How to Fake a Southern Gentleman - Paperback

by Mayra Cuevas (Author), Marie Marquardt (Author)

This bighearted rom-com debut reimagines My Fair Lady, as two women team up to make over a sexy hustler and take down one of Atlanta's most corrupt men. Along the way, their story sizzles with unexpected friendship and swoony love.

Proud single mom Holly Simmons and ambitious journalist Luisa Martín Moreno have nothing in common--until Atlanta's most powerful man, Griggs Caldecott Johnson III, turns both their lives upside down. Griggs is threatening Holly's job as the events manager at the hoity-toity Dogwood Hills Country Club, while Luisa gets fired for trying to expose his scheme to defraud an immigrant family and snatch up their land for a luxury development.

Determined to fight back, the women team up to infiltrate Griggs's inner circle. Their secret weapon? Elijah Denvil Sweet, a sexy hustler with a knack for reinvention. With a makeover, etiquette lessons, and a little help from Professor Pridmore--a charming, handsome, and single linguistics professor--Eli transforms into "Tripp," the kind of Southern gentleman Griggs might just trust.

But as the plan takes shape, so do tender and unexpected feelings neither woman saw coming--with the very men helping them get justice.

With sparkling wit, strong female friendship, and slow-burn romance, How to Fake a Southern Gentleman is perfect for anyone who's ever felt underestimated--and longs for a love that plays by its own rules.

Author Biography

Mayra Cuevas is the award-winning author of picture books and novels for readers of all ages. Her young adult novel Does My Body Offend You? (cowritten with Marie Marquardt) was long-listed for the PEN/Faulkner Award. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Mayra is a former award-winning CNN producer, and currently, a creative writing professor. She cofounded the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival and its Latinx Storytellers Conference. Mayra keeps her sanity by practicing modern Buddhism and meditation. She splits her time between Atlanta and Puerto Rico. You can find Mayra on Instagram @Mayra.Cuevas and her website MayraCuevas.com.

Marie Marquardt is the award-winning author of four YA novels, including The Radius of Us and Does My Body Offend You? (with Mayra Cuevas). Marie has also published two nonfiction books and several articles about Latin American immigration. She lives in Decatur, Georgia, with her spouse and four kids. You can connect with her on Substack @MarieMarquardt and through her website MarieMarquardt.com.