Review: Brook Street: Rogues by Ava March

Title: Rogues*
Author:  Ava March
Series: Brook Street Trilogy #3
Genre: M/M Romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Format: E-book
Date/Year:  May 7, 2012
Reviewed by: Andrea

*This book was provided to the reviewer by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Summary from the publisher:

London, 1822

Two of London's most notorious rakehells, Linus Radcliffe and Robert Anderson, are the best of friends. They share almost everything-clothes, servants, their homes, and even each other's bed on occasion. The one thing they don't share: lovers. For while Linus prefers men, Robert prefers women...except when it comes to Linus.

As another Season nears its end, Robert can't ignore his growing jealousy. He hates watching Linus disappear from balls to dally with other men. Women are lovely, but Linus rouses feelings he's never felt with another. Unwilling to share his gorgeous friend another night, Robert has a proposition for Linus.

A proposition Linus flatly refuses-but not for the reasons Robert thinks. Still, Robert won't take no for an answer. He sets out to prove a thing or two to his best friend-yet will learn something about the heart himself.

My Musings:

If you have been following my reviews you already know that I love the Brook Street Trilogy.  It’s my favorite new series of the year and I highly recommend them.  Rogue is the final book in the series and I’m a little depressed by that.  I’m not ready to say goodbye yet.

Rogue is the story of Linus and Rob.  They have been best friends for 18 years and have been lovers for a decade.  They don’t have the sweet, romantic relationship the other couples in this series had.  Linus and Rob are friends and buddies more than anything, their sexual relationship has always been a sporadic and minor part of that friendship. 

I liked that this book showed a very different relationship from the previous books.  Rob is what I consider a tough guy.  He is strong and proud, he knows what he wants and he goes after it.  He has always preferred women, Linus is the only exception to that.  Rob is surprised when he realizes that it’s the pursuit of women that’s the real thrill for him, once he has them he gets bored quickly.  The only satisfying sexual relationship he has had in his adult life has been with Linus.  Rob decides that Linus is exactly what he wants and he is going to get him.

Linus accepted many years ago that he preferred men.  He has also accepted that Rob doesn’t feel the same way.  Linus has learned to be satisfied with what Rob can give him.  Linus has centered his life around the friendship with Rob and absolutely will not put their friendship in jeopardy.

The couple and their story drew me in and I couldn’t put this book down.  I read it from start to finish in one evening.   When I finished it I realized that even though I really liked the book I was still a bit disappointed.  I think my disappointment came down to two things.  

1. The book is very short.  I never got to know the characters well and had to draw on my knowledge of them from previous books to fill in the details.  The length of the book made me feel like I was getting a glimpse into their story rather than the entire thing.  Plain and simple, I wanted more. 
2. This is the story of two people that already have an established relationship and are considering taking it to the next level.  That type of story is never a favorite for me.  It’s interesting but it’s missing my favorite part of a romance book, the sexual tension and romantic build up. 

The Brook Street Trilogy is an amazing journey through Regency-era London.  The romances are deep and emotional.  Give this series a try, you won’t regret it.   I’m going to miss these books I’m sad to see the series come to an end.

Ratings:

Overall: 3.5
Sensuality level: 3.25 (love scenes contain anal sex but all encounters are sensual and affectionate)

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Other Reviews:

• Fiction Vixen (B)
• Red Hot Book Reviews (4.5 stars)
• Under the Covers (3 feathers)
• Goodreads (rating as of 5/8/12 3.40 stars)

 


 
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