Road Trip with a Rogue

Her Majesty’s Rebels #3

by Kate Bateman

Mistakenly holding up the coach of the man who broke her heart is bad enough, but having to endure his sinfully alluring company all the way to Scotland is Daisy Hamilton’s worst nightmare . . . and her most secret desire.

A midnight mishap.

Daisy Hamilton’s new mission for King & Co., London's premier private investigation firm, is simple: stop heiress Violetta Brand from eloping. But her case is derailed when she mistakenly holds up the carriage of Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford—cynical war hero, infamous libertine, and the very man who broke her heart five years ago.

A reluctant road trip.

Lucien’s determined to see his lovestruck nephew married to Miss Brand, but the unexpected appearance of Daisy— the one woman he’s never been able to forget—could ruin his plans. As they follow the runaway couple together, Lucien decides that delaying the headstrong Daisy by any means possible—including seduction—will be his absolute pleasure . . . and hers.

A dangerous desire.

After Daisy’s reputation is threatened, Lucien makes a scandalous claim, but when an unexpected enemy threatens her life, he realizes she’s the only woman for him. Their past encounters have made Daisy almost as jaded about love as Lucien himself, and it’s going to take action, not words, to convince this knife-wielding hellion to risk her heart on him again...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Road Trip, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Second Chance

328 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 29, 2025

About the author

Also writes as K.C. Bateman

Reviews

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point I’m starting every review of a Kate Bateman book with “wow that was a book written by Kate Bateman!” which sounds so incredibly obvious but it’s its own genre in my brain at this point.

The hero will always fall first in such a way that the heroine will never believe it if he comes out and says it straight so he’ll spend the entire book trying to convince her ~slowly (but surely) so she doesn’t bolt. There’s a perfect scene where Daisy wants to know what it’s like to bed a man who’s in love with her and Lucien’s kinda like 🤨

The grand gesture paled a bit in comparison to book one’s, so I finished this book completely ~whelmed. It was good, but not my favorite and was perhaps just a bit too sweet or nice for my current tastes. Lucien was thankfully a bit grittier than most heroes I’ve been reading lately, but he still didn’t necessarily surprise me.

I’m craving Big Emotions at the moment and unfortunately this didn’t quite do it for me, but it was still rather wonderful. If you’re looking for a low-angst road trip moment, this will be perfect for you.

Also I really love the clinch on the cover. A+

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5

*Probs closer to 3/5 pepper I was just a tad unaffected by the end.


I received an eARC from the publishers. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: almost immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after for the mains
Epilogue: Not labeled as such but the last chapter wraps things up
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I LOVE Kate Bateman. I will read all her books!
Mains: Lucien William Deveraux Vaughan (Duke of Cranford) and Daisy (Dorothea) Hamilton – This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

Should I read in order?
The romance stands alone, but Daisy does have some page time in the prior books of the series (it’s minimal and not necessary to enjoy this book but I do think the series is great (though I missed book 1) and you should read them all!)

Basic plot:
Daisy is ready to work on a case for King and Co. when she runs into an annoying member of her past...

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency – 1817
- London to Gretna Green setting
- Marquis / Duke hero
- former soldier hero
- second chance – they shared a kiss in the past
- enemies to lovers – from her side
- road trip
- heroine has a sweet tooth
- one bed – and he refuses to sleep on the floor
- migraine rep – heroine
- medium steam – 3 full scenes

Ages:
- heroine is 23, hero is 28 or 29

First line:
Daisy Hamilton had been looking forward to her first highway robbery, but someone had beaten her to it.

My thoughts:
Oh my gawd, you all, I am an absolute FOOL for Vaughan. I seriously found him and this whole book utterly delightful and fun and steamy and sweet and just perfection.

I had so many quotes I was swooning over and just ate up so many of these lines. This is the kind of romance I just love – character focused, but working together on something...a playful hero and a heroine that gives it right back. Very, very fun read. Bateman has become one of my favorite authors.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 9
Average rating from me: 4.67
Favorite book: This is too hard. Like I really don’t know if I can pick a favorite. I really loved this one. But I also really loved A Wicked Game. And I remember adoring How to Fall for a Scoundrel too. I’ll have to reread all 3 and compare….

Quotes any typos are my own! I am bad with typos, I apologize


A primitive flash of satisfaction swept through him at having her in his clutches, but Lucien ignored it.
---
He dragged his mouth from hers and pressed a row of searing kisses down her throat.
“Another man wouldn’t stop.” The words were breathed against the top curve of her breast. He sounded dreamy, almost as if he was talking to himself. He kissed his way back up the other side of her neck.
“They wouldn’t resist such temptation.” He kissed her jaw, the corner of her mouth.
And then his fingers tightened on her skull and his lips stilled, just resting against hers. She was panting with arousal, his chest against hers.
“They would ruin you,” he growled, a vibration so deep she felt it right through her body. “And it would feel so fucking good.”
---
His hand slid to her throat again, and her pulse pounded against his fingertips as he increase the pressure just enough to impress upon her his utter control. And her helplessness.
“You are at my mercy.”
---
Lucien watched helplessly as she closed her eyes and groaned as the first taste of the creamy dessert touched her tongue.
His cock hardened instantly.
She withdrew the spoon, pulling it slowly between her lips, and he tightened his grip on his wineglass. Bloody woman. The worst thing was, she wasn’t even doing it deliberately. She had no inkling of the way she made his blood heat. Or if she did, she didn’t care. He couldn’t decide which would be worse.
“You like desserts?” God, his voice sounded like he’d been eating gravel.
---
“Shall we say eight o’clock?”
“That’s an ungodly hour.”
She sent him a look full of mock-sympathy. “You poor thing. Have you ever exerted yourself to get out of bed before noon?”
He pinned her with a hot, direct look that immediately banished the teasing amusement from her face. “Only with the strongest of incentives,” he drawled. “Staying in my bed is usually a far more inviting prospect.”
---
“You said you were the only man in the house, apart from my brothers, who wouldn’t fuck me.” The crude word felt strange in her mouth.
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.”
It was suddenly hard to breath, as if all the air in the carriage had been sucked out. The rain drummed against the windowpanes.
“I wanted you,” he said darkly. “More than my next breath.”
---
She threw out her arms to break her fall, and gave a strangled cry of horror as she tumbled onto the floor right between Vaughan’s parted thighs.
Her right hand landed just above his left knee, while her left hand clutched his other thigh, mere inches from his groin. Her cheeks flamed as his muscles shifted beneath her hand. She tried to rear back, but he’d reached out to catch her, too; his long fingers were gripping her upper arms, holding her in place.
Her breath hitched as she realized their faces were only inches apart. And that his lips were curving into a smile of unholy delight.
“Flinging yourself at me, Hamilton?” he chuckled. “How delightful.”
---
Vaughan gave a curt ducal nod, and Daisy refused to be impressed by the effortless way he ascended the stairs as if she weighed no more than a feather. The fingers of his right hand were beneath her armpit, outrageously close to the swell of her breast.
She pressed her nose to the soft wool of his jacket and allowed her self on small, illicit sniff. God, his scent made her toes curl. Perhaps she could steal something of his before they parted ways? As a memento.
---
“A sleeping potion. Ellie makes it. It contains laudanum, amongst other things.”
His brows rose, but he looked more amused than annoyed. “Were you hoping to leave me here and go after the runaways on your own?”
“No. We’ve already agreed that would be a stupid idea.”
“Ah, so you were trying to render me insensible to have your wicked way with me.” There was laughter in his tone. “That’s rather unsporting. I do like to be conscious when women make scandalous advances.”
---
His eyes met hers. “I won’t touch you, Hamilton.”
She started to exhale, just as he added, “Not until you ask nicely.”
His lazy grin was thoroughly obnoxious.
---
Lucien stared deep into the fire and concentrated on regulating his breathing. His blood was thrumming in his temples, his cock still aching with arousal, and the infuriating cause of it all was fast asleep in the bed behind him.
---
“It makes me want to kiss you.” He leaned forward, into the blade, accepting the sting so their lips were almost touching.
“I’ll cut you.” she warned, even as her body tingled with anticipation.
His warm breath skated over her lips. “Worth it.”
He closed the distance before she could disagree. His lips pressed hers, hard and warm, and for a split second she let herself melt into the kiss.
And then he moved like lightning. One moment he was kissing her, the next, she was flat on her back, his fingers pinning both her wrists to the bed, his hard body on top of hers.
---
“I’ve imagined it. What we’d be like together.”
His eyes darkened. His lips parted as if he would speak, but she didn’t give him the chance. “I’ve thought about what would have happened if you hadn’t stopped, that night in your study.”
He leaned in, closing the distance between them. “And what was your conclusion?” His voice was low, almost a growl, and the sound made her knees weak.
“I think it would have bee good.”
“’Good’?” He spat the word as if it was an insult, but his lips curved up. “As in, average? Vaguely pleasant? A way to pass the time?”
He caught the front of her shirt in his fist, as if he were about to shake her, and Daisy’s heart pounded in dark delight as he pulled her up onto her toes. Yes! She wanted him frustrated and irritated too.
“I think I can do better than ‘good.’” His breath brushed her lips and her stomach somersaulted.
“Prove it.”
His eyes narrowed into threatening slits. “Don’t say things you don’t mean. I’m in no mood to play games.”
---
“It’s good to see you. I didn’t think you’d -”
“Come for you?” he finished. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he glared down at her, as if mortally offended. “I’ll always come for you, Daisy.”
---
“A scientific study?” he growled. “For comparison?”
She licked her lips and his hungry gaze followed the move. “Exactly.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, as if she’d said something to annoy him, but his expression was pure wickedness as he loomed over her. “Oh, sweetheart, I am more than happy to oblige. Your room, or mine?”
---
“The problem with this little experiment of yours, Daisy, is that you’re not going to find any difference between me, and a man who’s desperately in love with you.”




Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.


- remembrances of war and death
- death and gun violence on page
- parental death
- hero has some remembrances of war and Waterloo including burns on his hand and forearm.
- mention of childbirth death
- kidnapping of the heroine, knife
- mention of rape (by stepfather), pregnancy, and death of a side character

Author content warnings? Didn’t see anything mentioned (I always encourage you to check author’s websites, since Amazon penalizes authors for certain content warning words in their novels)


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: He pulls out until the epilogue when they decide they want to try for children
How’s the consent? It’s good
Pregnancy/children in story? No but they talk of possibly wanting future children
Chapter 5 (10%) – kiss (in the past, remembered)
Chapter 17 (35%) – kiss (brief)
Chapter 22 (40%) – 🔥kisses, oral for her at the inn, missionary
Just when she was about to demand that he push aside the silk and kiss her skin, he placed his hands on her thighs, spread them open, and sank to his knees.
Chapter 23 (46%) – 🔥desk sex
”You were wearing wicked dress, that night,” he murmured. “I wanted to eat you up.”
He slid the chemise off her shoulder and pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, following it with a gentle bite that sent a jolt of heat curling through her bloodstream. Daisy gripped the edge of the desk, determined not to show how desperate she was for him.
“I wanted to kill every man who looked at you.” He pushed the silk down, exposing her breasts to the firelight, and she sucked in a breath as he took one into his mouth.
Chapter 38 (80%) – 🔥 bj (incomplete), missionary

“I think a man who loved you would stare deeply into your eyes.” He did exactly that as he slide between her thighs and his cock teased the entrance to her body. “He’d watch your face as he pushed himself inside you to see if he was pleasing you. Because pleasing you would be his favorite thing to do.”
Chapter 47 (99%) – a brief scene
Total chapters: 47


Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs


Full break down on what my ratings above mean here:
Overall: How I felt about it everything considered!
Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.)
Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?)
Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story?
Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch.
Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective.
Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgement (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions
Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (5) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio!
Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)


Find me
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Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, historical romance novel. It has a likable, bold female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, an engaging mission, witty banter, supportive friends, sizzling chemistry, a heartwarming romance and a gratifying conclusion. This is the third entry in Kate Bateman's outstanding Her Majesty's Rebels series, and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, Ms. Bateman, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.

[Sandra Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

ROAD TRIP WITH A ROGUE is the third and final book in
the Her Majesty's Rebels series featuring three women operating a private investigation firm, King & Co., in London. Daisy Hamilton embarks on a mission to stop a young heiress from eloping. Pretending to be a highwayman, Daisy holds up a coach only to find it's occupied by Lucien Vaughan, a Duke, war hero and a rogue--one who broke her heart five years ago. Daisy has no idea that the eloping groom is Lucien's nephew, and he's determined to thwart her plan and see the happy couple married. With that in mind, Lucien talks Daisy into joining forces with him to catch the couple. She has no idea he's carried a torch for her all these years and will use any means to get closer to her. As they embark on a dangerous journey, the biggest threat may be to their hearts.

Author Kate Bateman excels at crafting historical romance books featuring spicy chemistry, steamy banter, stubborn heroines and to die for bad boy heroes. Daisy and Lucien's story sizzles from cover to cover, but it's also filled with laughable scenes that make it a delight to read. While this is book three, it does standalone with sufficient background information; however, I highly recommend reading the first two books - partly for the character development that occurs, but mostly for the fun reading experience. ROAD TRIP WITH A ROGUE is everything I love about historical romance where the hero falls first, and the heroine refuses to see what's right in front of her eyes. Fans of historical romance and romcoms will adore this one!
Thanks to St. Martins Press for a complimentary arc of this title for review. Opinions expressed are my own. This book releases July 29, 2025. My review is available at Cross My Heart Reviews.

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've actually never been one to read straight-up bodice rippers? But this was fantastic and I really actually enjoyed the plot! I wasn't expecting to as much as I did, and there was definitely some spice to it - however I think I also enjoyed that our heroine wasn't just a damsel in distress. A fun take on historical romance and def plan onreading more by the author!

🌶️🌶️🌶️ - It's pretty spicy! Multiple open-door scenes.

**Thank you to St. Martin's Paperbacks for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel coming soon!!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wait with great anticipation for the release of a new Kate Bateman book. I love her light touch and sexy encounters. I read for entertainment, not to be preached at like a lot of HR writers are prone to doing lately. I want a story to take me away and let me live in the fantasy, for a little while at least. Life was tough for women in the 1800's and that was reality. This story blends both the reality and the fantasy into a wonderful plot that had me both hating and loving the heroine. Our rogue hero was steadfast throughout, and sexy as all get out.

Daisy Hamilton and her childhood friends, Ellie and Tess, are doing business as King and Company, a discreet private investigation business. Since the three are members of the ton, they keep their activities on the downlow as women doing business is frowned upon. Daisy's current assignment is to stop a runaway heiress from eloping to Gretna Green. Thinking she is stopping Violetta Brand's carriage, Daisy comes face to face with the man who broke her heart years ago only to end up his reluctant companion on her race to stop the runaways.

Lucian Vaughan, Duke of Cranford, is on the road north to make sure his nephew doesn't make a hash of his elopement. His encounter with Daisy was not in his plans. She is the face that got him through the worst times of the war and the face and body that haunt his dreams. He has been studiously avoiding her since his return and now fate has dumped her in his lap, literally. What's a rogue to do, but to take full advantage of the situation.

It's a long way to Scotland and the pithy repartee and smoldering gazes erupt in fiery passion. Even though Daisy keeps telling herself that this is just the encounter to purge herself of Lucian once and for all - it doesn't quite work out that way. But Daisy, if she contemplates marriage at all, wants a love match and Lucian, to her mind, is not love match material. Of that, she is certain. But long days and even longer passion filled nights, while sating her desire, don't change her mind where Lucian is concerned.

Being discovered, unchaperoned, has the potential to ruin Daisy and that is something Lucian will not allow to happen. He makes the supreme sacrifice for her honor, but Daisy is not impressed. She can't seem to see that this man, in deeds if not words, is in love with her.

My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Road Trip with a Rogue is the third book in Kate Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels series, following a friend group of private investigators (the heroines of the other books in the series). Daisy is the pants-wearing, blade-wielder of the group and headed to Gretna Green for their latest case of stopping an 18-year old heiress from marriage. She ends up traveling with Lucien, a Duke who has his own reasons for following the couple who is eloping…

I had so much fun reading this one. I love Kate Bateman historicals and this was a fun one. All the road trip goodness and stopping at inns, sharing a room/bed/etc. The forced proximity was great and they have known one another for a while cause he’s friends with her brother and they had an almost moment years ago. This was good and fun. Not one of my all time favs by the author, but such a solid new historical romance release that I’d definitely recommend at the same time.

I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 17th books by Kate Bateman. I really love her writing. Sex is hotly written. Her stories are long, very detailed and not typical ton books. More intrigue, suspense, spies, etc. Stories are a bit heavier read. Intricate detailing but not over a bunch of nonsense. I loved book 1 and 2 in this series.

I loved this book. I loved Daisy and Lucien. I loved their story and their personalities. Their chemistry was amazing and sex was super hot. I loved the adventure of this story. I loved that Daisy was so fierce, strong and independent. I loved Lucien's don't give a shit attitude but was really caring to those he loved. Just a great overall read. Adding to my favorite reads list for August, 2025.

[K.C. Bateman]

I can't wait for you all to fall in love with Daisy and Lucien in Road Trip With A Rogue!
If you like banter, highwaymen, only one bed, forced proximity, two idiots who love fighting as foreplay, and SO MUCH YEARNING, then absolutely read this book because you’re going to LOVE IT.

Tropes: Secret Crush, Enemies-to-Lovers, Road Trip, Forced Proximity, Only One Bed, Only one horse,
Second Chance, Touch her and die, brother’s best friend.

As with all my books, it can be read as a standalone, although if you've read the other two books in the 'Her Majesty's Rebels Series' you'll love the cameo appearances by Tess and Ellie and their husbands.

Here are some links:
👉Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ddU8Me
👉Apple: https://books.apple.com/.../road-trip...
👉B&N: https://bit.ly/RoadTripWithARogueBN
👉Google Play: https://bit.ly/RoadTripWIthARogueGPA
👉Kobo: https://bit.ly/RoadTripWithARogueKoboA
👉Universal link: https://books2read.com/RoadTripWithAR...


And here's a little snippet of one of my favorite conversations between the three ladies of King & Co:

Ellie wrinkled her nose. “Wait a minute. Can someone explain to me why marriage to Lucien Vaughan—Duke of Cranford, handsome as sin, rich as Croesus—is unsatisfactory? I’ll admit he’s tall, dark, and terrifying, and known to shoot people at the slightest provocation, but I’ve never heard of him mistreating a woman. Far from it. He has the reputation for keeping women extremely satisfied. At least until he gets bored and leaves them. What happened? You say he seduced you. Was it a disaster?”

“A complete disaster,” Daisy admitted. “But not in the way you mean. It was a disaster in the sense that I hoped it would banish the ghost of him from my foolish brain. I thought one night with him would prove that he was nothing special.”

“Ah.” Tess managed to imbue the single syllable with a world of meaning.

Daisy sighed. “I thought it would work in the same way as those inoculations invented by Dr. Jenner. If I deliberately infected myself with a small dose of the disease—Vaughan, in this case—I’d be able to fight off a much more serious case in the future. But I was wrong. I didn’t make myself immune. All I did was give myself a full-blown case of him. He’s all I can think about. All I want. I am infected, and the worst of it is, I don’t think it’s simply a case of incurable lust. I have all sorts of other complicated feelings about him.”

Tess and Ellie were both regarding her with fascinated, rapt expressions.

“What other sort of feelings?” Tess asked tentatively.

“I like him. Even though he’s an absolute monster.” Daisy shook her head, disgusted with herself.

“He fought for me, risked his life for me. Cared for me when I was ill. He was kind.”

Ellie frowned. “Well, that’s not fair. It’s bad enough him looking like he does, and being all brooding and masterful, but if he’s secretly nice beneath all that sarcasm, how were you supposed to resist?”

“Everything conspired against me,” Daisy wailed. “There was only one bed. Only one horse. He bathed in front of me, for heaven’s sake.”

“Oh, bloody hell,” Tess muttered. “Baths are notoriously dangerous. There’s not much he could do to make you change your opinion now either. Maybe if he went about kicking dogs, or assaulting his staff?”

