I enjoyed this book since I had to go back and read the books before this one. I do enjoy the characters and their interactions between them. I couldn't stop reading them sometimes!

THE RIGHT KIND OF ROGUE - Valerie Bowman

#8 in the Playful Brides historical romance series

FUN - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Meg has been in love with Hart for years, but she is a destitute wallflower, plus their families are feuding, so she doesn't stand a chance to get together with him. Enter Lucy, the matchmaking duchess of several previous books in this series, and she helps to get the job done.

Writing - 4 stars - I've been a fan of this series from the beginning, and this book was no exception. Bowman's writing is easy to read, and her characters are attractive and appealing.

Characters - 4 stars - Although Meg is quiet and proud, she allows herself to get caught up in Lucy's schemes (which are often pretty outlandish). This makes her much more attractive, and we can see her confidence grow. Hart is the typical lord of the time period--spending his time at his own pursuits, with little though of marriage until his responsibility to produce an heir catches up with him. I liked them together after I got to know them better. They are both attractive and appealing, but they are equally stubborn. If they had been more open, they could have avoided a lot of pain. But this didn't frustrate me because their actions made sense, which we discovered as we learned more about their history and their upbringing. I was definitely rooting for their success as a couple.

Title - 4 stars - This title works for me since Hart is often referred to as a rogue. But he definitely has redeeming features, and this is indicated by the title. I liked it.

Cover - 4 stars - Typical historical romance cover showing a passionate couple, but the deep jewel tones draw the eye.

Overall - 4 stars - Overall, I liked this episode in this very enjoyable series. We revisit with Lucy, of course, and her scheming is (as always) outlandish and totally over the top. But it's all in fun, really, so it's enjoyable to read. Meg and Hart are very pleasing characters, and I was rooting for their success as a couple, despite their stubbornness. Many reviewers mentioned Hart's drinking as a big turn-off, but I was surprised to find that it isn't mentioned all that much and didn't seem to be a big influence in the story and was certainly not a detriment. I look forward to continuing with this series as it continues to be fun and entertaining.

Meg is in love with Hart, her best friend's brother. To make him notice her, she schemes with Lucy. Some scenarios were unbelievable but funny. An okayish read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

This was a new to me author. I enjoyed the storyline and characters. It kept my interest and I will definitely follow this author and read more from her

Impoverished Meg Timmons has lived Hart Highfield since she was sixteen. However, there are a few issues in the way of her happiness with Hart. He only sees her as his sister's best friend, and their parents are sworn enemies, the reason unknown to her. Due to her lack of monies, her dresses are worn, old and out of fashion, relegating her to the wallflowers corner. There, no one notices her, including Hart. Tiring of her situation and time running out for her, she enlists aid from her friend, Duchess Lucy Hunt. All Meg wants is for Hart to notice her as a woman. Will Meg allow Lucy to transform her? Will Hart take note of the new Meg? How will Hart's last experience with scheming women affect Let's plans? And if she succeeds what will their parents do? This is a very nice addition to the Playful Brides series. There is a lot of stubbornness, angst, and attraction lasting through the entire book, with resolution not occurring until the very end.

Meg has loved her friend's older brother Hart forever. Now, Hart has decided to find a bride and Meg wants it to be her. Enter Lucy Hunt a character from Bowman's previous books in this series. Lucy is easily my least favorite character ever in a series, and for some reason, Bowman has included her in almost every story of this series. And in each one she belabors the point of Lucy having oddly colored eyes until I want to scream.

I think Bowman is a wonderful writer, her characters are pretty good, they are witty, and not too one dimensional. But I just can't stand Lucy, and I wish Bowman would write some of these stories without her.

As readers are introduced to book eight, The Right Kind of Rogue, in the Playful Bride series it clear that the stories of this charming cast of characters still holds allure. All series should have a Lucy Hunt stirring up the pages and refusing to accept the obvious, she is a wonderfully entertaining catalyst to love. When impoverished wallflower Meg Timmons enters another seemingly fruitless season with no dowry or prospective suitors she has resigned herself to being a spinster, that is until her friend the mischievous matchmaker Lucy, the Duchess of Clarington, steps in. When Meg confesses her unrequited love for Viscount Hart Highgate, her best friends brother and son of her parents long standing enemies, to the meddling Duchess the plotting begins and what seems impossible soon is within Meg's grasp.

Hart's declaration that he would chose a wife that season added a nice sense of urgency to the marriage scheming of Lucy and accelerated the pacing of this story with the extremes taken in the joining of this couple. A strong star crossed lover's theme structured this work making the navigation of hurdles to love difficult and demonstrating some serious writing expertise beneath all the laughs and tears. This author managed to believably reveal another side to her leads beyond what the story had labeled them, turning Meg from a meek wallflower to a poised beauty and Hart from a reckless playboy to a man capable of wearing the title of hero. Meg and Hart's road to love was a steady build up of moments that defined why this couple should be together and was a lovely trip to happiness. Ms. Bowman has found a special formula with her Playful Bride series that makes it stand out from the crowd. The Right Kind of Rogue has everything a reader could want in a romance!

Meg and Hart's story is inspired by Romeo and Juliet where both their families have been feuding for years. A storyline that has been used many times before but I really enjoyed the author’s interpretation of the story. Sexy and sensual lovemaking scenes and well-written characters made this book fun to read. My only complaint is that I thought it moved a little slow at times. This is book eight in the Playful Brides series but can definitely be read as a standalone.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Loved this one just as much as previous books. Beautiful cover too, my favourite cover so far in the series. Can’t wait to continue the series

Meg has been in love with her best friends brother, Hart for years. She knows Hart is a rogue and she knows he will never return her feelings but when she hears that he has decided to take a bride, Meg and her friends concoct a plan to get Hart to propose to her.
I love the "Playful Brides" series but Hart just irritated me. I felt like the chemistry between him and Meg was pretty obvious and I kinda wanted to scream at him for not seeing that. SHE IS THE ONE FOR YOU, YOU IDIOTIC TWIT! MARRY HER!!!
Honestly I cannot remember the last time I felt so strongly about a pairing in a historical romance. This was a wonderfully fun read however at the end, Hart just pissed me off (refer to above statement in all caps to see what I mean). Nonetheless I will be eagerly picking up the next book in this series because I am committed for life to these characters (much like Hart ought to be to Meg).

I can't help but love this series. There's the suspense novel aspects that come through while we're watching a H&h try to figure out if the person they want to trust is really who they say they are below their facade that they've seen through already.

The Right Kind of Rogue is the eighth book in the Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman. I have not read the previous books, but while I could tell some characters carried over, it is not necessary to read these books are a series or in order. Although, I would think that those who do will greatly enjoy seeing past characters make appearances and have some prior knowledge to the featured characters which makes for a more engaging read.

Viscount Hart Highgate has decided to put his rakish ways behind him and finally get married. He may adore a good brandy or a high-speed carriage race, but he takes his duties as heir to the earldom seriously. Now all he has to do is find the right kind of woman to be his bride—ideally, one who’s also well-connected and well-funded and not like his scheming mother. Meg Timmons has loved Hart, the brother of her best friend, ever since she was an awkward, blushing schoolgirl. If only she had a large dowry—or anything to her name at all. Instead, she’s from a family that’s been locked in a bitter feud with Hart’s for years. And now she’s approaching her third London season, Meg’s chances with him are slim to none, but she has to try.

The Right Kind of Rogue might be deep into a series, and I can clearly see some of the interconnected characters that makes it clear, but it has not fallen into the traps that make it hard for newcomers to join in and pick up just about anywhere. There were a couple mentions of things that happened in previous books, but at no point was I left behind because of not having read the prior books. I loved Meg's character, while practical and pragmatic she is still a romantic and is hoping for her chance with Hart- even though she thinks her chances are slim to none. I like that she is shy on some levels, but willing to stand up for her friends and do everything she can to protect them and herself. I liked her honesty and openness, and Hart's desire to find someone just like her even when he had no idea what he wanted. I enjoyed the slow realization on Hart's part, and that even when everything seemed to be falling apart and he behaves badly, he is still protecting those he cares about. I just enjoyed this read from beginning to end, and while there were a few occasions when pride and stubbornness made me want to kick a character, they still stayed consistent and highly entertaining. In fact, I liked the book so much that I just downloaded another book in the series to see if they are all as entertaining.

The Right Kind of Rogue is a fully engaging historical romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. I found the characters and the situations they find themselves in to be very well put together. My only disappointment is that it took me this long to find this series.

Who doesn’t love that classic scene from Grease when the quintessential wallflower - Sandy- transforms into a sexy siren, literally making Danny’s eyes bug out with shock, excitement and lust. Yes, we all love a makeover, a transformation story where the plain Jane gets the royal treatment and becomes a goddess who is now able to catch the eye of her crush and finally make her dreams come true. Meg Timmons is just that! And you can’t help but keep your fingers crossed and sit on the edge of your seat holding your breath to see if and when she will be able to catch the eye of the infamous rake Viscount Hart Highgate, a man whom she’s had a crush on since she was 16. Will her dreams finally come true?

