I enjoyed the first book from this author and was excited to see that this one would follow two of the supporting characters from that story. One of my favorite things about The Gentleman's Book of Vices was the found family environment at the club, The Curious Fox. David and Noah were a huge part of that family, and I loved the idea of getting to see their romance blossom. I can confirm that I did, in fact, enjoy spending more time getting to know them and their history. However, there were some things about this book that made me love it less than the first one.

First off, I still loved all of the characters. David and Noah were fun to follow, and I liked how the story switched between their past and present to give the reader a clear picture of their journey. Their best friends to lovers romance was super angsty and full of years of mutual pining finally coming to a head. David had some abandonment and self worth issues that Noah helped him work through, and Noah had so many walls up that David needed a sledgehammer to slowly chip away at them. I understood David's reticence to express his feelings because of the terrible things he'd experienced in the past, but Noah's emotional constipation seemed a bit unfounded. It made sense that he wouldn't want to lose his best friend if things didn't work out, but the lengths he went to avoid his feelings just seemed over the top at times. It did make for good drama, though, and I can't deny that I ate it up. lol.

The plot was where this book didn't work as well for me. There wasn't much build up of the two characters just being friends in the beginning, and the crisis at the club happened really, really fast. This kept the book from having as much of the found family feel as I expected. The story was also a bit lopsided and gave more weight to David's struggles than Noah's. In the beginning, the reader is led to believe Noah is super stressed about his workload and career, but then it got ignored for most of the book because the characters were focused on their romantic entanglements and the club being closed down. I enjoyed the parts of the story we got, but I really wanted to see more of Noah in his element. I think part of the problem was that all of these big things were crammed together over the course of a weekend, which didn't give the story much room to breathe. The ending was also a bit lackluster. Everything got wrapped up in a couple of paragraphs, and it just felt way too simple and passive.

I also think it's important to note that I don't think this book works very well as a standalone. I enjoyed this follow-up because it added context to the pre-existing story and characters. However, people who haven't read the first book will likely not appreciate it as much because the book didn't take the time to set anything up. The club was shut down almost from the beginning, and none of the cameo characters get any real characterization. So, I definitely recommend reading The Gentleman's Book of Vices first because a lot of my enjoyment was tied to how this book related to the previous one. I'd definitely classify this as more of a companion novel than a sequel, as well, since it adds context to the first story without really moving it forward in any way.

Overall, this was a quick and enjoyable MM historical romance with good writing. I liked the main characters and the angsty best friends to lovers story. However, I wish the story had been a bit more independent and worked better on its own to add something unique to this world. If you've read the first book, I do recommend picking this one up for the context on what happened at The Curious Fox. Therefore, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Premise:
-set in London in summer 1885 with flashbacks to David & Noah's time in boarding school, starting in 1870
-Noah is Savile Row's promising young tailor
-David runs an underground queer club, The Curious Fox
-when the baron who owns the Fox tries to close it, David must figure out how to save his club!
-Noah & David navigate their feelings for each other that they've suppressed over the years & dismissed as childlike curiosity
-cw from Jess Everlee's website: A main character has a history of abuse at the hands of a parent and an intimate partner. While this is dealt with non-graphically, his resulting C-PTSD and an on-page connection to that ex-partner drive parts of the plot. There is an off-page suicide of an unsympathetic character. All on-page sex is between adults, but their underage history is discussed. There is period-typical homophobia, racism, and sexism. Arrest and violence pose significant threats, though do not occur in any Lucky Lovers books.

Thoughts:
This was the delightful historical queer romance I've been wanting!!! I adored the dynamics, angst and tension between Noah & David! They were so clearly pining for each other for so long and denied themselves a chance at true happiness FOR WHAT?! I love this trope of what I call "two idiots who need to just shut up and kiss already" ahhaha.

Overall, I'll admit that I read this for the friends-to-lovers first and the plot second lol! However, I loved the way the flashbacks tied into the present, and the quest to save the club was fun! This was the first book I've read by Jess Everlee and I'm so excited to read the first book in the series now

"Best friends going on fifteen years, their feet always seemed to wander to wherever the other happened to be."

I’m always a little nervous reading a sophomore novel, particularly the follow-up to one I enjoyed. The set up for Noah & David’s story was perfect and gave me high hopes on which Jess Everlee absolutely delivers. In addition to a sweet, satisfying romance, this trip to The Curious Fox takes readers on a journey full of intrigue, mischief and unexpected mystery.

A Rulebook for Restless Rogues is a fantastic friends to lovers historical romance featuring childhood best friends. I appreciate Everlee’s use of flashbacks through which readers experience the depth of Noah & David’s dedication, affection and devotion. In reconciling their past with their present, it’s obvious just how much of themselves they’ve hidden away and what they’ve sacrificed in the name of friendship.

David’s a former hotel heir disgraced by his father’s destruction of the family fortune. He’s working through this trauma, as well as his insecurities and shame surrounding decisions which have landed him in his current role as proprietor of The Curious Fox.

Noah, on the other hand, has built a respectable career as a tailor while discreetly spending his free time at The Fox as the lovely Miss Penelope Primrose. He comes from a rather unorthodox family for the times; his Unitarian upbringing and values are the right vehicle to give their relationship a foundation. It’s refreshing to see this early acknowledgement of love between same sex couples, even if it’s something we’re very much still fighting for today.

Navigating the mysterious circumstances concerning their beloved club changes the dynamic between David & Noah, forcing them to spend time together, rely on each other and view their relationship in a new light. Theirs is very much an “it’s always been you” story, and I have a definite weakness for the grand confession. Jess Everlee gets this one just right, a moment that’s so perfectly them readers can’t help but swoon.

*My thanks to Carina Adores (Harlequin) for an advanced copy of this story via NetGalley.*

Review to appear July 20 on Smexy Books:

Jess Everlee follows up her debut novel The Gentleman's Book of Vices with the second in the Lucky Lovers of London series, A Rulebook for Restless Rogues. It takes up two of the more interesting side-characters in the first book, David Forester, the manager of the queer club “The Curious Fox,” and his schoolboy compatriot, Noah Clarke, who frequently appears in the club as Miss Penelope. It takes a little while to layout their personal histories, in chapters that alternate between teenage days in boarding school and the present in the novel. I suppose what we have in this romance is a friends-to-lovers-to-friends-to-lovers trope. It takes a bit of a nudge from their friends, as well as an outside threat to bring them together. It’s quite lovely when it happens. I loved the way Everlee wrote these moments of re-discovery. But even though we know David has been pining for Noah for a long time, Noah’s realization that he’s in love with David seems sudden and less motivated.

The outside threat that the two men face is that the owner of “The Curious Fox,” Lord Belleville, is using a pending police raid on the club as an excuse to consider shutting the place down and selling it. He tells David that if he wishes to plan for a more profitable future for the club, he must come out to his country house to discuss it, with a plausible wife in tow. We understand by this point that for David the club is everything – not just a job, but a family of people he must protect from the threats and hostility that gay men encountered in London at the time. Lord Belleville initially comes across as a caricature of a villain, and he only gets worse as the book progresses. When everything comes to a head, the resolution is underwhelming in an “out of nowhere” kind of way.

There were a few things that I felt were missing from the close third person view we get of Noah and David. David doesn’t want to talk very much about Lord Belleville, but since we could see his thoughts, I felt like we should have been privy to more. Similarly, Noah dressed like Miss Penelope at a time when that could have only multiplied his risk. We see what being a tailor meant to him: the cloth, and the designs, and his attitude towards his Penelope dresses seems to echo his interest in male clothes. Was that what he got out dressing as Penelope, or was it something else?

In this series, Everlee has created an ensemble of characters that were a delight to re-encounter in the 2nd book. Charlie and Miles from the first book appear several times, as well as Miss Jo and Miss Annabelle. But my money is on Warren the bartender for book 3!



Grade: B
Amazon * Goodreads

I enjoyed Jess Everlee's A Rulebook for Restless Rogues. I think she has a solid series started between this and her earlier book (which I also read on NetGalley and recommended to friends). Everlee has a certain lightness to her writing and she excels at resolving plots in the last moments of the book. I think this book fills a much neglected space in the romance genre. For men and women who are interested in a gay historical romance (without death at the end), this certainly fits the bill.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this advanced copy.

Queer hisfic was my favorite one and Everlee wrote one of the best queer hisfic so far. I loved how David and Noah yearning for each other. The book was romantic enough and I loved that.

David Forester cares about two things in this world. The first is The Curious Fox, a queer gentleman’s club that he runs with a care and devotion that is so tender.

The second is Noah Clarke. David and Noah have been best friends since David rescued Noah from a school bully, and they are as fiercely devoted to one another now as they were then. They’re both obviously madly in love with each other and refuse to admit in out of fear that it will ruin the most important relationship in their lives.When The Curious Fox is threatened with a raid and everything that David has worked so hard to protect is threatened, he has to make tough decisions about how much he’ll risk to protect it, and Noah has to decide just how far he’ll follow the man he’s spent most of his life loving.

Despite a very intriguing plot set up, most of this book focuses primarily on the relationship between David and Noah rather than the crisis of The Curious Fox. Part of me wanted more to happen, but part of me was perfectly content in the cozy little bubble of queer love and joy.

things I loved: oblivious idiots in love, queer community, drag in a historical romance

things I wanted more of: as someone who loves “The Birdcage” (1996), I firmly believe that if you are going to dangle the possibility of a fake marriage with one of the heroes posing in drag, you should fully commit and make it a major plot point with all the hijinks that entails. Once the possibility was brought up early in the story, I kept waiting for it to pan out and was so excited for it, and then it just....never did. I still had a good time, but I was disappointed that that exciting plot point didn't pan out.

This was a sweet romance that felt historically accurate. The romance between David and Noah was charming, and their easy flirty friendship was a joy to read. A nice sprinkling of spice throughout. A solid 3.5 for me, an enjoyable weekend read.

A RULEBOOK FOR RESTLESS ROGUES, Jess Everlee's second novel, is a quieter story about two BFFs who finally admit they're in love, and it never sparkled for me the way her first book did. While I can appreciate how Everlee disrupts some of the expectations readers have for the friends-to-lovers trajectory, I felt like the plot kept destroying its own momentum and the emotional payoff was too understated to compensate for the lack of dramatic tension. Whenever I began to click with it, it pivoted and delivered something far less engaging than I anticipated.

Which, I'll note, is a highly subjective response that seems to put me in a small minority. The other NetGalley reviews are a 5-star gushfest about everything Everlee does with these characters and their story; further proof, if anyone needed it, that none of us ever reads the same book as all the rest. This was a 3-star read for me (ie, something I rather liked but had big issues with). You might love it to the core of your being.

A Rulebook for Restless Rogues explores themes of self-acceptance, personal growth, and the power of embracing one's true desires. The novel challenges societal norms and expectations, urging readers to question conventions and follow their hearts. Everlee's lighthearted and uplifting exploration of these themes encourages readers to embrace their own restless spirit and find the courage to pursue their dreams.

At the heart of the story are endearing and relatable characters who embark on a journey of self-discovery and love. The protagonist's quest for liberation from societal expectations and the pursuit of personal happiness is both relatable and inspiring. The supporting cast of characters, each with their own quirks and charm, adds layers of humor and complexity to the narrative, creating a delightful ensemble.

<i>I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

3.5 stars if I could.

I can't tell if I loved this or not, hence the ambivalent rating. There were absolutely elements that I loved but the ones I disliked were enough to bring things down.

Positives:

This is a lovely, intricate proposal of what queer life was like in England in the late 1800s. I've never seen all these elements at play before. All manner of sexual orientation is represented but there's also period-appropriate trans representation and a healthy appreciation for drag. It's a delight to read in this day and age.

Watching Noah and David come into their own was heartwarming, not only in terms of their relationship but in all other facets of their lives. I particularly loved reading about Noah and his family.

The ending is more realistic than most queer historical romances offer. Everlee beautifully weaves together uncertainty and hope. It made me smile to read it.

Negatives:

The pacing is terrible, mostly because the more mysterious elements of the plot lead you towards a path that you should be on much sooner if this were actually more of a mystery. Instead, that whole part of the plot ends up being rather convenient. It came across as a little lazy. I understand it was integral to David's backstory but that's really the only purpose it served.

Noah and David hovered on the precipice of becoming truly great characters without ever achieving it. They needed just a touch more depth and emotional connection with the reader and it would've been brilliant.

The ending was all too convenient and rushed when compared with the pacing of everything else.

Note: this is part of a series but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you to Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the ARC of Restless Rogues via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I’ll first cop to the admission that I haven’t read The Gentlemen's Book of Vices (though it is certainly on my list now), and while common decency suggests reading books in order, this one more or less lives independently and thus I did not have difficulty following along. I shall endeavor to correct this misstep soon!

A Rulebook for Restless Rogues follows David Forester and Noah Clarke, friends since they were schoolboys, and now men living in London in 1885 and trying to live their authentic lives. I am obsessed with telling queer stories set in history - a much needed reminder that we’ve always been here (and always will be). David and Noah have something unspoken between them, a comforting familiarity that should be romance but instead has settled reluctantly into close friendship. David is the proprietor of the Curious Fox, a queer club, and Noah is a tailor who moonlights as Miss Penelope Primrose. As the livelihood of the Curious Fox comes under threat, the two must hatch a plan to save their sanctuary, and perhaps each other in the process.

Sometimes you just want to feel good - and Restless Rogues is just that. Something sweet, with just enough emotional punch to keep us latched onto David and Noah and their will they-won’t they dynamic. David in particular stands out to me, a protagonist who is filled with shame and bravery, able to fight to the end for others and hardly take care of his own needs. He’s a bleeding heart, searching for family and belonging, creating something for others he never had for himself. I highly recommend A Rulebook for Restless Rogues… now off to do some reading.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC and the publisher for the complimentary hard copy. All opinions provided are my own.

Not only does A Rulebook for Restless Rogues by Jess Everlee have a great alliterative title, it’s also a nuanced & loving & steamy story of best friends (who have been oblivious about their deeper feelings for years, so good ) turned lovers.

David Forester and Noah Clarke were best friends at school who have since dropped any physical entanglements & remain BFFs.

But when tavern proprietor David’s business/refuge he offers for LGBTQIA people is facing a raid & permanent closure, David & Noah are brought together in ways they hadn’t anticipated.

Everlee’s settings & characters are always so intriguing. The Curious Fox—the tavern David manages—is more than just a place where a person can get a drink, it’s a place where LGBTQIA people can relax, have fun, dress & act in ways outside society doesn’t allow, and seek pleasure.

It’s also a bit of a burden on David, this protective role he’s taken on, & Everlee explores that well, in addition to how Noah’s own seemingly very supportive family hasn’t always been/isn’t always totally supportive.

The story, the characters, & the relationship all feel thoughtfully developed, & Noah’s gesture at the end brought me so much joy.

If you’re looking for queer historical romance, definitely check out this author!

4.5⭐️. Out 07/11.

CWs: threat of violence, emotional manipulation, reference to past insurance fraud that David’s father perpetrated & that led to people dying.

[ID: a copy of the book sits on a distressed antique mantle. In the background is a wall of white brick.]

With thanks to Net gallery for free access to a review copy of the book it exchange for an honest review

This is the second book in the series and I have not read the first, I was able to understand and follow the story having not read the first book.

The story takes place in the late 1800s, in London. David runs a Molly (queer) bar, his best friend, Noah, works as a tailor and dresses in drag.

The story starts in Noah and David's school days.The two characters are interesting, well written and super engaging. The language and style used for the flashback chapters is different to the present day chapters, I really like that detail. The chapters also change Pov, the author managed to successfully write in a different style for David's and Noah's Pov. The story is gripping and a real page turner.

The writing style is modern and easy to read but there are historic details included, which can sometimes be lacking in historic fiction. I enjoyed the detail of different Christian denominations, and found the portrail to be accurate. My only complaint in this matter is the use of the word 'snogging' which I found odd. I love the care which the author has taken in building the setting and it is generally well done (minus the use of the word snogging).

★★★★.5 / 5

Going into this knowing who the main characters were, and wondering if there was enough to write an entire novel about them, I really thought that A Rulebook for Restless Rogues wouldn't live up to The Gentleman's Book of Vices. Boy, was I wrong. It not only exceeded my expectations, I actually enjoyed this even more than Gentleman's Book.

My Thoughts ⤐
I really enjoyed Noah/Penelope in book one, and seeing so much more of him and David in this was a treat. Everlee includes past snippets of them falling for each other at school in tandem with present day, as they fumble and bumble around their blatant desire for each other, and it was so sweet. Friends-to-lovers is always a favorite trope, however second chance lovers tends to be a trope I avoid - but I thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic here.

I think Jess Everlee is on her way to becoming an auto-buy author for me: her writing is so compelling and I fall in love with her characters, both protagonists and side characters alike. In Rulebook, the dialogue is so satisfying. So many romance books I'm left wanting when it comes to dialogue, many authors seem to avoid putting the love interests together for too long, and I don't get enough time to properly get to know who they are and what they want. This is not the case at all with Everlee; the way the characters interact with each other feels so real, each scene plays out vividly, I can picture and feel their emotions without it feeling too heavy handed.

I think some people might find this slow or lacking in plot, but I loved it. A slow burn, historical, friends-to-lovers is my bread and butter! I can't wait to read more from this author, and I'd be interested in more books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are unbiased and are my own.

This was another cute early foray for me into LGBTQ2+ historical romance and I loved it!

Noah and David shine in this friends to lovers romance laced with business and espionage (and a touch of fashion!). This world (author, characters etc) is new to me but I loved it and would read more from this author.

Everlee communicates some very real, authentic fears for their characters in a way that really spoke to me and I think it's been very well done.

