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Rogues (Brook Street #3)

by Ava March (Goodreads Author)

3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 · rating details · 287 ratings · 68 reviews

London, 1822

Two of London's most notorious rakehells, Linus Radcliffe and Robert Anderson, are the best of friends. They share almost everything--clothes, servants, their homes, and even each other's bed on occasion. The one thing they don't share: lovers. For while Linus prefers men, Robert prefers women...except when it comes to Linus.

As another Season nears its end, Rob...more

ebook, 75 pages

Published May 7th 2012 by Carina Press

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The Gentleman and the Rogue by Bonnie Dee

Best Gay Historical Romance

92nd out of 278 books — 465 voters

Pulse and Prejudice by Colette L. Saucier

Best books of May, 2012

36th out of 85 books — 231 voters

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Jun 19, 2012 Audrey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: man-love, historical

3 stars. I liked this story, but I didn't love it. An m/m historical set in the Regency, Rogues is the final book in Ava March's Brook Street trilogy. After meeting these characters earlier in the series, we see in their story how two best friends reach their HEA.

The story, in brief.
Rob and Linus have been best friends since childhood, and they've shared everything together - conquests, secrets, hopes, dreams, and their first times...yes, in that way. Rob, who has always been a ladies' man, come...more

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Apr 14, 2012 Christy B rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs-and-galleys, fiction, m-m-romance

Probably my least favorite of the series, which is a shame, because I was looking forward to it. I liked Linus, but Rob never clicked with me. At times, he was an arse, but I did like when he realized what he was doing, and apologized.

The plot was pretty simple - it wasn't as complicated as the plots in the previous two books, no matter how hard it was forced. I felt that the conflict between Linus and Rob was made to be more than it was.

So, I didn't love it, but nor did I dislike it. It was sat...more

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Jun 12, 2012 ♆ BookAddict ~ La Crimson Femme rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, historical-romance, netgalley-reviews

A fitting conclusion to the romantic Brook Street trilogy. Linus and Robert are love them and leave them types. Linus is focused on male hook ups. For Robert, a woman lasting more than a week is a long term relationship. Robert sleeps with all sorts of women, except when it comes to his friend, Linus.

The meaningless sex makes sense once it's revealed that Linus and Robert want each other. The fears they each have hold them back from talking to each other about it. When Robert makes the first mov...more

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May 26, 2013 Jane Stewart rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-male-historical-romance, male-male

2 ½ stars. Wasn’t doing it for me. Not enough story. I kept wanting and waiting for something to happen.

The backstory:
Robert and Linus have had occasional sex with each other for years - since they were teens. They also have frequent sex with others: Linus with men, Robert with women. Robert is never with the same woman for more than a week or so.

The current story:
Robert wants an exclusive relationship with Linus - both of them to stop seeing others. Linus wants the same thing but believes Rober...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: friends-to-lovers, glbt, historical-romance-fiction, m-m-romance, regency-romance, series

“The difference between friendship and love is how much you can hurt each other.” - Ashleigh Brilliant

Linus Radcliffe and Robert Anderson have been friends for eighteen years, have even, on occasion, been friends with benefits in spite of the fact that Rob is an aggressively straight man, as committed to finding his next widow or unhappily married woman to bed as Linus is devoted to homing in on the next willing man he can use to slake his lust.

Robert was Linus’ first—his first man, his first ki...more “The difference between friendship and love is how much you can hurt each other.” - Ashleigh Brilliant

Linus Radcliffe and Robert Anderson have been friends for eighteen years, have even, on occasion, been friends with benefits in spite of the fact that Rob is an aggressively straight man, as committed to finding his next widow or unhappily married woman to bed as Linus is devoted to homing in on the next willing man he can use to slake his lust.

Robert was Linus’ first—his first man, his first kiss, the first to touch Linus’ in all his most intimate places, but over the course of their friendship, Linus has willed himself to let go of any hope he’d once held that he and Robert would ever be anything more than just friends. Linus hasn’t given up on having Rob in his life but has come to accept that, in spite of the pain of surrendering a dream, there are simply some things that are not meant to be, and a future as Rob’s lover and partner is one of those things.

It seems, however, that regardless of Linus’ hard fought intentions to keep the status quo of their relationship intact, Robert has inexplicably become determined to redefine the parameters of whatever it is that’s been going on between the two of them over the course of nearly two decades. Robert’s serial philandering suddenly isn’t so appealing to him anymore, and being forced to watch Linus make his way through the men of the ton hurts in more ways than Robert can express verbally, so there’s little left for him to do but to let his actions speak for him, determining that it’s time to go on the offensive and storm the walls Linus has built to define their friendship and to protect his heart. Robert launches a full-frontal assault in declaring himself and his wants. What he doesn’t expect, however, is for Linus to go on the defensive and thwart the attack so effectively.

Linus understands that Robert tends to want what he can’t have, which makes Robert’s pushing of the boundaries that’ve been safe and comfortable, if not altogether pleasant, all the more painful, for Linus feels he has no choice but to repel his friend’s advances. The harder Robert pushes, the further Linus retreats with the fear that even the slightest change in the circumstances between them will cause an outcome that Linus absolutely could not bear. Not having a forever with Robert is difficult enough. Not having an anything with Robert is intolerable.

So, when there’s nothing left to do but to do something that feels a lot like surrender, it’s Robert who concedes. For Robert, the only course of action is his own inaction. In order to keep Linus in his life, in whatever capacity Linus is capable giving, Robert must let go and send up a silent prayer that whatever lies within Linus’ heart and whatever will come of it, that he, Robert, is worthy and will be enough.

It’s truly something when you can say a book isn’t your favorite in a series, yet are still able to say that you loved it, all the same. Brook Street: Rogues is that book for me. While there weren’t the challenges of the social inequities of Lord Benjamin and Cavin’s relationship, the sexuality conflicts of Sasha and Thomas’, or the betrayal of Oscar by Julian that delayed their happiness, there was a definite poignancy in this friends-to-lovers story: the fears of destroying a trusted bond, the acceptance that friendship is enough, and the sure knowledge that discretion is a fair price to pay for a forever love.

TNA (less)

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Jul 01, 2012 Trix rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, angst, bi-sexual, gay-for-you, mm-novels

As hoped, the series got better with this latest (and hopefully not last) installment in the Brook Street series. And somehow, I knew it was going to be about Robert and Linus. They had made an appearance in the previous books and their story needed to be told.

(view spoiler)...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Julesmarie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, m-m

A fun and interesting historical take on the friends-to-lovers trope. Interesting because Rob and Linus are already lovers, just very casually in between their other romantic pursuits. So, perhaps it would be more accurate to call it friends-with-benefits to lovers? Or fuck-buddies to partners?

I appreciate that this story began with Rob deciding he wants Linus all to himself. (view spoiler)...more

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May 29, 2012 cupcake rated it 3 of 5 stars

Let's just cut to the chase, shall we? I cannot get into lesbian sex scenes. It isn't that I'm a prude - good grief, I loved that crappy Fifty Shades trilogy. I think it's just that I have no interest in it, and I can't make the leap to enjoying reading about it. Just like I'm not a huge fan of paranormal romances. They just don't turn my crank.

But Brook Street: Rogues, by Ava March, is about gay men, and I enjoyed THAT quite a bit.

This is my first strictly dickly romance novel, and I have to sa...more Let's just cut to the chase, shall we? I cannot get into lesbian sex scenes. It isn't that I'm a prude - good grief, I loved that crappy Fifty Shades trilogy. I think it's just that I have no interest in it, and I can't make the leap to enjoying reading about it. Just like I'm not a huge fan of paranormal romances. They just don't turn my crank.

But Brook Street: Rogues, by Ava March, is about gay men, and I enjoyed THAT quite a bit.

This is my first strictly dickly romance novel, and I have to say, I found the headboard rockin' to be quite hot. But first, the plot.

Rob and Linus have been friends forever, and now live side-by-side (no pun intended - their homes are next door to each other) in 1822 London. Homosexuality was not in vogue, nor was it condoned. The two men hide the preferences, so much so that Linus believes Rob prefers sex with women. But Rob isn't so sure. He asks Linus to be his exclusive lover, to which Linus responds, "Thank you, but no."

Rob is devastated and confused. As far as he can tell, he and Linus are made for each other.

He'd been with enough women. The mechanics were different, but intimacy was intimacy. He and Linus were damn amazing together. Always had been. No way could Linus be fool enough to believe otherwise. And that wasn't misplaced pride or arrogance on Rob's part. It took two to create the level of heat that burned between them. One kiss was all that was needed, and every line of Linus's body shouted his desire for more. Much more.

This is not a case of opposites attracting; the two have their differences, but they are more alike than not. And, as Rob observes, they are completely simpatico between the sheets, each determined to satisfy the other.

Ava March may not create wildly unforgettable characters - I can't remember their last names, and I'm too lazy to look them up - but the sex scenes. Oh, people. The sex scenes between these two are HOT.

Brook Street: Rogues is a fast read with a negligible plot. It won't make you ponder any of life's great mysteries, nor is there much to analyze, discuss or think about. But it's got some hot sex scenes, and it may open some minds that are closed to gay lovin'.

Also published on cupcake's book cupboard. @VivaAmaRisata(less)

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May 25, 2012 Big Girl Books added it

Shelves: christine, historical, hot-chocolate, m-m

I hope y’all are prepared for the first M/M review for the site. I decided to go with a new book coming out instead of picking a favorite I read a while back because there’s plenty of time for that later. I remember reading the first novella of this series a couple months ago and really enjoying it, so I was very happy to see Rogues offered on NetGalley recently.

So, Rogues is the third book in the Brook Street series, and is technically considered a novella, coming in at 82 pages. As far as I kn...more I hope y’all are prepared for the first M/M review for the site. I decided to go with a new book coming out instead of picking a favorite I read a while back because there’s plenty of time for that later. I remember reading the first novella of this series a couple months ago and really enjoying it, so I was very happy to see Rogues offered on NetGalley recently.

So, Rogues is the third book in the Brook Street series, and is technically considered a novella, coming in at 82 pages. As far as I know, it’s only going to be available in ebook form, through Carina Press, when it’s released in May.

Before we continue, I feel you should know something about me. I have a weakness for M/M stories. I try not to overindulge because it’s something of a ‘guilty pleasure’ for me to read them, but without the guilt, especially when you learn what kind of fanfiction I gravitate toward. But when you place a M/M story in Regency England, I’m sold. I will read it, even if it has the worst summary in the world. If there’s a book out there set in Regency England, featuring two male love interests and one or both of them are shapeshifters, I have a feeling it would become my favorite book of all time. (I know my reading tastes well.)

Seriously, though, if there’s a book out there like that, someone please let me know. I’m talking Regency, two hot guys and at least one or both being shapeshifters. Ideal. Book.

Once you get past the obviously photoshopped cover, which is a small thing to do since it’s an ebook, Ava starts the novella by dropping us in the middle of Rob’s struggle with his feelings of seeing Linus chat up another man at a Ton event.

I think the reason I like this setting for M/M in particular is probably due to how restrained the lead characters have to be while in each other’s presence in public. You can feel the longing and need for each other, if written well. You can experience the same thing with the usual historical romance since casual touch was very much frowned upon, but what makes it more… exciting, I guess, is if anyone ever found out about two guys being together, they could be killed for it. It was a capital offense back then. So, for two guys to be in a lasting and loving relationship, they both had to know the risks going into it, and find the patience and strength to appear as ‘just friends’ to the rest of the world. Can you imagine how hard that must have been for them? Can you understand what it might be like to love someone but never be able to tell anyone or lay claim to him for fear of your very life?

It just guts me, when I think about it and when I read these type of books.

Ava does a good job introducing this concept into Rogues, though these guys are a little freer than most since they’re friends with other men of the same persuasion. Which is good. It’s always good to have friends who know you for who you are, not for who you appear to be to the rest of the world.

What I liked most about Rogues was how Ava March managed to get me invested in these characters, lay out an entire plot and include several scenes of hot sexy times in only 80 pages. I’ve read books that go on for hundreds of pages and don’t even come close to doing the same. I noticed the same thing in Thief. She manages to flesh out her main and secondary characters in a very short amount of space, which is noteworthy in itself, which makes you, as the reader, only want more.

Overall, I found this novella a bit angsty with some cute flirting and possessive parts mixed in, as well as a few steamy parts that are always fun to read. If you like M/M books, I’d suggest starting with the first book of this series and working your way through. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Reviewed at Big Girl Books on April 23rd, 2012.(less)

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May 09, 2012 TheFountainPenDiva rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: characters-british-heroes, characters-gay-heroes, e-books-purchased, genre-m-m-romance, opinions-hot-cover, settings-regency-england, settings-great-britain, sex-anal-play, sex-oral, sex-rimming, sub-genre-gay-historicals

The final book in Ava March's Brook Street series. As much as I loved the other two, Rogues just didn't wrap up as nicely as I'd hoped. I blame that on the main characters--Linus Radcliffe and Robert Anderson. Linus appeared strongly in Fortune Hunter as the best friend of Oscar Woodhaven. Here, both Linus and Robert are not as interesting though their conundrum most definitely is. It's more than obvious these two men have been lifelong friends and yes, they do indeed share everything--including...more

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May 05, 2012 Kari rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency, er-mm, erotic-romance, netgalley-arc, h-1800s, historical, reviewed

Robert Anderson is jealous. His best friend since childhood, Linus Radcliffe, is flirting with another man. It's a common sight in the ballrooms of London's ton, but one that's become harder and harder for Rob to take. Unlike his friend, Rob generally prefers women in bed--with the very big exception of Linus. After a jealousy-fueled night of passion, he decides to take matters in hand, and proposes they become exclusive. To his surprise and dismay, Linus refuses, and walks out of his bedroom wi...more Robert Anderson is jealous. His best friend since childhood, Linus Radcliffe, is flirting with another man. It's a common sight in the ballrooms of London's ton, but one that's become harder and harder for Rob to take. Unlike his friend, Rob generally prefers women in bed--with the very big exception of Linus. After a jealousy-fueled night of passion, he decides to take matters in hand, and proposes they become exclusive. To his surprise and dismay, Linus refuses, and walks out of his bedroom with a flippant word. Undeterred, he is determined to convince his best friend that they belong together--no matter what Linus may think.

Gay Regency romance should be an easy sell for me--two of my favorite genres in one! Unfortunately, ROGUES fell flat for me. I liked Rob, and enjoyed his inner journey from rake to monogamy, from bisexual to gay (or gay-for-you), and his stumbles along the way. His hurt and jealousy over Linus's affairs was believable and a little sad. The story starts just as he loses his patience with watching Linus waltz from bed to bed, and the reader is with him as he struggles to understand how to win Linus back. The sex scenes between the two were absolutely smoking hot, and the chemistry was palpable. I love that they weren't exclusively top or bottom--something far too rare in m/m romances. Their balance in the bedroom is an extension of their longstanding friendship and love for one another.

Linus, on the other hand, was rather annoying. His reasoning for turning Rob down--and the main conflict of the novella--just didn't ring true to me. It wasn't until Linus's second POV chapter that I even realized what his problem was; it was not clear at all the first time around. The teasers about Linus's traumatic past seemed tacked on, as if the author decided she needed another reason for Linus to be wary of monogamy with Rob, as did the bit about him having made this decision before.

Overall, I think a lot of my issues with this novella can be blamed on the lack of length. There's not much time to get to know the characters, or flesh out their pasts, or set up a satisfying conflict. The smoking sex scenes (they switch!!) and my love of Rob, in all his cluelessly domineering glory, still make this a solid three-star read. Fans of the previous books will enjoy the brief cameos by Bennett & Norton from My True Love Gave to Me and Parker from Thief.

This ARC was provided free of charge by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of this review.(less)

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Apr 21, 2012 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: lgbt, romance, historical-fiction-alternatehistory, netgalley

Received this ARC on netgalley for review.

I haven't read the other books of the trilogy, but that doesn't matter. I imagine the other characters in this book might have been familiar to me already, if I had read the first two books, but the relationship between Linus and Rob doesn't depend on seeing them in any other books, if they appeared there.

It's not a madly tense book -- I had the feeling from the start that everything would turn out alright, so it was just a pleasure to watch Rob and Linu...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, galley

Rogues is the third book in the Brook Street series, and is technically considered a novella, coming in at 82 pages. As far as I know, it’s only going to be available in ebook form, through Carina Press, when it’s released in May.

Before we continue, I feel you should know something about me. I have a weakness for M/M stories. I try not to overindulge because it’s something of a ‘guilty pleasure’ for me to read them, but without the guilt, especially when you learn what kind of fanfiction I gravi...more Rogues is the third book in the Brook Street series, and is technically considered a novella, coming in at 82 pages. As far as I know, it’s only going to be available in ebook form, through Carina Press, when it’s released in May.

Before we continue, I feel you should know something about me. I have a weakness for M/M stories. I try not to overindulge because it’s something of a ‘guilty pleasure’ for me to read them, but without the guilt, especially when you learn what kind of fanfiction I gravitate toward. But when you place a M/M story in Regency England, I’m sold. I will read it, even if it has the worst summary in the world. If there’s a book out there set in Regency England, featuring two male love interests and one or both of them are shapeshifters, I have a feeling it would become my favorite book of all time. (I know my reading tastes well.)

Seriously, though, if there’s a book out there like that, someone please let me know. I’m talking Regency, two hot guys and at least one or both being shapeshifters. Ideal. Book.

Once you get past the obviously photoshopped cover, which is a small thing to do since it’s an ebook, Ava starts the novella by dropping us in the middle of Rob’s struggle with his feelings of seeing Linus chat up another man at a Ton event.

I think the reason I like this setting for M/M in particular is probably due to how restrained the lead characters have to be while in each other’s presence in public. You can feel the longing and need for each other, if written well. You can experience the same thing with the usual historical romance since casual touch was very much frowned upon, but what makes it more… exciting, I guess, is if anyone ever found out about two guys being together, they could be killed for it. It was a capital offense back then. So, for two guys to be in a lasting and loving relationship, they both had to know the risks going into it, and find the patience and strength to appear as ‘just friends’ to the rest of the world. Can you imagine how hard that must have been for them? Can you understand what it might be like to love someone but never be able to tell anyone or lay claim to him for fear of your very life?

It just guts me, when I think about it and when I read these type of books.

Ava does a good job introducing this concept into Rogues, though these guys are a little freer than most since they’re friends with other men of the same persuasion. Which is good. It’s always good to have friends who know you for who you are, not for who you appear to be to the rest of the world.

What I liked most about Rogues was how Ava March managed to get me invested in these characters, lay out an entire plot and include several scenes of hot sexy times in only 80 pages. I’ve read books that go on for hundreds of pages and don’t even come close to doing the same. I noticed the same thing in Thief. She manages to flesh out her main and secondary characters in a very short amount of space, which is noteworthy in itself, which makes you, as the reader, only want more.

Overall, I found this novella a bit angsty with some cute flirting and possessive parts mixed in, as well as a few steamy parts that are always fun to read. If you like M/M books, I’d suggest starting with the first book of this series and working your way through. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.(less)

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May 08, 2012 Jennifer Lavoie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay, historical, lgbt, ebooks, person-library, regency, romance

Received this as an ARC on NetGalley.

Romantically satisfying. I love m/m romances set in the Regency period, and this one is a lovely addition to the genre. Having not read the first two books in the trilogy, I can say that you do not need to read them to understand what is happening in this book. The characters are different.

Linus and Rob are likeable characters with real fears and passions. Given the time period, both men are very aware that they could hang for their love of other men. Throug...more

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May 28, 2012 Emily (Book Jems) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica, released, kindle, netalley-e-galley, adult-fiction, boys-love, historical, guilty-pleasure, favorite-authors, all-time-favorites, angst, fun-to-read, horrible-cover, obsessed, suspense, swoonz, glbt, review-on-blog, romance

As seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!

I really, really liked this book! The entire series was very enjoyable.

Rogues is the third and final book in the Brook Street Trilogy. With as much as I loved the first two books, I was worried that the finale would not live up to the prequels. My doubt was in vain, Rogues did not disappoint!

The second book is still my favorite, but this one was wonderful as well. It had a great, realistic plot and characters that you could really fall in love with. In book two, I...more As seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!

I really, really liked this book! The entire series was very enjoyable.

Rogues is the third and final book in the Brook Street Trilogy. With as much as I loved the first two books, I was worried that the finale would not live up to the prequels. My doubt was in vain, Rogues did not disappoint!

The second book is still my favorite, but this one was wonderful as well. It had a great, realistic plot and characters that you could really fall in love with. In book two, I loathed the character Linus Radcliffe, but he really stepped up to the plate in this novel. He turned out to be a sweet, emotion-filled character unlike the ogre I had perceived him as. His love interest, Mr. Robert Anderson, was also very sweet and a misguided man. To read as they realized their feelings, deepest desires and hopes for the future, I couldn't help but to swoon!

The writing is just as good as in the previous novels. It's very simple, but not in a way that will make you hit your head against a wall. Ms. March writes the story as if painting a picture. The imagery is wonderful and she has a real knack for creating beloved characters. I had no real problems with this book, it just wasn't my favorite. I couldn't point out anything wrong, but nothing was. The author is a phenomenal storyteller.

The book wasn't as angst-ridden as I had hoped after reading the blurb, but I enjoyed it none the less. In fact, I again couldn't put the book down. Every time I planned to stop, something drew me back in. I ended up reading this very quickly (not a big surprise with my reading habits) and was sad to see it end.

I'm pretty sure I stated this in my review of book two, but I love cameo appearances. And there were a couple mentions of past characters, but I was surprised to find a specific couple played a large role in this book. I didn't remember reading them before, but I thought it was odd that Ms. March would bring them up and not give them a story. Then I discovered that it is the very beginning to the entire Brook Street Trilogy. Their story is the prequel to the series, also known as "Brook Street #0.5." So while I am sad to be finished with Ben, Cavin, Oscar, Julian, Linus and Rob, I'm happy I'll have one more story to read!

I have only read three of Ava March's stories, all of them from the same series, but if they are anywhere as near as wonderful as this series was, I will definitely have an interest in them!(less)

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Apr 24, 2012 willaful rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, story-novella-or-anthology, sexy-brainy-specs, m-m

The last book in the "Brook Street" series offers a twist on the "friends with benefits - to - lovers" theme. Linus and Robert have been best friends since childhood and as they grew older, sex just seemed a natural extension of their closeness. But though Linus grew up to "prefer men," Robert has always chased women.

After many years of living next door to each other and being occasional bedmates, Robert has gotten increasingly uncomfortable watching Linus pursue other men. He has no idea that...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Lucy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiodick, favorites

Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews

I will say this installment was my favorite of the trilogy, mainly because of Linus. And I think I need to mention that the cover is just smokin’. Back to the story, while Robert is a dedicated woman chaser and Linus is a dedicated man chaser, they do share a bed on occasion. This is a sex thing for Robert, and it’s a love thing for Linus. He had hopes for a long time (and oh just sad for him) but he has put those behind him and is willing to be with Robert as...more Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews

I will say this installment was my favorite of the trilogy, mainly because of Linus. And I think I need to mention that the cover is just smokin’. Back to the story, while Robert is a dedicated woman chaser and Linus is a dedicated man chaser, they do share a bed on occasion. This is a sex thing for Robert, and it’s a love thing for Linus. He had hopes for a long time (and oh just sad for him) but he has put those behind him and is willing to be with Robert as his friend. In fact, he has to be with Robert as just his friend, because his heart can’t take it.

Robert finding himself jealous was interesting. It’s like he was aware of Linus for so long but all of the sudden saw him in a new capacity. I admit, there were times Robert as just aggravating, as he basically is shadowing Linus to get what he wants, going about it the only way he knows how. And poor Linus, trying so hard to guard his heart. What do you do when the object of your greatest fantasies is right there, yet you know how fickle and flighty he is when it comes to affairs of the heart? Go for it, or say no and keep his very valued friendship. Very difficult for the man. The sex between Linus and Robert is scorching. The fact that Robert was Linus’ first makes everything just sad for a bit. Of the two of them, Linus is the more in tune with himself – he knows he wants and can’t have, so he finds substitutes. Poor ones, all of them. Robert knows his best friend is Linus, with benefits, he just doesn’t go far enough in looking at himself for a while.

As always, Ava March is a master at painting the Regency times and making them come alive. The dangers of loving men during that time, dreadful. The way the households are set up make an HEA clearly possible here, which sometimes is difficult to envision in a historical setting. It was also nice to get to revisit some familiar characters. Recommended for historical fans in particular.
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Jun 06, 2012 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

Linus and Robert have been the best of friends for most of their lives and they share everything, including each others beds. Though no one knows and it isn't an everyday occurrence. Normally Robert prefers to bed woman and Linus prefers other men and they never share partners. Lately Robert has been feeling restless and the more he watches Linus disappear at a ball with another man for an assassination, he finds himself growing more and more...more

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May 19, 2012 Lou rated it 3 of 5 stars

I reviewed the first book in this series a while back, and enjoyed it. It’s not often I read m/m historical romances, so I dived back into this series to review the 3rd book.

Linus and Rob have best friends from childhood. Linus and Rob have shared each others bed on occasions for over 10 years, and in their early days, shared many beds with women – mostly to hide the fact that Linus was gay. Linus has always known he’s been gay, but Rob has always preferred woman. Linus has been the only man Rob...more

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May 30, 2012 Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Quick review:

Cover: I like it
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: HOT!
Thumbs Up: 5
Overall: I loved it.
Characters: Well written
Plot: Compelling, you are just rooting for things to all work out.
Page Turner: Yes.
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Rob

SUMMARY (50 words or less)
Okay, after reading the first in the series, I simply gobbled it up. Love it and read straight through. I was like a cheerleader on the sideline rooting for Rob the whole way. It’s the kind of romance that you just sin...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Heidi Gonzalez rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked this much better than the 2nd book in the series. The first book in this Regency Romance series, Thief is definitely the steamiest but this one just had a good story. Although Linus and Rob, share just about everything including on occasion a bed and have been best friends and more since childhood, Linus just can't wrap his brain around the idea that Rob has finally realized that he wants him and only him. The struggle Linus has and the awkward way Rob goes about trying to convince his f...more

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May 07, 2012 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars
Ava March wraps up her her m/m historical Brook Street trilogy with what I think is the best story in the bunch. (And that's saying something, because I enjoyed them all.)

This installment focuses on Linus Radcliffe and Robert Anderson. The two men grew up as the best of friends, and eventually went on to become part-time lovers. Linus knew early on that he preferred men, and loved Robert above all others. But while Robert has always enjoyed his time with Linus, he has always sought out...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Katie(babs) rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 10, 2012 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Full review can be seen at Seductive Musings.

3.5/5

If you have been following my reviews you already know that I love the Brook Street Trilogy. It’s my favorite new series of the year and I highly recommend them. Rogue is the final book in the series and I’m a little depressed by that. I’m not ready to say goodbye yet.

Rogue is the story of Linus and Rob. They have been best friends for 18 years and have been lovers for a decade. They don’t have the sweet, romantic relationship the other couples i...more Full review can be seen at Seductive Musings.

3.5/5

If you have been following my reviews you already know that I love the Brook Street Trilogy. It’s my favorite new series of the year and I highly recommend them. Rogue is the final book in the series and I’m a little depressed by that. I’m not ready to say goodbye yet.

Rogue is the story of Linus and Rob. They have been best friends for 18 years and have been lovers for a decade. They don’t have the sweet, romantic relationship the other couples in this series had. Linus and Rob are friends and buddies more than anything, their sexual relationship has always been a sporadic and minor part of that friendship.

I liked that this book showed a very different relationship from the previous books. Rob is what I consider a tough guy. He is strong and proud, he knows what he wants and he goes after it. He has always preferred women, Linus is the only exception to that. Rob is surprised when he realizes that it’s the pursuit of women that’s the real thrill for him, once he has them he gets bored quickly. The only satisfying sexual relationship he has had in his adult life has been with Linus. Rob decides that Linus is exactly what he wants and he is going to get him.