Meg Timmons has loved her best friend’s older brother, Hart, since she was 16. She has followed his every move and escapade with hopes that one day he will see her as more than just a meek and shy girl. It is her third season and she knows that with her father’s gambling and huge debt and the impoverished state in which they live, she will never be able to make a good match - let alone catch the eye and win the heart of the man she really wants. And if matters weren’t worse enough her family and Hart’s are enemies. Their parents are hardly able to stomach the thought of their children being friends, let alone the thought of anything more.

Hart Highgate has finally decided to tame his wild ways and marry. For many years he has been avoiding marriage like the plague, but he has finally decided to give in and find a biddable wife with a generous dowry. The only problem is, try as he might, he just can’t muster the enthusiasm to find any of the ladies that he is introduced to enticing. The only lady that he finds at all interesting and exciting happens to be his sister’s best fiend Meg who seems to have transformed into a stunning beauty overnight. And even though he knows that luck is not on their side, he can’t help but he drawn to her.

Will Meg and Hart be able to fight the odds to find their happily ever after? A beautifully written Regency romance filled with excitement, passion and lots of laugh out loud moments. Not to be missed!

This is a great book. Great series. Please if you have not read one of Valerie bowman book. Please do so right away! She is amazing writer and her characters are amazing. Must read.

This book has one of my favourite romance tropes, the friends to lovers plot. I don't know why it is so satisfying, but somehow it is. Bowman writes a consistently solid romance.

Secret crush on brother's best friend tropes are catnip for me and this story did not disappoint. Add in a wallflower who decides to go for the man she really does want, even if he doesn't feel the same way. Yet. And it was a fantastic story that hit a bunch of high notes for me. Maybe the hero took a little longer to come around to his true feelings than I would like. And he could be a jerk sometimes. But the heroine stayed true to herself and the hero finally got his head on straight in the end. I

This is book eight in Playful Brides series, but the author does a very good job in writing it so it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Out of all eight books, which I’ve read and liked a lot, this one is my least favorite. I just could not for the life of me see what the heroine saw in the hero. Their romance left me cold. I just didn’t feel the chemistry at all.

I’ve read this author before and I like her writing voice. She writes fun and engaging stories with witty dialogue and good plots, yet this one just fell flat for me.

If you’re a fan of this author, you’ll want to read it but if you’ve never read her before, this is the story you should check out, ‘A Secret Proposal’ by Valerie Bowman.

Melanie for b2b

The story of Meg and Hart. Meg, a wallflower, her dowry gambled away by her father and secretly infatuated by Hart, her best friend’s brother. Hart, a rogue who is looking for a bride with money, no love involved. Throw in a scheming friend to help Meg catch Hart’s eye during the season and you have a great read. I kept finding myself grabbing the book to continue reading when I really should have been doing other things. I loved it!

The Right Kind of Rogue by Valerie Bowman was such a wonderful story. I had not read the other books in the series, and The Right Kind of Rogue was easily read as a stand-alone story.

I adored Meg Timmons and Hart Highgate as soon as I met both characters. Meg is such a strong character. Her family is pretty much destitute, but she still remains hopeful that she can find a good husband. She has been in love with Hart Highgate, who is her best friend's brother since she was 16 years old, and I loved how sweet he was to her all those years ago.

I loved the slow build to the romance between Meg and Hart. Yes Meg's friends were totally helping her to be more presentable at balls to the ton, but Meg of course only had eyes for Hart. I loved seeing Hart finally see Meg in a new light. I also loved once Hart started seeing Meg in a new light, he couldn't really fight his attraction to her.

Meg and Hart totally worked as a couple for me, even if they didn't start out on a normal courtship. There was so much chemistry between them, and I loved that while they both seemed to wait forever to share their feeling, they couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other. Hart really did have a sweetness to him that I really didn't expect considering he had become a total jerk towards Meg once they married. I loved that Meg never really gave up on Hart even when her heart was bruised from how he was acting, yet continued to love him with her whole heart.

The Right Kind of Rogue was a fun, sweet, and sexy story that hit on all of my feelings. Valerie Bowman is a new to me author, and I absolutely loved her voice and the emotions she pulled from her characters. The Right Kind of Rogue definitely won't be the last book I read from Ms. Bowman.


Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

Meg Timmons has been in love with Hart Highgate since she was 16 years old. He’s the old brother of her best friend and now that he’s decided to look for a wife, she’s decided to make herself his one way or another.
This plot seems to be running rampant over the past year as this feels like the fourth or fifth book with the same setting. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this version. I really didn’t like Hart’s character. It’s a pet peeve of mine when the author keeps reiterating the man’s sleazy ways. Plus Hart really didn’t have any redeeming qualities to make me forgive him in the end.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book