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    Once More, My Darling Rogue
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    Once More, My Darling Rogue
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    Once More, My Darling Rogue
    Ebook404 pages5 hours

    Once More, My Darling Rogue

    By Lorraine Heath

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    They are England's most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways . . .

    Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can't escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he's not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning, he realizes she doesn't remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she's his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

    While Ophelia might not recall her life before Drake, she has little doubt she belongs with him. The desire she feels for her dark, brooding employer can't be denied, regardless of consequences. So when Ophelia's memory returns, she is devastated by the depth of his betrayal. Now Drake must risk everything to prove she can trust this rogue with her heart once more.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateAug 26, 2014
    ISBN9780062276254
    Author

    Lorraine Heath

    Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals, press releases, articles, and computer code, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she not only became hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She’s been writing about them ever since. Her novels have been recognized with numerous industry awards and have appeared on the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists.

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    Reviews for Once More, My Darling Rogue

    3.5/5

    86 ratings6 reviews

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    • 4/5
      3.7 stars

      Late to the party on this one again and with the wonderful reviews already out there, I'm just going to put up the quotes I liked from the book with a few thoughts.

      “We just don’t know each other very well I suppose.”

      And so begins the story of Drake Darling and Lady Ophelia Lyttleton, two individuals who circle and attack each other because something of the other calls out to them. Ironically, it takes lies and deceit (Drake lies to Ophelia while she has amnesia telling her she is a servant) to start the crumbling of the high thick walls their personal demons have erected.

      “You think what he did is a reflection on you?” Drake asked quietly.

      What drives Ophelia's ice queen persona also takes away her perceived self worth. In the beginning, Ophelia's snooty elitist attitude puts the reader’s sympathies strongly with Drake but as this isn't my first rodeo in romanceland I couldn't help thinking there was something behind her rude actions. There is and it will break all your hearts and along with Drake as we get to know Ophelia more, we begin to understand her more. Drake's handling of the situation and words are so raw and beautiful, he refuses to let Ophelia hide and in doing so helps to wash away the shame she has covered herself in.

      “If you’re going to grace me with a touch, I don’t want you wearing gloves.”
      “I’m not going to touch you, I’m not—” He peeled off her glove, tossed it aside, and returned her palm to his jaw.
      “Much better,” he said, raising his eyes to hers. The desire smoldering in his gaze arrowed straight through her, down to her toes, causing them to curl. And he was right. It was so much better to touch, skin to skin.

      The restrain, repressing, or what have you that had to be observed during this time period is probably why I enjoy reading it so much. The spark of when skin to skin of a simple touch of the hands occurs never fails to disappoint.

      He stroked his thumb over her lower lip. “You can say no at any time and I’ll stop.” He freed the button at her collar. “Anytime you become uncomfortable. Whether it be the releasing of a button, the untying of a ribbon, you need only say no or wait or stop. Your command is mine to obey.” Another button loosened. Another. Another. She didn’t.

      I loved the tension of this couple in the beginning, their weariness of each other. The middle part did get long as "Phee" was a housekeeper trying to housekeep and Drake self flagellated over his lying. If the middle had been edited down about 10% I think it would have kept the pace up in the story. At about the 80% mark I couldn't put the book down as things really started to heat up with the past being revealed and Ophelia regaining her memory. I was on the verge of tears for most of the ending because of the quality of writing and how Ms. Heath brought realism to her characters and their relationship.

      Not a question, but a command. It was his way. As it was hers. One didn’t ask when one thought the answer might be no, although why in the world he would think she wouldn’t marry him was beyond her. “How can you want me knowing all you know about me?” she asked.
      “How can I not?”
      They were no longer dancing, but standing in the midst of dancers with his large gloved hands, his wonderful large, scarred, powerful hands cradling her face as though it were made of the most delicate spun glass.
      “How can you love me knowing what you know of me?” he asked.
      Tears stung her eyes as she smiled. “How can I not?”

      At the start I couldn't wait for Ophelia to get her comeuppance, I anticipated a snarky sassy throw down with Ophelia being humbled at the end. Instead what emerged were two extremely guarded individuals who through a touch of fate and revenge were stripped of their outer shells, creating an ending that was emotionally heartbreaking as it was beautiful.
    • 3/5
      During the first half of the book, I couldn't help but be reminded of the movie Overboard with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. This isn't a bad thing, but it got distracting at times. (There were times, too, when I was reminded of The Princess Bride and those moments were annoying more than distracting. Lady Ophelia is no Buttercup.) With the dark doings that lead to Ophelia winding up in the Thames, the book's overall tone was, at times, too light. Ultimately, I really liked the book, but what could have been a four-star title was hampered by film allusions (whether intentional or not) and a tone that didn't always feel consistent.
    • 4/5
      Oh man, the hero skated some very thin ice in this one.Drake Darling wasn't born into the aristocracy, but he was brought up in it. Given chances others would have envied he also has to deal with the fact that he doesn't quite fit into almost any society any more, too posh for lower classes and too common for the lower class. His adoptive brother marries a woman who is best friends with Lady Ophelia Lyttleton, who snubs him whenever he can, so when he finds that she's the girl he has rescued is her and she has no memory, he can't resist abusing the situation and telling her that she's his housekeeper. And then he finds that he loves the woman she is, he fears that if she regains her memory she will hate him, partially for the lies, partially because she's beginning to like and possibly love him too. The path to the happy ever after was strewn with pitfalls but it was a good path and I enjoyed the read.
    • 3/5
      A little too much suspension of disbelief for me.
    • 3/5
      this is only a preview, no book here
    • 2/5
      Once More, My Darling Rogue
      2 Stars

      Anyone who has seen the move Overboard with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell will recognize the plot of this book. Unfortunately, Heath's version lacks the humor, snark, and charm of the film, which is one of my all-time favorite movies.

      The main problem with the book is the heroine. Ophelia Lyttleton is a selfish, spiteful, and bigotted bitch (and I never use this word lightly). While an explanation is provided for her atrocious words and actions, it does not sufficiently ameliorate her behavior, and it is impossible for the reader to sympathize with her character.

      On the other hand, the hero, Drake Darling, is much more sympathetic. Yes, he lies to and tricks the heroine. However, considering her disgusting treatment of him, he could have justifiably done much worse. In fact, his ability to forgive and accept her is problematic in terms of the romance as she is completely undeserving of his love.

      Overall, this is definitely not one of Heath's better works and I cannot recommend it even to those who prefer reading a series in order. My suggestion is to skip this installment and move directly to the next one.