aware that there could be no one worse to be stuck with in the middle of nowhere than such a rake, especially one so . . . experienced. Or . . . could there be no one better?
305 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Kate Pearce
152 books1,871 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British Civil Service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer.
She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate on katepearce.com.
She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate on katepearce.com.
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When the story starts with a prank gone wrong and a scandal in the making, you know it is going to be a fun romp.
Pearce, who writes in many different genres in the contemporary romance scene, captures your attention with this witty jaunt. The main characters are delightful and work so well together.
As they try to protect each other while navigating the complexity of getting Allegra back home undetected, the story brings in plenty of antics and issues. The secondary characters are perfectly placed and not overdone, which keeps the story balanced and flowing smoothly.
This author is new to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this romp across the country in a humorous prank gone wrong. This story is witty, fun, and entertaining. There is just enough steam, and the HEA is well deserved. How to Ruin a Rake is a great choice for a great story.
~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/how-to-ruin-...
Pearce, who writes in many different genres in the contemporary romance scene, captures your attention with this witty jaunt. The main characters are delightful and work so well together.
As they try to protect each other while navigating the complexity of getting Allegra back home undetected, the story brings in plenty of antics and issues. The secondary characters are perfectly placed and not overdone, which keeps the story balanced and flowing smoothly.
This author is new to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this romp across the country in a humorous prank gone wrong. This story is witty, fun, and entertaining. There is just enough steam, and the HEA is well deserved. How to Ruin a Rake is a great choice for a great story.
~~~~~~
* I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/how-to-ruin-...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After her sister started a scandal, Lady Allegra Musgrove and her family decide to lay low in the country until the gossip dies down. She is waiting for the carriage when she is abducted by a very drunk masked man and told that she will be released shortly. Allegra, not one to play the damsel in distress, argues with her captor, and knocks him out by throwing a book at him. She thinks she will be released soon, but hours later, when the carriage crashes, she realizes how bad her situation really is. She finally wakes her abductor, who turns out to be the notorious rake, Max Devereux, Marquess of Blanchard. And she learns that she was taken by accident, but now they are stranded in the middle of nowhere with limited resources. Max promises to return her to her family and stifle any gossip, but the journey will not be without pitfalls, and their story won’t end when he gets her home.
Max Devereux, Marquess of Blachard, the very bored heir to the Duke of Barfleur, has made a huge mistake. He planned to abduct Allegra’s sister Lady Carenza and convince her to be seen with him in public, so he could win a wager. Instead, he was knocked unconscious by her younger sister, thrown from a carriage, his friend who he thought was driving is nowhere in sight and apparently, he stole his purse, and left in the middle of nowhere with a very angry Lady Allegra. He promises to return her to her family, with no one the wiser. He never expected to like her, or desire her or ever see her again after fulfilling his promise, but as they say, the best laid plans…
This was a well-written, nicely paced, fun read with very likable characters. Both Allegra and Max were easy to like, Allegra for her intelligence and Max for his charm and wit, I enjoyed watching each character grow and evolve, especially Max. This story has a lot going on; there is a wager gone wrong, abduction, a road trip, force proximity, a daring escape, steamyish love scenes, a marriage of convenience, real character growth, a serious lack of communication and finally a happy ending. I liked this story better than the first book, but I did feel like Allegra seemed to turn into a martyr towards the end of the book which seemed out of character and I do wish the book had an epilogue, but overall, it was a fast, fun, enjoyable read which I would happily recommend. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Max Devereux, Marquess of Blachard, the very bored heir to the Duke of Barfleur, has made a huge mistake. He planned to abduct Allegra’s sister Lady Carenza and convince her to be seen with him in public, so he could win a wager. Instead, he was knocked unconscious by her younger sister, thrown from a carriage, his friend who he thought was driving is nowhere in sight and apparently, he stole his purse, and left in the middle of nowhere with a very angry Lady Allegra. He promises to return her to her family, with no one the wiser. He never expected to like her, or desire her or ever see her again after fulfilling his promise, but as they say, the best laid plans…
This was a well-written, nicely paced, fun read with very likable characters. Both Allegra and Max were easy to like, Allegra for her intelligence and Max for his charm and wit, I enjoyed watching each character grow and evolve, especially Max. This story has a lot going on; there is a wager gone wrong, abduction, a road trip, force proximity, a daring escape, steamyish love scenes, a marriage of convenience, real character growth, a serious lack of communication and finally a happy ending. I liked this story better than the first book, but I did feel like Allegra seemed to turn into a martyr towards the end of the book which seemed out of character and I do wish the book had an epilogue, but overall, it was a fast, fun, enjoyable read which I would happily recommend. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
If you are in the mood for a quick, entertaining historical romance that blends a crazy road trip with deeper themes of societal obligation, Kate Pearce’s How to Ruin a Rake is a highly enjoyable choice. As the second installment in the Rakes of London series, it functions beautifully as a standalone novel, offering a fast-paced narrative that is equal parts witty banter, high-stakes drama, and emotional vulnerability. While the central love story delivers plenty of chemistry, the book also shines in its exploration of rigid family dynamics and the heavy burden of societal expectations.
The story kicks off with a classic comedy of errors. Lady Allegra Musgrove has already resigned herself to a quiet, loveless future as a country spinster. Her family name is a constant source of gossip for the London ton, largely because her mother is a former opera singer and her sister recently sparked a massive scandal. Just as Allegra is preparing to leave London for her family’s country estate to let the gossip die down, chaos strikes. She is abruptly abducted from her doorstep by a heavily masked, very drunk gentleman. The culprit is Lord Max Devereux, the Marquess of Blanchard and bored heir to a dukedom, who pulled the reckless stunt to win a club wager. His actual target was Allegra's sister, but a twist of fate lands Allegra in his speeding carriage instead.
When the carriage violently crashes, leaving the pair stranded in the middle of nowhere without money, transportation, or a chaperone, the narrative transforms into an engaging forced-proximity road trip. Max, suddenly sober and horrified by his monumental blunder, vows to return Allegra to her family undetected to protect her from total social ruin. Posing as brother and sister, they embark on a treacherous journey filled with one-bed inns, local gossips, and shifting fortunes. Naturally, spending so much unchaperoned time together sparks a powerful mutual attraction, but when rumors of their adventure inevitably leak to society, a marriage of convenience becomes their only recourse.
The heart of the book lies in the distinct and compelling character arcs of its protagonists. Allegra is a phenomenal heroine—practical, no-nonsense, and fiercely intelligent. Rather than playing the submissive damsel in distress, she takes charge of her own fate, knocking Max unconscious with a book of sermons early in the tale. Growing up under the shadow of family scandals has forced her to be independent and self-reliant. However, her emotional arc reveals a deep-seated vulnerability; she assumes she is unlovable and battles an intense fear of rejection, which occasionally causes her to keep her guard up too high.
Max's transformation is equally satisfying. We meet him at a turning point in his life. He uses his rakish reputation and wild behavior to mask a profound sense of boredom and a strained relationship with his family. The accidental abduction and subsequent journey serve as a wake-up call. Driven by a genuine desire to protect Allegra, Max steps into his responsibilities, learning to channel his charm into real leadership. Watching him embrace his duties, especially when it comes to restoring his family estate, highlights his maturity from a spoiled man-child into a deeply caring partner.
Beyond the open-door romance, Pearce expertly weaves in themes of familial expectations. Both characters are deeply affected by their parents and the roles mapped out for them. Allegra must constantly navigate the fallout of her family’s unconventional choices, while Max must confront the overbearing pressure of his father's noble lineage.
