Fun, steamy, full of danger and intrigue, the female main character hiding her identity, and the male main character trying to figure things out...and has a smexy Scottish brogue... Wowzers! This book has it all and more. I truly enjoyed it and highly recommend.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

This one is a read-all-night-and-fall-asleep-at-work story — just wonderful. I could not put it down, and am waiting anxiously for the third installment of this series, the tale of three young ladies who met at school and became bound ever after by friendship but also secrets. This isn't just a romance — although that is sizzling — it's also a mystery and adventure, and Kerrigan Byrne manages to do justice to all the many parts of the tale. This chapter of the story has some amazing twists and turns (along with explosions), and despite having an idea of where she was going, the twist at the ending was superb. This book is well-plotted AND has amazing characters.
The tale is basic — Lord Chief Justice of the High Court Cassius Gerard Ramsay is determined to stamp out crime and vice. Orphan Cecelia Teague is dealing with an unexpected inheritance, a gaming house that is not quite the thing for a proper lady, and one that puts her in direct conflict with Cassius. The conflict is delicious, as is the mystery of Cecelia's origins and the deeper mystery that binds the Red Rogues — the name the girls gave themselves at school. It all gets wound up in Francesca's story. I can't wait. (NetGalley provided an ARC; opinions mine.)

This story tells from the time Cecelia Teague lived a tortured life at the hands of her father, a vicar who punished her for everyone’s misdeeds by locking her in the dark damp cellar nearly starving her. That is until she is rescued. She didn’t know by whom until she received word that her aunt left everything to her in her will. As she arrives at the house, which is a gaming hell, she is immediately investigated by Lord Ramsay, Chief Justice of the High Court. As he threatens her, she shows him she can stand her ground. You will learn in this story Ramsay’s background, as well as, who Phoebe is, what is going on with her inheritance that has put her in danger, a code book that needs decoded, as well as who is the enemy. I loved how her friends stood by her. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley/St. Martin’s Press and this is my honest review.

What a wonderful story! What a wonderful series! I’ve been eagerly awaiting the second book in the Devil You Know series by author Kerrigan Byrne, and my reward for waiting was another exciting, romantic, sexy tale about the Red Rogues – Alexandra, Cecelia, and Francesca or Alex, Cecil and Frank as they like to be called. In book #1, Alex captured the heart, soul – and body – of her dangerous duke Piers. Now we turn to Cecil and the fierce lord.

We first meet Cecelia Teague as a child: chubby, embarrassingly brilliant at maths, achingly lonely, harassed, humiliated, harangued – and locked in a cellar by her father, a bitter, fanatically pious vicar who punishes her for merely being female, as if that is justification for making her feel unwanted, unloved, and unable to ever succeed. And this time it seems he is just going to let her starve to death and die down there.

Fast forward 15 years to the late 1800s and meet a hard, harsh, bitter, unhappy, achingly lonely lord, Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court. And, oh yes, huge and handsome. We don’t learn so much about his background, but we learn enough to know he doesn’t remember it fondly. He’s unyielding, unwavering in his desire to see justice done, unloving and unlovable. He’s not called the Vicar of Vice for nothing. If he can be close to anyone, it’s his half-brother Piers. And Piers is married to Alexandra, best friend to Cecelia and one of the Red Rogues. There’s your connection!

Cecelia and Ramsay have met before, of course. But their encounter at the start of All Scot and Bothered sets things off and heats things up. If this were a cartoon, when Ramsay looks up and sees Cecelia he would be smacked in the side of the head with something, the word, “Wham!!!” would appear and hearts and birds would revolve around him. He is so instantly attracted to Cecelia that it’s as if he’s on a string being pulled toward her. And as for Cecelia, that string is firmly attached to her, too.

This is a delightful, rollicking, steamy, suspenseful adventure with characters that you love the moment you meet them, and continue to love through their bad behaviour, sullen moods and subterfuge. You know where the story is going, or at least you fervently hope so, but you want to read each and every word to extract the most enjoyment possible out of it, and read the sexy bits very slowly and possibly twice.

Cecelia is not a bluestocking so is on the fringe of society but that suits her just fine. She was rescued from that cellar by an unknown benefactor. She’s independent and that’s just how she likes it. She doesn’t expect to attract a man and doesn’t need to (well, we know better, don’t we?). Ramsay is devoted to his work, to cleaning things up, doesn’t trust, need or want women. His is a lonely life but it’s deliberate. Don’t expose yourself, don’t get hurt. But what is that attraction to Cecelia going to mean?

The writing in All Scot and Bothered is masterful. The glimpses into both Ramsay’s and Cecelia‘s thoughts as one talks and the other imagines something entirely different were so much fun to read, the smile on my face just wouldn’t go away. The story is more than just double meanings and hints at romance, however. When Cecelia learns who her benefactor is she is thrust into immediate and serious danger, and unwittingly forced to assume the persona of The Scarlet Lady and deceive Lord Ramsay. Who by the way is rather attracted to this Scarlet Lady, against his will and better judgment. Hmm. More smiles and romantic undertones, but also some serious topics highlight the danger of just being a girl or woman in this place and time. Young girls are being kidnapped and sold, people have been blackmailed, betrayed and murdered. Just how high this goes up into society and politics is frightening. What is The Crimson Council and who is on it? The attraction between Cecelia and Ramsay is obvious, and is so is the intrigue and secrecy. Can it be resolved or will these two achingly lonely people remain that way?

I could go on and on. When you see Cecelia through Ramsay’s (unwitting, unwilling?) eyes and hear her talk and just be herself, you forget she is usually been considered too fat, too smart, too boring. In Ramsay’s eyes she is immediately beautiful and desirable and stays that way. She brings out a tender side in him, and is rewarded with some rare smiles and some downright poetic declarations. But enough – just read this book. It’s a perfect standalone but treat yourself and read the series. It’s well-written, superbly plotted, keeps you on the edge with suspense and worry or fanning yourself from the passion, and leaves you more than satisfied with the conclusion while wanting more time with these characters.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I loved it, highly recommend it, and can’t wait for this entertaining story to continue.

DNF at 54%, read partway through chapter 11. I feel that this is enough grounds to write a review. CW for child abuse, misogyny, and child trafficking - and that's just the first couple chapters.

I hate the hero. I didn't hate him at first. I didn't even hate him the first time he screamed at the heroine (who he didn't know was the heroine at the time). But I hated him when he screamed at the heroine the second time, knowing who she was after she had just survived a traumatic event that had put people she loved in mortal danger. After that point, I just couldn't. He has insta-lust for the heroine which seems mostly skin deep - and I can excuse that when the hero is a halfway decent person, but this guy. This guy I can't get past.

It's not my only issue with the book to this point. There's a lot of poorly worked in back story - was it thoroughly explored in book 1? I don't know. So many references to the past seem to come out of left field and they happen repeatedly. Like the introduction of the Red Rogues masculine nicknames - it happened weirdly late in my opinion.

I think I like Cecelia, but I hadn't finalized my opinion. I was definitely giving her some serious side eye for bending to Ramsey's will right before I DNFed, and her failure to ask pertinent questions about the situation.

This book is high drama, and that will appeal to some folks. But the hero was irredeemable to me, and there was no point to go on. Other reviews mention some alarming issues of harmful representation in the back half of the book, so I'm happy to let this one go.

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

I greatly enjoyed All Scot and Bothered by Kerrigan Byrne. This is the story of Cecelia Teague who we are first introduced to when her abusive father has her trapped in a basement to punish her for other people’s wrong doing. This gives the reader an emotional connection to the heroine. We are struggling with her from the very beginning. After the prologue the story picks up with Cecelia having attended a prestigious boarding school, the Sorbonne and being a well-educated mathematician. Then she inherits a gambling establishment with a hidden agenda.
The hero is the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, Cassius Gerard Ramsey, who has his own issues from his past. Now he is a stickler of the highest order. He sees things in black and white and never, ever indulges until he meets Cecelia. He wants to take her gambling establishment down and she is going to stand in his way. The book is fast paced and driven by several mysteries and the fact that someone wants Cecelia dead.
I found this book very entertaining. I liked watching the hero and the heroine working through their issues to become closer. I found the side mystery very compelling and I wanted to know who was behind all of the dastardly deeds. I would recommend this book to readers of Donna Fletcher, Lynsay Sands, and Karen Ranney.

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Favorite Quote:

"Gratitude suffused her as she observed her friends. The fiercest and most fantastic relationships she’d cultivated over the years. They were her family, and she did, indeed, love them dearly."

Kerrigan Byrne is an author who always seems to write stories that satisfy my reading wants and needs. I really, really enjoyed the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to get to know more about the other two members of the Red Rogues.

This book features Cecilia Teague. As with the heroine in the previous installment, her childhood has some severe trauma, but she’s overcome her fears and has come into her own. She’s beautiful, brilliant, voluptuous, loyal, and a bright, positive thinker. She’s also not afraid to revel in the things that she loves. I really liked her.

Her hero is Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Chief Justice of the High Court, brother in law to her fellow Red Rogue and best friend, and a man prone to denying himself anything that might cause him to step off the path to righteousness. He’s angry, rude, ruthless, and seems to be the kind of guy who would break the law he has sworn to protect in order to get his guy (or woman in this instance.) It took me a while to get on board with him as the hero.

Together they are interesting. The soft, sunny heroine with a spine of steel who inherits a gambling establishment from a previously unknown relation and the hard, harsh hero who wants to bring justice to the world by any means necessary. I think they worked in the end, but my heart hurt for Cecilia quite a few times throughout their courtship.

My favorite thing about this series is the relationships between these three women who helped each other survive terrible childhoods and have a beautiful ride or die friendship. I love well-written, supportive women friendships and this is one of the best.

Honestly… I love this author’s voice and pretty much read this book straight through. I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending and the surprise identity of the villain. I think I stated before that I hate the use of the cliche queer evil villain in historical romance. Because I do, very much. So I was disappointed when the bad guy was revealed and I think that brought my rating down.

Overall I did enjoy this newest installment in the series, but I had issues. I am very much looking forward to the last book and getting to know Francesca better.

Kerrigan’s writing is my drug of choice. Once again she has done it, giving us flawlessly fleshed out characters beyond perfection! Give me a grumpy starched hero that’s trying to deny himself “all things in excess” in order to not lose control in any one area. All it takes is the right heroine to come along and literally turn him upside down and inside out.

I love this series so much.👇🏽

“They are a dangerous duke, a fierce lord, and an infamous earl—dark, bold, brave men who know exactly what they want. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees...”

Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, Cassius Gerard Ramsay, ruthless and very cunning and...A SCOT! I love a good alpha Scot.

Cecelia Teague was the perfect heroine. Abused and an orphan, she had been through such brutality all in the name of “religion” by a man that was not really her father. She was super smart, tall and a real woman. I love stories where one of the characters is leading a double life because their back’s literally up against the wall. I’m not spoiling a thing about this story, but it’s full of all that Kerrigan is known for—Passion, steaminess, angst and DANGER. KB definitely knows my cat nip of choice.

Great second book to the series! What can I say about Cassius Ramsey? Loved him! Loved his back story, loved his grumpiness! This is a guy who has had a hard life and his views are influenced negatively because of it. Along comes Cecilia. She also has had a hard life, but her views are slanted the opposite way of her upbringing. I love when they come together and can see how they each view the world by the past. The chemistry is electric, even though they disagree. Cassius struggles more with Cecilia's influence, finding that his beliefs may not be all they are cracked up to be. But she's good at convincing arguments!

Kerrigan once again hits it out of the ball park! The history, the personalities, the connection between these two work well. She's a master of her craft. As long as she writes, I'll be reading her stories.

Book: All Scot and Bothered

Series: Devil You Know, Book #2

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Kilted Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: Hot and steamy🔥

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars and Kilts


“Jesus kilt-lifting Christ.
It’s ye.” - Cassius Gerard Ramsay

1891 Devonshire England

Cecelia Teague started out in life with a deceased mother,who supposedly had an sordid past. Now her young daughter was paying for her dead mother’s so called past sins. Her innocent daughter was being horribly abused by this religious-zealot! Cecelia was paying for her mother’s so-called past sins by this corrupt pastor. He feels he needs to save her soul in the most invasive and abusive ways possible. This abusive pastor is claiming falsely to be Cecelia’s father too which is a huge lie. He punishes her, even when the boy bullies at school were abusing and tormenting Cecelia. This was no fault of her own, just more discrimination against women by this twisted Pastor claiming she was using her female feminine wiles when it was not even her fault. He wouldn’t buy her new garments as she outgrew them, degrading Cecelia by calling her fat and would continue to starve her. She was not allowed to ever eat any kind of dessert like cake. He was both mentally and physically abusing her, locking her in a dark and dirty room, starving her, not bathing, forcing her to wear garments
that no longer fit. People treated animals better then he treat this child!

She ended up being rescued by a wealthy and mysterious benefactor. This benefactor sent her to the best boarding schools and universities. This is where she eventually meets Alexandra and Francesca her two best girl friends. All three of them have ginger hair this is why the red rogues was created. Cecelia becomes a beauty that is a true bluestocking with a head for numbers. She does not discover who her benefactor is until a tragedy happens and she inherits her benefactor’s gambling establishment and Henrietta’s School for Cultured Young Ladies. It is a school for immigrant women of all ages to learn a trade so they do not end up in the workhouse or on their back. No men from the gambling establishment are permitted on the same floor as Henrietta’s School for girls. She also inherited young child who is like a little sister in everything but blood. On top of that she needs to be protected by an abusive father. Those were the only words Cecelia had to hear to seal the deal!

Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Chief Justice of the High Court. Has a very low opinion of women due to his abusive mother who ruined men as hobbie. He also felt it was because weak people gave in to their base desires. He has not slept with a woman, drank wine or eaten a piece of chocolate in seven years. He was fine with his lot in life until he met Cecelia Teague, a woman who was making him break all his vows to himself and arouse’s him like no other.

Unfortunately it is Ramsay, as the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, who is assigned to check out this gaming hell operated by a new owner known as the Scarlet Lady. In reality it’s Cecelia, the woman he desires most in this world. She is in a disguise where he does not recognize her, wearing, wig, spectacles removed, heavy make up and a veil over her face . He believes through this gambling hell and the new owner, the scarlet lady, is responsible for missing girls and running a human trafficking operation that prey on young, teenage, immigrant, girls and are being abducted off the streets. They are are being sold and forced as sex slaves doing sexual favors for men. It is like Cecelia is two completely different people, one a shy, poor, introverted spinster and the other the sexy, wealthy, owner of this gaming hell that he wants to proving is dirty and corrupt an wants to close down! *

Now he has not figured out that it is the same woman. What will he do when he does? Will he believe he has been betrayed and Cecelia is just another unworthy woman like his mother? Is it the final betrayal? Read and find out!

Kerrigan Byrne again weaves her magic in her in new riveting, awe/inspiring page turning, masterpiece “Devil You Know” series. This is following Alexandra and Pier’s story from ( How to Love a Duke in Ten Days). Again I was holding onto every word Ms. Byrnes wrote with my heart exploding! Sometimes with laughter, shouting, cussing saying the F word, shedding a tear or two, with many sighs and gasps. It is just why I always read her books which is always exhilarating and total fun. She is one author that I know I will love without even reading the excerpt or back cover description. She has a talent for always sweeping me away in these exquisite stories that are absolutely addicting! Plus in this story this couple has a past with so much abuse and how does one rebuild again and trust. It really does a number on my readers heart! Her books will never disappoint that’s for sure. Definitely join Cecelia and Ramsay on this emotional heartstring pulling journey. Yes Ramsay is a swoon worthy hero at times you want to slap but at the same time kiss him passionately too. The smart sassy heroine you can’t help but love. Pretty perfect in my estimation but that’s me! The TV main characters and secondary characters like Phoebe you can’t help but love.

i just loved this book from start to finish and everything in between. You can of course read as a stand alone book. However if two Kerrigan Byrne books are available to read-then you are crazy not to read them in my estimation! Well that’s just me.😍

I received an advance readers copy from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Blog-Link:
https://celticbarb.tumblr.com/post/630588204416892928/happy-book-release-day



Pre-Order and Buy Links:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08472FB6T/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1



https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-scot-and-bothered-kerrigan-byrne/1135426704



https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/all-scot-and-bothered-



https://books.apple.com/us/book/all-scot-and-bothered/id1496622350



https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kerrigan_Byrne_All_Scot_and_Bothered?_bbid=14007581&_bbreg=us&_bbtype=blog&id=8jjMDwAAQBAJ

All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know Book 2 by Kerrigan Byrne is a stand alone Historical Romance and an awe-inspiring tale.
This is Cecelia and Ramsay's story. Well written and beautifully written. The storyline has everything a reader could possibly wish for in a great story. The characters are flawed, brave, brawn and lovable. With mystery, intrigue, tears, laughs, mayhem and steamy lovemaking, which was very well written. I enjoyed
Cecelia and Ramsay's story, it was a bit like watching a movie unfold, you holding your breathe to see what was coming next. Exciting, awe-inspiring, breathtaking and beautifully written. A must read!! You will not be disappointed in this awesome read.

#NetGalley, #AllScotand Bothered , #StMartinsPress

"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR

3.5-3.75 stars. This was a pretty good book. All Scot and Bothered is the second book in the Devil You Know series. This is Cecilia and Ramsey's story. Cecilia is best friends with Alexandra and Francesca, from the first book in the series. Ramsey is the brother of Alexandra's husband, Piers. Cecilia is sweet, soft and kind, an orphan with a bad upbringing. When her aunt passes away, she is left some huge surprises to deal with- a gambling hall and a little girl named Phoebe. Ramsey is the high chief justice of court and a stern, bitter, serious man. He has felt an attraction to Cecilia when he has met her, but would never act on it as he is celibate and doesn't allow himself any pleasures. But Cecilia being the heir of her aunt, and her now running such a business, puts the couple at odds. The attraction between them, and the situations they now find themselves in, bring about the perfect storm for an enemies to lovers romance.

I enjoyed this story a lot. I liked Ramsey and Cecilia too. I did think the story was a bit too slow in parts and the couple was a bit lacking in chemistry. I also wanted a little more resolution and an epilogue. Still, this was an enjoyable read, in general, even if it was not quite as good as my favorites by Ms. Byrne. I do still enjoy this series and I look forward to more from it in the future!

I LOVE Kerrigan’s writing, and this book was NO exception! Cecelia was an amazing, strong character and Ramsay was stubborn and obstinate - 2 of my favorite characteristics in a KB hero. I loved watching him get brought to his knees throughout the book!

All Scot and Bothered is the second book in The Devil You Know series which follows the antics of three friends bonded together at a boarding school by their red hair, penchant for trouble, a tragic event and a secret society where they indulged in manly pursuits. Like most historical romances this book does not need to be read in order and is a self contained story.

Cecelia is the buxom beauty of the group. She is a women full of curves and soft smiles with a love of wine and truffles. She is perfectly aware that spinsterhood is right around the corner. Since she never planned to marry it is fine by her, she's never really met a man she was that interested in. That is until her aunt dies leaving her a gaming hell/brothel even though she's never touched a man in that way. Too bad that man is a justice of the court and wants to bring the gaming hell down.

***“Don’t ye dare compare your vocation to mine.”
“I wouldn’t dream of comparing our vocations, my lord. Mine is much more honest, more ancient, and historically the most vital to any empire.”***

Cassius can't say what it is about Cecelia he is drawn to, except for everything about her. But between his mother and once fiancé, he has little to no trust in women and can't believe the woman before him is as she seems. Still when someone tries to kill her he is determined to keep her and her new ward safe. Even if it means revisiting his past and a place he hates.

I really like Cecelia through this entire book. She is sweet and kind and really strong in her sense of self. Lord Ramsey was a little much to handle a few times with his broken views on women, but it made it all the sweeter when he finally made some breakthroughs. I loved how Cecelia really held her own against Cassius and found a way to kill him with kindness also. I was slightly surprised to find out who was behind the murder attempts and why. The lineage of Cecelia's ward was also a pretty big surprise although looking back on it I should have known.

Overall another pretty fun story of a Scot and the Girl that stole his heart.
6 likes

Thrilling!

I thought Cecilia's story might be interesting, I didn't have a clue as to how uplifting it would turn out to be. From an abused childhood to lonely school years, until she found companionship with a group of school friends, the Red Rogues, Cecelia's outlook should have been depressed. Astonishingly she's a child of Hope who grew into a woman of intent, understanding and magnificence, albeit still emotionally and socially unsure. A strong, intelligent woman, a mathematical genius who alarmingly finds she's inherited a house of ill repute. A woman who finds terror in the person of her best friend's brother, the Lord Chief Justice of the High Court.
A man who has sworn to seek out those who do wrong with no quarter given.
Cassius Gerard Ramsay finds himself face to face with a woman who could be a member of the Crimson Council, a hidden nefarious group whose tentacles stretch out from the highest in the land. A group that is rumored to behind missing young girls. Unfortunately Cecelia has just inherited this brothel with a hidden mission when the two come face to face during a raid. Later Cassius is gutted to find that to all intents and purposes Cecilia appears to be part of that equation.
Theres no denying the attraction between them is palpable. What a raging, ravenous illumination of emotion lies between them! A conflagration that burns brightly, that will either consume them, or level the misunderstandings they have into slow burning embers, allowing their feelings to arise Phoenix like from the ashes, cleansed and reborn.
I was gripped by the plethora of honed actions, the misunderstandings, and the mayhem that ensues as Cassius and Cecilia fight a faceless enemy. Kerrigan Byrne slays me! A winning read!

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is the second of the three Devil You Know books, about the Red Rogues and the men they love.

Cecelia Teague has a soft and generous heart, despite her cold, cruel childhood. Lord Chief Justice Cassius Gerard Ramsay had a similar upbringing, but has a cold, unforgiving heart. But Cecelia has managed to melt a little corner of it, until he discovers she is the owner of a gaming hell he is trying to close, and he accuses her of many foul deeds. He realizes the error of his ways, but they still have some hurdles to get over before they can have a HEA.

I felt some echoes of Chief Inspector Carlton Morley (Victorian Rebels) in Ramsay. Hard, cold life turns a boy into a man that viciously enforces the law, protecting the vulnerable, like nobody did for them.

Cecelia is full of numbers and cyphers and could talk about them for days. But that knowledge eventually helps them unravel the mystery of who is behind the missing girls in London.

I’m looking forward to Francesca’s book next!

Absolute Perfection! Oh how I love a Kerrigan Byrne historical romance and this one had all the trimmings to make my heart flutter. With an enemies to lovers, age gap and virginal romance tropes all wrapped up in one. This is second in the Red Rogue series and it has become my new, all time favorite.

This is Cecelia Teague and Cassius Gerard Ramsay’s story.

Their story is full of angst, intrigue, adventure, passion, and romance. I loved the banter between these two and the mesmerizing rapport between them as they come together. The burning attraction between them jumps off the page leaving you weak in the knees. Their awareness of each other is magnetic as well as electrifying. These two will make you swoon!

But there is so much more than romance. The action packed adventure is intense, full of twists and turns that will keep you glued to your kindle till the end. And what a glorious journey this story delivers. Can’t wait for book three in this series.

Received a early copy through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Devil You Know series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I do recommend book one How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. The series centers around three female friends with unusual backgrounds and a shared past.

This is the story of Cecilia Teague, a mathematician, and Lord Chief Justice Cassius Gerard Ramsay. The two are immediately at odds when she inherits a gambling house and they become involved in a case of missing girls. A secret code, a long simmering resentment and a hero with trust issues due to a dark past all combine in this fast-paced tale.

I really enjoyed Cecilia's character! Given her past she could have turned into a different person but instead she is intrepid, loyal and kind. She's very protective of those she loves and I especially liked her scenes with Phoebe. Cecilia knows how to hold her own with Ramsay. However Ramsay was much harder to like. He was so uptight and rigid. It took almost half the book for me to warm up to him and see another side of his character. But his love for Cecilia really comes through in the end. His declaration scene was worth the wait!

This was a very steamy read! And thanks to a small teaser at the end, I'm really looking forward to book three. Thank you to Saint Martin's Press and Netgalley for my ecopy to review.
Comment

I always look forward to a Kerrigan Byrne book. It’s historical fiction written with angst that always keeps me on my toes. I generally come away satisfied and I was not disappointed by this story. First of all it has a Scottish hero which is right now my favorite type of hero. Also there is an age gap and it’s a grumpy hero which I always enjoy. Ramsay and Cecilia are an interesting pair. He is quite rigid with his views and she is not someone who will blindly follow anyone. This is the second in the Red Rogues series and it was such a joy to read. There was intrigue and romance throughout the book. My heart fell like it was on a rollercoaster ride. This was a great book.

This one just wasn't for me. Ramsey just wasn't a likable male lead for me, which is a must for me to like a romance story. The female friendships are fun in this one, but not enough to carry a romance story. I tried to give it a chance to see if I'd feel more chemistry between Ramsey and Cecelia, but I just didn't feel it. I think maybe this series just isn't for me. Thank you for the chance to read this one!