How to Ruin a Rake

Paperback
$18.95 US
| $24.95 CAN
On sale Sep 29, 2026 | 352 Pages | 9781496755162

Turning the conventions of Regency London upside down, a single lady desires a carefree, no-strings-attached dalliance with a devilish rogue in this spicy, irresistibly sensual new romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce.

But is her all-wrong scoundrel actually her Mr. Right?

Lady Allegra Musgrove has resigned herself to never marrying. Creating a scandal worked out well for her sister, Carenza, now happily wed after advertising for a no-strings-attached arrangement with a willing gentleman from the ton. But the fallout has landed squarely on poor Allegra, who is ordered to leave London for her family home in the countryside.

Sometimes, though, fate comes knocking—or, in Allegra’s case, a rake who abducts her as part of a men’s club drunken wager!

Furious, Allegra quickly takes charge when their speeding carriage overturns and her masked captor is revealed: Lord Max Devereux, a notorious ne’er-do-well who pays his way out of trouble and beds women with impunity.

Suddenly sober, Max wants to forget the whole debacle and return Allegra to the city. Obviously, Allegra is aware that there could be no one worse to be stuck with in the middle of nowhere than such a rake, especially one so . . . experienced. Or . . . could there be no one better?
Praise for Kate Pearce:

“The riveting friends-to-lovers romance makes the pages fly while Pearce’s commentary on the gendered double standards in Regency society adds depth. It’s hot, heartfelt, and addictive.” Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW on Only Rakes Need Apply

“Bestseller Pearce launches a new series with a cute contemporary romance inspired by Three Men and a Baby…Disillusioned Jen makes a refreshing heroine…The domestic comedy and steamy sex scenes set this apart. Cowboy romance fans will be charmed.” Publishers Weekly on Three Cowboys and a Baby

“Inspired by the movie Three Men and a Baby, this new series from Pearce features three former Marines, who leave the military behind for life on a ranch…Primarily set on a cattle ranch, fans of Carolyn Brown will welcome this rustic treat with a bit of spice.—Library Journal on Three Cowboys and a Baby

“Enticing...Pearce effortlessly draws readers in to Kaiden and Julia’s romance, using the characters’ shared past to ease their transition from friends to lovers. Series fans will be entranced.”Publishers Weekly on The Rancher Meets His Match

“All who enjoy contemporary Western romances will relish the love story about the youngest and only female Morgan sibling, Rachel… An adopted dog, interfering family members, and a near tragedy in a silver mine bring them together in a thoroughly satisfying holiday romance.” Booklist, STARRED REVIEW for The Rancher

“Those who love family drama, redemption stories, and satisfying romance all rolled into one will want this title. Pearce’s series featuring the Miller family continues to lend itself to emotional, engaging stories.” Library Journal on The Rancher’s Redemption

“If you love cowboys—and who doesn’t—you’ll love the Morgans!” —Cora Seton, New York Times bestselling author on The Reluctant Cowboy

"Pearce sets up solid main-character arcs and creates good chemistry in a realistic Western. While Pearce's descriptions of the ranch will inspire dreams of visiting one, the family secrets are alluring enough to make readers eager for the next book." Booklist on The Reluctant Cowboy
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British civil service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer. She writes for Kensington, Penguin Random House UK, Rouge Romance, Carina and Cleis Press and is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self-publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate at her website at katepearce.com, on Facebook as Kate Pearce, and on Twitter @Kate4queen. View titles by Kate Pearce

About

Turning the conventions of Regency London upside down, a single lady desires a carefree, no-strings-attached dalliance with a devilish rogue in this spicy, irresistibly sensual new romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce.

But is her all-wrong scoundrel actually her Mr. Right?

Lady Allegra Musgrove has resigned herself to never marrying. Creating a scandal worked out well for her sister, Carenza, now happily wed after advertising for a no-strings-attached arrangement with a willing gentleman from the ton. But the fallout has landed squarely on poor Allegra, who is ordered to leave London for her family home in the countryside.

Sometimes, though, fate comes knocking—or, in Allegra’s case, a rake who abducts her as part of a men’s club drunken wager!

Furious, Allegra quickly takes charge when their speeding carriage overturns and her masked captor is revealed: Lord Max Devereux, a notorious ne’er-do-well who pays his way out of trouble and beds women with impunity.

Suddenly sober, Max wants to forget the whole debacle and return Allegra to the city. Obviously, Allegra is aware that there could be no one worse to be stuck with in the middle of nowhere than such a rake, especially one so . . . experienced. Or . . . could there be no one better?

Reviews

Praise for Kate Pearce:

“The riveting friends-to-lovers romance makes the pages fly while Pearce’s commentary on the gendered double standards in Regency society adds depth. It’s hot, heartfelt, and addictive.” Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW on Only Rakes Need Apply

“Bestseller Pearce launches a new series with a cute contemporary romance inspired by Three Men and a Baby…Disillusioned Jen makes a refreshing heroine…The domestic comedy and steamy sex scenes set this apart. Cowboy romance fans will be charmed.” Publishers Weekly on Three Cowboys and a Baby

“Inspired by the movie Three Men and a Baby, this new series from Pearce features three former Marines, who leave the military behind for life on a ranch…Primarily set on a cattle ranch, fans of Carolyn Brown will welcome this rustic treat with a bit of spice.—Library Journal on Three Cowboys and a Baby

“Enticing...Pearce effortlessly draws readers in to Kaiden and Julia’s romance, using the characters’ shared past to ease their transition from friends to lovers. Series fans will be entranced.”Publishers Weekly on The Rancher Meets His Match

“All who enjoy contemporary Western romances will relish the love story about the youngest and only female Morgan sibling, Rachel… An adopted dog, interfering family members, and a near tragedy in a silver mine bring them together in a thoroughly satisfying holiday romance.” Booklist, STARRED REVIEW for The Rancher

“Those who love family drama, redemption stories, and satisfying romance all rolled into one will want this title. Pearce’s series featuring the Miller family continues to lend itself to emotional, engaging stories.” Library Journal on The Rancher’s Redemption

“If you love cowboys—and who doesn’t—you’ll love the Morgans!” —Cora Seton, New York Times bestselling author on The Reluctant Cowboy

"Pearce sets up solid main-character arcs and creates good chemistry in a realistic Western. While Pearce's descriptions of the ranch will inspire dreams of visiting one, the family secrets are alluring enough to make readers eager for the next book." Booklist on The Reluctant Cowboy

Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British civil service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer. She writes for Kensington, Penguin Random House UK, Rouge Romance, Carina and Cleis Press and is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self-publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate at her website at katepearce.com, on Facebook as Kate Pearce, and on Twitter @Kate4queen. View titles by Kate Pearce
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