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Publication
Books on Tape (2012), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, 11 CDs, 13 hrs 12 mins
Description
What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets. . . A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance-including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury. A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to an unexplored world of pleasures. Bourne may be a prince of London's illicit underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness-a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . .even her heart.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member bragan
Ten years ago, in 1821, the aristocratic Michael Bourne lost his entire inheritance in a card game. Ever since, he has desired nothing more than to reclaim his land and extract his revenge on the man who took it from him. But recently that land was sold to the daughter of Micheal's estranged
Yes, it's a romance novel. I... am not a romance novel reader. But I was sort of challenged to expand my horizons a little with this book, and never let it be said I backed down from a bookish challenge, or from a bit of literary horizon expanding. The verdict? It was okay. The heroine was decent, neither a soppy damsel in distress nor a 21st century woman in 19th century clothing. The sex scenes were actually a bit sexy, which I find is often not the case for me, and were mercifully free of "throbbing manhood"s or other embarrassing euphemisms. And there was even the vague semblance of a plot, what with all the stuff about the inheritance and the revenge. (OK, it was a very vague semblance, but that's still more than I expected.)
There are some flaws, though. MacLean has this odd writing tic, where any time her characters get introspective or emotional she starts writing these choppy little one-sentence paragraphs and italicizing entire sentences for no particularly good reason. But that turned out to be less annoying than I though it would be; after a while, I mostly stopped noticing it. A slightly bigger issue is that Michael was rather more of a jerk than he should have been if I was supposed to be invested in him enough to care about breaking through the jerky exterior to the less-jerky man underneath. (Although at least there are decent reasons for Penelope to be that invested.) My main complaint, though, is that it drags a bit in the middle, where we're treated to a few too many repetitions of "Ooh, he cares about me after all! No, wait, he is just using me. Woe!" from her and "No, I must not get emotionally involved!" from him, before all the romantic tension resolves itself a bit too abruptly. But maybe that's just par for the course for this sort of thing. The romantic dialog also gets kind of over-the-top mushy at the end, but I imagine that's also to be expected.
Anyway. It was overall an okay read, and not off-putting, as I feared it might be. I'm guessing that for fans of romance this is a good one, but it's still not really my sort of thing. There's a clear hook at the end for a sequel, featuring the sister of this book's heroine, but I'm going to stop here and call it a day on the romance reading.
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childhood friend, Penelope, and her father is now offering it as part of her dowry. So, of course, Michael determines to marry her, even though she has been holding out for a man she truly loves.Yes, it's a romance novel. I... am not a romance novel reader. But I was sort of challenged to expand my horizons a little with this book, and never let it be said I backed down from a bookish challenge, or from a bit of literary horizon expanding. The verdict? It was okay. The heroine was decent, neither a soppy damsel in distress nor a 21st century woman in 19th century clothing. The sex scenes were actually a bit sexy, which I find is often not the case for me, and were mercifully free of "throbbing manhood"s or other embarrassing euphemisms. And there was even the vague semblance of a plot, what with all the stuff about the inheritance and the revenge. (OK, it was a very vague semblance, but that's still more than I expected.)
There are some flaws, though. MacLean has this odd writing tic, where any time her characters get introspective or emotional she starts writing these choppy little one-sentence paragraphs and italicizing entire sentences for no particularly good reason. But that turned out to be less annoying than I though it would be; after a while, I mostly stopped noticing it. A slightly bigger issue is that Michael was rather more of a jerk than he should have been if I was supposed to be invested in him enough to care about breaking through the jerky exterior to the less-jerky man underneath. (Although at least there are decent reasons for Penelope to be that invested.) My main complaint, though, is that it drags a bit in the middle, where we're treated to a few too many repetitions of "Ooh, he cares about me after all! No, wait, he is just using me. Woe!" from her and "No, I must not get emotionally involved!" from him, before all the romantic tension resolves itself a bit too abruptly. But maybe that's just par for the course for this sort of thing. The romantic dialog also gets kind of over-the-top mushy at the end, but I imagine that's also to be expected.
Anyway. It was overall an okay read, and not off-putting, as I feared it might be. I'm guessing that for fans of romance this is a good one, but it's still not really my sort of thing. There's a clear hook at the end for a sequel, featuring the sister of this book's heroine, but I'm going to stop here and call it a day on the romance reading.
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LibraryThing member Samchan
My level of frustration with A Rogue by Any Other Name was sky high, and it was absolutely unexpected because I loved the only other Sarah MacLean book I have read, Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart. In my write-up of that book, I had noted that MacLean writes well and is able to do
And yet, holy crap! It took me *hours* to get through the first two chapters because I kept having to put it down to copy all of the cheesy language into my notebook or just close the book and…grimace at it. Seriously. This was not an auspicious start, to say the least.
No, romance novels don’t have to achieve literary greatness; I understand and have always set my expectations accordingly. I only expect genre books to build a world that’s convincing, include action that’s entertaining, and use language that doesn’t *get in the way* of readers’ enjoyment of the first two points (by being so brazenly bad). All too frequently, the language here was embarrassing; it confirmed every stereotype that haters use to deride romance novels, which is a shame since a lot of other books are excellent.
One problem that I had with the book eventually petered out after the first two chapters, but I have to raise it here because it was my first stumbling block. MacLean kept following a regular sentence with a very short one (as a way to reiterate or add onto the previous sentence), like these quotes from Chapter One (page numbers from the large-print edition):
(15) “As though nothing he had wagered had ever been his to begin with. Bourne understood.”
(16) “Notifying him that Temple would not have to fight that evening. Bourne would have it instead.”
(16) “He knew that Croix couldn’t resist the urge to wager. The temptation to win.”
(23) “Now, a decade later, he did not care. He wanted his revenge. The revenge he’d been waiting for.”
Look at these! All in quick succession! There were way more examples beyond these. Why is this a problem? It reads as cheesy, overwrought writing. It’s as if someone’s talking, and says the second sentence in a low, over-dramatic voice. But at least MacLean lays off this style in subsequent chapters.
The other problem that I had was MacLean’s abuse and misuse of italics. This one was unforgivable because it occurred throughout the entire book. What the hell? It may be an exaggeration to say that every other sentence was italicized, but italics were used so, so, frequently to the point of being a motherfucking distraction. It wasn’t as if MacLean was using them as way to differentiate between characters’ inner thoughts and dialogue either, so that can’t be the excuse. Italics are typically used for emphasis, to convey emotion or to distinguish those words from the others. But promiscuously using them here, there, everywhere, just makes the passages read cheesy-like. There was nothing meaningful about what she was supposedly highlighting.
What’s puzzling is that MacLean can write well, and there are tons of passages where she displayed this skill. So I have to chalk up the problems that I had with the book to the most plausible explanation: MacLean purposefully made these stylistic choices. I went back to skim Eleven Scandals to see if these stylistic quirks were present there, and the fucking italics were indeed used there as well. So I guess I was in a more indulgent mood when I read that one…or they were just more appropriately employed.
The pacing of this book was a bit off as well. MacLean seemed to worry some scenes to death, scenes that didn’t have to be as long as they were because they were boring and didn’t shed any new light on the characters’ thoughts that we didn’t already know about from previous scenes.
The description of Bourne as “cold” or “hard” or “cold and hard” abounded. You’d think someone could’ve used a thesaurus to change it up a bit.
And now for the plot points. Once Bourne and Penelope met up after nine years and get married, I was engaged despite my fixation on the writing. The different layers of the characters’ inner lives, their hang-ups, the dynamics between the hero and heroine, etc. reminded me of why I liked Eleven Scandals. Nothing felt one-note or superficial at all. I thought the use of the letters that Penelope and Bourne wrote to one another as kids underscored how much their relationship had changed, making their current situation all the more heartbreaking. I got excited about their plans to concoct a story of their great love to fool society, but meh, that angle was executed in a pretty "blah" manner.
Two-thirds of the way through, the plot seemed to go off the rails a bit as well, becoming too scattered. The angst near the end became too interminable and tiresome that it was all I could do to skim the remaining pages just to get to the end and be done with it.
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character development and motivation in a very nuanced and believable way. That was a five-star read for me. So book one of this new series should’ve been at the very least passable, right? And yet, holy crap! It took me *hours* to get through the first two chapters because I kept having to put it down to copy all of the cheesy language into my notebook or just close the book and…grimace at it. Seriously. This was not an auspicious start, to say the least.
No, romance novels don’t have to achieve literary greatness; I understand and have always set my expectations accordingly. I only expect genre books to build a world that’s convincing, include action that’s entertaining, and use language that doesn’t *get in the way* of readers’ enjoyment of the first two points (by being so brazenly bad). All too frequently, the language here was embarrassing; it confirmed every stereotype that haters use to deride romance novels, which is a shame since a lot of other books are excellent.
One problem that I had with the book eventually petered out after the first two chapters, but I have to raise it here because it was my first stumbling block. MacLean kept following a regular sentence with a very short one (as a way to reiterate or add onto the previous sentence), like these quotes from Chapter One (page numbers from the large-print edition):
(15) “As though nothing he had wagered had ever been his to begin with. Bourne understood.”
(16) “Notifying him that Temple would not have to fight that evening. Bourne would have it instead.”
(16) “He knew that Croix couldn’t resist the urge to wager. The temptation to win.”
(23) “Now, a decade later, he did not care. He wanted his revenge. The revenge he’d been waiting for.”
Look at these! All in quick succession! There were way more examples beyond these. Why is this a problem? It reads as cheesy, overwrought writing. It’s as if someone’s talking, and says the second sentence in a low, over-dramatic voice. But at least MacLean lays off this style in subsequent chapters.
The other problem that I had was MacLean’s abuse and misuse of italics. This one was unforgivable because it occurred throughout the entire book. What the hell? It may be an exaggeration to say that every other sentence was italicized, but italics were used so, so, frequently to the point of being a motherfucking distraction. It wasn’t as if MacLean was using them as way to differentiate between characters’ inner thoughts and dialogue either, so that can’t be the excuse. Italics are typically used for emphasis, to convey emotion or to distinguish those words from the others. But promiscuously using them here, there, everywhere, just makes the passages read cheesy-like. There was nothing meaningful about what she was supposedly highlighting.
What’s puzzling is that MacLean can write well, and there are tons of passages where she displayed this skill. So I have to chalk up the problems that I had with the book to the most plausible explanation: MacLean purposefully made these stylistic choices. I went back to skim Eleven Scandals to see if these stylistic quirks were present there, and the fucking italics were indeed used there as well. So I guess I was in a more indulgent mood when I read that one…or they were just more appropriately employed.
The pacing of this book was a bit off as well. MacLean seemed to worry some scenes to death, scenes that didn’t have to be as long as they were because they were boring and didn’t shed any new light on the characters’ thoughts that we didn’t already know about from previous scenes.
The description of Bourne as “cold” or “hard” or “cold and hard” abounded. You’d think someone could’ve used a thesaurus to change it up a bit.
And now for the plot points. Once Bourne and Penelope met up after nine years and get married, I was engaged despite my fixation on the writing. The different layers of the characters’ inner lives, their hang-ups, the dynamics between the hero and heroine, etc. reminded me of why I liked Eleven Scandals. Nothing felt one-note or superficial at all. I thought the use of the letters that Penelope and Bourne wrote to one another as kids underscored how much their relationship had changed, making their current situation all the more heartbreaking. I got excited about their plans to concoct a story of their great love to fool society, but meh, that angle was executed in a pretty "blah" manner.
Two-thirds of the way through, the plot seemed to go off the rails a bit as well, becoming too scattered. The angst near the end became too interminable and tiresome that it was all I could do to skim the remaining pages just to get to the end and be done with it.
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LibraryThing member bookwormygirl
Michael, the Marquess of Bourne, lost everything one night in a game of cards. Ten years later, he has not only surpassed the wealth he lost, but he is also one of the owners of an exclusive gaming hell called The Fallen Angel. Bent on revenge and the need to gain back all he has lost, he finds
Sarah MacLean can do no wrong!! I love and own everything she's ever written for a reason... she's awesome!! Her books are awesome!! Her characters are awesome!! Need I say more?
As a big fan of Ms. MacLean's Love By Numbers series, I was overjoyed to learn that she would have a breakout series - The Rules of Scoundrels:
"Four scoundrels, each whispered about in ballrooms across London. Four aristocrats, each exiled from society, now royalty in the London underworld. Four loves, powerful enough to tame the darkness... and bring these fallen angels back into the light."
Michael and Penelope were wonderful. Michael was dark and brooding - he's tormented, sarcastic and jaded (I love 'em like that!) and treats Penelope at arms length. He's a man with one thing on his mind... revenge, and nothing will stand in the way of him avenging himself. Penelope is feisty and witty and so full of life. I loved how proper she was even when Michael had her at her wits end.
I adore stories of childhood friends becoming lovers and I especially loved reading Penelope and Michael's letters at the beginning of each chapter. I think it was splendidly done how you get to know their past through their letters without getting full chapters reminiscing on their time as children growing up.
As with all her characters, Ms. MacLean makes you fall head over heels for them. Michael and Penelope's love story was swoon worthy. Michael was such a tormented character - it was hard not to feel as emotionally wrought out as Penelope was when it came to her feelings for him.
These are the types of characters you become invested in - feeling their hurts and joys just as much as they do. Their happily-ever-after was a hard one to come by which made it even sweeter in the end.
I cannot wait to see what Ms. MacLean has up her sleeves for the other three scoundrels in the series. I shall anxiously be awaiting the next in the series - One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. eeek!
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that he cannot pass up the chance at winning back his ancestral home, he'll do anything it takes to get it back, even if it means acquiring a wife in the process. Lady Penelope Marbury understands that spinsterhood awaits her. She's dealt with a broken engagement and boring courtships that have left her pining for something more. When her childhood friend Michael, whisks her away one night promising adventure and the illicit pleasures of the London underworld, she finds his promises too hard to resist. Sarah MacLean can do no wrong!! I love and own everything she's ever written for a reason... she's awesome!! Her books are awesome!! Her characters are awesome!! Need I say more?
As a big fan of Ms. MacLean's Love By Numbers series, I was overjoyed to learn that she would have a breakout series - The Rules of Scoundrels:
"Four scoundrels, each whispered about in ballrooms across London. Four aristocrats, each exiled from society, now royalty in the London underworld. Four loves, powerful enough to tame the darkness... and bring these fallen angels back into the light."
Michael and Penelope were wonderful. Michael was dark and brooding - he's tormented, sarcastic and jaded (I love 'em like that!) and treats Penelope at arms length. He's a man with one thing on his mind... revenge, and nothing will stand in the way of him avenging himself. Penelope is feisty and witty and so full of life. I loved how proper she was even when Michael had her at her wits end.
I adore stories of childhood friends becoming lovers and I especially loved reading Penelope and Michael's letters at the beginning of each chapter. I think it was splendidly done how you get to know their past through their letters without getting full chapters reminiscing on their time as children growing up.
As with all her characters, Ms. MacLean makes you fall head over heels for them. Michael and Penelope's love story was swoon worthy. Michael was such a tormented character - it was hard not to feel as emotionally wrought out as Penelope was when it came to her feelings for him.
These are the types of characters you become invested in - feeling their hurts and joys just as much as they do. Their happily-ever-after was a hard one to come by which made it even sweeter in the end.
I cannot wait to see what Ms. MacLean has up her sleeves for the other three scoundrels in the series. I shall anxiously be awaiting the next in the series - One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. eeek!
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LibraryThing member kasey007
Sarah MacLean has a new series of books about fallen angels. These four aristocrats whose scandals have exiled them from society are now princes of the underworld. Lords Bourne, Temple, Chase, and Cross have become the powerful owners of the gaming club The Fallen Angel. This first book, A Rogue by
In 1821 Bourne was just out of school when he caught the gambling bug. With one card he lost everything but his title to his guardian, Viscount Langford. This action cast him out of society, out of his home, and into poverty. In the underworld he worked tirelessly to gain the funds to restore his inheritance. He became a ruthless partner in a gambling club, The Fallen Angel. Ten years later his opportunity for revenge presents itself. He not only has a shot at regaining his ancestral home, Falconwell, but also taking revenge on Viscount Langford.
Bourne is willing to do whatever it takes, even marrying to gain Falconwell. The Marquess of Needham & Dolby has sweetened the dowry of his oldest daughter, Penelope Marbury. Penny has been always been the good daughter. In fact, she has been in love with her childhood friend, Michael, but did not have the courage to defy her parents and society when Michael was disgraced. She was supposed to marry the Duke of Leighton, but he threw her over to marry for love. Since then, she hasn't had many prospects. And adding Falconwell to the pot will certainly entice a man to marry a twenty-eight-year-old with a broken engagement in her past.
After being compromised by Michael, Penny realizes that she is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Bourne is not the Michael she remembers. So she makes the best of a bad situation. She agrees to marry Bourne on the condition that the scandal of their marriage doesn't affect her sisters, that he reenter society, and that he find suitable husbands for her two unmarried sisters. Penelope gambles that she can give Bourne a happy and good marriage, that the Michael she knew and loved as a child has not died. However, that involves getting Michael to give up his plan of revenge and to chose a life with her.
This was novel filled with adventure and romance. I learned a bit more about the seedier side of London, plus I liked these two childhood friends. Their "love match" starts out as a lie and turns into something each character deserves--a loving and happy partnership. Penny grows more courageous and adventurous and Michael discovers that revenge is not worth the possibilitly of losing the love of one's life.
According to her web site MacLean is at work on the next book in the series: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. I look forward to reading another fallen angel's love story.
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Any Other Name: The First Rule of Scoundrels, is the story of Michael Lawler, the Marquess of Bourne who learns that love is more powerful than revenge.In 1821 Bourne was just out of school when he caught the gambling bug. With one card he lost everything but his title to his guardian, Viscount Langford. This action cast him out of society, out of his home, and into poverty. In the underworld he worked tirelessly to gain the funds to restore his inheritance. He became a ruthless partner in a gambling club, The Fallen Angel. Ten years later his opportunity for revenge presents itself. He not only has a shot at regaining his ancestral home, Falconwell, but also taking revenge on Viscount Langford.
Bourne is willing to do whatever it takes, even marrying to gain Falconwell. The Marquess of Needham & Dolby has sweetened the dowry of his oldest daughter, Penelope Marbury. Penny has been always been the good daughter. In fact, she has been in love with her childhood friend, Michael, but did not have the courage to defy her parents and society when Michael was disgraced. She was supposed to marry the Duke of Leighton, but he threw her over to marry for love. Since then, she hasn't had many prospects. And adding Falconwell to the pot will certainly entice a man to marry a twenty-eight-year-old with a broken engagement in her past.
After being compromised by Michael, Penny realizes that she is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Bourne is not the Michael she remembers. So she makes the best of a bad situation. She agrees to marry Bourne on the condition that the scandal of their marriage doesn't affect her sisters, that he reenter society, and that he find suitable husbands for her two unmarried sisters. Penelope gambles that she can give Bourne a happy and good marriage, that the Michael she knew and loved as a child has not died. However, that involves getting Michael to give up his plan of revenge and to chose a life with her.
This was novel filled with adventure and romance. I learned a bit more about the seedier side of London, plus I liked these two childhood friends. Their "love match" starts out as a lie and turns into something each character deserves--a loving and happy partnership. Penny grows more courageous and adventurous and Michael discovers that revenge is not worth the possibilitly of losing the love of one's life.
According to her web site MacLean is at work on the next book in the series: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. I look forward to reading another fallen angel's love story.
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LibraryThing member stephaniechase
Maclean’s latest focuses on Lady Penelope Marbury, years after she was jilted by the Duke of Leighton (as told in Maclean’s previous book, Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart). Michael, Marquess of Bourne, lost his inheritance his devious guardian, and, since then, has increased
With her trademark humor and wit, Maclean offers up another heroine in the vein of Austen: smart, plucky, and opinionated, but all too familiar with the strictures society places on her. The challenges Penelope faces in her marriage to Bourne are at turns frustrating and heartwarming, and the growth and change in Penelope and Bourne’s marriage makes for a read that is at turns fun, engrossing, and steamy.
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his funds and his notoriety -- but not his respectability -- by running one of London’s most exclusive gaming hells. Still, he wants what he does not have: social standing, and his childhood home, which has been offered up as part of his childhood friend Penelope’s dowry. Naturally, he kidnaps Penelope and marries her, and she pretends to all it is a love match.With her trademark humor and wit, Maclean offers up another heroine in the vein of Austen: smart, plucky, and opinionated, but all too familiar with the strictures society places on her. The challenges Penelope faces in her marriage to Bourne are at turns frustrating and heartwarming, and the growth and change in Penelope and Bourne’s marriage makes for a read that is at turns fun, engrossing, and steamy.
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LibraryThing member lifeafterjane
It took me a lot longer than I expected to make peace with this book. I went into it expecting nothing less than instant love and further fodder for my MacLean fangirlism, so it came as quite a shock when instalove failed to happen. What was even more surprising was that when the book was finished,
Penelope is a far cry from MacLean’s traditional heroines which are of the stubborn, pig-headed, gutsy variety. Penelope was an overly self-conscious, insecure, bullied woman who felt nothing was due to her, not even her own happiness. She was so extremely pitiful at times that I started to wonder if the self-loathing really was going to be the sum total of her character traits, leaving no room for any of the traits I’ve come to expect in a MacLean leading lady. Whenever she was given an opportunity to display some gumption, her attempts were still flimsy and she never really stopped asking permission or seeking acceptance.
I was equally as disenamored with Bourne, our unscrupulous bad boy whose past and present misdeeds have left him out of favor with the highly judgmental ton. A leading man who is a notorious rake, has a colorful past and leads a slightly suspect life are traits of the standard issue romance hero. These things are perfectly acceptable in a playboy but Bourne’s character was just…mean! He was entirely unpolished, heartless and his treatment of Penelope bordered on abusive. The dry, sarcastic, often boorish, MacLean hero with his devil-may-care attitude never appeared and I was left struggling to find any sympathy or connection with him.
Oddly enough, some of my favorite moments in the book occurred at times when Penelope was at her least likable. Her opinion of herself is so very low that there were instances where my heart nearly broke at her acceptance of deserving so very little in life. I hurt for her to the point of tears and I can’t help but wish more for her than what (and who) she ultimately ended up with. This is sad because their past relationship was so much more intriguing than their current one. I absolutely adored, with all the adoration there is, the letters at the beginning of each chapter. I’m such a dunce. I didn’t even realize who it was she was writing to until about halfway in.
I’m very much aware that I’m being a bit hypercritical of characters in a romance novel and I also realize that it’s probably a bit selfish (with a wee touch of hypocrisy) to expect an author to follow the same formula that she’s been using for every book. Maybe my struggle is with myself and not the writing. It’s perfectly reasonable to want to explore a character from a different angle so perhaps I just need to get with the program. I did so enjoy her Love by Numbers series and I guess I’m just kind of nostalgic for that type of story.
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I was unable to pinpoint just what the story made me feel.Penelope is a far cry from MacLean’s traditional heroines which are of the stubborn, pig-headed, gutsy variety. Penelope was an overly self-conscious, insecure, bullied woman who felt nothing was due to her, not even her own happiness. She was so extremely pitiful at times that I started to wonder if the self-loathing really was going to be the sum total of her character traits, leaving no room for any of the traits I’ve come to expect in a MacLean leading lady. Whenever she was given an opportunity to display some gumption, her attempts were still flimsy and she never really stopped asking permission or seeking acceptance.
I was equally as disenamored with Bourne, our unscrupulous bad boy whose past and present misdeeds have left him out of favor with the highly judgmental ton. A leading man who is a notorious rake, has a colorful past and leads a slightly suspect life are traits of the standard issue romance hero. These things are perfectly acceptable in a playboy but Bourne’s character was just…mean! He was entirely unpolished, heartless and his treatment of Penelope bordered on abusive. The dry, sarcastic, often boorish, MacLean hero with his devil-may-care attitude never appeared and I was left struggling to find any sympathy or connection with him.
Oddly enough, some of my favorite moments in the book occurred at times when Penelope was at her least likable. Her opinion of herself is so very low that there were instances where my heart nearly broke at her acceptance of deserving so very little in life. I hurt for her to the point of tears and I can’t help but wish more for her than what (and who) she ultimately ended up with. This is sad because their past relationship was so much more intriguing than their current one. I absolutely adored, with all the adoration there is, the letters at the beginning of each chapter. I’m such a dunce. I didn’t even realize who it was she was writing to until about halfway in.
I’m very much aware that I’m being a bit hypercritical of characters in a romance novel and I also realize that it’s probably a bit selfish (with a wee touch of hypocrisy) to expect an author to follow the same formula that she’s been using for every book. Maybe my struggle is with myself and not the writing. It’s perfectly reasonable to want to explore a character from a different angle so perhaps I just need to get with the program. I did so enjoy her Love by Numbers series and I guess I’m just kind of nostalgic for that type of story.
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LibraryThing member reesa00
Penelope was a very interesting heroine. On the surface a typical aristocrat but one who has been affected by a broken engagement. She ends up married to Bourne (I have to admit I spent most of the book picturing Matt Damon) who is looking for revenge against his guardian who betrayed him.
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Interesting characters and premise. I think I am looking forward to the next book even more. Show Less
LibraryThing member julienne_preacher
Sarah MacLean’s Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake reacquainted me with romance novels after a ten year abstinence from the genre. It also introduced me to the world of lords and ladies, not to mention spinsters and scoundrels, and got me hooked on historicals. Since that fateful day last
Michael, Tommy and Penelope used to be the greatest of friends as children. Things changed when Michael's parents were killed in an accident and he never returned home. As a young man of 21 Michael lost his estate in a game of chance to Viscount Langford, who also happens to be his former guardian and Tommy's father. Ever since then Michael's one goal has been to get back Falconwell, a piece of land that has always been linked to his title.
I’m not a fan of coincidences the author orchestrates to get the story going, especially if it happens on the expence of the characters. In this case, the whole premise is such: Langford, who was sly enough to make Falconwell prosper and then deviously cheat it from Michael, suddenly wagers the land away and loses it to Penelope’s father. This needs to happen because the story begins when Falconwell is added to Penelope’s dowry and Michael decides to marry her to get his land back, but it doesn’t fit Langford’s character.
Another coincidence takes Penelope out alone in the middle of the night so that Michael has a chance to drag her away to his empty house and keep her there long enough to jeopardize her reputation. Of course they have to marry and the actual story can begin.
Michael makes a deal with his father-in-law: Penny’s sisters get beaus and Michael gets his revenge: a proof that Tommy is illegitimate and not Langford’s true heir. It makes no difference to Michael that his childhood friend will be ruined in the process. It should matter to Penny, though. She discovers what Michael is up to but decides to stay with him anyway. She explains this to Tommy by lines like “He wouldn’t do that!” and “He’s my husband!”, but the truth behind all that is that she has always liked Michael better, and even though he has become a hard and vengeful man, she can’t forget the little boy she once knew. Penelope’s behaviour doesn’t make me like her much, but of course it turns out to be the winning strategy: Michael chooses love instead of revenge. Like anyone had any doubt…
I didn’t like the characters and the novel felt too constructed instead of being organically evolved. Like I said, this is my least favourite MacLean so far, but there were also things I liked. The writing is stellar and if you can get past the author orchestrated scenes you will be well entertained. I’ll keep waiting for another jackpot from Maclean and be sure to read her next book for reasons mentioned above.
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June I have read dozens of romances from different authors. I've also read more MacLean and come to realize that as a writer she's little more than average and Nine Rules is her best book yet. Her latest, A Rogue by Any Other Name, I've liked the least so far.Michael, Tommy and Penelope used to be the greatest of friends as children. Things changed when Michael's parents were killed in an accident and he never returned home. As a young man of 21 Michael lost his estate in a game of chance to Viscount Langford, who also happens to be his former guardian and Tommy's father. Ever since then Michael's one goal has been to get back Falconwell, a piece of land that has always been linked to his title.
I’m not a fan of coincidences the author orchestrates to get the story going, especially if it happens on the expence of the characters. In this case, the whole premise is such: Langford, who was sly enough to make Falconwell prosper and then deviously cheat it from Michael, suddenly wagers the land away and loses it to Penelope’s father. This needs to happen because the story begins when Falconwell is added to Penelope’s dowry and Michael decides to marry her to get his land back, but it doesn’t fit Langford’s character.
Another coincidence takes Penelope out alone in the middle of the night so that Michael has a chance to drag her away to his empty house and keep her there long enough to jeopardize her reputation. Of course they have to marry and the actual story can begin.
Michael makes a deal with his father-in-law: Penny’s sisters get beaus and Michael gets his revenge: a proof that Tommy is illegitimate and not Langford’s true heir. It makes no difference to Michael that his childhood friend will be ruined in the process. It should matter to Penny, though. She discovers what Michael is up to but decides to stay with him anyway. She explains this to Tommy by lines like “He wouldn’t do that!” and “He’s my husband!”, but the truth behind all that is that she has always liked Michael better, and even though he has become a hard and vengeful man, she can’t forget the little boy she once knew. Penelope’s behaviour doesn’t make me like her much, but of course it turns out to be the winning strategy: Michael chooses love instead of revenge. Like anyone had any doubt…
I didn’t like the characters and the novel felt too constructed instead of being organically evolved. Like I said, this is my least favourite MacLean so far, but there were also things I liked. The writing is stellar and if you can get past the author orchestrated scenes you will be well entertained. I’ll keep waiting for another jackpot from Maclean and be sure to read her next book for reasons mentioned above.
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LibraryThing member stephxsu
Only got about 100 pages into this, and goshdarnit it was so obvious in this book that the romance novel is a type of writing with stringent publishing requirements, e.g. a certain number of pages, a kiss (or more) by page whatever, etc. There was little need for the characters' musings to be
A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME was also more shocking to me because of the sexytimes-before-affection route it takes. As a reader, I get a more emotional connection out of characters who also connect in some way--emotionally, lustfully--before they engage in sexual acts. So this book wasn't for me, but fortunately it's most likely just a matter of personal preference.
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extended into one-sentence paragraphs over two pages, only to be restated AGAIN just a few pages later. One must conclude, then, that the meaningless repetitions was for the sake of making the romance novel's publisher page number requirements.A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME was also more shocking to me because of the sexytimes-before-affection route it takes. As a reader, I get a more emotional connection out of characters who also connect in some way--emotionally, lustfully--before they engage in sexual acts. So this book wasn't for me, but fortunately it's most likely just a matter of personal preference.
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LibraryThing member dd196406
Fun, fun romance novel with English manners and wicked men and beautiful, adventurous women. Seems to be the first of a series about sisters looking for suitable husbands in historical England. Good story and fun characters. Michael is extremely wicked and handsome and appealing and Penelope is the
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perfect partner for him. Very fun to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member WeaselOfDoom
I read "A Rogue by Any Other Name" because one of my favorite authors, Ilona Andrews, recommended it, and I am very glad I did.
The book was an enjoyable quick read, with likable protagonists (even though, yes, Michael acts like a total ass for most of it) and great humor (Penelope's inner dialog
I will definitely check out other books by Sarah MacLean.
The book was an enjoyable quick read, with likable protagonists (even though, yes, Michael acts like a total ass for most of it) and great humor (Penelope's inner dialog
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about pirates when she first meets Bourne had me chuckling). I can't vouch for historical accuracy, but I can promise a few hours of entertainment :-)I will definitely check out other books by Sarah MacLean.
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LibraryThing member lycomayflower
Romance novels aren't usually my first choice for leisure reading, but I heard a recommendation for Maclean's Rules of Scoundrels series from a source which I have never yet found to be wrong about what books are worth one's time, so I decided to give the first one a go.
This was mostly a delight.
This was mostly a delight.
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It is a straight-up romance, so there are some predicable tropes and a fair helping of (just shy of porno-) graphic sex. But the tropes are played out in mostly believable (and sometimes subverted) ways, the sex writing is smart, and (and this is a near-requirement for me to sit still for sex scenes that last for more than a sentence or so) the sex (the way of it, not just the fact of it) is important to characterization and plot. The story has some emotional depth; the heroine is (eventually) determined, independently minded, and unapologetic; the "rogue's" motivations arise believably from his history without existing only to make him a villianous, bad-boy romance hero; and there are a number of simply fun, fun scenes in which it's a joy to watch these characters get into scrapes, snipe at one another, and dole out comeuppances. The sentence-level writing is pretty clean, and the plotting reasonably tight. My only real complaint was the repetition of certain phrases and images almost verbatim, and while that was quite annoying, it didn't happen often enough to seriously diminish my opinion of the book. It's not got the complexity or dexterity of prose to approach the literary, but A Rogue by Any Other Name is the best kind of bubblegum read: fun, quick, and sometimes snappy. I imagine I'll be on to book two in the near future. Show Less
LibraryThing member SharonR53
Penelope Marbury is not in a happy place. She has been proposed to by her childhood friend, Tommy Alles and knows it would be a disaster if she said yes. On the other hand she has been publicly jilted, and on the marriage mart for several years with no possibilities and her younger sisters will pay
All of these events culminate in Michael expanding his plan for revenge to include seducing or coercing Penelope into marriage. Penelope agrees to marry him after he compromises her but forces him to agree to help her sisters. Thus the marriage begins…..
I really enjoyed this book. I had read the previous series ender when Penelope was jilted by the Duke of Leighton. In that book, I was rooting for Leighton and his love to be together, so it was interesting to revisit that situation from the point of view of the one who was left behind and who society then perceived as damaged goods. Penelope has been dealt a bad hand but she kept her head up and never gave up feeling she deserved a marriage based on love not just duty. Michael on the other hand has to learn that he is worthy of love and that he can forgive himself for his past mistake.
There is great chemistry between these two characters and a lot of history, played out in letters at the start of each chapter. The secondary characters are integral to the plot and at least one is the set up for the next book in the series. This book is a great beginning to a new series that I can’t wait to read.
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the price if she doesn’t marry. At the same time, her other childhood friend, Michael, Marquess of Bourne, learns that Penelope’s father has made his ancestral lands part of Penelope’s dowry. Michael had wagered his inheritance away when he was a foolish 21 year old playing too deep against a man he disliked. His life’s goal since then has been to regain his lost property and get his revenge. All of these events culminate in Michael expanding his plan for revenge to include seducing or coercing Penelope into marriage. Penelope agrees to marry him after he compromises her but forces him to agree to help her sisters. Thus the marriage begins…..
I really enjoyed this book. I had read the previous series ender when Penelope was jilted by the Duke of Leighton. In that book, I was rooting for Leighton and his love to be together, so it was interesting to revisit that situation from the point of view of the one who was left behind and who society then perceived as damaged goods. Penelope has been dealt a bad hand but she kept her head up and never gave up feeling she deserved a marriage based on love not just duty. Michael on the other hand has to learn that he is worthy of love and that he can forgive himself for his past mistake.
There is great chemistry between these two characters and a lot of history, played out in letters at the start of each chapter. The secondary characters are integral to the plot and at least one is the set up for the next book in the series. This book is a great beginning to a new series that I can’t wait to read.
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LibraryThing member Dbookwhore
I have been the proud owner of this book for some time now. I purposely put off reading it because I knew once I read it that was it, it would be over. Strange right? I get so into Sarah MacLean's novels I just plow through them, and when it is over I feel an overwhelming since of longing, because
When I started reading A Rogue I was incredibly excited to see the story was based around a character I met in The Love by Numbers series. I thought when I finished the final book in that series, that I bid farewell to all the characters. Nope, as a matter of fact this story is about the very bride The Duke of Leighton left without a husband, Penelope, the grape.
While A Rogue by Any Other Name is Penelope's story it doesn't start of where The Lover by Numbers series ended. Instead this story picks up eight years later where Penelope can't escape the scandal left by her broken engagement to the Duke. Penelope has to live everyday as an aging spinster, while the Duke lives every day in a perfect love match. This “love match” Penelope lost out to makes her want more than the perfect business arrangement she was raised to believe marriage was. The longer Penelope waits for love the fewer proposals she receives.
I can't tell you enough how much I love the bad boys in historical romance. I am always cheering on the girl who wants to change the Rogue, or the Rake. This story isn't any different. Michael Bourne the man who steals Penelope's heart, (amongst other things) is a rogue recovering from a wager that left him; well left him nothing. Michael is seeking revenge on the very man who took everything from him, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Even if it means hurting the people he was closest to in his childhood.
I love Michael and all his flaws, and oddly enough I didn't care for Penelope in Eleven Scandal, but in this book I LOVE her. I also enjoyed getting tidbits of information about characters from The Love by Number series, and being able to visit a few settings from that series as well. DEFINITELY read this book; you may want to read The Lover by Number series first because you will know the characters better. This book is for adult readers only.
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I love getting lost in the world Sarah McLean creates. A setting at a time in history completely different from our own, and love stories that have me either tearing up or cheese ball smiling. When I started reading A Rogue I was incredibly excited to see the story was based around a character I met in The Love by Numbers series. I thought when I finished the final book in that series, that I bid farewell to all the characters. Nope, as a matter of fact this story is about the very bride The Duke of Leighton left without a husband, Penelope, the grape.
While A Rogue by Any Other Name is Penelope's story it doesn't start of where The Lover by Numbers series ended. Instead this story picks up eight years later where Penelope can't escape the scandal left by her broken engagement to the Duke. Penelope has to live everyday as an aging spinster, while the Duke lives every day in a perfect love match. This “love match” Penelope lost out to makes her want more than the perfect business arrangement she was raised to believe marriage was. The longer Penelope waits for love the fewer proposals she receives.
I can't tell you enough how much I love the bad boys in historical romance. I am always cheering on the girl who wants to change the Rogue, or the Rake. This story isn't any different. Michael Bourne the man who steals Penelope's heart, (amongst other things) is a rogue recovering from a wager that left him; well left him nothing. Michael is seeking revenge on the very man who took everything from him, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Even if it means hurting the people he was closest to in his childhood.
I love Michael and all his flaws, and oddly enough I didn't care for Penelope in Eleven Scandal, but in this book I LOVE her. I also enjoyed getting tidbits of information about characters from The Love by Number series, and being able to visit a few settings from that series as well. DEFINITELY read this book; you may want to read The Lover by Number series first because you will know the characters better. This book is for adult readers only.
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LibraryThing member Capnrandm
Entertaining, but it's hard to keep this particular book separated from other "gaming hell/revenge" historical romances I've read.
LibraryThing member Has_bookpusher
3 and half stars.
Full review to be posted soon:
This was a cute historical romance, which featured childhood friends who are forced into a marriage of convenience. The hero, Bourne is a jaded and cynical man after losing his lands to his guardian in a card game and is on mission to get his revenge.
Sexy love scenes, witty repartees and child-hood sweethearts in a marriage of convenience is a great combination despite the slow middle, this was a fun and quick read!
I look forward to the followups which will feature the partners of Bourne's Gambling club and the excerpt for the next book looks fun!
Full review to be posted soon:
This was a cute historical romance, which featured childhood friends who are forced into a marriage of convenience. The hero, Bourne is a jaded and cynical man after losing his lands to his guardian in a card game and is on mission to get his revenge.
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He seizes this chance when they become part of a dowry of his childhood friend Penelope and compromise and forces her to marry, which becomes a marriage of convenience so that her sisters chances to marry well aren't jeopardised and they form a partnership of sorts. I really love this trope and I loved the exchanges that Penelope and Bourne share. However I really felt at the midway point, the pacing got bogged down and I was getting tired of the way Bourne kept pushing her away so he would not feel vulnerable which got tiring. But the ending was fantastic and I loved the scene where it was Penelope who took control which was something she never had throughout her life and I loved that she did it in style! Sexy love scenes, witty repartees and child-hood sweethearts in a marriage of convenience is a great combination despite the slow middle, this was a fun and quick read!
I look forward to the followups which will feature the partners of Bourne's Gambling club and the excerpt for the next book looks fun!
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LibraryThing member cranberrytarts
Another stellar release from MacLean.
Michael is a dark and tormented man. Penelope is a bright and innocent woman. Together they are...perfect. Her inner strength came through wonderfully. I very much enjoyed watching her grow into her own...and watching him fall for her as she did.
I ended the
Michael is a dark and tormented man. Penelope is a bright and innocent woman. Together they are...perfect. Her inner strength came through wonderfully. I very much enjoyed watching her grow into her own...and watching him fall for her as she did.
I ended the
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novel feeling warm and fuzzy inside. What more can a reader ask for? Show Less
LibraryThing member melissarochelle
Read from September 15 to 19, 2013
I haven't read a straight-up (capital R) Romance novel in a long time and I'm pretty sure I've never read a Historical Romance before (unless the Pink Carnation or Outlander counts). Usually the romance I read is mashed up with mystery or supernatural creatures and
When you aren't a regular reader of a genre, you definitely have ideas of what it is and I met everyone of those ideas in some unexpected ways while reading this book. Honestly, I just didn't expect to enjoy it so much. Penelope was feisty and Michael was charming and together they were wonderful.
I will admit I had to Google ton because it was used so often I started to question what I thought it meant. In doing so I got a little insight into the different kinds of Regency romances and how a series occasionally works (group of men and they all find a wife to put it in simplistic terms). It was something I remembered from reading contemporary romances by Carly Phillips (the Chandler Brothers series) and attempting a Nora Roberts a few years ago. Of course, while reading this I thought, "oh, they'll all be the same, I probably won't read the rest of the series." I'm an idiot. As soon as I read the last chapter, I checked out the next book and started reading it
It's just fun to escape into this world and I'm very glad I finally visited the world of Romance again.
I haven't read a straight-up (capital R) Romance novel in a long time and I'm pretty sure I've never read a Historical Romance before (unless the Pink Carnation or Outlander counts). Usually the romance I read is mashed up with mystery or supernatural creatures and
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they're more sexy-time lite. This is not sexy-time lite.When you aren't a regular reader of a genre, you definitely have ideas of what it is and I met everyone of those ideas in some unexpected ways while reading this book. Honestly, I just didn't expect to enjoy it so much. Penelope was feisty and Michael was charming and together they were wonderful.
I will admit I had to Google ton because it was used so often I started to question what I thought it meant. In doing so I got a little insight into the different kinds of Regency romances and how a series occasionally works (group of men and they all find a wife to put it in simplistic terms). It was something I remembered from reading contemporary romances by Carly Phillips (the Chandler Brothers series) and attempting a Nora Roberts a few years ago. Of course, while reading this I thought, "oh, they'll all be the same, I probably won't read the rest of the series." I'm an idiot. As soon as I read the last chapter, I checked out the next book and started reading it
It's just fun to escape into this world and I'm very glad I finally visited the world of Romance again.
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LibraryThing member zannerina
Great story and excellent narration!
LibraryThing member CyndiTefft
Sarah MacLean is a great historical romance author. Her writing impresses me. I liked the characters in this book, though I will admit that Michael's I'm-not-good-enough-for-her stance got a little stale over time. All in all, a solid read, but not my favorite of her books.
LibraryThing member SofiaHarper
Loved this book. Exactly what I needed after reading the Hunger Games.
LibraryThing member dulcinea14
Got this book in my BookRiot Quarterly box. Romance is not my genre, but I gave it a go anyway. Didn't like it. Shallow and silly.
LibraryThing member thehistorychic
Read from March 20 to 23, 2013
Listened for BookClub (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: I immediately bought book 2 because I needed some more Scoundrels at the end!
Story Thoughts: I
Character Thoughts: Both leading characters were a hit with me. In fact, I would say they were downright delightful.I would also argue that Pen is almost better at living on the edge than Bourne! That means she had gumption, a spine, and level head on her shoulders. Everything that makes a good historical (or any genre) leading lady. I loved Bourne's friends (the guys for the next 2 books) and Pen's sister (who I think is just going to make me cheer from beginning to end in her book).
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor /Running Time 13 hrs and 16 mins
Rosalyn Landor did a wonderful job on the narration. Her voices were distinct and each character had their own "swagger". The pacing, emotion, and accents were pretty spot-on also. I have a few other books that were narrated by her on my TBR. I know I won't be disappointed!
Final Thoughts: I already downloaded book 2 and can't wait to squeeze it into my reading agenda!
Listened for BookClub (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought when Finished: I immediately bought book 2 because I needed some more Scoundrels at the end!
Story Thoughts: I
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love Historicals where the lead guy loses everything but seems to rise from the ashes even if he is disreputable (I always say that with a Ving Rhames voice). This series is so far hitting the sweet spot with me in that regard. Bourne is disreputable and darn well set on getting his childhood home back. Penelope is his childhood friend and current block in getting it back. Their journey was fun, fast-paced, and full of hijinks on both of their parts.Character Thoughts: Both leading characters were a hit with me. In fact, I would say they were downright delightful.I would also argue that Pen is almost better at living on the edge than Bourne! That means she had gumption, a spine, and level head on her shoulders. Everything that makes a good historical (or any genre) leading lady. I loved Bourne's friends (the guys for the next 2 books) and Pen's sister (who I think is just going to make me cheer from beginning to end in her book).
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor /Running Time 13 hrs and 16 mins
Rosalyn Landor did a wonderful job on the narration. Her voices were distinct and each character had their own "swagger". The pacing, emotion, and accents were pretty spot-on also. I have a few other books that were narrated by her on my TBR. I know I won't be disappointed!
Final Thoughts: I already downloaded book 2 and can't wait to squeeze it into my reading agenda!
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LibraryThing member dukedukegoose
Sometimes a book comes along just exactly when you need it. The stars align, the Gods smile upon you, your heart is opened and a book flies in and takes root in your soul.
It was the last week of tax season, I’d had a rough run of 2/3 star books that I only really gave 3 stars because I
Literally, on a whim, I decided to try this one. I’d heard good things about Sarah MacLean and while I truly liked Nine Rules to Break, it wasn’t so awe-inspiring for me that I felt like this book was a sure bet. I read the cover and thought, “Well, I’ll try it.”
I am so glad I did. I was immediately sucked into this book and these wonderful character.
There are some tropes that I am just an absolute sucker for. We’ve already addressed my affection for writers. We’ve also addressed my affection for the Mulan trope. But one we haven’t touched upon yet: childhood best friends/sweethearts that are separated for some reason beyond their control.
Nowhere in any of the summaries or synopses of this novel did I see anything that suggested that it was a novel about childhood best friends. In a way, I’m super glad I didn’t see any reference to that because the first set of letters between Michael and Penny kicked me in the gut. There’s immediately a sense of affection and, non-romantic, love between the two of them.
The loose plot of this book is that after the death of his parents, Marquess of Bourne, Michael, loses his entire inheritance to his guardian in one game of cards at the age of 21. He’s cast out of society and, essentially, disappears off the face of the earth. Abandoning, though he doesn’t realize it at the time, his best friend and neighbour, Penelope Marbury daughter of the Marquess of Needham etc.
Penelope continues to write to him. Letters that are slowly revealed over the course of the novel.
Penelope, in the mean time, is betrothed to and then jilted by a Duke. A Duke that was perfectly amiable, but who was madly in love with someone a little less appropriate than Penelope. However, he tosses Penelope to the side and marries his love match. Penelope is far from heartbroken, and considering her good standing in society, she’s not precisely an outcast. However, she is not the catch she was once considered to be.
So, her father attaches a newly won holding of land to her dowry. And what would you know? It’s the Marquess of Bourne’s former holdings/home. Michael, catching wind of this, and a fully changed man and manager of one of the most prestigious gaming hells in all of London, decides there’s only one solution to this problem: marrying Penelope whether she likes it or not.
This is a novel that so very easily could’ve been yet another Once and Always with an abusive, ignorant, controlling man whom I could not understand the appeal of or the heroine’s forgiveness. However, because of the beautifully set-up past between the two of them, and the deftly handled glimpses of the feelings Michael has always had and never fully lost for Penny, you understand where the conflict comes from and why it continues.
These aren’t two strangers who were randomly thrown together because of greed or lust. They’re two people with a very powerful, dynamic history who are meeting up again for the first time in almost a decade with so much that has changed between the two of them, and so much that hasn’t. And it just works.
The whole novel works. Michael is an alpha hero I’ve hated in countless other incarnations, but he works here. He refuses to voice his feelings, or acknowledge them, but I never once doubted how much he still felt that love he had for Penelope as children and beyond. And Penelope, who tried so hard to reconcile the boy she knew with the stranger in front of her, and to find where the twain met.
And if the moment when Michael finally calls Penelope “Sixpence” again doesn’t make you emit a noise only comparable to the noise Emma Thompson makes at the end of Sense & Sensibility, then I do not know what it would take to touch your soul.
Read this novel. Now. Now not later.
It was the last week of tax season, I’d had a rough run of 2/3 star books that I only really gave 3 stars because I
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couldn’t rustle up much of ANY reaction to them. But they weren’t bad or offensive I just expected more out of them. I even chose them because they were classics and I thought they would be wonderful distractions from the crushing stress of tax deadline. Instead, I started to fret that I was in a book funk. I just couldn’t get engrossed in any book.Literally, on a whim, I decided to try this one. I’d heard good things about Sarah MacLean and while I truly liked Nine Rules to Break, it wasn’t so awe-inspiring for me that I felt like this book was a sure bet. I read the cover and thought, “Well, I’ll try it.”
I am so glad I did. I was immediately sucked into this book and these wonderful character.
There are some tropes that I am just an absolute sucker for. We’ve already addressed my affection for writers. We’ve also addressed my affection for the Mulan trope. But one we haven’t touched upon yet: childhood best friends/sweethearts that are separated for some reason beyond their control.
Nowhere in any of the summaries or synopses of this novel did I see anything that suggested that it was a novel about childhood best friends. In a way, I’m super glad I didn’t see any reference to that because the first set of letters between Michael and Penny kicked me in the gut. There’s immediately a sense of affection and, non-romantic, love between the two of them.
The loose plot of this book is that after the death of his parents, Marquess of Bourne, Michael, loses his entire inheritance to his guardian in one game of cards at the age of 21. He’s cast out of society and, essentially, disappears off the face of the earth. Abandoning, though he doesn’t realize it at the time, his best friend and neighbour, Penelope Marbury daughter of the Marquess of Needham etc.
Penelope continues to write to him. Letters that are slowly revealed over the course of the novel.
Penelope, in the mean time, is betrothed to and then jilted by a Duke. A Duke that was perfectly amiable, but who was madly in love with someone a little less appropriate than Penelope. However, he tosses Penelope to the side and marries his love match. Penelope is far from heartbroken, and considering her good standing in society, she’s not precisely an outcast. However, she is not the catch she was once considered to be.
So, her father attaches a newly won holding of land to her dowry. And what would you know? It’s the Marquess of Bourne’s former holdings/home. Michael, catching wind of this, and a fully changed man and manager of one of the most prestigious gaming hells in all of London, decides there’s only one solution to this problem: marrying Penelope whether she likes it or not.
This is a novel that so very easily could’ve been yet another Once and Always with an abusive, ignorant, controlling man whom I could not understand the appeal of or the heroine’s forgiveness. However, because of the beautifully set-up past between the two of them, and the deftly handled glimpses of the feelings Michael has always had and never fully lost for Penny, you understand where the conflict comes from and why it continues.
These aren’t two strangers who were randomly thrown together because of greed or lust. They’re two people with a very powerful, dynamic history who are meeting up again for the first time in almost a decade with so much that has changed between the two of them, and so much that hasn’t. And it just works.
The whole novel works. Michael is an alpha hero I’ve hated in countless other incarnations, but he works here. He refuses to voice his feelings, or acknowledge them, but I never once doubted how much he still felt that love he had for Penelope as children and beyond. And Penelope, who tried so hard to reconcile the boy she knew with the stranger in front of her, and to find where the twain met.
And if the moment when Michael finally calls Penelope “Sixpence” again doesn’t make you emit a noise only comparable to the noise Emma Thompson makes at the end of Sense & Sensibility, then I do not know what it would take to touch your soul.
Read this novel. Now. Now not later.
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LibraryThing member gincam
While dark and wounded heroes bring out the nurturer in a woman’s soul, I also think that they ignite the naughty spark in a woman’s spirit! There is something about them, even though you may try to remain proper, that makes you want to show your own naughty self : ) They certainly won’t
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reproach you for letting down your hair and giving in to temptation! Bad boys are just as delicious and delectable as that last piece of chocolate fudge cake that you devour in the dark on a midnight kitchen raid! Fallen Angels are also delicious bad boys, especially when they have a few surprises tucked beneath their wings : ) Even on the road to redemption, they manage to be nice and naughty! Whether earthly, unearthly, or somewhere in-between, Fallen Angels take romance reads to new heights : ) "A Rogue By Any Other Name" is the first book in the "Rules of Scoundrels" series from author Sarah MacLean, and it is a smashing start! The rogue in question, Michael, Marquess of Bourne, once lost everything with the turn of one card. Over the next decade, he not only recovers his losses, but increases his fortune many times over. Now one of four partners in an exclusive gaming hell called "The Fallen Angel", he is very much like a fallen angel being driven a burning need for vengeance. Marriage to his childhood friend, Lady Penelope Marbury, will help him to achieve his primary goal: regaining the land that was his inheritance and getting revenge on the man who took it from him. Even though she suffered the embarrassment and disappointment of a very public broken engagement, Penelope is still not willing to settle for a "suitable" marriage. She wants more--much more! A tortured hero, greatly in need of redemption, and a wonderful, spirited heroine make for a very satisfying and rewarding romance read. You will fall in love with Michael and Penelope, just as they fall so deeply in love with each other. A must read for devoted lovers of historical romance!Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine
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Awards
RITA Award (Finalist — Historical Romance — 2013)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-02-28
ISBN
0307967719 / 9780307967718