To truly appreciate this book, you need to have read at least half of the Company of Rogues series books. This is the last one and it brings in every Rogue (all 10 of them) and their women. I read some of the books but they didn't stick in my mind to any great extent so to keep meeting these other characters all the way thru, got boring for me.
The story is definitely different: The hero, who used to be a carefree, fun-loving fellow, is battling an opium addiction. He's close to having it defeated but it takes up a huge part of the book. I still liked him and cheered him on through his nightmare. The heroine, however, struck me as an immature little "nothing". I couldn't see what Dare found at all attractive in Mara. She was meant to be strong and supportive and she tried but for a nineteen year old, she often seemed just that: young, emotional and silly. He really would have been better off paired with a woman his age with world experience.
And not knowing the other stories, if they commented one more time on "the hair", I thought I was going to lose my mind!!!
Anyway - not the most successful Beverley book. I find most of hers are hit or miss.
I just checked My Library and I had read Lady Beware, a spin-off of the Rogues' series featuring Dare's sister, Thea. Sounds like it had its faults as well but the last half of the book made up for the first half. Maybe try that one instead of this one. ( )

This was another of the ROGUE series by Jo Beverley and was entertaining showing how the characters from previous books come together for Mara and Dare. The love story did not seem to be up to par for J beverley but was enjoyable. ( )

Melodramatic romance. I only listened to it because Simon Prebble was reading it. ( )

The story starts off with a bang with Lady Mara St. Bride trying to get into Darius (Dare) Debenham's house, only in her shift and shoeless. Dare rescues her and she decides she has to rescue him from his addiction to repay him and maybe to win him.

Dare and Mara are great characters in and of themselves, there were moments where my credulity was stretched a little but the story kept me reading and kept me interested.

Overall not a bad read and I look forward to reading more in the series. ( )

The last of the Company of Rogues novels. When Lady Mara St. Bride decides to make Dare, Lord Darius Debenham, her husband there is nothing that will stand in her way. Nothing except Dare's own commitment to kick his opium habit, that is. A little too long, slightly too focused on Dare's addiction and with far too few actual love scenes. Mara, however, is a fantastic character. Recommended if you are a Rogues fan. ( )