DNF @ 49% - This book just wasn't for me at the moment. It's not that it's a bad book by any means, but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't care the characters, maybe because there wasn't that much background information on them besides the first chapter? I don't know.. Maybe it has to do with that I haven't read the first book. So I'm going to read the first book at a later time and then get back to this to see how I like it then :) But for now, this just isn't for me. The concept is cool though because I adore historical fiction!

Thanks for the free book, @PRHGlobal/@prhinternational #partner

4,5 stars


What does it say about a book when you order the prequel the second you finished it? It says that you had an amazing time!

I had seen Bringing Down the Duke everywhere months ago but had not read it. When PRH International offered me the opportunity to read A Rogue of One’s Own, a standalone book in what seems a series of interconnected books, I leaped on the occasion.



And how pleased I am that I did!



That’s what I am looking for as a romance reader!

-Good banter;

-Fiery heroine;

-Roguish male character;

-Past flaws and pains;

-Enemies to lover to have sparkles flying;

-Beautiful words of old that sends thrills to my romantic heart like: rake, ripped bodice, unbridled attractiveness …;

-Historical facts making me ponder my current situation under another light;

-Great friends;

-A cause to fight for;

….



This is one of these reads where everything works together and is calling to me. I read it nearly in one sitting, delighted by Tristan Ballentine and Lady Lucie love/hate relationship played on a background of suffragette’s history.



Prepare thee for several quotes below!



This book follows lady Lucie, from noble birth but cast aside by her family once she decided to openly side for the suffragette’s cause.

Truly Lucie’s dedication and passion for that cause was admirable and awe inspiring.

I never realized how these women had to fight for what I consider my normality today: the right to vote, the right to retain my inheritance and income, the ….



In a ploy to advance the women’s cause and reach more women, Lady Lucie has created a consortium of wealthy women. With their funds, she is preparing a coup to acquire the majority ownership of a publishing company whose lectorate is feminine.

But of course, she never imagined being trifled by her childhood nemesis, the roguish, debauched and alluring Lord Tristan Ballentine!



Friend with her brother, he spent his summers playing pranks on her. Now he has returned as a war hero. Already a real Don Juan he has even more women falling at his feet.

And he happens to have silently bought the other half of the publishing house.

Now Lucie will have to deal with him on a regular basis.

Heated arguments and sizzling attraction ensue. The gauntlet was thrown down and war would begin

« If his lordship wanted war, he’d better batten down the hatches.”



I loved Lucie’s character.

She was loud and brash. Passionate and never afraid to speak her mind. More a fan of plowing through enemy’s lines than to try for subtlety, she’ll be forced to reconsider her strategy and aim for: “Pandemonium by stealth.”



She had lived alone for so long that she became …rigid in her mind and when one of the lady advised her to take a lover to unwind, well it will have a very passionate outcome.

“She had taken a rogue into her bed, into her life, so a mad last tumble in a ripped bodice was a befitting good-bye.”



What was also remarkable was that Lucie truly was dedicated in helping all women, from noble women to whores in need of saving.

She did many acts of kindness but what had me arrested was this quote:

“She could change a fate here and there immediately by going without, but what was truly needed were better circumstances for every woman, every child, independently of random acts of charity. And this was a matter of making just policies in Westminster.”

Because this whole book was about women’s condition at these times and how men held so much power over them. This was truly enlightening.



Tristan was also a vey interesting character and had a real growth in this story. Just focused on debauchery at the beginning of the book, he will show a true concern for women’s condition once he became aware of what they had to go through. His passionate nature and clever mind will fixate on furthering the cause.



And did I mention the sass????

“Avi,” she said. “Lord Ballentine and I have a business matter to discuss. Unless you think his lordship wants the entire street to partake in it, step aside. My voice carries, I have been told.” The brows swooped. “It does,” Avi said. “Carry. You are not armed with anything sharp, milady?” “Other than my tongue?”



I am currently listening to Bringing Down the Duke and having an equally great time so, go read that book!

This was such a good book! It was a bit slow to get into for me but already knowing most of the characters from Bringing Down the Duke really helped. Lucie and Tristan had amazing chemistry and I loved their characters and how they came together. I can't wait for the next book!

I loved Bringing Down the Duke and was excited to continue on this next book in the series. I am always hesitant when it comes to the second book in the series because how can you top the first? Well, mission accomplished, Evie Dunmore. You managed to make me like this book EVEN MORE!

