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The Merridew Sisters #4
The Perfect Kiss
To rescue her friend...
Grace Merridew's childhood has made it hard for her to trust men and in three years on the marriage market, her senses have never been stirred. So she makes plans for a life of adventure instead—to see the moon rise over the pyramids of Egypt and dance amid the marble ruins of Greece. But first she has to help a friend.
She must enter the lair of the Wolfe.
Grace's timid friend is being forced to marry Dominic Wolfe, who stands to inherit a huge estate if he weds. The Wolfes have a terrible reputation, and if there's one thing Grace cannot stand, it's a bully. Her friend begs for help to escape this marriage, so Grace acts as the plain and mousy chaperone on their visit to the groom-to-be. But when they arrive, nothing is as they expect, and Grace is scandalized to find herself being pursued by a big, bad Wolfe with dishonorable intentions.
Grace Merridew's childhood has made it hard for her to trust men and in three years on the marriage market, her senses have never been stirred. So she makes plans for a life of adventure instead—to see the moon rise over the pyramids of Egypt and dance amid the marble ruins of Greece. But first she has to help a friend.
She must enter the lair of the Wolfe.
Grace's timid friend is being forced to marry Dominic Wolfe, who stands to inherit a huge estate if he weds. The Wolfes have a terrible reputation, and if there's one thing Grace cannot stand, it's a bully. Her friend begs for help to escape this marriage, so Grace acts as the plain and mousy chaperone on their visit to the groom-to-be. But when they arrive, nothing is as they expect, and Grace is scandalized to find herself being pursued by a big, bad Wolfe with dishonorable intentions.
339 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 2007
180 people are currently reading
1250 people want to read
About the author
Anne Gracie
95 books1,535 followersI've always loved stories. Family legend has it that I used to spend hours playing in the sand pit, with a dog on either side of me and Rocka the horse leaning over me, his head just touching my shoulder, while I told them stories. I have to say, dogs and horses are great audiences, apart from their tendency to drool occasionally. But people are even nicer.
In case you imagine we were a filthy rich horse-owning family, let me assure you we weren't. The horse period was a time when my parents entered a "let's-be-self-sufficient" phase, so we had a horse, but no electricity and all our water came from the rain tank.
As well as the horse and dogs, we had 2 cows (Buttercup and Daisy and one of them always had a calf), a sheep (Woolly,) goats (Billy and Nanny) dozens of ducks, chooks, and a couple of geese, a pet bluetongue lizard and a huge vegie patch. I don't know how my mother managed, really, because both she and Dad taught full time, but she came home and cooked on a wood stove and did all the laundry by hand, boiling the clothes and sheets in a big copper kettle. Somehow, we were always warm, clean, well fed and happy. She's pretty amazing, my mum.
Once I learned to read, I spent my days outside playing with the animals (I include my brother and 2 sisters here) and when inside I read. For most of my childhood we didn't have TV, so books have always been a big part of my life. Luckily our house was always full of them. Travel was also a big part of my childhood. My parents had itchy feet. We spent a lot of time driving from one part of Australia to another, visiting relatives or friends or simply to see what was there. I've lived in Scotland, Malaysia and Greece. We travelled through Europe in a caravan and I'd swum most of the famous rivers in Europe by the time I was eight.
This is me and my classmates in Scotland. I am in the second front row, in the middle, to the right of the girl in the dark tunic.
Sounds like I was raised by gypsies, doesn't it? I was even almost born in a tent --Mum, Dad and 3 children were camping and one day mum left the tent and went to hospital to have me. But in fact we are a family of chalkies (Australian slang for teachers)- and Dad was a school principal during most of my life. And I am an expert in being "the new girl" having been to 6 different schools in 12 years.The last 4 years, however, were in the same high school and I still have my 2 best friends from that time.
No matter where I lived, I read. I devoured whatever I could get my hands on -- old Enid Blyton and Mary Grant Bruce books, old schoolboys annuals. I learned history by reading Rosemary Sutcliffe, Henry Treece and Georgette Heyer. I loved animal books -- Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby books and Mary Patchett and Finn the Wolf Hound. And then I read Jane Austen and Dickens and Mary Stewart and Richard Llewellyn and Virginia Woolf and EF Benson and Dick Francis and David Malouf and Patrick White and Doris Lessing and PD James and...the list is never ending.
This is me posing shamelessly on a glacier in New Zealand.
This is me in Greece with my good friend Fay in our village outfits. The film went a funny colour, but you get the idea. I'm the one in the pink apron.
I escaped from my parents, settled down and went to university.To my amazement I became a chalkie myself and found a lot of pleasure in working with teenagers and later, adults. I taught English and worked as a counsellor and helped put on plays and concerts and supervised camps and encouraged other people to write but never did much myself. It took a year of backpacking around the world to find that my early desire to write hadn't left me, it had just got buried under a busy and demanding job.
I wrote my first novel on notebooks bought in Quebec, Spain, Greece and Indonesia. That story never made it out of the notebooks, but I'd been bitten by the writing bug.
My friends and I formed a band called Platform Souls a
In case you imagine we were a filthy rich horse-owning family, let me assure you we weren't. The horse period was a time when my parents entered a "let's-be-self-sufficient" phase, so we had a horse, but no electricity and all our water came from the rain tank.
As well as the horse and dogs, we had 2 cows (Buttercup and Daisy and one of them always had a calf), a sheep (Woolly,) goats (Billy and Nanny) dozens of ducks, chooks, and a couple of geese, a pet bluetongue lizard and a huge vegie patch. I don't know how my mother managed, really, because both she and Dad taught full time, but she came home and cooked on a wood stove and did all the laundry by hand, boiling the clothes and sheets in a big copper kettle. Somehow, we were always warm, clean, well fed and happy. She's pretty amazing, my mum.
Once I learned to read, I spent my days outside playing with the animals (I include my brother and 2 sisters here) and when inside I read. For most of my childhood we didn't have TV, so books have always been a big part of my life. Luckily our house was always full of them. Travel was also a big part of my childhood. My parents had itchy feet. We spent a lot of time driving from one part of Australia to another, visiting relatives or friends or simply to see what was there. I've lived in Scotland, Malaysia and Greece. We travelled through Europe in a caravan and I'd swum most of the famous rivers in Europe by the time I was eight.
