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Rogues & Gentlemen #2
The Earl's Temptation
Alexander Sinclair, the Fourth Earl of Falmouth, has a reputation for revelling in vice. But his taste for wine, women and dice is only a fraction of the dangerous truth, for the Earl is the force behind a powerful gang, smuggling contraband between France and Cornwall.
Never afraid to get his hands dirty and with an abiding love of living recklessly, Alex leads many of these runs himself, until one fateful night when the Revenue appear. Forced to sail into a violent storm, the ship is lost and Alex is washed ashore, barely alive, close to the French port of Roscoff.
Innocent beauty, Célestine Lavelle, has lost everything. The daughter of a noble French family forced to flee during the Revolution, she has been forced to work in the kitchens of the local whore house, where her future is shrouded in sin. Desperate and completely alone, the discovery of a half drowned English smuggler on the shore will lead her heart in directions she never dreamed of.
Determined to save his beguiling rescuer, Alex plans that her future should be full of everything that is good and honourable, but will the temptation to take her as his own be too hard to resist?
Never afraid to get his hands dirty and with an abiding love of living recklessly, Alex leads many of these runs himself, until one fateful night when the Revenue appear. Forced to sail into a violent storm, the ship is lost and Alex is washed ashore, barely alive, close to the French port of Roscoff.
Innocent beauty, Célestine Lavelle, has lost everything. The daughter of a noble French family forced to flee during the Revolution, she has been forced to work in the kitchens of the local whore house, where her future is shrouded in sin. Desperate and completely alone, the discovery of a half drowned English smuggler on the shore will lead her heart in directions she never dreamed of.
Determined to save his beguiling rescuer, Alex plans that her future should be full of everything that is good and honourable, but will the temptation to take her as his own be too hard to resist?
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2017
1280 people are currently reading
570 people want to read
About the author
Emma V. Leech
115 books796 followersBestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.
Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.
EMMA’S BOOKS
Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!
Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.
A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.
The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.
Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.
Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.
Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.
The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.
The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.
The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.
The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.
Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.
EMMA’S BOOKS
Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!
Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.
A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.
The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.
Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.
Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.
Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.
The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.
The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.
The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.
The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.
The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
November 16, 2017
Alex and Celeste
Alex is the Earl of Falmouth and a smuggler. Celeste is the dispossessed Contesse of Varley and is working in a brothel. Celeste one day finds Alex, half drowned, washed up on shore. With the help from Mimi (a man who works at the brothel), they save Alex and nurse him back to health. When Celeste is threatened by a rich client, she and Alex secretly depart and arrive at Alex's brother's estate. Alex feels he is too old for Celeste. She feels they are perfect for each other. He decides to give her a chance to have the life she should have had had she not been dispossessed. A life without him. Can Celeste prove to Alex their age difference matters not and their love is what matters most? Will Alex be able to set Celeste free and deny his heartache over loosing her?
This novel is well written. We come to care about Celeste and Alex. The secondary characters are delightful too. The plot is simple. The description is superb. There are steamy love scenes and adult language. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Alex is the Earl of Falmouth and a smuggler. Celeste is the dispossessed Contesse of Varley and is working in a brothel. Celeste one day finds Alex, half drowned, washed up on shore. With the help from Mimi (a man who works at the brothel), they save Alex and nurse him back to health. When Celeste is threatened by a rich client, she and Alex secretly depart and arrive at Alex's brother's estate. Alex feels he is too old for Celeste. She feels they are perfect for each other. He decides to give her a chance to have the life she should have had had she not been dispossessed. A life without him. Can Celeste prove to Alex their age difference matters not and their love is what matters most? Will Alex be able to set Celeste free and deny his heartache over loosing her?
This novel is well written. We come to care about Celeste and Alex. The secondary characters are delightful too. The plot is simple. The description is superb. There are steamy love scenes and adult language. I look forward to reading more in this series.
September 1, 2017
I came very close to DNF. = 1*
I started these books because I was interested in book 4 and I hate to jump in the middle of a series. The first was acceptable if not especially good. Still I enjoyed it and figured I would enjoy this one as well. I liked Alex in the first book and figured that reading about the confirmed bachelor and rake finding his love could be good. And I did enjoy Alex for the most part.
Alex, just shy of 40, gets himself into trouble in France and is rescued by Celeste, who is only 17. They help each other until he is in a position to return to his regular way of life. They have a strong physical attraction. Of course both are super beautiful people but helps too. Despite his own skewed self view Alex is fairly decent. He voluntarily takes on the role as her benefactor and guardian. He knows she is too young and that she is in a position to be grateful to him. He wants better for her. Now in general I am against the plot device known as "noble idiot". After all making assumptions about what will truly make another person happy is a bad idea and leads to lots of boring stories. But in this case he is not being a noble idiot because she is in a position where there is unusual influence on her. And yes the age difference would have been pretty normal for the period but the women in these books have very modern thoughts and so it is fair for Alex to also have very modern thoughts. As a modern reader I was fully convinced by Alex's arguments against the relationship. So I was finding the whole thought of them getting together rather icky. Still I plodded on because I knew that was the outcome and simply hoped that she would be allowed to mature and they would be shown to be well matched.
Time did pass and she did get older. But mature she did not. We do not see them forming the type of bond that leads to age being irrelevant. We only get him lusting after her and deciding it is not appropriate, while she pants after him like a teenager. And then the book got worse. The most idiotic plot devices were used to extend the time where the couple are not together. is the truly mature thing to do. *eyeroll* Any shred of doubt I had that this couple should not be together was over.
God it was bad. I may still try the next book but I can not stomach the thought right now.
I started these books because I was interested in book 4 and I hate to jump in the middle of a series. The first was acceptable if not especially good. Still I enjoyed it and figured I would enjoy this one as well. I liked Alex in the first book and figured that reading about the confirmed bachelor and rake finding his love could be good. And I did enjoy Alex for the most part.