Lady Lucie and her band of suffragettes have come up with a plan to buyout prominent London newspapers to spread awareness for this cause. Trouble is, the rakish Lord Ballantine has got in the way of those plans. They have battles of wills and words. Can she resist his charms and succeed in her plans?

I loved this character of so much. She was unique! Deemed a spinster, she is more interested in the suffragist cause than in her looks and society. She also is unafraid of being different and going against norms. Lord Ballentine came off as a bad boy at first, but he definitely was more than that.

You know I adore my hate to love trope and this one did not disappoint. This will be up there when I think of my favorite romance books!

It falls short of the first book in terms of characterization and gut wrenching emotion, but still a decent read. I don't think I could ever quite put my finger on what Lucie's motivations and desires were in the same way I could for Arabella- perhaps because Lucie's goals are so broad and varied, while Arabella had a comparatively narrow goal. This unfortunately lent Lucie's characterization a nebulous quality. In comparison, Tristan's character growth seemed more developed. For a book about suffragists and female empowerment, I do wish there was less pitting women against other women for the sake of a man. Lucie also felt removed from the suffragist movement, in that I couldn't place her involvement in the context of the wider movement. It sometimes felt like she was leading a small cadre of wealthy, white suffragists within a silo. The parts about Tristan's tattoo could probably have been improved with a sensitivity reader. I will absolutely seek out the third book in the series however, and this is a solid escapist read.

Terrific follow-on to Bringing Down the Duke. Once again, the setting is London, late Victorian period, as the Suffragist movement gains steam. The challenges facing women, such as property ownership, voting, and marital abuse, are an excellent backdrop for the romance between Lucie and Tristan.

We met Lucie in the last book, as head of the Oxford chapter of the suffragists. She is stubborn, determined, and focused on seeing the dream come true. Disowned by her family, she lives on her own with her cat, Boudica, embracing the title of "spinster." She refuses to give up what little autonomy she has by marrying. In this book, which takes place a few months after the previous one, the ladies need a way to publish a report they have compiled. Lucie plans to purchase a publishing house and use that. As the story opens, she has just purchased one-half of a publishing house, where the other two owners are absentees, leaving her free to run it as she likes. Unfortunately for her, the man she buys from informs her that the other two men have just sold their shares also. Lucie's new partner is her childhood nemesis, Tristan Ballentine.

Tristan is an unexpectedly complex man. He has the reputation of a rake, but also a secret identity as a fantastic poet. Tristan has recently returned from the wars in India and Afghanistan. He appeared briefly in the previous book as an unmitigated rake who danced with Annabelle. He is handsome and has quite a reputation with women. His older brother died, leaving Tristan as the heir, something that displeases his father. Dear old dad has arranged a marriage for Tristan but requires a cleaned-up reputation. Tristan has no intention of cooperating until Rochester threatens to put Tristan's mother in an asylum if he doesn't. Caught in a trap, Tristan decides to play along until he can find a way to rescue his mother. He comes up with the idea of republishing his poems under his own name to raise the needed funds. Buying half of a publishing house is the quickest way to do so.

The sparks between Lucie and Tristan are off the charts from the start. The two of them have a history from when they were children, and Tristan took great delight in playing pranks on Lucie. What she never knew was that there were elements of a serious crush involved. As an adult, Lucie played a part in many of Tristan's fantasies. Thrown together as they are, Lucie continues to plague Tristan's thoughts. It isn't too long until Tristan works his way into hers, also. I loved the back and forth between them. At first, it is very antagonistic, especially on Lucie's side. Tristan just wants a chance to live out his fantasies and offers an unexpected bargain. The more time they spend together, the more they realize that they have much in common. I loved watching Lucie open Tristan's eyes to the truths of her cause, and how Tristan found himself sharing more of the real him with her.

The fire between Lucie and Tristan was intense when they finally gave in to it. Neither of them expected that deep of a connection, and both tried to resist it. It takes a long time for each of them to realize their feelings. It was fun to see Tristan demonstrate those feelings without knowing it, by merely being himself. From being there to support her during the ball to his final demonstration of his belief in her, he finally saw that he'd always loved her. There were still some obstacles standing between them, not the least of which was the secret he kept from her. I ached for Lucie when that came out. Tristan impressed me with how he handled it. Fate wasn't entirely done with them, though, and there was one more hurdle. I loved how Lucie dealt with all the parties concerned. I was a little surprised by their plan for the future, but I loved how Tristan was so supportive of what was essential to Lucie.

I liked seeing more of Annabelle and Sebastian and how their life together is going. The house party at Claremont was interesting with all of the undercurrents. Hattie and Catriona also had their parts to play, especially in helping Lucie carry out her plans. I appreciate the strength of the friendship among the four women and how they support each other. There are a few rough spots, but the friendships are solid enough to weather them. Lucie's cousin Cecily irritated me from the beginning, and I wasn't at all surprised at her part in the book. Lucie's mother was pretty bad, too, but she did redeem herself somewhat at the end. I detested Tristan's father.

This series is excellent. The history is so rich and the romance will sweep you away. I’m am already partial to Historical Romance as a genre, but Evie Dunmore has hit on something altogether extraordinary. Each book is unique and edgy and will keep you coming back for more. And I need more. I need Hattie and Catriona’s stories and I’m glad to see it looks like we will get them.

The second in the A League of Extraordinary Women series, A Rogue of One’s Own follows Lady Lucie, one of the suffragists, who has her eye set on taking over one of London’s major publishing houses for the cause. There’s just one problem and his name is Lord Ballentine. Will Lady Lucie’s hard work pay off or has she met her match in Lord Ballentine?

This one was a bit slow to star off with and I had trouble getting into the story at first. Once the story did pick up though, I had issues putting this one down. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Lady Lucie and Lord Ballentine and I loved some of the surprises throughout the book. Overall this was a good read with some great steam and gets 4 stars!

I'm always wary when we have our hero portrayed as a rogue, a womanizer, whatever you want to call it. We had already met Tristan Ballantine in the previous book when he tried to charm Annabelle before sweet, possessive Sebastian intervened. I'm glad to say Ballantine redeemed himself. We got to know him and see where he was coming from. Behind the smiles and the flirtation, he is his mother's son who wants to protect her from his abusive father. Growing up, he's had an eye for our heroine Lucie but their first meeting wasn't the best and it started some kind of rivalry where Tristan kept playing pranks on her. And years later, when Lucie tries to have control over a press for the suffragists, Tristan offers it to her one one condition : that she spends the night with him when she desires him for him. Other than his seductive nature, Tristan does have a sweet and protective side, one Lucie will find out with time and experience.

A Rogue of One's Own was another win in my book. It was lovely to listen to and I just adored the ending and seeing them together was so good. They deserve to be happy and I'm so glad they (and their cat) get to have their HEA ;) I can't wait to read the next story in this series. I don't know who will be the main characters but I'm excited no matter who it's going to be.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

The author's second novel does not shy away from the problems of Victorian England, while still creating a fun and engaging romance.

4.5 STARS!

"I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves." - Mary Wollstonecraft

Evie Dunmore has once again bewitched my heart with her writing! A Rogue of One's Own was passionate, heartfelt, and truly empowering. It had just the right amount of longing and angst that I crave in romance!

Lady Lucinda "Lucie" Tedbury has known Tristian since they were in their teens. She is irritated by his mere presence but she can't help feel attracted to the carrot-head (her words not mine). Everyone thinks of her as a spinster and a shrew but she's a free thinker, and someone who wants to give women a voice in a world dominated by men.

Tristian enjoys watching her squirm... Anything to provoke a reaction. Lord Tristian Ballestine was instantly smitten with the girl riding a horse and he would never forget the time she slapped him. Presently, they're older. Tristian is a veteran and a known rake and rogue. His main goal is to get away from his father's control, and Tristian will stop at nothing to gain his financial freedom. In doing so, he becomes co-owner of the publishing house Lucie has been fighting for.

Their back and forth banter was a definite highlight in this novel and had me giddy like a kid in a candy store! You can practically feel Lucie's attraction through the pages but she fights it every step of the way. Not only was the chemistry between Tristian and Lucie palpable but I loved being front and center of the formidable suffragist movement. It was an empowering time in history to say the least. I was also swept away by the beautiful country sides and the rich details of that time period; really makes me wish I could experience that era just once.

A Rogue of One's Own is just the story you want to read if you're a fan of historical romance. It has the love story, but because of the issues this novel covers it can easily be classified as women's fiction, too.

