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Rogues Club #2
An Unforgettable Rogue
Beauty and the beast trade places. For Better Or Worse...
Young and insecure, Alexandra Huntington had married the man she'd adored since childhood—and said goodbye to her war-bound groom on the steps of the church. Of course, Bryceson Wakefield, Duke of Hawksworth, was always too aristocratically elegant for his own good—apparently far too much so to survive Waterloo. As his widow, Alex is penniless because the charming roue neglected to provide for her in his will.
Now she is on her way to the altar once more, hang the fact that her groom is Bryceson's enemy, the Viscount Chesterfield. But the ceremony is halted by none other than Bryceson himself—limping, bearded, and all the more dear to Alex for it. Though she secretly rejoices at his return, she will not fall into his arms so easily. She intends to show him that she is a grown woman with real passions who will demand that her husband prove his loyalty...and his love.
Young and insecure, Alexandra Huntington had married the man she'd adored since childhood—and said goodbye to her war-bound groom on the steps of the church. Of course, Bryceson Wakefield, Duke of Hawksworth, was always too aristocratically elegant for his own good—apparently far too much so to survive Waterloo. As his widow, Alex is penniless because the charming roue neglected to provide for her in his will.
Now she is on her way to the altar once more, hang the fact that her groom is Bryceson's enemy, the Viscount Chesterfield. But the ceremony is halted by none other than Bryceson himself—limping, bearded, and all the more dear to Alex for it. Though she secretly rejoices at his return, she will not fall into his arms so easily. She intends to show him that she is a grown woman with real passions who will demand that her husband prove his loyalty...and his love.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
109 people are currently reading
793 people want to read
About the author
Annette Blair
43 books1,007 followersAnnette Blair's romantic comedies owe their beginnings to a root canal and a reluctant trip to Salem Massachusetts. Though she had once proclaimed she'd never write a contemporary, she stumbled into the serendipitous role of Accidental Witch Writer on that trip. Funny how she managed to eat her words even with an aching jaw. Magic or destiny; Annette's Bewitching Romantic Comedies became her first National Bestsellers.
Her August '07 release, SEX AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH, the first in her Triplet Witch Trilogy, hit the #1 bestselling spot for contemporary romance-humorous on Barnes & Noble. It also hit B & N's overall bestseller lists for mass market and fiction mass market and #7 for romance mass market, topping Nielsen BookScan and Borders Bestseller lists as well.
Her August '07 release, SEX AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH, the first in her Triplet Witch Trilogy, hit the #1 bestselling spot for contemporary romance-humorous on Barnes & Noble. It also hit B & N's overall bestseller lists for mass market and fiction mass market and #7 for romance mass market, topping Nielsen BookScan and Borders Bestseller lists as well.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 23, 2012
A good read that is the second in this series and one that is, in many aspects, picking up the story and characters introduced in book one. However, it can indeed be read as a stand alone book. While it is not an innovative plot and story line, the characters themselves make this book. It is another novel that highlights the barbarism of war, especially fought in hand-to-hand combat as was the Napoleonic War. While our veterans today suffer terribly from PTSD, there was almost no understanding of that effect of war on its survivors nor was there any acceptance for men who bore the terrible scars of war externally as well as internally. Yet somehow there was a woman who saw beyond the injuries and the devastating inner wounds and whose loving acceptance healed and restored. It was a very entertaining read for me and one that spurred me on to reading the next books in the series.
January 5, 2014
This story was so much like the first in the series that I must replicate the review from that book: "A good story. Not much frisson because the narration always made clear what the characters were feeling. Many ups, downs, misunderstandings, of course. A few good laughs, a decent, if short, action scene [note: no real action scene in this one. pity.]. Some steamy moments, but nothing exceptionally graphic. A happy ending. Good enough to read before sleeping, but would not read again." Won't go on to read the third in the series.
November 11, 2014
Bryceson Wakefield, the new Duke of Hawksworth, marched off to fight Napoleon after promising his father he'd do so on his deathbed. Declared dead on the battlefield at Waterloo, Bryceson's bride finally decides to marry again after a year to Viscount Chesterfield Hawskworth's arch enemy. Much to everyone's surprise, the derelict who shows up at the wedding is none other than Hawksworth himself, returned from the dead to reclaim his wife at the altar! Now Alexandra and Bryceson must find a way to make a marriage from these two strangers. Bryceson is determined to set her free because he feels that his battle scars are too severe for him to function as a man again but he won't do it until he's sure she won't marry Chesterfield. Despite Hawksworth's protests that he's not worthy though, Alex wants her husband and will not stop until she proves to him that he is.
The best scene in the book is the scene where he shows up at the wedding and says that his wife can't marry someone else. I loved it! However, dealing with war wounds is very difficult as we are too aware now and as the story of how Hawksworth survived Waterloo comes out, it is very difficult not to empathize with his plight.
I received this book as a gift from the author at an author event.
The best scene in the book is the scene where he shows up at the wedding and says that his wife can't marry someone else. I loved it! However, dealing with war wounds is very difficult as we are too aware now and as the story of how Hawksworth survived Waterloo comes out, it is very difficult not to empathize with his plight.
I received this book as a gift from the author at an author event.
March 22, 2009
I made it to exactly page 152 before I finally decided that I could take no more. I usually love the tortured hero but in this case the characters are flat, the dialog even worse - as a whole, the book is totally forgettable. Ms. Blair seems intent on forcing the minutiae of her character's lives upon the reader and her level of detail about the various shops as her characters drive along Bond Street is barely skim-worthy. (building, building, building, ooh, this one's 3 stories tall, building, building, destination)
I deliberately started reading this book before acquiring books one and three in the series, of which I am very glad now - for doing so saved me several dollars. Thank you, Ms. Blair, but no.
I deliberately started reading this book before acquiring books one and three in the series, of which I am very glad now - for doing so saved me several dollars. Thank you, Ms. Blair, but no.
December 3, 2016
I cannot for one moment imagine getting to the altar for ones second marriage believing ones husband to be dead only to have the marriage stopped by a very alive first husband.
But I can imagine the anguish of both the husband and the intended husband at that moment.
This is how the story begins and one thing after the other happens to make this a very intriguing tale which is so cleverly and beautifully written that I enjoyed it 100%.
But I can imagine the anguish of both the husband and the intended husband at that moment.
This is how the story begins and one thing after the other happens to make this a very intriguing tale which is so cleverly and beautifully written that I enjoyed it 100%.
June 20, 2014
I can't help but to think if the main characters in this book just spoke to one another they might have been a lot happier. Then again, with so much angsty handwringing going on with this one, had that been the case the book would have been about 50 pages.
March 19, 2015
A spin to the tale of the beauty and the beast.
It was enjoyable but could have been way better.
It was enjoyable but could have been way better.
May 5, 2020
I like this author, but this book grew tedious. Their inner monologue was repeated over and over - she loves him, always has, doesn't want him to leave again and he loves her, doesn't think he is good enough, he should leave her. Also, no surprise when the Baxter betrays the niece and she marries Chesterfield.
March 14, 2018
A wonderful historical romance. I could of throttled Alex and Hawk at times, but I thoroughly enjoyed their story. Their antics made me laugh out loud many times while reading. I would highly recommend Annette Blair having read a few of her books, happy reading.
June 29, 2019
Boring
I did read the whole book but must admit it took me a while. It was so boringly repetitive that I read a few pages and then put it down. I finished it in the hope it would get better. Sorry to say it didn't.
I did read the whole book but must admit it took me a while. It was so boringly repetitive that I read a few pages and then put it down. I finished it in the hope it would get better. Sorry to say it didn't.
March 6, 2022
Not as good as Book 1. I was a little put off by how much the main characters CONSTANTLY repeat their inner thoughts for the first half of the book. The story picks up as the location shifts from countryside to London and the Book 1 characters are reintroduced to the storyline.
January 10, 2019
I loved this book!! Can't wait to read the third book!
January 14, 2023
loved the wards especially bea!
September 10, 2023
I loved the story of Bryce and Alex, I mean who wouldn’t love a reformed rogue? I can’t wait to read the last rogue’s story. Annette Blair does an awesome job of keeping it interesting. R. K. C. H.
October 30, 2013
Alexandra Huntington thinks she is the luckiest person when she marries her childhood friend and her love, Bryceson, the Duke of Hawksworth. Unfortunately, he leaves her at the church and goes off to war. He thinks he has done well and has left security for his family.
