Interesting but rushed with long sections that should have been edited (and so I skimmed a lot). ( )

This isn't terribly written, but I did not enjoy it. 90% due to the heroine. She is a harpy who never misses an opportunity to feel absolutely certain that a titled character is horrible, (and act on it), no matter how many times she's proven false. And her previous bad experience with a titled person in no way justifies continuing to be such an idiot. Nearly the entire book she's shrewish to decent people just because they're upper class. No matter if others vauche for them, no matter if they've repeatedly gone out of their way to help her, or if she's already been disproven a dozen times. Ugh. The hero was likable enough, but not all that standout. And I did not feel a connection between them ( )

The third book in Kelly Bowen's Devils of Dover series pairs two doctors who both happen to be smugglers as well. Katherine is the daughter of a smuggler and was brought up in the family business. She studied under a midwife and then went to war, and has since been patching up the locals. Harland is a Baron and also a doctor, something his late wife hated him for. Since they both have a disastrous past relationship and are trying to keep secrets (very poorly), their relationship progresses in fits and starts.

Unlike the other books I've read by this author, A Rogue by Night is full of action. It reads a bit like a Joanna Bourne novel, honestly. There are lots of soldiers shooting at people, a prison break, and a whole bunch of doctoring. Since the main characters are both doctors, this makes a lot of sense, but I do think the non-stop action interfered a bit with the development of their relationship. Harland is immediately smitten, while Katherine aims a rifle at him during their meet-cute.

It takes a bit, but once they both open their hearts, the romance is charming. Their connection is built not just on physical attraction, but also on mutual respect and an appreciation of each other's professional competence, so I thought Bowen managed the class and power imbalance well. Overall not my favorite of Bowen's books but still a solid and engaging story.


Content Warnings: everyone gets shot, amputation, discussion of war and horrible prison conditions

Side note: I got a finished copy and I'm not sure if it's because I was reading on paper instead of on my Kindle, but there were a few noticeable copyediting errors.

Suzanne received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. ( )

Just, again, excellence. I didn't adore the first book in this series, but the second and third blew me out of the water. I'm only sorry I waited so long to read them. I just wanted the world to disappear for a day so that I could focus entirely on reading this book! ( )

How is it Sir Harland Hayward, who happens to be both a baron and a physician, managed to show up just as Katherine Wright's brother Matthew was bleeding out? Katherine, very experienced as a physician, while in the process of stitching up Matthew, was suddenly forced face Harland. He is quite impressed by her skill and ends up devising an ingenious way of protecting Katherine and her family from soldiers.

Thing is, Harland is also a smuggler, a fact that he keeps close to his vest. As a doctor, Harland is able to find himself in any number of situations without attracting much notice. Although well titled, Harland has good reason for his illegal activities, and that is to save his family from financial ruin.

Katherine has only recently returned home after several years away. She is actually not surprised that her father and brother are smugglers, although she is rather curious as to why they do not even know who their boss is. After patching Matthew up, Katherine accompanies him to Harland's residence for him to recuperate - and to hide him from the soldiers seeking to punish him for his crimes.

As Katherine spends time in Harland's home, she learns that the "job" Matthew was involved in when he was injured was not complete. and Katherine has no choice but help finish what was left undone. It is at this point that she runs dead smack into Harland and begins to learn the truth about him.

Things become a battle of wills, and much more, for Katherine and Harland. They share a strong attraction to one another, all while facing very dangerous conditions. This story morphs into quite an intense journey that brings these two to a place neither can deny, and that is, to each other.

I adored this read by Kelly Bowen. In fact, the previous two stories, A Duke in the Night and Last Night with the Earl, were equally compelling and are excellent predecessors to this engaging series, The Devils of Dover. The way this story is told, it definitely can do quite well as a standalone. So, for excellent storytelling, action, danger, passion and great characters, this book most certainly comes highly recommended.

Many thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )