265 books
—
491 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Rogue Not Taken (Scandal & Scoundrel, #1)” as Want to Read:
The Rogue Not Taken
(Scandal & Scoundrel #1)
by
LADY SOPHIE'S SOCIETY SPLASH
The youngest of the infamous Talbot sisters scandalized society at the Liverpool Summer Soiree, striking her sister’s notoriously philandering husband and landing him backside-first in a goldfish pond. And we thought Sophie was the quiet one…
When she finds herself the target of very public aristocratic scorn, Sophie Talbot does what she must to ...more
The youngest of the infamous Talbot sisters scandalized society at the Liverpool Summer Soiree, striking her sister’s notoriously philandering husband and landing him backside-first in a goldfish pond. And we thought Sophie was the quiet one…
When she finds herself the target of very public aristocratic scorn, Sophie Talbot does what she must to ...more
Get A Copy
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Rogue Not Taken,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Rogue Not Taken (Scandal & Scoundrel, #1)
Warning: There will be spoilers. And cursing. Lots of it.
I'm a very unforgiving reader. My GR friends know this. I don't know about you, but I have a very low tolerance for assholes who can't respect and trust the heroine. I've always adhered to the belief that if you can't tolerate a man's bullshit in real life, you shouldn't tolerate it in fiction.
And that's why I hate King. I hate him so much I want to go all Wednesday Addams on him.
King, our "hero" (scoffs), may not be the worst asshole I've ...more
I'm a very unforgiving reader. My GR friends know this. I don't know about you, but I have a very low tolerance for assholes who can't respect and trust the heroine. I've always adhered to the belief that if you can't tolerate a man's bullshit in real life, you shouldn't tolerate it in fiction.
And that's why I hate King. I hate him so much I want to go all Wednesday Addams on him.
King, our "hero" (scoffs), may not be the worst asshole I've ...more
Well...I mean, of course I like it.
But the question is...will you? Let me help you decide. If you enjoy the following things, you might like Sophie & King's story:
* Romancing the Stone (or *any* enemies-to-lovers story)
* Roadtrip romances
* Men who don't know what's hit them
* US Weekly, People Magazine, Defamer.com, or that sidebar of "news" on your Facebook page
* Any of the following: Beyonce, the Kardashians or the Middleton Sisters
* The idea of wildly-sexy afternoons in hedge-mazes
* Heroes w ...more
But the question is...will you? Let me help you decide. If you enjoy the following things, you might like Sophie & King's story:
* Romancing the Stone (or *any* enemies-to-lovers story)
* Roadtrip romances
* Men who don't know what's hit them
* US Weekly, People Magazine, Defamer.com, or that sidebar of "news" on your Facebook page
* Any of the following: Beyonce, the Kardashians or the Middleton Sisters
* The idea of wildly-sexy afternoons in hedge-mazes
* Heroes w ...more
Full review now posted...
Sarah MacLean is one of the few authors whose stories will, without fail, take me on a wild ride of emotions, so it came as no surprise to me that this first in her new Scandal and Scoundrel series did just that. The Rogue Not Taken had me laughing, crying, and clenching my hands in fists of outrage because Sophia and her sisters grabbed hold of my heart from the start and never let go. And when you add a roguish scoundrel like King to the mix, things become (fanning mys ...more
Sarah MacLean is one of the few authors whose stories will, without fail, take me on a wild ride of emotions, so it came as no surprise to me that this first in her new Scandal and Scoundrel series did just that. The Rogue Not Taken had me laughing, crying, and clenching my hands in fists of outrage because Sophia and her sisters grabbed hold of my heart from the start and never let go. And when you add a roguish scoundrel like King to the mix, things become (fanning mys ...more
Jan 02, 2016
Stacey is Sassy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-series
Aristocrats be damned...unless you fall in love with one.
In The Rogue Not Taken we see how awful the aristocrats acted. With their belief that they are better than others and the lazy way they live their lives, they do not sound nice. I do love reading historical romance, but get very frustrated with them too. In this case, my eye was twitching when a Duke had the power to ruin a whole family because his pride was hurt. Obviously, these things happen in modern times too...maybe not with a Duke, ...more
In The Rogue Not Taken we see how awful the aristocrats acted. With their belief that they are better than others and the lazy way they live their lives, they do not sound nice. I do love reading historical romance, but get very frustrated with them too. In this case, my eye was twitching when a Duke had the power to ruin a whole family because his pride was hurt. Obviously, these things happen in modern times too...maybe not with a Duke, ...more
3.3 stars
I ended up liking this one way more than I thought I would, but the last twenty percent dropped my rating from a 3.7 stars (4 stars) to a 3.3 stars (3 stars).
