Book Review: Rogues (Brook Street #3) by Ava March

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: May 7, 2012
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
82 Pages

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.

WARNING: THIS BOOK CONTAINS MATERIAL UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18. 

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Review:

I really, really liked this book! The entire series was very enjoyable. 

Rogues is the third and final book in the Brook Street Trilogy. With as much as I loved the first two books, I was worried that the finale would not live up to the prequels. My doubt was in vain, Rogues did not disappoint!

The second book is still my favorite, but this one was wonderful as well. It had a great, realistic plot and characters that you could really fall in love with. In book two, I loathed the character Linus Radcliffe, but he really stepped up to the plate in this novel. He turned out to be a sweet, emotion-filled character unlike the ogre I had perceived him as. His love interest, Mr. Robert Anderson, was also very sweet and a misguided man. To read as they realized their feelings, deepest desires and hopes for the future, I couldn't help but to swoon!

The writing is just as good as in the previous novels. It's very simple, but not in a way that will make you hit your head against a wall. Ms. March writes the story as if painting a picture. The imagery is wonderful and she has a real knack for creating beloved characters. I had no real problems with this book, it just wasn't my favorite. I couldn't point out anything wrong, but nothing was. The author is a phenomenal storyteller.

The book wasn't as angst-ridden as I had hoped after reading the blurb, but I enjoyed it none the less. In fact, I again couldn't put the book down. Every time I planned to stop, something drew me back in. I ended up reading this very quickly (not a big surprise with my reading habits) and was sad to see it end.

I'm pretty sure I stated this in my review of book two, but I love cameo appearances. And there were a couple mentions of past characters, but I was surprised to find a specific couple played a large role in this book. I didn't remember reading them before, but I thought it was odd that Ms. March would bring them up and not give them a story. Then I discovered that it is the very beginning to the entire Brook Street Trilogy. Their story is the prequel to the series, also known as "Brook Street #0.5." So while I am sad to be finished with Ben, Cavin, Oscar, Julian, Linus and Rob, I'm happy I'll have one more story to read!

I have only read three of Ava March's stories, all of them from the same series, but if they are anywhere as near as wonderful as this series was, I will definitely have an interest in them!

I received an e-copy of this novel from the publisher through Netgalley for my honest opinion and review.

Book Review: Fortune Hunter (Brook Street #2) by Ava March

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date:
Publisher: Carina Press
125 Pages

London, 1822 .... Impoverished Julian Parker returns to London with one goal: marry an heiress. He'll do whatever it takes, even if it means denying his desire for men. After all, with a fortune comes happiness and social acceptance—which have eluded Julian his entire life.

The only things a vast fortune has brought Oscar Woodhaven are greedy relatives and loneliness. At twenty-one years of age, he has everything a man could possibly want—except someone to love him. When he meets devastatingly handsome Julian Parker, he believes his luck has turned.

Between Oscar's lavish gifts and their searing hot nights, Julian is caught between what he thinks he needs and what his heart truly desires. But when a betrayal threatens to tear them apart, Julian discovers he'll do whatever it takes to convince Oscar the greatest fortune of all is love.

WARNING: THIS BOOK CONTAINS MATERIAL UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18. 

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Review:

Brook Street: Fortune Hunter is a cute story that fits in well as a sequel in the Brook Street series.

Oscar Woodhaven has money. And he has a lot of it. That's all his family sees in him. He lives alone after his father and mother died, leaving him without siblings. Julian Parker has just returned from America to find a wealthy wife. He's ashamed of being poor. Julian also has no family, but in his case, he received no wealth only a bad reputation.

I love these characters! They are so sweet. Oscar is definitely my favorite. He's not only sweet, but shy and sincere. I want to snuggle him and then put him in my pocket. Oscar is seriously so adorable. He brings out the best in Julian and really only wants to take care of him. Julian is a bit selfish, but with the way the author writes him and his backstory, you can understand why he is being selfish. He wants to prove that he can be somebody by marrying a rich woman. It may not officially be his money, but it will prove that he is not his father or his grandfather. It's very sad.

The minor characters in this book are frustrating. I didn't like Anderson, or Radcliffe. In fact, I kind of loathed them. Especially Radcliffe. It was cool that the author included character from the last book though. I missed Benjamin and Cavin, and it was nice seeing the little we did of them in this book. 

The novel moves at a quick, but steady pace. It's a very easy book to read. I read it in one sitting. It's simple and has a new plot line that I haven't read before. That made it all the more enjoyable.

The plot is interesting. It was able to keep my attention until the very end. Plus, it has some angst, which I love. Love isn't easy or perfect and novels like this put that into perspective, because while they aren't easy or perfect, they are worth it for the outcome. I was rooting for the two men in this story from the very beginning though. All you want is for them to be happy together.

It wasn't a perfect story, but it was really enjoyable. The gay men are somewhat typical for their time, but I was happy that there wasn't immediate love between the two. When they meet at a ball, they find each other attractive, but no deep feelings are mentioned. It's a relief after the last Gay & Lesbian novel that I read.

This is one of the most well-written Gay & Lesbian romances that I've read in the past two months. I've been disappointed repeatedly and this book made me realize why I love this genre! I can't wait to read book three. I'm sure it'll be just as wonderful as the first two.

I received and e-copy of this novel from the publisher through Netgalley for my honest opinion and review.