Very nice and sweet story. I like the back and forth with Griffin and Emily and how Griffin was “not jealous” but was jealous. I really like Ms. Barnes’ writing. It flows nicely and kept me engaged. If you are looking for a sweet (and clean, in case you are wondering) story, then give this book a try.

This is Griffin and Emily’s story. Emily is curious about kissing and it leads to kissing Griffin. They are caught kissing. Their relationship is complicated. He wants to do the right thing and marry her. She falls in love with him but is not sure he loves her. It is exciting to watch their journey. It is worth the wait. Sophie Barnes has written a fabulous story. I can’t wait for the next one.

Sophie Barnes knows how to do romance right! This book will not disappoint. There is so much attraction between Emily and Griffin that the reader can actually feel it. Both have past trust issues, but slowly they see that the only path for them is together. The reader will not be disappointed!

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a very charming,sensual historical romance. Emily is a twenty six year old spinster that craved independence and the need to experience a kiss. One kiss with Griffin leads to a scandal that demands marriage. Neither are intially willing to enter into such a permanent agreement. They retreat to her home in the country where their attraction and feelings grow.
I did admire Emily for her honesty and curious nature. She doesn't hold back but she wasn't upfront about what she truly wanted from Griffin. Her silence and avoidance led to confusion and misunderstandings. Regardless I'm glad they figured it out in the end. I also thought the ending was rushed. He lied and she forgave him too quickly for my taste. Good novel nonetheless. BJ

Griffin and Emily met and there was an instant attraction. But they each have different goals and marriage is not in their plans! But as circumstances put them together, they discover their HEA!

This was such a lovely read. I love to see a period romance with a strong, female character who knows what she wants and doesn't fit precisely into the realms of societal norms. I also love a hero who can change his (and her) mind with grand gestures and swoony moments. More Than A Rogue provided all this and more. Emily is a girl after my own heart, and though I am 1000% percent more stubborn than her when it comes to the endgame, I loved how important her values were to her. Griffin is such a charming character to boot. I was so pleased that there wasn't a massive, dramatic chase at the beginning that became drawn out. The plot suited them both perfectly. There were some really delicate moments between mother and daughter too, showing just how easily we can miscommunicate.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, and I will be looking out for more books from this author.

I liked the beginning of this book where Emily and Griffin are resisting their attraction to each other. The push and pull of doubt and attraction was the whole story line. It got boring when nothing else exciting happened besides this. The book could have been 30 percent shorter. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/06/10/more-than-a-rogue-by-sophie-barnes/)


My Rating: 3.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.


___________________



Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Medium-ish burn

Relationship dynamics: The Independent Spinster (h) / The High-born Rogue Horologist (H)

Sexual content: A smidge; romantic, onscreen, not explicit

Triggers: None.

Grammar/Editing: This ARC had some typos, which will hopefully be cleaned up in the published version.

Review: The pacing of this novel is a bit uneven – somewhat stop and start, with some segments of time glossed over or skipped entirely. The historical setting is vaguely Regency, but may be more generally Georgian. The description of the setting seems fairly well-done, if somewhat unclear.

Emily is a fiercely independent woman who has embraced a life of singlehood, but who also wishes to experience some small form of romance. Griffin is a confirmed bachelor with a strong sense of honour, but with very little appearance of it in society. The relationship between Emily and Griffin seems to have begun, if only in a minor way, in the first book in this series. In this installment, the relationship develops quickly, and in a quirky, unorthodox manner, but is often overwhelmed by the insecurities of, and miscommunications between, the main characters. Much of the action and tension is based in these, which detracted from what could have otherwise been a lovely romance. The supporting characters are fairly well-developed and the majority of them seem to feature in the first book of the series. Indeed, this novel makes frequent mention of characters and events from the previous book, which seems to imply that the reading of this book would have been enriched by having read the series in order.

Clock version: Tick tock, tick tock, tick…tick…tick ………. *shake*, …………..*wind up*, ……………*shake* ………….. tick tock, tick tock, tick tock.



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of More Than A Rogue by Sophie Barnes for my enjoyment. The two main characters, Griffin and Emily, were both strong, independent people. Griffin happily living and working in Vienna, Emily, living away from society in the countryside where she helps look after orphaned children with a couple of friends. She was at peace with being “on the shelf” but still wanted to have the experience and thrill of a “first kiss.” After receiving this much anticipated kiss from an unexpected source, the man she secretly dreams about, and said kiss being witnessed by her mother, aunt, and sister, she quickly flees, running back to the countryside with Griffin following, vowing to keep her safe. Throughout their time together they find themselves falling for each other but each not sure about the others' feelings as they work their way through insecurities and wrong perceptions. If you are looking for action, you won’t really find any here. Not much excitement, just a sweet and easy read. I find myself going back now to read the first book in this series.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Since the ending of her understanding with an earl and the subsequent ruination of her reputation, Emily Howard has accepted the fact that she will be a spinster. Still, she is curious and wants to at least know what kissing is like. However, she never expected to receive one from the man of her dreams, her best friend's brother-in-law, Lord Griffin Crawford. Or for her mother, sister and aunt to catch them and demand marriage. Griffin doesn't want marriage and Emily knows it so she flees for the country to escape him and a scandal that could ruin her younger sister's chances at a good match.

Griffin immediately goes after the fleeing Emily to ensure her safety. He's needed back in Austria to run the clock-making business he started, but the more time he spends with Emily, the more he finds himself considering a change of every plan he's ever had for his life. For her part, Emily is half in love with Griffin already, but she refuses to subject herself to a marriage with someone who doesn't love her back, no matter how attracted she is to him. Griffin must sort out his feelings and convince Emily of his sincerity or go back to Austria nursing a broken heart.

These two danced around each other for quite awhile. Emily had next to no self-esteem which led to lots of setbacks for herself and Griffin, but luckily she had good friends to finally talk some sense into her in the end and convince her to stop running away from her feelings out of fear. Griffin also had his own insecurities and trust issues that became yet another threat to their relationship.

The pacing was a bit slow to really hold my attention. The writing was excellent, but I just wanted out main character's to get on with it already, especially since after all the build up, there was no real steam between them until the very end and much of it was glossed over. However, the character development and dialogues here were tremendously well done and earned this read and extra star from me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The great thing about romance novels is the structure of them - with a series, there's something that ties all the books together, but each can be read as a standalone. It's not super important to read in order (although my OCD means I usually do). With More Than a Rogue, that wasn't the case for me. The book opens in a ball, with several characters all talking together. I could not keep up with who was who, who was the main character, and what was important to the story versus being a reference to the previous novel. It stressed me out, y'all. This one isn't for me.

This is book 2 in the Crawford series.
The story is about Griffin Crawford, the middle son of a Duke. He has been living in Vienna and has come home for his older brother's wedding.
Here he meets Emily, the daughter of a merchant and the very good friend of the bride.
There is an instant attraction between them. But both have been hurt in the past. Can they get past that hurt and learn how to trust one another? That's the biggest obstacle in this story.
There really is no drama, no exciting plot line. It's all about the two of them and that's it.
Although the book read well, it wasn't very exciting where you couldn't wait to see what happens next. It's a pleasant, not great, summer read.

This book was not the best one I have read by this author. I could not connect to the main characters. They were pretty one dimensional. Also the plot was kind of lacking. I enjoy the works of Sophia Barnes, it could have passed on this read.

Description


All she wanted was a kiss…

What she got, was fiery passion…

Emily Howard knows she is destined to be a spinster. She has accepted this fate, but that doesn't stop her from wanting to experience kissing. What she doesn't expect, is for Griffin Crawford, the handsomest man in the world, to do the honors. Or for all her female relations to discover her in his embrace. Naturally, marriage is instantly mentioned, but since Emily knows this is not what Griffin wants, she tries to escape him, her family and the ensuing scandal.

When Emily flees the Camberly ball in the wake of their kiss, Griffin goes in pursuit. He will not allow his sister-in-law's determined friend to risk her safety for any reason. And risk it she will if she means to return to her countryside home by herself. But the longer he remains in her company, the more he is tempted to kiss her again. If only he could risk falling in love and remain in England forever.

This is the latest Crawford's book by Sophie Barnes. Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone book, however as in most series it is much better read with the others in order of publication.
I love this series and look forward to more.
This book gets a 4.75 of 5.0 star rating from me.
There is just a hint of danger but this is a much anticipated romance between Emily and Griffin.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Sophie Barnes’ latest “Crawfords” novel tells the story of Emily and Griffin. Emily has been badly burned by an expected engagement that didn’t happen. Griffin has a perfectly good life in Austria, and plans to return to that life when his business in England is done. After the two are found in a (slightly contrived) embarrassing situation, Griffin offers to “do the right thing” by Emily, but she flees, and, perceiving her to be in danger, Griffin pursues. Proximity is a wonderful thing, and the two fall into friendship and then love.

This is a light and breezy novel for a hot summer’s day.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

More Than A Rogue tells the story of two people with some major insecurities to overcome before they can reach a sweet and satisfying HEA. Emily Howard just wants a kiss. So firmly on the shelf that she has given up on marriage, a stolen kiss in the night seems like such a little thing. Griffin Crawford rescues Emily from an unwise embrace only to find himself kissing her as her mother and friends look on. A compromising situation leave both of them resisting marriage but honor demands Griffin not leave Emily unprotected as she flees London. Time away in the country leave the unchaperoned couple with more time to realize how perfect they are for each other. Two people that protest too much and a slow building attachment that can end in nothing but smiles for the reader even when insecurities throw a wrench in the works. This book is a feel good, easy read that lightens the heart of the weariest romance reader. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

My bad, I had the previous book lined on my kindle shelves as I preordered it because of the blurb but then it was forgotten, probably due to a big release day for many publishers but a bad one for readers as they have to deal with too many new books with which to choose to read first.
And I preordered this one too but luckily I was graced an advance copy by Netgalley and the publisher BookBuz.net why this time I didn’t passed up reading this new release.
My conclusion is it was worth the read.
This was a witty and sweet read, full of quips and funny banters until it took a more thoughtful turn. At first, it was more a battle of wills and who will have the upper hand than a real courting, then they reached a truce to be straight forward when together. So in close contact, they came to see the other from a different view. At time I was upset by Emily’s stubbornness but when I look back, even if they have an instant chemistry, it is no excuse to jump to conclusion they can get more. Never Griffin disclaimed he won’t go back to Vienna nor he expressed his feelings as himself came to realize them only later.
Both make assumptions for the other because despite being honest, they can’t openly express what they feel or expect.
It was their biggest challenge, having faith and trust another. Their past shaped their present behavior, why they appeared at first to be so reluctant to let their initial preconceptions go. Then when faced with their past crushing their burgeoning romance, they must straighten their emotions and take action.
Emily is a great character, she is no badass heroine, she learned to be independent and each step was a small victory, why I do understood her steel decision to never give up her hard won freedom for nothing less than love.

« He’d offered to marry her for heaven’s sake, and she, fool that she was, had demanded more. Because loving him when he did not love her in return would be devastating. It would wear on her heart and destroy her soul. »

Griffin is very much a gentleman, he sure caused Emily pains but he was never voluntarily, more a miscommunication problem. And he always respected who she was and whom she has become.

« Whatever happened would be up to Miss Howard. All her life she’d been steered in one direction and told what to do. If there was one thing he could give her that he believed would mean more to her than anything else, it was being given the chance to choose. »

The ending was just perfect, a leap forward in the future with a glimpse of how they faired over time.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

This is 100% clean. Just a warning this is 100% clean. Just warning. You might like that kind of thing. But it’s not for me.