"Rigid, rule-following ex-soldier Duncan McCameron meets his match in spontaneous Beatrice Sloane, the Dowager Countess of Farris, in the winning final romance of Leigh’s Union of the Rakes series... the relationship itself is based on a foundation of genuine connection and sincere emotional bonding. With this venturesome Regency, Leigh sends the series out on a high note." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"The Union of the Rakes series ends with the exhilarating escapades of a widow and a soldier... This adventure-story romance has a big heart and a madcap plot just like Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Footloose , the 1980s films it drew inspiration from. The older heroine is refreshing, and her sexual journey is satisfying and oh-so-sensual. A secondary romance between two male characters is beautifully sweet... the characters’ connections and emotions always feel grounded in truth. This road trip is worth taking." — Kirkus Reviews
"Eva Leigh's Waiting for a Scot Like You is a perfect — and perfectly steamy — Regency romp... Their Happy Ever After may not be conventional, but it is very satisfying indeed." — NPR
"Leigh’s third in the “Union of the Rakes” series charms with sly nods to 1980s pop culture, particularly the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off . The attraction smolders between the older, fun-loving Beatrice and her serious younger beau, with risqué love scenes keeping the heat levels high." — Library Journal
"My Fake Rake is a feast of female empowerment, positive friendships, feel-good moments, and social satire. And as the first book in a series, it builds a delicious world you'll want to come back to — hopefully because the delightful supporting characters will get their own stories next." — NPR
“divinely charming... Grace and Sebastian are the two of the most glorious dummies ever to grace the pages of a romance novel... The makeover trope is one of the more tired and problematic of the rom-com genre, but Leigh ingeniously turns it on its head, swapping the genders and making Sebastian’s transformation more about social commentary than anything else... our love for these two romantic dunces and their satirical, slow-burn, sexy ruse is nothing but genuine.” — Entertainment Weekly
“A jolt of electricity, a blast of fresh air—everything delightful and exciting you could want it to be.” — New York Times Book Review
“Leigh consistently crafts whip-smart heroines and irresistible heroes delivered in packages bursting with wicked wit, feminist leanings, and sex positivity... For any who question whether historical romance is outdated or can be feminist, look no further than Eva Leigh’s work – while maintaining assiduous historical accuracy, she delivers intoxicating yarns that bulldoze tropes and flip gender expectations on their head.” — Entertainment Weekly
"charming... The plot is as well developed as the lovers’ growing feelings. Readers will delight in this heartfelt, swoon-worthy tale." Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Every now and then, you discover a new (or at least, new-to-you) author who leaves you a little sunstruck... I was dazzled.” — Lisa Kleypas for Powell’s “Lisa Kleypas Recommends” column- Forever Your Earl
"In this first book of her new “Union of the Rakes” series, Leigh adopts the fake dating trope to the Regency Era in a wildly fun and entertaining way, introducing characters who are sure to delight fans of this beloved genre." — Library Journal
"This book is totally charming." — Cat Sebastian, author of A Delicate Deception
"I so adored the role reversal of My Fair Lady . I can’t wait for more books in this series." — Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
“This book is so good! Dorks + rake makeover + kissing = DELICIOUSNESS. Run to read it!!” — Joanna Shupe, author of The Prince of Broadway
Leigh consistently crafts whip-smart heroines and irresistible heroes delivered in packages bursting with wicked wit, feminist leanings, and sex positivity... For any who question whether historical romance is outdated or can be feminist, look no further than Eva Leigh’s work – while maintaining assiduous historical accuracy, she delivers intoxicating yarns that bulldoze tropes and flip gender expectations on their head.
"Eva Leigh's Waiting for a Scot Like You is a perfect — and perfectly steamy — Regency romp... Their Happy Ever After may not be conventional, but it is very satisfying indeed."
A jolt of electricity, a blast of fresh air—everything delightful and exciting you could want it to be.”
New York Times Book Review
divinely charming... Grace and Sebastian are the two of the most glorious dummies ever to grace the pages of a romance novel... The makeover trope is one of the more tired and problematic of the rom-com genre, but Leigh ingeniously turns it on its head, swapping the genders and making Sebastian’s transformation more about social commentary than anything else... our love for these two romantic dunces and their satirical, slow-burn, sexy ruse is nothing but genuine.
Every now and then, you discover a new (or at least, new-to-you) author who leaves you a little sunstruck... I was dazzled.
Lisa Kleypas for Powell’s “Lisa Kleypas Recommends” column- Forever Your Earl
This book is so good! Dorks + rake makeover + kissing = DELICIOUSNESS. Run to read it!!”
"This book is totally charming."
"I so adored the role reversal of My Fair Lady . I can’t wait for more books in this series."
"This superbly entertaining, perfectly executed Regency-set love story is not only dazzlingly witty and intensely sexy; it is also a sweetly crafted love letter about the power of learning, literature, and lifelong friendships."
Booklist (starred review)
01/01/2021
Beatrice, the Dowager Countess of Farris, has waited a long time to enjoy herself. Now at the age of 46, with her husband deceased and her children grown, what better way to celebrate her new freedom than by attending an orgy? Uptight Major Duncan McCameron has been tasked with escorting her to the party and is unaware of their scandalous destination. A recent army discharge, Duncan is lost without order and rules. His fellow friends, the members of Union of the Rakes, have all married, and Duncan wants to settle down too. He's attracted to the much-older Beatrice, whose free-spirited nature clashes with Duncan's strict discipline. Before long, the two are caught in unexpected adventures like sleeping outdoors, crashing a wedding, and sharing a bed, all before they even reach the party. VERDICT Leigh's third in the "Union of the Rakes" series (after Would I Lie to the Duke ) charms with sly nods to 1980s pop culture, particularly the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off . The attraction smolders between the older, fun-loving Beatrice and her serious younger beau, with risqué love scenes keeping the heat levels high.—Kathryn Howe, Saint John Free P.L., NB
2020-11-18
At 46, Beatrice Sloane, the Dowager Countess of Farris, wants to finally explore the joys and pleasures she missed out on during her marriage. She’s eager to attend a weeklong bacchanal where she can participate in “utter, filthy debauchery.” As a favor to a friend, Maj. Duncan McCameron is accompanying Lady Farris on the journey to make sure she arrives safely, and then he has plans to begin a new job. He’s been feeling adrift in peacetime and is hopeful a career focus will provide him with a sense of purpose. This jaunt is meant to serve as a short holiday for him, but Lady Farris’ spontaneity is antithetical to his need for routine and order. What was supposed to be a straightforward trip ends up involving carriage destruction, outdoor sleeping, an unlawful dance, and, most unexpectedly, fiery passion that turns into love. This adventure-story romance has a big heart and a madcap plot just like Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Footloose , the 1980s films it drew inspiration from. The older heroine is refreshing, and her sexual journey is satisfying and oh-so-sensual. A secondary romance between two male characters is beautifully sweet. The more outlandish parts of the plot sometimes feel too silly, but the characters’ connections and emotions always feel grounded in truth.
This road trip is worth taking.
