OCTOBER 2020 - AudioFile
Melissa Kingsley narrates a steamy—and surprisingly emotional—historical romance. Jessica McGale needs investors to save her family business and concocts a simple but risky plan. Adopting the persona of the elite Lady Whitfield, she enters the orbit of the charming and wealthy Duke of Rotherby, who falls under her spell. Kingsley captures all of the characters with vivid voices and colorful accents that are somewhat comic without becoming outlandish. Her performance balances the story’s fun and easygoing humor, and the sizzling sex scenes bursting with tenderness and sensuality. Kingsley's masterful narration ensures that, despite being the second in a series, this audiobook also works well as an engrossing stand-alone. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
06/08/2020
Complex, witty characters with strong bonds and big hearts enliven the seductive first Union of the Rakes romance from Leigh (the London Underground series). When paid companion Jessica McGale’s employer is incapacitated by an injury, Jessica uses the extra free time (and her employer’s wardrobe) to gain entry into London’s annual Bazaar, five days during which genteel entrepreneurs can present their enterprises to investors, hoping she’ll be able to secure enough funding to rebuild her family’s soap business. One of those investors is Noel Edwards, Duke of Rotherby. Noel trusts very few people and is accustomed to being courted for his influence and wealth, but Noel is intrigued by Jessica’s intellect, financial prowess, and sharp wit. Jessica enjoys being treated like a member of the elite, but as her feelings for Noel intensify she worries about what will happen if he discovers that she’s pretending to be someone she’s not. Leigh makes a strong case for their compatibility as Noel learns to open his heart and Jessica learns her own lesson about trust. Readers will delight in this fun, fresh Regency. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"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 for My Fake Rake
“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 for My Fake Rake
“A jolt of electricity, a blast of fresh air—everything delightful and exciting you could want it to be.” — New York Times Book Review
"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)
"Grace and Seb are delightful together, and Seb is a breath of non-alpha-hero fresh air... satisfying for readers of Courtney Milan and Tessa Dare. A sweet faux suitor romance between two scientist friends who find a new passion in one another." — Kirkus Reviews
"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
"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)
"Eva Leigh puts inspiring, forthright female characters at the forefront of her delectable romances... with down-to-earth characters and an enthralling friends-to-lovers storyline, My Fake Rake is a hard one to put down." — BookPage.com
“This book is so good! Dorks + rake makeover + kissing = DELICIOUSNESS. Run to read it!!” — Joanna Shupe, author of The Prince of Broadway on My Fake Rake
"This book is totally charming." — Cat Sebastian, author of A Delicate Deception on My Fake Rake
"Complex, witty characters with strong bonds and big hearts enliven the seductive second Union of the Rakes romance... Leigh makes a strong case for their compatibility as Noel learns to open his heart and Jessica learns her own lesson about trust. Readers will delight in this fun, fresh Regency." — Publishers Weekly
"There are well-rounded characters, drama and some impish fun—one man pitches what sounds very much like an impractical version of Twitter—but the satisfying sense of female empowerment makes this a standout." — Bookpage (Starred Review)
"A duke who has no problem taking a more submissive role and an intelligent woman determined not to fail make an exquisite match in this second spicy, delectable tale... Regency fans will savor and want more." — Library Journal (starred review)
"Everything I look for in a historical romance and much more. The characters in WOULD I LIE TO THE DUKE are realistically flawed but equally entertaining and engaging. This story never lets you down." — Fresh Fiction
Entertainment Weekly for My Fake Rake
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.
New York Times Book Review
A jolt of electricity, a blast of fresh air—everything delightful and exciting you could want it to be.”
Cat Sebastian
"This book is totally charming."
Joanna Shupe
This book is so good! Dorks + rake makeover + kissing = DELICIOUSNESS. Run to read it!!”
BookPage.com
"Eva Leigh puts inspiring, forthright female characters at the forefront of her delectable romances... with down-to-earth characters and an enthralling friends-to-lovers storyline, My Fake Rake is a hard one to put down."
Booklist (starred review)
"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."
NPR for My Fake Rake
"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."
Fresh Fiction
"Everything I look for in a historical romance and much more. The characters in WOULD I LIE TO THE DUKE are realistically flawed but equally entertaining and engaging. This story never lets you down."
Bookpage (Starred Review)
"There are well-rounded characters, drama and some impish fun—one man pitches what sounds very much like an impractical version of Twitter—but the satisfying sense of female empowerment makes this a standout."
NPR
"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."
Entertainment Weekly
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.
Booklist (starred review)
"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."
Library Journal
★ 08/01/2020
After a fire destroys the farm buildings dedicated to keeping her family's soap business afloat, Jessica McGale rallies to save the company by adopting the fake title of Lady Whitfield and traveling to London to attend a conference catering to investors. There she meets the Duke of Rotherby, Noel Edwards, a young upstart with connections to the city's elite. Noel is surrounded by those who rely on him for business favors, yet he feels no real ties to high society and has few associates outside of the Union of Rakes, his tight-knit group of friends from Eton. Lady Whitfield's wit, assured business acumen, and poise easily draws Noel to her side, and he soon finds himself placing his trust and vulnerability in her hands. When Jessica's desperate scheme finally comes to light, Noel vacillates between returning to his rakish ways or forgiving the woman who dominates his every thought. VERDICT A duke who has no problem taking a more submissive role and an intelligent woman determined not to fail make an exquisite match in this second spicy, delectable tale in Leigh's "Union of Rakes" series (My Fake Rake). Regency fans will savor and want more.—Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati, Blue Ash
OCTOBER 2020 - AudioFile
Melissa Kingsley narrates a steamy—and surprisingly emotional—historical romance. Jessica McGale needs investors to save her family business and concocts a simple but risky plan. Adopting the persona of the elite Lady Whitfield, she enters the orbit of the charming and wealthy Duke of Rotherby, who falls under her spell. Kingsley captures all of the characters with vivid voices and colorful accents that are somewhat comic without becoming outlandish. Her performance balances the story’s fun and easygoing humor, and the sizzling sex scenes bursting with tenderness and sensuality. Kingsley's masterful narration ensures that, despite being the second in a series, this audiobook also works well as an engrossing stand-alone. J.M.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine