The Rook

THE ROOK is the fourth instalment in Nana Malone’s contemporary, adult GENTLEMEN ROGUES erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on a Black Ops group known as The Rogues, a part of a division of Oversight. This is twenty-two year old IT specialist and Rogue member Westin St. James, and twenty year old college student Nissa Montgomery’s story line. THE ROOK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but there is an ongoing premise running throughout.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nissa and Westin) using present day and memories from the past, THE ROOK follows the second chance relationship between Westin St. James and Nissa Montgomery. Westin St. James’ was sent to live with his godfather Julian Montgomery in the wake of the death of his beloved parents but never expected to come face to face with Julian’s illegitimate daughter Nissa, a young girl Julian laid claim to, abandoning Nissa’s older sister in the process. For several years, Nissa and Westin were best friends then lovers until the day Westin was pulled into a world he knew nothing about. Fearing for his life, and the life of his childhood best friend, Westin ran, leaving a heart broken Nissa behind. Fast forward four years, Westin is now an IT specialist with the Dark Ops group known as The Rogues, a group that was searching for something Julian Montgomery had in his possession. Forcing Westin to return to the scene of his childhood heart break, Westin would become Nissa’s guardian and protector, protector to a woman who refused to accept Westin’s return in her life. As Westin struggled to protect the woman with whom he was still in love, Nissa made it her mission to make Westin’s life a proverbial mess, a mess that would become dangerous and deadly for everyone involved. What ensues is the acrimonious but rebuilding romance and relationship between Nissa and Westin, and the potential fall-out as Nissa finds herself working against Westin, in the hopes of taking down the father she hates.

Nissa Montgomery despises her father as well as the man he hired to protect her. Nissa is a little bit TSTL (too stupid to live) placing herself in danger but for all intents and purposes, Westin is unable to, or refuses to reveal the truth, a truth that may have helped with Nissa’s acceptance and trust. Westin St. James battled between head and heart the day he was forced out of Nissa’s life but to protect the people he loved including our story line heroine, Westin ran without looking back. Reconnecting with Nissa meant possible breaking the heart of the woman he loved, a heart that had yet to forgive and forget. As Nissa continues to search for the only sister she had ever known, secrets reveal and possible connection to the boy she once loved.

The relationship between Nissa and Westin is a childhood best friends, one-time lovers, enemies to lovers relationship in which Westin is working for Julian Montgomery, a position in which he hopes to uncover the truth. Nissa doesn’t want a bodyguard but someone is threatening Julian Montgomery, using his daughter as potential collateral. Westin had never stopped loving our story line heroine but convincing her he wasn’t the bad guy meant revealing the truth about what happened and why. The $ex scenes are passionate and provocative without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to the head of the Rogues division Gabe Webb; Lachlan King and Saffron Abbott (The Heir/The King), Lock, Tabatha, as well as Nissa’s father Julian Montgomery; housekeeper Mrs. Pembry; crime boss Antonio Igno, as well as Nyla Kincade, Interpol Agent.

THE ROOK is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and greed, forgiveness and love. The premise is intriguing, captivating and riveting; the characters are dynamic and determined; the romance is seductive.

This book is part of the Gentlemen Rogues Series, a Romantic Suspense. Nissa and Westin's second chance to love is fast-paced, passionate, suspenseful, and entertaining, filled with mystery, secrets, and twists and turns. Nissa is beautiful, strong, and smart. Westin, her bodyguard, is very handsome, and protective. I liked their push and pull relationship, and banter. They are perfect together. The supporting characters are great, and they have an important part in the story. I loved to see again the characters from the first books in the series. The Gentlemen Rogues are handsome. The world building is captivating. I loved this entertaining story. This series is amazing. Looking forward to more in the series.