Beauty and the Rake

There’s no denying eternal love. Widowed from an arranged, unhappy marriage to a much older nobleman, Lady Roxanne Smith, dowager countess of Temple returns to England to reestablish her life. She’s self-assured, confident, and caring. As a widow her place in society is much different with more freedom. Marriage is the last thing on her mind. Graham Hawksbury, Earl of Otley is not only handsome, he’s a well-known rake. An unexpected new arrival and learning his best friend’s sister, Lady Roxanne, has returned upend his world. His feelings for the lady come tumbling out. Try as they may, neither party can convince others or themselves they’re only friends and can no longer deny the love between them that’s always been there. Tropes/Themes: • Victorian Historical Romance • Friends to Lovers • Widow Heroine • Reformed Rake • Second Chance at Love • Nobleman/Noblewoman Romance • Forbidden (or Secret) Longing • Slow-Burn Romance • Emotional Healing from a Past Marriage