Daisy Hamilton is on a mission to stop an elopement but instead of stopping the couple’s carriage, she holds up the carriage of Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford, her brothers’ best friend and her former crush. Lucien agrees to accompany Daisy on her journey north and the pair find themselves in increasingly tighter quarters as they travel. The pair have long been attracted to one another so sharing a bed can only lead to one thing. Neither is willing to admit their feelings for one another but a chance encounter with London’s most notorious gossip threatens to force their hand.

This book is exactly what I love in a historical romance. I love road trips and forced proximity and messy backgrounds and both people thinking their love is unrequited, so I had a marvelous time. I loved both Daisy and Lucien and the fact that they were able to be their true selves around one another. Also, can I just say that I love this cover so much. I’ve enjoyed all three books in the Her Majesty’s Rebels series and look forward to whatever Kate writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dorothea, aka, Daisy Hamilton has a simple mission: to thwart an elopement, bring back Violet to her father, and get paid. Yet when the carriage she thought belonged to her quarry is ambushed by highwaymen, she steps in to help, she doesn’t expect to meet the occupant of the carriage would be her brother’s most despised friend.

Lucien’s mission is simple: follow his nephew to ensure that he marries Violet. Yet he doesn’t expect the woman disguised as a lad would be his long-desired and best friend’s sister, Daisy.

They both have to proceed and succeed on their pursuit, but will they be able to keep their sexual desire separate from their mission?

With a blend of action and romance, this book has simultaneously engaged and brought me to a fun, compelling read with so much passion and longing. Daisy’s characters didn’t disappoint at all: she is stubborn, determined, loyal, and merciful, what’s more is her skill at wielding her three knives. She won’t back down without a fight, that’s what I loved about her. Oh and Lucien, his teasing and knowing smile always put me on the edge while reading. He embodies all the qualities I look for in a duke.

The swift action and engrossing plot, coupled with two characters who can no longer contain their sexual tension, make this book a wonderful read.

As always, Bateman delivers a wonderful historical romance with plenty of heat, fun plot and swoon-worthy heroes.

Daisy and Lucien were a great couple. This is a second chance romance for these two and the chemistry was certainly still there. These two were so hot together. The steamy scenes were fantastic. Their dynamic is a lot of fun since Daisy is a spitfire heroine. Lucien is protective but also knows his woman is capable of taking care of herself. These two are for fans of enemies to lovers. I loved this pairing, they were perfect for each other.

The banter here is top-notch and I highlighted so many quotes, especially Lucien's!

The plot was fun and entertaining. I liked the road trip aspect of the story too. They are both on a mission and end up having to travel together.

Overall, an entertaining enemies to lovers romance.

I love a Kate Bateman book and have become a fan of her as an author. “Road Trip With a Rogue” was another favorite book in this series. It was delightful and a fun read between the MCs and their road trip to Gretna Green…with all the nuances along the way. Daisy is the third friend in the King & Co. and pretty much was my favorite of the friends. This is plenty of passion, attraction and intimate scenes…what I love in a historical romance. I love KB’s writing style, however the pacing a bit off and some development with the characters. Overall, I was thoroughly engaged with this historical romance and recommend the read.

I love me a Bateman book.

This was probably my favorite of the series, and I absolutely love the way she writes relationships: they’re always fun, always kind, and full of tension. I also love the emphasis on female friendship that this series has, and I have such a soft spot for Daisy.

The pacing was slightly different than her other ones, and there were some points where I felt that Bateman didn’t need to tell us how the characters felt, because she had already showed us (though these were few and far between, and I only noticed because of how much Bateman I read). I also didn’t need the cameo from Queen Charlotte - it felt more of a nod to pop culture than something that fit the story.

But, overall, I loved this one, and I’m already ready for the next.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review!

So much better than the first in the series. I absolutely adored this entry in Bateman’s latest series. Daisy Hamilton is delightful - independent, snarky, and well-armed. Lucien Vaughn is a perfectly swoony Romance hero - devious, sarcastic, and completely besotted. The banter here is hysterical and I thoroughly enjoyed watching this couple find their HEA.

Road Trip With a Rogue by Kate Bateman

Road Trip With a Rogue was such a refreshing and delightful escape! Kate Bateman blends humor, adventure, and romance perfectly in this third installment of Her Majesty’s Rebels. From the very first page, I was hooked by the witty banter and the vibrant chemistry between the leads.

What I loved most was the unique blend of a historical setting with the fun, unpredictable spirit of a road trip—yes, a proper journey full of mishaps, growing trust, and moments of real connection. The heroine’s fierce independence paired with the rogue’s charming audacity made for a dynamic duo I couldn’t help but root for. Their journey wasn’t just about the miles they traveled, but the emotional walls they broke down along the way.

Kate Bateman’s writing is witty and engaging, filled with sharp dialogue and heartwarming moments that made me laugh and swoon in equal measure. The pacing felt just right, balancing action, romance, and character growth seamlessly.

If you’re craving a romance that combines adventure, clever humor, and a dash of rebellion, Road Trip With a Rogue is a fantastic choice. It’s a book that left me smiling and eager to dive into more of Bateman’s world.

Road Trip with a Rogue presents a promising premise that ultimately falters in its execution, particularly in the initial development of its central romance and characters. While the strong finish offers a glimpse of the emotional depth and chemistry that could have been present throughout, the slow build and a lack of emotional resonance for most of the novel may leave some readers wanting more. Fans of the series might appreciate Daisy's expanded role, but those seeking an immediate and intense romantic connection might find themselves waiting until the very end of the road.

