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The Perdition Club #4
The Wrong Rake
Harry Standish returns home from Waterloo expecting a quiet reunion with his family. Instead he finds his sister’s reputation ruined and his mother in a state. The culprit: Simon Beaumont, rake, wastrel, and co-owner of the London gaming hell Perdition.
A duel isn't an option. Given Harry's skill it would be little better than a murder. But he means to have it out with Simon and force him—somehow—to undo the damage done to his sister. When he walks through the doors of Perdition, he finds himself out of his depth, in every possible way. Simon isn’t at all what Harry expects. He’s beautiful. Charming. Sly. And, most shockingly, eager for Harry’s attention.
Simon is accustomed to every form of sophisticated debauchery—in fact, he presides over it nightly. But a rough-mannered soldier with no understanding of the rules of London society takes him off guard. Harry may not be Simon’s usual fare, but he’s irresistible.
For Harry, Simon’s his greatest enemy since Napoleon was finally sent packing. Harry’s insistent that Simon undo the damage to his sister’s life. Simon only wants to clear his own name. Until both of them realize there may be more to win, or lose, than reputation…
A duel isn't an option. Given Harry's skill it would be little better than a murder. But he means to have it out with Simon and force him—somehow—to undo the damage done to his sister. When he walks through the doors of Perdition, he finds himself out of his depth, in every possible way. Simon isn’t at all what Harry expects. He’s beautiful. Charming. Sly. And, most shockingly, eager for Harry’s attention.
Simon is accustomed to every form of sophisticated debauchery—in fact, he presides over it nightly. But a rough-mannered soldier with no understanding of the rules of London society takes him off guard. Harry may not be Simon’s usual fare, but he’s irresistible.
For Harry, Simon’s his greatest enemy since Napoleon was finally sent packing. Harry’s insistent that Simon undo the damage to his sister’s life. Simon only wants to clear his own name. Until both of them realize there may be more to win, or lose, than reputation…
126 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2022
100 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Eliot Grayson
42 books1,386 followersEliot's a lifelong Southern California girl, right down to the flip-flops and backyard garden. When she's not writing her next book, you can find her reading, drinking tea, or (more likely) catering to the demands of her kids and ancient, cranky cat.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
Steamy books with delicious tension, heart-wrenching pining, and a hefty dose of action and adventure have always been her jam as a reader. Guess what she writes?
You can catch up with her on Facebook in her reader group, Eliot Grayson's Escape from Reality, or sign up for her newsletter at eliotgrayson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
August 22, 2022
Light on plot. Heavy on insta-love. Can’t say I minded much as it was pretty cute and awfully adorable. I hadn’t read the others in the series and did not feel lost although I will look into them now. This was very short but it still took me forever to read because I simply can’t do it still too much right now. But I’m glad I read this because it made me smile.
August 8, 2022
4.5 Loved it Stars!! ❤️❤️ This was such a surprise little nugget of delight for me. I love M/M historicals and there are very few authors who excel in writing steamy and low-angst in the historical genre. I picked this up based on a few GR reviews.. and although this is the 4th book in the series, the stories are loosely connected and the authors for all the books in the series are different.
The story is too short.. I wish it was longer. 😬 I loved Harry and Simon from their very first meeting through all their hot encounters till their HEA 💕
Highly recommended to all fans of M/M historicals.. 💓
The story is too short.. I wish it was longer. 😬 I loved Harry and Simon from their very first meeting through all their hot encounters till their HEA 💕
Highly recommended to all fans of M/M historicals.. 💓
January 11, 2025
I liked this book very, very much. Witty, entertaining with good main characters and a nice setting and you've got me, I'm intrigued, I'll read the whole series.
🟣 An army major/a gambling (with a twist) club owner
🔵 Bisexual/gay
🟡 25/31
🟢 A very nice cover
🌶️ Good sex scenes, they start off descriptive until the end but become shorter and not as detailed - but satisfying nevertheless; oral, rimming, penetrative; t/b
Perdition club is a gambling hell with a special offer of whores on the side. Men and women who work there are treated well from what I'm seeing and the club owners seem interesting.
Simon is one of them; he's a distinguished, very well put together gentleman who meets Harry, the army major who's been to war for the majority of his life, so when Harry comes to Perdition to have a word with Simon who's supposedly dishonored his sister, they fight, they tussle and hook up all in one.
The whole debacle is funny and entertaining with good dialogues, it gives you two attractive main characters with effortless chemistry who fall for each other almost immediately and then try to solve the puzzle of the slighted sister.
I honestly liked everything about it, my only objection would be Harry coming back to London in the end for Simon and not immediately having a job, but then being offered one at the club - it was unclear where he was living in the meantime when he was basically together with Simon.
Then when he got the job as some sort of a security guard for the club, he refused the salary - another bad decision. So that kind of threw me off, but the rest of it - fantastic.
🟣 An army major/a gambling (with a twist) club owner
🔵 Bisexual/gay
🟡 25/31
🟢 A very nice cover
🌶️ Good sex scenes, they start off descriptive until the end but become shorter and not as detailed - but satisfying nevertheless; oral, rimming, penetrative; t/b
Perdition club is a gambling hell with a special offer of whores on the side. Men and women who work there are treated well from what I'm seeing and the club owners seem interesting.
Simon is one of them; he's a distinguished, very well put together gentleman who meets Harry, the army major who's been to war for the majority of his life, so when Harry comes to Perdition to have a word with Simon who's supposedly dishonored his sister, they fight, they tussle and hook up all in one.
The whole debacle is funny and entertaining with good dialogues, it gives you two attractive main characters with effortless chemistry who fall for each other almost immediately and then try to solve the puzzle of the slighted sister.
I honestly liked everything about it, my only objection would be Harry coming back to London in the end for Simon and not immediately having a job, but then being offered one at the club - it was unclear where he was living in the meantime when he was basically together with Simon.
Then when he got the job as some sort of a security guard for the club, he refused the salary - another bad decision. So that kind of threw me off, but the rest of it - fantastic.
July 26, 2022
I went in expecting not much plot, and was still disappointed.
Like this review says, it reads like the author found a "500 cool historical alternatives for everyday words!" list on buzzfeed and proceeded to use them all. It was very heavy in the beginning, but did calm down later. Still too many. I found this very hard to read because the writing was stilted and frequently had overlong sentences and descriptions. It didn't have flow at all.
The characters managed to get one (1) personality trait each, somewhere among the "sex scene -> day dream about sex scene -> talk about sex scene -> sex scene 2" repeat structure here. It is possible to develop characters and a relationship through sex scenes, but that did not happen here. I also did not like the sex scenes much.
Overall, this fell very flat for me. A La Croix level of plot, just enough to be noticeable, and then tv static.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
Like this review says, it reads like the author found a "500 cool historical alternatives for everyday words!" list on buzzfeed and proceeded to use them all. It was very heavy in the beginning, but did calm down later. Still too many. I found this very hard to read because the writing was stilted and frequently had overlong sentences and descriptions. It didn't have flow at all.
The characters managed to get one (1) personality trait each, somewhere among the "sex scene -> day dream about sex scene -> talk about sex scene -> sex scene 2" repeat structure here. It is possible to develop characters and a relationship through sex scenes, but that did not happen here. I also did not like the sex scenes much.
Overall, this fell very flat for me. A La Croix level of plot, just enough to be noticeable, and then tv static.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
February 2, 2023
An excellent use of the military man Ms Grayson - Bravo!!
September 1, 2022
Well, I'm not sure this is a romance so much as a story of, um, extreme sexual compatibility.
In period dress.
I lapped it up.
In period dress.
I lapped it up.
February 15, 2024
Just okay, but there could have been a bit more to the story. 2.5 stars 🌟
August 23, 2022
I love MF historical fiction and have been reading it since I was a teenager. However, I’ve never care for MM historical romances. I think it’s because it bothers me that the main characters could go to jail for loving each other. Even though this was a very light and funny story that was still something they had to be careful about.
I did love Harry and Simon and thought their solution to the problem of Adam was a good as any other MF story I’ve read.
