What do you think?
Rate this book
Romancing the Rogue
When the new earl inherits, poor relation Miss Rebecca Bond must wed immediately or be out on her ear. The only man she’s ever loved is summoned to hear the will—but he already rejected her so soundly that they haven’t spoken in years. Yet who better than a rakish Viscount to teach her how to snare a gentleman who appreciates her charms?
Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, regrets nothing more than the lost friendship with the one woman who treated him like a man, not a title. Fate has given him the perfect pretext to win her forgiveness—even if it means having to matchmake her to someone else. But now that she's back in his life, he’ll do anything to convince her to choose him instead...
This story was first featured in the Vexed anthology.
Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, regrets nothing more than the lost friendship with the one woman who treated him like a man, not a title. Fate has given him the perfect pretext to win her forgiveness—even if it means having to matchmake her to someone else. But now that she's back in his life, he’ll do anything to convince her to choose him instead...
This story was first featured in the Vexed anthology.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2017
65 people are currently reading
899 people want to read
About the author
Erica Ridley
130 books2,196 followersGet freebies and 99¢ deals at: https://ridley.vip
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
March 22, 2017
Erica Ridley is slowly making her way up my list of favorite historical romance authors. I've been a fan of hers for quite some time now, but Romancing the Rogue is my favorite book from her yet!
Romancing the Rogue is the second book in a series, but it can be read completely as a stand-alone. It felt like a stand-alone, actually, but now I'm curious to go back and read Dark Surrender, the first in the series. Romancing the Rogue is also billed as a gothic romance, but it actually has very few creepy, gothic elements other than the not-so-spooky setting.
I absolutely adored the former friends-lovers theme. I always like it when someone was scorned or hurt in the past and now the other person has to make up for it to win them over. I like the fight, the struggle to atone for past wrongdoings, and I loved it here.
The story was also a very #independentwomen romance, which I'm seeing a lot now with more recent historical romance. I loved how Rebecca was strong and smart and resourceful, and how she kept surprising Daniel throughout the story.
I think if there had been maybe 50 more pages to strengthen the romance part of the story, it would have been perfect, but even as-is it was a highly satisfying read. Erica Ridley is upping her game more and more, and I'm so excited to see what else she has up her sleeve.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
Romancing the Rogue is the second book in a series, but it can be read completely as a stand-alone. It felt like a stand-alone, actually, but now I'm curious to go back and read Dark Surrender, the first in the series. Romancing the Rogue is also billed as a gothic romance, but it actually has very few creepy, gothic elements other than the not-so-spooky setting.
I absolutely adored the former friends-lovers theme. I always like it when someone was scorned or hurt in the past and now the other person has to make up for it to win them over. I like the fight, the struggle to atone for past wrongdoings, and I loved it here.
The story was also a very #independentwomen romance, which I'm seeing a lot now with more recent historical romance. I loved how Rebecca was strong and smart and resourceful, and how she kept surprising Daniel throughout the story.
I think if there had been maybe 50 more pages to strengthen the romance part of the story, it would have been perfect, but even as-is it was a highly satisfying read. Erica Ridley is upping her game more and more, and I'm so excited to see what else she has up her sleeve.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
March 1, 2017
Rebecca’s life has been lonely, full of heartbreak and disappointments, but it never dampened her spirit, if anything it made her stronger, independent and combined with her keen intelligence and sharp wit, what man could resist her? But, this is historical romance and the London elite would find her behavior unladylike and coarse. Her heart has only belonged to one man, and he had the callousness to turn her away in humiliation. From that moment on, Rebecca would rather be alone, her own woman and NEVER be hurt again. It looks like she may just get her wish until her uncle informs her she has one month to find a husband or he will choose for her . As if she wants to become what modern day times would consider a Stepford Wife.
Re-enter Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, once her dear friend until he inherited his title and became the Rake of London, a supposed womanizer and all around cad, not to mention a very sought after husband for well-bred ladies. Daniel knows he owes Rebecca an apology, but she steadfastly refuses to accept it, and he continually means one thing and says some of the most foppish things ever. So much for his suave ways with the ladies. The truth is, he loves Rebecca, always has, but he has obligations in London and she is a free spirit who loves the open lands around her. How does he choose between his position and his heart? Why should she believe him when he hurt her so long ago?
Thank you Erica Ridley for another light-hearted romantic tale that is high on attitude, low on stuffed shirts and absolutely NO heaving bosoms or vapors from our adorable and feisty Rebecca! Add in another thank you for putting a Lord in his place, causing him to lose all sense of self and grace as he becomes no more than a mere fumbling boy in from of the woman he loves! No dashing swashbuckler here and he is priceless!
If Erica Ridley’s ROMANCING THE ROGUE isn’t on your to-be-read shelf, add it, we’ll wait! This is a tale only Erica Ridley could tell with such cheeky abandon and in such an entertaining way! I was smiling and smirking throughout!
I received an ARC edition from Webmotion in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Gothic historical Romance - Book 2
Publisher: WebMotion (March 21, 2017)
Publication Date: March 21, 2017
Genre: Historical Romance
Print Length: 188 pages
Available From: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Re-enter Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, once her dear friend until he inherited his title and became the Rake of London, a supposed womanizer and all around cad, not to mention a very sought after husband for well-bred ladies. Daniel knows he owes Rebecca an apology, but she steadfastly refuses to accept it, and he continually means one thing and says some of the most foppish things ever. So much for his suave ways with the ladies. The truth is, he loves Rebecca, always has, but he has obligations in London and she is a free spirit who loves the open lands around her. How does he choose between his position and his heart? Why should she believe him when he hurt her so long ago?
Thank you Erica Ridley for another light-hearted romantic tale that is high on attitude, low on stuffed shirts and absolutely NO heaving bosoms or vapors from our adorable and feisty Rebecca! Add in another thank you for putting a Lord in his place, causing him to lose all sense of self and grace as he becomes no more than a mere fumbling boy in from of the woman he loves! No dashing swashbuckler here and he is priceless!
If Erica Ridley’s ROMANCING THE ROGUE isn’t on your to-be-read shelf, add it, we’ll wait! This is a tale only Erica Ridley could tell with such cheeky abandon and in such an entertaining way! I was smiling and smirking throughout!
I received an ARC edition from Webmotion in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Gothic historical Romance - Book 2
Publisher: WebMotion (March 21, 2017)
Publication Date: March 21, 2017
Genre: Historical Romance
Print Length: 188 pages
Available From: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
March 3, 2017
5 stars!
If only he accepted her offer to dance...
After the horrible death of her parents, Rebecca Bond decided to live in hiding like a ghost in her great uncle's castle.
With the earl's sudden death and the big duties of the new heir, she had to find a husband before the reading of the will in three months.
Though life was mean to Rebecca, it never succeed to kill her beautiful soul or determination but with the coming of the reading and her lack of flirting techniques, she doubted she could be able to find a decent husband.
The early arrival of Daniel Goodenham, Lord North-Barrows, shouldn't have bothered her. Dumping her in front of a ballroom full of people was long forgotten but why was he so determined to apologize after all those years?!
And why did she see sincerity in those eyes that used to capture her breath?
When Daniel received a letter about the reading of the late Earl of Banfield' will, he knew that this would be his chance to meet Rebecca, apologize for his unforgiving behavior and may be regain the only friendship that mattered to his heart. After all "he regretted nothing more deeply than the lost friendship he’d shared long ago with the one woman who treated him like a man, not a title."
But the new Rebecca he met at the castle was so different from the friend he used to hung out with. This new beautiful version was more interested in his coquetry more than his apologies. She was in a hunt for a husband and she would make the most of his experience.
Was the viscount ready to teach her how to score a husband and see her live happily ever after? Or would he man up and fight for what'd always been his?!
This was my first book to Erica Ridley . It's a heartwarming second chance love story of girl who stole the heart a viscount and brought him to his knees.
If only he accepted her offer to dance...
After the horrible death of her parents, Rebecca Bond decided to live in hiding like a ghost in her great uncle's castle.
With the earl's sudden death and the big duties of the new heir, she had to find a husband before the reading of the will in three months.
Though life was mean to Rebecca, it never succeed to kill her beautiful soul or determination but with the coming of the reading and her lack of flirting techniques, she doubted she could be able to find a decent husband.
The early arrival of Daniel Goodenham, Lord North-Barrows, shouldn't have bothered her. Dumping her in front of a ballroom full of people was long forgotten but why was he so determined to apologize after all those years?!
And why did she see sincerity in those eyes that used to capture her breath?
When Daniel received a letter about the reading of the late Earl of Banfield' will, he knew that this would be his chance to meet Rebecca, apologize for his unforgiving behavior and may be regain the only friendship that mattered to his heart. After all "he regretted nothing more deeply than the lost friendship he’d shared long ago with the one woman who treated him like a man, not a title."
But the new Rebecca he met at the castle was so different from the friend he used to hung out with. This new beautiful version was more interested in his coquetry more than his apologies. She was in a hunt for a husband and she would make the most of his experience.
Was the viscount ready to teach her how to score a husband and see her live happily ever after? Or would he man up and fight for what'd always been his?!
This was my first book to Erica Ridley . It's a heartwarming second chance love story of girl who stole the heart a viscount and brought him to his knees.
September 13, 2017
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Romancing the Rogue hit all the right spots, and I loved the forbidding castle in which Rebecca felt so at home.
Story:
Rebecca has been living hidden in a huge gothic castle ever since her parents passed away. Now, her uncle had passed away as well. And she was being sent on her way by the relation who inherited the castle. When she hears that Daniel is coming for the reading of the will, all kinds of memories assail her. He was the young man who humiliated her more than once in the past. And at the same time, she loved him very much.
Once Daniel arrives, Rebecca wants to continue to hide, but he has other plans. When he sees her again, there is a spark of recognition and of something more.
Characters:
Rebecca loved the old castle, and she had been keeping the books for years. Having to leave it all behind hurt her just as much as arriving had hurt her after her parents' death.
Daniel was a bit clueless in some ways. But once he realized that he could have it all with Rebecca, it was a go.
Writing style :
Written in third person past tense, Romancing the Rogue is mostly from Rebecca's perspective, and the dialogues and descriptions made me feel like I was in the middle of the story.
Feels :
At first everything was dark and quite sad, but little by little, I felt hope. Then, came the chemistry, some humor and deep conversations that made me happy.
She lay her stick across the green and perched her derrière up onto the wooden edge of the billiards table. "Do you play often back home?" Did he? Daniel was finding it hard to concentrate. All he could think was that in the space of half an hour, she'd gone from the most intriguing woman of his acquaintance to probably the most fascinating woman on the planet.
Daniel was not, nor would he ever be, her beau. He had told her so when he was only seventeen. His grandmother had told her so. Repeatedly. She was simply not ton material. Society itself pointed out the chasm at every turn.
Romancing the Rogue hit all the right spots, and I loved the forbidding castle in which Rebecca felt so at home.
Story:
Rebecca has been living hidden in a huge gothic castle ever since her parents passed away. Now, her uncle had passed away as well. And she was being sent on her way by the relation who inherited the castle. When she hears that Daniel is coming for the reading of the will, all kinds of memories assail her. He was the young man who humiliated her more than once in the past. And at the same time, she loved him very much.
Once Daniel arrives, Rebecca wants to continue to hide, but he has other plans. When he sees her again, there is a spark of recognition and of something more.
Characters:
Rebecca loved the old castle, and she had been keeping the books for years. Having to leave it all behind hurt her just as much as arriving had hurt her after her parents' death.
Daniel was a bit clueless in some ways. But once he realized that he could have it all with Rebecca, it was a go.
Writing style :
Written in third person past tense, Romancing the Rogue is mostly from Rebecca's perspective, and the dialogues and descriptions made me feel like I was in the middle of the story.
Feels :
At first everything was dark and quite sad, but little by little, I felt hope. Then, came the chemistry, some humor and deep conversations that made me happy.
She lay her stick across the green and perched her derrière up onto the wooden edge of the billiards table. "Do you play often back home?" Did he? Daniel was finding it hard to concentrate. All he could think was that in the space of half an hour, she'd gone from the most intriguing woman of his acquaintance to probably the most fascinating woman on the planet.
Daniel was not, nor would he ever be, her beau. He had told her so when he was only seventeen. His grandmother had told her so. Repeatedly. She was simply not ton material. Society itself pointed out the chasm at every turn.
March 13, 2017
RomancingRomancing the Rogue the Rogue 'Romancing the Rogue' by Erica Ridley is book Two in the "Gothic Historical Romance" series. This is the story of Miss Rebecca Bond and Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows. I have not yet read the previous book so for my this was a standalone book. Rebecca and Daniel first met when they were younger and became friends. But when Daniel became older he ended up hurting Rebecca and they never seen each other since. Rebecca had fallen in love with Daniel but he hurt her feelings and left her with that hurt. Rebecca in addition lost her parents and was taken in by an elder Guardian who has now died. Rebecca lived in the Guardian's house but he pretty much forgot about her and now with the new Lord taken over he has made it clear he will marry her off. With nowhere to turn she swallows her pride and ask Daniel for help. Daniel was already heading to Rebecca to try to make amends for what he did to her with he was younger. This was a joy to read and see how their story was going to play out. "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H... https://twitter.com/soapsrus68https:/... https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
March 21, 2017
A pleasing novella.
I loved the opening premise, 'Miss Rebecca Bond was nobody’s fool. She was, however, desperate. And destitute. After five long years of living virtually unnoticed within the countless nooks and crannies of Castle Keyvnor, she’d come to think of it as her home.' Rebecca has made the castle her home, wandering its length and breadth, forgotten yet able to sustain herself and helping with castle affairs along the way. But now the Earl was dying. (Mind you how anyone can live in a castle unnoticed for five years is a mystery to me--but Ridley manages to make this completely believable!
Rebecca has a decision to make. The new Earl will give her a dowry upon her marriage. Daniel Goodenham, Lord North-Barrows, is a childhood friend of Rebecca's who treated who badly, spurning her, when she came out years ago. Daniel has never forgotten her. Rebecca has never forgiven him. Now they meet again. Daniel wants forgiveness, Rebecca wants to be able to order her life, and Daniel just doesn't measure up--at the moment.
A NetGalley ARC
I loved the opening premise, 'Miss Rebecca Bond was nobody’s fool. She was, however, desperate. And destitute. After five long years of living virtually unnoticed within the countless nooks and crannies of Castle Keyvnor, she’d come to think of it as her home.' Rebecca has made the castle her home, wandering its length and breadth, forgotten yet able to sustain herself and helping with castle affairs along the way. But now the Earl was dying. (Mind you how anyone can live in a castle unnoticed for five years is a mystery to me--but Ridley manages to make this completely believable!
Rebecca has a decision to make. The new Earl will give her a dowry upon her marriage. Daniel Goodenham, Lord North-Barrows, is a childhood friend of Rebecca's who treated who badly, spurning her, when she came out years ago. Daniel has never forgotten her. Rebecca has never forgiven him. Now they meet again. Daniel wants forgiveness, Rebecca wants to be able to order her life, and Daniel just doesn't measure up--at the moment.
A NetGalley ARC
April 1, 2017
“They’re just biscuits.”
“Nothing is ever just biscuits.”
lol, truer words have never been spoken.
I’m actually surprised I ended up liking this novella as much as I did (thanks so much for the rec Annie!) considering my last two experiences with this author were not exactly pleasant ones. Romancing the Rogue however was totes adorable that featured a feels inducing couple, an eerie Cornish castle, secret swimming coves, a long overdo waltz between childhood sweethearts and of course, BISCUITS. I especially loved Rebecca, and how much Daniel loved Rebecca...if that makes sense? Overall, a very enjoyable read. And now I have the most intense craving for cinnamon-raisin biscuits. Erica Ridley should’ve included a recipe in the postscript.
April 8, 2017
Short, sweet and funny, just like I like my novellas. Thanks for the rec Annie! ;)
February 27, 2017
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND ERICA RIDLEY for a copy of Romancing the Rogue.
Meh…
FYI…This is the first book in this series that I have read.
Writing: The book was fairly well written - minimal errors, if any at all. There were times when the writing didn’t feel like it was from the correct era. It sounded more current in many sections instead of historical. 3rd Person Narration. 2 POV.
Characters: The main characters are Daniel and Rebecca. Daniel is a viscount and has worked hard to gain the respect of his peers, despite being known as a ladies man. Rebecca is a recluse spinster with nothing and was an orphan taken in by her uncle. Rebecca is not your typical female during this era. She has a head for numbers and is extremely bright. However, she cannot do the things females are supposed to do like play the pianoforte.
Storyline: Daniel publicly shuns Rebecca twice when they were younger. This caused Rebecca a lot of hurt because she loved Daniel. Daniel has his reasons for his behavior, but it hurts him that he hurt Rebecca. Rebecca’s uncle dies and she can no longer be a shadow in his castle. The heir to her uncle’s estates gives her a time limit to find a husband and to be out of the castle. Her uncle sends invitations to people for the reading of the will and Daniel is one of the recipients. He arrives early to right his wrongs with Rebecca. After several years, they finally meet again and things quickly turn around for Rebecca.
I feel like I was dumped in the middle of a story. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t read the previous books, but there was a lot missing for me. A couple of examples are 1) Erica writes that Daniel and Rebecca were close friends when they were younger, but there is no evidence of this. The only past scenes Erica writes about are when Daniel was mean to her. 2) Erica spends quite a bit of time in the beginning boasting about the ghosts of the castle and how Rebecca has made herself one of them. After the opening scene with Rebecca doing the ledgers and peeling apples, there is nothing else about it and this was one of the more interesting concepts of the book.
These two examples among the other gaps and missing information in the book made it difficult to reconcile the event at the end. I didn’t really believe the past connection, which hindered my belief in the quick re-connection and chemistry between Daniel and Rebecca. Therefore, although I was expecting it, the ending required reality suspension. FYI…The book probably spans one week, two weeks at most.
Erotic Scenes: There was a lot of talk once Daniel was in Rebecca’s presence (inner monologues), but nothing actually took place besides a couple of kisses.
Overall, the book was okay. Although I struggled with believing the relationship between Rebecca and Daniel, I did enjoy the epilogue. It was cute and sweet.
Meh…
FYI…This is the first book in this series that I have read.
Writing: The book was fairly well written - minimal errors, if any at all. There were times when the writing didn’t feel like it was from the correct era. It sounded more current in many sections instead of historical. 3rd Person Narration. 2 POV.
Characters: The main characters are Daniel and Rebecca. Daniel is a viscount and has worked hard to gain the respect of his peers, despite being known as a ladies man. Rebecca is a recluse spinster with nothing and was an orphan taken in by her uncle. Rebecca is not your typical female during this era. She has a head for numbers and is extremely bright. However, she cannot do the things females are supposed to do like play the pianoforte.
Storyline: Daniel publicly shuns Rebecca twice when they were younger. This caused Rebecca a lot of hurt because she loved Daniel. Daniel has his reasons for his behavior, but it hurts him that he hurt Rebecca. Rebecca’s uncle dies and she can no longer be a shadow in his castle. The heir to her uncle’s estates gives her a time limit to find a husband and to be out of the castle. Her uncle sends invitations to people for the reading of the will and Daniel is one of the recipients. He arrives early to right his wrongs with Rebecca. After several years, they finally meet again and things quickly turn around for Rebecca.
I feel like I was dumped in the middle of a story. I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t read the previous books, but there was a lot missing for me. A couple of examples are 1) Erica writes that Daniel and Rebecca were close friends when they were younger, but there is no evidence of this. The only past scenes Erica writes about are when Daniel was mean to her. 2) Erica spends quite a bit of time in the beginning boasting about the ghosts of the castle and how Rebecca has made herself one of them. After the opening scene with Rebecca doing the ledgers and peeling apples, there is nothing else about it and this was one of the more interesting concepts of the book.
These two examples among the other gaps and missing information in the book made it difficult to reconcile the event at the end. I didn’t really believe the past connection, which hindered my belief in the quick re-connection and chemistry between Daniel and Rebecca. Therefore, although I was expecting it, the ending required reality suspension. FYI…The book probably spans one week, two weeks at most.
Erotic Scenes: There was a lot of talk once Daniel was in Rebecca’s presence (inner monologues), but nothing actually took place besides a couple of kisses.
Overall, the book was okay. Although I struggled with believing the relationship between Rebecca and Daniel, I did enjoy the epilogue. It was cute and sweet.
April 26, 2017
This novella was originally part of The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor collection of short stories themed in and around a gothic castle. As a part of that series the darker elements of this novella probably worked well. On its own it seems a bit dreary for a romance.
Miss Rebecca Bond is practically a ghost while still being alive. Once, she had a caring family; however all of that was lost the day that her parents were killed in an accident and Rebecca was left as an unwanted guest at the Earl of Banfield’s spooky castle. The old earl soon forgot Rebecca was there and she made herself useful while staying out of sight. The night the old earl dies, Rebecca is confronted by the heir and told that she’s no longer welcome in the castle. Due to their distant family ties the new earl decides that Rebecca will be married off to someone of his choosing.
Frightened by the idea of marrying a stranger, Rebecca uses the reading of the old earl’s will as a chance to make contact with the only person in the world who might help her. Daniel, Lord North-Barrow used to be her good friend but his cutting actions during a dance killed their friendship and left Rebecca broken hearted. Still, Rebecca naively hopes that Daniel’s reputation as a rake could be her chance to learn something about men that she can use to snare a better suitor.
Daniel fondly remembers Rebecca and has long carried guilt that his cruel words may have cost her more than their friendship. Seeing her again reminds him that many of the affectations he’s adopted to fit into the rakish London crowd aren’t who he is underneath. Spending time with Rebecca, tutoring her in the ways of seduction draws out the old Daniel. He finds himself considering a different lifestyle, one with a beautiful old friend by his side. Unfortunately his life has to be in London and Rebecca has no plans to leave the countryside she loves dearly.
At its core, Romancing the Rogue is a sweet story of childhood friends rediscovering each other and turning their adolescent affection into an adult love. It’s heartwarming and several of the scenes where Daniel or Rebecca’s awareness of the other is described had me swooning. Where I had problems with the story is the overwhelming sense of Rebecca’s melancholy. She’s a rather depressed character who never seems completely happy even when Daniel is expressing his deep love for her. There’s little joy in the telling of their story other than he regains a long suppressed part of himself and she escapes the shadows of the castle.
For more mini reviews please visit All About Romance
Miss Rebecca Bond is practically a ghost while still being alive. Once, she had a caring family; however all of that was lost the day that her parents were killed in an accident and Rebecca was left as an unwanted guest at the Earl of Banfield’s spooky castle. The old earl soon forgot Rebecca was there and she made herself useful while staying out of sight. The night the old earl dies, Rebecca is confronted by the heir and told that she’s no longer welcome in the castle. Due to their distant family ties the new earl decides that Rebecca will be married off to someone of his choosing.
Frightened by the idea of marrying a stranger, Rebecca uses the reading of the old earl’s will as a chance to make contact with the only person in the world who might help her. Daniel, Lord North-Barrow used to be her good friend but his cutting actions during a dance killed their friendship and left Rebecca broken hearted. Still, Rebecca naively hopes that Daniel’s reputation as a rake could be her chance to learn something about men that she can use to snare a better suitor.
Daniel fondly remembers Rebecca and has long carried guilt that his cruel words may have cost her more than their friendship. Seeing her again reminds him that many of the affectations he’s adopted to fit into the rakish London crowd aren’t who he is underneath. Spending time with Rebecca, tutoring her in the ways of seduction draws out the old Daniel. He finds himself considering a different lifestyle, one with a beautiful old friend by his side. Unfortunately his life has to be in London and Rebecca has no plans to leave the countryside she loves dearly.
At its core, Romancing the Rogue is a sweet story of childhood friends rediscovering each other and turning their adolescent affection into an adult love. It’s heartwarming and several of the scenes where Daniel or Rebecca’s awareness of the other is described had me swooning. Where I had problems with the story is the overwhelming sense of Rebecca’s melancholy. She’s a rather depressed character who never seems completely happy even when Daniel is expressing his deep love for her. There’s little joy in the telling of their story other than he regains a long suppressed part of himself and she escapes the shadows of the castle.
For more mini reviews please visit All About Romance
February 26, 2017
Three and a half stars. There was more than enough plot to make this into a novel and I felt this was too short and too rushed.
Miss Rebecca Bond has lived like a ghost in the Cornish castle, Castle Keyvnor, belonging to her uncle the Earl of Banfield after she left London five years earlier following her humiliation by her childhood friend Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows. Few people even remember that Rebecca exists and she wanders the castle like an invisible sprite correcting the Steward's ledgers and tidying up for the maids when they are away.
But when the old Earl dies his heir decides that Rebecca must marry, he won't hear of a mere woman being given her own dowry to do with how she sees fit. In desperation Rebecca devises a plan to get her old friend to Castle Keyvnor to teach her how to flirt so that she can catch a husband that suits her, rather than the new Earl.
Daniel has always regretted that he behaved so badly to his childhood friend, especially since he has always been in love with her. When he receives a summons to Castle Keyvnor for the reading of the Earl's will he sees his opportunity to make things right with Rebecca. But how can they be together when he loves London and she loves Cornwall? And what would his irascible grandmother say to the match?
This definitely starts with a very gothic feel, Rebecca roams the castle unheard and unseen, the castle is rumoured to be haunted (perhaps because of Rebecca) and the wind whips around the castle and its wild grounds. As I said earlier, the themes didn't really get developed because of the short format of the novella, hence the gothic start wasn't sustained throughout the novella.
I liked it but I didn't love it.
I received a free copy of this novella from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Miss Rebecca Bond has lived like a ghost in the Cornish castle, Castle Keyvnor, belonging to her uncle the Earl of Banfield after she left London five years earlier following her humiliation by her childhood friend Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows. Few people even remember that Rebecca exists and she wanders the castle like an invisible sprite correcting the Steward's ledgers and tidying up for the maids when they are away.
But when the old Earl dies his heir decides that Rebecca must marry, he won't hear of a mere woman being given her own dowry to do with how she sees fit. In desperation Rebecca devises a plan to get her old friend to Castle Keyvnor to teach her how to flirt so that she can catch a husband that suits her, rather than the new Earl.
Daniel has always regretted that he behaved so badly to his childhood friend, especially since he has always been in love with her. When he receives a summons to Castle Keyvnor for the reading of the Earl's will he sees his opportunity to make things right with Rebecca. But how can they be together when he loves London and she loves Cornwall? And what would his irascible grandmother say to the match?
This definitely starts with a very gothic feel, Rebecca roams the castle unheard and unseen, the castle is rumoured to be haunted (perhaps because of Rebecca) and the wind whips around the castle and its wild grounds. As I said earlier, the themes didn't really get developed because of the short format of the novella, hence the gothic start wasn't sustained throughout the novella.
I liked it but I didn't love it.
I received a free copy of this novella from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
March 13, 2017
'Romancing the Rogue' by Erica Ridley is book Two in the "Gothic Historical Romance" series. This is the story of Miss Rebecca Bond and Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows. I have not yet read the previous book so for my this was a standalone book.
Rebecca and Daniel first met when they were younger and became friends. But when Daniel became older he ended up hurting Rebecca and they never seen each other since. Rebecca had fallen in love with Daniel but he hurt her feelings and left her with that hurt. Rebecca in addition lost her parents and was taken in by an elder Guardian who has now died. Rebecca lived in the Guardian's house but he pretty much forgot about her and now with the new Lord taken over he has made it clear he will marry her off. With nowhere to turn she swallows her pride and ask Daniel for help. Daniel was already heading to Rebecca to try to make amends for what he did to her with he was younger.
This was a joy to read and see how their story was going to play out.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
Rebecca and Daniel first met when they were younger and became friends. But when Daniel became older he ended up hurting Rebecca and they never seen each other since. Rebecca had fallen in love with Daniel but he hurt her feelings and left her with that hurt. Rebecca in addition lost her parents and was taken in by an elder Guardian who has now died. Rebecca lived in the Guardian's house but he pretty much forgot about her and now with the new Lord taken over he has made it clear he will marry her off. With nowhere to turn she swallows her pride and ask Daniel for help. Daniel was already heading to Rebecca to try to make amends for what he did to her with he was younger.
This was a joy to read and see how their story was going to play out.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
http://booklikes.com/blog
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
February 19, 2017
This is Rebecca's story. She is an unmarried lady who is secretly very much in love with her childhood friend Daniel whom she hasn't seen for many years. In the meantime he has become a Lord.
She is a bit of a 'ghost' living in her great uncle's home but is seldom seen. She is also a wonder at mathematics.
The story begins when her great uncle dies and she has to find a husband and move out.
It is of novella length, well written and gave rise to many chuckle-worth episodes. There were even a few times when I would happily have kicked Daniel in the head because he let so many opportunities to declare how he felt slip away.
I am quite happy to recommend this as a sweet story that will entertain and amuse you. Enjoy!
I was provided this advance copy of the book from the author and this is my unbiased review.
She is a bit of a 'ghost' living in her great uncle's home but is seldom seen. She is also a wonder at mathematics.
The story begins when her great uncle dies and she has to find a husband and move out.
It is of novella length, well written and gave rise to many chuckle-worth episodes. There were even a few times when I would happily have kicked Daniel in the head because he let so many opportunities to declare how he felt slip away.
I am quite happy to recommend this as a sweet story that will entertain and amuse you. Enjoy!
I was provided this advance copy of the book from the author and this is my unbiased review.
February 20, 2017
Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley
This is a sweet novella length story of two childhood friends who grow up and grow away from one another. Their feelings remain strong but the distance between them is greater due to the Viscount status of Daniel and the penniless and title-less station of Rebecca. When an opportunity for them to be together again presents itself they find there is still chemistry and caring BUT the divide between them still exists. I enjoyed both characters and their story was fun to read. Thank you to the author. This is my honest review.
4 Stars
This is a sweet novella length story of two childhood friends who grow up and grow away from one another. Their feelings remain strong but the distance between them is greater due to the Viscount status of Daniel and the penniless and title-less station of Rebecca. When an opportunity for them to be together again presents itself they find there is still chemistry and caring BUT the divide between them still exists. I enjoyed both characters and their story was fun to read. Thank you to the author. This is my honest review.
4 Stars
July 30, 2017
No interest in this author's work.
March 28, 2017
I loved this so much. Especially the waltz scene in the music room.
I understood Daniel's reasons for not contacting Rebecca bc that's exactly the same tactic I use too.
I understood Daniel's reasons for not contacting Rebecca bc that's exactly the same tactic I use too.
March 27, 2022
2.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because I finished it. I decided to read romance novellas to push out of a reading slump. I think this one is the better of the two, but I'm not sure I'd call it good.
I know that novellas don't have the space to develop a complicated plot, but I think they have to do better than this. This particular one involves a couple of childhood friends reuniting when our heroine is being forced to marry ASAP. And the thing is, it's worth noting that in this case, I really do mean childhood friends. I think the last time the two of them spoke, she was 14 and he as 17. And it wasn't a pleasant encounter, due to societal pressure and a difference in station.
Which, I get it, there was a connection, things were different then, but she was a literal child. So if you're pulling that trope, then you need some actual development in the present day to pull that off. They haven't seen each other in half a dozen years, and haven't spoken for longer than that. And there isn't any noticeable development. They seem like lovely friends, and there's obviously an affinity, but not enough to buy the rest of this. The obstacle is obviously different social stations because our heroine is peniless (which, parenthetically, I am getting sick of such extreme social distances being the sole plot engine of a novella), and his grandmother (maybe? grandmother or other elderly female relative) that he's trying to impress disapproves. It is worth noting that the grandmother is not a particularly effective plot obstacle because she never appears on page, so the reader can't assess how overwhelming an obstacle she actually is.
The resolution after our hero and heroine essentially have the same conversation over and over again either in their minds or verbally (I really like you, but it can't work) is
Basically, there's not enough to this to really make it memorable or particularly satisfying. It's fine, but I got through it because it was easy, not because it was particularly enoyable. I'll have forgotten it soon, I'm sure.
I know that novellas don't have the space to develop a complicated plot, but I think they have to do better than this. This particular one involves a couple of childhood friends reuniting when our heroine is being forced to marry ASAP. And the thing is, it's worth noting that in this case, I really do mean childhood friends. I think the last time the two of them spoke, she was 14 and he as 17. And it wasn't a pleasant encounter, due to societal pressure and a difference in station.
Which, I get it, there was a connection, things were different then, but she was a literal child. So if you're pulling that trope, then you need some actual development in the present day to pull that off. They haven't seen each other in half a dozen years, and haven't spoken for longer than that. And there isn't any noticeable development. They seem like lovely friends, and there's obviously an affinity, but not enough to buy the rest of this. The obstacle is obviously different social stations because our heroine is peniless (which, parenthetically, I am getting sick of such extreme social distances being the sole plot engine of a novella), and his grandmother (maybe? grandmother or other elderly female relative) that he's trying to impress disapproves. It is worth noting that the grandmother is not a particularly effective plot obstacle because she never appears on page, so the reader can't assess how overwhelming an obstacle she actually is.
The resolution after our hero and heroine essentially have the same conversation over and over again either in their minds or verbally (I really like you, but it can't work) is
Basically, there's not enough to this to really make it memorable or particularly satisfying. It's fine, but I got through it because it was easy, not because it was particularly enoyable. I'll have forgotten it soon, I'm sure.
March 22, 2017
I received a e-book copy of this book through a giveaway the author had on LibraryThing and the following is my honest opinion.
Image if you will that you’re in Rebecca Bond’s shoes and due to circumstances a rich relative has now become the new earl who is demanding you marry immediately or be force to live the rest of your life as a pauper.
You must now turn to a dashing Viscount, Daniel Goodenham, to teach you how to capture the heart of a nobleman who is going to value all of your charms including the unconventional ones for a woman at that time. The thing is this Viscount is a childhood friend with who you grew up with but for some reason grew apart from each other. But now, given his Viscount status, the social distance between the two of you has increased because of your being without any title and being poor as well. Yet the childhood chemistry the two of you had shared is as powerful as it has ever been.
There has to be some Kismet which has come into play here as Daniel now has the prefect chance to convince you to choose him over any other possible suitor. Should you allow this individual back into your life and into your heart despite the social distance which is still present between you two? There’s a wonderful sweetness to this story, one which you should quite endearing.
The only question which now needs to be answered is whether you’ll go with the guy Daniel is trying to match-make you with, or as I’ve already said, will you simply go “back” into Daniels arms and life. As for myself, fantasizing that I’m in Rebecca’s shoes I’d simply go with Daniel, someone I’d like being a child. For giving her readers a sweet historical Victorian reading experience, I’m giving Ms. Ridley 5 STARS.
Image if you will that you’re in Rebecca Bond’s shoes and due to circumstances a rich relative has now become the new earl who is demanding you marry immediately or be force to live the rest of your life as a pauper.
You must now turn to a dashing Viscount, Daniel Goodenham, to teach you how to capture the heart of a nobleman who is going to value all of your charms including the unconventional ones for a woman at that time. The thing is this Viscount is a childhood friend with who you grew up with but for some reason grew apart from each other. But now, given his Viscount status, the social distance between the two of you has increased because of your being without any title and being poor as well. Yet the childhood chemistry the two of you had shared is as powerful as it has ever been.
There has to be some Kismet which has come into play here as Daniel now has the prefect chance to convince you to choose him over any other possible suitor. Should you allow this individual back into your life and into your heart despite the social distance which is still present between you two? There’s a wonderful sweetness to this story, one which you should quite endearing.
The only question which now needs to be answered is whether you’ll go with the guy Daniel is trying to match-make you with, or as I’ve already said, will you simply go “back” into Daniels arms and life. As for myself, fantasizing that I’m in Rebecca’s shoes I’d simply go with Daniel, someone I’d like being a child. For giving her readers a sweet historical Victorian reading experience, I’m giving Ms. Ridley 5 STARS.
March 6, 2017
Miss Rebecca´s spent the last five years living with a relative since she lost her parents, and has no desire to join life in London again. Not after the snub she received last time, by the mother of her friend and love interest, Daniel. Life as a ghost in this country estate is much easier.
Until the Earl passes, and a new Earl comes along, with an ultimatum. Wed, or he´ll make a match for her. Now Rebecca will have no choice, she´ll need help to learn how to charm the opposite sex, and the rake and former friend will do perfectly.
Daniel still suffers from remorse, he knew how bad he´d hurt Rebecca, but couldn´t do anything else. Now here´s his chance to do better, and help her get the life she wants.
What he didn´t expect was how he himself would react..
Historical romance, feelings and fluff in a great combo.
Disclaimer; I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! =)
Until the Earl passes, and a new Earl comes along, with an ultimatum. Wed, or he´ll make a match for her. Now Rebecca will have no choice, she´ll need help to learn how to charm the opposite sex, and the rake and former friend will do perfectly.
Daniel still suffers from remorse, he knew how bad he´d hurt Rebecca, but couldn´t do anything else. Now here´s his chance to do better, and help her get the life she wants.
What he didn´t expect was how he himself would react..
Historical romance, feelings and fluff in a great combo.
Disclaimer; I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! =)
April 13, 2017
Another delightful regency romance penned by Erica Ridley.
This short, sweet, light hearted tale is just the thing to brighten up a dull day.
Daniel and Rebecca make a darling pair.
I loved the story but a couple of things struck me as I was reading it.
I would have liked to see Daniel actively engaging in his reluctant matchmaker role rather than just talking about it. Surely her dowry would have enticed someone....anyone to marry her? She didn't have any suitors for Daniel to play matchmaker with or chase away as he probably would have done.
At the end of the day Daniel didn't have any competition and I think he deserved to have to put in some effort to win Rebecca.
Rebecca is far too forgiving and I'd have preferred to see Daniel grovel a bit more for forgiveness.
In saying that, it is a charming and enjoyable story.
Highly recommended.
This short, sweet, light hearted tale is just the thing to brighten up a dull day.
Daniel and Rebecca make a darling pair.
I loved the story but a couple of things struck me as I was reading it.
I would have liked to see Daniel actively engaging in his reluctant matchmaker role rather than just talking about it. Surely her dowry would have enticed someone....anyone to marry her? She didn't have any suitors for Daniel to play matchmaker with or chase away as he probably would have done.
At the end of the day Daniel didn't have any competition and I think he deserved to have to put in some effort to win Rebecca.
Rebecca is far too forgiving and I'd have preferred to see Daniel grovel a bit more for forgiveness.
In saying that, it is a charming and enjoyable story.
Highly recommended.
March 23, 2017
Romancing the Rogue proves just how talented an author Erica Ridley really is. She took a genre that I am not a particular fan of and turned a gothic romance into a beautiful and intriguing journey. Rebecca and Daniel's road to happiness has not been an easy one. The trek has proved treacherous and littered with obstacles like broken hearts, secret longings and prideful actions that drove apart a friendship that could have led to so much more. When a chance to mend fences presents itself, will a love connection blossom from dire circumstances? Ms. Ridley manages to stay true to the genre of romance while veering off into an often overlooked area such as gothic and giving it the life breath of heart, that it sometimes lacks.
February 21, 2017
What happens when you lose the one person who treated you like a person and how do you get them back. That is the problem for Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows. Daniel comes across as very human. He messed up and has waited years to try to make right. I loved Miss Rebecca Bond. She has made a place for herself by staying out of sight and now that is no longer an option she is being very pro-active in finding a new place even though it means using Daniel to help. It was fun watching the two interact after years apart. They have a interesting journey before getting to their HEA.
July 21, 2021
I loved the premise - hero harshly rejects heroine and now he must make it up to her - but there wasn't quite enough groveling to me, and the heroine seemed to be over it pretty easily. Going on the angst shelf for the set-up, but (perhaps due to being so short) it was resolved pretty smoothly. I liked the writing and setting and description though.
Moved from the angst shelf to the hero-hurts-heroine shelf
Moved from the angst shelf to the hero-hurts-heroine shelf
February 18, 2017
I've got an ARC copy for a sincere review. This is a short novel, more likely a novella. Nice to enjoy by the fireplace.
The plot is too simple and straight. The characters have opposing positions through all the book and suddenly, they change their minds and the story ends.
There are several nice stages but they lack more detailed descriptions.
The plot is too simple and straight. The characters have opposing positions through all the book and suddenly, they change their minds and the story ends.
There are several nice stages but they lack more detailed descriptions.
September 22, 2018
I found this a good book. It was a short read and flowed very well. Rebecca and Daniel seem to like each other a lot and enjoy the same things.
March 14, 2017
Romancing the Rogue is the second book in the Gothic Historical Romance series by Erica Ridley. It can easily be read as a stand alone book, and I can say that because I haven't had the pleasure of reading the first book in the series. I certainly intend to remedy that though!
When Rebecca Bond was orphaned she moved in with her very old uncle, an Earl. She kept herself to herself and over time he forgot she was there, everybody forgot she was there. That's the way she liked it. She had a roof over her head, she had food to eat, and in order to pay for both she did little chores around the house that left people astounded. They thought the jobs were being done by the Castle ghosts. The trouble started for Rebecca when the old Earl died and his successor moved into the house. She couldn't hide from him and when he bade her explain who she was and why she was there, he was horrified. He has a wife and 5 daughters that he had to worry about and couldn't possibly take on another young woman. He realises he can't put her on the street though and tells her that she has 3 weeks to find a husband for herself, or he will arrange a marriage himself. A husband to look after her was the last thing she wanted, but it was the only offer open to her.
Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, a Viscount, knew Rebecca's family, and uncle. In fact he was quite infatuated with Rebecca as they were growing up. His grandmother made it plain that she wasn't good enough for him, and in order to keep the woman happy an occasion arose where he ended up giving Rebecca the cut direct in front of all society. Not only did he break her heart because she loved him, but he also ruined any chance of her finding any other match in London. They haven't seen each other since then.
Daniel is informed of the passing of the old Earl, and rather than wait for the reading of the will that he has been told he needs to attend, he rushes off to the country as soon as possible so that he can have the chance to see Rebecca again and to apologise deeply for the terrible distress he caused her. What he doesn't expect when he arrives there is for his heart to still be aflutter upon seeing her, and for the shock he has when he finds out that she wants him to teach her how to flirt so that she can try to find herself a husband in the country. She hates London, and has no interest in being made to wed anybody from there. Of course her old feelings are there, she's never stopped loving Daniel, and it seems perhaps Daniel has never stopped loving her.
BUT what can they do? First Daniel needs to get her to forgive him. Then he is supposed to help her find a husband, something he could want to be in time, but not within three weeks. There is also the hurdle of his grandmother who is still alive, not to mention the fact that he can't live in the country because of his duties in parliament, and his love for the fast pace of London. Rebecca can't live there and wants a quiet life in the country, it's her dream. How can any feelings they have for each other come to anything when they want such different things from life. They have 3 weeks to figure it out.......
I really enjoyed this book, it was a nice quick read. Of course the only problem with a novella is that sometimes you are left wanting a little more detail especially towards the end, perhaps in the epilogue. There were a couple of things I would have liked to have read more about, but certainly not having more information didn't detract from my pleasure from the story. I particularly loved the funny parts in the book where the 'ghost' had everybody freaked out. It's lovely to have some light hearted fun amongst the seriousness of the Earl's death, and Rebecca's possible homeless situation.
I absolutely recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading both the first, and the next books in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers' Copy of this book.
When Rebecca Bond was orphaned she moved in with her very old uncle, an Earl. She kept herself to herself and over time he forgot she was there, everybody forgot she was there. That's the way she liked it. She had a roof over her head, she had food to eat, and in order to pay for both she did little chores around the house that left people astounded. They thought the jobs were being done by the Castle ghosts. The trouble started for Rebecca when the old Earl died and his successor moved into the house. She couldn't hide from him and when he bade her explain who she was and why she was there, he was horrified. He has a wife and 5 daughters that he had to worry about and couldn't possibly take on another young woman. He realises he can't put her on the street though and tells her that she has 3 weeks to find a husband for herself, or he will arrange a marriage himself. A husband to look after her was the last thing she wanted, but it was the only offer open to her.
Daniel Goodenham, Lord North Barrows, a Viscount, knew Rebecca's family, and uncle. In fact he was quite infatuated with Rebecca as they were growing up. His grandmother made it plain that she wasn't good enough for him, and in order to keep the woman happy an occasion arose where he ended up giving Rebecca the cut direct in front of all society. Not only did he break her heart because she loved him, but he also ruined any chance of her finding any other match in London. They haven't seen each other since then.
Daniel is informed of the passing of the old Earl, and rather than wait for the reading of the will that he has been told he needs to attend, he rushes off to the country as soon as possible so that he can have the chance to see Rebecca again and to apologise deeply for the terrible distress he caused her. What he doesn't expect when he arrives there is for his heart to still be aflutter upon seeing her, and for the shock he has when he finds out that she wants him to teach her how to flirt so that she can try to find herself a husband in the country. She hates London, and has no interest in being made to wed anybody from there. Of course her old feelings are there, she's never stopped loving Daniel, and it seems perhaps Daniel has never stopped loving her.
BUT what can they do? First Daniel needs to get her to forgive him. Then he is supposed to help her find a husband, something he could want to be in time, but not within three weeks. There is also the hurdle of his grandmother who is still alive, not to mention the fact that he can't live in the country because of his duties in parliament, and his love for the fast pace of London. Rebecca can't live there and wants a quiet life in the country, it's her dream. How can any feelings they have for each other come to anything when they want such different things from life. They have 3 weeks to figure it out.......
I really enjoyed this book, it was a nice quick read. Of course the only problem with a novella is that sometimes you are left wanting a little more detail especially towards the end, perhaps in the epilogue. There were a couple of things I would have liked to have read more about, but certainly not having more information didn't detract from my pleasure from the story. I particularly loved the funny parts in the book where the 'ghost' had everybody freaked out. It's lovely to have some light hearted fun amongst the seriousness of the Earl's death, and Rebecca's possible homeless situation.
I absolutely recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading both the first, and the next books in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers' Copy of this book.
March 22, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from the author via LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
Trope(s) used: Childhood Friends-to-Lovers, Historical Romance.
Level of chemistry between the leads: One mirchi (pepper in Hindi) out of 5.
When I first read the blurb and saw the cover, I was drawn to the story like a moth to a flame. I have always enjoyed a smart and strong heroine, and if she has an angsty 'past' or is an aggrieved party in a scandal (in historical romances), I like it even more. Our heroine Rebecca is a lovely bluestocking with a good head for accounting and administration in general. She virtually runs the entire Castle Keyvnor and does it so discreetly that her notes to the steward are often interpreted as being left by the "ghosts" who supposedly haunt the castle! At the same time, I felt her loneliness, her yearning for her childhood friend turned crush Daniel who had cruelly rejected her in front of the ton and thus did irreparable damage to her reputation.
