The Secret Lover (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 6)

This was such a fabulous story! From a previous Rouges novel "The Ruthless Charmer" you would have been introduced to our heroine, Lord Kettering's youngest sister, Sophia Dane. Even if you had not read the earlier novel, you would very easily be able to pick up this book and with the prologue, surmise Sophia's earlier years and the scandal that had surrounded her eight years prior to the setting of this story. Shipped off to, France, from the scrutiny of London's haute ton, Sophia had led a quiet existence, never calling attention to herself, living quietly and healing herself, both physically and mentally. She has spent the last seven years as the companion to the widow and very eccentric Lady Honorine Fortier accompanying her on her travels through Europe.The journey Sophia took as the companion to Lady Honorine was exceptional, but for Sophia the trip back to London, would be the most eventful so far - the haute ton had long memories, especially where the scandal Sophie had caused was so great! For Sophie, years earlier, rocked the ton by first eloping with what turned out to be a beast of man, then obtaining a parliamentary divorce - unheard of by those of the upper class!Her family supported Sophie in her introduction back into the ton events and had hopes of her being accepted, especially when a very desirable widower Lord Trevor Hamilton started paying her marked attention. The old Sophie would have been thrilled at Trevor's marked attention, but the new older and wiser Sophie had a niggling suspicion that all was not what it seemed. Trevor had never given her a second look back in the old days, and now, practically a social pariah he is going out of his way to court her? Trying to step back Sophie had found a quiet place that restored her soul - and it was in this setting that she met the man who would become quite dear to her. Caleb Hamilton, half illegitimate brother to Trevor - shunned by the ton for the fact of his base born birth, yet in him Sophia found a kindred spirit and soul mate. As her relationship with Caleb grew, Trevor became more insistent in his pursuit. Naturally, Sophie's family was intent upon restoring her to respectability and brought pressure to have her accept the suit of Lord Trevor.It was absolutely inspiring to see Sophie's growth. No longer the frightened young girl, but a woman who would stand on her own two feet and make choices that were hers alone to make - not for the sake of propriety, not for the sake of her family whom she loved dearly, but for herself. This was indeed a true love story. Wonderfully heart warming and thrilling - and may I say, that the sensuality was just `over the top'! Reading this you will just fall in love with Sophie and Caleb both - they are just so RIGHT for one another. You will stand up and cheer for Sophie taking a stand against the the ton and family members who continually tried to make decisions for her. You will absolutely love Lady Honorine who is just a wond

This book is the most purely romantic I have ever read and I have read many. The love is what makes this book. The sex is sensual and wonderful between the two lovers. ... It actually makes you cry it is so poignant. I have read it over and over again. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in romance and it is not your typical romance story. The ones where man meets woman and they have wild sex and find they cannot live without each other. ...

This is the best book I have read by this author, and thank you Ms. London for telling us Sophie's story. I just found the entire book believable and funny and touching. Sophie is Julian Dane's youngest sister, who got a divorce after a horrible abusive marriage. This is the story of her evolution as a person and as a woman, and who better to be her mate than another "lost soul", Caleb. This is a romance novel, yes, but also one about personal growth and redemption.I have to admit to being a bit hardened and cynical, but the last paragraph was so sweet that I cried. It made me want to raise a glass of champagne to Sophie and Caleb, "May you meet forever at your pond!"

The first 40 pages are rather slow but Ms. London is such a gifted writer it is still hard to put the book aside. Once Caleb comes on the scene things pick up. This is a heart-breaking storyline in many ways and the secondary characters are vividly portrayed to great detail. It is probably one of the more powerful stories of love and second chances and redemption.(The House of Gentle Men by Kathy Hepinstall is another remarkable story that you will never forget.)It's a pleasure to read all of Ms. London's books. There is nothing frivolous or wimpering about her writing style and her ability to tell a whopping good story. You can see why she doesn't spew these books out as fast as some other authors do. Her work is very well crafted and her characters are carefully drawn out. The sex is pretty good, too.However, I also hated the Epilogue. Don't read it.

Ms. London, well known in the romance genre for her popular series, Rogues of Regent Street, acquaints readers with Sophie Dane, the younger sister of a former rogue, Julian Dane. The year is 1836, when Sophie elopes with Sir William Stanwood, unaware that he would physically abuse her. Eight years later, Sophie has survived a scandalous divorce and is a traveling companion to Honorine Fortier, a free-spirited French-woman with whom she has traveled the globe. But to Sophie's dismay, Honorine wishes to journey to London where Sophie must relive her sordid past and face the members of the ton. Spending her London days in a nearby park, Sophie spies an attractive man across the pond. As he soon becomes aware of her studying him, the two societal outcasts become friends before they become lovers. He just happens to be Caleb Hamilton, the illegitimate son of Will Hamilton, father of Trevor, Sophie's apparent suitor. While Sophie attempts to discover the nature of Trevor's attraction to her, he does everything possible to prevent Caleb from having any contact with their ailing father. Adding substance to the plot is Honorine's interest in Will and her ability to aid his recovery from a seizure disorder. But as the affair between Sophie and Caleb progresses, Caleb becomes reluctant to keep theirs a secret relationship. Will Sophie succumb to familial pressure to marry Trevor, the legitimate heir, or follow her heart before Caleb is lost to her forever? Ms. London has created protagonists who stand apart in the romance genre with a very profound love found in a relationship both believable and enviable. The elements of romantic tension are sufficient to thicken the novel's plot without creating so much strife as to detract from the read. And the supporting characters are especially colorful, from the free-spirited Honorine to her traveling companions, Fabrice and Roland. In the sub-genre of historical romance, Ms. London is one of the very best.