Wicked Rivals (The League of Rogues Book 4)

This wasn’t the Ashton I came to know in the other books. There WAS that brief moment in the first book when he reacted darkly to a lie Emily told, but otherwise he was the level-headed gentleman of the group. But in this book, he was coldly calculating and ruined a woman then told her he owned her (can I get a throat punch, Amen!) And I was hoping that Rosalind would find a way to stand up to him, but she was just putty in his hands, AND all that undercutting she did to Ashton’s business was really just Waverly’s influence. The author undermined the heroine’s strength by making her a pawn of two men - five if you consider how she let her brothers bully her at the end.But as for Ash’s personality shift, It was a little like losing an old friend, and I had to acquaint myself with a new one. Remember when they switched Darrens in Bewitched? I liked the old Darren. But I suppose now that Ash and Rosalind are married, he will go back to his old self and Rosalind will miraculously be her own woman.At this point, I want to skip over the other books and go straight to Charles’ story who, by the way, I didn’t much like in this book either. He was a bully to Rosalind, as well. Given how chivalrous they were toward Emily, it just grated that they were so callous with Rosalind. Despite my disappointment in Charles, more of the backstory to what forged the Rogues’ bond is revealed, and it is an intriguing hook. Charles is the key to understanding everything.While I love the intrigue, one plot line nags at me. Waverly manages to infiltrate all the households but still can’t seem to have any of his plans come to fruition. He is completely competent and all-knowing when it is convenient to move the plot along, but incompetent so HEAs are realized. It also is strange that he can use other spies to basically be assassins. Does no one from the Home Office notice he diverts spies for his private use? I’m suspending reality because it’s fun, but I hope those points are explained later.

We keep learning more of this vendetta that Hugo has with the league, this man is crazy but that’s another storyAshton the most serious has now found love with Rosalind so we have Charles and Jonathan left, and I feel that Hugo seems to hate Charles and Cedric the most, the rest of this take is getting interesting

What a great addition to a wonderful series. I loved the twists and turns the author gives this book leaving you guessing and trying to work it out. I love the sparks as these two enemies go head to head only entwining themselves more into each other lives. Ashton is a control freak everything must be lined up all T’s crossed etc. When he meets Rosalind who gets in his way for a few business deals things gets very interesting here is where he buys up her debts to be able to see her books. She isn’t happy at all and head out to put the fear of god in him. Things do not go as planned for either of them. They time together is going to be very rocky as they bait each other both are to bullhead and want their way to see what is in front of their face.This was a delightful fun read that had me chuckling as these two went head to head. I love how their little game turned on them as they take a step forward only to take two back. Neither of these two is looking for love for their own reasons. Neither wants to be controlled or told what to do. They see marriage as a trap but before this is done they just might be caught in the game of love.I really liked how the author brings this story together giving you wonderful characters you laugh with and at. The plot is wonderful giving you a highly entertaining read pulling the reader in the author grabs you from the first page. This is a story you don’t want to start to late or you might find yourself up in the wee hours of the morning. You will find yourself chuckling as these two do the dance and attraction and finally love.Volunteered requested a Review copy from NetGalley/Edelweiss /book tour/author/publisher

Lauren Smith’s Wicked Rivals is an engaging, sensual story filled with romance and intrigue. The romantic tension between Lord Ashton Lennox and Lady Rosalind Melbourne has been building during the last two League of Rogues novels. Lord Lennox initiated an encounter between the couple in Her Wicked Proposal and was not amused when Lady Melbourne bested him! I have been waiting to read Ashton’s story - - and it exceeded my expectations!Lord Lennox and Lady Melbourne are fierce business rivals. Rosalind has outmaneuvered Lennox several times during the past few months. Lennox has lost several lucrative shipping contracts to the Scottish widow. Ashton sets a trap for Lady Melbourne when he meets with the heads of five of the largest banks in London. The end result of these meetings is a promise from each banker that Lady Melbourne’s credit will not be extended. Lennox’s friends have bought Lady Melbourne’s loans and he arranges to have the notes payable immediately. Rosalind has no money or credit and Ashton owns everything, including her home.Both Ashton and Lady Melbourne are strong characters. Ashton is a calm, cool entrepreneur who thrives on buying and selling companies and thinks in terms of possessing people and businesses. Rosalind is my favorite heroine in this series. She has survived her father’s cruel treatment, married well and has learned to make her way in the world of business. As a widow, she has more freedom than many women and she treasures it. Rosalind will not be owned by anyone. Lauren Smith has created a unique group of characters who have banded together to fight a common enemy, Hugo Waverley. Waverley’s presence is felt during each of the novels in this series. The reader learns of a new connection between Waverley and a main character. As the story intensifies, the reader learns that Waverley has placed spies within the League households and inner circle. The author provides a subtle clue as to how the reader can identify Waverley’s employees in the next novel. I enjoyed how the author blended the romance between Ashton and Rosalind with this suspense filled storyline. The pacing in Wicked Rivals is superb as each word, each scene leads the reader towards the novel’s stunning conclusion. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

This is the fourth book in Lauren Smith’s wonderfully entertaining League of Rogues series. Three of the rogues have succumbed to the parson’s noose and now the same fate awaits Ashton. Meanwhile their adversary, Hugo Waverly, continues to plot his revenge against the League members.Ashton Lennox has always put his family first and has done everything to care for and protect them. When his father died in scandalous circumstances, leaving the family socially and financially ruined, young Ashton returned home and worked hard to rebuild both the family’s wealth and social standing in society.I admire Ashton for his devotion to his family, particularly as they have never fully appreciated everything he has done, especially his mother. Her reaction was to tell him that his need for money and power made him just like his father. Her cutting words left him hurt and angry and his relationship with his mother has been one of icy coldness from then on and he rarely goes home.Apart from his family, the League is the most important thing in his life. As the oldest member, he feels a duty to protect the other members and is the most cool-headed of them. Ms Smith always writes the camaraderie between these men so well. Despite the witty banter, the close bond that exists is evident to see and, when danger threatens, they will always be there for each other.When it comes to running his business, Ashton is ruthless, controlling and determined. That is how he has built up his wealth.He had learned how to make men do his bidding with a cool stare and an imperious tone.But, for the past several months, a certain Lady Rosalind Melbourne has been outmanoeuvring him on several of his deals. He also suspects that Hugo Waverly is using Rosalind’s companies for some nefarious reason. To find out, he needs to get control of the company’s books and records and so he buys up Rosalind’s debts and arranges for the banks to stop her credit, thus controlling her and her business. However, unaware of the real reason for Ashton’s actions, Rosalind is furious and determined to face him.Anger and panic rippled through her, dueling for dominance. That damned bloody Englishman. She wanted to strangle him, but the truth of her situation was dire. He had full control over her and was toying with her the way a cat would a mouse. Something had to be done.Rosalind grew up with an abusive father and three brothers. Her brothers did their best to protect her from their father’s brutality, but, after one particularly bad beating, she runs away from home. After stumbling into a tavern, she meets the elderly but kind Lord Melbourne who immediately marries her. He teaches her about business strategies and banking and instills in her the confidence and knowledge she needs to successfully run Melbourne, Shelly and Company which she inherits after his death. She is now in control of her own life and enjoys the mental challenges of running the companies. She has no desire to remarry and lose the freedom to choose her own destiny and I could understand why she is so furious with Ashton. She fears losing everything she has strived for and revealing the vulnerability which lies beneath her tough business-like exterior…two reluctant hearts starved for love and yet afraid to grasp at it.At first, Ashton is unwilling to trust Rosalind. She is far too cunning and just as ruthless as he is. Rosalind sees Ashton only as a cold, calculating business man but this does not stop the attraction that simmers between them. I like how their time spent together at Ashton’s estate allows them to view each other in a very different light; to see the real person they hide from the world.Rosalind is surprised by Ashton’s kindness in opening his home to simple farm folk when their homes are burnt down and by her discovery that he can be sweet and playful.This side of him caught her off guard. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined the cool, collected man to be so… playful.I love how, once he discovers the abuse Rosalind suffered, Ashton wants to protect, care for and spoil Rosalind and give her the happiness she deserves. He also finds he enjoys being with an intelligent, free-thinking woman with whom he can enjoy interesting conversations. He had always thought he wanted to marry a woman who was sweet and would bow to his judgement but perhaps…It would be quite a stimulating experience to be married to Rosalind and share his life with her. They could ride, plan business decisions, even take long walks in a pleasant silence together.Look out for the game of “strip” chess when Rosalind gambles not only her future but her clothes too!!There is a point where a Happy Ever After seems imminent but, of course, Ashton’s deception raises its ugly head and Rosalind understandably feels betrayed. To complicate matters further, Rosalind’s burly brothers decide to “rescue” her from Ashton’s clutches but, of course, everything comes right in the end.Hugo Waverly continues to plot his revenge with the help of spies and it was shocking to discover just how close to the League these spies are. For the first time, the League have evidence to expose Waverly but circumstances force them to make a difficult choice.There are many intriguing secondary characters, among them is League member Charles and I think I have an inkling of the identity of his heroine (there again, my guesses have been known to be way off the mark). The Jonathan/Audrey (Cedric’s hellion sister) and the possible Brock (Rosalind’s brother) and Joanna (Ashton’s sister) pairings should prove entertaining. Charles’s servant, Tom Linley, has always been an enigma for me but even more so now, given the disclosures in this book.MY VERDICT: After I’ve finished a book in this series, I always find myself eagerly waiting for the next one. If you enjoy great characters and the right blend of romance, humour and action, then I can recommend this entertaining series.

I love the league of rogues books. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy of Wicked Rivals, although I have purchased one too. I've been waiting to read this since the last book His Wicked Proposal came out.This time, we were hearing Ashton's story, Ashton is one of my favourite league members, so I've been looking forward to hearing his story. In previous books, he had been having more and more trouble with a certain business rival, who just so happens to be a beautiful widow. Taking matters into his own hands, Ashton tries to deal with her, by taking control of her debt. He of course, finds himself handling far more than he bargained for.I did enjoy reading about Ashton and Rosalind and finding their way across that thin line between love and hate. They began to discover that they work far better together than against one another.One of the things that I really love about this series, is that although each story is a stand alone story, they all have bits about the other league members who have appeared in the other books, or who will be appearing in future ones. (I really really want to read Charles' story, to see if I'm right about something, but I think Jonathan's story is going to be next.)I loved this book and was really sad when it finished, couldn't help myself though, had to be a greedy reader and demolish it almost in one sitting. Highly recommended.

4.5 stars - This is what I thought this novel should be marked, almost perfect - I love a strong leading Lady like Rosalind who runs her own company and conquers her male opponents - Ash with his one track mind on business needed a good swift kick from Emily - loved the new characters of Rosalind's brothers - the plot was outstanding with the final decision of what to do with the letter a cliffhanger - Hugo needs to be stopped, though, before he captures more of the women - one of my favorite series I have read

Good enough tale but oh dear where did she buy her map, or maybe Google maps had broken down. Heroine's home is supposed to be in the Highlands but is described as a few miles north of Gretna which is in Scottish Border country. There is also the waistcoat turning to vest and nightgown to nightrail. One minute they were at the London house then suddenly the Lord's estate where he was recovering.As for running baths! The only running that was done then would be the maids and footmen carrying buckets of water from the kitchen.Having read books 1, 2 and 3 I was disappointed and hope for better in book 4.

This is another brilliantly written story in a great series. The plot is full of emotional turmoil and suspense. The characters are wonderfully crafted with the determination and strength to overcome their differences. This book would be brilliant for anybody who loves steamy historical romances.