A Bride for Marcus
by Anne Gracie
Devil Riders - Book 6
Publisher: Gracie Enterprises
Release Date: March 25, 2026
Reviewed by PJ
Marcus, the handsome Earl of Alverleigh, is London’s most eligible bachelor—yet he’s vowed never to marry for love. Bitter experience taught him it only brings pain.
Tessa, his lively childhood friend, is now twenty-four and twice widowed, left destitute by her ruthless brother and the laws that prevent women from financial control. Fiercely independent, she refuses to be controlled again—until she’s on the brink of a third forced marriage.
Marcus rescues her with a practical offer: a sensible marriage between old friends. No passion, no risk—just safety and companionship. Tessa hesitates—her freedom is precious—but scandal forces her hand.
On their honeymoon, can the guarded earl and spirited widow rediscover each other? Will laughter, old memories, and long-buried affection bloom? And can what started as practicality and duty become something tender and true?
PJ's Thoughts:
When one has waited 14 years for a certain pivotal side character's story to be told, one approaches that long-awaited book with high expectations and no small amount of trepidation. One then also stays awake reading until 2:00 AM because she can't bear to go to sleep until said character's long overdue and well deserved HEA is secured. Trepidation? Erased. Expectations? Exceeded. Happy ending? You bet!
Gracie has infused some of my favorite tropes into this heartfelt story. There's childhood friends reunited as adults, friends to lovers, scandal, marriage of convenience (to neutralize said scandal), found family, and meddling, matchmaking relatives.
All of the tropes are brought to life through the thoughts and actions of beautifully developed characters. That's one of Anne Gracie's strengths. Her characters - both main and side - are multi-layered and realistically portrayed, never failing to elicit emotional reactions in me, whether positive or negative. She does make the villain(s) in this book truly villainous which, of course, renders their eventual downfall especially delicious. Also, I do love an irascible older relative who meddles for all the right reasons, especially if she doesn't show her hand while doing it. And, bonus, not only do we get a Daisy Chance cameo in this book, we also get her hunky Irish husband!
As for Marcus and Tessa, these two had me in their corner from their first encounter as children. I enjoyed their journeys, both individually and as a couple. It was so much fun to watch Marcus's heart soften and open to love and to cheer Tessa on as she finally claims her agency. Together, they balance one another perfectly and fill all those heart holes that had been so empty before.
Whether you're a long-time Gracie fan or new to her historical world, A Bride for Marcus is written in such a way that you can easily jump in with this book and not miss a beat.
Have you read Anne Gracie before?
Do you have a favorite book or series written by her?
What secondary character's book are you still waiting for?
Three randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, March 27 will each receive an e-book copy of A Bride for Marcus.
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