Liana De la Rosa returns with another beautifully brilliant addition to the Luna Sisters series with Isabel and the Rogue. De la Rosa’s writing becomes even more engaging and gorgeously poetic with every book, making for stories that are impossible to put down once you start. And in her latest release, she gives the wallflowers the kind of love letter that deserves abundant and consistent praise.
Isabel and the Rogue is heartbreaking at times, profoundly warm, and so very spicy in all the right ways. And still, what’s most effortless to appreciate about this series is the rich, enamoring history that De la Rosa weaves into every page. Like the first in the series, Ana María and the Fox, the story isn’t just a romance but a love story of individual characters, purposes, and families. It’s vital to read the Author’s Note here as well because it’s as clear as the night sky, far from a large city, how intricately De la Rosa cares about her characters. Further, the plot is sharply thought-provoking, which, in turn, makes the romance even more rewarding. (Hello, nightmare hurt/comfort? My bread and butter.)
One of the things I often look for in historical romances is the accuracy that I feel we forego a bit in contemporary romances. (I get it. No one wants to read about COVID-19 or the state of our world as it is.) But when we’re looking back at a time that wasn’t ours, it’s refreshing to learn new things and see a diverse viewpoint, which the author invariably provides and through a perspective that’s especially rare in the genre. This is a well-researched, thoughtfully written novel that doesn’t cut corners. The marriage of English customs and Mexican traditions astoundingly retains this breathtaking image that makes these books undeniably compelling.
At the same time, the story does something I desperately hoped it would do by the end, subverting expectations in a time that often caters to the man’s duties instead of the woman’s comforts. For the sake of keeping this review spoiler-free, I’ll refrain from what the said gesture is because I nearly bolted out of my seat from excitement upon realizing it’d happen. In other words, there’s really nothing Captain Sirius Dawson wouldn’t do for his sunshine girl Isabel Luna, and it’s remarkable to see.
That said, Isabel and the Rogue is the type of character study that provides nuance and depth to the overlooked women who aren’t often at the center of attention. In truth, they don’t always want to be. Sometimes, wallflowers are content with the quiet that comes from being unnoticed; other times, it hurts like hell. What we see through Isabel Luna is a woman who’s almost content with both. She’s fiery and warm but also rightfully reserved, carrying far more than she would like while wanting to be seen. It’s warm in how it represents our layers, digging into the pieces that require tremendous vulnerability and strength to explore.
It’s a prominent romance novel that feels believable at every turn, carefully executed to honor all characters while maintaining a tremendously intricate pacing that flows through every word. Nothing feels out of place or off, and the exploration of this world continues to be a massive joy. I said it before, and I’ll say it again: this world belongs on our screens. There’s joy on every page, angst, too, and De la Rosa’s writing style is so stunning that you can’t even choose a quote to highlight. In truth, this is something people might say often, but there honestly is something for everyone. And for the girls who are wallflowers just like Isabel, this book is going to become a timeless comfort read.
Isabel and the Rogue is now available wherever books are sold.
First Featured Image | Book Cover Credit: Liana De la Rosa | ©Berkley