I always tell my son, who is a supremely kind young man, that the world is often unkind to kind people. It’s a defense mechanism I’m trying to install because kindness is an incredibly important trait, and one that seems to be waning. So I deeply enjoyed Rogue Most Wanted, Janna MacGregor’s latest Cavensham Heiresses romance. The most recent Cavensham to fall is Lord William, a good son and loving friend who is devoted to his family’s estate, but overly protective of the heart that was broken a decade ago.
Will is a sexy, capable, nice beta guy who gets the girl for exactly those reasons. Lady Theodora Worth has an appropriate name, as she’s been raised by her grandfather on remote family lands and prioritizes things like caring for her tenants and being a good person over being the most fashionable, sought-after woman in society. One of the biggest annoyances for me in historical romance is the monotony of storylines concerning life in the Ton—of being graceful and solicitous and flirty, but not too graceful or solicitous or flirty. Thea’s earnest authenticity makes her an extremely compelling heroine. And Will’s genuine fondness of and friendship with Thea before their relationship blooms into romance is refreshing.
Rogue Most Wanted draws parallels to the modern dating and social scene as well. The snide meanness of chapter-opening quotes from gossip rag The Midnight Cryer evoke the cyber bullying on current social media. And MacGregor shines a light on the unfairness women faced in not being able to inherit family lands and wealth because of their gender, and the necessity to marry—even a stranger—to keep what should rightfully be theirs. Fortunately, Thea falls in love, quite easily, with Will, whose family that is amazingly likable and supportive and dependable (especially rare in historical romance novels). And for all Will’s pragmatism, he’s a lovable romantic deep down: “When we find love it’s completely, decidedly, and forever.” Who wouldn’t want that, in any era?