I did love Harry and Simon and thought their solution to the problem of Adam was a good as any other MF story I’ve read.
July 22, 2022
Wonderful story of Harry Standish, a soldier returned from the war and Simon Beaumont, one of the owners of the Perdition Club, a gaming establishment. Forced together on the task to redeem Harry's sister's reputation, these two are on fire. This enemies to lovers story is one of the best, you don't want to miss reading it.
August 15, 2022
Short and sweet!
I picked this up because I really enjoyed this author’s Mismatched Mates series, but this historical is completely missing the sass from that. It’s still enjoyable but I sure missed the attitude.
I picked this up because I really enjoyed this author’s Mismatched Mates series, but this historical is completely missing the sass from that. It’s still enjoyable but I sure missed the attitude.
July 26, 2022
This was an entertaining read. I’ve not read the other books in the series. I liked how the book flowed and even though there isn’t much aside from the mc’s meeting, arguing and then having sex, if you don’t expect a plot heavy story I think you will enjoy this.
September 12, 2025
Tropes: historical romance, mistaken identity
Feels: 2/5
Steam*: 1.75/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: war veteran MMC
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: once they meet, neither of them are with anyone else.
3.75 stars
Harry is about 25 and he is recently returned from serving in the military for years. He has returned home to find that his sister is in a bit of a scandal that's putting her reputation at risk. A man let her on and then disappeared on her. They didn't have sex, but she still had her reputation damaged. Harry seeks the guy out to yell at him and try to repair his sister's reputation. He turns up at a gambling / prostitution den where Simon Beaumont is known to be because he's a part owner. Harry insults Simon and Simon, 31 and gay, isn't really getting a chance to explain that it wasn't him, it was his brother masquerading as him. Simon decides to convince Harry that it wasn't him by falling to his knees and showing Harry exactly how uninterested in women he is.
Harry had dabbled a little bit with men during his service, so he wasn't scared off. They realize they're very attracted to each other and hook up multiple times. And once they start talking, they figure out a misunderstanding and come up with a way to repair the sister's reputation.
I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction or novellas, but I do quite enjoy this author so I gave it a shot. It was a nice enough novella. It built enough of a story and relationship dynamic in the short life it had. There was an anticipation and a fond affection built. And some humour.
Some notable moments:
"He had returned upstairs eager to receive the apology he knew he deserved, and that he had managed to have faith he would be offered—and to graciously accept said apology as a prelude to said fucking—only to find…a note. With Standish’s direction and a promise to return. But still. A bloody note. One couldn’t get fucked by a piece of paper."
"When he saw Harry, he stopped for a moment, frozen, his mouth open, and Harry’s heart pounded like a kettledrum. Would Simon be glad to see him after all? Had he changed his mind? Had Stewart been mistaken? But then, even across half the room, he saw Simon’s dark eyes soften. It was like the dawn breaking, watching Simon’s wide, mobile mouth curl into a smile, his whole face lighting up. Harry waited, rooted to the floor. He’d wondered if he’d imagined how lovely Simon truly was."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 2/5
Steam*: 1.75/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: HEA
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representation: war veteran MMC
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: once they meet, neither of them are with anyone else.
3.75 stars
Harry is about 25 and he is recently returned from serving in the military for years. He has returned home to find that his sister is in a bit of a scandal that's putting her reputation at risk. A man let her on and then disappeared on her. They didn't have sex, but she still had her reputation damaged. Harry seeks the guy out to yell at him and try to repair his sister's reputation. He turns up at a gambling / prostitution den where Simon Beaumont is known to be because he's a part owner. Harry insults Simon and Simon, 31 and gay, isn't really getting a chance to explain that it wasn't him, it was his brother masquerading as him. Simon decides to convince Harry that it wasn't him by falling to his knees and showing Harry exactly how uninterested in women he is.
Harry had dabbled a little bit with men during his service, so he wasn't scared off. They realize they're very attracted to each other and hook up multiple times. And once they start talking, they figure out a misunderstanding and come up with a way to repair the sister's reputation.