Alex, just shy of 40, gets himself into trouble in France and is rescued by Celeste, who is only 17. They help each other until he is in a position to return to his regular way of life. They have a strong physical attraction. Of course both are super beautiful people but helps too. Despite his own skewed self view Alex is fairly decent. He voluntarily takes on the role as her benefactor and guardian. He knows she is too young and that she is in a position to be grateful to him. He wants better for her. Now in general I am against the plot device known as "noble idiot". After all making assumptions about what will truly make another person happy is a bad idea and leads to lots of boring stories. But in this case he is not being a noble idiot because she is in a position where there is unusual influence on her. And yes the age difference would have been pretty normal for the period but the women in these books have very modern thoughts and so it is fair for Alex to also have very modern thoughts. As a modern reader I was fully convinced by Alex's arguments against the relationship. So I was finding the whole thought of them getting together rather icky. Still I plodded on because I knew that was the outcome and simply hoped that she would be allowed to mature and they would be shown to be well matched.
Time did pass and she did get older. But mature she did not. We do not see them forming the type of bond that leads to age being irrelevant. We only get him lusting after her and deciding it is not appropriate, while she pants after him like a teenager. And then the book got worse. The most idiotic plot devices were used to extend the time where the couple are not together. is the truly mature thing to do. *eyeroll* Any shred of doubt I had that this couple should not be together was over.
God it was bad. I may still try the next book but I can not stomach the thought right now.
November 4, 2017
4.5 Stars!
A very cute and slow building story.
A very cute and slow building story.
October 27, 2017
A perfect Regency romance!
This book reminded me very much of Georgette Heyer's book "These Old Shades". It was the style and the main characters mainly but only in the best way. It contains all the elements needed for a Regency Romance: a smuggler earl, a dispossessed nob!e woman, a villain and love misunderstood!
It is a novel for adults 18+ but at no time devolves into erotica or explicit sex.
This book reminded me very much of Georgette Heyer's book "These Old Shades". It was the style and the main characters mainly but only in the best way. It contains all the elements needed for a Regency Romance: a smuggler earl, a dispossessed nob!e woman, a villain and love misunderstood!
It is a novel for adults 18+ but at no time devolves into erotica or explicit sex.
Read
May 1, 2019Brilliant!
Hold on to your undergarments ladies and gentlemen, this story was oh so beautiful and magnificent. It is as enchanting as The Rogue.
Alex Sinclair he is one distinguished gentlemen. In the Rogue he had me guessing if this he really was as humble and stoic as Lawrence. Do not get me wrong this man is as handsome!
I love that he is powerful and a little wicked behind his title as earl. A bachelor that's strong and manly, every prominent women would be blessed to have a man of his manner at their side.
Alex swept me away in this story. I found him to be an honorable man that swept me off my feet but yet had me in angst of his stubborn ways.
Well this man is about to have his world turned upside when he meets Celeste. Oui!
A young women caught in a bad situation that deserved so much more than what life had thrown at her. I found Celeste strong, exciting and feisty, and most favorable a French woman that had a beautiful dialect written for her. The French accent was so perfect.
I pictured this young women when she would start the morning fires and you could see the daily chores she would endure day in and day out, the cold she felt to the bone.
Again I was whisked away to that era as if I was there experiencing her hard life, her home, the bed in which she slept, and yet this young women had survived and still needed to get away from evil.
There is so much in this story that I want to tell you! Oui!
But alas I can not for I do not want to ruin this beautiful experience for you as a reader, but I promise it is filled with laughter, love, a beautiful frustration of emotions making you feel that it is you in this story experiencing every characters movement and emotion.
It's a very special moment for a reader when the author is able to take you back to a time that was hard, yet beautiful at the same time, where your mind is able to recreate that image of the author's descriptions, of their character's lives. It is quite magic.
Hold on to your undergarments ladies and gentlemen, this story was oh so beautiful and magnificent. It is as enchanting as The Rogue.
Alex Sinclair he is one distinguished gentlemen. In the Rogue he had me guessing if this he really was as humble and stoic as Lawrence. Do not get me wrong this man is as handsome!
I love that he is powerful and a little wicked behind his title as earl. A bachelor that's strong and manly, every prominent women would be blessed to have a man of his manner at their side.
Alex swept me away in this story. I found him to be an honorable man that swept me off my feet but yet had me in angst of his stubborn ways.
Well this man is about to have his world turned upside when he meets Celeste. Oui!
A young women caught in a bad situation that deserved so much more than what life had thrown at her. I found Celeste strong, exciting and feisty, and most favorable a French woman that had a beautiful dialect written for her. The French accent was so perfect.
I pictured this young women when she would start the morning fires and you could see the daily chores she would endure day in and day out, the cold she felt to the bone.
Again I was whisked away to that era as if I was there experiencing her hard life, her home, the bed in which she slept, and yet this young women had survived and still needed to get away from evil.
There is so much in this story that I want to tell you! Oui!
But alas I can not for I do not want to ruin this beautiful experience for you as a reader, but I promise it is filled with laughter, love, a beautiful frustration of emotions making you feel that it is you in this story experiencing every characters movement and emotion.
It's a very special moment for a reader when the author is able to take you back to a time that was hard, yet beautiful at the same time, where your mind is able to recreate that image of the author's descriptions, of their character's lives. It is quite magic.
May 4, 2019
Mildly spoiler-y.
I have very much enjoyed every other book in this series, with books 6 & 7 on my list of all-time favorites. So I was completely unprepared for the utter misery of this one. The beginning was lovely, where Alex and Celeste get to know each other and fall in love. Alex (36) soon decides that he's too old for Celeste (almost 19), and he's not wrong, even in the more accepting climate of 1815. At 35%, Alex convinces himself that she will be better off if she hates him and proceeds to be thoroughly vicious to her. At this point, I got really cranky, to where I had to tell my husband that I wasn't mad at him, but at the "hero"of my book. Things happen which made me think he would change his mind, but no, and he proceeds to be perfectly vile to her again. He then sends her away so she can find a husband more suitable and he can can play the martyr for her happiness. She even calls him out for making her decisions for her, but he is unmoved. This irritating situation continues interminably, horribly until 68%. It took me much longer to get through this section than usual because I kept getting so annoyed that I had to put the book down. But I persisted. From 68%-78%, he decides that he will have her, not because anything has changed in his mind, but because of the guy who is set on courting her. Then at 78%, before they can really get together, there comes another, completely ridiculous obstacle that Celeste falls for hook, line, and sinker. And I can't take it anymore. I just can't. I don't mind stumbling blocks on the road to love, but this is sheer stupidity.
