This was a good read. The storyline was a enjoyable combination, of fun, cute and emotional. In my opinion this book does bog down in some spots and although I liked Julia and Garrett, I would have liked to see them be more developed. Still, though I felt this was a entertaining read.

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

Gone With The Rogue, by Amelia Grey, will be available at booksellers on 4-28-2020. Rogue is book 2 in Ms Grey's First Comes Love series. Although a second series book there are different characters so it's a fine stand-alone story. There's only a tad bit of reference to the first book and that explains how the three ladies came together, became friends, and entered in an endeavor together. I read book 1, The Earl Next Door, in May of 2019, so the reminder was nice for me. I was able to concentrate on this couple without my mind being diverted. ,

Lady Julia Kitson Fairbright is a young widow with a 4 year old son to worry about and fuss over. Her father-in-law is a Duke and insist on keeping her under his thumb upon threat of taking away her child. She's desperate to keep him appeased until she can get away. She's spunky and not sure of her own strength, it's never been tested. She has a meet cute moment with Garrett Stockton, that's important to me in my romance stories. The attraction is so fast and strong that it reminded me of being struck by lightening. The odds aren't good but it sometimes happens. Rogue is an interesting study in testing your limits, knowing your self, and finally deciding what you want in life. Goi.ng after it is the journey. My con with Rogue is the use of such strange names, some I wasn't sure how to pronounce so I made it up. That was distracting and I thought unnecessary, although I understand all men are not named Sebastian.

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What a good book! Amazingly enough, this was my first read by Amelia Grey, though she's been on my TBR for a while. It won't be my last. Julia and Garrett and wonderful together. This was sweet and wonderful and the epilogue was fantastic!!!

A young widow meets a scandalous rogue while literally hanging out in a tree. Julia, Lady Kitsen Fairbright was catching butterflies with her young son when she got the net caught in a tree. Climbing up to retreive it she gets the lace of her collar caught and can't get loose. She's just hanging there when Garrett Stockton rides by and comes to her rescue. Can any book's introducing chapter beat that premise.
Julia may be a widow but she is under control of her father in Law (a Duke). If she puts one step out of line he will take her son away from her. Luckily, she overhears a conversation between the Duke and his solicitor that she could use to blackmail him if she could find some hidden paperwork.
Garrett comes to her rescue again helping to find the papers and working on decoding a ledger to help Julia escape. Throughout their acquaintance, they give in to the temptation and start to fall in love. Julia is a strong and smart character wanting only to have her independence with her son. Garrett was born into the ton but has made the unforgivable choice to take a ship his father won in a card game and create a shipping empire.
The ending was so sweet it brought the happily ever after that this couple deserved.
I received an advanced copy of this book.

I just love how Julia and Garrett met and how their relationship developed. The element of Julia trying to free herself and her son from her tyrannical and powerful father in law was well played out. In the end everything works out well. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.

This book was just OK.
The character of the mean old duke was a little too over-the-top, employing spies disguised as tutors, and hiding important documents in the floor under a heavy desk. And why did Julia address him as 'Duke' instead of 'Your Grace'?
The character of Julia is familiar: selfless, wanting only the best for her son. Beautiful, but reckless enough to catch the eye of the hero. And speaking of the hero, why is the title 'Gone With the Rogue' when he was anything but a rogue? Is it because it sounded catchy? Of course, he is rich, handsome, chivalrous, and not bound by superficial rules of the ton.
The writing and punctuation was good, so I kept reading.

Julia Fairbright is a widow with a young son and a father-in-law who likes to keep her right under his thumb. Julia would like to break free of him but needs some goods on him to do that. Julia finally finds a way but needs evidence to prove her case. Then, during an outing, she finds herself caught by her collar in a tree where she has gone to retrieve her son’s butterfly net, which is stuck in the tree. Enter Garrett Stockton, the owner of a successful shipping company, who sees Julia stuck in the tree, rescues her, and is immediately struck by her beauty. Julia, as well is smitten by Garrett, but she tries to smother this interest in Garrett. Thus, begins the dance between the pair as they try to fight mutual attraction, sometimes succeeding and sometimes not succeeding. Julia knows that being a good mother is as important as maintaining her solid reputation. Garrett has spent years as a sailor but knows the time has come for him to settle down in life, which he seems positive Julia can do. Garrett can help Julia get out from under the heavy hand of her father-in-law, but will she let him? In addition, what will each do with the growing mutual attraction to each other?

This is the second book in the series. I actually enjoyed the first book more. This one seemed to hurry along almost too fast for things. I found it interesting that Julia, despite her attraction to Garrett, still wanted to keep her independence and be the best mother possible, which was admirable—though possibly not for time setting of the book, while resolving to get out from under the thumb of her father-in-law. Garrett, for his part, was the ultimate gentleman hero. Some may have thought him a rogue, but this story and his actions proved otherwise. This is a good regency romance novel, which will appeal to readers who enjoy this genre or who just enjoy a good romance. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

The second in the series, this book didn’t quite have the pizazz the first book did. I enjoyed the story, it just didn’t seem to resonate as well with me. Our hero, Garrett, is a seafarer, looking to settle down, although he doesn’t know it until he meets the heroine, Julia. She is a widow, severely under the thumb of her over bearing father-in-law, and trying to escape. Their initial meeting in the park is a “meet-cute” for the books, and had me captivated. The story developed a bit slowly, but I really liked the way Garrett’s attraction to Julia was portrayed. Julia was a little harder to connect with, as she wasn’t trusting of Garrett’s actions and words, yet talked about escaping her father-in-law’s tyranny. I felt like we kept building to a big showdown with the father-in-law that kind of fizzled instead of being a grand finale. As with the initial meeting, there were several great, lighthearted scenes that made the book a pleasure to read. I also liked the set up with Brina’s situation for the third book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. This is my freely given, honest review.

a tree of all place for Julia to meet a handsome man. but she knows she cannot let her attraction to Garrett become of anything. Her current situation living in a Dukes house will not allow it as the Duke.has said.he will take her son from her if she does not abide by his strict rules. However Garrett seems to show up every time she needs rescuing even from tyrants.
Garrett owns a shipping company and is in town for his friends wedding g a d to purchase his childhood home. But when he spots Julia stuck in a tree he finds he cannot resit her. He finds that in order for him to win her he has to help her defeat the Duke to when her and her sons freedom.

This was a very entertaining read and recommend it. I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

Gone with the Rogue is the second in Amelia Grey's First Comes Love series. The story is about a young widow, Julia, who is stuck under the thumb of her oppressive father in law. Julia is desperate for her freedom and needs to find the evidence of her father in law’s true character to get freedom for her and her son. Enter Garrett, an untitled gentleman and a successful shipping magnate. He's returned from his most recent sojourn and isn’t looking to get involved with any woman for longer than one night. But Julia is too hard to resist and Garrett finds he no longer wants the sea to be his only lady.

This was my first read from this author and I was excited for a modern telling of the classic gentleman “pirate” trope, since I hadn’t read one in many years. I love these types of heroes because they usually bring such charm and excitement to the page. Unfortunately, these characters felt very flat and one dimensional to me. Their conversations and actions seemed stilted and the story just didn’t have the right flow to it.

I will say that I found the opening meet cute to be very charming. Garrett rescues Julia from a tree she has climbed up to retrieve a toy and this is the one time I really felt the connection and chemistry between our main couple. However, after that I felt like nothing much happens in the book. Eventually, Julia ropes Garrett into helping her look for evidence against her father-in-law. They find the evidence in short order, but it's encrypted so Garrett takes it to be decoded. While this is happening, the reader is treated to several chapters where the characters talk, go to social engagements, or work at some charity work that does nothing to drive the plot forward. I’d say over half of the reader’s time is spent in this holding pattern with the characters.

Additionally, the love scenes were very tame and very short in length. Personally, I don't need extremely graphic love scenes but I do want to feel the heat and passion between the couple. I felt little to no sexual tension between Garrett and Julia. The author spends a lot of time telling us the two characters are thinking about each other but does very little to show with actions, the rising chemistry between them.

After spending several chapters where not much of anything happens, one almost entirely about a secondary character joining a convent, the Happy couple is finally given their happily ever after in a rather predictable manner. I found myself wondering if I'd have enjoyed this more if I'd read the other book in the series, but honestly, I don't think it would matter. If you're looking for a good story about a widow finding love with a reformed rake check out Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas. This is a much better example of the strong widow and single mother finding the freedom to live and love again. I suggest you save yourself hours of reading pointless conversations and meaningless scenes and skip this book.

~ Lindsey

Julia Fairbright had a marriage of convenience that ended when her husband died at sea. She delights in her young son, enduring the critical eye of her father in law in order to retain custody. Garrett Stockton is a second son that had gotten successful at shipping and has always loved the sea. When the two meet by chance, it's only the beginning.

Gone With the Rogue is the second book in the "First Comes Love" series, after The Earl Next Door. It's not necessary to have read the first novel in this series, though I do enjoy Amelia Grey's novels so it might be worth a look anyway! In this one, the meet-cute occurs right away, when Julia is stuck in a tree that Garrett happens to tie his horse to as he avoids the ladies of the ton looking to introduce themselves. The two hit it off right away, though Julia is more frightened of the reputation he carries than his actual behavior. Her father in law had always been held up as the bastion of good manners and propriety, and he went out of his way to make Julia's life miserable to pay for eloping with his youngest son. There's very little to suggest any kind of warmth or redemption for the elderly Duke, but that's not the point of this story.

The point is that Julia, who had thought that love was beyond her, has finally found it again. Garrett, who had never felt at home in London, finally sees a kindred spirit. The two had often felt isolated prior to meeting each other, and now there is someone they look forward to sharing the future with. Julia has a slim opportunity to escape the tight strictures of her father in law so she can live her own life and raise her son as she sees fit, and I like that she has the strength of will to take it. Garrett doesn't overstep the bounds she places on him and does what he can to help her, even when she initially rebuffs his advances. He's genuinely a kind and caring man, even if his reputation doesn't say so.

We have our happily ever after, and it's one that they absolutely deserve and earn.

Gone With the Rogue is the second book in the First Comes Love series. This is an entertaining Historical Romance. Garrett and Julia are a wonderful couple with great chemistry. The intriguing storyline kept my attention until the end.

Julia, Lady Kitson gets caught in a tree when Mr Garrett Stockton rides underneath the tree and saves her. Julia is a widow with a small child and Garrett, a ship owner or possibly, a pirate. The chemistry flares between them at first touch. She is under the dictatorship of her father in law. She is afraid to leave as he will take her son away. If she could make him let her and her son go, she could have a real life. She just needs proof that he is not the upstanding man he claims to be. Garrett has agreed to help, but he's a gentleman and Lord Kitson is a duke. Will Julia be able to free herself and her son. I love Garrett and the understanding and patience he has with Julia. He's my perfect hero and pirate? Well, you have to read the book. I loved it and York. I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher for a honest review.

Garrett has loved the life of being at sea. On his first day back he encounters a lovely lady in a tree. Lady Kitson has been a widow for 4 years. She has a fierce spirit that is being trampled on by her father-in-law the Duke. When these two meet sparks begin to fly. This is an engaging and sometimes laugh out loud funny story. When the ladies decides to try their hand at cooking for the first time is a moment you will not want to miss. Chatwyn is a delight. Only one lady is now left of the widowed trio to find a second chance at love and I know it will be jus as good as these first two.

Gone With the Rogue is a beautifully written Regency romance. Not by choice widow, Julia Fairbright and her young son live with her evil father-in-law who is a duke... While she had not loved her husband, she was a good wife. After he died she had wanted to live on her own with her son. Her father-in-law would have gladly allowed her to leave, but her son had to stay. .She would never agree to give up her son and since her inheritance was not released, she was basically a captive. Fate presented information that she just might be able to use to obtain their freedom from the duke. All she needed was the courage and determination to enact her plan. Before she did, she unexpectedly met Garrett Stockton under most unusual circumstances. From that point on their lives changed.
This book is a pleasure to read. The narrative moves quickly. Filled with well developed characters, romance, passion, wit and wonderful dialogue this book is a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Here we have a delightful love story between a young widow and a rogue. Julia is a young widow with a son who has a manipulative father in law. Garrett is the owner of a shipping company and is known for his way with the ladies. Garret falls for Julia and wants her as his wife and also wants her son. It’s a fun cute story with fairly predictable obstacles but at the end it’s a satisfying romance. If you want to read a cute heartwarming love story this is a good book for you.

Garrett is a wonderful hero! I really enjoyed getting to know him! The premise of the storyline captured my attention immediately. The heroine tends to think a lot. I look forward to reading the next First Comes Love book in the series.

Garrett is a shipping owner who actually sails his ships. He has a mistress in every port. This matters, because he usually does one of two things as soon as he's back on land. Tup his mistress or go to Hyde Park. This trip he goes to the park and promptly meets Julia (thereby not tupping the mistress and becoming interested in Julia instead). She's a widow with a son. Oh, and he husband died when he went down on another ship.

Are they a match on land and on the sea?

This story was pretty good. It started out excellent. The characters are awesome, the meeting was excellent. It was excellent. The idea of the story was truly great. 

The story progression kind of waned for me. I thought there were some moments that were really sweet. Other times, it fell a bit flat.  I do recommend this book if you are into very sweet chill stories. (Closed door, if you know what I mean. You do.) ;) 

Honestly, reading this book was a bit of a challenge for me. I lost interest. The characters, who I initially fell in love with, did not keep my interest. They felt a little shallow. The story was well laid out, however, I did not really understand Julia's continual whining about her father in law without even trying to do anything about it. I guess I lost patience with her. I loved Garrett. He was excellently crafted.

Gone With the Rogue
by Amelia Grey
St Martin’s Press


This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

A charming historical romance

Gone With the Rogue is the second book in the First Comes Love series by Amelia Grey.

Lady Julia Kitson Fairbright, is a widow, mother to a four year old son, Chatwyn
She also happens to be the daughter in law to Duke of Sprogsfield.
Julia, suffers under the over controlling Duke, who threatens to take little Chatwyn legally away from her.

When Julia finds herself stuck high up in a tree in Hyde Park, patiently waiting for her son's governess to return and help her down.
The roguish, Garrett Stockton is taking a ride through the park altering his usual routine after being at sea. He comes the spirited young widows rescue.
Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company, he also has a reputation, that may or may not be true. He soon finds himself smitten with the captivating widow, and her adorable son.
Lady Kitson, will have to ultimately decide if the Rogue is someone she can let her guard down and trust.

A fast paced read, one I immensely enjoyed, delightful historical romance where the hero and a heroine are perfectly matched.

I excited to read the next installment from Amelia Grey!


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