I love a friends to lovers and return from a long absense, but this one didn't do it for me, I didn't connect or beleive their original friendship/connection

The Roguish Baron by Sophie Barnes is a Diamond in the rough title and is a friends’ to lovers book where Jack Lancaster, the Baron of Hawthorne returns from his exile to find that the feelings he’s held for his childhood friend as not gone. As a future Earl Sophia Fenmore knows that Jack is not for her, but she is still hurt by the way he cruelly left her and never attempted any missives and so she's not going to fall at his feet. Thought to be orphaned and thus fostered by the local vicar, Sophia was not seen as good enough for Jack by his father and he made it clear that a union between them would leave Jack disowned. Now grown, Sophia sees that perhaps it is time she settles into life and move on, but Jack’s sisters Kaitlin and Felicity hatch a plan to have her be in a fake engagement as a wakeup call to Jack who is home for Christmas. Unfortunately, the fake proposal turns very real and now Jack is in a race to regain the woman he has loved before she is forever lost to him. This is a sweet story of forgiveness and of second chances at love. We get to revisit with some of the characters from the previous books as we root for Jack and Sophia to have their HEA. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After being away from home for four years, Jack Lancaster, Baron Hawthorne, has returned ready to see his sisters make their debut. He's missed them, and his friends, but especially his best friend Sophia Fenmore. So discovering that she is engaged, when all he's ever wanted is her, he's determined to make her change her mind. But will their differing stations in life force them apart?

I had completely forgotten that I had this book still to read until I was scheduling some blog posts, and remembered about the series. Though The Roguish Baron is classed as book 9 in the series, it's more of a novella, and I believe it was once part of an anthology too. Anyway, this was a really quick and enjoyable read, though not one that will make you think, nor particularly stay with you long afterward. I love the trope of childhood friends to lovers, which was done very well in this case. Sophia was the adoptive daughter of the local vicar and his wife, whereas Jack was the son of an Earl and Countess. They'd been friends so years, and their families were close, though when Jack realised that Sophia was growing up, and his father told him they would never be able to be together, he fled his, so angry at his father for his ultimatum to be disinherited. Sophia had always loved Jack, and was gutted when he left without a word, but she went along with the faux/real engagement to her 'brother' - the vicar's biological son - as a way to sort of get Jack to see her. I didn't really like that aspect, nor the fact that Jack went stupid when he became jealous, but I liked that he fought to be with her. The 'twist' was predictable, and I'd have been surprised, honestly, if it wasn't there. Even so, this was an enjoyable story to read in less than an hour.

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy!
This author always has wonderful romances and this one did not disappoint! Jack is shocked when his childhood friend Sophia is engaged. Suddenly he is torn as he wants to do what is right yet is in love with Sophia. A both sexy and sweet friends to lovers story that was a delight to read.

Sparkling and very engaging.
Many thanks to Book Buzz and to NetGalley for providing a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed Jack & Sophia’s book. It was an entertaining read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

I really enjoyed this second chance romance. Our hero is roguish and swoon worthy and our heroine was delightful.

This is a novella I think but it doesn’t read that way. Definitely recommend for my Historical romance devotees!

Thanks #NetGalley for an advanced copy of #TheRoguishBaron by Sophie Barnes in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this childhood friends to lovers novella. This didn't feel like a novella while reading it meaning I felt like I got the whole of their romance in a few pages. Sometimes novellas feel rushed and the reader feels cheated out of part of the story. I didn't feel that way at all here. I would have loved to see a little of what happened to Sophia during her season in London but otherwise, it was a solid story.

You’re the woman I want - the woman I choose - and nothing is going to stand in my way of winning you any longer.

Lé sigh…be still my tap dancing heart!!! The Roguish Baron is positively charming. Sophie Barnes has crafted a lively and energetic group of characters that are captivating and full of life. This story of two childhood friends navigating their wants and desires will have your heart chirping.

Jack Lancaster, Baron Hawthorn is an absolute rouge, a libertine and all around rake. When an ultimatum from his father forces him to chose between his heart’s desire and his inheritance, he decides the best thing to do is to simply leave. Leave home, leave his family, leave his very best childhood friend.

Sophia Fenmore has always loved him. Jack Lancaster has always loved him. Despite the knowledge that he was not for her. With no hope of every being more than friends, Sophia knows she must plan for a future with out him.

But when Jack returns after being gone for four years, he discovers that Sophia is engaged….which jolts him to his soul, prompting him to do what he must to win her heart for good.

The Roguish Baron is the 9th book in this series and my first introduction to this author. She was able to pack a whole lot of heart into a very short book…and I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

I have read numerous books by Sophie Barnes and each story is amazing! Swoon-worthy slightly broken men who avoid love like the plague who end up falling for the shy overlooked lady = perfection!

Grab this book you will fall in love with the rogue. ❤️

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I enjoyed Jack and Sophia's story. It was a second chance romance, which is always a favorite of mine. If you are looking for a quick, enjoyable read, this is the book for you!

I loved that the book was a page turner. The story definitely pulled out all the excitement of a romantic story to read. The characters are very charming and interesting. The book is an easy read. I loved the entertainment and the romantic love story.

