Title:v Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett
Misfits of Mayfair Series Book One
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: C
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
In a “splendid Regency-set debut” for fans of bestselling authors Sarah MacLean, Lenora Bell, and Kerrigan Byrne, the rogue who once ruined Lady Charlotte’s reputation is now the only one who can save her (Publishers Weekly, Starred Review).
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.
Review:
The first installment in the Misfits of Mayfair series, Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett is a debut historical romance that is sweet and steamy.
Years earlier, Lady Charlotte “Lottie” Wentworth’s first season ended in embarrassment and humiliation at the hands of the newly titled Viscount Amesbury aka Ethan Ridley. After retreating to her family home, tragic circumstances force Lottie manage the family estate as her father sinks into a prolonged grief. Now with their estate running smoothly, her father is now emerging from mourning and he decides she will marry James Montague, the son of one his friends. Lottie has no interest in marrying Mr. Montague so she strikes a deal with her father to marry a man of her own choosing.
On her way to London to stay with her godmother Lady Agatha Dalrymple, a carriage accident strands her and her maid Lucia Darling at the same inn as Ethan. Lottie tries to stay out of the Ethan’s way since he is the man who besmirched her reputation and broke her heart all those years ago. But as circumstances continually force them into sharing each other’s company, Lottie realizes that Ethan has changed but will she forgive him?
Lottie is smart and knows her own mind. Although she is not exactly thrilled over her father’s ultimatum, she plans to select a husband that will allow her to maintain her independence. Lottie does not want a love match; she instead is searching for a biddable man who will not object to her living in the countryside and managing her own estate. She remains drawn to Ethan but even if she wanted to marry him, her father would never approve their match.
Ethan has matured and grown comfortable with his responsibilities of managing his estate. He is perfectly content to remain in the country and limit his time in London. However, he is in need of a manager for his latest business venture. So Ethan and his good friend Lord Carlyle aka Cal are traveling to London when he crosses paths with Lottie. Genuinely remorseful, he issues a sincere and heartfelt apology for his behavior years earlier. Despite his attraction to Lottie, Ethan knows there is no chance of a future with her. But once they are both in London, he finds it difficult to stay away from her.
Despite warnings from Darling, Agatha and Ethan, Lottie agrees to spend time in Mr. Montague’s company. Unfortunately she discovers the hard way that her friends were right about him but Lottie proves able to take care of herself. Afterwards, she and Ethan enter into a fake romance to keep her safe. As a vindictive war is waged against her, Lottie and Ethan hope the gossip will soon die down. As they grow closer, their friendship takes an unexpected turn but will Lottie let go of her marriage plans and turn her fake engagement into a real one?
Any Rogue Will Do is a charming historical romance with likable characters. The storyline is interesting but a little repetitive and the pacing is slow. Ethan and Lottie are a wonderful couple who share some very hot love scenes. With a late in the story conflict and predictable plot twist, Bethany Bennett brings this cute romance to a sigh-worthy conclusion.
