I Loved It! The Princess and the Rogue takes off right from the start and will keep you spellbound from the moment you begin this fast paced journey with Princess Anastasia (Anna Brown) and Sebastien Wolff as a game of cat and mouse with a traitor who is after Princess Anastasia in this action-packed rollercoaster ride. With appearances from characters from the previous novels, since they're family now, you are able to catch up with them. Kate Bateman has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, witty dialogue and with a strong plot that bring this read together perfectly! Anastasia and Sebastian travel on a heartfelt journey as both try to come to terms with falling in this love with one another in this romance filled with drama, searing passion, danger, surprising twists, turmoil and as the suspense builds and tensions escalate with uncertainties abound that will keep you entralled from the beginning to the end in this outstanding story!

I am still fairly new to historical romance novels, but I am loving them more and more with every book. The Princess and the Rogue was the perfect HR read for me. I thought that Kate Bateman was able to have just enough chemistry/romance and banter and fun throughout this novel which made for a quick and easy read. I definitely would go back and read the first two books of this series.

A princess in hiding who has lost everything in order to keep her life. A sexy, mysterious man who comes to protect her. This story has adventure, romance and more.

Anya is a Russian princess living in London, but you would never know from meeting her. She lost so much when her brother died, and in order to protect herself she had to go in to hiding (an awful and very rich and powerful man has been trying to marry her for her title and money for quite a while and saw the death of her brother as a great opportunity). She takes on the role of companion to a wealthy woman and this is how she meets Seb.

Seb is a man who doesn’t believe in love nor marriage. He is a war hero with a lot of scars. He stands his ground against marriage and love, even when his own friends have found so much happiness. But will his chance meeting with Anya change everything?

Anya is an incredible character, and you can tell so right from the opening scene. She is no damsel in distress, she is determined to protect herself and her secrets at all cost. She is also kind and compassionate, caring about others even in the face of her own hardship. You want to see her finally happy, she deserves it after all that she has faced but will fate allow her happiness or just a glimpse of it?

This book made me laugh and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a steamy romance but one full of pain and hope. I loved every moment of this story.

The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman
Subgenre: historical romance
Release date: 29 Dec 2020
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Format: ebook and print
Length: 334 pages
RRP: $7.83 (ebook); $17.50 (print)

It takes a lot of effort to destroy the family tiaras and other jewel sets and hide them, but Russian Princess Anya has to do it to escape France.

Anya and her servant friend escape to London and set up a new life. But her spurned suitor is on their trail. When she reappears, she is Anna Brown and is companion to a Dowager Duchess, because quite frankly she is not prepared for anything else. Anya is still upset from the death of her brother and she also wants to escape the attentions of those who may know her.

She also has friends in the local brothel, but she is teaching the girls to read, not working as one of the girls. Lord Mowbray comes in and wants to hire her for the night as she is interesting, and he thinks to his taste. Anya refuses then disappears. For a while their paths do not cross, but then he has to save her from being kidnapped by thugs and takes her back to the gambling den, his very lucrative business with his friends. Sebastian is surprised to find that she, the woman he has been desiring, is the devoted companion of the Dowager Duchess.

Sebastian, Lord Mowbray, is the last of his trio of friends to find his love. He is cynical about love and an off handed quip will come back to haunt him. As these men work for Bow Street, the trio investigate the death of a foreign national, who just happens to be Russian. As he hides Anya in his home, he is able to use her to find out and translate Russian for him. Together they solve the mystery of the spy among the ranks.

I have loved this series and I think this story was probably the best one. It took the cynical Sebastian and the haughty Anya and makes an interesting tussle with Anya trying to hide her real identity and slipping all the time, and Sebastian, the man who doesn’t think he will ever marry.

Anya’s description of the different suspicions and ‘rules’ in Russia are entertaining and Sebastian is taken with her and her ‘rules’ and sometimes this is a giveaway as to her identity. But you can certainly feel the connection between this couple and it comes through on the pages.

Reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

I know what you’re thinking…another lost Russian princess story, ugh – not again! Well, yeah - again, but this one is worth it. Princess Anastasia Denisova is hiding as plain, old “Anna Brown” in London. She’s in hiding because there’s a traitor on her trail demanding she marry him. ‘Anna’ has taken on employment as a companion to the Duchess of Winwick. Next door is a brothel, where Anna teaches several children in the house how to read and write. In walks Sebastien Wolff, the Earl of Mobray – and the Duchess of Winwick’s nephew. Anna proves to be a very adaptable, quick-witted and clever heroine. Seb, The Wolff, proves to be a very swoony Bow Street Bachelor. Together, they have a fun dynamic that is engaging to read. And we get some glimpses at the previous Bow Street Bachelors-now-Married-Gents and their wives. Pick it up, you won’t be sorry if historical romances are your jam.

