Review and Giveaway - - Dukes Do it Better

Dukes Do it Better

by Bethany Bennett

Misfits of Mayfair - - Book 3

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: May 24, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

She can keep her secrets or risk her heart

Lady Emma Hardwick has been living a lie—one that allowed her to keep her son and give him the loving home she’d never had. But now her journal, the one place she’d indulged in the truth, has been stolen. Whoever has it holds the power to bring the life she’s carefully built crumbling to the ground. With her past threatening everything she holds dear, the only person she can trust is the dangerously handsome, tattooed navy captain with whom she dared to spend one carefree night.

Captain Malachi Harlow, Duke of Trenton, would rather throw himself overboard than return to society. But when the Admiralty calls him back home, there is no room for refusal. Crossing paths with the delectable Lady Emma is a welcome distraction that takes a more serious turn when they discover they have a common enemy. Working together could help them both—but will it also bring a temptation neither can resist?

PJ's Thoughts:

Bethany Bennett captured my attention in 2020 with her debut novel, Any Rogue Will Do (read my review), a historical romance brimming with sparkling banter, heart-tugging emotion, sizzling passion, action-packed danger, and swoony romance. She followed that up in 2021 with book two of the trilogy, West End Earl (read my review), a spellbinding tale with more twists than a mountain road, that cemented Bennett's place on my auto buy list and left me eagerly anticipating the third book of the trilogy, Dukes Do it Better. I'm happy to say that Emma's and Mal's journey more than lived up to my expectations.

I love a book that immerses me so completely into a story that I read it in one sitting, eagerly flipping pages as quickly as I can to discover what will happen next, then go back to page one and read it again, slowly savoring each word, detail, and nuance of the story. That is the reading experience Bethany Bennett gave me with Dukes Do it Better. First, she hooked me with the passages from Emma's journal, in Mal's possession during his lonely days - and nights - on duty in the Baltic. Then she factored in the mystery of Mal not knowing the identity of the journal writer but forging an emotional bond with that person through her written thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams. So much emotion. So much yearning. I was hooked. By the time Mal and Emma met in person I was already completely invested in them as a couple. And then, of course, we discover there's more to their story. Could I turn those pages any faster? Why yes, I could. 

One of the things I most enjoyed about this series was the growth of the characters. Emma was a pivotal secondary character in book two and I did not like her. At all. She was, as she acknowledges in her book, a spoiled, selfish brat. But there were tendrils of growth in the latter stages of that second book that fully actualized in the five years between the end of book two and the beginning of book three. I found, much to my surprise, that she had become one of my favorite characters of the series. And then there's Mal with his roguish charm, his piratical appearance, his tattoos, his kindness (his interactions with Emma's son were so sweet), his horrible family, and his (well hidden) vulnerable heart. Needless to say, I fell hard. I loved the passion between these two, the banter, the partnership, the respect, and the genuine feelings that grew deep and true, taking them both by surprise. 

This is a trilogy where I strongly recommend reading the books in order. Not only do the main couples from books one and two play significant roles in book three but there is also an underlying story thread that runs through all three books and a major twist that will be spoiled if you read book three first. Book one, Any Rogue Will Do, is available today in e-book for only $1.99. Start there and enjoy the ride! 

Have you read Bethany Bennett yet?

What fictional romance couple is currently making your reader's heart sing?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 25 will receive a print copy of Dukes Do it Better.

*Must be 18

*U.S. only

*Void where prohibited

Review & Giveaway - - West End Earl

West End Earl

by Bethany Bennett

Misfits of Mayfair - Book 2

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

While most young ladies attend balls and hunt for husbands, Ophelia Hardwick has spent the last ten years in disguise. As the land steward for the Earl of Carlyle, she’s found safety from the uncle determined to kill her and freedoms a lady could only dream of. Ophelia’s situation would be perfect—if only she wasn’t hopelessly attracted to her employer.

Calvin, Earl of Carlyle, is determined to see his sister married this season. And he’ll do it with the help of his trusted right-hand man. But when he finds out Ophelia's secret, and that her life is in danger, his priorities change. Their attraction is passionate, all-consuming, and if they aren’t careful, it could turn downright deadly—for both of them.

PJ's Thoughts:

I was dazzled by Bethany Bennett's debut, Any Rogue Will Do (click to read my review) and eager to learn more about Ethan's friend, Cal in Bennett's second book, West End Earl. Once again, Bennett pulled me into a story from the start and held me spellbound until the end. She's making a habit of that dazzle.

Bennett excels at creating fully-dimensional characters who come to life on the page. I adored Cal and was right there with him as he worked through a plethora of emotions regarding his family, his unexpected relationship with Ophelia (Phee), and the future he yearned for as opposed to the one he felt resigned to. He has a significant growth arc that tests his beliefs as well as his close relationships before he ultimately takes control of his life and learns to fight for his happiness. I loved that Ethan and Lottie (Any Rogue Will Do) were there to help him along the way. Lottie, especially, really shines in this book. 

Cal's younger sister, who also has a significant role in the book, has quite the growth arc as well. I didn't like her at all during the first half of the book but the evolution of her character was very satisfying and left me eager for her story in the third book of the series. 

And then there's Phee, who is without doubt the undisputed star of this book. I'm usually pretty good at ferreting out characters' secrets but not this time. There's a major twist with her character that I did not suspect at any point while reading Any Rogue Will Do. I love when an author is able to surprise me and Bennett certainly did. Phee is one of my favorite characters I've "met" this year. I love her strength, determination, cleverness, and confidence, but also her vulnerability. Bennett took her story in directions I did not expect but, in retrospect, I understood that the decisions she made were the only ones that could have ultimately brought about happy endings for multiple characters. Doesn't mean they didn't make me sweat, wondering how it would all work out. ;-)

If you're a fan of historical romance, give this new author with her fresh, sparkling, page-turning stories a try. I highly recommend both West End Earl and Any Rogue Will Do. Both books can be read as a standalone but I think reading them in order will deepen your understanding of the characters and pleasure in their journeys. 

If you haven't read Any Rogue Will Do yet, it is currently $1.99 on Kindle for a limited time. 

Do you enjoy characters in disguise?

Have you read Bethany Bennett yet?

What's the last book that took characters in a direction that surprised you?

One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, June 27 will receive a print copy of West End Earl.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review - - Any Rogue Will Do

Any Rogue Will Do

by Bethany Bennett

Misfits of Mayfair - Book 1

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: October 13, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

 

For exactly one season, Lady Charlotte Wentworth played the biddable female the ton expected -- and all it got her was society's mockery and derision. Now she's determined to be in charge of her own future. So when an unwanted suitor tries to manipulate her into an engagement, she has a plan. He can't claim to be her fiancé if she's engaged to someone else. Even if it means asking for help from the last man she would ever marry.

Ethan, Viscount Amesbury, made a lot of mistakes, but the one he regrets the most is ruining Lady Charlotte's reputation. Going along with her charade is the least he can do to clean the slate and perhaps earn her forgiveness. Pretending to be in love with the woman he's never forgotten is easy. What isn't easy is convincing her to give him a second chance.

PJ's Thoughts:

Filled with sparkling banter, heart-tugging emotion, sizzling passion, action-packed danger, and swoony romance, this book is an absolute delight. Bethany Bennett hooked me from the first page and kept me glued to the story until the very end. I liked these characters. I cheered for them, laughed with them, feared for them, and wept over them. Bennett brought them to life on the pages, imbuing them with realistic flaws...and feelings. I loved how Ethan and Lottie evolved from enemies to friends to a fake engagement to, finally, a happily ever after. And Bennett does not make that journey easy!

I really enjoyed the people Lottie and Ethan had become during the years between their "scandal" and their unexpected reunion, at the start of the book. They had each matured, discovered their strengths,  who they wanted to be and what was important in their lives. They were at a place in their lives where they could meet as equals. Their chemistry flared bright (balcony scene - just saying) but I also appreciated the friendship that developed between them. And I loved their genuine kindness to others. They were each a person I'd love to call my friend. 

I enjoyed the friendship between Ethan and Cal, a character who leaped from the page. I can't wait to find out more about him in his book, West End Earl, scheduled for release in June 2021. I also enjoyed Lottie's relationship with both her maid and her godmother, two characters who played significant roles in this story.

The villain of the book is one nasty piece of work and I have to admit, I derived a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction from the conclusion of his storyline. In fact, I may have cackled with glee.

Any Rogue Will Do may be Bethany Bennett's debut but it shines with the glittering polish of a seasoned author. I predict Ms. Bennett will be dazzling readers for many years to come.