I enjoyed this one.
Maybe not as much as the first book but still enjoyed.
I think it could've used a bit more chemistry-heavy moments in the first half to really make the romance burn for me all the way through. Adding more romance moments would've rounded the story out nicely, upped the tension, and picked up the pace a little.
I really loved Isabel's growing relationship with her sisters and hope gabby has a book!
Overall i thought it was pretty good!

Loved!! This was wonderful and I’m excited for the next in the series. The characters are well developed and their relationship unfolds gently and slowly, which I liked. Both characters have motivations & drives other than romance, which I loved, they felt like real people who are falling in love while also dealing with other aspects of life. I enjoyed the feminist lens & the opportunity to learn more about an aspect of history im less familiar with. I’d have liked for the leads to have spent just a bit more time in each others company early in the novel, but other than that minor complaint it was great. Fans of Courtney Milan & evie dunmore will enjoy this. The spicy scarves are pretty spicy and great as well!

Two bookworms fall in love and do spy shit together ✨

Listen, if there’s one thing Liana does REALLY well, is incorporating vital discussions about the evils of colonialism and the stealing of artifacts one minute, and then the next he is obsessing over how her laugh sounds and what he can do to make her laugh again. The balance is just SO good. Similar to the first book, this one is more of a slow burn, and I adored how Sirius was pining after her. I am also a proud hater of the nickname “sunshine” but Liana made me like it?? Wtf??

If you’re a historical romance girly and haven’t read this series yet you are MISSING OUT. Truly. It’s so good.

*arc courtesy of NetGalley and Berkeley in exchange for my honest review*

This was an enchanting dual POV historical-fiction read filled with political intrigue, a spicy romance, espionage adventures, and a lovely setting.

Our FMC Isabel is a Mexican spy staying in England with her sisters to secretly help her home country gain any advantage against their war with France. Sirius, an English war hero and well-known rogue, is a man who ruffles her feathers every chance he gets and is her opposite in so many ways. When the two spies pair up together to help aid their countries, an unexpected, tender romance unfolds.

Isabel is a wallflower that I easily related to as I also prefer the company of books to people and have sisters that I compare myself to. I think her and Sirius were perfectly matched to challenge one another and bring out the best in their partner.

I especially appreciated De la Rosa's social commentary and the light she shed on colonialism. I love that she so brilliantly pieced together a sweet romance while sharing such important messages.

The book did have quite a slow pace and it took the romance a while to unfurl. But still a very enjoyable historical-fiction romance!

Isabel and the Rogue was OK, but just OK. I was previously ignorant regarding the French invasion of Mexico, so I did appreciate a small window into that piece of history and the geopolitical considerations that went with it. And the plot was decent. Sadly, though, the main characters weren’t strong enough to carry the story. They both wallowed in their own perceived weaknesses and guilt to the point that I just kept thinking, “Move on already!” I much prefer that characterization come out in a way that I feel like I’m seeing it, not just being told about it. Lots of the wallowing was being told, not shown. Anyhow, the lackluster characters with little depth spoiled things for me.

A fantastic follow up to ANA MARÍA AND THE FOX. Readers who loved ANA MARÍA will be right at home with familiar characters and dynamics. The romance is both sweet and spicy; the ending both unexpected and wholly satisfying.

This is the second in the series about the Luna sisters, following Ana Maria and the Fox. Isabel is the middle Luna sister, the quiet, bookish one who feels very much in the shadow of her two more outgoing, more beautiful (at least in her eyes) sisters. The women were forced to flee their home in Mexico during the French occupation during the 1860s, when their family supported the Juarez rebels. They fled to England, where their uncle was Mexican ambassador, and that's when Isabel meets Captain Sirius Dawson, a seeming rogue, with PTSD and who is much more than he appears to be. As is Isabel. How the two of them slowly discover the depths and scars that each one carries, and how they change their initial viewpoint of the other to one of respect, admiration, and love--along with some intense chemistry--makes for a very satisfying read in a setting with out-of-the ordinary characters and background. In addition, the interplay among the three sisters rings very true to life and those relationships are also a very important part of the story. This is a strong addition to the series.

This book fell into the trap that so many second novels do - it just couldn't live up to the expansive reputation of the first book!

Isabel felt much younger than her sisters, despite being the middle sister. Her independent streak and secrecy seemed petulant, not strong, and the manufactured danger she put herself in did require interference. Captain Dawson was capable, if lackluster, and hardly roguish.

A typical middle child syndrome.

Can we have 200 more books exactly like this one? This book had the same slow-burn romance as a Julia Quinn with the rich history and setting as a Kristin Hannah. The spy intrigue and chemistry between characters had me hooked and consuming this book with every free moment. Highly recommend!

First of all, I am SO happy that I got a chance to read this book! As a Latina, I love seeing myself represented in stories by an intelligent and passionate FMC who has found her HEA. I thought I loved the first book, but Isabel and Sirius have my heart. Sirius protects, loves, and SEES Isabel and supports her on her journey to find her voice. The plot seemed out of character for someone as quiet and shy as Isabel, but it completely made sense after reading it. It also reminded me never to make an assumption- people always say to watch out for the quiet ones! I love the dynamic of the sisters and how our favorite characters from the first book make an appearance in the second one, but what I loved the most was that Isabel was the star of her book. The cameos were short and sweet, but this book was all about Isabel (and Sirius), and it was perfect. I love the important reminders of how, no matter where we currently live, we are surrounded by the beauty of the world and our daily lives are made up of pieces of the world. I could go on and on! I have to add that I loved the ending and the fact that it reminds readers that it isn't always the woman who has to give up something to get her HEA (IYKYK). Definitely a 5 star for me :) Thank you, #netgalley, #Berkley, and Ms. De la Rosa, for my ARC. I cannot wait for everyone to read it this summer!

Steamy and funny; I also learned something about world history and there was a dog :) I have to go back and read the first one in the series so it might be worthwhile to tackle them in order. The sisters were great- fierce and sweet and protective of each other

I enjoyed this one! Isabel is a middle sister and she struggled with finding a place for herself. As a middle child myself, I get the pressure to prove yourself to your family.

Espionage stories are my jam and the fact that both MCs in this story were doing some reconnaissance and spying made the story intriguing. I was rooting for both of them to join forces and when they finally did, it was so sweet that Sirius pushed Isabel to the front to claim the victory. He knew she needed the confidence booster.

This was a very slow burn that led to a desk scene that was fun, different, and sexy!

The ended of this book was so sweet! Sirius sure did prove that he would do anything to be with Isabel.

Steam level: 🔥🔥¾

I haven't read the first book in this series and I honestly think that is what caused a lot of my issues (which were very personal and not focused on how well written the book was). While this is a romance novel, there is also a lot of historical background and context needed because these characters are dealing with a shit ton of political drama and bad things, which I didn't have a ton of information about since the book jumps right in. Which isn't a bad thing per se, it just left me a little confused. But other than that, I enjoyed the romance of the main characters. It was a medium-burn and both characters had to work through a lot. I didn't feel as if one character did all the development and growth for the both of them which happens way too often in romance novels. Overall, pretty good!!

I wanted to like Isabel and the Rogue, I really did. It's not often to find European historical fiction that involves characters of color and I was excited. I just... couldn't. While the title is a sequel to her sister. Ana Maria's story, Ana Maria and the Fox, it provides enough information about the previous book to stand on its own. I haven't read Ana Maria and the Fox, so take my opinions with a grain of salt, but I remember reading a review that cited the first title's sparkling wit and looked forward to Isabel's story. The book does a great job of giving enough info to ensure the reader isn't lost, but its major failing for me is that it seems like the majority of the major character building and a lot of the development of rapport between the main characters happened in Ana Maria and the Fox. Isabel and the rogue just alludes to that repeatedly, telling us, about character building events that happened in the past and then expecting us to be on board with the results rather than developing them within the current story. We're just supposed to fall into the relationship when they immediately start sniping at one another and you never see where the antipathy come from or any of the moments that lead to the MMC, Capt. Sirius Dawson, to look at the FMC, Isabel Luna in a different light.

