This was one of the first historical fiction books I have read and I for one was very entertained. I certainly loved the representation this book delivered.
Isabel and Sirius have my heart, it was nice seeing them come together from espionage to falling for each other in the end. I loved that Isabel used her secret weapon (being a wallflower) to spy, please you don’t understand it’s like you wouldn’t expect the quiet one in the corner to be paying attention but they are!!
I am not the middle child, but I found myself relating to Isabella 🫶🏼
Had so much fun reading and will continue the series!!

I loved Isabel and The Rogue just as much as I loved Ana Maria and The Fox!!! The way De la Rosa weaves sisterhood, the French intervention in Mexico, and romance so perfectly is way beyond me.

Read this if you like...
- historical romance
- dual pov
- espionage
- SPICE (that desk scene 🥵)
- wallflower trope

Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa is an intriguing & dashing historical spy romance between a Mexican heiress & a British war hero that is sure to excite & enchant any historical & espionage fans. This felt a bit like a slowburn between the leads with a continuous close proximity that created a delectable boiling over of chemistry as their closeness progressed. I loved the fact that both leads were such bookworms & emphasized their appreciation for books& libraries.

This is book #2 in the Luna Sisters series, but it could easily be read as a standalone. I read this one first & now I am quite excited to go back & read the first one in this series.

Isabel and the Rogue is great for fans of…
💛 Historical Romance
💛 Spies
💛 Bookworms
💛 Political Intrigue

I really enjoy reading historical romances that showcase characters ahead of their time. I also really appreciate learning of history & important icons interwoven into romances such as these. The writing is lovely & easy to read. Both leads are interesting & contain depth that makes them fascinating as they grow & progress individually. I was rooting for Isabel & this was a treat to witness her story, both as herself & within her couple.

If you are looking to get lost in an engaging historical romance with espionage & bookworms, I recommend reading Isabel and the Rogue, which is out now!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Thank you Berkley Pub and Berkley Romance for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Receiving an advanced gifted book copy does not impact or influence my review in any way.

Trying not to cry as I leave this review. Liana de la Rosa is doing magnificent and important work with the Luna Sisters series. As a Latina, I feel so seen! Having main characters who talk and look like me and my family is profound and will always impact me deeply. *Isabel and the Rogue* showcases the author’s rapid growth. Witty, insanely spicy, and filled with lines that will make you gush—THIS is all I want and more in my historical romances!

I adore Isabel, and her connection with Sirius made me squeal. The nicknames he had for her melted my heart every time! I’m gushing now trying to write my review. This book is MUCH spicier than *Ana Maria & The Fox* (um, Liana! You made me turn red the entire way through!). There is no doubt the author has a passion and true love for this genre.

I’ve been on a reading journey, experimenting with various genres. I’ve enjoyed historical romance in the past, but Liana de la Rosa has officially made me fall in love with the romance genre.

My favorite part will always be the bond between the three sisters. The book challenges the reader as well as the characters and their relationship dynamics. I really didn’t expect the ending, which showed me how my brain is trained to expect certain storylines and would never consider the OTHER outcome that happened in this book. Thank you, Liana!

I cannot say enough amazing things about this book. The afterword made me cry. I admire historical romance authors for many reasons, one being their research and adherence to the era's parameters. Liana, like many other authors, takes some liberties while still hitting the punches of the era. Her afterword clarifies and educates the reader on these liberties and sparks curiosity. I love that the author isn’t afraid to make her characters challenge the status quo in the book, which bleeds into our real life. After all, much of the world WAS colonized, and we are living in consequence of those actions.

I can go on and on! Really! All I can say is read it- for the romance, wittiness, and challenge. You will fall in love with the characters and hopefully come out a different reader.

Unfortunately, this book did not live up to the love I had for the first. This book made me want to shake Isabel no matter what anyone told her she refused to even consider she had value, beauty, and the right to hold space just as she was. She constantly compared herself to her sisters and I kept thinking something someone will say will finally sink in and she grow her confidence. She never does it was so disappointing. People are constantly trying to affirm her and all she does is shoot it down and try to please the one person that doesn't care about her. I am still interested in book 3 because Gabby wont have these problems I am sure!

