Can two star-crossed lovers come together–until death do they part? Viscount Hart Highgate has decided to put his rakish ways behind him and finally get married. He may adore a good brandy or a high-speed carriage race, but he takes his duties as heir to the earldom seriously. Now all he has to do is find the right kind of woman to be his bride–ideally, one who’s also well-connected and … well-connected and well-funded. . .
Meg Timmons has loved Hart, the brother of her best friend, ever since she was an awkward, blushing schoolgirl. If only she had a large dowry–or anything to her name at all. Instead, she’s from a family that’s been locked in a bitter feud with Hart’s for years. And now she’s approaching her third London season, Meg’s chances with him are slim to none. Unless a surprise encounter on a deep, dark night could be enough to spark a rebellious romance. . .for all time?
Valerie Bowman’s Playful Brides novels are
“Wholly satisfying.”–USA Today
“Smart and sensual…readers will be captivated.”–RT Book Reviews “Smoldering.” —Booklist
more
As readers are introduced to book eight, The Right Kind of Rogue, in the Playful Bride series it clear that the stories of this charming cast of characters still holds allure. All series should have a Lucy Hunt stirring up the pages and refusing to accept the obvious, she is a wonderfully entertaining catalyst to love. When impoverished wallflower Meg Timmons enters another seemingly fruitless season with no dowry or prospective suitors she has resigned herself to being a spinster, that is until her friend the mischievous matchmaker Lucy, the Duchess of Clarington, steps in. When Meg confesses her unrequited love for Viscount Hart Highgate, her best friends brother and son of her parents long standing enemies, to the meddling Duchess the plotting begins and what seems impossible soon is within Meg’s grasp.
Hart’s declaration that he would chose a wife that season added a nice sense of urgency to the marriage scheming of Lucy and accelerated the pacing of this story with the extremes taken in the joining of this couple. A strong star crossed lover’s theme structured this work making the navigation of hurdles to love difficult and demonstrating some serious writing expertise beneath all the laughs and tears. This author managed to believably reveal another side to her leads beyond what the story had labeled them, turning Meg from a meek wallflower to a poised beauty and Hart from a reckless playboy to a man capable of wearing the title of hero. Meg and Hart’s road to love was a steady build up of moments that defined why this couple should be together and was a lovely trip to happiness. Ms. Bowman has found a special formula with her Playful Bride series that makes it stand out from the crowd. The Right Kind of Rogue has everything a reader could want in a romance!
*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While this book can be read as a stand alone readers over all experience would be enhanced by reading the previous books in the series.*
Impoverished Meg Timmons has lived Hart Highfield since she was sixteen. However, there are a few issues in the way of her happiness with Hart. He only sees her as his sister’s best friend, and their parents are sworn enemies, the reason unknown to her. Due to her lack of monies, her dresses are worn, old and out of fashion, relegating her to the wallflowers corner. There, no one notices her, including Hart. Tiring of her situation and time running out for her, she enlists aid from her friend, Duchess Lucy Hunt. All Meg wants is for Hart to notice her as a woman. Will Meg allow Lucy to transform her? Will Hart take note of the new Meg? How will Hart’s last experience with scheming women affect Let’s plans? And if she succeeds what will their parents do? This is a very nice addition to the Playful Brides series. There is a lot of stubbornness, angst, and attraction lasting through the entire book, with resolution not occurring until the very end.
Full review appeared on Reader’s Edyn on 11/03/17
Margaret (Meg) Timmons has been in love with Hart for years; ever since he stood up for her. Her parents have been disappointed with her since day one an oohing she ever does is right. Constantly put down, the only acceptance this wall flower has ever known comes from her best friend, Sarah and Sarah’s brother, Hart. Now that Hart had resigned himself to settling down and producing an heir – sort of – Meg realizes this is her only shot to try and make Hart notice her. She wants to do things on her own terms, but finally concedes to allow her co-conspirator to pull her off the wall and bloom before all. And Hart finally takes notice.
Hart Highfield has been putting matrimony off for long enough. He’s got a responsibility to produce an heir, but this rogue is averse to any part of wedded bliss – especially since it doesn’t exist. Sure, his sister seems quite happy in her marriage, but I was a long road to get there for her; and his parents have been anything but an example of a happily married couple. He needs to find an acceptable woman, do his duty, and then get right back to his roguish ways. But Meg has thrown him for a loop. She’s like no one he’s ever encountered, and he finds he looks forward to spending more time with her. Odd since he’s known her forever, but never really noticed her in that way. He feels like he can trust her, which doesn’t come easy after the debacle with his former intended. But when a staged interlude compromises her, he begins to think Meg should never have been trusted either. His problem now hangs up on the fac t that he can’t resist the vixen, despite her deceitful betrayal.
I have just been falling in love with the latest Historical Romance authors I have experienced lately. Ms. Bowman is another new author for me. Initially, I was caught by the cover and after reading the blurb, I knew I needed to read this book. I am so happy that I did so. This book is truly fabulous with just the right amount of everything I look for in a book. The reluctant wallflower that knows it’s now or never and becomes somewhat emboldened in her quest to be noticed by the man she loves; the perfect rogue who is beyond disinclined to give up his bachelor status; a budding romance that said rogue resists; the undeniable chemistry between both; the hilarious, matchmaking Duchess; a best friend with the best intentions; a scandal that threatens to unravel all … I mean seriously, I could go on. I absolutely fell in love with these characters and never once put the book down until they reached their HEA. This book was a bit of a ride, slowly working toward the ending I desperately wanted for Meg and Hart, then beginning the roller coaster of the ups and downs. Progress was made, only have it ripped away by misunderstandings or stubbornness, within reach, then snatched away again, until I was fearful they might end up hurting one another and never reaching their full potential. But therein lies the beauty of HEA … despite the fear of the elusive love matches, somehow everything eventually comes full circle and the characters find everything they ever needed within one another. *le sigh*
I really enjoyed the easy banter between Meg and Hart and how Meg behaved naturally when interacting with Hart. Hart kept finding the things Meg did adorable and even when they risked compromise, he still offered to stand up for her honorable heir and all that. Both were truly spectacular people and although things got rocky for a bit, neither compromised who they really were – what attracted one another. I was annoyed a bit by Sarah, but understood that she just didn’t want to see Meg get hurt. Given the information provided about her marriage though, I would have expected her to come around to Lucy’s way of thinking a bit sooner. It was almost comical, Meg’s inability to see Hart’s attraction to her. Admittedly, I didn’t quite understand the “Playful Brides” series title until a bit later – which was spectacular! Ms. Bowman will now be another of my go-to authors. She creates a beautiful world to get lost in filled with fun, fanciful, witty, clever, characters – both main and supporting – that you want to jump right back in with at the conclusion of the novel. Thankfully, this book is part of a series and you can bet I will be reading each and every book within. The added benefit that I was able to read the book out of order without losing any part of the story is also wonderful. In fact, knowing I have an opportunity to read more about these charters was thrilling. At this point, I’m toying with rearranging my review schedule to try and fit in another of the books. Lovers of HR are sure to be pleased with Ms. Bowman and her flawless world within the English ton. I know I was!
Kindle version provided by St. Martin’s Press/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun read. Meg is an interesting woman, very determined, although she was not prepared for what she got. Hart allowed his past hurts to color his views of woman. I wanted to smack him for not seeing what was right in front of him. Their coming together was well worth the read, and I found this a hard book to put down.
This is my unsolicited review of a story that I received through Netgalley.
I’m relatively new to the Playful Brides series, having started at book 7, NEVER TRUST A PIRATE and loved it. So when I was invited to read and review the latest installment, I jumped at the chance. I was not disappointed!
I would describe this story as ROMEO AND JULIET (ish) with a very different ending. Enemy parents and a scheming matchmaker make for a very interesting and captivating story. Even though we get glimpses of characters from previous books, it can be read this as a stand-alone with no problems.
Withering wallflower Meg Timmons is compassionate, devoted and unmarried. Sadly enough, she’s also very lonely. She is definitely a very likable heroine.
Viscount Hart Highgate is reckless, drinks too much and has been avoiding the marriage mart like the plague. He’s also kind, witty and charitable. When he stood up for Meg…. he gained my admiration. I would’ve fell in love with him too!
The secondary characters play an integral part in this story. Poor Meg doesn’t stand a chance with Lucy and Sarah acting as matchmakers….. calamity (and a possible scandal) ensues.
This book is a well balanced dose of wit, drama and romance. Finding out how the story unfolds had me turning the pages up to the end.
I received a review copy for Celtic Dragon Book Reviews. All opinions are my own.
Meg Timmons sure has to suffer before she gets her HEA — first her parents, then her true love, Hart Highgate, an earl’s heir — and even her best friend, Hart’s sister, isn’t always very supportive. She has loved Hart since she was 16, but the man about town never noticed her. Now on her third season, Meg knows she must marry or lose her chance at security. Her father’s debts are pressing. This is her last opportunity. Hart, too, decides to marry, not that he would consider Meg. She’s just the girl he sees with his sister, a friend, if that. Yet after a fairy godmother duchess gives Meg a new look, Hart sees her possibilities. But he is not a likeable hero, one who falls in love easily. He fights it all the way and is unkind in the process. Meg may love him, but she should have told him off more forcefully a time or two. He should spend the rest of his life proving himself worthy, he was that nasty at times. Yet, they find their way despite long odds, and the sweet ending is worth their travails. This book, too, is another reminder of how women of the Regency were trapped by parents, marriage and the conventions of the time. Meg had the courage to reach for love, though, and ended up with the man of her dreams. (I received an advance copy through the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions are my own.)
The Right Kind of Rogue by Valerie Bowman
Playful Brides #8
Lucy has loved Hart, her best friend’s brother, since she was sixteen. Their parents have been enemies forever. In her third year on the marriage market in London and the season beginning she hears Hart is finally ready to find a wife so she enlists the aid of her friend Lucy in finding a way to have Hart see her as his potential wife. With Lucy’s machinations often going awry, both sets of parents creating trouble, Meg definitely wanting Hart and Hart definitely against love or devious women the stage is set for problems aplenty…and that is just what happens…until both Hart and Meg find a way to a HEA.
This book was so-so for me. I ended up skimming parts of it because it seemed contrived and at times silly. I had trouble believing the story, the reactions, the interactions, the idea that Meg would share so much and trust those she shared with implicitly. I couldn’t see a 29 year old man being so immature and doing and saying and behaving as he often did. I had trouble understanding why Meg could love Hart and hold a torch for for him for four or five years. I guess it takes all types to make the world go around but Meg and Hart made me feel there has to be more. And, that said, I looked back over books I have read in this series and found that I loved and rated one five stars so will continue on hoping there will be another such book to read in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3 Stars
Love, lust and pixie dust is a pipe dream when the keeper of your heart is the enemy of your family. The Right Kind of Rogue is a tale of two hearts seeking to become one, in the face of chaos and adversity. For Meg, Hart is her fate. For Hart, Meg is a dangerous temptation. Caught in the middle of raging feud and a blistering inferno of their own making, can a love written in the stars survive the aftermath? It’s like walking through a fairy tale and finding a great piece of literature.
I have loved all the Playful Brides books and this one is no exception. I loved the book, the characters, and the writing. I read this book while traveling and even with the interruptions I could hardly put it down. I read it straight through.
Hart Highgate is a Viscount in his own right as well as being the heir to an Earldom. He drinks too much, lives recklessly, loves horses and horse racing and has absolutely no good thoughts about marriage. When you meet his parents, you quickly understand why he doesn’t look forward to marriage. However, he has decided that this is the season he will choose a wife.
Meg Timmons is the daughter of an impoverished Baron. She is in her third season and has worn the same three gowns all three seasons, her gloves are graying and her slippers are fraying. She’s also madly, desperately, totally in love with her best friend’s brother – Hart Highgate. However, Hart doesn’t even know she is alive and even if he did, she wouldn’t be his choice for a bride. His family would never allow it because her family and his family are bitter enemies.
Sarah, Hart’s sister and the heroine from book 6, The Legendary Lord, is determined to find a match for Meg this season. Sarah knows that Meg loves Hart, but she also believes that Hart is not the right man for Meg. She knows that Hart doesn’t look forward to marriage nor does he have any respect for it. Hart, Sarah is sure, will break Meg’s heart. So she sets out to find a good match for her friend.
When Meg learns that Hart has determined to marry this season, she knows she is out of time, so she asks Lucy Hunt, Duchess of Claringdon to help her win Hart. However, she makes Lucy promise that there will be no trapping Hart into marriage. Meg only wants it to be a real loving marriage and if Hart feels the same.
Lucy, as in every book, is over the top. She believes she is always right and expects everybody to go along with her. Actually, she really is usually right. However, this time, she really hurts both Meg and Hart and almost destroys any chance they have of making a successful match.
Meg and Hart’s HEA is very hard won and you begin to wonder if it will really happen. Both are stubborn as they can be and both families are against them. I liked both of the characters and was really rooting for them and their relationship.
In the interest of being frank here – the forms of address and the casual way they speak and refer to each other is totally off base. I know that Lucy and the others are supposed to be ‘unconventional’, but unconventional in that time period would still not be so casual.
Now, I am already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series – especially so I can get an update on what is going on with Hart and Meg!
“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”