When I found I Dared the Duke, I was on an extreme historical romance kick and I was very in the mood for beastly/cranky heroes, so after I read the synopsis, I immediately wanted to read it! And while it took me longer to start it than I would have thought, once I did, I was instantly hooked. I Dared the Duke is entirely captivating and I just completely fell in love with it!

Beth is my kind of heroine - she's smart, caring, and sassy. She's so sweet and generous with Alex's grandmother, it's not hard at all to see how much she cares about her. Beth is just one of those people with a heart of gold, but that doesn't mean that she's a pushover. Oh no, she's strong, free-thinking, and she's not afraid of or to challenge Alex. Beth is amazing and I absolutely loved her!

I told you before that one of my draws to this book was the hero-with-a-bad-attitude aspect, so I'm sure you can already guess how I felt about Alex, but I loved him for more than his gruffness. Although Alex may seem ornery - and he is - there's so much more to him under the surface. He can be every bit as caring and kind as Beth and he loves and adores his grandmother just as much. With all the he is with his roughness, his sweetness, and his vulnerable moments, it isn't any wonder that Alex stole my heart - he's just wonderful!

I Dared the Duke was full of danger, mystery, wit, and heart. It made me laugh and made my heart ache both in the bad ways and the good ones. I thoroughly enjoyed it and Ms. Bennett surprised me in more ways than one and I was utterly impressed with her. I can't wait to read more of her work because if it's anything like I Dared the Duke, I know it will be just as fantastic!

I Dared the Duke is the second book in The Wayward Wallflowers series, but it can be read as a standalone. It's told from Alex and Beth's POV and they do get their happily-ever-after.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 5 Stars

I voluntarily read an advanced reviewers copy of this book

Very cute book. I loved the back and forth between the couple as well as the secret romance. This book captures some of the best parts of a historical romance all while throwing in a bit of suspense. There were times that I got tired of the whole I am man...you are woman...so hide from danger while I save the day. But hey I guess that is keeping things true to the time in which this book does take place.

Elizabeth and her sisters were unfortunately described as the Wilted Wallflowers by a member of the ton. The nickname stuck and Beth quite frankly was tired of being a wallflower. So she agrees to a new title, one of a lady’s companion.

Beth Lacey is the newly appointed lady’s companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. She adores the Duchess and loves her new position. So when the Duke arrives and demands she leave she says no. How dare he? Only the duke has good reasons. Someone is trying to hill him and his grandma is the only person he cares about. He needs her to retire to the country. To get her to do that he will need her stubborn lady’s companion on his side.

Beth thinks that the duke is horrible and a player (rake for this time period). She comes up with a scheme to force him to spend time with his grandmother- only then will she help. She has no clue his actual reasons and he is not inclined to tell her them. It is because of her misconceptions of him that she is able to stand up to him. Even though she is a wallflower, she apparently listens to the gossip as much as the most popular lady in the ton.

Alex is a sweet duke. He has an unwarranted reputation which he uses to his advantage. He love and admiration for his grandmother is adorable. Why anyone wants to kill him is beyond me.

I Dared the Duke is a cute historical romance. There was no guessing who done it, there was no excitement of the near death moments, overall an enjoyable read just missing pizazz.

My Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote An empty compliment would feel worse than an insult.

Other People
Dowager Duchess- Alex’s grandmother
Darby- Alex’s bestie

This is the first of Bennett’s books that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. It’s been a while since I’ve read a historical romance and this one reminded me why I enjoy them so much.

As is typical, Alex displays Duke-ish behavior and keeps too many things to himself and if he’d only share it would take care of so much of his troubles. Instead Beth makes a lot of assumptions, very few of them good, and gets herself into the occasional bit of trouble.

The whodunit part isn’t a huge part of the story, other than as a catalyst to these two getting together and living HEA. But when the truth comes out it definitely is an interesting revelation and works well with the rest of the story.

Together, they make a great couple – trying so hard to avoid their attraction but with a lot of sass when they inevitably fail. Cute and fun, with some laughs and a few moments of danger, I Dared the Duke is a light-hearted read for those who like their men in cravats and their women hiding backbones under their corsets.

(Can easily stand on its own)

This is a sweet story told with lots of saccharine. If you like Regency romance, this might do the trick.

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, is known for several things. One of which is his prowess in the bedchambers, a fact that he seems to embrace. When he comes home, intending on clearing out his household, he finds Miss Elizabeth Lacey, a young woman his grandmother has hired as her companion. Right from the beginning, she fights his every command.
I am all for love (or lust) at first sight as long as the story is well written, but I had a problem getting into this story. I couldn’t really buy into them knowing each other’s characters within just a few hours of meeting or how the Duke suddenly trusted her help (based on a character he shouldn’t have known yet) after trying to get rid of her. Unfortunately it just didn't’ work for me.

"She could almost hear the thunder, could almost feel the ground shake -"
this story kept me involved all the way and there was never a dull moment around Alex and Beth.

This was a fun story about two unlikely people meeting and falling for each other. I liked how spunky the heroine was and how she stood toe to toe to the Duke on many things. Overall a diverting read.

" I Dared A Duke," is the second book in The Wayward Wallflowers series and the first book I have read from Ms Bennett and I liked it ! Having not read the first book in the series this book can be read as a standalone.
Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, a rake of the first order and known to be ornry at times has returned to his London residence with the express purpose to see his Grandmother removed to the families country estate. Alex however does not expect to have his own door closed in his face, and no less by a beautiful women he does not know. Turns out the beautiful women is his grandmothers companion that he knew nothing of Ms. Elizabeth Lacey, as it turns out though Ms Lacey is well aware of his reputation. Elizabeth , finds herself attracted to The Duke , however she finds she dislikes the fact that he wants to push his grandmother who obviously thinks the world of him out of his home appalling , then add the fact he wants her gone tomorrow well, Elizabeth is usually a person who needs to be needed , but issuing a dare to the Duke , one which will require him to spend time with his Grandmother.Alex is desperate to get his grandmother away from him so he concedes.
What Elizabeth does not know it is because someone is trying to kill him , and he fears for his grandmothers safety around him.
The consummate rake , Alex however finds Beth's challenging him attractive . These two going forward will be spending a lot of time together . The more time together the closer they become and the more he can not believe that he ever coined the phrase the whiting Wallflowers for her and her sisters; something that was extremely callous of him.
The more she challenges him , the more he wants her and it is obvious the attraction is mutual , but until he solves who is trying to kill him, a future with Beth is out of the question.

The story is a delightful romance with strong characters , a mystery to be solved and just the right amount of seduction , sexual innuendo and love scenes to keep you firmly engrossed!

Arc copy of this book was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't read very often historical romance so I try to be careful about what books I pick.This one was really good!Literally from the first page I was pulled right in to the story.The couple was really cute and I love their banter!

I LOVED this story!! I always love when a character is not what he seems and Alexander definitely fits that bill. Beth is also different from her counterparts in that most women of the ton would be intimidated by Alexander, but she doesn't let him push her around. It is definitely a test of wills!

Bennett has definitely hit it out of the park with this one!! It is a must read!

At the start of the book, I wanted to yell at Alex for his treatment of Beth. By the end, I had fallen in love with Alex and felt his pain for the loss of his parents.

I did not want to put the book down. I was absolutely hooked by the wonderful characters. Alex with his devotion to his grandmother and Beth to the uncle that saved her and her sisters from poverty.

What a wonderful romance.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation.

The tone of the story is set from the outset. I’m prepared to laugh and enjoy!

Elizabeth Lacey, Beth that is, is a terribly kind woman who wants to make everything right, certainly right wrongs and restore harmony between people. She is companion to Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire’s mother, Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. The Dowager is a little bit of a match maker which I find endearing. She also has lots of spunk and totally lovable and quick-witted. Beth feels very protective of the women and works against Blackshire’s desire to have them both out of his townhouse.

Beth, dragging her feet as much as possible, makes a bargain with the duke to allow three wishes to his grandmother. She then will acquit the residence wondering how she will convince the dowager since she loves the active life of London.

Not informed of the truth of the situation, Beth assumes so much about the relationship between Blackshire and his grandmother. She puts herself between what she perceives as a wrong done to his grandmother and Blackshire’s seemingly selfish motives.

The dowager is happy with her new companion and Beth found it isn’t difficult to make her happy. Older people want the same as anyone – to be heard and respected.

Beth is the middle sister of the women known as the Wilting Wallflowers – known for three years as such and coined so by none other than Blackshire. Would the duke dare tell Beth, especially when his feeling for her are deepening?

The duke is one of those duke’s with the ‘better than thou attitude’, yes, the typical duke. What is it about power anyway? But his redeeming quality is he truly wants to keep his grandmother safe. Someone is out to kill him. But who? Will they also try to harm his grandmother and even Beth?
Beth has spunk and she doesn’t let him get away with it. And that my dear reader, is what catches the fellow. But not before he puts his foot in his mouth when he tries to explain why he should feign interest in Beth to try to capture the killer.

Excerpt:
She shook her head, incredulous. “You think that your interest in me will cause other gentleman to hold me in esteem?”

“A dog always wants another dog’s bone.”

Miss Lacey gasped, clearly horrified by his attempt to explain. “How dare you compare me to a dog? She snapped.

For the love of—“I’m the dog. You’re the bone.”

“Your charming little metaphor was not entirely beyond me, your grace.”

He shrugged. “Apparently, it was.”

Narrowing her eyes to slits, she stepped toward him. Close enough for him to see the subtle rise and fall of her chest.

“I followed your meaning. Now allow me to explain something to you.” She spoke slowly, anger dripping for each word. “I am not the bone. But if I were, I wouldn’t be caught dead in your mouth.”

********
Alex is a good duke, his grandmother’s protection tantamount. He’s unable to convince Beth without telling her the complete story. This lends to a rather funny story until the situation is laced with nail-biting fear.

Author Anna Bennet is an author I haven't read. I enjoyed the story and recommend the series to those who enjoy Regency reads with danger, humor, feisty heroines and dukes way beyond their depth!

Regency romance at it's finest. I started this book and could not put it down. There is a couple of swear words, a little sex, dangerous situations and a remarkable heroine.

