In Love with Romance

The Irresistible Rogue (Playful Brides, #4)I'll start by saying Valerie Bowman reminded me why I'm a historical/regency romance junkie. I'll read anything but if I'm given a choice between a historical/regency and a contemporary, I'll pass on the latter.

I love, love, love Rafe Cavendish. He's funny, smart, with a nice rear view (according to Lady Daphne, the heroine). I don't care that he isn't titled or that he isn't rich (and neither does Lady Daphne).

Though blue blood doesn't run through his veins, Rafe is close friends with the aristocracy. Well, he's actually married into the aristocracy except only few know of his secret marriage to Lady Daphne. It turns out that Lady Daphne's deceased brother had agreed that she help Rafe in a mission a year ago, but only if she married him. Daphne can't stay away from trouble and she wants to serve her country like the men do, so she accepted to marry Rafe for all the wrong reasons, though at the time they all made sense.

Now a year has passed. Her brother died on a mission that went wrong and she's still married to Rafe, but she wants an annulment. They were supposed to get an annulment a long time ago, but she'd been so furious with Rafe that time slipped through her fingers. The problem now is that she's ready to move on. Her family is hosting a ball for her as everyone expects her to become engage with Lord Fitzwell. Rafe shows up and asks for her help on another mission, and in return he'd her the annulment she so wants. Except she doesn't. Rafe's return brings back memories of the time they spent together a year ago, their almost kiss, and the blonde she found in his bed, who he swears he'd never met.

She agrees to help him yet again and only because her help will serve two purposes. One: they'll find out where her brother's killers are. Two: she'll get the annulment she doesn't want but needs anyway.

I had so much fun reading this book. I can't make up my mind on who is my favorite character. Valerie Bowman made me laugh so hard. Delilah, a precocious twelve-year old, is hilarious. I sure hope Valerie writes Delilah's story some day when she's all grown up. The other characters in the book, though their appearances weren't constant, they had such a great role I wanted to know more about them. I haven't read the other books in this series but now I will. I'd read a short story by Valerie Bowman before and I'd had her on my TBR forever. I'm glad I finally got around to it because she's now one of my go to authors for historical/regency romances.

The Irresistible Rogue is one story I'd recommend. Will I read it again? You bet I will.