If I manage to continue, I will update. But I don't see how any happy ever after can make up for this unwarranted torture.
I have very much enjoyed every other book in this series, with books 6 & 7 on my list of all-time favorites. So I was completely unprepared for the utter misery of this one. The beginning was lovely, where Alex and Celeste get to know each other and fall in love. Alex (36) soon decides that he's too old for Celeste (almost 19), and he's not wrong, even in the more accepting climate of 1815. At 35%, Alex convinces himself that she will be better off if she hates him and proceeds to be thoroughly vicious to her. At this point, I got really cranky, to where I had to tell my husband that I wasn't mad at him, but at the "hero"of my book. Things happen which made me think he would change his mind, but no, and he proceeds to be perfectly vile to her again. He then sends her away so she can find a husband more suitable and he can can play the martyr for her happiness. She even calls him out for making her decisions for her, but he is unmoved. This irritating situation continues interminably, horribly until 68%. It took me much longer to get through this section than usual because I kept getting so annoyed that I had to put the book down. But I persisted. From 68%-78%, he decides that he will have her, not because anything has changed in his mind, but because of the guy who is set on courting her. Then at 78%, before they can really get together, there comes another, completely ridiculous obstacle that Celeste falls for hook, line, and sinker. And I can't take it anymore. I just can't. I don't mind stumbling blocks on the road to love, but this is sheer stupidity.
If I manage to continue, I will update. But I don't see how any happy ever after can make up for this unwarranted torture.
August 16, 2020
This was a cunning homage to Georgette Heyer’s ‘These Old Shades’ and it was fun spotting the similarities in plot and characters . I’ve noticed a later book in the series is inspired by characters and plot from another of Heyer’s books The Grand Sophy’ so the writer is clearly, like me, a fan of GH .
I had fun identifying the elements from These Old Shades. Alex (Avon), Celeste, (Leonie), Aubrey , (Rupert), Pelletier (St Vire) etc.
So many plot elements from These Old Shades were used: the age gap, the deprivations that Celeste faced, her strange mix of naivety and wisdom, the hero’s belief he was too old and too damaged, the relationship between the heroine and the young relation of the hero, the abduction by the villain, the intervention by the rejected mistress - even the language - ‘Bah’ and ‘Mignonne’ etc. I thought the author did a great job of writing a new story using those much loved elements.
The author writes well and she produced an entertaining story. However it all went on for far too long with more and more ridiculous obstacles being thrown in the pot before Alex and Celeste could get their happy ever after. Celeste’s behaviour after the late night visit by the mistress was so immature- it was as if all her wisdom garnered during their separation has totally disappeared. But otherwise a great read and I loved meeting Lawrence and Henri again.
I’ve knocked off a star for the ridiculous extension of the obstacles to happy ever after and unnecessary demonstration that Celeste could become a successful smuggler overnight. . It simply irritated me.
I had fun identifying the elements from These Old Shades. Alex (Avon), Celeste, (Leonie), Aubrey , (Rupert), Pelletier (St Vire) etc.
So many plot elements from These Old Shades were used: the age gap, the deprivations that Celeste faced, her strange mix of naivety and wisdom, the hero’s belief he was too old and too damaged, the relationship between the heroine and the young relation of the hero, the abduction by the villain, the intervention by the rejected mistress - even the language - ‘Bah’ and ‘Mignonne’ etc. I thought the author did a great job of writing a new story using those much loved elements.
The author writes well and she produced an entertaining story. However it all went on for far too long with more and more ridiculous obstacles being thrown in the pot before Alex and Celeste could get their happy ever after. Celeste’s behaviour after the late night visit by the mistress was so immature- it was as if all her wisdom garnered during their separation has totally disappeared. But otherwise a great read and I loved meeting Lawrence and Henri again.
I’ve knocked off a star for the ridiculous extension of the obstacles to happy ever after and unnecessary demonstration that Celeste could become a successful smuggler overnight. . It simply irritated me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2019
When all the reasons against a match are valid
She's a silly girl. Even working where she did and taking care of him as she did, you'd think smart and resourceful. But you'd be wrong she's flighty and melodramatic. And honestly, she was lucky he wasn't a cad. He could have had her six ways til Sunday and then left her high and dry. He did nothing to earn her trust and affection save be unconscious. Sure he's handsome but he's an idiot too. Foolishly impulsive the both of them and both in love with someone unreal. He loves the way she looks at him, hero worship. She loves his body which will not last. Now she may die in childbirth or they may go early in some accident or illness. But chances are if the marriage lasts the love will not. And this he knew but he couldn't bare for her to be another's wife.
She's a silly girl. Even working where she did and taking care of him as she did, you'd think smart and resourceful. But you'd be wrong she's flighty and melodramatic. And honestly, she was lucky he wasn't a cad. He could have had her six ways til Sunday and then left her high and dry. He did nothing to earn her trust and affection save be unconscious. Sure he's handsome but he's an idiot too. Foolishly impulsive the both of them and both in love with someone unreal. He loves the way she looks at him, hero worship. She loves his body which will not last. Now she may die in childbirth or they may go early in some accident or illness. But chances are if the marriage lasts the love will not. And this he knew but he couldn't bare for her to be another's wife.
April 30, 2022
I first read Flaming June, which was the 10th in this series. That one was so different from your standard historical romance, dealing carefully and realistically with neuro-diversity, which along with disability is so rarely handled well in historical fiction. So I looked forward to reading the others in the series, hoping they would hold up....so far I've read about 3-4 others in the series and hated every single one, including this one, which was the worst of them. All of them are cookie-cutter regency romances--with rakes who push boundaries, are possessive, dominating, manipulative, often treat the main character like crap and not enough groveling afterwards. And a main character who is supposedly spirited and assertive and whatever, but always obeys whatever the love interest tells her to do. Super disappointing.
August 18, 2017
Temptation
I enjoyed this book very much; this is an entertaining series. Alex is a strong, brooding hero, who is rescued by Celestine. She is a sweet, hard working orphan. Though she has lost everything, she is still very caring with a terrible temper. I recommend this book. ( I'll point out that there are editing errors for people who are bothered by such things.)
I enjoyed this book very much; this is an entertaining series. Alex is a strong, brooding hero, who is rescued by Celestine. She is a sweet, hard working orphan. Though she has lost everything, she is still very caring with a terrible temper. I recommend this book. ( I'll point out that there are editing errors for people who are bothered by such things.)
February 19, 2018
This is the second in the ROGUES AND GENTLEMEN series by Emma V Leech. The first was about his brother entitled The Rogue. Although the characters from the The Rogue appear in this second novel--it can definitely be read as a stand alone.
Alex is living dangerously, especially now that he knows that his brother is alive and living with his new wife safely in one of the estates. But misfortune hits--his boat hits rocks and sinks. He and some of the contraband he smuggles make it to the beach. However, he is half dead and when Celestine happens upon him she and a friend drag him back to where she lives and hides him in her attic room above a whore house. The barrels are hidden.
Alex, once he regains consciousness and realizes where he is determines to make the rest of Celistines life the best it can be--they somehow manage to escape and make it to where his brother lives. Celestine, innocent in body only, has her sights on marriage to her pirate--he thinks he knows best and is too old for her------she leads him a merry chase!
All the females in this story are strong and extremely intelligent. Does Alex stand a chance against them and what they have in mind? You will get more then a few laughs from this one!!
The Earl's Temptation
Alex is living dangerously, especially now that he knows that his brother is alive and living with his new wife safely in one of the estates. But misfortune hits--his boat hits rocks and sinks. He and some of the contraband he smuggles make it to the beach. However, he is half dead and when Celestine happens upon him she and a friend drag him back to where she lives and hides him in her attic room above a whore house. The barrels are hidden.
Alex, once he regains consciousness and realizes where he is determines to make the rest of Celistines life the best it can be--they somehow manage to escape and make it to where his brother lives. Celestine, innocent in body only, has her sights on marriage to her pirate--he thinks he knows best and is too old for her------she leads him a merry chase!
All the females in this story are strong and extremely intelligent. Does Alex stand a chance against them and what they have in mind? You will get more then a few laughs from this one!!
The Earl's Temptation
November 17, 2017
I admit that I had a difficult time finishing this one. I have never struggled giving a review for other works except for this one so far. As for other works, it is pretty much straight forward. It is either I liked them or I don't like them. But Ms. Leech has a different tone or texture and nuance in her writing. I think this book is well~written except for very minor editing issues in the last chapters on the use of Annoying Americanisms like ~ kidding and OK (out of place in an historical novel), the book is still a pretty solid work; complete with all the attendant thrills and chills plus poignancy that is the heart of an historical romance. I must say that Ms. Leech is a pretty prolific as well as versatile author. I think we will be enjoying her books for a very long time; for this is one author who will not disappoint given that she has taken pains to branch out into other genres perhaps so as to keep the creative juices running (and not run out of material) and maybe not get bogged down on a writer's rut? Thus, she will never be run~on~the~mill and never be banal. Just please be mindful of the editing, though.
April 22, 2022
I love this author so much, I am giving it 3 stars because the writing is good. I regret I read this book though. If you like being frustrated for an entire book, this book is for you. Initially our FMC saves our MMC. They both love each other, but he resists her because he's older than her and because "reasons". They LOVE each other but he has them separate for a year and a half. I hate that. Later, they see each other again. His resistance is tedious at this point. 70% he is still resisting. At 72% he changes his mind and they FINALLY KISS. Right after the kiss there is a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING. She runs away and they are separated for another 5 months. I hate that. I disliked this story line and both the main characters. This has a very high rating so your mileage may vary. This was not for me at all.
December 2, 2017
Okay
This is a love story between a woman who has fallen on hard times and the man who's life she saved. He is determined not to allow his feelings to develop as he believes that he is too old for her which frustrates all around him. We all know where this is going and it was a little long winded, but the book was free and well written.
This is a love story between a woman who has fallen on hard times and the man who's life she saved. He is determined not to allow his feelings to develop as he believes that he is too old for her which frustrates all around him. We all know where this is going and it was a little long winded, but the book was free and well written.
October 13, 2019
3.25 rounded to 3 stars
November 10, 2017
Alex is a smuggler and his ship is sunk trying to escape revenuer. Celeste finds him on the beach and nurses him back to health. She works in a whorehouse. To escape a man who wants to purchase her virginity she and Alex flee. Complications abound and much misunderstanding is responsible for great unhappiness. Well written and interesting book this gives hours of enjoyment.
December 19, 2017
I will start this review by saying that this is the second book of a series and I read it without having read the first book. In retrospect this probably was not the best plan, as Alexander is the brother of the hero from the first book and (from what I can gather in the text) plays a substantial role in it. Because of this, I was left with the feeling that there was a lot of backstory I was missing, something that definitely influenced my opinion of the book.
That bit of framing out of the way, onto the review! Alexander Sinclair is the Fourth Earl of Falmouth but also runs a smuggling operation in Cornwall, bringing back luxuries from France. During one of the nighttime runs, they are surprised by the Revenue and he is forced to sail into a storm shorthanded. His ship is wrecked and he is the sole survivor, washing up on the beach near the port of Roscoff. There he is found by our heroine, Celeste (as she is called for the majority of the book).
The daughter of a noble French family, Celeste’s life has been marked by tragedy. The family fled during the Revolution but her father was eventually killed and her mother committed suicide after her father’s death. Her only claim to her heritage lies in the papers she has documenting her heritage and those don’t put food in her belly or a roof over her head. As such, she works as a maid in the local brothel, where the Madam has been trying to coerce her into selling her body. (Given that we are told that the Madam is more than willing to drug recalcitrant girls with laudanum, her patience with Celeste’s refusal is …impressive.) Despite all this tragedy, Celeste does not want to see anyone else die and so brings Alexander back to her room, hiding him from the Madam, and nurses him through the chill that follows.
Overall, I enjoyed it but it wasn’t a stand-out read or a shining example of the genre. (That’s fine, not every book can be.) It was solid, even if there was a reasonable amount of repetition in the angst of why Alexander felt he couldn’t be with Celeste. The ending also felt like it dragged on longer than was necessary, but it was a happy ending. However, my biggest complaint is probably that we are told repeatedly that he doesn’t feel good enough to be with her and that he is an awful person without seeing a lot of evidence for why he feels this way. This is something that might have been explained in the previous book, but I would hope for at least some level of that exposition or backstory to have made its way into this one.
That bit of framing out of the way, onto the review! Alexander Sinclair is the Fourth Earl of Falmouth but also runs a smuggling operation in Cornwall, bringing back luxuries from France. During one of the nighttime runs, they are surprised by the Revenue and he is forced to sail into a storm shorthanded. His ship is wrecked and he is the sole survivor, washing up on the beach near the port of Roscoff. There he is found by our heroine, Celeste (as she is called for the majority of the book).
The daughter of a noble French family, Celeste’s life has been marked by tragedy. The family fled during the Revolution but her father was eventually killed and her mother committed suicide after her father’s death. Her only claim to her heritage lies in the papers she has documenting her heritage and those don’t put food in her belly or a roof over her head. As such, she works as a maid in the local brothel, where the Madam has been trying to coerce her into selling her body. (Given that we are told that the Madam is more than willing to drug recalcitrant girls with laudanum, her patience with Celeste’s refusal is …impressive.) Despite all this tragedy, Celeste does not want to see anyone else die and so brings Alexander back to her room, hiding him from the Madam, and nurses him through the chill that follows.
Overall, I enjoyed it but it wasn’t a stand-out read or a shining example of the genre. (That’s fine, not every book can be.) It was solid, even if there was a reasonable amount of repetition in the angst of why Alexander felt he couldn’t be with Celeste. The ending also felt like it dragged on longer than was necessary, but it was a happy ending. However, my biggest complaint is probably that we are told repeatedly that he doesn’t feel good enough to be with her and that he is an awful person without seeing a lot of evidence for why he feels this way. This is something that might have been explained in the previous book, but I would hope for at least some level of that exposition or backstory to have made its way into this one.
October 28, 2017
The first I've read by Emma Leech. She's quite a storyteller. This takes us from France to England and back, starting from the point where Celeste finds Alex washed ashore. A sworn bachelor at 36, Alex falls for Celeste but feels the 18-year age difference to be too great and he has lived such a rogue life that he is unworthy of such a sweet and feisty young woman. This is a central theme throughout the story. They run into some difficulties on the way to the usual happy end.
There are some explicit (but not "vulgar") sex scenes.
There are some explicit (but not "vulgar") sex scenes.
April 23, 2019
One of the first lines of this book is, "The smiles that win, the tints that glow," but of course when I read it I read 'the tits that glow' to which I laughed hysterically; I was like, ah, this is going to be a funny one. And then I reread it and realized it didn't say that at all and I was immediately disappointed.
French girl working in a brothel (not whoring) saves Earl/Smuggler from the sea and nurses him back to health. Becomes infatuated with him. He whisks her away to 'safety' and tries to dip out on her (you know, to be honorable), but she already got her claws in too deep.
Celeste. Completely oblivious. Her accent was super annoying to read.
Earl. Completely idiotic.
Henri. Cause every love story needs a meddling matchmaker.
Lawrence. Was the first book about him?
Other Characters. No one of importance worth mentioning. Everyone was very bland. Every thing was very bland. This whole story was missing a whole lot of everything. It just didn't have the intrigue, wow factors, strong characters, a moving story line. Everyone just kind of trundled along and eventually got somewhere. To say it moved slow, would be an understatement.
Conclusion: STOP NOW. TURN BACK.
Rating: 1.0 (usually I give books at least 2.0 for decent grammar, but this book. It was something else all together and I just couldn't.)
French girl working in a brothel (not whoring) saves Earl/Smuggler from the sea and nurses him back to health. Becomes infatuated with him. He whisks her away to 'safety' and tries to dip out on her (you know, to be honorable), but she already got her claws in too deep.
Celeste. Completely oblivious. Her accent was super annoying to read.
Earl. Completely idiotic.
Henri. Cause every love story needs a meddling matchmaker.
Lawrence. Was the first book about him?
Other Characters. No one of importance worth mentioning. Everyone was very bland. Every thing was very bland. This whole story was missing a whole lot of everything. It just didn't have the intrigue, wow factors, strong characters, a moving story line. Everyone just kind of trundled along and eventually got somewhere. To say it moved slow, would be an understatement.
Conclusion: STOP NOW. TURN BACK.
Rating: 1.0 (usually I give books at least 2.0 for decent grammar, but this book. It was something else all together and I just couldn't.)
May 30, 2017
Totally in love
I totally loved this book. I believe age is just a number when it comes to love. I felt the chemistry between Alex and Celeste. No other book has made me feel like that. I recommend this book to everyone. Emma has taken me through a wonderful journey.
I totally loved this book. I believe age is just a number when it comes to love. I felt the chemistry between Alex and Celeste. No other book has made me feel like that. I recommend this book to everyone. Emma has taken me through a wonderful journey.
September 29, 2017
The Earl's Temptation
I love this book I love the Historical Romances .I enjoyed reading this so much it was full of suspense, Love and intriguing this book made me laugh made me cry and gave somuch joy.
I love this book I love the Historical Romances .I enjoyed reading this so much it was full of suspense, Love and intriguing this book made me laugh made me cry and gave somuch joy.
October 28, 2017
Perfectly perfect
This story has a strong female and male character. The author developed their back stories in depth, and allowed their bond to grow. The struggle to find each other again was worth the wonderful read,
This story has a strong female and male character. The author developed their back stories in depth, and allowed their bond to grow. The struggle to find each other again was worth the wonderful read,
October 26, 2017
Loved this story! Wonderful characters that swept me along for the ride. I liked that a fair bit happened in this book, more than the usual historical. Definitely recommended!
November 2, 2017
Slow
The story was very drawn out. I got quite bored but managed to finish it. (I didn't realize there was a word count requirement for this).
The story was very drawn out. I got quite bored but managed to finish it. (I didn't realize there was a word count requirement for this).
August 22, 2023
A história tinha tudo para ser um sucesso mas a moça é terrível, mal educada, oferecida e o romance perde o encanto. Não parece um livro da Emma.
July 24, 2024
I love the first two novels in this series. The Sinclair brothers are charming Rogues. They are stubborn & cant get involved in any emotional attachments with woman. The women they love are smart, sweet, feisty & fight for their men.
I enjoy the fact that we have these flawed men that determined they way their traumas changed the protectory of their noble lives. To survive they had to live in the dark waters of smugglers & pirates for most of their adult life.
The Sinclair brother's bark is worse then their bite. They are loyal, generous to the staff & men who serve for them. When it comes to relationships Let's just say the handsome devils have their vises; Gambling, drinking & ladies & they know that their secret dangers cannot provide them with a noble life with an innocent young lady.
The Earl Fourth Earl of Falmouth ~ Alexander Sinclair, has the wealth from both his legal & illegal businesses. Which gives him the privilege to protect & have as many mistress's. Alex helped change his brother's wicked ways so he could marry his soulmate Henri. By establishing a ruse for the crown to witness the death of the fugitive Pirate Captain Savage.
But Alex knows he could never have that life.
I appreciate the brotherly bond & loyalty they have for one another. Men in their business must have the love of a woman. Alex doesn't feel he deserves that type of love. He lost his father & his brother for almost a decade. He knows he cannot protect a woman in his line of work, if his enemies found out. So he enjoys lust when he is the Earl. Never a wife & family in his future. Little did he know that his recklessness on his last fateful run smuggling contraband almost cost him his life with the Revenue. Which forced him to sail in a violent storm. That washed him ashore on the French Port of Roscoff. Where an innocent beauty desperate & completely alone, discovers a half drowned English smuggler on the shore. Célestine Lavelle, saved the smugglers life. The daughter of a noble French family forced to flee during the Revolution, whose parents died. Célestine is determined to keep her honor but has to work the kitchens of the local whore house, where her future is shrouded in sin. Can the older smuggler lead her heart in directions she never dreamed about. Or can The Earl of Falmouth break her young & innocent heart out of protection from danger & emotions he never thought he would have?
I do enjoy their relationship. How protective Alex wants save & protect Célestine from the ugly world. I do have an issue with the story plot. I know that Alex is suppose to be sullen & no willing to open up about his life, However, once Célestine opens up about her family. Why is there no mention of a woman he loved in his young adult life. We go to Novel $14 and that is the first we mention his past. Plus his wife Célestine knows about Miss Dove the lady he loved. I just think that is an important part of Alex's past & it would have been nice to have a scene with him telling Célestine about that part of his life. Instead of just using the story he is to old for her & she deserves better than him thru the whole novel
I enjoy the fact that we have these flawed men that determined they way their traumas changed the protectory of their noble lives. To survive they had to live in the dark waters of smugglers & pirates for most of their adult life.
The Sinclair brother's bark is worse then their bite. They are loyal, generous to the staff & men who serve for them. When it comes to relationships Let's just say the handsome devils have their vises; Gambling, drinking & ladies & they know that their secret dangers cannot provide them with a noble life with an innocent young lady.
The Earl Fourth Earl of Falmouth ~ Alexander Sinclair, has the wealth from both his legal & illegal businesses. Which gives him the privilege to protect & have as many mistress's. Alex helped change his brother's wicked ways so he could marry his soulmate Henri. By establishing a ruse for the crown to witness the death of the fugitive Pirate Captain Savage.
But Alex knows he could never have that life.
I appreciate the brotherly bond & loyalty they have for one another. Men in their business must have the love of a woman. Alex doesn't feel he deserves that type of love. He lost his father & his brother for almost a decade. He knows he cannot protect a woman in his line of work, if his enemies found out. So he enjoys lust when he is the Earl. Never a wife & family in his future. Little did he know that his recklessness on his last fateful run smuggling contraband almost cost him his life with the Revenue. Which forced him to sail in a violent storm. That washed him ashore on the French Port of Roscoff. Where an innocent beauty desperate & completely alone, discovers a half drowned English smuggler on the shore. Célestine Lavelle, saved the smugglers life. The daughter of a noble French family forced to flee during the Revolution, whose parents died. Célestine is determined to keep her honor but has to work the kitchens of the local whore house, where her future is shrouded in sin. Can the older smuggler lead her heart in directions she never dreamed about. Or can The Earl of Falmouth break her young & innocent heart out of protection from danger & emotions he never thought he would have?
I do enjoy their relationship. How protective Alex wants save & protect Célestine from the ugly world. I do have an issue with the story plot. I know that Alex is suppose to be sullen & no willing to open up about his life, However, once Célestine opens up about her family. Why is there no mention of a woman he loved in his young adult life. We go to Novel $14 and that is the first we mention his past. Plus his wife Célestine knows about Miss Dove the lady he loved. I just think that is an important part of Alex's past & it would have been nice to have a scene with him telling Célestine about that part of his life. Instead of just using the story he is to old for her & she deserves better than him thru the whole novel
February 15, 2023
oh well. this had me, this truly had me, for almost two hundred pages. then it went straight to hell.
for those who were not aware, this book is clearly heavily inspired by these old shades by georgette heyer, which happens to be one of my all time favorite books. the thing about writing a novel that draws so much from another is that (to me at least) it must be as good or better than the source material. neither is accomplished here, i regret to say.
regardless of the heroine's name being céleste, she is léonie, full stop. her entire characterization is lifted straight from tos. not a single change is made to her, other than the parentage thing, which is actually much of what made tos interesting. in fact, early in the book the hero (who is absolutely nothing like avon, i am glad there were no attempts to copy him because they would have failed, as is always the case (check out lucifer's champion by stella riley at your peril)) mentions the heroine sounding like an old woman he knows, and of course you, the reader, go: 'so. an anastasia's grandmother scenario' but NO. this is never alluded to ever again. further mentions of a possible extended family come to nothing as well, so why even bother to bring it up in the first place? absolutely zero clue.
