Review: The Rogue and I by Eva Devon

The Rogue and I (Must Love Rogues #1)
Author: Eva Devon
Release Date: 29 June 2015

A Lady Ready for Battle:
Miss Harriet Manning once made the mistake of falling completely, totally, and irreversibly in love with a duke’s son. It’s a mistake she won’t repeat twice. Truly. Especially since he abandoned her just when they were about to elope to Gretna Green. Five years later, Harriet hasn’t forgotten the way Lord Garret’s smoldering gaze and wicked sense of humor touched her soul. Still, there’s no way she’ll forgive the traitorous libertine, no matter how he stirs her passions. Now, Harriet is determined to show him she doesn’t care, and never did, by making merry right under his nose but a tragic turn of events at her cousin’s wedding has her wondering if just maybe, love deserves one last chance.

A Lord Who Lost His Heart:
Lord Garret Hart, second son of a duke and now brother to the present Duke of Huntsdown, is never ever EVER getting married. Bachelorhood is for him. After all, women are the very devil. Especially one woman. Miss Harriet Manning is Garret’s own personal Medusa and she has turned his heart to stone. Indeed she has, but not before she absolutely ripped it to shreds, leaving him a complete wreck. Nothing will ever induce him to matrimony or nauseating protestations of boyish love again. But when he is forced into close proximity at his brother’s wedding with the woman who first taught him to dream and see the world as a wondrous place, sparks flash and passions explode. Still, Harriet is not to be trusted. She callously betrayed him once. So how can he ever allow himself another chance at love when love always seems to hurt so much?

Review

When I read a historical by Eva Devon I always know to expect laughs aplenty and a romp of a romance. This book definitely doesn't let you down. Throw in a witty heroine who can't stand our hero and a hero who loves to loathe our heroine, and you know you're in for a good time. 

Harriet, or Harry to her friends and family, has a reputation for saying exactly what she thinks and she knows she's unconventional. She's also pretty adamant that there isn't a man she wants to marry, but it's not public knowledge that the reason she eschews marriage is because her heart was broken by none other Lord Garret Hart. Her sharp and biting sparring with Garret has become well known amongst the ton, even if the cause of their mutual dislike is unknown to others. Harry is a really fun heroine, I loved her intelligence and exuberance. I also liked that she could be vulnerable, and she's not emotionally closed off. 

Garret is determined to remain a bachelor for a long, long time. He's been burned by love in the past after Harry's betrayal and he thinks marriage is basically a terrible idea, so he's not thrilled to be attending his brother's wedding to Harry's cousin. Garret is a fun hero as well, with a mind to match Harry's and he's very sweet at times. 

Garret and Harry make a wonderful couple. They both hide their hurt and protect their hearts by lashing put at the other, but the chemistry between them is as strong as ever. I loved the flashbacks to their early relationship. It was so purely passionate and innocent, void of the pain they come to experience. 

This is such an enjoyable and heartfelt romance. Garret and Harry clash in a pretty fun fashion, but once they start to reconcile it's enough to make you swoon. You find yourself desperately wishing they can find their HEA together. The rest of the characters add to the storyline, and the events surrounding Emmelinea (Harry's cousin) and Edward's (Garret’s brother) wedding were pretty heartbreaking at first. I loved the way Emmeline grows and strengthens during these events, and I'm glad her storyline played out the way it did in the end. I'm not giving more away there since I suspect and hope her story is on the way!

Honestly this is my favourite Eva Devon book to date. It made me laugh out loud on the train (alot) and wipe away a few surreptitious tears. I definitely recommend this to everyone. 

*I received a review copy from the author for my honest opinion. Thank you!