This is me and my classmates in Scotland. I am in the second front row, in the middle, to the right of the girl in the dark tunic.
Sounds like I was raised by gypsies, doesn't it? I was even almost born in a tent --Mum, Dad and 3 children were camping and one day mum left the tent and went to hospital to have me. But in fact we are a family of chalkies (Australian slang for teachers)- and Dad was a school principal during most of my life. And I am an expert in being "the new girl" having been to 6 different schools in 12 years.The last 4 years, however, were in the same high school and I still have my 2 best friends from that time.
No matter where I lived, I read. I devoured whatever I could get my hands on -- old Enid Blyton and Mary Grant Bruce books, old schoolboys annuals. I learned history by reading Rosemary Sutcliffe, Henry Treece and Georgette Heyer. I loved animal books -- Elyne Mitchell's Silver Brumby books and Mary Patchett and Finn the Wolf Hound. And then I read Jane Austen and Dickens and Mary Stewart and Richard Llewellyn and Virginia Woolf and EF Benson and Dick Francis and David Malouf and Patrick White and Doris Lessing and PD James and...the list is never ending.
This is me posing shamelessly on a glacier in New Zealand.
This is me in Greece with my good friend Fay in our village outfits. The film went a funny colour, but you get the idea. I'm the one in the pink apron.
I escaped from my parents, settled down and went to university.To my amazement I became a chalkie myself and found a lot of pleasure in working with teenagers and later, adults. I taught English and worked as a counsellor and helped put on plays and concerts and supervised camps and encouraged other people to write but never did much myself. It took a year of backpacking around the world to find that my early desire to write hadn't left me, it had just got buried under a busy and demanding job.
I wrote my first novel on notebooks bought in Quebec, Spain, Greece and Indonesia. That story never made it out of the notebooks, but I'd been bitten by the writing bug.
My friends and I formed a band called Platform Souls a
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
February 11, 2017
I did like this book. It was funny and cute. But, you don't want to hear about that. Let's talk about what I didn't like. That's much more fun!
So, Grace, the youngest sister in this series has finally grown up and is looking forward to getting her fortune so that she can travel. But, her best friend, Melly, is contracted into marriage with a man she's never met and begs Grace to disguise herself as her companion to meet this guy and find a way out of the marriage. Grace dyes her hair brown, and puts fake henna freckles all over her face to dim her great beauty. Let the eye-rolling commence!!
Yeah, poor you.
Dominic, the man in question, meets Grace and decides immediately that she will be his mistress. Ya know, cuz he's getting married and all.
Plus, she's the help. You don't marry the help. You pressure them with your unwanted sexual advances.
Gimme a break. Sometimes I don't have any money to tip them with.
And, that is my first complaint. There is some dubious consent going on here. I say dubious because she always gives in to his manliness, but still. Dude! And, sheesh, I really don't buy that some guy kisses you and you lose all sense of reality, space, and time. Unless Dr. Who is kissing you, I guess. Then, it might make sense.
And, what's her deal anyway? Her bff is engaged to this guy and she's fooling around with him at every turn? Also, how is it that this chick is still a virgin when she's willing to just give it away so quickly and easily? Her virginity survived for less time than a box of cookies in my house. That's a really short amount of time - in case you were wondering. Sometimes when cookies come home from the store, I look in the cupboard later and wonder if I was just imagining we had them in the first place.
And, about the "best friend". Not only is Grace a shitty best friend for screwing the fiance, but Melly is horrible. She's inept, stupid, weak, a cry-baby, and spoiled. I have a hard time believing these two were ever friends in the first place.
And, the "love story"? There was never really a falling in love thing going on at all. The couple fell in lust with each other, not love. They never had a real conversation. It was all just groping and gasping every time they were together. He didn't even bat an eye when she told him her real name - long after they had sex. Here's a good rule for life: don't fuck someone who doesn't know your name. I know, it sounds radical, and maybe a bit old-fashioned.... oh wait, this book is supposed to be set in old-fashioned days.... So, I guess this is a fresh, new idea.
Other than those things, I really liked this book.
So, Grace, the youngest sister in this series has finally grown up and is looking forward to getting her fortune so that she can travel. But, her best friend, Melly, is contracted into marriage with a man she's never met and begs Grace to disguise herself as her companion to meet this guy and find a way out of the marriage. Grace dyes her hair brown, and puts fake henna freckles all over her face to dim her great beauty. Let the eye-rolling commence!!
Yeah, poor you.
Dominic, the man in question, meets Grace and decides immediately that she will be his mistress. Ya know, cuz he's getting married and all.
Plus, she's the help. You don't marry the help. You pressure them with your unwanted sexual advances.
Gimme a break. Sometimes I don't have any money to tip them with.
And, that is my first complaint. There is some dubious consent going on here. I say dubious because she always gives in to his manliness, but still. Dude! And, sheesh, I really don't buy that some guy kisses you and you lose all sense of reality, space, and time. Unless Dr. Who is kissing you, I guess. Then, it might make sense.
And, what's her deal anyway? Her bff is engaged to this guy and she's fooling around with him at every turn? Also, how is it that this chick is still a virgin when she's willing to just give it away so quickly and easily? Her virginity survived for less time than a box of cookies in my house. That's a really short amount of time - in case you were wondering. Sometimes when cookies come home from the store, I look in the cupboard later and wonder if I was just imagining we had them in the first place.
And, about the "best friend". Not only is Grace a shitty best friend for screwing the fiance, but Melly is horrible. She's inept, stupid, weak, a cry-baby, and spoiled. I have a hard time believing these two were ever friends in the first place.
And, the "love story"? There was never really a falling in love thing going on at all. The couple fell in lust with each other, not love. They never had a real conversation. It was all just groping and gasping every time they were together. He didn't even bat an eye when she told him her real name - long after they had sex. Here's a good rule for life: don't fuck someone who doesn't know your name. I know, it sounds radical, and maybe a bit old-fashioned.... oh wait, this book is supposed to be set in old-fashioned days.... So, I guess this is a fresh, new idea.
Other than those things, I really liked this book.
October 27, 2014
Grace ~disguises herself as a companion to her bff Melly while on her way to meet Melly's fiance, Dominic. Dominic is unmoved by Melly but gets hotpants over the companion. That's literally the entire book. Dom has hotpants over Grace. Grace has hotpants over Dom. Exit left, pursued by a bear.
