I loved this story - such an Imperious duke and a common sense companion who fight their attraction through the story! The sexual tension and romance is strong and well-worth the read. I highly recommend this to any romance who loves sexy characters, a wonderful story and a dash of danger.

Ms. Elizabeth Lacey is the companion to the dowager duchess, grandmother to the infamous rake, Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire. He is of no concern to her and hopes to avoid him at all costs. Of course, that's not easy when she's living under the same roof. Dubbed a Wilting Wallflower years ago, Beth is anything but and her lively conversations/arguments with the Duke are a welcome change from the simpering young ladies of the ton that you found in regency romances.

Ms. Bennett does an excellent job of writing complex characters and she slowly teases out the details for both Beth and Alexander and the events that have shaped their lives. The murder mystery was a nice touch, but I would have liked to see a more fleshed out ending for this part. The would-be killer was revealed and over with in only a few paragraphs. That was a little disappointing as I would have enjoyed learning more about the motivation behind the attempts on Alex's life. The chemistry between Alex and Beth was believable, although I wished a little more time had passed before they were declaring themselves.

All in all, this was a delightful book and fans of regency romance will thoroughly enjoy it.

This was a great romantic mystery. I loved the lesson behind the story-don't be quick to judge others based on gossip that you hear. Beth and Alex both have preconceived notions about each other and as they get to know each other, they come to realize that how wrong they were. I enjoyed the way they started out fighting during every exchange. Not only was it funny but it created delicious sexual tension. There was a healthy amount of mystery that helped to balance out the romance and make this a well rounded story. Enjoyable characters and an entertaining plot made this a fantastic read.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1889655911?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I’ve been daringly trying out new authors this year. This was one such case. I’d never read this author before but I had no trouble jumping into book two of this series. However, I feel like maybe had I had some attachment to the characters coming into this, maybe I would’ve enjoyed it more.

Alexander is a known womanizer. Or so the ton thinks of him. He now desperately needs to get his beloved grandmother to move out to the country because someone is trying to kill him and he needs her safe. His only option is to convince her lady companion, Elizabeth, to help him convince her. Elizabeth doesn’t know the real reason he’s trying to get rid of his grandmother and asks him to do three things to make his grandmother happy before she agrees to help him. And while living under the same roof, sparks fly between the demure Beth and the famous rake.

This story was cute and entertaining for the time I was reading it but in the end is rather… forgettable. I wasn’t really drawn to care deeply for either one of the characters and the mystery aspect wasn’t catching my interest enough either. So while this was a fun way to pass the time I don’t think this is a series I plan on continuing.

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, is known throughout the ton for the burns on his neck and the trail of broken hearts behind him. He adores his grandmother, she nursed him back to health after his burns and he lost his parents, but now there is someone out to murder him and with his reputation for being a rake of the highest order the list isn't short of enemies. He’s worried about his grandmother’s safety and what he doesn’t need right now is a new companion under foot. His grandmother has just hired one of the Wilting Wallflower’s, Miss Elizabeth Lacey as her companion and this wallflower is not as meek and mild as he expected. Elizabeth calls him out on not wanting his grandmother around, she stands up to him and encourages Alex to make a deal to grant his grandmother three wishes and then she will encourage her to move to the country. Elizabeth gradually gets under Alex’s skin, she’s not what he expected. He keeps revealing secrets he’d rather keep hidden and show Elizabeth a side of himself she cannot resist. They are drawn together by a fiery passion that neither can deny! A great read with mystery, passion and vulnerable characters risking it all for a chance at a once in a life time love.
This is my honest review of a compliment copy received from Net Galley.

This book was a fabulous, quick read with very satisfying characters. Beth and Alex are a couple we can all relate too. Well done!

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, has both mental and physical scars. He's haunted by the death of his parents in a fire when he was a child. I liked how he cares for his grandmother. I could tell that he hides a loving heart behind a prickly attitude. He finds himself drawn to his grandmother's companion, Miss Elizabeth Lacey. The irony is that he nicknamed her and her sisters the Wilting Wallflowers. Now he wants her for himself. Seeing them together is romantic. I enjoyed their dialogue which is sexy and sassy. I liked Beth. She is a loving and caring woman. She likes the Dowager Duchess and she's drawn to her grandson. It made me smile that she's curious about his reputation as a lover. These two make a great couple. I found that this story was an exciting mix of romance and mystery. I admit that I didn't have any idea who was trying to kill the Duke. I enjoyed Anna Bennett's writing. I liked her style. She kept me reading. I liked her characters, the plot and the mystery.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read. My comments are my honest opinion.

