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Dearest Rogue

(Maiden Lane #8)

Elizabeth Hoyt (Goodreads Author)

really liked it 4.00 · Rating details · 7,945 ratings · 1,004 reviews

HE CAN GUARD HER

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

FROM EVERY DANGER

Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and curs ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 326 pages

Published May 26th 2015 by Grand Central Publishing

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Lists with This Book

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

Four Nights With the Duke by Eloisa James

The Duke and the Lady in Red by Lorraine Heath

If the Viscount Falls by Sabrina Jeffries

2015 Historical Romance (January - June)

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May 14, 2021 Arini ~ Miss Casually Reading rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: shelf-of-shame

3.5 stars

this felt like reading a Kristen Ashley book just from the amount of kidnappings and attacks the heroine had to endure lol.

LIKEs

(✓) a BLIND heroine,

“She stood, a little unsteadily, true, but on her own two feet. “It’s not my blindness that cripples me, it’s everyone else deciding I can’t live because of my blindness. If I stumble, if I run into things and fall and hurt myself it’s because I can and I’m free to do so, Maximus. Because without that freedom I’m just a dull, chained thing a

3.5 stars

this felt like reading a Kristen Ashley book just from the amount of kidnappings and attacks the heroine had to endure lol.

LIKEs

(✓) a BLIND heroine,

“She stood, a little unsteadily, true, but on her own two feet. “It’s not my blindness that cripples me, it’s everyone else deciding I can’t live because of my blindness. If I stumble, if I run into things and fall and hurt myself it’s because I can and I’m free to do so, Maximus. Because without that freedom I’m just a dull, chained thing and I won’t be that woman anymore. I simply won’t, Maximus.”

who had a strong, kind, upbeat personality and optimistic view in life.

(✓) a hero with a LIMP,

“Somewhere, at some indefinable point, he’d crossed a bridge and the bridge had crumbled behind him. There was no going back. He cared for Lady Phoebe Batten more than anything else in life. More than his family. More than his honor. More than his freedom, should it come to that.”

he was your typical silent, broody, gruff, stoic, expressionless hero who looked, sounded, and acted like nothing fazed him, but deep down he secretly ✧ adored ✧ the heroine.

(✓) he was also an ex-military man of sort and happened to be her BODYGUARD hired by the heroine’s—

(✓) OVERPROTECTIVE brother.

(✓) both MCs had significant AGE GAP. the hero was 31yo (or 33yo, im blinking on this particular detail) and the heroine 21yo virgin.

(✓) in an attempt to escape some danger, they ran away to the hero’s remote hometown. during the travel, they played the FAKE RELATIONSHIP card and *innocently* engaged in some ONE BED action.

(✓) they were far apart in CLASS & SOCIAL STATUS, but together they were quite the GRUMPY/SUNSHINE pair.

“I’m not letting you go after this.” He raised his head. “Marry me, Phoebe, please. Damn the courtship. Damn your brother. Damn the waiting. I can’t...I can’t breathe when you’re not with me. I love you with all my cynical heart. Be my wife and teach me to laugh and let me buy you beer and ride with me on the beaches of Cornwall. Be my love and my wife forevermore.”

MEHs

(―) i think that some of the dialogues were skating the edge of cheese-land, but they werent cringey.

(―) for all the suspense and abduction shenanigans, the big reveal and explanation for why they happened was kind of... ridiculous.

(―) we didnt see the initial introduction between the MCs. the story began with them having already established a somewhat friendly, professional guard/client relationship.

NOs

(✗) im being overdramatic with this one, but truly the way the hero ended literally every sentence he spoke to the heroine with “My Lady” grated on my nerves.

(✗) i didnt particularly care for all the parts (there were significant amount) that were given to set up for future installments mostly because i read this as a standalone. whoops.

other than that, this was a sweet HR with lots of interesting elements that i enjoyed. honestly, if youre a follower of this series and have bonded with the characters since the beginning, i think you might like it more.

(read as an audiobook) ...more

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Nov 06, 2016 Alp rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

4.25/5

“You’ve ruined me. I don’t know if I can breathe without you. I don’t know how I can ever live without you.” –James Trevillion

Much better than my expectations. Thoroughly beautiful!

I postponed reading this book for so long, considering I wasn’t impressed with Phoebe's character in the previous book. I found her quite stubborn, so I was afraid she would get on my nerves in this installment. But oh, how wrong I was to think of her that way! She was nothing like I thought she would be. Ho ...more

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Mar 01, 2021 Lacey (laceybooklovers) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, best-of-2021, historical-romance

If you're looking for a bodyguard romance to love, you HAVE to read Dearest Rogue!! The heroine is the sister of a duke, is blind, and has a huge grump of a bodyguard. James is broody but you can just feel how much he adores Phoebe and is willing to do anything to protect her. There's also the "only one bed" trope AND they have to pretend to be husband and wife during that scene. I just had so much fun reading this one! ...more

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Nov 08, 2014 Lady Wesley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: rhr, arc-rev, arc, amz-rev, fave-favorites, rhr-update, hero-not-a-duke, 2015-faves

7 May 2015
My thoughts upon finishing Dearest Rogue
Warning! Do not begin this book unless you are prepared to stay up all night finishing it. Dearest Rogue may be my favorite Maiden Lane book yet. The romance between Phoebe and Trevillion will sweep you up, and besides that there is adventure, mystery, and an adorable child.

29 May 2015

Elizabeth Hoyt’s books just keeps getting better! As I noted in my five-star review of her last book, Darling Beast, she has taken the Maiden Lane series in a new 7 May 2015
My thoughts upon finishing Dearest Rogue
Warning! Do not begin this book unless you are prepared to stay up all night finishing it. Dearest Rogue may be my favorite Maiden Lane book yet. The romance between Phoebe and Trevillion will sweep you up, and besides that there is adventure, mystery, and an adorable child.

29 May 2015

Elizabeth Hoyt’s books just keeps getting better! As I noted in my five-star review of her last book, Darling Beast, she has taken the Maiden Lane series in a new direction, adding characters while keeping the ones we’ve met before. Captain James Trevillion first appeared in Scandalous Desires (Maiden Lane, #3) , leading a troop of mounted soldiers hunting for an accused murderer known as the Ghost of St. Giles. He wasn’t a villain exactly, but his strict devotion to duty put him in conflict with the heroes of the earlier books. Trevillion was invalided out of the army when his leg was badly broken after his horse was shot and fell on him. Now, walking with a cane but still able to ride like the devil, he has taken a job guarding Phoebe Batten, the young sister of a former adversary, Maximus Batten, Duke of Wakefield.

Maximus has decreed that Phoebe must have a guard because she is almost completely blind. Phoebe was not born blind; her sight began deteriorating when she was twelve, and now at age 21, she can detect light but nothing more. The duke is not cruel or ashamed of her; he just wants to protect her from gossip or teasing or injury. And her brother knows that London in 1741 can be dangerous for any lady, even if accompanied by footmen; Trevillion, with his two pistols strapped across his chest, escorts Phoebe everywhere.

Phoebe is sweet, pretty, and charming to everyone – except Trevillion. She detests the restrictions imposed by her brother (although she loves him dearly) and is hostile toward Trevillion as a result (although she has full confidence in his ability to protect her). For his part, Trevillion accepts Phoebe’s enmity stoically while occasionally harboring secret tender feelings toward her. He knows that there can be nothing between a duke’s sister and a commoner.

The first chapter of this book is so cracking good that it could be a case study in how to set up a plot, introduce the main characters, and hook the reader. While Phoebe is shopping on Bond Street, four brutes attempt to kidnap her. Before Phoebe even realizes what is happening, Trevillion has shot two of them, stolen a horse, and is galloping away to safety with Phoebe in front of him. That's the short, plain version of what happened. Ms. Hoyt's version gives us the sights, sounds, and smells – especially Phoebe's experience of the sounds and smells and riding a horse for the first time in years – as well as each character's innermost thoughts and reactions. She is exhilarated by the experience, and Trevillion is impressed by Phoebe's heretofore hidden passion.

Circumstances put Phoebe and Trevillion in an unusual position. They frequently are in close proximity, her hand on his arm, and sometimes they are alone, something that never would be allowed under ordinary conditions. There is this tension though, because they don't like one another, except they sort of do, and it is a joy to watch them grapple with putting aside their preconceptions and get to actually know one another. Repeated kidnapping attempts bring the couple even closer, until finally Trevillion takes drastic action.

I've had some trouble writing this review because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. Suffice it to say that they depart from London, and the enforced nearness and isolation bring Phoebe and Trevillion closer to one another. Each of them discovers the possibility of a whole new life they had never dreamt of before. Phoebe relentlessly assails Trevillion's grim reserve, and he comes to appreciate her as so much more that just a blind girl. Unlike her brother, Trevillion is willing to let Phoebe try things even though she sometimes falls. It is just a beautiful love story and will melt the your heart and curl your toes.

Can you tell that I fell a little bit in love with Trevillion? To begin with, Elizabeth Hoyt's Pintererst page features a photograph of Richard Armitage as Trevillion, and he perfectly fits the book's description. Moreover, for all of his dour demeanor, Trevillion is a man of passion too. I simply adored this passage, which shows us Trevillion's heart as well as Ms. Hoyt's talent:

Trevillion watched Phoebe in the sea, the waves lapping about her ankles. She was laughing, her skirts lifted to her knees, her face shining in the sun, and he wished he could paint the scene. Keep it in his memory always.
Somewhere, at some indefinable point, he'd crossed a bridge and the bridge had crumbled behind him. There was no going back. He cared for Lady Phoebe Batten more than anything else in life. More than his family. More than his honor.
More than his freedom, should it come to that.
Bringing her joy was worth more than any amount of money. He knew – without doubt, without fear – that he would kill for her.
That he would die for her.
It was almost a relief, this realization. He might fight intellectually against it, using all those well-worn arguments: he was too old, she was too young, they were too far apart in class, but it simply didn't matter. His heart had performed a coup d'état over his mind and there was nothing more to be done about it.
He loved Phoebe Batten, now and forevermore.

I have no real criticism of this book. Yes, the kidnapping story is rather convoluted and far-fetched, but that did not detract from my enjoyment At the end, I put it down with a happy smile on my face. In fact, it's official: Dearest Rogue is now my favorite book in the Maiden Lane series. ...more

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Jun 21, 2017 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-reads, chick-i-want-to-hang-out-with, chocolate-pms-day-reads, cotton-candy, o-captain-my-captain, historical-happiness, 4-5-stars, book-boyfriend-material, sexy

I’m going to tell you that I might be a smidge biased about this book as this is really one of my favorite tropes and I’m a sucker for a Captain, any kind of captain in fact from Captain Jack Sparrow, to James Tiberius Kirk, to Captain Malcolm Reynolds and let us not forget Captain Thorn (the Lunar Chronicles), Both Captains of the Queensgaurd, Hector (Girl of Fire and Thorns) and Amon Byrne (Seven Realms) and last but not least Captain America. But this has the added bodyguard who falls in love I’m going to tell you that I might be a smidge biased about this book as this is really one of my favorite tropes and I’m a sucker for a Captain, any kind of captain in fact from Captain Jack Sparrow, to James Tiberius Kirk, to Captain Malcolm Reynolds and let us not forget Captain Thorn (the Lunar Chronicles), Both Captains of the Queensgaurd, Hector (Girl of Fire and Thorns) and Amon Byrne (Seven Realms) and last but not least Captain America. But this has the added bodyguard who falls in love with his body to guard.

I have been waiting for Trevillions book for a while especially when I learned that Phoebe was the love interest. I have liked her small parts in all of the other books and I’ve also felt so bad for her that because she has been going blind she is cut off from most of society and while her family loves her they are maybe doing a bit too much to make sure she is safe that it is no wonder she almost feels a prisoner in her own home.

She stood, a little unsteadily, true, but on her own two feet. “It’s not my blindness that cripples me, it’s everyone else deciding I can’t live because of my blindness. If I stumble, if I run into things and fall and hurt myself it’s because I can and I’m free to do so, Maximus. Because without that freedom I’m just a dull, chained thing and I won’t be that woman anymore. I simply won’t, Maximus.”

It was so easy to like Phoebe, sure her life has changed and she can’t see but it hasn’t diminished her in any way and her positivity and good attitude towards every new challenge that comes her was made me want her to find the love of her life and get the HEA that she deserves.

Trevillion is a man of honor and duty. He wants to do want is right by Phoebe and feels like he couldn’t possibly be the man for her, he is too old not a noble and has a leg injury that has slowed him down. He wants the best for her since he has over time come to care for her but it is difficult being with her everyday as his feelings grow and her life becomes more and more in danger.

…while you may not be a caged bird, neither are you merely a woman. You’re a precious artifact. As long as there are men who wish to steal you, I’ll be right by your side.”

Someone is trying to kidnap Phoebe and force a marriage on her. If they accomplish that then they can basically hold the Duke of Wakefield in the palm of their hands. Trevillion seems to be the only thing standing between the Kidnappers and Phoebe. But there seems to be someone in The Duke of Wakefield’s employee that might be working against him. To protect her he will need to hide her and in that they will both discover everything about the other person.

I loved this story. Okay so Phoebe almost being kidnapped and actually being kidnapped more than once was a little OTT and comical. But I really liked everything about their story and how Trevillion’s war within himself to do the right thing didn’t stand a chance in the wake of Phoebe.

Only when she sighed into his mouth, a small submission, did he whisper against her lips, “I’m tired of you tempting me.”
“I’m not tempting you anymore,” she murmured back, her wet lips brushing his.
He nipped her bottom lip in punishment. “Aren’t you?”
“No,” she whispered. “You’ve given in.”

I enjoyed this book more than most in this series just because of the Trope and the character. It was everything I wanted it to be. ...more

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Sep 25, 2017 Sam (AMNReader) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: strong-silent, favorite-series, hrbc-mad-about-series, best-heroine, read-in-2018, favorite-romance, high-rating-reread-project, book-boyfriend, heroes-to-lick, read-in-2020

This, my 16th high rating reread, held up. Damn, I love these two (might be a 4, but tripping across moors is one of my all time favorite scenes.) Original review:

*Tosses kobo aside. Steeples fingers. Leans forward. Raises eyebrows*

Oh. I've found another for my collection.

*Plucks James from pages. Adds to "heroes I want to lick" shelf.*

I've enjoyed Phoebe's parts in the books prior to this and her book was not at all disappointing.I also l enjoyed the image of Trevillion just moments behind ea ...more

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Jan 24, 2017 Jilly rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Better than the last one. High praise, indeed. And, sure this couple was also boring, but the story was sweet and actually a little bit believable. There was actual chemistry.

So, we have Phoebe, a blind girl who gets all annoyed when people want to help her walk without falling into a hole. And, James, her bodyguard who is a bit crippled from injuries to one of his legs who gets annoyed if anyone wants to help him in any way. Perfect match.

They fight, she resents him, he secretly loves her, he ...more

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May 16, 2014 Caz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites, romance-contemporary-and-other, aar, romance-pre-1800s, 4-stars

I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.

While I’ve enjoyed all the books in Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series, Dearest Rogue has been the one I’ve most eagerly anticipated. In fact, it’s one of my most highly anticipated books of 2015. Perhaps that’s a little unusual, considering this is the eighth book in a long-running series, but something about the pairing of the older, world-weary, dour ex-officer with the young, vital but blind sister of a duke is intriguing and ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 Mo rated it really liked it · review of another edition

So sweet. Wasn't sure how I would like this one. Trevillion is a bit of a moody character in the previous books ... but he ended up being a real sweetheart.

TREVILLION woke the next morning as he often did: all at once, at exactly six of the clock , and with a stiff cock ...

Of course Trevillion was not of her station so did not feel worthy of her.

God, he was a cad.

"You've ruined me. I don't know if I can breathe without you. I don't know how I can ever live without you."

"Then don't." s

...more

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Jan 30, 2017 Choko rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

*** 4 ***

A buddy read with the Romantics at the MacHalo Freaks :) Because we love love!!!

Yes, we are back in 18th century England, Maiden Lane, ravaged by Gin and poverty, crime and filth... Well, that is on Maiden Lane... In the houses of the Ton, life seems much easier and more gentile... It does not matter where or when you are, money and privilege are always a plus.

"...“I don’t want you hurt,” he said gruffly.
“I know.” Her smile was winsome. “But falling isn’t the end of the world. I ma *** 4 ***

A buddy read with the Romantics at the MacHalo Freaks :) Because we love love!!!

Yes, we are back in 18th century England, Maiden Lane, ravaged by Gin and poverty, crime and filth... Well, that is on Maiden Lane... In the houses of the Ton, life seems much easier and more gentile... It does not matter where or when you are, money and privilege are always a plus.

"...“I don’t want you hurt,” he said gruffly.
“I know.” Her smile was winsome. “But falling isn’t the end of the world. I may fall, it’s true—in fact, I probably will fall—but really, one can’t live without falling now and again.” ..."

Lady Phoebe Batten is the sister of a Duke, comfort, luxury and privilege are a given for her station. For this beautiful and full of life young woman the skies should be the only limit. However, even the greatest families can not always get away from faith and in Phoebe's case, a disease of the eyes at an early age has her vision degenerating with an alarming speed. Her advancing blindness is the reason her Duke brother enlists the recently injured Captain James Trevillion, who finds himself unable to continue with his military duties since his leg was smashed by his dying horse. Both the Lady and the Captain find the situation bothersome. Travillion is the perfect soldier, intense, obsessed with his job, and weary of growing close with his charge. Because he finds this woman, 12 years younger than him and an aristocrat, way too enchanting and appealing for his comfort.

"...“She stood, a little unsteadily, true, but on her own two feet. “It’s not my blindness that cripples me, it’s everyone else deciding I can’t live because of my blindness. If I stumble, if I run into things and fall and hurt myself it’s because I can and I’m free to do so, Maximus. Because without that freedom I’m just a dull, chained thing and I won’t be that woman anymore. I simply won’t, Maximus.”..."

Lady Phoebe, however, sees his distance and composure as stuffiness and a way for him to show her up and display his dislike of her... She is very irritated by him, but despite all that, he makes her feel safe when he is near, more than anything or anyone else. This is even better highlighted when attempts to kidnap her become a reality and no one knows who is behind them. James is steadfast and heroic, putting her well-being above his own life. Until once, when he fails to be the one to save her, he decides that his injury and condition are rendering him unfit and he steps down in order for better men to protect her... Of course, as we all suspected, no one is better at protecting her and she is taken. James finds a way to locate her and from there on, he swears to never leave her side... Even if that means to abduct her himself:):):)

The story was interesting and the romance was very, very sweet!!! I truly liked all the characters, despite that at times Travillien's self pity to get on my nerves big time - I am not a big fan of a big bad alpha dude with such pathetic internal monologue, even if it did get better... The Duke of Montgomery also is on my to kill list at this point, so he really has to gravel until we get to his book!!! I loved Travillien's family and his niece and sister's story tugged on my heartstrings quite a bit! Overall, the book was another solid entry in this very pleasant series!!! Recommend it to all Historical Romance fans!!!

I wish you all Happy Reading and many more wonderful books to come!!! ...more

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Jan 10, 2022 Antonella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2022-five-stars, 2022-read-in-january, age-gap, great-chemistry, forced-proximity, disability-rep, grumpy-sunshine, different-class, historical-romance, fav-couples

adored everything about this book!!!

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Apr 10, 2021 Crystal Cook rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2021

This one was SO GREAT. Bodyguard romance, blind heroine, a truly beautiful kiss described from the heroine's point of view by touch. A fun mystery, a horse breeding farm!

I am in love with this series. Worth the hype for sure. ...more

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Nov 27, 2014 Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover rated it really liked it

Shelves: rakes-and-lords, cover-whore, so-hard-to-finish, historical-read

**3.5 Stars**

It's no surprise that this is my favorite historical series. Only a few authors are on my "auto-buy" list and Elizabeth Hoyt is one of them. This story was sweet...which is not bad but I'm so used to the action, suspense and intrigue from the other books that I kind of missed it it in this one...and I'm especially missing the Ghost of St. Giles. I really wish there could be a fourth one!

This was a sweet read, and my first book where the heroine is blind. EH is such an amazing autho ...more

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Apr 09, 2021 Jenn (The Book Refuge) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, read-2021, favorite-reads-6-stars-2021

Reread for my 2021 Favorites.
.
Grumpy/Subshine. Class difference. Age Gap. Bodyguard. Just all the good things.

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Apr 20, 2018 Princess under cover rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance

I upgraded the rating from 4 the first time around to 4.5 rounded to 5 this time. Maybe I'm just in a generous mood.

What I liked about it:

The wounded Hero, gruff, serious, truly a hero and leader of men. He's always been such a stick in the mud from previous books and you know he's one of the good guys but you can't help but think - someone needs to pull that pole out of your ass! So I was curious how EH would treat him in this book, how she'd open him up and get us to fall in love.

She did grea ...more

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Oct 30, 2018 Melanie A. - mostly on hiatus rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-favorites, library

5 STARS!

Was she more to him now than simply a duty?

Big smiles, you guys. Big, BIG smiles. Such a solid read. I loved it!

Phoebe was a fabulous heroine. I adored her. She was strong, kind, and optimistic in a way that didn't grate on my nerves. I applaud Hoyt for not allowing her blind heroine to flounder around in the deep end of the schmaltzy cheese pool.

"I just want to live."

Trevillion was just as wonderful; strong, noble, and severe in an edgy way that didn't grate o ...more

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May 29, 2015 willaful rated it liked it

Shelves: special-needs-vision-impaired, on-the-road-on-the-run

Like many fans of the "Maiden Lane" series, I've been curious about a story for Lady Phoebe Batten, a young woman who's been progressively losing her sight over the course of the previous books in the series, and one for Captain James Trevillion, who started out as sort of the Sheriff of Nottingham to the previous heroes and then became an ally. Their pairing is a fairly obvious choice for romance -- vulnerable heroine with protective hero. (Who also has his own vulnerability, because of a leg i ...more

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Apr 30, 2016 Steven Walle rated it really liked it

This romance was very well written and a delight to read. An old soldier is hired to protect a young blind lady. Durring there relationship they fall in love and have a beautiful romance which was fraught with parils from kid nappers, and the young lady's brother who is a Duke.
It has a very happy ending.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond ...more

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Dec 02, 2014 WhiskeyintheJar rated it liked it

Shelves: historical, series, 1700s

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lady Phoebe has been steadily going blind for the last couple years and as the sister to a powerful and rich duke, her brother hires a bodyguard to keep her safe. Captain James Trevillion used to ride the streets of St. Giles chasing down gin makers until an accident left him lame in one leg but still highly capable he becomes Phoebe's bodyguard. The ar 3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lady Phoebe has been steadily going blind for the last couple years and as the sister to a powerful and rich duke, her brother hires a bodyguard to keep her safe. Captain James Trevillion used to ride the streets of St. Giles chasing down gin makers until an accident left him lame in one leg but still highly capable he becomes Phoebe's bodyguard. The aristocrat and the commoner find themselves at crossed swords quite often but as they get to know one another, they find themselves slowly lowering all their defenses.

Sometimes Phoebe wondered what Captain Trevillion would do if she reached up and slapped his face. Or kissed him.

If you have read the previous books in the series (focusing on the lead's romance in this book you would be fine without prior knowledge but there will be secondary characters and side storylines that will pass you by) you would have gotten a little taste of Trevillion and Phoebe's somewhat tense relationship. This story is what many have excitedly anticipated, the progression of all that tension. The interaction between Trevillion and Phoebe was what definitely worked the best for me while the kidnapping plot didn't seem the best put together. It worked to put our couple together but the over and over resurgence of it felt much dragged on.

I'm no longer a fit guard, he thought, I can't keep my objectivity around her anymore. God help me. God help her.

The fear of not being able to see, having her brother stifle her nearly to madness out of love, and exuberance of youth made Phoebe a very likeable and believable character. It was unfortunately, also her youth and sheltered life, at times I felt like the character felt even younger than the age stated and that lost me. There was a lot of "I want, I want" from Phoebe that manifested itself in a very child like manner that wasn't a lot of fun for me to read. On the other hand, the feeling of her desperation to feel alive was so heartbreaking. Trevillion's restraining looks, wanting, and feelings toward Phoebe were what sold me towards his character. Unfortunately, again, what made up a good chunk of his character, stoic and contained, that made him gruff and vulnerable also made him too inscrutable. I couldn't quite feel connected to him as an individual. The first half moved pretty slowly for me, it was when Trevillion kidnaps Phoebe to keep her safe from being kidnapped and they start spending a lot of time alone that I began to really feel this couple.

She was an aristocrat---a world apart from his yeoman upbringing. But here, in this quiet paddock, the only sound the soft thump of the horses' hooves on grass, they were just a man and a woman. That simple.
And that complex.

In this second half and particularly in the 60-80% area, this couple will entrench themselves in your heart. The way Trevillion sees Phoebe, past her blindness, will have your eyes watering and the way the air crackles when they are close together will heat your blood. There is a scene involving stockings that will definitely be a nominee for my best scene of 2015; scorching hot. With everything stripped away, the kidnapping plot and mechanism's of secondary characters, Phoebe and Trevillion radiated brightly and emotionally. Their time together, Phoebe's growth from Trevillion's strength and ability to see her as more than her blindness and willingness to let her fall was beautifully romantic. The last 20% or so with what seemed like a lot of forced sex scenes smashed into it and one too many kidnaps had me wishing for the quieter moments of our couple's time spent hidden away.

Overall, there are some truly beautiful moments in this story and if you are a fan of the series you definitely don't want to miss out on this couple's happily ever after. This series and book has a great many fans and there is definitely a reason for it. If looking to escape the regency ballrooms to the 1700s, this would be a great series to pick up.
...more

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Jan 08, 2017 Jen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series-book, kindle-own, january-2017, historical-romance

Another sexy, suspense filled, and romantic read! In this one the heroine is blind, and she falls for her bodyguard; who we have come to know in the past books as Trevillion. He takes things in his own hands when it comes to protecting his charge...and his life and hers will never be the same.

I am still loving this series, and I definitely recommend this one for anyone who is interested in Historical Romances. Elizabeth Hoyt does a brilliant job of creating a steamy and exciting romance!!! This ...more

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Mar 01, 2022 Dagmar rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

AMAZING

Another gorgeous, steamy, suspenseful, moving and perfect Maiden Lane novel. Older, brooding and tender bodyguard Hero James Trevellion is absolutely swoonworthy paired with young and beautiful Lady Phoebe, blind, spirited, independent sunsine heroine who captures his heart. A sweet and authentic story. Adventurous and moving, this is one of those can't stop reading, exciting, heartachingly lovely, sexy-as-hell memorable books that will go right on the keeper shelves.

Maiden Lane is my fav ...more

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Dec 24, 2016 Blacky *Romance Addict* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: he-is-mine, favorite-historical, favorites, read-historical, read-mee, 5-stars-for-enjoyment, read-2016

It's 4,5 because of the explanation in the end about the (view spoiler). Pretty ridiculous, I guess I expected something more complex haha but oh well. The romance part was amazing, James is so lovely *sigh* so that got me rounding up to 5.

...more

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Nov 13, 2014 Lover of Romance rated it really liked it

Shelves: time-england-georgian, time-england-regency-1811-1820, genre-historical-romance, setting-england, pub-2015, theme-disability, cover-color-blue, character-military, character-tortured-hero, character-brooding-hero

Review-Dearest Rogue I received a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review, thanks to Netgalley…this does not alter my view of this title
Summary
Lady Phoebe, has known for most of her life, that she was losing her vision, and she knows that soon she won’t be able to see anything at all…not even the light. Phoebe is a woman of strength, and is determined to not let her very over protective brother, smother her in safety, she wants to live and experience life even if she is blind, she knows that Review-Dearest Rogue I received a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review, thanks to Netgalley…this does not alter my view of this title
Summary
Lady Phoebe, has known for most of her life, that she was losing her vision, and she knows that soon she won’t be able to see anything at all…not even the light. Phoebe is a woman of strength, and is determined to not let her very over protective brother, smother her in safety, she wants to live and experience life even if she is blind, she knows that there is much she can do. Her bodyguard, James Trevillion, is a prime example of the over protectiveness, but they have a friendship or sorts, and she does trust James. But when she is almost kidnapped, she knows her desire to explore and gain freedom, is about to be gone…because James and her brother are about to get even worse than before. But it soon becomes apparent, as she convinces to let James take her about town, that someone wants her, and badly, When there is a attempt to kidnap her, at her own home, James rescues her and takes her away from her family and London, back to his own roots, but there James will have to face his past, and a passion erupts between James and Phoebe, and even though James has nothing to offer Phoebe except heartache…he would give anything to have her in his life…
The Hero
James, has been on the run from his past for years. After serving in the military, he came back to London, and lost his precious horse in an accident, that damaged his leg, and double fractured it, and he has never healed, and has to use a walking stick to walk. James views himself as not good enough for Phoebe due to his injury. But there is more to James past than a lame leg, he has a father, a sister and a niece, and he hasn’t seen them in many years. James was a hero you just ache to give a hug to. He is quite tortured at times, and when you learn everything about his past, you begin to understand why he is the way he is portrayed in the story. I really admired his character, because he is protective, but he also is understanding and empathetic to Phoebe’s situation. He lets her breathe, and explore the world despite her blindness.
The Heroine
Now Phoebe is what makes this story entertaining and lively and full of zest. I can’t even begin to express how much I adored her, and I have ever since the book “Duke of Midnight” which is her brother Maximus’ story, but that is where we first meet Phoebe and I loved her from that moment and I was so excited to get her story here. Phoebe deals with blindness, but most of her light she can see some things if they are in the light or bright enough. She keeps a garden with only white flowers…so that she can see them. (which just about broke my heart), you see her love for her family, her passion to live life to its fullest, and even though we see her struggle with her blindness, you see her courage and strength of will too. I love how she battles her fears and is determined to battle her brother if necessary to gain some sense of normalcy and freedom. She is quite endearing and admirable.
Plot and Story Line
Dearest Rogue, is a story to enchant and delight. And it’s not just about the romance here, we see also a story of facing your fears and battling inner demons. There is also a mystery at work here in the plot, and with the attempt kidnapping, a sense of danger. The danger isn’t super heavy, like some of her previous books we have seen, it is more that it adds a bit more depth and perception to the story. And it also introduces us to a side character…that just may get her own story soon. The majority of this story we see how characters grow due to circumstances and face challenges. The romance that blossoms between James and Phoebe is slow to begin…its more of a comfortable friendship and bond at the beginning, but when they are alone and together more, you see a change in their relationship, and I found myself captivated by this story, the plot developments, and the way that we see the characters come together when its the pivotal moment in the story. I loved the balance and the even pace, and how the story just seemed to flow like water for this reader. If you are a fan of Hoyt, and love this series, you will have quite a fun time with this story.
The Cover
I love both the front cover and the step back!! I love the spring theme to the cover, with the sky blue color of her dress, and the white roses and the pose of the pair…very warm and sensual.
Overall View
Dearest Rogue is a fantastic installment to the Maiden Lane Series. It’s a story of determination, of battling your inner demons and gaining strength from your challenges, and embracing the fullness of what life offers. Zesty and Passionate!! ...more

