Bethany Bennett

*** 4.5 Stars rounded up ***

This book is a GREAT start for debut author Bethany Bennett. Her writing is smooth, the story is well-plotted and well-delivered, and the characters (for the most part) are delightful and robust. I am so happy to have found Bethany Bennett and am looking forward to more books by her.

Seven-or-so years ago, Ethan Ridley was a Scottish sheep farmer. Then, the unthinkable happened to the twenty-one-year-old, he inherited a title, Viscount Amesbury. He didn’t even show more know that branch of the family existed. To say he was totally overwhelmed by the new responsibilities – especially a debt-ridden estate with ill cared for tenants and lands. Then, he went to London where he was even more of a fish-out-of-water and went wild as he was trying to fit in. Of course, being a huge Scot with no refinement whatsoever, he was never going to be accepted. Then, he made two huge, life-changing mistakes – he drove in a race that ended up costing his friend a leg and almost his life and he ruined Lady Charlotte Wentworth, daughter of the Earl of Brinkley. Ethan has spent the last seven years trying to make amends for his mistakes. He’s not that scared, irresponsible young man he once was.

Lady Charlotte Wentworth, Lottie, has spent the last seven years at her father’s estate because there have been several tragedies in her life. First, she was completely and totally ruined during her first (and only) season, then her brother died, then her mother died, and her father went into such deep mourning that he never left his library. Once Lottie realized that the estate was going to ruin and the tenants were suffering, she began to take the reins and turned things around. Turns out, she has a real knack for and interest in managing an estate – and people. After all of those years, her father is finally coming out of mourning and wants to take over the estate again. One of the things he demands is that Lottie marry – and he has decided who she’ll marry – James Montague, youngest son of the Marquess of Danby. NO! If Lottie has to marry, she’ll do it on her own terms. What are those terms? Well, she’ll never, ever, have love enter into the marriage. She wants a man who will be happy to live in London and leave her alone to manage the estate. Totally separate lives. It is off to London for her – to find a man who will meet her needs.

When Ethan and Lottie cross paths again, it is under stressful circumstances – Lottie’s carriage has had a terrible accident. At least he has the opportunity to apologize to Lottie before they go their separate ways -- until they discover they are neighbors in London. With trouble-makers galore in the ton, a very troublesome potential suitor, abuse, a kidnapping – well – you name it – finding their HEA seems almost impossible.

What did I like? Well, the characters were absolutely wonderful. It seems that both Ethan and Lottie were collectors of misfits. I adored Mrs. Darling, Lottie’s lady’s maid. She is a very plain-spoken former fallen woman who is both a friend and maid. Then, there is Aunt Agatha – goodness – everybody needs an Aunt Agatha, who is sassy and totally devoted to your happiness. For Ethan, I loved Cal, Earl of Carlyle, who is a true friend in all ways. His is the next book in the series and I’m totally looking forward to it – West End Earl, scheduled for release in June of 2021. Then, there is Ethan himself – I absolutely adored Ethan. He’s a wonderful hero – loving, giving, caring – you name it, he is all of the things a hero should be.

Dislikes – well – I’m not sure dislikes is the appropriate word, but – I had a harder time warming up to Lottie. She is an intriguing heroine in that she found her spine of steel after her season and the other tragedies. The trouble is, that spine of steel is unyielding and unbending. She annoyed me so often that I was torn about her for most of the book. She’s a fully capable, smart lady, but she is just so hell-bent on her goal that she can’t see the forest for the trees. I definitely appreciated her growth as a character and was glad to see her final epiphany – but – it was after she had caused a great deal of hurt and pain to others - especially Ethan.

Overall, I LOVED the book and I’m so happy to have found a new ‘favorite’ author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Rating 3.5 Stars

Oliver and Connie are the classic case of opposites attract in this witty and entertaining Regency romance.

Oliver Vincent is everything calm, collected, and rule-following—a proper gentleman, if a bit rigid. Connie Martin, on the other hand, is spirited, impulsive, and delightfully chaotic. (Note: Connie clearly shows traits of ADHD, which adds nuance to her character.)

After breaking off her engagement, Connie is living under a cloud of social disgrace, working in her show more family’s bookshop, and carrying guilt more for her family’s suffering than her own actions. When her friend Amelia begs for help escaping her own unwanted engagement, Connie jumps at the distraction—even if it means meddling with the famously steadfast Oliver Vincent.

Oliver sees marriage as a transaction, and his betrothal to Amelia is nothing more than fulfilling an obligation. He’s far too honorable to back out on his own. What he doesn’t expect is the whirlwind that is Connie Martin—and the chaos she brings into his carefully ordered life.

Thoughts:
While I enjoyed the quirky charm and banter between Oliver and Connie, I didn’t fall completely in love with the story. The pacing dragged in spots, and the historical inaccuracies pulled me out of the setting—a personal pet peeve of mine with historical romance.

