Series: League of Rogues, #2
Traits & Tropes: forbidden; best friend's sister/brother's best friend; reformed rake; pining; danger/suspense; titled hero; age gap (older hero)
Publication Date: 03.02.17
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London/Kent, England, 1820
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 4/5
Lucien Russell, the Marquess of Rochester, has done nothing to ameliorate his tarnished reputation, preferring to keep matchmaking mothers away because he is torn between his desire for Horatia and his loyalty to her brother and the pact they made making sisters off limits.
They are all put under immense strain when Horatia’s life is threatened by an enemy of their group of friends. They all flee to Lucien’s country estate for the Christmas season where Lucien finally succumbs to his desire for Horatia, but with their enemies looming ever closer, their burgeoning happiness is threatened by more than just her brother’s temper.
I wound up liking this book rather more than I had expected to. There was a lot of time spent on setting up the villain and his schemes as an overarching theme for the series and that did pull me out of the story some, but it always managed to bring me back. On those lines though, I could’ve done without the scenes devoted to Audrey’s antics; she was just immature and annoying to me, and I wanted to get back things with Horatia and Lucien. I couldn’t help but cheer Horatia on as she finally stood up for herself and the future she wanted. Lucien was harder to get behind with his standoffish behavior and coldness to Horatia, even after they had shared some intimacies. Fortunately, he did eventually come to his senses, and I liked how, once that happened, he was unapologetically determined to be with Horatia. Her brother Cedric’s behavior on the other hand was just completely over the top and he caused many problems and much pain that could’ve been avoided. I was not at all pleased with Cedric and his seeming disregard for his sister’s feelings, just assuming he must know best without giving either Lucien or Horatia a chance, so I hope he’ll redeem himself in the next book. Otherwise, I enjoyed the fact that Lucien finally allowed his true self and deeper emotions to be revealed to Horatia, trusting her not to reject him. Perhaps my favorite aspect was Lucien’s mother’s attempts to help Horatia make him see sense. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I’d like to continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2813319371
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4596527365
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