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The Bachelor Lords of London #3
One for the Rogue
Beauregard “Beau” Courtland has no use for the whims of society and even less for aristocratic titles. As a younger son, he travels the world in search of adventure with no plans to settle down. Even when the title of Viscount Rainsleigh is suddenly forced upon him, he will not bend to duty or decorum. Not until an alluring young woman appears on the deck of his houseboat, determined to teach him propriety in all things and tempting him with every forbidden touch…
Lady Emmaline Crumbley has had a wretched year. Her elderly husband dropped dead without naming her in his will and she’s been relegated to the life of a dowager duchess at the age of 23. She has no wish to instruct a renegade viscount in respectability, but desperate to escape her greedy stepson, Beau’s family makes her an offer she cannot refuse: teach the new lord to behave like a gentleman, and they’ll help her earn the new, self-sufficient life of her dreams. Emmaline agrees, only to discover that instructing the viscount is one thing, but resisting him is quite another. How can she teach manners to the rakish nobleman if he is determined to show her the thrill of scandal instead?
Lady Emmaline Crumbley has had a wretched year. Her elderly husband dropped dead without naming her in his will and she’s been relegated to the life of a dowager duchess at the age of 23. She has no wish to instruct a renegade viscount in respectability, but desperate to escape her greedy stepson, Beau’s family makes her an offer she cannot refuse: teach the new lord to behave like a gentleman, and they’ll help her earn the new, self-sufficient life of her dreams. Emmaline agrees, only to discover that instructing the viscount is one thing, but resisting him is quite another. How can she teach manners to the rakish nobleman if he is determined to show her the thrill of scandal instead?
379 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 6, 2016
161 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Charis Michaels
12 books501 followersCHARIS MICHAELS is thrilled to be making her debut with Avon Impulse. Prior to writing romance, she studied Journalism at Texas A&M and managed PR for a trade association. She has also worked as a tour guide at Disney World, harvested peaches on her family’s farm, and entertained children as the “Story Godmother” at birthday parties. She has lived in Texas, Florida, and London, England. She now makes her home in the Washington, D.C.-metro area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 10, 2017
I enjoyed the previous book in Charis Michaels’
Bachelor Lords of London
series (The Virgin and the Viscount) and was impressed with the author’s ability to craft a strong story and create sympathetic characters. I was less impressed with the fact that the story went off the rails in the last twenty percent with a completely unnecessary – and inaccurate – twist which was there only to set up the next book. I wasn’t able to discuss that in my review, as it came late in the book and was thus a big spoiler, but as it is revealed at the beginning of One for the Rogue, I’m going to talk about it here.
Having suddenly come into a viscountcy that he doesn’t want and never expected to inherit, Beau Courtland has decided to ignore it and continue with his life as if nothing has happened. This life has included a lot of travel abroad, a lot of women and a lot of getting himself into scrapes, but Beau is the charming scapegrace younger brother – or he was until his brother Bryson, who had held the title Viscount Rainsleigh since the death of their irresponsible, debauched sire – discovered that the late viscount was not, in fact his father. An upstanding, fair minded man, Bryson was not prepared to continue to bear a title to which he was not, well, entitled, and abdicated it in favour of his brother, who is his father’s true son.
There is a massive problem with that and it’s why the ending of the last book made no sense and the premise of this one is just plain wrong. In English law at this time, if you were born in wedlock, you were legitimate, regardless of who provided the sperm. Anyone who reads historical romance on a regular basis – or who does the slightest bit of research – will be aware of this. The previous Viscount Rainsleigh was married to Bryson’s mother at the time of Bryson’s birth and publicly acknowledged him as his son – ergo, Bryson is legitimate in the eyes of the law, and there is no reason for him not to continue to hold his title. Yes, his actions are prompted by his personal code of honour, but that doesn’t trump the law. It would have taken an act of Parliament to strip him of the title, and for his desire for such a thing to have been taken seriously, Bryson would have had to have committed treason or done something equally terrible. I know this is fiction and there will be some who think I’m being needlessly pedantic. But as K.J. Charles recently pointed out in an excellent blog post, “Britain is a real country and our history actually happened” and ignoring that in order to suit a plotline is problematic, to say the least.
Okay, coming down off my soapbox, here’s the rest of the review.
Emmaline, the dowager Duchess of Ticking, is in dire straits. Married at nineteen to a man old enough to be her grandfather, she is, at twenty-three, a widow who has been left with nothing and is living off the allowance left her by her parents before they were tragically drowned some years earlier. The new duke has an eye to her younger brother’s fortune – Emma’s family was wealthy even though their money came from trade – and is having her watched and keeps trying to persuade her and her brother to move in with his large family where, it’s clear, she’ll be put to work as little more than a servant.
A glimmer of hope is offered her when Bryson Courtland casually mentions that his brother – the new Viscount Rainsleigh – needs someone to educate him in the ways of polite society. Having already come up with an idea that should help her and Teddy gain their freedom – which will involve transporting both themselves and a lot of saleable goods to New York – Emma thinks that taking the new viscount under her wing could persuade Mr. Courtland – who owns several shipping companies – to help her to bring her scheme to fruition.
The problem, of course, is that said new viscount has no intention of mingling with polite society. Although once he gets a good look at Emma, Beau is perfectly happy to form other sorts of intentions in relation to her, none of them polite. All that changes, though, as soon as he learns that while Emma is a widow, her marriage was never consummated. Virgins are strictly off-limits so he tries to distance himself from her. It goes without saying that he isn’t very successful.
The romance is fairly lukewarm, and while I did get a sense of Emma’s coming to a greater understanding of Beau and why he acts the way he does, I didn’t feel that Beau was much more than physically attracted to Emma, at least not until fairly late on in the story. In the second half of the book, the storyline surrounding the new Duke of Ticking’s attempts to get his hands on Emma’s brother’s money is more interesting – until Ms. Michaels once again makes use of another historically and, I believe, legally inaccurate scenario to bring that plotline to a close.
Emma is an engaging heroine and I liked the way she gets on with things without relying on others to do them for her. She’s strong, determined and clever – and I have to agree with Beau that he isn’t good enough for her. Beau has (or thinks he has) good reasons for not wanting anything to do with the peerage, and steadfastly refuses to use his title or to take responsibility for the lands and estates that his brother worked so hard to rebuild. An incident when he was nineteen gave him a distaste for the aristocracy, and admittedly what happened – Beau and a group of his friends unintentionally caused a distressing incident which the nobs covered up rather than admit to – wasn’t right. But rather than using his position as the brother of a viscount to do something about it, he just decided he was useless and that whatever he did was bound to fail so he didn’t bother to try. Quite honestly, I wanted to slap him, tell him not to be so selfish and to grow a pair!
You may ask why, given the massive inaccuracy upon which the story is based, I wanted to review this book at all. The answer is because I enjoyed The Virgin and the Viscount in spite of the problems that arose near the end and I wanted to see where Ms. Michaels was taking that part of the story. As I said at the outset, she’s a good writer and creates interesting characters, but the story in One for the Rogue wasn’t quite strong enough to hold my interest, and while I liked Emma, Beau is far too spineless and insipid to be the hero of a romance novel.
One for the Rogue sees Ms. Michaels’ Bachelor Lords trilogy limping to the finish line, rather than crossing it with arms outstretched in triumph. She’s a talented writer, so I will probably pick up her next book, but I’ll be doing so with fingers crossed she can resist the temptation to contort facts in order to fit her plotlines.
Having suddenly come into a viscountcy that he doesn’t want and never expected to inherit, Beau Courtland has decided to ignore it and continue with his life as if nothing has happened. This life has included a lot of travel abroad, a lot of women and a lot of getting himself into scrapes, but Beau is the charming scapegrace younger brother – or he was until his brother Bryson, who had held the title Viscount Rainsleigh since the death of their irresponsible, debauched sire – discovered that the late viscount was not, in fact his father. An upstanding, fair minded man, Bryson was not prepared to continue to bear a title to which he was not, well, entitled, and abdicated it in favour of his brother, who is his father’s true son.