If there is a flaw in this otherwise delightful romp, it lies in the heavy reliance on the miscommunication trope in the latter half of the book. Once the external adventures conclude and the couple settles into their new life, their inability to have an honest conversation drags on. A single, simple conversation about their actual thoughts and feelings would have instantly cleared up the mutual confusion and assumptions keeping them distant. At times, Allegra’s persistent doubts can feel slightly frustrating, and the resolution feels a bit rushed because of it.
Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, their sharp banter, and the sheer fun of the plot. If a bit of stubborn miscommunication doesn’t bother you, I highly recommend picking this one up for a fast, romantic, and thoroughly entertaining afternoon read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you are in the mood for a quick, entertaining historical romance that blends a crazy road trip with deeper themes of societal obligation, Kate Pearce’s How to Ruin a Rake is a highly enjoyable choice. As the second installment in the Rakes of London series, it functions beautifully as a standalone novel, offering a fast-paced narrative that is equal parts witty banter, high-stakes drama, and emotional vulnerability. While the central love story delivers plenty of chemistry, the book also shines in its exploration of rigid family dynamics and the heavy burden of societal expectations.
The story kicks off with a classic comedy of errors. Lady Allegra Musgrove has already resigned herself to a quiet, loveless future as a country spinster. Her family name is a constant source of gossip for the London ton, largely because her mother is a former opera singer and her sister recently sparked a massive scandal. Just as Allegra is preparing to leave London for her family’s country estate to let the gossip die down, chaos strikes. She is abruptly abducted from her doorstep by a heavily masked, very drunk gentleman. The culprit is Lord Max Devereux, the Marquess of Blanchard and bored heir to a dukedom, who pulled the reckless stunt to win a club wager. His actual target was Allegra's sister, but a twist of fate lands Allegra in his speeding carriage instead.
When the carriage violently crashes, leaving the pair stranded in the middle of nowhere without money, transportation, or a chaperone, the narrative transforms into an engaging forced-proximity road trip. Max, suddenly sober and horrified by his monumental blunder, vows to return Allegra to her family undetected to protect her from total social ruin. Posing as brother and sister, they embark on a treacherous journey filled with one-bed inns, local gossips, and shifting fortunes. Naturally, spending so much unchaperoned time together sparks a powerful mutual attraction, but when rumors of their adventure inevitably leak to society, a marriage of convenience becomes their only recourse.
The heart of the book lies in the distinct and compelling character arcs of its protagonists. Allegra is a phenomenal heroine—practical, no-nonsense, and fiercely intelligent. Rather than playing the submissive damsel in distress, she takes charge of her own fate, knocking Max unconscious with a book of sermons early in the tale. Growing up under the shadow of family scandals has forced her to be independent and self-reliant. However, her emotional arc reveals a deep-seated vulnerability; she assumes she is unlovable and battles an intense fear of rejection, which occasionally causes her to keep her guard up too high.
Max's transformation is equally satisfying. We meet him at a turning point in his life. He uses his rakish reputation and wild behavior to mask a profound sense of boredom and a strained relationship with his family. The accidental abduction and subsequent journey serve as a wake-up call. Driven by a genuine desire to protect Allegra, Max steps into his responsibilities, learning to channel his charm into real leadership. Watching him embrace his duties, especially when it comes to restoring his family estate, highlights his maturity from a spoiled man-child into a deeply caring partner.
Beyond the open-door romance, Pearce expertly weaves in themes of familial expectations. Both characters are deeply affected by their parents and the roles mapped out for them. Allegra must constantly navigate the fallout of her family’s unconventional choices, while Max must confront the overbearing pressure of his father's noble lineage.
If there is a flaw in this otherwise delightful romp, it lies in the heavy reliance on the miscommunication trope in the latter half of the book. Once the external adventures conclude and the couple settles into their new life, their inability to have an honest conversation drags on. A single, simple conversation about their actual thoughts and feelings would have instantly cleared up the mutual confusion and assumptions keeping them distant. At times, Allegra’s persistent doubts can feel slightly frustrating, and the resolution feels a bit rushed because of it.
Ultimately, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, their sharp banter, and the sheer fun of the plot. If a bit of stubborn miscommunication doesn’t bother you, I highly recommend picking this one up for a fast, romantic, and thoroughly entertaining afternoon read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars
Lady Allegra Musgrove has resigned herself to never marrying. Creating a scandal worked out well for her sister, Carenza, now happily wed. But the fallout has landed squarely on poor Allegra, who is ordered to leave London for her family home in the countryside. However a rake who abducts her as part of a men’s club drunken wager! Furious, Allegra quickly takes charge when their speeding carriage overturns and her masked captor is revealed: Lord Max Devereux, suddenly sober, Max wants to forget the whole debacle and return Allegra to her parents. Then the rumours start.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I loved Allegra from the beginning & grew to love Max. She’s down to earth, bossy & a delight, he’s the heir to a dukedom & definitely a man about town but as his story unfolds it becomes apparent that he’s bored & wanting to improve. I love how he embraced restoring the estate. I also loved the banter between them & their chemistry sizzled. Trust was an issue, also making assumptions – I did enjoy how they gradually realised exactly what they’d got. I’d have loved an epilogue to fully round off the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Lady Allegra Musgrove has resigned herself to never marrying. Creating a scandal worked out well for her sister, Carenza, now happily wed. But the fallout has landed squarely on poor Allegra, who is ordered to leave London for her family home in the countryside. However a rake who abducts her as part of a men’s club drunken wager! Furious, Allegra quickly takes charge when their speeding carriage overturns and her masked captor is revealed: Lord Max Devereux, suddenly sober, Max wants to forget the whole debacle and return Allegra to her parents. Then the rumours start.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I loved Allegra from the beginning & grew to love Max. She’s down to earth, bossy & a delight, he’s the heir to a dukedom & definitely a man about town but as his story unfolds it becomes apparent that he’s bored & wanting to improve. I love how he embraced restoring the estate. I also loved the banter between them & their chemistry sizzled. Trust was an issue, also making assumptions – I did enjoy how they gradually realised exactly what they’d got. I’d have loved an epilogue to fully round off the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a cute, fun read!
I loved how quickly the story moved, how easily it kept me engaged, and the characters were absolutely delightful. Was it something completely outlandish or super unique? No, but honestly, it didn't need to be. This was the kind of story that just felt like a warm hug from an old friend. Sometimes you just need a book that is fun, easy to read, and leaves you feeling good when you close the book, and this was definitely that kind of read for me. I would absolutely consider this a comfort read.
This ended way too soon. I wanted more from this couple! I wasn't quite ready for this to be over and would have happily spent more time with these characters.
Dual POV
Safe
Steam
I loved how quickly the story moved, how easily it kept me engaged, and the characters were absolutely delightful. Was it something completely outlandish or super unique? No, but honestly, it didn't need to be. This was the kind of story that just felt like a warm hug from an old friend. Sometimes you just need a book that is fun, easy to read, and leaves you feeling good when you close the book, and this was definitely that kind of read for me. I would absolutely consider this a comfort read.
This ended way too soon. I wanted more from this couple! I wasn't quite ready for this to be over and would have happily spent more time with these characters.
Dual POV
Safe
Steam
September 29, 2026
This book is a lot of fun. It starts off with a wild kidnapping that turns into a road trip. If I’m honest, after the road trip, things did slow down a bit. Yet, once Allegra and Max are thrust back together, it picks up again.
Max is a marquess, heir to a dukedom, who could never do anything right in his father’s eyes. If his dad is going to disapprove, he might as well have some fun, right? Max does a whole lot of growing up in this book. Not only because of what happens with Allegra…Max was already seeing how banal his life had become and how immature, and even mean, his so-called friends were. What happens with Allegra pushes things along in the “growing up” department.
Allegra’s family has always been on the outside looking in with the ton, who are judgmental about the most ridiculous things. Now, her sister has made an even bigger spectacle of the family, and Allegra feels she needs to leave London for the family’s country estate to get out of the crosshairs of the gossip and cruelty. Allegra is wise and intuitive, but has mostly tried not to cause waves. With this most recent blow to the reputation of the family, the gloves are off. Allegra still holds back a lot, but there are times she lets her frustration punch through. Why doesn’t she get to be happy? Why is she accountable for the things other family members have done in the past? Why doesn’t she get to marry for love as her parents and her sister have?
As I said, the first 40% of this book flies by. There are some crazy twists and turns from Max basically abducting Allegra to him eventually getting her safely to her family. With Max, Allegra never holds back…and he loves it. He is told no; he is put in his place; he has to work together with her for them to meet their goals. All while he falls head over heels for this obstinate woman who isn’t even the one he meant to kidnap in the first place. Meanwhile, he’s showing Allegra the real Max without fully realizing that’s what he’s doing. She sees the hurt boy inside him and the brilliant mind he has.
When Max and Allegra go their separate ways, their worries aren’t over. Eventually, their epic road trip comes back to bite them, and they are forced together yet again. For me, that’s when the story picked back up. I just loved these two sharing the page. They have the classic problem of not talking to each other, but when that issue is handled well, it moves the story instead of annoying the reader. It is handled well in this case. The author helps the reader to understand how much each character thinks they are being clear, all while being as transparent as mud.
Both Allegra and Max are fantastically written characters. The people they meet on their road trip are fun and quirky. Once they are back in their real lives, their families and staff are just as interesting as the rest.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. **
Max is a marquess, heir to a dukedom, who could never do anything right in his father’s eyes. If his dad is going to disapprove, he might as well have some fun, right? Max does a whole lot of growing up in this book. Not only because of what happens with Allegra…Max was already seeing how banal his life had become and how immature, and even mean, his so-called friends were. What happens with Allegra pushes things along in the “growing up” department.
Allegra’s family has always been on the outside looking in with the ton, who are judgmental about the most ridiculous things. Now, her sister has made an even bigger spectacle of the family, and Allegra feels she needs to leave London for the family’s country estate to get out of the crosshairs of the gossip and cruelty. Allegra is wise and intuitive, but has mostly tried not to cause waves. With this most recent blow to the reputation of the family, the gloves are off. Allegra still holds back a lot, but there are times she lets her frustration punch through. Why doesn’t she get to be happy? Why is she accountable for the things other family members have done in the past? Why doesn’t she get to marry for love as her parents and her sister have?
As I said, the first 40% of this book flies by. There are some crazy twists and turns from Max basically abducting Allegra to him eventually getting her safely to her family. With Max, Allegra never holds back…and he loves it. He is told no; he is put in his place; he has to work together with her for them to meet their goals. All while he falls head over heels for this obstinate woman who isn’t even the one he meant to kidnap in the first place. Meanwhile, he’s showing Allegra the real Max without fully realizing that’s what he’s doing. She sees the hurt boy inside him and the brilliant mind he has.
When Max and Allegra go their separate ways, their worries aren’t over. Eventually, their epic road trip comes back to bite them, and they are forced together yet again. For me, that’s when the story picked back up. I just loved these two sharing the page. They have the classic problem of not talking to each other, but when that issue is handled well, it moves the story instead of annoying the reader. It is handled well in this case. The author helps the reader to understand how much each character thinks they are being clear, all while being as transparent as mud.
Both Allegra and Max are fantastically written characters. The people they meet on their road trip are fun and quirky. Once they are back in their real lives, their families and staff are just as interesting as the rest.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. **
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have enjoyed previous Kate Pearce historicals, and I enjoyed this one too. Max is a spoiled heir to a dukedom, generally being a rake and getting in trouble. He takes a bet from an equally irresponsible friend to take Lady Carenza on a public ride. The lady is one of a disgraced family—Carenza is a widow to a man who gambled away his fortune and took his own life, and she has scandalously remarried. Her mother is a former opera singer, and her father’s decision to marry an opera singer cast him and his family out of the ton’s good graces pretty permanently.
Max accidentally ends up with Carenza’s sister in the carriage instead. Lady Allegra is resigned to spinsterhood after growing up in a family with too many scandals. The whole abduction is a comedy of errors situation that ends with an accident, and Allegra and Max are stranded without transportation or funds. They’re not even sure where they are.
Max mans up and decides that he has a duty to see Allegra safely to her family’s home. The journey is longer and more complicated than expected, and the two spend a lot of time in each other’s company. They grow to like one another, and when Max eventually does get Allegra home, he realizes that he will miss her.
Of course, a woman and man spending unchaperoned time together means ruination, and although they tried not to be caught in their adventures, word gets out, and Lady Allegra is ruined. The obvious solution is marriage. But can they overcome their tumultuous start and have a happy marriage? This is a romance, so you can guess the answer, but the whole journey is an entertaining read.
The story is steamy, so don’t read if you prefer clean, although it is definitely less steam-focused than Pearce’s previous books. I enjoyed the book, but gave it less than 5 stars because there were times Allegra annoyed me with her insistence on doubting Max. Other reviews took issue with Max, but I liked him, and instead thought Allegra was the one who kept trying to keep them both from being happy. She came around by the end, but it took the whole story.
Thank you Netgalley and Kate Pearce for letting me read this early, I enjoyed it!
Max accidentally ends up with Carenza’s sister in the carriage instead. Lady Allegra is resigned to spinsterhood after growing up in a family with too many scandals. The whole abduction is a comedy of errors situation that ends with an accident, and Allegra and Max are stranded without transportation or funds. They’re not even sure where they are.
Max mans up and decides that he has a duty to see Allegra safely to her family’s home. The journey is longer and more complicated than expected, and the two spend a lot of time in each other’s company. They grow to like one another, and when Max eventually does get Allegra home, he realizes that he will miss her.
Of course, a woman and man spending unchaperoned time together means ruination, and although they tried not to be caught in their adventures, word gets out, and Lady Allegra is ruined. The obvious solution is marriage. But can they overcome their tumultuous start and have a happy marriage? This is a romance, so you can guess the answer, but the whole journey is an entertaining read.
The story is steamy, so don’t read if you prefer clean, although it is definitely less steam-focused than Pearce’s previous books. I enjoyed the book, but gave it less than 5 stars because there were times Allegra annoyed me with her insistence on doubting Max. Other reviews took issue with Max, but I liked him, and instead thought Allegra was the one who kept trying to keep them both from being happy. She came around by the end, but it took the whole story.
Thank you Netgalley and Kate Pearce for letting me read this early, I enjoyed it!
October 4, 2026
Thank you to the author and Kensington Publishing for a gifted copy via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this historical romance about a reformed rake. The story starts off strong and the meet cute between the characters was completely unique and drew me in right away. Their adventures after the carriage accident kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed Allegra and Max’s natural relationship progression and witty banter. Kate Pearce is fantastic at writing real characters, interesting plot-lines and open door steam. If you enjoy steamy historical romances, she is a must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2026
This was such a fun, chaotic historical romance and I was completely entertained. The first half was especially enjoyable, and I loved how the ridiculous circumstances kept throwing Allegra and Max together.
Allegra was such a great heroine. I loved how practical, outspoken, and unwilling to put up with Max's nonsense she was. Their banter was fantastic, and watching Max slowly realize he needed to grow up and become someone worthy of her made their romance even more satisfying.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Allegra was such a great heroine. I loved how practical, outspoken, and unwilling to put up with Max's nonsense she was. Their banter was fantastic, and watching Max slowly realize he needed to grow up and become someone worthy of her made their romance even more satisfying.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
September 30, 2026
This was an entertaining, well-written Regency romance. It was fun, steamy, action packed and held my interest. I enjoyed this Regency romance and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3✨ It was well written, but not my favorite.
