A Rogue by Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels, #1)

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A Rogue by Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels #1)

by Sarah MacLean (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 5,998 ratings · 629 reviews

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets...

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtship...more

Kindle Edition, 386 pages

Published February 28th 2012 by Avon (first published February 1st 2012)

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Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

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Nov 01, 2012 Blacky *Mistress of doom* rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, favorite-historical, read-historical, best-of-the-best, mine, of-course, bestest-of-the-best, 5-stars-for-quality, 5-stars-for-enjoyment

“I am too imperfect for you,” he whispered at her temple.
“You are perfectly imperfect for me.”

I just... I love this book. I love the cover. I love the writing; every single sentence. I enjoyed reading it. I love the plot, oh yes, no better plot than revenge. I love the characters, both of them. But most of all; I love you Sarah MacLean Gimme more books like these

“You have my land, Penelope,” he whispered at her ear, the sound low and liquid and altogether too distracting even as it sent tremo
...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult

I choose you. I choose love.

And the world says, "aww..."

3.5 stars. I think my weeks-long book slump finally ended when I decided to go back and finish the second half of this. It's really too bad that I seem to have a roadblock every single time I try out a new Historical Romance author. No other genre works me over in such a way, to where I'm stuck in an exact idea of what I want to be reading (a.k.a. Kleypas type of wit), and if my ideals are not met right away, I tend to balk and kick my f...more

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Mar 04, 2013 UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Historical Romance lovers

Shelves: author-sarah-maclean, first-in-series, historical-romance, series-rules-of-scoundrels, ebook-own-have-read, 5-stars, 2012-reads, series-the-rules-of-scoundrels, rakes-rogues-libertines-scoundrels, heroine-rocked-by-scandal, heroine-strong-independant-compassi, heroine-unconventional, heroines-all-kinds-of-awesome, series-must-read, auto-buy-author, reviewed-at-blithelybookish, reviewed-by-me

A Rogue by Any Other Name is the first book in Sarah MacLean’s The Rules of Scoundrels series and from the first page to the last is filled with emotion – happiness, heartbreak, passion, romance – a truly fabulous story!

I often find, with historical romances, that the rules society has placed on the women can make them seem mousey and pathetic, so I love it when an author takes those women and makes them strong enough to laugh at their peers – or at least not care enough to conform to what’s exp...more
A Rogue by Any Other Name is the first book in Sarah MacLean’s The Rules of Scoundrels series and from the first page to the last is filled with emotion – happiness, heartbreak, passion, romance – a truly fabulous story!

I often find, with historical romances, that the rules society has placed on the women can make them seem mousey and pathetic, so I love it when an author takes those women and makes them strong enough to laugh at their peers – or at least not care enough to conform to what’s expected of them. That always makes for some funny, sexy stories, and that’s what Ms. MacLean has done with A Rogue by Any Other Name.

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets...

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them... even her heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Love By Numbers series – in fact, I’ve often said that if I could choose to be any heroine from a historical romance novel, it would be Lady Calpurnia Hartwell from Nine Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake. She’s strong, independent, feisty, funny… I’d be her in a heartbeat, but to be honest, I feel that way about most of Sarah MacLean’s heroines. Rarely do I get as attached to the heroine of a story as I do to the hero, but with this author’s books, I always do. But I digress….

Our hero, Michael, Marquess of Bourne, is horrible! He’s not just an ass, he’s a pain in the ass! And I adored every single bit of him! You just know that in the end, he’s going to get his, and watching it come about is just so much fun! We go from him devising his plan for revenge, then watching him carry it out, knowing that he never considers - not even for a moment - that it won’t go as flawlessly as he expected. Then we see, bit by bit, the transformation; the shock when he starts to question his motives, his feelings, his true wants and desires. I absolutely love watching this transformation!

Our heroine, Lady Penelope Marbury, truly is my kind of woman. As I said above, Sarah MacLean is one of the few authors who can write heroines who are as perfect as her heroes. Penelope is, in some ways, a victim of her times, but she doesn’t let those suffocating rules of society keep her from having an “adventure”. I LOVE this about her! She reminds me somewhat of Lady Calpurnia, and perhaps that’s why I adore her so much. She didn’t sit about whimpering or simpering as she did her needlework, waiting for something exciting to happen. Nope! She found ways to create her own excitement. I love how she took life by the horns and didn’t let go!

And the story! Oh, my goodness! Take a rake – or in this case, a rogue – and give him a truly compelling, believable need for revenge, then toss in an innocent, but not naïve, heroine, and you have the makings of an incredible story, and that’s what this one is. Twists, turns, heartache and happiness – never a dull moment and I adored every word!

The bottom line: It probably goes without saying, but I can’t say it enough – I love this story! It was filled with emotion and had me laughing, sighing and fanning myself, start to finish. Sarah MacLean is one of the few “auto-buy” authors on my list, and books like A Rogue by Any Other Name is why.

I am soooo looking forward to the next book in the series, One Good Earl Deserves a Lover and cannot wait to watch Penelope’s sister, Lady Philippa Marbury, match wits with the man known only as Cross, the bookkeeper of the The Fallen Angel gaming hell. That is a story guaranteed to deliver everything I crave in historical romance, and a story not to be missed!(less)

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Jun 10, 2012 Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicals, sarah-maclean, favorite-historicals

FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED

5+++ VERY SHINY STARS!

"I want to lay you down in the light of The Angel and make love to you."

Wow, wow, wow! What a fabulous read! *hugging my Kindle* Prepare yourself to be gushed upon.

From revenge to love. Michael intends to corrupt Penelope. He wants to turn her from light to dark, from good to bad. His goal is to totally ruin her. And it will feel so splendid. A Rogue by Any Other Name is such a great example why I love to read HR. *does the happy dance*

Despite my mino...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Elizabeth - Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-star-reads, favorites, ebook-read, historical-romance-read, ibook-read

- The Story (taken from back-cover blurb) -

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that...more

35 likes · like · see review

Dec 11, 2012 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction-romance, favorites

Four words: Romance at its best!

12 likes · like · see review

Jun 03, 2012 KatLynne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: g-historical-romance, part-of-a-series, 2012-reads, friends-to-lovers, hero-alpha-warrior, hero-dark-brooding, hero-favorite-smokin-hot-sexay, hero-hottie-billionaire, hero-seeking-revenge, hero-tortured-flawed, heroine-i-loved, heroine-prim-proper, heroine-virgin, heroine-with-backbone-smart-strong, keeper, kindle-owned, made-me-laugh, marriage-of-convenience, one-of-my-fav-authors, redemption-forgiveness, sensual-steamy, smokin-hot-steamy

Sarah MacLean has become one of my favorite HR authors. I enjoy her writing style and I find myself highlighting nearly every three or four pages. It’s like, “Oh my, I just love how she said that,” and I have to stop and do the Kindle highlight thing:) I crave dialogue in my novels and this one doesn’t disappoint! It is sexy, witty, poignant and refreshing! While there are a few places that could be referred to as “cheesy,” it still worked for me and I loved it!

The young Michael, Marquess of Bou...more Sarah MacLean has become one of my favorite HR authors. I enjoy her writing style and I find myself highlighting nearly every three or four pages. It’s like, “Oh my, I just love how she said that,” and I have to stop and do the Kindle highlight thing:) I crave dialogue in my novels and this one doesn’t disappoint! It is sexy, witty, poignant and refreshing! While there are a few places that could be referred to as “cheesy,” it still worked for me and I loved it!

The young Michael, Marquess of Bourne, has lost EVERYTHING with the turn of a card! He’d been fleeced! He walks away with little more than his disgraced title. At the age of twenty one, Bourne’s entire life becomes full of hatred and he vows revenge and restitution. For the next nine years, that is what fuels his every decision. He is now one of four partners in London’s most exclusive Gaming Hells and is richer by far than most. Still, it is not enough. The only thing he wants more than his former home, Falconwell, is to destroy the one who took it from him.

Penelope Marbury was first introduced in the third installment of SM’s Love By Numbers Trilogy. The scandal that led up to her father breaking her engagement to the Duke of Leighton has ruined her chances of a good match. Even though she is innocent of any wrongdoing, broken engagements were always blamed on the woman. Once considered the most darling of darlings of the ton, now, years later, she finds herself a spinster with a family desperate to see her wed. But Penelope wants MORE! This compassionate and smart young woman yearns to be wanted and loved. But it seems an impossible goal. Her father insists she must marry. Recently winning Falconwell in a card game, he places this property as part of her dowry, hoping this will attract more suitors.

And so begins the journey of Penny and Michael. They were childhood friends until the loss of his estates. She hasn’t seen or heard from him since his defeat. Obtaining Falconwell is the only thing that gives him purpose and he doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process. He ruthlessly pursues Penny ensuring their marriage. Penny quickly learns the boy she once knew is gone and doesn’t recognize this hard and bitter man. And once again her choices are taken from her …by a man.

Penny’s life as well as most women of the day has been ruled by the demands and whims of men; first her father, then as Leighton’s fiancé, and now Michael. Now, she is trapped by a man once again.

I liked this woman. She transforms into a beautiful, smart young lady who stands up for herself. She desires adventure and is no longer satisfied to settle for pastels! Michael, “wicked as sin and twice as handsome” has her heart yearning for so much more! And he soon finds himself no longer able to resist his desire for Penny.

“I am going to explore you…to discover your heat and softness, every bit of your decadence.” ….”You make my mouth water.” He loved the taste of her, a “drug of which he could never have enough.”

I loved this book - The sensual pull, the banter between these two, the laugh out loud moments, and the heartbreak of unrequited love and a heart that cannot get past feelings of unworthiness. And still, so, so much more than I’ve stated! Sarah MacLean had me so invested I didn’t want to stop until the end! And with the teaser added for the next installment, I can hardly wait!
(less)

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Mar 03, 2013 edzkie♥§*.*§♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, books-series, books-i-love-so-so-much

“I’m going to corrupt you,” he promised her skin, one hand sliding down the swell of her stomach, feeling the way the muscles there tensed and quivered at his touch. “I’m going to turn you from light to dark, from good to bad. I’m going to ruin you.” She didn’t care. She was his. He owned her in this moment, with this touch. “And do you know how it will feel?”
She sighed the word this time. “Splendid.”
More than that.
More than she’d ever imagined.

Love over Revenge. This book is now added to my "...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Jane Litte marked it as did-not-finish · review of another edition

I tried to finish this book but was just incapable of doing so. The hero was a total dickhead and why? Because at a young age, he lost his entire fortune including an important and unentailed property. He returns to London to set up a gambling house where he proceeds to ruin other young and old men. His goal is to reclaim this unentailed family property and in order to do so, he ruins a perfectly nice young woman who has already suffered a heap load of humiliation, having been jilted by a duke w...more

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Feb 03, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, sarah-maclean, netgalley

All right, I will admit that I am in love with Sarah MacLean's books. She started me on my new found historical love affair with her superb Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake and I have not looked back so I may be a bit biased in saying that I have loved everything she has since written, including A Rogue By Any Other Name. This book is a bit different though as our hero, Michael, Marquess of Bourne is quite unlikable for a good bit of the book. He forces a marriage of convenience with an...more All right, I will admit that I am in love with Sarah MacLean's books. She started me on my new found historical love affair with her superb Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake and I have not looked back so I may be a bit biased in saying that I have loved everything she has since written, including A Rogue By Any Other Name. This book is a bit different though as our hero, Michael, Marquess of Bourne is quite unlikable for a good bit of the book. He forces a marriage of convenience with an old childhood friend, Lady Penelope Marbury and there are many ups and downs but I loved how their deep abiding love for each other finally trumps and Michael becomes a swoon worthy hero to the delightful Penelope.

Bourne lost everything with the turn of a card during a card game and it has shaped him into the man he is today. He is so bent on revenge against the man that took it all from him, nothing else matters but destroying his former guardian and gaining back his family home and lands. It is now ten years later and Bourne is part of a successful gaming hell and he has rebuilt himself financially and when he hears that his land is part of his childhood friend Penelopes dowry, well, he knows what he must do to finally secure his past.

Penelope is thrilled to see Bourne again one snowy night but it quickly becomes evident that this is not the boy from her childhood or the boy she used to correspond with frequently. No, this grown up Bourne is hard, unyielding and cold. She agrees to his 'proposal' as Penelope has already caused a huge scandal in the past (though not from her doing) and she needs to secure good matches for her two younger sisters. Together, they agree to their marriage terms and seal the deal, so to say. Oh, but Bourne seems to have no heart when he shoves Penelope away time and time again--despite there very heated attraction--and it makes Penelope, already at her wits end with the way her life is playing out, buck up and stand up to Bourne.

I will admit, I wasn't sure if I could really grow to love Bourne. He is such a complete jerk for almost the entire book but there were enough glimpses of his own thoughts and the sweet childhood letters that I knew somewhere beneath that hard layer, a man worthy of swoon worthiness was there. I do wish his 'aha' moment happened a bit sooner because when he finally did see the light, Penelope was hard pressed to believe him. And who can really blame her? Bourne would give an inch and then remind her that is was all for show (to prove to society they were truly in love and gain her sisters respectable suitors), Penelope got to be so wound tight it was hard to believe in the gradual change in Bourne. I loved the addition of the letters back and forth, it really added to the story and helped set the tone for the quick marriage of convenience as we could see that our couple had a strong bond as children. This book is sure to have something to please any romance fan--a vengeful man so bent on destruction that he almost misses the thing that will finally make him complete again, a heroine who is smart, plucky, and has a quick comeback for all of Bournes rudeness all set within the glittering world of an elite gaming hell. An absolutely wonderful romance of childhood friends, an unconventional marriage of convenience, revenge and proof that true love heals even the most jaded of hearts. 4 1/2 stars

Oh, but Ms. MacLean? That epilogue was just torture as I want the next book right now. :)

I received this eARC from Avon via netgalley.com(less)

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May 22, 2013 Mitzi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: writer-sarah-maclean, heat-2-steaming, heat-3-boiling, genre-romance-historical

What a great revenge to love story....One of the best I've ever read...I loved it, it's awesome and it's a keeper!!! This is a friend to lover story too. The h/H grew up as neighbors and were pals...I especially enjoyed the little notes the h/H sent to each other while he was away at school...(nice touch by author). I also liked that this book didn't overplay the 'poor me-pity party-I'm not good enough for you' scenario.

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Feb 28, 2012 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss, auto-buy, historical, 2012-read, arc-review-held, favorite-heroes, tortured-hero, friends-to-lovers, betrayal, steam-level-steamy, unrequited-love, spinster-heroine, kidnapped, forced-marriage, revenge-plot, reformed-rake

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: February 28, 2012 (Available Now!)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Author’s Website: http://macleanspace.com/
My Source for This Book: Edelweiss
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, The Rules of Scoundrels Series
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy

Oh, how I love a childhood friends to lovers story, especially when full of estrangement, revenge, and unrequited love. As one of my favorite...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Dinjolina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2nd-chance-at-love, angst, bad-boy-involved, book-from-fav-author, boooooring, hero-overly-angsty

The books started out fabulously. It was solid, fun, witty, and angsty.
I was sure it will be perfect!

And it was, up untill about half way trough. Then it was just flat. Not bad, per se...but almost boring. It seemed like after the hero's turn-around everything was done in a straight line. Even the famous card scene with the heroine and the eeeeevil enemy left me cold.

Also, a lot of things were never adressed. Like Mrs.Worth. The very young servats. The mistress-should-live-here-not-a-normal-fami...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Sha Mslvoe ♥♥♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Sha Mslvoe ♥♥♥ by: Blacky *Mistress of doom*

Shelves: on-nook, historical-romance, keepers

Penelope and Michael @ Bourne - what a good combination.

Great read, was hard to put down! Amazing!!!!!!

I saw that a few of my GR friends had read and love it. So I thought I will give a shot. I was not disappointed! Penelope and Bourne captured my heart immediately and didn't let go.

Wonderfully written, she's such a good storyteller and I simply enjoy everything she wrote.

Perfect. a Keeper. Recommended!

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Feb 15, 2012 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, signed-books

Oh goodness... I LOVED IT! i think this may be my favorite of Sarah's books ever! And I soon as we meet Cross, I thought of Pippa... I need her book, like yesterday!

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Nov 03, 2012 Vishous * 4ever Racht's Minion * rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hot-hot-guyzzz, my-favourite, fangirl-daze, historical, need-sequel-pronto, romance, series, seriously-hot-alpha-male, steamy, swooning, review, awesome-recommended-by-blacky

I must say that this book reminded me why is HR my favorite genre! Yes, I'm a sucker for romance, bigger sucker for HEA and much bigger sucker for books when main characters don't want to admit to themselves that they are IN LOVE with each other!

First I must say a HUGE thank you to BLACKY for telling me to read this book! I can't wait to read the sequel with Cross!

description

THE STORY

Ah the story... when you combine love and revenge what's there not to love!?!?
Michael lost it all in game of cards and he w...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Melody rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: love-me-some-dirty-talk, 5-star, alpha-hero, angst-forlorn-couples, anti-hero, arrogant-cocky-hero, bad-boy, could-not-put-it-down, friends-to-lovers, gorgeous-eyes-hero, historical-romance, making-me-swoon-dialogue, marriage-of-convenience, one-and-only-love, possessive-jealous-hero, revenge, self-made-hero, shy-quiet-sheltered-heroine, sweetheart-heroine, tortured-hero, opposites-attract, reviewed-by-me, virgin-heroine, red-themed-cover

Very delicious fun read. I was debating whether to give this a 4 or 5 star but the characters and dialogue were so engaging I couldn't not give this an extra star for it. Well done! I've read one other book by Sarah Maclean but wasn't blown away by it but this one I enjoyed very much. I did feel the story lagged and grew redundant in the middle, but the dialogue and characters are what drove me to keep reading. I found myself totally connecting with the heroine in this Lady Penelope. The eldest...more Very delicious fun read. I was debating whether to give this a 4 or 5 star but the characters and dialogue were so engaging I couldn't not give this an extra star for it. Well done! I've read one other book by Sarah Maclean but wasn't blown away by it but this one I enjoyed very much. I did feel the story lagged and grew redundant in the middle, but the dialogue and characters are what drove me to keep reading. I found myself totally connecting with the heroine in this Lady Penelope. The eldest of 5 daughters, she's a dreamer, a hopeless romantic who longs for more then a proper 'perfect' marriage to a man with a title. Her engagement to a Duke that was called off 8 years ago has followed her for years and tainted her as an 'aging spinster'. Her parents and family lord it over her head how she's ruined any chances for herself and her sisters to find good prospects because of the scandal she caused. She's felt restricted, controlled and used by everyone she's loved and counted on and continually feels disappointed by where she is in life. For a polite well mannered somewhat shy girl I really enjoyed seeing her bloom into a fearless adventurous woman who went after what she wanted. Her longing for that 'something more', for marrying for love and not wanting to settle for a quiet agreeable marriage I found myself wholeheartedly relating to. Oh boy did I ever. I wanted to hug her because I related to her on so many levels and I kept waiting & hoping to see her stand up for herself and go after what she wanted. Glad she did! The constant disappointment of getting your hopes crushed is something many can relate to, I sure do.

Michael, a.k.a Lord Bourne was quite the anti-hero in the beginning of this story. He lost his inheritance at 21 to a friend's scheming father over a game of cards. He's been on a path of revenge to get back his family home and lands and get revenge against the man who took it all away. As fate would have it, Michael's family home ends up being part of Penelope's dowry as a last minute attempt by her father to lure suitors. And that's where their paths cross again. He was selfish and cruel to Penelope in the beginning but we see his inner struggle of trying not to hurt Penelope and going out of his way to not 'taint' her so I can't really say he was a hopeless uncaring ass. I saw a lot of potential in him, he started to slowly and quite stubbornly come to terms of what's really important and revenge isn't everything and that he in fact deserves love and happiness. It really was wonderful to see. I loved these two together, I really did. They made me smile, broke my heart, pissed me off at times and made me root for them. I loved seeing both address and reflect on their childhood friendship and the connection they had and the underlying love that was always there between them. And Michael's nickname 'Sixpence' for Penelope was very charming and sweet.

And the supporting characters in this were just as delightful. Naturally I became very intrigued and enamored with Bourne's friends & partners at his gaming club: Chase, Cross and Temple. Cross and Temple in particular intrigued me early on. I adore those two! Cross with his quick wit and easy smile, Temple with his staggering build and saucy humor and oh yes..his tattoos :D. Oof. I wasn't sure what to make of him at first because he was described as a lumbering brute but that scene with him and Michael in the boxing ring made me stand up and take notice of him. I am very happy to see both Cross and Temple got books and looking forward to and hopefully enjoying them as well! *crosses fingers* (less)

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May 12, 2012 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, fluffy-fun, regency, spinsters-have-all-the-fun, virgin-no-more, favorites, library, aint-he-sweet, gods-be-damned, outlander, plain-and-or-curvy-h, sarah-maclean, what-a-jerk, badboy-rebel, childhood-friends

5+ stars - This was one of the best historical romances I've had the pleasure to read in a while!

I've enjoyed Sarah MacLean's previous novels, but 'A Rogue By Any Other Name' definitely takes the cake! Great characters, witty dialogue and a touching, heart-warming and HOT romance, this one had it all and is an excellent start to MacLean's new series 'The Rules of Scoundrels'.

We met Lady Penelope in MacLean's previous novel 'Eleven Scandals...' where she was the young, sweet, and soft-spoken fi...more 5+ stars - This was one of the best historical romances I've had the pleasure to read in a while!

I've enjoyed Sarah MacLean's previous novels, but 'A Rogue By Any Other Name' definitely takes the cake! Great characters, witty dialogue and a touching, heart-warming and HOT romance, this one had it all and is an excellent start to MacLean's new series 'The Rules of Scoundrels'.

We met Lady Penelope in MacLean's previous novel 'Eleven Scandals...' where she was the young, sweet, and soft-spoken fiancée of the Duke of Leighton. Their betrothal didn't work out, since he ended up in a love match with a fiery Italian temptress. Eight years have passed since their broken engagement and now Penelope sits on the verge of spinsterhood secretly awaiting (hoping for) her own love-match, when her father sweetens the dowry pot by adding to it a very desirable piece of land that is sure to garner the interest of affluent suitors. It turns out this land used to be part of the ancestral holdings of Bourne (Michael), a Marquess who foolishly lost it in a game of chance as a young man, and he wants it back - even if that means claiming Penelope's hand in marriage by any means necessary. Michael and Penelope used to be the best of childhood friends, but Penelope finds it hard to reconcile the grown man with the boy she adored and Michael is determined to keep "Sixpence" at bay. However, the seeds of love have been sown and the perfect proper Penelope and roguish bad-boy Bourne (who also happens to be part owner of a notorious gaming hall) can't help but eventually succumb to their feelings for each other.

What I really enjoyed about ARBAON was the fact that unlike many historical romances it wasn't plagued by silly and tedious misunderstandings between hero/heroine or inundated with too many stuffy mundane characters representing the attitudes of the day - instead the story never strayed too far from its central focus on the sizzlin' romance brewing between Penelope and Michael.

A promising story arc is in play between Cross, a partner of Michael's, and Penelope's brainy sister Phillipa and I'm looking forward to it... This next release is on my 'cannot-wait-for' shelf! (less)

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Jul 10, 2012 Layla rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people that love Sarah MacLean's writing

Recommended to Layla by: myself

Shelves: genre-historical, 2012-release, part-of-a-series, 2012-july, rating-3-stars, reviewed, tortured-alpha-hero

My rating: 3/5 stars
First line: The eight of diamonds ruined him.
Favourite quote:You deserve better. Better than me.

Truer words were never spoken before. Truth is, Penelope deserves better. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

You know, I have a complex relationship with Miss MacLean’s books. Nine Rules was a total bore, the second one didn’t seem interesting enough but Eleven Scandals was a book to my liking. What is my problem with these books? Usually, I’m annoyed by the heroines. I find them...more

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Oct 14, 2012 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vine, romance, historical-romance, for-review

To me, the mark of a strong romance novel is when the book manages to make me feel ALL THE THINGS. A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean ran the gamut of emotions. It is a historical romance. Main character Penelope Marbury, a wealthy woman just shy of being a spinster. Penelope has a sizable dowry but after her broken engagement, where her fiancé left her for a love match, Penelope will not settle for anything less than love.
Read the rest of my review here

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Sep 24, 2012 mad4rombks rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, tbr-mountain, kindle-e-books

Read the first 60%, waiting for the hero to come to his senses and realize heroine was not the cause of all his troubles. By the time he did, I lost interest and skimmed the last 40% of the story.

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Feb 23, 2012 Bookworm1858 rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amazon-vine, romance, read-2012

3.5/5
Although I loved MacLean's YA debut, The Season, I found her debut romance Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake extremely unsatisfying. However I know MacLean is a good writer so I wanted to give her new series a shot. Apparently the heroine of this book was jilted in the previous series but you do not have to be familiar with those books to read this one.

And this one started very promisingly. Male lead Michael Bourne lost his entire fortune and land, everything that wasn't entailed, o...more 3.5/5
Although I loved MacLean's YA debut, The Season, I found her debut romance Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake extremely unsatisfying. However I know MacLean is a good writer so I wanted to give her new series a shot. Apparently the heroine of this book was jilted in the previous series but you do not have to be familiar with those books to read this one.

And this one started very promisingly. Male lead Michael Bourne lost his entire fortune and land, everything that wasn't entailed, on a bad hand of cards to his mentor and protector, the father of his best friend. After losing everything, he is ostracized from society and driven solely by his need for revenge. He manages to rebuild and even outpace his fortune in only nine years by owning a gaming club and the final piece of the puzzle is Falconwell, which has been attached to Lady Penelope Marbury's dowry.

Penelope is a 28-year-old spinster who was jilted years earlier as her fiance sought a love match and now secretly hopes for the same herself; she wants more. I liked Penelope immediately, which made it all the harder to endure the male lead's, who is supposed to be a HERO, treatment of her. He is absolutely horrid to her. He abducts her with the cold intention of regaining his land; he could have played it much better due to their childhood friendship. He did not have to be a monster; he easily could have wooed and won her. But he chose the easy route, not the right route. And he doesn't stop there. He emotionally distances her while boring me with how much he wanted her body. There are glimpses of a decent person but only that. I cannot believe I kept reading, just to find his redemption.

Luckily that redemption was handled well and is responsible for the high rating here. I never got over my first impression of Michael especially because I loved Penelope so much and wanted more for her. She wanted and deserved to be passionately loved but Michael just kept breaking her heart into little pieces and proving his unworthiness. I prefer a different kind of man in my romance novel.

I guess I'm kind of getting the impression that MacLean and I just don't click. I have disliked the heroes in both of the books I've read by her and not just in minor ways but in big ways that hindered my enjoyment. I'm glad I gave it another shot but I have been burned too much.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Wicked xomestic. iole I had similar issues with enjoying this book but Ny biggest anger was towards Penelope. most likely due to my working at a domestic vio...more xomestic. iole I had similar issues with enjoying this book but Ny biggest anger was towards Penelope. most likely due to my working at a domestic violent e shelter, when he abandoned her for 10yrs and comes back and kidnaps her telling her that he will make her marry him or ruin her she soon pushes that aside for getting a kiss and lickdd which I can kinds excuse the lapsecor not seeing he was different right away. but then he ditches her and the next day even gloats of it to her father in fro t of her and all she this ks is about wanting to touch him again. then he ditches her on the wedding night and she gets drunk thinking hes out with other women seemingly to have forgotten again she was not married for herself and even so thinking about him being with an 'ebony goddess' she waits kn his bed obsessed with him. and then of course tosses her back in her own bed and ditches her but she still waifs for him for hours af breakfast. it was like all the emotionally abusing e relationships I councel where sometimmes I just want to shake them and ask WHY. he constantly reminds her it was for land and she fixates and romanticizes every small thing he doezlikehe was a God no matter how many times o er he says to stop. he could have stabbed her mostlikely and she would have turned around and saw it as a noble sacrifice. the biggest part was she started so strong sticking with the idea of not compromising herself in marriage till she was forced then turns into a lovesick puppy when he has done nothing but the opposite to earn her affection. I had to take the book off the shelf at the shelter because its stories like that that convince the clients that even if he beat her maybe her love for him would change them and they would be happy if she went back. not saying I havent seen men changeon occassion but its not overnight and not without work and dedication on their partnot hers. the way she lost all she had been representinginthe beginingpissed me off. and her either blaming herself or acting childish bcuz he wouldn't love her how she wanted when he never indicated he would. he acted adoring to build a perfect reputation and she resented him. he suits her sister with a good man meeting her requirements and she freaks. he stays away when she tells him gland shes pissed and seeks out the gaming hell putting the reputation she wanted so muchfor her sisters at risk and doesn't even think to care. she becalmed obsessive over an abusive guy who nvr showed her the love she claimed to want.

don't get me wrong he was a complete asshole but he was what I expected him to be. she changed and became obsessed to the point of self distruction.(less)
Mar 29, 2012 03:07pm

Feb 21, 2013 Ummu Auni rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, read-2012, historical-romance, read-2013

Marquess of Bourne, Michael lost his inheritance in a card game. Being young and foolish, he gambled his inheritance and then, lost everything. He was cast out from his ancestors' home and rebuilt his life all over again. He became a partner in London's most exclusive gaming club, but revenge drove him to rebuilt his life and re-gain his inheritance.

The land that he coveted which was lost to him, was sold from his former guardian, Langford to Lady Penelope's family. Because of her status as agin...more Marquess of Bourne, Michael lost his inheritance in a card game. Being young and foolish, he gambled his inheritance and then, lost everything. He was cast out from his ancestors' home and rebuilt his life all over again. He became a partner in London's most exclusive gaming club, but revenge drove him to rebuilt his life and re-gain his inheritance.

The land that he coveted which was lost to him, was sold from his former guardian, Langford to Lady Penelope's family. Because of her status as aging spinster (at the age of 28), Penelope's father attached the land to her as a dowry. Michael decided to pursue the land by marrying Penelope despite there's no love between them.

It was interesting to note on Penelope's attempts on trying her best to become a wife, and then, her disappointment when she found that Michael used her in achieving his mean. The heart break, the sadness, the frustration, all lingered within. Michael wanted to leave Penelope once it ends or better yet, ship her off somewhere and couldn't care less about her.

But then, there's a sizzle of attraction as much as Michael trying to deny it, he was falling in love with his wife. Penelope was perfect, in Michael's opinion, was too perfect for him and as Penelope indicated that Michael put her on the shelf as precious item which are nit meant to be touched. There are bitter sweet moments such as when they kept on trying their best to ignore each other, or trying to listen on each other's conversation behind their bedroom's door or even the act of trying to show themselves as perfect spouse when they both knew that Michael actually kidnapped Penelope from her home and forced her father to marry them off.

What I like most in the story, are the letters exchanged between them and placed as prelude for almost every chapter. The letters are short and sweet conveying Penelope's life stories, hope from childhood till age. I love the story and am waiting for the second story on Penelope's sister on this series!(less)

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Mar 15, 2012 Booklover1335 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: to-review, 2012-february, 2012, 2012-favorites

I’ve been a fan of Sarah MacLean’s brand of romance since I first discovered her work with Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (which remains a favorite). She has set a very high standard with her stories, and while I’ve loved some of her books more than others, the key point here is that I’ve loved each and every one of them, and the first book in her Rules of Scoundrels series, A Rogue by Any Other Name, is no exception.

Penelope Marbury hasn’t had luck with love. She was once engaged to...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Mandi Schreiner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

At the age of 21, Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne and a gambling addict, lost everything he had in a game of cards with Langford. He lost all he had inherited from his parents' untimely death to a man who sat there and laughed at him. Embarrassed and devastated, Bourne vanishes, not to be seen in polite society again. His only thought is for revenge, to bury Langford one day and reclaim his lands of Falconwell. For nine years Bourne worked his way up, becoming part-owner of The Fallen Angel,...more At the age of 21, Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne and a gambling addict, lost everything he had in a game of cards with Langford. He lost all he had inherited from his parents' untimely death to a man who sat there and laughed at him. Embarrassed and devastated, Bourne vanishes, not to be seen in polite society again. His only thought is for revenge, to bury Langford one day and reclaim his lands of Falconwell. For nine years Bourne worked his way up, becoming part-owner of The Fallen Angel, now London's most-well-known gaming hell. Along with three other men, Bourne is now wealthier than he has ever been — except he still doesn't have his land back. But now he knows how to get it.

Penelope is 28 and on the verge of becoming a spinster. Eight years ago she was engaged to the Duke of Leighton. Fans of Sarah MacLean will know him as the hero from Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart. But Leighton fell in love with someone else, and Penelope was dumped. It was quite the scandal, and her reputation has never recovered. But her father has recently won the Falconwell lands in a game of cards (from Langford) and has attached them to her dowry, knowing these vast lands will surely bring in some suitors. And it brings Bourne.

Bourne and Penelope were actually great friends growing up. They played as kids then exchanged frequent letters after Bourne left for school. But once his parents died and Bourne lost everything, they lost contact for 16 years. Bourne wants Falconwell. Period. If that means having to marry Penelope to get it, he could care less. So he kidnaps Penelope one night (as she is walking in the snow) and keeps her overnight so her family thinks she will be ruined, forcing her to marry him.

A Rogue by Any Other Name is the first book in Sarah MacLean's Rules of Scoundrels series, and I really enjoyed it. I love a book with a marriage of convenience, and this one has such a dark and broken hero. Bourne is so set on revenge that he cares for nothing else. He forces Penelope into marriage, and I should have hated him. He is cruel and arrogant, but the author gives you enough glimpses into his mind that you know there is a chance he can be redeemed.

Although Penelope is somewhat duped into marriage, she isn't terrified or totally devastated that it happened. Don't get me wrong: She is tired of her entire life being steered by others. She feels a great guilt that she had a scandalous engagement all those years ago that ruined her sisters' chances for a good marriage. If she marries Bourne, though, he promises to help her sisters find a good match. In return, he gets proof from her father of something vile about Langford. So she marries him more for her sisters' sake. But, she also remembers the charming, warm boy and man he used to be. And I think deep down she expected to find that side of him much quicker than she actually did.

Bourne is hard to take at some points. He is truly uncaring for her feelings at first. As when he says to her how desperate men are to get Falconwell:

He was very close. Too close, leaning in, lowering his voice to a whisper, the breath of his words against the arch of her cheek heightening her nervousness. She did not breathe, too focused on the heat of him, on what he would say next. "They'll even marry an aging spinster to get it."

She hated him then. Hated the words, the way he spoke them with such simple cruelty. Tears threatened.

No. No. She would not cry.

Not for this beast of a man who was nothing like the boy she'd known. The one she'd dreamed would one day return.

Not like this.

I can see how some might be turned off, but for me, he is redeemed so well at the end that it was worth the struggle to get there. We see him eventually learn to woo his wife and work his way out of his focus on revenge. And I really believed the devastation we see in the prologue when he loses everything. The romance is very wicked, as Bourne slowly learns that he truly does care for Penelope and wants what she has to offer.

I also adored what we see of the three other men who own the gaming hell with Bourne. Cross is the accountant of the bunch — a tall, ginger-haired man who definitely has his way with women, but is going to have a great heroine to deal with in the next book.

This book is dark with a broken hero and a heroine with just enough spunk to stand up to the hero, no matter how dark it gets. I can't wait for the next one!
Rating: B(less)

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Feb 26, 2012 Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Review Request

Recommended to Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* by: Historical romance fans

Shelves: arc, books-i-own, covers-to-covet, first-book-in-series, genre-historical-romance, read-in-2012, review-requests

Posted on Under the Covers

A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME is the first book in a new series called The First Rule of Scoundrels. In this book, the Marquess of Bourne lost everything but his title in a gaming hell. His land, servants, clothes, everything was taken away from him. So Michael vows revenge; his aim to one day retrieve everything that was taken away from him.

Ten years later, Michael is now one of the owners of London’s most exclusive gaming hell. His life holds excitement and success, but...more Posted on Under the Covers

A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME is the first book in a new series called The First Rule of Scoundrels. In this book, the Marquess of Bourne lost everything but his title in a gaming hell. His land, servants, clothes, everything was taken away from him. So Michael vows revenge; his aim to one day retrieve everything that was taken away from him.

