Lady Jenna Hawkins once had her heart shattered by Cillian, Viscount Sallis, leaving her unable to trust or love again. Her determination to keep him at a distance wavers when fate thrusts him back into her life. A harrowing encounter drives her into his arms, reigniting a fire she thought long extinguished.
Cillian stirs a burning passion in Jenna that defies reason, drawing her irresistibly into the dangerous allure of their rekindled desire. As each heated moment with him deepens her yearning, Jenna is torn between surrendering to the wild intensity of their affair and fiercely protecting the heart she vowed he would never touch again.
Alyssa Clarke writes steamy Regency Historical Romances featuring swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, sometimes unconventional heroines! Her debut novel, Love Me, If You Dare, came to her in a dream as a hot, fun enemy to lover romance where she played the leading lady who fell in love with a duke who looked remarkably like Henry Cavill.
When not writing, Alyssa enjoys hiking, games/movie night, with her husband and two beautiful children, and her Siberian Husky, Cronus. She is a lover of wine, cheesecake, and more wine.
This is my 29th book by Alyssa Clarke. I just started her in April, 2021 and she quickly became a favorite. I love her stories and she writes such good sex scenes.
I loved Jenna and Cillian. When he talked to her about his feelings, I felt those. Those scenes were so well written. I "felt" this couple and all they had been through. So good. Super cute couple. I love this whole series.
This is my favorite of the series. The end seriously made me tear up. I'm not entirely sure how the book reads for those who haven't read the book that introduces Cillian and his nefariousness. But for those who follow the series, this is a 5 star read
Dared by a Rogue is the seventeenth book in the Wagers and Wallflowers series.
I jumped into this series and didn’t have any problem doing so. The series revolves around a group of women who are all part of a secret ladies’ club that takes part in dares but also learns about self defense and investing. While the club and members are mentioned in the beginning, the overall book didn’t heavily focus on it.
I really enjoyed this second chance romance. They’re both stubborn people who felt wronged and built up walls to cover their heartache. The story starts when they meet, jumps to when they part, and jumps again five years down the road. Even though the timeline jumps with each of the first three chapters, I still felt connected to the MC and the heartbreak they felt. I also felt the maturity of the MC was shown well through the reasoning of the breakup and that when they met again five years later, having the hindsight to see their past mistakes. I enjoyed seeing the trust being rebuilt and their relationship at the end was sweet and fun.
The only issue was that towards the beginning a few dares are given and a timeline for Cillian to win Jenna back but then this plot was forgotten and it changed course. It ended up being fine because I enjoyed what it switched to. But remembered the forgotten plot once I finished the book.
Overall though, this was a wonderful steamy second chance that was also lighthearted and a quick read.
There are three encounters. This is the second book I’ve read of this author and the encounters have all been fire. Well written and full of steam.
An eARC was provided by the author, all opinions are my own.
I loved this romance. The spice was written well, the couples chemistry was full of tension and longing. I loved that Cillian worked alongside his employees on the estate even though he didn’t have much of a choice. His relationship with the townspeople was heartwarming. I didn’t care for the reason behind the miscommunication at the beginning but it ended up working out for the best. My favorite parts were when he dared her and that wouldn’t have happened without it. I loved that it all happened outside of the ton at his country home. This was short and sweet but a good romance!
Thank you to the author and @estela.reads.romance for the gifted copy.
Thoughts: This is my second book by Alyssa Clarke, and I really enjoyed it. I am consistently impressed by this author’s ability to pack so much personal history and emotion in such short-length novellas.
Cillian and Jenna’s story was very romantic. At first, I thought that their separation required too much suspension of belief to understand. However, as the book proceeded, the author gradually reveals details on both main leads’ ends that adequately and emotionally explain the flawed, but very human, reasons that went into their decisions. As such, Cillian and Jenna’s story was so moving, and I loved both of their characters.
Overall, the relationship progression was entertaining, the romance was swoony, and the angst was riveting. I cried during two moments of this book–once during the confession scene and the other when Cillian revealed his learned understanding and acceptance of Jenna’s thoughts and intentions. The way both characters grew to know each other was beautifully written.
I would recommend this book to fans of historical romance who love angsty second chances.
The only minor complaints I have are related to the suspension of belief I needed to use when reading about Jenna’s inebriation, but that was easily overlooked. There are also some modern aspects to the book that may impact other readers’ enjoyment, but I was also able to overlook those.
I read this book as a standalone, but it did not impact my reading enjoyment.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Tropes: Second chance, poor male lead, misunderstandings, angst
Trigger warnings: 1 scene with attempted SA, inebriation
I'm head over heels for this dynamic duo and their saga that's a cocktail of passion, quick-wit, and moments that tug at the heartstrings. The spotlight is on Lady Jenna Hawkins and Cillian Stanhope, Viscount Sallis, who navigate a sea of old mix-ups and fresh flutters of the heart in a tale that hooks you in. Jenna, once a casualty of Cupid's misfire courtesy of Cillian, vows to keep him at a pole's distance. But destiny laughs at plans, and a twist of events throws them back into each other's orbits. Cillian, with his magnetic allure and soft spots, becomes the hero we didn't know we needed, while Jenna's grit and gumption as she wrestles with her feelings for him are nothing short of inspiring. Sparks fly between Jenna and Cillian, their repartee is as sharp as it is sweet, and their emotional rollercoaster ride from doubt to rekindled affection is nothing short of a masterpiece.
This book was a joyride, mixing laughs and love with characters that feel like old friends. Jenna's quest to open her heart again, and Cillian's steadfast quest to be her knight in shining armor, weave a narrative that's as uplifting as it is thrilling. For those who fancy tales with powerhouse heroines, charming knights, and a dollop of humor and heart, this author has penned a yarn that'll tickle your funny bone, make your heart flutter, and have you rooting for love's comeback.
Another great romance in this series. I have read every book and I love them all. This story focused more on Cillian and Jenna than the secret women’s club 48 Berkley Square. I loved them as a couple from the beginning. They were cute together, and I loved their banter. Because of rumors and misinterpretations, Jenna ended things with him and he reacted poorly. All of these misunderstandings kept them apart for five years until Cillian thought someone else was going to propose to her. He could no longer stay. Although she was angry with him, he consistently showed up for her and expressed his love through his actions. He was a good dashing hero. He was very likable. He was funny, witty, and extremely kind. I liked Jenna as well, but I definitely felt she was misguided and lacked understanding without giving him any consideration. Luckily, he was relentless and careful in expressing his love so she had no choice but admit her feelings, and they got their HEA.
This was a steamy novella with romance and a couple that made you root for them throughout. There were no true villains. It was more about two people maturing and working through their own issues to be together. I loved it!
Loving this series and I agree all 35 need their own book, along with all the sisters of characters we've met already. Lady Jenna has a past with Cillian,Viscount Sallis, give years ago they'd been courting until a misunderstanding made Jenna flee, convinced Gillian was in the to her, and not sure if her place in his affections. Now he's back in town, and against her will Jenna is still attracted to him, but she hasn't forgotten her heartbreak, or the years between when she's become numb to everything in life. But after a frightening incident she first runs to him for help, before leaving town to avoid him. But date has other ideas and their paths cross again and Jenna learns a lot about both Gillian and herself.
My only negative is the use of a certain word, which I'm not sure was in use in this time, and I hate now.
Betrayal comebacks with repentance, recompense, reconnection, & lots of suffering are hugely satisfying. In this, I felt that both did their part to earn their HEA. I do think, on a very minor note, that he could've done more to repent/suffer for the library lover event. He thought his excuse, but never communicated anything to her except that it was 3 mo the after she left. So what, IMO. More could've been done for that. The rest felt legit emotionally in the plot.
Many times I find novellas to be rushed with the love story and I have a hard time buying into the romance. However, this one was perfect! It did not feel like a rushed or unbelievable love story. I had hoped for the 20 days to play out, but still found the story wonderful the way it happened. I believe in Cillian's love for Jenna the whole time! Jenna's heartbreak was genuine and relatable to her age and experience. Superb job Alyssa Clark!
The series seems to get better with every story. This author develops character that you tend to love and you want them to succeed. She does add a bit of spice into the relationships. Jenna and William met five years before and due to fear and misunderstandings Jenna ran from due to not trusting his motives. William returns to town to seek Jenna and fate has a way of allowing love to happen, though it took a long road to get there. Enjoy!
By this point you will painfully know that the author likes to recycle her work. This story was good just like the others but definitely heavy on the recycle…meaning recycled scenes, storylines, dialogue etc from the previous books in this series just different characters. I keep reading because I’m too invested now. I will say the author worked hard on this series as we are at book 18 now, much respect for sure.
I love how the author came back to Jenna and gave us her love story. Like all the books in this series, it’s a quick enjoyable read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I will always be excited when another one of these books is released, and this one did not disappoint
This is a truly good series, I recommend it fully. I was getting towards wanting to give Jenna a really good shake for continuously running away from Cillian though! Well written and an entertaining storyline which held my interest throughout.
I have so enjoyed all the books in this series and this one is maybe my favorite so far. Jenna absolutely deserved her happily ever after and I loved the journey she went on to find her way back to Cillian. Highly recommend!
The description of intense emotion and longing were SO GOOD. The FMC’s resistance went on a little too long and became annoying. Still, a solid 5 star book. I am a little sad because I know whatever book I read next won’t be this good.
Wow this was an amazing second chance at love My heat is fluttering by the time i turned the last page i am totally in love with both Jenna and Cillian Their journey from misunderstanding and betrayal to forgiveness and love just made my day I couldn't put it down until I got the end
I was apprehensive at first because I hated Lord Sallis from book 4 but was happy he ended up being a really great guy. I liked that everything was explained from there past and how their lives grew over in this story. Very enjoyable read.