MacLean, S.
(2015). The rogue not taken. New York
City, NY: Avon Books. 978-0-06-237941-2.
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| Amazon. (2017). The rogue not taken. Retrieved from https:// images-na.ssl-images-amazon. com/images/I/51Gh-k5pgUL.jpg |
Summary:
Sophie and her four older sisters are like the
Kardashians of Regency England-- or at least her sisters are. That is until
Sophie, in the surprise of catching her brother-in-law in the bushes as a
garden party with a blonde who was most definitely not her sister, pushes him
into a goldfish pond and calls him a “whore” in front of the ton. In complete embarrassment and shame
at how the aristocrats completely shun her, Sophie tries to make an escape home
with Kingscote “King”, the Marchioness of Eversley and future Duke of Lyne’s
carriage, the rake of society who likes to ruins engagements by tangling in the
sheets with the young ladies. He denies her plea, so she stows away as his
footman. Of course, at the inn the truth comes out: he is not headed to London
and she is not Matthew the footman. Banter, stolen carriage wheels, bullet
wounds in the shoulder, lost love thanks to carriage accidents, mistrusting
fathers, scandalized sisters, and falling in love ensue before Sophie and King
get their happily every after.
As a Genre Example:
Like the Saricks text defines and the module notes
reiterates, The Rogue Not Taken is a
Romance because the love story is the central focus and the two protagonists
get a happily ever after. Additionally, the pace is fast, the tone is evocative
and emotional, I participated in vicarious emotions, the point of view switches
between the male and female leads (although it was first person instead of
third person), there is a misunderstanding thanks to lack of communication
between Sophie and King, and there is a lot of banter and dialogue rather than
emotions. This story would be considered more racy than gentle, but R rated
instead of X rated. Like many other Romance novels, it takes place during the
extended Regency time period (1830’s) and is a crossover with historical
fiction.
Evaluation:
I enjoyed The Rogue
Not Taken for the romp it is. No one reads romances to think deeply about
the human condition or culture, but to escape, and MacLean has provided a good
story of diversion. Sophie is the typical Romance heroine (from my somewhat
limited experience of Romances): she thinks herself plain, unspecial, and
incapable of being adored/beloved/worshipped by a man. King is like many
Romance leads: brooding, has a past where he was wronged in the name of love,
but overcomes it to realize Sophie’s love has healed him of that. The banter
between Sophie and King, though, make it fun and enjoyable for the reader. I
especially enjoyed how often Sophie had to dress like a footman or stableman,
yet keep her silk slippers because the boots don’t fit her. Of course, King is
the only one who truly recognizes her as a woman despite the disguise. I did
not like MacLean’s sickeningly alliterative chapter titles (i.e. “Sleeping
Beauty Wakes; No Nuzzling Necessary” and “Rogue’s Reign of Ravishment
Resurges”). However, in the Author’s Note at the end, MacLean explains that
today’s tabloids inspired her to write this story, so the chapter titles are
like magazine headlines... there to catch the eye and make the audience want to
read. Instead, they made my eyes roll. I would recommend The Rogue Not Taken to other fans of romance. I would definitely
give it an R rating for language and sexy details, so for those who don’t want
that sordidness, they should avoid Sarah MacLean’s books.
Reader's Advisory:
Fans of Romance will definitely like The Rogue Not Taken as it covers many of the typical genre
characteristics. Those who like historical fiction --and don’t mind the sexy
times-- might like this foray into the Romance genre, as well. However, the
emphasis is more on the relationship than on historical details and/or setting.
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