I absolutely adored Liana De La Rosa's delightful historical romance debut, "Ana Maria and the Fox", and has since championed her book to all of my historical romance readers. Her latest release "Isabel and the Rogue" skillfully avoids the sophomore slump and will surely gain her new fans. Isabel and Sirius may be very different at a first glance, but they share many commonalities which make them both extremely suitable to become spies for their individual purposes. Their chemistry sizzled in this book and watching them dance around themselves was a pure pleasure to read. The combination of suspense, historical fiction, and romance makes the story richer plus with a complex, relatable Latine main character is just chef's kiss. More please!

The second installment of this series and by far this is my favorite one. Isabel is a young woman after my own heart.

A story of romance with a sprinkling of political intrigue set in London during the Victorian era. Isabel is the middle daughter/sister. She is for all intents and purposes a wallflower. And she uses it as a weapon to help her beloved home in Mexico.

This novel is incredibly swoon-worthy. Isabel and Captain Dawson. Phew! No spoilers, but there's a scene where they're hiding under a table... Yeah.

Can't wait for the next book!

Rating: 4/5

* ARC courtesy of NetGalley *

4.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to a 5)
"Why do you call me sunshine?"
"Because everything seems brighter when you're there."

I loved this book so much! I loved getting into Isabel's head. I liked her enough in Ana Maria's book, but getting to see her true self shine and see everyone adore and appreciate her for who she is was so satisfying to read. As with Ana Maria and the Fox, there are wonderful quotes/conversations surrounding the ethics of colonialism and race; specifically colorism, which is something I feel like we don't talk enough about and it's just wonderful to see these conversations shine in a historical fiction novel. Super important and I definitely did a lot of highlighting and note-taking during those scenes.

Sirius Dawson, the man that you are. I thought Gideon Fox was swoonworthy but Sirius may have him beat (then again our duke hasn't had his chance to shine so he may beat them all, who knows). Getting to read him getting to know Isabel and see her for who she truly is was such a delight and when this man fell, boy did he fall hard. They're truly so matched and I adored them.

The ending was not what I expected to happen but it is so fitting for Isabel and I was really happy and satisfied with how their story ended. I can't wait to read Gabby's book, even though it'll be heartbreaking to end this wonderful series with the Luna sisters. At the end of the day, it's their sisterhood that is most important and still shines through in this second book. Gabriela and Isabel's relationship especially was so lovely and heartwarming to read, and I just adore these three women so much.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for graciously gifting me with an e-arc! Super grateful I saw the giveaway post on the author's instagram at the right time!

Another fantastic story from the Luna Sisters series!

Isabel is my new favorite sister, like all the best wallflowers she’s smart, loyal, and fearlessly dedicated to those she loves. Her pairing with Captain Sirius Dawson is delicious.

I can’t recommend this series enough! The dedication alone had me hooked.

Wow just Wow! I thought this book would interesting! I am also a woman of color and love the Spanish language!
This author is new to me, what a rollercoaster ride!
There was several times it seemed there was no way for a happy ending to be achieved! Then an unexpected twist and turn in the story from a villain previously unknown.
Three sisters not beloved but constantly pitted against each other in Mexico by a father who knew they were stronger together!
Ana Maria Luna is the eldest and betrothed for political gain to her father’s choice in Mexico who publicly flaunts his mistress!
These women Ana, Gabby and Isabel came across treacherous seas and a country torn apart by war for their safety!
Gideon Fox is a self made man! He is part Scot’s and his grandmother was a slave! So he fights for injustice and is a strong voice in Parliament and has powerful friends!
Because of his fight to end slavery and all Britain’s ties he has to be very serious and circumspect! Not one whiff of scandal or his name in a tabloid can come near him until a ray of sunshine hit him squarely in the chest!
This story is unputtadownable! This is not a word but a fact! Bravo

I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story as well as learning more about Mexican history during this time period. Overall though I found the book to be a bit boring. The dialogue was stilted (maybe it was trying to sound old-fashioned?) and I got tired of listening to Isabel's inner dialogue on how unremarkable she was. I get it, you're the ugly/boring/antisocial/awkward sister. Also, I did not read the first book and there were many references to the plot and characters from that book that made parts of this book confusing to me.

This was another winner in the Luna Sisters series, it had a great overall romance element to it and enjoyed the historical setting of this story. The characters were what I was expecting and thought they had a great overall feel to them. I enjoyed how well Liana De la Rosa wrote this and I wanted to read more in this world.

This was a great installment in the Luna Sisters series! I really enjoyed watching Isabel come into her own, gaining confidence and strength, all while fighting for her people back home in Mexico. I'm loving that historical romance is branching out and not just telling the same old stories, as we can see with the Luna sisters. Sirius was a wonderful hero - gentle, sweet, strong, definitely cinnamon roll vibes. The way he encouraged Isabel in her work and built up her confidence was wonderful. A charming book and I can't wait to read Gabby's book!

I enjoyed this one just as much as the first book. Can’t wait to see what’s next for the Luna sisters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting this arc.

I love the Luna sisters so much 💕💕 Isabel and Sirius’ relationship was so much fun with a <i>slight</i> hint of angst and honestly that’s exactly what I’m looking for right now.
What I’m really loving about these Latinx historical romance is the history that I’m learning more details about and it makes me want to learn more about said history.
Thank you to netgalley & Berkeley for the eARC and now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to preorder this book now because also.. can we please just admire this cover?

Liana De la Rosa shines in the second Luna Sisters novel.

De la Rosa’s weaving of historical facts and accuracy in a romance stunned in the first book, and she continues to do this excellently in Isabel and Sirius' book. While I greatly enjoy historical romance, my favorites have always been the ones that include rich, detailed storytelling like the Luna Sisters and Evie Dunmore’s League of Extraordinary Women Series. In Isabel and The Rogue, you continue to learn about the French occupation of Mexico, a piece of history that is often overlooked in the US. Isabel and Sirius’ powerful love for each other gives them both the confidence and courage they need to shine. I am eagerly awaiting Gabby’s book!

This book was absolutely WONDERFUL. A brilliant follow up to Ana Maria. I adored sweet, gentle Isabel and charming but wounded Sirius. This book has a compelling amount of intrigue at its center, as well as a delicious and spicy romance. Liana de la Rosa continues to excel at articulating the effects of imperialism in the British Empire (I was *cheering* at the museum section!!) within her wonderful novels. Absolutely cannot wait for my girl Gabby!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical romance
-friends to lovers
-rake to simp
-middle sister
-he falls first and hard
-this is just a hookup

I don't think I could have loved this book more. How two people let the public's perception of them guide themselves. Isabel is the middle wallflower sister, leaning into how invisible she was, to help her country. Sirius, war hero and all about rake, is just as adept as using his public perception. But life keeps bumping these two into each other, until Siruis swoops in to save Isabel and starts to see how the world, and her family, has beaten up Isabel and he refuses to allow it.

Isabel just spoke to me so much as a fellow middle sister. Her self-sacrificing ways, how she'd rather hid ein a lirbary then be out at a party, but also how she let how invisible she was to everyone else seep into her own belief about herself. Her character development was so well done, how ambitious she was, how much she loved and cared about Mexico, nad how much she wanted to prove herself.

And Sirius. He was just sawooon. This was a man obsessed and he didn't even realize how every little action jsut spoke about how much he cared/loved Isabel and just saw her. Just at a craft level, the line level writing in this book was esquisite and sucked me right in, I was highlighting so many lines. This was romance perfect, sweeping, tumbling story that just had you rooting for Siruis and Isabel to get their act together and let love win out over everything else.

I loved this book! Isabel is my favorite sister and I think her story was well developed and written. The ending was very heartwarming as well!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Oh. My. Gods. THIS BOOK.
Picking up shortly after Ana Maria and the Fox, Isabel and the Rogue follows the middle Luna sister as she continues her quest to aid Mexico in their war efforts through her ability to sneak and hunt for any information that could help her country. However, when she begins to bite off more than she can chew, she realizes that her biggest help may come from the one person she had been trying her hardest to avoid- Sirius Dawson. With his quick wit and deep blue eyes, she finds that her heart wants more than she had ever bargained for.

I truly adored the first book in this series, but even then, I had an eye for Isabel. There was something so relatable about her character- someone who finds solace in the shadows, with her books and her silence, who longs to make her own place in the world. And my gods does she shine in this book. I loved getting the chance to get to know her character so deeply, and I think that the author did an incredible job portraying the tumult of emotions that Isabel experienced. From fear to lust to anger to longing... every emotion felt palpable, and I think that truly speaks to how gifted Liana is in her storytelling. She speaks to the hearts of her readers, making you feel like the characters you love are friends you could call after you turned the last page.

Because of this, I feel like the emotional impact of the political turmoil of the time hits that much deeper. I was so invested in these characters that there were times when I forgot that this was an actual war that happened, and stories like these could have very well existed. I couldn't help but picture a real-life Isabel, offering quips on the injustices of colonialism while at the ball or sleuthing through an unsuspecting gentleman's desk. I was rooting for her and the success of her mission so much I felt like her bestie on the sidelines shouting 'YESSSSSSS GIRL'.

Okay, but back to the desk thing.... OH WOW. I was pleasantly surprised with the spice in the first book, but Liana really took it up a notch this time. The chemistry between Isabel and Sirius was unreal and there were so many times that I had to pause and compose myself before continuing because THAT. MAN. He was so eager to please Isabel, the sunshine of his life, the only thing to crack his mask, and I loved to see it. I truly can't remember the last time spicy scenes have gotten me to blush so intensely, but Liana is a queen (and knows how to write men who make their women feel like such).