This is a short read and was pleasant but I had a lot of issues with it. I finished it though and did ultimately find it satisfactory but it doesn’t mean it overcame the issues I had.
Lady Allegra is kidnapped by a waste of a Duke’s son, Max. Max is so drunk he does not remember what happened and then chaos ensues.
First, Max never actually apologizes to Allegra for the real damage he created. He actually chastised her and basically played dumb to the plight of women and the circumstances he put her in and thats not realistic. Anyone one of the time, including men, would understand that this girl was RUINED and what that entailed, the social pariah status it would give her. Him playing dumb to it was not realistic nor would it endear anyone to him.
Also by like 50 pages in Allegra has apologized to Max and capitulated three times meanwhile he never really has a coming to jesus moment about how much he did to her by his stupid stunt! Also a couple of times he raises his voice at her in a threatening manner and tries to overcome her real concerns by just flirting with her and I hated this.
Allegra was sensible but in my opinion went from being strong to having no backbone, i guess it made sense as she was just not quite good with emotions but she was always the one coming to Max to build bridges and strengthen their relationship, while Max was pouty. I think this personality change of Allegra didnt really make sense with the woman we meet the first half of the book. So I think the characters were all over the place. But, regardless I do think that the book does a GREAT job at showing us how good of a team Allegra and Max can make and that as the book went along Max went from sort of being rescued by Allegra and her carrying all the weight of them on her to Max becoming more of an active participant in changing their circumstances for the better.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
This is a short read and was pleasant but I had a lot of issues with it. I finished it though and did ultimately find it satisfactory but it doesn’t mean it overcame the issues I had.
Lady Allegra is kidnapped by a waste of a Duke’s son, Max. Max is so drunk he does not remember what happened and then chaos ensues.
First, Max never actually apologizes to Allegra for the real damage he created. He actually chastised her and basically played dumb to the plight of women and the circumstances he put her in and thats not realistic. Anyone one of the time, including men, would understand that this girl was RUINED and what that entailed, the social pariah status it would give her. Him playing dumb to it was not realistic nor would it endear anyone to him.
Also by like 50 pages in Allegra has apologized to Max and capitulated three times meanwhile he never really has a coming to jesus moment about how much he did to her by his stupid stunt! Also a couple of times he raises his voice at her in a threatening manner and tries to overcome her real concerns by just flirting with her and I hated this.
Allegra was sensible but in my opinion went from being strong to having no backbone, i guess it made sense as she was just not quite good with emotions but she was always the one coming to Max to build bridges and strengthen their relationship, while Max was pouty. I think this personality change of Allegra didnt really make sense with the woman we meet the first half of the book. So I think the characters were all over the place. But, regardless I do think that the book does a GREAT job at showing us how good of a team Allegra and Max can make and that as the book went along Max went from sort of being rescued by Allegra and her carrying all the weight of them on her to Max becoming more of an active participant in changing their circumstances for the better.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
October 22, 2026
Life is completely unfair to Lady Allegra Musgrove. Her family is already looked down upon because her mother was an opera singer, and then her sister Carenza created another huge scandal by placing an advertisement for a lover, and then announcing to the world that she was the person who placed the ad. [Carenza's story is in book one.] Now Allegra knows she no longer has the option of marrying and will end up a spinster or governess. The family decides to head to the country to avoid the further scandal and rumors. Her family left yesterday, and now Allegra awaits the carriage to take her to the family's country home. When she hears the carriage pull up, she just quickly walks out and gets in. It's not until the carriage takes off that Allegra realizes she is NOT in her family carriage, and is now racing through London with an unknown, drunken, masked man. Allegra ends up throwing a book at him and knocking him out. The carriage ends up overturned in an accident in the middle of nowhere. The driver gone, the masked man still unconscious, no funds and no idea where they are. Allegra manages to wake her abductor, who groggily remembers some of what got Allegra into this predicament. Allegra then finds out she is with Lord Max Devereux, a notorious rake, who, on a bet, was trying to abduct her sister Carenza to get Carenza to walk be seen with him in Hyde Park. And the plot thickens...
There is a lot going on here: a strong, independent FMC; a ruinous, ne'er-do-well rake MMC; a foolish drunken wager; a kidnapping; mistaken identity; a dangerous carriage ride; an narrow escape from really bad innkeepers; fake identities; forced proximity; emotional feelings developing; communication issues [aren't there always?]; some somewhat tame spicy scenes; character growth; a marriage of convenience, all leading to Allegra and Max's HEA.
I enjoyed the story, though I have enjoyed other Kate Pearson's books more. I liked Allegra's strong independence and straightforward, no-nonsense, dealing in reality. Max's devil-may-care attitude did move into character growth and even regret for his actions when he started realizing just how badly his fun and friendly wager impacted and would completely ruined Allegra should anyone find out. Allegra started getting a bit wimpy toward the end of the story. And the spice was definitely milder than what I've read in other books by Kate. Though this is book two, it is a standalone story and you do not have to have read Carenza's story in book one. A recommended read.
I was given a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
There is a lot going on here: a strong, independent FMC; a ruinous, ne'er-do-well rake MMC; a foolish drunken wager; a kidnapping; mistaken identity; a dangerous carriage ride; an narrow escape from really bad innkeepers; fake identities; forced proximity; emotional feelings developing; communication issues [aren't there always?]; some somewhat tame spicy scenes; character growth; a marriage of convenience, all leading to Allegra and Max's HEA.
I enjoyed the story, though I have enjoyed other Kate Pearson's books more. I liked Allegra's strong independence and straightforward, no-nonsense, dealing in reality. Max's devil-may-care attitude did move into character growth and even regret for his actions when he started realizing just how badly his fun and friendly wager impacted and would completely ruined Allegra should anyone find out. Allegra started getting a bit wimpy toward the end of the story. And the spice was definitely milder than what I've read in other books by Kate. Though this is book two, it is a standalone story and you do not have to have read Carenza's story in book one. A recommended read.
I was given a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy (ARC) of How to Ruin a Rake by Kate Pearce in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I have to say, I liked it a lot. How to Ruin a Rake is a historical romance, and it has pretty much everything I enjoy in a good romance novel. There’s plenty of romance, witty banter, chemistry between the leads, and quite a few moments that made me smile while reading.
Our FMC, Allegra Musgrove, has decided that she is going to remain a spinster. Given her family circumstances, Allegra has had to grow up strong and independent. What I particularly liked about her character is that she knows her own mind. She doesn’t spend all her time cribbing about her situation or waiting for someone to rescue her. Instead, she looks at what she has and figures out how to make things work.
And then we have our MMC, Lord Max Devereux, who is very much the rake of the story. He is confident, charming and has quite the reputation. He arrives with his own plans and ambitions, including securing his future and a dukedom. Basically, Max is exactly the kind of man who seems to have absolutely no intention of falling in love.
Enter Allegra. And, well… there goes the plan! The man who seems to have everything figured out slowly starts losing control of the situation, and, more importantly, falling for the one woman who wasn’t supposed to change anything for him.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Allegra and Max. Their interactions, the banter and the little moments between them were some of my favourite parts of the book. There is something very enjoyable about watching two strong personalities come together, especially when one of them is a confirmed rake who suddenly discovers that perhaps he isn’t quite as immune to feelings as he thought he was!
The romance develops in a way that kept me interested, and there were several scenes that genuinely made me smile. I also liked that Allegra wasn’t written as a character who simply gets swept away by the hero. She has her own personality, her own choices and her own reasons for doing things, which made the relationship more interesting for me.
Overall, How to Ruin a Rake was a fun, romantic and entertaining historical romance. If you enjoy historical romances with a strong heroine, a charming rake, witty exchanges and a romance that slowly turns everything upside down, this one is worth picking up.
