Lawson’s review of The Rogue and the Rival by Maya Rodale
Historical romance released by Berkley Sensation 4 Nov 08

The first book in this series, The Heir and the Spare, told the story of two identical twins, sons of the Duke of Buckingham. The “good” twin Devon had his story, and Phillip has his in this one. Phillip has been the bad boy, doing anything and everything to spawn a reputation to be an absolute scoundrel. Anyone who loves a bad boy turned good man story, this is one to check out.

The story opens with Phillip in a convent. He was found in a ditch, near death and brought to the abbey so he could recuperate. Assigned to care for him is Angela, who is allowed to see him because she hasn’t taken her orders yet. Phillip is bedridden and bored and ends up talking to Angela to keep himself entertained. As he slowly heals he learns more about Angela, including her reason for being in the convent instead of in society.

Angela has heard of Phillip, Lord Kensington, even in the secluded convent, and does her best to avoid the scoundrel. What she doesn’t count on is starting to like him while he tries to charm her. Angela also doesn’t count on his changing to make her happy. Putting aside selfish ideas, Phillip attempts to work to earn money to leave the abbey, and realizes he can’t live without Angela with him. She is hurt when he leaves due to some unfinished shady business and goes on her own way, with Phillip left alone, again.

Phillip is a bad, bad boy. And pretty unapologetic about it too. He hasn’t bothered to correct any of the gossip because of some insecurities about who he is. If he’s not bad, then who is he? Angela, in a short amount of time, makes him realize that he has worth and he can make something of his life. Being the scoundrel that he’s known to be is more than who he really is, but he’s still very charming especially as the makes good.

Angela, though a sympathetic character, due to the fact she’d been seduced, ruined and sent to the abbey by her family, does start to grate. Especially when she demands Phillip do certain things to rectify his past, which she wishes that the man that ruined her had done for her. She also doesn’t trust Phillip because she doesn’t trust herself or forgive herself for giving in to a moment of weakness.

I’ve got to say that I’m a historical fan. But from time to time heroines like this, that treat sex as though its something so dirty, yet are so happy to do it when the “right guy” comes along, just doesn’t sit well with me. It may be my inner feminist, or it may be just my modern sensibilities, but I don’t want to see a heroine that’s torn up with guilt over sex. Especially when she goes home and sees that it’s mostly been in her head and over time the indiscretion has been forgotten or at least it’s not a horrific tragedy.

Phillip is what saved the book though, with his willingness to do everything Angela asked, but he wasn’t a pushover. He made her face the realities about her thinking and demands and still showed her that she could trust him. Even for a reformed rake, his patience with her was amazing and took her insecurities and guilt down a notch enough to make it an easy read.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Six long years have passed since Angela Sullivan set eyes on a man. Six years since the man she loved ruined her-and her parents banished her to Stanbrook Abbey, where she’s now preparing for her vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. But when the abbey takes in a
handsome-if impudent-injured rogue, it will take divine intervention for Angela to quell her sinful thoughts…

If Lord Phillip were not in such pain from his riding accident, he would consider himself lucky to be staying in a building full of women. But his rakish reputation has preceded him. True, Phillip may not be his angelic twin brother, but as days become weeks, his thoughts of Angela grow nobler-as Angela’s thoughts of him become less than holy…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: