If you’re Regency romance fan and have yet to read a Company of Rogues novel by Jo Beverley, then boy do I have a summer challenge/project for you! The Rogues books are a series of 16 (so far) historical romance novels about a group of tight knit friends who went off to fight the Napoleonic Wars and are now coming back in 1811-1817 to find that they must marry for one reason or another. The books are full of dashing, forward-thinking lords, smart, stubborn ladies, despicable villains, mystery, adventure and of course, swoon-worthy romance.

Jo Beverley was inspired to write historical romance from reading Jane Austen and the great Georgette Heyer, who practically invented the modern historical romance novel. Just like those authors, Beverley creates engaging, complicated characters who somehow find their way to each other despite the ever increasing obstacles in their paths. What I find refreshing is that while there is always a great love scene or two (or three) they’re never the main point of the novel. The plot is always the point. She fills her books with great historical details and doesn’t shy away from the dark parts of the time period: war, economic hardship, revolution, corruption and the limited options and rights of women. Her heroes are haunted by war and mourning the loss of family and friends. The heroines often find themselves forced economically into bad, compromising situations and marriages and must deal with the consequences of that. However, it is always the power of friendship and the loyalty of the Rogues that help our characters save the day and find happiness at last.

So just who are the Rogues? One of my favorite parts of these books is the origin story. Nicholas Delaney, the hero in the first book An Arranged Marriage, formed the Rogues back in his schooldays at Harrow, a notoriously brutal British boarding school. He formed the group of friends as a way to combat bullies and brutish school masters. He picked them not necessarily for their rank or aristocratic title but for their skills. Now these young men have found there way into all parts of society, the military and government and help each other out (as well as other friends and relatives) as much as they can. One of the things you’ll find is that Nicholas is a bit of a busybody as well as being extremely progressive for the era and so he likes to have his fingers in a lot of pies. In addition, to the Rogues books, Beverley writes books about their sisters, friends, army buddies, ex-fiancés all set in the A Company of Rogues world and I’ve included those as well. For more on their backstory check out the author’s website.

* Reading note: I'm listing the books below in order and while each novel essentially builds on the others storywise it is not important to read them in order. It certainly helps with some subplots and character relationships but it is not required. Also note, that some, but not all, of the Rogues (that are alive) will pop up in the subsequent books to check-in and help out. The author also puts in fun Easter eggs that give you clues to how the couples are faring. 

An Arranged Marriage
Nicholas Delaney is busy using his considerable skills with women to seduce secrets out of a notorious French spy when he is asked by his brother, the Earl, to marry Eleanor, a young woman who the Earl has scandalously ruined.  As plots and villains gather around them, Nicholas calls on his old, schoolboy pals "The Company of Rogues" for assistance. *Rogue (e-book) 

An Unwilling Bride (e-book only)
Lucien, the Marquess of Arden and heir to the Duke of Belcraven, has just learned that he's the product of his mother's affair and therefore illegitimate. To make matters worse, his father also had an affair resulting in a daughter named Beth. Now, Lucien's father wants to fix the whole mess by having Lucien marry Beth, a very independently minded schoolteacher raised on the principles of the Rights of Women. It may take a "Company of Rogues" to help them find common ground. *Rogue

A Christmas Angel
Leander, Lord Charrington, is a charming diplomat who has women just falling at his feet. A nice change would be a woman immune to his charms so for a wife he focuses in on Judith Rossiter, the infamous weeping widow of a romantic poet and an impoverished mother of two. This suits Judith just fine as she is not looking for another love match but not for the reasons you think. Of course, trying not to fall in love can be just as hard as trying to fall into it. *Rogue (e-book)

Forbidden (e-book only)
Frances, Lord Middlethorpe, is all set to marry the amiable Lady Anne Peckworth when he runs into a fleeing woman. With the death of her husband, Serena Rivington has been freed from life as an abused sex object only to find that her brother wants to marry her off to another vile man. Penniless and desperate, she goes on the run with Frances only to find that scandal is, once again, forcing her into another unwanted marriage.  However, if they want to stay in society they will have to make the best of it. *Rogue 

Dangerous Joy
Miles Cavanaugh, an Irish lord, wants nothing more than to hunt and ride his horses on his estate when he discovers that he is now the guardian to rebellious, young heiress Felicity Monahan. Felicity, fueled by dangerous secrets, is hell bent on marrying a vile fortune-hunter. She'll get her wish too unless Miles can stop her or they fall in love—whichever comes first. *Rogue (e-book)

Into the Company of Rogues comes a mini-trilogy the Three Heroes, one of whom, Con, is a Rogue. The other two are his childhood best friends and at 16 they all ran off to join the army together. While close with Con, Van and Hawk don't necessarily trust his Harrow buddies.

The Demon's Mistress (e-novella only)
Van, Lord Vandieman, returns from Waterloo to find his estate in ruins and his entire family dead from sickness. Deep in debt, Van is on the verge of suicide when he gets an interesting proposition from Marie Celestin, a wealthy, older widow. She will pay him a small fortune to pretend to be her fiancé for six weeks. That should be just enough time to save his estate, find out what she's hiding and get her into his bed. *Friend of a Rogue

The Dragon's Bride (e-book only)
Con Somerford, Viscount Amleigh, is not happy to have inherited the title of Earl of Wyvern nor the monstrous, Cornwall estate and house that goes with it. He's even less happy when he arrives at the house only to be met by Susan Kerslake pointing a pistol at him. To say they have an unhappy history would be an understatement and Con's PTSD and Susan's secrets are not helping the situation. *Rogue

The Devil's Heiress (e-book only)
Hawk, Maj. George Hawkinville, returns home after Waterloo to learn that his unscrupulous father has gambled away the family estate to gain a peerage, the title of the hated Lord Deveril. The only way to save his beloved home is snare the "Devil's Heiress," the scheming girl who was betrothed to Deveril and inherited his fortune at his death. However, quiet, plain, Clarissa, is not the heiress Hawk imagined she would be. It will take a whole bunch of Rogues to finally sort the whole mess out. This is my favorite book in the entire series. *Friend of a Rogue 

Hazard (e-book only)
Lady Anne Peckworth, the daughter of a Duke, has been jilted TWICE! First by Francis Middlethorpe and next by Con Somerford. The fact that she was less than enthusiastic for either one is besides the point. This polite, amiable woman is now very angry and not looking for a new suitor but she gets one anyway and he is completely unsuitable. Race de Vere, is a mysterious, charismatic man far below Anne's station but he finds himself fascinated by her innate sassiness hidden beneath a cool exterior. Will they gamble everything for love?  *ex-fiancée of a Rogue

St. Raven (e-book only)
Tristan Tregallows, the Duke of St. Raven, is posing as a highwayman to catch the odious Lord Crofton when he stumbles upon Cressida Mandeville who is traveling with the debauched lord. Thinking he is saving her, he spirits her away. Cressida isn't at all happy to be rescued. She is on a quest to retrieve the family jewels hidden away at the house her father lost in a game of cards to Crofton. A house now hosting a scandalous party. With her escort now gone, it's up to St. Raven to help her out. Luckily for her, he's not averse to an orgy. *Friend of friend of a Rogue

Skylark (e-book only)
Sir Stephen Ball, is an MP and while a Rogue, he's been largely kept out of their adventures but now he has one of his own.  Laura Gardeyne is the girl that got away. Six years ago the girl he'd dubbed "Lady Skylark" laughed at his proposal and married the dashing Harry Gardeyne instead.  Now she's a widow and desperately needs Stephen's help keeping her young son safe from her husband's nefarious family. *Rogue

The Rogue's Return (e-book only)
Simon St. Bride has been the missing Rogue for most of the series but now he's back. Turns out he was off in Canada finding his fortune and fighting in the war of 1812. Now it's 1816 and he's ready to return home but not before he gets involved in an ill advised duel (is there ever an advisable one?) and ends up being forced to marry Jane, the woman who's honor he was defending. Now, as they set sail for England, will Simon's family and secrets  from his new wife's past ruin their chances at happiness? *Rogue

To Rescue a Rogue (e-book only)
Still recovering from his wounds taken at Waterloo as well as an addiction to opium, Lord Darius Debenham is haunted by his demons and has lost all his joy for life. When he encounters Mara St. Bride, the sister of one of his oldest friends, roaming the London streets late at night and clothed in only a shift, corset and blanket he, of course, rescues her. Mara is determined to make Dare smile again. She has never backed down from a challenge not even one as stubborn and devilishly sexy as Dare. She's ready to rescue him right back if he'll let her. *Rogue *Sister of a Rogue

Lady Beware (e-book only)
Horatio Cave, the new Viscount Darien, may be a hero of Waterloo but his family has been plagued with scandal, madness and violence. He resolves to rehabilitate that reputation by becoming engaged to a darling of the ton, Lady Thea Debenham. Too bad she's the sister of one his most hated enemies from school and wants nothing to do with him. He proposes a deal: be his fiancée for 6 weeks and he will clear her brother of battlefield cowardice. To help her brother, Thea will do whatever takes even if means spending time with someone as dark, dangerous and sexy as Darien. *Sister of a Rogue

Shocking Delight
At the end of The Dragon's Bride, David Kerslake takes over the title of Earl of Wyvern from his new brother-in-law Con Somerford but that doesn't mean he's given up his role as the smuggling master, Captain Drake. While trying to stay one step ahead of the Preventive Officers he discovers an even bigger problem, the earldom is broke and he needs to find himself a rich (and hopefully clueless) bride. Lucy Potter, may be the daughter of a rich London merchant but she is more interested in matters of trade than finding a husband. One kiss from David, however, and her resolves weakens. David is certainly intrigued by her but being with someone as smart and sharp as Lucy will put his whole life (and those he cares about) at risk. (e-book) *Brother-in-law to a Rogue

Too Dangerous for A Lady
Lady Hermione Merryhew and her chaotic family are on their way to beg for money from a dying relative. Stopped at an inn for the night, she's putting her nephews to sleep when a thief steals into her room seeking refuge—a thief who turns out to be a man from her past. Mark Thayne, Viscount Faringay, a veteran of the wars, is undercover with a violent, revolutionary group when he steals into Hermione's room and unwittingly gets her involved with his mission. He certainly never expected to find the girl that stole his heart and a kiss six years ago. Now to be together they just have to stay alive. Luckily, they have help. Hermione is a sister of a Rogue who perished in the wars and Mark's boss is none other than Maj. George Hawkinville.  (e-book) *Sister of a Rogue *Friend of a Rogue