Review: The Rogue to Ruin by Vivienne Lorrett

The Bourne Matrimonial Agency has one rule: Never fall in love with a client, which shouldn't be a problem when one’s faking an engagement to the rogue across the street . . .

THE ROGUE TO RUIN by VIVIENNE LORRET

Series: Misadventures in Matchmaking #3

Publication date: July 30, 2019

Published by: Avon

Genre: historical romance

 

SYNOPSIS

Ainsley Bourne needs the family business to succeed. But one obstacle stands in her way—Reed Sterling, the huge, handsome, former prize fighter and owner of the gaming hell across the street. His scandalous customers scare off all her marriage-minded patrons and since the devilish brute has no intention of relocating, she sets out to ruin his unsavory establishment. Yet when a vile suitor from her past reappears, Ainsley hastily claims an attachment to the first man who comes to mind . . . Mr. Sterling, to be exact.

Reed doesn’t know who is more surprised by Miss Bourne’s declaration. She clearly hates him, and he’d never admit their arguments simmer with unrequited attraction. Something about the pleading look in her eyes calls to Reed, and against his better judgment, he quickly plays the part of the besotted fiancé.

Pretending to be in love requires a convincing charade. But with each tantalizing touch and every scandalous kiss, Ainsley starts to wonder if Reed was ever really the enemy at all.

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Praise for Vivienne Lorret:

“With clever wit, heady sexuality, and lush description, Lorret’s title puts an enticing spin on the classic amnesia trop and launches a series (the author’s Avon print debut) in fine style.”
Library Journal

“Viv Lorret is up there with Sarah MacLean and Lisa Kleypas on my historical auto-buy list!”
Lauren Layne, USA Today bestselling author

“a sexy page-turner... you can’t help but root for these two stubborn, persistent characters to fall for each other... the novel draws you in and leaves a satisfied smile on your face.”
Entertainment Weekly

“The third Misadventures in Matchmaking series title is just as delightful as the first two, with a slightly darker subtext that only makes its effervescence more uplifting.Another clever, charming historical romance from Lorret.”
Kirkus Reviews

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author VIVIENNE LORRET transforms copious amounts of tea into words. She is an Avon author of works including the Wallflower Wedding series, the Rakes of Fallow Hall series, the Season’s Original series, and the Misadventures in Matchmaking series.

You can find her on:

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REVIEW

The Rogue to Ruin by Vivienne Lorret
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Ainsley is the oldest and third sister to have her story told in the Misadventures of Matchmaking series. If you're like me and haven't read any in the series before, you can read this installment with no difficulties at all. There is a simple refresher on the characters and you quickly catch on to how everyone plays a part in the Bourne Matrimonial Agency. This is actually my first read by the author, and while it didn't fully live up to my hopes, I still found a lot to enjoy.

The Bourne sisters are matchmakers who haven't quite found the success they desire. They are seen as somewhat of a mockery by their peers, and have yet to prove themselves as serious businesswomen. Of course, just being women during that time was a strike against them in their chosen career. The nobility seemed to think they were only putting up a front in order to find themselves a husband. They couldn't have been more wrong. They've been financially strapped for a long time, ever since their philandering father abandoned them and they had to live with their spendthrift Uncle. But it was the abandonment that marked Ainsley the most and shaped her into a woman who doesn't believe in marriage. This, along with her abusive ex-fiancè were all the poor examples of love she needed to make her keep her distance.

I must admit, I had some difficulty understanding or liking the heroine very much in the beginning. While I felt sympathetic for what she had overcome, I didn't agree with her actions towards the hero. I knew going in that this would have a fake engagement and an enemies to lovers trope, which I was really excited about. However, the antagonism between the main characters was frustrating at times. Ainsley has developed a prejudice against fighters and judges Reed simply because he is a former prize fighter. I have to give her credit for not being snobby about his lower social standing than her, but the way she insulted him and blamed him for the agency's failures went a little too far.

You can tell from the very beginning that there's a strong attraction between them, and I certainly felt the chemistry. And then she'd smack a flower to the ground he was about to give her, or say something hurtful when she got scared that he read her too well. I just felt that he was being treated unfairly, especially since he was so concerned over her safety and protective of her. Luckily I did start to warm up to her in the second half once she started seeing him for the man he was.

    There was always something between them—class, profession, animosity, frustration. Yet when his bare hand had been on hers, there was something there.

Reed is a hardworking man who survived an abusive home as a child, and earned every penny of his fortune through grit and determination. Though he earned his money using his fists, he takes no joy in the violence. It was simply a means to an end in order to move on to bigger and better things. He's a big softie who takes in "strays" and gives them the opportunity to better themselves. Even a roughed up, cantankerous cat finds a place in his home. There is quite a bit to love about this hero. However, he's not without his own faults. For the longest time, he views Ainsley as a pampered princess who's never known what it's like to struggle. There was plenty of evidence to the contrary, so it was odd that he continued to judge her based on being born in the upper class. I know that his stepfather was a horrible man, but to judge someone on superficial things rather than what you've witnessed of them is just as bad as her prejudice.

These two had a lot of banter back in forth in the beginning that I enjoyed. He deliberately pushed her buttons to get underneath her skin. She put on a waspish air with him, so it absolutely delighted him when he was able to fluster her. The more he picked away at her tough exterior, the more he'd reveal the soft vulnerabilities she didn't want anyone to see. She saw her past relationship as a weakness, something she was extremely ashamed over. Not even her sisters knew the extent of the physical and mental abuse she was subjected to. When her ex shows up unexpectedly, Reed steps right in to give her assistance. Will their battle of wills continue, or will their fake engagement provide more than protection? Love perhaps?

    Whenever Reed held Ainsley, he didn’t only push past her boundaries but seemed to push some of his strength and certainty into her as well. In his arms, the doubts she’d always carried with her weighed nothing at all.

Despite having some issues with this particular installment, I really enjoyed the author's writing. I think one of the previous books in the series would work out much better for me and I plan to check them out as soon as I get a chance. Even with the heavier theme, it still managed to be a pretty light book overall and a fast read. I enjoyed seeing Ainsley grow in confidence as she dealt with the darkness of her past returning. I ended up liking her more than I thought I would. I recommend this to readers looking for a moderately steamy historical romance with some fun bantering and rivalry.

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