Juliette Lacey is the final Wilting Wallflower, thus dubbed by her now brother-in-law. Surprisingly, that title didn't come up too much in this final book in the series. Julie is not in a rush, trot, or even a meandering walk to find a husband for herself, in strike contrast to her uncle's wishes. For now, she lives with her uncle (purported by the ton to be mad)  in his late wife's townhouse and she cares for him and encourages him with his scientific work. To provide her uncle with a long-standing social interest for the rest of his life, she strikes a deal with him and helps him to that end. She will look for a husband after he has submitted his research to the Royal Society. 

Little does she know love comes knocking so soon after that conversation when Lord Samuel Travis arrives on the doorstep to evict her and her uncle from the residence. Sam has recently returned from the continent in hopes of repairing his relationship with his older brother, Nigel. In the time since their father's passing, who was the buffer between them, their relationship has been exceedingly rocky. Now to the point that Sam is turned out of every family property and no funds as a means to survive. Nigel orders him to remove the occupants of a property in town he discovered their father owned. Given no alternatives or resources, Sam tends to his task and is set on doing it. 

Faced with this flustering news, Juliette refused to inform her uncle and refuses to leave. Sam decides to play a game and merely wait her out. Intent on proving the ownership belongs to her family, Juliette also behests Sam to request the deed from his brother to settle the matter. In the meantime, Juliette explains "Cousin Samuel's" presence to every one in the household as coming to assist her uncle with his research. It is a new position that stupefies Sam, but ultimately he warms to the task and becomes an admirable assistant to "crazy" Alistair Wiltmore. At the same time, it warms Juliette's heart to see her uncle interact in such positive ways. 

Given the time, this would have been a highly improper and scandalous situation. For Nigel to even ask Sam to reside in the household with a young woman - married or not - seen over only by an elderly uncle is not something that would have likely have occurred. There are solicitors for that sort of business. The pretense of neither parties breathing a word of Sam's stay is also unlikely, given Sam's rakish nature. 

The story is not without a villain, who is not one you would readily suspect. As the plot regarding the house moves further along, Sam begins to suspect he was sent merely to stir up trouble and create conflict in Juliette's life. I was disappointed that this manipulative man wasn't exposed and his reputation marred, especially considering the stark contrast between him and Sam. 

I loved Julie's uncle and all the places he shows up in the book. Alistair is an interesting character in many aspects. His love, devotion, and dedication to his wife even after all these years is something to be cherished and revered. While she may not grace their home anymore, she is still very much a part of his life. He keeps her memory alive. His research is also interesting, and he is a strong advocate against pollution of the Thames, which I feel was a novel concept of the time. Not something that was addressed, nor paid much heed. His elderly behavior and propensity for producing the wrong word at times makes him endearing and comical. 

Juliette is a strong, independent woman. She is determined to solve problems on her own and vehemently refuses to call on her sisters or their husbands for assistance in the matter of the house. She is also pitted against and torn between the two brothers, Nigel and Sam. It seems her previous fancy of love isn't love at all, and now she sees qualities in Sam that stir her emotions. 

The plot is motivated by Nigel regarding the house, and through the course of the book the brothers are brought in stark contrast. They are incredible foils of one another. The perceptions of their personality and reputation by society and their true natures are in opposition, which Juliette discovers herself first-hand. 

I enjoyed the conflict in the story, but I didn't feel a burning love between Juliette and Sam. I think the circumstances and close quarters created a togetherness that otherwise wouldn't have existed if Sam was lodging elsewhere and only visiting in the daytime to keep up the ruse of being Alistair's assistant. In the end, the matter of home ownership is resolved, but there were a couple of dicey moments where I did think all was going to be lost and Juliette and Alistair would be living with one of her sisters. 
Overall, a story with high conflict that is plot-driven. The two main characters are volatile in their reactions to one another, and Alistair provides humor and that hint of love that he so desperately wants for Juliette.

Sam is a dissolute younger brother hoping to mend his relationship with his older brother Nigel, who is held as a paragon in polite society. In order to do so, he has to clear out a London property of its current possible residents, or else he will have nowhere to live. These residents turn out to be Juliette Lacey and her uncle Alistair, and Sam is smitten.

This is the third in the Wayward Wallflower series, but it's not necessary to have read the two prior books to understand this one. The setup to get Sam and Juliette together in the house is ridiculous and absolutely due to the social constraints of the Regency era. It's hilarious to watch the interactions between the two of them in the early chapters, especially since I'm such a sucker for snarky relationships in fiction. I liked the progression of Sam and Juliette's relationship, and how much Sam respected Juliette's love of her family and sense of agency. The villain in the novel is really a piece of work, and I was disappointed that we don't see some kind of true comeuppance for him. Of course, there's a rather pat solution to the housing problem, which I guessed several chapters before the big reveal. Overall, this is a fun read, and perfectly in keeping with the Regency romance genre.

I very much enjoyed the story of Sam and Julie. I loved their banter and watching these two fall in love was heartwarming. I liked the fact that Sam was the second son, he wasn't a duke or an earl that could offer so much to Julie. But he had heart and his love was pure and sweet. Julie was a firecracker! She was willing to do anything for her family but prideful enough not to stoop to Nigel's level. Nigel just so happens to be Sam's brother, who happens to also be a cad. I would have liked to see some damage done to him! The most endearing character happened to be Julie's uncle Alistair. Such a sweet man--we should all have an uncle like him. I look forward to reading the first two books in this trilogy -- I have a feeling they'll be just as good as this one.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WHEW. I have never been so mad at a book in such a good way. I mean who just waltzes in and basically tells people "OK BYE this is mine now"? It started a little on the MEH side but it really started kicking up steam and was absolutely glorious!

Due to my reading slump, it took me two tries to get through this book. I am glad I gave it a second chance because once I got into it, I got into it. This was such a unique twist on the cliched reformed rogue troupe. I can not recall any other romances offhand where these types of family dynamics worked.

I am glad that the one aspect of romance novels I tend to be irritated by was missing from this novel. That is the storyline did not feel rushed. My favorite part of the book is the familial relationships that shine through, it made it more important than just a lovers romance.

Overall this is a great historical romance that I recommend!

They definitely met under less than desirable circumstances. Right aft r being forced out of his families home and told to change his ways he meets the one person he holds his future in her small hands. Juliette has lived with her widowed Uncle for years and now is being forced out of the only place she calls home. Coming to an agreement with Samuel was something she tried to avoid at all costs and having to compromise put a wrench her plans. But, she has to make allowances to keep her home safe. There were times this book was absolutely hilarious and waiting to see who would bend first kept my attention waiting to see what would happen next.

Review of “The Rogue Is Back In Town” by Anna Bennet

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Two Stars 🌟 🌟

Right. Where to start. I have not previously read any books bu this author and looked forward to getting to know her work, even though this is the third book in a series. I personally don’t have any issue in regards to reading books out of order, especially if they’re a stand-alone story on their own.

Unfortunately nothing about this book worked for me. But, maybe, it’s because it’s more about me than the book itself?

For the past few months, when it comes to historicals, I have been drawn to dark romances filled with angst and imperfect heroines and heroes. Perhaps, THAT is what is working for me right now. This romance felt too light-hearted for my personal taste. I just could not get into the story though I did try.

Please do not make a decision on my review alone. What didn’t work for me may very well work for you, so do read a several reviews to reach a conclusion.

The first 10 chapters were slow but the book got really good in the middle and the end. The romance seemed very natural unlike a lot of books in the genre. It didn't feel rushed. Sam was a great hero and I loved his relationship with both the woman he loves and with her uncle Alister.

LOVED this book. The last of 3 "wall flower" sisters living with their eccentric uncle indulges in a midnight kiss with a marquess. She thinks its love until nothing becomes of it. Moving on with her life, his brother is planted on their doorstep with an ultimatum sent by the Marquess. She and her uncle must leave their home, as it does not belong to them, but to his family. The brother known as a "rogue" and the center of the gossip magazines plants himself in the home as a way of getting back in his brothers good graces. However, he quickly learns she is more than meets the eye, his brother is less than he thought and his outlook and drive in life is different than he imagined.

I absolutely loved Sam and Juliette's story!! They were absolutely perfect for each other! Too bad Juliette thinks she is in love with Sam's brother, talk about an bump in the road to their HEA!!

Now that this series is complete, I'm excited to see what Bennett comes up with next!!

As always I want to first thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing us with a copy of this book so that we could bring you this review.

What a bastard Sam's brother is. He was doing dirty underhanded things to try and get Julie to be his mistress, but thankfully Sam saw what kind of person he was and agreed to help her. To be the man that she needs to no longer be a wallflower. These books have been great and I am sad to see the end of the wallflower sisters, but I know that Anna Bennett has more in store for us in the future. 

I gave this book 5 kisses.

Happy Reading... Adri

When I read the second book in this series I thought, I have no desire to continue. And then I saw this cover and I was lured back in! I’m such a sucker for a beautiful cover with great colors. 🙂 I’m very happy to report that this book was more enjoyable for me than the previous book I read in this series.

In this installment, the last unmarried Lacey sister is left as the sole carer of her unstable uncle. One day out of the blue a rogueish man comes to her door stating that his brother owns the house they live in and wants them to move so he can sell the property. She’s not the smartest in how to handle this situation, even though she’s witty in conversation. My logical brain still kept saying that some of the things that happened in this book didn’t make sense. I mean, if I’m faced with someone coming to my house to essentially evict me I think my actions would be different. So while I liked the heroine, she’s also not going down as a smart character on any list. I think a good way to describe her would be naive. I can’t say that’s a favorite trait for me in heroines.

The hero though, Samuel Travis, is rogueishly charming. You don’t want to take him too seriously but at the same time you find him endearing. I think in the end these two were a perfect match. The manipulation involved in the overall plot behind this was actually different. Both the hero and heroine were just pawns in a bigger scheme and they didn’t even know it.

While I still found the pacing a bit slow, some of the writing a little redundant and drawn out, I was actually invested in the characters and the situation they found themselves in. Their personalities had some spark and kept things interesting. So yeah, THE ROGUE IS BACK IN TOWN is all about the characters for me. They just worked. They are likeable and have chemistry. Even with such a naive heroine.

The rogue, Lord Samuel Travis, is back in town!!!
But he gets thrown out from the family home and
financial cut off by his brother, Nigel the marquess,
due to Sam’s behavior.
To obtain good standing with his brother, the rogue is
tasked with evicting the people from a certain property.
Easy task or so Sam thinks.....he believes he will be
able to quickly evict the occupants and get back into
his brother’s graces.
Upon arrival at the property, Sam is in for a huge turn
of events!!
It is occupied by an eccentric uncle and his niece,
Miss Juliette Lacey.
Julie flat out refuses to leave the property. She is an
unexpected spitfire who will do anything to protect
family and their property.
There is undeniable chemistry between Julie and the
rogue but a task is a task and since they will not leave..
Sam moves in with them.
Meanwhile the marquee purses Julie. He gives her an
option or how to protect her family. Who should she
trust??
There rogue decides to leave the property to rethink his
life. Is it too late for Sam to reform, get an honest job
plus win Julie’s heart from his brother??
The main characters plus the supporting characters
were well fleshed out, realistic, relatable and very well
defined.
Talented descriptive writing made me part of all the action
taking place around me.
The intricately woven story with many unexpected twists
and turns that will delight and entertain the reader.
I volunteered to read The Rogue Is Back in Town. Thanks
to St Martin Press via NetGalley for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.

I received with thanks an ARC copy of The Rogue is Back in Town from St. Martin's Press & Netgalley.

This is my true and honest review of The Rogue is Back in Town. This was released for publication on 2nd January 2018.

This is the final instalment of the Wayward Wallflowers books. This novel was had everything I could want from historical romance, Love, Intrigue, Sass and a Hot Romance. Also had a bad boy main character which I have a soft spot for and a smart female lead. If you love historical romance, then defiantly read this book and series.

I think I hated Nigel more than I liked the main characters. But still I really enjoyed the third installment of this serious. Definitely don't pass up on this delicious, heartwarming romance!

ARC provided by NetGalley.

I enjoyed this story. This is an author I have just started reading and I would read another book from her. I thought this story had promise and I liked the characters.

Samuel Travis has historically been a self-confirmed rogue, but he is now determined to prove himself worthy and turn himself around and start accomplishing something. Juliette (Julie) Lacey is the youngest of three sisters (hence she is featured in the third book in the series) and is the most adventurous of her three sisters. Even though she's the most daring though, I found it hard to believe that someone with her strong personality would even give thought to Nigel's proposal (I won't say what it was but it was shitty). I would've kicked him right in the nuts and told him to go F off. And the thing that disturbed me the most really was the lack of closure regarding what happened with the "villain" of the story. He's a complete and total ass but he just kind of fades into the background in the end and nothing bad ever happens to him, which while it may be realistic is not really something that I end up enjoying in a book. I want to see a little karma take place, and really this guy should've been RUINED. Sam's character was really good and I liked the character development there, plus this was a fairly easy read. And while the ending was kind of a let down for me personally I still thought it was a fairly good romance novel and would say its worth the read!

This is captivating, dramatic, amusing and romantic. Sam is cocky, determined, sweet and irresistible. Julie is naive, stubborn, dedicated and caring. Sam roars into Julie's life at the behest of his brother, Sam needs to prove he's useful by evicting her and her uncle. But she insists that he can't, that his brother doesn't own their home. Battle lines are drawn and the war if Wilson begins. Only Sam starts to have feelings Julie, and starts thinking that his brother is in the wrong, so he decides he is going to help her. She doesn't make it easy though. She can't decide if she likes him or his brother. The love triangle gets more intense as the days go by, and more confusing for both Sam and Julie. It's a great story, and one of the characters has a very amusing issue. I recommend adding it to your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.