I believe a good romance novel must have two basic ingredients - angst/heartbreak and a solid HEA (Happily Ever After). Aside from that, if it is a part of a series, I need great secondary characters who help complicate the plot and generally provide more depth to that particular world. Unfortunately, this novel does not live up to its initial potential. There is a conspicuous absence of secondary characters who probably would've added more colour and depth to the novel, which is also part of a series. Secondary characters in a series are also a great way of providing continuity to a series. Moreover, Daniel was nothing like the rogue I had imagined while reading the blurb. I have no problems with a sensible, kind hero; I actually think they make amazing heroes, but rogues and rakes evoke a different image in my mind - that of a smexy Alpha male who drives you crazy! Again, Daniel was none of the above. He simply ignored our lovely heroine for years after snubbing her publicly. That suspiciously sounds like that guy who makes excuses for never calling you back. And that is never pretty. He only returns to her because it was convenient for him. Our heroine deserves a better hero. At no point did I root for this couple, sadly. No matter how much Daniel grovels, none of it feels sincere. His proclamation of love is filled with cliches, for instance:
It simply sounds tired. And we know that Ridley can write some lovely lines as evidenced by these lines that make Daniel see Rebecca in a different light:
At that point in the story, Daniel recognises Rebecca's free spirit, and these lines perfectly capture all of his favourite things about this new, mature and strong Rebecca. This line and many others were beautiful, and show that Ridley has potential, but perhaps needs better plots and more fleshed out characters.
I wanted to give this romance only 2.5 stars, but simply because of Ridley's flashes of brilliance, I give this romance - 3 stars out of 5
Do visit my blog for more reviews:
http://theromancefictionaddict.blogsp...
Review:
Trope(s) used: Childhood Friends-to-Lovers, Historical Romance.
Level of chemistry between the leads: One mirchi (pepper in Hindi) out of 5.
When I first read the blurb and saw the cover, I was drawn to the story like a moth to a flame. I have always enjoyed a smart and strong heroine, and if she has an angsty 'past' or is an aggrieved party in a scandal (in historical romances), I like it even more. Our heroine Rebecca is a lovely bluestocking with a good head for accounting and administration in general. She virtually runs the entire Castle Keyvnor and does it so discreetly that her notes to the steward are often interpreted as being left by the "ghosts" who supposedly haunt the castle! At the same time, I felt her loneliness, her yearning for her childhood friend turned crush Daniel who had cruelly rejected her in front of the ton and thus did irreparable damage to her reputation.
I believe a good romance novel must have two basic ingredients - angst/heartbreak and a solid HEA (Happily Ever After). Aside from that, if it is a part of a series, I need great secondary characters who help complicate the plot and generally provide more depth to that particular world. Unfortunately, this novel does not live up to its initial potential. There is a conspicuous absence of secondary characters who probably would've added more colour and depth to the novel, which is also part of a series. Secondary characters in a series are also a great way of providing continuity to a series. Moreover, Daniel was nothing like the rogue I had imagined while reading the blurb. I have no problems with a sensible, kind hero; I actually think they make amazing heroes, but rogues and rakes evoke a different image in my mind - that of a smexy Alpha male who drives you crazy! Again, Daniel was none of the above. He simply ignored our lovely heroine for years after snubbing her publicly. That suspiciously sounds like that guy who makes excuses for never calling you back. And that is never pretty. He only returns to her because it was convenient for him. Our heroine deserves a better hero. At no point did I root for this couple, sadly. No matter how much Daniel grovels, none of it feels sincere. His proclamation of love is filled with cliches, for instance:
"I love you more than I want air to breathe. You are the reason I strive to be a better man. The reason I live. I love you because when we are together, the rest of the world no longer matters. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to make you happy."
It simply sounds tired. And we know that Ridley can write some lovely lines as evidenced by these lines that make Daniel see Rebecca in a different light:
"Rebecca was wide open spaces. Secret paths down soaring cliffs. Jaw-dropping views. Clever labyrinths. Sunrise strolls. The majestic sea."
At that point in the story, Daniel recognises Rebecca's free spirit, and these lines perfectly capture all of his favourite things about this new, mature and strong Rebecca. This line and many others were beautiful, and show that Ridley has potential, but perhaps needs better plots and more fleshed out characters.
I wanted to give this romance only 2.5 stars, but simply because of Ridley's flashes of brilliance, I give this romance - 3 stars out of 5
Do visit my blog for more reviews:
http://theromancefictionaddict.blogsp...
March 21, 2017
*I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
3.5
This book was wonderful. In this case though, everything I loved about it was exactly what bothered me. This is why I rounded up. Everything was just too lovely to confine to a novella.
Romancing the Rogue takes places in Castle Keyvnor, a haunted Gothic castle in the English countryside by the sea. How awesome is that? Since her parents' death, Rebecca Bond has been living very discreetly within her great-uncle's castle for years. She helps with the laundry, cooking, and even the ledgers, but does it secretly. The servants just assume the help is coming from ghosts. She loves the independence and freedom it allows her. When the old earl dies, the new earl arrives and sees her. Not willing to have another woman to worry about running around the castle, he gives her three months to marry or he'll choose a husband for her. Rebecca has no desire to marry. She has only loved one man, Daniel, and he broke her heart years ago by publicly snubbing her and humiliating her in process. When she realizes he will be arriving at the castle to hear the reading of the will, she decides to ask him for lessons in snaring a husband. He has after all, become a rake of the worst kind. She figures if anyone knows the art of flirting and social behavior, it's him. Daniel has never forgotten Rebecca, his feelings for her, or the pain he caused her. He decides to finally put his big boy pants on and make amends for breaking her heart.
There wasn't much not to love about this book. I just wanted more. It really deserved another hundred pages. I would have loved to actually see the relationship that Daniel and Rebecca had before he came into his title and caved to society's/ his grandmother's expectations. We are told they were such good friends as children, but without actually seeing examples of it, all we get from Daniel's character is how horrible he was to her when it really mattered. All we really get in way of an explanation is Daniel thinking to himself that he really regretted what he'd done. This made it difficult to understand why Rebecca was so willing to give him another chance. She did it because she remembered the love she had for him before he was awful, but for me as a reader, I just knew that he destroyed all of that friendship and love in one night. I wasn't ready to forgive him yet.
The writing was a little modern for it's time but if it's done well enough, it doesn't really bother me. I think it was done well here. I just loved Rebecca. She was smart, witty, and while insecure from Daniel's rejections, she was also incredibly sure of herself in so many other ways. In the years since her time in London and subsequent humiliation, she had time to really come into her own. She knew her strengths and she refused to let anyone tell her differently.
My biggest complaint with this book is that I just wanted more. More ghosts. More time in the creepy castle. More gorgeous cottages by the sea. More time for romance between the two of them. It was such a relaxing read that I was sorry when it ended.
3.5
This book was wonderful. In this case though, everything I loved about it was exactly what bothered me. This is why I rounded up. Everything was just too lovely to confine to a novella.
Romancing the Rogue takes places in Castle Keyvnor, a haunted Gothic castle in the English countryside by the sea. How awesome is that? Since her parents' death, Rebecca Bond has been living very discreetly within her great-uncle's castle for years. She helps with the laundry, cooking, and even the ledgers, but does it secretly. The servants just assume the help is coming from ghosts. She loves the independence and freedom it allows her. When the old earl dies, the new earl arrives and sees her. Not willing to have another woman to worry about running around the castle, he gives her three months to marry or he'll choose a husband for her. Rebecca has no desire to marry. She has only loved one man, Daniel, and he broke her heart years ago by publicly snubbing her and humiliating her in process. When she realizes he will be arriving at the castle to hear the reading of the will, she decides to ask him for lessons in snaring a husband. He has after all, become a rake of the worst kind. She figures if anyone knows the art of flirting and social behavior, it's him. Daniel has never forgotten Rebecca, his feelings for her, or the pain he caused her. He decides to finally put his big boy pants on and make amends for breaking her heart.
There wasn't much not to love about this book. I just wanted more. It really deserved another hundred pages. I would have loved to actually see the relationship that Daniel and Rebecca had before he came into his title and caved to society's/ his grandmother's expectations. We are told they were such good friends as children, but without actually seeing examples of it, all we get from Daniel's character is how horrible he was to her when it really mattered. All we really get in way of an explanation is Daniel thinking to himself that he really regretted what he'd done. This made it difficult to understand why Rebecca was so willing to give him another chance. She did it because she remembered the love she had for him before he was awful, but for me as a reader, I just knew that he destroyed all of that friendship and love in one night. I wasn't ready to forgive him yet.
The writing was a little modern for it's time but if it's done well enough, it doesn't really bother me. I think it was done well here. I just loved Rebecca. She was smart, witty, and while insecure from Daniel's rejections, she was also incredibly sure of herself in so many other ways. In the years since her time in London and subsequent humiliation, she had time to really come into her own. She knew her strengths and she refused to let anyone tell her differently.
My biggest complaint with this book is that I just wanted more. More ghosts. More time in the creepy castle. More gorgeous cottages by the sea. More time for romance between the two of them. It was such a relaxing read that I was sorry when it ended.
March 21, 2017
Romancing the Rogue by Erica Ridley is an absolute delight to read. #2 in the her exciting "Gothic Historical Romance" series, which, it can be read as stand alone.
**It originally featured in the Anthololoy "Vexed", which is were I first encountered this fantastic read.** I also enjoyed it so much, when the opportunity arose, I purchased it as an individual read. Yes, it is that good!
A quick read that is easy to read and the characters easily capture your heart. 188 pages, packed full of entertainment, an interesting and intriguing plot, as well as characters who are charming and need a second chance in life and love.
"Romancing the Rogue" is the story of
Daniel Goodenham, Lord North-Barrows and Miss Rebecca Bond. Daniel, unfortunately, shunned Rebecca years ago, he was the only man she ever loved and Rebecca was the only woman who ever treated Daniel as a man not a title.
When the new earl inherits, Rebecca finds herself the "poor relation", about to be kicked out of her home. Enter, fate and Daniel.... Can Daniel, now win her forgiveness and win her heart?
Rebecca is a strong, self reliant, and self sufficient lady with brains and intelligence. A very strong, likable and realistic character. Daniel, on the other hand, needed time to mature into the man he has become in order to realize what he really wants out of life.
Together these two great characters find forgiveness, healing, the discovery that old wounds can heal to find HEA.
Easy to read, the characterizations and the vivid descriptions added the emotionally charged moments to make "Romancing the Rogue" a really wicked, but delicious romp in Regency England. I was so captured by the characters, the scenery and of course, the plot, I couldn't put "Romancing the Rogue" down, until the very last page. This is one of those read you can re-read over and over again.
Once again, Ms. Ridley has brought readers a perfect escape through the world of Regency England. I have never been disappointed in one of Erica Ridley's masterfully written stories, in fact, I always look forward to her next grand adventure. She is one of my favorite Regency Romance authors.
Fans of Regency Romance, strong heroines, determined heroes, redemption, forgiveness, captivating characters, quick reads, and the thrill of romance are truly in for a treat.
A definite must read Regency Romance! I strongly recommend picking up a copy of "Romancing the Rogue", for yourself, I don't feel your be disappointed.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
**It originally featured in the Anthololoy "Vexed", which is were I first encountered this fantastic read.** I also enjoyed it so much, when the opportunity arose, I purchased it as an individual read. Yes, it is that good!
A quick read that is easy to read and the characters easily capture your heart. 188 pages, packed full of entertainment, an interesting and intriguing plot, as well as characters who are charming and need a second chance in life and love.
"Romancing the Rogue" is the story of
Daniel Goodenham, Lord North-Barrows and Miss Rebecca Bond. Daniel, unfortunately, shunned Rebecca years ago, he was the only man she ever loved and Rebecca was the only woman who ever treated Daniel as a man not a title.
When the new earl inherits, Rebecca finds herself the "poor relation", about to be kicked out of her home. Enter, fate and Daniel.... Can Daniel, now win her forgiveness and win her heart?
Rebecca is a strong, self reliant, and self sufficient lady with brains and intelligence. A very strong, likable and realistic character. Daniel, on the other hand, needed time to mature into the man he has become in order to realize what he really wants out of life.
Together these two great characters find forgiveness, healing, the discovery that old wounds can heal to find HEA.
Easy to read, the characterizations and the vivid descriptions added the emotionally charged moments to make "Romancing the Rogue" a really wicked, but delicious romp in Regency England. I was so captured by the characters, the scenery and of course, the plot, I couldn't put "Romancing the Rogue" down, until the very last page. This is one of those read you can re-read over and over again.
Once again, Ms. Ridley has brought readers a perfect escape through the world of Regency England. I have never been disappointed in one of Erica Ridley's masterfully written stories, in fact, I always look forward to her next grand adventure. She is one of my favorite Regency Romance authors.
Fans of Regency Romance, strong heroines, determined heroes, redemption, forgiveness, captivating characters, quick reads, and the thrill of romance are truly in for a treat.
A definite must read Regency Romance! I strongly recommend picking up a copy of "Romancing the Rogue", for yourself, I don't feel your be disappointed.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
November 29, 2020
On the coast of Cornwall, there is the reportedly haunted castle Keyvnor, and the lord of the castle has just passed from old age. His long-forgotten orphaned great niece Rebecca Bond still lives in the castle, and finds she hasn’t been included in the Will. And the new heir can’t afford the upkeep of another woman with his wife and daughters to look after. So, he offers her a small dowry, but she needs to be married within the season. So, she decides to enlist her old friend Daniel Viscount of North-Barrows since he is supposedly popular womanizer, so he should have plenty of experience in the romance department and will be able to help her catch a husband. Daniel has never forgotten his childhood crush on Rebecca, and has ranked every lady he has met against her and found London society to be lacking. But his renown aunt had deemed Rebecca to be improper and encouraged to break it off with Rebecca when they were just teenagers. Daniel jumps at Rebecca’s invitation, even if it means helping her to win someone else’s heart, if he can just get her to forgive him.
While this is far more wholesome and tamer than quite a few of the bodice rippers on the market these days, there is still plenty of innocent romance within this novella-sized story. There is plenty of chemistry between Daniel who has to swallow his pride and make amends as he realizes just how deeply he ruined Rebecca in the past, and convince her that even though the society papers say he is, he actually isn’t a womanizer, and Rebecca the strong woman who doesn’t really fit into Regency London society with her love of accounting and architecture and baking. I did wish this book were a bit longer since I wanted to see how her spending time in London would have been with Daniel having to return to the House of Lords. There are plenty of romantic moments as Daniel reminisces of the past with Rebecca, as she tries to impress him, show him everything to love about the castle and surrounding area. And there’s humor as she rebuffs him and he has to rethink his tactics. And I would have loved seeing someone stand up to his aunt. Though this is listed as a Gothic, the only ghost in this was Rebecca herself as she snuck around to help with chores and the accounting (there weren’t any other unaccountable instances), so the book really didn’t have the haunted eerie air that I want from gothics (unless you count the appearance of the castle itself).
While this is far more wholesome and tamer than quite a few of the bodice rippers on the market these days, there is still plenty of innocent romance within this novella-sized story. There is plenty of chemistry between Daniel who has to swallow his pride and make amends as he realizes just how deeply he ruined Rebecca in the past, and convince her that even though the society papers say he is, he actually isn’t a womanizer, and Rebecca the strong woman who doesn’t really fit into Regency London society with her love of accounting and architecture and baking. I did wish this book were a bit longer since I wanted to see how her spending time in London would have been with Daniel having to return to the House of Lords. There are plenty of romantic moments as Daniel reminisces of the past with Rebecca, as she tries to impress him, show him everything to love about the castle and surrounding area. And there’s humor as she rebuffs him and he has to rethink his tactics. And I would have loved seeing someone stand up to his aunt. Though this is listed as a Gothic, the only ghost in this was Rebecca herself as she snuck around to help with chores and the accounting (there weren’t any other unaccountable instances), so the book really didn’t have the haunted eerie air that I want from gothics (unless you count the appearance of the castle itself).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews