How To Tame A Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist

Genre: Romance

Ally Giordano is a no-nonsense kind of girl. She’s straight-laced and follows all the rules. When she was a teenager, her parents abandoned her for the fun life leaving her behind with her grandmother. Ally gave them ten years to return, but they never did. So, when her 25th birthday arrives, she decides to give herself a whole new life. She quits her teaching job in New York and accepts one in San Francisco. It’s a big move, but she feels she needs to do something to change her life. Unfortunately, it means leaving her beloved grandmother, Granny Donny, behind.

The night before she’s ready to leave New York, Granny Donny is convinced they are living in her favorite 19th century Regency romance novel. Granny Donny is determined to save Ally from spinsterhood. When she meets a handsome Duke, she’s sure this is the perfect man for Ally.

Sam Carson is intrigued by Ally and Granny Donny’s situation and decides to play along and pretend to be a Duke. He’s always been the kind of guy to take a risk and being around the beautiful Ally isn’t exactly a hardship, although her prim and proper ways drive him crazy. He vows to loosen her up, at least a little bit.

Granny begs Ally and Sam to accompany her on a trip to the “country” where she thinks Ally’s parents are staying. Ally is torn between fear for her grandmother’s fantasies and scared of what she might possibly find. Neither Ally or Sam can refuse the wishes of this dear old woman. Along with a driver and a horse-drawn carriage, they make the long four day trek between Brooklyn and Long Island. Granny is thrilled, but Ally is sure she will kill Sam before this journey ends.

Diana Holoquist has created the perfect modern day fairy tale. While it’s set in present time, it shows the parallels of the 21st century and the 19th century in a clever way. Granny is a darling character. Ally and Sam’s chemistry sizzles. This book has it all – romance and even a little mystery thrown in. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I will in the future. Thanks to Anna and Hachette Books for sending this my way.

For reading challenge: Romance Club Reading Challenge