Reviewer: Tracy
Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Maiden Lane #8
Also in this series: Wicked Intentions, Wicked Intentions, Lord of Darkness, Darling Beast, Sweetest Scoundrel, Duke of Sin, Once Upon a Moonlit Night (Maiden Lane #10.5), Duke of Pleasure, Duke of Desire, Once Upon a Maiden Lane, Once Upon a Christmas Eve (Maiden Lane #12.6), Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane, #10)
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: May 26th 2015
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Series Rating:

HE CAN GUARD HER

Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.

FROM EVERY DANGER

Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil, so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until she's targeted by kidnappers.

BUT PASSION ITSELF

Caught in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping, Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior . . . and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.

Phoebe Batten is twenty one years old but feels like a small child at times. She has to ask permission to go places and she always has to have a companion – in this case her bodyguard, Captain James Trevillion. She hates having to live as she does but she’s blind and her brother, the Duke of Wakefield, is over protective and uncompromising. Phoebe has resented the Captain’s presence in her life until recently when she has begun to see him as more of a man than a guard. She’s becoming more attached to him as the time passes.

James Trevillion is a proud man whose first choice would not be playing bodyguard to anyone. He has found himself falling for Phoebe, however, and wants her safe at all costs. When he fails to keep her safe he resigns his position. He hates being away from her but he knows it’s necessary for her own safety. That doesn’t exactly work out and next thing you know Phoebe and James are masquerading as husband and wife while on their way to Cornwall to hide out. While hiding from Phoebe from kidnappers James has to figure out if he loves Phoebe enough to fight for her or loves her enough to stay away.

Oh the tension is this book was glorious. lol I have been waiting for Phoebe’s story and Hoyt did not disappoint. James and Phoebe were perfect for each other and to finally see them both find love was quite satisfying.

The story had so many different elements to it that Hoyt wove together beautifully. Phoebe’s issues with her brother and his over protectiveness; Phoebe’s feelings about her blindness as well as her growing feelings for James; James’ issues with his pride and his bum leg; James’ issues with his father and his past in Cornwall; James’ issues with his feelings for Phoebe and his belief that he wasn’t good enough for her. It all came together so nicely that I found myself turning page after page and not pretty much refusing to put the book down.

The characters were strong and so well written. I felt that we got to know each of the MC’s in-depth and got a good grasp on who they were inside and how they would be perfect for the other person. I love the way that Hoyt writes and how she manages to get her MC’s to fall in love. Earlier in the series I would have never imagined Phoebe and James together but after reading this book it’s obvious they were meant for each other. Yes, I’m a romantic sap. lol

Dearest Rogue is a great love story in what’s been a wonderful series. I can’t wait to read the next book and now want to go back and start from book one just so I can get a Hoyt fix while I wait for the next story.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This title is available from Vision/Grand Central Publishing. You can buy it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.