Alex is devastated to learn of Hawks death. But she does everything she can to keep her family in tact, especially when the new heir kicks them out. She returns to her rundown childhood home and carries on. When she has the opportunity to marry again and receive financial support through a marriage of convenience, she takes the opportunity. But at her wedding, a stranger appears and before she can say "I do", she discovers the stranger is actually Bryceson whom although presumed dead was actually saved. He had been back in London for awhile, but since he was severally wounded, had many demons to try and work through before he made his presence known.
He vows to let her go, but can't seem to bring himself to actually do so. Alex has always only wanted him but refuses to give him what she feels is the upper hand and keeps her thoughts about their marriage to herself. She was also led to believe that he didn't desire her and only married her to help his family when he was away.
Alex vows to seduce him but Hawk does a good job of keeping her at bay. He can see how much he hurts her, but is so stuck within himself and feeling unworthy that he can't move from the path he chose for himself. But when the time comes when he might truly loose her forever, he faces his truths and determines not to let her go.
I admit it; I have always enjoyed Beauty and the Beast like stories and this runs along the same idea. I found it to be a fun and entertaining story, even if one or two parts with secondary characters it felt a little weighted down.
Alex is devastated to learn of Hawks death. But she does everything she can to keep her family in tact, especially when the new heir kicks them out. She returns to her rundown childhood home and carries on. When she has the opportunity to marry again and receive financial support through a marriage of convenience, she takes the opportunity. But at her wedding, a stranger appears and before she can say "I do", she discovers the stranger is actually Bryceson whom although presumed dead was actually saved. He had been back in London for awhile, but since he was severally wounded, had many demons to try and work through before he made his presence known.
He vows to let her go, but can't seem to bring himself to actually do so. Alex has always only wanted him but refuses to give him what she feels is the upper hand and keeps her thoughts about their marriage to herself. She was also led to believe that he didn't desire her and only married her to help his family when he was away.
Alex vows to seduce him but Hawk does a good job of keeping her at bay. He can see how much he hurts her, but is so stuck within himself and feeling unworthy that he can't move from the path he chose for himself. But when the time comes when he might truly loose her forever, he faces his truths and determines not to let her go.
I admit it; I have always enjoyed Beauty and the Beast like stories and this runs along the same idea. I found it to be a fun and entertaining story, even if one or two parts with secondary characters it felt a little weighted down.
February 7, 2014
Bryceson Wakefield (Hawks), Duke of Hawksworth, believed to be dead by his wife Alexandra (Alex) Huntingdon Wakefield. He must stop Alexandra from committing bigamy because he's not dead. Hawks expecting to find his simple hoyden instead beauty beyond his worth. Hawks wonders if she can love him as scarred and broken that he is now. Sabrina and Gideon St. Goddard, Duchess and Duke of Stanthorpe, tell Hawks that he's wrong for not telling Alex that he's alive and well. Alex's heart breaks upon seeing Hawks alive and clearly not the man who left her shortly after marrying. Hawks' nieces Beatrix and Claudia are overjoyed at seeing him. Hawks believes he must give Alex up to save her reputation inspite the fact he loves her so. Can Hawks and Alex admit their feelings? Will Hawks stick to his plan? What will Alex do to keep her unforgettable rogue? Your answers await you in Unforgettable Rogue.
Ms. Blair has created a wonderful series. I love diving into these books because I feel like I'm living their lives myself! Ms. Blair clearly has great writing chops because her books are flawless in characters and story. I will definitely continue reading this series and any other of her works.
Ms. Blair has created a wonderful series. I love diving into these books because I feel like I'm living their lives myself! Ms. Blair clearly has great writing chops because her books are flawless in characters and story. I will definitely continue reading this series and any other of her works.
May 27, 2014
I loved the first and fourth book in this series a lot and was disappointed by how much the heroine in this one annoyed me. Both Alex and Hawk should have been smacked upside the head early in the book, because if they had just TALKED to each other things would've been different. Then we wouldn't have had the story, I know, but it was still frustrating. One minute Alex is weeping over the return of her 'dead' husband, the next she's weeping over how he treats her. I think what annoyed me the most was her bipolar emotions throughout the whole book. I will admit AB is probably spot on with how a woman of that time would've acted, but it really did aggravate me almost to the point of not finishing the book. But I'm glad I did finish it. This book still had the annoying punctuation issues of quotations all over the place, and the head hopping and lack of enough spaces between paragraphs where POV changed was a bit much. However, the characters were interesting and I loved the overall romance.
January 31, 2016
Spoiler Alert!!!
Bryceson marries Alexandria right before leaving for war, mostly because he his best friend and need some to watch over his family when he leaves. She is in love with him but they don't even have a honeymoon night. Word comes that he died in the war but turns out he was thrown in a mass grave and rescued by a boy who was scavenging the dead bodies. When he found Bryce alive and the army surgeons too busy to come get him, he was taking to the boy's home and nursed to health. He returned intending to give Alex an annulment to their wedding because he believed she only married him bcuz he asked as a friend and also because he massive new scars he was very insecure about. Thought she deserved better. He arrives just in time to stop her from marrying Chesterfield. He stays with her only to prevent the marriage to him believing she deserves a better man but can't seem to let her go. She spends the time trying to convince him that she is in love with him and wants no one else. His niece ends up engaged to Chesterfield but he and Alex finally come together.
Bryceson marries Alexandria right before leaving for war, mostly because he his best friend and need some to watch over his family when he leaves. She is in love with him but they don't even have a honeymoon night. Word comes that he died in the war but turns out he was thrown in a mass grave and rescued by a boy who was scavenging the dead bodies. When he found Bryce alive and the army surgeons too busy to come get him, he was taking to the boy's home and nursed to health. He returned intending to give Alex an annulment to their wedding because he believed she only married him bcuz he asked as a friend and also because he massive new scars he was very insecure about. Thought she deserved better. He arrives just in time to stop her from marrying Chesterfield. He stays with her only to prevent the marriage to him believing she deserves a better man but can't seem to let her go. She spends the time trying to convince him that she is in love with him and wants no one else. His niece ends up engaged to Chesterfield but he and Alex finally come together.
August 25, 2009
Well, this second entry into the Rogues Club series was much better than the first. As with the first book, the plot is unoriginal and I have read better books with the same theme, but it was still a nice, easy, and sometimes humorous read. Also, I love scarred/tortured/etc heroes, they're my weakness! :P All the characters were much more enjoyable and believable, especially Alex and Hawk (I've found that Annette Blair's secondary characters are usually more interesting than the hero and heroine, except Alex and Hawk were equally enjoyable this time), there was more humor, and overall I actually enjoyed it. My main problem was the secret keeping; there were times when I thought, "Just tell him/her you idiot!" Sometimes that can be very annoying in romances. However, as I said before, this book was a nice read to pass the time but nothing too remarkable.
September 21, 2017
‘Unforgettable Rouge,’ is a heartwarming story, of acceptance, devotion, and worthiness.
Bryceson Wakefield did not lose his life on a battlefield in Waterloo, as his family believes, a year ago. He is alive, though vastly changed, and determined to stop and carry away his wife, Alexandra Huntingdon, from marrying the Viscount Chesterfield, if it’s the last thing he does...
Even as she, Alexandra Huntingdon, is waking down the aisle to marry another, she cannot stop thinking and wishing for her late husband and of all that was left unsaid and undone. Lost in a inner turmoil, Alex could neither answer nor stay conscious when Bryceson revealed himself and stopped her wedding. Now, having her wildest dreams come true and dealing with all her chaotic emotions, she will make sure Bryceson pays for staying away so long and daring to leave her untouched...
Bryceson Wakefield did not lose his life on a battlefield in Waterloo, as his family believes, a year ago. He is alive, though vastly changed, and determined to stop and carry away his wife, Alexandra Huntingdon, from marrying the Viscount Chesterfield, if it’s the last thing he does...
Even as she, Alexandra Huntingdon, is waking down the aisle to marry another, she cannot stop thinking and wishing for her late husband and of all that was left unsaid and undone. Lost in a inner turmoil, Alex could neither answer nor stay conscious when Bryceson revealed himself and stopped her wedding. Now, having her wildest dreams come true and dealing with all her chaotic emotions, she will make sure Bryceson pays for staying away so long and daring to leave her untouched...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2013
Aw!! Such a sweet story!! A man named Hawk who is scarred in his face and body due to the war in Waterloo. After coming home and finding out that his wife was to marry another man, a man he despise, so he stopped the marriage. Though he stopped the wedding he questions if his wife still love after what he put her through to take care of his and her family. When Alex discovered that her husband stopped her wedding, she was shocked and angry with him because he left her after they got married a year ago. She was worried that her husband didn't still love because she was troubled of what his father said that she wasn't worthy enough for him. She tries everything to let Her husband know she love him but would it be enough? I love this story. I recommend it to who love this type if story.
