When You Wish Upon a Rogue

May 1, 2020

Before Sophie Kendall steps into the role of dutiful wife to a man she does not love, she plans to organize the next round of meetings for the Debutante Underground, a secret club where women can openly discuss all subjects of the day. An abandoned tailor's shop appears the perfect place to host the group, but when she sneaks in she encounters Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, who owns the building. After the unexpected death of his brother, Henry is still grieving and suffering the torment of abandoning his former regiment. His insomnia seems incurable, until an evening with Sophie proves a salve to his riled thoughts. He strikes a bargain with Sophie: he'll share the space on the condition she stays with him one night a week to aid his sleep. With rules established, the two toe the line of impropriety, sharing a great many secrets as they go. VERDICT Bennett delivers a dashing Regency romance featuring a wounded earl and an unyielding heroine with strong convictions. The third of the "Debutante Diaries" (after The Duke Is But a Dream) can easily serve as an introduction to the series.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati, Blue Ash

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May 1, 2020
A debutante finds her match at last--after she is betrothed to another. The last of a trio of debutantes is about to find herself off the marriage market, much to her dismay. Sophie Kendall is to be betrothed in two months to Lord Singleton, an inoffensive man she has no interest in but must marry to settle her father's debts. This means she'll no longer be leading the clandestine meetings of the Debutante Underground, an "eclectic group of women" from all walks of life who meet to discuss "sensitive topics such as courting, desire, intimacy, and love." It also means she shouldn't take any interest in Henry Reese, the Earl of Warshire, whom she's just met in her quest to find a new meeting spot for the group. But Henry is desperate to get to know Sophie better after he learns that her tea, and her presence, is so soothing to him that he's able to get a good night's sleep despite his persistent PTSD. In exchange for the use of his space for her group, she agrees to spend one chaste night with him each week, insisting that they aren't to touch each other at all. But her strict boundaries are no match for their attraction, and she is soon regretting her imminent engagement, which will mean the end of all the relationships that are important to her--unless she calls it off, ruining her family. Sophie's prohibition against physical touch adds a heightened chemistry to the scenes of intimacy between her and Henry, which build nicely in intensity throughout the story. Sophie's freedom to leave her house overnight without any chaperone feels awfully contemporary, but Bennett provides an explanation plausible enough to let the fun continue. Readers who love a grumpy-to-smitten hero will swoon for Henry, and his PTSD is sensitively handled, if a bit simplistic. A straightforward and charming Regency romance with a pleasing horticultural bent to set it apart.

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March 30, 2020
A woman’s dream of marrying for love dies beneath her father’s debt in the sparkling finale of Bennett’s Debutante Diaries Regency series (after The Duke Is but a Dream). A marriage of convenience is an ironic fate to befall Sophie Kendall, the chairperson of Debutante’s Underground, a secret society that encourages women to advocate for themselves. But Sophie makes a match with the wealthy Lord Singleton to save her family from destitution. Sleep evades Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, until he happens upon Sophie breaking in to his vacant London storefront. Sophie instantly recognizes the signs of insomnia and insists on brewing him an herbal remedy—but it’s her calming presence that lulls Reese off to dreamland. Astounded, Reese offers a deal: Sophie may use his building to hold Debutante Underground meetings in exchange for spending one night a week with him to help him rest. Sophie agrees and imposes a “no touching” rule. But their weekly visits soon give way to long talks and, as they fall in love, creative, sensual work-arounds to the rule. Sophie’s sweetness and compassion shine and series fans will be thrilled to witness her turn in the spotlight. This silky-smooth series ender expertly tugs at the heartstrings. Agent: Helen Breitwieser, Cornerstone Literary.