Review - - My Best Friend's Earl

My Best Friend's Earl

by Bethany Bennett

Bluestocking Booksellers - Book 2

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: August 12, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

A bold bookseller tries to matchbreak her friend’s engagement to an earl . . . until she finds herself falling for him instead.

The one thing Constance Martin wants most to avoid is a boring life. She walks her cat with a leash in Hyde Park and even called off her wedding at the altar to stop what would have been a monotonous marriage. So when an aristocratic friend comes into the store asking for help throwing over her fiancé, Constance is both sympathetic and eager for the excitement to come. What could be more fun than plotting ways to get a stuffy—but very handsome—earl to break an engagement?

    Oliver Vincent, Earl of Southwyn, likes his orderly life of duty and logic. Everything’s falling into place; all that’s left is marrying the girl next door. Except the girl next door is increasingly reluctant. But marriage is a business deal, after all, and Oliver is determined to keep moving forward with the plan. If only he wasn’t so distracted by her friend—a stunning woman best described as chaos incarnate. She thinks marriage should be an adventure, and he views it as a transaction. But Oliver can’t seem to remember the downsides of falling when Constance is near. . .

PJ's Thoughts:

The first time Constance and Oliver hit the page together in Good Duke Gone Wild (book one), I knew they were meant for one another. Yes, they were both betrothed at the time (to other people) so I had no idea how Bennett would bring it about but I was confident it would happen. And, if it didn't I was going to be very disappointed. Fortunately, my hopes and Ms. Bennett's plans were on the same track. 

I couldn't wait to get my hands on My Best Friend's Earl. I love cross-class romance. I love opposites attract. And, I especially love the concept of a matchbreaker with deliciously devious ideas (feral cats, anyone?) for helping her friend break an unwanted betrothal, never expecting to fall for the uptight (but is he, really?) man herself. 

I loved watching Oliver unravel from a starchy, honor-bound man, resigned to marrying a young woman he doesn't love (who considers him a brother) to a salty, secret cat-loving man enthralled with a woman who crashes into his life with adventure, laughter, and chaos. He's one of the good guys, as illustrated by how he handles the dismantling of the unwanted betrothal and the wellbeing of his betrothed.

Constance is a complex character with what today would be termed ADHD who Bennett (also with ADHD) brings to life with authenticity and care, showing the numerous ways in which her daily life is impacted by it. The details make her a relatable character with whom it is easy to relate, even if the reader has no personal experience with the disorder. I adored her, her family relationships, and, especially, her evolving relationship with Oliver. 

These two had me cheering them on the entire way - even as I had no idea how they would end up together - but Bennett had one more ingenious idea up her sleeve that brought about two happy endings and one totally outsmarted villain. I do so love it when a plan comes together. 

My Best Friend's Earl can be read as a standalone but I enjoyed it much more for having read Good Duke Gone Wild first. I think reading the books in order gives readers a deeper look into Constance, in particular, and a better understanding of her character. Both books have my enthusiastic recommendation.