Its not entirely clear to me why Abigail fell in love with Graeme Parr the first time. Thankfully, he improved with age, and became a more likable fellow as we came to know him better. This is a steamy take on the marriage-of-convenience-followed-by-separation theme. I’m looking forward to reading Laura and James’ story in the next book!

This book has a lot going for it. Despite the generic “historical romance” fashions on the cover, it is set in the second half of the Victorian era (ignore everyone labelling it as “Regency”; it’s set seventy years later!) – that means trains and telegrams and cool new technology. It also means great fashions.
Then there are the angst-filled themes. A hopeful, naïve heroine who is excited about getting married, only to discover her husband despises her and is in love with another woman. There’s a separation and a reconciliation.
There is a mystery element to this story, but the problem is that it was the part that interested me the least. I’d have preferred it to take longer for hero and heroine to reconcile, and for them to work over those issues, than to basically hook up and play investigators together.
I don’t remember reading anything by Candace Camp before, and she is a very good, solid author. I especially love her obvious love for the gorgeous Worth fashions of the era.
I think she also did a good job making the distinction between the American heroine and English hero, but ICING, not “frosting” goes on a cake!
I enjoyed this book, but – as I said – I’d have preferred more relationship development and less running around London trying to solve a mystery together.

I do enjoy a story where the couple has been estranged for awhile, through the hero seems particularly stubborn.

When the Earl's wife returns to England after a 10 year absence, her husband is dismayed. What does she want? Why does she seem so changed from the wallflower who hardly spoke a word to anyone? And what is this inconvenient attraction he feels toward her? Recommended read and only noted two out of place Americanisms!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. Loved this book. It is one of the best historical romances that I have read in quite awhile. Abby is a wonderful example of a strong American who marries into the aristocracy of England. She is full of life and head strong. Graeme is typical straight laced English. The love they come to fee for each other is a wonderful story. I would highly recommend this book, it is extremely well written.

This is a beautiful well-written story of heartbreak and second chances. Graeme marries Abigail as he needs the money for his estate but Abigail is in love with him. On the day of their wedding, when Graeme shatters her heart, Abigail flees back to America with her broken heart. After a decade of long-distance marriage, when she wants a child, she decides to come back and reconcile with her husband. As they both try to find common ground and come to know each other, they are thrown into a dilemma, should they trust their gut and love or keep their suspicions. The characters are beautifully written and I would highly recommend this book.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

From New York Times bestselling author Candace Camp comes a delicious and steamy marriage-of-convenience historical romance in A Perfect Gentleman.

Forced to marry an American heiress to save his family, Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair, vowed their marriage would be in name only. Abigail Price thought handsome, aristocratic Graeme was her knight in shining armor, rescuing her from her overbearing father. But when she was spurned by her husband on their wedding night, Abigail fled home to New York.

Now, years later, Abigail has returned. But this sophisticated, alluring woman is not the drab girl Graeme remembers. Appalled by her bold American ways but drawn to her beauty, Graeme follows her on a merry chase through London’s elegant ballrooms to its dockside taverns—why is his wife back? What could she want of him now?

Torn between desire and suspicion, Graeme fears that Abby, like her unprincipled father, has a devious plan to ruin him. But is Abigail’s true desire Graeme’s destruction...or winning his love at last?

Graeme Parr, Lord Montclair needs to get married to save his estate and cover his father's debts. Abigail Price is an American heiress who's father manipulates and blackmails Graeme into marrying Abigail for his title. There's this little problem of Graeme being in "love" with Laura (big issue with this woman) but he goes ahead and marries Abigail. He winds up resenting her though because he believes that she's in on the blackmail and leaves her on her wedding night and disappears. What a winner he is y'all!!! That's just a little side note - If your husband runs away from you on your wedding night...he might NOT be a keeper....JUST SAYING!!

Poor Abigail who's been treated like crap by her father for years is a timid little thing. She thinks that when she met Graeme that because he treated her good before they were married that it would follow into the marriage...WRONG AGAIN. He holds nothing but contempt for her and storms out and goes back to England leaving her to go back to America.

Fast forward ten years and Abigail has grown up a lot. She's beautiful, successful in her own right and knows what she wants. She want's to have a baby and if Graeme won't give it to her, then she wants a divorce. So, he has a choice to make. During this whole time, he's spent it in brothel's and spending it drooling after Laura or as I like to call her "hag who shouldn't be named." I really didn't see all that much character growth with him as a "person" and I didn't like him. I don't know if the author did that purposely, but he just got on my nerves. I mean, just because he doesn't find fathering a child with her a hardship...he's gonna do it out of the goodness of his heart?? OMG...I was laughing at that. However, overall this is another awesome book by Candace and there is some intrigue in this with...OH MY - you'll just have to read it to find out!!!

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.

Marriages of convenience are one of my favorites, and A Perfect Gentleman has just the right mix of longing, sweetness and sadness. Why these men don't marrying for money, but then dislike the heiresses who save them, I will never understand. American Abigail Price is hoping that her marriage to English aristocracy will remove her from her father's overbearing ways and bring her a family to love. But she doesn't know that Graeme Parr was blackmailed into the marriage -- although he lets her know on their wedding night, breaking her heart.
Fast forward a decade. Abby returns to London from America, determined to have either a divorce or a child. Graeme has to face the fact that he was unfair to her and not the gentleman he believes himself. There is the complication of Graeme's "true love" Laura, who unlike many of these types of books, is rather a nice young woman. Abby and Graeme do not have an easy path to HEA, which is one reason Candace Camp's books are so fun to read. She makes the journey a pleasure. I'll be re-reading this one. (I received an advance reader copy on NetGalley. Opinions are mine.)

Graeme Parr has sold his soul and betrayed the woman he loves to save his family from financial ruin. He's a man deceived by his new American wife—she has bought herself a husband with a title. He swears that the only thing he'll give his wife is his name—nothing more—and he makes sure he lets her know on their wedding day.

Abigail Price is overjoyed that the Earl of Montclair will be her husband. He's handsome, sophisticated, and everything she's always dreamt of—a gallant knight rescuing her from her overbearing father. A husband to cherish, and love, a family with which to belong. Her dreams are shattered when on their wedding night he rejects he,r leaving her alone and brokenhearted. Fleeing to New York, she never looked back until . . .

Fast forward ten years later to a more mature and stunning Abigail, when she returns to England with a proposition for her husband. Graeme is flustered and stunned at her appearance and dreads the scandal. All he wants is his wife to go back the way she came. But when attempts on her life are made, he's forced to keep her close, and all he can think of is keeping her closer. Can Graeme leave his suspicions aside and try to salvage his marriage? Can Abigail win his love or will he reject her once again?

A true page turner, this story has intrigue and mystery. Emotions and desires have Graeme slowly shedding his uptight self and accepting his feelings for Abby. A hero who redeems himself a heroine worth fighting for and a love that has survived the test of time. Candace Camp writes a wonderful story of mystery and blackmail with some steamy scenes that are scandalous.
Star rating 4 1/2
Steam rating 4 1/2

Received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for my honest opinion

This is the first book I’ve read by Candace Camp and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I was immediately drawn in by the premise and fully sucked in by the prologue. It’s a loaded prologue that leaves you with so many questions, you can’t help but keep reading until all your questions are answered.

Graeme Parr is an English earl who desperately needs to save his family from financial ruin so he’s forced to marry American heiress, Abigail Price. The night of their wedding, Graeme makes it perfectly clear to Abby that their marriage is one of convenience and that he is in love with another woman. Crushed and heartbroken, Abby flees America where she makes an independent life for herself.

Ten years later, much to Graeme’s surprise and dismay, Abby returns to England. He can’t help but to confront her, find out what she wants, and make her leave before she causes a scandal. However, he discovers that Abby is no longer the quiet, meek young woman that she was when they first got married. Much to Graeme’s chagrin, she has grown into a bold and beautiful woman. He begins to follow her to find out why she is back in England and ends up saving Abby’s life after the mysterious man she was meeting in secret is murdered. This uncovers the reason why Abby is in London and secrets from the past are unraveled. Graeme and Abby come to an arrangement and try find out the reason why the man Abby met with was killed. As they navigate their new relationship and dig around in the past, Abby and Graeme begin to discover the truth about each other and the circumstances behind their marriage. They are given a second chance but when Abby’s life is threatened several times, the past may still keep them apart.

This book was delicious! Steamy and sexy, but perfectly balanced with the right amount of mystery and suspense. I LOVED it! Oh my, Graeme! Proper, English gentleman. He displays so much decorum and control but you know from his inner dialogue that he just wants to let go of it all. It’s so sexy when he finally loses control and takes what he wants from Abby. He’s so intrigued by her when she comes back into his life, this daring, outspoken American who boils his blood. Graeme and Abby’s chemistry is instantaneous and I love the banter between them. Abby is a strong heroine who is not afraid to say what’s on her mind. She’s fearless and never balks at going after what she wants.

Candace Camp creates a scorching build up and has you convinced that these two characters are never going to make the jump. Just when you think that Graeme and Abby will never pass the point of no return, they finally do and it’s sensual and steamy. Not only is this a solid romance but there is mystery and suspense. Camp keeps you guessing who is behind the mysterious attacks on Abby. She makes you question whether Abby and Graeme will recognize their true feelings for each other so that they can have a chance at having a real marriage. This is a fast paced novel that will keep you intrigued and questioning everything until the end!

1871

Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair, has married American heiress, Abigail (Abby) Price for her money and she knows it. Graeme is in love with another woman but is doing his duty to save his family. Abby hopes that she can win his love in time. But on their wedding night Graeme informs Abby that their marriage is in name only and that he is in love with someone else.

1881

Graeme learns from his friend that his wife in in town. After the shocking news given her by Graeme, Abby returned to New York and has stayed there for 10 years. Why is she back? Graeme’s mother tells him that she learned Abby is going to act as a matchmaker between wealthy American girls and British noblemen needing money.

Graeme’s family is in a tizzy thinking that Graeme should go to London and bring Abby to his home, Lydcombe Hall. However, he has decided he will simply make her leave England.

Seeing one another again at a soiree is awkward for Graeme because he sees Abby as the beautiful and poised woman she has become. However, he acts cool to her. She tells him that she wants a baby and realizing he needs an heir, he agrees. In the meantime, Abby insists that she maintain her independence by living in a hotel room and Graeme will live in his London home.

Later, she finds a cryptic and unsigned message left for her in her hotel room asking if she wants to know the truth about her marriage. Puzzled, she wonders what this means. But when a meeting with this mystery man turns deadly, Abby moves in with Graeme.

Together, they finally get to know one another and romance sparks. However, there is a mystery of misplaced funds that hangs over the memory of Graeme’s deceased father and Graeme and Abby seek to find the answer.

This is a good marriage of convenience story that takes the reader from the hurt and resentment to understanding. Graeme is a bit of a stick but Abby is a total sweetheart. Do read this story and I’m sure it will warm your heart.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Brilliant book. Excellent main characters and plot. I would recommend this book. i felt as if i was there

Was quite surprised by how much I liked this book! It did drag in the middle and lost my attention a bit but overall it was sweet.

Great book. Kept me guessing until the end. I connected with each character description. Can't wait for her next book!!

A superb buy buy buy buy buy book! One of the things I absolutely adored about the book was the different parts it has. Rather you would like, romance, passion, intrigue , mystery, crime, murder or love. This story has it all. The characters are well rounded and the plot line has twists and turns that you do not expect or see coming. A definite difference in the type of historical romance I was expecting. A definite buy book and a keeper! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

In Candace Camp's newest regency romance, an estranged couple come together again after a decade-long separation. Older and wiser, are they both willing to take chances on each other, or will the pride and prejudice that separated them the first time thwart them again? A Perfect Gentleman is a second-chance romance that also serves as a meditation on love and commitment, and is sure to delight fans of Ms. Camp and regency romance in general.

All Abigail Price wanted was a husband who loved her. She knew part of her job, as the daughter of an American mogul, was to marry an Englishman with a title, but she secretly hoped and prayed for a love match. When her father arranged for her to marry the handsome Earl of Montclair, Graeme Parr, she was overjoyed. Not only would he save her from the emotional abuse regularly inflicted on her at home, but he was everything she ever dreamed of finding in a husband.

Unfortunately, however, he was also completely in love with someone else. And even more unfortunately, he made it quite clear on their wedding night that he loathed her.

Not one to suffer fools, Abigail took herself and her new title back to America after her marriage and remained there for the better part of a decade. She and Graeme remained married, of course, but existed completely separately and both were quite content with the arrangement.

We enter this story through Graeme’s PoV, as he learns of his wife’s return. He’s spent ten years playing the dutiful husband; supporting her financially, not publically messing around on her, not divorcing her. He’s never really understood why she left, but her departure fit quite nicely into his belief that she’s a blackmailer and a thief. You see, while Abigail was under the impression that her marriage was a straightforward business transaction, it was actually a bit of extortion on the part of her father that led to the deal. While Abigail is completely innocent of any wrongdoing, Graeme assumed at their wedding and continued to assume throughout their separation that she was in on the plot. He happily ignored his wife and continued to pine for a woman he could not have.

Thus, Graeme is not particularly thrilled that Abigail is back. He’s especially peeved that she seems in no hurry to see him and has a young male companion with her. When they finally meet, Abigail informs Graeme she has come to deliver an ultimatum: give her a baby, or give her a divorce.

They strike a deal that Abigail will remain in London and act as wife until she delivers a child. Of course, as they spend more time together, they realize their actions and assumptions towards the other were wrong. They discover that they are actually a love match, just as Abigail always dreamed, and their story is absolutely lovely.

What is less successful is the mystery subplot woven throughout the story. You see, either Abigail is the clumsiest person on planet earth, or someone is trying to harm her. I wasn’t nearly as gripped by this aspect of the story as I think Ms. Camp wanted me to be, especially since one of the possible culprits was the woman Graeme was in love with. I have a particular irk against woman vs. woman storylines and while this one is resolved well, I didn’t love the journey through it.

Overall, however, A Perfect Gentleman fits soundly within Ms. Camp’s oeuvre and fans will not be disappointed. If you’re a fan of regency era romance and have not read this author, this is a great one to start with. The dialogue is witty, the plot is engrossing, and the construction of place is rich. I loved that Graeme and Abigail are a bit older, and a whole lot wiser, and their conversations reflect that. Their emotional vulnerability and self-reflection is refreshing, especially as they discuss the business bits of marriage and parenting. I closed the book with a happy sigh, wishing the two of them all the best as they start this new chapter in their marriage.

t has been awhile since I have read a Candace Camp Romance and I cannot think of a reason why I stopped. This is a marvelous book and she is an amazing author. Her stories are intricate and compelling. This is a full length novel that will keep you reading late into the night. This book is a must read. Candace is a master at writing a complex plot that has mystery, conflict and always a wonderful resolution. She leads you to the villain by subtle clues that will left me guessing until I was 3/4 through the book.

Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair is forced to marry an American heiress and give up the woman that he loved. Abigail Price agrees to marry Graeme to escape from her domineering father and finally find some happiness. She knows that Graeme doesn't love her but he is polite, respectful and handsome. Abigail does not know that Graeme is being blackmailed by her father, but Graeme thinks that she does and abandons her on their wedding night. Abigail doesn't know why Graeme hates her so she returns to America and makes a life for herself without her husband.

Now it is ten years later and Abigail has returned to England to try to reconcile with Graeme. She wants a child and hopes Graeme will cooperate. Graeme has always thought that Abigail knew what her father did to him and wants nothing to do with her. He does not trust her but he is a Gentleman and he will protect her because she is still is his wife. To make things more complicated someone is trying to kill Abigail and she is now living with Graeme. They mutually decide to reconcile to provide a baby for Abigail and an heir to the title. The desire is fiery and addictive, they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. Can they let the past stay in the past and make a life together? Love is in the air!!

Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.

Abigail Price is enamored with Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair. She is quietly is pleased with the match her father made for her. While she is aware Graeme is marrying her for financial gain, she does not know Graeme is being blackmailed by her father or that he is in love with someone else. Abigail is thus taken for surprise at the teardown she receives from her husband on her wedding night. She licks her wounds for 10 years back in America and becomes a force to be reckoned with when she returns to London.
To avoid scandal they are civil to one another but Abigail' s desire for a child rachetes up the tension and desire between the two. Add a mystery with threats to the mix and Abigail and Graeme will either grow closer or be driven apart by all the obstacles they face.

There was a lot going on in this novel. I was worried the setup would take so long that there would little time for the romance or mystery. Candace Camp did a wonderful job with the set up in the prologue that you really understood the characters and where eager to find out how they would work their differences out.

Abigail transformed in her years away both inwardly and outwardly. Graeme did little growing up during that time and Abigail improved who he was as a person. I loved this story and thought the epilogue was beyond sweet.

It has been a while since I have read one of Ms. Camp’s books. I really enjoyed the ones I previously read so when I saw this new one coming out and the description I knew I wanted to read it. Totally happy that I did. Marriage of convenience can be a hit or miss for a lot of readers, me included. I loved this book. It kept me saying “just one more chapter”. The story is so interesting and the characters are so fantastic. There is the whole marriage of convenience, they are apart for a number of years, they get back together with an “agreement” but what I really enjoyed was the mystery. Their working together creates a bond that they do not realize is growing into love. There were times when you just wanted to shout at them to stop being so stubborn. But isn’t that what makes reading enjoyable. Getting into the book so much that you feel a part of it. Fantastic story. I look forward to reading the next book about Laura and James.

4.5 stars

At the age of 18, Abigail (aka Abby) Price married Graeme Parr, heir to the Earl of Montclair and believed that she was finally going to be happy, have her own family and be free of her overbearing father. Graeme crushes all those hopes and dreams on their wedding night when he harshly confesses that he was blackmailed into marriage, believes she was involved with the blackmail and the death blow - he is in love with another woman and will never let Abby bear his children. Humiliated and heartbroken Abby flees England the next morning.

Ten years later, Abby is back and offers Graeme a proposal, either he gives her a child or a divorce. Since divorce is out of the question, he grudgingly agrees to father a child with her, but has conditions of his own.

As Graeme gets to know Abby, he realizes that she knew nothing of her father's blackmail and is genuinely sorry that Graeme was forced to marry her and could not be with his "true love". He begins to soften towards her and when the truth comes out about the blackmail, Abby is mortified and offers to help Graeme find out the truth. Together they grow closer and Abby knows she is falling in love with him again. She believes that she may actually be pregnant, but keeps it from Graeme, as she isn't ready to let him go. However, all that changes when they meet up with Laura, the woman Graeme loved and lost. Abby tells Graeme that she is having his child and releases him from their agreement, problem is, Graeme doesn't really want to be released. They start to grow apart and neither is happy. When it looks like they will reconcile an ill timed letter arrives and Graeme rushes off to meet Laura. When Graeme learns that Laura believes that someone is trying to hurt Abby, he over reacts and sends her away.

Apart for weeks, Graeme finally faces the truth, he loves Abby and wants to be with her. He goes to his estate and reconciles with Abby. It seems like these two will finally get a HEA and then his mother reveals that she knows where to find a person that Graeme has been searching for who might have answers regarding the blackmail. Anxious to solve the mystery and start anew with Abby, Graeme goes to see the man.

While he is gone, the villain strikes again and while I had an idea of who was behind the threats to Abby - I was still shocked!

This book was great and while I agree that Graeme was a jerk at the beginning, he didn't stay that way for long and he totally redeems himself. The book has a decent mystery, a very likable heroine, great secondary characters, steamy love scenes, a bit of action and a sigh worthy declaration scene.

Normally, I steer clear of books where one of the main characters has been in love before, but this book was really well done and in the end, I believed that Graeme found his one true love with Abby. I would highly recommend this book and can't wait for Laura's story!!