There is a massive problem with that and it’s why the ending of the last book made no sense and the premise of this one is just plain wrong. In English law at this time, if you were born in wedlock, you were legitimate, regardless of who provided the sperm. Anyone who reads historical romance on a regular basis – or who does the slightest bit of research – will be aware of this. The previous Viscount Rainsleigh was married to Bryson’s mother at the time of Bryson’s birth and publicly acknowledged him as his son – ergo, Bryson is legitimate in the eyes of the law, and there is no reason for him not to continue to hold his title. Yes, his actions are prompted by his personal code of honour, but that doesn’t trump the law. It would have taken an act of Parliament to strip him of the title, and for his desire for such a thing to have been taken seriously, Bryson would have had to have committed treason or done something equally terrible. I know this is fiction and there will be some who think I’m being needlessly pedantic. But as K.J. Charles recently pointed out in an excellent blog post, “Britain is a real country and our history actually happened” and ignoring that in order to suit a plotline is problematic, to say the least.
Okay, coming down off my soapbox, here’s the rest of the review.
Emmaline, the dowager Duchess of Ticking, is in dire straits. Married at nineteen to a man old enough to be her grandfather, she is, at twenty-three, a widow who has been left with nothing and is living off the allowance left her by her parents before they were tragically drowned some years earlier. The new duke has an eye to her younger brother’s fortune – Emma’s family was wealthy even though their money came from trade – and is having her watched and keeps trying to persuade her and her brother to move in with his large family where, it’s clear, she’ll be put to work as little more than a servant.
A glimmer of hope is offered her when Bryson Courtland casually mentions that his brother – the new Viscount Rainsleigh – needs someone to educate him in the ways of polite society. Having already come up with an idea that should help her and Teddy gain their freedom – which will involve transporting both themselves and a lot of saleable goods to New York – Emma thinks that taking the new viscount under her wing could persuade Mr. Courtland – who owns several shipping companies – to help her to bring her scheme to fruition.
The problem, of course, is that said new viscount has no intention of mingling with polite society. Although once he gets a good look at Emma, Beau is perfectly happy to form other sorts of intentions in relation to her, none of them polite. All that changes, though, as soon as he learns that while Emma is a widow, her marriage was never consummated. Virgins are strictly off-limits so he tries to distance himself from her. It goes without saying that he isn’t very successful.
The romance is fairly lukewarm, and while I did get a sense of Emma’s coming to a greater understanding of Beau and why he acts the way he does, I didn’t feel that Beau was much more than physically attracted to Emma, at least not until fairly late on in the story. In the second half of the book, the storyline surrounding the new Duke of Ticking’s attempts to get his hands on Emma’s brother’s money is more interesting – until Ms. Michaels once again makes use of another historically and, I believe, legally inaccurate scenario to bring that plotline to a close.
Emma is an engaging heroine and I liked the way she gets on with things without relying on others to do them for her. She’s strong, determined and clever – and I have to agree with Beau that he isn’t good enough for her. Beau has (or thinks he has) good reasons for not wanting anything to do with the peerage, and steadfastly refuses to use his title or to take responsibility for the lands and estates that his brother worked so hard to rebuild. An incident when he was nineteen gave him a distaste for the aristocracy, and admittedly what happened – Beau and a group of his friends unintentionally caused a distressing incident which the nobs covered up rather than admit to – wasn’t right. But rather than using his position as the brother of a viscount to do something about it, he just decided he was useless and that whatever he did was bound to fail so he didn’t bother to try. Quite honestly, I wanted to slap him, tell him not to be so selfish and to grow a pair!
You may ask why, given the massive inaccuracy upon which the story is based, I wanted to review this book at all. The answer is because I enjoyed The Virgin and the Viscount in spite of the problems that arose near the end and I wanted to see where Ms. Michaels was taking that part of the story. As I said at the outset, she’s a good writer and creates interesting characters, but the story in One for the Rogue wasn’t quite strong enough to hold my interest, and while I liked Emma, Beau is far too spineless and insipid to be the hero of a romance novel.
One for the Rogue sees Ms. Michaels’ Bachelor Lords trilogy limping to the finish line, rather than crossing it with arms outstretched in triumph. She’s a talented writer, so I will probably pick up her next book, but I’ll be doing so with fingers crossed she can resist the temptation to contort facts in order to fit her plotlines.
April 8, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person for both characters (fairly balanced)
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary, but I think at least reading the second book in the series prior to this one will be helpful. (The Virgin and the Viscount) There is quite a bit of character overlap between those two, and some events are referenced that happen in the second book.
Basic plot:
Emma is stuck. Widowed and caretaker to her brother, she is under her step son’s control and desperately trying to find a way out. She latches onto the possibility of being able to sail to America and sell her father’s books in exchange for helping teach the newly titled Beau how to interact with society.
Give this a try if you want:
- Instructor/student feel – heroine gives lessons to the hero about propriety
- Lower steam – one full scene, plenty of kisses and some fade to black/alluded to scenes
- Regency time period (1813)
- London setting
- Nuerodivergent side character – heroine’s younger brother is autistic (content warning for some ableism/hurtful comments)
- Marriage of convenience (more of necessity and it occurs about halfway through)
Ages:
- Heroine is 23, hero is 27/28
My thoughts:
Gosh there is something about Charis Michaels writing that just stuns me. I have to pause after certain passages just thinking about how utterly poetic and beautiful it is. I love her writing, so so much.
This book was my favorite of the series. I read the first two awhile ago so I can’t recall as many details, but in this one I felt the tension more, I cared about the characters more, and I thought it was more romantic.
Something Michaels does amazingly well is rescue plots. They are so satisfying to me, and I love that her heroine’s absolutely aren’t helpless. They aren’t waiting for something to save them. I adore her heroines, I always am left wanting to be best friends with them. But she also has these wonderful heroes that step up and assist the heroine, support her, befriend her, and help. They don’t take over so the heroine feels she’s left without choices.
In this one, Emma is being monitored by her step son – he is hoping to get his hands on their fortune. She takes care of her lovely brother Teddy, who is the heir to their family’s fortune made from selling books. Teddy doesn’t talk much, is fascinated by birds and books, and doesn’t like loud noises or areas like balls. He’s an absolute dear and their relationship really touched my heart.
Beau is our hero that never wanted the title, but is being given it anyway after finding his brother is illegitimate. He does a lot of growing in this story. A lot. And parts of it were a touch painful, possibly even disappointing, but so raw and real. And he comes through in the end, when I was getting a bit worried about it all.
I do think this book could have been cut a bit. It had a decent amount going on it it and I think with a bit less of that and a little bit deeper focus on other parts it would have been perfection. As it is, I really enjoyed it. Her kisses and tension are some of my favorite.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person for both characters (fairly balanced)
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary, but I think at least reading the second book in the series prior to this one will be helpful. (The Virgin and the Viscount) There is quite a bit of character overlap between those two, and some events are referenced that happen in the second book.
Basic plot:
Emma is stuck. Widowed and caretaker to her brother, she is under her step son’s control and desperately trying to find a way out. She latches onto the possibility of being able to sail to America and sell her father’s books in exchange for helping teach the newly titled Beau how to interact with society.
Give this a try if you want:
- Instructor/student feel – heroine gives lessons to the hero about propriety
- Lower steam – one full scene, plenty of kisses and some fade to black/alluded to scenes
- Regency time period (1813)
- London setting
- Nuerodivergent side character – heroine’s younger brother is autistic (content warning for some ableism/hurtful comments)
- Marriage of convenience (more of necessity and it occurs about halfway through)
Ages:
- Heroine is 23, hero is 27/28
My thoughts:
Gosh there is something about Charis Michaels writing that just stuns me. I have to pause after certain passages just thinking about how utterly poetic and beautiful it is. I love her writing, so so much.
This book was my favorite of the series. I read the first two awhile ago so I can’t recall as many details, but in this one I felt the tension more, I cared about the characters more, and I thought it was more romantic.
Something Michaels does amazingly well is rescue plots. They are so satisfying to me, and I love that her heroine’s absolutely aren’t helpless. They aren’t waiting for something to save them. I adore her heroines, I always am left wanting to be best friends with them. But she also has these wonderful heroes that step up and assist the heroine, support her, befriend her, and help. They don’t take over so the heroine feels she’s left without choices.
In this one, Emma is being monitored by her step son – he is hoping to get his hands on their fortune. She takes care of her lovely brother Teddy, who is the heir to their family’s fortune made from selling books. Teddy doesn’t talk much, is fascinated by birds and books, and doesn’t like loud noises or areas like balls. He’s an absolute dear and their relationship really touched my heart.
Beau is our hero that never wanted the title, but is being given it anyway after finding his brother is illegitimate. He does a lot of growing in this story. A lot. And parts of it were a touch painful, possibly even disappointing, but so raw and real. And he comes through in the end, when I was getting a bit worried about it all.
I do think this book could have been cut a bit. It had a decent amount going on it it and I think with a bit less of that and a little bit deeper focus on other parts it would have been perfection. As it is, I really enjoyed it. Her kisses and tension are some of my favorite.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
July 17, 2021
Beauregard Courtland is now the Viscount Rainsleigh; he is not amused. He's slightly more amused when Lady Emmaline Crumbley, Dowager Duchess of Ticking, arrives at his houseboat and announces she's going to teach him some manners. And that amusement turns into boners which turns into marriage which turns into emotional maturity OH SNAP.
1. This is the first of Michaels's novels that I have read and I'm intrigued. I suspect this is an author who likes to Handle Things in her novels; in One for the Rogue, for example, she includes a character who would likely be included on the autism spectrum today, and her hero also has to truly wrestle with his own internal fears and perfectionism in order to protect his new family.
And there's weight to both of these things in the text, but ultimately does not over-set the balance of the romance universe we're all living in. I.e., bad things do exist in the world and good things exist in the world. But the good things take work, and the bad things can be overcome. It leaves the world feeling more real than fantastical. I appreciate it, and the effort it takes.
2. I do want to clarify that I am speaking from a place of deep ignorance regarding the handling of Teddy's character and situation. I do want to warn for some of the language used, and also the .
3. I really loved Emma as a heroine; she is learning to define her own place in the world and ask for the things she wants. I liked how she would acknowledge the things she didn't know and seek clarification and honesty from Beau, especially when he throws a mantrum over her inexperience.
4. Beau was very much stuck in his own head, but he works to sort himself out (for the most part) and I appreciated that very much. Too often the hero/ines of romances are burdened with very real human flaws that are then magically hand-waved away in the third act in order to bring resolution to the non-boner bits. And while Beau does get over himself, there's enough self-examination in the text to make his transformation feel slightly more earned.
He's still kind of a wet blanket of a hero, tho.
5. Lady Frinfrock's lecture about aptitude was fucking vicious though, holy shit. I was in that photo and I did not like it.
6. Overall: a sturdy little romance with some interest nuance to it.
1. This is the first of Michaels's novels that I have read and I'm intrigued. I suspect this is an author who likes to Handle Things in her novels; in One for the Rogue, for example, she includes a character who would likely be included on the autism spectrum today, and her hero also has to truly wrestle with his own internal fears and perfectionism in order to protect his new family.
And there's weight to both of these things in the text, but ultimately does not over-set the balance of the romance universe we're all living in. I.e., bad things do exist in the world and good things exist in the world. But the good things take work, and the bad things can be overcome. It leaves the world feeling more real than fantastical. I appreciate it, and the effort it takes.
2. I do want to clarify that I am speaking from a place of deep ignorance regarding the handling of Teddy's character and situation. I do want to warn for some of the language used, and also the .
3. I really loved Emma as a heroine; she is learning to define her own place in the world and ask for the things she wants. I liked how she would acknowledge the things she didn't know and seek clarification and honesty from Beau, especially when he throws a mantrum over her inexperience.
4. Beau was very much stuck in his own head, but he works to sort himself out (for the most part) and I appreciated that very much. Too often the hero/ines of romances are burdened with very real human flaws that are then magically hand-waved away in the third act in order to bring resolution to the non-boner bits. And while Beau does get over himself, there's enough self-examination in the text to make his transformation feel slightly more earned.
He's still kind of a wet blanket of a hero, tho.
5. Lady Frinfrock's lecture about aptitude was fucking vicious though, holy shit. I was in that photo and I did not like it.
6. Overall: a sturdy little romance with some interest nuance to it.
January 22, 2017
review originally posted on http://www.joyfullyreviewed.net/recom...
January 2, 2017
Even though One for the Rogue is the third book in the series and the first I read by the author, it can easily be read as a standalone.
The first half was great with Beau trying to figure how to get away and run from his issues, Emma going after him, and of course, the slow burning romance. But after 50% I found myself skimming pages, as some of the dialogue was repetitive, but I was still invested. By last 20% of the book I lost interest, mainly toward the hero, and I kept thinking that this part of the plot was problematic.
What also bothered me was how the legitimacy/heir law that affected the hero was totally wrong in this novel. If you have been reading historical romance for some time you might also think it strange.
This slow paced romance had good characters and a lot of potential. I also believe that if this book had been a little shorter I would have liked it better.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
September 4, 2018
3.5 stars
I really liked Emma in here. She was smart, determined and loyal. And honestly, I don't think Beau was as roguish as he thought he was LOL
I really liked Emma in here. She was smart, determined and loyal. And honestly, I don't think Beau was as roguish as he thought he was LOL
May 31, 2024
Loved this book! I've been wanting to read this for so long and it did NOT disappoint.
The chemistry of our main characters was amazing, their love story was thrilling and the conflict was settled perfectly.
This book starts with our heroine, Emmaline trying to give our hero, Beau propriety lessons but what we get is so much more. Two people taking their lives into their own hands and rejecting what others have laid out for them and making a life they are happy with.
Usually the hero's rakish personality would grate on me but his devotion to the heroine made his rakish ways forgettable, however it could bother some people.
Very good. And if you like kissing books I highly recommend this! This author does kisses to perfection!🤌
Ending quote: (any error is my own)
“And then he scooped his wife into his arms and kissed her as he always had, even from the very beginning...
As if he were coming home.”
Safety and info:
3rd person pov h/H with a couple chapters from side character povs.
1🔥
Lots of kisses
Romance meter: 🧡💚🧡💚/5
Magic meter: 4/5
◇No om/ow drama- hero was a rake, in the beginning 2 women come out of his boat, you see him with no other women romantically after this. Heroine was a dowager duchess but her dead husband never consummated their marriage.
◇h 23, H29
◇no cheating/sharing/love triangle
◇Virgin h, manhoe H
◇no contraceptives
◇2 week seperation
◇HEA following their 2 years in america.
The chemistry of our main characters was amazing, their love story was thrilling and the conflict was settled perfectly.
This book starts with our heroine, Emmaline trying to give our hero, Beau propriety lessons but what we get is so much more. Two people taking their lives into their own hands and rejecting what others have laid out for them and making a life they are happy with.
Usually the hero's rakish personality would grate on me but his devotion to the heroine made his rakish ways forgettable, however it could bother some people.
Very good. And if you like kissing books I highly recommend this! This author does kisses to perfection!🤌
Ending quote: (any error is my own)
“And then he scooped his wife into his arms and kissed her as he always had, even from the very beginning...
As if he were coming home.”
Safety and info:
3rd person pov h/H with a couple chapters from side character povs.
1🔥
Lots of kisses
Romance meter: 🧡💚🧡💚/5
Magic meter: 4/5
◇No om/ow drama- hero was a rake, in the beginning 2 women come out of his boat, you see him with no other women romantically after this. Heroine was a dowager duchess but her dead husband never consummated their marriage.
◇h 23, H29
◇no cheating/sharing/love triangle
◇Virgin h, manhoe H
◇no contraceptives
◇2 week seperation
◇HEA following their 2 years in america.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2019
Enjoyable reading. 4☆
December 12, 2016
Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews
* A copy of this book was and provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
As the younger son of a noble, Beauregard “Beau” Cortland was pretty much free to do what he wanted, then he’s suddenly named the Viscount Rainsleigh and has all the responsibilities that go with the title. Still, Beau refuses to take on the role until he meets Lady Emmaline Crumbley, his new tutor in all things respectable. Sort of. Emmaline is in a difficult position after her elderly husband drops dead without providing for her. At 23 she’s desperate to avoid her greedy stepson and Beau’s family has provided the perfect solution: If she instructs the new viscount on how to behave in proper society, they’ll help her become self sufficient. It’s the perfect plan until Emmaline and Beau start to fall for one another.
I could feel poor Beau’s pain, he was happy living his life according to his rules and then BOOM! He finds himself in charge of a lot of things and having to become familiar with a term he is adamantly against: Responsibility. Poor guy. He could be a charming devil too, especially with the ladies but he was also irresponsible and threw what I call a “Mantrum” when he found out he was now the viscount with everything that goes with it. I enjoyed his journey from reluctant noble in the beginning to someone worth falling for.
Emmaline was the definition of a tenacious woman. It wasn’t easy for her to try and instruct a grown man, especially one like Beau but she did her best, even when she was falling for him. I liked her stubborn nature because it was easily balanced out by her caring side. I never felt like she was a damsel in distress even when she needed Beau to help her with some of her troubles. Charis Michaels managed to portray Emmaline as strong, vulnerable, loving, and fun without making her seem like a superhuman. I enjoyed Emmaline as a character and thought she balanced out Beau’s rough edges quite nicely.
The romance in One for the Rogue took some time to develop and I felt the pacing of it fit what was happening in the plot. Obviously it was a big deal to get Beau ready to be part of society so sometimes the romance had to wait a bit. Then there were Emmaline’s conflicts that needed to be dealt with but both circumstances served to put Beau and Emmaline in constant contact and allowed their affection to grow at what I thought was a good speed. There was a definite physical chemistry but it didn’t dominate the emotional side of the relationship which was nice for a change.
Final Verdict: I don’t know where I’ve been that I missed the previous two books in the series but I really enjoyed One for the Rogue. It was charming, romantic, and fun.
* A copy of this book was and provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
As the younger son of a noble, Beauregard “Beau” Cortland was pretty much free to do what he wanted, then he’s suddenly named the Viscount Rainsleigh and has all the responsibilities that go with the title. Still, Beau refuses to take on the role until he meets Lady Emmaline Crumbley, his new tutor in all things respectable. Sort of. Emmaline is in a difficult position after her elderly husband drops dead without providing for her. At 23 she’s desperate to avoid her greedy stepson and Beau’s family has provided the perfect solution: If she instructs the new viscount on how to behave in proper society, they’ll help her become self sufficient. It’s the perfect plan until Emmaline and Beau start to fall for one another.
I could feel poor Beau’s pain, he was happy living his life according to his rules and then BOOM! He finds himself in charge of a lot of things and having to become familiar with a term he is adamantly against: Responsibility. Poor guy. He could be a charming devil too, especially with the ladies but he was also irresponsible and threw what I call a “Mantrum” when he found out he was now the viscount with everything that goes with it. I enjoyed his journey from reluctant noble in the beginning to someone worth falling for.
Emmaline was the definition of a tenacious woman. It wasn’t easy for her to try and instruct a grown man, especially one like Beau but she did her best, even when she was falling for him. I liked her stubborn nature because it was easily balanced out by her caring side. I never felt like she was a damsel in distress even when she needed Beau to help her with some of her troubles. Charis Michaels managed to portray Emmaline as strong, vulnerable, loving, and fun without making her seem like a superhuman. I enjoyed Emmaline as a character and thought she balanced out Beau’s rough edges quite nicely.
The romance in One for the Rogue took some time to develop and I felt the pacing of it fit what was happening in the plot. Obviously it was a big deal to get Beau ready to be part of society so sometimes the romance had to wait a bit. Then there were Emmaline’s conflicts that needed to be dealt with but both circumstances served to put Beau and Emmaline in constant contact and allowed their affection to grow at what I thought was a good speed. There was a definite physical chemistry but it didn’t dominate the emotional side of the relationship which was nice for a change.
Final Verdict: I don’t know where I’ve been that I missed the previous two books in the series but I really enjoyed One for the Rogue. It was charming, romantic, and fun.
June 4, 2025
“The duchess smiled at this—a real smile, despite the clawing worry—and he wondered if he’d ever charmed a woman by simply telling her she was capable.”
I really love Charis Michaels’ writing style. I could quote her works for days. That being said, the plot of this one was not my favorite of hers. It was overly complicated while at the same time something felt missing. Passion maybe. I did like our heroine Emmaline. She was capable and strong and didn’t need the hero, but she wanted him. Beau on the other hand annoyed the crap out of me. He finally sucked it up in the end, but his hemming and hawing throughout was trying. Thank goodness for the delightful old Lady Frinfrock to put him in his place.
“It felt as necessary as any other part of her, and she could not have stopped it if she had tried. It was a torrent, propelling her as much as pelting her in place. She marveled in the force of it and wondered how she’d managed to keep this love at bay.”
I really love Charis Michaels’ writing style. I could quote her works for days. That being said, the plot of this one was not my favorite of hers. It was overly complicated while at the same time something felt missing. Passion maybe. I did like our heroine Emmaline. She was capable and strong and didn’t need the hero, but she wanted him. Beau on the other hand annoyed the crap out of me. He finally sucked it up in the end, but his hemming and hawing throughout was trying. Thank goodness for the delightful old Lady Frinfrock to put him in his place.
“It felt as necessary as any other part of her, and she could not have stopped it if she had tried. It was a torrent, propelling her as much as pelting her in place. She marveled in the force of it and wondered how she’d managed to keep this love at bay.”
March 3, 2019
Le héros est très décevant, un peu lâche à certains moments, même s'il se rattrape à la fin.
December 14, 2016
Opening with a prologue that will set the stage for events to come (and a problem that needs noting) we are introduced briefly to the hero of the story, Beau, and given some history and background.
Lady Emmaline, after being married to a man old enough to be her grandfather is now a widow, left without mention in her late husband’s will. Relegated to dowager without income, she must find a way to support herself without overtaxing monies left to her from her parents. Additionally, the man who inherited the title held by Emma’s husband is eyeing her brother’s fortune and pushing for her to move her family in with him.
Bryson, the former Viscount Rainsleigh (more details later) has mentioned to Emma that his younger brother Beau, newly titled Viscount, is in need of some ‘gentling and instruction in the ways of the Tonne”. Emma, believing that Bryson’s connections and fortune may help her (and her remaining family) with funds to relocate to New York. So, Emma, being of a practical nature and clever, accepts the offer and sets out to just get on with things. She’s engaging and solidly written, completely undeterred by the great amounts of resistance that Beau throws her way.
Beau is the younger brother, uninterested in titles and completely unwilling to step into his brother’s shoes and assume control of title and lands. He’s had a bad experience with his time in society with a situation that ended badly, and he has convinced himself that his future is in mindless pursuits, away from society, responsibility and entanglements with women. Beau was far harder to appreciate, his steadfast refusal to grow up or grow a pair, get past what happened and move to learn how to be the Viscount and manage things properly were frustrating. He wasn’t sympathetic, he was weak-willed and often childish, and I applaud Emma’s patience in dealing with him. She had no children from her marriage, but inherited a man-boy with this job. Which, unfortunately kept the romance at the lukewarm level for me, hard to buy into a hero that didn’t hit any discernible mark of hero. An interesting, if not entirely engaging end to the series.
Now for the issues: Bryson stepping away from the title of Viscount to pass it to his younger brother (ok – half-brother), and the new Duke of Ticking’s machinations to obtain Emma’s family lands and fortunes. Sadly, even in fiction an author must either adhere to actual fact, or diverge so greatly from them that facts are irrelevant. Setting a story in Regency England means that facts and laws (even if one plays with social interactions) exist, and these two elements not only contravene laws of the time, but are not even remotely close. Abdication of a title in that period required an act of Parliament, even as much as Bryson’s honor called for it, he was born in wedlock, and as such, the legal heir. Ticking’s machinations also would have required legal intervention for his takeover, as Teddy (Emma’s brother) was the legal and rightful heir. This misstep is one of those strange moments for a reader- it may have made for intriguing plot arcs for the author, but the lack of ‘correctness’ was problematic for me, signifying a lack of research.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
Lady Emmaline, after being married to a man old enough to be her grandfather is now a widow, left without mention in her late husband’s will. Relegated to dowager without income, she must find a way to support herself without overtaxing monies left to her from her parents. Additionally, the man who inherited the title held by Emma’s husband is eyeing her brother’s fortune and pushing for her to move her family in with him.
Bryson, the former Viscount Rainsleigh (more details later) has mentioned to Emma that his younger brother Beau, newly titled Viscount, is in need of some ‘gentling and instruction in the ways of the Tonne”. Emma, believing that Bryson’s connections and fortune may help her (and her remaining family) with funds to relocate to New York. So, Emma, being of a practical nature and clever, accepts the offer and sets out to just get on with things. She’s engaging and solidly written, completely undeterred by the great amounts of resistance that Beau throws her way.
Beau is the younger brother, uninterested in titles and completely unwilling to step into his brother’s shoes and assume control of title and lands. He’s had a bad experience with his time in society with a situation that ended badly, and he has convinced himself that his future is in mindless pursuits, away from society, responsibility and entanglements with women. Beau was far harder to appreciate, his steadfast refusal to grow up or grow a pair, get past what happened and move to learn how to be the Viscount and manage things properly were frustrating. He wasn’t sympathetic, he was weak-willed and often childish, and I applaud Emma’s patience in dealing with him. She had no children from her marriage, but inherited a man-boy with this job. Which, unfortunately kept the romance at the lukewarm level for me, hard to buy into a hero that didn’t hit any discernible mark of hero. An interesting, if not entirely engaging end to the series.
Now for the issues: Bryson stepping away from the title of Viscount to pass it to his younger brother (ok – half-brother), and the new Duke of Ticking’s machinations to obtain Emma’s family lands and fortunes. Sadly, even in fiction an author must either adhere to actual fact, or diverge so greatly from them that facts are irrelevant. Setting a story in Regency England means that facts and laws (even if one plays with social interactions) exist, and these two elements not only contravene laws of the time, but are not even remotely close. Abdication of a title in that period required an act of Parliament, even as much as Bryson’s honor called for it, he was born in wedlock, and as such, the legal heir. Ticking’s machinations also would have required legal intervention for his takeover, as Teddy (Emma’s brother) was the legal and rightful heir. This misstep is one of those strange moments for a reader- it may have made for intriguing plot arcs for the author, but the lack of ‘correctness’ was problematic for me, signifying a lack of research.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
December 26, 2016
4.5/5 on PolishedBookworm.com
Never thought I’d find a decrepit houseboat in the middle of Regency-era London to be the perfect setting for one of the most charming “meet-cute” scenes I have read. From the moment a (finally!) conscious Beau Cortland, the reluctant new Viscount Rainsleigh, meets the petite force of nature known as the Dowager Duchess of Ticking, the banter zings, tempers clash and the sexual tension is practically palpable.
At the ripe old age of 23, Emmaline Crumbley is widowed and prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure her developmentally challenged brother is properly cared for and her own futures is secure, and most importantly of all, of her own making. Having never tasted independence, Emma is ready to plot her escape from her overbearing stepson (who is twice her age) and plan her financial freedom.
The daughter of a wealthy publisher who was married off to an insolvent duke in exchange for a title, the last thing Emma wants is to fall under the thumb of another man; the last thing Beau Cortland wants is to be a titled Lord. Beau assumed the viscountcy following the abdication of his perfectly suited brother Bryson – whose tale is told in the delightful book 2 of the series, The Virgin and the Viscount. Beau eschews all trappings of English society, happily drinking, fishing, and raiding brothels to rescue unwilling victims. In a tacit arrangement with Bryson, Emma agrees to school Beau in the finer points of polite behavior. You can only imagine how Beau reacts to this plan. (Hint: not well)
However, once Beau understands Emma’s motives he softens to her cause (as he hardens for Emma [*awkward sexy times pun alert* — sorry, not sorry]. Beau may distain the aristocracy, but he nonetheless knows how to charm and perform when necessary. The question is whether he’s willing and able to be the man, the titled Lord, that Emma needs him to be. Is Beau able to be the champion Emma deserves as she strives to become the woman she was always meant to be? Can Emma trust Beau with her heart, her brother, and her destiny?
Since this is the brilliant Charis Michaels, the answers are found in a beautiful, engaging, and utterly romantic conclusion. Beau and Emma are a delight from the first! Revisiting old friends from the series is a joy, from Miss Breedlowe and Lady Frinfrock to Bryson and Elizabeth, all were fleshed out and essential to the plot. Reading the earlier two books in the series is not essential, although it certainly adds to the appreciation of One for the Rogue (and they are GREAT!).
Treat yourself this holiday season and let Charis Michaels’ Bachelor Lords of London help you believe in romance and the joy of true love.
Never thought I’d find a decrepit houseboat in the middle of Regency-era London to be the perfect setting for one of the most charming “meet-cute” scenes I have read. From the moment a (finally!) conscious Beau Cortland, the reluctant new Viscount Rainsleigh, meets the petite force of nature known as the Dowager Duchess of Ticking, the banter zings, tempers clash and the sexual tension is practically palpable.
At the ripe old age of 23, Emmaline Crumbley is widowed and prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure her developmentally challenged brother is properly cared for and her own futures is secure, and most importantly of all, of her own making. Having never tasted independence, Emma is ready to plot her escape from her overbearing stepson (who is twice her age) and plan her financial freedom.
The daughter of a wealthy publisher who was married off to an insolvent duke in exchange for a title, the last thing Emma wants is to fall under the thumb of another man; the last thing Beau Cortland wants is to be a titled Lord. Beau assumed the viscountcy following the abdication of his perfectly suited brother Bryson – whose tale is told in the delightful book 2 of the series, The Virgin and the Viscount. Beau eschews all trappings of English society, happily drinking, fishing, and raiding brothels to rescue unwilling victims. In a tacit arrangement with Bryson, Emma agrees to school Beau in the finer points of polite behavior. You can only imagine how Beau reacts to this plan. (Hint: not well)
However, once Beau understands Emma’s motives he softens to her cause (as he hardens for Emma [*awkward sexy times pun alert* — sorry, not sorry]. Beau may distain the aristocracy, but he nonetheless knows how to charm and perform when necessary. The question is whether he’s willing and able to be the man, the titled Lord, that Emma needs him to be. Is Beau able to be the champion Emma deserves as she strives to become the woman she was always meant to be? Can Emma trust Beau with her heart, her brother, and her destiny?
Since this is the brilliant Charis Michaels, the answers are found in a beautiful, engaging, and utterly romantic conclusion. Beau and Emma are a delight from the first! Revisiting old friends from the series is a joy, from Miss Breedlowe and Lady Frinfrock to Bryson and Elizabeth, all were fleshed out and essential to the plot. Reading the earlier two books in the series is not essential, although it certainly adds to the appreciation of One for the Rogue (and they are GREAT!).
Treat yourself this holiday season and let Charis Michaels’ Bachelor Lords of London help you believe in romance and the joy of true love.
December 27, 2016
I've enjoyed every one of these Bachelor Lords of London books. Each one was entertaining with a sweet love story to go along with it. I have to say, though, this was the least favorite of the three but still a good book. It made me laugh and sigh. Michaels writes a great historical romance and I look forward to future books from her.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ For some reason unknown to him, his brain tried, repeatedly, to add the pronoun “my” before it. “My Emma.”
♥ “Emma,” he whispered, and he scooped her hands from his knees and brought them to his lips. He kissed her knuckles through the leather and then tugged, one swift movement—come.
♥ Oh, Duchess. I have no heart.” She squinted and pushed back from him, straining against his arms. “Congratulations,” she said, “you’ve managed to say something stupider than wanting me too much.”
♥ Emmaline breathed in deeply and then let it out, a resigned sigh. She looked up. “But I didn’t ask you for a passionate affair,” she said softly. “I . . . I only wanted a kiss.” He squeezed his eyes shut and drew her to him, kissing the top of her head. “Oh, Duchess. It’s never only a kiss. Not with you, love. Not with you.”
♥ He felt her burrow against his throat, and he squeezed her, breathing in. He brushed slow, tender kisses against her hair, again and again, until she raised her head, tilting her face to him.
♥ "He kissed her as if they could not bear to be apart.”
♥ “You were meant to bewitch me. I would be resentful if I did not enjoy you so bloody much.”
♥ Beau had known he would propose marriage to her from the moment he’d seen her sitting across the ballroom with the ducal family, holding a crying baby and enduring her brother’s misery.
♥ She loved him so much in that moment she felt her heart would burst with it.
Quotes & Faves:
♥ For some reason unknown to him, his brain tried, repeatedly, to add the pronoun “my” before it. “My Emma.”
♥ “Emma,” he whispered, and he scooped her hands from his knees and brought them to his lips. He kissed her knuckles through the leather and then tugged, one swift movement—come.
♥ Oh, Duchess. I have no heart.” She squinted and pushed back from him, straining against his arms. “Congratulations,” she said, “you’ve managed to say something stupider than wanting me too much.”
