Virginia Heath is a massively talented author who knows banter like I know the back of my hand, but snappy dialogue isn’t enough to disguise the fact that the plot points in this second book in her Merriwell Sisters series are somewhat stale.
Giles Sinclair, the newly-minted Duke of Harpenden, disguises himself as a womanizing rogue in order to avoid the marriage mart so that instead, he can devote himself to fixing his estate’s financial issues, as his cold-hearted father won’t even so much as let him on the grounds. But when his father dies, securing the title and lineage becomes of utmost import. Giles soon learns that his father tried to marry Dahlia, the draper’s daughter, to sire a legal heir upon her, which begs the question - why would an elderly man throw himself on the marriage mart at his advanced age to get a legitimate heir when he already has one? That would be because Giles is actually illegitimate; he has no ideas who his biological mother is, and if the secret is revealed, he will be stripped of his title. Giles decides to prove he has a legitimate claim.
In desperation, he turns to Diana Merriwell, an old chum (and younger sister of Minerva, heroine of Never Fall For Your Fiancée, the first book in the series). Everyone around Diana and Giles thinks that their constant arguing stems from a buried attraction, but they truly dislike each other – or so they say. Diana’s father left the family when she was only a child, and the trauma has taught Diana to depend only on herself and her sisters – she will never marry because of this. To wit, Diana has dedicated her life to journalism, working as an investigative reporter under an assumed name that has made her notorious, but disguising her activity by telling family and friends she’s a gossip columnist, which is considered much more ‘suitable’. She’s the perfect person to help Giles figure out who his mother is. But the more time they spend researching the situation, the closer they get.
Never Rescue a Rogue gets most of its charm from Heath’s signature rapid-fire patter. She knows chemistry, she knows strong, smart characters. All of this works and works well, and while she does use some well-worn tropes, she makes magic by twisting most of these notions upside down. It’s the ones she doesn’t twist that feel rote. And while it’s refreshing that both of our leads here have daddy issues, I am weary of daddy issues in romances keeping characters from fully committing.
Giles and Diana are both likable people; he’s secretly got a heart of gold, and she’s smart and resourceful. And yes, it’s a traditional enemies-to-friends-to-lovers sensual slow burn between them, one that pays off very well, and includes some compelling and spirited banter.
There are a few pacing issues, and an ending that seems to rear up out of nowhere. But the quality of the writing and chemistry between the leads make things well worthwhile. A memorable heroine and a memorable hero, meddling family members, and some fun ideas raise this one to a solid B, a worthwhile read, if not a top priority one.
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Sensuality: Warm
Publication Date: 11/2022
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