Because the truth was that women in Britain in 1833 did not have options. They had the path upon which they tread. Upon which they were forced to tread. Upon which they were made to feel grateful they were forced to tread.
I flew through the first 40%, loving the snark and back and forth between Sophie and King. Did King's c ...more
I ended up liking this one way more than I thought I would, but the last twenty percent dropped my rating from a 3.7 stars (4 stars) to a 3.3 stars (3 stars).
Because the truth was that women in Britain in 1833 did not have options. They had the path upon which they tread. Upon which they were forced to tread. Upon which they were made to feel grateful they were forced to tread.
I flew through the first 40%, loving the snark and back and forth between Sophie and King. Did King's c ...more
what should have happened: hero dies for being an asshole. heroine marries someone more deserving. the end!!!
I'm giving this 2.5 stars because I loved Sophie, I enjoyed some of the road trip rompy stuff, it was funny in parts.
But I can't give it any more because King was a raging asshole. He hurt Sophie so much, he was so cruel and callous with his easy words, and every time he apologized, he cut her two new wounds. He was cruel to her about her appearance, her personality, her family, her dreams, her life, her reputation, everything. And he never groveled or apologized sufficiently imo, although I don ...more
But I can't give it any more because King was a raging asshole. He hurt Sophie so much, he was so cruel and callous with his easy words, and every time he apologized, he cut her two new wounds. He was cruel to her about her appearance, her personality, her family, her dreams, her life, her reputation, everything. And he never groveled or apologized sufficiently imo, although I don ...more
I have read worse books than The Rogue Not Taken, books I DNF'ed, books that made me laugh because they were so ridiculous. Which is why it's taken me a couple of days to make up my mind about its rating. All things considered, though, I cannot rate this higher than I have. There were too many factors that made this book an unpleasant read.
Let me start with the plot. Road romance, adventures, bookish heroine, a rake/rogue/scoundrel. All this reminded me of A Week to Be Wicked. It was just not an ...more
Let me start with the plot. Road romance, adventures, bookish heroine, a rake/rogue/scoundrel. All this reminded me of A Week to Be Wicked. It was just not an ...more
*Review up*
Finally! I made it. Whew.
I feel like this took me a year to finish.
I think I'm falling out of love with MacLean's writing. Three books back to back that haven't worked is one too many for me.
This was way too melodramatic for me all around. The plot, the ever present overblown 'shameful secret’ trope, the hero, the heroine, the writing. It’s a 416 page book and it had no reason to be IMO. A good 100 pages could have easily been cut out. I mean I got to the half-way mark which felt mor ...more
Finally! I made it. Whew.
I feel like this took me a year to finish.
I think I'm falling out of love with MacLean's writing. Three books back to back that haven't worked is one too many for me.
This was way too melodramatic for me all around. The plot, the ever present overblown 'shameful secret’ trope, the hero, the heroine, the writing. It’s a 416 page book and it had no reason to be IMO. A good 100 pages could have easily been cut out. I mean I got to the half-way mark which felt mor ...more
.
Sophie discovers one of her brother-in-laws in the middle of a sexual interlude within a greenhouse she was exploring at a party and admonishes him for his actions. He did not even pretend to be sorry but spouted hateful insults about her sister instead. What is a girl to do? so, she after hearing enough of his nonsense she explodes with fury and pushes him in the fish pond. I can relate to her action because I could have seen myself reacting in the same manner at her age under the circumstance ...more
Sophie discovers one of her brother-in-laws in the middle of a sexual interlude within a greenhouse she was exploring at a party and admonishes him for his actions. He did not even pretend to be sorry but spouted hateful insults about her sister instead. What is a girl to do? so, she after hearing enough of his nonsense she explodes with fury and pushes him in the fish pond. I can relate to her action because I could have seen myself reacting in the same manner at her age under the circumstance ...more
It's official. I'm giving up on Sarah MacLean. This book just re-affirmed my decision.
The hero was a bloody assh*le, and I can't tolerate him. ...more
The hero was a bloody assh*le, and I can't tolerate him. ...more
2020 REREAD
When in doubt, reread a favorite. <3
original review(?)
so good!
When in doubt, reread a favorite. <3
original review(?)
so good!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
Book One of the Scandal & Scoundrel series
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: December 29, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
LADY SOPHIE'S SOCIETY SPLASH
The youngest of the infamous Talbot sisters scandalized society at the Liverpool Summer Soiree, striking her sister’s notoriously philandering husband a ...more
The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
Book One of the Scandal & Scoundrel series
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: December 29, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
LADY SOPHIE'S SOCIETY SPLASH
The youngest of the infamous Talbot sisters scandalized society at the Liverpool Summer Soiree, striking her sister’s notoriously philandering husband a ...more
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so 4.5 stars
In The Rogue Not Taken, the first in a new series from Sarah MacLean, she introduces us to the five Talbot sisters, daughters of a recently ennobled Earl who made his fortune in trade. Needless to say, given their origins, the family is tolerated rather than accepted by the ton, but instead of cowering in the face of society’s displeasure, the young ladies thumb their noses at convention, behaving in a manner which regularly sees their names gracing the p ...more
In The Rogue Not Taken, the first in a new series from Sarah MacLean, she introduces us to the five Talbot sisters, daughters of a recently ennobled Earl who made his fortune in trade. Needless to say, given their origins, the family is tolerated rather than accepted by the ton, but instead of cowering in the face of society’s displeasure, the young ladies thumb their noses at convention, behaving in a manner which regularly sees their names gracing the p ...more
There were times when I actually liked this book and then there were times I absolutely loathed it. King and Sophie had wonderful chemistry when he wasn't being an ass (but those times were very few.) I connected with Sophie right away her love of books, her awkwardness, not really planning her escape :D
However, what I absolutely hated was that she became a shell of herself the longer she stayed with King. She kept compromising her being so he would want her and the selfish ass never did anythi ...more
However, what I absolutely hated was that she became a shell of herself the longer she stayed with King. She kept compromising her being so he would want her and the selfish ass never did anythi ...more
Making this one quick (as if my other reviews are not =). I actually liked this book. I mean yes, there were parts of it where I was all, COME THE HELL ON, OVER IT!
The hero of this story was a broken records more than like 800 times. BUT, despite all of that, it was an enjoyable listen. I hazard a guess, had I read this rather than listened, it would have found itself plastered against the wall.
Great narrator, evil hero, fun heroine (stoopid at times), totally not believable. What more can I a ...more
The hero of this story was a broken records more than like 800 times. BUT, despite all of that, it was an enjoyable listen. I hazard a guess, had I read this rather than listened, it would have found itself plastered against the wall.
Great narrator, evil hero, fun heroine (stoopid at times), totally not believable. What more can I a ...more
Pure garbage. Hero not worth it.
I’ve been a big fan of Sarah MacLean’s historical romances ever since picking up
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
just when I was finishing school and getting back into the genre fiction game. Before reading her latest, I would have told you that Nine Rules is my favourite MacLean book, closely followed by
A Rogue By Any Other Name
. In my opinion, MacLean has out done herself with The Rogue Not Taken, it is, hands down, my new favourite. Not only is this book fun, but it also of
...more
A fun, exciting, arousing, humorous book set in 1833 about the daughter of an Earl falling for the heir to a dukedom. That seems to sound right, dukedom? Eh, whatever.
Complications, though:
1) The daughter of the Earl, Sophie Talbot, despises aristocrats, the ton, nobs, the top-tier – for many reasons;
2) That Duke heir, currently going by Marquess of Eversley, or more specifically ‘King’, has vowed to never marry;
3) The Talbot daughters, Sophie being one, are the ones society mocks, makes fun o ...more
Complications, though:
1) The daughter of the Earl, Sophie Talbot, despises aristocrats, the ton, nobs, the top-tier – for many reasons;
2) That Duke heir, currently going by Marquess of Eversley, or more specifically ‘King’, has vowed to never marry;
3) The Talbot daughters, Sophie being one, are the ones society mocks, makes fun o ...more
Dec 17, 2016
Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
historical,
2016
Finally found time to read again and this was something more interesting than what I'd been trying to read previously. I will say it's not my favorite Sarah Maclean book as King was a right jerk the entire book to Sophie, but I also liked it better than the second book in the series.
