He had been left at the altar on his wedding day. Yes, the talk would begin about "jilted Viscount Kendall being left at the altar. How would he survive this agony?"
But he somehow made it through and they even had the breakfast celebration since there was so much food that would go to waste. Afterwards, as Jon sat his mother's solarium, Miss Emma Ellingham found him. She had been sent by his mother to bring him back to the last of the guest and make sure he was not too despondent. She lived with her sister and husband and were next door neighbors to Jon. Her heart hurt for him in having been jilted and could tell if affected him greatly. She had her own experience of unrequited love.. Since it had seemed her love of drawing had left her.
Fast forward and these two come back together. He has been working on an invention and Emma wanders next door and unexpectedly comes upon him in a workshop and sees what he is working on.
She is so amazed she only wants to begin drawing it but Jon sends her own her way.
Then the journey begins! Emma and Jon end up in his workshop when they are caught out in the rain and everything starts happening! Murder, suspense, longing, attraction and eventually sparks fly between these two! I really enjoyed this story and need to go back and read the rest of the series! Don't miss it!

It has been years since I read the previous book in the series, so I approached this book without remembering the other characters. While it still worked as a stand alone, I think I would have enjoyed it more with a recent reading of the previous books.

Emma is an interesting heroine, as she is more focused on her lost artistic inspiration than on finding love. I enjoyed her early interactions with the hero (Jon) in his workshop. And the couple definitely have sexual chemistry, but I felt some of the romance fell flat, particularly in the second half of the novel.

Then the conclusion felt a bit rushed and then choppy. I think because she tried to tie up all the lose threads, but they did not go together smoothly.

I still think it is worth the read, but don’t expect major payoff on the minor plot points. And there’s a dog!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

This is a wonderful regency romance! The hero and heroine both struggle to deal with the impact of previous rejection, yet find an unexpected romance developing between them. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot before the inevitable HEA. The characters are sympathetic and the story is very engaging. It did strike me as odd that one character was named ‘Carter’, which isn’t an English name of the period, but otherwise I found the historical details quite authentic. All in all, a perfect book to curl up by the fireside with, on a cold Winter’s afternoon!

I must say this author was new to me and it wasn't until I did research that I learned that she had written other books that were the precursor to this one.

With that said this one read as a stand-alone book. Though there were hints to a past fro Emma and her sisters it did not keep this story from flowing nicely.

Both Jon and Emma have had their heartbroken by the one they think is their true love. However, after a seemingly innocent encounter leaves Emma's reputation in danger Jon does what all heroes do he rides in to rescue her.

However, Emma isn't your typical damsel in distress and finds being rescued not something she wants but when marriage is the only solution both Emma and Jon find they have more in common than their broken hearts. Soon they are fighting feelings they never thought they would feel with another.

This story has romance, comedy, and intrigue that left me wanting to read more by this author.

Disappointments abound in the lives of our two main characters, and now it’s up to them to make lemonade out of lemons.

Jon is left standing at the altar after his fiancée elopes with another man. Emma wastes years of her life pining after a man who cannot return her love. Will these two be able to bury past hurts and learn to love again? That is the question.

This is a romance novel that challenges our misconceptions about what a hero and heroine can be. Emma is not what we usually find in a book of this genre: She isn’t concerned with marriage, and she actually enjoys a stiff drink. In fact, do you want to know what attracts her to Jon? His money or his good looks? Nope. His farming equipment. Yep, you read that correctly. She appreciates what other women in her social circle do not. She knows what she wants and speaks her mind, and she doesn’t need anyone to take care of her. She’s quite capable of doing that herself. In Jon, we find a hero who embraces his own sensitivity; he’s not afraid to admit that he has a heart and that his heart sometimes breaks.

These two bond over conversation, which adds to the authenticity of their romance. Believe me, the saucy bits do come, but their relationship is built on a more solid foundation than mere physical attraction. If that’s not enough, crime enters the picture, adding a classic “whodunnit” element that is simply DELICIOUS!!

Overall, this book is artfully constructed and beautifully told, and the author now has a new fan. She presents to her readers a historical romance novel that explores the meaning of the word “honor.” We see characters that are willing to sacrifice their own pride, reputations, and freedom to help another, leaving us wondering if decisions mandated by fate are capable of effecting a happy ending.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2020/02/28/every-bit-a-rogue-by-adrienne-basso/)

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.


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Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Medium burn

Relationship dynamics: The Jilted Inventor (H) / The Museless Artist (h)

Sexual content: Oodles; both “on-screen” and explicit

Triggers: Handsy suitors

Grammar/Editing: This ARC had some omissions of punctuation, typos, and word choice issues.

Review: Although the publisher refers to this as a Regency novel, it is technically set in the late Georgian period (1824). It is quick-paced and the agricultural research was very good, although the steam-powered inventions featured certainly would have been ahead of their time. However, while the inventions were advanced, the language was not: “twould”, “twas” and “tis'” are used liberally throughout the novel, although they had fallen out of common usage by 1824.

Jon and Emma are the main characters in this novel. Both have been disappointed in love and find themselves forced to marry due to scandalous circumstances. However, their relationship builds naturally and fairly maturely. Issues are resolved nicely without an overabundance of melodramatic misunderstandings, which many authors rely on. I appreciated that this author had no need of overuse of such devices to move the plot forward. That’s not to say that there weren’t some gratuitous scenes – there were a couple – but that is forgivable. The supporting characters are well-enough developed that you won’t need to have read the previous books for the recurring characters to be multi-dimensional. Sir Galahad was a treat – I do enjoy when the hero gets jealous of a lovable mutt’s time/interaction with the heroine.

Artist Review version: A striking study in the transition of an artist from their childhood attempts at greatness to their later, more mature works. The discerning eye will mark the subtleties of the transition between pieces, and appreciate the inherent skill that unifies them.



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While the characters were pleasant, for a romance novel I found them to be on the tepid side. This wasn’t in regards to the stream level of the book but I just found each character introduced to be quite ordinary. Even the villains weren’t over-the-top nor did they even really come off as villains in the end. Everything easily worked its way out without ever rising to any sort of crescendo. It was a bit to “smooth sailing” for me to be sucked in.

Rating- 2.5 Just ok
Heat- 2 a scene or two
Tropes- girl who is different than others

Jon was left at the alter by the woman he thought he would love forever. To recover from his heartbreak, he buried himself in his work, a new farming invention. He has no interest in anything else. That is until the unusual girl from next door interrupts him one day. Emma is quite content to not be married. Her greatest fear is never having a passion for art again. Their different hobbies draw them together until circumstances force their hand.

Every Bit a Rogue teases with glimpses of a good book. It’s like believing something wonderful is just around the corner, but when you turn that corner you enter a bland hallway. The leads are meant to be unusual amount their peers, but they both ended up with the personalities of wet mops. While the title suggests Jon is a rogue, he was actually a perfect gentleman through out the book. There was nothing the least bit exciting about him. Emma was just as dull, and I couldn’t bring myself to care about her. To be fair, this is the first book I have read in the series, so perhaps if I had followed Emma’s siblings, I would be more interested in Emma’s story. Being introduced to Jon and Emma in this book just left me underwhelmed. The idea of them being surprised to find attraction and passion was a good one, but the heat between them never seems to materialize.

There was a murder mystery that could have added excitement, but it remained in the background. No one seemed particularly bothered by it. We are just told facts about it, like who was murdered and who did it. There is no intensity for finding the killer. There is no danger to our characters. The murder was just used as a plot device to force the marriage when it could have been so much more.

Today is Jon Burwell, Viscount Kendall’s most important day, his wedding day. As Jon waits expectantly for his bride to show up she never does. Jon doesn’t let it bother him and continues with the wedding breakfast party scheduled. In actuality Jon is heartbroken and upset wondering why his bride didn’t show up or want to marry him. As Jon greets the many guests he meets Miss Emma Ellingham. Jon is intrigued by Emma but keeps his distance. Jon isn’t ready nor will he ever let someone get close to him again. Emma manages to disrupt Jon’s life at every turn. When Emma discovers Jon’s secret that he is an inventor. Emma begs to be part of his secret by drawing his latest invention but Jon is unrelenting to her pleas. When Jon and Emma are caught together even though it is innocent in order to avoid further scandal Jon must wed Emma. Will Jon and Emma be able to find happiness despite being forced into a marriage neither of them wants?
This regency historical of second chance love is a bit of a delightful surprise! Sure the story starts off a little tragically with a botched wedding so of course you can’t help but feel sympathy for the hero’s plight. The characters strengths draw you in making you emotionally invested in not just them but their situations. The story moves wonderfully pulling you into it. Yes, it is part of a series but is its own tale. The title doesn’t really fit either characters and makes you wonder who the rogue exactly is when no one except maybe the bride who left could be the culprit. There is some slight confusion of Emma’s past, her broken heart and her unrequited love for another but it is explained later on. There are a few times especially when she goes to visit the guy she used to love that if she would only open up to Jon it would have created less turmoil for her. Emma the older plucky heroine is refreshing without being staid or boring. She’s quiet and soothing a perfect complement to Jon’s cautious wariness. Jon the grief stricken hero goes through so much. He manages to devote his time to something else while carrying on from a tragedy. So there is an untapped strength about him. Then the way he cares for Emma is just the sweetest thing. This book is a good one well worth a reread and yes gives me an incentive to read the rest in the series!

Love, love this book! A handsome viscount left at the altar, a young lady filled with compassion, both find themselves a year later caught up in a murder and must marry to save an innocent man's life! Good stuff, yes! Love the Viscount Jon Kendall, love Emma Ellingham, the youngest of the Ellingham sisters, this has been an enjoyable read, and I can't wait to hear more from Adrienne Basso!
I highly recommend! Thank you!
carolintallahassee.com

Enjoyed this romance story. It is well written and entertaining. Two people who have no desire to marry, end up married after Emma saves Jon when he is accused of murder. They each have a past and when they both finally let go of it they find that they are in love with each other. This is a very nice love story and worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Every Bit a Rogue by Adrienne Basso
The Ellinghams #4

This is my first book by Adrienne Basso and I will definitely be searching out more from her. This is book 4 in the series but is fine as a standalone. Characters from books 1 and 2 are in the this story (the heroines from those stories are this heroine's sisters) but nothing that would confuse or make it unreadable. I'm unsure if perhaps you get a better perspective of Jon or Emma's personalities in the first books.

Both these main characters have had their hearts broken in the past. Jon is rumored to be a crazy recluse after being left at the altar, but really he is just finding passion in his inventions away from society. Emma found solace in her painting, but when her muse leaves her, she becomes lonely and depressed. They come together by chance on a few occasions and then are thrown together again when Jon is accused of a crime.

The thing I really enjoyed about this book was nothing really went as I expected. I read a lot, and tend to predict the direction the book will turn and it's always nice to be surprised. Not that there's a shocking revelation in this story, I just didn't find it predictable. It's a story about finding love when you think you can't, or it's just not meant for you.

I enjoyed both characters, although I did get a little frustrated with Emma towards the end of the book, and wasn't 100% on board with some of her feelings she mentioned at the end. Jon, to me, became more enjoyable as the book went on.

I thought it was fairly steamy, with 4-5 scenes. They weren't excessive. I was happy with that aspect of it.

I give 4 stars. It was a pleasant read for me, but didn't quite reach the point of strong feelings for it :)

Slight spoilers about trope type ahead:
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This book has a ruined heroine, and a forced marriage because of it.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was unfortunately a story lacking in real passion and creativity. Jon is a jilted, reclusive who spends his time thinking about the spoiled fiance he loved so much. The heroine is just as unappealing. Both lamenting past loves that did not chose them. Just not an interesting love story.

Rumors swirl about Jon, Viscount Kendall after he was jilted at the altar. The truth however is he has transferred his passion elsewhere, into a mechanical invention. Emma is Jon’s neighbor’s sister-in-law and knows heartbreak as well. Emma falls for Jon and when he is accused of a crime Emma steps in. With the threat of scandal, they must marry, will they find love with each other? Fast-paced read with plenty of drama, steam and twists and turns. I really liked it.

Quite liked this one despite it being the first one of the series that I've read - didn't feel lost at all and appreciated how the author had woven in the other couples' stories and present throughout.
I read through mainly for the lovely banter between Emma and Lord Kendall; I just couldn't get enough of the sweet complicity that existed between them from the get-go, could completely see how they'd fall for each other.
However, what left me a little meh was that not much was happening on the page. I was at 40% into the book when we even get to what the blurb already tells us (though not how) and I wanted it to pick up. And then when the marriage does happen, there just doesn't seem to be enough conflict to fuel the plot... But the read did flow, the conversation witty and engaging throughout.
I do have to point out that I was guffawing half the time when Emma gushed about Jon's 'glorious machine' - kept feeling this was a huge euphemism and couldn't get this idea out of my head, which might've killed the vibe a little. But I enjoyed this book nevertheless

Every Bit a Rogue by Adrienne Basso

Adrienne Basso is a new author for me and I am glad I found her! The first book I read was a great historical romance, so I am looking forward to reading more of her books. Every Bit a Rogue is the fourth book in a series called The Ellinghams, but I read the book as a stand alone and loved it.

Emma Ellingham is the youngest of the Ellingham sisters. As an artist, she is always wanting to draw, but recently she has lost her muse and is not able to paint. Luckily she is living with one of her sisters and their family in the country.

Jon Burwell, Viscount Kendall, was left standing at the altar. He knows what people think of him and he has decided that he is forever heartbroken and not going to love again. He is working on his device when Emma wanders into his life. Jon and Emma are quite aware of each other and circumstances push them together.

I loved the introspection and the growth that both made to understand each other and themselves. I like how both wanted to make things work. I loved the mystery of the death of the neighbor and loved to hate the characters around that death. Adrienne Basso’s newest book called Every Bit a Rogue was an enjoyable read.

Emma Ellingham Lives with her sister and brother-in-law, her parents died by a train wreck. Luckily she had siblings to take care of her. She was an artist and a good one at that. But she lost her gift and could not seem to get it back. She met Viscount Jon Randall when her family attended Jon's wedding. His bride jilted him and his mother was very upset. She did not want him to marry her. She was shallow and thoughtless, They also lived at the manor house next door to them. But Jon became a recluse and did not want to trust women, ever. Emma was not interested in marriage especially after Sebastion' He had been her childhood friend and she loved him with all she had. He went and married another lady and left Emma brokenhearted.
I could not imagine how much work Emma and Jon had to put into their friendship. The story was well laid out, easy to read, kept your interest and was entertaining. The characters you could understand and sympathize with.
You could understand Emma and Jon's emotions thru out their ordeal. The author knew what she wanted and went after it with zeal. I so enjoyed her book and all the characters. I also very highly recommend this novel for anyone over Eighteen.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you.

Spicy romantic suspense, Every Bit a Rogue is a delicious and quick read! I adore historical fiction, it is a great way to take a break and stimulate the imagination!! Book 4 in a series, Every Bit a Rogue is fine as a stand alone book, and I did not feel like I missed anything by not reading the other books. I like the characters. First of all, Jon and Emma are truly likable characters despite their small flaws. The supporting characters, good and bad are just as interesting!

When art, invention, mystery, murder and romance are tossed together you either get a recipe for disaster or a really, really engaging read! Fortunately, I enjoyed Every Bit a Rogue very much although I did find that Jon's fascination with the shallow Diana was annoying. Definitely worth reading!

Thank you to NetGalley, Adrienne Basso, and Kensington Books for this temporary, digital advance reader copy for me to read and enjoy. As always, my opinion is mine alone.
#EveryBitaRogue #NetGalley

A lovely historical romance with two likable leads, and an engaging story!

This is my first book by Adrienne Basso, and I really enjoyed it. Despite being book four in a series, I had no trouble keeping up with the characters, main and secondary. Indeed, I was intrigued enough to want to check out the previous installments—it was a treat to be teased with the after-HEA status of Emma’s sisters and friends, knowing I can read their whole stories whenever I’m ready.

Emma and Jon’s story is easy and mostly drama-free for the first 80%. Though it does have some intrigue, it mostly focuses on the couple as they learn about each other—and themselves—and the result is both sweet and sexy.

My only real complaint about Every Bit a Rogue is more personal preference than story-related—I found the use of “’twas”, “’tis”, and “’twould” distracting and, at times, irksome. Having said that, it was by no means enough to make me stop reading. In fact, I so enjoyed this book otherwise that I finished it in one afternoon, and am adding Ms. Basso to my list of authors to watch for!

Jon Burwell, Viscount Kendall, knows what the gossips say about him. They claim he’s been a dejected, half-mad recluse ever since he was jilted at the altar. The simple truth is that Jon has thrown all the passion he once had for his fiancée into his latest mechanical invention.
Painting and sketching have been Emma’s consolation since her own secret heartbreak. When she stumbles upon the viscount’s workshop, his machine revives her artistic imagination. When Jon is accused of a crime, Emma risks her good name for his sake. But though the threat of scandal compels them to wed, only courage can overcome their pasts, and allow desire to transform into love I thoroughly enjoyed this different take on second chance of love. This is a new author to me & I did find all the characters a little confusing & it took some time for me to sort everyone out, this probably wouldn’t have happened if I’d read the earlier books. A well written book, I really liked both Jon & Emma & how their relationship developed held me engrossed. I’ll certainly be reading more from the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read