This was a sweet, but tame romance. Verging on dull at times. What redeems it is that the characters were well-written. It wasn’t a page-turner, but definitely an easy read.

I received an ARC for free from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was the weak link in this series for me. The whole plot line surrounding the duke and winning freedom from him was just too far-fetched, even for someone who is used to suspending disbelief in the name of a good romance.

This book is basically a DNF. I started skimming at about 25% after being pretty bored. There's relatively interesting characters and plot, but the writing just didn't grab me.

I was given an e-arc in exchange for an honest review from the publisher and NetGalley.
I enjoyed this book. I liked Garret as a character. I thought he was well-developed. I just wish there was more on his past.
As for Julia, I liked that she was caring , but I think she should have been able to stand up for herself more.
I liked where the plot went, but there wasn't a climax. I feel like overall nothing really happened.
But again, I did still enjoy this book.

I read the first book in this series and loved it. For me, this book fell flat. The book started off strong with a cute way the hero and heroine meet. But, from there, it just didn't develop. I ended up not liking the heroine.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

When Garrett Stockton first met Lady Kitson Fairbright – Julia – she was up a tree in the park, caught by her lace collar on a tree branch while attempting to retrieve a butterfly net. Julia had sent her son and his governess back to the house for a pair of scissors so she could cut herself free, but fate, in the form of Mr. Stockton, intervened. Julia knew that her father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogsfield, had very definite ideas about the conduct of young widows, and that this would meet with great disapproval. The Duke had threatened to take custody of Julia’s four-year-old son before, and Julia would do anything possible before allowing that to happen.

Garrett Stockton was instantly attracted to the daring young woman, who, in spite of social standing, climbed a tree because her son Chatwyn wanted to see a butterfly more closely. Garrett was not considered to be a gentleman, mainly because he was “in trade,” owning a successful shipping company that traveled the world, bringing all manner of things back to London. His reputation was questionable, and his family impoverished. After meeting Julia, Garrett was determined to help her escape the Duke’s iron rule and claim her for his own.

I appreciated Julia’s strength, her protectiveness of Chatwyn, and her desire to help others affected by the sinking of her husband’s ship, the Salty Dove. Her loyal support of her friend Brina was admirable, and her courage in searching out the truth about the Duke was both brave and dangerous. This was a good solid romance, the second in a series, though it reads well as a stand-alone.

Gone with the Rogue by Amelia Grey
Subgenre: historical romance
Release date: 28 Apr 2020
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Format: ebook and print
Length: 290 pages
RRP: $8.61 (ebook); $14.75 (print)

She has a dilemma. How can she regain her life by proving the Duke, her father-in-law, is not the upstanding citizen everyone believes him to be.

Lady Kitson Fairbright, or Julia, is the daughter-in-law of the Earl of Sprogsfield. She eloped with his favourite son who then died. After her husband Kitson died, Julia gave birth to his son. Now the Duke demands control over what Chatwyn does including all aspects of his upbringing, who he associates with and when and what he will learn. Chatwyn is only four years old. Julia believes that the duke is actually very different to his outward conservative appearance and utterances. This information was based on a conversation she overheard between the duke and his man of business. Julia is on a mission to find the duke’s papers so she can prove he is not what society believe and to gain her freedom.

In Julia’s other persona she, and two of her friends, created a school for daughters of seafaring families who will learn skills to see them through their life. Julia has a very limited time in which to find the information she needs especially under the very watchful eye of the Duke’s housekeeper.

Garrett Stockton is intrigued by his first meeting with Julia. She is in a tree trying to fetch her son’s kite but is stuck, and really doesn’t want the earl to hear how she is unaccompanied and in a tree in Hyde Park! Garret rescues her and their association begins. Garret is a willing participant in her quest to unveil the Duke.

This is another enjoyable story in this series. I thoroughly enjoyed the first meeting of this couple. Even though you know that the couple will find a HEA, the twists and turns for them to get there is always an intriguing ride. In this case, Julia has to find the evidence to expose the duke, and the lengths Garret goes to help her achieve that independent decision making to raise her son. In my modern thinking, I’m glad that the duke was bested and that Julia was able to bring up her son in the manner she wanted.

reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

This one was a cute, tame, sweet romance. It did have some dull parts, but the characters were good and well written. The plot was enjoyable, though the conflict’s conclusion was a bit disappointing and tame. I did have a difficult time getting into it and I do wish the passion was more, well, passionate. If you prefer your romances on more of the sweet side, this one, and the series, will be right up your alley, but if you want more heat and action, go into this one knowing you won't get it. If you do, then you will enjoy the story.

Really loved this book! Amelia Grey wrote a fantastic story with rememberable characters. I couldn't put it down.

I liked this book. The meet cute between the main characters was great! I liked Garret quite a bit. Julia was ok but I got a little tired of her dealing with her father in law. I wanted her to stand up to him more. Then to have it all resolved quickly in the end? Ugh. I don't like that.
Over all a good book but didn't hit me as great.
3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. My mother actually won a paper arc on Goodreads so I read that version instead.

This book was an easy read when I was stuck in a slump. It's a relatively quick read, but with plenty of depth. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their relationship. When Julia set boundaries, Garrett respected them and that was great to see. I enjoy reading about adults in romance. My only negative thing with this one is that this book had a lot of mentions of 'feminine' this and 'masculine' that which wasn't my favorite, but is relatively common for the genre.

Overall, I'd recommend this one. It was a quick, fun read and I enjoyed it.

P.S.: This was the 50th book I've reviewed for NetGalley! I've been a member for a little more than a year and this is an exciting marker!

This is the second book I have read by Amelia Gray and it had everything a historical romance should have. It was cute, but I felt that I couldn’t truly invest in the story and would put it down often.

This was a decent read. It was light and quick to read. The characters were likable and the overall plot was good. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Gone With the Rogue (First Comes Love #2). By Amelia Gray. 2020. St. Martin’s Press (ARC eBook).

Garrett Stockton, captain and owner of a shipping company plans to stay only briefly in London as he readies for his next commission. But during his walk in a park to acclimate being on land again, he is bewitched by a beautiful woman stuck up in a tree. Helping her disentangle from the branches, he learns the gentle-hearted Julia, Lady Kitson, is a widowed mother of a young boy and may still be in need of help.

Garret and Julia are very likable characters. The scenes where Julia’s son Chatwyn bonds with Garrett are charming and I enjoyed the journey as Julia decides to confide in Garrett and as he reassess his future as he spends more time with her. Gray is a new author to me but I look forward to reading more romance by her.

I enjoyed the first book of this series and the second did not disappoint. With a widow as the heroine, there is a little more latitude for the story and it was interesting to see that both characters were looking for a freedom of a sort. Sensual tension was great! Overall, I liked it and am looking forward to the third widow!

A fine read, but not as memorable as some of my favorite historical romances. I'm not usually a big fan of kids/children in romance novels and very few authors do it well.

Took a while to read this one. Never really got into it. Can't figure out what it was that didn't click with me, but something was just "off." I did finish the book.

Just as in the first book of this series, we have another widow. This one is Julia Fairbright and she has defied convention and made a life for herself and her son. Meeting a notorious rogue soon begins to change Julia's outlook.

Garret Stockton may be a rogue with plenty of women in his past but there is one woman that just might change everything for him and that is Julia. They are a lot a like, and what is more they share an undeniable attraction to one another. Before long Garrett soon wonders if he will be ready to settle down, and not only become a husband, but a father as well.

Many thanks to Zebra and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion

Thank you for letting me read and review this book. Unfortunately this book was not for me. I think I have a case of pandemic reading.

I'm definitely a fan of Amelia Grey and ordinarily I eat up her books. For some reason this one didn't really work for me. There's nothing explicitly wrong here. It's a quality romance by a good writer. I think it's just this particular story for me. I think, primarily, my issues were related to pace and character chemistry.

Thank you for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.