Sophie is the youngest and unfun sister of her family of scandal and fame hungry sisters. She accidentally causes a scandal in defending one of her sisters and runs away to avoid the ensuing scandal. She's smart and ...more
Sophie is the youngest and unfun sister of her family of scandal and fame hungry sisters. She accidentally causes a scandal in defending one of her sisters and runs away to avoid the ensuing scandal. She's smart and ...more
2-2.5
Sophie was the only shining light in this book. King was downright cruel and unapologetic.
The ending definitely dragged as well, though the epilogue was cute.
Sophie was the only shining light in this book. King was downright cruel and unapologetic.
The ending definitely dragged as well, though the epilogue was cute.
Sophie LOVED strawberry tarts! Now I have a hankering for one!
I really enjoyed this one. I loved the hate/love relationship that Sophie and King shared. These two certainly butted heads over just about everything. I mean they didn’t get off to a great start and for a while things continued to go wrong for Sophie which in turned ruffled King’s feathers quite a bit. But he was partially to blame for the turmoil. As much a King tried to shake off Sophie there was a part of him that just couldn ...more
4,5 Stars!
I love how Ms. MacLean writes! The way of innser questions and very dry answers is really great!
The story is nothing new, but the heroine is excellent! I just loved her and her almost too level-headed way to looking at herself! Just great!
Where everybody, even her family, considers her nonfun, boring, not beautiful... and it goes on so much that she herself starts to believe it. But she's not depressed by that realization.
At the beginning there's a really great scene that make her bec ...more
I love how Ms. MacLean writes! The way of innser questions and very dry answers is really great!
The story is nothing new, but the heroine is excellent! I just loved her and her almost too level-headed way to looking at herself! Just great!
Where everybody, even her family, considers her nonfun, boring, not beautiful... and it goes on so much that she herself starts to believe it. But she's not depressed by that realization.
At the beginning there's a really great scene that make her bec ...more
The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah Maclean is a 2015 Avon publication.
Sarah is an author I first became interested in, when one of her books was nominated for the Goodreads Choice awards in the romance genre, in 2015. Her book was one of only two historical romance novels nominated in the romance category, so I took notice.
I have a few of her other books on hold at the library, but the wait time is incredible. This was the first one that became available, so It is the one I’m starting with, even if ...more
Sarah is an author I first became interested in, when one of her books was nominated for the Goodreads Choice awards in the romance genre, in 2015. Her book was one of only two historical romance novels nominated in the romance category, so I took notice.
I have a few of her other books on hold at the library, but the wait time is incredible. This was the first one that became available, so It is the one I’m starting with, even if ...more
Rakes and rogues are generally not my favorite types of heroes, but Sarah MacLean is one of those authors where I know I’m going to like the book without even having to read the blurb. And again here, she doesn’t disappoint. King didn’t make me fall in love at first sight, but there is more to him than meets the eye. He’s not simply the debaucher his reputation implies. But it takes a special woman to get to the truth of him.
Sophie comes from new money and her family’s nobility is just as recent ...more
Sophie comes from new money and her family’s nobility is just as recent ...more
4 Almost a perfect score ! Stars
You know to be honest,I wish she had made him grovel a bit more there in the end.
After everything she's been through..No ! after everything they had been through I can't believe he lost his faith in her so quickly and so effortlessly as if he hadn't know her character before that moment :(
And also there the fact that the author re-wrote the exact same misunderstanding between the couple of Book 3 (which I gave a five star ) because it fit in with the story and ...more
You know to be honest,I wish she had made him grovel a bit more there in the end.
After everything she's been through..No ! after everything they had been through I can't believe he lost his faith in her so quickly and so effortlessly as if he hadn't know her character before that moment :(
And also there the fact that the author re-wrote the exact same misunderstanding between the couple of Book 3 (which I gave a five star ) because it fit in with the story and ...more
It's not often I stay up until 1:45 a.m. reading, but when I do, there's a good chance it's because of Sarah MacLean.
A Sarah MacLean book kicked off the Great Historical Romance Bender, so it should come as no surprise that I loved The Rogue Not Taken as much as I did. Or that I'm now waiting for the next in the series to be published. (Goodreads says end of August!) Or that The Rogue Not Taken will likely be a book I reread.
Maybe even more than once.