This book also did a really great job setting up Gabby's book, and I really appreciated the moments between her and Isabel. They were equal parts tender and hilarious, and I absolutely adore Gabby's snark and bluntness. She is such a fun character and I just know that her story is going to be just as good as her sister's.

Overall, I loved this book. The character development, the relationships, the spice, the social commentary... It was such an incredible mix of so many amazing ideas and feelings and I feel lucky to have gotten to experience it early! Definitely pick up this series if you are looking for a swoony, historical romance with MMCs to make you blush and FMCs to inspire you to be your bravest self. This will be a favorite series of mine for sure!

"I fear I'm not particularly friendly. Haven't you noticed?"
Sirius snorted. "You? Unfriendly? Surely you jest."

Thank you Berkley for the arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Sorry to say but after reading 20% of this novel I had to put it down. I found it boring and I just could not even try to finish it.

If you are looking for reasons to dive right into this book I have included a few of my favorite (made up) themes:

🌙 Bookworm turned spy
🇬🇧 British MMC (the accent, obvi)
📖 Booklovers
🇲🇽 Sassy sisters

Isabel Luna is, in her own and seemingly everyone else in her life, forgettable. She would rather be tucked away somewhere escaping reality between the pages of a good book than exhibiting social graces. So when her and her sisters are forced to flee Mexico to escape the French army, a family friend sees her unremarkableness as an opportunity to spy.

Tasked with infiltrating the ton and gathering information that may be useful to her family in Mexico, Isabel does her best to blend in to the walls.

That is of course until the handsome rogue, Captain Sirius Dawson catches her snooping in dark places she shouldn’t be in.

After their confrontation Sirius keeps a closer eye on Isabel, for safety of course. Definitely not because he’s attracted her.

This pov period romance has it all; intrigue, banter, spice and strong female characters. What’s not to love!

Spice 🌶️🌶️
Humor 🤣🤣🤣

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for this eArc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was cute and had such good representation, I now need to read the first book in this series. It follows the fmc Isabel who thinks of herself as a wallflower who no one sees. She uses that to her advantage to get information from people in the ton about the occupation in Mexico. She befriends the mmc Sirius who is not only a rouge but a covert agent, he sees what she doing and kind of helps her with the spy stuff. I loved all the historical stuff about Mexic, France, and British intelligence. I also really liked the romance, it was cute and spicy and the dynamics between Isabel and Sirius were so good. Isabel's coming to believe and love herself was a good theme that developed throughout the book and complimented the book. If you're looking for a diverse historical romance with a bit of steam and lots of historical facts then you should read this.

Tropes/themes:
- Mexican heiress
- Historical romance
- Spy mission
- Wallflower trope

As the middle sister of three sisters, the Luna Sisters series speaks to me and I was very excited for Isabel's book specifically as a fellow overlooked middle sister. Now, I'm not what anyone would call shy, but I am always down for a wallflower and rogue book. Here the rogue is actually only a rogue for appearances and is haunted by war. Which is also very much my jam. Yes, all of this, I am eating it up with a spoon.

Two things that didn't work for me 1) there was a lot a lot of searching for things to help Mexico, that didn't result in much of anything, so just lots of page time to fruitless searching and frustration, 2) I always feel terribly when there is a VERY NICE GUY who has done nothing wrong and loves the FMC and is sort of dragged along while she figures things out with the MMC and he just feels like an innocent bystander caught up in this. There is one here and I want him to find a wonderful romance.

What I loved - Isabel is smart and finds her own voice after being the overlooked middle sister, Captain Dawson is hot and they talk about books together, and, my favorite part, I learned so much history. I had no idea about the French occupation of Mexico and the historical bits where France being busy trying to colonize Mexico kept them from backing up the Confederacy helped the Union win blew my mind. Thank you, Mexico.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Isabel and the Rogue comes out June 4, 2024.

Instagram.Com/encyclopedia_britanika

Isabel and the Rogue is a great middle sister book. Isabel is the wallflower among the group, overlooked and underappreciated by perhaps everyone but her sisters. She's neither as dynamic or politically savvy as her older sister, nor as beautiful with a cutting wit as her baby sister. And yet, Capitan Sirius Dawson, a former soldier now working for the Home Office SEES HER.

For me this one is much more a character journey for Isabel. And the sister dynamics/interactions are among the best parts of the book. Plot-wise, she's on a mission to uncover information to help Presidente Juarez in fending off the French in Mexico. But the what she needs to uncover is a little open-ended. It's kind of "I'll know it when I see it." So while it sets Dawson on a path to helping her, using his contacts in the Home Office, that part was a little too vague for me.

The romance is steamy. All this stealthing around in offices and libraries puts Isabel and Sirius in some tight corners, under desks, etc.

Overall, an enjoyable read. But I hate to say, I'm really looking forward to Gabby's book the most! (Sorry, Isabel!)

3.5 stars