The premise of these books seem so amazing and intriguing, but for some reason I cannot connect with the story. Things feel a little drawn out and the chapters are too long. It's a fun series, but not for me.

Sometimes the best partner for a spy in training is a war veteran turned spy. Such is the case with the budding romance between Isabel and Sirus, the two main characters of “Isabel and the Rogue” by Liana De La Rosa. Thanks to NetGalley I was given the opportunity to read an advance edition of the second book in the Luna Sisters series

Isabel and Sirus start out misunderstanding each other because he’s always catching her in locations that she should not be in. Isabel on the other have considers him a Rogue that toys with the emotions of women. Luckily the two of them swiftly move past those misunderstandings and form a shaky alliance. Isabel has been tasked with sending information back to war torn Mexico. President Jaurez and her parents are in hiding from Napolean’s forces. Unfortunately, she has been less than successful, her sense of failure has caused her to become more reckless with each failed attempt at fact finding.

Sirus on the other hand kept finding Isa because he’s trying to find information himself as a spy for the Home Office. Both have settled on Lord Wentworth as their next target and join forces to prevent Isabel from ruining her reputation while completing her task. While they are trying their best to be spies Isa and Sirus slowly start to fall in love as they realize just how much in common, they truly have. Without giving too much away this was a love story between two spies that came to mean so much more to each other.

I think the main thing I took away from this was the amount of time I spent thinking I was looking at an episode of Bridgerton lol If you know, you know. But no, I think this was the perfect thing to read while I waited to watch the second part of the series. I swear it was like seeing Pen see herself in a book. And I was so excited that I didn’t have to “wait” anymore.

But really, the only thing about this that frustrated me was the fact that it was very repetitive. She kept saying no one would like her for every reason under the sun. And let me tell you, it was getting to me in the show too. At one point it seemed like a plot point because that was all she was worried about. But other than that I thought the plot was ok. Nothing really stood out to me. I wanted more times she might have gotten caught or a time when she did. But it was like nothing really happened. I think I was expecting another Ana Maria that was like kidnapped and stuff, but that just wasn’t in this one.

Now was I really pissed about that? Not really. It fit with the main character. We know that she is a bookworm and that she is someone that keeps to herself and just wants to help her country. She basically sounds a lot like me. But at the same time, just like she didn’t think anyone would want to be with her, I didn’t think it did great as the plot. But the main character was amazing and I definitely thought she felt so very real. This was a self-insert if I ever saw one lol She was strong and quiet and I was glad she got what she wanted in the end.

I learned some great things from this book tho. Like Sor Juana Inés De la Cruz, Latin America’s first published feminist. I also learned something I don’t think I ever even thought of before, the invention of a condom lol That may seem funny, but it was actually informative. That’s what I love the most about historical fiction. I’m not a huge fan of the genre because of how people of color and Black people were treated in the past, but I love to look up the real people/events to look up on my own time. It helps me stay in control. And I love that.

And the romance was of course so good. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little scared of this because they acted like they didn’t like each other at all lol Both of them were either mad or just outright ignored the other and said acted like they didn’t care for the other lol It was so much fun to see the two of them find each other. I think it was even more fun to see the two of them learn what the other needed from them.

This one was less exciting than Ana’s but I think it was more realistic. As a fellow bookworm, I can assure you these are things I would also do. But I do think she should have made some things more exciting like almost getting caught or something other than another prospect. But that’s just me.

Isabel Luna Valdés shines in this captivating tale of espionage and romance, where she sheds her 'forgotten' sister status to become a pivotal player in international intrigue. The chemistry between Isabel and the dashing Captain Sirius Dawson crackles with tension and wit, making for a delightful read. As they navigate the treacherous waters of political secrets and forbidden attraction, readers will be enthralled by the suspense and charmed by their undeniable connection. A must-read for fans of historical romance with a twist of mystery!"