The Luna sisters have lived in London for the past two years having fled the French occupation of Mexico. Before leaving the country, Isabel is tasked with spying on the members of British aristocracy to determine if anyone has French sympathies and information about the French military that can be relayed back to the deposed Presidente Juarez to outmaneuver them and restore the Mexican democracy. Since they have arrived, Isabel has slipped out of events to ferret through studies and correspondence in hopes of sending some sort of information home. In two years, Isabel hasn't found anything useful and feels like a failure to her country. When a potential suitor may have connections to France with information that could prove useful, she encourages his attentions, while fighting her own feelings for Home Office War Hero, Capt. Sirius Dawson.

Isabel was OK, but off the bat, the author went straight for the 'not like other girls' angle and it fell flat. Isabel's sisters are both witty and pretty, and she constantly bemoans being the 'forgotten Luna sister' while preening that her sister's former fiance and her superior, Padre Ignacio. seeing her enough to ask her to spy on the ton while in London. She makes a point in stating that Isabel wears simple A-line gowns that are out of fashion but suit her espionage work fine because she can move and hide in them (then promptly ignores this fact when Isabel and Sirius have to hide under the desk in party host's study, Isabel grousing over voluminous skirts that make women's lives difficult). Isabel and her sisters have been ignored, used as pawns, and played off of one another by their father for their entire lives, leaving each girl with her own self-deprecating coping strategies. Ana Maria seems to have striven to be the perfect daughter (read: perfect future wife), Isabel hid from her father's cruel indifference with books and learning, and Gabby acted out with sharp words and outlandish behavior within the scope of her ability for attention. This leads to a character who is repeatedly down on herself almost to the point of fishing for validation. Her younger sister, Gabby repeatedly lifts her up and tells her how wonderful she thinks Isabel is, and Isabel in turn often shakes her head in denies it.

The constant references to Ana Maria and the Fox built up an expectation of an ending filled intrigue and heroics. None of that happened. Again, if the book hadn't leaned so heavily on its predecessor, the ending, which is sedate, filled with waiting and time jumps before characters make everyday decisions for themselves, would have been fine, sweet even, but in the shadow of Ana Maria and her husband Fox's derring-do, it falls short.

If you're looking for Regency/Victorian fiction with character's of color and intrigue, try Grace Callaway's Enter the Duke of Glory and the Master of Shadows (Glory is the aforementioned Duke's daughter).

This book has everything I have wanted from recent historical romances: The characters are diverse and the heroine is a woman of color from Mexico who has indigenous ancestry, the plot is centered around political intrigue complete with spy shenanigans, it brings an international perspective, and the romance is a perfect blend of sweet and sexy.

There is no space for ignorance in Isabel and the Rogue; where other historical romances gloss over British colonialism and the imperialism of the era, this one confronts them head-on. The prevailing attitudes of the British upper-classes that we tend to blindly accept as historical romance readers do not escape the scrutiny of the Luna sisters. It's 1865, Frances has invaded Mexico, and President Juárez's government is in exile, which is why the Luna sisters are sent to safety in England. They face a great deal of scrutiny within the ton, and there's a conversation early on about the perception of anything non-European being "backwards" and English superiority. I recall a similar conversation in Ana María and the Fox where an equally ignorant white woman espouses racist and imperialist sentiments, and our heroines quickly set them straight.

There is another discussion during an event at the British Museum about priceless cultural artifacts and Britain's willingness to take them from their homes in the name of "protection", but far less willing to aid the people of these lands. As someone who has seen countless Indian artifacts behind the glass walls of the British Museum and the V&A among others, I don't think any of this comes across as preachy, but rather, I applaud how Liana De la Rosa was extremely pointed while writing these dialogues.

If the strong anti-imperialist themes weren't reason enough to engage with this book, I would also recommend it because of the romance itself. I really enjoyed the build-up between Sirius and Isabel; both are initially weary of each other— Isabel because the first time they met, Sirius was seducing another women on the desk she was hiding under (lol), and while Sirius does find Isabel attractive, he does not know her very well and nor does he receive much encouragement from her. Isabel considers herself the "forgotten" Luna sister, both as a point of pride and chagrin, and she uses this to conduct her spying activities. Sirius on the other hand uses his social acumen to charm men and women (especially women; you get the sense he actually isn't much of a rake at all and seduces mostly for the sake of his job) into getting him information for the Home Office.

Things start to heat up as they Sirius and Isabel both set their eyes on the same possible French sympathizer, Lord Westhope. What's really funny to me is just how much of an abject failure both of them are at espionage initially, BUT because they keep meeting while spying, they get to know one another a lot better. And once Isabel accidentally snares the interest of Lord Westhope, all bets are off. Isabel realizes that while she feels nothing for Westhope, she does feel plenty for Sirius as she gets to know him better. Sirius on his part is inordinately jealous which leads to my favorite seduction scene in this book.

The sex:

SPEAKNING of seduction, I loved the build-up in attraction between Sirius and Isabel; for all that Isabel is the shy, quiet sister, she certainly has no qualms about expressing her desire, starting with a classic STOP SQUIRMING moment while they both hide under a desk of the person they're spying on and she's in his lap. Obviously she doesn't stop and Sirius gets her off while there are two other men in that room who have no idea what's going on. Kudos to them.

Sirius and Isabel have a thing for clandestine encounters because the next time they meet, he's dragging her into a back room in the British Museum and eating her out while demanding if she's actually into Westhope, or she's just encouraging him for the sake of motherland lolol. And look, Sirius might not be much of a rake, but he's a smooth smooth man who says things like "Do you need to be soothed? You know I can give you what you need" and I'm completely inclined to believe him, and so is Isabel based on how she reacts when he recites Spanish love poetry to her before he thrusts inside her.

Overall:

I adored the note this book ended on; it wasn't what I was expecting but I thought what Sirius eventually does to reunite with Isabel was so romantic and pretty unique as far as historical romances go, since they tend to be very Britain-centric and fairly patriarchal. I would strongly recommend this book to any historical romance reader, and I'm looking forward to bratty-younger-sister-who-knows-way-more-than-she-should Gabby's romance with the Duke of Whitfield!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4.25/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Publication Date: June 4th

🌺It’s Isabel’s turn to make her mark in the second installment of the Luna Sisters! Isabel guiles the ton with her wallflower persona as she secretly tracks down information on France’s occupation of Mexico. Can she save her family and avoid the prying eyes of devilish rogue Sirius Dawson? This book dazzles as it illuminates the glittering life of a Mexican heiress who subverts expectations to protect her family and country.

🌺Some of my favorite things:
✨hyper-competent wallflower is one of my favorite tropes and Isabel delivers!
✨the SISTERS (can’t wait for Gabby’s book)
✨spy vs. spy is done so well
✨the history in this book— the slice of history is incredible and we all should read this series!

💕Thanks to Berkley for sending me a copy to review

✨It’s out in June— Ana Maria & The Fox (book one in the Luna Sisters) is out now!

Just finished reading Isabel and the Rogue, such a beautiful story. When I met Isabel in Ana Maria and The Fox I knew she would be my favorite sister and I was right! We all know an Isabel, some of us are Isabel, it was so rewarding to see her not only find a happily ever after, but also find herself and her purpose. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-ARC, and a huge thank you to Liana De la Rosa for writing this beautiful romance. I loved it!

Loved!!! I was so interested in Isabel’s story after reading the first book, and she did not disappoint! And Captain Dawson had me blushing and giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. They just don’t make men like him anymore. I am completely obsessed with this series, and I can’t wait for what’s next!

Isabel and the Rouge by Liana De La Rosa
Publishing June 4, 2024

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange of an honest review!

💐 Victorian Era
💐 Secret Spy
💐 Mexican History

Isabel and the Rouge was such a fun read! It was fun and flirty, but also had a deeper plot underneath the romance. Isabel, who is originally from Mexico, had to flee her home due to France invading. Isabel is now living in England with her sisters. Her goal is to find information to send back to Mexico to help them in their fight against France.

I just loved the relationship between Isabel and Sirius! He was so protective of her. 🤗 I also enjoyed how bad ass Isabel was, and how she took initiative and did what she wanted to do.

I also just adore a historical romance set in England.

Would definitely recommend this to other romance readers!

I had a little trouble warming up to this one. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Sirius and Isabel until the story heated up about halfway through the book. I liked Sirius’ character but Isabel’s character, not as much. I think it is worth reading, though it wasn’t a page turner for me. 3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Shelf Awareness and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.