For me, this is a 4 out of 5 stars.
And once again, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
For more of my reviews and recommendations, visit my blog at www.thereadinglane.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereadingl...
This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I have to say, I liked it a lot. How to Ruin a Rake is a historical romance, and it has pretty much everything I enjoy in a good romance novel. There’s plenty of romance, witty banter, chemistry between the leads, and quite a few moments that made me smile while reading.
Our FMC, Allegra Musgrove, has decided that she is going to remain a spinster. Given her family circumstances, Allegra has had to grow up strong and independent. What I particularly liked about her character is that she knows her own mind. She doesn’t spend all her time cribbing about her situation or waiting for someone to rescue her. Instead, she looks at what she has and figures out how to make things work.
And then we have our MMC, Lord Max Devereux, who is very much the rake of the story. He is confident, charming and has quite the reputation. He arrives with his own plans and ambitions, including securing his future and a dukedom. Basically, Max is exactly the kind of man who seems to have absolutely no intention of falling in love.
Enter Allegra. And, well… there goes the plan! The man who seems to have everything figured out slowly starts losing control of the situation, and, more importantly, falling for the one woman who wasn’t supposed to change anything for him.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between Allegra and Max. Their interactions, the banter and the little moments between them were some of my favourite parts of the book. There is something very enjoyable about watching two strong personalities come together, especially when one of them is a confirmed rake who suddenly discovers that perhaps he isn’t quite as immune to feelings as he thought he was!
The romance develops in a way that kept me interested, and there were several scenes that genuinely made me smile. I also liked that Allegra wasn’t written as a character who simply gets swept away by the hero. She has her own personality, her own choices and her own reasons for doing things, which made the relationship more interesting for me.
Overall, How to Ruin a Rake was a fun, romantic and entertaining historical romance. If you enjoy historical romances with a strong heroine, a charming rake, witty exchanges and a romance that slowly turns everything upside down, this one is worth picking up.
For me, this is a 4 out of 5 stars.
And once again, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
For more of my reviews and recommendations, visit my blog at www.thereadinglane.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereadingl...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lady Allegra Musgrove and her family are already facing the distain of the ton, so when she is the victim of a drunken dare gone wrong her reputation is doomed to crumble completely. Max Devereux is the heir to a dukedom, but most known for being a rake, and waking up from a carriage crash with a hangover and an irate woman he apparently kidnapped, is certainly not going to make his father happy. The two set off on the road trip from hell, dodging would be murderers, known gossips and gun wielding old men as Max attempts to bring Lady Allegra safely home. When pressure begins to mount, and the duke comes up with a plan to solve everyone’s problems, Allegra will need to decide if she’s ready to ruin a rake. And this is only in the first half of the book!
I do love a good, spicy regency romance and this did exactly what I expected it to do. Was there unnecessary drama? Of course. Were there several spicy scenes? Delightfully. Was there miscommunication galore? Absolutely. At times I felt a little sorry for Max, nobody wants to believe a rake might have feelings, and Allegra seemed a little dense at times as to why he would be upset at some of the things she said to him. While I liked the spicy scenes, there were a few times some of the wording made me not love Max quite so much. By the end I was a little tired of their lack of communication, however I liked watching them figure themselves out and was happy with the ending itself overall. I believe this is book two in a series, which I did not know before I started reading it, but I didn’t feel that was an issue and will probably pick up the first one at some point.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.
3.75 rounded up to 4
I do love a good, spicy regency romance and this did exactly what I expected it to do. Was there unnecessary drama? Of course. Were there several spicy scenes? Delightfully. Was there miscommunication galore? Absolutely. At times I felt a little sorry for Max, nobody wants to believe a rake might have feelings, and Allegra seemed a little dense at times as to why he would be upset at some of the things she said to him. While I liked the spicy scenes, there were a few times some of the wording made me not love Max quite so much. By the end I was a little tired of their lack of communication, however I liked watching them figure themselves out and was happy with the ending itself overall. I believe this is book two in a series, which I did not know before I started reading it, but I didn’t feel that was an issue and will probably pick up the first one at some point.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.
3.75 rounded up to 4
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars — This is my first book by the author. This was so good! I loved Max and Allegra. They quickly establish a camaraderie while navigating this wild adventure full of mishaps. That camaraderie gradually leads to a genuine affection for one another. I loved Allegra’s straightforward honesty and down-to-earth personality. Max is unpretentious and more easygoing than Allegra. Throughout the book, we see how well they balance each other.
We meet Max when he’s at a turning point in his life. He isn’t happy with his rakish lifestyle, and the accident with Allegra is the wake-up call he needs to become more responsible. Allegra is also at a turning point. She has resigned herself to a quiet country life as a spinster when the accident happens. Soon, she begins to realize this might be her once-in-a-lifetime adventure before accepting the fate she believes awaits her.
There are still plenty of fun moments after they get together. They work well together as a team to run their new estate and household. Their sexual chemistry is fire, but it’s emotional vulnerability that they struggle with. The lack of communication between them dragged on a little too long for me, so the ending felt somewhat abrupt. It felt like, by the time we got to see them fully declare themselves, the book was over. I would have loved an epilogue showing how Max and Allegra were doing a few years later, whether at their home or attending a London society function together. It would have been a nice way to close out their story.
This is a spicy, open-door romance. The sex doesn’t happen until well into the book, and these two have incredible chemistry! The romance develops sweetly, and it was heartwarming to see them reach their HEA.
We meet Max when he’s at a turning point in his life. He isn’t happy with his rakish lifestyle, and the accident with Allegra is the wake-up call he needs to become more responsible. Allegra is also at a turning point. She has resigned herself to a quiet country life as a spinster when the accident happens. Soon, she begins to realize this might be her once-in-a-lifetime adventure before accepting the fate she believes awaits her.
There are still plenty of fun moments after they get together. They work well together as a team to run their new estate and household. Their sexual chemistry is fire, but it’s emotional vulnerability that they struggle with. The lack of communication between them dragged on a little too long for me, so the ending felt somewhat abrupt. It felt like, by the time we got to see them fully declare themselves, the book was over. I would have loved an epilogue showing how Max and Allegra were doing a few years later, whether at their home or attending a London society function together. It would have been a nice way to close out their story.
This is a spicy, open-door romance. The sex doesn’t happen until well into the book, and these two have incredible chemistry! The romance develops sweetly, and it was heartwarming to see them reach their HEA.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Back in the day I read so so many mass market paperback romances. I cut my teeth on books like Outlander and the Bridgerton series. While I've since moved on to more fantasy/romantasy and sci-fi, my bestie still loves Regency romances, and I was hoping to share a new one with her.
Enter the advance reader copy of How to Ruin a Rake. A hot marquis and a "plain" bluestocking? Two of the keys to a good Regency romance.
The story itself was cute. His rakish ways are how they met, and many hijinks ensue. Of course, they are caught in a compromising position, and the only way to solve the damage to Lady Allegra's reputation, if for her and Max to marry.
The banter is excellent, and the writing is very simple and dry. But that makes the banter stand out. And the banter is, in my opinion, what makes this book interesting.
The thing is, they got (ahem) intimate very early in the book. With Regency romances, they don't typically do the deed until closer to the 70% mark. In How to Ruin a Rake, I think it was maybe the 30% mark? It was definitely hot, but still seemed early to me. And the amount of spice, while in the 🌶🌶🌶 range, covered enough of the page count that I didn't recommend it to my bestie.
Unfortunately, the plot turns on multiple instances of the miscommunication trope, which I one of my least favorite tropes.
I enjoyed How to Ruin a Rake, and do think it's worth a read if you want something quick and hot, and don't mind miscommunication, an overbearing father-in-law, and an ice queen mother-in-law.
