This is the third in the Bow Street Bachelors series by Kerrigan Byrne. I've loved each book but I think this may be my favorite! It has everything you could ask for! A Russian Princess on the run and hiding in England from an evil traitor; a handsome rogue who meets her by chance at a brothel and even though he KNOWS she's lying about something is attracted to her tries to keep her safe.
I loved Anya and Sebastien!! Anya is vulnerable but resilient, proud and regal, but fiesty. Seb is haunted by his past and by his time fighting in the war and doesn't believe in love...until he and Anya kiss for the first time. So, if you like a sweet, sexy romance with plenty of heat, a hero and heroine to fall in love with, and a dash of intrigue you will love this book!
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a romantic fairytale of sorts in which a Bow Street agent meets a beautiful Russian princess in disguise, he saves her, and they fall in love. And they all lived happily ever after.

This isn’t the novel of my life but it is a good novel, it kept me reading long hours because I wanted to know how the pieces would fall and what the picture would be once the puzzle was solved. In that, the book didn’t disappoint. It is exciting, spicy and witty. It is a page turner.

Princess Anya Denisova, cousin to the Tsar of Russia, happens to be in Paris when Napoleon makes his comeback from the isle of Elba. Her brother is dead and she needs to go back to St. Petersburg as she is the only one in her family who’s still alive. But a she and her companion Elizaveta are packing, a former suitor who has been refused by her and her family several times in the past, this Vasili Petrov is the one her brother Dmitri told her he suspected to be a traitor who sold secrets to the French emperor. When Petrov tries to force her to go with him and marry him, Elizaveta knocks him in the head with a vase. The two young women fake Anya’s suicide and flee to London. They settle in Covent Garden, assume new names, and find themselves jobs to survive.

Anya finds a position as a lady’s companion to a Dowager duchess named Dorothea who is a “lovely” old lady, and in her spare time she teaches the girls at the luxury brother next door to read, write and basic maths. It is one of those evenings when Sebastien, a bow street runner who doesn’t believe in love and relationships, meets her and tries to hire her services. The young woman won’t sell herself to him and he can’t understand why. A week later his great-aunt who is none other than the lovely Dorothea asks him to protect her and her companion on their way to the Dowager’s country estate. But he’s late and when they meet, there are a trio of Russians attacking the carriage. The Dowager knows Anya’s identity but she doesn’t reveal it and asks Seb to protect the girl at all costs. Sebastian doesn’t understand why the old lady would go that far for a woman who could be a whore, a thief or who knows what else, but she is Russian, and he needs someone who understands Russian as he suspects there are spies in England…

Anya knows now that Petrov knows she is alive, and that he’s looking for her.

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The main character Anya is a very intelligent young woman, she is hardworking, determined, strong and funny. She gives you a feeling of longing for a country you’ve never been to. The Russia of the eternal snows and the shiny Tsars. She falls in love with this untrusting half Italian half English man who fought valiantly against Napoleon in Spain and Portugal, earning him an earldom by the crown. He is his protector not by choice at the beginning but from his heart by the end. She is my favorite character: a princess who lives in an empoverished area of London. A princess who used to dine with the greatest of Russia and who now lives next to a brothel, who also befriends the owner of the establishment. She’s openminded, fair, humble... and there is so much sorority in here. In just a few scenes! All because of Anya.

Sebastien was conceived out of wedlock and even though his parents got married they led loveless lives so Seb has trust issues and relationship issues. He would think love didn’t exist if he didn’t have proof enough in his mates’ marriages (Heroes of books 1 and 2 of the series). He’s quite stubborn and ironically he’s deaf from one ear but metaphorically blind from both eyes, he wouldn’t see what Anya has to offer even if he had neon signs all over her. He thinks her a courtesan and there’s that. But he never thought he would lose his heart to her.

Most of the novel is them both alone together. And they have good chemistry, the love story despite all odds is believable and... their first time is AMAZING, especially because Anya is a queen.

The book is full of turns and surprises. The reader shouldn’t take anything for granted when reading it, what seems to be one thing is actually another, and I don’t mean Anya being in disguise, no, there are more people in hiding here. In many ways. I had a lot of fun and excitement reading it. And it all happens between fall and winter so it’s the perfect book to read on a rainy day. Pick up your favorite blanket and your favorite drink, set your phone on silent mode and let yourself be transported to snowy London and to Russia.

To escape from a forced marriage (and possible death), Princess Anastasia Denisova flees to London with naught but what she and her devoted servant, Elisaveta, can carry. Once there, Anastasia and Elisaveta, now Anya/Anna and Lizzie respectively, hide in Covent Garden amidst the flower sellers and brothels. The two women do what they must to make ends meet, even if it means tutoring the courtesans next door.

Sebastien Wolff, The Earl of Mowbray, is on a mission. As an elite operative in the Bow Street Runners he's on the hunt for Russian spy and murderer. But that's not going to stop him from enjoying his one vice: women. When he encounters Anya at a high-class brothel, he knows he must have her. But infuriatingly, she's not for sale. Leaving him aching for the mysterious and beautiful woman.

But when their paths cross again, it's under much more fraught circumstances. Together they must work together to keep Anya safe as well as unmask a traitor. All while striving to keep their passions in check.

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The Princess and the Rogue is the third book in Kate Bateman's Bow Street Bachelors series, and it's definitely the best. Bateman knocked it out of the park with this book. She really did. I devoured the book in a day and I wanted more.

So what makes this book so great? The characters.

Seb has long been my favorite of the three friends. The second son of a duke from an unhappy marriage, Seb is the perfect rakish rogue. He's got standards in who he seduces, and he makes sure that they enjoy the encounter as much as he does. He's protective of his family and friends, and when he gives his heart he gives it over fully. I really loved him.

Anya is a great heroine. She's intelligent and resourceful, and she's not afraid to stand up for herself. She's more than equal to Seb in several respects and is his better in others. -- like getting prickly people to go along with her plans. She's also delightfully superstitious which adds so much depth to her character. I liked her ability to think through things and adapt when the situation required it. I also loved her devotion to her friends, even if they were nowhere near her in rank. The book passes the Bechdel test, which is a plus in my book.

The heroes and heroines from the previous two books make a reappearance, but it's the other side characters which I love. From the prickly French chef, to the Dowager Duchess, to the Madame with a heart of gold, I really felt their realism.

The book does require a little bit of suspension of disbelief as many romances do. But for me it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.

I unreservedly loved this book.

And for that I give this:

Five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

We round up the Bow Street Bachelors series with Sebastian’s book. Sebastian is tasked with protecting his Great-Aunt’s companion on their trip to the country. Little does he know that Anya is actually a missing Russian princess who is running from the man who wants to force her into marriage. As their attraction develops, so does the danger to Anya. Seb needs to do all that he can to keep her safe.

This is my second favorite in the series. It was a lovely story, but a little far fetched. What I do love is that none of the heroines in this series are your average 19th century female. Can’t wait to see if there is a spin off with a couple of characters we met in this book.

Thanks to the publisher for this arc. It has no influence on my review.

This was a quirky, fairy tale romance, and I'm here to tell you that it's so worth the read! Sure, as other reviewers have mentioned, there are certainly details that seem far-fetched, but sometimes the magic of a romance is to let reality go for a while to enjoy the love between two people. From the pair's unconventional meeting to their happily ever after, you are on the edge of your seat wondering how everything will work out for them. I loved all the secondary characters as well, and it makes me wish the book were longer so just we could see more of them.

Her brother has recently been killed at the Battle of Waterloo while on a diplomatic mission, and Princess Anastasia Denisova is in a bind. While she wants to return home, her hand is being sought by a villain of the worst sort, and her only hope at escaping him is hiding out in the last place he'll look - in Covent Garden, next to a brothel, living with her maid, and working as companion to the Dowager Duchess of Winwick. While teaching the women at the brothel to read, she has a very close, very intimate encounter with Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, who thinks she is a loose woman herself. After a heated kiss, she runs from him and hopes to never see him again, only to see him once again after an outing with the duchess goes awry. Now she is under his protection, though he only knows her as impoverished Miss Anna Brown. As things become more dangerous for her, Sebastien is drawn deeper into her secret, and when it's finally revealed, they have to decide if their differences will mean an end or a very happy beginning.

I loved the relationship between Anastasia and Sebastien, especially as they got to know each other more and learned how perfect they were for each other. Anastasia was a resilient young woman, although at times she had some moments where I wanted to strangle her. While she grew up quite privileged, she didn't hesitate at helping others, and it was clear in how she helped the women at the brothel. She befriended the madame, helped her maid find love, and she tried to keep everyone around her safe. The secondary characters also really enhanced the story by adding so many different backgrounds to it. I would have loved to see more of the madame, she seemed like a really fun woman. Maybe she'll get her own book soon? Anastasia's maid was also adorable with her beau, Oliver, and they were a pair I would love to be real and meet in person.

It's a great book to read in December, when you're snuggled up under a fuzzy blanket, drinking tea, and ready to daydream. Get ready for lots of laughter and love!

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for a complimentary copy of The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman. I have read and reviewed this book prior to publications. My opinions are my own, and no one has influenced them.

The Princess and the Rogue is a well-written Regency novel with engaging characters and a action-packed plot. From the first exciting scene, the pacing pulled me in and held my attention until the end.

Anya, AKA Anne Brown’s character has several facets with personality traits I most enjoy in a romance. Her determination to survive under extremely difficult conditions impressed me. Her loyalty to her friend is also impressive. I ached for her pain of losing her family, and her fear she would be pushed into marriage.

Sebastian Wolff is a great hero with the characteristic I most love. He’s dashing, gorgeous and brave. His need to protect the heroine touched my heart. His loss of his hearing during the Battle of Waterloo adds a deeper level to his personality.

The romance between Anya and Seb bursts to life from the first meeting, even though neither wants of them desires it. They both fight it, but the overwhelming passion cannot be denied. I wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy Regency romance set in the glittering ballrooms of London, and with characters that will intrigue, then you will love The Princess and the Rogue as much as I did. Although this novel is part of a series, I had no problems reading it without having read the first two. Happy reading!

Princess Anastasia- Anya- has fled Russia and is hiding in London to avoid marriage and lots of other things. She's sold her tiara, taken a job with a Dowager Duchess, and become fond of a group of prostitutes at the brothel next door. So fond that she's teaching them to read, which is how she meets Seb, the Earl of Mowbray. He's come to the brothel for "relaxation" but he tangles with Anya when he assumes she's one of the workers. These two end up having a spirited conversation and establish such a good relationship that Anya moves in to his gambling hall. Some of this is just hooey- totally unrealistic- but it's entertaining and the couple is hot. The dialogue is well done and they'e engaging characters. It's nice to watch Seb grow up. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A fun escapist read.

The Princess and the Rogue has the last bachelor in the Bow Street Bachelors. Sebastian Wolff, meeting the woman he wants to strangle for frustrating him and make love to for frustrating him. This is a delightful romance with Seb protecting a princess unawares. From their initial meeting until the final pages, Anya or Princess Anastasia ties Seb up in knots. He does not seem to know what is going to happen next. What he does know is that he needs to protect her from an evil countryman. Their romantic journey is delightful and will hold your attention from beginning to end.

I love how Ms. Batemen has kept the three bachelors close and in each other’s romances. They are each other’s family of choice. As good friends who helped each other survive, they will do anything to protect their ‘family.’ And, Anya has become family. You will enjoy the danger and intrigue that follows Anya. I loved her strength, personality and desire to survive.

Books like The Princess and The Rogue remind me why I love historical romance so much. This was a story where I could be in a bad mood and start reading and suddenly find myself smiling and my mood lifted. I’m going to say so far this is my favorite of the series and I loved the first two!

A hungry man!! Hungry yet honorable! My favorite struggle! Along with a heroine who has a secret and needs protection. I couldn't put this story down. A fun read. One of my favorites this year.

I was provided an advance reader copy from NetGalley. This is my honest opinion voluntarily given.

Spies, criminal investigators, and criminals are all like catnip for me and I have been itching to get my greedy paws on Sebastien's book since the first book in the series. Paired with my fascination with Princess Anastasia and I was smitten.

