An addictive and interesting historical romance with an intriguing character cast . I loved that Charlotte is an author and her friendship with him start off on the right foot because she is fearless and unique. Their love story doesn’t go as easy as one might think but it’s full of unpredictable moments where the author has a great skill to place that trust and desire in the right direction for them to realise how much they are meant to be together.
Love it so much

Another great book by Sophie Barnes. Charlottes a writer who needs a bodyguard to help her with her manuscript deliveries, so she hires Blayne. From there, they must solve what’s happening to her stories. And Blayne has secrets of his own. A great story, there’s so much going on, a fun engrossing read!!

I really love it when I'm on the verge of quitting a book, but give myself a nudge to complete it then ending up loving it😂🙄
This book started really slow, i wasn't a fan of the slow burn love at the beginning, I'm more of facing obstacles while loving the hell out of each other kind of girl🤷‍♀️ BUT, that said though, the characters weren't hard to love, they seemed a little bit robotic at the beginning, but after the book hit the 25% mark, they definitely turned more expressive and you could feel their love, honestly by this point the whole book turned more vibrant.
Part of why that book didn't get 5 stars from me is that it didn't have any new addition or a unique hint to it, it was like every other historical romance, the author didn't put a distinctive touch to it.
Overall, i really liked it.
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*

London 1821

Humor, intrigue, secrets, a strong heroine and a hunky Scottish bodyguard.. well that says it all!

She is determined to avoid the marriage her parents are trying to force her into and maintain her independence. Her secret of writing and earning her own funds leads her to desperate measures. She hires a bodyguard, oh and asks him to pretend to be her fiance.

He has been hiding for years, avoiding the hangman's noose, but cannot resist taking the job as bodyguard. It will help his coffers which is much needed. But he never expected the attraction.

Another wonderful story by this amazing storyteller, that always keeps me smiling!

I adored Blayne and Charlotte's story! Going from bodyguard to fake fiancé...what a ride. IT was so much fun following their journey!

If you are a fan of wild rides and fake fiances - this book is for you! It is another great addition to Sophie Barnes's Diamonds In The Rough series. Blayne MacNeil is a swoon worthy Scotsman with secrets and heartaches and Charlotte Russell a fierce warrior he doesn't know he needs in his world. I loved this book!

This was sooooooooooo freaking sexy! I loved everything about this book and have totally re-read it a few times since the first time I've read it!

And of course - a female author (in this time) would only write 'sappy' romance novels, not adventures and stories that got rather 'steamy' in places. And so Charles Cunningham was born - and sold - and stolen - and...

An enjoyable romp through history with some dodgy characters as well as some honourable characters, plus American 'entrepreneurs' looking to become more respectable by marrying into the gentry.

Part of a series that may well be worth exploring further.

Her Scottish Scoundrel by Sophie Barnes is now one of my favorites in the Diamonds in the Rough series. Having met Blayne MacNeil when I read A Most Unlikely Duke, I had not really started to put him at the forefront of my thoughts as one of the characters that would become beloved and needing his own story. Boy, would I have been unhappy to have missed out on this one. Blayne appeared as Carlton Guthrie's enforcer and he tended to make me smirk and as the series went along, downright smile. This is a man who has re-invented himself multiple times and I cheered when he was given the reins of the Black Swan tavern.

Charlotte Russell is exactly what Blayne needed to shake up his recently remade self, and he turns out to be just what she needs to get that alone and self-sufficient may not be the best way to her happy ending. From beginning to end their story keeps you fully engaged. I mean Charlotte as a genteel young lady shows no fear or qualm hiring Blayne as her bodyguard and he gets to discover his favorite author. We go from an amazing young lady going against the grain, publishing her work, who sees and accepts Blayne for who he is, to a sham betrothal and blackmail and a murder mystery all in one read. I really enjoyed this latest in the series and look forward to reading Marcus and Louise’s story. This review was given on the ARC copy I received from the Publisher via Netgalley in return for my honest opinion. Happy reading!

Thank you to the publishers, author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Barnes never ever disappoints. We have an intrepid heroine straining against the confines of society who just wants to pen her adventure novels in peace, and a hero with a dark past who just can't resist her.

I absolutely loved the chemistry between the two characters and the way that they help each other through some pretty sticky situations while maintaining faith in each other. I was gunning for these two from the beginning - they are both just so likeable!

Can't wait for the next one.

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

There were some great things in this book. I loved both characters but I didn’t like the multiple rejections of one another.

The relationship does develop very quickly and the. All the we can’t because freedom or whatever out.
It was not a bad book but it would not be something I’d reread.

Charlotte, a secret novelist in a time when it's considered scandalous, hires Scotsman, Blayne, as a bodyguard. She needs protection while moving through less than desirable areas. Add in a fake engagement, a murky past, a lot of chemistry and you've got a rip-roaring good time.
Thank you Sophie Barnes and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

This is the seventh book of the Diamonds in the Rough series and brings us Charlotte and Blayne's story. Charlotte is a society miss, but not your typical lady of the ton. She is the daughter of a viscount, but she has also had quite a bit of success authoring risque adventure stories. Of course nobody knows that it is actually her that writes these scandalous stories. Nevertheless, she is quite content with her life and has no desire to marry. She does, however need to protect herself when she visits her publisher, as they are located in an unsafe part of town, so she hires a bodyguard, Blayne. Blayne is in need of money and can't pass up Charlotte's offer, so he accepts. Never did he imagine that would involve a fake engagement as well. Blayne is hiding some secrets of his own, and it is only a matter of time till those secrets become unveiled. Ms. Barnes has written yet another intriguing and entertaining story, and I really enjoyed the characters and their interactions. The banter between the two was witty and hilarious and you could feel the chemistry between them, just jumping off the pages. A wonderfully delightful addition to the series. Can't wait to read the next one!
I received a complimentary advanced reader's copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-galley of this true delight of a book. Sophie Barnes always writes funny, sweet Romances, but this one in particular hits all the marks. Blayne has a Scottish brogue, is a tough guy, and honorable from the very beginning. Charlotte is smart and can handle herself. I love that she's a writer, and that Blayne falls in love with her partly because of her writing. The novel moved quickly, the banter was witty, and the sexual tension was palpable throughout. I loved this book, and highly recommend it.

An absolute delight! I love the strength of the main heroine and the chemistry she had with the hero. The plot was interesting and the dialogue fun. The story was filled with all the feels! I can’t wait to dive into more of the books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Barnes, and BookBuzz.net for giving me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

Destined for the hangman's noose, love is a dream he cannot afford...

When Blayne MacNeil agrees to be Miss Charlotte Russell's bodyguard, he doesn't expect her to expand the job description to fake fiancé. After twenty years in hiding, announcing his engagement to a viscount's daughter could prove fatal. For if anyone were to recognize him, he'd be charged with murder.

Determined to keep her independence in order to safeguard her writing career, Charlotte must avoid marriage. After all, no respectable gentleman would ever permit his wife to pen outrageous adventure novels. But when her most recent manuscript disappears, the roguish Scotsman posing as her fiancé becomes her closest ally - and the greatest threat to her freedom.

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As good as usual! I enjoy the story and characters just fine. it's a standalone so you don't have to read from the beginning of this series. I highly recommend this book!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I really enjoy Sophie Barnes' books and this one doesn't disappoint. Charlotte is keeping a secret from the world as she is writing a series of popular books under an alias. When she gets robbed of her next books advance she decides to get a bodyguard. Heading to the rougher part of town she ends up hiring Blayne MacNeil as her private bodyguard. But after her parents surprise her with the news of a potential husband on his way from the US she suddenly turns Blayne into her fake fiance.
This is a steamy historical romance with a interesting storyline. I enjoyed where the story went and I love a good strong female character like Charlotte especially in that time period.

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-book copy in exchange of an honest review.

My love for Historical Romance keeps growing everyday.

I wanted it to never end . Do you know when you find everything you love in a book? That's how you know that once you're finished reading this book it won't be enough. I adore "protegee falls in love with bodyguard" and "fake fiancé" tropes. The fact that they're mixed in a single book and on top of it all, it's Historical Romance? That makes it even better.


I love when Mcs are soft and grumpy, Blayne is that and more. What I love about his character is that since he's always around Charlotte he sees and understands her completely. Not only it allows for him to protect her in a level of need, logical and possessively. But it allows the story to grow and so his feelings.

Charlotte is what I needed in a heroine. Independent,. taking no bs from anybody and caring. I love her drive and willingness, the same way I love how easily she loves.


This story was 10 times steamy as it was sweet. You're not prepared for each page and you're going to want more of these two.

This was an exciting read and I enjoyed it from start to finish. It's got a very well-developed complex story and it's filled with wonderful characters. The her and heroine are so interesting and have their nightmare pasts to deal with, but it's interesting to see if they actually can get past everything and move on to something wonderful. Highly recommended!

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author.