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The Risk of Rogues

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A lovely new novella to take you away to another time and place for an evening reading in your favorite chair with a glass of wine.
Hart and Anne were in love when they were young and planning on getting married. Their parents forbid the match. Anne was not well-born and Hart had a reputation as a gambler. The match was forbidden and Hart's father bought his son a commission in the Army and he was shipped off to India.
Hart has never had the urge to marry if he couldn't marry the woman he loved then why bother. Eleven years later he literally bumps into Anne at a ball given by his brother. He thought she had long since married and had a passel of kids. That she hasn't is a miracle and he is now determined to prove he still loves her and wants to marry her.
Anne doesn't know how she can trust Hart after so many years. She still loves him, but if he has been back in England for three years, why hasn't he tried to find her.
Secrets and misunderstandings could cost them both their chance at love and marriage. Will they learn to trust each other? Give enough to finally put the past behind them.
This is a wonderful story that reads more like a full-length novel. It has everything you would want in a love story. Surprise, excitement, and a steamy love scene. Sabrina is one of my go-to authors, I love everything she writes.

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This was a lovely addition to Sabrina Jeffries' works! It was a quick read and fans of Sabrina will definitely enjoy it.

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Eleven years ago Hart left behind Anne and their plans of elopement. Seeing her again stirs a desire to make her his wife if they can get past all their bad decisions and current obstacles.

I found this story to be just ok. Anne does a lot of pushing away but considering what happened years ago, as well as events that have changed her during the past decade, it’s understandable. Hart was playing his cards close to his chest, unsure how much he could share about his current status. Both of them struggled with trust. I struggled a bit with both of them.

Due to its length we don’t get a ton of goodness but we do get a look at the re-courtship between these two characters as well as the chemistry they share. Secondary characters are minimal, the pace is fast, and there is no skimming required here.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Gallery Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Series: Sinful Suitors #5.5
Publication Date: 7/2/18

Lord love a duck – save us all from those all-knowing, omniscient parents who wreak havoc on their children’s lives – even after said parents are dead and gone! Those parents created havoc on the lives of our lovely hero and heroine in this delightfully written, very short novella. I thoroughly enjoyed the novella and that is why I would have really liked it to be a bit longer than it was. However, it did tie up the Sinful Suitors series nicely.

Captain Lord Hartley (Hart) Corry is the spare heir to a cold, unfeeling, uncaring marquess. When Hart fell in love and wanted to marry, his father flatly refused to allow it. Not only that, he pulled him out of school and bought him a commission with a unit that was leaving for India very quickly. Hart sent his beloved a note telling her what had happened, where he was going, why he was going and asked her to wait for him. Then, while he was gone, he wrote her letter after letter – and never got anything in return.

Lady Anne Barkley’s father was a very rich merchant – then, later in life, inherited an earldom. When Hart asked for Anne’s hand, she was only sixteen years old and her father thought him to be a fortune hunter – not to mention that her father hated the aristocracy - so he refused to allow the marriage. What is Anne to think when the man she loves and plans to marry abruptly leaves for India? Is it because what her father said about him being a fortune hunter was true? Why didn’t he at least write to her? Why did she have to learn of his leaving through an article?

Fast forward about eleven years and you have Hart arriving at his brother’s hunting lodge for a week-long gathering of male friends to hunt, drink and play billiards. To his great surprise, there is a ball in progress when he’s greeted at the door. Now, will he stay or will he go? He tells his sister-in-law “I know a matchmaking scheme when I see one, dear lady.” He decides he won’t go into the ball, but he will go into the card room and find his brother and friends.

Whoops – he runs smack-dab into a lady – wearing a wild turban. Shock, it is Anne. He has never forgotten her and has always loved her. Now, he can find out why she never answered any of his letters, why she didn’t wait for him and maybe, just maybe, they can find their way back to each other.

It is a delightful, but very short path for them to find their HEA. I loved Hart from the beginning but had a harder time warming up to Anne. I did come to like her, but she just had way too much self-doubt and angst.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and certainly recommend it. It was a wonderful story and a great wrap-up for the series.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

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A Short and Absorbing Read.
Two people reconnect after a period of eleven years. Can Anne trust him with her heart again, after he abandoned her and can he trust that the sixteen year old girl who he fell in love with, still lives within the twenty-seven year old woman. Thought this was a lovely story and though it was complete in itself, it would have been nice if it had been made into a longer book (perhaps with some spying involved, leading to misunderstandings and Anne’s mother being involved in the storyline)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Sweet second chance at love Regency novella.

