n the first book in Eva Leigh’s new Union of the Rakes series, a bluestocking enlists a faux suitor to help her land an ideal husband only to be blindsided by real desire…

Lady Grace Wyatt is content as a wallflower, focusing on scientific pursuits rather than the complications of society matches. But when a handsome, celebrated naturalist returns from abroad, Grace wishes, for once, to be noticed. Her solution: to “build” the perfect man, who will court her publicly and help her catch his eye. Grace’s colleague, anthropologist Sebastian Holloway, is just the blank slate she requires.

To further his own research on English society, Sebastian agrees to let Grace transform him from a bespectacled, bookish academic into a dashing—albeit fake—rake. Between secret lessons on how to be a rogue and exaggerated public flirtations, Grace’s feelings for Sebastian grow from friendship into undeniable, inconvenient, real attraction. If only she hadn’t asked him to help her marry someone else…

Sebastian is in love with brilliant, beautiful Grace, but their bargain is complete, and she desires another. Yet when he’s faced with losing her forever, Sebastian will do whatever it takes to tell her the truth, even if it means risking his own future—and his heart.

OUT NOW

This book owns my heart!!!!!

Not only does this follow a friends turned lovers trope but THIS IS A STORY WERE 2 NERDS FIND LOVE!!!! The female lead in this book is intelligent, independent, and compassionate, everything I look for in a heroine. I loved watching her nurture the leading gentleman as he grows into his full potential. The fact that the author wasn’t afraid to write a hero for this book who is not a typical Historical Romance leading man makes me eager to read more books by her. Getting a candid view of the Seb’s struggles with selective mutism and how he overcomes the obstacles it presents was very refreshing and endeared him to my heart. This is one of those books that I immediately grin when I hear the title or think of the characters. I love this book so much.

Sebastian “Seb” Holloway is the impoverish son of a miner who prefers science and observing societies over interacting with and being a part of them. So much so that unless someone is a member in his very small circle of friends they could be lead to believe him to be brainless and odd. But those closest to him know he is loyal, intelligent, and devoted to his study of anthropology, if only he could just get over his in-ability to speak to strangers. He would do anything for his friends especially, Grace, including sacrifice his heart by pretending to be a rake and court her so she can gain the notice of the man of her dreams.

Lady Grace Wyatt spends more of her time in the Benezra Library than attending society functions. If she had her way she would stop attending society functions all together and spend her time in the field studying her beloved reptiles. But being a woman born of the ton there are certain expectations she must uphold, like getting married. There is only one man she could ever see herself happily marry, Mason Fredericks. Too bad he sees her as merely a scientific colleague and not a woman. That is until she convinces her dearest friend Sebastian to transform himself into a rake and “court” her with the intent to make Mason take notice of her. Will their crazy plan succeed or will it be her eyes that are opened to another’s potential?

I truly loved this book! I hope you do too. NERD LOVE WINS!!!!

DANIELLE