Isabel and the Rogue (The Luna Sisters Book 2)
Author: Liana De la Rosa
Publisher: Berkley
American release date: June 4, 2024
Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Multicultural & Interracial Romance/352 pages
Overall Personal
Rating: ★★★★★
A couple of years have passed
since the arrival of the Luna sisters in Great Britain. Ana and Gideon are
happily married, the civil war in the United States is over, but the French are
still harassing the people of Mexico, at the behest of the faux Napoleon who
has wangled his way into power.
Isabel Luna is the middle sister -
the bookish, quiet overlooked sister. The wallflower. Few people ever seem to notice her,
especially when she’s in the company of her far more beautiful sisters. But
that can be an asset, as Isabel discovers. Far from home, and the turmoil that
is taking place there, she has received a request from her sister Ana’s former
fiancé prior to leaving Mexico. He wants her to look for any information she
can find regarding the French and their movements inside of Mexico. She readily
agrees, knowing her parents’ fate is linked to that of the nation through its
president, Juarez. Having entrée to the best homes in society, she is often
invited to their gatherings. Being virtually invisible makes it easy for her to
steal away unnoticed and peek into certain gentlemen’s studies, searching for
whatever she can find.
Captain Sirius Dawson is a veteran
of the Crimea and has a great deal of PTSD to show for it. Guilty for having
survived what many of his men did not, he does what he can to aid their
families as well as those who came back with him. He also has his work with the
Home Office, which is looking into what the French are up to, particularly in
Mexico. He too knows everyone and is invited everywhere. He met Isabel when she
and her sisters took refuge in his home, fleeing from a traitorous nobleman. He
gave her little thought then but suddenly she is on his mind a lot. And he is
watching her. So it is with some surprise that he sees her steal away to what
should be rooms without interest to her, and he follows her.
The second book in the Luna Sister
series is every bit as good as the first. Despite her thinking otherwise,
Isabel is a wonderful protagonist – she is intelligent, witty, beautiful, brave
and very strong. All attributes she comes to realize she possesses in the
course of this book. Her attraction to Sirius Dawson baffles her. Sure, he’s
very good looking, very charming, and very well-spoken. Not to mention they
have similar taste in books. But he is also a rogue, and he goes through women
without a second thought. On the other hand, Lord Westhope is also nice
looking, kind and sweet, and he has a title. So why can’t she feel the same way
about him as she does about Sirius? It would certainly make life easier. Plus,
she feels a little guilty about spying on him, taking advantage of his kind
nature.
Sirius survived the war, but his
wounds are not readily visible, and he carries a great deal of guilt. He is
attracted to Isabel, even as he wonders what she is up to and why he keeps
finding her in the unlikeliest of places. But he also realizes that he doesn’t
see her the same way as the other women in his life and there is the problem –
he can’t treat her the same way. Love’em and leave’em will not do for Isabel. Furthermore, he doesn’t think he is nearly
good enough for her, as he considers himself to be damaged.
Watching these two characters grow
and develop was wonderful. Their blossoming romance is heart-fluttering, and
the sex scenes are hot, hot, hot! I loved every minute of it. And now that the
second sister’s story is done, that just leaves Gabby for a third book. I have
my suspicions as to who her love
interest will be, but I’m not saying. If you want to know, read this book for
yourself. I highly recommend it.