January 20, 2016
Classic romance
This book is part of a series. I believe that each book can stand alone.
I have always read romance novels and gothic novels. I prefer them to have a story to tell besides just the sex. This one does. It is about a man coming back from the dead and having to face his life and deal with what remains of his former life and family, while trying to come to terms with the here and now.
Good character development for the primary players. I am hoping that we get to know some of the secondary characters better, Claudia, and Chesterfield for one and the aunt and uncle for two.
Ms. Blair's books are a quick read, no noticeable grammar or spelling errors, and a believable plot.
Definitely worth the money to purchase.
This book is part of a series. I believe that each book can stand alone.
I have always read romance novels and gothic novels. I prefer them to have a story to tell besides just the sex. This one does. It is about a man coming back from the dead and having to face his life and deal with what remains of his former life and family, while trying to come to terms with the here and now.
Good character development for the primary players. I am hoping that we get to know some of the secondary characters better, Claudia, and Chesterfield for one and the aunt and uncle for two.
Ms. Blair's books are a quick read, no noticeable grammar or spelling errors, and a believable plot.
Definitely worth the money to purchase.
July 4, 2014
2 and 1/2 stars. There was probably more to like about this book than I was able to see. But right off the bat there was a major factual error: the hero believes he can annul his marriage as long as he and his wife don't consummate it. The law at the time, though, was that a marriage could be annulled if the husband was *unable* to perform, not unwilling. After that, every little thing about this story bothered me, and the ending seemed unremarkable (as if the author decided just to be done). I really liked the first book in the series--Annette Blair's writing and characterization were a joy to read--so I'll give the third book a try. But this one was disappointing.
March 18, 2015
This is the second Annette Blair novel I've read, both in this series, both a slow read for me. Both plots I enjoyed and the characters as well so it must be the writing that is a bit tedious for me. I would dearly loved to have read one of the other romances in this story, as a novella possibly.Note: I read this from Scandalous Brides Four Bestselling Full-Length Regency Novels compilation.
September 11, 2016
I read this book last even though it was 2nd in the series. I did not enjoy it as much as the others probably because I knew that it was that there were no books in the series that I had not read yet. Also this book had a lot less humor than the others. Admittedly the storyline is more serious than the others so it is understandable but it still affected my rating. Had I read them in order this book would have been at least 4 stars.
May 21, 2012
This is one of those Return from the Grave, Scarred War Hero, arriving just in time to stop his bride/widow from marrying his nemesis story. Not very original but readable. Good for a quiet afternoon.
There are a few oddly abrupt conversation jumps in this book, I noticed it also in the previous book. Feels as if the editing needed some work but it could also be the writer's style. Let's see if it's the same in the next books.
There are a few oddly abrupt conversation jumps in this book, I noticed it also in the previous book. Feels as if the editing needed some work but it could also be the writer's style. Let's see if it's the same in the next books.
August 26, 2012
Not as good as the first one; Hawk's war wounds only pain him when it's convenient for the plot line. The secondary romance was better and much time was spent introducing Reed's dislike for children which will play into the next book. Reed was also an excellent plot device for explaining scenes from the war which the other men tried to protect the women from.
Debating whether to read the next one especially as the lost heir plot has been done to death and I'm not seeing a new twist here.
Debating whether to read the next one especially as the lost heir plot has been done to death and I'm not seeing a new twist here.
January 23, 2013
Out of the 3 books in the series this was my least favourite. I liked Alexandra and felt rather sorry for her to have a husband whom she loves dearly, who only married her for support. Throughout the book I found myself getting bored and willing the book to be finished soon. It was obvious that Alex loved Hawk, but for some reason he couldn't see that which was annoying. It was a nice ending but not my favourite.
August 9, 2016
This was an OK book for the reason that if someone would only volunteer their true feelings then it would be smoother and shorter cause what would fill the time. We wouldn't have to have so much whiny "she doesn't love me" & "he doesn't love me" I'll sacrifice my love for him/her even if it makes me unhappy. This just started to get on my nerves. Didn't care a bit about who was beautiful now vs. then issue!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews