[Review] The Writer and the Rogue by Lydia Drake

   

Title: The Writer and the Rogue
Series: Debutantes of London Series, Book 2 (Interconnected Standalone)
Author: Lydia Drake
Genre: historical romance
Format: eBook 
Publication Date: April 14, 2025
Published By: Entangled Publishing, Amara       
Source: NetGalley (ARC)

Synopsis from Publisher

Desperate times call for drastic measures…and Miss Caroline Devereux is most certainly desperate. Her spendthrift father’s been gambling away every spare shilling, racking up debts, selling off their family’s coveted objets d’art, and bringing them to the edge of ruin. Up until now, she’s been able to stave off the creditors—and afford luxuries like tea—by penning sensational Gothic tales. But they’re out of time, and Caroline must play the one card she has left.

The Earl of Rockford cannot believe that any young lady would dare to blackmail him. Not only has she threatened to expose the darkest secrets of his family and destroy their name, but she’s done it all in an attempt to…marry him? And damned if he isn’t secretly delighted by her spirit. But first, Miss Caroline has a lesson to learn about who she’s dealing with…

No one warned Caroline that the handsome, wealthy earl she intends to marry isn’t remotely the gentleman she expected. Because the “Rogue of Whitechapel” isn’t about to go down without a fight…and the first to fall in love will be the first one to lose.

About Lydia Drake

Lydia Drake is a reader of all things romance and a drinker of all things tea. A New Jersey resident, her favorite activities include taking the train to New York City, scouring used bookstores, spending time with her family and wrangling her hyperactive cockapoo puppy. Cinderella and the Duke is her debut novel.

My Thoughts:

This one was a fun surprise!

The Writer and the Rogue is exactly the kind of historical romance I reach for when I want something light, witty, and just a bit rebellious. It’s got all the elements I enjoy—banter, a rogue with a mysterious past, and a heroine who is completely done with society’s expectations.

Our heroine is an aspiring writer who wants nothing to do with the ton or its silly rules. I loved how headstrong she was—smart, opinionated, and unwilling to play the part everyone expected of her.

She was made of ink and steel, it seemed.

The hero, meanwhile, is charming in that rogueish way that could have easily been cliché but somehow worked. Their interactions were full of tension, flirtation, and just enough vulnerability to keep me invested.

The banter sparkled in places, and the romantic tension had me turning pages to see how it would all play out. I also appreciated that while the story stayed relatively light, it still gave the characters emotional depth—especially toward the end, where things came together in a mostly satisfying way.

That said, it wasn’t perfect. The pacing in the middle sagged just a touch, and a few of the plot twists were fairly predictable. The third act breakup was annoyingly typical of these kinds of books.

But honestly? I still had a great time with this one. It was engaging, entertaining, and just the right kind of escape. I’ll definitely read more from Lydia Drake, especially if she keeps giving us strong heroines and swoony rogues. In fact, this is actually the second book in a series of interconnected standalones. I plan on going back to reach book one, The Duchess and the Wolf.

The Pros:

• Engaging Banter: The chemistry between the leads comes alive through clever, snappy dialogue.

• Strong Female and Male Leads: A headstrong, relatable heroine who refuses to conform makes the story feel refreshing, and an observant, kind, and caring, yet mysterious and daring male lead.

• Fun and Accessible Read: The book strikes a nice balance between romance, humor, and a hint of emotional depth—perfect for fans of feel-good historical romances.

The Cons:

• Slight Mid-Book Lag: The pacing slows a bit in the middle before picking up again toward the end.
  
  
• Some Predictability: A few of the plot beats follow expected romance tropes without much surprise and the third act breakup is predictably annoying.
  
  
• Language: The language throughout the story is predominantly very good, however, there are times when the word choice took me completely out of the story as it did not fit.

Final Thoughts:

If you're in the mood for a light, romantic escape with a touch of sass and a heroine who knows her worth, The Writer and the Rogue is a solid pick. It’s not without its flaws, but the charm, chemistry, and breezy writing make it an enjoyable read. Perfect for fans of Regency romance who don’t mind a familiar trope or two when they’re delivered with heart.

Rating:

Overall, using my rating system, this book is a 3.75 out of 5, but I rounded up to a 4 Super Splatters out of 5 because I am in love with Gabriel.