ONE FOR THE ROGUE is the fourth book in the Studies
in Scandal series by Manda Collins. This is an
excellent book for readers who enjoy the enemies-to-lovers
trope. Gemma Hastings and Lord Cameron Lisle are both
geologists. Because of the time period they live in, it is
often difficult for Gemma to get people to take her
seriously as a scholar. ONE FOR THE ROGUE explores gender
politics, the pitfalls of romance, while set against a
murder mystery backdrop. All of it makes for an entertaining
story that, like all the previous books in this series, had
me reading late into the night and into the early morning hours.
Gemma and Cam get off on the wrong foot when she believes he
is insulting her intelligence. Things devolve quickly into a
very heated exchange, making a romance between them seem
highly unlikely. The Beauchamp Lizard changes everything.
The Beauchamp Lizard is turning normally mild-mannered
geologists and assorted fossil-hunters into a cutthroat
group of thugs. Suddenly the quiet little English village of
Little Seaford gets an Indiana Jones makeover. Once a
pompous fossil-hunter is murdered and Gemma starts
investigating, she somehow finds herself in a fake betrothal
to Cam. I love a good fake relationship-turned real story,
and the flirty bickering between Cam and Gemma goes from
amusing to foreplay quickly. Once Cam's feelings for Gemma
grow, it becomes his mission to ease her fears that marrying
him would mean losing her autonomy and identity. Cam also
has to deal with the emotional baggage he's taken on from
witnessing the confusing relationship his parents had. Once
this hero and heroine work through their personal issues,
they realize what a good team they make.
ONE FOR THE ROGUE is an amusing tale of prickly would-be
lovers with adventure and a murder mystery thrown in. Manda
Collins does a good job of weaving the friendships and
family relationships throughout ONE FOR THE ROGUE without
taking the focus of the main romance. I hope to read about
the last single Lisle brother in a future book. I look
forward to reading Manda Collins' next historical romance.
Geologist Gemma Hastings has no interest in pursuing
romance—and no patience for Lord Cameron Lisle, an esteemed
fossil hunter who has a way of always honing in on her
territory. . .annoyingly handsome though he may be. But when
a shocking attack puts Gemma in very real danger, she may
have to accept Lisle’s offers of protection. Even if that
means entering into a dangerous flirtation. . .
Lisle was once amused by Gemma’s dedication to her work. But
now that he understands how much he’s underestimated her—a
woman whose beauty is matched only by her genius—Lisle is
desperate to prove his respect…and prove himself worthy of
her. But is he too late? A bitter rival, desperate to steal
Gemma’s scientific findings, is still at-large. Can Lisle
help uncover the culprit and keep her safe—forever, in his
loving arms?