Rogue

by AnneMarie Busch

Eighteen years ago, Rebecca Cooper married Tom, who was a police officer. Following his tragic death, after spending eight years alone, forty-four-year-old Rebecca accepted a marriage proposal from Jeff Krestor, an older friend, in hopes of companionship, without expecting to find true love again.

Aleksander Davidovich, orphaned at ten and later raised by a loving adoptive family in a new country, developed a rebellious nature. At twenty-nine years old, he is divorced with a son and spends his evenings with various women, never experiencing true love.

After becoming engaged to Jeff, Rebecca encountered Alexi at a family event. They felt an immediate attraction to each other. Despite Jeff’s dire warnings regarding Alexi’s troubled past, Rebecca found herself drawn to him. Alexi, equally captivated, questioned her engagement to someone he despised.

As Rebecca became more interested in the impetuous and charismatic Alexi, she began to question why he disliked Jeff so much. What secrets lay in this irresistible rogue’s past?

449 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue is a thoughtful and emotional story about learning to love again after heartbreak. Rebecca’s grief is written in a quiet, realistic way that many readers will recognize. She is not dramatic or broken in an obvious way, but you can feel the weight of her loneliness in her daily choices. Her decision to accept Jeff’s proposal for companionship rather than love felt painfully honest. When Alexi enters her life, the emotional shift is subtle but powerful, and it feels like watching someone slowly wake up from emotional sleep

[Sarah Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue is a gentle, emotional story about love, grief, and second chances. I really appreciated how the author handled Rebecca’s grief without making it dramatic or exaggerated. Her loneliness felt quiet and real, and her journey toward opening her heart again was slow and believable. Alexi was also a fascinating character with a troubled past and a soft heart underneath. Their relationship felt messy in a realistic way, which made it more touching.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexi is one of the most interesting characters in the book. He is impulsive, sarcastic, and rough around the edges, yet deeply insecure and sensitive underneath. His childhood trauma and feelings of not being good enough shape his behavior in believable ways. I appreciated how the author did not make him perfect, but allowed him to grow gradually. His relationship with his adoptive family adds warmth and shows that love does not always erase inner wounds

[Piper Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores what it means to fall in love again after loss. Rebecca’s internal struggle between safety and passion was written with sensitivity, and I found myself empathizing with her choices. Alexi’s insecurities and emotional growth added depth to the story. The pacing is calm, but the emotional moments are meaningful.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the strongest aspects of Rogue is the family dynamics. Both Rebecca’s and Alexi’s families feel present and influential, not just background characters. Their reactions, guidance, and subtle observations add emotional depth and realism. The family scenes bring warmth, humor, and grounding to the story

[Betty J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing of the romance is slow and believable. Feelings develop through conversations, shared moments, and inner reflection rather than instant dramatic declarations. This makes the relationship feel earned. The author focuses on emotional growth rather than dramatic twists, which gives the story a reflective and mature tone

[Mike Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue is ultimately a story about self worth and second chances. Both Rebecca and Alexi struggle with guilt, insecurity, and fear of hurting others. Watching them learn to forgive themselves and choose happiness is touching. The ending leaves a hopeful feeling that life and love can still surprise you, even when you think your story is already written

[Nicole Bay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chemistry between Rebecca and Alexi was off the charts! I kept turning the pages just to see what would happen between them next. Jeff was a bit too perfect… which made the mystery around him even juicier.

[Roy Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mature themes in this story. It is not just a simple romance but a story about healing and rediscovering yourself. The characters felt real, especially in their doubts and fears. The author does a good job showing that love is complicated and not always neat.

[Lois Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexi’s character stood out to me. His past, his impulsiveness, and his struggle with self worth made him feel human and layered. Watching him slowly open up emotionally was one of my favorite parts of the book.

[Joyce Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca is a relatable character for anyone who has experienced loss. Her decision to settle for companionship instead of passion felt realistic, and her emotional awakening was written beautifully. The book shows that it is never too late to feel deeply again.

[Daniel Boner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family dynamics added warmth and realism to the story. Both families felt supportive and present, which balanced the heavier emotional themes. I liked how the families noticed changes in the characters before they did.

[Amelia Taymor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mature, passionate, and complex love story with just the right amount of suspense. I cried, I sighed, and I wanted more. Anne Marie Busch writes with so much heart

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a story with flawed, relatable characters! Rebecca’s journey through grief, comfort, and unexpected desire was so real. And Alexi—tragic and irresistible. Five stars all the way

[Munford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Marie Busch did such a good job capturing the quiet pain of loss and the wild, messy joy of rediscovering passion. The title ‘Rogue’ fits perfectly—Alexi stole my heart

[Julian Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a romance it’s a story about healing, identity, and the risks we take for love. I didn’t expect to be so moved. Rebecca is a beautifully written character.

[Savannah R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexi’s rough edges and vulnerability made him one of the most compelling male leads I’ve read in a while. I wasn’t sure if I should trust him—and that kept me hooked!

[Patricia Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a refreshing take on later-in-life love. Rebecca’s inner conflict between safety and passion felt so real. And the chemistry? Whew. So good

[Natalie Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff seemed like the obvious choice at first, but the more I got to know Alexi, the more I hoped Rebecca would take a chance on something wild and true. Loved the suspense around Jeff too!

[Brittany Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff seemed like the obvious choice at first, but the more I got to know Alexi, the more I hoped Rebecca would take a chance on something wild and true. Loved the suspense around Jeff too!

[Donna Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story full of emotional truths, longing, and the courage to break out of the safe choice. Rebecca’s awakening was empowering to witness. Beautifully told.

[Taymor Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexi was the perfect ‘imperfect man.’ Flawed but real, passionate but thoughtful. His scenes with Rebecca were magnetic. I’m still thinking about them

[Oliver Bugress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rogue feels like watching two wounded souls slowly realize they still deserve love. Rebecca’s quiet grief and Alexi’s rough vulnerability make their connection feel deeply real.

[Leonard Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexi’s character stayed with me. His flaws, his past, and the way he masks insecurity with boldness made him feel incredibly human.

[Brandon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca and Alexi fall in love in the most imperfect, honest way. Their emotions grow through hesitation and longing, not grand moments, and that is what makes it beautiful.

[Doughlas Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca’s journey of learning to love again felt gentle and personal. The story shows that a second chance at love is not replacing the past but expanding the heart.

[Wendy Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexi’s family brings warmth to the book. Their support and the way they notice his change around Rebecca adds emotional depth.

[Ella Hemmings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff is written with realism. He is not a villain, just not the person who lights Rebecca’s heart. Her guilt makes her struggle feel real.

[EDWARD SCOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca’s loneliness is portrayed quietly and beautifully. Her awakening to desire and connection is one of the most moving parts of the story.

[ANTHONY CORNISH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding Alexi’s past makes everything he does make sense. His fear of not being enough adds tenderness to his character.