I liked the premise of a bookish heroine and the burly carpenter. The main characters and their interactions were enjoyable. I had a hard time understanding why a headstrong heroine with such a solid idea of her future let herself be bullied so thoroughly by her mother. Down to what she wore, the heroine allowed her mother to make all decisions, yet somehow thought she'd eventually stand up to her and have her own future. That didn't compute. The end wrapped up in a tidy fashion. Too tidy. The brothers came back at the same time, the villain has a change of heart, and leaving the Navy suddenly becomes no big deal.
As long as you don't overthink it, this is a fun read. 3.5 stars rounding up to 4.

I loved that Ford was not a peer but a regular guy with a regular job. He is witty and snarky and oh yes, a rogue. The knitting society was a great idea and that it is really not a knitting society for wallflowers is very ingenious. Ladies, you stand up for yourselves and say no when it is warranted and don’t settle for less. The interactions between the characters was great. The only thing is that it was a little too slow for me. I understand slow burn romance but I wanted a little more roguish behavior from Ford. It has a couple of side stories and Beatrice’s brothers are brought in at the end. I can see the set up for the next books. A good story.

Overall - ⭐⭐1/2
Heat - 🔥🔥

Love is a Rogue is the first book in the new Wallflowers vs. Rogues series from Lenora Bell. This story does an interesting swap on the grumpy hero trope and Beauty and the Beast retellings by casting our heroine as Beastly Beatrice. She’s the grumpiest wallflower you’ve ever met, but she’s got good reasons. Beatrice catches the eye of navy man and temporary carpenter Stamford Wright. But as alluring as he finds Bea what can he do when his life is dedicated to the sea?

Beatrice is the kind of heroine I want to see more of in historical romance. She’s unabashedly grumpy and difficult. She knows her own mind and has no interest in any society trappings. And I’m 100% jealous she inherits a bookstore. I liked that she found a group of friends and commiserate over shared experiences, but I am getting a little tired of the rehashing of the girl gang wallflower books. Off the top of my head, I can list at least 6 series in the last 10 years that use a group of wallflowers as their central theme. And while I usually love a wallflower or a bluestocking these similar series are all starting to feel so similar that it’s hard to distinguish them all.

The hero of this book Ford was a bit unforgettable for me. There’s nothing wrong with him, but there’s also not a lot of interest to recommend him. He’s called a rogue and a scoundrel but I couldn’t figure out why or how he’d gotten that rep because he never seemed to do anything too rakish. I loved that he was insta-smitten with Bea, but the romantic love story felt like it moved so slow. A lot of that is chalked up to Bea’s behavior and attitude as “beastly”.

Bell is a good author and even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the story It was still not an unpleasant experience to read. If you’re not as exhausted of wallflower gangs as your main theme then you’ll probably enjoy this book. I’m still hopeful the next installment may revive my love for these archetypes.

4.5 stars

Lady Beatrice Bentley has been squirreled away at the family estate in Cornwall researching words for her etymological dictionary, but is constantly being distracted by Stamford “Ford” Wright, the carpenter hired by her brother Drew, Duke of Thorndon to make improvements to the estate while he is on his honeymoon. She tries to ignore him, but he is just so handsome – um – annoying! She tells herself to focus, she doesn’t have much time left before she has to return to London for the season – hopefully her last. Her time in society has not been enjoyable and due to complications at her birth, she suffers from palsy that has causes a slight drooping to the right side of her face and got her dubbed Beastly Beatrice. Now all she wants is to Beatrice just wants to retire to the country, live in solitude and complete her dictionary.

Ford has come to Thornhill to help out his father who was injured, his father is the estate carpenter, but Ford has not followed in his footsteps, Ford is a ship’s carpenter in the Navy. While working at the estate, he has uncovered some disturbing information about this steward and wants to bring the information to the Duke’s attention so his father is not accused of theft. So far, he has had no success in learning when Thorndon is due to return and must return to London soon to report to his ship. So, when the opportunity to speak to Lady Beatrice literally knocks him in the head – he takes it. His interaction with Beatrice doesn’t go as planned and they both are more than a little shocked by the encounter. They part ways assuming they will never cross paths again.

But fate is not done with these two and when she returns to London and learns she has inherited a bookstore from an aunt she never met, she is overjoyed – until she learns that the property is in disrepair and her mother has gone behind her back and put it up for sale! She is visiting with her friends, Viola Beaton and Isobel Mayberry from the Knitting League, when Ford calls for her brother – who still has not returned. The ladies decide to visit the shop and convince Ford to join them to give his professional opinion. While at the shop, Beatrice falls in love with place and decides to keep it, it needs a lot of work – but before she can even begin to form a plan, Foxton, the buyer her mother lined up shows up and makes it clear that he wants the property and will stop at nothing to get it. He makes assures her that no carpenter in London will work for her and she might as well sell to him. Ford recognizes Foxton – he is Ford’s estranged grandfather – the man who disowned Ford’s mother for falling in love and marrying “beneath” her. Ford wants to thwart him and steps up to say he is working as her carpenter and the shop is not for sale – much to Beatrice’s shock.