“He doesn’t,” Daisy said dismally. “His staff all dote on him, and so does his nephew. And he’s kind to animals. He refused to let the carriage horses be overworked, or travel at night, and I saw him give the crust of his pie to one of the dogs in the yard at the White Horse.”

“He did lie to you all the way to Gretna,” Tess rallied.

“But then he proposed to save her reputation,” Ellie countered. “That was very noble.”

“Exactly!” Daisy cried. “He only offered out of duty. He doesn’t want me, except physically. If we marry, it will be nothing but a marriage of convenience, and after my mother’s experience, I always said I’d only marry for love. And he doesn’t love me.”

“It sounds as if you’re already halfway there, though,” Ellie said bluntly. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Daisy gave a heartfelt groan. “Ugh. Yes. I am. Not that the idiot deserves it. He’s arrogant and overbearing and positively riddled with flaws. It’s not fair.”

“Love isn’t fair,” Tess said with a grin. “It’s inconvenient and disruptive, but life would be very dull without it. People were moaning about it a thousand years ago, and they’ll be moaning about it a thousand years from now.”


Have you added it to your Goodreads "TO READ" list yet? Please do!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Road Trip with a Rogue by Kate Bateman
Her Majesty’s Rebels series #3. Historical romance. Second chance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Daisy Hamilton is hired to stop an elopement but ends up stopping the carriage of the Duke of Cranford, Lucien Vaughan. Worse luck, he’s the man who broke her heart years ago. They end up traveling to Scotland together and reigniting their passion for each other. Daisy is part of the Ton and could be ruined if anyone finds them traveling together. Do they part ways or figure something else out?

I want to say “oh these modern women and their jobs” but this takes place before cars and computers and mobile phones so not so modern. Owning the investigation agency cpupd be a problem but they worked that out in the prior story. Unfortunately women and men are not held to the same standards, then or now. Daisy and Lucien figure it out. They can’t resist each other and become lovers. Their feelings didn’t go away. It’s time to take a stand.

Smart, passionate and engaging. Strong women. Heroic men. Passion they cannot deny. What more do you need in a romance?

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Missy]

That cover! 😍😍😍

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third friend in the King & Co trio gets her happily ever after!

Daisy is the knife-wielding, pants-wearing member of the investigative group called King and Co. She's after a young woman who has run away to elope and accidently stops the wrong carriage outside of London. Instead, she finds a friend of her brothers, Lucien Vaughn, who she kissed five years ago at a party. She's thought of him ever since, but is convinced that he's moved on to seduce and sleep with many. That last part is true, but Lucien has always thought of Daisy.

Their road trip to Gretna Green has detours and bumps along the way, but the story is only halfway done when they catch up to the daughter of Daisy's client. There's a kidnapping, a stay at Lucien's country home, a return to London, and a ball as a finale. There's a lot packed into this book! It's quite a ride!

One note: About halfway through, Daisy has a migraine and Lucien has to help her through it. Daisy's behavior is so realistic (down to pressing on one eye socket) that I assume Kate Bateman is a migraine sufferer herself. Cheers to a good representation there!


Reviews are for readers. I received an advanced copy on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolute perfection.

I've enjoyed this series from the start, but this one is the best one of the three. And yes, I do realize that I said the same about book 2.

I love love loved Daisy and Lucien. They're both smart and sarcastic and loyal. The two of them have chemistry for days and the flirting is disguised as animosity. I loved reading them banter about, while he threatens marriage and she threatens stabbing. Of course it was fun seeing the previous couples and how the ladies love champion each other.

Plot wise, it was a damn delight. There's only one carriage, one room, one horse, one bath. They were together for most of the story and while the banter was exceptional, the way that they listened to each other and had honesty was one of the best parts. Of course, I could have read 100 more pages, but the last few chapters nearly had me kicking my feet in the air.

Overall, I think it's pretty clear that I loved this book with a sickness. I can't wait to binge this series.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good road trip romance and Kate Bateman knocked this one out of the park! It was a truly delightful read. I particularly loved Daisy and her spirited personality but I was completely captivated by Lucien! He was just so very charming. Their chemistry and witty banter kept me thoroughly engaged.

Right from the beginning Daisy and Lucien are forced into some interesting situations of proximity and I couldn't have loved that more. The spice was amazing and I enjoyed their passionate relationship. This book was fun and fast-paced. I didn't want to put it down! The only slight problem with it was the miscommunications. They were a bit frustrating at times. Overall this was a fantastic ending to a wonderful historical romance series. I'm a little sad to be saying goodbye to these characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. A fun conclusion to a fun series. Daisy and Lucien had fire chemistry and were a great fit for each other. Daisy was just a bit too obtuse towards the end, which hampered my enjoyment. Great banter, great spice, a fun road trip. It was a good time. Can’t wait for Bateman’s next series!

Thank you to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the ARC!

[book bruin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - 3 stars

I had high hopes for this one, but sadly it didn’t completely work. The book started off promising and I felt invested in Lucien and Daisy and their road trip shenanigans. I loved that Daisy wasn’t some damsel in distress virgin. She was intelligent, brave, and wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. The banter between her and Lucien was wonderful and I really enjoyed their back and forth. Unfortunately, by the halfway point, the story started to slow as the focus shifted more to an idiots to lovers/miscommunication situation. The book started to drag and having them not realize the truth/continue to misunderstand each other lasted for way too long. I liked that the main conflict wasn’t a “real” conflict and that there wasn’t a break up or anything, but it was also annoying because it could have all been avoided if they just told each other how they felt. I had to really push myself to finish this one, which is a shame because I normally really enjoy Bateman’s books.

*I voluntarily read a review copy of this book*

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 in the series, outstanding! Love this entire series. All fun, steamy, creative!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a book! It's a miracle! But this was a perfect slump buster. Bateman is so, so reliable for me, and I mean that in the best way possible. I always have a really good time reading her books, and this was no different.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars ✨

[Cristina]

Note to self: 5 year separation, both with OP. Neither are Vs.

[Heather | Nerdy By Nature Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

As one-third of the private investigating firm King & Co, Daisy Hamilton is used to going on dangerous missions, but her latest should be simple enough: stop a young heiress from eloping. Daisy's plan is foolproof. She'll pretend to be a highwayman, hold up the coach, and bring back the wayward lovers before the night is through. But when she mistakenly holds up the wrong coach, Daisy comes face-to-face with the one man she never wanted to lay eyes on again.

Not only is Lucien Vaughan a Duke, war hero, and one of the most eligible bachelors of the ton, he's also the man who broke Daisy's heart five years ago when he kissed her and promptly dismissed her. Lucien is hellbent on seeing his love-struck nephew marry the woman of his dreams and is determined to foil Daisy's plan as they follow the couple. He's not above a bit of seduction if that's what it takes, but Lucien has carried a secret torch for Daisy for years, and when it seems she may feel the same, Lucien realizes it'll take more than pretty words to win her over.

I say this after every Bateman book, but she really can't miss. This series has been very fun, and I loved getting to know our characters more. Daisy is my kind of FMC. She's feisty, scrappy, and a smidge stubborn. She's the type who's more likely to stab you than kiss you, and it made for such a fun dynamic between her and Lucien. The banter between them was so entertaining. I loved watching them push each other's buttons and rile each other up. I liked how protective Lucien was of Daisy, but knew when to step back because she could take care of herself. The plot turns into a marriage of convenience, which I wasn't expecting, but I'll never say no to. Daisy's refusal to see what was right in front of her when it came to Lucien's feelings got a little frustrating, but I enjoyed how it all worked out.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It was me who succumbed to your wicked charms. You’ve compromised me shamelessly.”


✨The Vibe:
Enemies-to-lovers road trip + historical romance + a dash of criminal mischief = a wickedly fun escape.

📖The Plot:
Daisy Hamilton (don’t call her Dorothea) is on a mission to stop a scandalous elopement. Lucien, the twelfth Duke of Cranford, is determined to make sure it happens. Naturally, they end up on the road together. Cue the banter, the tension, the sizzling slow-burn. They clash, they connect, and they end up somewhere neither of them expected: in love.

✔️What I Loved:
Kate Bateman’s writing pulls you in from page one—no dragging intros, no wasted words.
Vivid but not flowery descriptions. The balance is just right.
This book moves. I finished it in under 24h—that’s always a sign.
Romance + a hint of crime.
Daisy is fiery and determined. Lucien is sarcastic, indulgent, and a little too charming. Together? Magic.
Characters feel human—flawed, relatable, and lowkey obsessed with crème brûlée (same, Daisy).
Loved the subtle nods to real-life struggles—like migraines—woven into the story.
Feminist undertones in a historical romance? Yes, please! Strong women, strong voices, strong story.

➖Minor Gripes:
The ending dragged a tiny bit—her inner debate went on longer than needed.
Three books in this series? Not enough.

❓Should You Read It?
Absolutely—especially if you’re into:
-witty banter,
-historical spice,
-rebellious women,
-brooding dukes,
-and just the right amount of drama.

📚It reads fine as a standalone, but trust me—reading the first two will make this even juicier.

📍Final Thoughts:
Kate Bateman nailed it again. Road Trip with a Rogue is fun, fast-paced, and full of heart. A perfect mix of romance, humor, and action. Fans of Her Majesty’s Rebels or Ruthless Rivals will feel right at home.

📗Thanks to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for the ARC!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here craving crème brûlée and re-reading their best arguments.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Would travel with this rogue again.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy Hamilton is on a mission for King & Co, the private investigation firm, to stop heiress Violet Brand from eloping. Wearing breeches and brandishing a pistol, she's prepared to act the highwayman and stop the carriage, only the occupant of the carriage is none other than Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford, the irritating man for whom Daisy has carried a torch for years. Lucien convinces Daisy to let him join her on the mission, even though he has two ulterior motives unbeknownst to Daisy: 1) he has encouraged Violet and Peregrine (his nephew) to elope and wants their journey to Gretna Green to be successful and 2) he's been in love with Daisy for years and wants to take advantage of time he can use to seduce her.

I loved this book. Give me a road trip adventure where things happen other than just going from one place to another. The time spent in the carriage together helps forge a friendship, and the time spent at inns along the way, well, you can imagine what glorious things happen when two people who are madly attracted to one another can admit that they want each other physically, but can't yet bridge that emotional divide. Better yet, Bateman avoids the trap of instalust because Lucien and Daisy have *history*. She also does a good job demonstrating how people change in five years, and what core elements of a person can stay the same.

Lucien Vaughan is the type of alpha hero that works really well for me in a book published in 2025. He wants to be in charge, but is willing to compromise for the sake of the woman he's fallen madly in love with. Because he's in love with Daisy before the outset of the story, and she doesn't know, but we readers do, their dynamic is fun to watch. Daisy is spirited and spunky, which makes sense for her upbringing as the natural yet recognized as legitimate daughter of a duke whose mother ran off with an Italian. The way Bateman crafts these characters gives the book almost an old-school romance feel without any of the cringe factor that can turn off a reader in 2025.

Bonus content for me specifically, this book features three microtropes I love: Lucien bungles multiple marriage proposals before finally nailing it, he calls Daisy by her last name, Hamilton, for the bulk of the book, and Daisy is a non-virgin heroine. For others, there's a tender scene where Lucien cares for Daisy when she has a migraine.

I'm really glad I caved to peer pressure and picked up this book. I did not like the first book in this series (it spent too much time emphasizing physical virginity for my taste), and did not read the second book. While the characters from the first two books are a part of the latter half of this one, you can safely read this as a standalone.

Thank you to St Martin's Press for an eARC. Road Trip with a Rogue is out 7/29/25.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy Hamilton, one third of King & Co., a private investigation firm so exclusive they have a five star review from Queen Charlotte on Yelp, is on her latest mission: foiling a Gretna Green elopement. She'll just dress as a highwayman, hold up the carriage, and voila! One elopement nipped in the bud. There is only one problem...someone else is holding up her target...which also happens to not actually be her target...

Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford, is not only irritated to find that highwaymen have curtailed his journey, but a highwaywoman is in the mix. Oh wait. He knows this highwaywoman. It's the one he has been mooning over for more than five years since one ill-fated kiss rocked his world. When he finds out she was attempting to stop his nephew's carriage, the very same nephew he cannot wait to get out of his hair, he is resigned to accompany her on her pursuit. If by accompany you mean delay.

Everything was going...well...pretty ok until a mutual acquaintance, who also happens to be the biggest gossip in the kingdom, spots Daisy and Lucien unchaperoned and Lucien decides to announce that said acquaintance had stumbled upon *their* engagement/elopement/marriage situation thing. Oops.

Kate Bateman heard "STAND AND DELIVER!" and was like "Ok, sure! Here's another banger!" I have loved Her Majesty's Rebels, but I think Road Trip with a Rogue is my favorite installment yet. There is definitely something about historical girl gangs that does it for me, but NOTHING hits the mark like a truly pathetic man with a degree in yearnalism from the School of Babygirls at Jamie Fraser University. I love heroes like Lucien who can sorta kinda play it cool, but are absolutely wrecked inside. Daisy kept yappin' about how neat it would be for someone to love her, and our man was UNWELL. Ugh. I love that for her. For him. For me. And on top of it all, you get what has to be one of my top five marriage proposals of all time. I wanted to squeal and kick my feet, but unfortunately I was wrapping this book up on a public transit commute and had to try my best to rein it in.

Road Trip with a Rogue was an absolute delight to read and contains everything you can expect in a Bateman novel: exquisite banter, MCs getting themselves into absolutely bonkers scenarios, and truly swoony romance. Oh did I mention there's a steamy intimate scene that is chapters (PLURAL) long? Hook, line, and sinker.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Nikki (awallflowerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This book sucked me in from the start, and I think this largely had to do with Daisy and Lucien as characters. Their dynamic is hot and banter-y from the start and they continue to butt heads even after they follow through on their attraction. While that alone made this book a good time, their depths and connection really made this stick. The stakes feel the right kind of high here: the first half of the novel is just a fun road trip to Gretna that turns into an angst-filled and slightly-dangerous time. Our leads face a wonderful blend of ridiculously bad luck mixed with some ill-timed and ill-equipped villains.

While I often times wanted to shake Daisy for her stubbornness, I truly loved how this story played out. Those last few chapters could have been boring, but the author kept me invested until the last page wanting to see our leads get their HEA. And honestly, Lucien knocked it out of the park at every corner. He's such a solid hero and definitely going down as swoony book boyfriend for many. He continued to show up for Daisy in the exact way she needed him, and his willingness to adjust (while not totally bend) was great. She wouldn't have wanted a total push-over, and he was the perfect match for her rebellious tendencies.

Would highly recommend for those that enjoy a road trip romance, burning tension that's been sizzling for years, and a loving, supportive girl group. I enjoyed how this series centered around these three best friends, both fighting crime how they're able, and also finding love in the process. I always enjoy women-centered historicals that feature this type of friendship. So often, an FMC can be isolated and lonely with crappy parents and conniving friends. So it's always a relief when there's actually a support system behind our girl. This is a super solid HR and great Kate Bateman book!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own, etc.

[Jessica White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, a perfect regency romance. No notes. Kate Bateman makes reading so enjoyable. I am always guaranteed to laugh, there will be excellent banter between the leads, the plot will be quick paced and entertaining, and the intimacy scenes will be deliciously lip biting. I have been looking forward to Daisy’s book from the start of this series and was happy to see all of the little nods to events from the prior two novels that leads Daisy toward her destiny of “true love and dark highways”.

Daisy Hamilton and Lucien Vaughan, Duke of Cranford have been circling each other in and out of ballrooms for over five years. He’s the rogue who’s down bad for her, but can’t admit that she might be what he needs. And she’s completely unaware of the effect she has on him, interpreting it as disgust. When a chance encounter involving a highway robbery has her mistaking his carriage for two lovers on their way to Gretna Green she’s been tasked to stop, it’s obvious that they must of course travel together to prevent the marriage. This is forced proximity at its best.

The banter and sexual tension are written with utter perfection and you can be sure there’s a little humor thrown in for good measure. As the ultimate rogue, Lucien is temptation incarnate and encourages Daisy to use him for their mutual satisfaction. I loved how he teased and tempted her all the while proving he knows her better than she even knows her own desires. But I think what I truly reveled in was the simple question Bateman asks; How do you know if someone loves you? As a romance reader it’s so easy to be enticed by the physicality, the wooing, the words, but it is so rare that I am actually pulled out of the story to question my own thoughts on what it means or feels like to be loved. So more than anything else this is really a love story about a man proving himself to the heroine that he loves her through his words, his actions, and his care for her. I highly highly recommend you pick this one up and would encourage you to read the trilogy. This is historical romance at its finest. I received an early copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

What you’ll find:
🗺️ She gets migraines
🗺️ He’s a Waterloo war hero
🗺️ Caretaking
🗺️ Attempted kidnapping
🗺️ Multi-chapter intimacy scene(s)
🗺️ Only one bed, only one horse
🗺️ Naughty bathing voyeurism
This book answers the question, how do you know if someone loves you?

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭🪭
Unputdownable

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final book in Bateman's trilogy about King & Co., an elite agency staffed by three women, is, in a word, delightful. Daisy is the most self-assured of the heroines, and her story similarly follows a more adventurous route, sending her on a mission to stop two ninnies from getting married at Gretna Green on behalf of the woman's father. Unfortunately for her, her long-time crush/foe Lucien is also on the lovers' trail, albeit with completely opposite motives.

If there's one element that stands to bother readers, it's the fact that Lucien isn't honest with Daisy for the entire first half of the book. His reasons for pursuing Peregrine and Violet are contrary to Daisy's, and he's not above hiding that fact from her while sabotaging her efforts. It's all very low-key and in service of the romance plot, but it also doesn't sit well with me, and frankly makes parts of their relationship feel a bit unsavory.

Still, it's hard to deny their chemistry, and the road trip aspects of the story are a lot of fun. It's a treat of a novel despite those issues, and fans of Bateman's work shouldn't be disappointed.

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY (blank).
Lucien is The Hottest mmc I've ever read. MERCY. What a beautiful, beautiful man. What is this even I don't know

This dude is the shit and HE KNOWS IT-like Devil Cynster-level confidence. AND he's not a jerk either to Daisy! Get yourself a dude that worships you like he does Daisy... and keeps his word and pulls out too. (swoons)

Daisy and Lucien are on a crazy adventure trying to intercept a young couple from getting married at Gretna Green. Our mmcs knew each other 5 years ago and now are "enemies". Along the way there's only one bed! What a great couple. I don't even have words for how hot this book is. No words.

Thank you to Kate Bateman and St. Martin's Press for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[Mel (whilemelwasreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been anticipating Daisy's book since the start of this series. And it didn't disappoint!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Road Trip with a Rogue was such a fun finale to this series. Daisy is doing a PI job, when she finds her case suddenly derailed. With the hope of getting back on track, she embarks on a road trip with the Duke of Cranford. Who also just happens to be the man who broke her heart years ago.

This was delightful to read. I adored Daisy, and her bold personality. But I also adored Lucien and the charm, swoon and care he brought to the story. They bring plenty of chemistry and verbal sparring to keep you turning the pages. And it heats up nicely. They drove me a little batty with the miscommunication... but in the end, I loved them just as much individually as I did together. Their story made me smile. I also really love how the author wrote the migraine rep, and in turn how he cared for her through this. It was perfect.

I don't read historical much anymore, but then I do, it's this author's. She never misses.

[JenJen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual 4.5 - First and foremost, thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, and Kate Bateman for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader copy of Road Trip with a Rogue.

Kate Bateman has done it again! Her historical romances are some of the best ones out there. I love that she writes strong female characters who don’t NEED to be saved. The MMC’s are happy to lend a helping hand and don’t undermine the heroine (most of the time). I love the continued appearance of prior characters and their beaus - the friend/sister-ship between Daisy, Tess and Ellie is perfection!

If you’re looking for a low stakes, well written historical with lovable characters then look no further! If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers and the only one bed trope then go buy this whole series! You won’t regret it 🤓