the hero, alex, is infuriating beyond anything. it takes him nearly THREE HUNDRED PAGES to accept he wants to be with céleste, regardless of their oh so great and insurmountable age difference. and the way he conducts himself at certain points, as if he possesses not an ounce of working brain matter, made me wish to hit him over the head with a chair.
while the cast of characters in tos is both endearing and memorable, i could not bring myself to care much about anyone here. lawrence and henri are the boring couple i knew they would be the moment i skimmed the previous book's summary, which is the reason i skipped that one in the first place. the aunts are fine, and aubrey is a glaring rupert expy. the puppy at least is an original idea, i would have liked to see more of his antics.
the romance started to infuriate me when it became clear alex would not relent in his stupidity until the very end, and céleste throws herself at him rather too much, too, although i have read worse. the third act break up (if you can even call it that) is almost offensively bad. really, if the author was not as good at writing as they are i would have given this story two stars at best, or not finished it at all. very disappointing.
for those who were not aware, this book is clearly heavily inspired by these old shades by georgette heyer, which happens to be one of my all time favorite books. the thing about writing a novel that draws so much from another is that (to me at least) it must be as good or better than the source material. neither is accomplished here, i regret to say.
regardless of the heroine's name being céleste, she is léonie, full stop. her entire characterization is lifted straight from tos. not a single change is made to her, other than the parentage thing, which is actually much of what made tos interesting. in fact, early in the book the hero (who is absolutely nothing like avon, i am glad there were no attempts to copy him because they would have failed, as is always the case (check out lucifer's champion by stella riley at your peril)) mentions the heroine sounding like an old woman he knows, and of course you, the reader, go: 'so. an anastasia's grandmother scenario' but NO. this is never alluded to ever again. further mentions of a possible extended family come to nothing as well, so why even bother to bring it up in the first place? absolutely zero clue.
the hero, alex, is infuriating beyond anything. it takes him nearly THREE HUNDRED PAGES to accept he wants to be with céleste, regardless of their oh so great and insurmountable age difference. and the way he conducts himself at certain points, as if he possesses not an ounce of working brain matter, made me wish to hit him over the head with a chair.
while the cast of characters in tos is both endearing and memorable, i could not bring myself to care much about anyone here. lawrence and henri are the boring couple i knew they would be the moment i skimmed the previous book's summary, which is the reason i skipped that one in the first place. the aunts are fine, and aubrey is a glaring rupert expy. the puppy at least is an original idea, i would have liked to see more of his antics.
the romance started to infuriate me when it became clear alex would not relent in his stupidity until the very end, and céleste throws herself at him rather too much, too, although i have read worse. the third act break up (if you can even call it that) is almost offensively bad. really, if the author was not as good at writing as they are i would have given this story two stars at best, or not finished it at all. very disappointing.
July 6, 2020
Snow white and the Smuggler
Alexander Sinclair, Earl of Falmouth, is mid thirties, ex navy, world traveler, rich, womanizer, and a smuggler. He has always kept family safe, done the right thing, been in brawls, and rescues women in distress.
Celestine De LaVelle, Comptesse da Vallery, poor, destitute, slave labor in the kitchen of a brothel, and rescues of helpless men. She has had a hard life due to eat and her parents deaths. Then her only ally dies of old age.
Smuggling is a dangerous and wealthy business. Danger of being caught by the revenues of the storms at sea. Alex is running from the first headed into the other and winds up wrecked on shore.
Celeste out hunting for driftwood to keep her warm in her tiny attic room finds contraband cognac, crates of tea, silk, and other things namely Alex. She has her co-worker Mimi, hide the contraband while she checks the men. Finding the three dead but shocked when she realizes the fourth, Alex, is alive but needs help. As Mimi and herself get Alex to her tiny room she takes care of him hoping in return he will take her when he leaves.
Now leaving sooner than expected, to avoid being sold to a very mean, bad person, Celeste and Alex with Mimi's help leave before the brothel wakes. Traveling by cramped mail coach out couple reach help and discover secrets and longing.
The villain that wants Celeste and her virginity find them and make waves. Alex comes to the rescue. His Aunts take Celeste and ready her for the London Season. Mayhem insues, controversy abounds, jealousy and shenanigans by family all to help two stubborn people see that Love Can Concur All.
Enjoy this wild adventure from the shores of France to the ballrooms of London and the Courts of France. You get the feeling that so is lost and the help arrived only to be thwarted for a while but in the end love concurs all is achieved and you are that if you just talk to one another life's little challenges can be dealt with.
Alexander Sinclair, Earl of Falmouth, is mid thirties, ex navy, world traveler, rich, womanizer, and a smuggler. He has always kept family safe, done the right thing, been in brawls, and rescues women in distress.
Celestine De LaVelle, Comptesse da Vallery, poor, destitute, slave labor in the kitchen of a brothel, and rescues of helpless men. She has had a hard life due to eat and her parents deaths. Then her only ally dies of old age.
Smuggling is a dangerous and wealthy business. Danger of being caught by the revenues of the storms at sea. Alex is running from the first headed into the other and winds up wrecked on shore.
Celeste out hunting for driftwood to keep her warm in her tiny attic room finds contraband cognac, crates of tea, silk, and other things namely Alex. She has her co-worker Mimi, hide the contraband while she checks the men. Finding the three dead but shocked when she realizes the fourth, Alex, is alive but needs help. As Mimi and herself get Alex to her tiny room she takes care of him hoping in return he will take her when he leaves.
Now leaving sooner than expected, to avoid being sold to a very mean, bad person, Celeste and Alex with Mimi's help leave before the brothel wakes. Traveling by cramped mail coach out couple reach help and discover secrets and longing.
The villain that wants Celeste and her virginity find them and make waves. Alex comes to the rescue. His Aunts take Celeste and ready her for the London Season. Mayhem insues, controversy abounds, jealousy and shenanigans by family all to help two stubborn people see that Love Can Concur All.
