Fairy tales do come true, they can happen for you — if you’re a Russian princess in hiding attracted to a second son who runs a gambling den, even though you first meet in a brothel. A light and steamy read with plenty of action, bravery, and plot twists galore, including a return from the dead, with a whole slew of odd beliefs and practices tossed into the mix. A pleasant way to pass the hours with a princess and her Wolff. #ThePrincessAndTheRogue #NetGalley

What a fun read! Sebastien and Anya are a perfect couple. Secondary characters as well as ones that had their own books previously added to the story. It was steady paced and had some action in addition to some very steamy parts. Interesting to learn some Russian superstitions. I will be looking for the first two in this series.

Oh wow what a wonderful ride. I was captivated from page one. One soul running for her life. Unknowning the fairy tale wolf would save her. Loved it and the whole series

I received this ARC via Netgalley and St Martin’s Press, in return for an honest review. While the third book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. Set in 1815, as the Battle of Waterloo rages and wanes, Russian Princess Anastasia (Anya) is in Paris and awaits her brother’s return from the frontlines. When a despicable member of the Russian court arrives and tells her of his death, she and her maid/confidante escape him, fake Anya’s death, and flee to England. The jewels they’d sewn into their clothing don’t produce much money and they seek safe ways to make a living.
A year later, Anya encounters a handsome English lord under unique circumstances. He mistakes her for a prostitute and things progress from there. As one of three members of the English aristocracy help Bow Street solve crimes that involve their social strata, Sebastian Wolff despaired when his two friends found amazing women to marry and forsook their joint venture as exclusive gaming club owners. Now, he’s confronted by a woman who doesn’t match any of his expectations or knowledge. What will happen next and how do they work together to thwart the horrible Russian who both wants Anya and wants her dead?
This is a solid romance, set just after Waterloo so you have a hero who served and still deals with those traumas. Anya makes a strong and impressive heroine. A good addition to this genre.

I enjoyed both main characters. Anya was strong and intelligent, and Seb was a protector with integrity. I enjoyed the descriptions and the world building made me feel like I was there. I enjoyed their banter. Action humor intrigue and steam. Now I want the previous book too. I recommend this read. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by St. Martin's Press.

Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, has relentlessly teased his best friends, Alex and Benedict for finding wives and settling down. [Alex's story can be found in "To Catch an Earl", which was quite enjoyable.] The three men assist the London police with sensitive matters. Sebastien had been playing to go to the opera, but his plans were interrupted by a dead body and a new case, searching for a Russian spy who had fed information to Napoleon about Russian troop movements. Having missed the first half of the opera, he decides to visit a high class brothel in Covent Garden. Benedict comments, "You're never going to find a decent woman in a brothel." Sebastien is not looking for a decent woman, but Benedict will be proven wrong. When he arrives at Haye House he sees a ravaging beauty whom he decides is the woman he wants for the evening. However, when he attempts to procure her services, he is refused and learns that this woman, who is introduced as Anna Brown, is not one of Charlotte Haye's "girls." Anna is shocked when she learns his identity, as he is the great-nephew of her employer. Sebastian know that Anna Brown is not her real name and he is determined to discover her secret. Anna Brown is actually Princess Anastasia Denisova, who believes her brother died at Waterloo and who is being pursued by Count Vasili Petrov, a horrid man who believes her brother sent her information proving he was the spy/traitor and who wants to marry her to gain her fortune and ensure her silence. She managed a lucky escape from him in Paris, faked her death, and fled to London, where she has been hiding for the past year. [None of this is really a spoiler, as it is all revealed in the first few chapters.]

This would not be the last meeting between Sebastien and Anya, as Count Petrov has arrived in London as part of a Russian trade delegation and he is trying to find his "missing fiancée." Anya's employer, the Dread Dowager, arranges for the two of them to go to her country home, but they are attacked on the way and it is Sebastien who saves them. He is thoroughly confused when he finds Anya with his Great Aunt Dorothea and is convinced that she is a fraud trying to take advantage of Dorothea. However, Dorothea convinces him to hide Anya at his gentleman's club, the Tricorn Club, where he and his friends have private apartments (though Alex and Benedict no longer live there, having found wives and moved out). There is considerable tension between Anya and Sebastien, who find each other challenging and infuriating but also extremely attractive and compelling, but also both believe that they are not suitable for each other, based largely on their positions or perceived positions in society, as Anya is hiding the fact that she is a princess. Yet, they cannot deny their physical attraction for each other, which results in a well-crafted and entertaining account of Anya being properly introduced to the "pleasures of the flesh." Of course, things are never that simple, especially when Sebastien learns Anya's true identity and as the threat of Petrov intensifies, forcing matters to a head. This was a delightful story.

I received a copy of the e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

What an entertaining and engaging book! I love the characters and really felt for Princess Anya. Seb was just perfect. The story was full of mystery, intrigue, romance, and action. It was a great read and I can't wait for more from this author and in this series!