Ten years later, Michael is now one of the owners of London’s most exclusive gaming hell. His life holds excitement and success, but there is still one thing that Michael wants desperately. He wants his land back. And he will do anything to gain it.

However, when he learns that his land is now owned by The Marquess of Needham and Dolby and will be added to Lady Penelope Marbury’s dowry, Michael makes it his personal goal to marry Penelope, just so he can gain back his land.

For most of the book, Michael aka Bourne was a jerk. There were moments when I could appreciate his determination and ruthless perusal of something that was rightfully his, however, I did not see the reason why he was so mean to Penelope sometimes. They have a history. They were childhood friends who wrote letters to each other until their youth. These letters scattered throughout the book were sweet and highly entertaining, sometimes bringing a smile to my lips as I read them. But it was because of these letters that I felt that Penelope was often mistreated by Bourne. How could he totally disregard her after all they have been through?

I am having a difficult time rating this book because there were scenes in this book that were brilliant, just absolutely thrilling and engaging. However, I did feel that towards the middle of the book, it lost some of its allure. The pacing wasn’t always consistent, sometimes brilliant and sometimes a little lacklustre.

But it was Penelope that really made this book for me. I loved her attitude towards life. She was quite sheltered, had a broken engagement and several disappointing courtships, but she was always opento anything. And that’s a quality that I have to admire in a heroine.

"And, as she stood there, staring into the darkness, thinking on her future, she realized just how little she wanted a quiet life of pastel colors and quadrilles and tepid lemonade.
She wanted more.
The word whispered through her thoughts on a wave of sadness.
More."

Penelope was such a selfless woman, putting her own happiness on hold so that Bourne and her sisters could live the life they wanted. She would really wager it all for them. But the question is, would Bourne wager his heart for her?

Sarah MacLean continues to enchant readers with her writing. As the first book in a new series, the First Rule of Scoundrels looks promising. Who can deny a scoundrel of what he wants? It’s as they say, “What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets...”

*ARC provided by publisher(less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical

Reviewed by Rebecca for www.BookChickCity.com

A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME by Sarah MacLean is a historical romance with a twist, introducing the reader to the darker side of society where sin and vice are allowed to reign.

Our story begins with a flashback scene in which Michael Bourne loses his entire Falconwell estate at the age of 21 by gambling on a card game (ironically on the game 21). We are then shot forward 10 years to his current situation, whereby he runs gambling club The Fallen Angel, h...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Kelly_Instalove rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance, theme-friends2lovers

I've read and enjoyed all four of Sarah MacLean's previous books - especially Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord, which earned a spot on my favorites list for having a kick-ass heroine, a scholarly yet swoon-worthy hero and a surprisingly unique plot.

This one? The blurb had me worried even before I bought it. Reformed rake, spinster, gaming hell. And this will be different because...?

I was never able to answer that initial question, because it wasn't different. There is nothing here to se...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Lelyana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, dream-hero

Enak nya di cintai apa ada nya.
"You are perfect in your imperfection" kata Penelope pada Michael, Lord Bourne...
Cinta memang ajaib ya....

Kisah nya so sweet yang selalu di buka dengan surat2 masa kecil antara Penelope dan Michael yang tidak pernah berhenti....maniiiis sekali

BOURNE (Kisah pertama dari 4 buku tentang 4 scroundel pemilik the gaming hell)

Sepuluh tahun yang lalu, Michael, Lord Bourne kehilangan Falconwell, tanah kebanggan keluarganya di meja judi saat dia masih sangat muda, 21 tahu...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Mary B. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, romance-historical-european, borrowed-from-library, library-loan-audiobook, friends-to-lovers, heroine-virgin, long-separations, childhood-friends, part-of-a-series, tortured-past, marriage-conv-forced-arranged

This book was good. I listened to it on audio. It started out strong, but kinda meandered around the plot for a while in the middle, then ended strongly. The hero and heroine were childhood friends, and there were helpful letters beginning each chapter that sort of told the story of their young friendship, but that wasn't enough. I still never quite felt the full connection between the children and the adults. It kept me interested, though, and I will read the second book.

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About Sarah MacLean

Sarah MacLean is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of YA and adult romance.

She grew up in Rhode Island, where she spent much of her free time bemoaning the fact that she was more than a century too late for own Season. Her unabashed addiction to historical fiction helped to earn her a degree in European History from Smith College before she moved to New York City to pursue a career...more

More about Sarah MacLean...

Books by Sarah MacLean

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love By Numbers #1)

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart (Love By Numbers, #3)

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord (Love By Numbers, #2)

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, #2)

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Quotes from A Rogue by Any Other Name

“Dear Sixpence,

I saved them all, you know. Every letter you ever sent, even those to which I never replied. I’m sorry for so many things, my love: that I left
you; that I never came home; that it took me so long to realize that you were my home and that, with you by my side, none of the rest
mattered.
But in the darkest hours, on the coldest nights, when I felt I’d lost everything, I still had your letters. And through them, in some small way,
I still had you.
I loved you then, my darling Penelope, more than I could imagine—just as I love you now, more than you can know.

Michael
Hell House, February 1831” — 26 people liked it

“I had a perfect life in my reach once, and it was a crashing bore. Perfect is too clean, too easy. I don't want perfect any more than I want to be perfect. I want imperfect.” — 21 people liked it

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A Rogue by Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels #1)

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