I received this book as an advance reader copy from Netgalley. This is my honest review.
Enter the advance reader copy of How to Ruin a Rake. A hot marquis and a "plain" bluestocking? Two of the keys to a good Regency romance.
The story itself was cute. His rakish ways are how they met, and many hijinks ensue. Of course, they are caught in a compromising position, and the only way to solve the damage to Lady Allegra's reputation, if for her and Max to marry.
The banter is excellent, and the writing is very simple and dry. But that makes the banter stand out. And the banter is, in my opinion, what makes this book interesting.
The thing is, they got (ahem) intimate very early in the book. With Regency romances, they don't typically do the deed until closer to the 70% mark. In How to Ruin a Rake, I think it was maybe the 30% mark? It was definitely hot, but still seemed early to me. And the amount of spice, while in the 🌶🌶🌶 range, covered enough of the page count that I didn't recommend it to my bestie.
Unfortunately, the plot turns on multiple instances of the miscommunication trope, which I one of my least favorite tropes.
I enjoyed How to Ruin a Rake, and do think it's worth a read if you want something quick and hot, and don't mind miscommunication, an overbearing father-in-law, and an ice queen mother-in-law.
I received this book as an advance reader copy from Netgalley. This is my honest review.
October 9, 2026
Lady Allegra now must suffer the fallout from her sister’s scandalous behavior ( book one ). Resigned to the fact that the best way to avoid the rumors she awaits her family’s carriage to hideaway in the countryside. Hearing the carriage rollup she doesn’t pay attention and hurriedly walks to the vehicle where she is given a hand up. Only it’s not her carriage but that of a drunken masked man. Trying to escape does her no good and he isn’t listening to reason. Now racing through the streets of London things seem very dire for Allegra.
A wager gone wrong and a wildcat that is not who Lord Max was trying to entice into his carriage made matters worse. She even knocked him out and now they are stranded in the middle of nowhere with a wreck vehicle, no money and a missing coachman. His travel companion as he thought of her is made of sterner stuff than most females he knows, she has decided to take the horses and find shelter and help. Unfortunately their adventures aren’t quite that simple, also he now has ruined her reputation, plus unknowingly his father the Duke’s oldest friend daughter.
One doesn’t need to read the 1st book as this can be enjoyed as a standalone. I like that the heroine was strong will and determined to do it her way. Max never encountered someone who tells is like it is or who wasn’t impressed with his title, yet he was willing to listen to reason. Of course there are a few spicy scenes 🌶️🌶️🌶️ of which the majority was once they were married. I enjoyed reading this ARC and thank NetGalley, Kate Pearce and Kensington for allowing me to read it. All opinions expressed are truly my own.
A wager gone wrong and a wildcat that is not who Lord Max was trying to entice into his carriage made matters worse. She even knocked him out and now they are stranded in the middle of nowhere with a wreck vehicle, no money and a missing coachman. His travel companion as he thought of her is made of sterner stuff than most females he knows, she has decided to take the horses and find shelter and help. Unfortunately their adventures aren’t quite that simple, also he now has ruined her reputation, plus unknowingly his father the Duke’s oldest friend daughter.
One doesn’t need to read the 1st book as this can be enjoyed as a standalone. I like that the heroine was strong will and determined to do it her way. Max never encountered someone who tells is like it is or who wasn’t impressed with his title, yet he was willing to listen to reason. Of course there are a few spicy scenes 🌶️🌶️🌶️ of which the majority was once they were married. I enjoyed reading this ARC and thank NetGalley, Kate Pearce and Kensington for allowing me to read it. All opinions expressed are truly my own.
October 8, 2026
Lady Allegra Musgrove's family has been plagued by scandals ever since her dad married a former opera singer. Her sister's latest escapade ruined all her years of trying to be above reproach, leaving Allegra convinced that all she has left in life is hiding out in the family's country estate. Enter Lord Max Devereux, eldest son of a Duke and a renowned rake, who kidnaps Allegra in an ill-conceived prank that lands them stranded in an unknown place far from home. Their adventures trying to make it home with Allegra's reputation intact don't quite end how they expected, and a marriage is their only recourse. But is it a marriage of convenience, or can a rake be reformed when it's the right lady at his side?
I loved these two together. Both Allegra and Max have very strong personalities that practically leap off the page. They are fun together and apart. Even when you'd like to knock their heads together for not communicating, you can't help but root for them to get to their happy ending. And they go through a lot of things for one book, which usually feels too packed, but Pearce manages some kind of magic with the pacing that makes it somehow work. You go from their unexpected meeting, to their adventures on the road, a marriage, a nasty surprise, and their eventual happiness. It's as action-packed as historical romance can get, yet it never feels like too much because I loved every moment with these two.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the fun romance read!
I loved these two together. Both Allegra and Max have very strong personalities that practically leap off the page. They are fun together and apart. Even when you'd like to knock their heads together for not communicating, you can't help but root for them to get to their happy ending. And they go through a lot of things for one book, which usually feels too packed, but Pearce manages some kind of magic with the pacing that makes it somehow work. You go from their unexpected meeting, to their adventures on the road, a marriage, a nasty surprise, and their eventual happiness. It's as action-packed as historical romance can get, yet it never feels like too much because I loved every moment with these two.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the fun romance read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lady Allegra Musgrove, daughter of an aristocrat who scandalized society by marrying a famous Italian opera singer, is forced from London to her family’s Norfolk estate after another disgrace. As she's getting ready for her trip, she’s abducted by a masked man. The masked man turns out to be Lord Max Devereaux, son of a duke. A sudden accident strands them together and she must rely on her wits to keep them safe. To avoid attention they pose as brother and sister and set off on an unplanned journey filled with one-bed inns, shifting fortunes, and growing attraction. Secrets from both their pasts and questions about family property complicate their path, and they must decide whether scandal can become something like love. ❤️🔥✨
I loved this mix of classic Regency scandal and modern sensuality: a strong, inventive heroine; a roguish but redeemable hero; witty social tension over class and reputation; and an enemies-turned-lovers arc that blooms during a forced, intimate journey. The added layers—a family ostracism backstory, the marriage-for-honor pressure from fathers, and a mystery about Max’s inheritance—give emotional stakes beyond the bedroom scenes. I found the book addictive: steamy, heartfelt, and satisfying for readers who want erotic chemistry alongside period detail and a satisfying happily-ever-after. 💫📚💍
https://romancelibrarian88.blogspot.c...
I loved this mix of classic Regency scandal and modern sensuality: a strong, inventive heroine; a roguish but redeemable hero; witty social tension over class and reputation; and an enemies-turned-lovers arc that blooms during a forced, intimate journey. The added layers—a family ostracism backstory, the marriage-for-honor pressure from fathers, and a mystery about Max’s inheritance—give emotional stakes beyond the bedroom scenes. I found the book addictive: steamy, heartfelt, and satisfying for readers who want erotic chemistry alongside period detail and a satisfying happily-ever-after. 💫📚💍
https://romancelibrarian88.blogspot.c...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
How to Ruin a Rake by Kate Pearce is a fun book to read. It is the second book in the series Rakes of London. Three women decide they are in search of an unmarried rake in London to help find someone to meet their needs, but not through marriage. In the first book, one lady puts in an advertisement for a rake. Needless to say that prevents her sister from making a match.
Lady Allegra Musgrove now knows there is no way she will ever be able to find a husband. Her sister’s advertisement made that clear! So she is off to live with her family in the country probably forever. The problem starts when she is kidnapped right outside her front door. The problem continues when she has no recourse except to escape, only even that goes wrong! Allegra ends up saving Max (her kidnapper and Duke’s son) and helping them get to a nearby inn which was part of the next problem. The entire kidnapping was one problem after another with lie upon lie which caused even more problems!
The novel has some real tongue and cheek moments that I enjoyed. I do wish Allegra didn’t start being apologetic to Max toward the end. He was the guilty one not Allegra. However, having said that, overall I enjoyed the novel and will wait impatiently for the next novel in the series (I hope follows). How to Ruin a Rake by Kate Pearce was a good read.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Allegra Musgrove now knows there is no way she will ever be able to find a husband. Her sister’s advertisement made that clear! So she is off to live with her family in the country probably forever. The problem starts when she is kidnapped right outside her front door. The problem continues when she has no recourse except to escape, only even that goes wrong! Allegra ends up saving Max (her kidnapper and Duke’s son) and helping them get to a nearby inn which was part of the next problem. The entire kidnapping was one problem after another with lie upon lie which caused even more problems!
The novel has some real tongue and cheek moments that I enjoyed. I do wish Allegra didn’t start being apologetic to Max toward the end. He was the guilty one not Allegra. However, having said that, overall I enjoyed the novel and will wait impatiently for the next novel in the series (I hope follows). How to Ruin a Rake by Kate Pearce was a good read.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2026
The gorgeous blue cover of How to Ruin a Rake drew me in, and I always love a good historical romance with a rake hero. Allegra, a quiet bluestocking, and Max, a marquis with a less than stellar reputation, are thrown together when he abducts her as part of a prank. They end up out in the countryside on their own, and have to find their way back to society. Initially, I loved their sparring, and the plot reminded me (in a good way) of Tessa Dare’s work.
As the story continues, I struggled to find chemistry and connection between the two main characters. Of course, since they spent days (and nights) together unchaperoned, Allegra’s reputation has been ruined and they are forced to marry. I was disappointed to see that Max didn’t take responsibility for his role in harming Allegra’s reputation. Their attraction slowly grows, but they both seem determined to push each other away and doubt their feelings. The miscommunication dragged on for a long time, but they eventually figured everything out. Ultimately, the rake didn’t want the life of debauchery that he and his wife assumed he wanted.
I always love a reformed rake/bluestocking romance, and I enjoyed this book overall. Both main characters grew on me, and I was glad to see them find their happily ever after as the book concludes.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a fun read and exactly the palate cleanser I needed!
I have always loved historical romance, and How to Ruin a Rake reminded me why. I laughed so much throughout this book, and the banter between Max and Allegra was probably my favorite part. Their back-and-forth was so much fun, their chemistry was there, and the spice definitely delivered.
I especially loved Allegra. She had absolutely no problem standing up for herself, speaking her mind, or telling Max exactly what she thought. I loved seeing a woman in this time period who wasn't afraid to make her opinions known.
There is definitely a lot of miscommunication and back-and-forth between Max and Allegra as they try to figure out their feelings, but it honestly didn't bother me. That's something I've come to expect and even enjoy in historical romance, especially when neither one wants to admit they're falling for the other.
This is the second book in the Rakes of London series, and I haven't read the first book. I never felt lost or like I was missing anything, so this worked perfectly well for me on its own.
Overall, this was funny, spicy, entertaining, and just a really enjoyable historical romance. I loved it, even if it wasn't quite a five-star love for me.
Thank you to Kate Pearce, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have always loved historical romance, and How to Ruin a Rake reminded me why. I laughed so much throughout this book, and the banter between Max and Allegra was probably my favorite part. Their back-and-forth was so much fun, their chemistry was there, and the spice definitely delivered.
I especially loved Allegra. She had absolutely no problem standing up for herself, speaking her mind, or telling Max exactly what she thought. I loved seeing a woman in this time period who wasn't afraid to make her opinions known.
There is definitely a lot of miscommunication and back-and-forth between Max and Allegra as they try to figure out their feelings, but it honestly didn't bother me. That's something I've come to expect and even enjoy in historical romance, especially when neither one wants to admit they're falling for the other.
This is the second book in the Rakes of London series, and I haven't read the first book. I never felt lost or like I was missing anything, so this worked perfectly well for me on its own.
Overall, this was funny, spicy, entertaining, and just a really enjoyable historical romance. I loved it, even if it wasn't quite a five-star love for me.
Thank you to Kate Pearce, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a delightful historical romance and the second book in the Rakes of London series. Lady Allegra Musgrove is ready to depart her family's London home when a carriage pulls up and a drunken, masked man abducts her. Marquess Max Devereux has made a wager with some of his friends that he can convince Lady Carenza, Allegra's sister, to be seen with him in public. Little does he know that he has abducted Allegra instead of Carenza. What ensues is a wild carriage ride through London and on into the country where the carriage wrecks and they are left to their own devices to seek safety. In the process, Max and Allegra get to know each other and come to respect each other as they work their way home.
Max and Allegra are likable and believable characters. Allegra is a strong, independent woman that Max comes to respect and admire. Max is truly sorry for the situation that he has gotten Allegra into and vows to get her safely home and change his rakish irresponsible ways.
The plot of the story moved along at a good pace and the secondary characters greatly contributed to the story. I was hoping there would be an epilogue, but it was still a very enjoyable read.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Kate Pearce for an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Max and Allegra are likable and believable characters. Allegra is a strong, independent woman that Max comes to respect and admire. Max is truly sorry for the situation that he has gotten Allegra into and vows to get her safely home and change his rakish irresponsible ways.
The plot of the story moved along at a good pace and the secondary characters greatly contributed to the story. I was hoping there would be an epilogue, but it was still a very enjoyable read.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Kate Pearce for an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 29, 2026
After her sistes’s antics, Allegra has close to none prospects of marriage and a life of reclusion in the country is what awaits her. But when she’s about to leave London she gets kidnapped and taken out of town plummeting her already slim chances to preserve what remains of her reputation to a resounding zero.
A carriage accident and an attempted murder later, she’s finally home in the country only to discover that all the efforts done to conceal her ordeal will lead her to marriage, the only thing she thought she will never have.
Max must really grow up: his latest stunt while drunk was to kidnap a young lady to win a bet… not only she was the wrong lady, she now seems set against the only solution available to restore what little is left of her reputation.
Defying his father is not an option and it never ended well in the past, so Max ( and his pride ) must take advantage of this situation to prove that he really has grown up and left his rakish ways behind.
Gripping and unpredictable story from the first pages, Max and Allegra marry for the wrong reasons, each assuming the worst about the other’s motivations but doing their duty for the good of their families nonetheless: Allegra to restore her family name and Max for the neverending quest to please his father by protecting Aurora with his name and status.
A carriage accident and an attempted murder later, she’s finally home in the country only to discover that all the efforts done to conceal her ordeal will lead her to marriage, the only thing she thought she will never have.
Max must really grow up: his latest stunt while drunk was to kidnap a young lady to win a bet… not only she was the wrong lady, she now seems set against the only solution available to restore what little is left of her reputation.
Defying his father is not an option and it never ended well in the past, so Max ( and his pride ) must take advantage of this situation to prove that he really has grown up and left his rakish ways behind.
Gripping and unpredictable story from the first pages, Max and Allegra marry for the wrong reasons, each assuming the worst about the other’s motivations but doing their duty for the good of their families nonetheless: Allegra to restore her family name and Max for the neverending quest to please his father by protecting Aurora with his name and status.
September 29, 2026
In book 2 of The Rakes of London Series, we have a drunken dare kidnapping, a carriage accident, an honourable attempt to get the lady home safely, numerous only one bed inns w/ one where the owners have murderous intentions. And this is all way before 50%. The pacing & outlandishness of what was occurring had me reading from 0-72% within a few hours.
