The Roguish Baron

Sophie Barnes

May 2022 · Diamonds In The Rough Book 9 · Sophie Barnes

About this ebook

When a rakish scoundrel decides to pursue the woman he loves in this friends to lovers Regency romance, he risks his father's disapproval...and the consequence this will have on his future.

He had to risk losing her so he would realize how much he loved her…

Jack Lancaster, Baron Hawthorne, hasn’t been home in four years. He’s been too busy running from his emotions. So when he finally does return and discovers his childhood friend, Sophia Fenmore, has gotten engaged, he’s not only shocked, but determined to change her mind and make her his.

Sophia has always known Jack was out of her league. But she valued his friendship, until he broke her heart. Now he's back, as eager to charm her as she is to thwart him.For as much as she’d like to believe Jack has changed, she cannot risk taking a chance on a rogue. Unless of course, he proves himself worthy.

A daring forbidden love romance from a USA Today bestselling author

*Previously published as part of The Rogue Who Stole Christmas anthology*

**This is a Diamonds in the Rough novella**

Ratings and reviews

I finished this book feeling disappointed. Yes, the couple got their happy ending, but the conflict felt contrived and unnecessary. The father went from furious and thinking she was not worthy to later saying he immediately regretted his words. The "twist" at the end was sloppy and felt rushed, like it was thrown in there at the last minute to create the obligatory plot twist. I just felt the last 15-20% was disappointing and this book makes me question my reading this author's works in future.

Sophia has been in love with Jack, her neighbor, since she was a girl. His rakish reputation suggests he doesn't share her affection. When he returns to the country after a four-year absence, he's smitten with her. But it's too late—she's engaged and planning a marriage of convenience. His protestations of love don't sway her. She's sure he only wants what he can't have. Can he convince her his heart is true? This is a short, romantic, satisfying read. This author always seems to surprise me with an unexpected twist just when I think I know how the story will go. Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

A very clean short sweet romance. I loved the overall story and plot. Sophia was a gentle, loving vicar's ward. She was an orphan and raised by the Fenmore family. She grew up to be a kind and charitable young lady. Jack the son of an earl could not entertain marrying Sophia for his father did not think she was good enough. She had no dowry nor connections. But Sophia loved Jack no matter the circumstances. She however thought it was for naught as they were of different stations.

About the author

USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.