Isabel and the Rogue is the second book in the Luna Sisters trilogy and while I liked the first book, I loved this one!

Isabel is a self-described wallflower. She’s not the most beautiful Luna sister, nor the most charming, but she uses this to her advantage as she infiltrates society looking for information she can pass back home. Only - she’s not always the best at not getting caught. By one rake in particular.

Captain Sirius Dawson has the reputation of a rake, but there’s more to his story than meets the eye. When the middle Luna sister keeps crossing his path, he can’t help but pay attention. She may be a bookish wallflower, but he can’t help being drawn to her. When he learns what she’s really up to at all the parties she attends, he offers her his help in finding the information she’s looking for. The pair grow closer and soon Isabel finds herself mixing business with pleasure.

I loved both of our main characters. Sirius was such a swoony love interest and he would really do just about anything for Isabel. Their connection was so well done and it was fun reading about two bookworms doing spy stuff together. While the story largely takes place in England, I loved learning more about this time period in regards to Mexico. I haven’t come across many historical romances with Latina heroines and I am so here for that representation. I can’t wait for Gabby’s book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a review copy.

If ever a character exemplified the saying "don't judge a book by its cover," it's middle Luna sister, Isabel. Used to being overlooked and underestimated, quiet, bookish Isabel is determined to put those qualities to good use while gathering information to help her beloved Mexico in its battle with the invading French. No one notices her slip away from balls, down darkened hallways to search empty offices...until someone does.

Captain Sirius Dawson is also much more than the rakish flirt he appears. This man has depths only known to a few. When he discovers what Isabel is up to, he takes it upon himself to protect her and also team up with her. What begins as partners in espionage turns into something deliciously spicy, but also tender, then gradually into deeper feelings. Only, one half of the couple isn't ready to acknowledge their feelings and the other half has plans of their own.

As with book one of this series, Ana Maria and the Fox, the sibling dynamic among the three Luna sisters is critical to the overall story. De la Rosa does not shy away from the fact that these three women stand out as being foreign and "different" in London, a fact that contributes to the ever-growing closeness among sisters who were pitted against one another while growing up. I love the ever-growing relationships among the three, enjoyed catching up with oldest sister, Ana Maria and am now even more excited for book three, youngest sister Gabby's story.

With Isabel, who has always felt the odd one out in her family, De la Rosa guides her through an evolution of self-discovery and self-confidence while never compromising her cultural heritage, personal ancestry, and love of country. I enjoyed watching Isabel step out of her comfort zone physically and loved how she asserts herself as a full member of her partnership - both working and personal - with Sirius. And, I absolutely adore the decisions Sirius makes at the end of their journey. I hope we're given a look into their future in book three.

You could read Isabel and the Rogue as a standalone but I enjoyed it much more for having read Ana Maria and the Fox first. It would be my recommendation to read them in order.

4.5 stars

I wanted to like Isabel and the Rogue, I really did. It's not often to find European historical fiction that involves characters of color and I was excited. I just... couldn't. While the title is a sequel to her sister. Ana Maria's story, Ana Maria and the Fox, it provides enough information about the previous book to stand on its own. I haven't read Ana Maria and the Fox, so take my opinions with a grain of salt, but I remember reading a review that cited the first title's sparkling wit and looked forward to Isabel's story. The book does a great job of giving enough info to ensure the reader isn't lost, but its major failing for me is that it seems like the majority of the major character building and a lot of the development of rapport between the main characters happened in Ana Maria and the Fox. Isabel and the rogue just alludes to that repeatedly, telling us, about character building events that happened in the past and then expecting us to be on board with the results rather than developing them within the current story. We're just supposed to fall into the relationship when they immediately start sniping at one another and you never see where the antipathy come from or any of the moments that lead to the MMC, Capt. Sirius Dawson, to look at the FMC, Isabel Luna in a different light.

The Luna sisters have lived in London for the past two years having fled the French occupation of Mexico. Before leaving the country, Isabel is tasked with spying on the members of British aristocracy to determine if anyone has French sympathies and information about the French military that can be relayed back to the deposed Presidente Juarez to outmaneuver them and restore the Mexican democracy. Since they have arrived, Isabel has slipped out of events to ferret through studies and correspondence in hopes of sending some sort of information home. In two years, Isabel hasn't found anything useful and feels like a failure to her country. When a potential suitor may have connections to France with information that could prove useful, she encourages his attentions, while fighting her own feelings for Home Office War Hero, Capt. Sirius Dawson.

Isabel was OK, but off the bat, the author went straight for the 'not like other girls' angle and it fell flat. Isabel's sisters are both witty and pretty, and she constantly bemoans being the 'forgotten Luna sister' while preening about her sister's former fiance as well as her superior, Padre Ignacio, seeing her enough to ask her to spy on the ton while in London. She makes a point in stating that Isabel wears simple A-line gowns that are out of fashion but suit her espionage work fine because she can move and hide in them (then promptly ignores this fact when Isabel and Sirius have to hide under the desk in party host's study, Isabel grousing over voluminous skirts that make women's lives difficult). Isabel and her sisters have been ignored, used as pawns, and played off of one another by their father for their entire lives, leaving each girl with her own self-deprecating coping strategies. Ana Maria seems to have striven to be the perfect daughter (read: perfect future wife), Isabel hid from her father's cruel indifference with books and learning, and Gabby acted out with sharp words and outlandish behavior within the scope of her ability for attention. This leads to a character who is repeatedly down on herself almost to the point of fishing for validation. Her younger sister, Gabby repeatedly lifts her up and tells her how wonderful she thinks Isabel is, and Isabel in turn often shakes her head in denies it.

The constant references to Ana Maria and the Fox built up an expectation of an ending filled intrigue and heroics. None of that happened. Again, if the book hadn't leaned so heavily on its predecessor, the ending, which is sedate, filled with waiting and time jumps before characters make everyday decisions for themselves, would have been fine, sweet even, but in the shadow of Ana Maria and her husband Fox's derring-do, it falls short.

If you're looking for Regency/Victorian fiction with character's of color and intrigue, try Grace Callaway's Enter the Duke of Glory and the Master of Shadows (Glory is the aforementioned Duke's daughter).

Much like the first title in this series, the cultural and historical elements of this story are nice, but the repetition is endless and the romance lacking. The discussions of political turmoil and colonization are good; there is more depth than a typical historical romance in that regard.

"Isabel and The Rogue" continues the political storyline from the first book, but has a bit more of a spy flavor. It's written dual-POV, but in a way that slows the story down. Almost every scene is repeated by both Isabel and Sirius, but the retelling doesn't add much to the narrative. I got bored very quickly. And then the ending is completely rushed - feels like it ended in the middle of a sentence! This was a disappointing shock after reading hundreds of pages of the same repeated scene.

This is the second in a series, and I would not recommend it as a standalone. Neither book was a win for me. I don't plan on continuing with the series.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Thank you to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the free review copies!

. . . . . . . series info . . . . . . . .

The Luna Sisters follows three sisters who have moved to England from Mexico for their safety. You will see the couple from book 1, and hear about some of their adventures, so you may want to start with Ana Maria and the Fox. But if you’re just focused on the romance, this can be read as a standalone.

. . . . . . . book review . . . . . . . .

I am absolutely loving this series, and can’t wait for book 3! Isabel and Sirius are each separately looking for information to aid Mexico during the French Occupation, and keep bumping into each other. As they get to know each other, they realize that their first impressions of each other were wrong, and they have more in common than they could have realized!

My only minor complaint was that the slow burn went on a little long for me, but I absolutely loved the two of them together.

I really enjoy how De la Rosa weaves in historical elements for those of us who are unfamiliar with this part of history. I love when history is focused on the people - we are worried for Mexico not just because it’s a country that the LIona sisters care about, but because of the people they care about that are working for its independence.

🎧 The narration was fantastic. Ruby Hunt creates a wonderful vocal tapesty of unique characters.

I adored Sirius and Isabel's story! I just loved watching these two banter and work together. Such a fun couple!

I loved Isabel's resilience and character, and the author's homage to Mexican history in the details are delightful. While I loved Isabel and the women in the story, I found Sirius too besotted and the overall pacing too slow for me.

After reading Ana Maria and the Fox last year, I couldn’t wait for Isabel’s story! Isabel and Sirius (whom we met in book 1) were so sweet together and I enjoyed their relationship. I loved the historical romance aspect and how much we learned about the Mexican French conflict. It really enhanced the story and Liana De la Rosa wove the history in seamlessly. The steamy bits were wonderfully descriptive and I loved how Sirius was teaching Isabel about her own sexuality while at the same time respecting her. Isabel struggled with her self worth (especially being wedged between an older sister who was charismatic and charming and a younger sister who was stunning) and we got to watch her confidence grow. Isabel and the Rogue was a quick and light read with an adorable epilogue (I’m such a sucker for a good epilogue).

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for review consideration via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Berkley for the eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What a beautiful story from Liana De la Rosa!
I admit I haven't read book one in the series, Ana Maria and the Fox, but I will definitely be doing that soon.
Liana's writing is gorgeous and weaves a romance story that in and of itself is beautiful, but to set it against a geopolitical situation (the Franco-Mexican War) and to do so in a way that felt realistic while also being sensitive given the real long lasting impacts of any conflict, requires such skill.
I didn't know much about the Franco-Mexican war, but as I was reading the book, I would pause to go and do some research to better understand what was happening, which further increased my empathy for Isabel and what she is trying to accomplish in her mission to unearth information that may be valuable for her home country of Mexico.

I love the chemistry between Isabel and Sirius, and how as he gets to know her better and understand her, really becomes a champion for her. As well, the relationships between Isabel and her sisters is wonderfully portrayed, showing how sisters can be friends and confidants, but that these positions of trust aren't inherent because of the shared DNA, but require work and evolve and change overtime.

I particularly love how the book ended; I thought it was true to both Isabel and Sirius and frankly, I would happily read more stories about the two of them.

I look forward to the third book in the series, about the third Luna sister!

I loved this so much and it's perfect for fans of Bridgerton, especially season 3. The wallflower but make her a secret spy aspect was soooo fun! Isabel was relatable to me and I loved watching her become confident and see value in herself. The spice was fun too, though I took a star away for some of the bedroom talk, specifically from our MMC. I just cringed a bit.

🩷💛💚
📖Review
3.75🌟
📖Book 22/100
📚Isabel and the Rouge
💫Genre: Multicultural Fiction/Romance
✍️Author:
Liana De La Rosa

📝Synopsis 📝
Isabel is on a mission to gain her father’s respect and approval, so she agrees to travel across the sea to be a spy 🕵🏻 She’s then fancied my Sirius who is a well know Rake and by a wealthy Viscount, but they all have an agenda including Isabel. Will Isabel accept marriage, love, or an opportunity to become an important woman.

My thoughts 💭
This book was cute with a twist of spice I wasn’t expecting but all for it🥵 This gave me a modernized Bridgerton Vibe especially with the throw of our adorable European Man and the Hot Latina….great twist!
I really enjoyed reading this one about Isabel our wallflower whom everyone seems to dismiss, and Sirius our rouge/rake whom everyone notices. The beginning lacked a bit of hook for me but after they have that run in at the study 🥵 it takes off from there! It was such a diverse historical romance with plenty of facts that also lured me in. Isabel was so smart and slick that her character was just likable even when she didn’t know what she wanted. I hope there’s another book after this to follow Gaby, the other Luna sister. Definitely recommend if your into Regal Romance books 🤩
✨✨✨✨✨

💜Thank you so much @netgalley and @berkleyromance @berkleypub for approving this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Publishing Date: June 04, 2024

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