1. WOW Katie pretty much summed it up when she said, "This is a story about two people who fall into lust." There's no real sense of connection between them: just a lot of burning loins. And it's distracting in a way, because there's a lot of other stuff going on, like the fact that she's there to stop him from marrying her friend! And her friend's dad might be dying! The castle is falling apart!
Meanwhile, Dom's got like a backlog of Trauma to deal with before he makes any kind of good partner, but it kind of just gets hand-waved away. Grace doesn't even get to flee him properly because he's just there, in her space, telling her how things are going to play out. :\
2. Harassment =/= sensual / sexy / seductive. The fact that he kisses Grace right off is really obnoxious and worrying. Then he keeps telling her that he's going to make her his mistress--even though Grace clearly wants none of it. And the bathing pool scene! FORCING YOUR ATTENTIONS LIKE THAT IS NOT ATTRACTIVE OR GOOD OR ANY OF THAT: IT'S GROSS.
3. There was a streak of polyamory in this that made feel all aflutter. Not that I minded; I just wasn't expecting it from a straight historical!
1. WOW Katie pretty much summed it up when she said, "This is a story about two people who fall into lust." There's no real sense of connection between them: just a lot of burning loins. And it's distracting in a way, because there's a lot of other stuff going on, like the fact that she's there to stop him from marrying her friend! And her friend's dad might be dying! The castle is falling apart!
Meanwhile, Dom's got like a backlog of Trauma to deal with before he makes any kind of good partner, but it kind of just gets hand-waved away. Grace doesn't even get to flee him properly because he's just there, in her space, telling her how things are going to play out. :\
2. Harassment =/= sensual / sexy / seductive. The fact that he kisses Grace right off is really obnoxious and worrying. Then he keeps telling her that he's going to make her his mistress--even though Grace clearly wants none of it. And the bathing pool scene! FORCING YOUR ATTENTIONS LIKE THAT IS NOT ATTRACTIVE OR GOOD OR ANY OF THAT: IT'S GROSS.
3. There was a streak of polyamory in this that made feel all aflutter. Not that I minded; I just wasn't expecting it from a straight historical!
February 28, 2016
The worst book of this writer, very disappointing. For the entire novel, there are sexual tension and innuendos instead of the plot. No characters. No actions. Just kisses and lewd thoughts galore, a couple or more of bed scenes, and my pet peeve – the instant and irresistible lust. The heroine shags her best friend’s fiancé without even a glimmer of remorse, and he seduces her without compunction too. They both should’ve been ashamed of themselves, the way they acted like rutting beasts in heat.
I so looked forward to this book – and it was so disheartening to read this empty trash. As if a different writer wrote it, not the one I admired so much in all her other novels. I was ready to weep in frustration. I was ready to DNF it too but decided to stick to the end. I hoped the ending might be better. Sadly, it wasn’t. The heroes didn’t even solve their problem – someone else came along and solved it for them, giving them their happily-ever-after on a silver platter.
It might be an okay book for those who like lots of sex in their reading, but I like STORY, and it wasn’t much of one.
I so looked forward to this book – and it was so disheartening to read this empty trash. As if a different writer wrote it, not the one I admired so much in all her other novels. I was ready to weep in frustration. I was ready to DNF it too but decided to stick to the end. I hoped the ending might be better. Sadly, it wasn’t. The heroes didn’t even solve their problem – someone else came along and solved it for them, giving them their happily-ever-after on a silver platter.
It might be an okay book for those who like lots of sex in their reading, but I like STORY, and it wasn’t much of one.
October 9, 2012
I'm so disappointed I want to cry. I had to skim to finish the book. The only funny scene is the one with uncle Oswald at the end of the 20th chapter, so if you can brace yourself and get there, it will be worth it.
I'm not a great fan of love triangle or false identities plots. The big misunderstanding dragged for too long, and I felt like Grace was every bit of a hussy to fool around with her friend's fiancee (never mind Melly was not in love with Dominic - this was just not ok).
When Grace finally reveals her big secret to Dominic, he's not that impressed. He is only thinking about kissing her again. Shouldn't he be shocked? She lied to him for a really long time...
Again I felt like H/h were mistaking lust for love. It's a shame that the wonderful character of Grace got wasted on a not so good storyline.
I'm not a great fan of love triangle or false identities plots. The big misunderstanding dragged for too long, and I felt like Grace was every bit of a hussy to fool around with her friend's fiancee (never mind Melly was not in love with Dominic - this was just not ok).
When Grace finally reveals her big secret to Dominic, he's not that impressed. He is only thinking about kissing her again. Shouldn't he be shocked? She lied to him for a really long time...
Again I felt like H/h were mistaking lust for love. It's a shame that the wonderful character of Grace got wasted on a not so good storyline.
August 21, 2016
The Perfect Kiss is the last story in The Merridew Sisters series. It should have been at least as good as the other three.
The good: Dominic's story and his actions towards the end. The villagers were a nice touch too.
The uncomfortable (for me): the talk of the marriage to Melly went too far into the book. This isn't a love triangle story, though. Dominic's way of thinking is explained.
The bad: Melly and her father. I hated these two. The only reason we know Melly is Grace's best friend is because we are told that unbelievable tidbit. Judging from the book, though, Melly is a spineless and selfish child. But she is good, you know, because she cries a lot.
The worst: the harem. It doesn't matter in what context or when it happens in the book. It was eye-roll worthy.
I know I might be nit-picking, but I dislike (an understatement if there ever was one) sheik-like stories and harems in my romantic fiction. I know that to some readers it seems exotic or whatnot, but to me, it simply isn't.
The good: Dominic's story and his actions towards the end. The villagers were a nice touch too.
The uncomfortable (for me): the talk of the marriage to Melly went too far into the book. This isn't a love triangle story, though. Dominic's way of thinking is explained.
The bad: Melly and her father. I hated these two. The only reason we know Melly is Grace's best friend is because we are told that unbelievable tidbit. Judging from the book, though, Melly is a spineless and selfish child. But she is good, you know, because she cries a lot.
The worst: the harem. It doesn't matter in what context or when it happens in the book. It was eye-roll worthy.
