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Wallflowers vs. Rogues #1
Love Is a Rogue
Once upon a time in Mayfair, a group of wallflowers formed a secret society with goals that had absolutely nothing to do with matrimony. Their most troublesome obstacle? Rogues!
They call her Beastly Beatrice.
Wallflower Lady Beatrice Bentley longs to remain in the wilds of Cornwall to complete her etymological dictionary. Too bad her brother's Gothic mansion is under renovation. How can she work with an annoyingly arrogant and too-handsome rogue swinging a hammer nearby?
Rogue. Scoundrel. Call him anything you like as long as you pay him.
Navy man Stamford Wright is leaving England soon, and renovating Thornhill House is just a job. It's not about the duke's bookish sister or her fiery copper hair. Or the etymology lessons the prim-yet-alluring lady insists on giving him. Or the forbidden things he'd love to teach her.
They say never mix business with pleasure. But when Beatrice and Ford aren't arguing, they're kissing.
Sometimes, temptation proves too strong to resist…even if the cost is a heart.
They call her Beastly Beatrice.
Wallflower Lady Beatrice Bentley longs to remain in the wilds of Cornwall to complete her etymological dictionary. Too bad her brother's Gothic mansion is under renovation. How can she work with an annoyingly arrogant and too-handsome rogue swinging a hammer nearby?
Rogue. Scoundrel. Call him anything you like as long as you pay him.
Navy man Stamford Wright is leaving England soon, and renovating Thornhill House is just a job. It's not about the duke's bookish sister or her fiery copper hair. Or the etymology lessons the prim-yet-alluring lady insists on giving him. Or the forbidden things he'd love to teach her.
They say never mix business with pleasure. But when Beatrice and Ford aren't arguing, they're kissing.
Sometimes, temptation proves too strong to resist…even if the cost is a heart.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
200 people are currently reading
7209 people want to read
About the author
Lenora Bell
12 books1,396 followersLenora Bell is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical romances with Avon Books. A teacher with an MFA in Creative Writing, Lenora has lived and worked on five continents. She's currently lives in Colombia with her partner and two tiger-striped rescue kitties. She loves hearing from readers!
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
Learn more at www.LenoraBell.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 549 reviews
November 27, 2022
“I retreated into my mind. It was safer there.”
Sometimes, it’s worthwhile persevering through a book.
I wasn’t sure how to feel about this story when I first started reading it. I felt disconnected from the writing and couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story. But I carried on as our main character has an obsession with books and words and their origin and my geekish self couldn’t quit on that.
And I’m so glad I didn’t.
Everything about our main character was relatable. It was great seeing her overcome her overbearing mother, her childhood, her insecurities, coming out of her boxed shell and making it her own.
On top of that they form a club where these women come together who don’t give a damn about propriety, where they give a voice to those who feel silenced, support each other’s ambitions and dreams and encourage one another to make a name for themselves in a society that deems them less than.
I want a book on all of these women.
This is the first book I read by Lenora Bell and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved it.
4.5 🌟
Sometimes, it’s worthwhile persevering through a book.
I wasn’t sure how to feel about this story when I first started reading it. I felt disconnected from the writing and couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story. But I carried on as our main character has an obsession with books and words and their origin and my geekish self couldn’t quit on that.
And I’m so glad I didn’t.
Everything about our main character was relatable. It was great seeing her overcome her overbearing mother, her childhood, her insecurities, coming out of her boxed shell and making it her own.
On top of that they form a club where these women come together who don’t give a damn about propriety, where they give a voice to those who feel silenced, support each other’s ambitions and dreams and encourage one another to make a name for themselves in a society that deems them less than.
I want a book on all of these women.
This is the first book I read by Lenora Bell and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved it.
4.5 🌟
October 15, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
He was the most maddening of men.
Lady Beatrice Bentley only wants to spend her time isolated and writing her etymology dictionary but the carpenter renovating her brother's mansion keeps interrupting her with noise and his manly physique. Stamford Wright is normally a ships carpenter for the Royal Navy but is stepping in to help his father. He can't help but tease and tweak the Duke's sister's nose as she acts like a princess locked in a tower. When Beatrice promises to give her mother one more season to try and marry her off, she's off to London and ready to leave the carpenter who gives her such confusing feelings. However, Ford has discovered the Duke's land agent is embezzling and has to get in contact with the Bentley family again. There he gets press ganged by a group of lady non-knitters and hopelessly entangled with Beatrice.
The attention she was lavishing on the books made him feel restless and...jealous?
Beatrice was a character that definitely was supposed to connect with booklovers, our introduction has her constantly spouting lines about how much she loves words and books. Beatrice has Palsy, which caused the right side of her face to droop, a doctor recommended when she was younger that she read the dictionary out loud to exercise those facial muscles. Hence, her love of words, because she thought if she couldn't be pretty (she overheard her mother and father bemoaning her looks) she at least could be smart. In this regard, her character felt a bit overdone, after awhile it felt like an A.I. had written the passages after sourcing tons of “booklover” lines and references.
Ford would do everything in his power to help her win this battle.
Although he was probably going to regret it.
Ford had cute moments with his teasing but for the first half of the book he definitely came off as a young twenty-five year old; there was something too light and silly about his posturing as a scoundrel. He's sensitive to the fact that Beatrice is a Duke's sister and he is way below her class level because his mother was disowned by her father for marrying below her station. When Beatrice inherits a bookstore and it turns out that the grandfather that disowned his mother and him wants the property, he declares he's Beatrice's carpenter to renovate and joins in the battle to keep the property from his grandfather's clutches. It's a bit coincidental but easy enough to go along with to keep Beatrice and Ford together.
What was it about this prim, bookish lady that ripped his resolve to shreds like a gale tearing at a canvas sail?
The beginning held promise with Ford teasing and Beatrice shyly responding but I never felt their emotions and relationship gain any depth in the middle. It started to feel like these two were just spouting lines at each other instead of interacting or playing off one another. Beatrice eventually proposes that they become limited time lovers, she still wants to be a spinster and he's still going to be off sailing. I'm not sure I would call this move forced but it felt like a mechanism to simply add some sex scenes, instead of a development to or in their relationship. Their attraction just never developed any depth for me and I missed that emotion that pulls me into a couple's story.
She wanted to be close to him and she felt no shame about it.
Beatrice belonged to a group called Mayfair Ladies Knitting League, where no knitting is actually done but the members work and support each other towards their goals and achievements, it's why she wants to keep the bookstore, to turn it into a clubhouse. Two of her close friends, Isobel and Viola, are members and highlighted in the story, obviously to entice for future books in the series. There are a couple quick scenes with the ladies together but I would have liked more interactions that delved into their relationships. There's a very small side plot about a hidden meaning in the letter Beatrice's aunt left her but I honestly felt it was pointless and only added to the starting to feel overly long feeling the second half of the book started to get. The ending felt hackneyed and a bit hokey with everyone getting gathered together and suddenly decades of villainy is stopped because of “love” and Beatrice and Ford get to be together a bit too easily. This was light on the depth but booklovers will certainly see themselves in Beatrice and enjoy those sweet moments.
He was the most maddening of men.
Lady Beatrice Bentley only wants to spend her time isolated and writing her etymology dictionary but the carpenter renovating her brother's mansion keeps interrupting her with noise and his manly physique. Stamford Wright is normally a ships carpenter for the Royal Navy but is stepping in to help his father. He can't help but tease and tweak the Duke's sister's nose as she acts like a princess locked in a tower. When Beatrice promises to give her mother one more season to try and marry her off, she's off to London and ready to leave the carpenter who gives her such confusing feelings. However, Ford has discovered the Duke's land agent is embezzling and has to get in contact with the Bentley family again. There he gets press ganged by a group of lady non-knitters and hopelessly entangled with Beatrice.
The attention she was lavishing on the books made him feel restless and...jealous?
Beatrice was a character that definitely was supposed to connect with booklovers, our introduction has her constantly spouting lines about how much she loves words and books. Beatrice has Palsy, which caused the right side of her face to droop, a doctor recommended when she was younger that she read the dictionary out loud to exercise those facial muscles. Hence, her love of words, because she thought if she couldn't be pretty (she overheard her mother and father bemoaning her looks) she at least could be smart. In this regard, her character felt a bit overdone, after awhile it felt like an A.I. had written the passages after sourcing tons of “booklover” lines and references.
Ford would do everything in his power to help her win this battle.
Although he was probably going to regret it.
Ford had cute moments with his teasing but for the first half of the book he definitely came off as a young twenty-five year old; there was something too light and silly about his posturing as a scoundrel. He's sensitive to the fact that Beatrice is a Duke's sister and he is way below her class level because his mother was disowned by her father for marrying below her station. When Beatrice inherits a bookstore and it turns out that the grandfather that disowned his mother and him wants the property, he declares he's Beatrice's carpenter to renovate and joins in the battle to keep the property from his grandfather's clutches. It's a bit coincidental but easy enough to go along with to keep Beatrice and Ford together.
What was it about this prim, bookish lady that ripped his resolve to shreds like a gale tearing at a canvas sail?
The beginning held promise with Ford teasing and Beatrice shyly responding but I never felt their emotions and relationship gain any depth in the middle. It started to feel like these two were just spouting lines at each other instead of interacting or playing off one another. Beatrice eventually proposes that they become limited time lovers, she still wants to be a spinster and he's still going to be off sailing. I'm not sure I would call this move forced but it felt like a mechanism to simply add some sex scenes, instead of a development to or in their relationship. Their attraction just never developed any depth for me and I missed that emotion that pulls me into a couple's story.
She wanted to be close to him and she felt no shame about it.
Beatrice belonged to a group called Mayfair Ladies Knitting League, where no knitting is actually done but the members work and support each other towards their goals and achievements, it's why she wants to keep the bookstore, to turn it into a clubhouse. Two of her close friends, Isobel and Viola, are members and highlighted in the story, obviously to entice for future books in the series. There are a couple quick scenes with the ladies together but I would have liked more interactions that delved into their relationships. There's a very small side plot about a hidden meaning in the letter Beatrice's aunt left her but I honestly felt it was pointless and only added to the starting to feel overly long feeling the second half of the book started to get. The ending felt hackneyed and a bit hokey with everyone getting gathered together and suddenly decades of villainy is stopped because of “love” and Beatrice and Ford get to be together a bit too easily. This was light on the depth but booklovers will certainly see themselves in Beatrice and enjoy those sweet moments.
August 5, 2021
Beatrice is a total wallflower. And she adores books. I know many of us like our heroines that are bookworms, but Beatrice is by far the best book-obsessed heroine I've read. She is staying her brother's mansion, basically living in the library and working on her dictionary. She loves words, their origins, use, pronunciation. She would be totally, utterly content if only she wasn't constantly bothered by the annoying Stamford Wright.
Ford has been working on the renovations of Beatrice's brother's country house. His goal is to complete them before he must go back out on the sea to serve in the navy. He knows someone is always peeking at him through the windows, and it's made even more obvious when a pair of spectacles drops on his head while he's standing under a certain window.
I loved Beatrice. She has been diagnosed with palsy, and one side of her face doesn't quite have the muscle control society desires in their drive for perfection. She's mastered hiding behind potted plants at balls. She has made the best group of friends that meet under the guise of knitting and I'm very excited for the other wallflowers stories. She's an independent heroine, but still still cares about those around her. She struggles with finding her own path and keeping her mother happy. Ford is perfect for her. He shows her how beautiful she is and gives her the boost in confidence hiding in side and she shines.
Ford is more of a beta hero. He can come off as rather arrogant and conceited in the beginning, but he's not at all. He's just a lady's man, and doesn't have a problem with striking up a conversation and knowing his own assets. Haha. But overall I felt like he was more beta. He's very gentle and tends to let Beatrice lead the way.
Give this story a try if you are in the mood for
-class differences – Beatrice is the brother to a duke and Ford is a carpenter/navy man
-slight disability – the heroine has palsy of the face that 'disrupts the symmetry of her face'
-wallflowers – we have a heroine wallflower (and the whole series will include wallflowers!)
-soldiers – though not a huge part, the hero belongs to the navy and is on leave during his time in the book. He doesn't have ptsd, or flashbacks, it's just a minor part of his character.
-medium to heavy steam - although there's only 2 sex scenes - one full and one implied - there's a lot of kisses and thinking about kisses and other fun that is explicitly described. I've included how often these happen and at what percentages these happen under a spoiler warning.
Overall really enjoyed this book. It's got Bell's classic mix of sexy and humor and is just a fun read. Sometimes being the first in a series can be tiring setting up other characters and plots, but I don't find that here at all. It makes connections with other characters just enough to move the story and make you excited to see the next installment.
This didn't quite get to 5 stars for me, just personal preference on the hero. I wasn't super in love with him, but can't exactly pinpoint what was missing for me. Could just be the covid pandemic speaking as it has made me into an emotionless robot.
Kisses and scene locations in book
Ford has been working on the renovations of Beatrice's brother's country house. His goal is to complete them before he must go back out on the sea to serve in the navy. He knows someone is always peeking at him through the windows, and it's made even more obvious when a pair of spectacles drops on his head while he's standing under a certain window.
I loved Beatrice. She has been diagnosed with palsy, and one side of her face doesn't quite have the muscle control society desires in their drive for perfection. She's mastered hiding behind potted plants at balls. She has made the best group of friends that meet under the guise of knitting and I'm very excited for the other wallflowers stories. She's an independent heroine, but still still cares about those around her. She struggles with finding her own path and keeping her mother happy. Ford is perfect for her. He shows her how beautiful she is and gives her the boost in confidence hiding in side and she shines.
Ford is more of a beta hero. He can come off as rather arrogant and conceited in the beginning, but he's not at all. He's just a lady's man, and doesn't have a problem with striking up a conversation and knowing his own assets. Haha. But overall I felt like he was more beta. He's very gentle and tends to let Beatrice lead the way.
Give this story a try if you are in the mood for
-class differences – Beatrice is the brother to a duke and Ford is a carpenter/navy man
-slight disability – the heroine has palsy of the face that 'disrupts the symmetry of her face'
-wallflowers – we have a heroine wallflower (and the whole series will include wallflowers!)
-soldiers – though not a huge part, the hero belongs to the navy and is on leave during his time in the book. He doesn't have ptsd, or flashbacks, it's just a minor part of his character.
-medium to heavy steam - although there's only 2 sex scenes - one full and one implied - there's a lot of kisses and thinking about kisses and other fun that is explicitly described. I've included how often these happen and at what percentages these happen under a spoiler warning.
Overall really enjoyed this book. It's got Bell's classic mix of sexy and humor and is just a fun read. Sometimes being the first in a series can be tiring setting up other characters and plots, but I don't find that here at all. It makes connections with other characters just enough to move the story and make you excited to see the next installment.
This didn't quite get to 5 stars for me, just personal preference on the hero. I wasn't super in love with him, but can't exactly pinpoint what was missing for me. Could just be the covid pandemic speaking as it has made me into an emotionless robot.
Kisses and scene locations in book
November 27, 2021
4.5 stars
Okay, this was so precious. This is a different social class romance with a bookish heroine that revolves around renovating a crumbling bookstore. Beatrice is a wallflower and only cares about her books, and is definitely intrigued by the handsome carpenter working on her estate. When she inherits a bookshop from her aunt, Beatrice is ecstatic and hires Ford to help. I loved how they were forced to be around each other and Ford would flirt with Beatrice and push her buttons. But then he builds her a bookshelf?!? Their romance was just adorable. I loved how Beatrice would do anything for her bookshop and the books, which meant dealing with her mother and having to try to find a suitable husband in society. Ford's family has already dealt with a different social class romance as her mother was cut off after she married a man below her in society. The ending was adorable and I just had so much fun reading this book!
Okay, this was so precious. This is a different social class romance with a bookish heroine that revolves around renovating a crumbling bookstore. Beatrice is a wallflower and only cares about her books, and is definitely intrigued by the handsome carpenter working on her estate. When she inherits a bookshop from her aunt, Beatrice is ecstatic and hires Ford to help. I loved how they were forced to be around each other and Ford would flirt with Beatrice and push her buttons. But then he builds her a bookshelf?!? Their romance was just adorable. I loved how Beatrice would do anything for her bookshop and the books, which meant dealing with her mother and having to try to find a suitable husband in society. Ford's family has already dealt with a different social class romance as her mother was cut off after she married a man below her in society. The ending was adorable and I just had so much fun reading this book!
August 9, 2020
Love Is a Rogue checked all the boxes for me. This witty, smart, sweet & sometimes down right smoldering story, kept me rapt from start to finish.
Ford the carpenter, a formidable titan of masculinity, strength and a cocksure smile; had me imagining exactly what he may look like in real life. Feeling & placing oneself in the story and admiring him from afar, inside that high window.
Beatrice, booksmart and precise, she wields her words like that of a swordsman wields his blade. Books and her intellect her insulator and armor to protect her from the outside world, the name calling and the ton. Never to love. Never to marry.
All of her future carefully outlined in her mind...until this carpenter...until Ford.
This is book 1 in the new Wallflowers vs Rogues series and I cannot wait for book 2, it couldn't get here fast enough.
Huzzah Lenora, your best book yet!
Ford the carpenter, a formidable titan of masculinity, strength and a cocksure smile; had me imagining exactly what he may look like in real life. Feeling & placing oneself in the story and admiring him from afar, inside that high window.
Beatrice, booksmart and precise, she wields her words like that of a swordsman wields his blade. Books and her intellect her insulator and armor to protect her from the outside world, the name calling and the ton. Never to love. Never to marry.
All of her future carefully outlined in her mind...until this carpenter...until Ford.
This is book 1 in the new Wallflowers vs Rogues series and I cannot wait for book 2, it couldn't get here fast enough.
Huzzah Lenora, your best book yet!
October 27, 2020
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
I absolutely loved this book. A hero that’s a carpenter and a heroine who is an etymologist – perfect combination!
One of the things that always makes my heart flutter is acts of service. Because acts of service mean that you’ve been paying attention to your partner (or your friend, or whoever the other person is in this situation) and it just makes me so happy that the characters listen to each other’s needs *swoon*.
This book is a bit of a Beauty and The Beast retelling, since our heroine “was born with palsy of the facial nerve caused by damage from the instruments the doctors used” (in Love is a Rogue, by Lenora Bell) during her birth, which means one side of her face does not move “normaly”, and her smile is lopsided.
Lady Beatrice Bentley, this beautiful, rich lady, who prefers a comfortable blue dress than the somewhat growing and starting to be exaggerated creations of the 1830’s, can’t help but feel the attraction to Stamford Wright, the roguish carpenter working on her brother’s estate.
I loved falling in love with Ford and Beatrice, and seeing their love develop and overcome what would be thought of as a barrier for the time, or if not a barrier, at least a strong detriment for their union.
Beatrice loves words, and she is fascinated with the words that disappear from our language, and the ones that are almost “chosen” to remain, and for Ford this is not an interest, but he becomes fascinated with how happy Beatrice is when she’s talking about writing her dictionary, and how caring he is for her and her love of books. I mean… he built her BOOKSHELVES!
Also, this book is full of feminism, sisterhood, all the things we want to see in this world. As I was reading this book, I found myself mirrored in the women of The Mayfair Ladies Knitting League, with the same wishes and desires: “Why should being female preclude me from being an entrepreneur? I say, smash down the barriers” (Love is A Rogue, by Lenora Bell). One of my favourite quotes from this book is exactly related to women (women as in anyone that identifies as female), and how we see ourselves in the world and society: “We women are all so critical of ourselves. We’re too plump, or too thin. Too tall, or too short. Our hair is too curly, or too straight. We live in a society that rewards conformity to a strict set of physical standards and an even more rigid set of rules for proper behaviour. We have these unpleasant thoughts running round and round in our minds. Wouldn’t it be revolutionary if we decided to love ourselves exactly the way we are?” (in Love is a Rogue, by Lenora Bell). Apologies for the long quote, but I loved it so much, that I remember shedding a tear when I read this. Self-love, and supporting ourselves and others, shouldn’t that be the ultimate goal?
Anyway, this book was also a love dedication to all of us readers, as I’m sure you can understand from the above mentioned love of books and words. As I was reading this book, I found myself highlighting these sentences that put into words a feeling that I’m sure most readers relate to: “But I can’t possibly read all of them [books]. It keeps me up at night sometimes, knowing that I can’t read every book I own. You should see how many books are stacked beside by bed just waiting to be read. And I don’t have the time to read them all” (in Love is A Rogue, by Lenora Bell).
Of course, this book is a romance, and the love story is the main element. But in this case, for me, it felt like there was more than ONE love story – there was the love between Beatrice and Ford, but also the love between these women supporting each other’s endeavours, and the love for words, and for your own passions!
All in all, I loved this book. It is romantic, sexy, powerful, all you want in a good book.
P.S. Make sure you read the acknowledgements at the end!
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
I absolutely loved this book. A hero that’s a carpenter and a heroine who is an etymologist – perfect combination!
One of the things that always makes my heart flutter is acts of service. Because acts of service mean that you’ve been paying attention to your partner (or your friend, or whoever the other person is in this situation) and it just makes me so happy that the characters listen to each other’s needs *swoon*.
This book is a bit of a Beauty and The Beast retelling, since our heroine “was born with palsy of the facial nerve caused by damage from the instruments the doctors used” (in Love is a Rogue, by Lenora Bell) during her birth, which means one side of her face does not move “normaly”, and her smile is lopsided.
Lady Beatrice Bentley, this beautiful, rich lady, who prefers a comfortable blue dress than the somewhat growing and starting to be exaggerated creations of the 1830’s, can’t help but feel the attraction to Stamford Wright, the roguish carpenter working on her brother’s estate.
I loved falling in love with Ford and Beatrice, and seeing their love develop and overcome what would be thought of as a barrier for the time, or if not a barrier, at least a strong detriment for their union.
Beatrice loves words, and she is fascinated with the words that disappear from our language, and the ones that are almost “chosen” to remain, and for Ford this is not an interest, but he becomes fascinated with how happy Beatrice is when she’s talking about writing her dictionary, and how caring he is for her and her love of books. I mean… he built her BOOKSHELVES!
Also, this book is full of feminism, sisterhood, all the things we want to see in this world. As I was reading this book, I found myself mirrored in the women of The Mayfair Ladies Knitting League, with the same wishes and desires: “Why should being female preclude me from being an entrepreneur? I say, smash down the barriers” (Love is A Rogue, by Lenora Bell). One of my favourite quotes from this book is exactly related to women (women as in anyone that identifies as female), and how we see ourselves in the world and society: “We women are all so critical of ourselves. We’re too plump, or too thin. Too tall, or too short. Our hair is too curly, or too straight. We live in a society that rewards conformity to a strict set of physical standards and an even more rigid set of rules for proper behaviour. We have these unpleasant thoughts running round and round in our minds. Wouldn’t it be revolutionary if we decided to love ourselves exactly the way we are?” (in Love is a Rogue, by Lenora Bell). Apologies for the long quote, but I loved it so much, that I remember shedding a tear when I read this. Self-love, and supporting ourselves and others, shouldn’t that be the ultimate goal?
Anyway, this book was also a love dedication to all of us readers, as I’m sure you can understand from the above mentioned love of books and words. As I was reading this book, I found myself highlighting these sentences that put into words a feeling that I’m sure most readers relate to: “But I can’t possibly read all of them [books]. It keeps me up at night sometimes, knowing that I can’t read every book I own. You should see how many books are stacked beside by bed just waiting to be read. And I don’t have the time to read them all” (in Love is A Rogue, by Lenora Bell).
Of course, this book is a romance, and the love story is the main element. But in this case, for me, it felt like there was more than ONE love story – there was the love between Beatrice and Ford, but also the love between these women supporting each other’s endeavours, and the love for words, and for your own passions!
All in all, I loved this book. It is romantic, sexy, powerful, all you want in a good book.
P.S. Make sure you read the acknowledgements at the end!
January 14, 2022
*4.5 stars*
So damn cute!! 😭🥺
Loved loved loved 💖:
✨ Low-angst
✨ Working/lower class, carpenter hero who reminds me a bit of a HGTV-style builder 🪚👷🏻♂️
✨ Etymologist, bookish, upper class heroine who has palsy and wears glasses (always love me some hero-cleaning-then-placing-glasses-on-heroine's-face scenes 🤧)
I knew about palsy mainly because my dad had Bell's palsy for a few months that got treated and cured very quickly after. Obviously this is a different case; from what I googled, most people do recover full facial strength and expression of the muscles, but I do not believe the heroine falls in this category. I hesitate to shelve this as disability rep, because palsy is purely a physical deformity for the heroine so she's not considered a 'beauty' in society. She's had it since childhood and from what was described, she would not likely be cured. But it does not cause her any physical pain whatsoever, nor does it affect her speaking, hearing, etc. It's just a condition that is reflected physically on her face.
However, I'll still shelve it as a disability to purely bring more exposure to this subject matter because where else will you see palsy represented in a historical romance?? 😩✊🏼
So so sweet and I loved the couple. I can't wait for the other Wallflowers' books (and give me more Wallflower girl group series! I'll never get tired of it!) ✨
*audio listened on libby
So damn cute!! 😭🥺
Loved loved loved 💖:
✨ Low-angst
✨ Working/lower class, carpenter hero who reminds me a bit of a HGTV-style builder 🪚👷🏻♂️
✨ Etymologist, bookish, upper class heroine who has palsy and wears glasses (always love me some hero-cleaning-then-placing-glasses-on-heroine's-face scenes 🤧)
I knew about palsy mainly because my dad had Bell's palsy for a few months that got treated and cured very quickly after. Obviously this is a different case; from what I googled, most people do recover full facial strength and expression of the muscles, but I do not believe the heroine falls in this category. I hesitate to shelve this as disability rep, because palsy is purely a physical deformity for the heroine so she's not considered a 'beauty' in society. She's had it since childhood and from what was described, she would not likely be cured. But it does not cause her any physical pain whatsoever, nor does it affect her speaking, hearing, etc. It's just a condition that is reflected physically on her face.
However, I'll still shelve it as a disability to purely bring more exposure to this subject matter because where else will you see palsy represented in a historical romance?? 😩✊🏼
So so sweet and I loved the couple. I can't wait for the other Wallflowers' books (and give me more Wallflower girl group series! I'll never get tired of it!) ✨
*audio listened on libby
October 21, 2020
4.5 stars
Lady Beatrice Bentley has been squirreled away at the family estate in Cornwall researching words for her etymological dictionary, but is constantly being distracted by Stamford “Ford” Wright, the carpenter hired by her brother Drew, Duke of Thorndon to make improvements to the estate while he is on his honeymoon. She tries to ignore him, but he is just so handsome – um – annoying! She tells herself to focus, she doesn’t have much time left before she has to return to London for the season – hopefully her last. Her time in society has not been enjoyable and due to complications at her birth, she suffers from palsy that has causes a slight drooping to the right side of her face and got her dubbed Beastly Beatrice. Now all she wants is to Beatrice just wants to retire to the country, live in solitude and complete her dictionary.
Ford has come to Thornhill to help out his father who was injured, his father is the estate carpenter, but Ford has not followed in his footsteps, Ford is a ship’s carpenter in the Navy. While working at the estate, he has uncovered some disturbing information about this steward and wants to bring the information to the Duke’s attention so his father is not accused of theft. So far, he has had no success in learning when Thorndon is due to return and must return to London soon to report to his ship. So, when the opportunity to speak to Lady Beatrice literally knocks him in the head – he takes it. His interaction with Beatrice doesn’t go as planned and they both are more than a little shocked by the encounter. They part ways assuming they will never cross paths again.
But fate is not done with these two and when she returns to London and learns she has inherited a bookstore from an aunt she never met, she is overjoyed – until she learns that the property is in disrepair and her mother has gone behind her back and put it up for sale! She is visiting with her friends, Viola Beaton and Isobel Mayberry from the Knitting League, when Ford calls for her brother – who still has not returned. The ladies decide to visit the shop and convince Ford to join them to give his professional opinion. While at the shop, Beatrice falls in love with place and decides to keep it, it needs a lot of work – but before she can even begin to form a plan, Foxton, the buyer her mother lined up shows up and makes it clear that he wants the property and will stop at nothing to get it. He makes assures her that no carpenter in London will work for her and she might as well sell to him. Ford recognizes Foxton – he is Ford’s estranged grandfather – the man who disowned Ford’s mother for falling in love and marrying “beneath” her. Ford wants to thwart him and steps up to say he is working as her carpenter and the shop is not for sale – much to Beatrice’s shock.
After trying to hire another carpenter, Beatrice admits defeat and asks Ford to do the work. They form a friendship of sorts and slowly begin to fall in love, but there will be many things keeping them apart – the difference in their social stations, a very determined duchess, a greedy earl and secrets. Their road to HEA is not easy – but it is entertaining!
I really enjoyed this book, it is well written, flows nicely and is just a fun read. I would have to agree with other reviewers that the ending did wrap up too easily and there were a couple of plot points that seemed to have gotten dropped – but overall, it was a highly entertaining read with lots of amusing banter, cameos from characters in previous the series, great secondary characters, a slow burn romance with some warmish love scenes and a HEA complete with an epilogue. It is the first book in a new series and while it does have ties to the School for Dukes series – but you don’t have to read that series to enjoy this book. I am happy to recommend this novel and am really looking forward to Viola & Isobel’s stories!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley, Edelweiss and the publisher. All opinions are my own. *
Lady Beatrice Bentley has been squirreled away at the family estate in Cornwall researching words for her etymological dictionary, but is constantly being distracted by Stamford “Ford” Wright, the carpenter hired by her brother Drew, Duke of Thorndon to make improvements to the estate while he is on his honeymoon. She tries to ignore him, but he is just so handsome – um – annoying! She tells herself to focus, she doesn’t have much time left before she has to return to London for the season – hopefully her last. Her time in society has not been enjoyable and due to complications at her birth, she suffers from palsy that has causes a slight drooping to the right side of her face and got her dubbed Beastly Beatrice. Now all she wants is to Beatrice just wants to retire to the country, live in solitude and complete her dictionary.
Ford has come to Thornhill to help out his father who was injured, his father is the estate carpenter, but Ford has not followed in his footsteps, Ford is a ship’s carpenter in the Navy. While working at the estate, he has uncovered some disturbing information about this steward and wants to bring the information to the Duke’s attention so his father is not accused of theft. So far, he has had no success in learning when Thorndon is due to return and must return to London soon to report to his ship. So, when the opportunity to speak to Lady Beatrice literally knocks him in the head – he takes it. His interaction with Beatrice doesn’t go as planned and they both are more than a little shocked by the encounter. They part ways assuming they will never cross paths again.
But fate is not done with these two and when she returns to London and learns she has inherited a bookstore from an aunt she never met, she is overjoyed – until she learns that the property is in disrepair and her mother has gone behind her back and put it up for sale! She is visiting with her friends, Viola Beaton and Isobel Mayberry from the Knitting League, when Ford calls for her brother – who still has not returned. The ladies decide to visit the shop and convince Ford to join them to give his professional opinion. While at the shop, Beatrice falls in love with place and decides to keep it, it needs a lot of work – but before she can even begin to form a plan, Foxton, the buyer her mother lined up shows up and makes it clear that he wants the property and will stop at nothing to get it. He makes assures her that no carpenter in London will work for her and she might as well sell to him. Ford recognizes Foxton – he is Ford’s estranged grandfather – the man who disowned Ford’s mother for falling in love and marrying “beneath” her. Ford wants to thwart him and steps up to say he is working as her carpenter and the shop is not for sale – much to Beatrice’s shock.
After trying to hire another carpenter, Beatrice admits defeat and asks Ford to do the work. They form a friendship of sorts and slowly begin to fall in love, but there will be many things keeping them apart – the difference in their social stations, a very determined duchess, a greedy earl and secrets. Their road to HEA is not easy – but it is entertaining!
I really enjoyed this book, it is well written, flows nicely and is just a fun read. I would have to agree with other reviewers that the ending did wrap up too easily and there were a couple of plot points that seemed to have gotten dropped – but overall, it was a highly entertaining read with lots of amusing banter, cameos from characters in previous the series, great secondary characters, a slow burn romance with some warmish love scenes and a HEA complete with an epilogue. It is the first book in a new series and while it does have ties to the School for Dukes series – but you don’t have to read that series to enjoy this book. I am happy to recommend this novel and am really looking forward to Viola & Isobel’s stories!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley, Edelweiss and the publisher. All opinions are my own. *
October 29, 2020
Lenora does it again with a wonderful read. I'm never disappointed in her books.
Trope: different classes/different stations in life. Heroine is a lady, a sister to a Duke. Hero Ford is a Carpenter also serving in the Bristish navy.
If you want something light or easy to read, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Lots of feels, lots of kisses, low key on the steam until it happens but when it does it hot.
Beatrice is bookish and she loves to read. She Loves to define words, and is currently writing a dictionary. She's a wallflower being smothered and controlled by her mom. She's unhappy with her life and tries to find herself through her books and fancy words. Her goal is to become a spinster and take control of her own life. Little does she know her life will change.
Ford never wants to be married or tied down. He prefers to be free, until he meets Beatrice.
Shes spies on him all summer long through a window. While he sees her, He pretends to not see her but knowing she spies on him makes him work even harder. He loves the color of her hair, the way the sun shines on it, and she loves his big muscular arms. There's a secret mutual attraction they keep from eachother. She daydreams and imagines how it would be if he carried her. Its Funny how these two secretly crushes after one another, but they both act as if they don't want eachother.
One day she inherits a book shop and hires Ford to do the renovations. As he does the renovations they slowly at first start to fall for one another then boom they can't get enough of eachother.
Together they face many challenges. One, Her mother is a controlling monster, and tries to marry her off. Two, Ford has a secret grandfather who wants to steal away B's property. Her mother bribes him, and his grandfather tries to blackmail her.
With all that being said, B is not alone and is loved by her friends and family. Ford and B also have the support and blessings from her brother the Duke. Ford also has his mother and aunt's support and together they kill his grandfather with kindness.
Out of all this, my favorite part is how B comes out of her shell, and follows her own heart head on. I'm happy she goes against her mother and marries who she wants. Being a daughter in that era and especially being a high born lady means you are mostly powerless, have no voice/choice, and your life is lined up and planned out for you. I just love how she stands up against her mother, that gave me great satisfaction. It Goes to show she has a backbone.
Thanks Netgalley for giving me this opportunity to read this arc. These are my opinions and mine alone.
Trope: different classes/different stations in life. Heroine is a lady, a sister to a Duke. Hero Ford is a Carpenter also serving in the Bristish navy.
If you want something light or easy to read, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Lots of feels, lots of kisses, low key on the steam until it happens but when it does it hot.
Beatrice is bookish and she loves to read. She Loves to define words, and is currently writing a dictionary. She's a wallflower being smothered and controlled by her mom. She's unhappy with her life and tries to find herself through her books and fancy words. Her goal is to become a spinster and take control of her own life. Little does she know her life will change.
Ford never wants to be married or tied down. He prefers to be free, until he meets Beatrice.
Shes spies on him all summer long through a window. While he sees her, He pretends to not see her but knowing she spies on him makes him work even harder. He loves the color of her hair, the way the sun shines on it, and she loves his big muscular arms. There's a secret mutual attraction they keep from eachother. She daydreams and imagines how it would be if he carried her. Its Funny how these two secretly crushes after one another, but they both act as if they don't want eachother.
One day she inherits a book shop and hires Ford to do the renovations. As he does the renovations they slowly at first start to fall for one another then boom they can't get enough of eachother.
Together they face many challenges. One, Her mother is a controlling monster, and tries to marry her off. Two, Ford has a secret grandfather who wants to steal away B's property. Her mother bribes him, and his grandfather tries to blackmail her.
With all that being said, B is not alone and is loved by her friends and family. Ford and B also have the support and blessings from her brother the Duke. Ford also has his mother and aunt's support and together they kill his grandfather with kindness.
Out of all this, my favorite part is how B comes out of her shell, and follows her own heart head on. I'm happy she goes against her mother and marries who she wants. Being a daughter in that era and especially being a high born lady means you are mostly powerless, have no voice/choice, and your life is lined up and planned out for you. I just love how she stands up against her mother, that gave me great satisfaction. It Goes to show she has a backbone.
Thanks Netgalley for giving me this opportunity to read this arc. These are my opinions and mine alone.
February 15, 2021
this one PLEASANTLY surprised me. it's an overall uplifting and feel-good historical romance about a bookish/nerdy girl who was born with palsy and has been sheltered by her mother ever since. Her mother is stifling and overbearing and rude most of the times but plow through it because the sweet romance between our heroine and our gruff commoner hero is so good. Our hero has some lineage/broken family issues but he likes the simple life of being a carpenter and repairing the book shop she inherited. I just really enjoyed it!!!
I ALSO REALLY ENJOYED THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THIS ONE!!
I ALSO REALLY ENJOYED THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THIS ONE!!
December 3, 2020
*3.5 stars*
Love Is a Rogue was an enjoyable historical romance by Lenora Bell, even if it didn't keep my attention as much as I was hoping it would.
I read a lot of historical romance, and I'm always on the hunt for MCs who are a little different. I loved how we got a female MC with a facial palsy, as it's fairly rare to see a female MC with any sort of physical "imperfections." We get roguishly scarred male MCs, but in a female MC? Super rare. I know people who have permanent paralysis from Bell's Palsy, so I could exactly picture Beatrice. I loved that the author added that detail to her story.
There was a bit of insta-lust, which was meh for me, and I thought the overall chemistry suffered a bit because of it. I like things to grow slowly over time. However, I enjoyed Beatrice's intrepid group of friends a great deal, and Beatrice herself was an interesting character, so that made up for a lot of imperfections in the story.
The plot was a little meandering for me, and had a few too many details that stretched my imagination. I wanted the opposites-attract romance to work, but I didn't really see these two as a couple, long-term. They bantered a good deal, but it didn't solidify into a stable romance for me, and their differences in society seemed vast and not fully addressed.
A nice romance with some unique characters, I think I wanted to like Love Is a Rogue more than I did. However, I would certainly move on with the series and see what else this author has in store for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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Love Is a Rogue was an enjoyable historical romance by Lenora Bell, even if it didn't keep my attention as much as I was hoping it would.
I read a lot of historical romance, and I'm always on the hunt for MCs who are a little different. I loved how we got a female MC with a facial palsy, as it's fairly rare to see a female MC with any sort of physical "imperfections." We get roguishly scarred male MCs, but in a female MC? Super rare. I know people who have permanent paralysis from Bell's Palsy, so I could exactly picture Beatrice. I loved that the author added that detail to her story.
There was a bit of insta-lust, which was meh for me, and I thought the overall chemistry suffered a bit because of it. I like things to grow slowly over time. However, I enjoyed Beatrice's intrepid group of friends a great deal, and Beatrice herself was an interesting character, so that made up for a lot of imperfections in the story.
The plot was a little meandering for me, and had a few too many details that stretched my imagination. I wanted the opposites-attract romance to work, but I didn't really see these two as a couple, long-term. They bantered a good deal, but it didn't solidify into a stable romance for me, and their differences in society seemed vast and not fully addressed.
A nice romance with some unique characters, I think I wanted to like Love Is a Rogue more than I did. However, I would certainly move on with the series and see what else this author has in store for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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October 20, 2020
Love Is a Rogue: Wallflowers vs. Rogues Wallflowers Vs Rogues Series #1
Lenora Bell
https://www.facebook.com/lenorabellau...
Release date 10/27/2020
Publisher Avon
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Once upon a time in Mayfair a group of wallflowers formed a secret society with goals that had absolutely nothing to do with matrimony. Their most troublesome obstacle? Rogues!
They call her Beastly Beatrice.
Wallflower Lady Beatrice Bentley longs to remain in the wilds of Cornwall to complete her etymological dictionary. Too bad her brother’s Gothic mansion is under renovation. How can she work with an annoyingly arrogant and too-handsome rogue swinging a hammer nearby?
Rogue. Scoundrel. Call him anything you like as long as you pay him.
Navy man Stamford Wright is leaving England soon and renovating Thornhill House is just a job. It’s not about the duke’s bookish sister or her fiery copper hair. Or the etymology lessons the prim-yet-alluring lady insists on giving him. Or the forbidden things he'd love to teach her.
They say never mix business with pleasure. But when Beatrice and Ford aren't arguing, they're kissing.
Sometimes temptation proves too strong to resist…even if the cost is a heart.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will she let life pass by her or fight for more than she expected from it...
« “I’m not docile, or decorous, or obliging.” With each word she blasted the wall. »
I am not sure I liked Beatrice at first, she has with certainty excuses for her longing to a lonesome existence but none to be so blunt and rude with Ford.
Plus there is nothing I dislike more than an addle-brained miss when confronted to a yummy male specimen. Weak knees and tongue tied do not endeavour a character to me.
But it is the modern me that cringe at these flaws. Beatrice has forgiving circumstances, firstly she has known nothing else, more ready to look down than stand for one’s self, they have no voice in their fate, the sheltered upbringing of ladies does not prepare them to stand emotionless when they sight male skin.
Then she grews in me, reflecting on her future path, acknowledging she chooses to hide instead of living her dreams. By coming out of her chrysalid, she demonstrates her strength and fortitude.
Stamford or Ford, I have few things to tell so wonderful he is. He is the sole man who sees, really sees Beatrice, he needs no dowry nor enticement to appreciate the real woman under the haughty demeanor. He does not belittle her dreams, he might not agree or understand them, but they are hers, so she should have the right to try to reach them.
Their romance is one of trust given, wishes shared and hopes made to not be lived alone.
A terrific lively tale of going for one’s dream and finding the power in oneself to live them whatever the price.
5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author and publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Lenora Bell
https://www.facebook.com/lenorabellau...
Release date 10/27/2020
Publisher Avon
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Once upon a time in Mayfair a group of wallflowers formed a secret society with goals that had absolutely nothing to do with matrimony. Their most troublesome obstacle? Rogues!
They call her Beastly Beatrice.
Wallflower Lady Beatrice Bentley longs to remain in the wilds of Cornwall to complete her etymological dictionary. Too bad her brother’s Gothic mansion is under renovation. How can she work with an annoyingly arrogant and too-handsome rogue swinging a hammer nearby?
Rogue. Scoundrel. Call him anything you like as long as you pay him.
Navy man Stamford Wright is leaving England soon and renovating Thornhill House is just a job. It’s not about the duke’s bookish sister or her fiery copper hair. Or the etymology lessons the prim-yet-alluring lady insists on giving him. Or the forbidden things he'd love to teach her.
They say never mix business with pleasure. But when Beatrice and Ford aren't arguing, they're kissing.
Sometimes temptation proves too strong to resist…even if the cost is a heart.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will she let life pass by her or fight for more than she expected from it...
« “I’m not docile, or decorous, or obliging.” With each word she blasted the wall. »
I am not sure I liked Beatrice at first, she has with certainty excuses for her longing to a lonesome existence but none to be so blunt and rude with Ford.
Plus there is nothing I dislike more than an addle-brained miss when confronted to a yummy male specimen. Weak knees and tongue tied do not endeavour a character to me.
But it is the modern me that cringe at these flaws. Beatrice has forgiving circumstances, firstly she has known nothing else, more ready to look down than stand for one’s self, they have no voice in their fate, the sheltered upbringing of ladies does not prepare them to stand emotionless when they sight male skin.
Then she grews in me, reflecting on her future path, acknowledging she chooses to hide instead of living her dreams. By coming out of her chrysalid, she demonstrates her strength and fortitude.
Stamford or Ford, I have few things to tell so wonderful he is. He is the sole man who sees, really sees Beatrice, he needs no dowry nor enticement to appreciate the real woman under the haughty demeanor. He does not belittle her dreams, he might not agree or understand them, but they are hers, so she should have the right to try to reach them.
Their romance is one of trust given, wishes shared and hopes made to not be lived alone.
A terrific lively tale of going for one’s dream and finding the power in oneself to live them whatever the price.
5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author and publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
October 20, 2020
Love is a Rogue
Book 1 in the Wallflowers vs Rogues Series
Rating: 5 rogue-ish stars!!!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
Love is a Rogue kicks off what will be an amazing series. A series where we will have some self-proclaimed wallflowers who will tame some rogues with their love.
I really enjoyed this first book. Beatrice and Ford were such likable characters. I really liked both of their personalities. I tend to usually lean towards liking more either the hero or the heroine.
I liked how Beatrice fought her feelings for Ford since the very beginning. She tried every word in her knowledge to describe what she felt for him. Their bantering was so sweet and hot. Ford enjoyed pushing her buttons, but I'm glad he did because it made her admit that she was attracted to him.
Ford was one sexy, sweet rogue. I love that he flirted with Beatrice and said the most sweetest things to her. I especially liked that once he realized her passion for words he was her number one supporter in all that she wanted to accomplish. Ford was what she needed to build up her confidence and stand up to those that didn't believe in her. She at the same time showed him that love and stability can bring you happiness.
I look forwards to the rest of the series!!!
Book 1 in the Wallflowers vs Rogues Series
Rating: 5 rogue-ish stars!!!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.
Love is a Rogue kicks off what will be an amazing series. A series where we will have some self-proclaimed wallflowers who will tame some rogues with their love.
I really enjoyed this first book. Beatrice and Ford were such likable characters. I really liked both of their personalities. I tend to usually lean towards liking more either the hero or the heroine.
I liked how Beatrice fought her feelings for Ford since the very beginning. She tried every word in her knowledge to describe what she felt for him. Their bantering was so sweet and hot. Ford enjoyed pushing her buttons, but I'm glad he did because it made her admit that she was attracted to him.
Ford was one sexy, sweet rogue. I love that he flirted with Beatrice and said the most sweetest things to her. I especially liked that once he realized her passion for words he was her number one supporter in all that she wanted to accomplish. Ford was what she needed to build up her confidence and stand up to those that didn't believe in her. She at the same time showed him that love and stability can bring you happiness.
I look forwards to the rest of the series!!!
December 3, 2020
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars. I wanted to give this 5 stars, but I did think that the resolution with Ford’s grandfather was a little too easy. That said, in general, I appreciated that Beatrice and Ford didn’t hesitate to discuss their problems openly, even though Ford did keep a secret from her because of a promise to his mother. Whenever there was angst, it was short-lived, which did my heart good. Their relationship is so sweet and heartwarming. When Ford built her the bookshelves from the floorboards they pulled up together, my heart absolutely melted.
The overall message of the book is that love conquers all—a classic in the romance genre. While that may be hard to believe during these trying times, it’s nice to read it coming true on the page.
Beatrice and I would be the best of friends. I loved her love of words and how she takes charge of herself and her life. I’ve never seen a heroine born with palsy before, and, though I can’t quite relate myself, I appreciate the representation. Ford is a wonderful working-class hero. Not only that, but he respects Beatrice and women’s opinions and abilities. I don’t know how anyone could not love him.
I’m very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series when it comes out and appreciated the glimpses we get into future books in the epilogue (at least, if I’m correct in my guesses). I’ve actually only read one other of Bell’s books, but now I want to tackle that backlog. I enjoyed the cameos from previous novels, even though I haven’t properly met those characters yet.
I love Bell’s writing style. It’s humorous, witty, and savory all at once.
4.5 stars. I wanted to give this 5 stars, but I did think that the resolution with Ford’s grandfather was a little too easy. That said, in general, I appreciated that Beatrice and Ford didn’t hesitate to discuss their problems openly, even though Ford did keep a secret from her because of a promise to his mother. Whenever there was angst, it was short-lived, which did my heart good. Their relationship is so sweet and heartwarming. When Ford built her the bookshelves from the floorboards they pulled up together, my heart absolutely melted.
The overall message of the book is that love conquers all—a classic in the romance genre. While that may be hard to believe during these trying times, it’s nice to read it coming true on the page.
Beatrice and I would be the best of friends. I loved her love of words and how she takes charge of herself and her life. I’ve never seen a heroine born with palsy before, and, though I can’t quite relate myself, I appreciate the representation. Ford is a wonderful working-class hero. Not only that, but he respects Beatrice and women’s opinions and abilities. I don’t know how anyone could not love him.
I’m very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series when it comes out and appreciated the glimpses we get into future books in the epilogue (at least, if I’m correct in my guesses). I’ve actually only read one other of Bell’s books, but now I want to tackle that backlog. I enjoyed the cameos from previous novels, even though I haven’t properly met those characters yet.
I love Bell’s writing style. It’s humorous, witty, and savory all at once.
July 28, 2020
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon, Lenora Bell, and Kelly Oakes for the opportunity to read an ARC of this fabulous book!
This is one of my favorite books of 2020 so far, and I am so sorry for everyone who has to wait another three months to read this witty, brilliant, hilarious, and swooningly romantic story!
I've been a huge fan of Lenora Bell's since her delightfully silly debut HOW THE DUKE WAS WON (a.k.a. Willy Wonka + The Bachelor but in the Regency, and also martial arts because Why Not). While the absurdity of the premises has tamed down slightly through the years (though we've still got Mary Poppins and James Bond in other backlist titles), the warmth and wit and sheer delight of Bell's writing has only grown. This book was low on pop culture references (I think; entirely possible I'm just clueless) but embraced a gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast trope with a hilarious lack of subtlety (an antagonist calls the heroine "Beastly Beatrice").
From the opening pages, I knew I'd be obsessed with this book. The heroine is shy and anxious, lives in her head, is obsessed with books and words, and even wears glasses, so....it me. And I lost it when she goes to spy on the hero flirting with someone else and she accidentally drops her glasses on him and he climbs up the rose trellis to retrieve them (the glasses are fine, because romance novel laws trump physics) because it is so delightfully over the top.
The bluestocking and rogue trope is a personal favorite of mine, probably because I am a socially anxious nerd, so it was almost inevitable I'd latch onto this book. And though we have exciting sequel bait about composers, chemists, and lawyers, there's something special about a book that's a paean to language. What better medium with which to celebrate the written word? Beatrice enchants the hero with her impassioned monologue on language and its delights, and Lenora Bell's prose will similarly enrapture the reader. And, as appropriate for a heroine who studies words, this book will give you a vocabulary workout -- I was extremely grateful for the convenience of Kindle's dictionary feature!
Ford is a wonderful match for Beatrice. Some of my favorite passages are those where we see him falling for her, such as during the aforementioned speech on the wonder of language, or later in the book when he admires the enthusiasm with which the very intellectual Beatrice tackles renovation. He teases Beatrice but always respects her. Also, he calls her "princess" and I swoon from the Han Solo vibes every time. And we've got some steamy scenes where the excellent banter chemistry translates into excellent physical chemistry.
This book is full of trope-y goodness and I couldn't be happier. We've got the hero accidentally seeing the heroine's scribbles about how hot he is. We've got the hero helping the heroine destroy a hideous hat. We've got sneaking off at the opera. We've got a secret society of women (with each heroine's specialty screaming Sequel Bait, it reminded me of Tessa Dare's Girl Meets Duke series, but for me this is a feature not a bug). We've got an overbearing mother trying to marry off the heroine. We've got the heroine accidentally-on-purpose insulting everyone to repel suitors (Courtney Milan's THE HEIRESS EFFECT, anyone?). I loved it all. We even have the heroine putting on pants!
I do have a few concerns to raise:
1. This book is so white that race goes completely unmentioned; I raise this in the context of ongoing discussions about how people of color have always been very much present in history, including in spaces that are often white in popular imagination, such as 19th-century England
2. One of their first intimate encounters occurs while the heroine is intoxicated, and the next day much is made of her hangover and how much more she drank than usual, which made me a little uncomfortable about her ability to consent the night prior
3. There are at least two subplots that seem like they'll raise some trouble but fizzle out quickly, and we also have a "you lied to me" Big Moment which lasts for...a page or two (I hate "you lied to me" drama, so I wasn't sad that it resolved quickly but I still question its necessity)
But ultimately, I adored this book and I can't wait for everyone else to revel in it as well. Beatrice and Ford have a lovely and passionate connection, Beatrice's friends are amazing and I can't wait to read their books, and Lenora Bell's handling of prose and classic tropes and archetypes makes every scene sparkle. So, yes, the book is as amazing as that GORGEOUS cover promises (and Beatrice's incredible hair is appropriately worshiped). I highly recommend picking this up come October.
This is one of my favorite books of 2020 so far, and I am so sorry for everyone who has to wait another three months to read this witty, brilliant, hilarious, and swooningly romantic story!
I've been a huge fan of Lenora Bell's since her delightfully silly debut HOW THE DUKE WAS WON (a.k.a. Willy Wonka + The Bachelor but in the Regency, and also martial arts because Why Not). While the absurdity of the premises has tamed down slightly through the years (though we've still got Mary Poppins and James Bond in other backlist titles), the warmth and wit and sheer delight of Bell's writing has only grown. This book was low on pop culture references (I think; entirely possible I'm just clueless) but embraced a gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast trope with a hilarious lack of subtlety (an antagonist calls the heroine "Beastly Beatrice").
From the opening pages, I knew I'd be obsessed with this book. The heroine is shy and anxious, lives in her head, is obsessed with books and words, and even wears glasses, so....it me. And I lost it when she goes to spy on the hero flirting with someone else and she accidentally drops her glasses on him and he climbs up the rose trellis to retrieve them (the glasses are fine, because romance novel laws trump physics) because it is so delightfully over the top.
The bluestocking and rogue trope is a personal favorite of mine, probably because I am a socially anxious nerd, so it was almost inevitable I'd latch onto this book. And though we have exciting sequel bait about composers, chemists, and lawyers, there's something special about a book that's a paean to language. What better medium with which to celebrate the written word? Beatrice enchants the hero with her impassioned monologue on language and its delights, and Lenora Bell's prose will similarly enrapture the reader. And, as appropriate for a heroine who studies words, this book will give you a vocabulary workout -- I was extremely grateful for the convenience of Kindle's dictionary feature!
Ford is a wonderful match for Beatrice. Some of my favorite passages are those where we see him falling for her, such as during the aforementioned speech on the wonder of language, or later in the book when he admires the enthusiasm with which the very intellectual Beatrice tackles renovation. He teases Beatrice but always respects her. Also, he calls her "princess" and I swoon from the Han Solo vibes every time. And we've got some steamy scenes where the excellent banter chemistry translates into excellent physical chemistry.
This book is full of trope-y goodness and I couldn't be happier. We've got the hero accidentally seeing the heroine's scribbles about how hot he is. We've got the hero helping the heroine destroy a hideous hat. We've got sneaking off at the opera. We've got a secret society of women (with each heroine's specialty screaming Sequel Bait, it reminded me of Tessa Dare's Girl Meets Duke series, but for me this is a feature not a bug). We've got an overbearing mother trying to marry off the heroine. We've got the heroine accidentally-on-purpose insulting everyone to repel suitors (Courtney Milan's THE HEIRESS EFFECT, anyone?). I loved it all. We even have the heroine putting on pants!
I do have a few concerns to raise:
1. This book is so white that race goes completely unmentioned; I raise this in the context of ongoing discussions about how people of color have always been very much present in history, including in spaces that are often white in popular imagination, such as 19th-century England
2. One of their first intimate encounters occurs while the heroine is intoxicated, and the next day much is made of her hangover and how much more she drank than usual, which made me a little uncomfortable about her ability to consent the night prior
3. There are at least two subplots that seem like they'll raise some trouble but fizzle out quickly, and we also have a "you lied to me" Big Moment which lasts for...a page or two (I hate "you lied to me" drama, so I wasn't sad that it resolved quickly but I still question its necessity)
But ultimately, I adored this book and I can't wait for everyone else to revel in it as well. Beatrice and Ford have a lovely and passionate connection, Beatrice's friends are amazing and I can't wait to read their books, and Lenora Bell's handling of prose and classic tropes and archetypes makes every scene sparkle. So, yes, the book is as amazing as that GORGEOUS cover promises (and Beatrice's incredible hair is appropriately worshiped). I highly recommend picking this up come October.
Read
October 10, 20212.75 - 2.8 stars. i enjoyed it, but the feelings (both between the mc and me to them) were lacking. had potential tho. look at the way i didnt skim
right off the bat i liked this. the heroine was caught spying at the hero making out w another woman bcs her spectacle fell from the balcony
He dangled the spectacles closer to her. “I presume these are yours?”
“Er . . . yes. I lost them while”—trying to see down your trousers—“watering the roses.”
the plot is this
”Do you mean to tell me, Mrs. Kettle,” said Lady Beatrice, speaking very slowly and clearly, “that I have inherited some manner of . . . that is to say, a bookshop that secretly specializes in . . .”
Ford waited for her to supply the words. She was an etymologist, after all. When she just stood there, her cheeks stained with pink and her lips pressed together, he came to her rescue. “Obscene books. Naughty scribblings. One-handed reads.”
and wright/ford is there to help her rebuilt her bookshop or smth
”You must be thrilled to inherit this collection.”
“It’s like a dream.” Her face fell. “But I can’t possibly read all of them. It keeps me up at night sometimes, knowing that I can’t read every book I own. An unread book is a terrible thing. You should see how many books are stacked beside my bed just waiting to be read. And I don’t have time to read them all.”
Her gaze caressed the books lovingly. “Don’t worry, my beauties. We’ll patch the roof and keep the damp away from you and build you a nice safe home,” she crooned.
The attention she was lavishing on the books made him feel restless and . . . jealous?
He was jealous of a bunch of old books. He must be losing his mind.
now as to why i liked this
“I’m a logophile, a lover of words, as well as a book-devouring bibliophile. One might even say I suffer from bibliomania. Reading keeps the mind nimble and gives me fodder for my dictionary. Reading is my greatest pleasure in life.”
Now that was just too easy. “Spoken like a lady who hasn’t experienced real pleasures.”
“Spoken like a rogue who doesn’t read enough books. You could impress your sweethearts with a larger, more varied vocabulary at your disposal.”
“My sweethearts are more impressed by the size of . . . other things.”
She rolled her eyes.
”You make words come alive in a unique way, but I can think of hundreds of things more pleasurable than logophilia. Kissing, for one.”
“You mean osculation, the place where two curves or surfaces come into contact?”
“I mean kissing.” He dropped his gaze to her full pink lips. “What happens when lips meet, and converse, and learn a few things about each other. Wouldn’t you agree that kissing might be slightly more pleasurable than archaic words?”
She lifted her straight little nose so that her spectacles reflected his face. “I would not.”
“Spoken like a lady who’s never been kissed, or not properly kissed, at least.”
“Osculation could never be as thrilling as discovering a new word.”
“Is that a challenge, Your Ladyship?”
“It’s a certainty.”
’Her mother’s lectures on proper diet and etiquette for young ladies always made her want to eat everything in sight.’
”My mate on the Angela—”
“Will be handsomely remunerated. Get in the carriage, Wright. There are too many people staring at me.”
“It’s the bonnet.”
“Just get in the blasted carriage!”
“Tut-tut, Lady Beatrice. Such language.” His grin was filled with devilry. “I never enter carriages with strange ladies.”
She glared at him. “You’ll want to hear my offer, I assure you. I can’t force you into the carriage but my footmen could.”
“Am I being kidnapped?”
“Get. In. The. Carriage.”
He laughed. “All right, all right. You win, princess.”
the banter was the main reason i liked this obv but it realllyy still coulda been better. u could say they felt like a contemporary couple set in historical time but what do i know, i havent read that many hr either
’One thing he knew for certain: Lady Beatrice Bentley was trouble.
Flame-haired, nimble-fingered, tool-belt-wearing trouble.
She made him laugh. She was intelligent and talented.
She looked incredible in a tool belt.
But forbidden things were always alluring. And what was alluring as well was that she needed his help to best Foxton and keep this property.
Being her knight in sawdusty trousers was exhilarating.’
overall : is it better than any HR ive dnfed? not really. maybe not at all, but it was easier for me to get into ford & beatrice’s story. both characters didnt feel so prim and proper (wtf right? its clear its HR wth did i expect lmaoo) i liked em enough
October 26, 2020
The attraction of words!
First in the Wallflowers vs Rogues series. Lady Beatrice Bentley, a studious young woman whose desire is to write an etymological dictionary and not marry runs smack bang into the desire she's rarely been brave enough to think about. The attraction she experiences for the carpenter Stamford Wright, her brother Drew, Duke of Thorndon has employed, to make repairs to his Cornwall property destroyed any notion of the tranquility she'd hoped to find for her special project. Beatrice's time to pursue her word smithing for her great dictionary is precious and the permission to do this was a bargain Beatrice had reached with her mother. The point of their understanding is that when she returns to London she'll fully participate in the coming season, and not hang about amongst the pot plants avoiding all and sundry. Beatrice's mother is quite desperate to marry her off. Beatrice is quite determined to remain a spinster.
What Beatrice hasn't counted on is inheriting a dilapidated bookstore from an eccentric aunt.
With the support of her friends from the Mayfair Ladies Knitting League (Yes, more than a knitting circle!) Beatrice is determined that the building be turned into a meeting place for the club with the help of a certain 'carpenter' before he returns to the navy. One Mr. Wright no less! That situation becomes even more charged when a wealthy property developer wants the building and is ready to go to any lengths to ensure he will win.
Wright may have a roguish twinkle in his eye, enjoy reading Beatrice's gothic romances and flexing his gorgeous muscles (very hilarious) but he's nowhere near hardened rogue material. Although Beatrice and Wright's relationship does go delightfully Rogue!
A nicely executed tale taking a more original and humorous tack than most Wallflower/Bluestocking meets Rogue tropes.
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
First in the Wallflowers vs Rogues series. Lady Beatrice Bentley, a studious young woman whose desire is to write an etymological dictionary and not marry runs smack bang into the desire she's rarely been brave enough to think about. The attraction she experiences for the carpenter Stamford Wright, her brother Drew, Duke of Thorndon has employed, to make repairs to his Cornwall property destroyed any notion of the tranquility she'd hoped to find for her special project. Beatrice's time to pursue her word smithing for her great dictionary is precious and the permission to do this was a bargain Beatrice had reached with her mother. The point of their understanding is that when she returns to London she'll fully participate in the coming season, and not hang about amongst the pot plants avoiding all and sundry. Beatrice's mother is quite desperate to marry her off. Beatrice is quite determined to remain a spinster.
What Beatrice hasn't counted on is inheriting a dilapidated bookstore from an eccentric aunt.
With the support of her friends from the Mayfair Ladies Knitting League (Yes, more than a knitting circle!) Beatrice is determined that the building be turned into a meeting place for the club with the help of a certain 'carpenter' before he returns to the navy. One Mr. Wright no less! That situation becomes even more charged when a wealthy property developer wants the building and is ready to go to any lengths to ensure he will win.
Wright may have a roguish twinkle in his eye, enjoy reading Beatrice's gothic romances and flexing his gorgeous muscles (very hilarious) but he's nowhere near hardened rogue material. Although Beatrice and Wright's relationship does go delightfully Rogue!
A nicely executed tale taking a more original and humorous tack than most Wallflower/Bluestocking meets Rogue tropes.
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
October 20, 2020
I received an ARC of this book to read through Edelweiss+. All opinions are my own. Love Is A Rogue by Lenora Bell is the first book in what looks to be a captivating new series, Wallflowers vs Rogues. Wallflower Lady Beatrice Bentley wants nothing more than her mother to give up trying to find her a match so that she can retreat to the family estate in Cornwall and work on her etymological dictionary and not have to attend all the balls, routs and musicals that her mother insists are necessary. The unexpected inheritance of a bookshop specializing antiquarian volumes and manuscripts is a dream come true, but her mother wants her to sell it, a nasty developer wants the property and surprisingly, her nemesis, carpenter Stamford Wright volunteers to help her in her quest to repair the bookshop building and turn it into a ladies clubhouse. This enemies to friends to lovers story is full of humour balanced by angst and the perfect amount of steam. I enjoyed it very much. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: October 27, 2020. #LoveIsARogue #LenoraBell #HistoricalRomance #WallflowerRomance #KissingBooks #AvonRomance #HarperCollinsCanada #BooksOfHCC #bookstagram #mybookpledge #bookstagrammer
November 3, 2020
Witty, funny, sweet and steamy, this first of a new series by Lenora Bell is rich in vocabulary and carpentry competence-porn. It is assertively feminist but not too aggressive to be off-putting. Wonderful character development including redemption arcs for antagonists. My new favorite of Lenora Bell's books.
February 25, 2021
This was very fun, light hearted, low angst. Very sweet romance with a nod to beauty and the beast.
October 28, 2020
I was excited when I learned that Lady Beatrice, the bookish younger sister of the Duke of Thorndon (hero of Bell's last book, One Fine Duke) was slated to be the heroine of Love is a Rogue and even more excited when I discovered her hero would be that deliciously handsome, but annoyingly pesky, carpenter working at their family's country estate. I'm happy to report that these two gave me everything I could have hoped for...and more.
As the author has stated, Love is a Rogue is a gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast meets HGTV (pick your favorite renovation show) story and it totally works. It's also a cross-class romance which is one of my favorite tropes. And I'll toss one more trope in. It's a bit of a coming of age story for Beatrice. She's never been allowed to show her true self to the world, either verbally or physically. Books have been her best friends and though she has established close relationships with fellow wallflowers, her interactions with men are awkward at best. It was such a delight to watch her learn to spread her wings, stand her ground, and open her heart to the possibilities of life and love. Her masquerade party entrance may have had me cheering out loud.
And then there's Ford. Man, did I fall hard for this hero. He's not really a rogue but he does have roguish tendencies, such as being an incorrigible flirt. But he's an honorable man. And he sees Beatrice for who she really is. He protects her, motivates her, desires her, celebrates her. I love how he doesn't allow her to push him away, how he communicates with her, and encourages her to explore all the possibilities life has to offer.
Love is a Rogue launches Lenora Bell's Wallflowers vs Rogues series with a story that's brimming with sparkling banter, sensual passion, laugh-out-loud humor, heart-tugging emotion, and a happy ending. If you're looking for a historical romance mood lifter, don't miss Love is a Rogue.
*ARC received via NetGalley for fair and unbiased review
As the author has stated, Love is a Rogue is a gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast meets HGTV (pick your favorite renovation show) story and it totally works. It's also a cross-class romance which is one of my favorite tropes. And I'll toss one more trope in. It's a bit of a coming of age story for Beatrice. She's never been allowed to show her true self to the world, either verbally or physically. Books have been her best friends and though she has established close relationships with fellow wallflowers, her interactions with men are awkward at best. It was such a delight to watch her learn to spread her wings, stand her ground, and open her heart to the possibilities of life and love. Her masquerade party entrance may have had me cheering out loud.
And then there's Ford. Man, did I fall hard for this hero. He's not really a rogue but he does have roguish tendencies, such as being an incorrigible flirt. But he's an honorable man. And he sees Beatrice for who she really is. He protects her, motivates her, desires her, celebrates her. I love how he doesn't allow her to push him away, how he communicates with her, and encourages her to explore all the possibilities life has to offer.
Love is a Rogue launches Lenora Bell's Wallflowers vs Rogues series with a story that's brimming with sparkling banter, sensual passion, laugh-out-loud humor, heart-tugging emotion, and a happy ending. If you're looking for a historical romance mood lifter, don't miss Love is a Rogue.
*ARC received via NetGalley for fair and unbiased review
November 22, 2020
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
The wallflower sister of the Duke of Thorndon, Lady Beatrice has always known her parents would want her to marry well. But when an accident at birth left her with palsy, the duke and duchess lamented her chances, and her time at school, where she was known as Beastly Beatrice, has ensured she hates going into society. All Beatrice wants is the freedom to write her etymology dictionary in peace in the family's country seat. Well, that's all ruined when her brother's hired carpenter, Stamford Wright is left to renovate the Gothic mansion. Her peace is shattered, and the fact that Ford is as handsome as the devil doesn't help matters. They clash, again and again, but now the dowager duchess is spiriting Beatrice off towards the season, and a promised match, and Beatrice can get over her ill-advised feelings. But, when an unexpected inheritance comes Beatrice's way, and she needs a carpenter to keep a wicked business man, who just happens to be Ford's estranged grandfather, at bay, Ford is the only person she can turn to. Will they both be able to find happiness, either alone or together, or will they very different statuses in society always be at odds with reality?
This was the first book I've read by Lenora, but it will not be the last. Love is a Rogue saw two unlikely characters fall in love, and I just loved them both. Beatrice has had a hard lot in life, albeit in the pampered position as the daughter of a duke, and she wishes to have solitude and time with only her closest of friends, the Mayfair Ladies Knitting League, and matrimony does not seem to be in the cards for her. However, her mother is nothing if not tenacious, and will do just about anything to marry Beatrice off. Even resorting to blackmail, with giving Beatrice some time at her new bookstore, if she relents to taking part in the season. For Ford, he's always known that his grandfather disowned his mother for marrying beneath her, and has therefore been sensitive to class distinction. He's attracted to Beatrice, but she's well above his place in life as a navy carpenter, and son of the estate's carpenter, but still, he can't leave her to the proverbial wolves, including his own grandfather. I liked the intrigue surrounding the inheritance of the book store, and the mystery to be found in the letter, but what I found the most pleasing was how the relationship between the two formed into something real. I honestly believed their affection for each other, and hope we see much more of them in the next book in the series.
The wallflower sister of the Duke of Thorndon, Lady Beatrice has always known her parents would want her to marry well. But when an accident at birth left her with palsy, the duke and duchess lamented her chances, and her time at school, where she was known as Beastly Beatrice, has ensured she hates going into society. All Beatrice wants is the freedom to write her etymology dictionary in peace in the family's country seat. Well, that's all ruined when her brother's hired carpenter, Stamford Wright is left to renovate the Gothic mansion. Her peace is shattered, and the fact that Ford is as handsome as the devil doesn't help matters. They clash, again and again, but now the dowager duchess is spiriting Beatrice off towards the season, and a promised match, and Beatrice can get over her ill-advised feelings. But, when an unexpected inheritance comes Beatrice's way, and she needs a carpenter to keep a wicked business man, who just happens to be Ford's estranged grandfather, at bay, Ford is the only person she can turn to. Will they both be able to find happiness, either alone or together, or will they very different statuses in society always be at odds with reality?
This was the first book I've read by Lenora, but it will not be the last. Love is a Rogue saw two unlikely characters fall in love, and I just loved them both. Beatrice has had a hard lot in life, albeit in the pampered position as the daughter of a duke, and she wishes to have solitude and time with only her closest of friends, the Mayfair Ladies Knitting League, and matrimony does not seem to be in the cards for her. However, her mother is nothing if not tenacious, and will do just about anything to marry Beatrice off. Even resorting to blackmail, with giving Beatrice some time at her new bookstore, if she relents to taking part in the season. For Ford, he's always known that his grandfather disowned his mother for marrying beneath her, and has therefore been sensitive to class distinction. He's attracted to Beatrice, but she's well above his place in life as a navy carpenter, and son of the estate's carpenter, but still, he can't leave her to the proverbial wolves, including his own grandfather. I liked the intrigue surrounding the inheritance of the book store, and the mystery to be found in the letter, but what I found the most pleasing was how the relationship between the two formed into something real. I honestly believed their affection for each other, and hope we see much more of them in the next book in the series.
August 23, 2020
Bluestocking wallflower Lady Beatrice Bentley wants to be left alone to work on her etymological dictionary, but she’s distracted by the construction at her brother’s estate and the too-handsome contractor, Stamford Wright. When they reconnect in London, Beatrice needs Ford’s help and the line blurs between work and play.
This is the first book in a new series and it checked a lot of boxes for me. The characters were relatable, the banter was clever, and attraction built nicely. I was smiling most of the way through the book. I did think the ending wrapped a little too easily but I still give it 4.5 stars rounded up to five. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #LoveIsARogue #NetGalley
This is the first book in a new series and it checked a lot of boxes for me. The characters were relatable, the banter was clever, and attraction built nicely. I was smiling most of the way through the book. I did think the ending wrapped a little too easily but I still give it 4.5 stars rounded up to five. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #LoveIsARogue #NetGalley
November 18, 2020
Love Is a Rogue is the first book in the series, Wallflowers vs. Rogues by Lenora Bell.
I think the theme of the series is what I enjoyed the most.
The theme is about ladies breaking boundaries and institutions to pursue their dreams. They want more in life besides being an obligation and married off.
The first book, Love Is a Rogue is about Lady Beatrice Bentley who is in love with books and words. She wants to write her own dictionary one day and will do anything to avoid marriage, along with being a cash cow to a titled Earl or Duke that needs money.
Beatrice meets Stamford Wright, a Navy man and carpenter at her brother's estate, Thornhill House. Not only do the sparks fly but conversation is interesting for Beatrice.
Wright listens to her and acts like her words and mind are important.
But Beatrice and Wright are from two different worlds and must find a way for their love to survive.
Also in the plot, Beatrice inherits a bookstore by her estranged Aunt that just passed away. Her Aunt married for love instead of obligation and she knew how much her niece loved books!
Beatrice and Wright must figure out a why to repair the bookstore along with keeping it in Beatrice's hands. A real estate shark wants to take the property away from her.
I thought the characters were decent. The plot was okay along with the dialogue.
The book wasn't outstanding but it wasn't bad either.
3 stars right down the middle!
I will definitely read more in this series and hope to get something "more" from the upcoming books.
Love Is a Rogue was an okay book but I needed more of a spark from this one.
I think the theme of the series is what I enjoyed the most.
The theme is about ladies breaking boundaries and institutions to pursue their dreams. They want more in life besides being an obligation and married off.
The first book, Love Is a Rogue is about Lady Beatrice Bentley who is in love with books and words. She wants to write her own dictionary one day and will do anything to avoid marriage, along with being a cash cow to a titled Earl or Duke that needs money.
Beatrice meets Stamford Wright, a Navy man and carpenter at her brother's estate, Thornhill House. Not only do the sparks fly but conversation is interesting for Beatrice.
Wright listens to her and acts like her words and mind are important.
But Beatrice and Wright are from two different worlds and must find a way for their love to survive.
Also in the plot, Beatrice inherits a bookstore by her estranged Aunt that just passed away. Her Aunt married for love instead of obligation and she knew how much her niece loved books!
Beatrice and Wright must figure out a why to repair the bookstore along with keeping it in Beatrice's hands. A real estate shark wants to take the property away from her.
I thought the characters were decent. The plot was okay along with the dialogue.
The book wasn't outstanding but it wasn't bad either.
3 stars right down the middle!
I will definitely read more in this series and hope to get something "more" from the upcoming books.
Love Is a Rogue was an okay book but I needed more of a spark from this one.
August 17, 2020
Love is a Rogue by Lenora Bell reminds me why I love historical romance so greatly. Even if I’m not reading the genre as much as before, every now and then I try to get back into the fascinating world of the English countryside and fall into a beautiful love story like this one.
I love that our hero, Ford is not your usual high society lineage duke or any other nobility person. He’s so down to earth, caring,loving and most of all respects a woman’s life,heart and mind. He acknowledges her as his equal and that’s the most important thing for me, even in times where women weren’t allowed to have their own voice.
Beatrice is a wonderful character and her personality is a perfect mix between stubborn and strong but also loving and sensitive or better said feminine.
Their interaction is so good and many times I had laughed out loud as well as felt the heartache. The balance is very well done and you just can't seem to stop needing more from them.
Wonderful characters, witty banter, funny moments and romantic happily ever after story.
I love that our hero, Ford is not your usual high society lineage duke or any other nobility person. He’s so down to earth, caring,loving and most of all respects a woman’s life,heart and mind. He acknowledges her as his equal and that’s the most important thing for me, even in times where women weren’t allowed to have their own voice.
Beatrice is a wonderful character and her personality is a perfect mix between stubborn and strong but also loving and sensitive or better said feminine.
Their interaction is so good and many times I had laughed out loud as well as felt the heartache. The balance is very well done and you just can't seem to stop needing more from them.
Wonderful characters, witty banter, funny moments and romantic happily ever after story.
January 12, 2021
I found myself skimming and uninterested by 40%. The dialogue felt modern and stiff, I'm not a stickler for 100% accurate historical romances but this was loosely historical. I did like Ford although I would not consider him a rogue. The pacing of their romance had a nice build up and the sexy time scenes were done well but I was not invested at all in their relationship.
October 23, 2022
Lady Beatrice Bentley has no interest in society events or in making a good match as her overbearing mother insists she should. Beatrice merely wishes to become a spinster and live quietly on her brother’s ducal estate in Cornwall where she can work on her etymological dictionary in peace. Too bad she only has the summer to enjoy this seclusion and her quiet tranquility is interrupted by the noise of construction being done on the estate by the handsome distraction of a carpenter.
Stamford Wright is a Navy ship’s carpenter and soon to be officer helping his injured father complete the work that needed doing on the duke’s estate until he recovers. Ford knows he’s miles apart from the lady he admires in the library’s window each day, plus he’s leaving for London soon and then on to parts unknown when his new ship is ready. But when he crosses paths with Beatrice again in London, Ford can’t resist offering his skills at renovating the bookshop she’s inherited from an unknown aunt. Not only will he earn enough money to finally purchase land of his own, but this project will also spoil his greedy estranged grandfather’s hopes of buying the building and turning the block it occupies into a factory. Ford just has to make sure his relationship with Beatrice remains strictly professional and he refrains from turning their passionate arguments into anything more.
I enjoyed this couple, but the heroine really had to grow on me. I found Ford to be a charming hero and his protectiveness over Beatrice was endearing. I think he got a bad rap and it was unfair how much Beatrice referred to him as a rogue despite his not doing anything to earn the appellation. For much of the story Beatrice was just downright rude to Ford. They seemed a rather odd couple and for a while there I wasn’t sure why Ford kept sticking around for it. Beatrice’s character was drawn with an extremely heavy hand and she almost felt like a very misplaced caricature of modern feminism. At the same time, despite professing all this independence, Beatrice was utterly and so easily cowed by her mother time and again. She also displayed an extremely rigid and much too short-sighted plan for her future. These characteristics just didn’t seem to jive with her fierce determination to be her own person. Also, I too adore books (obviously), but the way Beatrice talks to them just made her seem like even more of a ridiculous caricature when we were meant to be taking her more seriously. In many instances, Beatrice just came off as rude and entitled, for instance in her attempts to tell Ford how to do his job, despite knowing nothing about it herself.
I didn’t wind up liking this heroine until the last quarter of the book or so when she finally started standing up for herself and being her own person in truth. The ending for this odd couple did feel a bit rushed to me, with all obstacles falling away with shocking ease and very little recompense or apology from Ford’s greedy grandfather or Beatrice’s awful mother, who deserved to be put in her place at the very least. All that said, Ford became one of my most memorable heroes thanks to one scene in which, after a misunderstanding, an angry Beatrice tells him to leave and instead he goes to her and explains everything and they work things out through communication like mature adults. I loved that particular scene and the fact that these two chose to be together and make it work no matter the differences standing between them. Despite my mixed feelings, this was an interesting start to a new series, and I look forward to the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Stamford Wright is a Navy ship’s carpenter and soon to be officer helping his injured father complete the work that needed doing on the duke’s estate until he recovers. Ford knows he’s miles apart from the lady he admires in the library’s window each day, plus he’s leaving for London soon and then on to parts unknown when his new ship is ready. But when he crosses paths with Beatrice again in London, Ford can’t resist offering his skills at renovating the bookshop she’s inherited from an unknown aunt. Not only will he earn enough money to finally purchase land of his own, but this project will also spoil his greedy estranged grandfather’s hopes of buying the building and turning the block it occupies into a factory. Ford just has to make sure his relationship with Beatrice remains strictly professional and he refrains from turning their passionate arguments into anything more.
I enjoyed this couple, but the heroine really had to grow on me. I found Ford to be a charming hero and his protectiveness over Beatrice was endearing. I think he got a bad rap and it was unfair how much Beatrice referred to him as a rogue despite his not doing anything to earn the appellation. For much of the story Beatrice was just downright rude to Ford. They seemed a rather odd couple and for a while there I wasn’t sure why Ford kept sticking around for it. Beatrice’s character was drawn with an extremely heavy hand and she almost felt like a very misplaced caricature of modern feminism. At the same time, despite professing all this independence, Beatrice was utterly and so easily cowed by her mother time and again. She also displayed an extremely rigid and much too short-sighted plan for her future. These characteristics just didn’t seem to jive with her fierce determination to be her own person. Also, I too adore books (obviously), but the way Beatrice talks to them just made her seem like even more of a ridiculous caricature when we were meant to be taking her more seriously. In many instances, Beatrice just came off as rude and entitled, for instance in her attempts to tell Ford how to do his job, despite knowing nothing about it herself.
I didn’t wind up liking this heroine until the last quarter of the book or so when she finally started standing up for herself and being her own person in truth. The ending for this odd couple did feel a bit rushed to me, with all obstacles falling away with shocking ease and very little recompense or apology from Ford’s greedy grandfather or Beatrice’s awful mother, who deserved to be put in her place at the very least. All that said, Ford became one of my most memorable heroes thanks to one scene in which, after a misunderstanding, an angry Beatrice tells him to leave and instead he goes to her and explains everything and they work things out through communication like mature adults. I loved that particular scene and the fact that these two chose to be together and make it work no matter the differences standing between them. Despite my mixed feelings, this was an interesting start to a new series, and I look forward to the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 16, 2020
No! No. No!
I couldn't find the strength to finish this because of the MCs. This couple, Lady Beatrice Bentley and Stamford Wright, would have never worked out and as the story progressed, it was difficult to envision a relationship between them.
A bibliophile and a scoundrel? Nope. I love the opposites attract trope as much as the next reader but our heroine was in another stratosphere. Incompatible is putting it lightly and the main characters differences negatively impacted my thoughts about them and this book itself.
To add on, this novel was not engaging. I was bored and disinterested and left scratching my head on the 'romance' segment of this read. It didn't do it for me for obvious reasons and I can only hope with the next installment, I can find a deeper connection or attachment with the characters, plot and storyline.
October 5, 2022
Just getting around to reviewing this read. I've read another series by Lenora Bell and thought it was a good read. So when I saw this story and some of the reviews, I thought it would be worth the read and received a copy from a club friend to get a chance to do so.
Unfortunately, not sure what the hype was and I read it twice since the time I received it but still it was lacking and just okay. Sad to give this one a 2-Stars but it just didn't appeal to me although like I said, I read it twice to confirm my thoughts.
Hopefully others in this series are better.
Unfortunately, not sure what the hype was and I read it twice since the time I received it but still it was lacking and just okay. Sad to give this one a 2-Stars but it just didn't appeal to me although like I said, I read it twice to confirm my thoughts.
Hopefully others in this series are better.
September 14, 2021
This book has got a sexy naval carpenter, a bookshop with secret passages and erotic novels, a bluestocking society, some home reno, and some desk sex. So yeah, we both liked this one just fine! We disagreed on HOW MUCH, though. Laine was very into it, while Meg found the surface-level story just OK.
16-Word Summaries:
Laine: A bookshop is pretty much the most romantic place I can think of, especially for sex.
Meg: The best thing about sexy historical naval carpenters? Probably that they’re very good with their hands.
16-Word Summaries:
Laine: A bookshop is pretty much the most romantic place I can think of, especially for sex.
Meg: The best thing about sexy historical naval carpenters? Probably that they’re very good with their hands.
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