Oh how I love this book! The cover even matches their personalities.:).
Garrett's a rake and rumored to have a woman at every port.
Julia was widowed when her husband's ship sank. Julia is spunky and independent. Just the thing to interest Garrett.....

I enjoy reading books by this author. She always has a well thought out book that brings the core elements of romance. I enjoyed the plot and pacing of this book.

Such a fun romance. Loved their banter. Couldn’t put it down.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

My first book by the author in which I didn’t read the first in the series do this is completely stand alone for me. It’s your classic regency historical romance with a widowed mother trapped by circumstance because she’s a woman seeking to be independent but lives in the wrong time for it. She wants her freedom from her father in law and finds someone willing to help her get a not quite so roguish gentleman who unlike so many aristocratic people of the time was willing to work for a living. Naturally as it’s a romance they fall for each other and you know happily ever after with her and her son after she gains her freedom. I’m not overly fond of insta love kind of stories but to rather common with books set in the past so I’m use to it though the man being more in love than the woman is interesting. All and all not a bad read.

With everything COVID-19 nowadays, having a book to escape with is sublime. If you’re like me, my brain candy reads must include some banter and humor, some romance and sizzle, as well as a happily ever after (HEA). Moreover, during these stressful times, I’m looking for something that has more of a light tone to read, something that isn’t dark and gut-wrenching. And Gone With the Rogue by Amelia Grey fits the bill perfectly for what I’m looking for.
This is the second book in Grey’s historical romance First Comes Love series. While this can be read as a standalone, I find myself more engaged and invested in the story if I’ve read the first in the series, having met some of the characters to come in future books.
Julia Fairbright is a widow with her four-year-old son, Chatwyn, under the protection of her father-in-law, who also happens to be a controlling and domineering duke. This does not bode well for the strong-willed Julia who longs to have her independence. Yet given the time frame and how little women’s rights and opinions factor into society, Julia feels trapped. Rightly so. She has little power, though she inserts her will whenever she can.
Enter Garrett Stockton. He’s a rogue and a wanderlust. A successful businessman who owns an even more successful shipping company. When he docks in London for a spell, he runs into Julia, stuck in a tree. It’s a fabulous meet-cute and sets the tone for the remainder of the story. After this serendipitous meeting, Garrett is entranced by Julia, and does everything in his power to win her affections, despite his initial adversity to marriage. Moreover, with the duke threatening to take Chatwyn away, Julia’s fears prevent her from accepting Garrett’s initial courtship.
Yes, Garrett and Julia eventually fall in love, though it’s not immediate. There’s flirtation and denial. There’s chivalry and a battle of wits. And then there’s trust that develops. As well as a plan that allows Julia and Garret to have their HEA, without the dictatorship of the duke.
For historical genre purists, Gone With the Rogue may not be the read for you. But if you are looking to whet your appetite for a fun, sweet with some saucy scenes, historical romance, give this one a shot.

This is stalker romance was kind of mid-level for me. I found myself stop being more frequently than I like as the plot was a little bit slower than I’m used to.

Julia Fairbright lost her husband with the sinking of the Salty Dove. She has made a respectable life for her and her son, despite the tight leash her father-in-law holds. Then Garrett Stockton, one of the ton's handsomest rogues sails back on land after time away at sea, enters Julia's life. The two collide, all fun and flirty at first, then explode into forbidden passion. Julia knows to hide her scandalous relationship, should her father-in-law find out, his brand of discipline would leave Julia broken.

Julia enlists Garrett's assistance in trying to find proof her father-in-law isn't the upstanding man the ton considers him to be so she can get out from under his thumb. She knows he has secret enterprises all around London, ones that would crush him if his involvement was discovered. Julia also knows that, as a man and a successful business man at that, he will be able to move in circles she's not allowed to travel.

Amid the investigations, their romance blossoms but Julia knows it can go no further, especially since Garrett is a man of the sea and not one to settle down. Except, Garrett's heart has other plans. When Julia refuses to marry Garrett, all bets are off. Garrett must convince Julia his heart is pure and belongs to her completely. Julia and Garrett's characters and the story were well-developed.

