Gone with the Rogue

Grey’s talent for characterization elevates the mediocre premise of the second romance in her First Comes Love series (after The Earl Next Door). Widow Julia Fairbright’s tyrannical father-in-law, the hypocritical Duke of Sprogsfield, constantly threatens to take her son away if she does not conform to every rule of proper society. When Julia ends up in the entirely unladylike position of being trapped up a tree while playing with her son in London’s St. James Park, help comes in the unexpected form of Mr. Garrett Stockton, a self-made merchant known for his rakish ways and nonconformist attitude. This memorable meet-cute kindles an intense but risky attraction. But when Garrett agrees to help Julia expose her father-in-law as a villain, his appeal proves too powerful for Julia to resist. Garrett and Julia are far more convincing than the exaggerated, almost cartoonishly evil Duke, and the chemistry and immense respect between them more than makes up for the contrived conflict. Readers will find plenty to hold their attention. (May)