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The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean, book cover

Book 1 of 3 in Scandal & Scoundrel

The Rogue Not Taken

by Sarah MacLean

Spice 4 out of 5, Spicy4/5 · Spicy: Explicit

When she finds herself the target of very public aristocratic scorn, Sophie Talbot does what she must to escape the city and its judgment—she flees on the back of a carriage, vowing never to return to London…or to society. But the carriage isn’t saving her from ruin. It’s filled with it.

The Marquess of Eversley was espied descending a rose trellis—escaping an irate Earl and his once-future countess. No lady is safe from Eversley’s Engagement Ending Escapades!

Kingscote, the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn’t charm, a quality that results in a reputation far worse than the truth, a furious summons home, and a long, boring trip to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the trip becomes anything but boring.

He thinks she’s trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn’t have him if he were the last man on earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, and suddenly opposites are altogether too attractive.

Spice
4/5
Burn
Medium
Pages
~384
Ending
HEA

KU Is it on Kindle Unlimited? Check on Amazon

How spicy is The Rogue Not Taken?

The Rogue Not Taken is a 4 out of 5 on our spice scale: spicy (explicit). Explicit, detailed scenes and several of them. The famous "perfect 4": real plot, real smut. Spice starts around the middle.

  • Steam: Explicit open door
  • Burn: Medium burn
  • When: Spice starts around the middle
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: Third person, dual POV (both leads)
  • Ending: Happily ever after

Content warnings

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Show 4 content warnings
  • Death of a loved one
  • Graphic violence
  • Slut-shaming
  • Pregnancy loss

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    The Rogue Not Taken: quick answers

    How spicy is The Rogue Not Taken?

    The Rogue Not Taken is a 4 out of 5 on our spice scale: spicy (explicit). Explicit, detailed scenes and several of them. The famous "perfect 4": real plot, real smut. Spice starts around the middle.

    Is The Rogue Not Taken a standalone?

    No. The Rogue Not Taken is book 1 of 3 in Scandal & Scoundrel. It is the place to start. The series is complete.

    What tropes are in The Rogue Not Taken?

    The Rogue Not Taken features road trip / vacation, enemies to lovers, victorian. It is a medium burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.

    Does The Rogue Not Taken have content warnings?

    Our notes for The Rogue Not Taken include: death of a loved one, graphic violence, slut-shaming, pregnancy loss. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after The Rogue Not Taken?

    If you loved The Rogue Not Taken, try Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas, Bombshell by Sarah MacLean, Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean. They share its road trip / vacation and enemies to lovers energy at a similar spice level.