Filled with charm, this was a satisfying conclusion to the series. In fact, I almost wished there was an extra book so that one of the couples here could have had their separate book! The main story is between Caro and Max and while I enjoyed it, I felt slightly dissatisfied with how Caro abandonment by max ultimately played out. I wanted more groveling for forgiveness from him.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this.

Thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. ( )

I am not a fan of romance novels, particularly regency romances - why so many authors favour an era when ladies' fashion looked like nightwear for little girls, I'll never know. And this novel is packed full of the usual clichés, from scarred heroes (quite literally in this case) and 'fierce' heroines with auburn hair and golden eyes, to the same old dukes and earls with unlikely family names. But I was intrigued by how the heroine would respond to being abandoned by her new husband mere days after a hasty marriage. Would she turn into a glamorous society hostess, enjoying her errant husband's money while flirting with dashing young beaus and laughing in the face of the disapproving ton? Or would she take over the running of her husband's estate and become a sponsor of impoverished artists and poets?

Sadly, no. Lady Blakeney seemed to have more fun in The Scarlet Pimpernel, and her husband was only emotionally absent for a year, he didn't leave the country because he couldn't handle his feelings. Here, the Rochester-esque Maxim and demure damsel Caro meet-cute when they get locked in a library together, for all of five minutes, and then get married purely to spite her domineering father. The wedding night is a success, this being Romancelandia, but the minute Caro starts to hint that she might actually love Maxim, the big brave brooding hero, complete with facial scar and limp, packs his bags and leaves her - for six years! Only when his detested grandfather dies and Maxim becomes the Duke of Hartwell does he risk returning to reclaim his wife. And what has Caro been with all this time alone? No soirees, no parties, no lovers - not even a new dress! She moves from London to Brighton to live by the sea (*snores*). Maxim comes home, she delivers a few snippy comments, both of them are laid low and spend time nursing the other, Caro unpacks a literal crate of Maxim's Childhood Trauma, and forgives him. Oh, he's so manly yet vulnerable! He didn't know how to love until he met her! He's the grumpy, self-pitying Beast to her romance-reading Belle! Who finds this type of 'hero' appealing, seriously? The subplot, involving a 'lady spy' and her partner/bodyguard sent to protect Caro from her husband's enemies, didn't do a thing for me either, but at least Fanny Drummond (dear lord) maintains her independence and doesn't finish the tale with three young children and another one on the way.

On a positive note - nice cover! I also found this a short, relatively painless read, apart from the disclaimers above, and didn't pay for the honour either (thank you Kindle Unlimited!) I still wish Caro had actually lived her six years of freedom, rather than putting herself into storage to wait for old misery gut's return, but what is a heroine without her hero after all? ( )

Every Rogue Has His Charm by Susanna Craig
Love & Let Spy #4

Great story of love delayed but oh so worth waiting for! I fear this is the end of the series but what a wonderful series filled with spies and love it proved to be!

What I liked:
* Maximilien “Maxim” Grant: Marquess in line to be a Duke, spy, raised by his abusive grandfather, terrible accident when young, difficult backstory, has visible and invisible scars, perfect for and with Caro
* Caroline “Caro” Brent: daughter of an abusive Lord, loves to read, eager to get away from her father, stronger than she thinks, caught in a compromising position with Maxim, intriguing woman, perfect for and with Maxim
* Fanny & Fitz: spies sent to keep an eye on Maxim and Caro
* The way Maxim offered for Caro and their first days together
* General Scott: spy master, matchmaker, married for years to the woman he loves, cares about the people working for him.
* The story, writing, plot, and pacing
* The intrigue
* That I cared about Caro and Maxim and hoped they would get their happily ever after
* The second love story and how the couple opted to move forward together
* The epilogue: saw all the couples from previous books in the series and learned how they are doing

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Caro’s father, Maxim’s grandfather, and the traitor

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

Lost husband and other bothers!

Dark and ruined Maximilian Grant, Lord Chesleigh, Marquess, and unwanted heir to a dukedom, (Duke of Hartwell) has spent his life vanquishing his country’s foes. His latest assignment, as a spy for the crown, is to discover what he can about the Earnshaw household.
At a house party he lets himself into the library only to confront a wayward daughter of the house who’s crept downstairs to read a novel. This doesn’t bode well, and bodes even less when they’re discovered together, Lady Caroline Brent, in barefeet and nightgown after midnight. Well he does what most gentleman would do (and why our hero should do what any man does is rich?) and declares his interest.
Within four days Maxim’s left the country and is not heard of until six years later, upon his grandfather’s death. When he returns has a wife to confront, a role to take up (Duke of Hartwell), papers to deliver and a spy to uncover. Caro finds she is now Duchess of Hartwell just as her family is threatening to blackmail her in order to feather their own nest. What a conundrum!
A rather enjoyable read!

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

Little More Than Strangers

Susanna Craig seeks to reform a notorious rouge and spy with stubborn love in Every Rouge Has His Charm. Caroline (Caro) became the Marchioness of Chesleigh to escape the bulling of her father, not expecting love. When a few nights of passion lead to abandonment by her new husband, she has lost hope. Afraid he is falling in love, Maxium chooses to let himself be consumed with work. The threat of war with Napoleon, keeps him too busy to think of her. Returning to claim his title of Duke of Hartwell, Maxium must face Caroline. They will both have to confront past hurts, and a dangerous future in order to heal.

Susanna Craig is effective in showing how despicable Caro’s father is from the beginning. Caro’s difficulty with the concept of love is understandable. It makes Maxium’s abandonment seem especially cruel, whether intended or not. Caro is particularly bad with money, falling for the outrageous advances of her family just to spite her absent husband. Maxium is not particularly charming, as he hides his scars and tragic past behind heartlessness and irritation. Determine to make Caro hate him, so she will not love him.

General Scott’s matchmaking, seems especially meddlesome. The spy agency, afraid Maxium has defected, sends Mrs. Fanny Drummond to spy on Caro. Who has a budding romance with the Lieutenant Fitz Hopkins. Caro and Fanny have a shared spirit of stoicism, and disappointment. They both need a loyal friend, if their secrecy doesn’t end their friendship before it even begins.

All leading to a mystery that could endanger them all. Maxium’s dedication to Caro, though misplaced, reveals his true feelings. They both work through a lot of complicated feelings, and self-preservation. No amount of distance can change his feelings for Caro. Though Caro is angry, she is too determined to continue to live in miserable circumstances. They may be little more than strangers, but a renewed commitment to each other just might open their hearts to love. ( )