Sabrina Jeffries' The Risk of Rogues was a fun short read. This is the final story in the Sinful Suitors and I was happy to see Hart get his HEA with Anne. As always the dialogue was smart and the time period felt authentic. Did I wish the story was longer, yes. However I knew it was a novella when I chose to read it and I think the author did a good job in fleshing out the characters, their concerns and the chemistry that brought them together. I do believe you need to have read the series to appreciate the story.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

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I have loved this whole series. I really liked this story too, but it was so short. Hart and Anne would be good together if they could just let go of the past. Both of their fathers did not want them to get married and so they were separated. She was too young and didn't understand some of what went on and her father kept things from her. Hart had tried to get messages to her when he left, but was thwarted by Anne's father. But, that doesn't excuse his behavior since he has been back. Anne doesn't know if she can trust him anymore. They have both grown up and changed. Can they find their way back to each other?

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Hart has been living a secret, but when he runs into his past love, it finally believes it has come an hinderance. He wants to put right what he should have long ago but there’s only so much he can explain and the lady isn’t too eager anyway.
A great fast read, just right for an afternoon. Nice little plot with engaging characters. A well written novella, lots of detail for a short read. Loved it!

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First let me say that I am partially to blame for the low rating - novellas are really not my cup of tea. I should have done my research on this book before requesting, since it was not made clear on NetGalley that this was a novella. That being said, it felt way too rushed, and I needed more backstory for these two characters. It definitely could have been a full-length novel, and it should have been. I felt their conflict was forced to resolve more quickly than made sense. More groveling would have been preferred! I think I will stick to her full length books from now on.

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Lord Hartley "Hart" Corry proposed to Lady Anne when she was just sixteen, but her father forbade the union. They planned to elope, but Hart unexpectedly left for India. For eleven years they've been apart, but a chance meeting at a house party throws them together again, and Hart is determined to show Anne that he's the one for her and that he still loves her while figuring out if he can trust her with his secrets.

Long-time readers will recognize Hart as a secondary character in the main Sinful Suitors series. Specifically he's a spy for Lord Fulkam and he's always had the threat of matchmaking held over his head by the various heroines from said series.

But as we learn Hart doesn't need to be set up because his heart has always belonged to Anne.

This is the final send off of the Sinful Suitors series. I liked / appreciated that Sabrina Jeffries gave all our characters their own stories (or novellas) and they all got their HEAs. Hart's was a nice second-chance romance which I read in a couple of hours.

Sabrina Jeffries hits all the major points: there's backstory, chemistry, heat, romance. Regardless of all this, I still have to give it a 3 star rating. It's just so quick and short, and really there's not much to the story. I just wanted a little bit more out of the history between Anne and Hart. But still for me it's a solid 3 star.

I've really enjoyed this series, and I'm looking forward to whatever Sabrina Jeffries has in store next.

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Perfection. Does Sabrina Jeffries write any thing but? Our hero has secrets and long ago he left the one he loved behind. He's determined to secure his career and never marry unless it's the one who got away. Our heroine loves her hats and orphans. She is witty and intelligent as well an artist. To find their way back to each mother they must forgive the past, share their secrets and accept each other for who they are now. In doing so, they lead the reader down a path of lust, honesty and determination. The story if fluent and well written. The characters are enjoyable and entertaining.

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This was a fun novella in The Sinful Suitors series. We had met Hart in the last book in this series and it was fun to read his story. This story had seduction, some angst, and two characters who were perfect for each other, even if they didn't always know it. Anne was a spitfire of a character and really stuck to what she thought was right and wrong, which made her a strong heroine. The only thing I didn't like about this story was that it was too short; I could have read about Hart and Anne all day!

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When I receive an ARC I promise to give a fair and honest review. Short but sweet just like most of Sabrina Jeffries books.

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At the risk of sounding too blunt and blatant, I’m just going to put this right out there, folks. The haughty, antagonist manner in which this main couple first interacted just didn’t endear them to me. Anne pretty much instantly grated on my nerves. Hartley didn’t make my heart race, either. On top of that, I found the writing rather stilted.

Here’s to hoping others really enjoy this 73 page short novella. I wish this very popular author continued success. Though the hero here has a reputation of being a gambler, I do not. My time and attention would be better spent on another sure to win me over romantic read. I just didn’t see the point in finishing this book after only 30% into it, even though it is very short.

Title: The Risk of Rogues, Series: Sinful Suitors (Book 5.5), Author: Sabrina Jeffries, Pages: 73.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

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Great addition to this series. This quick read gives us Captain Lord Hartley Corry's story. When Hart asked for Miss Anne Barkley's hand in marriage when they were teenagers, he was flatly refused by her father. Hoping she was still going to run away and elope with him, he was very disappointed when she didn't show. After time in the service, and his current work as a spy, Hart is finally back in England after 11 years of being away. Imagine his surprise when he sees Anne at his brother's house! It is obvious that the spark is still there and Hart wants to pursue Anne again but he is reluctant to tell her about his past since it could harm his current position as a spy. Through some soul searching and a few stolen kisses, these two finally get their happy ending. I loved these characters and their story. It was a fun, sweet story.

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4.5*
Second chance romance is one of my favorite troupes.
Eleven years ago Hartley Corry and Lady Anne were very much in love and on the verge of eloping. Suddenly with out word Hartley leave and joins the army leaving Anne devastated and to wonder why he left without word. Years later they meet again at a house party, Anne wants nothing to do with him. Hartley sees a chance to possibly rekindle their love but can he trust Anne with his secrets? Anne can’t deny her heart but is Hartley using her to advance his career?
This novella has everything that’s needed to make the story complete, heartache, humor and a love that never died. This has been a fantastic series and I’m hoping for more. Sabrina Jeffries has a way of sucking you into the story and keeping you turning the pages until the very end.

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FINAL DECISION: Nice little story that wraps up the series but isn't particularly deep. I enjoyed it and seeing the characters from the series.

THE STORY: Captain Lord Hartley Corry lost the woman he loved years ago when her father refused his suit and he joined the army. On the verge of getting a promotion to spymaster, Hart meets Lady Anne at a houseparty with his friends. Hart is determined to claim that woman he has never forgotten but he has to convince her that he is not the reckless and irresponsible man her father believed he was. And he has to do it while keeping secret his work as a spy.

OPINION: This is a nice little story. It isn't particularly deep and there aren't many surprises, but I enjoyed the characters -- especially the quirky Anne with her hats. This second chance at love story springs from youth and misunderstanding, but these two are so clearly meant for one another that I knew that they would always work things out. I think this story works best as a wrap up to the series because knowing all the characters makes this little story more meaningful. I liked that we get to see Hart having his happy ending. I enjoyed the story and I recommend that those who have followed the series read this little coda.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is a short story.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE RISK OF ROGUES is book 5.5 of the Sinful Suitors series. The story can be read as a standalone although there are lots of characters from the series that a new readers might be puzzled by.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

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This book is the perfect novella as we await the next book in the <i>Sinful Suitors</i> series. This story tells what happens when two young people fall in love and through a series of misunderstandings, find themselves apart for a number of years before coming back together again. It is truly about love redeemed.
Anne Barkley was shocked when Harley promised her they would elope if her father didn’t agree to their marriage and then disappeared. Anne has heard that he joined the Army, but can’t believe that he didn’t try to talk to her first. Her heart was broken and now that he has reappeared, she wonders what to do with all the old feelings that come rushing back. Can she trust him or is he just looking to use her?
Captain Lord Harley Corry joined the Army when his suit with Anne was refused. He hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her since and even though he knows he should be looking for a wife, he doesn’t think he can. Harley knows that he is still in love with Anne. When he runs into her at a ball at his brother’s house, Harley takes it as a sign that they are meant to be together. However, when he talks to Anne, he realizes how many misunderstandings have occurred. Will he be able to convince her that he loves her still?
I loved the interplay of these two characters. We can understand how things went so wrong for them and the things that happen when people are very young and in love. Watching them reconnect shows us how much they still care for each other and we root for them to figure out a way to be together. Fans of the series will delight in this offering. New readers will find this a great way to enter the series since you need no background to understand what is happening between Harley and Anne.

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I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. The Risk of Rogues by Sabrina Jeffries is a novella and book 5.5 in her Sinful Suitors series. This novella can be read as a stand-alone but I do encourage reading the series because it’s excellent. Lady Anne Barkley fell in love when she was 16 but her father thought her suitor a wastrel and turned down his offer. Eleven years later Captain Lord Hartley Cory bumps into the girl he’s never forgotten in his brothers ballroom and is determined to convince her that they should wed. This is a short sweet and just a bit steamy second chance at love story that I enjoyed very much. Publishing Date July 2, 2018 #TheRiskOfRogues #NetGalley

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DNF. I didn't realize it was a novella when I first received it, maybe a full length novel would have had better character development. From the beginning I didn't quite understand why Hart had let so long go without finding Anne again if he loved her so ardently. Nor did I really feel like the plot was developed at all, since from early on they pretty much established they were going to get back together, and I wasn't quite sold on their chemistry.

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