A powerful handsome rogue finally meets his match in Gone With the Rogue, the second book in the First Comes Love series from bestseller Amelia Grey. She had an acceptable marriage of convenience. Now widowed, can this determined and beautiful mother find true and forever love? The sinking of the Salty Dove took her husband’s life–but it didn’t drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She … drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She creates a proper life for herself and her young son. But now, the ton’s most notorious rogue is back, and how he makes Julia feel is anything but proper. She can’t deny the desires he awakens in her, even though she knows that the handsome devil will surely break her heart.
Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company and is rumored to have a woman on every continent and half-a-dozen in England. The truth, however, is that Garrett has but one mistress: the wide open sea. That is, until he meets Julia, whose spirit of independence matches his own. What begins as a flirtatious battle of wits turns far more passionate than either of them could have imagined. Suddenly, Garrett’s only desire is to sail into the sunset with Julia as his wife and young Chatwyn his son. But she won’t take his hand–how can he convince her that his love is real and his heart is hers?
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Lovely story!! Our young widow is at the mercy of her father in-law as she desperately searches for a way for her and her young son to be free from his harsh clutches. Our hero has been travelling the globe establishing his business and earning his own way in the world. When they meet it’s like fireworks and the chemistry between the two is palpable. They both must work together to overcome their personal demons and free themselves to be together. I loved this story. It was well written and the main characters were witty, charming, strong, and determined. The ending was just what I was looking for and I look forward to seeing what happens to Julia’s friend, Brina, as she deserves happiness.
Widow Julia Fairbright wants nothing more then to be free of her overbearing father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogfield. To avoid unwanted marriages, Julia and the duke’s son Kitson, ran away to Gretna Green and married. Theirs was not a love match, but they were happy together and all was well until Kitson died when the Salty Dove went down. Widowed and pregnant, Julia had no choice but to submit to the duke’s will. Four years later, the duke is still dictating and has made it clear, Julia can do as she wants, but if she wants to raise her son, she will abide by the duke’s rules. Julia may have found a way to escape the duke and keep her son, she just needs to find the evidence to bring him down.
Garrett Stockton was born a gentleman, but unlike his father, he is not content to be dependent on his titled relative. He takes a ship his father won in a card game and built a successful shipping empire. While rumored to have a woman in every port, the truth is Garrett has been happily married to the sea, but now he is back in England and longs for a home of his own. And when he meets Julia, he knows any home he has must include her and her son, so he agrees to help her find a way to outsmart the duke and gain her freedom, but once she is free, will she be willing to give up that freedom for a chance at true love?
This was a decent story that starts out strong, but loses steam as the story progresses. It is well written with likable characters, some amusing moments, a nasty villain, a wonderful hero, very mild love scenes and a HEA complete with an epilogue. I enjoyed this book, but I don’t think I would re-read it. The book is the second in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
A wonderful book with dynamic characters and a story so well-written, I felt like I had traveled back to Regency London and was totally immersed in all that was happening from beginning to end. I loved the instant attraction and undeniable chemistry between Lady Kitson Fairbright and handsome rogue Garrett Stockton who owns a successful shipping company. Ms. Grey blew me away with this can’t-put-down page-turner and “Gone With The Rogue” is a must-read. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Series: First Comes Love #2
Publication Date: 4/28/20
Number of Pages: 352
** 3.5 Stars **
In the first book of the series, The Earl Next Door, we learned about the sinking of the Salty Dove and the impact that had on the families of the passengers and crew. We also met and got to know the ladies who are featured in this series and their struggles to come to grips with what happened by creating a school to educate the young girls who were orphaned by the sinking. While this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The writing was good, I liked the characters in general, the story had promise, but I did find myself skimming portions of it. If you like a lot of steam in your books, you won’t find it in this one. There are a couple of love scenes, but they are told more from an emotional standpoint than from a more graphic one. That part is fine with me as I’m happy with no steam or a lot of steam – as long as they are done well.
Julia was being forced into a vile marriage she didn’t want and Kitson’s father was trying to force him into an arranged marriage that would benefit both families. Kitson very much wanted to defy his nasty father and Julia wanted to avoid marriage to a man who was her father’s age – their solution was to run away and marry at Gretna Green. Theirs wasn’t a love match, but it worked well enough for them – until Kitson died on the Salty Dove and Julia was left expecting and under the very firm control of her father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogsfield. After four years of widowhood, she’s just as tightly under his control as she ever was – and she’s looking for a way out. The duke has told her she is welcome to leave any time she likes, but his grandson will remain with him. Now she has a plan for them to escape – can she pull it off?
Garrett Stockton wanted more from his life than living on a stipend doled out by a titled relative. His father was perfectly happy with that life and tried to raise Garett to be the same way, but it just didn’t sit well with Garrett. Garrett’s father was very good at reading people and he was very lucky. When Garrett tried to convince him to put those talents into a business, his father was appalled. Gentlemen didn’t work or engage in trade! So, when Garrett’s father died, Garrett took off in a ship that his father had won in a card game and turned that ship into a very successful shipping fleet. Now, the ton doesn’t know what to make of Garrett. Is he still a gentleman? Not by many standards, but he is very wealthy. After all these years, Garrett is getting restless and wants more in his life – he wants a home. Not just any home – he wants the one he was raised in, the one his father said they could never own because it belonged to the title. He just has to get his titled relative to sell it.
I loved the initial meeting between Julia and Garrett. It was witty and entertaining. They were instantly attracted to each other, but Julia knew she could never act on any attraction because that would go against the Duke’s dictates of how she should live her life. Garrett just wanted to be with her, to help her any way he could. As he wins her trust and they manage to spend time together, she comes to trust him and believe in him. If they can outwit the duke, will they have their HEA?
All-in-all, it was a cute story, but just didn’t have any real depth nor character growth. I think the duke overshadowed the romance because 99.9% of the conversations and interactions centered around him rather than them getting to know each other. Some things dragged on too long and if those had been shortened, then more time could have been spent developing the main characters and their relationship. I will be looking forward to seeing how the next book goes.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the story of a independent young lady who has already lost her husband. Lady Julia had a marriage of convenience with the youngest son of a Duke. Both were happy with the marriage. Her husband wanted to get back at his father for planning who he would marry and she needed to escape being married off to a old man by her family. She doesn’t regret any part of her former life cause it gave her the love of her life, her four year old son, Chatwyn. Chatwyn, is a mischievous, happy child. Lady Julia tried to move on with her life after her husband died in a shipping accident, but the Old Duke would have none of it and uses Chatwyn to keep her in line. If she doesn’t act and do what he says he will take her son away. She over hears The Duke talking in the garden to other man about things that must be keep secret. Finally she knows she now has something she can use to get away. If only she can find the poof.
Enter Mr. Garrett Stockton, a handsome devil that that ton has pegged a rogue. While riding in the park he comes across our Julia stuck in a tree of all places.
The interaction between them is simply laugh out loud funny.
Both are instantly attracted to the other. Garrett is nothing like what the ton says about him,
and Julia can’t stop thinking about him or running into him. Julia is an animal lover and they add a lot to this story.
Julia needs help finding proof, Garrett wants to help and just be around her.
There is mystery, fun, sadness, joy and love. This is a fast moving story sexy with these two.
Saying any more will ruin the story for you. This is a wonderful romance with just enough mystery and twist and turns .
This is the first time I’ve read this author, so I had no expectations going in. The story is set in the Regency era. The heroine Julia, Lady Kitson Fairbright, had been married to a third son of the Duke of Sprogfield. After her husband died in a ship accident, she became a widow with a 4yo son. Since then, her life was under the relentless control of the Duke who imposed a set of social standards that she must strictly adhered to. In order to fight for her freedom, she was planning to expose the Duke for his hypocrisy. During this time, she met and got help from the hero Garrett Stockton, owner of a shipping company, who also happened to be an infamous rogue. After rescuing her from a chance accident, he had offered to help her find the evidence against her father-in-law, later supported her charitable cause, and respected her wish for an independent life in which she could make decisions for her son and herself.
While it was pleasantly written and didn’t make me feel frustrated or angry , I feel the plot a bit bland, with much dragging and unnecessary repetition. I kept on reading hoping to get a wow factor, something dramatic around the corner, but none of that happened . The sensations of their kisses were described repetitively , while their sexy times were short and abrupt . Overall, it wasn’t an exciting read for me, and perhaps this author’s style doesn’t really work with me .
3.5 read for me!
*Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for sending me the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Release date: April 28, 2020.
A truly delightful read! Author Amelia Grey has written an enchanting story of true love. True, Lady Julia and Garrett Stockton didn’t have an easy path to their Happily Ever After, but for the reader it is a very interesting journey to read about. Garrett is a forward-thinking man and respects Julia’s yearning to be free and independent. I really liked both characters. This is book #2 in Amelia Grey’s First Comes Love series. It is a wonderful addition to the series.
I realize enjoyed this sweet historical romance. Garret and Julia’s characters captured my imagination from beginning to end. The writer has a unique talent of helping the reader visualize what’s happening in the story as you read it. The explanation of details that gave just enough information for you to connect more with what you’re reading. The plot to the story was great. This made me more intrigued to read the story as well as keeping wanting to read what will happen next. The build up of the passion and romance between Garrett and Julia was great. I was looking for a woman with a strong spirit who would be great for the male character and Julia fit that. Garrett, I loved his character. The man knows how to charm a lady and take care of her and well. All in all good book.
I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
ℂ #
https://www.facebook.com/AmeliaGreyBooks/
Release date 04/28/2020
Publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks
Blurb :
A powerful handsome rogue finally meets his match in Gone With the Rogue, the second book in the First Comes Love series from bestseller Amelia Grey.
She had an acceptable marriage of convenience. Now widowed, can this determined and beautiful mother find true and forever love?
The sinking of the Salty Dove took her husband’s life—but it didn’t drown Julia Fairbright’s courage to endure. She creates a proper life for herself and her young son. But now, the ton’s most notorious rogue is back, and how he makes Julia feel is anything but proper. She can’t deny the desires he awakens in her, even though she knows that the handsome devil will surely break her heart.
Garrett Stockton owns a successful shipping company and is rumored to have a woman on every continent and half-a-dozen in England. The truth, however, is that Garrett has but one mistress: the wide open sea. That is, until he meets Julia, whose spirit of independence matches his own. What begins as a flirtatious battle of wits turns far more passionate than either of them could have imagined. Suddenly, Garrett’s only desire is to sail into the sunset with Julia as his wife and young Chatwyn his son. But she won’t take his hand—how can he convince her that his love is real and his heart is hers?
:
If she is able to free herself from her shackles, will she accept his love …
This is my second read by Mrs Amelia Grey, a lovely story about giving one’s trust and deserving it.
Julia is done with men controlling her every action, she longs for her freedom, to extract herself from her in-law clutches.
And for this, she needs leverage, but she might tread in lurking waters.
So when Garrett presents himself after rescuing her from an embarrassing issue if she had been caught, he seems the man of situation.
Garrett is her complementary soul. When he has refused the easy life stretching in front of him if he accepted his inheritance as a son’s peer. He wanted to be the master of his own life, be the hand and head behind his wealth and success.
Encountering Julia reawakens all he longed for. She fulfills all his dreams, if only she would trust him.
Julia and Garrett are twin minds, they want/wanted their freedom, and while he achieved it, she still struggles about it as there is no real independence for a woman in her time.
Their story is one of small gestures becoming grander, as they work together to free herself and in the meantime they fall for one another.
It is a tale of few actions, more about speculation as the only thing between them is the duke and his overbearing and controlling way.
And while they run after time to unearth a way to release Julia from her father-in-law’s grip, the story is interlaced with moving scenes and full of fun moments like the opening chapter and cooking attempt.
While I would have liked a bit more of actions, the sensual scenes were sweet and Garrett is a wonderful hero, from the very beginning he takes matter in hands and nothing will deter him from his path. I ready it quickly and easily, loving how the storyline unraveled with the growing of the main couple feelings, they really never doubted their sentiments, they just needed a few insights to accept them.
Now I am left curious about the third widow, what is awaiting her in Paris, or elsewhere.
I am dithering between 4 to 4.5 stars, as while I liked the characters, I missed a bit more of action, but the humorous moments also compensated for the lack of big drama.
So it will be a 4.5 stars as I had fun reading Julia and Garrett story, I just wish the next book will be less static.
A special mention for the cover, it reflects perfectly the light spirit of this story.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Mr. Garrett Stockton met Lady Julia Kitson Fairbright when she was hanging out stuck in a tree. He managed to release her and they made it to the ground safe and sound. Julia had been a widow for four years. She had been forced to live in his father’s house both when married and after he was gone.
Her father-in-law did not like her. She has a four-year-old boy, Chatwyn. She needs to get away from the duke.
Garrett owns a fleet of ships and has traveled the world while trading. He is very successful, but he came back for his friend’s wedding. But when he met her around the tree he was very impressed. He thought she was lovely and he liked her personality. He just wanted to help her.
From the start, this book pulled me in. It was different but fun. There were some twists to the plot, it kept you interested and entertained. The characters were wonderful and warm. Julia and Garrett
were highly attracted to each other.
I received this Arc from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
This was an entertaining historical romance. Julia, a widow with a young son, wants to live an independent wife, but her father-in-law insists on continuing to oversee every aspect of his grandson’s life. Garrett is a dedicated man of the sea – until he meets Julia. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is the second in a series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
I had the privilege of being able to read the uncorrected digital galley of the first book in this series (The Earl Next Door) and now I have had this privilege once again. I truly enjoy Ms Grey’s writing style and her characters come to life, off the pages, for me. This second book, in the First Comes Love series, was decidedly different from the somewhat typical Regency romances one might expect. I love Ms grey’s heroines and the heros that fall in love with them.
This is Julia (Lady Kitson) Fairbright’s story; after her husband perished in the sinking of the vessel The Salty Dove. Julia and her husband had a marriage of convenience. She mourned the loss of her husband and the father of her son, Chatwyn. Unfortunately for her, her father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogsfield is not a doting man. “Society … kowtowed to him and agreed there was no other man more fair-minded than or respectable of others than the revered Duke of Sprogsfield.” Julia knew the real man, the one behind the mask that he wore in polite society. She was determined to find a way out from under his rule.
Next, we meet Garrett Stockton, a gentleman and a tradesman. He is often the subject of many in the Ton as the adventurer and sojourner. He didn’t want to sit by and be beholden to his relatives for the roof over his head, the clothes on his back, or the food on his table. He couldn’t be complacent as his father had been; he decided to take his father’s ship and try to make his own way. Garrett is back in London and feeling unsettled when he is in the park and finds a woman dangling from a branch, in a tree he and his horse decided to stop at. The first meeting of Lady Kitson and Garrett Stockton is unique to say the least. Julia is not like any other woman Garrett has known and Garrett isn’t at all what Lady Kitson imagined an adventuresome “pirate” would behave like.
I enjoyed this story. It is well written, flows well, and keeps the reader wanting to see what happens next. I didn’t feel as if the story lagged at all.
“Gone with the Rogue” by Amelia Grey
I really, really, liked this story. A fun Regency romance with a bit of spice, an easy read that will keep you turning the pages for sure. I love stories where the characters seem plausible and I can enjoy sharing in their lives for the duration of the story. This is book 2 in the author’s ‘First Comes Love’ series but it can easily be read as a stand-alone adventure. A worthy read. Happy Reading ! !
Sadly, this wasn’t my favorite book. I loved the cover and the story bio made an amazing sounding book, it just didn’t deliver to my tastes. The story line was good, but having to hear about how the duke was threatening to take away her son every over page got old, fast. Julia was too pious for my tastes as well, I like a little more spirit in my heroines. When they made love, she was still calling him Mr Stockton in the story, not even his first name. The hero wasn’t very stand out for me. There didn’t seem to be much of a reason for him to instantly fall in love with her. The book just wasn’t very appealing to me. Thank you for the opportunity to try the advanced copy from NetGalley.
I couldn’t stop reading this book. Loved Julia and Garret.
Storyline is wonderful.
So happy that I could read this book.
This is the second book in this lively and entertaining series. Appealing characters, amusing banter and an interesting plot make it a compelling and amusing read.
Three wealthy widows of men who went down in the sinking of the Salty Dove meet at the docks and decide to aid the families of the sailors who died, by opening a boarding school, The Seafarer’s School for Girls, for the daughters of the lost men. The goal is to teach them reading, writing and sewing skills so they can find jobs when they are older. None of the ladies are eager to remarry women, Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake, did not have a happy marriage, Lady Kitson Fairbright, is held hostage by her father-in-law, the Duke of Sprogsfield, who threatens to take her son away from her, if she does not live up to his standards and even contemplates remarrying and only Mrs, Briba Feld was so in love with her husband that she can’t contemplate ever having another man or children.
This story is about Lady Fairbright, Julie. She is young and of high spirits and at the beginning of the book finds herself caught in a tree, which she had climbed to rescue her butterfly net. To her rescue comes Mr. Garrett Stockton, wealthy rake who had shunned society to go into trade and build a shipping Empire. He left home at a young age to prove that a man can be both a tradesman and a gentleman, because living off the allowance of a distant relative was not for him.They quickly recognize their kindred spirit an adventurous spirit, but as a man, only Garrett had been free to explore it. He also sees that Julie is the one woman who would instill in him the desire for a family and home. But he also senses that she is in trouble, and vows that he will help. He convinces her to confine in him and together they find a scheme to free her from the Duke. But can he also convince her that marriage to him would not be just another prison?
Family relationships are explored and we also get to know Brina, the subject of the next book better. Her character, her feelings of despair and struggles how she can be useful the rest of her life.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my voluntary and unbiased review.
Gone With the Rogue is the second book in the First Comes Love Series. The author has such a style of writing that it captures the readers attention with the humor and romance.
Julia Fairbright lost her husband when the ship, the Salty Dove, sank. The Duke of Sprogsfield, Julia’s father-in-law, was strict regarding Julia’s behavior as a widow and threated to take her son, Chatwyn, away if she stepped out of line. Julia wanted to be independent and before her trip to London, she overhears the duke and his solicitor talking about papers containing information on secret companies and properties the duke owns. Recently there had been enquires about finding the owner of one of those companies that had an explosion. Julie was determined to find those documents and use them to end his control over her life.
Julia meet Garrett Stockton one day in the park, while she was stuck in a tree after retrieving a butterfly net. Garrett was instantly enchanted with Julia and knew she felt the same attraction for him. He had made his fortune in shipping and after meeting Julia and falling in love with her, he no longer craved adventure at sea. For them to have a future together, they must end the duke’s control over Julia.
This was a fun book with plenty of humor. Julia and Garrett were the perfect couple and I loved how they completed each other. We were also introduced to Brina, whose book will be next.
Enticing, witty, and seductive!
Gone With the Rogue is set in London during the early 1800s and features the independent, spirited widow, Julia Fairbright and the dashingly handsome, womanizer, Garrett Stockton as they navigate undeniable attraction, a mystery involving scandalous businesses and encrypted documents, and an overbearing, controlling, powerful father-in-law.
The prose is engaging and light. The characters are resolute, focused, and passionate. And the plot is a push-pull tale of familial drama, scoundrel behaviour, mystique, admiration, chemistry, friendship, tricky mishaps, danger, and steamy romance.
Overall, Gone With the Rogue isx1b a fervent, amusing, alluring read by Grey that is an enjoyable, solid addition to the First Comes Love series.
Julia Fairbright lost her husband with the sinking of the Salty Dove. She has made a respectable life for her and her son, despite the tight leash her father-in-law holds. Then Garrett Stockton, one of the ton’s handsomest rogues sails back on land after time away at sea, enters Julia’s life. The two collide, all fun and flirty at first, then explode into forbidden passion. Julia knows to hide her scandalous relationship, should her father-in-law find out, his brand of discipline would leave Julia broken.
Julia enlists Garrett’s assistance in trying to find proof her father-in-law isn’t the upstanding man the ton considers him to be so she can get out from under his thumb. She knows he has secret enterprises all around London, ones that would crush him if his involvement was discovered. Julia also knows that, as a man and a successful business man at that, he will be able to move in circles she’s not allowed to travel.
Amid the investigations, their romance blossoms but Julia knows it can go no further, especially since Garrett is a man of the sea and not one to settle down. Except, Garrett’s heart has other plans. When Julia refuses to marry Garrett, all bets are off. Garrett must convince Julia his heart is pure and belongs to her completely. Julia and Garrett’s characters and the story were well-developed.
I enjoyed Gone with the Rogue. The story was fun, engaging, and the antics between Julia and Garrett were entertaining. I have yet to read a poor historical romance from Amelia Grey. The author’s books are fantastic, flow well, and have likable characters.
I was provided a copy of this book to review.
The writing was fine here. The story was decent. I just think this one is so-so. I didn’t get invested in the couple enough to fully enjoy this book.