⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. A sweet and passionate love emerges from the ashes of betrayal and manipulation.

Incorrigible flirt Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellsbourne, is in need of a duchess. En route to greet a potential bride, he encounters a most intriguing and captivating widow who completely distracts him from his task. However, she disappears before he can deepen their acquaintance. Acton begrudgingly goes to meet his bride, unaware she and the widow are one and the same. When Persephone Barclay’s younger sister is compromised, Persephone must wed before the scandal spreads. Her parents scramble to present her to the Duke of Wellsbourne, except he’s precisely the kind of rogue she has now vowed to avoid. Taking flight to avoid a match, Persephone runs straight into her would-be betrothed and pretends to be someone else. But dash it all, the duke proves to be irresistibly charming! If she remains in his company, she’ll end up in the wicked scoundrel’s clutches. Even worse, her second attempt at escape lands her in increasingly poor circumstances. With nowhere to turn and her safety at risk, she may have to accept help from the one man who threatens her resolve, and her reputation.

MY THOUGHTS

Acton had an amiable, rakish demeanor that hid the torment he continually experienced because of his tragic, complicated childhood. He proved to be so much more than his reputation would suggest. I savored the moment when Acton realized he wasn’t doomed to follow in his father’s footsteps, but that he had the power to define for himself who he wanted to be.

Persephone harboured plenty of loathing for rakes, especially after her sister’s ruination, and she tarred Acton with the same brush. He, in turn, surprised her by working with her, instead of attempting to manipulate her, like her parents. Well, maybe apart from trying to convince her to marry him. She made some potentially dangerous mistakes in her bid for freedom, but Acton was somehow always right where he needed to be.

The whole thing with Persephone’s parents pushing her to marry the duke, but then changing their minds, was a bit strange and not explained too well. And the ton seemed especially fickle in this story. But I loved Persephone and Acton’s journey to love and the undeniable chemistry between them.

This is the first book in a new series that I want to read more of. If you like steamy historical romance, then don’t miss this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: January 30, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: Rogue Rules