BOOK REVIEW: The Rake's Daughter by Anne Gracie

 I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

I haven’t read Anne Gracie before, but I just finished The Rake’s Daughter and now I have a new Regency Romance author to add to my must-read list.

Isobelle (Izzy) and Clarissa Studley are half-sisters. Clarissa is quiet, shy, pretty, and an heiress. Izzy is bold, sassy, extraordinarily beautiful, and she is illegitimate. Despite the differences that might have pushed them apart, the two are devoted to one another.

Their father was a rake and a truly awful man who did his best to cast Izzy into an orphanage or out on the streets while he was alive. If not for Clarissa’s determination to keep her hidden from his view, he would have succeeded. When he died, he could not deprive Clarissa of the trust her mother left her, but he could cut Izzy off without a penny. Moreover, his will stipulated that Clarissa’s guardian would be the Earl of Salcott, and he left the earl a deathbed letter warning him against Izzy, a spiteful letter full of lies.

The letter was meant for the previous earl, who is now deceased.

Leo Thorne is the new earl of Salcott, and he’s appalled to find himself suddenly saddled with the girls. He has no choice but to do his duty by Clarissa – taking her in, hiring a chaperone, and introducing her to the ton so that she can find a husband. But he can’t do that with Izzy hanging about. Illegitimate daughters do not come out as debutantes in Society. He can’t understand why the two girls don’t see that Izzy will hurt Clarissa’s chances. It’s his duty to make sure she does not. 

He doesn’t trust Izzy, but he’s fascinated by her.

He has a few things to tend to on his country estate and leaves the young ladies with his reclusive aunt under strict orders to stay put. He hopes a few weeks of boredom will teach them a lesson and convince Izzy to accept a bribe to disappear. Instead, they launch themselves into Society. They are wildly successful, but all three are aware that they are living a lie. When Society discovers that they are hiding Izzy’s illegitimacy, they will all be spurned.

The loyalty and good-heartedness of both sisters and the unfairness of Izzy’s situation makes their scheming understandable and forgivable. Leo’s stodginess stems from betrayals in his past. His ability to admit when he’s in the wrong and apologize make him a strong and likeable protagonist despite his missteps.

Leo and Izzy find their way to one another despite Society’s obstacles. This is a delightful, charming romance. I’m looking forward to Clarissa’s story.