Any Rogue Will do By Bethany Bennett

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

Any Rogue Will Do (Misfits of Mayfair, #1)Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Misfits of Mayfair, #1

Release Date: October 13, 2020

An accident brings Lady Charlotte “Lottie” Wentworth and the man who humiliated her during her first (and only) London season seven years ago. As much as she despises Ethan Ridley, Viscount Amesbury, she has no choice but to accept his help. They form a fragile truce and she admits that he does seem like he has changed, but not enough to completely forgive him. They part ways and he wishes her well and hopes to see her in town – not likely!

Lottie is only going to town to find a husband – on her own terms. Her father proposed a match and she declined, so she has until the start of the season to find an acceptable husband or she will have to marry the man her father has chosen. Lottie wants no part of love, she just wants to retire to an estate of her own and live her own life – without a husband getting in the way. At one time she had dreams of happily ever after, which included Ethan, but he showed his true colors and she was dubbed the Paper Doll Princess and became the laughingstock of the ton. Her mother whisked her home and they planned to return in a year, but tragedy struck, first her brother died and then her mother. After that her father locked himself away and Lottie took over the estate management. But recently her dad has taken an interest again, thus her need to find a husband. She finally makes it to London and can’t believe that Ethan is staying next door to her aunt!

Ethan has grown up since the last time he saw Lottie, at that time he was new to his title – a title he never expected. He inherited a debt ridden estate and needed a heiress, he thought Lottie fit the bill, but when her dad sent him packing, he got drunk and said the words that sent her running back to the country in tears and sadly that was not his only mistake – he also cost his clansman Connor his leg in a racing accident. As a result, Ethan has striven to become a better man and for the most part has succeeded. But he is still hobbled by guilt and feels the needs to make amends. He has come to town for two reasons, one to find a brewmaster for his brewery business and to visit his friend Cal, Earl of Carlyle. Cal tells him that his presence was requested at a dinner party – for years Ethan has tried to fit in and has never been accepted, so he is surprised at the invitation. But the reason becomes clear when he arrives and sees Lottie – they have been set up. But Lottie is gracious and plays that they are reconciled – he plays along and becomes intrigued.

They spend time together and form a friendship of sorts. When the man her dad wants her to marry tries to force his hand, she turns to Ethan, she proposes they have a faux engagement to get rid of her annoying suitor and he agrees – but he plans to win her this time! Little by little, he chips away at the wall she has around her heart and finally she agrees to marry him – but old doubts, conniving fathers and spurned suitors will not make their path to HEA easy.

I thought this was a well written story and for a debut it was very good. Overall, the story flowed at a good clip, there were some title/formal address errors, some modern verbiage and at times, I found Lottie hard to like and thought Ethan was a bit of a glutton for punishment. But for the most part, I thought it was well researched and entertaining. There is a lot of emotion, some witty dialogue, great secondary characters, drama, misunderstandings, determined and possibly insane suitors, steamyish love scenes, a bit of angst and heartache and finally, HEA. This is the first book in a new series and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this new author.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher.*

Revealing a Rogue: Steamy Regency Romance by Rachel Ann Smith

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Revealing a Rogue: Steamy Regency Romance (The Hadfields Book 1)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Hadfields #1
Publication Date: 10/20/20
Number of Pages: 187

This was a lovely first book in a new series – a trilogy I believe. We learned of the organization to which our hero and heroine belong in the previous series, Agents of the Home Office. Most, if not all of the characters from those books appear in this book and it was lovely to have a nice visit with them. You can certainly read this as a stand-alone book, but to truly understand the organization, its origins, its structure, and its purpose, then reading the previous series – especially Mysteries Of Lady Theo – is something you’ll want to do. I specifically mention Lady Theo’s book because that is where our current hero is introduced. The books in both series are good, but the first series was more exciting because they had villains, mysteries, spies, etc. This book and I assume the next, Tempting a Gentleman, are romances without the wild chases, villains, etc. It was an excellent read and I was delighted to meet both the hero and heroine.

Landon Neale, Earl of Hadfield, had never expected to inherit a title, but he’s now been the Earl of Hadfield for two years. He inherited a crumbling, penniless estate and has worked at rebuilding it. One thing he needs to do is provide an heir because he may not have a lot of years on this earth. His father, his cousin, his uncle (the former Earl), all died from a lung condition – and Landon has that same lung condition. He’s looked over his mother’s list of ladies from the ton, and he doesn’t want any of them. The ONLY woman he’s ever wanted – and still wants – is Bronwyn Cadby. Bronwyn was his secretary when he was a barrister, and her intelligence, quick understanding of a case and challenging arguments always held his interest. He knew back then – six years ago – that she was the one for him, but he never acted upon it. Now – well – now it is time.

Bronwyn is a much-respected member of The Network – an organization that acts solely in support of PORFs (Protectors of the Royal Family). Bronwyn was assigned to keep an eye on Landon several years ago because The Network thought he’d surely end up becoming the earl and a PORF. She’d cared about Landon since the first day she met him and by the time he inherited his title, she was totally in love with him. She made every effort to keep that well hidden because they were from very different backgrounds – he would be an earl and she was the daughter of a shopkeeper.

Landon has rehearsed his proposal, he has all of his arguments lined up, and he’s ready to act. Then, when he sees her, every coherent thought goes right out of his head. He was a brilliant barrister and now he can’t even speak much less make a case for himself. He bungles it royally, but she does agree to think about it and will let him know her answer the following day.

Landon loves Bronwyn – and Bronwyn loves Landon – you’d think it would be cut and dried, wouldn’t you. Well, it isn’t. Landon is totally committed, but Bronwyn feels unworthy. She doesn’t see the same beauty and abilities in herself as everyone else sees in her. She loves Landon and doesn’t want to reflect poorly on him. It was lovely to watch Landon and others bring Bronwyn to see where she is of value to him – that he truly does love her, and that she will be an asset rather than a liability.

I enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the next book in the series. That said, this book – like the previous series – is filled with anomalies. I hope those are all fixed prior to the release of the book. An example – she refers to Bronwyn’s friend, Emma, as Ms. Lennox. Ms. Is a modern construct – dating to about 1900 and not something you’d see in Regency England. Anyway, it was a fun read and I enjoyed it.

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