Step back in time to the enchanting streets of London in 1885, where Jess Everlee's "A Rulebook for Restless Rogues" transports you into a world of friendship, secrets, and burgeoning love. This captivating Victorian romance weaves a tale of two best friends, David Forester and Noah Clarke, whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways, leading them on a journey of self-discovery and forbidden passion.

David, the former socialite turned proprietor of The Curious Fox, an underground queer club, finds solace in creating a sanctuary for those seeking acceptance and love. But when the unscrupulous baron threatens to shut down the club, David's carefully constructed world begins to crumble. Enter Noah, the clever and eccentric young tailor of Savile Row, who is not only David's closest friend but also harbors deeper feelings for him.

As Noah risks everything to help David, he uncovers startling truths about his friend's past and realizes that his own emotions go beyond mere friendship. With their futures hanging in the balance, Noah and David navigate a web of deception, discovering the true nature of their connection as they yearn for a future filled with love and acceptance.

Everlee captures the essence of the Victorian era, immersing readers in the richly detailed streets of London. The historical backdrop is meticulously researched, and Everlee's vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, from the bustling Savile Row to the hidden corners of The Curious Fox. The attention to detail enhances the authenticity of the story, creating an immersive reading experience.

At the heart of this novel are the characters of David and Noah - Each with their own complexities and vulnerabilities. David's journey of self-discovery and the weight of his secrets are expertly portrayed, eliciting both empathy and admiration. Noah's unwavering loyalty and the blossoming of his romantic feelings for David add layers of emotion and intensity to the narrative. Their chemistry is palpable, and you will find yourself rooting for their happiness.

"A Rulebook for Restless Rogues" goes beyond the surface of romance and tackles themes of identity, acceptance, and the courage to embrace one's true self. Through the lens of a society where love between men is deemed forbidden, Everlee explores the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to overcome societal constraints.

The pacing of the story is well-balanced, blending moments of tenderness and passion with the tension of external threats and internal conflicts. The writing style is elegant and evocative that transported me to a bygone era while delivering a heartfelt and poignant love story.

Everlee's meticulous attention to historical detail, complex characters, and a forbidden love that defies societal norms make this novel a delightful and emotionally resonant read. Fans of historical romance will find themselves enthralled by this enchanting tale of friendship, secrets, and the power of love in the face of adversity.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a book filled with cute, but a little bit "confused" characters. Well... wouldn't you be, if you'd just discovered how you're really feeling towards one of your best friends? Even though you already had some awkward make-out sessions with them in the past? Oh, and you have to find a way to save your secret not-so-legal gay club? And this while navigating your feelings. Oh and Miss Penelope is just amazing.

A charming and cozy historical romance, A Rulebook for Restless Rogues is Jess Everlee's sophomore novel following The Gentleman's Book of Vices. The novel itself is quite well written and the intense chemistry between friends to lovers Noah and David makes up for the slight issues with pacing that I found towards the end of the novel. If you're looking for something cozy and low stakes to read, I cannot recommend this book enough!

Noah, tailor by day and glamourous Ms. Penelope by night, has known David, the proprietor of the underground queer club The Curious Fox, since their early school days. Though both harbor feelings for the other circumstances (both personal and societal) have kept them from indulging in anything beyond being very-best-friends-with-occasional-benefits, but when the owner of the fox, the dubious and dangerous Lord Belleville, threatens to shutter the place under mysterious circumstances Noah and David are forced to work together to save the place.

If you're looking for an excruciating slow burn of a romance I'll be up front -- this books isn't for you. David and Noah get together far more quickly than that, but the speed of their romance is truly part of the charm of the book. There are other obstacles for them to overcome -- like the closing of the fox, David's past with Lord Belleville, and the laws of the time period. My only real issue with the novel was the pacing. The plot initially revolves mostly around the closing of the club and Belleville's demand that David join him at his country estate with a new wife to remove any suspicions as to the nature of their relationship. That plot, however, falls to the side and somewhat tapers into nothing as the focus shifts to David and Noah's strengthening relationship. I found the actual problems that David was facing were wrapped up a bit too neatly towards the end, but I think that makes it a perfect cozy read. It's low-stakes and high romance and overall I found the novel extremely enjoyable! I look forward to reading more from Jess Everlee soon.

If you loved Jess Everlee's first book in this series then you are bound to love this one as well. I liked how this book delved into the lives and relationships of other characters from the bar. I had found the story of Noah and David very compelling. They had both known each other since boarding school and now they are dealing with the feelings they felt and brushed off, when they were young as grown men.