What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets. . .

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London's most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to an unexplored world of pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London's illicit underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . .even her heart.

Series: The Royal Entourage (Book 1)

Review

In 1821 the Marquess of Bourne lost everything in a game of Vingt et deux. It was the eight of hearts that both ruined him and changed him completely. Bourne, who lost his parents at a young age, vows to take revenge on the man who cheated him out of his legacy. When Bourne discovers that Langford lost Falconwell to the Marquess of Needham and Dolby, his former childhood neighbors, he sets out to regain his inheritance even if it means taking a wife.

Lady Penelope Marbury has vivid and loving memories of her childhood friend Michael and dreams of the day she will see him again. After surviving the scandal of a broken engagement, Lady Penelope has turned down suitors offering marriage in effort to gain something for herself in a marriage. Penelope, whose engagement was broken for a love match, desires to have the opportunity for at least half that. When her friend Tommy proposes, Penelope is shocked and refuses. Tommy, who is like a brother to Penelope, only wishes to protect her from those who wish to obtain Falconwell, which her father recently won and attached to her dowry. When her father commands she marry before the years end in order to give her two younger sisters the chance to proper marriages, Penelope realizes her dreams of love will likely stay dreams. What she doesn’t expect is to meet and be forced into marriage by a man she once knew, still loves and is the picture of scandal itself.

Sparks fly throughout A Rogue by Any Other Name. The romance is full of heat and sexual tension that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved these characters! Bourne and Penelope are two characters who were meant to be together though time and scandal have kept them apart. When they return to each other they are not the same people they were but as they peel the layers back and let down their walls they find the people they were inside of themselves. This book is so unique; it’s unlike other romances in the sense that its story is original yet believable. The story came alive on the pages, making me feel as if they really lived.

With a pace that kept me turning the pages and a story that kept my interest peaked, I found myself unwilling to put this book down. When I did, I was drawn back to it quickly. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I ached to discover what would happen. Michael is a sexy and enticing character. The natural push and pull the characters have with each other was passionate and sexy. When the passion heated up it was hot! I loved Sarah MacLean’s writing and can’t wait to read more. The cliff hanger in the epilogue did not go unnoticed! I only hope I don’t have to wait too long to read the next installment!

Reviewed by Tiffany

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