Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: 1804 England
POV: 3rd Person
Sensuality: Hot
Violence: Mild
Format: Digital
Source: A digital ARC courtesy of Harlequin via NetGalley
My Grade: C+
Reckless is the second book in Anne Stuart’s House of Rohan trilogy.
Following the death of his older brother, Adrian Alistair Rohan lost himself in a life of debauchery. Encouraged by his cousin Etienne, he is now a dedicated member of the depraved Heavenly Host. His only interest lies in seducing and discarding beautiful women. He’s never failed in his conquests until he meets the straightlaced Charlotte Spenser.
Charlotte is a lonely spinster. She lives with her widowed cousin, Lady Whitmore, and dreams of the handsome but despicable Adrian Rohan. When her cousin suggests the attend a meeting of the Heavenly Host, Charlotte pretends to be scandalised but is secretly thrilled. Naturally, she meets Adrian at the party and they embark upon a passionate affair.
Charlotte and Adrian’s relationship takes an unexpected turn when they realise their lives are in danger. Suddenly, Adrian is faced with the realisation that he is falling in love and that Charlotte may be the woman who finally manages to tame him.
I have mixed feelings about Reckless. There is a nice subplot involving a romance between Charlotte’s cousin and a reformed bad boy turned cleric. I also enjoyed the matchmaking efforts of Monty, their dying friend, who is determined to see them all happily settled before he dies.
Less successful was the suspense element in this story. It was very similar to that in Ruthless, the first book in the House of Rohan series, and it failed to engage my interest. In addition, the development of Adrian and Charlotte’s romance reminded me too much of the first book.
While Reckless is a decent historical romance, the similarities to Ruthless were tedious at times. Adrian and Charlotte worked well as a couple, but I found the secondary romance more interesting than theirs.
For fans of dark romance, Anne Stuart’s new trilogy has much to recommend it. I’m just hoping that the third book follows a slightly different path to the first two in the series.
{ 2 comments }
I know what you mean: I hate when follow ups in a series remind me too much of the previous titles. It makes comparing them so easy and also nearly always kills my interest in said series. It’s like re-reading the same book again and again.
At least you like the book.
@SusiSunshine: I’m usually a fan of trilogies which come out over three consecutive months but these books were just too samey for that.