I received an ARC for free from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to St. Martin Press and NetGalley for the ARC to review.

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series but The Princess and the Rogue was a weak addition. The dramatic plot felt melodramatic and contrived in an effort to be sexier. But, for me at least, it just didn't work. Anya and Seb were both ridiculous and, again, overdramatic. I forced myself two-thirds through the book before I finally gave up.

When I started reading The Princess and The Rogue, I didn't think I was going to like the book. But, by the end of Chapter 1, I was hooked. It is a wonderful story. I really like the story of Princess Anya and Wolff. I truly recommend this book. I give my honest review. I volunteered to reviewed this book for Netgalley.

TW: attempted sexual assault

I love Anya (whose brother's name is *drumrolls* Dmitri (!!!!) -- unbelievable!) so much, she's so feisty. & love how she brought Sebastien to his knees. The proposal!!!!!!

This was a sweet conclusion to a delightful series from Bateman. Obviously, there's an undercurrent of a "lost Russian princess" storyline — she's literally called Anastasia — but I appreciated that as a character, Anya wasn't a privileged fish out of water who didn't know how to exist in society. Throughout her time in hiding as part of the lower class, she proved to be a very adaptable heroine, quick-thinking and never not certain about what she wanted, especially when it came to romance, which I appreciate. (Just because heroines are virgins doesn't mean they need to be completely naive or unaware about sex!) She and Wolff had a terrifically fun dynamic, and although it was entertaining to be secluded with most of them for the book, the story got even better for me once they were able to bounce off of the other Bow Street Bachelors and their wives.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Russian Princess and a Bow Street Bachelor (yes I love them!) seem an unlikely pair, in this new addition to this fabulous series! What could be better?

Princess Anya, had been in Paris when she got word of her brother's death. The next she knew, a devious russian, Vasili Petrov was at her door going to force her to marry him for her inheritance.. Plus she had information on him of his nefarious activities of a traitor. Barely escaping his clutches she and her friend Elizaveta make their way to England.

Anya obtains a job as companion to the Dower Duchess of Winwick and on her free time she occasionally helps the girls next door with their reading and writing. On one such visit, Anya is mistaken as a lady of the evening (I did tell you it was a high class brothel next door?) and she was kissed by a man who wanted her company. Oh yes and what a kiss it was! Then she finds out who he is... The Duchess's nephew, Sebastien!

Then the story takes off! A swoon worthy hero, a heroine trying to evade the man out to force her to wed him, a sizzling attraction, Trust me, once you start you will be hooked!

This is the third story from Bow Street Bachelors Novel, and I feel privilege that I was given the chance to read them for free! 🤩

Seb aka The Wolff is the last guy who is still single, and he is the remaining owner of the gentleman's club. He is such a charming male specie that no one can resist well except Anya.

The former princess from Russia which is now called as Anna Brown is working as an assistant of a dowager.

These two are both headstrong and compatible yet there are dangers and troubles brewing just around the corner.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

This book was so funny.
Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, walked into a brothel and asked for the woman that he was interested in. The only thing was she didn't work there and was there for something else.
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.
There is someone after Anastasia , who wants to marry her and plans on getting his way when he finds her. Even though she has rejected him many times. Her father and brother also refused him many times but with both men in her life now gone he is persuing her hard. But is it just for the means to an end. Does he know the reason her brother is dead?
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's for the ARC to review.

This book in my opinion was a bit slow for me to get into but overall I liked it. Anya was very head sting and gave Sebastian a run for his money. I love the dread doweger as well

Any book having to do with princesses is likely to be one I'll enjoy reading a lot, and this one was no exception. In The Princess and the Rogue, Anastasia Denisova is a Russian princess on the run from a man who thinks she has information on him being a traitor, so she settles in as a paid lady's companionship role in London after running from this man and selling off nearly all of her prized possessions. It is through being this lady's companion that she meets Sebastian, with whom there's an immediate connection. In her disguise as "Anna Brown," she's able to maneuver through society as a lady's companion, but the traitor is still hot on her feet, so Sebastian offers her protection. Through all of this and through shared close quarters during her protection, they end up falling for each other.

This is the third and probably final in the Bow Street Bachelors series, and it's my second favorite! I loved the portrayal of a princess on the run who has to adjust to a different kind of life, and I loved that Anya chose to do it with as much hope and acceptance as possible. I also loved that she had friends who worked in a brothel, and that the inclusion and exploration of these women weren't demonized or belittled. Anya knew just as well as the women working in the brothel that sometimes life didn't turn out the way one expects it to turn out.

Overall, this is a fun and fresh historical romance series, and I am very excited to read more of Bateman's upcoming work! Many thanks to St. Martin's for a complimentary review copy! All opinions are my own.

This is the third in this exciting and romantic series about three former soldiers who opened a gambling club, called the Tricorn, after the hat that they wore as members of the Rifles and not to be bored, they also work for Bow Street. This historical series is packed with intrigue, adventure, danger and unexpected romance for three men who do not believe in love, or at least not for themselves.

When Bow Street agent Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, first meets Anya Brown, he thinks she is a prostitute, since he sees her at a brothel, Haye's, and tries to buy her services. Little does he know that she is actually Russian Princess Anastasia Denisova, who fled Paris after hearing of the death of her brother, Dmitry, at Waterloo, to escape the advances of a traitor, Vasili Petrov, who had already been refused her hand. She lives next door with her life-long companion and teaches the women next door how to read. She is also working as a companion for Wolff's aunt, when the carriage that they are traveling in is stopped and Russian kidnappers try to grab her. But Seb comes to the rescue in the nick of time, hiding her away at the Tricorn, where they become obsessed with each other. Very well written romance adventure.

I read an ARC from NetGalley.com and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

I've enjoyed the Bow Street Bachelors series by Kate Bateman, and I liked The Princess and the Rogue, even if the plot felt a bit convoluted at times.

I haven't read that many historical romances with Russians in them, so I was excited for a "Russian princess meets scoundrel"-plotline. Though I found the book to be entertaining and well-written in general, it was also a bit insta-lovey and outlandish for my tastes.

Sebastien Wolff, known rake, was a bit too head-over-heels for the female MC at first meeting. Of course I expect a bit of fantasy with my romance plotlines, but the coincidences seemed to just pile up. I wanted things to feel more organic, if you know what I mean.

I love stories with dashing rogue MCs, so I still enjoyed this one, but it wasn't particularly memorable for me. However, I'm still looking forward to Kate Bateman's next book.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

This was an enjoyable read that checked off all the right boxes for its genre. At some points it became a bit slow, but overall the chemistry and plot were great!

This was the third and final book of the series and I honestly thought it was my favorite! I received this copy for free through netgalley for my honest opinion. When it comes to most romance series, I feel that the longer the series goes the worse the books get, BUT NOT FOR THIS SERIES! A short series but the final book was my favorite. I loved that we had a princess who had to lower her status to hide from the disaster that is Petrov. Seb was interesting as well, he didn't come off of that most noble of men in terms of societies standards but I loved him all the same! I highly recommend this series, and specifically this book!

This book took me by surprise, I throughly enjoyed it from start to finish. There is enough intrigue to keep you invested, interesting characters to add depth, and enough steamy scenes to spice things up. I enjoyed the Russian traditions, whether they are real or not, which added another dimension to a fabulous romance.

Russian princess, Anya, must go into hiding to avoid a dreadful marriage to a cruel man. Her parents had died years before, and her brother was recently reported dead in battle. Without anyone to protect her, Anya gives up everything and flees to England. Without influence or riches, Anya poses as a poor commoner and receives a position as a duchess’s companion. When the man she is running from turns up in England – searching for the “long lost” princess – Anya must turn to notorious rake, gambling hall owner, and Bow Street agent, Sebastien Wolff. Wolff, a self-proclaimed life-long bachelor, is then put in a difficult situation – his honor demands that he protect Anya, but he finds he is tempted by the mysterious, confident young woman.

With a great mix of mystery and romance, The Princess and the Rogue engages readers from the first page. Anya and Sebastien make a great conclusion to the Bow Street trilogy from Bateman, and readers returning to the series will enjoy both the new characters and relationships and the spotlights on previous couples. However, the story also works great as a stand-alone novel. The tension and attraction between Anya and Sebastien is apparent throughout the novel, creating a delicious amount of internal conflict without it seeming contrived.

Throughout the novel Bateman includes Russian culture, food, and superstitions. These all make the novel stand out from the traditional Regency or Victorian England romance. The descriptions of food alone made me want to start cooking some traditional Russian dishes! The superstitions, too, added a layer of levity to the book and to Anya and Sebastien’s relationship.