I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Enough time had passed since I read To Catch an Earl for me to forget some of the names of the characters. However, I quickly remembered Alex and Emmy’s story and how much I enjoyed that one. As I read this, I thought I liked it better, but rereading my review of the other, I’m hard-pressed to say which I like better. Both are engrossing, engaging, and unexpectedly sweet love stories. If I’m smart (which is somewhat debatable), I’ll read This Earl of Mine, the story of Benedict and Georgie. I’ve added it to my TBR list, which seems to multiply daily.

Anyway, back to Sebastien (Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray) and Anya (Princess Anastasia Denisova). Their meeting is certainly unusual—he comes to the brothel where she is tutoring some of the women, mistakes her for one of the women who works there, and is baffled when she turns down a large sum of money in exchange for a few hours with him. After a scorching kiss, she leaves, wondering whether she made a mistake saying no and he leaves, newly obsessed with her and discovering why she (or anyone) would say no to him.

As fate would have it, Anya, having adopted the name of Anna Brown to avoid detection in England, works for Sebastien’s aunt, the “Dread Dowager Duchess.” The Duchess turns out to be surprisingly adept at engineering the eventual collision between Anya and Seb. Though both suspect her, neither is capable of denying the logic of her suggestion they spend time together. After spending time together, “Seb felt as if he’d been taken apart and put back together in a completely different configuration.” When Seb attempts to deny his feelings for Anya, the Dowager is not fooled for a minute, especially when he presents Anya with a gift for her “coming out” that goes beyond anything that could be reasonably expected. Suddenly, Seb realizes “He wasn’t wearing his heart upon his sleeve—he’d put it in a bloody jeweler’s box and handed it to her with a roomful of witnesses.” Nevertheless, he continues to insist it means nothing; he seems to be the only who believes that. Naturally, his friends Alex and Ben tease him mercilessly.

Because Anya is Russian, there are quite a few traditional Russian practices thrown into the story, but what I liked most was the use of fairy tales. For one, Seb’s last name is Wolff, and there is reference to “Little Red Riding Hood’s encounter with the wicked, predatory beast,” with Anya musing to herself about the story. “She’d always had a soft spot for the wolf in that tale. What if he were really a man trapped in the body of a beast? What if he fell under the spell of the beautiful girl? What if she tamed him? He’d be the very best protector. She let out a soft laugh at her own foolishness. Wasn’t that what every woman dreamed? That she’d be the one to gentle the beast? No doubt they believed it right up to the moment they were eaten up for dinner. She wasn’t such a fool.” Clever foreshadowing.

The Dowager presents Anya with a book of Russian fairy tales and asks Anya to translate them into English. When Seb asks her about her favorite, she relates the story of the ice maiden Snegurochka, a beauty made of snow, the daughter of Spring the Beauty and Ded Moroz, old Father Frost. She does not reveal that she had been dubbed the Ice Princess by the people of Russia because she had been unwilling to accept the marriage proposals of many suitors. Her hesitancy had been due to her position and her fear that it was only that power which attracted them.

Immortal, but loney, the fairy tale “ice princess” falls in love with a shepherd boy named Lel. In one version of the story, the act of falling in love causes her to melt and disappear in a puff of water vapor. In another, she marries the shepherd and they have a long and happy life together. Anya admits that although she prefers the second ending, the first is more likely. Seb agrees it’s unlikely any woman would give up her privileged position for love. Again, some clever foreshadowing.

When Seb discovers that Anya is, in fact, a princess, he is furious that she tricked him. He calls her “princess,” drawling “the title like an insult, a deliberate bastardization of the term of endearment.” Crushed, she longs for him to use it as an endearment instead. Unfortunately, Seb is not as confident as he had appeared and does not consider himself worthy of her. He pushes down how he feels, certain no woman would ever give up her privileged position for love.

Anya is a strong, independent, free-thinking woman, friends with a notorious madam and happy to live like a commoner if it means she is free. She finds an unlikely ally and someone of the same mindset in the Dowager. When the Dowager brings up the issue of a woman being “ruined,” Anya loses her temper. “This is what I hate about ‘polite society.’ If a woman is taken against her will, she’s ruined. If she gives herself to a man willingly, before marriage, she’s ruined. Yet no one expects a man to go to his marriage bed untouched. It’s such a double standard!” When the Dowager immediately agrees with her, it encourages her to finally share her secret. It is likely at this point that the Dowager initially hatches her plan.

This is a fun story, with a bit of danger in the form of Vasili Petrov, a Russian traitor determined to find Anya and force her to marry him so she won’t be able to testify against him, and lots of tension between Anya and Sebastien. Anya, determined to never again be a victim, is resolute in protecting herself, but she welcomes the assistance of Seb. The ancillary characters of the story add depth to the plot, but it is really Anya and Seb who carry the story. I really enjoyed it and I recommend it.

3.5 stars? I really enjoyed the beginning of this story but then after I hit the 50% mark I found myself skimming over things to get the plot moving faster. I did love Anya (a fun twist on the Anastasia story) and I have been waiting for Seb's story but something just fell flat... maybe I read it too soon after Emmy and Alex and they are still my favorite in this trio of books. Great writing style and characters will definitely have me back for more from this author!

I think Kate Bateman will be one of my go-to historical romance authors. Anya, a Russian princess, needs to run and hide after the events at Waterloo, so she and her friend/companion travel to London and work under assumed names. Seb is an Earl who also works for Bow Street, to keep himself occupied after the war. He becomes Anya's protector as she is being hunted.
Anya was a delightful, independent character, and it was a good, easy to read story that kind of reminded me of the old days when I first discovered historical romance. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for getting me a copy of the book to read!

The Princess and the Rogue is the third book in the Bow Street Bachelors series by Kate Bateman. It can be read as a standalone story.

Princess Anastasia Denisova rather than being forced into marriage to a traitor runs away with her maid to London. She takes on a position as an assistant to a dowager duchess, the aunt of Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray.

He has recently seen two of the three Bow Street Bachelors marry for love and rolls his eyes often at their displays of affection for their wives. He is happy with his bachelor life and doesn't believe in love.

He first meets Anna Brown (the princess) at a brothel. She is there to teach some of the women to read and write, to learn things that could help them escape from prostitution if they wanted to. When Seb sets eyes on Anna there is an instant attraction and he decides then and there that she is the woman he wants for his visit. He can't believe it when she declines even when he offers her £500! Anna is very attracted to Seb and there first meeting is a memorable one.

Circumstances find Seb agreeing to guard Anna when she is nearly abducted while she and his aunt are on the way to the country. The dowager duchess knows who Anna is but keeps it secret when she asks for Seb's help. They say that she is the Princess' maid and that the man who had wanted to marry her, the traitor, thinks that she has evidence proving his treachery.

Seb smells a rat, he knows Anna is hiding something but he is willing to help her regardless. The more time they spend together the more they find themselves unable to keep out of each others arms. Alongside their budding romance and passionate moments, there is much drama to be had keeping Anna safe. Of course, the truth outs about her and there are repercussions, but the most important thing for Seb is that they keep her safe, capture the traitor and hand him over to the authorities.

There was never a dull moment to this story, not from the very first pages. It's the kind of book that you need to read as quickly as possible to find out how it will all end. Seb and Anna are perfect for each other and it was wonderful seeing the confirmed bachelor happily wanting to leave that status behind.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book just as I have enjoyed the previous in the series and am happy to recommend them.

The Bow Street Bachelors’ series by Kate Bateman is one of my favorites! I i eagerly anticipated this 3rd installment and was not disappointed. Sebastian Wolff, Earl of Mobray, is the final eligible Bow Street Bachelor and he is not anxious to give up his lifestyle and freedom to matrimony. Princess Anastasia flees the unwanted advances of the Russian Count Petrov and finds herself living in the questionable area of Covent Garden, known for its gentlemen’s entertainment businesses. After being mistaken for a lady of the evening by “Seb”, the beautiful “Anya” realizes that she needs to get out of London before being found by the Count. Circumstances find Seb and Anya thrown together where neither of them can deny their attraction to each other, but how will they handle the secrets Anya withholds, and Seb’s growing need to protect her from danger. The story surrounding the two of them and their friends is very captivating and draws the reader into their hearts and lives. The addition of interactions with his Bow Street friends brings a touch of humor and camaraderie to the story. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review. #NetGalley #ThePrincessandtheRogue #StMartinsPress

Princess Anastasia Denisova has lost her whole world and now she’s been forced to go into hiding across the ocean living under an assumed name Anna Brown. She becomes a lady’s companion to the Dowager Duchess of Winick. Anya encounters her companion’s great grandson Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray at a brothel where he propositions her and where she flat refuses for any amount of money.
When it seems Anya is in danger the Duchess calls upon her great grandson, a Bow Street runner, Sebastian to provide protection as they leave for the country estate to keep Anya safe. She soon finds herself in danger and the handsome agent for the crown becomes her close companion until the Russian spy is caught. What an adventure story filled with intrigue and romance as these two tempt fate as they grow closer. Will Anya’s secret tear them apart or will Sebastian let his pride stand in the way of his happiness? I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

This book first interested me because I’m always into anything that has even a small connection to the Anastasia story. It’s like the only “fun” Russian connection I got, so I’m working with it lol.

Besides that, I went into this with a little trepidation since the second book in the series wasn’t exactly my favorite.

That being said, I did enjoy this. I loved the way Anna changed her life and got out of her situation her own way. There wasn’t a man helping her. I also loved that she lived above a brothel and was friends with all the women. While attitudes are definitely changing, sex workers in romance aren’t always seen as humans or people with their own agency. I really liked that they were part of this story (although, I would have liked more scenes there).

In terms of the romance, I liked but didn’t love it. I felt like Anna lost some of her agency and strength once she was under the protection of Sebastien. Yes, being scared that this dangerous dude who wants to force you to marry him is completely logical and valid but where did all her wittiness and strength go? I didn’t believe she would settle for just being kept in a man’s house/gambling den and not want to take action. She escaped a freaking country and traveled to London with only herself, her jewels, and her friend, for goodness sake.

I was once again won over during the kidnapping scene, though. I love some good action and THAT was some good action. And I was not expecting a certain person to show up (no spoilers) so that was definitely a fun surprise. This scene also really showed me the agency, fight, and emotion I wanted from Anna in the middle/romance part of the book.

This whole scene was honestly brilliant. It had a little bit of a rescue moment for Sebastien and a chance for Anna to get back at the dude who was after her for so long. It was so good, y’all!

I also loved the interactions between Sebastien, Anna, and the characters from the past books. Their witty banter and their strong friendships/love for each other was so nice to see and fun to read.

Overall, there were things I loved and didn’t love, so I’m giving The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman 3 out of 5 stars. If you love historical romance with some steamy moments and some adventure, you might want to give this a try.

The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman is available now!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

The first half of this book is very leisurely paced, folks. It wasn’t until 49%, things heat up with graphic steamy scenes between Sebastien and Anya, the main couple, and the princess on the run plot finally picked up, as well. By then, Sebastien started to have a reason to step up to the plate, despite stubbornly not handling Anya’s princess status overly well. It takes her life on the line and nearly losing her for good to make this former firmly committed to bachelorhood rogue to realize his life is meaningless without her.

There is a convenient, helpful, welcome twist at the end that wraps up the bad guy drama once and for all. Cameos of main characters from previous books lend support and a helping hand to bring this main couple to their destined HEA. Considering these books are linked to the same series it would seem out of place if that didn't happen, IMHO. Anya’s willingness to do whatever it takes to escape her enemy’s evil clutches added quite a dramatic, dangerous flair to top things off.

Title: The Princess and the Rogue, Series: Bow Street Bachelors (Book 3), Author: Kate Bateman, Pages: 336, pub date: 12/29/20, stand-alone but part of a series, first half very slow paced, graphic smex scenes, some violence, evil villain, no OW/OM drama, relationship angst, pushing away, hero always has a reason to convince himself to walk away.. Rating: 3.5 stars

Book 1 - This Earl of Mine
Book 2 - To Catch an Earl
Book 3 - The Princess and the Rogue

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or PR firm.)

Another great book in this series! I received this book free in exchange for my review thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.

I loved this take on the Anastasia story - it was certainly a unique one and I thought the author wove in the different elements really well. This was a quick & fun read.

I’ve had such an enjoyable time with the Bow Street Bachelors series. And finally, it’s Sebastien’s time for romance in The Princess and The Rogue – even though he would stubbornly deny the existence nor the need for love in his life.

Ana is a princess on the run from a forced marriage proposal by a dastardly villain who is suspected of spying against her homeland, Russia. She has fled to London where she is hiding in plain sight as the companion to a lovely older woman – and a teacher of sorts to the ladies of a brothel, helping them to learn to read in order to provide a different life for themselves should they choose. It’s the brothel part of her hidden identity that will bring Ana into contact with Seb and does he ever get the facts wrong from the start.

Ana’s past is about to catch up with her and the safest place to be is, well, in the gaming hell owned by Seb and his friends. As Ana and Seb plot to catch a spy the sizzling attraction spark that first ignited between them steadily grows into something far more than attraction or lust. Seb is still wrapping his mind around the fact that he can in fact love someone – and watching that realization overcome this stubborn man was a fun experience.

The Princess and The Rogue is a fast-paced, funny, sultry, purely enjoyable romance which (I believe) wraps up the Bow Street Bachelors series. I had fun with Seb and Ana as they go after a spy and fall in love along the way. If you love a good, engaging Historical Romance then you’ll want to pick up this story and this series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

A hidden Russian Princess meets a wolffish bow street runner, what can go wrong? This was an interesting romance, with danger and sexual temptation mixed together while the heroine tries to avoid an evil traitor who wants to marry her.

There are a lot of crazy pants moments in this book, but most of them were enjoyable. I think having read the previous books in the series would help, but I was able to enjoy it without doing so.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

This was just delightful, a fantasy tale of love, adventure and resourceful heroines with strong heroes beside them. I loved Princess Anya (Anastasia) and her determination not to be trapped into marriage or anything else she didn't like. Rather than be dominated by a suitor more worried about saving his neck than her love, she escaped from Paris to London after Waterloo, turning her life of privilege upside down. She works as a companion; her friend and companion works as a seamstress. They live next-door to a brothel (with the best meet-cute ever with the H). Her life is not the glittering one she learned at court back in Russia, but she seems eager to seize life on her own terms. The story is a tad fantastical but, oh, so much fun. She is pretending to be plain Anna Brown, not a princess, until her past catches up with her. Meanwhile, she has to deal with the nephew of her employer — who owns a gambling den and is searching for a Russian spy — and decide what she wants out of life. Getting there is a rousing adventure, with an ending that is just so much fun and sets up the next book beautifully. Just a treat! (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

This is a great finale to the Bow Street Trilogy. Kate Bateman really came up with some creative characters, & I enjoyed watching them come to life on the pages. Highly recommend reading this book (& the whole series).

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in return for honest review

I will read anything Kate Bateman writes. She has a way of taking historical settings and making them into fascinating stories. Here we have a philandering war hero with a hardened heart in regards to love who can't leave a puzzle unsolved. Then you have a strong Russian Princess hiding from an obsessive suitor bent on beating her into submission and you have two people who can't resist each other. Add to that a meddlesome great-aunt who brings the two together and you have a love match.

Sebastien Wolff is the last remaining of a trio of men who were granted titles from the crown for their service in the war with Napoleon. They work for Bow Street utilizing their skills in solving crimes instead of helping win the war. They created the Tricorn gambling club and all of them once lived there. Now it's just Seb left and he's lonely though he doesn't realize that what is wrong. He and his friends are helping Bow Street track down who is passing state secrets to Russia. He also visits with his beloved but cranky great aunt Dorothea.

Anastasia Denisova, a Russian princess and cousin to the Tzar is stranded in Paris after her brother is killed at Waterloo. She and her best friend-maid Elizavetta manage to escape to London after knocking out Count Vasili Petrov who won't take no for an answer to his demands she marry him. He's after her wealth and power being her spouse will gain him. He's also a controlling brut with women. Once in London they live on Covent street next to a high class Madame's house. She teaches the girls there to read and write and meets Seb there one afternoon. He's intrigued immediately when she says no. Anna also works as a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Winwick Dorothea, who happens to be Seb's great-aunt. When Petrov finds her in London Dorothea takes her to the country and asks Seb to provide protection during the journey. So starts their unusual partnership to find the traitor and fall in love along the way.

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

I’ve come to decide that this author just isn’t for me. I’ve been reading all of these in this series and they all just wind up being meh to me. There are parts that are great but just not enough of them to carry this book. While I really liked Anastasia, I found her deceit just too much to get over. I think once you find out you’re developing feelings, your secrets should be out. Sebastian was not as interesting to me as Anastasia was even though he does have some good qualities. I’m not sure if a re-read later on would change this review but 2020 has been a particularly difficult year for me to read and enjoy. I have found myself a lot more nit-picky.

The Princess and the Rogue is the third book in the Bow Street Bachelors series. The men of the book are war veterans who started a gaming hell after returning from war. Each so far has met their match when the right woman comes into their lives and now it is Seb’s turn to be put through the ringer.

“Alex, do you have any idea why our friend is frowning at my fireplace as if he wants to tear it apart? Benedict poured himself a glass of amber liquid. “Did someone disparage the cut of his coat? Malign his cravat?”
Alex snorted in amusement. “It’s even worse than that, I’m afraid. The end of days is upon us. Seb’s finally met a woman who could resist him.”

Princess Anastasia Denisova barely escaped with her life and her honor when she left Paris. Her brother is dead and his frenemy looking to make her his wife to steal her money and power, Anastasia ran to London and moved in next to a brothel. She was there to teach some of the girls to read, when Sebastien Wolff walked in, mistook her for one of the residents and gave her the most intoxicating kiss of her life.

Anastasia also is a paid companion Seb’s aunt, who has figured out who the girl is and is delightedly decided to matchmake her favorite nephew with the lovely Anna Brown. Sebastien never had a chance between the two women. They have him all tangled up and Seb is determined to get Anna into his bed thinking that the cure for his obsession with her. Little does he know she will probably make it into his heart before that ever happens, because the stubborn woman is smart, fun and can drink a sailor under the table.

I liked Anna, she is strong independent and not willing to budge on her values. She would not become a pawn in someone else’s power play and give up her home, her money and her body to someone she didn’t love and who definitely didn’t love her. She was brave to run away to a new place and hide to start over. Sebastien was a little harder to like, just because he is so dang male, and just makes some really silly plays. But the love of a good woman can tie you all into knots and make sure you come out a better person after.

Overall a really fun historical romance that touches on some of the time after the Napoleonic Wars.

This has been a very solid series about the Bow Street Bachelors, three war heroes who returned to England and found new purpose working for Bow Street - helped out by the fact that they are now highly titled and very rich of course. Sebastian Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, is the last unmarried one of the three.

Princess Anastasia Denisova flees Paris after learning of her brother’s death at Waterloo, pursued by an unscrupulous prince who intends to force her into marriage - but not for the usual reasons. Prince Vasili believes Anya has evidence that he’s a traitor, and as his wife she could not testify against him.

Anya’s been in London a year, working part-time as a companion to a fearsome dowager duchess and living next door to a brothel in Covent Garden where she spends her spare time teaching the girls to read. And… this is where my suspension of disbelief fails a bit, because the ‘brothel madam with a heart of gold’ is just not a credible character for me any more. Read Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain and it won’t be for you, either!

I also found myself wondering why Anya was living in Paris with one female companion and not a single guard. If she’s so rich, why on earth had her brother left her completely unprotected in a city held by their enemies? And once I’d thought that, too many things didn’t make sense. Anya was in touch with her man of business in Russia. She could have ordered him to send her money, loyal guards, anything she needed. She was a first cousin to the tsar, for goodness’ sake! Living in genteel poverty in London was ridiculous and unnecessary and it was also utterly contrived for Plot Purposes.

I mostly liked the actual romance part of the story, though Sebastian needed to keep his mind out of the gutter a lot more. He spent half his time trying to think of ways Anya just HAD to be a whore so it would be ‘okay’ for him to sleep with her. Probably why it never occurred to him that she was, in fact, the princess he was looking for. Or maybe it just didn’t make sense to him either that she was living without money or protection when she could easily have obtained both. Anya as a character was actually great; strong-willed and determined, but she did several pretty stupid things for the sake of the plot, which is always frustrating.

I’m probably coming off like I hated this, which I really didn’t: Kate Bateman writes an engaging story with charming characters and her writing style is excellent. The pace of the story rattles along nicely and the sex scenes are well written. I just couldn’t buy into the setup and the suspense plot.

Overall, I’ll give it four stars. This has been an excellent series (though the first book was outstandingly the best in my opinion). I’m looking forward to seeing what Kate Bateman writes next.

Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray is the last of his group of friends to still be single. He believes there is no single woman who could get him to settle down. Enter Anna Brown, aka Princess Anastasia Denisova. Anna fled Russia after word that her brother Dimitri died in battle to escape Count Vasili Petrov, the Russian traitor who wanted to marry her for her money.

While in London, trying to keep low, Anna becomes a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Winwick to earn some money. The dowager just happens to be the great-aunt of Sebastien. Anna also spends time at her friend, Charlotte Haye's, infamous brothel helping to teach the girls how to read, write and be a lady. One evening Sebastien enters the brothel looking for some fun and sees Anna. He decides that is the woman he wants. When Anna refuses, they end up kissing and the chemistry is off the charts. This begins the fun chase. Sebastien cannot seemed to get Anna out of his mind but he has no idea who she is until he sees her with his great-aunt when he agrees to accompany them to the country. When Anna's life is threatened, Sebastien takes matters into his own hand and moves Anna in with him at his gaming hall. The more time these two spend together, the closer they get until they can no longer stop their attraction. During this same time, Sebastien enlists Anna's help with the murder of a Russian man. As the mystery of the murder comes to a surprising conclusion, lots of interesting things comes to light.....and Anna and Sebastien find their perfect happy ending.

I loved this story. There was the perfect amount of suspense mixed with a great love story. I just loved both Anna and Sebastien. Anna was so strong and gave up so much for her freedom. Sebastien was fun because I love seeing an alpha man falling hard for the perfect woman. Overall, this was a great end to a great series.

A kiss in a brothel.

That's what starts the burn between Sebastien and Anastasia.
Sebastien, is many things, a Bow Street Runner, an Earl and a gaming hell owner (wherever does he find the time to be a rogue?). Anna, is really Princess Anastasia, on the run and hiding (in creative places).
Recommend.

Third and last in the Bow Street Bachelors, Sebastien Wolff enjoys his life of rakery and freedom, right until he meets a beauty at a brothel who kisses him once then turns him down. For her part, Anya has been hiding under an assumed name but her pursuer is closing in. Sebastien offers both protection and temptation, but do they have a future once her true identity is revealed?

I've enjoyed the two previous Bow Street Bachelor books (not necessary reading for this) but neither of them quite hit the spot. This one hits it dead centre. Royalty in disguise? Rake with FEELINGS (but he hates it)? Matchmaking friends with a light touch but much teasing? Banter and an emotional connection along with a physical attraction? LOVE

The story draws from the tale of Snegurka (the Snow Maiden) sprinkled with Anastasia (the most Disney princess tale not produced by Disney), but it's also a typical Regency Romance fantasy with a ball and the ton. I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it if any of the above sound like your cup of tea.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.