Reviews

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

Only show reviews with written explanations

fethiye's review

Go to review page

3.0

Rating: 3.5

emilyb_chicago's review

Go to review page

2.0

I struggled with the interactions between the main characters. The female swooned over the man while he kept being awful. It was laughed off as him being a grumpy sort of person, but I didn't actually see a change through the book. I set this down and only came back to it after a couple months because I did like the later books in this series. I would absolutely skip this and read one of MacLean's other books.

zoldpanna's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ella_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sashapasha's review

Go to review page

DNF 25%.

This book is perfect if you like to daydream about men who treat women like crap. Because how romantic is it to be threatened, manhandled, and then forced into marriage? Not that the heroine minded much, as she was too busy being overwhelmed by the hero’s incredible beauty. Blegh.

knitnetic's review

Go to review page

3.0

Lady Penelope Marbury and Michael, Marquess of Bourne, were fast friends as children. When he went off to Eton, they corresponded and looked forward to breaks when they could make mischief together. Yet, after his parents died, his letters stopped. When, at the age of twenty-one, he lost his entire fortune in a game of vingt-et-un, he disappeared from the fashionable world entirely. Now, he's back, and nothing will keep him from getting back what is rightfully his: his father's estates, and Penelope's love.

Usually, I'm a real sucker for childhood friends romances. Something about the moment when friends see the potential in one another for more just really gets to me. Unfortunately, this book doesn't really fit in that category. Michael and Penelope haven't spoken in nearly fifteen years when the book opens, and, at least in parts, that's Michael's choice. While his brush with scandal at 21 made him unsuitable for a lady's company, he actually hasn't spoken to Penelope for far longer -- since his parents' death. There was little satisfactory explanation for why this was the case, and it made Bourne seem far colder than I would like.

I really enjoyed the gambling club setting, and getting to meet Bourne's partners in the establishment. In fact, I have to admit succumbing to a bit of Sequel Seduction -- by the time I was 60% through with the book, I was far more excited about starting Pippa and Cross' story than finishing Penelope and Michael's. Those who liked Lisa Kleypas' Gamblers series ([b:Then Came You|114170|Then Came You (Gamblers, #1)|Lisa Kleypas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347253319s/114170.jpg|2820344] and [b:Dreaming of You|330721|Dreaming of You (Gamblers, #2)|Lisa Kleypas|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348674248s/330721.jpg|679378]) will appreciate the setting, but will likely be disappointed by the character development on both sides. Additionally, the resolution seemed rather trite -- I was really hoping Michael would stop being stupid much earlier, but alas I was disappointed.

All in all, a fine book, but not a great one. I do plan to read the sequel, [b:One Good Earl Deserves a Lover|13424032|One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, #2)|Sarah MacLean|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360543002s/13424032.jpg|18886693], as I'm already intrigued by the characters and story line. Here's hoping for a better experience there.