Found myself thoroughly lost in this story once the prologue was out of the way. Felt like the explanations as to who's who and what's what were confusing and convoluted, which had me guessing how everything fit at every point. Granted, I'm n0t sure I've read the first 2 books in this series, so this could be the issue here, but it still did not feel like a standalone for me
Also felt the hero was going out of his way to an arse to the heroine, who seemed to just have swoony hearts in her eyes - the romance just did not gel for me. It did have a great start with the prologue, but the main plot itself just diluted it all and killed the enjoyment for me, sadly

What a fun premise! This book is interesting, and the romance is believable. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Talk about PLOT TWIST! Anne Pemberton has the surprise of her life on what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Now she's a social outcast (Anne was never one for following social rules anyway) and all she can think about was someone who saw her for who she really was while she was hiding from society. Rafe was a social outcast who stole his way in to London society in an effort to get revenge on the man who ruined his life. Two people with completely different stories, except they have both felt the sting of loss and betrayal. Rafe doesn't need any distractions from his mission, but Anne turns out to be the one thing he can't get out of his head.

This is a great story about finding true love in the face of adversity and I am now going to pick up the rest of the series!

This was a light refreshing read! I always enjoy a good historical romance, and this one did not disappoint. It was one I could follow along easily even though I didn’t read the first two books int her series first. I loved the fluff and romance and I will gladly read another one of this authors books!

I absolutely live for a reformed rake/rogue story on a quest for revenge. Not to mention a formidable woman who is willing to help said plot. What a great addition to The Pretenders series.

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah. Total fan of Darcy Burke

This is the third book of The Pretenders series. The story has drama, intrigue, and romance, with an interesting storyline and great characters. Anne and Rafe are not from the same social class, but that does not prevent them from forming a special bond. They always meet up at the same spot, but one day when Anne doesn't show, he believes it's for the best as they could never really be together. Months later, when they meet again, Rafe decides he can't let her get too close as he is on a dangerous mission of revenge. But Anna may be exactly what he needs to save him physically and emotionally. She can help him confront his darker side and finally let the light in. The connection that developed between the two was lovely to see and of course the chemistry was amazing. Ms. Burke did a wonderful job of bringing these characters and their story to life. I enjoyed the book very much and hope to read more of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Ms. Burke for providing a free copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.

Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley and Kodansha for providing me with an e-arc of the book. This review is based on my personal opinion and enjoyment of the book.

Fluff and romance but I do love a grumpy character.

This book seemed like the conclusion of the series. I am glad that Rafe and Anne have a hea but during points in the book I became bored. Also, there were a few plot points that were not explained enough and/or just died out. What happened to Lorcan? What about Deborah? The author left us hanging, maybe they will be in a different book?

Our Couple, Rafe & Anne, have a unconventional meeting, especially for 1819. In a bookshop, which I love, and with only the intention of having a lovely time. Meeting once a week to explore London, Rafe is a very good travel guide, he knows lots of interesting places. They grow closer but each knows it can't become anything serious. A chance meeting a while later is a good but rocky start to a lovely HEA.

#DarcyBurke #ARogueToRuin #ThePrentenders #historicalromance #booklovers

A Rogue to Ruin By Darcy Burke

Miss Ann Pemberton met Lord Bodyguard, as she referred to him, when he came to her assistance whilst she was reading. At the book shop and she was being harassed by two unknown men. He had a murky past and she knows nothing about his formative years. The book follows them both on a journey.

A fast paced book with some very likeable characters and some that are not.

Yet another extremely well written historical romance by Darcy Burke. Another group read.

4.5/5

This is Anne and Rafe’s story. He saves her at a bookstore. They meet in secret and don’t share their names. One day she doesn’t show up. He and his sister were kidnapped as children. They had a rough life. He has memories from early childhood. It turns out he is an earl. His uncle had stolen the title by murdering Rafe’s parents. Rafe and Anne meet again. They become engaged. This is the story of how they fall In love and try to prove his uncle is a murderer. I loved the story

I honestly didn't knew this was third book in a companion series when I requested it on Netgalley. But I got caught on really quick with m the gist of everything that had happened in the previous two books.

This was such a palate cleanser book for me and I read it entirely in one sitting. The historical setting is fascinating as well and the writing is very engaging. The characters are well written and I love the relationship familial and otherwise that existed between all the characters.

Anne the society's favourite has recently suffered a scandal because of her fiance being arrested on the day of their wedding. Naturally, it hasn't gone down well for her reputation but she is also secretly relieved that the wedding got cancelled because she is in love with another man. The problem is that she doesn't know where to find him.. they had only met a few times before and they didn't share their names with each other. Enter, Rafe - The guy Anne loves. Rafe use to be an illegal moneylender but he is now trying to get his life straight. He is also trying to find the true identity of his parents and what happened to them. Anne and Rafe's path crosses again in the most unexpected ways and well romance ensues.

There are lot of familiar regency romance trope in play such as the female MC facing a scandal, the male MC being a tortured soul with a dark past, tons of parties, picnics and balls etc. But I really had a good time reading it. There's also a light mystery to the plot about Rafe's parents and that was really interesting to read. The romance too was done well in my opinion. Rafe and Anne understands each other and they try to support each other and there aren't any unnecessary drama between them. I did feel that there were a couple of times when Rafe said one thing and ended up doing something else when the two of them were in an intimate position but I am just chalking that to hormones.

Overall, a fun and breezy book to read over a weekend. I may checkout the others in the series if I am in a mood to read more regency romance.

A scintillating and exciting read where Rafe and his sister Selina tries to put the pieces of their forgotten childhood into place. Anne couldn’t help the way she felt about Rafe, she knew he was the one for her, but first, she had to convince him of that, not that he needed much convincing. Before he could accept his sexy fate, trouble brews its ugly head in the form of a three-headed dragon, betrayal, deceit, and greed. They found themselves up against an old foe, one with treachery embellished deep within his heart. With the help of their new friends and the survival abilities they learned while living on the streets, Rafe found himself in a battle of life and death where time wasn’t his friend. A sexy, spicy, and scintillating entice piece.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book very much. It was exciting and full of surprises. I am never disappointed reading Darcy Burke's books and this was no different Thank you again.

Historical romance with dashing,disturbed hero and feisty heroine.Good characters and a fast paced,well written story.

I loved the story of Rafe and Anne. I’m surprised he was made to be so young. I thought he would have been way older. I loved Anne’s energy and thought they made a good match. I’m eager to know more about Deborah.

Anne Pemberton, society miss whose reputation has been ruined by her fiancé being arrested on the day of their wedding, meets Rafe Blackwell, ex thief and illegal money-lender now in the process of leaving his past behind and turning himself into a gentleman.

Last year I read Ms Burke's A Duke Will Never Do, which is the story of Anne's sister, Jane and her romance/marriage to Viscount Colton. There is overlap of characters and Blackwell (in his moneylender guise as 'The Vicar' appears in that story as well. Some of the criticisms I had of that book overlap into this. Anne is a nice girl, a virgin, but she tempts and taunts Rafe into sex (explicit) with the kind of abandon and expertise a nice society miss would probably not know about. Rafe (and his sister) - brought up in the stews of London and introduced to a life of crime at a very early age - actually turn out to be the kidnapped children of an Earl, and much of the book is Rafe trying to regain his birthright and exposing the man who killed his parents.

I found Ms Burke tended to over-explain backstory from several other books set in the same regency world, which overcomplicated the beginning. There were times when I almost stopped reading.

A mysterious veiled woman quietly reading meets a dashing gentleman who acts as her bodyguard. They develop a friendship with no names, her lord bodyguard takes her to places she would never be able to see. She enamours him and softens him as Mrs Dazzling. Throw in some mystery, a criminal past, kidnap and murder and you have a more than average romance that keeps you guessing right til the end.

This book is different than what I am used to from Darcy, not that I didn't end up enjoying at the end but it was more serious. We have a lady who is now unpopular and she meets a commoner and they strike up an uncommon friendship (which I liked), however all is not what it seems. There are lies and secrets and the story takes of finding out who Rafe's parents are and proving it. These two fell in love really quickly, so to me they really didn't develop that well but I liked both characters so it was forgiven.