I enjoyed Gone with the Rogue. The story was fun, engaging, and the antics between Julia and Garrett were entertaining. I have yet to read a poor historical romance from Amelia Grey. The author’s books are fantastic, flow well, and have likable characters.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

DNF: I struggled to get into this. The plot, characters, and dialogue just moved a bit too slowly for me.

After reading The Earl Next Door, I said I’d pick up the sequel, Gone With the Rogue so when I had the opportunity, I took it. And overall, it was… eh.

As far as historical romances go, it’s definitely not the worst I’ve read but it certainly isn’t the best or really a standout in any way. Once more, I struggled with the leading lady (in this case, Julia). Her life and her son’s are controlled by her father-in-law, a duke, and he has such a tight hold on her that she has very little freedom despite being a widow. And you’ll know this because it’s mentioned in nearly every chapter of the book.

While I get that this is the driving force behind Julia’s actions, the constant repetition of her lack of control drove me up a wall. Especially when it seemed to hinder Julia from coming to the most logical conclusion rather than actual plan to blackmail the duke with papers that may exist and might be helpful. So from the very beginning, I was skeptical of this story.

And Julia simply wasn’t all that memorable as a character. She became one-note quite quickly, so I looked to the leading gentleman, Garrett, to provide the story with something special.

Which he didn’t. Similarly average love interest, though I appreciated that he had more internal conflicts going on over the course of the story, even if I felt like his attraction to Julia became more of an insta-love situation rather than a relationship developing.

There was just a distance between me and the characters, and the story as a whole felt a bit passive rather than engaging.

As to the story itself, it was about as memorable as the characters. Mostly sneaky conversations between Julia and Garrett. A bit of conflict thrown in at the beginning, middle, and end. And that’s it! I don’t expect to feel the stakes in a romance quite like I would in a fantasy novel, for example, because romances have happily ever afters. It’s just part of the genre. But I didn’t feel any tension at all which wasn’t so great.

I’m not sure if I’ll continue on with this series (as I’m guessing there will be at least one more book). The first one was at least enjoyable but Gone With the Rogue was a bit of a slog. Will be curious to see what happens next.

Note I did not read book one in this series and followed everything just fine. This was also my very first Amelia Grey!

I thoroughly enjoyed most of this book. Our heroine, Julia, is in a tough spot dealing her young son and her overbearing father in law who is determined to rule her life.

Garrett is a great hero. He is instantly intrigued with Julia and is immediately fiercely devoted and loyal. Winning her love was not easy but their love story is beautiful and romantic.

My only issues with this book are that I didn’t always love Julia and there were places the story stalled or became redundant. Overall it’s probably a good choice for historical lovers but I’ve read better.

In the past few weeks I read too many books with dukes! Now I am becoming addicted to plots like that! I always liked historical romance and not every book was good for my palate, but, this one deserve a recognition.
It was well written, fun to read, it had some twists and turns in it and of course it was swoon worthy.
I liked it!

While this was an enjoyable book. It isn't one that will stay with me. I just couldn't get behind these two and their "love" story. The author's writing was fine, I think it was just this story.

Gone With the Rogue
By Amelia Gray
Grade B

Gone with the Rogue was lovely quick jaunt into Victorian England. Ms. Gray does a lovely job developing both Garrett and Julia. They are perfectly paired right from the beginning of the novel. Their relationship is full of hilarious mishaps on Julia's end and perfectly timed heroics on Garrett's. We are allowed to see the trust develop on both sides which compliments the chemistry between the two very well and makes for a richer storyline.

I did have a few issue with the book; first I felt like the secondary characters are meer shadows in the background rather the actually developed people adding to the story. Second, I felt like the villian, if you can even call him that, was mostly a well painted figment in Julia's mind. I don't doubt she has serious issues with him but we never see them first hand. He is all but invisible to the book, outside of a few conversations, until the last few chapters and even then we are only given a glimpse of him. It hard to feel what Ms. Gray clearly wants us to feel for Julia and her predicament when there is no real interaction between the two characters. Finally, I felt as if the ending was a bit cliche, yes we all expect a happily ever after bow, and this was is endearingly sweet but cold have been a touch more creative or maybe had more time lapsed between the end of the book and the epilogue.

Overall, the novel was a bright, fun quick read perfect to take to the beach or to enjoy next to the pool, or sitting on the back porch with a cool drink. It doesn't require you to think super hard while allowing you escape to another place adn time for a while and who doesn't need that right now?