This story is a prime example in what happens when rumors are spread and words are spoken without thought to the feelings of the recipient. Alex is labeled as a rake. Rumor has it that he steals wives and beds maidens with no thought but that of himself. Alex has got some issues, don't think he doesn't. He lies by omission regarding his conquests and he was the callous, insecure person who started the smear campaign against Beth and her sisters just because he could. How Beth fell for him, I don't understand.

Beth is a caring, smart and maybe a little OCD heroine in this story. She deserves the respect of all the ton, but with Alex's slanderous attack when she was younger, she was castigated and exposed to those that have to make themselves feel better by tearing down someone else.
I like Beth but I think she deserves someone much kinder. Actually, the suitor that was in competition for her could have been much better for Beth. Oh, well. Beth decided and that's all there is to that.

The story had elements of a mystery - who was trying to kill Alex? Beth was put in danger a couple of times but it was, in the end, Alex's grandmother that saved the day.

I was into this book from beginning to end.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book tells the story of Elizabeth Lacey, the middle sister of the Wiltmore Wallflowers. Elizabeth has recently become a lady’s companion to the dowager duchess Blackshire in an effort to make herself feel useful. Having been a wallflower for three years and with one of her sisters recently married, Elizabeth has been looking for something to do with herself, and she has found the dowager duchess to be an engaging friend and conversationalist. When she meets the Duke though, she doesn’t find him as charming as the rumors claim him to be. Alex has recently found himself the target of a couple accidents that seem too odd to be coincidental. He has determined that his grandmother must retire to the country for her own safety until the whole situation gets sorted out. But he didn’t expect to find her being guarded by the fearsome Miss Lacey. Elizabeth is determined that Alex should not send his grandmother away, as it would surely break her heart, but in doing so Miss Lacey is walking right into the crossfires of whatever is threatening Alex.
Overall I really liked this book. Alex was just the right amount of surly and endearing. Beth was charming and kind-hearted. I especially liked how, when describing what Alex liked most about Beth, he admired her for her kindness towards his grandmother. There were numerous times in the book that Alex compliments Beth on things beside just her physical appearance and I really liked that, for a rogue, he wasn’t all that shallow. And I love Beth’s sisters, I especially can’t wait to hear brash Julie’s story. I liked this book a lot and I like the series overall too.

In the second book to The Wayward Wallflowers series I fell into deep admiration with Beth's character. I am not sure this statement is grammatically correct but it is what I mean. Beth needs to be needed, as do most people though they are unaware of this need. The fact that she is conscious of this and finds ways to satisfy this part of herself is spread throughout this book in an appealing manner. I like that the author does give her a backbone to not be walked on and to be able to think of her best interests. It is refreshing to read a female lead character that thinks of others wellbeing. 

Alex's hidden secrets are surprising and painful. It is clear throughout the book that he didn't understand how one moment in time could affect others for the rest of their lives and possibly ruin his future. In his character one sees how one's thoughts create a life that is not satisfying and can in fact be very destructive. 

Secondary characters in his grandmother and his close friend Darby the Marquess of Daberville add very interesting scenes to this romantic amusing and fun read. I really enjoyed this read and love how it addressed bullying in a discrete manner.

I look forward to the next book in this series and give this book 4 STARS for addressing how destructive words can be to one's future.

Even though I’m a huge fan of historical romance as a genre, I’ve only read a few authors. So, I’m always willing to try new authors. I was attracted to I Dared the Duke thanks to cover. Something about all that pink is very soothing. Though I can’t say that I Dared the Duke was an impressive or unique historical romance, I still found it to be a quick and enjoyable read. I will say that I wasn’t entirely aboard the relationship between Beth and Alex, even by the end, because the connection didn’t feel particularly strong to me. It did start off on a fun note, with some playful banter as well as witty arguments, but as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest in the two of them. I did really like the Alex’s grandmother. Her dynamic both with Alex and Beth was interesting and provided some very entertaining scenes throughout I Dared the Duke. There’s also a mystery story line involved here, with someone attempting to murder Alex, that I thought was written well. Overall, I Dared the Duke was a good read, but I wouldn’t go in expecting to be wowed with something fresh and new.

You can read it as a standalone though it is part of a series. Light and enjoyable read with a small mystery

Lovely and cute couple who shared some witty banter. Well written and the romance and a little mystery kept me entertained.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.

The next delightful installment in the Wayward Wallflowers series.

Beth has accepted a paid companion position to the Duke of Blackshire's grandmother. While the situation for her and her sisters has improved since her oldest sister married the Earl of Castleton, she still feels that she needs to do something. When the Duke shows up and tries to get his grandmother to retire to the country after she sacks Beth, the battle of wills begins.

Alex's life is in danger. He must find a way to get his grandmother as far away from him as possible in order to protect her. But Beth is fighting him every step of the way. When he agrees to grant his grandmother 3 wishes he has no clue that Beth will become a big part of those wishes. As he spends more and more time with her he finds that he cannot put her in danger as well. For to lose her would surely destroy him. But how does he convince her that she is safer without him.

Great story. Also liked that we got to see characters from the previous book.