I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction or novellas, but I do quite enjoy this author so I gave it a shot. It was a nice enough novella. It built enough of a story and relationship dynamic in the short life it had. There was an anticipation and a fond affection built. And some humour.
Some notable moments:
"He had returned upstairs eager to receive the apology he knew he deserved, and that he had managed to have faith he would be offered—and to graciously accept said apology as a prelude to said fucking—only to find…a note. With Standish’s direction and a promise to return. But still. A bloody note. One couldn’t get fucked by a piece of paper."
"When he saw Harry, he stopped for a moment, frozen, his mouth open, and Harry’s heart pounded like a kettledrum. Would Simon be glad to see him after all? Had he changed his mind? Had Stewart been mistaken? But then, even across half the room, he saw Simon’s dark eyes soften. It was like the dawn breaking, watching Simon’s wide, mobile mouth curl into a smile, his whole face lighting up. Harry waited, rooted to the floor. He’d wondered if he’d imagined how lovely Simon truly was."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2022
Fab historical romance
I wrote a really long and detailed review about how excellent this book was and then my Kindle lost it.
Anyway, this book is a welcome return to the quality of Ruby Moone's second one in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Both Harry and Simon were absolutely delightful and I firmly believed that their happy ending could work in the realities of Regency England post Waterloo.
I wrote a really long and detailed review about how excellent this book was and then my Kindle lost it.
Anyway, this book is a welcome return to the quality of Ruby Moone's second one in the series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Both Harry and Simon were absolutely delightful and I firmly believed that their happy ending could work in the realities of Regency England post Waterloo.
August 8, 2022
This was just so cute. I really loved the relarionship and they had so much chemistry and were so good together.
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion
July 26, 2022
Having read and enjoyed Grayson's werewolf series, starting with The Alpha's Warlock, and also this author's The One Decent Thing, I was really looking forward to a sexy Regency novella. Unfortunately, the setting -- or something! -- seems to have been too far out of Grayson's wheelhouse, because the result was a disappointment to say the least.
Harry Standish, a veteran of the Peninsular Wars and Waterloo, comes to London seeking ~vengeance~ on the man who made a laughingstock of his sister, and finds Simon Beaumont, who is, of course, a rake, but not the one he's looking for. This results in a lot of yelling and a blowjob, love ensues, the correct rake is brought to heel. Great title, terrific premise.
To be fair, hate sex is so hard to pull off (that's what she said) that the only writer I can think of offhand who writes it credibly is KJ Charles (Jackdaw and An Unnatural Vice). But somehow Eliot Grayson's werewolf sex is more believable than the sex between Harry and Simon, even after the hate sex has transmuted into regular old I'm-attracted-to-you sex. I couldn't figure out why these two characters were coming to like each other, much less falling in love with such celerity. Maybe they just didn't have enough conversations; maybe the transition from their initial mutual hostility to respect and liking simply needs more page time than a novella can give it. I don't know, but either way the MCs' relationship never felt organic to their characters or their story.
A good copy editor was desperately needed, because they never would have let a sentence like this pass: "The cool air of the room settling on Simon's bare skin like a chilly blanket, cooling the perspiration on his legs and chest."
And this: "[Harry] had scars, too, enough to show he'd been no coward in his time on the Continent, but not so many as to suggest he'd been careless or unskilled." Come on. I read a lot of military history, but surely ordinary common sense (or even watching one war movie) will tell you that surviving combat, with or without wounds, has as much to do with luck as with courage or skill. And if one has read, for example, an account of Waterloo and its aftermath, one might even be offended on behalf of all the men who suffered and died on that battlefield.
Last, a plea to this author and authors everywhere: please stop having characters clench their fists when they're angry. Not only is it the most overused marker in romance but I don't even think it's realistic. Do you, Gentle Reader, clench your fists every time you get angry? Me neither.
Harry Standish, a veteran of the Peninsular Wars and Waterloo, comes to London seeking ~vengeance~ on the man who made a laughingstock of his sister, and finds Simon Beaumont, who is, of course, a rake, but not the one he's looking for. This results in a lot of yelling and a blowjob, love ensues, the correct rake is brought to heel. Great title, terrific premise.
To be fair, hate sex is so hard to pull off (that's what she said) that the only writer I can think of offhand who writes it credibly is KJ Charles (Jackdaw and An Unnatural Vice). But somehow Eliot Grayson's werewolf sex is more believable than the sex between Harry and Simon, even after the hate sex has transmuted into regular old I'm-attracted-to-you sex. I couldn't figure out why these two characters were coming to like each other, much less falling in love with such celerity. Maybe they just didn't have enough conversations; maybe the transition from their initial mutual hostility to respect and liking simply needs more page time than a novella can give it. I don't know, but either way the MCs' relationship never felt organic to their characters or their story.
A good copy editor was desperately needed, because they never would have let a sentence like this pass: "The cool air of the room settling on Simon's bare skin like a chilly blanket, cooling the perspiration on his legs and chest."
And this: "[Harry] had scars, too, enough to show he'd been no coward in his time on the Continent, but not so many as to suggest he'd been careless or unskilled." Come on. I read a lot of military history, but surely ordinary common sense (or even watching one war movie) will tell you that surviving combat, with or without wounds, has as much to do with luck as with courage or skill. And if one has read, for example, an account of Waterloo and its aftermath, one might even be offended on behalf of all the men who suffered and died on that battlefield.
Last, a plea to this author and authors everywhere: please stop having characters clench their fists when they're angry. Not only is it the most overused marker in romance but I don't even think it's realistic. Do you, Gentle Reader, clench your fists every time you get angry? Me neither.
July 23, 2022
Sexy gay historical romance.
The characters were good.
The sex erotic.
The story pretty light-on but enjoyable all the same.
The writing sets the tone for time and place very nicely.
The Wrong Rake is upbeat.
It's pretty damn hot.
Eliot Grayson never lets me down.
NSFW Blog Review at-
The characters were good.
The sex erotic.
The story pretty light-on but enjoyable all the same.
The writing sets the tone for time and place very nicely.
The Wrong Rake is upbeat.
It's pretty damn hot.
Eliot Grayson never lets me down.
NSFW Blog Review at-
July 19, 2022
This was heavy on the steam and pretty low on the plot, but I thought it worked here! I haven't read any other books in the series, but it did not lessen my enjoyment in any way. I really liked Simon and Harry and thought they were sweet together with amazing chemistry. To put it succinctly, it's just a fun easy read that I definitely enjoyed!
July 22, 2022
Deliciously smutty and swoony. I don't tend to read historicals, but I am so glad I gave this one a try. I utterly fell in love with these characters especially with Simon. I truly enjoyed every page of this one.
July 22, 2022
Good read. Super short
August 8, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
The Wrong Rake by Eliot Grayson is the fourth book in the Perdition Club series, a multi-author series set at the London gaming hell. I haven’t read the other books (though Camille reviewed book 2, Black & White, earlier today), however I had no trouble jumping in here. We do meet the MCs from the first book here, and the others are mentioned in passing, but this story stands alone perfectly well and you can definitely start here.
This is a fairly short novel and it’s super sexy fun. There is a nice enemies-to-lovers set up, along with the burly military man paired with the more genteel London sophisticate. There are some suspend your disbelief moments early on in terms of how the men end up in bed with one another, as well as a pretty short timeline for the falling in love. But Grayson made it work here and the pacing of this one is tight and feels right for the story. I was able to just sink into the book and enjoy the high heat and the great connection between Simon and Harry.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
The Wrong Rake by Eliot Grayson is the fourth book in the Perdition Club series, a multi-author series set at the London gaming hell. I haven’t read the other books (though Camille reviewed book 2, Black & White, earlier today), however I had no trouble jumping in here. We do meet the MCs from the first book here, and the others are mentioned in passing, but this story stands alone perfectly well and you can definitely start here.
