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

Mmmmm....more Wesley and Sebastian adventures!

Admittedly, this one felt slower on the action and more introspective. It's fitting, given the horrific pasts these two carry with them. And the mishaps that occurred because Wes was being his pessimistic self or Sebastian made an assumption were funny and true.

The story did get repetitive at times and I was a little annoyed but my love for all of these characters let me easily brush that aside. I cannot wait to see what they all get up to next.

Everything Allie does is brilliant! I highly recommend this :-D

Thank you Netgalley and Carina for access to the arc.

I decided that Wes and Sebastian, as a couple, work for me even better than Arthur and Rory (Magic in Manhattan). Wesley who denies having feelings after the war, or more like pretending than he does not, having to abandon all pretense with Sebastian because he just wants to make Sebastian happy. Finding a home for another homeless kitten or making sure Sebastian does not have another blood terror at night, Wes is good for all of this :).

I am smiling when I am writing this, but I really do think that these two men have lovely chemistry. There is some hurt comfort here considering what Sebastian went through, but Wesley went through enough in his past and Sebastian always finding ways to explain to Wes how Wes does everything perfectly just worked for me.

I did not find their interactions so sweet that it hurt my teeth, but it was just sweet enough to make me very happy. I enjoyed the sex scenes too which does not happen all too often.

But as much as I enjoyed the romance, I cannot give the book a perfect grade. I said this often enough in the past, I prefer a romance couple to be doing something else besides building their relationship in the course of the book. That is why science fiction and fantasy and mystery and historical sub genres of romance work so much better for me than just a contemporary romance alone (although contemporary romances that I liked certainly exist).

I give the author a thumbs up from this reader for keeping Wesley and Sebastian very occupied this book. In fact, I would argue that the suspense and tension was maintained well throughout the story. The main issue they are dealing with (besides the relic that Sebastian still has in his possession) is the disappearance of Arthur and Rory and Jade and Zhang. It was tense and because Wes and Sebastian were the main characters of this book, I was sure they wouldn’t die, but I certainly could not be sure about other four (who knows maybe the author decided they played out their roles and could be disposed of :)).

My issue in this story and to a degree in all the previous books is the setting specifically as it relates to magical system. I can see this New York as the New York of the 1920s, but this is supposed to be a New York with magic and the magic in these books baffles me.

Relics (unless the author is keeping a huge chunk of information close to her chest still but since this is book five in the overall series maybe that’s not the best idea either?) are either evil or hard to control. Magic overall seems to cause ALL main characters all kinds of issues, often deadly. Magic hurts you, can control you, enslave you. I just don’t see how the magic in this world helps anyone that we know. I guess Zhang has teleportation magic that is independent of relics and that is actually benign, but does anyone else actually *like* magic in these books without wanting to use it as a means to control another person of the world or hates magic so much that they want to eradicate the magic users? I know that we are supposed to think by the end of the book that Sebastian does like his magic, but I was not very convinced.

I want to stress that I am not trying to imagine a different story. I am just not enjoying the magic system as it appears to exist in these books. Of course the best magic worlds I have read about have rules and limitations or magic extorting a price for the use of it, even a benign one, but with this world it appears that the message is, everybody will be much better without magic and if so, it is the author’s prerogative. I just don’t like such a message.

Considering my current state which is not optimal, I can say that I loved the second book as well.

Wes and Seb continue to grow as does the story. The pacing starts slow and easy and gathers speed to a fierce and intense finale. So I could very well go in for another installment, after all grouchy sunbathing must be a thing to see.

An ARC kindly given by author/publisher via Netgalley.

We are back with Sebastian and Wesley and the boys are headed back to where it all began: NYC. This leads straight off of where book one, PROPER SCOUNDRELS, left off so definitely read the first book if you haven't. (And read the original trilogy MAGIC IN MANHATTAN that this is a spin-off of. You don't need to read Rory and Arthur's books to follow along, but why would you skip them? You should have both the dangerous cinnamon roll and dangerous marshmallow paranormals and their respective non-paranormal amours in your life. And the cross-over supporting cast as well. Jade and Zhang, I also love dearly.)