A tyrannical duke, a daughter in law trapped under his thumb, an innocent child caught in the crossfire between them. Enter a dashing seafarer intent on saving the lady and her son from the duke's oppressive rule. This is an amazing book that held me captive from the first chapter. The storyline is enjoyable and the hero and heroin are written in a sweet yet adventerous manner. This is definitely a must read with a beautiful HEA!! I was given this book to review by Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and made voluntarily.

Thank you so much to the publisher and the very talented Amelia Grey for the ARC of this book. It's book 2 in the newest series called First Comes Love. I really enjoyed the first book and this one was absolutely perfect. Julia
Fairbright is a young widow who lost her husband and in a boat accident and suddenly herself as a single mom. Her whole life is upended when she meets the town's most infamous rake, Garrett Stockton, while stuck in a tree.
I laughed at Julia's ability to constantly end up in awkward situations and I swooned right along with her as she falls hard for Garrett. I just love this series and this author!
#GoneWiththeRogue #NetGalley

Julia is strong and sensible and isn't about to just give her trust to anyone...especially as she is dependent upon the good graces of her tyrannical in-law. When Garrett find her in an embarrassing predicament, he immediately comes to her aid. They are drawn to each other, but Julia doesn't see anyway for then to be together.
Can Garrett gain her love and trust and also help free her from her tyrant?

Very entertaining book. The storyline and the characters were fun and interesting. I recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

I really enjoyed this read. Lady Julia is in a tough situation and wants out for her and her son but she is under the control of her father in law. Since the death of her husband, her father in law has been excessively controlling and she just wants freedom. Garrett Stockton is a man that she cannot have but cannot stay away from him either. She fears trusting and man, especially a man who sails for a living. I really enjoyed their story and how sweet their love was. My only caveat is that their HEA felt a little too easy for all the fear Lady Julia held. It seemed to be a lot of work for Julia and Garrett to be able to get to their HEA very quickly. I do recommend for lovers of HR.

I love the main characters, but I feel like the romance bit could've been better fleshed out? Also the whole story didn't grab my attention the way the first book did, and I found myself skimming forward just to finish faster.

Widowhood hasn't brought the freedom it should have for Lady Julia Fairbright. Though she mourned her husband, theirs was largely a marriage of convenience, but their elopement displeased her father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogsfield, and now, if she wants to stay with her son, Julia must abide by the duke's staunch rules of propriety. When she meets handsome adventurer, Garrett Stockton, Julia finds a stir of attraction she'd thought long dead, but the only way she'll ever have the freedom to pursue her own happiness, without losing her son, is if she can prove to the rest of society just how deplorable the duke really is behind his pious facade.

As the distant relation of an earl, Garrett Stockton has been welcomed to cling to the fringes of society, but unlike his father, Garrett was not content to depend on the charity of distant relatives for his living and instead delved into the institution scorned by the aristocracy: trade. Now the owner of a successful shipping company and exceedingly wealthy, Garrett remains somewhat of an enigma to society. Rumors constantly circulate about his roguish tendencies and reckless wanderings, but Garrett is thinking increasingly more about settling down and remaining in England, especially after he meets a lady whose thirst for independence matches his own. A light-hearted flirtation rapidly evolves into true feelings and soon Garrett is ready to claim Julia and her son as his own and determined to help her attain her freedom from a life under the duke's thumb.

This book started out so very strong and I was tearing right through it and then somewhere around the 60% mark it just lost steam and became rather discombobulated. The characters were decently likable, the villain detestable, but the heroine quickly became rather vapid for me and the love scenes were extremely tame. Some scenes toward the end drug out too much and seemed irrelevant to the storyline, at least the story between Garrett and Julia. We mostly have instalove here with Garrett falling much harder for Julia than she did for him and I mostly felt like she was using him for much of the book and stringing him along, even after the threat of the duke was removed. I also felt like this was handled a bit too quickly as well. This was a fine read to pass the time, but nothing to really write home about.

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

Great second novel to the First Comes Love series! Great characters and I love the strong women taking a stand. I enjoyed the unusual way they met and it definitely strengthened their connection from the start. I am looking forward to reading what happens in the next novel.