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This might be Kate Bateman's best yet!
The book jumps right into the story and doesn't slow down until about halfway. Even when the pace slows down, the story keeps moving right along.

The chemistry and banter between Daisy and Vaughn is natural and so much fun. Daisy is great; strong, smart, level-headed. Vaughn truly acts the part of the rogue.

Someone pointed out some flaws in the book but honestly, it is so fun and moves at a fast clip that you probably won't stop to think about them. Just enjoy the ride!

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4 1/2 stars. Another great one by Kate Bateman. What starts as a fun carriage hold up late at night, turns into a forced proximity road trip full of fun banter, romance, and sexy tension. My favorite of the series! I loved being back with the ladies from King &co. While I think it makes it so much better to have read the first two books, I dont think its a necessity. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review.

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When Daisy Hamilton attempted to thwart the elopement of Violet Brand, she didn’t expect to find the wrong coach and end up traveling to Scotland in the company of Lucien Vaughan, the Duke of Cranford and the man who broke her heart when she was 18.
Lucien has always known Daisy as a hellion, but didn’t think he’ll find her on a dark road outside of London after midnight and will do everything in his power to keep her close by, at least until they reach the Scottish border, for his own selfish purposes.
This is a nice romance, kind of a historical second chance in which our main characters will have the length of a road trip to overcome their past and truly get to know each other. Of course, there will also be rumors, proposals and rejections until our couple finally gets to their HEA and it’s all done in Ms. Bateman’s style maintaining the fun and romance until the very last page.

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Road Trip with a Rogue by Kate Bateman is the third book in the Her Majesty’s Rebels series. In this historical romance series, our main character works for King & Co., London's premier private investigation firm. Daisy Hamilton is trying to catch a young lady who is eloping with a man who parents feel is unsuitable.

She is determined to stop the carriage that they are eloping in. As a highway robber, Daisy stops the wrong carriage and is forced to join Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford (the owner of the carriage).

Lucien is making sure his nephew gets to elope with his lady love. Daisy is trying to stop the elopement at the behest of the parents. Not that they share that important knowledge. They bicker and argue most of the journey alone in a carriage.

The novel is a fun read with one carriage chasing the other. Daisy and Lucien are forced together for the trip (despite their background). I enjoyed the journey they took (both physical and mental). Road Trip with a Rogue by Kate Bateman was a great read.

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Another compelling read from Kate Bateman, who I have come to count on for historicals with a modern twist, fast-pacing, and strong heroines who take command of their own lives. Which you’ll find here in ROAD TRIP WITH A ROGUE, although admittedly the pacing here was a touch slower for the first half than in previous books, while the heroine’s command of her own life was slightly shaky. But did that curb my enjoyment? Hardly. I had a good time traveling to Gretna Green with Lucien and Daisy as they bantered and flirted and crossed knives. Likewise, Daisy’s indecision in the face of fait accompli struck me as familiar—an over-thinker recognizes their like, after all.

Sexy and charming and altogether just a really engaging romance, this book was, for me, a total page turner. And only a little bit because the Duke of Cranford and I share a name, though sadly I am not his duchess. Sigh.

All in all, a super fun finale to the Her Majesty’s Rebels series, which I’ve loved from beginning to end. I look very much forward to whatever Bateman has in store for us readers going forward!

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Obsessed. I loved this so so much!

Daisy works for a PI firm called King and Company and she is tasked with stopping the elopement of Violet and Peregrine. Along the way, she accidentally runs into her old friend now foe, Lucien. He’s friends with her brothers, served during the Napoleonic Wars, and is a Duke. Who she had a thing for. He decides he’ll escort her further north.

On this roadtrip to Scotland, the two of them grow closer. I loved their chemistry so much. Their history leads to some great banter and the mutual pining is just perfection.

Once someone sees them together in Greta Green, they have to make the decision to marry or ruin both of their reputations, but Violet only wants to marry for love.

This was just so fun. I loved the road trip element. I also couldn’t help but root for them as a couple. You just KNOW they are perfect, even if Violet doubts it.

And that ending. It was amazingly perfect!

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Chemistry and fantastic banter! That's what Daisy and Lucien delivered seamlessly!

I was thoroughly engaged and entertained!

Daisy is a woman more from our time than the time she's in!
Bold, adventurous, independent!
Loved that about her!

And, quite honestly, I could say the same about Lucien.
Ultimately, he wants to protect Daisy, but he also wants her to choose...to not be forced into something she doesn't want!

For those historical romance readers who like a bit of steam...Ms. Bateman certainly delivered! Ladies, grab your fans! You'll need them!

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4.5 stars - Best friend’s brother and mutual secret crush tropes combine to make Roadtrip with a Rogue a fun and steamy read. Kate Bateman is a favorite author of mine, after you read this, you’ll understand why.

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Lucien is The Hottest mmc I've ever read. MERCY. What a beautiful, beautiful man. What is this even I don't know

Daisy and Lucien are on a crazy adventure trying to intercept a young couple from getting married at Gretna Green. Our mmcs knew each other 5 years ago and now are "enemies". Along the way there's only one bed! What a great couple. I don't even have words for how hot this book is. No words.

Thank you to Kate Bateman and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

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4.75/5 stars
2/5 spice

Tropes:
Regency Era
Acquaintances to lovers
Duke × PI
Mutual pining
Road trip
Forced proximity
One Bed
Banter and tension
Dual POV

Highly entertaining watching these two characters needle each other and yet want to tear each other's clothes off every interaction. The tension and banter were superb. I really enjoyed the first two books in this series but this one is by far my favorite. Lucien was steadfast in his pursuit of Daisy, and I was giddy with anticipation to see how long she would hold him at arms length or give in to his seduction. The road trip aspect gave them ample opportunities to indulge in their banter (aka foreplay). I was only slightly miffed by the end with how quickly things wrapped up, especially since it was the last book of the series and I wanted a tiny bit more. Regardless, this was a highly entertaining story with wit, heart, and heat. Highly recommend the whole series.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

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Road Trip With a Rogue is a delight! I loved how Daisy and Lucien’s story hits on so many romance tropes, and yet Bateman spins them in a refreshing way. Daisy is the muscle of the three-woman King & Company—she’s the one who goes out on the road if the job calls for it. So posing as a highwayman to stop an elopement should be easy for her—until she stops the wrong carriage.

I loved that Daisy and Lucien had “the one that got away” as an element of their story—a kiss that has lingered long in both their minds. And for once, Bateman gives readers a true rogue in Lucien, instead of the usual “rogue” who somehow has this reputation yet behaves like a golden boy throughout his book.

Daisy is both brash and insecure, while Lucien is both blithe and intrepid. Their story was absolutely engaging. It weakened a bit in the last part—I thought Daisy dragged out something inevitable for a bit too long—but that didn’t diminish my delight in this book. It’s now one of my fave Bateman reads.

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Daisy Hamilton, one third of King & Co., a private investigation firm so exclusive they have a five star review from Queen Charlotte on Yelp, is on her latest mission: foiling a Gretna Green elopement. She'll just dress as a highwayman, hold up the carriage, and voila! One elopement nipped in the bud. There is only one problem...someone else is holding up her target...which also happens to not actually be her target...

Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford, is not only irritated to find that highwaymen have curtailed his journey, but a highwaywoman is in the mix. Oh wait. He knows this highwaywoman. It's the one he has been mooning over for more than five years since one ill-fated kiss rocked his world. When he finds out she was attempting to stop his nephew's carriage, the very same nephew he cannot wait to get out of his hair, he is resigned to accompany her on her pursuit. If by accompany you mean delay.

Everything was going...well...pretty ok until a mutual acquaintance, who also happens to be the biggest gossip in the kingdom, spots Daisy and Lucien unchaperoned and Lucien decides to announce that said acquaintance had stumbled upon *their* engagement/elopement/marriage situation thing. Oops.

Kate Bateman heard "STAND AND DELIVER!" and was like "Ok, sure! Here's another banger!" I have loved Her Majesty's Rebels, but I think Road Trip with a Rogue is my favorite installment yet. There is definitely something about historical girl gangs that does it for me, but NOTHING hits the mark like a truly pathetic man with a degree in yearnalism from the School of Babygirls at Jamie Fraser University. I love heroes like Lucien who can sorta kinda play it cool, but are absolutely wrecked inside. Daisy kept yappin' about how neat it would be for someone to love her, and our man was UNWELL. Ugh. I love that for her. For him. For me. And on top of it all, you get what has to be one of my top five marriage proposals of all time. I wanted to squeal and kick my feet, but unfortunately I was wrapping this book up on a public transit commute and had to try my best to rein it in.

Road Trip with a Rogue was an absolute delight to read and contains everything you can expect in a Bateman novel: exquisite banter, MCs getting themselves into absolutely bonkers scenarios, and truly swoony romance. Oh did I mention there's a steamy intimate scene that is chapters (PLURAL) long? Hook, line, and sinker.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

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I can’t remember from the previous books in the series but I think this one has the most steam so far. I mean Lucien William Devereaux Vaughan, the twelfth Duke of Cranford knows what he is doing and does it well. They kissed five years ago and it was memorable for both then he sent her home because she is hir best friends little sister and she crashed his going away party filled courtesans. They both are crushing for the other from afar and insult when they are close. Daisy is on a mission for King and Company, followed the wrong carriage and ended up with Vaughan escorting her through England following two love birds trying to elope in Scotland. The first 50% was forced proximity to the extreme, carriage and only one room and one bed! The second half was truly so good, Lucien the rogue begging Daisy to marry him for the sake of her reputation but secretly he has been pinning for her for years.

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I love Kate Bateman’s regency romance books! She does an incredible job of building the tension and the romantic climax is always worth the wait!

I received this copy as an ARC and I was so excited since it had all the things I’m looking for in a good regency romance, close proximity, pining, a roguish main man! I read this one first even though it is the last in a series of three but honestly you don’t have to read them in order however it’s probably better if you did, but it didn’t make this book any less enjoyable! I really loved our two main characters they were both flawed but they excepted each other’s flaws and made each other better and I loved that. The setting of having them on the road trying to track down two other people who are trying to elope was a great way to have some action and adventure in the story, since regency romances tend to mostly only take place in London.

If you’re looking for another regency romance series or book I would highly recommend you check out Batman she has some wonderful books and stories and this is one of them! She always finds a way to make the characters lovable and the plots adventurous! And her steamy scenes are perfect and so well done! Check out Road Trip with a Rouge when it releases in July and until then check out the two books that comes before this one!

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I do so love Kate Bateman’s historical romances. This one is no exception.

Daisy is part of a three-woman private investigation team, King and Company. She’s been tasked with stopping an elopement. An heiress is on her way to Gretna Green with her love who is potentially a fortune hunter. She’s waylaid by Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford, and the man she used to desire beyond measure. Until that fateful night five years ago when he taught her a lesson she’ll never forget.

Now she’s traveling with him as they try to catch up to the young lovers: talking, bantering, and sharing a room as well as the carriage. Lucien is everything we want in a historical romance MMC. He’s tall and dashing and flirtatious as all get-out. And Daisy is fierce, determined, and smart enough to know she’s being caught in Lucien’s web.

Their attraction is intense and undeniable. Years in the making. The steamy scene where he asks her how she can tell if a man loves her is going to be emblazoned in my soul forevermore.

Highly recommended for lovers of modern takes on historical fiction, women’s own agency, smart-ass dukes, and the women who love them.

romance novels | historical romance | road trip with a rogue | Kate Bateman | book recs | book reviews | bookstagram

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This series has gotten better as it’s gone along. It’s not that I didn’t like the first two books; I did, but I found this story more engaging than the previous books.

Daisy and Lucien are delightful. Not only do they have chemistry, but they are also both witty and lethal with their barbs. It’s obvious Lucien gets a kick out of riling Daisy up; her spirit and determination turn him on. Daisy’s oblivious to this, so it’s fun to watch. I wasn’t crazy about Lucien keeping his true purpose from Daisy, and it broke my heart when she found out and then doubted the passion she felt with him.

Although Daisy is on a case for the PI firm she owns with her friends, King & Co. is a sort of side note to this story. There isn’t any sort of mystery; she’s just trying to catch up to an eloping couple before they can get married. I am surprised I didn’t miss it, or Daisy’s friends, who don’t show up until later in the book.

The way things play out after Daisy is “compromised” was not what I expected, and I appreciate the author trying something a bit different. Daisy may have felt cornered, but in reality Lucien was doing all he could to be sure she was protected. Protected from gossip, protected to continue her PI business without interference, protected to make her own choices for her life.

I had a great time with this story. I enjoyed that Daisy’s friend’s spouses banded together to help Lucien. I liked seeing Lucien let his guard down with Daisy and eventually her friends. I adore how determined and fierce Daisy is, for others and herself.

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Road Trip with a Rogue
By Kate Bateman
This is the third book in the series. I'd recommend reading them in order to get the full story, but you can read them as stand-alones.

Daisy Hamilton is determined to stop the elopement of heiress Violetta Brand. It's her newest mission with King and Co. Everything goes sideways when she stops the wrong carriage, belonging to none other than Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford. He's the last man she wants to deal with and the only one who haunts her dreams.

Lucian offers the devil's bargain to convey Daisy to Greta Green. He has his own reasons, but spending time with the woman he hasn't been able to forget is a bonus. Now they are embarking on a journey, each with their own end in mind and impossible to control the chemistry boiling between them.

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I received an advanced reader's copy of Road Trip with a Rogue by Kate Bateman.

This book starts off in the midst of action and grabbed my attention from the start. There's a lot of tension between Daisy Hamilton and Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford. Lucien had broken her heart years ago and his rejection had left its mark on her.

I really liked Lucien's character. He has a reputation that doesn't represent who he really is.

This was a fun road trip story with a good pace throughout.

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Another delightful story about the ladies working for King & Co, a private investigation firm in London. Daisy has been hired to stop an heiress from eloping. Along the way to Scotland, she encounters Lucien, a Duke and a man from her past who joins her and my what a road trip it is. I've enjoyed each book in this series and Kate Bateman has become one of my go to reads. I think if you love the second chance romance, enemies to lovers and witty banter that crackles off the page, you'll love this book (and really the entire series). Can I also mention how glad I am to see new historical romance being published? This book was a great reminder of all that is fantastic. about the genre.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press & Netgalley for the ARC.

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My favorite story in this series. Road trip, highwaymen, one bed all amazing tropes. Kate wrote Lucien perfectly. Kind, amazing and hilarious. This story was a definite five until the end, I did not like Daisy’s constant negativity towards what she “thought” Lucien might do.

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