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Oct 11, 2018 Carvanz rated it really liked it

Shelves: a-hole-decision, heroine-attacked, jealous-possessive, male-pov, safety-hmm, mild-violence, siblings, alpha, older-man, heroine-sweet

Audio-book: Narrator - Ashford McNab

Love the life and passion this narrator brings to these characters. Such an enjoyable audio to listen to. Each voice very distinctive.

My heart has hurt for Phoebe since I first met her and realized her plight. So I was particularly invested in her story and who this author would pair her with. Wow! I couldn’t have dreamed of a better couple. The fact that James was so kind and considerate to her and yet knew she needed her freedom was sometimes so beautiful t ...more

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Aug 09, 2016 Alexandra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, re-reads, romance-read, 2016, owned-books, dogs, side-character-love, 2017, disability-physical-imperfection, heroes-of-my-heart

Have you ever read romance where the two leads are so well matched and so perfect for each other that you would read a 10 book series of them living their lives doing everyday things together?

For me, this is that book. Phoebe and James are that couple.

I live for the short glimpses of them in the other Maiden Lane books. I could read 100 pages of them planting a garden or something and be happy.

I love them to death, and there is absolutely no way that I can give this book a coherent review ev ...more

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Jul 06, 2015 Daniella rated it really liked it

In a nutshell:
description

I almost gave up on Dearest Rogue. I was already halfway finished and there still wasn't any significant developments in James and Phoebe's relationship. To make matters worse, I was already at my wits end with Phoebe and her spoiled attitude. Maximus was equally irritating with his fiercely autocratic and arrogant disposition. Save for James, I really couldn't give a fuck about any of the characters (it's my first book in the Maiden Lane series so I don't have any prior attachmen ...more

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Aug 09, 2014 Alyssa rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-releases

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt
Book Eight of the Maiden Lane series
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: May 26, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

HE CAN GUARD HER

Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her ...more

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Jun 29, 2015 Juliana Philippa rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance-historical, hr-can-stand-alone, hr-secret-love, romance, 2019-reads, hr-heroine-beautiful-attractive, set-in-england, 2022-reads, favorite-romance-series, series

"Phoebe. You haunt me. You drive me. You possess me. [...] You've ruined me. I don't know if I can breathe without you. I don't know how I can ever live without you."

"Then don't," she murmured into the eternal darkness. "Then don't." And knew that if he was ensnared, then so was she.

4 stars
Bottom Line, Up Top. Terrific read! The Maiden Lane Series continues to excel and be one of my favorite romance series out there. Phoebe and James are both delightful characters and they're a complete treat together. I loved the evolving dynamic between them. There is an underlying mystery subplot, with Phoebe's attempted and realized kidnappings, but the majority of the focus in the book really is on them. (view spoiler)

Trevillion watched Phoebe in the sea, the waves lapping about her ankles. She was laughing, her skirts lifted to her knees, her face shining in the sun, and he wished he could paint the scene. Keep it in his memory always.

Somewhere, at some indefinable point, he'd crossed a bridge and the bridge had crumbled behind him. There was no going back. He cared for Lady Phoebe Batten more than anything else in life. More than his family. More than his honor.

More than his freedom, should it come to that."

Review. What a wonderful read! I loved both Phoebe and James, and I especially loved them together. The dynamic between them is so fun right from the start, and I loved to see how it evolved. When the book starts, they've already been together for 6 months ("together" = him guarding her) and the only thing is I wish we had been able to see more of the beginnings. However, I think that we actually are given this, but in the previous book, Darling Beast . For that reason alone, I wish I had read it first, but I'm moving soon and since I'm leaving all my print books behind in storage, I've vowed not to read any eBooks until after I've had to part ways with my beloved print collection.

Phoebe is a great character and really well depicted. My heart breaks for her and what she goes through, slowly losing her sight until she's completely blind. She has a loving family, but her older brother, Maximus, the Duke of Wakefield, stifles her with his rules and overprotectiveness. She wants to be free, to experience life, to be able to interact with people, and he wants to monitor and approve or veto her every move. For a long time, James is the embodiment of this, and so their relationship at the beginning is less than stellar. By the time the book starts though, although she still resents his presence and gets annoyed by him sometimes, there's already a spark between them and she likes to tease him and try to goad him into a response—anything to break his normally staid and reserved attitude.

James is absolutely dreamy and it's interesting reading the book of a character whom we've seen for so long in this series, but who many times has been on our no-go list. He's always been a good guy—he was a dragoon for 12 years—but some of our heroes in the past technically haven't been good guys, or at least they've sometimes straddled the line of the law, so we found ourselves rooting against him. Here, that's completely gone and I quickly became Team James all the way!! He really is an upstanding, decent guy who feels a great deal of responsibility and puts a lot of stock in his honor and pride. He's super attracted to Phoebe, but dislikes his feelings for her, both because nothing can come of them and because it makes him less objective in his job and could possibly cloud his judgment and put her in danger. However, he can't bring himself to leave Maximus's employment and leave Phoebe's protection to someone else.

His voice was deep and even and Phoebe wondered if anything would make Trevillion lose his air of calm disinterest. "Sometimes I think you enjoy arguing, my lady."

She pursued her lips. "Well, not with everyone, Captain Trevillion. You're a very special case, you comprehend."

She thought she heard a huff that might've been quiet laughter, but it was drowned in the rumble of wheels as the carriage set off.

"Truly, I'm honored, my lady."

"As you should be." She fought to suppress a smile. She always felt a sense of accomplishment whenever she got her stern captain to play.

...more

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Nov 05, 2016 Addie H rated it it was ok

Shelves: n-scar-physical, o-unstarched, a-wallflower, yy-rereadfavs, l-unrequited-love, h-work-relationship, i-forbidden-love, k-opposites-attract

I am re-reading all my 5 star rated romance novels. There are 60 on my shelf. This is book 26.

(Tropes: Scarred heroine (blind), Scarred Hero (leg), Opposites Attract, Unrequited Love, Wallflower/Spinster, Work Relationship, Forbidden Love, Unstarched)

This is how my 26th re-read held up.

description

Downgraded to 2.5 stars.

I found this such a mess on my second read. Some parts were good, but major parts were just bad. I found the characters boring, their relationship without charm, and thoroughly disliked ...more

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Jun 07, 2015 Kathleen rated it liked it

Shelves: romance-historic, heartwarming, impaired-character

3.5 stars, possibly 4. The heroine is BLIND, so I just had to read this Georgian romance, set in London and Cornwall sometime around 1745. I am drawn to stories with blind characters.

In this case, Phoebe wasn't born blind but began losing her sight at age 12. In this story, she is 21 and totally blind. As younger sister to the Duke of Wakefield, she feels overly protected, cosseted, almost caged. The Duke hires Captain James Trevellian, wounded in the King's Horse Dragoons, to act as Phoebe's b ...more

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About Elizabeth Hoyt

Elizabeth Hoyt

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Elizabeth Hoyt is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three untrained dogs and one long-suffering husband.

Other books in the series

Maiden Lane (1 - 10 of 12 books)

Books by Elizabeth Hoyt

To Beguile a Beast (Legend of the Four Soldiers, #3)

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Quotes from Dearest Rogue

“I'm not letting you go after this." He raised his head. "Marry me, Phoebe, please. Damn the courtship. Damn your brother. Damn the waiting. I can't...I can't breathe when you're not with me. I love you with all my cynical heart. Be my wife and teach me to laugh and let me buy you beer and ride with me on the beaches of Cornwall. Be my love and my wife forevermore." (Captain James Trevellion)” — 13 likes

“Somewhere, at some indefinable point, he'd crossed a bridge and the bridge had crumbled behind him. There was no going back. He cared for Lady Phoebe Batten more than anything else in life. More than his family. More than his honor.
More than his freedom, should it come to that.
Bringing her joy was worth more than any amount of money. He knew--without doubt, without fear--that he would kill for her.
That he would die for her.
It was almost a relief, this realization. He might fight intellectually against it, using all those well-worn arguments: he was too old, she was too young, they were too far apart in class, but it simply didn't matter. His heart performed a
coup d'état over his mind and there was nothing more to be done about it.
He loved Phoebe Batter, now and forevermore.” — 9 likes

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