u/Trogdor_Teacher

Here is the original post because I was 2 chapters in and my glee and delight could not be contained: https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/s/MdCFc68IWx

Fellow HR readers, I have finished the book {Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long} and I am WRECKED! I want a whole series on just this couple and the family characters that were introduced because I am NOT READY to let go.

Spoilers posted, below, but for those who want the gist without reading further: this book is so magnificent; the yearning is delightful and the way that both MCs not only grow individually, but do that individual growth because of how the interact with each other and expose their inner selves to each other along the plot.

I just love this kind of writing, where you can fully relate to the inner struggle, the inner narrative that the characters have. Even just silly points of narrative, like when Deliliah gets pinched (hilarious!). There are a lot of HR's I've enjoyed; there are lots of authors that I like their writing style (even if some plot points, or descriptions, or style does get repetitive throughout a single series or through multiple books), but this book (and several of the JAL books in this series and outside as well) hit me in my feels and just gave me joy.

Okay, now for some spoilers (or what I would consider spoilers) so stop reading to avoid!

1. The sarcasm banter of these two! I would be BFFs with Ginny for this reason alone.

>>!"What do you think I did with the rest of yesterday evening?" he asked. "Debauchery," she said firmly. "I was in by curfew," he replied piously. "Debauchery requires a considerably greater investment of time." "I imagine you would know, she said politely.!<

>>!"And are we going to steal the vase?" He stopped to fix her with a reproving stare. "For heaven's sake Miss Woodville. No, we're not going to steal it. What kind of monster do you think I am?"!<

>>!"Just as I suspected." Her voice was shockingly kiss-scorched. She whispered just an inch or two away from his lips, " You kiss like a granny."!<

2. >!His reasoning for having "beloved" on the stone marker for Michael just put me ALL in my feels......!<

3. The response about her freckles:

>>!"The night sky without stars," he said finally. As though he'd long been working out a conundrum in his head, and this was his best theory. "I beg your pardon?" "Your face without freckles," he explained. !<

4. >!The fact that he was already planning to turn the gaming club into an academy for children, plus the epilogue providing a future look at it and a slight connection to the MC from My Season of Scandal.!<

5. >!I loved Garth and Ginny mending fences; I wish this had been a bit more developed either in the epilogue or the ending scenes, but I understand the choice to be more general about it.!<

6. >!Controversial, because I really do love Dot (but I also understand how she can be a bit much and take away from the main story). But I REALLY do hope her and Pike have their own little side romance in a future book. !<

Just got a copy through Libby after waiting what felt like FOREVER!!! I'm only in chapter 2 when I read this quote:

"'Because ...." He leaned back in his chair and studied her again, as if he wanted to get his answer precisely right. "You have the look of a woman who has long yearned for someone to tell her what to do.'"

Y'all......my eldest daughter energy is HERE👏🏻 FOR 👏🏻 THIS👏🏻

I fully plan on devouring this book before 8am tomorrow.

Edit: full book info: {game of rogues by Julie anne long}

I devoured the book {How to lose a duke in 10 days by laura lee guhrke} in less than 24 hours. The MMC in this book is an IMMEDIATE add to my Mount Rushmore of MMCs.

Note: this book will not be for everyone due to the content warnings listed when looking at Storygraph. Putting them here under spoilers so you can choose to continue reading or not (>>!sexual assault, ptsd, panic attacks!<<). I will say that the content warning topics are moderate in terms of detail and description. You are aware of what caused the trauma, but the actions all happen off book.

Edie is an American heiress who suffered abuse and fled to England to (hopefully) find escape in a marriage to a British lord. What she found was a marriage of convenience with Stuart, the Duke of Margrave. For 5 years, their marriage of convenience worked wonderfully: she ran everything related to the estates and enjoyed creating a life for herself and her sister while Stuart explores the wilds of East Africa. He makes an unexpected homecoming and they have to figure out what they are to do, since Edie wants things to go back to normal and Stuart has had an experience that makes him want to make a real go of it.

I really wasn't expecting to love this book like I did, especially when I saw the content warnings. I gave it a chance because I do really enjoy the other books by the author and I thought the first book of the series was really enjoyable.

Stuart is EVERYTHING. This man is gentle, he is charming, he uses humor, he is patient and he is fully supportive of Edie healing at her own pace and trying his best to create the space for her to do so. He has his own trauma to heal from and when Edie realizes that she can help HIM *chef's kiss*.

The slow burn is fabulous and I loved how they grew together. If you like marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, scarred hero, slow burn books, definitely consider giving this one a chance.