Review: Gone With the Rogue (First Comes Love #2) by Amelia Grey
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Series: First Comes Love #2
Author: Amelia Grey
Published April 28th 2020 by St. Martin's Press
Goodreads Synopsis
A powerful handsome rogue finally meets his match in Gone With the Rogue, the second book in the First Comes Love series from bestseller Amelia Grey.
She had an acceptable marriage of convenience. Now widowed, can this determined and beautiful mother find true and forever love?
The sinking of the Salty Dove took her husband’s life―but it didn’t drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She creates a proper life for herself and her young son. But now, the ton’s most notorious rogue is back in London, and how he makes Julia feel is anything but proper. She can’t deny the desires he awakens in her, even though she knows that the handsome devil will surely break her heart.
Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company and is rumored to have a woman on every continent and half-a-dozen in England. The truth, however, is that Garrett has but one mistress: the wide open sea. That is, until he meets Julia, whose spirit of independence matches his own. What begins as a flirtatious battle of wits turns far more passionate than either of them could have imagined. Suddenly, Garrett’s only desire is to sail into the sunset with Julia as his wife and young Chatwyn his son. But she won’t take his hand―how can he convince her that his love is real and his heart is hers?
Goodreads
Review
When she was young, Julia Fairbright eloped with lord Kitson, the son of the Duke of Sprogfield, and felt his ire as soon as they returned. Widowed while 8 months pregnant, she is now under the 'protection' - rather the control - of the Duke, who holds his guardianship of her son, Chatwyn, over her like the sword of Damocles. If she so much as steps a toe out of line from what he expects a prim and proper widow to do, he will take her boy, and she'll never see him again. The only freedom Julia has is at the school she set up with her friends, and fellow widows, Adeline, now Lady Lyonwood, and Mrs Brina Feld. Overhearing the Duke refer to his secret ownership of gaming hells and brothels, Julia needs to find the evidence in the London townhouse to confront him, and finally be free. Garrett Stockton has returned to London for the wedding of his friend, but as soon as he meets Julia - while she was caught in a tree no less - he's smitten. He wants to be with her, but she reveals the truth, and that she needs help. Will Garrett be able to help Julia, and Chatwyn, escape from the Duke's clutches, and find the evidence they need?
I really felt for Julia in this story. She was widowed while pregnant, and only had her son, and new friends, Adeline and Brina, to support her. The Duke was overbearing, and condescending, and never forgave Julia for 'seducing' his son, and would do everything in his power to make her suffer. It's only because opening the school would help make him look benevolent that he allowed Julia that concession, and that was her one lifeline. I absolutely despised the Duke, and was glad he got his comeuppance, because he really wasn't the pious figure he portrayed himself to be. Garrett was a traveller, who was in love with the sea, and never had had any wish to settle down, but meeting Julia made him start to consider it. And especially once he heard her predicament, and had already fallen for her, and would do just about anything - even going to the Prince Regent for support - to free Julia and Chatwyn once and for all. I loved the way he supported her, but allowed her to control what happened, and gave her the freedom of choice over her life, for the first time in her life. I didn't like this one as much as I did the first, but still found it such an enjoyable read, and can't wait to see more of them in Brina's story, How to Train Your Earl.
Dates Read:
Rating
4 Stars
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