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A Race With a Rogue
Maudie Hamilton’s politician suitor dumped women’s suffrage from his platform, but dumping him in return wasn’t enough. Furious and armed with her former beau’s insider knowledge and strategy, Maudie is out to find the perfect candidate to champion her cause and challenge him in the upcoming election since she cannot do it herself.
Bored with society and daydreaming of escape out west, Cooper Truxton isn’t exactly the right man for the job. He has a reputation as a rogue and a quitter, but he’s also got a prominent family, a web of connections, and enough charisma and energy to captivate any crowd. When Maudie—his sister’s best friend—attacks him for wasting his privileges when women have no rights, he says he’ll run for office only if she’ll run his campaign.
After a string of failed romances, Maudie’s focus is on her causes. Cooper, a declared bachelor with a history of vice he’s hiding from the voters, thinks he’ll have no problem keeping his deepening feelings for her to himself. But when a careless slip sets off a rumor that could destroy the campaign only a few weeks before Election Day, he’s forced to show his hand a little earlier than he intended.
He tells her it’s all part of the campaign strategy—but it might take winning the race to win her heart.
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I am enjoying this so much. Cooper Truxton really is the finest sort of good-natured man, rogue that he is, and he is impossible not to like. With a voice as caramel in tone as his eyes are in color, a little banter is more pleasant with him than with any other man. My dearest friend’s brother, safe and familiar and oh-so-funny, is exactly who I needed to see tonight.
“While my devotion to you is unquestionable, dear Cooper, I can hardly go alone.”
“I meant you should come to school. To the women’s college in Raleigh. And join me at all the games, naturally, where I will whine to you that I would have been the best quarterback the school has ever seen, were it not for me breaking my wrist twice last year.”
I flutter my lashes at him. “You believe I should sign myself up for a college education just to cheer with you and listen to your grumbles at football matches.”
“Yes, that’s what it boils down to, I suppose.” He winks again. “I told you, we are often of like mind, Miss Maudie, and now that I have plopped that idea into your pretty head, you won’t be able to escape it.”
“I cannot decide what looks more desperate. Chasing you to Raleigh to be your personal cheerleader, or demanding payment in full tonight for all the dances you owe me.”
“Plundering all my dances would be most unladylike.” He gently turns me back toward the house where the orchestra is beginning a song. “And I do love an unladylike lady.”
“My reputation will be in tatters if I dance seven times in a row with such a rogue.”
His hand slips to my waist as I lift mine to his shoulder, and even though we are still on the terrace, we fall into the steps without thinking. “You will do wonders for my reputation, though,” he says. “That the impeccable Maudie Hamilton, so choosy she has declined not one but three proposals of marriage, should grant me her attention immediately elevates me from rogue status to a mere cad.”
His wicked smile sets me giggling. “I suppose you’ll have to remain a rogue or a cad, then. Have you a scale for such things?”
We spin in the steps of the dance among the trees and the starlight.
Bored with society and daydreaming of escape out west, Cooper Truxton isn’t exactly the right man for the job. He has a reputation as a rogue and a quitter, but he’s also got a prominent family, a web of connections, and enough charisma and energy to captivate any crowd. When Maudie—his sister’s best friend—attacks him for wasting his privileges when women have no rights, he says he’ll run for office only if she’ll run his campaign.
After a string of failed romances, Maudie’s focus is on her causes. Cooper, a declared bachelor with a history of vice he’s hiding from the voters, thinks he’ll have no problem keeping his deepening feelings for her to himself. But when a careless slip sets off a rumor that could destroy the campaign only a few weeks before Election Day, he’s forced to show his hand a little earlier than he intended.
He tells her it’s all part of the campaign strategy—but it might take winning the race to win her heart.
------
I am enjoying this so much. Cooper Truxton really is the finest sort of good-natured man, rogue that he is, and he is impossible not to like. With a voice as caramel in tone as his eyes are in color, a little banter is more pleasant with him than with any other man. My dearest friend’s brother, safe and familiar and oh-so-funny, is exactly who I needed to see tonight.
“While my devotion to you is unquestionable, dear Cooper, I can hardly go alone.”
“I meant you should come to school. To the women’s college in Raleigh. And join me at all the games, naturally, where I will whine to you that I would have been the best quarterback the school has ever seen, were it not for me breaking my wrist twice last year.”
I flutter my lashes at him. “You believe I should sign myself up for a college education just to cheer with you and listen to your grumbles at football matches.”
“Yes, that’s what it boils down to, I suppose.” He winks again. “I told you, we are often of like mind, Miss Maudie, and now that I have plopped that idea into your pretty head, you won’t be able to escape it.”
“I cannot decide what looks more desperate. Chasing you to Raleigh to be your personal cheerleader, or demanding payment in full tonight for all the dances you owe me.”
“Plundering all my dances would be most unladylike.” He gently turns me back toward the house where the orchestra is beginning a song. “And I do love an unladylike lady.”
“My reputation will be in tatters if I dance seven times in a row with such a rogue.”
His hand slips to my waist as I lift mine to his shoulder, and even though we are still on the terrace, we fall into the steps without thinking. “You will do wonders for my reputation, though,” he says. “That the impeccable Maudie Hamilton, so choosy she has declined not one but three proposals of marriage, should grant me her attention immediately elevates me from rogue status to a mere cad.”
His wicked smile sets me giggling. “I suppose you’ll have to remain a rogue or a cad, then. Have you a scale for such things?”
We spin in the steps of the dance among the trees and the starlight.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 18, 2025
Maudie Hamilton, who had been best friends with Cooper Truxton’s younger sister Georgia since they were very little, had been waiting for Toby Shaw to propose to her for close to a year. Toby had political asperations, hoping to fill his father’s vacated seat in the General Assembly, and she looked forward to supporting him as his loving wife. However, when that proposal came with a betrayal, she immediately broke things off with him. Cooper and Leo grew up next door to each other and considered themselves brothers. When Leo recently married Georgia (book one of this series), they became such. So when both boys graduated from college, their families threw them a joint party. Because Cooper was from a well known and wealthy southern family, he was a prime catch for debuntantes and was pressured by his parents to dance with them. It was also one of the reasons he declared himself to be a confirmed bachelor. Dancing with Maudie that night was a respite from those empty headed young ladies, and the clandestine kissing session they shared completely changed his life. When Maudie found out that Toby was running for office unopposed in her town instead of the neighboring one, she coerced Cooper into running against him. What follows is a story of strategic planning, secret rendezvous, charged emotions, and new friendships. Trusts are developed and broken. Secrets are kept and revealed, and women band together to be heard. There are vulnerable revelations and steamy encounters, as well as soap box orations and heartfelt promises. While this story sheds light on early twentieth century North Carolina society and beliefs, it also gives us a look into political posturing. That being said, Maudie and Cooper make a genuine and delightful power couple who are willing to take action to make the world a better place. I appreciate that we get to see a glimpse into Georgia and Leo’s married life, and I love that Victoria, the new member of their group, not only finds her voice and civic duty, but surprises everyone by executing an ingeniously networked plan. It is so easy to become invested in these characters. Their personalities pop and their dialogue is spot on. I am looking forward to Victoria and Matthew’s story…..and hope that the author sprinkles tidbits about Georgia, Leo, Maudie and Cooper’s lives.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 16, 2025
I love this book! The story follows Maudie and Cooper as they campaign for women's right to vote. It also explores themes of friendship, family, and the strain on long-standing relationships. Additionally, it highlights the lengths some politicians will go to win, but most importantly, it's a love story. The book captivated me from the first page to the last. With its wonderful characters, it's a true page-turner worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2025
I've enjoyed a lot with this continuation (it helps to have read How to Measure a Man in order to fully understand the established connection between the characters). I've loved Maudie - the FMC - and Cooper - the MMC - and rest of characters. I've adored more this rom-com with captivating twists than other hyped ones. Overall; 4,75⭐
August 22, 2025
This second book in The Truxtons Historical Romance series was a well written engaging story that shows how life in the early twentieth century North Carolina was in society and beliefs, political issues such as the woman's suffrage. I enjoyed the characters and the entertaining secrets, revolutions, strong emotional issues, steamy encounters, and romance. I recommend reading.
August 1, 2025
A fantastic continuation to the series. While it could be read as a stand alone novel, it helps to have read How to Measure a Man in order to fully understand the established connection between Cooper and Maudie. I love that they are being given their own story.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews