The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Debutantes of London, #2

Release Date: April 14, 2025

For years, Caroline “Caro” Devereux has been keeping her father’s creditors at bay by using the money she earns as gothic pamphlet author, Mr. C.D Winthrop. But when her publisher informs her that a rough looking creditor has been asking about “Mr. Winthrop” she is terrified that her family will lose everything and her father will be thrown in debtor’s prison, leading her to take drastic action. She will have to marry and since she has no prospects, she will have to blackmail Gabriel Kane, the Earl of Rockford, her would-be groom. She writes to him, telling him that she has a letter from the previous Earl that proves that Gabriel is not the former Earl’s son and unless he marries her, she will make the letter public. Never would she have imagined that Gabriel would confront her in person or that he would be so intriguing. He agrees to court her, forcing her to spend time with him, which is dangerous for her heart.

Second son, Gabriel Kane was never supposed to be the earl, and left home at 12 to become a cabin boy and spent years traveling the world. But when his older brother died just months before the former earl, Gabriel is forced to return to England and take up the title – a title that was tainted by the former earl. When Caro threatens to expose truth of his birth, he is enraged and storms over to confront her. He refuses to marry her and tries to call her bluff, but Caro isn’t backing down and why in the world does that turn him on?? The more time he spends with Caro the more he feels like marriage isn’t such a bad idea. Everything seems like it is going to work out – until it doesn’t!

This was a fun read with new characters as well as some familiar favorites. I loved Caro and Gabriel together and was rooting for them from their first meeting – but believe me when I say these two WORKED for their HEA. This book has a lot going on that will keep you turning pages, but you will never forget that it is a love story. The story has blackmail, secret identities, surprising revelations, great secondary characters (including FELICITY – IYKYK), steamyish love scenes, accidental shootings, vicious gossip, well-meaning family, heartbreak, more than one twist and finally their well-deserved HEA. I enjoyed this book but could have done without the third act breakup. This is the second book in a new spinoff series and can be read without reading the previous book or series (but you should read them because they are excellent).

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *