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A review by laurenjodi
A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
4.0
A Rogue by Any Other Name
4 Stars
Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne, lost everything - his land, his money and his reputation - in a single game of cards. Swearing vengeance, Bourne waits eight years for the opportunity to ruin the man who destroyed his life. Dealing with the social consequences of a broken engagement, Penelope Marbury is resigned to life as a spinster until Bourne charges back into her life and offers her the adventure of a lifetime. But can Bourne move past his obsession with revenge to give Penelope and himself the love that they both desperately need…
Series Note: This is book #1 in the spin-off to MacLean’s Love By Numbers series, the first of which, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, is one of the best historical romances in recent memory. While it is not 100% necessary to read the original series, Penelope and Michael’s story is loosely related to the 3rd book Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart.
There is much to enjoy in this book - solid writing and pacing, engaging dialogue, a lovable heroine and an intriguing revenge plot. Unfortunately, the hero’s cold cruelty undermines the romance for much of the story.
While the villain is certainly despicable and Michael’s desire for vengeance is quite understandable, his ruthless calculation and callous action toward Penelope make it exceedingly difficult to like him. That said, he does ultimately redeem himself and the HEA at the end is satisfying.
In contrast, Penelope's strength of will and determination to live life to the fullest make her an exceptional heroine. Despite her love for Michael, she is under no illusions as to his faults and confronts him with his asinine behavior at every turn. Seeing his confusion and bewilderment at the “Amazon” his wife becomes is highly entertaining as are the spicy scenes between the two.
Another highlight of the book is the camaraderie between the eponymous scoundrels of the series, Bourne, Cross, Chase and Temple. Their honest friendship is rare to see in historical romance (being more the purview of military romantic suspense) and their banter as well as the occasional fisticuffs are fun to read.
The epilogue introduces to next couple in these series and I am eager to read Pippa and Cross’s story.
4 Stars
Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne, lost everything - his land, his money and his reputation - in a single game of cards. Swearing vengeance, Bourne waits eight years for the opportunity to ruin the man who destroyed his life. Dealing with the social consequences of a broken engagement, Penelope Marbury is resigned to life as a spinster until Bourne charges back into her life and offers her the adventure of a lifetime. But can Bourne move past his obsession with revenge to give Penelope and himself the love that they both desperately need…
Series Note: This is book #1 in the spin-off to MacLean’s Love By Numbers series, the first of which, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, is one of the best historical romances in recent memory. While it is not 100% necessary to read the original series, Penelope and Michael’s story is loosely related to the 3rd book Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart.
There is much to enjoy in this book - solid writing and pacing, engaging dialogue, a lovable heroine and an intriguing revenge plot. Unfortunately, the hero’s cold cruelty undermines the romance for much of the story.
While the villain is certainly despicable and Michael’s desire for vengeance is quite understandable, his ruthless calculation and callous action toward Penelope make it exceedingly difficult to like him. That said, he does ultimately redeem himself and the HEA at the end is satisfying.
In contrast, Penelope's strength of will and determination to live life to the fullest make her an exceptional heroine. Despite her love for Michael, she is under no illusions as to his faults and confronts him with his asinine behavior at every turn. Seeing his confusion and bewilderment at the “Amazon” his wife becomes is highly entertaining as are the spicy scenes between the two.
Another highlight of the book is the camaraderie between the eponymous scoundrels of the series, Bourne, Cross, Chase and Temple. Their honest friendship is rare to see in historical romance (being more the purview of military romantic suspense) and their banter as well as the occasional fisticuffs are fun to read.
The epilogue introduces to next couple in these series and I am eager to read Pippa and Cross’s story.