A Rogue of One's Own
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
“Dunmore is my new find in historical romance. Her A League of Extraordinary Women series is extraordinary.”—Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“This series balances friendship, politics, history, and romance in just the right mix.”—U.S. Representative Katie Porter
An Indie Next/LibraryReads pick!
An Apple Must Listen Audiobook for September!
A lady must have money and an army of her own if she is to win a revolution—but first, she must pit her wits against the wiles of an irresistible rogue bent on wrecking her plans…and her heart.
Lady Lucie is fuming. She and her band of Oxford suffragists have finally scraped together enough capital to control one of London’s major publishing houses, with one purpose: to use it in a coup against Parliament. But who could have predicted that the one person standing between her and success is her old nemesis and London’s undisputed lord of sin, Lord Ballentine? Or that he would be willing to hand over the reins for an outrageous price—a night in her bed.
Lucie tempts Tristan like no other woman, burning him up with her fierceness and determination every time they clash. But as their battle of wills and words fans the flames of long-smoldering devotion, the silver-tongued seducer runs the risk of becoming caught in his own snare.
As Lucie tries to out-maneuver Tristan in the boardroom and the bedchamber, she soon discovers there’s truth in what the poets say: all is fair in love and war…
"Rich with subplot, historical detail and beautifully descriptive writing that keeps the pages turning until the delightfully unconventional happy ending."—NPR
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
All the elements that made Bringing Down the Duke such a delight are present in Dunmore's smart, sexy second League of Extraordinary Women romance, but an unwieldy plot puts a slight damper on the fun. After all the reputable newspapers of Victorian England refuse to publish a report on the horrors wrought by the Married Women's Property Act, firebrand Lady Lucie Tedbury buys shares in a publishing house of her own. Unfortunately, her fellow shareholder reveals himself to be Lord Tristan Ballentine, Lucie's childhood nemesis, now a war hero, celebrated poet, and notorious rake. Tristan needs the income of the publishing house to free himself from his abusive father's financial control, so he's not about to let Lucie sink the business with radical reportage. The war left Tristan hardened, but not so much so that Lucie, his childhood infatuation, doesn't stir him. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic is electric and steers the book through a pileup of romance tropes, half-baked mysteries, and underdeveloped secondary characters (notably including Tristan's Indian manservant and a spurned gay villain). Still, Dunmore's prose sparkles, the sex scenes sizzle, the heroine stands tall, and historical details and literary allusions (including a cute cameo from Oscar Wilde) add charm. It's a bumpy ride, but there are moments of brilliance.
Customer Reviews
An endearing childhood love story
I surprisingly enjoyed this novel more than the first of the series. Though the first half of the book drags on a little too long if you stay with it you won't be disappointed. From the moment Tristan meets Lucie as children his world tips on its axis. The connection is instant though Tristan’s childhood makes it hard for him to get closer to her. And as you read the book it’s wonderful to read between the lines and notice how that shaped him throughout his life. It was always Lucie for him. The built-up of their relationship is well paced and their banter is funny. In between all of this you get to learn a bit about suffrage organizing, and Lucie is inspired by a real person in the movement.
Evie Dunmore
I am so excited to have found another author who writes a really good story, with excellent characters, and involving ideas that are important to think about. And always proving , in the face of the problems of the world, that love is indeed an essential ingredient for facing, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. No matter what historical time you are in.
Loved!
Loved this book. I hope there will be a book in the future where we can see Lucie marry.