Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Once a Rogue
SERIES:
AUTHOR: Allie Therin
PUBLISHER: Carina Press
LENGTH: 309 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 22, 2023
BLURB:
Two reformed scoundrels have renounced the battlefields and scandals for one another, but their troubled pasts could destroy everything they hold dear…
New York, 1925
Cranky and jaded Lord Fine—Wesley, now, to the kindhearted lover he cynically doubts life will let him keep—arrives in Manhattan with one goal: find the American paranormals and get their help with the relic burdening Sebastian. His plans are upended when the other paranormals seem to have vanished, and a mysterious letter warns Wesley that he’s in danger.
Sebastian has no doubts when it comes to his feelings for Wesley, but he’s still haunted by the time he spent enthralled by blood magic right here in New York. And now, his magic is unstable, bolstered by a relic that seems to drain energy from his very blood. But there is a threat to Wesley, and Sebastian needs control of his magic to protect him—even if former Great War captain Wesley wants Sebastian to rely on him for a change.
Chasing a trail that leads from Fifth Avenue’s bootleggers to a Halloween masquerade at a Tarrytown mansion, they must race to find their friends before devastation is unleashed on New York—and on magic everywhere.
REVIEW:
Note: This really doesn’t work as a standalone work. The story carries on from the first book in this series and also there is some reference to the events of the Magic in Mahattan series. As such there are major spoilers here for those previous books.
Ah the continuation of the crotchety Lord and the cinnamon roll paranormal 🙂
Lord Wesley Fine and paranormal Sebastian de Leon (along with his brother Mateo, head off to New York after receiving a mysterious message. However, once they arrive, their friends are nowhere to be found. So what was so urgent and yet now they still don’t know what the message means or how to figure it out? They attempt to make contact with Arthur and Rory, but to no avail – they too seem to be “out of town.”
While pondering next steps, Wesley receives a demand for a meeting with his former commanding officer. Hmmmm. And then an anonymous and more ominous message is received and Wesley is warned to beware of the company he’s keeping. Huh? With little to go on and more threatening circumstances, not only does it seem the aren’t going to get any help with the relic that is sapping Sebastian’s health and magic, but there actually seems to be even more danger afoot!
Ok I don’t want to be spoilery on the plot so we will leave it there. Let’s just say that the adventure that these men are on is a roller coaster and the hurtles toward quite the climax 😉
Wesley is determined to continue on in his view without an pesky emotions. Sebastian is still a rose-colored glasses kind of guy. But their feelings are getting deeper as this book continues. Both men also still struggle with their own feelings of being unworthy of love. Sebastian can’t imagine why a man like Wesley would want to stay with someone who is damaged and has done bad things – even though under duress mostly. Wesley knows he’s a cranky man who is no prize and set in his ways. The way they see themselves compared to how the other sees them is what makes their relationship build over the course of this book. There is plenty of banter here also as Wesley and Sebastian work together as they try to find answers and save the day 🙂 I thoroughly enjoyed the story as well as the setting. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Carina
