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mzdeb's review against another edition
2.0
Received a digital ARC from NetGalley.
Maybe wandering into the middle of this series didn't help, but some other people reading this series didn't seem as thrilled with the character development as well. It's always a tough sell when a character does a practical 180 from their usual character in previous books--especially when it rapidly devolves into what sounds like a bad porn flick the first quarter of the book. Reverse-engineering sexual tension from what's usually the near-apex of a typical Regency/Victorian-era story arc (now I know I've read too many of these--I used the word "apex") is always tricky. I might've given it another star if I had already known the other characters in this series; as a standalone it didn't work for me here.
Maybe wandering into the middle of this series didn't help, but some other people reading this series didn't seem as thrilled with the character development as well. It's always a tough sell when a character does a practical 180 from their usual character in previous books--especially when it rapidly devolves into what sounds like a bad porn flick the first quarter of the book. Reverse-engineering sexual tension from what's usually the near-apex of a typical Regency/Victorian-era story arc (now I know I've read too many of these--I used the word "apex") is always tricky. I might've given it another star if I had already known the other characters in this series; as a standalone it didn't work for me here.
latetotheparty's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My first Sophie Jordan romance. I enjoyed the premise and how it works out overall, even without the epilogue. I appreciated the idea that Charlotte didn't really need to/have to get married to have a good life. And that she didn't need to settle for less than she wants when she finally figured out what that is.
ETA: don't understand author's (or editor's?) use of female here. I guess I'm feeling sensitive here in 2023 when folks who refer to women as female are not usually doing so in a positive way.
ETA: don't understand author's (or editor's?) use of female here. I guess I'm feeling sensitive here in 2023 when folks who refer to women as female are not usually doing so in a positive way.
mslori's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts off with a bang... of sorts. I really liked the younger sister “dosing” her older, very proper sister with some kind of aphrodisiac. The sister just wants relief from her terrible cramps and instead she finds herself accosting a neat stranger and using him to get herself off. Definitely not your typical historical romance beginning.
I enjoyed the way the Kingston needled Charlotte. He flipped her well ordered, full existence on its head. The two of them were interesting but I have to admit that there were parts of the story that were boring.
I enjoyed the way the Kingston needled Charlotte. He flipped her well ordered, full existence on its head. The two of them were interesting but I have to admit that there were parts of the story that were boring.
gabymck's review against another edition
4.0
I breezed through it. I thought “I’m not going to like this, I’m not going to like this...” but I enjoyed it very much.
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
5.0
**4.5 Stars**
The Virgin and the Rogue was scintillating with its heated banter and methods of creating a love story from nothing. There's hateful lust and then there's the kind of uncontrollable desire that comes from a mistaken tonic that opens doors that never would've been opened before. Jordan takes a witty spin on the what if and delivers with amazing results.
With its unique way of bringing a couple together, the raw sexual magnetism between Charlotte and Kingston is immediately front and center and then it falls succinctly into confusion and adamant denial that has you begging for another taste of that unbridled attraction. I loved the witty and resistant back-and-forth it brought out with these two proudly stubborn characters and how it showcased all the ways they refused to go beyond the surface in not just their connection, but in most parts of their lives. Though Charlotte was a bit more willfully hardheaded than him, Kingston was pure coveted romance hero, with a cold exterior that's hiding all the goodness underneath. Watching them slowly unravel was all too satisfying and it was impossible not to swoon every time Kingston gave a little bit more of himself to her. This is my favorite of the series so far, but I can't wait for how Jordan will attempt to top it next.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinion**
The Virgin and the Rogue was scintillating with its heated banter and methods of creating a love story from nothing. There's hateful lust and then there's the kind of uncontrollable desire that comes from a mistaken tonic that opens doors that never would've been opened before. Jordan takes a witty spin on the what if and delivers with amazing results.
With its unique way of bringing a couple together, the raw sexual magnetism between Charlotte and Kingston is immediately front and center and then it falls succinctly into confusion and adamant denial that has you begging for another taste of that unbridled attraction. I loved the witty and resistant back-and-forth it brought out with these two proudly stubborn characters and how it showcased all the ways they refused to go beyond the surface in not just their connection, but in most parts of their lives. Though Charlotte was a bit more willfully hardheaded than him, Kingston was pure coveted romance hero, with a cold exterior that's hiding all the goodness underneath. Watching them slowly unravel was all too satisfying and it was impossible not to swoon every time Kingston gave a little bit more of himself to her. This is my favorite of the series so far, but I can't wait for how Jordan will attempt to top it next.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinion**
hilsaa's review against another edition
fast-paced
1.5
This book was absurd, dramatic, and unrealistic. I need my historical romances to have at least some attempt at being historically accurate.
carleysuzanne's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ashleighbeanxo's review against another edition
5.0
Ugh, I think I'm in love with Kingston.
Charlotte Langley, middle sister of the Langley sisters, has had a rough few years. Her father passed away, leaving the children penniless and destitute, and then her childhood sweetheart's family called off their betrothal. However after Charlotte's sister Marian married the Duke of Warrington, the family were restored and lifted in society, prompting the Pembrokes to reinstate the betrothal.
Charlotte has always been deemed the safe one, the sensible one. Dare we say, the boring one? But she finds comfort in her safe choices and is sure she'll have a comfortable life with William. But when her sister Nora gives her a 'love potion' to deal with her period cramps, she ends up throwing herself at the Duke of Warrington's stepbrother, Kingston.
Kingston has been struggling to enjoy life of late. The bastard son of a Duke, he's never really been close to his father or his wife, despite how much his father has tried to do for him. His mother is dying and Kingston's just trying to find something to help him change his roguish ways. He's never been close to his stepbrother, so it's as much as of a surprise to him as it is to everyone else that he decides to visit.
Kingston's not expecting to have an enjoyable night surrounded by the Duke's family, but that changes when he comes across Charlotte in the middle of the night and they end up having a night of passion..
The Rogue Files is one of my favourite romance series, if not one of my favourite series ever, and this book was no exception. I love Sophie Jordan's writing and storytelling, and the way she creates sexual tension? Ah-maze-ing. Kingston is definitely one of my favourite SJ heroes and I loved watching him and Charlotte together.
Going in, I was a bit nervous about the 'love potion' aspect. To modern ears, it sounds a bit date-rapey and a bit like she was drugged. But it was later explained away as an aphrodisiac, which I guess makes it better? However, it's one occasion and the every other encounter in this book is 100% consensual.
Also, can we have ONE epilogue in HR Can't really fault this book for that, but it does seem to be in every single HR book ever.
Looking forward to Nora's story next (I'm assuming Nora's next). Can we find someone to drag her out of her isolation and experiments??
Charlotte Langley, middle sister of the Langley sisters, has had a rough few years. Her father passed away, leaving the children penniless and destitute, and then her childhood sweetheart's family called off their betrothal. However after Charlotte's sister Marian married the Duke of Warrington, the family were restored and lifted in society, prompting the Pembrokes to reinstate the betrothal.
Charlotte has always been deemed the safe one, the sensible one. Dare we say, the boring one? But she finds comfort in her safe choices and is sure she'll have a comfortable life with William. But when her sister Nora gives her a 'love potion' to deal with her period cramps, she ends up throwing herself at the Duke of Warrington's stepbrother, Kingston.
Kingston has been struggling to enjoy life of late. The bastard son of a Duke, he's never really been close to his father or his wife, despite how much his father has tried to do for him. His mother is dying and Kingston's just trying to find something to help him change his roguish ways. He's never been close to his stepbrother, so it's as much as of a surprise to him as it is to everyone else that he decides to visit.
Kingston's not expecting to have an enjoyable night surrounded by the Duke's family, but that changes when he comes across Charlotte in the middle of the night and they end up having a night of passion..
The Rogue Files is one of my favourite romance series, if not one of my favourite series ever, and this book was no exception. I love Sophie Jordan's writing and storytelling, and the way she creates sexual tension? Ah-maze-ing. Kingston is definitely one of my favourite SJ heroes and I loved watching him and Charlotte together.
Going in, I was a bit nervous about the 'love potion' aspect. To modern ears, it sounds a bit date-rapey and a bit like she was drugged. But it was later explained away as an aphrodisiac, which I guess makes it better? However, it's one occasion and the every other encounter in this book is 100% consensual.
Also, can we have ONE epilogue in HR
Spoiler
where the heroine isn't pregnant? Surely not every couple is happily pregnant months after the end of the book?Looking forward to Nora's story next (I'm assuming Nora's next). Can we find someone to drag her out of her isolation and experiments??