The Taming of the Rogue by Amanda McCabe {Book Review}

Happy Thursday!

Another book review from this year’s reading list and surprise surprise, it’s a romance novel.

I’m not a huge fan of romance books because I feel they are always exaggerated beyond belief with many eye-rolling moments.

Most romance books have this pattern and that’s what eventually put me off picking out romance books for many years. I use to have quite a collection of books up until a few years back when I decided enough was enough, and I donated them all.

This year I actually have a couple of romance novels on my to be read list for 2021 that I received as gifts. I’ve also come to the conclusion that no matter what the blurb says, some books focus more on the romance than anything else in the book.

Maybe the romance genre is there to set up a fantasy for us to oooh and aaah in, but as much as imagination is great, you still want to have a feel for something realistic.

DISCLAIMER: This review could contain possible spoilers based on my opinions. All opinions and views are my own.

Book review: The Taming of the Rogue by Amanda McCabe #bookreview
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Plot:

Anna Barrett is drawn to actor and playwriter, Robert Alden, even though she knows she doesn’t want to involved with anyone after her troubled marriage. She has vowed to never be under another man’s influence again.

Robert Alden is well known for his playwriting, but he’s on a secret mission to uncover sinister truths within their mists. His cover is writing but his skills reach far beyond that. He is attracted to Anna too, but he knows he’ll be bad news for her.

Still, the attraction is too strong to ignore and soon a romance sparks, along with secrets from the past and present.

Will she be able to tame the rogue or will their lives stand in their way?

My Opinion: Positive Thoughts

It was fun to figure out some of terms and phrases used, some I’d never heard of it, and it gave some insight in how conversations played out and how differently they were conducted.

I did enjoy the dress ups and the fancy parties, and it made me wonder what those times were like. The characters were also likeable with interesting backstories.

My Opinion: Negative Thoughts

Let me just start off by saying that I completely skipped over the sex scenes. Honestly, there was just no realness to it and frankly, a little boring.

The espionage plot seemed a little confusing, flawed and at the end of the day, unnecessary.

Overview:

While I did enjoy the book for what it is, if you take the Historical part out, it really comes down to just being a standard Mills & Boons, nothing that stands out to make it a memorable book. It’s a very ‘girl wants boy, boy wants girl, it shouldn’t be but it’s meant to be’ struggle.

The book had a steady pace but the ending was very rushed and the plot was rounded down to one short section.

My Rating:

The book has a rating of 3.31 on GoodReads. I gave it a 4, although I felt it deserved more of a 3.5 if the option was available. It’s not a novel I’ll read again, and not a book I’ll add to my recommendation list. It was an interesting choice of era, but the same old Mills & Boons feel.