The opening of this book caught my attention right away. Julia stuck up in a tree and Garrett rides by and stops in the shade of that tree, only to discover her there. I thought it was cute, different. It had my attention.
And for a while  my attention was there. I thought the two meetings after that were cute, funny. But then the story seemed to go a little flat.  The chemistry seemed to fizzle a little.
But in the end, Garrett was Julia's hero and rescued his damsel in distress. And they lived HEA.
Cute story, which I would give 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

A romantic smitten at first glance with an interesting premise. The wicked father-in-law was a bit of a twist, but that back story gives a touch of intrigue to the story. There were a few scenes that were a bit far fetched, and a few that were amusing, all in all this story kept me turning the pages.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Gone with the Rogue is the second installment in the First Comes Love series. It can be read independently of the series with little to no confusion as a standalone.

As the daughter-in-law of a duke, a widowed Julia Fairbright is left to raise her son without a father. Under the duke's protection, Julia struggles as her son is used as a leash to keep her under control. Imprisoned by society as a woman, trapped due to her circumstances, after many years, Julia is willing to do anything to gain some independence while keeping her son. An animal cornered.

Julia resonated deeply with me, her emotions were spot-on in the beginning, the eggshell walking, the hopelessness of being trapped in a way of life that she didn't want to lead, while feeling as if there was no way out.

In walks Garrett Stockton, the roguish charming shipping scoundrel. As a prominent business owner, he's always on the fringes, catching sight of Julia. Always getting what he wants, and he wants Julia. Instant attraction, instant need and want, leads to instant love.

As a reader, I'm more prone to believe in the romance if it's more on the slower-building side. If it's too instant, I have a hard time connecting. While a faster pace keeps me engaged while reading, the emotions don't necessarily ring true for me. I enjoyed both characters independently of one another, wanted them to find their happily ever afters with one another, the journey there left me wanting more, maybe wanting something else.

I was confused, because there were scenes where I adored the banter, but other times I felt a disconnect, as if reading different characters with the same names. Sometimes the characterization was rich and alive, other times it came off as one-dimensional, shallow, with forced interaction.

I enjoyed the story, but was confused by how sometimes it felt like I was reading a different book from one scene to the next. The vibe. The way Julia and Garrett interacted with one another and others around them.

A worthy addition to the series, I do look forward to more, and do recommend to fans of the author and historical romance.

Good sea-faring story of a couple who have never loved but find themselves falling for one another. Good story telling and fun plot. I  would recommend this to fans of regency/victorian genre of romance books.


Arc was given to read free by publisher and netgalley. Thanks, the opinions are my own.

Risking a second chance!

A brilliant beginning had me on the edge of my seat waiting for more. Julia Fairbright is a widow laboring under the demands of a harsh father-in-law whose never forgiven her for marrying his son.
Her authoritarian father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogfield, a stickler for stringent etiquette and behavior forms, who relished the good opinion of society, a standing he basked in, has threatened to cut Julia off from her son if she ever deviates from his tyrannical demands around her code of behavior. Julia knows that he is not the honorable figure he presents to society and needs to find the proof that will give her leverage for her and her son to live independently.
Garrett Stockton meets Julia under unusual cumstances. He is immediately drawn to her, and as they see more of each other their regard deepens. Garrett is determined to pursue her and he does so by being the stalwart rock she can depend on.
There are some amusing situations that include the cooking episode with Julia and her friend Brina, which also serves as a comment on the expectations of what women in society should do.
An enjoyable story that surprisingly lost some of its energy as the story progresses. I'm unsure why because plenty of situations arise that should've been more charged.

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Julia Fairbright, widowed following her husband’s death at sea a few years before, desires freedom for herself and her son, Chatwyn, yet lives in fear of her powerful father-in-law. The duke threatens to separate Julia from her son if she doesn’t follow his stringent rules—but she uncovers a secret that may give her the independence she seeks.

Garrett Stockton didn’t come back to London to fall in love, but a chance encounter with Julia in the park changes everything. Her independent spirit calls to him in a way that his life on the sea never has. In a city where he could never see a future, he begins to envision a life, a home… more. But first he must convince Julia that he’s here to stay, and assist in her quest to break free of the duke.

Gone With the Rogue charmed me with the build-up to Julia and Garrett’s relationship as well as the way that Julia was fiercely independent. Her emotions have been trampled on for years, and she bursts free on each page. It was exciting watching how she tackled one thing after another, whether it was something as simple as freeing a butterfly net or as complex as unraveling her desires and allowing herself to take a chance on love.

The book was quite thorough with its historical details—at times to a fault. I found myself skipping over the occasional paragraph where things (such as the customary habits of gentlemen of the times, etc) were described in excruciating detail, and didn’t feel like that detracted from my enjoyment of the book at all. Those parts pulled me out of the story, so it was easier to skip to where I would stay engaged.

Julia and Garrett’s story is one of change and acceptance. It’s full of intrigue and daring. We know who the villain is and we root for our hero and heroine to succeed in thwarting him. They make a wonderful couple and it was a joy seeing them work for that happily-ever-after.

With the real world in turmoil right now, I think we should all embrace every shred of joy we can get.

3 Stars
Amelia Grey has taken the current theme of a single mother trying to do right by her son and put it in the historical venue. We have a woman who had been wed, had her child, and then became a widow. She is a strong woman, focused on raising her son, and has the obstacle of the father in law/ grandfather who insists he is the only one who knows what is best for the boy. 

Sound familiar...yes but put the struggle on steroids because of the times and issues women had to overcome. There were only a few ways to fight and one of them was to remarry and allow men to once again be in charge. 
Our gal has decided this wasn't for her until she meets Him...

Will he be the one who will bring love and happiness, we hope so.

Gone With the Rogue by Amelia Grey is a quite interesting read, and while this is book two of tales of three female friends, it is a good standalone story. The story opens with Lady Kitson Fairbright, Julia, being rescued by a gentleman, Garrett Stockton. The lady knows of the man and his interesting lifestyle and Garrett is aware of who Julia is, what has happened to her, as she is a widow and who her two best friends are. The interaction of the two is lighthearted and funny. While the two are waiting for the lady's maid to return, Garrett and Julia have a pleasant conversaion concluding with Julie asking Garrett a question that makes him wonder what Julia is up to and he's very interested in the lady herself. Garrett trying to get to know Julia agrees to help her gather information about her controlling father-in-law so that she can be her own woman. The adventure continues with Julia and Garrett finding what she was looking but there's still a problem which Garrett isn't certain that an answer can be found. There's lots going on as the reader finds out about Julia's father-in-law and an underlying question from one of Julia's best friends (not related to Julia's problem). The conclusion is exciting and satisfactory, all questions are answered and there's HEA.

Every time I see the series title I think of that ditty we used to say as kids but anyways another delight to go back in time to experience romance in a different way. Julia and Garrett take us on a journey that then everyone had a place and heat was kept in the covers lol. Misconceptions color the character but he has his work cut out for him when his heart wants a jewel. She hides the desire but that can only be for a time I would think, the heart wants what the heart wants. Interesting to see how the battle of wills will come out with giving a good read as it does.

Gone With The Rogue is a sweet regency romance.
I liked the strong and sassy heroine, Julia. I appreciated her desire both for freedom and to protect her child. I think I would have liked to see more scenes with her son because he was so adorable!
I like how Garrett was immediately taken with Julia and saw who she was as a person. How he was willing to do anything to help her, and not just to bed her.
I thought their meet-cute was just precious and different—swooping in to save the fair maiden from the evil clutches of the tree's branches!
This was an easy read, and I enjoyed the book, but I was wanting a little more from the story. While I was reading it, I really, really wanted to love the book, and I never got quite there. There was just some "it" factor that was missing.

I enjoyed reading this book. about Julia, Garrett, Brina and Chatwyn and the crazy situations they find themselves in.  The book begins with Julia, a young widow, getting stuck in a tree in the park while trying to rescue her butterfly net.  She sends her son Chatwyn and his nanny home to retrieve a pair of scissors and while they are gone Garrett stops his horse under said tree and discovers her.  Garrett then proceeds to rescue Julia and in doing so, they become somewhat attracted to each other.  Julia cannot do much about her feelings for she is under the strict control of her father-in-law, but she is trying to find a way to discredit the man in order to gain freedom for her and her son.  Brina is Julia's best friend and confidant as they were both widowed because of the same ship sinking.  Brina, Julia and another widow founded a school for girls to help all the other daughters and sisters of the men who died with their husbands.  Brina now thinks that she would like to join a nunnery and Julia is wanting to be free to live life the way that she wants without answering to any man.   Garrett has just returned from a voyage on one of his ships and upon meeting Julia, he suddenly realizes that maybe this time he will remain in London.  Once Julia enlists Garrett's aid in helping her find information to discredit her father-in-law their attraction can no longer be denied.  Garrett seems to keep having to rescue Julia and sometimes Brina from some of their ideas gone wrong.  Read the book to see if Julia, Garrett, Chatwyn and Brina can overcome various calamities and finally capture their HEAs.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley I was able to read an advanced copy of this book.  I am now leaving my freely given review and all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

He helped her down from a tree and through the most hilarious mess two ladies could make in the kitchen (it was their first cooking experience).  Can he help her and her son escape her tyrannical father-in-law?  

This is the second book in the First Comes Love Series and features Lady Julia Fairbright and Garrett Stockton.  Since her husband’s death four years ago, his father, the Duke of Sprogsfield, has kept Julia under his control by threatening to take her son away from her if she doesn’t comply with his rules.   Garrett is the owner of a successful shipping company.  He is the son of a gentleman, but stays on the edge of Society.  When he rescues Julia from the tree in St. James Park, their attraction is instant.  Their chemistry is sizzling and their connection is strong.  Julia is strong, independent, caring, and kind.  Garrett is intelligent, independent, kind, and becomes immediately protective of Julia and Chatwyn.  Julia wants more than anything to be free to live her life, raise her son, and be with Garrett, but she is afraid of the Duke’s reaction.  When Julia tells him of her plan to deal with the Duke, he agrees to help.  It turns out they have a common adversary.   Gone with the Rogue is a charming and entertaining story.  The characters are likeable (except the Duke and Mr. Pratt).  Julia’s four-year-old son is absolutely adorable.  The girls from the Seafarer’s School make a happy appearance.  Brina is anxiously contemplating what she wants in her life.  I enjoyed this one and look forward to her story.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.  My review is voluntary.

The interplay between Julia and Garrett is flirtatious and fun, but what made this story stand out for me was the introduction of Chatwyn, Julia’s son, into the story.  The Evil Duke remained off-stage for most of the story, and was therefore just a bit unbelievable as a motivator of Julia’s actions.  But all of this aside, “Gone with the Rogue” was just the dose of light reading that I was looking for, and supplied a welcome afternoon’s escape.

This is the second book in a historical romance series, but can stand alone. The story is told from dual points of view. Lady Julia Kitson Fairbright is the widow of the Duke of Sprogfield's youngest son. The Duke is publicly pious and very controlling of Julia and her four year old son Chatwyn. The Duke threatens to take Chatwyn if she fails in his demands. Our H - Lord Garrett Stockton is a gentleman who works! He has a profitable shipping line, and a reputation as a rake.
I liked the outset of the book with Julia in a tree and Garrett coming to her rescue. I can see how they would each become intrigued with the other. However, the book then slows down and we repeatedly hear the Duke will take Chatwyn. There is instalove with no real development of chemistry. The author doesn't provide enough character development, or emotional involvement for us to care what happens to these people. I did enjoy the scene with the two "Ladies" trying to make bread and soup - "it can't be that difficult!". All together there were some good vignettes, but no real character growth, and the evil Duke was a fail for me. I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first book by this author and while technically adequate, it needs more effort.

Amelia's book have quickly become my Historical Cozy. Not that they are predictable but more because they hit all the beats I look for in romance. We meet Lady Julia literally up a tree and in these opening pages we connect with her resourcefulness and dedication. Releasing a butterfly has left Julia trapped in the tree and her savior comes in the attractive form of a known scoundrel.

Garrett helps free Julia and instantly decides he wants her in his life. Garrett senses Julia's distress over her living situation and pledges his support. Julia is resistant but necessity leads her to trust and a deep passionate attachment.

Grey does a good job of portraying the challenges Julia is having with her deceased husbands Father, but also showcasing her refusal to surrender, and to fight for her and her sons freedom.

A good read with some nice romantic scenes.

This is my first Amelia Grey book! I really liked this historical romance book! I guess this is book two in her First Comes Love Series - but not having read the first book I don't feel like anything has been given away. I will have to check out the first book next!

The dynamic between Julia and Garrett is just great! I do feel like this happened quickly and there wasn't much build-up but somehow this worked for me this time!

Another thing I liked was that Garrett and Julia had the best sass and innuendos about the mission they were helping each other with.  

If you're looking for a historical romance to pull you in and make you forget your surroundings this is a great book to curl up with.

I loved this book!  I will say that I am particular to the name of a hero, and, often this might determine whether I want to buy the book or not. 'Garrett' is a strong name, and I loved it.  And I think 'Julia' is a lovely name for a heroine. Very gentle and romantic. And these names, or rather the characters live up to these names. They are perfect complements to each other. The dialogue between the two, as well as the scenes between hero and heroine, in general, as the book develops, are brilliant.  Also, I just say, I quite like the backstory of Garrett's being 'married to the sea,' a priority with which he needs to reckon against Julia. The author has a wonderful way with vocabulary and description that puts one right at the heart of the scene - and in the middle of the time period. Well done! :)

Gone with the Rogue is a sweet Regency romance, the second book in the First Comes Love Series and works just fine as a standalone, but I don’t think I will go back to read the first book or continue on with the series.  The description of this book promises a lot more than it delivers.  

Julia was in a loveless but amiable marriage and pregnant when she was widowed. Now she lives with her controlling father-in-law with no hope of escape to live a life of her own. Garrett is a second son who struck out on his own rather than live off his brother and is now the successful owner of a shipping company.  He is not quite accepted into society and has the reputation of a rogue.

Julia is literally up a tree when they meet and he rescues her.  Sparks fly.  So it’s the perfect set up for romance.  However, a physical relationship doesn’t translate into passion, professed love doesn’t translate into trust.  None of the characters are as large as they could be, so the story has a rather small, confined feel to it.  

It could just be me.  As I said, this is a sweet story.  The characters all fit well into the roles assigned them.  I just expected more action, more evil, more passion, more something.  Thanks to St Martin's Press via NetGalley for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Julia Fairbright’s husband died when the ship he was on sank leaving no survivors. She was 8 months pregnant and as she wanted to move out on her own, her father-in-law was a Duke and he said she could go but his grandson was staying with him. He made her life miserable as he showed his dislike for her and to make her pay for eloping with his youngest son, he told her she would act the widow for the rest of her life. She met Garrett Stockton when he stopped under the tree she was stuck up in. There was an attraction when he had to climb the tree to get her untangled and down without anyone seeing to cause any word to get to the Duke so he would have an excuse to take her son from her. She lived for her four-year-old son Chatwyn. When she overhears a discussion between the Duke and his solicitor, she knew if she found the papers that would be enough proof for her to be able to finally leave with her son. She ends up needing help but it takes her awhile as she needs to know she can trust Garrett as she needs a man’s strength. There is so much to this story and I know I really enjoyed it, I think you will too. If I were to pick one thing I would change it would be how long it took her to get over her loss and move on. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Gone With the Rogue is the second book in the First Comes Love series by Amelia Grey. It can be read as a standalone but I think you will enjoy it more if you have read the first book already.

Julia Fairbright is a widow with a young son. She lives with her controlling father-in-law who threatens to take her son away from her if she so much as thinks of courting another man. When she realises there is a way to blackmail him into letting her live her own life away from him without losing her son, she jumps at the chance. First, she needs some evidence.

Garrett Stockton owns a shipping business, his great love is the sea and he spends as much time on it as possible. His friend is getting married in London and for that reason, Garrett is on land once again. On his first day back he encounters Julia in, of all places, a tree! From the minute he sees her he is captivated. 

After getting to know her Garrett convinces her to let him help her get the evidence she needs in order to win her freedom from her Father-in-Law. It's not going to be easy, if possible at all, but they are both determined to succeed. If at the same time they find themselves mutually attracted to each other and maybe sharing a kiss or two, well that's just a bonus for them both. Could it turn into more than a kiss? A future for them depends entirely on their mission being successful.

I thoroughly enjoyed Garrett and Julia's story. Garrett is the ultimate gentleman hero. He may have the reputation of a rogue, but he is far from it when it comes to Julia. I loved Julia's strength in trying to find a way to get away from her Father-in-Law. He is a terrible man who definitely goes the wrong way about trying to keep his grandson under his control. 

There is only one thing that I wish was different in the story and that was how Julia at one point despite her feelings towards Garrett still chose her independence over anything else. I don't want to say too much about it, but I think the author might have been writing with political correctness in mind rather than romance being at the forefront. All ended well with the epilogue so that's the main thing.

I have read and enjoyed two books in this series now and am very much looking forward to the next one.