ARC Review: "Mischief with the Marquis" by Patricia Barletta (Rogues Out of Time #2) ★★★★★
ARC Review: Mischief with the Marquis (Rogues Out of Time #2) by Patricia Barletta
This spicy, intriguing historical time-travel romance features a fake marriage, dashing privateer, an espionage plot and a touch of swashbuckling adventure.Not one person was out. But maybe they watched from behind curtained windows. She slipped her arm around his neck. Despite feeling a bit silly about being carried, she couldn’t deny the pleasant way his chest supported her, nor the strength of his arms.
“Do all husbands tote their new wives around like this?” she asked.
His lips twitched. “Only those who are smitten.”
Maggie couldn’t resist asking, “Are you smitten, Mr. Marquis?” She touched a teasing finger to his chest.
“Definitely.” He turned his head, and she caught the full impact of that gaze. “Would you like to know how smitten I am?”
[Contains some spoilers]
PLOT SUMMARY
Maggie Blake has travelled from her late father’s antique shop in Boston to London to search for her missing sister, Emma. This comes after believing a historical diary written by a woman also named Emma might have something to do with it. At the oak tree in Hyde Park, her pendant starts to glow and a gentleman appears from the past, who claims that the key she is wearing (a gift from her father), belongs to him. As he attempts to reclaim it, they are thrust into 1814.
The man is none other than Simon Herrington, Marquis of Wildford, a privateer falsely accused of piracy who only escaped prison because of Maggie’s pendant. His former mistress Rossalind Hornley stole important documents from the box Maggie’s key unlocks. Now a free man, Simon wants revenge and he needs Maggie’s help.
They strike a deal: they pretend to be married, Maggie helps Simon recover the documents, Simon helps Maggie get back to her own time, and no funny business. Straightforward enough, were it not for the following obstacles: the rival Honourable Agnes Cuthbert who wants Simon for herself; the eerie time-traveller Roger Bowker who wants Maggie’s pendant for himself; slanderous rumours; further threats; and last but by no means least, the way Maggie and Simon are drawn to each other.
“Mr—” she halted, stumped. “What do I call you?”
Amusement lit his eyes. “I should be addressed as ‘my lord.’ Or by my title, Wildford. But I would be delighted if you called me Simon.”
Something made her think that she shouldn’t be calling him by his given name. “How about I call you Mr. Marquis?”
He chuckled. “Quite unusual, but then, you are an unusual lady. And looking splendid, by the way.
OVERALL OPINIONS
ㅤ⏳🔑🏴☠️the introduction🏴☠️🔑⏳
One may need to cool down with a fan or a bath after one reads Mischief with the Marquis (I daresay the clue is in the title). To begin however, brew a cup of tea, find a comfortable spot to enjoy this – and hide both your toes and your paintings (if you know, you know)!
Reader, I may have picked this up without actually realising it was of the time-travel genre, so this discovery was an absolute treat for me. You see, I am an absolute sucker for the genre! Perhaps it’s only natural as a Scotswoman growing up with the likes of Outlander, who also enjoyed Midnight at the Pera Palace and coincidentally just watched Love Across Time from a few years back. If you like any or all of these things, by the way, you will love this.
Patricia Barletta has created a dazzling and unique fake-marriage story with spies, seafaring and sultry sessions that will have you return to your own time changed. Indeed, I am obsessed because it is so rare to find a story about pirates and spies in the one place, and this here contains a delightful combination of the two! Admittedly, I enjoyed this story far more than Book 1 due to the improvement in its pacing: the settings and characters are established quickly, and we are thrust into the main plot with plenty of events happening this time around.
ㅤ⏳🔑🏴☠️the rogue universe🏴☠️🔑⏳
This can be read as a standalone or as part of the Rogues Out of Time series, as events from Book 1 Entangled with the Earl are essentially summarised and explained in the story, except arguably that of the pendants. I personally recommend reading them all for full immersion. I will say one of the small details I liked about reading them in order is the parallel that Emma is reading Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in Book 1, whilst Maggie reads Sense and Sensibility in Book 2. Also,
ㅤ⏳🔑🏴☠️the storytelling🏴☠️🔑⏳
What I love most about Barletta’s storytelling is her matter-of-fact and oftentimes amusing prose, the high stakes, the witty banter, and the delicious chemistry. All made concrete by the very real subject of loss, as Maggie and Simon have both lost family members which connects them.
Not only that, but I am completely hooked on the fascinating and inventive plot about Parker Bowers, an unnerving gentleman from Book 1 able to feel disturbances in the fabric of time. With his pocket watch with many hands and symbols (spooky yet captivating, indeed!), he can traverse through small time jumps and desires to travel further in time through the pendants of the Blake sisters. Every time he shows up, I’m wondering what he will get up to next. The stakes are upped with every new Blake sister’s appearance, and I loved seeing him come more into play with this book. Very, very excellent work!
There was ample amusement to be had turning each page. I looked forward to every charming moment with Simon. Honourable (but not the Honourable Agnes Cuthbert!) mention of the chair scene and of course the scene on the ship because dayum to both. And really, what other story contains a description of someone sitting looking at his “house-guest-thief-counterfeit marchioness-possible witch” at the other end of the dinner table? Hilarious! And the fact the first thing Maggie thinks to do in the 1800s is steal a painting. Love it!
Oh and their little nicknames for each other too: Maggie calls Simon “Mr. Marquis” because she doesn’t want to call him by his first name; Simon calls Maggie “Countess” because of their initial meeting where she dislikes him assuming she is a “Miss” when she could have been married or a countess or duchess, so he calls her this to tease her. Both of these were a great touch, I would have loved for “Countess” to have cropped up more than it did! Their relationship was beautiful and profound, and I adored them ever so much!
ㅤ⏳🔑🏴☠️to conclude🏴☠️🔑⏳
Other than the occasional repetition/pattern in narration, and my thinking Maggie is far too trusting in too many moments, this was a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very much looking forward to Book 3 Dallying with the Duke where I’m sure all three sisters and three pendants will be in play. Triple the danger! Can’t wait for Darcy to step into all the chaos, but for now I am stepping out – and around, checking every oak tree in the hopes of being taken to the 1800s, fare ye well!
<< Positives >>
🠚 Can be read as a standalone
🠚 Combines various scenarios into the one book
🠚 Both amusing and steamy moments
🠚 Covers serious topic of loss and grief
🠚 Intriguing antagonist concept and plot
🠚 Characters linked to other book series
<< Negatives >>
🠚 Missing plot point. The report from Book 1, where Emma reported an intruder to the police, is never mentioned in Book 2. You would have thought this would have been used or to even add tension at the start of the book as Maggie could worry for her.
🠚 Repetition and pattern in narration. Especially the first chapter, Maggie going through motions followed by “but [Emma] wasn’t there” or “but [Emma] never appeared” which loses the emotional side of things.
🠚 Another repetitive thing I noticed was whenever Maggie made out with Simon, he would nearly always grip her derriere. I feel like this could have been altered.
🠚 Narration sometimes felt basic. Especially in the first chapter.
🠚 Maggie is far too trusting of others to be telling her story.
🠚 Maggie telling the duchess her situation in Chapter 16 when she already knows it felt pointless, wasn’t sure why it was repeated.
🠚 Brandon saying if he wasn’t already married to the most “delightful, beautiful” woman, he might have fallen in love with Maggie didn’t sit right with me, considering Maggie is Emma’s sister. I know it was meant to be a compliment to both of them, but really that is just odd and almost disloyal.
FAV QUOTES
• “But if you double-cross me, Miss Maggie Blake, I will hunt you down until I get what is rightfully mine.”
• If nothing else, Miss Maggie Blake would be a challenge. And he liked nothing more than a challenge. Especially with a beautiful woman.
• With difficulty, Simon contained the bubble of laughter that wanted to burst forth. He hadn’t had the urge to laugh in a long time, and he was afraid if he let it go, he would lose control.
• She was stunned at his devilishly handsome looks. While he was dressed as a civilized gentleman, his aura suggested dangerous pirate.
• He felt as if every other kiss he’d shared with other women had been a dull gray, while Maggie’s was all the colors of the rainbow.
• When had he begun to want to please her? The vixen was a thorn in his side. She had his key and wouldn’t return it. She’d tried to steal a painting off his wall. She was not always a perfect lady. She was from the future and would most likely return to her own time. But she was bright and sassy and beautiful. She was sensitive. She made his blood pound through his veins.
• “But it pains me to hear that you must endure foul whispers.” As he trailed his fingers along her jaw, he was gratified to see her lips part. | She swallowed. “Yes, well, I ignored them.” | “Excellent.” He dropped into his own whisper. “Because the only whispers you hear should be pleasant.”
• She felt as if her head was floating about six inches above her body, and her body was filled with cotton. The pirate had just boarded her and plundered her soul.
• Wrapping her arms around him, she gave herself up to his kiss, his touch, his possession. Because she needed this night with him.
• “My darling girl,” she said. “Sometimes, you have to step back in order to see things clearly before you step forward.”
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I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Patricia Barletta, and Reedsy for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
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