Rocky Road is a contemporary romance novel written by Becky Wade. It is book two in the Sons of Scandal series, and while you don’t have to read the first one in order to enjoy this one, I highly recommend you read it because it’s so good!

Summary: Straight-laced FBI Agent Jude Camden is ready for his next undercover assignment.

He’s researched all of the pertinent players. He’s delved into the perfume world-determined to have this operation go as smoothly as possible.

But perfumer Gemma, who will pose as his girlfriend, is not as into conventional thinking. She prefers to see where her creative brainstorms take her-even if things end up being a little outside the box.

Can Jude learn to go with the flow, and can Gemma stay within the rules?

Only time will tell.

My Thoughts: I have been desperately waiting for book two in this series since I finished book one. This book did not disappoint. I loved it.

It was fun to delve into the world of perfume for this story.

And even though Gemma and Jude are opposites, the author did a great job bringing them together into a believable relationship-especially with the backstory.

The book was interesting, there was a good romance, and a little mystery and intrigue are thrown in as well.

I highly recommend this book, this series, and OH-I need a book three already!

Thank you to Becky Wade for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed the second installment in Becky Wade’s Sons of Scandal series! Jude’s story was everything I hoped it would be. He melted my heart with his love and devotion to Gemma. And she is a total fireball! I giggled at a few of their interactions, and swooned at some other ones! I appreciated Gemma’s serious side, though, and her devotion to her family. I also appreciated her devotion to her faith and the church, and her challenging Jude in that area of his life. The family dynamics among Gemma and her female relatives were endearing, and I enjoyed the mystery she set out to solve! I really laughed when we got inside the mind of Fiona, Jude’s mom. I’ve enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the first book and this one, and I’m looking forward to the conclusion of her story. I thoroughly enjoyed getting back to Maine with and the Camdens in this book, and I can’t wait to read Max’s story!!
Thank you to the author for my prerelease copy. All thoughts above are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.

Becky Wade is one of my go-to authors for contemporary romance. She has a knack for placing loveable characters in amusing situations.

FBI Agent Jude Camden has worked hard to separate his career from his family’s reputation. Working undercover is tricky if you are instantly recognised. And his latest assignment requires him to pretend to be perfumer Gemma Clare’s boyfriend in the bid to uncover commercial theft. Strait-laced Jude is drawn to the outgoing Gemma. She’s not afraid to be her creative and determined self and let Jude know how she feels about him. But a relationship between them could be the end of the career Jude has worked so hard for.

Rocky Road is the second book in the Sons of Scandal series. This book is a fun romance, both funny and sweet. The characters have great chemistry and the threads of suspense as they work together moves the plot along.

Highly recommended and I look forward to reading the third book in the series.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

A Christian Romance WITH some suspense too?! I mean what more could you ask for??? Sign me up for more.

This book was delightful from the first moment these two MC’s met each other! I loved every minute and especially loved seeing the old friends from Memory Lane! Definitely read in order… you won’t regret it! I was enthralled from the moment I started! Enjoy and settle in!

Thank you to NetGalley for this book! All opinions are my own!

Just adorable! Becky Wade creates worlds that give me the coziest vibes and I love the sweet romances she writes.

Thank you for this arc!

3.5 stars. I had a copy of this from NetGalley. Thanks! I really love some of Becky Wade's books and some of them are just ok for me. I enjoyed reading this one. I love a good fake dating trope and I loved the way this situation rolled out. The main characters were fun and the secondary characters were even better. There was some element of suspense in the story but it is kind of a lesser element. If you enjoy a great, light, clean rom com, I think you wil enjoy this book. There is some of the element of Christian worship in this but it really isn't a main part of the story. A fun read was just what I wanted and just what I got with this book.

Gemma is a free spirit ; known in town for her perfume. She makes scents that inspire and thrill each person individually .

Jude is the opposite of a free spirit. He is known for his reliability and loyalty. He is.a hard working FBI agent who is investigating Gemma’s cousin and needs Gemma to help him . Help how ? By pretending to be dating each other .

Gemma is not sure about the idea but quickly decides she likes Jude and likes talking with him and suddenly he is an active part of her life.

Only thing- is it just a job for Jude or is he interested her ?

The book is slow at first but quickly picks up pace. Both Jude and Gemma are likable and their relationship is fun “to watch” .
Both of their families could have their own stories too! I enjoyed reading their story despite the story being slow at times . I wanted to know what happened next : if the cousin would get caught , and if Jude and Gemma would fall in love or fall apart.

Thank you to Netgalley for a download in exchange for an unbiased review.

I'm OBSESSED with this new series by Becky Wade!!! I love the quirky characters, with the hint of mystery, and the romance and witty banter! Ahhhh, it's all just SO good!!!!

I've dragged my feet on writing this review. Mostly because my thoughts are kinda all over the place on this one. The overwhelming one being disappointment…I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Memory Lane, and was looking forward to reading Rocky Road.

Here's the main thing: Ms. Wade's writing is beautiful and flowy, but has a formal quality (in both the narrative and dialog) that feels incongruent for a contemporary story. Which I think makes the pacing feel slow…leisurely…meandering. As a result, it took me almost a month to get through this book - my attention kept getting diverted to other books and I only finally finished during two three-hour plane rides when there were no other distractions to be had.

Outside the slow pace, there were a couple things I appreciated about this book. First, I like a hero who stands firm in his convictions. FBI Agent Jude knows his attraction to Gemma can’t be acted on while they are working his case together…so he doesn’t. So many romance stories tell us it’s only romantic if you let your feelings drive your actions, but I’m more drawn to characters who can put their actions on hold until the time is right. I also enjoyed the mini history lesson about World War II Code Girls.

But even that was a double edged sword because that side plot really didn’t do anything to move the main storyline along. Nor did the one with Jude’s mom trying to reconcile with her sister. Which is my other big thing with this book: I didn’t feel either the relationship between Jude and Gemma was well developed, and the big thing that brought them together - her cousin’s corporate espionage - wasn’t all cloak and dagger as a good sting operation should be. I liked the idea of the story, but feel the execution was lacking.

And one final thing seemed out of place: the whole quasi-religious aspect of the story. This series seems to be a bit of a departure from the author’s usually more overt Christian-themed books. The religion tossed in here seemed to be done so to appease her disappointed fan base - many of the reviews for Memory Lane blasted the author for the story containing alcohol, infidelity (it didn’t actually take place during the book mind you, but was part of the history of the hero’s parents), and for NOT having much of a faith aspect to it. Which is fair. If you’re expecting a certain kind of book from an author and that’s not what you get, disappointment is the likely result. But I think if you’re going to write religion into your story, don’t just give it lip service.

So yeah, lots of conflicting thoughts about this book. I wanted to like it, but I was never compelled to read more than a chapter at a time until there was nothing else for me to do but read it… At this point, I’m not sure if I’ll read a third Sons of Scandal book if there is one.

* thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was a sweet book. I couldn’t help but read it because I enjoyed Memory Lane and this is kind of a sequel to it. Jude is an FBI agent who must go undercover as Gemma’s boyfriend for a case, but inevitably fake dating leads to real feelings.

The crime element to the story is actually quite gripping, especially alongside the slow burn of Jude and Gemma’s relationship. It was so nice to return to Jeremiah and Remy as well. Oh and the story of Gemma’s grandparents’ relationship was pretty heartwarming 🥰

What to expect:

- fake dating - undercover FBI agent
- forced proximity
- forbidden romance
- closed door

oh. my. goodness. this book was absolutely incredible!!!! i had so much fun reading this book. it was lovely and wonderful and amazing. thank you so much to netgalley for letting me read this book before the publication date!!!

"Rocky Road," the second installment in the "Sons of Scandal" series, delves deeper into the complexities of family dynamics and secrets. While the main focus is on Jude and Gemma, readers gain insight into the scandal that has shaped their lives, particularly through the perspective of Jude's mother, who seeks reconciliation with her betrayed sister.
Gemma and Jude's relationship blossoms amidst a captivating blend of romance and suspense, with their chemistry and interactions stealing the spotlight. This is a fake romance trope. The investigation of Gemma's cousin adds a thrilling element to the narrative, while Gemma's quest to uncover her grandmother's past adds a heartwarming layer to the story.
Set against the backdrop of Maine, the setting adds a dreamy allure to the tale, enticing readers to explore its beauty. It reads like a Hallmark movie. Jude, the calm and collected FBI agent, finds his world turned upside down by Gemma's free-spirited nature, leading to a journey of self-discovery and growth for both characters. Their imperfect yet endearing personalities make them relatable and lovable protagonists. "Rocky Road" seamlessly blends elements of romance, humor, suspense, and faith, offering a compelling and entertaining read. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone, readers may appreciate the connections to the first book in the series, "Memory Lane." Overall, "Rocky Road" promises a satisfying continuation of the series, leaving readers eager for the next installment.
I recommend Rocky Road and although it is considered a Christian romance, I felt there was very little faith elements. It reads more as a clean romance. I was fine with that, I just want to help set expectations.

Becky Wade is one of my go-to authors and I was so excited to read this one! This series is very real and I've enjoyed it a lot so far. Highly recommend if you're looking for a romance where the characters face real struggles, get a happy ending and you don't want spice!

Becky Wade does it again.

This is my second read by this author and both times I enjoyed the read.

This is the second book in the Sons of Scandal series and I enjoyed getting to know Jude and Gemma. I was also happy to see other characters from book one in this book.

We follow Jude a FBI detective who has to fake date Gemma to stop shady activity in her family.

The first time they met until the very last page their banter was everything I love in a swoon romance.

Becky did an incredible job being in some heavy topics without taking away from the romance. Jude’s story and character development was outstanding.

Gemma was spunky and out spoken.

I really enjoyed this fake dating, opposites attract romance.

This was a Christian romance . There’s no swearing or bedroom scenes.

Oh my goodness where do I even start? Becky Wade, you have always had me hooked, and Rocky Road, just like the ice cream, was so so good! I loved every moment I spent reading this book, and can’t wait to read what comes next! Being the second book in the series, I of course, had to read the first book, Memory Lane. You can easily read either book as a stand alone, but you will miss out on the joy that comes with reading a book by Becky Wade, which is a sad sad thing to do.

Rocky Road is Jude’s story. Jude is the responsible brother. He literally works for the FBI. Always the rule follower, he is unprepared to meet the amazingness that is Gemma. Gemma had my heart right away. I absolutely love her, and she might be my favorite female character ever. She is so unique, fun, colorful, and she took me by surprise on so many occasions. I love her openness and wish I had a friend like her in real life. Neither Jude or Gemma are prepared for what life has planned for them, and I enjoyed every moment of the ride. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance. Jude and Gemma are far from perfect, and that just makes me love them all the more. I couldn’t get enough of this story and am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jude Camden has been assigned to take down fragrance mogul Cedric Bettencourt. To do so he must enlist the cooperation of his cousin Gemma. Unfortunately to do what it takes to take down Cedric, Jude must pose as Gemma's boyfriend. Only problem is Gemma currently has a boyfriend and Gemma is definitely a lot different from him. Will Gemma let Jude into her life and cooperate with his case? Will Jude loosen up and not be all work and no play? A wonderful book from Becky Wade filled with mystery, humor, and romance.

Rocky Road is the second installment in the Sons of Scandal series by Becky Wade. I absolutely loved this fake romance story. That is not my favorite trope so that should tell you how good the story must be. Gemma and Jude were such fabulous characters. They were total opposites making them perfect for each other. Becky Wade is one of the best contemporary Christian romance authors, but has proved in this series that she does well writing stories with hints of mystery. I was totally there for all aspects of this story from the witty banter between the main characters to the family drama to a bit of mystery and danger. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Even though this is a standalone book, I would recommend reading Memory Lane first if you haven't already. Rocky Road updates readers on the characters featured in the first book in the series.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Not my usual cup of tea but it was ok. It was my fault for not realizing it was a Christian read. While I usually go in for the spicy books, this was a refreshing change of pace.

We meet Jude in the previous book, but the real reason to read this series in order is to understand the family scandal and complicated dynamics that have resulted. Most of Rocky Road is from Jude and Gemma's perspective, but we also have the point of view of Jude's mother, the origin of the scandal, and her attempts to reconcile with the sister she betrayed. Gemma and Jude have an awesome meet-cute, and their chemistry just grows from there, despite Jude's determination to remain aloof. The romantic tension is so strong! I just loved their interactions and genuine personalities. The investigation of Gemma's cousin brings an element of suspense, and the subplot of Gemma's hunt for answers to her grandmother's secret past was heartwarming. The setting of Maine is dreamy, and makes me want to return there to explore more! We're also introduced to Max, the notorious half brother, and I'm looking forward to his story in the next book!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.