Review: When the Rogue Returns (The Duke’s Men #2) – Sabrina Jeffries

Posted 1 January, 2014 by Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 10 Comments

Review: When the Rogue Returns (The Duke’s Men #2) – Sabrina JeffriesWhen the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries
Series: The Duke's Men #2
Published by Pocket Books on 21 January 2014
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley

5 Stars

They are the Duke’s Men: an investigative agency born from family pride and irresistible passion, risking their lives—and sometimes their hearts—as they unravel shocking deceptions and scandalous transgressions!

Victor Cale never imagined that his sweet, shy bride, Isabella, would use her talent for creating exquisite imitation jewels in a criminal way. But there’s no denying that Isa’s handiwork was used in the brazen heist of the Dutch royal family’s diamonds—after she disappeared into the night.

Ten years later, still reeling from her betrayal and enraged that her duplicitous side was so undetectable, Victor is sent to Edinburgh to investigate a wealthy baron’s mysterious brideto- be. Simple enough—until the “fiancée” proves to be Isa, masquerading as an alluring young widow.

No longer the meek and mild girl he once knew, the bold woman vehemently asserts that it was Victor who abandoned her after he helped steal the royal diamonds! Piecing together the truth of the past reawakens their volatile passion, which burns hotter than ever. But with a decade of secrets between them, Victor and Isa must trust each other in order to bring the real thieves to justice—without getting burned themselves.

*I received a free ARC of When the Rogue Returns from Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*

When the Rogue Returns is a great historical romance novel, filled with action, suspense, some hot scenes and – YAY – no quivering virgins! Victor and Isa are both very stubborn, and extremely protective of their hearts, which is completely understandable as their stories unfold. The Duke’s Men series is becoming one of my favorite historical romance series, both because it is a little unconventional and because the characters are so well done I want to hang out with them for real!

Victor really wants to work with the Duke’s Men, and he is afraid they won’t let him, so when they propose to send him to Edinburgh for a case that’s seemingly very straight forward he goes for it. When the Rogue Returns is full of surprises, and it’s such a pleasure to read. Both the story and the plot are very well done, and the characters are simply awesome. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most is both that Isa isn’t a virgin – she has a child, and pretends to be a widow – and she also is working outside of her home. Making jewelery out of strass and other cheaper metals for people who can’t afford diamonds and pearls, she has a nice niche with her partner in Edinburgh. She is also a very strong woman, who protects her daughter and her personal life from the gossip mills.

When the Rogue Returns really is about Victor as well, though, because Isa has thought all these years that he abandoned her and never really cared about her at all. Victor is a very bitter man, and that’s all because of Isa’s sister and brother-in-law. Their manipulative skills are astounding, and it’s easy to see how both Victor and Isa could fall for their intricate tales and dance to their tune. As Isa and Victor get to know each other again, their passion is still there, and they realize that nothing that happened that one night was the way it seemed.

The other characters that show up in When the Rogue Returns are well fleshed out as well, and there are several I would really enjoy to read more about! The young baron, Tristan of The Duke’s Men, the brazen young Lady who weren’t afraid to follow the men chasing a thief and others had enough personality to make for a full story, and I was really intrigued. The writing is really good, and the pace is pretty fast most of the time. I can’t recommend this story enough! If you enjoy historical romances, you really should try out this series. The female characters aren’t your typical delicate flowers, and to me, that makes When the Rogue Returns that much more enjoyable.

His heart was hammering, and his blood had chilled. He’d thought he’d have more time before he came face-to-face with her. He’d assumed he would get a chance to see her without being seen, so he could be sure ti was her. Then he’d have time to figure out her game before he revealed his presence.

A groan rose in his throat. He’d always remembered them as a melting brown that turned him soft inside. Now they were a mysterious and haunting brown that made him hard – everywhere.

This very moment. She’d been secretly craving this ever since he’d found her. Blast him for having such a hold over her. He was a randy rogue and a silver-tongued devil, and she didn’t care – as long as he was her rogue, her devil.

But as she rode toward town, sore in every muscle, she couldn’t help but smile. It had been a long time since her body had been so well used, but she couldn’t regret it.

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Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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10 responses to “Review: When the Rogue Returns (The Duke’s Men #2) – Sabrina Jeffries

    • Yes, to read about those virgins in every single HR gets tiresome. I get why the ladies should be virgins… but you know…

      Thanks for stopping by, Lindy!

  1. Yay for no quivering virgins! 🙂 This sounds great and it’s been awhile since I read a good HR. I like the premise of this – I want to know about that conniving couple who did something to keep Isa and Victor apart. And I want to see Isa & Victor’s relationship blossom, too. Especially since Isa is such a liberated woman, for the time AND I want to know why Victor wants so badly to work with the Duke’s Men. Lovely review, Lexxie! A great way to start 2014. 🙂

    I actually ran to my bookshelf before completely reading your review because I thought I might have this one on my physical TBR shelf. I don’t, although I have THREE other of Ms. Jeffries’ novels! Ugh! Well, I will be cracking those spines asap. I know how much you love this author, so I know I will too. 🙂

    • Brandee, you are going to love everything about When the Rogue Returns! I actually laughed out loud for real when I read that you already have three other Sabrina Jeffries books on your phyiscal book shelf. Oh well, you know what to do next, right?

      Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a great Thursday 🙂

  2. It sounds like I need to find some books by Sabrina Jeffries! I don’t think I’ve ever read her. My usual go to for historical romance is Eloisa James and I recently discovered Tracey Anne Warren. Thanks for the great review! 😀

    Anna recently posted: Show Me What I'm Looking For
    • I haven’t read any of the authors you mention, Anna, but Sabrina Jeffries has some great ones, and so does Tessa Dare 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by.

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