I loved Anya! She is exactly the sort of heroine I enjoy rooting for. Clever, practical, and loyal; she was such a fun heroine to follow. I don't think I've come across a heroine with a Russian background before so I enjoyed learning some of the cultural tidbits Bateman wove in. Sebastien was delightfully suspicious of Anya at the start. It made watching his declaring permanent bachelorhood all the more entertaining.

The chemistry between Sebastien and Anya was sizzling. That delicious tension and growth from lust to love was perfectly paced and had me hooked for the entire read. As always, Bateman's smexy scenes were on point and blush inducing.

Summed up, I adored this couple! A chef's kiss blend of mystery, romance, and action. I only wish we had a little bit more time with Seb and Anya because I wasn't ready for it to be over. I highly recommend if you are looking for a book with a fun royalty spin and a sizzling romance, look no further. It can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment I recommend reading the whole series.

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

Here is why this book should be on your must-read list. There is a strong, take control actual Russian princess that is not so high on herself that does whatever it takes to keep herself and her bestie alive. There is a swoon-worthy, decent, hard-working war hero who has sworn off all ideas of love and marriage. There is a villain. A true villain that brings in danger and a sense of adventure. There is found family. The hero and his best friends are delightful on the page together. I love the camaraderie between them and his friends' wives. All in all, The Princess and the Rogue has every element to pull you in and keep the pages turning wanting to know what will happen next.

I loved this book. Bateman's writing is fun and easy. She has a way of dropping in tidbits of Russian culture and military history without losing the story, boring the reader, or making these details too much. I loved reading about the Russian food and language as it popped up. I loved the military background of the hero, Seb and his friends. I love that the heroine, Anya, didn't wait for, or need, the hero to rescue her. She rescues herself over and over again. I loved the chemistry in the book....both between hero and heroine and the family and friendship aspect.

This book is the third in a series - the first two being about Seb's two friends - and yet it reads as a standalone. This story had me instantly adding the first two to my TBR and puts Bateman right onto my must-read list. If you are a fan of Sarah MacLean or Joanna Shupe, I truly think you will love this book. A solid 5 star read.

"The Princess and the Rogue" (A Bow Street Bachelors Novel) by Kate Bateman
I really enjoyed this historical romance with the thread of suspense running through its entirety. Yes, there are some steamy (in my opinion) scenes, but don’t let that keep you from enjoying the story (in print they are easily skipped). It was an intense read but generally light and fun at the same time… that just doesn't sound right but is the way I am feeling at this moment in time. If you choose to read this story, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher. This is my honest opinion/review of this story.

Title: The Princess and the Rogue
Author: Kate Bateman
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, doesn't believe in love―until a passionate kiss with a beautiful stranger in a brothel forces him to reconsider. When the mysterious woman is linked to an intrigue involving a missing Russian princess, however, Seb realizes her air of innocence was too good to be true.

Princess Anastasia Denisova has been hiding in London as plain 'Anna Brown'. With a dangerous traitor hot on her trail, her best option is to accept Wolff's offer of protection―and accommodation―at his gambling hell. But living in such close quarters, and aiding Wolff in his Bow Street cases, fans the flames of their mutual attraction. If Anya's true identity is revealed, does their romance stand a chance? Could a princess ever marry a rogue?

I enjoyed this quick read. Anna was a lot of fun: a princess determined to choose her own future, no matter the cost—and with the attitude and strength to carry through. Seb was kind of a jerk at first, but he grew on me a bit. I’d like to read the first two books in this series at some point. Solid writing and entertaining characters made this a fun read.

Kate Bateman is a bestselling author. The Princess and the Rogue is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 12/18.)

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved this book. I have loved the entire series. That being said this book can be enjoyed as a stand alone.
Anya's brother was killed at waterloo and now the princess must hide from rom the Russian traitor who wants to marry her.
Hidden as Anna Brown Anya arrives in London.
Sebastian is a war hero and when his grandmothers companion is in danger he agrees to protect her.
I loved the relationship between Anya and Deb. It was fun and romantic and sweet. The danger was well done as well.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

I am a fan of Kate Bateman and her Bow Street Bachelors series, so I was looking forward to reading The Princess and the Rogue, especially when I learned that the main heroine of this book is a Russian princess. This book is as delightful as the first two books in the series. I loved both main characters, Ana and Sebastian, they had scorching hot chemistry, and I enjoyed their witty banter. Also, the author did a good job researching Russian customs and superstitions.

The one thing that annoyed me is the incorrect use of Russian surnames. Sometimes the correct (feminine) form was used, and other times, the wrong (masculine) form was used when referring to Anastasia. She was called Anastasia Denisova, which is the correct form, but when she was referred to by her assumed name, she was called Ana Ivanov. Ivanov is a masculine form and is not used to refer to women. I found this jarring but also strange because of how inconsistent it was.

Other than that, I really enjoyed The Princess and the Rogue. I am looking forward to reading more books from Kate Bateman.

A good ending to a great series. Very humorous and cute and a comfortable, warming read. I really liked Anya, she was incredibly courageous and enterprising, which are characteristics I appreciate in heroines. 4 stars.

This book has it all a princes, a traitor and a sexy rogue. Anastasia (the princess) is running from a man determined to marry her (the traitor) and Sebastian (the rogue) saves her from being kidnapped. This book was entertaining and fast paced.

The story was simply wonderful and entertaining. It was a pure joy to read about those strong characters.
Each of them was unique. Both fighting for different things yet still ending with wanting the same... to uncover Vasili Petrov's betrayal. Princess Anya, beautiful and strong. Hiding, pretending to be someone else and fighting for her freedom and Sebastien Wolf first in a battle against Napoleon and later on for the rightness on the side of Bow Street.

First they met under delicate circumstances in somewhat inconvinient establishment which had Sebastien irritated. And later on when he had to guardian Anya because of a contempt to kiddnap her, he was smitten with her kindness and brilliance. He wouldn't know what had hit him. He was never a marriage material until he couldn't stop to think about her.
But they would never fit, at least not by society rules or would they? What hapenns when he finds out her true Identity?

Get this book, it was such a brilliant read.

Final Score - 5 Stars!

How did I miss this series?! Must go back and read the first 2 now, but I will be back soon with a review this for this one ... (edited on 11/30/2020)

Anastasia Denisova is a Russian princess in hiding as a companion to a dowager duchess in London. Forced to run away from a fellow country man who only wants to use her & her title for his advantage. She has no protection except her loyal friend and companion as her brother was killed eighteen months earlier during the Battle of Waterloo. Forced to sell the last of her precious jewels, she lives in abject modesty in an apartment next to a brothel and has become Anna Brown. Friendly in manner and disposition, she's taken to her new life in London ... but what happens when the past comes knocking and along with it, a danger you never realized?

Sebastian Wolff is an Earl. Known as Lord Mowbray, he is also a Bow Street agent. He's enjoying life - as he is also the owner of a gaming hall. While his friends and fellow comrades have found themselves love and marriage, Wolff vows to cling to his single status. What use is a wife when there are plenty of women to choose from? However, he's masking a secret - a loneliness he's just recently become aware of; is he missing out?

So, how is that these two opposites should meet ... at a brothel one evening, and an instant spark of recognition should hit them both? For Anna, there is instant attraction. For Sebastian, he finds her both captivating in beauty and intriguing. Neither one can seem to forget the other. Then a situation arises - Anna needs to disappear for someone dangerous has just caught up to her. But what starts as an escape to safety with the aide of the Dowager Duchess soon becomes a rescue. Once again, Sebastian and Anya are thrown together and this time - no one can stop the flames of passion from igniting.

The mixture of action as well as romance in this novel was both enjoyable to read and swoon worthy. The pace however was slow to start and at times was a bit difficult to get thru. I liked both the hero and heroine and their character development but at times there were too many things happening at once and it left me struggling to put things into perspective. Sebastian is the epitome of alpha maleness, yet Anna was no weak damsel in distress. These two had combustible chemistry and gave as good as they got.

All in all this was an enjoyable read, but I would have adored an epilogue a few years later to get to see how they both had adjusted to their lives.