This is only my second novel by Ms. Bateman, and, I can assure you, there will be third, fourth, and so on!

I have eclectic tastes in what I read! I'll try everything. Historical romance, especially steamy, is a favorite go to of mine, especially in-between my dark romance reads. I love the dialogue, I love the slow build of the romance, well, not always slow!

The way Seb and Anna meet; LOVED IT! LOL

This was a fun read and plenty to keep you turning, page after wonderful page!

I received an advanced reader copy, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This was a lovely, satisfying historical romance that checked all the boxes and had some original and interesting aspects. Seb was a delicious hero. Anya was strong and while she needed protection, she maintained a lot of agency which this feminist reader appreciated. The first sexy time scene was (wooh!) smoking hot and original. The heroine's Russion royal heritage was interesting. I enjoyed all the little details sprinkled in. If you like a little intrigue and action in your historical romances, this is a good one to pick up.

This was a fun read of Anna and Sebastian. I laughed out loud in quite a few places and absolutely enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book and read it in two days. I am a sucker for regency romances and this book reminded me of the early books of Johanna Lindsey with the strong female heroine and the unorthodox courtship. Princess Anastasia and is forced to flee her home in Paris and ends up in London as the companion of a dowager Duchess. Her life is turned upside down when she meets Sebastian by chance in a brothel. Their brief kiss is something neither of them soon forgets. There is a lot of anticipation as Anastasia is in danger and Sebastian finds himself in the role of protector. I was very satisfied with the HEA. This is the first book I have read in the series and look forward to reading Benedict and Alex’s stories.

Loved it!
This can be read as a stand-alone but is much better and makes more sense if you have read the others in the series.
I found Anya and Seb's story to be very predictable but also very enjoyable. Its not an outstanding story line but one that will hold your attention and is an easy read. I think for me, having read the previous books in the series, it made the story line easier for me to overlook the predictability because I liked the characters and I like the author's writing style.
Anya is a feisty, not your traditional princess and I really liked that aspect of her. Sebastian Wolff is no nonsense and doesnt want to get caught up in marriage like his fellow friends have.
It is very clear that the author did her research about Russia. Everything from traditions, royalty, and even the language is in here and is spot on. Ms. Bateman has a very polished writing style which I like.
Overall I highly recommend this novel and any novel from Kate Bateman
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review

Just not my kinda book. Felt way to melodramatic to be believable. DNF. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martins press for the ARC.

Sebastian's story is a winner. He is the last of the 3 founders of the upscale men's club to have his story told. This has been a fun series. Anya is a Russian princess on the run from a shady character. She meets Seb in a brothel. And that is how the fun begins. What a crazy misunderstanding. The book was a fun read with interesting characters doing unexpected things. I liked it!

After getting attached to the roguish rake, Sebastian in the previous books, I could not wait for his book. I am so happy I read this book.

I would recommend reading the previous books so you could get more attached to Seb; however, I think this was written well enough that you could fall in love with him without having to read the previous books.

Bateman does a wonderful job crafting realistic characters and character arcs. The natural development of Sebastian and Anya's relationship was so heartwarming to read. The chemistry between the two was sizzling. I loved seeing Sebastian's transformation from the brooding man who hid behind his rakish ways to the lovestruck fool he was by the end. I absolutely love Bateman's female characters. Like the previous characters, Anya was wonderful to read. She was kind, strong, and feisty without being annoying. Finally, I absolutely loved the three of the boys together. I really enjoyed the banter between Seb, Ben, and Alex. They had some really fun and sweet moments.

Along with the characters and the character relationships, I really enjoyed the action and the subplot. Bateman did a wonderful job with her subplots in the previous books and she did not disappoint this time.

My only quip with the book was despite the rest of the book being so unique, I found that Benedict's dilemma and character arc was quite basic (despite how well done it was), causing the book and the reasons for Anya and Seb not to be together to fall a little flat at times.

I would suggest this whole book series to anyone who is looking for something new in the historical romance genre. The plots, the subplots, and the characters are very refreshing and mostly unique throughout the whole series.

- 4.5 stars -
(rounded up to 5)

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Princess and the Rogue, by Kate Bateman. I am so glad to have read this book. This romance story played with my emotional heart strings and I loved every minute of it. In my mind I kept saying, “more, more”. “Give me more” (wink, wink).
If you read the book, you would know what I mean by this. Hot daum! Kate Bateman, where did you come from? You’re like one of those predators in the jungle at night, stalking their prey. Waiting for that precise moment to jump out and attack. Well I am your prey, and you just gobbled me up with your fantastic writing. It was unrelenting and I loved it. I said it. I L-O-V-E-D it! The writing was crisp.
It was sharp. I was captivated. The writer provided enough drama to keep me hanging on to each word. All the action and the sexual pleasures between Seb and Anya—. Hold up for just a second, before I go on further about the authors writing. Let’s discuss the leading character Seb. Seb. Seb. The man that could be the hero/ savior of any woman’s dream. He moved threw this book with swagger, charm, and dominance. Go on ahead and dominate me! You sexually charged, wicked man you. Where - is - the - release Lord Jesus?! Back to the writing. I enjoyed the witty banter among the characters.
This brought some light hearted moments to the book. The humor is well placed and timed. The suspense. The drama and the high intense romance is wrapped in a neat little bow within this romance story. Anya a princess, who is forced to flee her home country Russia.
She escapes the clutches of a madman and flees to London. She leads a disguised life in London as a companion, hoping that no one recognizes her. Little does she know that someone has been watching her from the shadows. Someone else notices her too. Seb mistakenly assumes Anya is a working lady.
Words are exchanged and things uptick to the next heated level. Later, the two meet again when Anya’s past comes back to lay claim on something that is not his. Anya decides that she must flee again. In her hasty escape with Sebs aunt, mayhem breaks out. Once the smoke clears, Anya finds herself back in London, trying desperately to hide from her past.
Seb believes there something off with Anya , but he can’t put his finger on it. Trying to figure out what to do with Anya, Seb hires her on to transcribe Russian documents for the Bow Street Runners. The action and suspense picks up from there, with mad villains hiring roughings to kidnap and beat people. Documents are stolen and traitors are smoked out from their hiding places. While all this is happening around them, Seb finds Anya utterly irresistible and he absolutely needs her under him.
Anya feels the same way. First of all. Anya, if you are going to make Seb sit in a chair and then order him to hold the back legs of a chair. Don’t sit there in fondle over him! Nooo!
You set the mans male anatomy free. Hop on him and ride like the wind and there is no tomorrow. Like your life depends on your ultimate release woman! Seb and Anya confess their feelings for one another when all heck breaks loose. The dead has arisen, traitors have been scammed, and someone has drunk a heavy dose of sleeping potion.
Oh my! Yes, I recommend this book with two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers... read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy. <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/21abbc6d2f62a80d56d9e8ae6c15dff82ebee8dc" width="80" height="80" alt="25 Book Reviews" title="25 Book Reviews"/>

This is a most enjoyable historical romance with very appealing lead characters and an interesting plot and setting. Anya is an independent Russian princess hiding in plain sight and Seb is the rogue who becomes her protector. Both are surprised by the sparks between them. Although the third in a trilogy, this can definitely be read as a standalone. However, I plan to read the first two entries because of the charm of this one. Recommended.

This is the third book in this series and whilst it can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the previous books to set the scene .

Anastasia Denisova is a princess on the run from an unwanted and dangerous suitor and now lives in Covent Garden with her "loyal" maid as a paid companion to a Dowager Duchess . She spends a lot of time teaching reading and writing to the women who work in the neighboring brothel .
Sebastion , Earl of Mowbray , is a Bow Street agent on the hunt for treasonous agents .
When he visits the notorious brothel he meets Anya and presumes he can spend the night with her , Anya however has to retain her anonymity and allows only a kiss .......... one that sparks a chemistry laden attraction that cannot be allowed to go any further .
When Anya's dangerous suitor discovers she is living in London she has to take a chance and ask Sebastion for protection .
What follows is a fast paced , historical romance full of witt and banter , with a touch of danger .
Can a Princess really have a chance at a future with a Rake ?

I was given an arc of the book by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Anya is a Russian princess living as a secretary in hiding and Sebastian is a bow street bachelor. I loved the way they fall in love with each other and their chemistry is great from their first meeting. Sebastian starts off as a brooding hero but he is a responsible, smart and intelligent hero. It was interesting how in spite of being brought up a princess, Anya was willing to do what it takes to survive with absolutely no hesitation. She is smart, lively , feisty and humble. Without being just a regency romance ,it has a good story of living in disguise and escaping the traitor that keeps it engaging. Not sure how accurate the Russian traditions are depicted, but they were fun.

It can be read as a standalone book! An easy, fun and quick read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s for sharing THE PRINCESS AND THE ROGUE with me.

Anya Denisova hasn’t been living the life of a gently-bred Russian princess since she smashed her tiara, and fled from an abusive suitor. Now she lives as “Anna Brown” with her loyal maid in Covent Garden where her companions include a Dowager Duchess and the women who work in the neighboring brothel. One day Sebastian, an Earl, visits the brothel and assumes that he can choose to spend the night with Anya. The two spar, and eventually succumb to an enimistry-laced kiss. Seb is committed to being a wanton rake, even though he’s very intrigued by the mysterious Anya. When Anya’s past returns to haunt her, she ends up with no choice but to turn to the last person she expected—Seb—for protection.

I liked THE PRINCESS AND THE ROGUE! I’m here for banter, and princesses who advocate for themselves. I was a little less interested in Seb‘s, woe is rakehell me moments, but he was overall fine. I think readers who are looking for a swoony escape with a HEA will enjoy this novel!