After trying to hire another carpenter, Beatrice admits defeat and asks Ford to do the work. They form a friendship of sorts and slowly begin to fall in love, but there will be many things keeping them apart – the difference in their social stations, a very determined duchess, a greedy earl and secrets. Their road to HEA is not easy – but it is entertaining!

I really enjoyed this book, it is well written, flows nicely and is just a fun read. I would have to agree with other reviewers that the ending did wrap up too easily and there were a couple of plot points that seemed to have gotten dropped – but overall, it was a highly entertaining read with lots of amusing banter, cameos from characters in previous the series, great secondary characters, a slow burn romance with some warmish love scenes and a HEA complete with an epilogue. It is the first book in a new series and while it does have ties to the School for Dukes series – but you don’t have to read that series to enjoy this book. I am happy to recommend this novel and am really looking forward to Viola & Isobel’s stories!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley, Edelweiss and the publisher. All opinions are my own. *

Love is a Rogue
Book 1 in the Wallflowers vs Rogues Series
Rating: 5 rogue-ish stars!!!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Love is a Rogue kicks off what will be an amazing series. A series where we will have some self-proclaimed wallflowers who will tame some rogues with their love.
I really enjoyed this first book. Beatrice and Ford were such likable characters. I really liked both of their personalities. I tend to usually lean towards liking more either the hero or the heroine.
I liked how Beatrice fought her feelings for Ford since the very beginning. She tried every word in her knowledge to describe what she felt for him. Their bantering was so sweet and hot. Ford enjoyed pushing her buttons, but I'm glad he did because it made her admit that she was attracted to him.
Ford was one sexy, sweet rogue. I love that he flirted with Beatrice and said the most sweetest things to her. I especially liked that once he realized her passion for words he was her number one supporter in all that she wanted to accomplish. Ford was what she needed to build up her confidence and stand up to those that didn't believe in her. She at the same time showed him that love and stability can bring you happiness.
I look forwards to the rest of the series!!!

This novel was fun, but it required a high level of suspension of disbelief that was difficult for me to accept. The heroine, Beatrice, is a bookish girl who wants to write a dictionary. She has a facial abnormality that makes her feel unloveable, and the novel handles that issue really well. I liked that the hero, Ford, never thinks of her as damaged in any way. He finds her beautiful inside and out.

Ford is very sexy and entertaining, but it is hard to imagine the sister of a duke marrying a carpenter. It is a real stretch. And they have a ton of time alone together, which really seems unlikely given the time period. The scandal felt underplayed. Those elements took me out of what otherwise was a good romance.

I love the Beatrice’s friends and look forward to reading stories about them as the series continues.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

My first Lenora Bell and the start of a new series! I really liked the hero’s background in carpentry and the dynamic between him and the heroine (a self-professed bookworm and wallflower who has a very copious vocabulary and wants to put together a dictionary all on her own). When she unexpectedly inherits a bookshop from a distant relative, sparks fly during renovation time. I appreciated that even though there was conflict, there didn’t really seem to be any major disagreements or issues, or silly misunderstandings that kept the couple apart for various reasons. Once they had a chance to clarify things with each other, it was more a matter of showing the rest of the world (friends and family) why they wanted a HEA with each other in spite of class differences. A really fun book and a great first installment! I’ll be going back to read some of her other titles now.

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

Will she let life pass by her or fight for more than she expected from it...

« “I’m not docile, or decorous, or obliging.” With each word she blasted the wall. »

I am not sure I liked Beatrice at first, she has with certainty excuses for her longing to a lonesome existence but none to be so blunt and rude with Ford.
Plus there is nothing I dislike more than an addle-brained miss when confronted to a yummy male specimen. Weak knees and tongue tied do not endeavour a character to me.
But it is the modern me that cringe at these flaws. Beatrice has forgiving circumstances, firstly she has known nothing else, more ready to look down than stand for one’s self, they have no voice in their fate, the sheltered upbringing of ladies does not prepare them to stand emotionless when they sight male skin.
Then she grews in me, reflecting on her future path, acknowledging she chooses to hide instead of living her dreams. By coming out of her chrysalid, she demonstrates her strength and fortitude.
Stamford or Ford, I have few things to tell so wonderful he is. He is the sole man who sees, really sees Beatrice, he needs no dowry nor enticement to appreciate the real woman under the haughty demeanor. He does not belittle her dreams, he might not agree or understand them, but they are hers, so she should have the right to try to reach them.

Their romance is one of trust given, wishes shared and hopes made to not be lived alone.
A terrific lively tale of going for one’s dream and finding the power in oneself to live them whatever the price.
5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author and publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Beatrice: Brilliant logophile bluestocking. Ford: Historical hot handyman.

Yes, please and thank you.

I found Love is a Rogue to be sweet, sultry, and endearing. In this Covid reality I’ve had difficulty emotionally investing so many books that ordinarily would work for me. That was not the case with this one. Almost immediately I was all in with this story. There’s bickering and banter and emotionally charged sexy times. I think this one will hit all the right notes for most historical romance fans.

Thank you Avon and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

this was my first lenora bell and i really, really enjoyed it! it was witty, smart, funny, sweet - and steamy to boot. thoroughly enjoyable. really liked the two main characters, the opposites attract was done so well. highly recommend!

I am a huge fan of Lenora Bell, so I was eagerly awaiting this new series. I am happy to report I was not disappointed.

Lenora Bell has a knack for writing strong heroines who not only defy societal expectations, they shatter them completely. Lady Beatrice Bentley, or Beastly Beatrice as she was cruelly dubbed in finishing school, just wants to live her life out peacefully in Cornwall rediscovering arcane words to include in her new dictionary. She did not account for handsome rogue Stamford Wright to literally come into her life with a bang. They may be from different classes, but they come to recognize deep inside they share similar pains and longings.

I don't want to give anything away, but rest assured that this story enchants right from the start, and keeps you hooked to the very end. This is another fine example of Lenora Bell's delightful word-play, and excellent character development.

Note - this is a spin-off of sorts from her 'School for Dukes' series, but you need not have read those to enjoy this story. However, I strongly recommend you treat yourself and start with her earliest works so you can devour them all.

Lady Beatrice Bentley has no interest in society events or in making a good match as her overbearing mother insists she should. Beatrice merely wishes to become a spinster and live quietly on her brother’s ducal estate in Cornwall where she can work on her etymological dictionary in peace. Too bad she only has the summer to enjoy this seclusion and her quiet tranquility is interrupted by the noise of construction being done on the estate by the handsome distraction of a carpenter.

Stamford Wright is a Navy ship’s carpenter and soon to be officer helping his injured father complete the work that needed doing on the duke’s estate until he recovers. Ford knows he’s miles apart from the lady he admires in the library’s window each day, plus he’s leaving for London soon and then on to parts unknown when his new ship is ready. But when he crosses paths with Beatrice again in London, Ford can’t resist offering his skills at renovating the bookshop she’s inherited from an unknown aunt. Not only will he earn enough money to finally purchase land of his own, but this project will also spoil his greedy estranged grandfather’s hopes of buying the building and turning the block it occupies into a factory. Ford just has to make sure his relationship with Beatrice remains strictly professional and he refrains from turning their passionate arguments into anything more.

I enjoyed this couple, but the heroine really had to grow on me. I found Ford to be a charming hero and his protectiveness over Beatrice was endearing. I think he got a bad rap and it was unfair how much Beatrice referred to him as a rogue despite his not doing anything to earn the appellation. For much of the story Beatrice was just downright rude to Ford. They seemed a rather odd couple and for a while there I wasn’t sure why Ford kept sticking around for it. Beatrice’s character was drawn with an extremely heavy hand and she almost felt like a very misplaced caricature of modern feminism. At the same time, despite professing all this independence, Beatrice was utterly and so easily cowed by her mother time and again. She also displayed an extremely rigid and much too short-sighted plan for her future. These characteristics just didn’t seem to jive with her fierce determination to be her own person. Also, I too adore books (obviously), but the way Beatrice talks to them just made her seem like even more of a ridiculous caricature when we were meant to be taking her more seriously. In many instances, Beatrice just came off as rude and entitled, for instance in her attempts to tell Ford how to do his job, despite knowing nothing about it herself.

I didn’t wind up liking this heroine until the last quarter of the book or so when she finally started standing up for herself and being her own person in truth. The ending for this odd couple did feel a bit rushed to me, with all obstacles falling away with shocking ease and very little recompense or apology from Ford’s greedy grandfather or Beatrice’s awful mother, who deserved to be put in her place at the very least. All that said, Ford became one of my most memorable heroes thanks to one scene in which, after a misunderstanding, an angry Beatrice tells him to leave and instead he goes to her and explains everything and they work things out through communication like mature adults. I loved that particular scene and the fact that these two chose to be together and make it work no matter the differences standing between them. Despite my mixed feelings, this was an interesting start to a new series, and I look forward to the next book.

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

3.5 stars

Lady Beatrice Bentley and Navy carpenter Stamford Wright meet at the Duke's country seat, but it's not a pleasant experience on Beatrice's side. She finds the extremely handsome and virile Ford distracting and annoying at best, but she can't help but stare at him while she works on her pet project--a dictionary. The two find themselves in London and Ford agrees to renovate a bookstore Beatrice inherits from a distance aunt. Their mutual attraction is hard to suppress. They're from different social classes, but can love conquer all in the end?

I like reading the first book in a series because it sets up future books. I loved the knitting society and assume those ladies will each get their own books, but I felt a little lost with the backstory of Beatrice's brothers, Drew and Rafe especially Drew because throughout the book he was amongst the missing and then he just shows up. Where was he? The romance between Ford and Beatrice was a nice slow burn and loved their lively banter. Some of the plot points especially Ford's grandfather was wrapped up way too easily and was not realistic for someone who has held grudges for 30+ years. I'm looking forward to see which lady knitter is highlighted in book 2. I loved Beatrice's friends and want to learn more about them.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Love is a Rogue is another winner for Lenora Bell! And it’s definitely a top contender for my favorite, although I can’t say for sure, because all her books have been lovely.

But Ford is definitely my favorite Lenora hero, for obvious reasons: he’s incredibly far removed from the aristocracy, working as a carpenter in the Navy. He bears a reminder of the harshness of society to cross-class love himself, as his mother was of gentle birth, but fell in love with his carpenter father. I love how seeing the impact of what his parents went through impacts his choices as he finds himself drawn to Beatrice. I love how he supported her in her endeavors, yet was reluctant about pursuing her, due to the stigma around a potential union.

As for Beatrice, I adored her when I met her in Lenora’s previous book (although it should be noted that you do not have to read that book to understand this one), and I love her even more as a heroine. I love the balance between her being secure in her literary gifts, while also having a relatable vulnerability thanks to being mistreated or overlooked thanks to her “beastly” disfigurement. And when she was denied, whether it be her mother trying to hold her back and force her into a traditional mold, or Ford leaving to preserve the status quo, I love that she took action to ensure that she got what she wanted, as a result of society overlooking her and putting her down.

And I love the “lady knitters.” is customary in romance, it seems there might already be some suitors lined up for them among some of the secondary characters, so I’m curious to see who ends up with who and what adventures are in store for everyone.

I absolutely loved this book, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it. If you love historical romance, you’ll absolutely enjoy this one!

Beatrice is the daughter of a duke and the sister to the current duke, but she couldn't care less about society and all she wants to do is complete her work on writing an encyclopedia. She attempts to hide at the family estate in Cornwall to write it, but she gets interrupted by Ford, the former Navy officer who is overseeing the renovations on the estate..

She has to go to London at the behest of her family to try and make a match, but she'd rather just hang out with her friends, all wallflowers. When she unexpectedly inherits a bookshop from an aunt she never knew, Ford steps into help her. The plot has further twists and turns, some of which were truly unexpected. It's the first in a series and I would definitely read the other books!

My honest review was provided in exchange for receiving a free copy of this ARC from Netgalley.

Lenora Bell is an absolute must-read for me! And Love is a Rogue held up to those expectations! Ford annoyed me a little in the beginning, but I quickly came around to him. I really loved Beatrice and her desire to learn. I hope she is able to keep working on her dictionary. If you're looking to escape for a few hours, this is a great choice. Lots of romance and plenty of family drama!

Love is a Rogue is a fun twist on Beauty and the Beast. It's very rare that the heroine is the beast and I was a little worried, but it totally paid off. I really enjoyed the banter between Ford and Beatrice. Their slow burn was fun and intense and made the conclusion of the story so much more enjoyable. I am thinking that I might need to go read Drew and Mina's story now!

Beatrice is wonderful, I love the way that she explains things to Ford. He doesn't mind that she does it either. Most men would have a problem with the lady acting more intelligent. They balance each other well.

While I appreciated both the smart, bookish heroine and the introduction of the inherited bookshop part of the plot, along with the independent, capable Royal Navy carpenter hero, I never fully bought into the chemistry between Beatrice and Ford. That said, despite a bit of skimming, I wanted to see the outcome. I would give the next entry in the series a try.

No. No. No!

I couldn't find the strength to finish this because of the MCs. This couple, Lady Beatrice Bentley and Stamford Wright, would have never worked out and as the story progressed, it was difficult to envision a relationship between them.

A bibliophile and a scoundrel? Nope. I love the opposites attract trope as much as the next reader but our heroine was in another stratosphere. Incompatible is putting it lightly and the main characters differences negatively impacted my thoughts about them and this book inself.

To add on, this novel was not engaging. I was bored and disinterested and left scratching my head on the 'romance' segment of this read. It didn't do it for me for obvious reasons and I can only hope with the next installment, I can find a deeper connection or attachment with the characters, plot and storyline.