Linus accepted many years ago that he preferred men. He has also accepted that Rob doesn’t feel the same way. Linus has learned to be satisfied with what Rob can give him. Linus has centered his life around the friendship with Rob and absolutely will not put their friendship in jeopardy.

The couple and their story drew me in and I couldn’t put this book down. I read it from start to finish in one evening. When I finished it I realized that even though I really liked the book I was still a bit disappointed. I think my disappointment came down to two things.

1. The book is very short. I never got to know the characters well and had to draw on my knowledge of them from previous books to fill in the details. The length of the book made me feel like I was getting a glimpse into their story rather than the entire thing. Plain and simple, I wanted more.
2. This is the story of two people that already have an established relationship and are considering taking it to the next level. That type of story is never a favorite for me. It’s interesting but it’s missing my favorite part of a romance book, the sexual tension and romantic build up.

The Brook Street Trilogy is an amazing journey through Regency-era London. The romances are deep and emotional. Give this series a try, you won’t regret it. I’m going to miss these books I’m sad to see the series come to an end.(less)

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Jun 18, 2013 Kukko rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1-app-kindle, a-historical, a-romance, character-nobility, sex-mix-m-m, z-2013, series-to-be-read-in-order, a-short

Book 3 of the Brook Street Collection is set in London at the end of the Regency era, at a time when sodomy was considered a crime and all MM romances had to survive in the closet.

My least favorite of the series. This story seemed shorter than the others.

The MCs (Linus - man-whore of the series, and Rob - loyal best friend) started the story as on-again-off-again closeted lovers, and ended the story as exclusive closeted lovers.

The characters were not particularly compelling, and it just felt...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Sandra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: novella, m-m, historical-romance, net-galley-carina-press, series-completed

ARC received from Carina Press on NetGalley

I enjoy this series a lot. I have to say the first one is still the best, it just had that extra layer of depth and drama that pulled you in and made you tear up at times. But this one still had the same great writing, and Ms. March does a good job having the MC's in each book in very different circumstances. Linus and Rob had been childhood friends and that definitely gave a different feel to the book. It probably could have been drawn out with a littl...more

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May 06, 2012 April (CSI:Librarian) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-arc

I liked both Linus and Robert. They had a very friends with benefits thing going on, which clearly wasn’t going to work forever although neither one of them could quite admit it. I liked that as a starting point, and I also liked the ways their relationship developed/evolved. I just found myself wishing there was a bit more to their story. I liked their emotional conflicts, but some external conflicts would have been nice too.

-

Please Note: After reading it and going to GoodReads, I did notice K ...more

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May 07, 2012 Annie (Under the Covers Book Blog) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, genre-erotic-romance, ebooks, man-love, lgbt, booty-snatching, read-in-2012, review-requests

Posted on Under the Covers

ROGUES is the third book in the Brook Street series by Ava March. This is Robert Anderson and Linus Radcliffe’s book. Both are rogues, but their preferences in bedmates vary. While Linus prefers the company of men, Robert spends his nights with women. However, there is something special about Linus that makes Robert spend the occasional night in Linus’s bed. Their chemistry is potent and undeniable however when Robert proposes that they become exclusive lovers, Linus t...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Gwen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: alphabet-soup

By the time I got to this point in the series, I was starting to wonder if there was anyone in this group who wasn't into the gay sex. Given that it's the end of the trilogy and a half and no one else is introduced, I don't think I'm going to find that mythical het Regency gent lurking in this crowd of friends. Not that I'm necessarily looking for him, but at least one straight person would have kept it from verging into OKHomo territory. But then again, this is quite a light, frothy read (as is...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Annelise L'Estrange rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, m-m, reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Ava March

I'm Ava March, an author of smoking hot M/M historical erotic romances. I love writing in the Regency time period, where proper decorum is of the utmost importance, but where anything can happen behind closed doors.

I love to hear from readers. You can visit me on the web at www.AvaMarch.com

Or at my blog www.AvaMarch.blogspot.com

Or send me an e-mail at Ava at AvaMarch.com

More about Ava March...

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Rogues (Brook Street #3)

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