It falls short of the first book in terms of characterization and gut wrenching emotion, but still a decent read. I don't think I could ever quite put my finger on what Lucie's motivations and desires were in the same way I could for Arabella- perhaps because Lucie's goals are so broad and varied, while Arabella had a comparatively narrow goal. This unfortunately lent Lucie's characterization a nebulous quality. In comparison, Tristan's character growth seemed more developed. For a book about suffragists and female empowerment, I do wish there was less pitting women against other women for the sake of a man. Lucie also felt removed from the suffragist movement, in that I couldn't place her involvement in the context of the wider movement. It sometimes felt like she was leading a small cadre of wealthy, white suffragists within a silo. The parts about Tristan's tattoo could probably have been improved with a sensitivity reader. I will absolutely seek out the third book in the series however, and this is a solid escapist read.

Terrific follow-on to Bringing Down the Duke. Once again, the setting is London, late Victorian period, as the Suffragist movement gains steam. The challenges facing women, such as property ownership, voting, and marital abuse, are an excellent backdrop for the romance between Lucie and Tristan.

We met Lucie in the last book, as head of the Oxford chapter of the suffragists. She is stubborn, determined, and focused on seeing the dream come true. Disowned by her family, she lives on her own with her cat, Boudica, embracing the title of "spinster." She refuses to give up what little autonomy she has by marrying. In this book, which takes place a few months after the previous one, the ladies need a way to publish a report they have compiled. Lucie plans to purchase a publishing house and use that. As the story opens, she has just purchased one-half of a publishing house, where the other two owners are absentees, leaving her free to run it as she likes. Unfortunately for her, the man she buys from informs her that the other two men have just sold their shares also. Lucie's new partner is her childhood nemesis, Tristan Ballentine.

Tristan is an unexpectedly complex man. He has the reputation of a rake, but also a secret identity as a fantastic poet. Tristan has recently returned from the wars in India and Afghanistan. He appeared briefly in the previous book as an unmitigated rake who danced with Annabelle. He is handsome and has quite a reputation with women. His older brother died, leaving Tristan as the heir, something that displeases his father. Dear old dad has arranged a marriage for Tristan but requires a cleaned-up reputation. Tristan has no intention of cooperating until Rochester threatens to put Tristan's mother in an asylum if he doesn't. Caught in a trap, Tristan decides to play along until he can find a way to rescue his mother. He comes up with the idea of republishing his poems under his own name to raise the needed funds. Buying half of a publishing house is the quickest way to do so.

The sparks between Lucie and Tristan are off the charts from the start. The two of them have a history from when they were children, and Tristan took great delight in playing pranks on Lucie. What she never knew was that there were elements of a serious crush involved. As an adult, Lucie played a part in many of Tristan's fantasies. Thrown together as they are, Lucie continues to plague Tristan's thoughts. It isn't too long until Tristan works his way into hers, also. I loved the back and forth between them. At first, it is very antagonistic, especially on Lucie's side. Tristan just wants a chance to live out his fantasies and offers an unexpected bargain. The more time they spend together, the more they realize that they have much in common. I loved watching Lucie open Tristan's eyes to the truths of her cause, and how Tristan found himself sharing more of the real him with her.

The fire between Lucie and Tristan was intense when they finally gave in to it. Neither of them expected that deep of a connection, and both tried to resist it. It takes a long time for each of them to realize their feelings. It was fun to see Tristan demonstrate those feelings without knowing it, by merely being himself. From being there to support her during the ball to his final demonstration of his belief in her, he finally saw that he'd always loved her. There were still some obstacles standing between them, not the least of which was the secret he kept from her. I ached for Lucie when that came out. Tristan impressed me with how he handled it. Fate wasn't entirely done with them, though, and there was one more hurdle. I loved how Lucie dealt with all the parties concerned. I was a little surprised by their plan for the future, but I loved how Tristan was so supportive of what was essential to Lucie.

I liked seeing more of Annabelle and Sebastian and how their life together is going. The house party at Claremont was interesting with all of the undercurrents. Hattie and Catriona also had their parts to play, especially in helping Lucie carry out her plans. I appreciate the strength of the friendship among the four women and how they support each other. There are a few rough spots, but the friendships are solid enough to weather them. Lucie's cousin Cecily irritated me from the beginning, and I wasn't at all surprised at her part in the book. Lucie's mother was pretty bad, too, but she did redeem herself somewhat at the end. I detested Tristan's father.

This series is excellent. The history is so rich and the romance will sweep you away. I’m am already partial to Historical Romance as a genre, but Evie Dunmore has hit on something altogether extraordinary. Each book is unique and edgy and will keep you coming back for more. And I need more. I need Hattie and Catriona’s stories and I’m glad to see it looks like we will get them.

The second in the A League of Extraordinary Women series, A Rogue of One’s Own follows Lady Lucie, one of the suffragists, who has her eye set on taking over one of London’s major publishing houses for the cause. There’s just one problem and his name is Lord Ballentine. Will Lady Lucie’s hard work pay off or has she met her match in Lord Ballentine?

This one was a bit slow to star off with and I had trouble getting into the story at first. Once the story did pick up though, I had issues putting this one down. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between Lady Lucie and Lord Ballentine and I loved some of the surprises throughout the book. Overall this was a good read with some great steam and gets 4 stars!

I'm always wary when we have our hero portrayed as a rogue, a womanizer, whatever you want to call it. We had already met Tristan Ballantine in the previous book when he tried to charm Annabelle before sweet, possessive Sebastian intervened. I'm glad to say Ballantine redeemed himself. We got to know him and see where he was coming from. Behind the smiles and the flirtation, he is his mother's son who wants to protect her from his abusive father. Growing up, he's had an eye for our heroine Lucie but their first meeting wasn't the best and it started some kind of rivalry where Tristan kept playing pranks on her. And years later, when Lucie tries to have control over a press for the suffragists, Tristan offers it to her one one condition : that she spends the night with him when she desires him for him. Other than his seductive nature, Tristan does have a sweet and protective side, one Lucie will find out with time and experience.

A Rogue of One's Own was another win in my book. It was lovely to listen to and I just adored the ending and seeing them together was so good. They deserve to be happy and I'm so glad they (and their cat) get to have their HEA ;) I can't wait to read the next story in this series. I don't know who will be the main characters but I'm excited no matter who it's going to be.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

The author's second novel does not shy away from the problems of Victorian England, while still creating a fun and engaging romance.

4.5 STARS!

"I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves." - Mary Wollstonecraft

Evie Dunmore has once again bewitched my heart with her writing! A Rogue of One's Own was passionate, heartfelt, and truly empowering. It had just the right amount of longing and angst that I crave in romance!

Lady Lucinda "Lucie" Tedbury has known Tristian since they were in their teens. She is irritated by his mere presence but she can't help feel attracted to the carrot-head (her words not mine). Everyone thinks of her as a spinster and a shrew but she's a free thinker, and someone who wants to give women a voice in a world dominated by men.

Tristian enjoys watching her squirm... Anything to provoke a reaction. Lord Tristian Ballestine was instantly smitten with the girl riding a horse and he would never forget the time she slapped him. Presently, they're older. Tristian is a veteran and a known rake and rogue. His main goal is to get away from his father's control, and Tristian will stop at nothing to gain his financial freedom. In doing so, he becomes co-owner of the publishing house Lucie has been fighting for.

Their back and forth banter was a definite highlight in this novel and had me giddy like a kid in a candy store! You can practically feel Lucie's attraction through the pages but she fights it every step of the way. Not only was the chemistry between Tristian and Lucie palpable but I loved being front and center of the formidable suffragist movement. It was an empowering time in history to say the least. I was also swept away by the beautiful country sides and the rich details of that time period; really makes me wish I could experience that era just once.

A Rogue of One's Own is just the story you want to read if you're a fan of historical romance. It has the love story, but because of the issues this novel covers it can easily be classified as women's fiction, too.

Once I reached the end of this book I just knew which character would get the spotlight next and I'm so excited for her story to unfold!!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

EEEk! Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for this ARC of A Rogue of One's Own, book two in Evie Dunmore's series, A League of Extraordinary Women.
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I really enjoyed Bringing Down the Duke, so it was a no-brainer to read A Rogue of One's Own. And actually, color me surprised that I enjoyed book two even more! The characters were likable and endearing (I felt there was much more character development in Rogue than in Duke!), the writing was lovely and rich, the plot moved at a steady pace, and OSCAR WILDE MAKES A CAMEO. (My favorite classic author - yes, Evie had me at Oscar!)
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While book one was about Annabelle, Rogue is about Lucie, a strong suffragist who has dedicated her life to The Cause. This alone makes Lucie an admirable character. She is strong in her convictions and dedicated to her life's purpose - she wants equality folks.
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Tristan and Lucie have known each other much of their lives and are very much opposites. Lucie considers Tristan a scandalous rogue, and Lucie has her own reputation as being just a few years from an old maid. So what will happen when suddenly Tristan buys half the shares of the publishing house where Lucie owns the other half? Guess you will have to read to find out :).
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For fans of:
- Bringing Down the Duke
- Historical fiction and the suffragist movement
- Enemies to loves trope
- English history
- Hottie hot hot lords like Tristan Ballentine *swooooooon*

A wonderful follow-up to Bringing Down the Duke! The enemies-to-lovers trope was used expertly and it was unputdownable!! Eagerly awaiting the next in the series!

I liked this one better then the first! This could be a very exciting series.

Continues with a group of suffragettes telling Lucy's story with the nemesis of her youth, Tristan. It was an easy story to get into and enjoy.

I did receive an advanced reader copy to prepare this review.

I received an ARC through netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was waiting for this book since I finished the first book in the series. If you have not read it, you will still heartily enjoy this book, as there is a new couple at the centre of this book.

Lady Lucie has devoted 10 years to the suffragist cause - oftentimes to the detriment of her personal life. Together with fellow suffragists, they have collected enough money to own the majority of a major publishing house. The purpose of this is to publish suffragist columns in the magazine, knowing it will result in a massive decline in readership, perhaps even bankrupt the company. But there is one person standing in her way, Lord Tristan Ballentine.

Tristan and Lucie know each other from childhood - their mothers are best friends. But Lucie dislikes Tristan. Tristan has recently been thrust into the role of heir when his eldest brother dies. His father is a brute, and seeks to control Tristan by threats against Tristan's mother. Now Tristan needs the revenue from the publishing house to thwart his father and save is mother.

This puts Tristan and Lucie at odds. When Tristan makes a scandalous offer, Lucie must decide what she wants, and what she is willing to do to get it.

I must say that Tristan and Lucie are perfectly matched. They make each other a better version of their selves. I am so glad that Tristan didn't try to change Lucie, in fact he became her biggest champion. The conclusion -- without giving anything away -- made my heart so happy.

And now I must wait another year the for the 3rd book in this series featuring Hattie

Gah! This book was perfect! it was very much had to build it's momentum in the beginning, but once it was there, IT WAS THERE. It's a slow burn romance, which is 100% my kind of thing. It's also enemies to lovers, which was extra YES. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes sassy women (and men), Victorian London, steamy love scenes, and an extremely satisfying happily ever after.

If I dare admit, I think I liked this one even better than BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE!

I love Lucie and Tristan so freaking much!

Tristan is a known rogue and Lucie is very committed to the Cause. However, Tristan has always liked Lucie, and maybe Lucie doesn't hate him as much as she thinks she does.

They have such amazing banter and I love how they support each other. They don't know how they would ever work, but they still support each other and their goals. The more they learn about each other, the more they appreciate the other. I loved watching Tristan really get to know and understand what it is that Lucie is fighting so hard for. He is properly outraged and doesn't ever attempt to dissuade her from her tasks, but instead finds his own ways to help and support her.

They have a great "sex only" relationship that ends up turning into so much more and I loved every second of it. The resolution of this book is absolutely everything because it really shows how much he truly understands Lucie while also letting us see their HEA. I can't wait for the next book in this series!!!

This is Dunmore's second entry into her series. It took me a lot longer to get into this story, and I felt like the characters weren't as strong as her first novel. That lack of character development had me struggling to find a reason to cheer for them.

Unfortunately, this book turned into a DNF for me. While I was initially more invested in this book than the first in the series, the casual "rejected gay villain" storyline and unchecked colonialism that ran through the book, along with a growing dislike of the characters made me put this one down. I was reluctant to read it in the first place, as celebrations of the suffrage movement that do not include an examination of the blatant racism of the movement make me grind my teeth, but I decided to give the author another chance.. I likely will not be doing so again.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

A Rogue of One’s Own is the fabulously entertaining follow up to Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke, but it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. With characters that leap off the page, it will keep readers captivated long into the night.

Lady Lucie has devoted her life to the suffrage movement and women’s rights. She feels so passionate that she has sacrificed her own happiness, but she is elated to have the financial backing to purchase a portion of a major publishing house to further the reach of her message. However, things do not go as planned when Lord Ballentine sweeps in and buys the majority share. Lucie and Tristan have history. Their mothers were very close friends, but Tristan has become everything Lucie despises about the male-centered social construct. He has quite the reputation as a womanizer and living his life without a care in the world, but, little known to Lucie, he has carried a torch for her since childhood. When he makes an indecent proposition in exchange for the majority, she is insulted but also cannot deny her attraction. This oil and water pair must learn to work together in business and personal matters alike.

I like Lucie a lot. She is feisty, full of conviction, and not so unlike women of the twentieth century. She is realistically flawed and relatable. Tristan is much deeper than his frivolous façade would suggest. Even though he is completely unlikable when introduced briefly in Bringing Down the Duke, here he grew on me, and I now find him quite endearing. Is he perfect? Heck, no, but readers learn his motives and how he has also been a victim of society and his father’s cruelty. Lucie’s friends do make appearances throughout the book, and they are always great fun. The other characters, including parents and Lucie’s cousin Cecily are not very likable, but they do play important roles within the story.

My problem with this book is the virgin/rogue trope. It is used to show the vulnerabilities and shortcomings of Lucie and Tristan and their growth as individuals and as a couple, but I wish there was some other way to convey it. That said the chemistry between the characters is palpable, the sex scenes sizzle, and the banter between Lucie and Tristan is marvelously smart and witty. Overall, it is a very satisfying historical romance. I recommend A Rogue of One’s Own to any romance reader looking for well researched history, snappy dialogue, engaging characters, and an intense romance.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

This review will go live on The Blogger Girls on September 9, 2020.

Lady Lucie Tredmore is one step closer to control one of London’s major publishing house, which is part of the plans from her band of Oxford Suffragists. They plan to release the report of how women are suffering because of the Married Women’s Property Act. Unfortunately, one rake stands on their way, her childhood nemesis, Lord Tristan Ballentine…

I am always a bit leery with enemies-to-lovers trope … because for me to believe in the change from “enemies” to lovers, well the romantic development has to be very convincing. Part of what charmed me about Dunmore’s debut, Bringing Down the Duke (2019), was reading (and believed wholeheartedly) the change of heart from Duke of Montgomery, in the process of falling in love with Annabelle.

Now, as separate characters, I enjoyed Lucie and Tristan, her more than him. Lucie is a heroine that I admire. She believes in the Cause and she marches in her own drum. Lucie stands tall against the male counterpart, and she challenges the “traditional” notion of marriage. But Lucie also shows vulnerabilities, especially when she tells Annabelle about being jealous and worry that marriage has changed her friend. Lucie is not perfect and her heart does ponder… and that’s make her wonderful.

Tristan is one of those rakes that hide secrets of his own; that what he shows to the tons of society and to the women are façade of what he is truly, inside. Tristan writes a collection of romantic poetry, for God’s sake *laugh*. He has admired Lucie from early on, but Tristan also needs to help his mother from his ruthless father, and he may hurt Lucie in the process.

Unfortunately, the romance between Lucie and Tristan failed a little, in my own humble opinion. Yes, there were tensions between them, quite delicious sparkly tensions… I swear, almost halfway through, I was almost screaming to my kind, “KISS EACH OTHER SILLY ALREADY, FFS!”

However, I felt that Dunmore spent more time in that built-up tension, or in Lucie and Tristan as characters of themselves, but not enough in the “romance”. I felt that when they finally got together, there weren’t enough time about them as a couple. Then there was the family drama that followed them. I guess it felt like missing that intimate ‘bond’, one that made me root for them at all cost.

I am rounding my rating up, though, because the whole book is still a good sequel. The historical context of British women’s fight for equality, mentions of real-life historical figures (there’s even a cameo from Oscar Wilde!), they all make a wonderful reading material. I am definitely in for the next book – look’s like it will be Hattie’s

Thank you Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review! For my first historical romance I was really in love with this book! I thought Evie did an incredible job with her writing. The sexual tension was jumping off the pages! I loved everything about it!

This bookstagram-beloved feminist historical romance series was poised to be one of my new favorites, but there are some challenging topics in this second entry that I don’t know if I can get past. This review will touch on some major plot points that I found necessary to discuss. CW: white supremacy/colonialism & homophobia.⭐️
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In A Rogue of One’s Own, Anabelle and the gang are still working for the Cause, and in this second novel we pivot to Lucie, perhaps the most outspoken of them all. Lucie is a delightful, strong-willed woman who is more than happy to call our hero out on his nonsense throughout the book. There is more focus on the friends in this novel than in the previous, which is a huge plus, and the nuances of these women working around their society positions to advance the Cause were each crafted in a unique and interesting way.
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This book is billed as enemies to lovers, but frankly, the waters are muddy. It was never quite clear when the turn was made or why. Childhood nemeses to friends-with-benefits, maybe? There are a few other minor plot points that didn’t quite follow the thread either, which made for a fairly confusing reading experience.
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This story could have benefitted from sensitivity readers. First, it’s revealed that Tristan has a tattoo of a naked woman based on the Hindu god Shiva, from his time fighting in Afghanistan and India. There’s colonialism in historical romance (another topic for another day), and then there’s….this. Aarya on Goodreads has put in the labor and energy to detail exactly why this is not ok, and I highly encourage you to go check out their review. Second, the villain turns out to be the one (fictional) gay character, and this smacks of homophobia. It feels like a clumsy attempt at representation that takes way too many missteps and ends up casting the villain as evil *because* he is gay, then takes away the agency from one of our main female characters at the same time. It’s a shame that an otherwise fine story chose to lean so heavily on these two problematic plot points, and I can’t award this more than one star. ⭐️
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Thank you to @netgalley and Berkley for this #gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

​Following a stellar debut, Evie Dunmore does it again with a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance in A Rogue of One's Own. Fans of Bringing Down The Duke will find much to love about Dunmore’s new release: a strong Lady, a clever Lord, lots of British politics, and the tell-tale sardonic humor that seems to follow Dunmore’s characters through every scandal.

We meet our heroine, Lady Lucie Tedbury, in the aftermath of her friend Annabelle’s recent scandal. As Annabelle attempts to repair the damage done to high society by her mere existence, Lady Lucie has been hard at work gathering funds and supporters for the purchase of a publishing house. Just as she closes the deal, she finds out the business is majority owned by notorious rake, Lord Ballentine, a family friend from Lucie’s long left behind past.

As Lucie attempts to find a way to majority ownership so she can publish a damning report on marital abuse in the upper classes, she finds Lord Ballentine and his perfect jawline at every corner, blocking her progress. As the two are forced to work together, they find that the tension between them is not purely business.

Dunmore does her sophomore work justice, and I enjoyed it greatly - she has a reader in me in her next novels for sure. That being said, I have to mention that there are serious representation issues to grapple with. While I cannot speak to how offensive the South Asian representation is, it felt wrong to me, and those with voices I’d like to amplify on this issue can be found here: (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3299721565?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1)

As a bisexual reader, the introduction of Arthur was welcome, only to follow the pattern of so many queer characters before him: a villanous threat to the heroes of our story, over petty jealousy and nothing else. While I see that Dunmore does try a fresher take in revisiting Arthur later on, it felt like a hollow reminder of how Arthur’s mere existence in the novel serving a plot point and nothing else.

Still, as a bisexual reader, I adored the way Dumore approached Tristan’s sexuality, which she does clarify here: (https://www.goodreads.com/questions/1880632-is-tristan-bisexual-that-would-be-so/answers/1034901-hi-laura-thanks-for#)

Her treatment of Tristan as a man who experiences attraction to his own gender and others as a small thing, but a distinct thing, brought joy to this bisexual reader in its non-chalance and ability to find into the story as nothing but the truth. This queer reader was very put off by the treatment of Arthur, but glad of Tristan’s. I am willing to give Dunmore another opportunity to do characters like Arthur justice in the future.

Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will not be disappointed by this one, where at every turn angotonism and impulse follow the characters through bad decisions and worse solutions. The tension is made more palpable given Lucy’s strong character and standing as a leader of the women’s right movement. A less skilled author would have found it hard to wade through the politics of consent and HEAs that are, well, equal, given Lucy’s politics. But this reader found Dunmore’s treatment of romance tropes matched with progressive politics to be handled deftly. Dunmore’s historical romance is romance with a bite - sexy fluff and smut intertwined with hard-boiled policy and etiquette in a way that seasoned writers find difficult.