Since waiting for this book, I've really missed Wesley's snark. Therin writes the best snarky grumps who go soft for their beloved. (But Wesley will not admit he's anywhere near soft or nice.) The boys are together but still working through things on personal levels, plus solving paranormal crimes and mysteries and dealing with troublesome relics and people. The boys are as lovable as ever in their own ways. Sebastian has his unbroken positivity despite the terrors of his past, Wesley continues to pretend he does not have an emotion.

As usual in Therin's works, this is full of sweetness, softness, comedy, and tension and suspense. I personally am not a fan of miscommunication tropes, however, the way it was used in this and carried over from part of book one was light and funny and had a great pay-off. There's also some spicy scenes, particularly if you enjoy when magic/powers are used in intimate situations. There's really great discussions of boundaries, consent, and kink. I also loved seeing more of Therin flipping perceived weakness, the idea of who is the protector or able to protect and who is protected in different situations.

Obviously, super keen to see where this ends in the next book, and how the outcomes of this one will develop and change things going forward for everyone involved. Therin is among my top 5 romance and historical fantasy authors and I love every book of hers I've read. Also, August come faster so I can have the paperback in my greedy little hands!!

*this review and/or an excerpt will be posted to my blog, Instagram, and Storygraph closer to publication.

I fell in love with Sebastian and Wesley in Proper Scoundrels, and I'm so glad to spend more time with them in Once a Rogue. This time around, it's Sebastian who is in peril, as the relic he's bound to constantly drains him of energy. Wesley's still in the process of letting himself have feelings and being soft towards Sebastian, but he rises to the occasion and looks after him. Sebastian also has to adjust as his power becomes unreliable. Together, they journey to New York to see Mateo off to college, and then get wrapped up in a dastardly plot involving their paranormal friends, unwelcome figures from Wesley's past, and, of course, bootlegging and magic.

Once a Rogue has all the things I've come to love about this series: angst, action, mystery, magic, and romance. I loved watching Sebastian and Wesley's relationship deepen. They both have hangups and view themselves in the most negative way, while viewing each other through a kinder, more honest lens. I like that they talked through their feelings and expectations (with quite a lot of grumbling from Wesley). There's even more swoony, steamy content in this novel, as well as soft, cuddly moments. Characters from the Magic in Manhattan series show up, and I especially enjoyed the interactions between Wesley, Sebastian, Rory, and Arthur. All in all, a brilliant followup to Proper Scoundrels!

This was absolutely delightful! I loved cantankerous cynic Wesley, Lord Fine and dangerous marshmallow Sebastian in the first book, and I loved them even more here. We get more sarcasm, more magic, more danger, and a lot more vulnerability and learning to trust each other. Each man is sure he is destined to ruin a relationship and watching them slowly learning to believe in their love was so satisfying.

It's another tightly focused Wesley and Sebastian book, with the others showing up later than expected (for good reason). I kind of like that though, because it gave them room to breathe and learn to trust together before throwing in the others for a high action conclusion. And because I absolutely love Wesley and Sebastian as characters. Their relationship reveal to their friends at the end was particularly satisfying.

The plot is satisfactorily resolved but there are still loose ends hanging tantalizingly just out of sight that promise another book (thank goodness because I am not ready to let go of these characters yet.)

I love the way Allie Therin writes and she is quickly climbing my list of favorite authors. Her banter is especially good and she writes such satisfying, well-rounded, and believable characters that draw you in and make you want more. Her historical magic mystery plots are also very satisfying.

I have already preordered the audio so that I can enjoy the story again and will absolutely be reading the next book as soon as it becomes available.

I reread (well, listened) to the first book in preparation for reading this one and now what I really want to do is go back and reread Arthur and Rory's stories. Highly, highly recommend.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Carina Press, and Allie Therin for providing an early copy for review.

Quite honestly, Allie Therin can do no wrong. This is the second time she's got me out of a reading slump in a year and I can't say I'm unhappy about this.

Once a Rogue takes us back to the Roaring Twenties world, where Wesley and Sebastian are on route to America to find the rest of our favourite paranormals and Arthur (who is also a favourite, just not a paranormal one), where they hope to find out more about the relic Sebastian has connected with. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be there, but several people that Wesley would rather not see, are.

Wesley and Sebastian make a good pair. They've managed to find some common ground, but they're still conflicted. Wesley is so used to holding everyone at arms length and struggles to see the goodness Sebastian sees in him, and Sebastian has his own demons to face. Allie Therin gives both time to explore their own problems, separately and together while effortlessly weaving in a thrilling magical plot that works alongside the romance.

This was thoroughly enjoyable, having me laughing out loud and terrified for the characters safety and I can't wait for the next installment!

I am trying to figure out the best way to describe the wonder and joy of this book….it’s a warm and familiar hug right in the middle of a fuckton of action … is that a thing? I think that’s a thing.

I loved this immensely and clearly there must be more. Bring to me more and in the meantime I’ll make myself happy with all the rereads.

This one was such a jewell... which was kind of expected, because I also liked very much the previous book (Proper Scoundrels). This time the story continues in USA, with the main characters having to solve a the dissapearance of their friends. Now then, the story is pretty light in that sense, but still keeps the suspense and it´s heavily focused in the magic and romance plot (also, I think I like so much these books because I´m a simp for the combination of grumpy x ray of sunshite kind of characters). Anyway, the thing is that I appreciated how the relationship of the protagonists is progressing and also how that connects with the whole fantasy plot until we get to that resolution / death or live situation.
I´m not sure, though, people would understand everything if they haven´t read the previous book. Because I certainly didn´t although I read the one before this (ah, this has an explanation though; I´m reading all these spin offs before reading the main series. Pls don´t be like me).
Without much more to say, I´ll be waiting for the next adventure of Wesley and Sebastian :D

As both a direct sequel to Proper Scoundrels and a spin-off sequel series, there's a lot that this book needs to carry, and in that sense, it does admirably. While a great number of characters from the earlier series come up in larger parts now that Wesley and Sebastian are in New York, Therin does a fairly good job at not overwhelming readers with unexplained references or information. The plot is also interesting - the bounds of the mystery are fairly clear from the beginning, but the motives and who's behind it are a series of fun twists that had me gasping a few times.

Wesley and Sebastian's growing relationship is the star, though, as both of them continue to draw different forms of confidence from the other and talk about all the things that come up, both from a magical and relationship perspective. The sense of time versus the tropes is still at war, but I didn't mind it as much this time around.

I really liked it. It's a little slow at the beginning, although when it picks up velocity, it seriously does it *laughs* But girl, I was SO angry at Sebastian and Wesley for not seeing the trap set for them!

The evolution of the main characters it's very well done; Wesley's reluctance to his feelings is fun but also endearing. Sebastian growing trust that he can have something good in his life is less surprising but still lovely

What was also lovely was to see old friends from 'Magic in Manhattan'. They are fantastic and I'm always glad to see them :P

The plot it's really engaging and there is enough suspense to have me reading almost non-stop once the stakes were up. Although I still <spoiler>don't understand why Alasdair's poison didn't affect Jade and Zhang the same way it did to Sebastian</spoiler> And yes to have the non-magical characters coming to the rescue of the magical ones for once *g*

The end left me wondering about what or who was really behind the events in the book and I'm looking forward to learning more about this in the next book, which I wish to have in my greedy hands soon :D

Allie Therin is on fire this year! Once a Rogue is another brilliant instalment of Lord Fine and his danger marshmallow. With laugh out loud moments, plenty of adventure, sweetness, and heat, Therin makes magic yet again.

In the first book of this series, Proper Scoundrels, factual errors didn't swamp the story and I was able to give a 3-star review. (Or I missed many errors, given the British setting.) Unfortunately, with Once a Rogue, the balance tipped. Most infuriating for me was the running theme of Wesley's WWI service and the allusions to his torture of captive enemies for the sake of getting information about his own soldiers being held prisoner "behind enemy lines."

1. As I said in my Goodreads revew of Proper Scoundrels: (a) where else would they have been? (b) at least prisoners were out of combat, and they were not treated notably badly.

2. Also, LOL at the whole idea of habitually rescuing POWs, especially under conditions of trench warfare.

3. Also, I instantly lose sympathy for torturers, besides which how, after all the US discussions of "enhanced interrogation" during the "war on terror," does any halfway alert adult human not know that torture does not elicit truthful responses, because the victim will tell the torturer anything in order to get the pain to stop? Yes okay this might not have been common knowledge among military interrogators during WWI, but it's never exactly been a secret either, and if you're not giving a damn about historical or military accuracy anyway, why not have Wesley object to torture on such practical grounds?

3a. You want Wesley to feel bad about his WWI service, fine, but even as an ordinary officer he could have done more than enough to feel bad about -- such as, you know, sending young soldiers over the top into mass slaughter. That should do it, no?

4. Sebastian lets Wesley off the hook at one point because he tortured at the behest of a superior officer. Heeeeeeeeeeeey, hello there Nuremberg Defense avant la lettre! Good to see you!

So I was fuming pretty much throughout, and then I happened across this geographical humdinger: Wesley and Sebastian have just left City Hall in Manhattan. City Hall sits just off the Brooklyn Bridge, south of Chinatown and north of the financial district, and from where our MCs stand they can see the Woolworth Building: fair enough. Only, wait ... the sun has set behind it? Which is odd, because the Woolworth Building is slightly southeast of City Hall. To make matters even more confusing, Wesley and Sebastian are somehow on Park Avenue, which originates at Union Square, about a mile north of City Hall. This took me a minute to work out, until I realized that apparently neither Therin nor her copy editor knows the difference between Park Avenue and Park Place.

And, you know, at this point I don't care about the characters or the story anymore, because the author has demonstrated that she doesn't care about her readers. 1.5 stars, rounded up for no good reason.

A fantastic return of our favorite danger-marshmallow paranormal and his viscount with the personality of a wet cat (sorry Wesley, but the wet cat energy is strong).

Thrown back into the American paranormal world, Wesley and Sebastian find themselves tangled in a mystery involving some figures from Wesley’s darker past and the notable lack of our American paranormal gang. Which, you really must have read the original series (Spellbound: Magic in Manhattan) that centers around Rory Brodigan to really appreciate the chaos that is ensuing here as we really do get the band back together, so to say.

Wesley and Sebastian had a great dynamic in their first novel Proper Scoundrels and this followup did a wonderful job of balancing their still opposing personalities while emphasizing how they have made that work for them. I am happy to report there is no “will they won't they work out” as I often see in second novels. They have both been all in since the beginning and I’m immensely happy that this still rang true without a doubt as this story progressed (ok maybe Wesley has some “will they won't they” thoughts but they are entirely self destructive and the fault of the aforementioned wet cat part of his personality.)

I adored the plot of this, seeing our old favorites as well as getting that good old hurt/comfort angst between Sebastian and Wesley to balance out the chaos (honestly Wesley, why must your boyfriend have to nearly die to get some cuddles?). The entire Magic in Manhattan series are comfort reads for me and this newest edition to the paranormal world is no different!

Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I'm a big fan of Allie Therin's books, and on the whole, this was no exception. I did find it somewhat less engrossing than the preceding ones—it seemed to take a long time to get going. That said, I'll eagerly await whatever comes next.

My thanks to NetGalley/the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

Book one in this offshoot of Allie's Magic In Manhattan series was exceptional but Once A Rogue takes things to the next level!

Sebastian and Wes are back in New York and expecting to meet up with Jade and the rest of the paranormal gang but when they arrive, there's no sign of them, or of Arthur and Rory. Plus Wes has received a strange telegram warning him that he's in danger.

Of course, there'll be no spoilers in my review, but I will just say that everything about the plot in this book worked beautifully for me. The pacing is exceptional, it lulls you into a false sense of security before heading off into heart-thumping adrenalin charged territory.

But, the absolute best thing about this book is watching Wes catching feelings he doesn't know what to do with the more he falls for Sebastian.

"His ice-cold heart didn't know what to do with this damned tropical sunbeam, this kind-hearted darling who saw the world through the figurative rose-colored glasses, ignoring the ugliness of reality and choosing instead to see only beauty in mangy strays and beastly viscounts."

With the usual sparkling dialogue that you'd expect from this author, the narrative cracks on and takes the reader on a strange journey through the upper classes of New York and out to Tarrytown, where things aren't quite so gilded.

There's just the right amount of threat to make you feel the consequences of Sebastian and Wes' investigations and the ultimate denouement comes in with a crash and a bang that leaves you reeling.

I'm pretty sure there's a book three still to come which will draw all the remaining loose threads together and wrap up what's been an outstanding duo of books so far!

This is an excellent follow-up to Proper Scoundrels. I really enjoyed this book, and honestly, I just might like this spin-off series more than the original. I had already preordered this book when I saw the ARC was available, and I'm excited to reread this book in September when my physical copy arrives.

I’ve read Therin’s other books that take place in this universe, so my expectations were high and they were well met! The magic system is so fun in this series and I loved this continuation. The characters were fun and really grew throughout this sequel, which was lovely to read. Their romance was sweet and I loved them. The throwbacks to the other books were fun too. The plot was very interesting and I can’t wait for the next instalment! I would 100% recommend this book and the others to anyone looking for a fun new magic fantasy historical queer romance!

I may be biased because I already loved Allie Therin before I started this book, but let’s just stay that this book didn’t make me love her any less.

“Proper Scoundrels” is one of my favorite books and I have been both scared and looking forward to reading this one, but it turned out even better than the first book! It was so good to be back with Sebastian and Lord Fine in this universe again, and the chemistry (and banter) between these two characters are off the charts.

Also, very few writes magic and mystery like Allie Therin, and the captivating plot in this book is Allie at her best.

To make it short, this is fantasy at some of it finest and I am so, so, so looking forward to the next book already!

"His ice-cold heart didn't know what to do with this damned tropical sunbeam, this kind-hearted darling who saw the world through the figurative rose-colored glasses, ignoring the ugliness of reality and choosing instead to see only beauty in mangy strays and beastly viscounts."

ONCE A ROGUE picks up a few weeks after the events in Proper Scoundrels.

Sebastian's blood terrors have eased with Wesley's nightly presence, but he's still haunted by his traumatic past and burdened by guilt. Wesley remains cynical as he tries to overcome tobacco addiction and is stubbornly unwilling to admit that feelings are a thing that happens to him. The support they find in each other has positive effects, but their romantic relationship isn't treated as a cure-all, which I'm grateful for.

The book opens with Wesley and Sebastian having just arrived in America with Sebastian's younger brother, Mateo, who is heading back to college. They have plans to meet Jade and the other paranormals while in Manhattan but soon discover their American friends have vanished. The only clues are cryptic messages which lead them from Fifth Avenue to the seedy underbelly of a picturesque tourist trap. With Sebastian's magic growing unstable and the concern for Arthur, Rory, and the other paranormals increasing, the race is on to find the missing Americans and stop a plot that will unleash devastation on the world.

I don't want to give away too much, just that Once a Rogue was my most anticipated book of the year, and my expectations were HIGH. It did not disappoint. It has everything I love from the previous book and more! The writing is up to Allie Therin's standard, with plenty of witty dialogue, compelling characters, a page-turning plot, and a nice balance between action and romance (with a few steamy scenes). Plus, a few familiar faces show up and get their time to shine.

Book 3 is going to be glorious!