Enjoy this wild adventure from the shores of France to the ballrooms of London and the Courts of France. You get the feeling that so is lost and the help arrived only to be thwarted for a while but in the end love concurs all is achieved and you are that if you just talk to one another life's little challenges can be dealt with.
May 19, 2019
Even Better Than Book 1!!!!
I am really surprised! Usually if the first book in the series is good, the second is a let down. But NO, it was not. In fact, it was BETTER. The intrigue, mystery, storyline, heartache....omg! I actually was brought to tears, not just eye shining tears, but tears streaming the face tears more than once. My husband was wondering what I was crying about and read the chapter, then have it back rolling his eyes. However, he hadn't been reading the book for four straight and been transported back to 1815! I even looked up where Cornwall and Roscoff were on the map. 💏
*Spoilers*
These men are men that would be abominable in today's society, but back then it was just accepted. He had to let his regular mistresses down and compensated them for their time and left them all with money to spare. Celeste was ok with his past lifestyle as long as he gave it up. No worries about the fact that their was no STD protection back then (right?!). This makes it easier to let you mind go and jump into the book. The whole Miss Morton thing could have been written better IMHO.
I love Celeste. Yes, she is young and naive and makes some snap judgements. But if she didn't, this would've been a novella 😳. I think that she portrays a more realistic young woman of any period. I NEVER read about anyone masturbating, EVER. I mean, come on. You may be a virgin, but seriously, never touching yourself? And are you always "Proper"!?!?! I am sure that there are those very strict religious girls that are, however sad, but I think they are in the minority. Plus she is smart, street smart. Alex needed that.
How Celeste ended up was fabulous. I loved how Alex found her (many tears 😭 ) and then he found out what occupation she chose. Priceless.
My only hope is that we get some follow up to this family in future books.
I am really surprised! Usually if the first book in the series is good, the second is a let down. But NO, it was not. In fact, it was BETTER. The intrigue, mystery, storyline, heartache....omg! I actually was brought to tears, not just eye shining tears, but tears streaming the face tears more than once. My husband was wondering what I was crying about and read the chapter, then have it back rolling his eyes. However, he hadn't been reading the book for four straight and been transported back to 1815! I even looked up where Cornwall and Roscoff were on the map. 💏
*Spoilers*
These men are men that would be abominable in today's society, but back then it was just accepted. He had to let his regular mistresses down and compensated them for their time and left them all with money to spare. Celeste was ok with his past lifestyle as long as he gave it up. No worries about the fact that their was no STD protection back then (right?!). This makes it easier to let you mind go and jump into the book. The whole Miss Morton thing could have been written better IMHO.
I love Celeste. Yes, she is young and naive and makes some snap judgements. But if she didn't, this would've been a novella 😳. I think that she portrays a more realistic young woman of any period. I NEVER read about anyone masturbating, EVER. I mean, come on. You may be a virgin, but seriously, never touching yourself? And are you always "Proper"!?!?! I am sure that there are those very strict religious girls that are, however sad, but I think they are in the minority. Plus she is smart, street smart. Alex needed that.
How Celeste ended up was fabulous. I loved how Alex found her (many tears 😭 ) and then he found out what occupation she chose. Priceless.
My only hope is that we get some follow up to this family in future books.
September 26, 2025
3.75 Stars...
The Earl's Temptation is the second novel in the Rouges and Gentlemen series. The book is about Célestine and Alex. We got a glimpsed of Alex in the first book and we know he is all about honor.
I'm not a huge fan of age gaps (I use to be), but this one was actually good. Célestine is 18 and Alex is 36. Célestine finds Alex washed ashore, almost left for dead. She nurses him back to health, don't worry, it's not like Lar's book. Célestine works in a whore house as a kitchen maid and keeps Alex in her room as he tries to get better.
I really like the interaction between Célestine and Alex. I LOVE Célestine, she's strong and resilient, at times you would think she's a twenty-something Heroine. She does her best to make sure Alex is getting better and Alex does the proper thing and decides to take care of the girl, financially once he gets back home.
The WHOLE angst of the story is Alex's need to not take advantage of Célestine because he's too old for her. In the beginning it wasn't so bad because it was cute tension. She would throw herself at him and he would scold her. She would then back down and "behaves".
The read was REALLY good and for the lack of steam, oh the slow burn build up was REALLY good. What got me and knocked off a star was the last climatic tension ARC. The author had to throw in ONE more difficulty on the couple and I just sighed. She truly could have down away with that last bit, but it was easy to skim.
Overall, I enjoyed Célestine and Alex's story. I think Célestine saved the read for me. She never backed down and she stuck to her beliefs. I truly enjoyed the parts where she made Alex jealous.
The Earl's Temptation is the second novel in the Rouges and Gentlemen series. The book is about Célestine and Alex. We got a glimpsed of Alex in the first book and we know he is all about honor.
I'm not a huge fan of age gaps (I use to be), but this one was actually good. Célestine is 18 and Alex is 36. Célestine finds Alex washed ashore, almost left for dead. She nurses him back to health, don't worry, it's not like Lar's book. Célestine works in a whore house as a kitchen maid and keeps Alex in her room as he tries to get better.
I really like the interaction between Célestine and Alex. I LOVE Célestine, she's strong and resilient, at times you would think she's a twenty-something Heroine. She does her best to make sure Alex is getting better and Alex does the proper thing and decides to take care of the girl, financially once he gets back home.
The WHOLE angst of the story is Alex's need to not take advantage of Célestine because he's too old for her. In the beginning it wasn't so bad because it was cute tension. She would throw herself at him and he would scold her. She would then back down and "behaves".
The read was REALLY good and for the lack of steam, oh the slow burn build up was REALLY good. What got me and knocked off a star was the last climatic tension ARC. The author had to throw in ONE more difficulty on the couple and I just sighed. She truly could have down away with that last bit, but it was easy to skim.
Overall, I enjoyed Célestine and Alex's story. I think Célestine saved the read for me. She never backed down and she stuck to her beliefs. I truly enjoyed the parts where she made Alex jealous.
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