♥ Emmaline breathed in deeply and then let it out, a resigned sigh. She looked up. “But I didn’t ask you for a passionate affair,” she said softly. “I . . . I only wanted a kiss.” He squeezed his eyes shut and drew her to him, kissing the top of her head. “Oh, Duchess. It’s never only a kiss. Not with you, love. Not with you.”
♥ He felt her burrow against his throat, and he squeezed her, breathing in. He brushed slow, tender kisses against her hair, again and again, until she raised her head, tilting her face to him.
♥ "He kissed her as if they could not bear to be apart.”
♥ “You were meant to bewitch me. I would be resentful if I did not enjoy you so bloody much.”
♥ Beau had known he would propose marriage to her from the moment he’d seen her sitting across the ballroom with the ducal family, holding a crying baby and enduring her brother’s misery.
♥ She loved him so much in that moment she felt her heart would burst with it.
December 27, 2016
One for the Rogue was an enjoyable Regency romance that definitely kept this reader on her toes. Just when I thought I understood where the story was leading and what the characters were going to do, author Charis Michaels switched things up with some unpredictable but entertaining twists.
‘He had no wish to seduce her–no, that was wildly inaccurate; he had every wish to seduce her, but he could not, would not touch her.’
I’ll start off saying that I haven’t read the previous two books in this series but that didn’t take away from Beau and Emmaline’s story at all. I think if you want to get a true sense of where the dynamics between Beau and his brother Bryson comes from then reading book two would help. But otherwise, there was enough background information given in this installment to fill in the blanks nicely.
Read More
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Original Notes:
Even though this is book three in the series and I have yet to read the others, I was able to follow along easily and had a great time with Beau and Emmaline's romance. I really enjoyed the subtle humor as well as how much Beau resisted being seen as a hero. Emmaline was a strong woman, a force to be reckoned with--especially when it came to the safety of her mentally challenged brother, Teddy Holt, whom I adored. There were some intriguing secondary characters (Lady Frinfrock and Jocelyn Breedlowe) who really caught my eye and held their own in the storyline. Full review to come.
‘He had no wish to seduce her–no, that was wildly inaccurate; he had every wish to seduce her, but he could not, would not touch her.’
I’ll start off saying that I haven’t read the previous two books in this series but that didn’t take away from Beau and Emmaline’s story at all. I think if you want to get a true sense of where the dynamics between Beau and his brother Bryson comes from then reading book two would help. But otherwise, there was enough background information given in this installment to fill in the blanks nicely.
Read More
_________________________
Original Notes:
Even though this is book three in the series and I have yet to read the others, I was able to follow along easily and had a great time with Beau and Emmaline's romance. I really enjoyed the subtle humor as well as how much Beau resisted being seen as a hero. Emmaline was a strong woman, a force to be reckoned with--especially when it came to the safety of her mentally challenged brother, Teddy Holt, whom I adored. There were some intriguing secondary characters (Lady Frinfrock and Jocelyn Breedlowe) who really caught my eye and held their own in the storyline. Full review to come.
February 4, 2017
A Very Well Told Love Story!
A well told love story of anguish, fear, courage. The fight against a Duke, for her beloved simple minded brother. Falling in love with someone that she is not totally certain that she can depend on. Will Emma go through so much ,only to have her heart torn apart by Beau? I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
A well told love story of anguish, fear, courage. The fight against a Duke, for her beloved simple minded brother. Falling in love with someone that she is not totally certain that she can depend on. Will Emma go through so much ,only to have her heart torn apart by Beau? I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
December 18, 2016
Had me captivated
This was just the most wonderful romance that had me captivated throughout. Emmaline and Beau were such a fun couple and the chemistry between them just sizzled off the pages. Beau was a handsome rake of a hero with some serious flaws and I loved that about him. He had fears he needed to overcome and his love for Emmaline and a bit of a talk with Lady Frinfrock gave him the incentive he needed to do just that. Emmaline was a brave and resourceful heroine and like Beau, I admired that about her. The Bachelor Lord's of London is a wonderful and entertaining series and I have enjoyed each one of them but this one is my favorite of the three and that was a difficult choice to make as they were all delightful. I highly recommend this whole series.
This was just the most wonderful romance that had me captivated throughout. Emmaline and Beau were such a fun couple and the chemistry between them just sizzled off the pages. Beau was a handsome rake of a hero with some serious flaws and I loved that about him. He had fears he needed to overcome and his love for Emmaline and a bit of a talk with Lady Frinfrock gave him the incentive he needed to do just that. Emmaline was a brave and resourceful heroine and like Beau, I admired that about her. The Bachelor Lord's of London is a wonderful and entertaining series and I have enjoyed each one of them but this one is my favorite of the three and that was a difficult choice to make as they were all delightful. I highly recommend this whole series.
May 21, 2017
I have had issues with all three of the books in this series, especially when it comes to the likability of characters. Essentially we are given near-perfect women that inexplicably fall in love with ridiculously horrible men. I'm not sure what the attraction would be for these women. Perhaps they just like a handsome face or they like a challenge? Furthermore, the curmudgeonly neighbor was somewhat endearing in the first work, tolerable in the second, but by the third her charm had worn thin.
In this particular work, I also had issues with the question of legitimacy and inheritance. That's not how any of it worked. However, it's a trite romance novel so one cannot expect stellar accuracy or attention to detail.
In this particular work, I also had issues with the question of legitimacy and inheritance. That's not how any of it worked. However, it's a trite romance novel so one cannot expect stellar accuracy or attention to detail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2016
just excellent, the author has really picked up her dialogue skills from the beginning of this series whilst maintaining the unusual emotional throughlines which are quite fresh. looking forward to the sequel trilogy.
February 19, 2017
I'm sorry but first of all, your plot needs to be realistic
If a male is born in a legal marriage and acknowledged by his father as his heir, he won't have his title taken away and given to his younger brother.
I couldn't get past the first few pages.
If a male is born in a legal marriage and acknowledged by his father as his heir, he won't have his title taken away and given to his younger brother.
I couldn't get past the first few pages.
December 25, 2016
***I received this book for free from Tasty Book Tours via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review, which was first posted in book blog Will Read for Feels.
After being swept away in a minor tsunami of feels in the second book of Charis Michaels’s Bachelor Lords of London series, The Virgin and the Viscount, I’ll admit I was very curious about what book three, One for the Rogue, would offer its readers. The book centers around Beau Cortland, brother to book two’s Bryse, and someone who’d strode his way through the second book with a wink and a smile and a level of charm that should require him to wear warning signs on his person.
The Beau of this book still possesses that rakish charm, but also has a heap of resentment and general grumpiness to go with it, as he finds himself saddled with a title he never wanted: he’s the new Viscount Rainsleigh, thanks to his brother’s abdication of the title and its responsibilities. And he’s not at all happy about it. Nothing would draw him into polite society or make him want to learn the manners and mannerisms expected of a lord of his standing. Until, that is, Emmaline hunts him down and demands he let her tutor him on etiquette.
Emmaline, for her part, is desperate to find a way to support herself and her brother, who requires constant care and watching, and the only way she can see to get out from under the tyranny of her stepson is to make a deal with the viscount’s family in order to further her business interests in America. She’s not about to let his bad temper or his roguish appeal get in the way of fulfilling her goals and seeing to the needs of her family.
Although both characters’ personalities (including both their flaws and virtues) and their motivations were made clear over the course of this novel, I found that I had some trouble connecting with them. Unlike the previous novel, which I found refreshing in its characters and plot devices, these characters seemed fairly run-of-the-mill as far as Regency romances go. Which is not to say that they weren’t properly developed or intriguing while I was reading the book—because they were, even though I would have liked a little more agency in Emmaline’s character. It’s more that, perhaps because I’ve read so many Regency romances in this year alone, not to mention all my other previous reads, I was rather hoping for the bit of trope rebellion I found in the previous book in this series.
Nevertheless, this was an engaging read, with characters it was easy to feel affection and respect for. The supporting characters will be familiar to anyone who has read the previous novels, but this book will stand on its own for anyone to whom this is the first introduction to the Bachelor Lords of London. It’s a solid choice if you’re a fan of the genre, and it comes with a guaranteed HEA, and although the circumstances of that HEA might be a bit unusual for most Regency readers, it’s certain to satisfy.
After being swept away in a minor tsunami of feels in the second book of Charis Michaels’s Bachelor Lords of London series, The Virgin and the Viscount, I’ll admit I was very curious about what book three, One for the Rogue, would offer its readers. The book centers around Beau Cortland, brother to book two’s Bryse, and someone who’d strode his way through the second book with a wink and a smile and a level of charm that should require him to wear warning signs on his person.
The Beau of this book still possesses that rakish charm, but also has a heap of resentment and general grumpiness to go with it, as he finds himself saddled with a title he never wanted: he’s the new Viscount Rainsleigh, thanks to his brother’s abdication of the title and its responsibilities. And he’s not at all happy about it. Nothing would draw him into polite society or make him want to learn the manners and mannerisms expected of a lord of his standing. Until, that is, Emmaline hunts him down and demands he let her tutor him on etiquette.
Emmaline, for her part, is desperate to find a way to support herself and her brother, who requires constant care and watching, and the only way she can see to get out from under the tyranny of her stepson is to make a deal with the viscount’s family in order to further her business interests in America. She’s not about to let his bad temper or his roguish appeal get in the way of fulfilling her goals and seeing to the needs of her family.
Although both characters’ personalities (including both their flaws and virtues) and their motivations were made clear over the course of this novel, I found that I had some trouble connecting with them. Unlike the previous novel, which I found refreshing in its characters and plot devices, these characters seemed fairly run-of-the-mill as far as Regency romances go. Which is not to say that they weren’t properly developed or intriguing while I was reading the book—because they were, even though I would have liked a little more agency in Emmaline’s character. It’s more that, perhaps because I’ve read so many Regency romances in this year alone, not to mention all my other previous reads, I was rather hoping for the bit of trope rebellion I found in the previous book in this series.
Nevertheless, this was an engaging read, with characters it was easy to feel affection and respect for. The supporting characters will be familiar to anyone who has read the previous novels, but this book will stand on its own for anyone to whom this is the first introduction to the Bachelor Lords of London. It’s a solid choice if you’re a fan of the genre, and it comes with a guaranteed HEA, and although the circumstances of that HEA might be a bit unusual for most Regency readers, it’s certain to satisfy.
January 27, 2025
Another banger 4.75 stars. This series has been splendid.
I was skeptical of how the idea of the viscount who doesn’t want to be a viscount would be executed in a way that still felt true to the character. A lot of the time when MCs start out not wanting to do something in HR, the HEA usually sees them succumbing anyway - whether it’s marriage, kids, love, responsibility…what have you - and usually in some way where the power of love makes them suddenly stop caring about a previously held value or principle just to make their loved one happy (love conquers all!).
I was pleased as punch to see this book take on the idea of titled people being terrible and having the MMC actually stick to his guns about that based on his life experiences (and his fraught relationship with his brother) but still utilize the power of his title to help his loved ones when called to. He was able to firmly reject that he had to become deeply ingrained into the system beyond that and actually managed to find a way to perform the bare minimum responsibilities while seeking out a life that felt authentic to him AND his partner. Love didn’t conquer all but he simply learned to put those he loved above his fear and process his trauma! What an idea!
I also appreciated that he didn’t need a third act wisdom drop on his head to realize “the right thing” but had quietly been preparing himself to do the right thing all along when we thought the worst of him. He just needed a day-of confidence boost! It was lovely to see how the marchioness also genuinely saw the good in our MMC the entire book, in a way that felt authentic and deserving.
Going back to his relationship with her brother - I loved seeing how an MMC from a previous book wasn’t painted as perfect just because we already knew and loved him. Bryson did some annoying stuff re: his deference to his titles and his rigidity toward his brother in this book even if he didn’t have the full story and was operating out of good intentions. It was good to see Beau and Bryson challenge each other while also ultimately just caring about one another.
I don’t have a lot to say about FMC besides I appreciated that her story included a thoughtful portrayal of caregivers and how folks with mental illness and developmental disabilities are more often victims of violence and abuse rather than perpetrators. I only took off 0.25 because her characterization was at times a little confusing - she’s concise and clever but also making this roundabout plan that hinges on too many things going right and also doesn’t seem to talk to lawyer when it could have been helpful much sooner! She pulled through in the end but it got a little dicey there for a bit. Ultimately I appreciated her backbone and loved her boldness with MMC.
Longest review I’ve ever written omg
I was skeptical of how the idea of the viscount who doesn’t want to be a viscount would be executed in a way that still felt true to the character. A lot of the time when MCs start out not wanting to do something in HR, the HEA usually sees them succumbing anyway - whether it’s marriage, kids, love, responsibility…what have you - and usually in some way where the power of love makes them suddenly stop caring about a previously held value or principle just to make their loved one happy (love conquers all!).
I was pleased as punch to see this book take on the idea of titled people being terrible and having the MMC actually stick to his guns about that based on his life experiences (and his fraught relationship with his brother) but still utilize the power of his title to help his loved ones when called to. He was able to firmly reject that he had to become deeply ingrained into the system beyond that and actually managed to find a way to perform the bare minimum responsibilities while seeking out a life that felt authentic to him AND his partner. Love didn’t conquer all but he simply learned to put those he loved above his fear and process his trauma! What an idea!
I also appreciated that he didn’t need a third act wisdom drop on his head to realize “the right thing” but had quietly been preparing himself to do the right thing all along when we thought the worst of him. He just needed a day-of confidence boost! It was lovely to see how the marchioness also genuinely saw the good in our MMC the entire book, in a way that felt authentic and deserving.
Going back to his relationship with her brother - I loved seeing how an MMC from a previous book wasn’t painted as perfect just because we already knew and loved him. Bryson did some annoying stuff re: his deference to his titles and his rigidity toward his brother in this book even if he didn’t have the full story and was operating out of good intentions. It was good to see Beau and Bryson challenge each other while also ultimately just caring about one another.
I don’t have a lot to say about FMC besides I appreciated that her story included a thoughtful portrayal of caregivers and how folks with mental illness and developmental disabilities are more often victims of violence and abuse rather than perpetrators. I only took off 0.25 because her characterization was at times a little confusing - she’s concise and clever but also making this roundabout plan that hinges on too many things going right and also doesn’t seem to talk to lawyer when it could have been helpful much sooner! She pulled through in the end but it got a little dicey there for a bit. Ultimately I appreciated her backbone and loved her boldness with MMC.
Longest review I’ve ever written omg
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2017
Book three. The story of Beau … finally! How I looked forward to this one… after the first two that I enjoyed immensely. And it was just as interesting and just as ‘readable’ as the other two.
What I like about the three books was that all three heroines were beautifully ‘constructed’ and moulded into very strong characters that one way or the other helped the heroes come to terms with fears and difficulties. They stood tall, had enough spirit and gumption, and loved their men completely. No half measures there. It is stories like these that make you believe in ‘unconditional’ love after all.
So Beau, as we read in the earlier books, is adamant not to accept his title and anything and everything that goes with it. Bryson, as we also read earlier,is his exact opposite and wants him to accept the Viscountcy with all its trappings and ‘restrictions’. To this muddle we put in Emmaline the ‘poor’ orphaned widow steeped in suffering … only the way she deals with all the atrocities life deals out to her is anything but tragic. She is ready to take it all on and ‘work’ her way through … from learning to fish to fighting a case at the House of Lords. She does not cower in front of any adversity that she faces, unlike Beau who has his fair share of ‘issues’ which will have you wanting to spank him… and no, not in the naughty way! Ok that too, as he is quite irresistibly handsome (all blonde and blue eyed!) and charming and all of that.
Sadly there is not much of the cameo characters of Henrietta Place that were there in the previous books. I would have liked to read more about Trevor and Piety and the rest of the them. But that is not to say they are not there at all. Lady Finfrock, comes through once again as the saviour of the lovers and you end the book, a little sad that there will be no more visiting our beloved square in Mayfair anymore.
Aha! But take heart. I came across this on Charis Michaels page and did a little jig of joy myself. The two boys we met in this trilogy are now all grown up and have their own stories … *swoon*
“I am thrilled to share with everyone that my next book, the first in my new series The Brides of Belgravia, has a title! Readers can look forward to Any Groom Will Do. The Brides of Belgravia series is a spinoff of my 2016 Bachelor Lords trilogy. Two secondary characters, Joseph Chance and Jon Stoker, now all grown up, take center stage.”
What I like about the three books was that all three heroines were beautifully ‘constructed’ and moulded into very strong characters that one way or the other helped the heroes come to terms with fears and difficulties. They stood tall, had enough spirit and gumption, and loved their men completely. No half measures there. It is stories like these that make you believe in ‘unconditional’ love after all.
So Beau, as we read in the earlier books, is adamant not to accept his title and anything and everything that goes with it. Bryson, as we also read earlier,is his exact opposite and wants him to accept the Viscountcy with all its trappings and ‘restrictions’. To this muddle we put in Emmaline the ‘poor’ orphaned widow steeped in suffering … only the way she deals with all the atrocities life deals out to her is anything but tragic. She is ready to take it all on and ‘work’ her way through … from learning to fish to fighting a case at the House of Lords. She does not cower in front of any adversity that she faces, unlike Beau who has his fair share of ‘issues’ which will have you wanting to spank him… and no, not in the naughty way! Ok that too, as he is quite irresistibly handsome (all blonde and blue eyed!) and charming and all of that.
Sadly there is not much of the cameo characters of Henrietta Place that were there in the previous books. I would have liked to read more about Trevor and Piety and the rest of the them. But that is not to say they are not there at all. Lady Finfrock, comes through once again as the saviour of the lovers and you end the book, a little sad that there will be no more visiting our beloved square in Mayfair anymore.
Aha! But take heart. I came across this on Charis Michaels page and did a little jig of joy myself. The two boys we met in this trilogy are now all grown up and have their own stories … *swoon*
“I am thrilled to share with everyone that my next book, the first in my new series The Brides of Belgravia, has a title! Readers can look forward to Any Groom Will Do. The Brides of Belgravia series is a spinoff of my 2016 Bachelor Lords trilogy. Two secondary characters, Joseph Chance and Jon Stoker, now all grown up, take center stage.”
December 26, 2020
3.5 stars.
i have liked Beau ever since he appeared in The Virgin and the Viscount because who doesn't love a playful guy? And Emma, i really admire her for being such a strong woman and a great sister to Teddy.
i enjoyed seeing Beau overcome his fears to save Emma. a goodness always existed in him, but he always downplays it when everyone sees it in him. good on Emma for making him see that.
however, i did not enjoy this as much as The Virgin and the Viscount as i would have to liked to see them spend more time with one another to allow their love to blossom more. it has come to my realization that i need to like the hero and heroine to enjoy a book properly which is the reason i did not enjoy The Earl Next Door as i did not like the hero and heroine.
the last 5 chapters felt draggy so i skimmed most of it. other than that, an enjoyable read.
i have liked Beau ever since he appeared in The Virgin and the Viscount because who doesn't love a playful guy? And Emma, i really admire her for being such a strong woman and a great sister to Teddy.
i enjoyed seeing Beau overcome his fears to save Emma. a goodness always existed in him, but he always downplays it when everyone sees it in him. good on Emma for making him see that.
however, i did not enjoy this as much as The Virgin and the Viscount as i would have to liked to see them spend more time with one another to allow their love to blossom more. it has come to my realization that i need to like the hero and heroine to enjoy a book properly which is the reason i did not enjoy The Earl Next Door as i did not like the hero and heroine.
the last 5 chapters felt draggy so i skimmed most of it. other than that, an enjoyable read.
January 3, 2019
* 3.25/5 *
Bon ... eh bien je dois dire qu'après le très bon tome 2, là, je suis ressortie déçue du tome consacré à Beau. On découvre qui il est derrière ce sourire et cette bonne humeur canaille (même si la révélation est longuette à arriver !), et on retrouve les personnages des tomes précédents, notamment cette vieille chouette de marquise qui est ici au sommet de sa forme !
Charis Michaels dépoussière la romance historique, mais on peut quand même dire qu'elle y va fort, un peu trop même ! C'est assez bizarre de voir des personnages du 19ème se comporter ainsi, de se parler aussi familièrement, sans parler des conventions qui sont jetées par-dessus bord, alors même que le pitch du roman repose sur l'éducation du nouveau vicomte !
Un tome finalement assez inégal, avec une romance agréable à lire, pas mal de rebondissements, ce qui donne un ensemble parfois un peu décousu. Charis Michaels reste cependant ma belle découverte de ces derniers jours, c'est une auteur avec pas mal de potentiel et je serai au rendez-vous pour ses prochaines publications !
Bon ... eh bien je dois dire qu'après le très bon tome 2, là, je suis ressortie déçue du tome consacré à Beau. On découvre qui il est derrière ce sourire et cette bonne humeur canaille (même si la révélation est longuette à arriver !), et on retrouve les personnages des tomes précédents, notamment cette vieille chouette de marquise qui est ici au sommet de sa forme !
Charis Michaels dépoussière la romance historique, mais on peut quand même dire qu'elle y va fort, un peu trop même ! C'est assez bizarre de voir des personnages du 19ème se comporter ainsi, de se parler aussi familièrement, sans parler des conventions qui sont jetées par-dessus bord, alors même que le pitch du roman repose sur l'éducation du nouveau vicomte !
Un tome finalement assez inégal, avec une romance agréable à lire, pas mal de rebondissements, ce qui donne un ensemble parfois un peu décousu. Charis Michaels reste cependant ma belle découverte de ces derniers jours, c'est une auteur avec pas mal de potentiel et je serai au rendez-vous pour ses prochaines publications !
January 12, 2022
While the Chairs Michaels book I admire most is The Virgin and the Viscount, this one also touches on some interesting themes. I didn't expect the obligingly dashing hero to let the heroine down in such a big way, or for the heroine to face her disappointment with a rare depth. I found it to be a mature and tender take on a specific kind of heartbreak that women often experience but rarely get to process through literature. Bravo!
August 10, 2018
Great 👍 read... ending!😍
This is a wonderful story of growing up and facing responsibility. These characters have interesting lives and the story does not take the usual path. ,The final revelation on the fire and out come which haunts our H. I loved the H speech to the court on the defense of the brother in law and the support of family taking care and responsibility for their children. This story twists and turns, & is the last of the trilogy. Very entertaining with some tears and laughter and love. A must read... and for me, again.
This is a wonderful story of growing up and facing responsibility. These characters have interesting lives and the story does not take the usual path. ,The final revelation on the fire and out come which haunts our H. I loved the H speech to the court on the defense of the brother in law and the support of family taking care and responsibility for their children. This story twists and turns, & is the last of the trilogy. Very entertaining with some tears and laughter and love. A must read... and for me, again.
January 10, 2019
I am always happy when I discover a new author, and this book, One for the Rogue, introduced me to Charis Michaels. I found the book to be pretty fast paced and with touches of humor that helped to move the plot along. The main characters, Emmaline and Beau are interesting and their Romance seems to be doomed to failure for various reasons. The situation of a widow whose deceased spouse failed to leave a will is clearly shown and caused one to wonder how they managed to survive if the relatives were vindictive. I look forward to reading the rest of the Bachelor Lords of London series.
June 5, 2017
Intriguing
Beau Cortland is fighting tooth and nail against taking on the role of Viscount Ransleigh, a post held by his older brother until it was discovered to be an error. Emmaline Holt, now Dowager Duchess - at age 23 - of Ticking, is sent to his boat to bring him up to speed and to claim his rightful spot. Lots of clashes and misunderstandings -they both need this to work - and this part of the series ends as beautifully as the others.
Beau Cortland is fighting tooth and nail against taking on the role of Viscount Ransleigh, a post held by his older brother until it was discovered to be an error. Emmaline Holt, now Dowager Duchess - at age 23 - of Ticking, is sent to his boat to bring him up to speed and to claim his rightful spot. Lots of clashes and misunderstandings -they both need this to work - and this part of the series ends as beautifully as the others.
October 19, 2017
Lovely tale
This tale is traditional enough for a happy ending but has enough elements to entertain as well. Emma is a strong character in a difficult situation and her lack of legal status and power is historically accurate and well written. Beau is more complex but the circumstances that led him there are unveiled bit by bit which helps with the progression. There is also a challenged brother adding to the complexity a good read
This tale is traditional enough for a happy ending but has enough elements to entertain as well. Emma is a strong character in a difficult situation and her lack of legal status and power is historically accurate and well written. Beau is more complex but the circumstances that led him there are unveiled bit by bit which helps with the progression. There is also a challenged brother adding to the complexity a good read
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