One Rogue Too Many (Rival Rogues)

by Samantha Grace

[Angie]

I received an ARC through NetGalley.

One Rogue Too Many is so cute, and fun, and sweet, and everything I adore about Historical Romance. Despite the title and the description, the relationship is not a love triangle exactly. Gabby has been in love with Anthony Keaton since she was a teenager, and they were, in fact, almost engaged at one point. However, he was married to someone else, but has returned to her after his wife died in child birth. Well, Gabby didn't wait for him and is being courted by the baron, Sebastian Thorne. She doesn't love him, or particularly like him, but she feels a sense of duty to her sisters who are awaiting their coming outs. Anthony is determined to win Gabby back, but the baron is not a man who likes to lose. Let the games begin!

I loved the rivalry between Anthony and Sebastian! The men in town also enjoy it and regularly place bets on things such as who will throw the first punch, and who will eventually woo Gabby. Her two suitors couldn't be more different. Anthony is truly in love with her, and her with him, but she finds him unreliable. I mean, he never showed up to ask her brother for his blessing! Sebastian, on the other hand, always keeps his word and promises Gabby a comfortable life even if she doesn't love him...yet. Sebastian is also in it for the competition, and to help his family, while Anthony just wants the woman who he almost lost, twice. Anthony is desperate to prove himself to Gabby, but Sebastian plays dirty and will not give up!

It's quite obvious from the beginning that Gabby is going to end up with Anthony, but it was still fun to witness how they'd get there. She even encourages their competition a little with small tasks! There are plenty of bumps along the way, and I actually loved Anthony's plan to get her away from Sebastian near the end. It's not all his idea though. He gets some help from a few people who love Gabby, too.

One Rogue Too Many also has a side plot concerning Anthony's daughter. We learn that his wife had an affair, took off to Wales, gave birth, then died. Her lover dropped the baby off with his sister and took off. Anthony went searching for his daughter, which is why he didn't make his appointment with Gabby's brother. Even though she's not technically his, Anthony loves her like his own. Too bad she seems to be terrified of him, and there's some rumors going around about her. This was all interesting in the main part of the book, since the rumors interfere with Gabby and Anthony's relationship, but then it drags a bit in the last few chapters. I still liked it though.

One Rogue Too Many was a delight to read! It was funny, sweet, and sexy. Gabby and Anthony are great together, and I loved how both of them were determined to do the right thing in spite of their own happiness. It made for a very entertaining read. But I do have to wonder what happened to Thorne?

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.