I have been waiting for this title since I read HOW TO FORGET A DUKE last year and it did not disappoint!!
I have been waiting to read about Ainsley and Reed clashing for over a year now. And it was hot when they did! A lot of titles promise that the H/h won’t get along and dislike each other only for those feelings of dislike to vanish quickly in the book. In THE ROGUE TO RUIN, Ainsley and Reed have plenty of disdain for each other for a good part of the book, and I loved it! I didn’t find Ainsley’s dislike of Reed’s pugilism to be bothersome, although I did think she was rather stubborn at times, almost to a fault.
I enjoyed the slow burn of Reed and Ainsley’s relationship. As often happens in books where the hero and heroine haven’t liked each other in previous titles in the same series, the hero and heroine continue their dislike for a very short period of time before attraction suddenly strikes. Not in THE ROGUE TO RUIN! It was some time before Ainsley and Reed started to really admit to themselves that they had a budding attraction. I love it when a couple doesn’t experience insta-lust.
As much as I loved Reed, I felt like we didn’t get enough of his point of view. Much of the book is from Ainsley’s point of view and I loved seeing her thoughts, just wish more of his had also been included.
Lots of times in romance novels, the villain can come off as being a little cheesy or silly. I felt the villain was crazy enough to be a believable villain. He certainly wasn’t afraid of hurting anyone to get what he wanted.
Thankfully, THE ROGUE TO RUIN has plenty of action to keep the story going and keep the reader (like me!) entertained throughout. I can’t wait to read Vivienne Lorret’s next title!
The Bourne Matrimonial Agency has one rule:
Never fall in love with a client, which shouldn't be a
problem when one’s faking an engagement to the rogue across
the street . . .
Ainsley Bourne needs the family business to
succeed. But one obstacle stands in her way—Reed Sterling,
the huge, handsome, former prize fighter and owner of the
gaming hell across the street. His scandalous customers
scare off all her marriage-minded patrons and since the
devilish brute has no intention of relocating, she sets out
to ruin his unsavory establishment. Yet when a vile suitor
from her past reappears, Ainsley hastily claims an
attachment to the first man who comes to mind . . . Mr.
Sterling, to be exact.
Reed doesn’t know who is more surprised by Miss Bourne’s
declaration. She clearly hates him, and he’d never admit
their arguments simmer with unrequited attraction. Something
about the pleading look in her eyes calls to Reed, and
against his better judgment, he quickly plays the part of
the besotted fiancé.
Pretending to be in love requires a convincing charade. But
with each tantalizing touch and every scandalous kiss,
Ainsley starts to wonder if Reed was ever really the enemy
at all.
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