I love Sophie Barnes's stories; they are refreshing after I read something too dramatic. This story is about Jack, an Earl's son, and Sophie, who is presumed to be an orphan. The Earl is against the marriage, Sophie, of course, is not good enough, Jack, in my opinion, is weak but goes off to London to make his fortune, returning home to marry off his sisters, finds Sophie engaged, now he wants her again! Hmm! My other problem is I have to skip pages with sexual content; I prefer innuendo, not full descriptions please; I know what happens. I love the Spy angle, I love mysteries, spies, action.
I highly recommend. Thank you, #Netgalley #TheRoguishBaron
carolintallahassee

Miss Sophia Fenmore has always had one love Lord Jack Lancaster, Baron Hawthorne. Sophie knew because of her lowly status of being an orphan that she could never be his wife. Sophia was lucky because she was adopted by the vicar, his wife and their son, Edward. When Jack left Sophia grew up and still loved Jack knowing that she could never have him she agreed to marry her adoptive brother, Edward. Jack was coming home, Sophia was a little leery of what would happen, especially since she is now engaged to Edward. When Sophia and Edward got to the house party and told the good news to Jack who had come home, he was less than thrilled. Jack was not happy and despite that he couldn’t have Sophia, he still wants her. Jack puts Sophia in an unimaginable dilemma, and she doesn’t know what to do because she is not worthy of him. Sophia will marry Edward until Jack steps up and fights for her.
What a wonderfully amazing short romantic historical novella that was well worth the read! Yes, the story did jump around, and it was a shame that it felt that so many things were left out. It really would have been much better if it was a full-length novel especially since there was a lot of things going on. There were two romances that needed to be fully fleshed out and it would have been nice if they were delved into more. Luckily the scenes were written quite masterfully, the characters literally jumped off the pages and the story moved along quickly. Sophia was a charming intelligent independent heroine. She always knew who she was no matter that she was the poor orphan. Jack on the other hand was not painted in the best light. He left because he wasn’t worthy of Sophia and comes back and still isn’t worthy of her despite being a lord. He’s a rake with a disreputable reputation and even less scruples. He does not endear him to anyone even though he has still Sophia’s heart, but he doesn’t treat her any better. So, he isn’t winning and is not one to even be a book boyfriend. The tale was a marvelous enjoyable story that indeed was entertaining and something that deserves a reread!

Jack has been away from home for four years making his own life for himself away from his family and friends.
Sophia is the girl next door that he grew up with and was one of his best friends.
Sophia was in love with Jack and when Jack left and severed any contact with her it broke her heart.
Now Jack has returned and Sophia has just become engaged. Will they be able to get their happy ending.

I love Sophie Barnes stories. They are so captivating even if the story can be predicted from the beginning.

Another great read by Sophie Barnes!! Loved Jack and Sophia, they have great chemistry and dialogue! A great read!

The Roguish Baron is the ninth book in the Diamonds in the Rough series. However, I discovered these books can be read as stand alones and do not require you to catch up. That doesn’t mean you should miss the others. This is an interesting read with strong characters.

Jack Lancaster wanted to marry Sophie Fenmore. They were each other's best friends growing up and spent loads of time together, so when Jack left without a word, Sophie was hurt. This is the way of the ton. Jack is a Baron and his father denied Jack permission and threatened to remove all of his funds. Jack left for four years and made his own fortune. When he returns, Sophie is engaged to another friend and Jack has to find his way back into her heart. Can he do it?

The Roguish Baron by Sophie Barnes is a good read.

In order to secure matches for his sisters, Jack Lancaster, Baron Hawthorne returns home for the holidays. There he meets once a again Sophia, an orphan that the vicar and his wife raised as their daughter and his childhood friend. And the reason he stayed away for 4 years.
Sophia always had a connection with Jack. As they grew, their emotions did as well. Knowing he couldn't get married to a nobody like her, she decides to accept the wedding proposal of Edward, the vicar's son who is like a brother to her. Will they make it?

The Roguish Baron, is the last book of "Diamonds in the Rough" series where couples of the previous books appear. A sweet emotional story of unrequited loves (there's also a secondary romance), forced proximity and of course pining and pines (it's set on Christmas time after all)

PS: It's a clean romance

I received an eARC copy from NetGalley and there are my honest opinions

Sophia Fenmore has never known her real parents she's been raised by a preacher and his wife and raised as their daughter along with their son Edward Fenmore. Jack Lancaster, Baron Hawthorne, and his two sisters, Felicity and Katlin, were their playmates and best friend. As both sets of children grew up Jack and Sophia were always together and Felicity, Edward, and Katlin were together. As Jack's father saw how jack was attracted to Sophia he told Jack he would disown Jack so Jack left for London. For four years he lived in London and never wrote back to Sophia in those 4 years. Jack comes back when his sisters are old enough for his sisters He finds out that Sophia is engaged to Edward. He goes to win Sophia but a bump in the road comes when her real family comes looking for her but it all comes to a happy ending. I wish this was a little bit longer. I just reviewed The Roguish Baron by Sophie Barnes. #TheRoguishBaron #NetGalley
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This was a very sweet book and as a massive fan of the friends-to-lovers’ trope I was excited to read this one. Sophia Fenmore is a totally unacceptable wife in the eyes of Jack Lancaster’s Father. As a Baron and future Earl, he needs to set his sights much higher than a lowly vicar’s daughter. However, when his father broches this subject with him he decides the best course of action is to run off to London and not look back leaving poor Sophia feeling abandoned. For the next few years all she hears about are his rakish escapades. He returns home after four years of not seeing his family or friends, for his sisters’ debuts and that’s where our story begins. What will Jack think when he sees Sophie for the first time in four years now that she’s newly engaged?

Sophie and Jack are wonderful characters and this second chance romance has all the feels, my only wish was that it had been steamier as it bordered a bit too much on the sweet side of historical romance for me. I really enjoyed the side stories of the sisters too who also felt they had to marry the right person to further the family, rather than marry for love. There is also a very good plot twist that I didn’t see coming toward the end! Over all for a novella Barnes packs a lot into this book and you almost forget it’s not a full length novel.

A very well written novella and I will definitely be reading more from Sophie Barnes in the future.

*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.