Rocky Road is the second installment in the Sons of Scandal series.
I truly enjoyed this christian romance. I literally laughed out loud at some of the things Gemma got herself into. I loved the fake dating trope. The story was a bit slow in the beginning, the actual 'meat' of the story not really beginning until around 1/3 of the way in. However there was still the humor that I love about Becky Wade. I also want to touch on the family dynamics in this book. I loved how that was portrayed. Even though there was scandal, it was written, then the story moved beyond that showing forgiveness and love. Great book, I'll continue to read this series as it is published.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Becky Wade for providing this book in exchange for my opinion.

Rocky Road ice cream with a dollop of chemistry between two opposites? Yes, please!

Gemma and Jude are both passionate about their careers. Gemma is the creator of perfumes and is pure sunshine. Jude is serious and focused on his role as an FBI agent. They are asked to fake-date each other in pursuit of catching a "bad guy." This tasteful story will keep you turning pages until you reach the end.

Becky Wade penned a delicious, yet clean, rom com in the second book in her "Sons of Scandal" series. I highly recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Rocky Road is a cute, fake dating clean, Christian romance featuring FBI agent Jude Camden and perfume maker Gemma Clare. Jude approaches Gemma in an effort to take down her criminal cousin from France who is selling her family perfume secrets. They go undercover and have a fake dating romance but as they start to catch real feelings - things get complicated since Gemma has a current long distance boyfriend and Jude isn't allowed to date those he works with on cases. As genuine emotions surface, Gemma realizes her current relationship lacks true love, prompting her to move on and explore a deeper connection with Jude. We also see a side story about Gemma's great grandmother who has dementia and has forgotten her love story. Gemma sets out to help her great grandmother remember her love story as she pieces everything together for her all about her past.

I loved the first chapter, it had me laughing out loud from the first scene of Gemma and Jude together! I'd say after that I started to get truly invested with our characters and story around the 30-40% mark, when the fake dating began. I honestly didn't connect with our characters until this point, and was not crazy that Gemma had a boyfriend throughout the first part of this book. I personally do not like that "trope" where someone has a boyfriend while they start to get interested in someone else, however, I thought if you have to have the main girl have a boyfriend in the story to start off, Becky handled the break up well and early on.

I did enjoy seeing them get to know one another and how different they were as Jude is very serious and business like and Gemma is bubbly and very outgoing. I loved Jude quoting poetry to Gemma - it felt like a Mr. Darcy moment haha!

I also loved seeing the family elements in this book - this series has been fun to see the brothers interacting as they are hilarious! The faith elements in the book were great to see, specifically in the ending. I loved those intense scenes in the end!

I did listen to the audiobook and the narration was great! Overall, a good continuation to the series and I am looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to Becky for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was looking forward to Rocky road, because I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Memory lane.

The books look like romcoms, but they are deeper. I really liked getting to know Jude, the second son of scandal. His steady personality and good heart endeared me to him in the first book.

Jude likes to live without people recognizing him for his well known family. In part because he prefers a quiet life and also because of the scandal his family went through. While working as an FBI agent he tries to keep things shallow and professional with Gemma, but things get blurry when he spends time getting to know her as her fake boyfriend.

I really enjoyed the light natural faith elements of the book, the mystery to figure out, and the slow burn major chemistry romance.

If you like something with more of a serious plot (less serious than the first book), a mystery to solve and lovable characters, this one is for you.

I know the series is only 2 books, however I kind of hope we get a 3rd for the other brother.

4 Stars

this was such a cute little rom-com! this follow FBI agent Jude and small business owner Gemma. Gemma's relative, Cedric, is being looked at by the FBI and Jude asks Gemma to pretend to be in a relationship with him to investigate and catch Cedric in the act. This has tropes such as fake dating and forbidden love (which is one of my faves)! While I did thoroughly enjoy this the writing style was a bit different then what I am used to and at some points felt like it was more telling then showing which is why I gave it 4 stars, but overall great read! I thought Gemma was a strong willed character and held herself together very well. While I did not read the first book I don't find it necessary that you have to read the series in order as these are more stand alones.

thank y0u to the author and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review! I just reviewed Rocky Road by Becky Wade. #RockyRoad #NetGalley

This is an engaging and suspenseful clean romance with multiple POVs. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the first book to get to know the recurring characters...

Jude Camden is the younger brother of the famous Camden family. Unlike his siblings, he chose to work for the FBI to make a difference. During an undercover operation, Jude is asked to pretend to be in a relationship with Gemma Clare, an enthusiastic and outgoing woman. As expected, the situation leads to some hilarious moments. However, despite their attempts to resist their feelings, Jude and Gemma find themselves falling for each other in real life. Sparks fly amidst all the comedy.

Fake dating and Grumpy/sunshine tropes, with a very hilarious meet and cute.

I enjoy the witty exchanges and slow-building romance between Gemma and Jude. However, I prefer a bit more mystery surrounding Max, though I'm still excited to read about his story.

Overall, the story is well written and I enjoyed the romance scenes, family dynamics, the humor, and knowing about perfumes. However, I found the mystery-catch-villain plot a little boring.


Thank you to NetGalley and Becky Wade for providing me with an eARC.

First of all, Thank You Netgalley for the ARC granted and secondly... It took me a little while to get immersed in the story but as it flews by I could enjoy pretty much the narrative.

One of my most anticipated reads of the year, Rocky Road was everything I could was hoping for and more, and is definitely the absolute perfect romance to pick up this Valentine's Day.

Readers first met Jude Camden in book one of the Sons of Scandal, and I've been waiting for him to get his own happily ever after ever since. A story of fake dating, FBI investigations, family secrets, and rom com type romance galore, Rocky Road is a story I never wanted to have to put down.

I knew it was going to take a special gal to steal agent Camden's heart, and Gemma Clare is definitely the one for the job. While her part in the investigation involving her criminal cousin doesn't require actually dating Jude, soon the lines seem to blur between what's fake and not. Jude and Gemma were an adorable couple that was easy to root for, and I loved how they both had such big hearts for the world around them. While both have had to overcome traumatic events in their past, it was beautiful how the author used these situations to showcase God's presence, and the importance of faith no matter what we're going through.

Becky Wade has delivered another wonderful contemporary romance that will keep every reader reading way past their bedtime. Definitely another of my favorite fictional couples of all time, Gemma and Jude's story was pretty much perfection, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.

I also have to add that I enjoyed the few chapters that were from different POV's, as it not only added something extra to the story, but also gave readers some insight into the third and final book coming in the trilogy.

I can't possibly recommend this hilarious, swoon worthy romance enough, and I'll be over here anxiously awaiting the release of book three.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Before I conclude, I do want to quickly mention that there was one slight issue I had with this book overall. Gemma shares a wonderful relationship with her mom, grandmother and great grandmother, and they quite often get together for meals out. They go out for brunch to a restaurant in one of the earlier chapters that's housed in an old church. Certain parts of this scene rubbed me the wrong way, as jokes are made about "the man upstairs" when referring to the head chef and whatnot, and it almost came across as blasphemous to me personally. This was an amazing book overall, but I do wish that scene hadn't been included, and just wanted to put it out there that it may bother other readers like myself.

Thanks so much to Becky Wade for allowing me to read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

The banter in this book was amazing! Fiona may be my ride or die these days … I love her and Burke so much. The conversations between the brothers were my absolute favorite! I wish there had been more banter and less descriptions at times, but still a fun read and I highlighted so many funny and/or meaningful quotes! Another successful Becky Wade read…can’t wait for Max’s story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I love getting lost in a Becky Wade book! Ever since Memory Lane, I've been highly anticipating Jude's book. I just knew he was my man. He and Gemma did not disappoint, and I would be happy to go another round with them. I just loved their personalities and I definitely laughed out loud throughout.
Jude has been distant from God since the church let him down as a young teenager. Gemma is a devout Christian who takes the opportunity to talk to Jude about the Lord. They are in a dating relationship before Jude turns back to God. In their lowest points in the story, they both look to the Lord, and Jude realizes where he went wrong. So although it's not central to the story, there was more faith here than in Memory Lane.
I wasn't impressed by the side story about Gemma's grandmother. It felt just like that - an inserted side story - and was pretty run-of-the-mill.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an early copy of Rocky Road so I could write an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rocky Road is the second book in the Sons of Scandal series. We see some familiar characters from that previous book and you might get a better feel for the Camden family dynamic, but I think this could still be enjoyed just fine as a standalone without any confusion as well.

I absolutely adored Memory Lane (book one in the series)- truly, a favorite Becky Wade book- so, I was definitely very much looking forward to this one and seeing Jude's story. It absolutely did NOT disappoint. This one was absolutely just as wonderful... and maybe even more so! First of all, that meet cute! Awkward and funny meet cutes are my favorite, and this one was most certainly that... I won't give anything away, but this one definitely had me laughing out loud and had me excited for the rest of the story. Jude and Gemma were complete opposites, but that lead to some great banter... and I found myself enjoying how well they balanced one another out. I really enjoyed their love story very much.

Dealing with an undercover FBI investigation, there was definitely a little suspense as well... but I found the bigger mystery in this one had to do with the family secrets Gemma was uncovering as she sought answers to her great grandmother's love story. That was a really interesting piece of the story and I found I enjoyed that a lot.

If you enjoy Christian romance with just the right blend of humor, swoon-worthy moments, mystery and faith, this is absolutely one you won't want to miss. I cannot wait for the next one!


**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Another wonderful romantic suspense book by Becky Wade. In this one Gemma and Jude meet because Gemma's cousin Cedric plans on selling an old family perfume recipe worth millions - the catch is the sale of the recipe is a violation to everything Gemma's family holds dear in their family business that has been around for 100's of years. Cedric swore an oath to God and family that he would never write it down or sell it.

Through the book Becky Wade slowly weaves the story of Gemma and Jude, along with their crazy relatives. Will they end up together? Will Jude and the FBI catch Cedric?

I liked how Wade brought characters from the first book of this series "Memory Lane" and also introduced the next character in what looks to be a trilogy. It's good to read these books in order like I did since the first one definitely builds on for this one. I don't recommend it as a stand alone. The story is slow in spots but definitely picks up at the end bringing a lot of excitement at the conclusion.

Definitely check out this story coming out just in time for Valentine's Day if you are a fan of Becky Wade's books and the romantic suspense genre.

✨Book Review: Rocky Road by Becky Wade✨

I received this book as an arc reader from Net Galley! The synopsis of this book is what made me want to request it! I expected a lot more mystery from the story that was was there, I found the main plot to be quite underdeveloped! I did like the banter and scenes between Jude and Gemma, but there was storylines of side characters which I didn’t find added to the story and ended up confusing me more than anything, especially as the book was in third POV! I feel like the idea of the book could have been executed a lot better than it was but I am still hoping to read more from this author in the future! Rating is ⭐️⭐️⭐️

4 stars out of 5.

I really enjoyed reading Gemma and Judes story and I think I liked this book a little more than the first in the series. The story was very charming and I really enjoyed getting to know Gemma and Jude plus we got to see all the other characters from the first book. Overall, the story flowed pretty well but I did find it dragging on a little bit in the middle. If you are a fan of mystery and romance this book is for you. I am excited to read the 3rd book in the series where we get Max's story and more from Fiona.

In Rocky Road, we met Jude, who is an FBI agent. The FBI is working to take down a man named Cedric for various crimes. Gemma is Cedric's cousin, who Jude convinces to help take him down. Jude will pretend to be Gemma's boyfriend in order to get close to Cedric. The FBI has strict rules about romances between agents and informants, is Jude willing to risk his job over it?

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another wonderful romance from Becky Wade. Gemma and Jude’s relationship is so sweet, Gemma’s teasing had be smiling from the beginning and Jude has such a beautiful, caring heart. Love the FBI aspects of the story, and also the mystery around Gemma’s great grandmother. Appreciated the faith storyline that ran through the story as well.

Can’t wait for Max’s story and to see what happened with Jude’s mother’s relationship.

Definitely recommend, a 5* clean, Christian romance.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so very good, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was such a pleasure to read. I enjoyed all the characters in the story. Jude and Gemma were just great together.

FBI Agent Jude Camden latest assignment involves posing as boyfriend to perfumer Gemma Clare. Yet what should stay professional becomes quite difficult as Gemma is creative, bold, and feisty. Likewise, Gemma finds herself drawn to Jude and soon a romance is hard to avoid, even if it starts off as fake.
A fast-paced romance with some suspense and intrigue thrown in. I enjoyed the banter between these two well detailed characters and found there was just enough tension to balance the romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Beautifully written with deep, delightful characters that you wish you could meet.

I have loved every Becky Wade story I have read, and this book is no exception. In Rocky Road, Gemma, a perfumer, is approached by Jude Camden, an FBI agent and lesser-known son of the infamous "Camdens." He asks her to go undercover with him as a cooperating witness and pretend to be his girlfriend so he can make contact with her cousin and catch him in the act of selling their family's trade secrets. Gemma loves her family and the perfume world and is willing to take the risk to protect her family's legacy. Spunky Gemma and rule-following Jude butt heads as they navigate their fake relationship that has some real-life sparks.

Becky Wade does it again! Rocky Road is a charming story full of quirky characters with believable flaws, snappy dialog, and genuine faith struggles I can relate to. I love the family dynamic between Gemma and her family and Jude and his brothers and mom. Another great story from Becky Wade, 100% recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author Becky Wade. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Okay, so the plot of this book was what drew me in and I really loved the chemistry and banter between Jude & Gemma but it took me a while to really get into the book. Like the first meeting of Gemma & Jude was certainly amusing and from the moment he met her, Jude found Gemma to be beautiful, I really liked that but as individual characters, I barely felt connected with them. The third person pov didn't help either. So while, I enjoyed reading this book, in my opinion, it could've been executed better. But I still felt like this was a page turner and I'm looking forward to read more books written by the author.

I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review

I don’t believe I’ve read a book by Becky Wade that I didn’t like. They are all romance novels, but there’s a lot more to them. If you’re in need of some relaxed reading, this is for you. Becky’s characters are usually quirky and fun and this one is no exception. Absolutely love the way she portrays Gemma, one of the main characters. It is so well done that you almost feel like you know this person in real life. The character development is outstanding for both Gemma and Jude. It’s very enjoyable to sit in the backseat and observe them on their journey examining their own lives (with their strengths and weaknesses) and slowly getting used to wanting to do life together. The author obviously has done her research and the reader learns something about the perfume industry (the “nose” and more goodies) and there is a bit of suspense. For those of you having read Memory Lane, you’ll get reacquainted with Jeremiah and Remy and Wendell and Marisol. I like her writing style and sense of humor. Favorite line, “...if she let everything ruffle her feathers that threatened to ruffle her feathers, she’d be a very agitated chicken.” Favorite scene: The balloon episode on the boat. On the more serious side, “Sadly, one of the biggest obstacles to Christianity is the way some Christians treat people.” “I get why it’s almost impossible for people to separate God from the hurt the church caused them.” Ouch! But very true, let’s take it to heart. Overall, be sure to set aside a good chunk of time, it’s not a quick read, but oh so pleasant!

When the book comes out, I will be posting this review on Amazon as AllyBerlin. Many thanks to Becky Wade and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.