Reviews

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt

Only show reviews with written explanations

cheerfullrain's review against another edition

4.0

I throughly enjoyed this book, mostly because of the heroine. She was interesting and strong. It was a treat to watch her fight for the right not to be hindered by her blindness and it was SO satisfying when she finally won. I liked and was interested in the hero because of his appearance in other books, but I found him to be a run of the mill romantic hero. Nothing about him really stood out.

dieslaughing's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.5

I liked this, so it’s more a 3.5; despite all the kidnappings, it was pretty gentle for a Maiden Lane book. I am realizing however that I really wished I had not read Duke of Sin (#10) out of sequence because Hoyt’s setup of Valentine from the jump (at the very end of Duke of Midnight) and throughout the subsequent two books is so well-executed.

sri_savita's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This was too much angst, even for me, and that's because it wasn't just romantic/emotional angst, but truly dark and heartbreaking situations that weren't given enough attention and justice. I did like James and Phoebe, but a lot of other situations were really difficult to read about. I was pretty much ready to cry for the whole book. I did like the atmosphere/setting, and James's family though.

The preview of Eve and Asa has me excited though, because their set up sounds so fun with her having to reign in his expenses at Harte's Folly and him sort of being in charge alone this whole time and not wanting to be financially managed, much needed after this book, I think.

qwelling4's review

Go to review page

funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

laurenjodi's review

Go to review page

4.0

Dearest Rogue
4.5 Stars

Following a serious leg injury that brought his career as a Dragoon captain to an end, James Trevillion is charged with guarding the pretty, vivacious and very blind Lady Phoebe Batten. At first the position holds no challenge for the proud and distinguished former soldier, but things change when Lady Phoebe is targeted by kidnappers. In order to protect her from the nefarious plans of a ruthless villain, James spirits Phoebe away and soon the only threat is the one to both of their hearts.

Phoebe and Trevillion’s romance has been brewing for the last few books and it more than lives up to expectations. Their banter is witty and entertaining, and their chemistry is off the charts.

Phoebe struggles against the bars of the gilded cage in which her overprotective brother has placed her, and takes the majority of her anger and frustration out on Trevllion’s broad shoulders. Although this has the potential for presenting her as spoiled and selfish, Hoyt manages to avoid this pitfall as Phoebe is a charming and lovely person.

Trevillion has his own crosses to bear. He struggleswith his ever increasing attraction to Phoebe and the feelings of inadequacy caused both by his social class and the injury that almost cost him his life. Nevertheless, he faces these challenges head on and is more than man enough for Phoebe.

The kidnapping plot and revelation of the culprit is secondary to the romance. Nevertheless, there are some tense and exciting moments that add another layer of enjoyment to the story.

All in all, an excellent addition to the Maiden Lane series and I look forward to the next installment.

ladysadiereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Lady Phoebe has been slowly going blind for her entire life and when the light finally fades for her - there is only one man to protect her. Captain James Trevillion will keep Phoebe safe - hopefully, he can also keep his heart that way.

This was an Oprah Winfrey giveaway of tropes - and that is entirely a compliment. Want some grumpy and sunshine? Want some bodyguard? Want some pining and brooding hero? Want an absolute angel of a heroine? Literally all of that and more!

Trevillion is a fabulous brooding hero with some legit pining from page one. But he also is the only one who listens to Pheobe and doesn't decide things for her. Pheobe's discussion about and relationship with her blindness is an amazing storyline alone. I legitimately loved so much of this and was super happy to jump back in to Hoyt's fabulous Maiden Lane series.

brucethegirl's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I hadn't read any historicals in this time period before. There were a lot of world aspects I had no idea about- namely that a woman could be kidnapped and forced into marriage and it was just totally a thing you could do. Mind-boggling on a number of levels, even the "women are property" one they had back then. But I digress.

Lady Phoebe Batten has benefitted her entire life being the sister of a powerful duke, one that indulges her and cares about her. And is probably more overprotective than any other brother. Namely because Phoebe is blind, and through the course of the book her eye sight actually becomes progressively worse. Her brother has commanded that she be accompanied at all times by Captain James Trevillion. A brooding, mysterious sharpshooter with his own issues. He also is an auxiliary cane user and has a limp.

I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine romance, and the angst about their not being able to be together due to SOCIETY. It led to some really great internal dialogue and being it was dual POV, I ate that up. I especially loved having a disability rep in BOTH leads. That neither let it make them helpless, or needed to be cured or whatever else. It was life, it was their reality. Now let's fall in love.

I didn't really care for the big reveal at the end. Well the kidnapping one, that was just very whoomp whoomp boring and not exciting at all. It was just... not anything close to the build up. Not to mention the aspects that were clearly set into play just to build further books in the series. Don't call this a standalone when its clearly not. I did enjoy James's family reveal. That was really great and well handled.

Overall, a fun time in a time period not often explored.

Content Warnings