A Rogue by Any Other Name

A Rogue by Any Other Name is a historical romance fiction novel authored by Sarah MacLean. It is the 1st book of the Rules of Scoundrels series. It is followed by One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. It also won a RITA Award for Best Historical Romance. Sarah is an NYT, Washington Post, and USA Today bestseller of historical romance novels that are read all over the world. She has been dubbed as the “intoxicating queen of historical romance” by Entertainment Weekly. Check out her hit book Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake.

Rosalyn Landor is the narrator of this book. She is unparalleled at her job and makes us feel that we are experiencing the novel as if we are there.

The novel is set in the year 1821, when Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourse loses his entire inheritance in a card game. He waged it in a game against his former guardian. The book then resumes 10 years later and Bourne has become a co-owner of a gambling club in London – The Fallen Angel.

He discovers that the former family estate is part of the dowry of Lady Penelope Marbury, his childhood best friend. We know that Penelope was rejected by an earl and this act left her reputation in shambles. However, she has no intentions of making a loveless marriage even on the edge of spinsterhood.

Bourne compromises her and leaves her reputation ruined. Now, she will be forced to marry Bourne, someone who is determined to gain control of his lands. However, Penelope wants someone who will love her. She wants her old friend back.

You can’t help but root for the two main characters, despite their obvious flaws. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable novel that doesn’t tax the brain.