A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

I've been binging romance books for a while now, but I seem to always be drawn to the contemporary ones. The other week, I was visiting my dad and his family in my old hometown and decided to visit the library since I haven't been the in quite a while. 

And I came back with my first ever Sarah MacLean book. I've heard about MacLean in the "Romance-world", but have never read any of her books. Like I said, I've been more drawn to contemporary romance. But now, I thought I'd give it a chance. I had about 2 days to finish it, since we would be going home that Sunday. So I set to it. And I actually really liked it. Here's why:

• Who doesn't like rogues? 
• And potential spinsters? 
• And potential spinster turned adventurous lady? 

The Marquess of Bourne lost his entire fortune, and his beloved family estate, in a game of cards. He vows to reclaim his fortune and get revenge on the man who cheated him (as he sees it). Ten years later, Bourne is one of four partners in The Fallen Angel, the most lucrative gaming hell in London, and has doubled his lost fortune. He hears that his childhood friend, possible sweetheart - Lady Penelope Marbury - is tied to the land through her dowry. Lady Penelope hasn't had it easy, either, being left by her fiancée for something so scandalous as a true love match and suffering the aftermath, her reputation in shatters. It doesn't help that she's soon to reach the age where spinsterhood is inevitable. Even though that sounds like quite the dream right about know. 

Bourne will have the land and all but kidnaps the lady and practically forces her to marry him. This all sounds terribly horrible, but Lady Penelope finds that she doesn't mind, as a business deal is better than nothing. And she misses her Michael, the friend she's never been able to forget. Too bad that he's nowhere to be seen. 

They do fall in love, of course, but it was more complicated than a simple night in bed. They grow on each other, make mistakes and Penelope makes him work for it, mind you. The ending is surprisingly satisfying and I more than want to read the other books, since they seem to be about the lady's sisters. I especially look forward to reading about Philippa.

A Rogue by Any Other Name on Goodreads

/ Denise