Sophie, youngest of five, isn't like the rest ...more
A Sarah MacLean book kicked off the Great Historical Romance Bender, so it should come as no surprise that I loved The Rogue Not Taken as much as I did. Or that I'm now waiting for the next in the series to be published. (Goodreads says end of August!) Or that The Rogue Not Taken will likely be a book I reread.
Maybe even more than once.
Sophie, youngest of five, isn't like the rest ...more
Sophie and King are delightful! Their dialogue is witty and engaging. The secondary characters are intriguing and I hope we learn more about them.
The only thing wrong with this book is that it's over and we have to wait for the next one. This should be a great series. Bravo, Sarah MacLean! ...more
The only thing wrong with this book is that it's over and we have to wait for the next one. This should be a great series. Bravo, Sarah MacLean! ...more
The Rogue Not Taken a.k.a The Many Burns Delivered by Lady Sophie.
Lady Sophie's burns are the highlight of this novel, keeping me entertained and in fits of laughter. Here are some of my faves:
Lady Sophie's burns are the highlight of this novel, keeping me entertained and in fits of laughter. Here are some of my faves:
'"Take me with you."...more
He barked a single expression of shock. "Ah. No."
"Why not?"
"So many reasons, poppet. Not the least of which is this - I have no intention of being saddled with one of the Soiled S's."
She stiffened at the moniker. Most people did not call them such to their faces. She supposed she should
Ohhh WWWOOOWWW!!!!
I'm surprised the wallflower Sophie whoam we met in previous book (Never Judge...)
Marquess of Eversley was also introduced, but barely. It was when Anna requested Temple to make King dance with Sophie.
I'm super excited!!! More of Sarah MacLean :D ...more
I'm surprised the wallflower Sophie whoam we met in previous book (Never Judge...)
Marquess of Eversley was also introduced, but barely. It was when Anna requested Temple to make King dance with Sophie.
I'm super excited!!! More of Sarah MacLean :D ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authors like ... | 2 | 3 | Apr 04, 2020 07:04PM | |
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Historical romance with book-obsessed bluestocking heroine. Spoilers ahead. [s] | 7 | 40 | Jan 11, 2018 07:28PM | |
| That's Normal's B...: The Rogue Not Taken (Main Discussion) | 7 | 63 | Apr 05, 2016 07:45AM | |
| Around the Year i...: The Rogue Not Taken, by Sarah MacLean | 8 | 45 | Mar 29, 2016 04:25PM |
Readers also enjoyed
New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels that have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place at the nexus of gender and cultural studies. A romance columnist and co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast, Fated Mates, her work in support of ...more
Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place at the nexus of gender and cultural studies. A romance columnist and co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast, Fated Mates, her work in support of ...more
Other books in the series
Scandal & Scoundrel
(3 books)
Articles featuring this book
Fans of Sarah MacLean know her as a writer of historical romances, a passionate defender of the romance genre, and a creator of some truly...
85 likes · 19 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Why books?”
Her brows rose. “I beg your pardon?”
“Why are they your vice?”
She set her plate down and wiped her hand on her skirts before reaching for the top volume on a stack of small, leather bound books nearby and extending it to him. “Go on.”
He took it. “Now what?”
“Smell it.” He tilted his head. She couldn’t help but smile. “Do it.”
He lifted it to his nose. Inhaled.
“Not like that,” she said. “Really give it a smell.”
He raised one brow but did as he was told.
“What do you smell?” Sophie asked.
“Leather and ink?”
She shook her head. “Happiness. That’s what books smells like. Happiness. That’s why I always wanted to have a book shop. What better life than to trade in happiness?”
—
22 likes
Her brows rose. “I beg your pardon?”
“Why are they your vice?”
She set her plate down and wiped her hand on her skirts before reaching for the top volume on a stack of small, leather bound books nearby and extending it to him. “Go on.”
He took it. “Now what?”
“Smell it.” He tilted his head. She couldn’t help but smile. “Do it.”
He lifted it to his nose. Inhaled.
“Not like that,” she said. “Really give it a smell.”
He raised one brow but did as he was told.
“What do you smell?” Sophie asked.
“Leather and ink?”
She shook her head. “Happiness. That’s what books smells like. Happiness. That’s why I always wanted to have a book shop. What better life than to trade in happiness?”
“Happiness. That’s what books smell like. Happiness. That’s why I always wanted to have a bookshop. What better life than to trade in happiness?”
—
19 likes
More quotes…