Once I reached the end of this book I just knew which character would get the spotlight next and I'm so excited for her story to unfold!!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

EEEk! Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for this ARC of A Rogue of One's Own, book two in Evie Dunmore's series, A League of Extraordinary Women.
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I really enjoyed Bringing Down the Duke, so it was a no-brainer to read A Rogue of One's Own. And actually, color me surprised that I enjoyed book two even more! The characters were likable and endearing (I felt there was much more character development in Rogue than in Duke!), the writing was lovely and rich, the plot moved at a steady pace, and OSCAR WILDE MAKES A CAMEO. (My favorite classic author - yes, Evie had me at Oscar!)
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While book one was about Annabelle, Rogue is about Lucie, a strong suffragist who has dedicated her life to The Cause. This alone makes Lucie an admirable character. She is strong in her convictions and dedicated to her life's purpose - she wants equality folks.
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Tristan and Lucie have known each other much of their lives and are very much opposites. Lucie considers Tristan a scandalous rogue, and Lucie has her own reputation as being just a few years from an old maid. So what will happen when suddenly Tristan buys half the shares of the publishing house where Lucie owns the other half? Guess you will have to read to find out :).
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For fans of:
- Bringing Down the Duke
- Historical fiction and the suffragist movement
- Enemies to loves trope
- English history
- Hottie hot hot lords like Tristan Ballentine *swooooooon*

A wonderful follow-up to Bringing Down the Duke! The enemies-to-lovers trope was used expertly and it was unputdownable!! Eagerly awaiting the next in the series!

I liked this one better then the first! This could be a very exciting series.

Continues with a group of suffragettes telling Lucy's story with the nemesis of her youth, Tristan. It was an easy story to get into and enjoy.

I did receive an advanced reader copy to prepare this review.

I received an ARC through netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was waiting for this book since I finished the first book in the series. If you have not read it, you will still heartily enjoy this book, as there is a new couple at the centre of this book.

Lady Lucie has devoted 10 years to the suffragist cause - oftentimes to the detriment of her personal life. Together with fellow suffragists, they have collected enough money to own the majority of a major publishing house. The purpose of this is to publish suffragist columns in the magazine, knowing it will result in a massive decline in readership, perhaps even bankrupt the company. But there is one person standing in her way, Lord Tristan Ballentine.

Tristan and Lucie know each other from childhood - their mothers are best friends. But Lucie dislikes Tristan. Tristan has recently been thrust into the role of heir when his eldest brother dies. His father is a brute, and seeks to control Tristan by threats against Tristan's mother. Now Tristan needs the revenue from the publishing house to thwart his father and save is mother.

This puts Tristan and Lucie at odds. When Tristan makes a scandalous offer, Lucie must decide what she wants, and what she is willing to do to get it.

I must say that Tristan and Lucie are perfectly matched. They make each other a better version of their selves. I am so glad that Tristan didn't try to change Lucie, in fact he became her biggest champion. The conclusion -- without giving anything away -- made my heart so happy.

And now I must wait another year the for the 3rd book in this series featuring Hattie

Gah! This book was perfect! it was very much had to build it's momentum in the beginning, but once it was there, IT WAS THERE. It's a slow burn romance, which is 100% my kind of thing. It's also enemies to lovers, which was extra YES. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes sassy women (and men), Victorian London, steamy love scenes, and an extremely satisfying happily ever after.

If I dare admit, I think I liked this one even better than BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE!

I love Lucie and Tristan so freaking much!

Tristan is a known rogue and Lucie is very committed to the Cause. However, Tristan has always liked Lucie, and maybe Lucie doesn't hate him as much as she thinks she does.

They have such amazing banter and I love how they support each other. They don't know how they would ever work, but they still support each other and their goals. The more they learn about each other, the more they appreciate the other. I loved watching Tristan really get to know and understand what it is that Lucie is fighting so hard for. He is properly outraged and doesn't ever attempt to dissuade her from her tasks, but instead finds his own ways to help and support her.

They have a great "sex only" relationship that ends up turning into so much more and I loved every second of it. The resolution of this book is absolutely everything because it really shows how much he truly understands Lucie while also letting us see their HEA. I can't wait for the next book in this series!!!

This is Dunmore's second entry into her series. It took me a lot longer to get into this story, and I felt like the characters weren't as strong as her first novel. That lack of character development had me struggling to find a reason to cheer for them.

Unfortunately, this book turned into a DNF for me. While I was initially more invested in this book than the first in the series, the casual "rejected gay villain" storyline and unchecked colonialism that ran through the book, along with a growing dislike of the characters made me put this one down. I was reluctant to read it in the first place, as celebrations of the suffrage movement that do not include an examination of the blatant racism of the movement make me grind my teeth, but I decided to give the author another chance.. I likely will not be doing so again.

It's disappointing that an otherwise solid book was spoiled because of character and plot choices that are so easily avoidable. The choice of tattoo art by an MC was inappropriate cultural appropriation, plus the "evil spurned queer villain" trope were unnecessary and harmful. I am tired of romances that purport to be about examining power relationships but only do so from a highly limited, privileged, white POV.