What happens when a reformed rogue emerges from three years of exile with big plans, buried gold, and absolutely no patience for complications? In "The Rogue Returns," one spirited woman and a missing treasure are about to turn Roane's carefully laid schemes upside down in the most delightful way possible.
Title: The Rogue Returns by Leigh LaValle
Publish Date: January 13, 2014
Series: Nottinghamshire Series #3
Genre: Historical Romance, Adventure Romance
Length: 235 pages
Publisher: Heart Bay Publishing
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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My Review
I've been waiting for Roane's story ever since I first met him in The Runaway Countess, Leigh LaValle's debut novel. There's something irresistible about a reformed rogue with a mysterious past, and LaValle delivers exactly the kind of adventure-filled romance that makes this character type so appealing.
When we meet Roane again, he's just returned from three years of exile - his penance paid, his slate supposedly clean. But Roane isn't the type to simply fade into respectable society. He has plans, big ones, and they all center around retrieving the gold he and a friend buried years ago. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Because nothing is ever simple when you mix a determined rogue with a high-spirited woman and missing treasure.
Enter Helen, who turns Roane's well-laid plans completely upside down. What I loved most about their dynamic is how well-matched they are. Helen isn't some wilting flower who needs rescuing - she's spunky, tenacious, and more than capable of holding her own against our charming hero. The banter between them crackles with wit and sexual tension, and their partnership feels genuine rather than forced.
The treasure hunt aspect adds a delightful adventure element that sets this apart from typical historical romances. Following the clues left by Helen's brother creates a perfect framework for throwing our protagonists together in increasingly intimate and dangerous situations. LaValle handles the mystery well, keeping readers guessing while maintaining the romantic tension.
What really makes this work is Roane's character development. This isn't just about a bad boy being tamed by love - it's about a man who's already done the hard work of changing himself, now facing the question of whether he can truly leave his past behind. The internal conflict of wanting both the treasure and the girl, knowing he might have to choose, adds real emotional stakes to the story.
Helen proves to be the perfect heroine for Roane's story. She's brave enough to embark on this treasure hunt, smart enough to be a real partner in solving the mystery, and strong enough to call Roane out when he's being an idiot. Their chemistry is fantastic - the kind that makes you believe these two people are genuinely drawn to each other beyond just physical attraction.
Character Spotlight
Roane is exactly the kind of hero I love - reformed but not completely domesticated, charming but with real depth beneath the surface. His three years of exile have changed him, but not in a way that strips away what made him appealing in the first place. He's still got that roguish charm, but now it's tempered with genuine emotion and purpose.
Helen is a revelation. In a genre where heroines can sometimes feel passive, she's actively driving the plot forward. Her connection to the treasure hunt through her brother gives her real agency in the story, and her personality is vibrant enough to match Roane's larger-than-life presence. The way she handles his attempts at intimidation and manipulation shows both intelligence and spirit.
Adventure & Romance Balance
LaValle strikes an excellent balance between the adventure elements and the romantic development. The treasure hunt provides plenty of opportunities for action and suspense, while also creating the perfect circumstances for our protagonists to get to know each other. The clues and mystery are engaging enough to keep the plot moving without overwhelming the character development.
The humor throughout is particularly well done. The excerpt included here, with Roane's fake spider trick, perfectly captures the playful dynamic between these two characters. It's the kind of scene that makes you smile while also revealing character - Roane's mischievous nature and Helen's combination of bravery and vulnerability.
Series Context
While this is the third book in the Nottinghamshire series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. LaValle provides enough background about Roane's past without bogging down new readers, while giving series fans the payoff they've been waiting for. If you haven't read the earlier books, you won't be lost, but you might find yourself wanting to go back and discover how this all began.
The series continues to showcase LaValle's talent for creating believable characters with real depth. Her historical details feel authentic without being overwhelming, and her understanding of what makes a compelling romance shines through in every interaction between her protagonists.
LaValle's Writing Style
One of the things I appreciate most about LaValle's writing is how she creates characters that feel real and multidimensional. Roane isn't just a cardboard cutout bad boy, and Helen isn't just a feisty heroine - they're fully realized people with genuine motivations and believable flaws. The dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity, making their interactions a joy to read.
The historical setting feels lived-in rather than researched, if that makes sense. LaValle doesn't hit you over the head with period details, but the world feels authentic and immersive. The adventure elements are well-plotted and exciting without becoming so dominant that they overshadow the romance.
About That Spider Scene...
The excerpt included in this post perfectly captures what makes this book so entertaining. Roane's fake spider trick is pure mischief, but it also serves to show us both characters' personalities. Helen's initial bravado, her very human reaction to the (non-existent) spider, and her quick recovery all tell us volumes about who she is. Meanwhile, Roane's delight in teasing her, followed by his genuine concern about her ability to survive in the wilderness, shows both his playful nature and his growing feelings for her.
It's exactly the kind of scene that makes historical romance fun - light-hearted without being silly, romantic without being saccharine, and revealing of character while still entertaining. The fact that Helen gets the last word ("Watch me.") shows this isn't going to be a one-sided dynamic, which is exactly what I want in a romance.
Themes
Redemption and Second Chances: Roane's journey from exile back to society explores whether people can truly change and deserve fresh starts.
Partnership vs. Independence: Both characters are used to relying on themselves, making their growing partnership all the more meaningful.
Adventure and Discovery: The treasure hunt serves as both literal and metaphorical journey of discovery.
Trust and Vulnerability: Learning to trust someone else with your heart (and your treasure hunt) requires real courage.
My Final Thoughts
The Rogue Returns delivers exactly what I hoped for from Roane's story - adventure, romance, humor, and genuine emotional depth. LaValle has created a hero worth waiting for and paired him with a heroine who can match him step for step. The treasure hunt plot provides the perfect framework for their romance to develop, while the question of whether Roane will choose love over his long-held plans adds real emotional stakes.
This is historical romance at its most entertaining - smart, funny, adventurous, and deeply romantic. Whether you're new to the series or have been waiting for Roane's story like I have, this book delivers on all fronts.
Join the Conversation
Have you read the Nottinghamshire series? What do you think about reformed rogues as heroes? And can we talk about how perfect that spider scene is for showing character dynamics? I love when authors can pack so much personality and chemistry into one small interaction! 💕
More from the Nottinghamshire Series
- The Runaway Countess #1 - Where we first met Roane My Review
- The Misbehaving Marquess #2 My Review
- The Rogue Returns #3 (This book)
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About Leigh LaValle
Leigh LaValle is the author of the Nottinghamshire series, beginning with her debut novel The Runaway Countess. She creates historical romances filled with adventure, humor, and unforgettable characters. Her writing combines authentic historical detail with engaging plots and genuine emotional depth.
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