I know I might be nit-picking, but I dislike (an understatement if there ever was one) sheik-like stories and harems in my romantic fiction. I know that to some readers it seems exotic or whatnot, but to me, it simply isn't.
December 1, 2014
I'm really glad Gracie's story is the last one because I enjoyed it very much!
Gracie is her usual outspoken self! She tells what she means and doesn't care who she's addressing! I loved that she was true to herself! There was no keeping secrets, no prolem fronting anyone, even Dominic... especially Dominic! :)
Domic was her other half and I liked him very, very much, except when he started with his desire for revenge.
Thank God there is where Gracie comes! And shakes his believes to the foundation! She's always confusing him with her twists and turns. She makes him think beides the apparent. It was wonderful to read!
Gracie is the personification of the Grey Lady of legend! And she makes the legend come true! It was wonderfully done!
A very, very good conclusion of the series! Recommended for all who enjoy a sparky heroine and a hero who, once he understands how things turn (after all he's a man! LOL), becomes the epitom of a true, passionate romantic hero!
Gracie is her usual outspoken self! She tells what she means and doesn't care who she's addressing! I loved that she was true to herself! There was no keeping secrets, no prolem fronting anyone, even Dominic... especially Dominic! :)
Domic was her other half and I liked him very, very much, except when he started with his desire for revenge.
Thank God there is where Gracie comes! And shakes his believes to the foundation! She's always confusing him with her twists and turns. She makes him think beides the apparent. It was wonderful to read!
Gracie is the personification of the Grey Lady of legend! And she makes the legend come true! It was wonderfully done!
A very, very good conclusion of the series! Recommended for all who enjoy a sparky heroine and a hero who, once he understands how things turn (after all he's a man! LOL), becomes the epitom of a true, passionate romantic hero!
November 24, 2021
Beautiful ending to this series!!
May 7, 2013
The Perfect Kiss Is yet another beautiful love story that revolves around Dominic Wolfe:the young aristocratic dole heir of the late Lord Wolfe, whose dying wish was to to destroy Dom's all chances of happiness as a revenge on the young boy's mother,who had left their broken marriage and runaway to the sands of Egypt,instead.
AS instructed by the will,he was only,AND ONLY allowed to inherit the ancestral home once he marries meek,bookish mellie.. which he has no problem in doing until ,that is he meets her lady's maid, young Miss Greystroke , who is actually the beautiful,rich heiress Miss grace merridew. disguised and determined to break the unfortunate bethroal as well..
What i thought about this book ?
after being a huge fan of #1 the perfect rake,and then being thoroughly disappointed with #2 the perfect waltz..i was really glad to say this didn't dissapoint either.
with both solid plot and great characters,this book was captivating and fun read from page one...i think its safe to say that i have come to love and cherish both Grace and Dominic as much as i did with Prudence and Gideon.
Why should you read this ?
this book was fun and entertaing read with the perfect blend of romance and angst,that Dominic's past and Grace's charm brings to it.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To all fans of the merridew series and those looking for a sweet afternoon romance read :)
AS instructed by the will,he was only,AND ONLY allowed to inherit the ancestral home once he marries meek,bookish mellie.. which he has no problem in doing until ,that is he meets her lady's maid, young Miss Greystroke , who is actually the beautiful,rich heiress Miss grace merridew. disguised and determined to break the unfortunate bethroal as well..
What i thought about this book ?
after being a huge fan of #1 the perfect rake,and then being thoroughly disappointed with #2 the perfect waltz..i was really glad to say this didn't dissapoint either.
with both solid plot and great characters,this book was captivating and fun read from page one...i think its safe to say that i have come to love and cherish both Grace and Dominic as much as i did with Prudence and Gideon.
Why should you read this ?
this book was fun and entertaing read with the perfect blend of romance and angst,that Dominic's past and Grace's charm brings to it.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To all fans of the merridew series and those looking for a sweet afternoon romance read :)
February 14, 2024
I FINALLY finished this book!!! It literally took me half a year to force myself to listen to a few minutes a week. If this wasn't part of my Series Challenge, I wouldn't have bothered. In my opinion, book 1 of the series is the best; but books 2 and 3 were both good. I would not recommend trying to finish the series. Neither the hero nor the heroine were likable. They were liars and selfish with little morals. I don't buy them falling in love - just lust. I didn't enjoy the triangle with Grace's best friend / his fiancée. The last couple minutes were the best - when the wronged tenant was set free, given land in New Wales, and his family planned to sail there.
October 27, 2018
Here are some of my thoughts:
• The romance was kinda eh. It took a long while to get to the development/depth part.
• However, I do very much enjoy the plot about Dominic helping and learning to care for the people on the land who have been driven to poverty due to his family’s neglect. There are some moving moments, especially as he faces these people who knew his mother and loved her.
• Dominic’s background was so sad and I liked that we got to see how he struggled with accepting the people and the land because of the bitter memories attached to them.
• I like Grace, but I kinda thought I would like her more. Hhm… I don’t REALLY blame her for falling in love with Dominic, her best friend’s fiancé because both Dominic and Melly have given no pretense that they would have any sort of relationship. They would marry and live a separate life with no friendship or sexual relations with each other. They (Grace, Dominic, and Melly) are all even hoping that the marriage would not happen but Melly’s father would not allow it. However, still, I think it’s weird how Grace repeatedly kisses Dominic (and eventually has sex with him) when towards the middle/end, it has become clear to them that Melly’s father won’t change his mind and they intend to go on with the wedding. It is problematic because if she continues to do these things with him – what if she gets pregnant? I mean it’s a good thing Dominic never intends to have sex with Melly so it’s not like he’s cheating in that sense, but it IS messed up that Grace knows Melly’s biggest dream is to have babies, but Grace risks having a baby with Dominic. That’s a bit shady to think that your best friend who is your husband’s lover is going to have a baby with him, but you aren’t. I’m not saying that Dominic should give Melly babies because the situation is already convoluted, but Grace should have been a bit more thoughtful about that IF they all thought Melly and Dominic were really going to get married. Also, I’m not putting the blame on Grace solely. They’re all at blame here – Melly could’ve been stronger with her dad (although he’s dying so I can see why she’ll be a pushover) and even more so, Dominic – who.. what the fuck is he doing flirting and kissing and doing more with his intended’s “servant”/friend. And he wasn’t a bit sorry about pursuing her the whole time, ugh.
• I love the family moments and seeing all the sisters and their husbands again. This is the best epilogue yet. Also, I would have liked to see Grace and Prudence’s talk instead of a vague reiteration of what Grace told Prudence. Prudence is her “mother figure,” so I want to see their bond in real time.
Overall, I like it. There are some heartwarming moments. I may have teared up a bit. However, the romance lacks development and is a bit messed up. I have to say that of the 4 books in this series, this romance is possibly the most boring. Still, I like how the book concludes. I’m giving this 3 stars
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
• The romance was kinda eh. It took a long while to get to the development/depth part.
• However, I do very much enjoy the plot about Dominic helping and learning to care for the people on the land who have been driven to poverty due to his family’s neglect. There are some moving moments, especially as he faces these people who knew his mother and loved her.
• Dominic’s background was so sad and I liked that we got to see how he struggled with accepting the people and the land because of the bitter memories attached to them.
• I like Grace, but I kinda thought I would like her more. Hhm… I don’t REALLY blame her for falling in love with Dominic, her best friend’s fiancé because both Dominic and Melly have given no pretense that they would have any sort of relationship. They would marry and live a separate life with no friendship or sexual relations with each other. They (Grace, Dominic, and Melly) are all even hoping that the marriage would not happen but Melly’s father would not allow it. However, still, I think it’s weird how Grace repeatedly kisses Dominic (and eventually has sex with him) when towards the middle/end, it has become clear to them that Melly’s father won’t change his mind and they intend to go on with the wedding. It is problematic because if she continues to do these things with him – what if she gets pregnant? I mean it’s a good thing Dominic never intends to have sex with Melly so it’s not like he’s cheating in that sense, but it IS messed up that Grace knows Melly’s biggest dream is to have babies, but Grace risks having a baby with Dominic. That’s a bit shady to think that your best friend who is your husband’s lover is going to have a baby with him, but you aren’t. I’m not saying that Dominic should give Melly babies because the situation is already convoluted, but Grace should have been a bit more thoughtful about that IF they all thought Melly and Dominic were really going to get married. Also, I’m not putting the blame on Grace solely. They’re all at blame here – Melly could’ve been stronger with her dad (although he’s dying so I can see why she’ll be a pushover) and even more so, Dominic – who.. what the fuck is he doing flirting and kissing and doing more with his intended’s “servant”/friend. And he wasn’t a bit sorry about pursuing her the whole time, ugh.
• I love the family moments and seeing all the sisters and their husbands again. This is the best epilogue yet. Also, I would have liked to see Grace and Prudence’s talk instead of a vague reiteration of what Grace told Prudence. Prudence is her “mother figure,” so I want to see their bond in real time.
Overall, I like it. There are some heartwarming moments. I may have teared up a bit. However, the romance lacks development and is a bit messed up. I have to say that of the 4 books in this series, this romance is possibly the most boring. Still, I like how the book concludes. I’m giving this 3 stars
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
October 1, 2023
Gracie Merridew’s story is a corker. When first met she was a little girl who kicked her brother-in-law from time to time. He called her Limb. Now she’s older, not expecting love but it finds a way. Loved every minute of it.
May 23, 2023
This fourth and final book in Anne Gracie’s Merridew Sisters Quartet was the weakest book in the series but it was still a fun and enjoyable read. Anne Gracie remains one of my favourite romance authors!
We followed the youngest Merridew sister, Grace, in this one. She is now grown up and pondering travelling the world but before that she needs to help a friend avoid an unhappy arranged marriage!
The story was fun. It had the usual mix of humour and romance and it had easy to likeable characters that felt like real people with flaws but who were still very easy to root for and get behind.
All in all I enjoyed this one. A fun romcom with a bit of heart in the story.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Heather Wilds. She was great. Another narrator who is fast becoming a new favourite of mine.
We followed the youngest Merridew sister, Grace, in this one. She is now grown up and pondering travelling the world but before that she needs to help a friend avoid an unhappy arranged marriage!
The story was fun. It had the usual mix of humour and romance and it had easy to likeable characters that felt like real people with flaws but who were still very easy to root for and get behind.
All in all I enjoyed this one. A fun romcom with a bit of heart in the story.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Heather Wilds. She was great. Another narrator who is fast becoming a new favourite of mine.
May 30, 2012
While I'm a fan of the first three installments of the Merridew Sisters saga (and a huge fan of the first, The Perfect Rake), The Perfect Kiss just didn't do it for me. The plot at this point is redundant since it was used in all three predecessor books, and I had a rather difficult time connecting with Grace as I found her to be rather dull. Dominic came off as kind of creepy. Don't get me wrong, I generally liked him as a character, but there were times that I just sort of wanted a carriage and four to run over his head.
That wasn't very nice, was it? Ah, well.
Everything is wrapped up rather too quickly for me, and the complications regarding the ownership of Wolfestone being tied up in Dominic's betrothal to Melly wasn't properly explained. I did finally sort it out for myself, but for an author to tie that many knots into a story and then tell the reader they've all been sorted out without showing us how is a bit....well, rude.
Still, there are worse. I reserve my one stars for truly deserving books, and I don't think The Perfect Kiss is one of those....but it definitely didn't get my chicken kickin'.
That wasn't very nice, was it? Ah, well.
Everything is wrapped up rather too quickly for me, and the complications regarding the ownership of Wolfestone being tied up in Dominic's betrothal to Melly wasn't properly explained. I did finally sort it out for myself, but for an author to tie that many knots into a story and then tell the reader they've all been sorted out without showing us how is a bit....well, rude.
Still, there are worse. I reserve my one stars for truly deserving books, and I don't think The Perfect Kiss is one of those....but it definitely didn't get my chicken kickin'.
September 29, 2022
Reread 09/2022
I liked it, but wasn't as impressed as reading it for the first time.
3,5 stars.
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04/2021
Wonderful, a perfect romance. I loved Grace's story as much as Prue's story -they're both my favorites in this series. I loved the banter between Grace and Dominic, I loved how they got to know each other, how they fell in love and believed in their love without much angst or drama surronding them. A beautiful historical romance. 5 stars.
I liked it, but wasn't as impressed as reading it for the first time.
3,5 stars.
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04/2021
Wonderful, a perfect romance. I loved Grace's story as much as Prue's story -they're both my favorites in this series. I loved the banter between Grace and Dominic, I loved how they got to know each other, how they fell in love and believed in their love without much angst or drama surronding them. A beautiful historical romance. 5 stars.
January 13, 2016
DNF at pg 62. A "hero" that despicable set on sexually harassing our heroine no matter what is not worth any more of my time.
January 30, 2019
Just lovely all around. How did I miss this 4th volume when I read the other books in the series?
May 14, 2014
wow the whole series was simply breath taking... i enjoyed absolutely every book in this series... loved absolutely every hero :D and heroine too xD what fascinated me the most is that every hero and heroine was so different from others. all of them were individuals and all of them and really different stories too.
Prudence had a perfect rake for a husband and some scary encounters with her grandfather.
Charity had a calm totally unrakelikely duke and pretty calm love story too xD (she was a side story of Pru)
Hope fell in love with a mystery of a man of whom nobody really knew anything... he was built like a working class man and had a history of working in mills too...
Faith fell in love with a soldier... mm i think i love their story the most! and she was a runaway in France...
Grace's story was very sweet as well... and her husband learned to love her while thinking that she was a lady's companion xD Dominic was an aristocrat who lived more then half his life i think abroad with his mother...
all in all i love these books so very much! they were real gems which I found absolutely accidentally and am absolutely glad i did!!!
Prudence had a perfect rake for a husband and some scary encounters with her grandfather.
Charity had a calm totally unrakelikely duke and pretty calm love story too xD (she was a side story of Pru)
Hope fell in love with a mystery of a man of whom nobody really knew anything... he was built like a working class man and had a history of working in mills too...
Faith fell in love with a soldier... mm i think i love their story the most! and she was a runaway in France...
Grace's story was very sweet as well... and her husband learned to love her while thinking that she was a lady's companion xD Dominic was an aristocrat who lived more then half his life i think abroad with his mother...
all in all i love these books so very much! they were real gems which I found absolutely accidentally and am absolutely glad i did!!!
October 5, 2014
This is a story about two people who fall into lust.
Yeah, they say "I love you" and all, but the descriptions were about their intense physical attraction, not really about what they LIKE about each other. And when they meet, he thinks he's a servant and grabs her and kisses her and . . . yeah, that's an uncomfortable power dynamic.
Plus, the obstacle ended up being kind of silly. It started out okay, but it shouldn't have stayed an obstacle for as long as it did. (Though it's not really "long," at all, as everything happened too quickly.)
And I like that Gracie includes secondary romances, but they just don't get enough page time.
Yeah, they say "I love you" and all, but the descriptions were about their intense physical attraction, not really about what they LIKE about each other. And when they meet, he thinks he's a servant and grabs her and kisses her and . . . yeah, that's an uncomfortable power dynamic.
Plus, the obstacle ended up being kind of silly. It started out okay, but it shouldn't have stayed an obstacle for as long as it did. (Though it's not really "long," at all, as everything happened too quickly.)
And I like that Gracie includes secondary romances, but they just don't get enough page time.
June 9, 2019
I think I might need a new shelf here on Goodreads: Heroes I Hate. I don't know if Dominic Wolfe will top the list, but he certainly will make top 40.
Grace was one of the only decent things about The Perfect Rake so I went against my better judgement and read her romance. She was fine. Her lover boy was a pushy jerk who couldn't take no as an answer. I hate his type.
Not a redeemable story but well-written...except for the hero!
Grace was one of the only decent things about The Perfect Rake so I went against my better judgement and read her romance. She was fine. Her lover boy was a pushy jerk who couldn't take no as an answer. I hate his type.
Not a redeemable story but well-written...except for the hero!
June 20, 2016
While I do have a couple of misgivings about certain interactions between Wolfe and Grace, I liked them well enough in the end. Enough to get emotional!
March 25, 2021
4 stars - Historical Romance
September 27, 2021
What on earth happened here? The previous three books in this series were all solidly enjoyable romances, but somehow the romance in this is utterly absent, with characters who do things for reasons I can't follow.
The set-up is well enough: angsty hero is forcibly betrothed to a woman he's never met in his father's will. He has to marry her to inherit crumbling castle! Heroine is his betrothed's BFF, who disguises herself as a servant to accompany BFF to the hero's crumbling castle, with the plan that she will help Betrothed get out of the situation.
And then... there's no actual romance? Literally 100% of the hero and heroine's interactions consist of him trying to have sex with her and her weakly resisting. Which is quite skeezy, given he thinks she's a servant he can effectively rape without consequence? He has zero respect for her refusals, so bloody lucky she does eventually decide she's into it, isn't it? Deeply unsexy.
At about 70% of the way through the book, heroine gives in to his sexual harassment. It doesn't seem bother her that he (a) still doesn't know who she is (b) expresses no desire to marry her (c) can't actually marry her, since he's engaged to her BFF and (d) is apparently the kind of lord who is happy to take advantage of a servant. She doesn't think about the future between them at all or like, what might happen if she gets pregnant?
I have no idea why I should be rooting for this sexual harasser hero and too-stupid-to-live heroine to get together. Do they have anything in common? Who knows?! They've never talked about anything other than sex! The secondary romance is similarly weak, but at least the two characters involved are slightly more likeable (the unwanted Betrothed and hero's impoverished friend).
The only thing I was actually invested in was renovating the crumbling castle and the villagers. Did not care about the main characters at all, so abandoning this one at 70%.
The set-up is well enough: angsty hero is forcibly betrothed to a woman he's never met in his father's will. He has to marry her to inherit crumbling castle! Heroine is his betrothed's BFF, who disguises herself as a servant to accompany BFF to the hero's crumbling castle, with the plan that she will help Betrothed get out of the situation.
And then... there's no actual romance? Literally 100% of the hero and heroine's interactions consist of him trying to have sex with her and her weakly resisting. Which is quite skeezy, given he thinks she's a servant he can effectively rape without consequence? He has zero respect for her refusals, so bloody lucky she does eventually decide she's into it, isn't it? Deeply unsexy.
At about 70% of the way through the book, heroine gives in to his sexual harassment. It doesn't seem bother her that he (a) still doesn't know who she is (b) expresses no desire to marry her (c) can't actually marry her, since he's engaged to her BFF and (d) is apparently the kind of lord who is happy to take advantage of a servant. She doesn't think about the future between them at all or like, what might happen if she gets pregnant?
I have no idea why I should be rooting for this sexual harasser hero and too-stupid-to-live heroine to get together. Do they have anything in common? Who knows?! They've never talked about anything other than sex! The secondary romance is similarly weak, but at least the two characters involved are slightly more likeable (the unwanted Betrothed and hero's impoverished friend).
The only thing I was actually invested in was renovating the crumbling castle and the villagers. Did not care about the main characters at all, so abandoning this one at 70%.
February 6, 2012
DNf because I was so annoyed by the characters.
The hero is an asshat. He thinks it is ok to seduce the hired companion of his fiancee. Not only betraying his (admittedly not romantic) promise to his fiancee, which is one thing, but also aggressively going after a servant, who is not really in a position to say no. And when she does, he completely ignores her. I kept waiting for her to draw her knife or chuck boiling water at him. Instead she sighs at his kisses and thinks they 'sizzle'.
And she had so much potential, too! Whenever he wasn't on page, she was independent and resourceful. He arrives and she melts.
And after he has - multiple times - kissed her without her consent, her problem with him is that he sees marriage as a business arrangement. Not that he would take advantage of a female without defenses -no, no, he doesn't believe in love! Oh, the horror!
My biggest problem was that the heroine did NOT have a problem with his behaviour. Had she taken him to task, it would have made for interesting conflict -and Grace has the mettle for it, too. But instead she has that special romance novel heroine idiocy brought on by a handsome man's kisses. Sigh. What a waste of a good heroine.
The book hit the wall and I didn't finish, because I saw absolutely no indication that the author saw a problem with the hero's behaviour and intended to redeem him later. I got the clear impression that we should find his forceful nature romantic - after all, even if she says no, she totally wants it.
I have great admiration for Anne Gracie - she is usually very adept at creating likable and interesting characters - but this one did not work for me at all.
The hero is an asshat. He thinks it is ok to seduce the hired companion of his fiancee. Not only betraying his (admittedly not romantic) promise to his fiancee, which is one thing, but also aggressively going after a servant, who is not really in a position to say no. And when she does, he completely ignores her. I kept waiting for her to draw her knife or chuck boiling water at him. Instead she sighs at his kisses and thinks they 'sizzle'.
And she had so much potential, too! Whenever he wasn't on page, she was independent and resourceful. He arrives and she melts.
And after he has - multiple times - kissed her without her consent, her problem with him is that he sees marriage as a business arrangement. Not that he would take advantage of a female without defenses -no, no, he doesn't believe in love! Oh, the horror!
My biggest problem was that the heroine did NOT have a problem with his behaviour. Had she taken him to task, it would have made for interesting conflict -and Grace has the mettle for it, too. But instead she has that special romance novel heroine idiocy brought on by a handsome man's kisses. Sigh. What a waste of a good heroine.
The book hit the wall and I didn't finish, because I saw absolutely no indication that the author saw a problem with the hero's behaviour and intended to redeem him later. I got the clear impression that we should find his forceful nature romantic - after all, even if she says no, she totally wants it.
I have great admiration for Anne Gracie - she is usually very adept at creating likable and interesting characters - but this one did not work for me at all.
March 16, 2022
After adoring the three other books in the series, I fricking hated this book. Dominic “never heard of consent” Wolfe and Grace literally have zero emotional connection whatsoever. It’s literally just lust. He never once asked her about being an orphan, or what her family is like, or how she came to be such an odd paid companion. And Grace never expresses concern that everything Dominic knows about her is a lie. She doesn’t care, because it’s only about sex for them, and I hate it! And I HATE HATE HATE how many times Grace told him “no” just to immediately, completely backtrack just because he pressed her despite her refusal. I despised the way he just did whatever he wanted to her and I was praying for her to slap the little shit. And when he PROMISED her NO FUNNY BUSINESS, and then takes her to a HAREM and takes her virginity!? UUUUUUGH. I hate him. And speaking of harems, the weird approval of polygyny in this book? There are two different harems, which are portrayed positivity, and Abdul is banging all three Tickel sisters, at once. So, incest in addition to misogyny. It’s honestly gross.
I was so close to DNFing with 50 pages left, is how much I hated this story.
I was so close to DNFing with 50 pages left, is how much I hated this story.
April 1, 2020
Grace’s story, the youngest Merridew sister. I absolutely loved the first book, but the next two were not as good, IMO. However, I really liked The Perfect Kiss.
There were some plot contradictions and a fair amount of Insta-Lust, which is often off-putting to me, but I did really enjoy the story. Dominic’s background was explained well enough to justify his attitude toward the estate. There was an ancient “Grey Lady” legend that was once popular in HR but now seems pretty cheesy. I loved Frey, Dominic’s school friend and new vicar at the village church. I liked all the bits about the villagers and cleaning the house - IDK, maybe it was because I am sick and feverish, but I really enjoyed this one. Not 5-star worthy, but good.
There were some plot contradictions and a fair amount of Insta-Lust, which is often off-putting to me, but I did really enjoy the story. Dominic’s background was explained well enough to justify his attitude toward the estate. There was an ancient “Grey Lady” legend that was once popular in HR but now seems pretty cheesy. I loved Frey, Dominic’s school friend and new vicar at the village church. I liked all the bits about the villagers and cleaning the house - IDK, maybe it was because I am sick and feverish, but I really enjoyed this one. Not 5-star worthy, but good.
April 14, 2021
Well... this one didn’t hold up. Too many “forced/taken” kisses. Way too much intimacy under assumed identity. Stupid obstacles. Convoluted. Some late family time DID NOT redeem this. Grace deserved a much better story, with more family appearances. No wonder I had completely forgotten what happened in this one.
October 4, 2015
A wonderful book that I enjoyed very much. 4 stars and a great way to end the series.
June 12, 2017
The horizon all around me
breathed out perfume
announcing her arrival
as the fragrance precedes a flower.
IBN SAFR AL-MARINI, POET OF ANDALUSIA
breathed out perfume
announcing her arrival
as the fragrance precedes a flower.
IBN SAFR AL-MARINI, POET OF ANDALUSIA
August 3, 2020
On to the last book in the series, and my least favorite of the stories in the Merridew series, The Perfect Kiss (2007). Another series book which suffers from being the last one. Authors seem to run out of steam when they get to the last one. I think they are trying too hard to finish their old series so they can start a new one. But that's just my theory.
This book contains one of my least favorite themes: an aristocratic woman who dyes her hair and disguises herself as a servant. I'm not too fond of characters disguising themselves. On top of the disguise theme, I never understood how the disguise plan worked. Grace Merridew’s plan didn’t make any sense. I know that will come as a surprise to you. Let’s look at her plan, shall we?
Grace and Melly's plan. Grace's best friend, Melly is being forced into a marriage with Dominic Wolfe. A marriage she doesn't want. Melly doesn't want to marry Dominic because Melly wants to have 500 children and Dominic wants a "white marriage." Evidently a white marriage is a marriage which is never consummated. So, you see, it would be hard to have 500 children if one never had sex with one’s husband. Which is why Grace dresses up as Melly's maid, because being Melly's maid would allow Grace to...to... Ummmm, just what would pretending to be a servant/maid allow one to do??? Let's see...if you were a maid you could comb hair, get dresses out, clean chamber pots. How would that help? There must be some kind of convoluted reason for being disguised as a servant.
So, there's Grace and Melly's odd plan. Then there is Grace's lusting after her best friend’s fiancé, Dominic. Even going so far as to land on a number of whoo-who bases with said best friends’ fiancé. Oh sure, sure, Melly doesn't really have any feelings for Dominic, but still Melly is engaged to the guy. So, sucking the face of Dominic isn't really all that honorable. Then we have Dominic, who is answering the Timothy Toad twitch, whoo-who with someone who isn't his fiancée, and furthermore the person he is twiddling is a servant. I have a problem with men in power having relationships with people who are subservient to them, even if they are pretend domestics.
So, this book pressed a number of my hot buttons from the very beginning, and that made it hard for me to enjoy it. No matter how hard you try to push your personal biases to the background when reading, sometimes they just come flaming out. I was not fond of either Grace or Dominic. Grace's attempt at being a servant was ludicrous, she did things which no servant would ever do. The reason for being a servant made no sense. Then there were the distasteful actions of Grace and Dominic. Regardless of whether Melly and Dominic had any feelings for each other, the actions of Grace and Dominic were dishonorable. I'm not fond of seedy actions from my hero and heroine, the writing in The Perfect Kiss wasn’t developed enough to overcome my hot-buttons.
Bottom-line: loved the first three books in the Merridew sister series, and I do recommend the series. Just remember, in my opinion, the last book in the series - stinker.
This book contains one of my least favorite themes: an aristocratic woman who dyes her hair and disguises herself as a servant. I'm not too fond of characters disguising themselves. On top of the disguise theme, I never understood how the disguise plan worked. Grace Merridew’s plan didn’t make any sense. I know that will come as a surprise to you. Let’s look at her plan, shall we?
Grace and Melly's plan. Grace's best friend, Melly is being forced into a marriage with Dominic Wolfe. A marriage she doesn't want. Melly doesn't want to marry Dominic because Melly wants to have 500 children and Dominic wants a "white marriage." Evidently a white marriage is a marriage which is never consummated. So, you see, it would be hard to have 500 children if one never had sex with one’s husband. Which is why Grace dresses up as Melly's maid, because being Melly's maid would allow Grace to...to... Ummmm, just what would pretending to be a servant/maid allow one to do??? Let's see...if you were a maid you could comb hair, get dresses out, clean chamber pots. How would that help? There must be some kind of convoluted reason for being disguised as a servant.
So, there's Grace and Melly's odd plan. Then there is Grace's lusting after her best friend’s fiancé, Dominic. Even going so far as to land on a number of whoo-who bases with said best friends’ fiancé. Oh sure, sure, Melly doesn't really have any feelings for Dominic, but still Melly is engaged to the guy. So, sucking the face of Dominic isn't really all that honorable. Then we have Dominic, who is answering the Timothy Toad twitch, whoo-who with someone who isn't his fiancée, and furthermore the person he is twiddling is a servant. I have a problem with men in power having relationships with people who are subservient to them, even if they are pretend domestics.
So, this book pressed a number of my hot buttons from the very beginning, and that made it hard for me to enjoy it. No matter how hard you try to push your personal biases to the background when reading, sometimes they just come flaming out. I was not fond of either Grace or Dominic. Grace's attempt at being a servant was ludicrous, she did things which no servant would ever do. The reason for being a servant made no sense. Then there were the distasteful actions of Grace and Dominic. Regardless of whether Melly and Dominic had any feelings for each other, the actions of Grace and Dominic were dishonorable. I'm not fond of seedy actions from my hero and heroine, the writing in The Perfect Kiss wasn’t developed enough to overcome my hot-buttons.
Bottom-line: loved the first three books in the Merridew sister series, and I do recommend the series. Just remember, in my opinion, the last book in the series - stinker.
August 1, 2012
This book is about the youngest of the five Merridew sisters. Grace, the brave, valiant, endearing bloodthirsty child all grown up. Her book should have been the great symphonic ending, the fireworks at the end of a terrific show. Because the other three books were really good, and I couldn't wait for Grace to grow up and have her own romance and HEA.
The book was not bad, because I don't think Anne Gracie can write a bad book. But, it was disappointing because it was just okay. I thought the other three books were better. Also, if this is the last book in the series, I wanted to see more about the other four sisters and their families. Further, as another reviewer mentioned, I also want to know what happened to Cassie and Dorrie. Because of the high caliber of Gracie's writing, I would give this book a 3.5 star rating if it was available. But I was hoping for a better conclusion for Grace, and the series.
The book was not bad, because I don't think Anne Gracie can write a bad book. But, it was disappointing because it was just okay. I thought the other three books were better. Also, if this is the last book in the series, I wanted to see more about the other four sisters and their families. Further, as another reviewer mentioned, I also want to know what happened to Cassie and Dorrie. Because of the high caliber of Gracie's writing, I would give this book a 3.5 star rating if it was available. But I was hoping for a better conclusion for Grace, and the series.
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