I love historic romances, and this was no exception. The mystery was a fun touch to the story. I did find it a tad long winded and repetitive, but the overall story was worth it.

In book 1, The Earl Next Door, we find out about the sinking of the ship the Salty Dove and how it affects 3 women. Book 1 is Adeline's story and book 2 is Judith's story. You do not need to read book 1 to understand what happens in book 2, but there are characters that are in both books. Judith is trying to deal with her father-in-law after her husband dies when the ship sinks. The Duke wants to restrict her behavior and if she doesn't comply he will take away her son and raise him. She meets Garrett Stockton who wants to help her get out from underneath the Duke's control. I thought it was a wonderful story, slow in some places, but enjoyable. Quick read (when I had time to read) and can't wait to read book 3 with Brina's story!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

While it may not be the most unique title or compelling cover, the writing is absolutely fabulous! So, if you’re looking for a wonderfully fun historical romance with a strong female protagonist, sharp wit, engaging banter back-and-forth between the two main characters AND just the right amount of steamy romance, then “Gone With The Rogue” is perfect! Grey is a masterful romance story writer and I absolutely adored getting to know Julia & Garrett. Thankfully there are other compelling characters in their lives,too, who have yet to find their true love, and I’m hoping I’ll get to read about them next!
Many thanks to net galley and the publisher for providing a review copy.

The title of the book did not coincide with the contents. Garrett is definitely NOT a rogue! The first meeting of the two really set the tone for the rest of the book...very tame.Julia was very prim...to my standards, really not very tolerant of her child. The plot was very....out there and the ending wasn't very climatic at all. The only part I enjoyed was when Julia and her best friend tried to cook, we all knew how that was going to end but it was very funny anyway. And the two sex scenes were very....brief. Non noteworthy.

Overall, this book helped pass the time, but I would not recommend it..

During this pandemic I am watching more TV than normal, my reason for telling you this is because the story involves the complaint of men having control over women, and any children they may have. At the moment on TV is the story of Mrs. America, Philyiss Shafly and Gloria Steinam. I am not a libber, I believe women need men, not to tell them what to do, but, for warmth, love, friendship, and yes as heroes! This is the same premise, Julia, wanting to be freed from her manipulative father - law, risk losing her son over a love affair with Garrett Stockton. Garrett is a modern hero, thoughtful, kind, supportive as long as he doesn't rescue the fair maiden, yet he actually does! I believe true love is when both save each other by their loving the other person! Good story!
I recommend! Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee.com

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amelia Grey is one of those authors I like, but haven’t really had time to read a ton of. And thankfully, though I missed the first book in this series, Gone with the Rogue functions perfectly well as a stand-alone.

This book is cute, but does suffer from an issue with pacing, where I felt like there were long stretches with not a lot going on.

I did enjoy the element with Julia concerned for her son, and the hold her tyrannical father in law has over both of them. The trajectory of her arc is predictable, but in a good way, and the way Grey believably resolves the situation is good.

Garrett impressed me a lot less, given that he seemed to magically forget his scoundrel ways upon becoming entangled with Julia’s situation, and he didn’t have much substance. It was definitely more her story, with him being an afterthought, whereas I’d have liked to see him have more depth.

But this is a cute story with a triumphant ending, and definitely one I’d add to any comfort reading list during these trying times. I especially recommend it if you love a good fluffy historical romance.

Series: First Comes Love #2
Publication Date: 4/28/20
Number of Pages: 352
** 3.5 Stars **

In the first book of the series, The Earl Next Door, we learned about the sinking of the Salty Dove and the impact that had on the families of the passengers and crew. We also met and got to know the ladies who are featured in this series and their struggles to come to grips with what happened by creating a school to educate the young girls who were orphaned by the sinking. While this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The writing was good, I liked the characters in general, the story had promise, but I did find myself skimming portions of it. If you like a lot of steam in your books, you won’t find it in this one. There are a couple of love scenes, but they are told more from an emotional standpoint than from a more graphic one. That part is fine with me as I’m happy with no steam or a lot of steam – as long as they are done well.

Julia was being forced into a vile marriage she didn’t want and Kitson’s father was trying to force him into an arranged marriage that would benefit both families. Kitson very much wanted to defy his nasty father and Julia wanted to avoid marriage to a man who was her father’s age – their solution was to run away and marry at Gretna Green. Theirs wasn’t a love match, but it worked well enough for them – until Kitson died on the Salty Dove and Julia was left expecting and under the very firm control of her father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogsfield. After four years of widowhood, she’s just as tightly under his control as she ever was – and she’s looking for a way out. The duke has told her she is welcome to leave any time she likes, but his grandson will remain with him. Now she has a plan for them to escape – can she pull it off?

Garrett Stockton wanted more from his life than living on a stipend doled out by a titled relative. His father was perfectly happy with that life and tried to raise Garett to be the same way, but it just didn’t sit well with Garrett. Garrett’s father was very good at reading people and he was very lucky. When Garrett tried to convince him to put those talents into a business, his father was appalled. Gentlemen didn’t work or engage in trade! So, when Garrett’s father died, Garrett took off in a ship that his father had won in a card game and turned that ship into a very successful shipping fleet. Now, the ton doesn’t know what to make of Garrett. Is he still a gentleman? Not by many standards, but he is very wealthy. After all these years, Garrett is getting restless and wants more in his life – he wants a home. Not just any home – he wants the one he was raised in, the one his father said they could never own because it belonged to the title. He just has to get his titled relative to sell it.

I loved the initial meeting between Julia and Garrett. It was witty and entertaining. They were instantly attracted to each other, but Julia knew she could never act on any attraction because that would go against the Duke’s dictates of how she should live her life. Garrett just wanted to be with her, to help her any way he could. As he wins her trust and they manage to spend time together, she comes to trust him and believe in him. If they can outwit the duke, will they have their HEA?

All-in-all, it was a cute story, but just didn’t have any real depth nor character growth. I think the duke overshadowed the romance because 99.9% of the conversations and interactions centered around him rather than them getting to know each other. Some things dragged on too long and if those had been shortened, then more time could have been spent developing the main characters and their relationship. I will be looking forward to seeing how the next book goes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the story of a independent young lady who has already lost her husband. Lady Julia had a marriage of convenience with the youngest son of a Duke. Both were happy with the marriage. Her husband wanted to get back at his father for planning who he would marry and she needed to escape being married off to a old man by her family. She doesn't regret any part of her former life cause it gave her the love of her life, her four year old son, Chatwyn. Chatwyn, is a mischievous, happy child. Lady Julia tried to move on with her life after her husband died in a shipping accident, but the Old Duke would have none of it and uses Chatwyn to keep her in line. If she doesn't act and do what he says he will take her son away. She over hears The Duke talking in the garden to other man about things that must be keep secret. Finally she knows she now has something she can use to get away. If only she can find the poof.
Enter Mr. Garrett Stockton, a handsome devil that that ton has pegged a rogue. While riding in the park he comes across our Julia stuck in a tree of all places.
The interaction between them is simply laugh out loud funny.
Both are instantly attracted to the other. Garrett is nothing like what the ton says about him,
and Julia can't stop thinking about him or running into him.
Julia needs help finding proof, Garrett wants to help and just be around her. Julia is an animal lover and they add a lot to this story.
There is mystery, fun, sadness, joy and love. This is a fast moving story sexy with these two.
Saying any more will ruin the story for you. This is a wonderful romance with just enough mystery
and twist and turns .

My first book by this author. Even though I have not read the first in the series, I don't feel like I missed anything. Widows with children has not always been my favorite trope but I thought it was very well done. Overall I enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more in this series.

This is the first time I’ve read this author, so I had no expectations going in. The story is set in the Regency era. The heroine Julia, Lady Kitson Fairbright, had been married to a third son of the Duke of Sprogfield. After her husband died in a ship accident, she became a widow with a 4yo son. Since then, her life was under the relentless control of the Duke who imposed a set of social standards that she must strictly adhered to. In order to fight for her freedom, she was planning to expose the Duke for his hypocrisy. During this time, she met and got help from the hero Garrett Stockton, owner of a shipping company, who also happened to be an infamous rogue. After rescuing her from a chance accident, he had offered to help her find the evidence against her father-in-law, later supported her charitable cause, and respected her wish for an independent life in which she could make decisions for her son and herself.

While it was pleasantly written and didn’t make me feel frustrated or angry 😅, I feel the plot a bit bland, with much dragging and unnecessary repetition. I kept on reading hoping to get a wow factor, something dramatic around the corner, but none of that happened 🤷🏻‍♀️. The sensations of their kisses were described repetitively 🥴, while their sexy times were short and abrupt 😆. Overall, it wasn’t an exciting read for me, and perhaps this author’s style doesn’t really work with me 😅.

3.5 ⭐️ read for me!

*Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for sending me the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

✨Release date: April 28, 2020.✨

Loved this book. I read the first in this series of widows who come together and was so excited to see how the story continued. Didn't disappoint.

A quick read but I wasn’t very invested in the characters unfortunately. I found Brina to be more interesting than Julia at times, and romance between Julia and Garrett didn’t seem to have much chemistry. The build up to the Duke’s arrival felt like it just that...build up. But the follow through didn’t work for me.

I preferred the first book in the series. This one is a quick, easy read but I found parts of it boring and more drawn out then they needed to be. Both main characters are almost *too* good - like they had an argument at one point and it was a relief they weren't both paragons of virtue for a moment.

Amelia Grey is a new to me author, Gone with the Rogue being the second in the series, I didn’t have a problem reading this one as a stand-alone. I will definitely be ordering the first one though as Amelia Grey has a way of grabbing a hold of you and not letting go. I could not put the book down. Who doesn’t love a heroine stuck in a tree? I was sold with just that part. Julia being a mother and widow is not your typical HR heroine so it was a nice breather to the norm. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

English society in the regency period is full of double standards and very restrictive towards women in general and noble women in particular.  Julia Fairbright would love to buck the system but she's held back by her father-in-law a duke holding her son hostage to her good behavior.  All bets are off though when she's discovered in Hyde Park in a tree by the most notorious rake of all.
Garret is never in town for long. He loves his life sailing the high seas making port in London for the briefest of intervals. When he rescues Julia Fairbright from being strangled by her bonnet ribbons hanging up in a tree branch she strikes a chord and he suddenly finds his plans changing. He is looking at staying in town and potentially acquiring his childhood home that got sold.
Julia is on a quest to expose her father-in-law for the double life he leads and to gain control of her son and her life.  She solicits Garret's help in finding the records of the Duke's hidden dealings.  Soon their trysts turn to more than mere looking for the records and then ultimately working to decode them.  In the meantime Julia's friend is determined to make a difference helping the poor and downtrodden.  The two friend's attempts at making soup will leave readers rolling. Thank God for Garret who comes to their rescue and prevents catastrophic damage.
Will Julia and Garret prevail and enjoy a sustainable relationship? you'll need to read the book on how it all comes together in the end.

Gone With the Rogue is a charming and entertaining regency romance! Julia and Garrett were a very compelling couple. I loved her determination and courage, and his willingness to come to her aid at the same time respecting her need to do things on her own. Although this is the second book in this series, it’s perfect as a stand-alone! I’m excited to read the third installment!

I liked the story, and the characters Garrett and Julia, but find I didn’t feel as connected with the characters as I would have liked. I like anticipation and excitement and didn’t find a lot of that in this book. Just ok for me this time although I do enjoy this author and will continue to read her books.

I really enjoyed Garrett and Julia together, they managed to overcome some really big obstacles. They had wonderful chemistry together and the story line was well written and flowed very well. I kept rooting for them to find a way to be together forever and was glad they found their HEA.

I am a huge fan of Amelia Grey but not this book. I had a hard time getting interested in this book. I did like Julia and felt she was well written as a character. I also liked Garrett and his introduction to Julia. That being said I felt like it had a lot of filler throughout the story. I skimmed through most of it and only read the actual dialog between characters and felt like I didn't miss anything.

This is a very enjoyable book. I had read others by Amelia Grey - each one very enjoyable. The friends all have found their true love.