Review on Tea and Tomes 
 The Marquess of Bourne, Michael, loses everything but his title in a hand of cards at 21-years-old. He spends the next decade hell bent on getting it all back. When his lost land shows up in his childhood friend Penelope's dowry, it seems like an easy solution. Penelope has not forgotten Bourne, and after years of disappointment following a broken engagement, she welcomes the adventure. And yet, it's fair to say both get more than they bargain for. 
 Despite knowing Sarah MacLean was a historical romance heavyweight, I had not read her before. I can only blame my local library who does not stock MacLean, and fed me most of the romance authors I keep up with today, like MacLean's peers Julia Quinn and Amanda Quick. I decided to give A Rogue By Any Other Name a shot thanks to recommendations on BookRiot (which I adore) by Rebecca Schinsky and Amanda Nelson. It was worth it. 
 First, it's been entirely too long since I read a historical romance in a gaming hell. I know I read one in high school, though I can't remember the title. I do know that I did not properly appreciate it at the time. MacLean hits a lot of the marks I enjoy in a historical romance. There's a strong female protagonist that can hold her own. There's sexy banter and wit. The characters evolve and bring out the best in each other, but not in a trite and sickening way. They are surrounded by an interesting world, in this case the gaming hell. I love a romance author that does not shirk on characters and world, but also does not take things too seriously, helping to ensure we don't enter the realm of melodrama. MacLean offers the right touches of humor and levity. Pudding plays a significant role this go-around. I'm excited to continue the series and see more of the gaming hell, the interesting characters, and who knows, maybe pudding will make a comeback. 
 Like with most romance novels, I had to suspend my disbelief a little here. The thing I had the most trouble with was Bourne's decade long anger and plots of revenge to get back all he'd lost as the gaming table, even as he is simultaneously doing the same to others during that decade. Additionally, while he was gamed into betting basically everything he had, only to lose it, he was still the one betting. He knew the risks. He seems a little more aware of this at the end of the novel, when it can be used as a "I'm not good enough for Penelope" barrier. 
 With most romance novels the journey is what's important. We know generally how it will end, otherwise we've been betrayed in the genre. I go to romance novels looking for happy endings. It's comforting to know it will be there. And it's fun to see how the author gets us to that point. Oddly enough, in a time where erotica is growing by leaps and bounds, I find myself not as compelled by the hot and heavy scenes as what surrounds them. Knowing those scenes are there helps give the novel an extra spark. It ups the stakes a bit, but I am invested in the characters more than their lives in the bedroom. If you're looking for a fun, compelling novel with spark, especially if you're willing to leave reality for a bit, A Rogue by Any Other Name is a fun diversion.