I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FINAL DECISION: I was ambivalent about this book. There were parts I liked a lot, but there were things I really didn’t enjoy. Ultimately, however, I believe the book ended on a positive note and it was a nice read.

THE STORY: Charlotte Langley is the practical sensible daughter who has a solid if unremarkable fiance who she has known since childhood. When a tonic made by her younger sister goes wrong and she ends up having a hot and heavy encounter with her brother-in-law’s step-brother, Kingston. Kingston has been a rogue, but a recent encounter has altered his thinking. He has been abstaining for months until he is “accosted” by Charlotte. Expectations, reputations and old wounds swirl around this couple as they get to know who the other actually is.

OPINION: This book was really uneven for me. I liked some parts quite a bit, but I didn’t feel that the hero was developed enough. I really liked his character, but the heroine was so much in her mind about her choices that the hero was pretty flat for most of the book. By the end of the book, I really liked him and felt for his pain, and that is what saved the book for me. The book wasn’t very engrossing and it allowed a surface read about the story which worked for me at this time, but isn’t a book that I would love and re-read again and again.

At the same time, I really loved how the relationship between Charlotte and Kingston developed and how she learns to articulate her own desires (both sexually and in her daily life) and how Kingston is “healed” by his relationship with Charlotte. He just wants a family and Charlotte is able to help him get connected.

The final third of this book was really good and I would definitely re-read whole sections of that part. The fact that it ended on a high note for me when the book really begins to focus on Charlotte and Kingston rather than all the other things in Charlotte’s life is when the book really began to take shape for me and the characters really began to connect for me.

I wavered on giving this book three stars or three and a half. Ultimately, the finish on the story left me with good feelings about the story and these characters so I gave it the higher rating.  It was good enough that I ordered a copy of the book for myself.

WORTH MENTIONING: There is an issue of consent in this book. The author is certainly aware of the issue where the heroine is accidentally “drugged” by her sister, but I’m not sure that the resolution really worked for me. Those who have special concerns might want to read more spoilers about the book. The incident does occur right at the beginning of the book so there isn’t much investment in the story if a reader decides the solution doesn’t work for them.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE VIRGIN AND THE ROGUE is the sixth book in the Rogue Files series. This book can be read as a standalone. I have not read any of the other books in the series and although it is clear there are characters who appear from prior books, I did not feel I missed anything.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

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