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.
I have read many Anne Gracie books. I get her newsletter as well as her group newsletter. I have no favorite series - she is an author I follow. I still have one or two books of hers in my TBR pile. Glad she was able to find a way to get published after her publisher dropped her. I enjoy her stories and look forward to this one.
ReplyDeleteI think I may have read one book of hers several years ago and enjoyed it. I'll have to try this one. It sounds good.
ReplyDeleteAs for secondary characters, in Bound By Your Touch, Meredith Duran never gave Viscount Sanburne's sister her own story. Since it would have involved domestic abuse, perhaps it was too heavy a topic to do justice to.
I used to read Ann Gracie's and other authors' books. But, I haven't read a lot in the last few years. I am intrigued by the story because it took her 14 years to bring it to life, so to speak. Ann Gracie also infuses some light-hearted and fun moments in her stories and that's another reason her books are enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteHi PJ. Great review! I read the Chance Sisters back in the day and loved them!
ReplyDeleteI have read Anne Gracie but only discovered her recently and read her Belleaire Garden series. I believe Victoria Alexander had a series that only published the first two of three brothers and we never got the last brother’s book. Unfortunately that happens when authors have to move to new publishers. This book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI have not read Anne Gracie before. I read this review and cannot wait to read her! I am on the edge of my seat! Thank you, PJ
ReplyDeleteSuch a terrific review! I will buy this book right now (so leave me out of the giveaway, please.) I'm always intrigued by women in the 1800's who gain their agency/autonomy.
ReplyDeleteSusan in AZ
I have read her books a long time ago and have several in my TBR mountain. Her writing does tug at the heart. Since it has been so long, I can't think of a character I would like to see have their own story.
ReplyDeleteWow! After that review I’m sad to say I have not read any of Annie Gracie’s books.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely look for her work.
Secondary characters- a lot of the authors I read give the secondary characters their own stories: Jill Shalvis, Carly Phillips, Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery, Julia Quinn, Karen Hawkins, Susan Wiggs…
I’d have to think about it.
I've read a number of Anne Gracie's books over the years. The Chance Sisters series comes to mind as one of my favorites. I really enjoy series where an author builds a world and we, eventually, get to read (almost) everyone's story. I've been reading so much literary and contemporary fiction lately, I may have to read A Bride for Marcus to get back on my usual diet of historical novels.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have read any of her books yet, but your enthusiasm has made me want to read this book.
ReplyDeleteAt last we get Marcus's story. He's been such a mysterious character in the previous Devil Riders books that I wondered if Anne had a reason for keeping him in the dark. It will be wonderful to finally see his secrets exposed. Anne writes great characters. They draw you in and become your friends. I'm sure Marcus will do as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm too late to win, but I've loved every Anne Gracie novel I've read - and I've read a lot of them. I can't wait to read Marcus's story.
ReplyDelete