That said, the character dynamics were engaging, and the series concept (bookish heroines, anyone?) remains strong. I’m glad I read this one, even if I wouldn’t revisit it, and I’m definitely planning to pick up the next installment.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

4.5 Stars

I was very impressed with this author’s debut novel, Any Rogue Will Do, and have been excitedly waiting to see how her second release would fare. Well, the answer is in – I LOVED it. Cal was one of my favorite characters in the first book, and I am delighted he has gotten his well-deserved HEA in this book. The prose is outstanding, the story flows flawlessly from beginning to end and the characters are relatable, likable, and could easily become friends if we knew them in real show more life.

Calvin (Cal) Carlyle, Earl of Carlyle, heir to the Marquess of Eastly, is a fixer. He always feels it is his responsibility to fix problems for his friend and family. He’s very good at that, but it is often to his detriment – especially when those family members don’t really appreciate it or him. They are vain to the extreme and just take him for granted. The Marquess is a profligate who moves through the world without a thought to anyone other than himself. He leaves illegitimate offspring everywhere, spends recklessly, wagers recklessly, and then just expects Cal to clean it all up. Cal’s sister, Emma, is just as self-centered and reckless as their father. She goes through her life without a thought about the consequences of her actions – until those consequences catch up to her.

Calvin’s father has gone beyond the pale this time. He invested heavily on an investment when Cal had cautioned him to invest much more modestly. Then, on top of that, he made a wager he couldn’t possibly pay unless the investment pays out. That doesn’t trouble the marquess in the least because if the marquess can’t pay, the winner is perfectly willing to take Cal as his son-in-law. Cal has no intention of becoming that son-in-law, but he’s going to have a time working his way out of that. He’ll have to handle it carefully. Cal just isn’t good at telling his father no, even though there is no way for the marquess to force Cal to marry.

Adam Hardwick, AKA Ophelia (Phee) Hardwick is a survivor. Adam and Ophelia are orphaned twins who were thrust into the guardianship of their vile, odious uncle Milton Keating when they were very young. At the age of thirteen, the uncle sent Adam away to school and drew up marriage contracts for Ophelia to marry a very old and odious man. When Adam accidentally died, Ophelia began living as Adam and went to school in his place and Adam was buried under Ophelia’s name. Now, she’s been living as a man for ten years and wouldn’t have a clue how to behave as a woman. That deception works well for her – until she is attacked – and her best friend and employer, Calvin Carlyle, comes to her aid.

When Cal discovers Adam is really Ophelia, he wonders how he never saw it before. He’d always felt an affinity for Adam – and now he feels a full-force attraction that quickly becomes love. Cal has to manage to keep Phee safe, see that she continues to love him, and somehow manage to thwart his father’s schemes to marry him off to the winner of the bet’s daughter. It is fun to watch Cal screw it all up – the poor boy just can’t seem to go against his nature. Winning and keeping Phee may be one of those things he just can’t fix.

What do I think could be improved? I think the wording, descriptions, etc. sound very American in what is supposed to be nineteenth-century England. Anachronistic word choices – also sound very American, but weren’t in use at the time – for instance, ‘scrapper’ didn’t come into use until 1874, and then it was used for a pugilist. It didn’t come to stand for anyone who puts up a fight until later. It isn’t usual for an earl’s last name to match his title. I guess it is just that word usages and choices, situations, etc. just sound very American to me and perhaps the author could spend a bit more time immersed in that period in England.

However, the bottom line for me is that it was a lovely, witty, fun story featuring lovely people and I’m glad to have read it and I hope you will love it as well. The next book, All Rogues Lead to London, will feature Emma, Cal’s sister. I’m so looking forward to that because Emma grew exponentially as a person in this book and I can’t wait to see what happens with her. I also hope we see something dire happen with Roxbury AND I’d like to see Emma’s child inherit Milton’s estate. Grand payback I’d say.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Good Duke, Gone Wild by Bethany Bennett
Bluestocking Booksellers series #1. Historical romance.
Caroline Danvers is a poor vicar’s daughter, thrown out of the cottage when he discovers her hidden job as an erotic romance writer. Fortunately Caro has cousins in London and their parents who are more than happy to have her live with them and work at their bookshop. After all, Caro is a well known favorite author of the ton though they only know her pen name and not who she really is. The most show more recent book has the ton speculating if the hero is one of their own. Caro did in fact, use the Duke of Holland as inspiration for the novel since he comes into the shop on a regular basis.
Dorian Whitaker, the Duke of Holland first met Caroline when she had just arrived in London having traveled several days to get to the bookstore and family that will help her. He’s a bit smitten and has visited the book shop on a regular basis since she arrived. He eventually hires Caro to inventory and sell his late wife’s library where she finds love letters in books that were not written by him. Dorian and Caro investigate the letters and eventually grow closer. But their class differences are sharp and a future together is unlikely between a Duke and a bookseller. Even with her secret author identity and her own money she will never be accepted into the peerage. Is there a solution or compromise?

I loved Caroline’s wit and intelligence. More so her two cousins who were behind her 100% unconditionally. I definitely want more of them in the future. But back to Caro and Dorian, their relationship is forbidden and has a lot of inequities. She was fortunate to have her book income which gave her a bit of leverage. Tough choices for them both.
Engaging, and a bit unique. Lots of little inclusive details beyond the main story that added depth and richness.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. show less