THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO RAKES

A scoundrel in need of a wife meets his match with a lady who has a secret taste for the scandalous.

After Kieran Ransome, third son of an earl, plays a role in a scandal alongside his brother, Finn, and best friend, Dom, the three are given an ultimatum: Find upstanding wives or be financially cut off from their parents. Kieran asks Dom’s prim and proper sister, Celeste Kilburn, to help by introducing him into respectable social circles. She offers him a deal—in exchange, he must show her the less proper parts of London, like gaming hells, before she has to marry a pompous earl. Celeste grew up poor, and even though her father’s business turned them wealthy, they are still not fully accepted by society, and she feels her family’s reputation falls on her shoulders. As Celeste and Kieran's bargain gets afoot, they fall for each other, but the expectations forced on them from society and their families stand in their way. Many romances explore young women fighting against the patriarchal standards that dictate their lives. This story not only does that with aplomb, but also considers the intersection of gender and class. It’s notable for showcasing how these trappings also hurt the seemingly privileged like Kieran, who has felt the need to hide the truth of his emotional poet self because of unrealistic expectations of masculinity. The romance is never weighed down by these complex conflicts but rather is bolstered because of them. Delightful dirty talk and dazzling prose contribute to making this book a standout.

A captivating series kickoff from an author soaring to a new level of excellence.