The third friend in the King & Co trio gets her happily ever after!

Daisy is the knife-wielding, pants-wearing member of the investigative group called King and Co. She's after a young woman who has run away to elope and accidently stops the wrong carriage outside of London. Instead, she finds a friend of her brothers, Lucien Vaughn, who she kissed five years ago at a party. She's thought of him ever since, but is convinced that he's moved on to seduce and sleep with many. That last part is true, but Lucien has always thought of Daisy.

Their road trip to Gretna Green has detours and bumps along the way, but the story is only halfway done when they catch up to the daughter of Daisy's client. There's a kidnapping, a stay at Lucien's country home, a return to London, and a ball as a finale. There's a lot packed into this book! It's quite a ride!

One note: About halfway through, Daisy has a migraine and Lucien has to help her through it. Daisy's behavior is so realistic (down to pressing on one eye socket) that I assume Kate Bateman is a migraine sufferer herself. Cheers to a good representation there!

I think I found Kate Bateman's books from Net Galley and they have always been winners. I hope she continues writing and publishing and I will continue reading.

I liked this series by Kate Bateman, and Daisy has been my favorite character. The interactions between Daisy and Lucien were fun what with all the barbs and the back and forth. A romance was bound to happen and it was fun to read.

A romance 5 years in the making. Lucien and Daisy have been involved in each other’s lives for years. But 5 years ago an encounter between them changed everything. Daisy sets out on a journey that will take her to unexpected adventures. Lucien is determined to alongside. Their roadtrip allows them to explore feelings that were dormant.

This was a great end to the series. I loved the interaction between Lucian and Daisy. They really give each other heck! Although they try hard to hide their feelings for each other it eventually wins out!

I received an ARC from the publisher!!

I haven’t read anything by Kate Bateman, so I went into this fairly blind, with some awareness that she’s well known (so I assumed talented!)

This was very fun - I have some small critiques about the pacing at the end and the character development, but overall I was really engaged. I loved Daisy and Lucien, and I love how wild historical romance is (there are like three kidnappings in this!!! never boring!!)

Will definitely read more from this author!!

A Curse or His Salvation
A very exciting beginning started this quirky romance story with a bang!
Rekindling they're once a long time ago relationship took me on an emotionally passionate journey
 of discovery, denial, profound desirous attraction, secrets and lies to a very happy and rewarding ending.
This author writes the most rewarding and enjoyable intimate scenes I have read and enjoyed in a long time. Lady's fan recommended.
I totally enjoyed both of the characters throughout the entire fast paced engrossing story.
👵 Mature Advisory💋💋💋

It's been a long time since I've read a true historical romance novel. I had a great time with this one! It was a romp and felt like a classic historical rom-com with lots of chaos and adventures.

Daisy is part of a trio who owns a crime solving business. She's the last unmarried one and has been sent on a job to stop an elopement. Along the way, she runs into the Duke of Cranford, Lucien, who is trying to make the elopement happen so he can foist his ridiculous nephew off on someone else. Daisy and Lucien have a past attraction, and as their present circumstances heat up so does their chemistry.

This was just fun. It wasn't too serious and really reminded me of the classic historical romances that I used to read by Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, and Sarah MacLean. I think historicals often try to be too progressive for the times in which they are set, but this one balanced that line of society expectations and scandal really well. Daisy and Lucien had an uncomplicated history together that added to their story and made it feel less insta-love. They both were headstrong but I loved how quickly he was gone for her. Overall, this was just a fun tale, and I will check out more from Kate Bateman in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Omg I loved this so much I read it in one evening.

This is the third in a series about 3 friends (a duchess, a duke’s daughter, and the Chief Justice’s daughter) who are independent minded women of the regency era and who have made an investigative agency. I love a friend series. I’m going to be honest. I remember everything about every book I read and I cannot remember for the life of me the first book in this series, oops. The second was fun, a bit insta love, but I love a charming roguish thief. This blew all the other books in the series out of the water. A rakish Duke! A woman who has pined for him since her teens! A road trip in a carriage to gretna green to stop someone from getting married! ONLY ONE ROOM AT THE INN!

I loved the spice (the spice was spicing). I loved the banter. I loved Lucien the Duke so so much. I loved that the heroine was not a virgin and wasn’t at all ashamed about it. I loved that when she told the duke he was like ok cool. I truly could not put this down.

Thank you to NetGalley and st martins press for the advanced review copy. Road Trip with a Rogue is out July 29!

A fun and spicy read. I was hooked from the first chapter and didn't want to put it down. The characters Daisy & Lucien were just perfect! This book did not disappoint. It's one of those banter, forced proximity ones that I absolutely love.

I love romances where the tension is thick with unspoken history, where every glance feels like it’s trying to say what words won’t. The writing here captures that kind of emotional intensity so naturally. It’s clever and quick, but it also lingers in the vulnerable spaces. You can feel the push and pull in every scene. The quiet moments felt just as powerful as the fiery ones, and that balance is rare. I adored Daisy’s sharpness and heart, and I loved how Lucien let his armor slip piece by piece. Though, what made me fall so hard for this book was the tenderness underneath all that heat. It made me ache in the best way.

This is my favorite series!!!! I absolutely adored this book! It had great banter and the forced proximity was the chef kiss ! I loved Daisy fiery spirt and Lucien met her every step of the way! Check it out!