This is a fairly short novel and it’s super sexy fun. There is a nice enemies-to-lovers set up, along with the burly military man paired with the more genteel London sophisticate. There are some suspend your disbelief moments early on in terms of how the men end up in bed with one another, as well as a pretty short timeline for the falling in love. But Grayson made it work here and the pacing of this one is tight and feels right for the story. I was able to just sink into the book and enjoy the high heat and the great connection between Simon and Harry.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
July 22, 2022
Well alrighty then..I just finished a very sweet, fun, hot, HISTORICAL novella called The Wrong Rake (The Perdition Club/KU) by Eliot Grayson. Now, those who know me KNOW I have NEVER EVER IN MY LIFE read a historical book. LOL However, I recently read The Alpha's Warlock by Grayson and I totally enjoyed it and the writing style and this blurb intrigued me. I gotta give this author 🙌 because both genres are out of my wheelhouse...LOL I will admit it took me a few pages to get with the verbiage but then I was off to the races. Apparently it is part of The Perdition Club series written by different authors but it totally read as a standalone to me! I am going to try out a few more in this series. I highly recommend you give it a go!
August 1, 2022
Cute, sweet, and a bit of spice. Instalove and OTT.
October 30, 2022
DNF @ 51%.
Books from multi-author series are generally a miss for me, this was a miss. It’s definitely PWP, and my preference leans towards plot>smut. Midway through, I feel like I should know a bit more about the MCs besides Simon have a tight arse and Harry having a formidable cockstand.
Books from multi-author series are generally a miss for me, this was a miss. It’s definitely PWP, and my preference leans towards plot>smut. Midway through, I feel like I should know a bit more about the MCs besides Simon have a tight arse and Harry having a formidable cockstand.
August 27, 2024
loved this story!!
This was my first historical romance by Eliot, but now I definitely need more! MM Regency romance is one of my faves, and this one was perfect.
Henry Standish is back from the war, but ready for another battle: an abominable rake called Simon Beaumont has sullied his sister’s name and broken her heart, and he’s determined to go to the Perdition club and set the man straight. When he gets there, he goes in with guns blazing, until he’s told that this Beaumont is not the one he’s looking for. Simon can only think of one way to prove to Henry that he’s got the wrong man: by giving him a “practical demonstration” of how he has no interest in women.
This story has so many great tropes all rolled into one sweet and sexy story: mistaken identity, first times, one night turned into an HEA, and grumpy/sunshine. I totally understood how Henry fell for Simon, he’s an absolute delight!
I highly recommend this one for anyone who loves MM, historical romance, and some excellent spice!
This was my first historical romance by Eliot, but now I definitely need more! MM Regency romance is one of my faves, and this one was perfect.
Henry Standish is back from the war, but ready for another battle: an abominable rake called Simon Beaumont has sullied his sister’s name and broken her heart, and he’s determined to go to the Perdition club and set the man straight. When he gets there, he goes in with guns blazing, until he’s told that this Beaumont is not the one he’s looking for. Simon can only think of one way to prove to Henry that he’s got the wrong man: by giving him a “practical demonstration” of how he has no interest in women.
This story has so many great tropes all rolled into one sweet and sexy story: mistaken identity, first times, one night turned into an HEA, and grumpy/sunshine. I totally understood how Henry fell for Simon, he’s an absolute delight!
I highly recommend this one for anyone who loves MM, historical romance, and some excellent spice!
Read
March 3, 2025Didn't finish, didn't work for me
July 11, 2025
Spicy spice, very much enjoyed.
July 22, 2022
Very hot little story! Not much of a narrative, but it was great for what it was. Nice, engaging read. Love Grayson!
July 7, 2023
fun and good enough for a quick little read, although there isn’t much development really and they’re in love within a week….also i love simon’s protestations “i swear i didn’t toy with your sister, i’m gay, would u like a demonstration of just how gay i am??? let me suck your cock” and then harry LETS HIM 😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀 he’s like yes your reasoning makes perfect sense, suck my cock u shall😂😂😂😂 just GOOFY i love ridiculous shit like that lmaooo
August 8, 2022
The book equivalent of chili in hot chocolate—mostly sweet, but spicy too
The Wrong Rake by Eliot Grayson is a scorching, low-angst delight. While it is part of the Perdition series, readers won’t need to read connected books. This book teased some of the other stories, though, and they sound like fun!
I rarely read queer historical romances, but I had to make an exception for Eliot Grayson. With historical romances, there’s often a lot of focus on the difficulties queer folks faced, but The Wrong Rake acknowledges the issues, then works around them without drama. In fact, this book is lighter angst-wise compared to Grayson’s usual fare.
One thing that is still very much in line with Grayson’s other books is their trademark spice. It shines here. I’d venture to say half this novella is the heated scenes between Harry and Simon, the two main characters.
This book is a weaving of sweetness and roughness. The characters skirt the edges of rough play, but after their initial confrontation, their dynamic turns achingly intimate.
If I were to describe this book in one word, I would pull out an old fanfic term: “Schmoop.” There is a plot, but, like, barely. Mostly, this book is about the chemistry and tenderness that develops between the two main characters.
The Wrong Rake satisfies those yearnings for fluff and sweetness. Anyone in need of dessert should give this one a try!
The Wrong Rake by Eliot Grayson is a scorching, low-angst delight. While it is part of the Perdition series, readers won’t need to read connected books. This book teased some of the other stories, though, and they sound like fun!
I rarely read queer historical romances, but I had to make an exception for Eliot Grayson. With historical romances, there’s often a lot of focus on the difficulties queer folks faced, but The Wrong Rake acknowledges the issues, then works around them without drama. In fact, this book is lighter angst-wise compared to Grayson’s usual fare.
One thing that is still very much in line with Grayson’s other books is their trademark spice. It shines here. I’d venture to say half this novella is the heated scenes between Harry and Simon, the two main characters.
This book is a weaving of sweetness and roughness. The characters skirt the edges of rough play, but after their initial confrontation, their dynamic turns achingly intimate.
If I were to describe this book in one word, I would pull out an old fanfic term: “Schmoop.” There is a plot, but, like, barely. Mostly, this book is about the chemistry and tenderness that develops between the two main characters.
The Wrong Rake satisfies those yearnings for fluff and sweetness. Anyone in need of dessert should give this one a try!
August 31, 2022
Another beautiful cover from the Perdition Club multi-author book series. I really liked the second in the series and was looking forward to reading more. This one, the fourth, exceeded my expectations and introduced me to a new author I really like!
Harry Standish, freshly home from fighting in France, has returned to find his sister's reputation comprised. He sets off to the Perdition Club to make the culprit, Simon Beaumont, make things right or pay the consequences. But when he meets Simon, he claims it wasn't him who ruined his sister's reputation, but his younger brother. In fact, Simon asserts he isn't even interested in women. Harry asks Simon to prove it, and he does.
The intense encounter doesn't disuade Harry from his assumptions about Simon, and in order to make things right and uphold his own reputation, Simon sets about making things right. Along the way, the pair learn how compatible they are, in and outside the bedroom.
This really was another winner -- great banter, believable stakes and incredibly sexy bedroom scenes. The chemistry between Harry and Simon is immediate and palpable, and this book has the same mild BDSM vibes as the other book in the series I've read; it's nothing intense, but Harry is really good at taking charge and Simon really, really likes it when he does.
Overall, a great, quick read that has me once again eager for more from the series and from the author.
| I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, freely given review. |
Harry Standish, freshly home from fighting in France, has returned to find his sister's reputation comprised. He sets off to the Perdition Club to make the culprit, Simon Beaumont, make things right or pay the consequences. But when he meets Simon, he claims it wasn't him who ruined his sister's reputation, but his younger brother. In fact, Simon asserts he isn't even interested in women. Harry asks Simon to prove it, and he does.
The intense encounter doesn't disuade Harry from his assumptions about Simon, and in order to make things right and uphold his own reputation, Simon sets about making things right. Along the way, the pair learn how compatible they are, in and outside the bedroom.
This really was another winner -- great banter, believable stakes and incredibly sexy bedroom scenes. The chemistry between Harry and Simon is immediate and palpable, and this book has the same mild BDSM vibes as the other book in the series I've read; it's nothing intense, but Harry is really good at taking charge and Simon really, really likes it when he does.
Overall, a great, quick read that has me once again eager for more from the series and from the author.
| I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, freely given review. |
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