REVIEW: I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen

In I Kissed a Rogue (Covent Garden Cubs #3) by Shana Galen, Before he became ‘Sir’ Brook Derring and one of the most sought after investigators in London, Brook was head-over-heels for Lady Lillian-Anne ‘Lila’ Lennox. She sadly stomped on his heart and never looked back. Now Brook is tasked with locating Lila after she is abducted. Finding her is his first challenge. Holding tightly to his heart and not falling for the beautiful woman again will likely be the most difficult part of his endeavor.

‘A better man would act the gentleman and vow not to use his worldly experience to seduce an innocent… As Brook pushed away from the wall and stepped back into the cottage, he had to admit, he was no gentleman.’

Being taken hostage into the more deplorable parts of London was bad enough, but when Lila realizes it is Brook she’ll have to thank for rescuing her, she knows he’ll have something negative to say. And rightly so, considering how badly she hurt him years ago. But Lila has learned some valuable lessons in how to treat others since then and she’d like to make it up to him. While dodging threats from thugs, they become reacquainted and Lila faces the fact that she made a grave error by turning down Brook’s offer so long ago. And she would give anything to earn his trust and love again.

‘She’d wronged him in he past. She knew that now. She knew it then, but the difference was she cared now. Her mother’s death had changed her, made her appreciate the value of kindness and generosity. Before she’d been a spoiled, selfish child.’

I Kissed a Rogue was a nice addition to the popular Covent Garden Cubs series by Shana Galen. With a thread of mystery, a reunion between our main characters, and family drama galore, this Historical Romance had a lot going for it.

I’m happy to say that this novel was written with the same emotional rawness that the previous books have had and it also kept the personal growth theme going. However this time, instead of one of the lead characters being a part of the Covent Garden Cubs finding a way to redeem themselves, it was our heroine (and to a lesser extent our hero) who went through a big metamorphosis and changed her ways.

Thank goodness for character growth, honestly, because Lila didn’t start off as the most likable person, in my opinion. But what a difference Brook made in her life. That and realizing after the loss of her mother how truly selfish and unkind she had been to her so-called friends. The first two-thirds or so of the book I spent hoping Lila would finish her personal journey by noticing what Brook could offer her as a suitor. By the end, I had definitely warmed toward her and thought she had come a long way, becoming a much more caring and enlightened person.

Now, Brook started off as a solid, dependable person and just continued that way all through to the end. He’s been mentioned in previous books so we’ve caught glimpses of his personality, but don’t worry–this can easily be read as a standalone. Brook had every right to be angry with Lila and I thought it was realistic that he would want to hang on to that so he could avoid falling for her again. So watching how his feelings evolved was satisfying and had me crossing my fingers that Brook could trust Lila this time around.

If you’re looking for a Historical Romance with a nicely paced plot, genuine characters, and a HEA that was definitely hard-won, I Kissed a Rogue is the story for you.

Book Info:

 Published March 1st 2016 | by Sourcebooks Casablanca | Covent Garden Cubs #3

“A perfectly delightful love story. This magical read is a keeper.” -RT Book Reviews, Top Pick, 4 ½ stars for The Rogue You Know

Once she spurned the man…
When the Duke of Lennox hires Sir Brook Derring, England’s best investigator, to find his daughter, Brook intends only to rescue the lady and return to his solitary life. He deals with London’s roughest criminals every day of the week; surely he should be able to endure seeing his first love again-the perfect girl who broke his heart…

Now her life depends on him
Lady Lillian-Anne Lennox has always done her best to live up to her father’s standards of perfection-at the cost of following her heart. When she’s kidnapped and her perfect life is shattered, Lila has another chance. Together, Lila and Brook navigate not only the dark and deadly side of London, but the chasm of pride and prejudice that divides them.