A Recipe For A Rogue

TITLE: A Recipe For a Rogue

SERIES: The Beautiful Barringtons #5

AUTHOR: Kathleen Ayers

RATING: 

STEAM: 

THE SYNOPSIS

There are many uses for a good custard. Seduction being one of them.

Rosalind Richardson is in her third season, pleasantly plump and with an unrestrained passion for making tarts. Her dream is to become London’s finest purveyor of desserts and sweets. She’s certain the key to her future is a collection of unique recipes so exquisite, so rare, that her success and her independence is guaranteed. She only needs to find a copy of the cookbook. Marriage, especially to the much older, far too handsome Earl of Torrington would ruin all Rosalind’s plans.  No matter how marvelous he kisses. The earl isn’t only breathtaking to look at, he’s well-versed in the culinary arts. And Torrington owns a copy of the very cookbook Rosalind is desperate to get her hands on.

Soon, Rosalind is being tempted with tortes…and Torrington. Flour and sugar become sensual when whispered in Torrington’s smoky voice. Custard, it seems is meant to be tasted from a man’s fingers. The mere mention of cherries sends Rosalind’s pulse fluttering.

Torrington, unreformed rake, and custard maker is seducing Rosalind…one decadent recipe at a time.  Rosalind might well allow herself to be ruined while learning how to make the perfect cake.  But does Torrington have the recipe to win her heart?

THE HEROINE

Rosalind Richardson has been able to avoid her mother's matchmaking so far, hoping to become a spinster and live out her dream of baking delicious desserts for London.  Her father, who was much older than her mother, died when she was just a little girl, so she has lived with her cousins and her aunt. Her dear uncle, who also had married a much younger bride died recently. She witnessed the absolute grief her mother and her aunt went through at their husbands death and she is terrified to go through that pain herself. So she refuses to get married and therefore fall in love, especially to an older gentleman or be told she cannot have her dream of a bakery! 

I really liked Rosalind and I can understand her fear of falling in love and losing that love too soon. She was so confident regardless of her size and headstrong in her pursuit of opening a bakery. She was honest and said what she wanted, sometimes to a fault, but she was herself!

THE HERO

The Duke of Torrington has been widowed twice, neither time was he love and the second time, his wife was unfaithful and, unbeknownst to him,  was even pregnant when they wed. Neither marriage produced children which was fine until he suddenly inherited the dukedom. He had planned on living the rest of his life as a bachelor, until the dukedom was handed to him and, more importantly, when Rosalind walked into his life. Now, he is obsessed with having her and works relentlessly to break down her barriers towards him and convince her to be his duchess. 

Torrington was so so swoon-worthy! He as so seductive and sexy with his double-meaning comments and his teasing of Rosalind. He was so patient as he wooed her and lead her to come around to the idea of marriage. 

THE PLOT

The romance story between these two was so cute and believable. Torrington, after being married twice, was not planning on ever marrying again, but he fell head over heels in love with Rosalind and wouldn't let up. The banter between them was so adorable and made them both seem relatable with their teasing and reluctance towards each other. I was entertained, laughing and pulling for Torrington the whole book! This might be one of my favorites of the Beautiful Barrington series!

TROPES

Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Gamma Hero, Pugilist/Fighter Hero, Titled Hero, Wealthy Hero, Widowed Hero, Aggressive Heroine, Bluestocking Heroine, Plus Size Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Working Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Desk Steam, Slow Burn, Dirty Talk, Age Gap Romance, Friends to Lovers, Instant Attraction, Marriage of Convenience/Arranged Marriage, Five Star, Three Flame

HistoricalRomance, VictorianEra, GammaHero, Pugilist/FighterHero, TitledHero, WealthyHero, WidowedHero, AggressiveHeroine, BluestockingHeroine, PlusSizeHeroine, VirginHeroine, WorkingHeroine, OutdoorSteam, DeskSteam, SlowBurn, DirtyTalk, AgeGapRomance, FriendstoLovers, InstantAttraction, MarriageofConvenience/ArrangedMarriage, FiveStar, ThreeFlame