Starched and proper Charlotte Langley is the safe and rather boring sister and her siblings aren't surprised to see her engaged to her safe and boring childhood sweetheart. But when her sister makes her a tonic to help with cramps, it instead provokes her to a state of desire she doesn't know what to do with, especially since her feelings are not directed toward her betrothed.

Kingston has always been a rake, much like his father, but now he's determined to change his ways. He's not sure where to take himself to escape society and the best place he can think of is his stepbrother's remote country estate. He's rather surprised to find his stepbrother now has a family and is even more shocked to find himself alone and seduced by an engaged female whom he thought to be meek and insipid.

Kingston soon realizes Charlotte has a more passionate nature than even she realizes. He wants more of her, but Charlotte is determined that anything between them was only down to her sister's tonic, not her actual feelings and Kingston isn't having it. He just has to determine exactly what he wants and how far he's willing to get it, along with showing Charlotte what she really wants.

Firstly, this is possibly my favorite cover ever. I've rounded my rating up because I liked the hero, but the premise of this book was completely bananas with the weird aphrodisiac and straight-laced, prickly heroine. I did love the fact that Kingston had been celibate for so long before Charlotte and his description of her waking him up so to speak was great. He was really very likable and his story wound up being heartrending and emotional. Charlotte, however, just struck me as being a bit one dimensional, which I suppose matched her description for most of the book. She did grow quite a lot, but I wanted to see her owning her feelings more honestly and for more of the book than she actually did; when she started standing up for herself it just made her seem more unemotional somehow and at a time when she should've been growing more and more comfortable with her feelings. It was like her development seized a bit. I would've liked to see her open herself up more to Kingston as I felt their relationship was a bit one-sided on his part and similarly, I would've liked to see some sort of friendship forming between Kingston and Nathaniel. Overall, I quite liked the illegitimate, reformed rake hero and I liked these two together. I'll continue with the series and look forward to Nora's story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this remarkable book by one of my favorite authors. The characters seemed real with thoughts and feelings of their own
I love how the words flowed through out the book.
I appreciate Net galley for this ARC title in which I have an honest review.

I'm starting to read historical romance and this was recommended by a friend. I enjoyed the absurdity of the story and how the two clashed and came together. It was entertaining, swoony, and made me laugh. I love reading about strong female characters figuring out how to take what we want, and this book really delivered that. I now hope to read more by this author and in this genre.

3.5 stars

I’ve read the other books in this series and had no plans on skipping this one, but was even more intrigued when the title and cover came out.

I liked Charlotte and Kingston. They’re both really good people who are looking for something of their own. The chemistry was instant and it was fun reading their interactions. Of course I loved seeing Marian and I’m already beside myself at Nora getting a book.

Plot wise, it was just okay. The “love potion” is the catalyst for Charlotte figuring out her feelings about her betrothed, but I wish it wouldn’t have taken her so long. As much as I loved the goading and button pushing, I wanted actual conversations between the two main characters and more of a showing of the attachment.

Overall, it was a quick read with characters who were easy to root for and I can’t wait for the next book.

**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**

Delightful, passionate romance!

Charlotte has resigned herself to marrying Billy, the boy she grew up expecting to marry, and she's determined not to let the wayward Mr. Kingston change her plans. Especially since he freely admits he's not husband material. But, as these two spend more and more time together at the estate of his stepbrother, whose wife is Charlotte's sister, their mutual attraction is obvious to everyone including themselves.

This is a delicate dance between what the heart wants and what propriety demands. Charlotte's younger sister gives her a dose of what was supposed to relieve her pain but ends up being a strong aphrodisiac, just strong enough to betray Charlotte's hidden attraction to Samuel, forcing her to question all her plans for her future.

As you can imagine, there's plenty of steam in this story as both Charlotte and Samuel are led by passion and attraction moreso than decency and decorum. Still, we see substantial personal growth in both that ends with a truly satisfying HEA. It was a lot of fun to read, and I recommend it heartily. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

The Virgin and the Rogue by Sophie Jordan was a really good read.

When the book starts off you are introduced to Charlotte who is going through some womanly problems. Then you jump to Kingston who you are learning is her "step brother in-law." Then you start learning about all of his back story, who he is and where he comes from.

It just feels like at first everything is very rushed and doesn't make a lot of sense because all of a sudden, she drinks a tonic boom she is riding a guy. Then he's all of a sudden obsessed with her and basically pushes advances on her every change he can get to get her out of the marriage she is currently betrothed in.

By the time the book ended I was very happy with the way that things progressed. Once you get through the first initial "WHAM" of everything then the story really starts to come across very nicely.

This book by far is a very erotic book and if you are not into erotica romance I would suggest not picking this book up

I have to admit, after reading the first chapter of this book I was ready to stop reading. Taking a medicinal for cramps that is really an aphrodisiac is just a weird and distasteful way to start a book. Once into it I enjoyed the story enough for 3 stars. I was certain that the rougue hero would be redeemed and he was in a great way.

I really enjoyed this historical romance.
Charlotte always makes the safe choice so when she becomes betrothed to her childhood sweetheart no is really surprised.
Kingston is a rake. At least he had been and his stepbrother's country estate is the best place to hideout.

On the night of his arrival, Charlotte takes a healing tonic that leaves her feeling aroused and taking her pleasure from someone other than her betrothed.

Surprisingly this was my first Sophie Jordan book and it will definitely not be my last. I can't wait for Nora's book!
The magic potion and the cover are what first drew me in. I really liked that her sister is a herbalist. Even though she dosed her sister with an aphrodisiac. I know some people had an issue with this.

Thankfully she realizes that she can't marry William and after a disastrous dinner with her Kingston's father and Warrington's mother, she finally recognizes how she really feels about Kingston.

If you love historical romances you should check this one out it will not disappoint.

ARC provided by HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley

This was a short but fun romance, with great characters, lots of emotion and some steamy scenes. An enjoyable read!

Sophie Jordan's books never disappoint. Also here, you will find romance at its best, fluffy scenes that don't mess up with your imagination too much, and plenty of twists and turns. The highlight of this book for me was a magic love potion. That aspect made me love the book that much more!

I've never met a Sophie Jordan book I didn't absolutely love! The Virgin and the Rogue was no exception.

Charlotte and Kingston are an unlikely pair, and yet they're perfectly matched. I thoroughly enjoyed the love potion aspect and how she used it as an excuse for her desires. Everything played out much differently than a usual historical romance, at least not one I've read, and I adored that about it. It had its unique aspects, along with the steam, and it meshed together in the best way.

I'll always, always, always recommend Sophie Jordan, and The Virgin and the Rogue has become a favorite.

My first book by this author and I can't wait to read more. Such a fun, romantic, steamy story. I adored Charlotte and Kingston. I loved the premise of this book. I thought the aphrodisiac angle was very well done. I never felt like the heroine was doing anything she didn't want to do. The interaction between the 2 characters was spot on and entertaining! I cant wait to read more about the side characters, especially the sisters. Even though I had not read other books in the series, I don't feel like I missed anything and I cant wait to go back and read more of the books that came before. Highly recommend!

The Virgin and the Rogue is a fast-paced romance with a bit of an old school historical romance feel. It begins with Charlotte accidentally being dosed with an aphrodisiac, leading to a heated encounter with Kingston, the stepbrother of Charlotte’s brother-in-law. Kingston is shocked by this and though he doesn’t stop Charlotte’s actions, he doesn’t take advantage of her either. I struggled with this part of the story because – while I can see author Sophie Jordan likely intended the “tonic” to be a device to open Charlotte’s eyes to her true wants and needs – the way it played out felt uncomfortable to me. An aphrodisiac that effectively takes over Charlotte made her first sexual encounter with Kingston unpalatable to me, though I think the intent was for the scene to be sexy. This all happens in the beginning of the story so it’s not a spoiler and I give the detail more so people know what they’re getting into with this book.

Troubling beginning aside, The Virgin and the Rogue is an OK romance. Charlotte was a rather insipid heroine hiding behind a bland engagement, her role as the “boring” sister, and the excuse that she was dosed with an aphrodisiac. She finds her voice over the course of the story, but it’s not the most interesting voice out there and it takes her quite some time to be honest with herself. Charlotte is, in a word, unobjectionable. Kingston is the more interesting of the pair; a reformed rogue who is at loose ends when the story begins. Kingston is the illegitimate son of an earl and a courtesan and watching his mother waste away and his father continue his hedonistic lifestyle without any care has left a big impact on him. I liked Kingston and wished we delved further into his character and his tense relationship with his stepbrother than we did. Kingston is a good mix of gentleman and rogue and he brings Charlotte out of her shell. Their romance is push-pull and felt a bit shallow at times, but I liked where they ended up.

I had major issues with The Virgin and the Rogue, but it was by no means a bad book. Ms. Jordan has an engaging writing style and the pages of the story practically flew by. Charlotte just wasn’t the heroine for me and the initial premise of the story made me uncomfortable in a way the author probably did not intend. Still, I will happily read the next Rogue Files book, The Duke Effect, because Charlotte’s scientist sister Nora was utterly fascinating and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Jordan has in store for her.

I see others have described this book as steamy or erotic, I just thought it was stupid. Mousy Charlotte suffers from menstrual cramps. Her sister gives her a tonic to drink with a few “extra” herbs. At dinner that night with her dull fiancé and his odious parents, Charlotte starts to feel hot all over with an unusual pain between her legs. She makes it through dinner and retires for the night. But no, she awakens, humps Kingston in the library, ends up naked in the pond, and they have an encounter on the hillside (not intercourse, he’s being honorable). Did I say this was stupid? Needless to say, I did not finish this book. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Up front, if you don't like detailed sex scenes then skip this one. There is opening talk of menstrual problems and a heroine who does ridiculous sexual advances to a stranger. All in the name of a aphrodisiac potion. Well perhaps, or perhaps she is just sexually excited. Whatever Charlotte is not a proper Regency young woman and it takes her awhile to figure out her place. Kingston has made a supreme effort to change his profligate ways so we are on his side for the entire book. No one besides Charlotte got to taste the potion so we are never to find out if it really is an aphrodisiac. (Now that would have been fun.) So many missed chances with this enticing premise.

What a wonderful story. It is an unusual plot. Charlotte is engaged to William, they have been friends since childhood. Everyone thought they would marry. She was living at her sister's house, she had just married a duke. Their father had died and left no way for them to care for themselves. So it was very lucky that Marion, the eldest daughter, found Nathaniel. Charlotte has always been quiet and subdued. So is William. Nat's stepbrother comes for a very short visit and sees Charlotte and William together, boring. He plans to stay the night. Nora, the youngest, fixes a herbal remedy for that time in a woman's month for Charlotte. She changed the formula a little and it became something else. Charlotte was all over poor Kingston. But he fell in love with her. But she is still engaged. Talk about twists and turns and complicated.
The characters are wonderful, kind and supportive of each other. It was exciting and had a few surprises. I am so glad I got a chance to read this book. I also highly recommend it.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

FINAL DECISION: I was ambivalent about this book. There were parts I liked a lot, but there were things I really didn't enjoy. Ultimately, however, I believe the book ended on a positive note and it was a nice read.

THE STORY: Charlotte Langley is the practical sensible daughter who has a solid if unremarkable fiance who she has known since childhood. When a tonic made by her younger sister goes wrong and she ends up having a hot and heavy encounter with her brother-in-law's step-brother, Kingston. Kingston has been a rogue, but a recent encounter has altered his thinking. He has been abstaining for months until he is "accosted" by Charlotte. Expectations, reputations and old wounds swirl around this couple as they get to know who the other actually is.

OPINION: This book was really uneven for me. I liked some parts quite a bit, but I didn't feel that the hero was developed enough. I really liked his character, but the heroine was so much in her mind about her choices that the hero was pretty flat for most of the book. By the end of the book, I really liked him and felt for his pain, and that is what saved the book for me. The book wasn't very engrossing and it allowed a surface read about the story which worked for me at this time, but isn't a book that I would love and re-read again and again.

At the same time, I really loved how the relationship between Charlotte and Kingston developed and how she learns to articulate her own desires (both sexually and in her daily life) and how Kingston is "healed" by his relationship with Charlotte. He just wants a family and Charlotte is able to help him get connected.

The final third of this book was really good and I would definitely re-read whole sections of that part. The fact that it ended on a high note for me when the book really begins to focus on Charlotte and Kingston rather than all the other things in Charlotte's life is when the book really began to take shape for me and the characters really began to connect for me.

I wavered on giving this book three stars or three and a half. Ultimately, the finish on the story left me with good feelings about the story and these characters so I gave it the higher rating.  It was good enough that I ordered a copy of the book for myself.

WORTH MENTIONING: There is an issue of consent in this book. The author is certainly aware of the issue where the heroine is accidentally "drugged" by her sister, but I'm not sure that the resolution really worked for me. Those who have special concerns might want to read more spoilers about the book. The incident does occur right at the beginning of the book so there isn't much investment in the story if a reader decides the solution doesn't work for them.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE VIRGIN AND THE ROGUE is the sixth book in the Rogue Files series. This book can be read as a standalone. I have not read any of the other books in the series and although it is clear there are characters who appear from prior books, I did not feel I missed anything.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Thoroughly enjoyed The Virgin and the Rogue. The Rogue Files is definitely a binge worthy romance series for those looking for quirky historical romances with a strong heroine and undeniable chemistry between the couples.

Excited to read more from this series and author! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc!

To start, this book has, without question, one of the best historical romance covers I've ever seen. And if that alone hadn't reeled me in, it was the premise.

As a relatively new reader of this author, I went in with an unbiased start, and got acquainted with the author fairly quickly. This bananas story follows our virgin heroine, already betrothed, who mistakenly ingests a love potion/aphrodisiac, and the rogue who insists he'll never love, and has resolved that's the way he wants it..

I truly don't want to give too much away about the plot because the twists and turns throughout happen so quickly, it's hard to stop your head from spinning, and your heart from beating too fast when you read the chemistry on page.

I want to note that if consent is important to you (as it is with most readers, I'd wager), and it is to me, this was done exceptionally well. I read another review of this book and she touches on the consent part of the love potion and she nails it on the head. This was more about feelings, and self-reflection. It's done so well, I never had any concern for the fate of our characters in this regard.

All that being said - I will be promptly adding a lot more Sophie Jordan to my TBR pile.
Thank you very much to the publisher for this ARC.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Was a light fun regency. Enjoyed the characters and the twist with the 'love potion'. Can't wait to read more.