ARC Review: A Rogue of One's Own (A League of Extraordinary Women #2) by Evie Dunmore
10:00
Series: A League of Extraordinary Women #2
Author: Evie Dunmore
Published September 1st 2020 by Piatkus
Goodreads Synopsis
A lady must have money and an army of her own if she is to win a revolution—but first, she must pit her wits against the wiles of an irresistible rogue bent on wrecking her plans…and her heart.
Lady Lucie is fuming. She and her band of Oxford suffragists have finally scraped together enough capital to control one of London’s major publishing houses, with one purpose: to use it in a coup against Parliament. But who could have predicted that the one person standing between her and success is her old nemesis, Lord Ballentine? Or that he would be willing to hand over the reins for an outrageous price—a night in her bed.
Lucie tempts Tristan like no other woman, burning him up with her fierceness and determination every time they clash. But as their battle of wills and words fans the flames of long-smouldering devotion, the silver-tongued seducer runs the risk of becoming caught in his own snare.
As Lucie tries to out-manoeuvre Tristan in the boardroom and the bedchamber, she soon discovers there’s truth in what the poets say: all is fair in love and war…
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
In A Rogue of One's Own we follow renowned Suffragist, Lady Lucie Tedbury, as she attempts to further women's rights in a predominantly male world. Her parents lament her political ways, and they have been estranged for years, and because of her reputation, she is known as the Tedbury Termagant, and is sent menacing and unpleasant calling cards showing what the general population think of her. However, she will not stop at anything to help woman, and is especially against the brutal Marriage Property Act. Her other bug bear is her 'nemesis' Tristan, Lord Ballentine, who she's known since childhood, and seems to rile her up to no ends. Just as Lucie finds herself gaining control of a newspaper company, to use to spread the Suffragette cause, Tristan is there, buying up the other shares, and putting a stop to it. He will relent some control, but for one thing only - a night with Lucie. Now that her friend, Annabelle has married, and is a duchess, can Lucie give up this final part of herself to succeed
Tristan loves doing anything to get on Lucie's nerves, and more importantly, get her attention, from small pranks as children, to getting in her way. He knows that with his rakish reputation, and the difficult upbringing he had, that he's not the 'best' choice, but he can't stay away from Lucie. Now that he's heir to the Rochester earldom, he is even more under his father's thumb, no matter the fact he's a war hero with a Victoria Cross to boot. He needs to get away from Rochester's control, but his mother is sick, and he can't leave her. Will he open himself up and let someone else - Lucie, perhaps - help him through his struggles?
To say I loved this book was be an utter understatement! I adored Bringing Down the Duke, and was intrigued by Lucie and Tristan from meeting them the first time. Some may find Lucie a difficult character - maybe even 'unlikable - but to me, she was breathtaking and phenomenal! Her parent's marriage showed her that a woman, even one of high status, lost everything when she married, and could be humiliated - or worse - by her husband, and nothing would change. Since she was 12, she's wanted to help change the world, and even when this put her on the odds with Lord and Lady Wycliffe, she didn't care. Her younger cousin, Cecily, plays a large part in the book, and has always been pitted against Lucie as she's seen as the 'perfect' English lady. I found Cecily to be a real brat, and her actions destructive, but she was dealt with in the end.
For the past five years, at least, Lucie's been gathering letters from downtrodden women across the nation, listing all ills and woes to be found in marriage, and the only way she can think to make a change is to make it all public, and force the 'establishment' to do something about it. I felt such a kinship to her, and wanted to help her in anyway I could, knowing that I'm in a very privileged position as a 25 year old, unmarried English woman, in 2020, who has been able to vote for 7 years, and with all the rights and privileges that women have vote and died for in the past 200-300 years. Women like Lucie are my heroes and I loved seeing her become true to herself and be happy!
Tristan was a character I didn't know what to think about at first, but he was a softy at heart. Yes, he was a rake, but a lot of the stories about him were just that; stories. He suffered in his childhood as the unwanted 'spare', shipped off to a war he didn't believe in in the East, and faced everything you would expect, including being shot and awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. Now home, he's still under his father's control, but with his poetry and upcoming war diaries that will be released, he knows he doesn't need the financial support any longer. He's hidden so much of himself for so long, that it was difficult for him let someone in, but Lucie was that person. Them being together was strange at first, but they were made for one another, and it was honestly amazing to see them be true to themselves, and share their burdens with someone who truly cared, rather than bottle it all up inside. The scene with the letters was breathtaking, and I think that was the moment when my heart was the fullest. I couldn't put this book down once I had truly started it, and it's the first time in ages I have stayed up finishing a book. This series is definitely one of my favourites, and I'm desperate for the third book - about Hattie, I believe - though I know I'll have to wait for it! Evie Dunmore is a fantastic author, and all lovers of historical romance or the Victorian Era need to read her books!
Dates Read:
Rating
5 Stars
0 comments