"There was nothing like a handsome man bossing one about...
even if one hadn't the slightest intention of doing what he said."
Just finished Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot as my first September book and I couldn't be more psyched: a cute young adult historical book turned out to be quite an agreeable choice to welcome this month with.
Victoria and the Rogue follows the story of a sixteen years old Lady Victoria Arbuthnot who is shipped to England to find a husband. In less than three months though, even before she has the chance to set foot in England, she has gotten herself engaged to the handsome ninth earl of Malfrey, Hugo Rothschild.
Having been living with four bachelor uncles her entire life, Vicky is accustomed to meddling in everyone else's business. Her interferences are also very much needed here, Vicky observes, as everything seems so poorly organized. Too bad that there is one person she can't seem to manage. With his teasing, bad mannerism, and low collar points, Vicky finds Captain Jacob Carstairs particularly exasperating, not to mention that he is also very opposed to her engagement with Lord Malfrey.
Victoria and the Rogue gave me the exact same vibes as Nicola and the Viscount did: a naive young girl who got engaged to a terrible person and later found out the truth, a charming young guy who got the role as the nemesis and the hero, and a rather dark twist that took place in the last few chapters.
Even if similar, I did enjoy these two books differently. Albeit I felt like I preferred the story of Nicola a tiny bit more, Victoria and the Rogue felt somewhat more entertaining even if shorter as it revolved mostly around Vicky and Jacob's dynamic relationship. And Jacob Carstairs, might I say, was absolutely swoon-worthy. He was the kind of character that would curl your toes even if it's a teen-lit book and you're a teenager no more.
As a busybody, Vicky's meddling in was quite hilarious to witness. Like the prior I read, this book was also lacking in character development, but I liked how everything seemed to be building up to this one big question: what was left for a busybody like her if everything was already made do and in order? The answer, much to my liking, was fulfilling: (minor spoiler alert!) it's how she eventually found someone who didn't need her, but still wanted her regardless.
In conclusion, Victoria and the Rogue was not the kind of book with detailed world-building or a complex plot. It wouldn't fulfill your thirst for some regency books either. But it certainly was entertainment; something to pick up if you're fancying something light and a bit fluffy. So of course, I would recommend it to you if you're feeling like picking up anything cute.
Actual rating: 3.4★
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