Allegra is a forthright, strong FMC whose life if affected by the actions of everyone around her so when she’s the unwilling kidnapee of a drunk Lord Max Devereux, lady has rightfully had enough. I loved the banter b/w Max & Allegra. Her honesty on his actions/behaviours cut him to the quick. One thing I didn’t enjoy was the initial multi mentions of how unattractive he thought Allegra was (once, twice is enough). He internally took to heart his character assassination & through it all wanted to ensure Allegra made it safely home. Even to the point of quashing any scandalous rumours in London once he had done so. There was miscommunication abound in this book & yet the honesty that was happening was often Allegra’s on Max’s reputation when he was attempting to prove he was no longer who she had deemed him to be.
I received an eARC from the publisher
Allegra is a forthright, strong FMC whose life if affected by the actions of everyone around her so when she’s the unwilling kidnapee of a drunk Lord Max Devereux, lady has rightfully had enough. I loved the banter b/w Max & Allegra. Her honesty on his actions/behaviours cut him to the quick. One thing I didn’t enjoy was the initial multi mentions of how unattractive he thought Allegra was (once, twice is enough). He internally took to heart his character assassination & through it all wanted to ensure Allegra made it safely home. Even to the point of quashing any scandalous rumours in London once he had done so. There was miscommunication abound in this book & yet the honesty that was happening was often Allegra’s on Max’s reputation when he was attempting to prove he was no longer who she had deemed him to be.
I received an eARC from the publisher
September 30, 2026
Lady Allegra Musgrove has already decided that marriage isn't for her, but after her sister's scandalous solution to finding a husband causes trouble for the family, Allegra is sent away from London. Her plans for a quiet life in the country take an unexpected turn when she is abducted as part of a drunken wager and discovers that her captor is none other than the notorious Lord Max Devereux.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Allegra and Max, particularly as Allegra is far more capable and determined than Max initially expects. Once his foolish wager goes horribly wrong, Max is keen to put the whole episode behind him, but being stranded together gives them plenty of opportunity to see each other differently. I liked the way Allegra wasn't intimidated by Max's reputation and was quite willing to stand up to him. Max makes a wonderfully reformed rake, and I enjoyed watching his attitude gradually change as he gets to know Allegra. Their banter and growing attraction kept the romance entertaining, while the unusual circumstances that brought them together added plenty of humour. Overall, quite entertaining.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Allegra and Max, particularly as Allegra is far more capable and determined than Max initially expects. Once his foolish wager goes horribly wrong, Max is keen to put the whole episode behind him, but being stranded together gives them plenty of opportunity to see each other differently. I liked the way Allegra wasn't intimidated by Max's reputation and was quite willing to stand up to him. Max makes a wonderfully reformed rake, and I enjoyed watching his attitude gradually change as he gets to know Allegra. Their banter and growing attraction kept the romance entertaining, while the unusual circumstances that brought them together added plenty of humour. Overall, quite entertaining.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 3, 2026
This starts out adventurous with a wager gone wrong as Max kidnaps the wrong sister. I was hooked from there as a road trip ensued with whatever could go wrong going wrong and of course only one bed. I loved all the shared page time the road trip allowed and character development for the rest of the story.
Max and Allegra are opposites from the way they view life and how they were raised. Between Allegra’s honesty and Max having a change in heart about his purpose in life they end up being well matched with one another. I was surprised by the turn of events in the second half but I enjoyed the unexpected and it kept story moving.
I’d read the first book in the series and it sat middle of the road for me but I still wanted to check this one out. I’m glad I did as I had a lot of fun and flew through this story. I hope there’s more historical romance to come from this author.
How to Ruin a Rake is the second book in the Rakes of London series.
There are four open door descriptive scenes, each scene gets shorter.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Max and Allegra are opposites from the way they view life and how they were raised. Between Allegra’s honesty and Max having a change in heart about his purpose in life they end up being well matched with one another. I was surprised by the turn of events in the second half but I enjoyed the unexpected and it kept story moving.
I’d read the first book in the series and it sat middle of the road for me but I still wanted to check this one out. I’m glad I did as I had a lot of fun and flew through this story. I hope there’s more historical romance to come from this author.
How to Ruin a Rake is the second book in the Rakes of London series.
There are four open door descriptive scenes, each scene gets shorter.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2026
digital ARC was provided by Netgalley and publisher!
Ooh, I love me a spunky fmc and fun historical romance.
Synopsis
Due to a bet, Lady Allegra was 'kidnapped' by Max Devereux, a son of a duke. Their journey back to city was filled with hillarious coincidences and adventure. Neither could deny another, and what would they become when their adventure was taken as a scandal that could ruin Allegra?
CommentaryLet me say for the second time that I love love love Allegra. The first leg of the book was funny to read because of her interaction with Max. However, once they got married due to the 'scandal' (well, something did happen when they tried to go back to the city lol), their relationship was restrained. Was it hard to communicate, both of you?
Oh, and the ending was too rushed to me. I don't know if the published book will have some epilogue and better written ending, but it did gave me HEA and I will check if there's a third book or another hisrom series by Ms. Pearce!
Ooh, I love me a spunky fmc and fun historical romance.
Synopsis
Due to a bet, Lady Allegra was 'kidnapped' by Max Devereux, a son of a duke. Their journey back to city was filled with hillarious coincidences and adventure. Neither could deny another, and what would they become when their adventure was taken as a scandal that could ruin Allegra?
CommentaryLet me say for the second time that I love love love Allegra. The first leg of the book was funny to read because of her interaction with Max. However, once they got married due to the 'scandal' (well, something did happen when they tried to go back to the city lol), their relationship was restrained. Was it hard to communicate, both of you?
Oh, and the ending was too rushed to me. I don't know if the published book will have some epilogue and better written ending, but it did gave me HEA and I will check if there's a third book or another hisrom series by Ms. Pearce!
September 29, 2026
4.5 stars. This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a fast paced, sweet and steamy, forced proximity, marriage of necessity, historical romantic comedy between Lady Allegra, the sensible female lead already with a poor reputation due to her parents’ and sister’s actions, and Lord Max, the rake male lead with a reputation all his own and well deserved. I enjoyed Allegra’s self-confidence and her assertiveness in acquiring what she desired. I enjoyed Max’s developing maturity and his awareness of the importance of Allegra in his life. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes and the enjoyment the characters found in each other. I enjoyed the on-page development of communication skills, and the acknowledgement of the importance of these to successful relationship. I enjoyed the supportive secondary characters and chuckled at some of their manipulations. I enjoyed the happiness and pleasure the characters found by the end.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
August 27, 2026
Kate Pierce’s How to Ruin a Rake is a very solid example of the “modern” historical romance, that blends modern sensibilities with historical characters and settings.
Good: Allegra is a great character and I love that she gave Max shit at every turn and didn’t back down. Max’s arc is well-executed and I appreciate it’s in direct response to Allegra. The madcap escapades in the first section were fun.
What didn’t work: the pacing. While all the parts were enjoyable, the first part dragged. Travel scenes throughout were slow (and there was quite a lot of back-and-forth). The miscommunication in part 3 coming down to Allegra not asking, which wasn’t a problem for the first two parts. “Spicy” scenes fell a bit flat.
Verdict: fun historical romance, but not quite for me.
Thank you to Kate Pierce, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this DRC. All opinions are mine alone and this review was written without AI.
Good: Allegra is a great character and I love that she gave Max shit at every turn and didn’t back down. Max’s arc is well-executed and I appreciate it’s in direct response to Allegra. The madcap escapades in the first section were fun.
What didn’t work: the pacing. While all the parts were enjoyable, the first part dragged. Travel scenes throughout were slow (and there was quite a lot of back-and-forth). The miscommunication in part 3 coming down to Allegra not asking, which wasn’t a problem for the first two parts. “Spicy” scenes fell a bit flat.
Verdict: fun historical romance, but not quite for me.
Thank you to Kate Pierce, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this DRC. All opinions are mine alone and this review was written without AI.
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