Charming and entertaining. A real feel good historical romance.

A love story with a difference.

3.5 ***1/2 stars...
It seems Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, is being stalked by someone who is seeking to make an end to him. For starters his carriage accident was no accident.
Miss Elizabeth Lacey, Beth, one of those he'd dubbed the Wilting Wallflowers some years ago is his grandmother's companion.
The Duke appears to be a confirmed rake. His sexual prowess is talked about by women in hushed tones, he's highhandedness and downright rude, and his a scars add another layer of mystery. He is a man who carries secret burdens, including the truth about his rakish ways. Having been badly burnt as a child his body carries the evidence and his heart carries the memory of the night that dashed his childhood into smithereens.
Alex loves his grandmother dearly and wants to protect her. He needs Beth's assistance. Beth wrings three wishes from him for the Dowager's pleasure. Here Beth has totally misjudged Alex's devotion to his grandmother. Not knowing his fears she sees his desire to send his grandmother out of harms way as dismissive.
Beth just can't seem to stop wanting to rescue situations and when her gaze turns to the dreadful Duke it seems that he's in need of rescuing too. But who will rescue her!
This is a light hearted read. Beth and Alex are two unique personalities, quite different characters from the norm.

A NetGalley ARC
(April 2017)

I really enjoyed this story. Beth is a companion to Alex's grandmother. When Alex shows up, Beth gets the wrong idea. To protect her charge, she dares Alex to grant his grandmother three wishes and spend time with her before shuffling her out of his life. Alex is trying to figure out who is trying to kill him without endangering anyone else. Beth pushes him until he tells her things he has told no one else. Their connection strengthens as the danger comes closer. I had a tough time putting this one down, and I highly recommend this story. I have made Anna Bennett a must read and look forward to reading more.

I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

I enjoyed Alex and Beth's story very much and I would recommend to lovers of historical romance. While I did not love the plot of someone trying to kill him, and the steps he took to find his attacker, I adored every moment Alex and Beth were together. I fell in love with them as they fell for each other. Their bantering and steamy moments were really good and engaging, and felt believable.

Beth was hired by the duke's grandmother as a companion, or so she thinks. When the Duke, Alex, shows up, he wants her out of his house. Refusing to leave, she agrees to take his grandmother to the country if he grants three wishes to benefit his grandmother. Alex agrees and hopes it will happen as soon as possible: he has been targeted with several attempts on his life. As they banter back and forth, their attraction is evident and a dalliance ensues. But there are secrets which threaten their relationship as the attempts on his life continue. Can she forgive him before it's too late for love, will his grandmother's scheme as a matchmaker be found out, and is there time to find the person responsible for attempts on his life? So many obstacles to overcome...

I really enjoyed this romance a lot!

**I received a review copy on NetGalley**

From the moment, I started Anna Bennett’s I Dared the Duke, I was ensnared by both Alexander and Beth. Beth, a wallflower, works as a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. Beth loves the dowager and enjoys working for her, but things get a bit strained once the dowager’s son, Alexander, the Duke of Blackshire, arrives to stay. Beth wishes that Alexander would pay more attention to his grandmother, while Alexander desperately wants to protect his grandmother from a threat.
 
Alex has recently come to realize that someone wants him dead. As a result, Alex wants to get rid of Beth and move his grandmother to the country, to get her out of harm’s way - all without revealing the danger (of course!). Beth is not one to scare easily and Alex’s gruff and grumpy demeanor make her dig her heels in. She knows that the dowager wants to remain in London and Beth will do everything she can to keep the dowager where she wants to be. This makes Alex and Beth’s relationship a bit combative at first, of course, with a side of sexual attraction.
 
Beth is a strong heroine, one who is able to stand up to the ducal Alex who doesn’t expect to meet with any resistance. She challenges Alex, makes bargains with him in order to try and get what she wants which is usually something for the dowager. This put the two into closer contact where their attraction for each other flares hotly. Their romance is delightful especially once Beth and Alex stop fighting each other.
 
There is obviously a suspense plot as someone wants Alex dead. In the beginning, he is working mostly by himself to figure out the mystery. He really doesn’t have a great sense of who might be after him or why and doesn’t want to let anyone actually help him (which could have saved him some aggravation). Eventually, he tells Beth and then she does get involved. Alex continues to remain his stubborn self, not wanting Beth or anyone else to be in danger. I enjoyed the suspense plot tremendously and was even a bit surprised by it. It turns out that indeed Alex’s past and reputation as one of London’s greatest lovers does come back to haunt him in the end.
 
I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett has all the hallmarks of a great romance: two characters who generate incredible heat when they are together, a mystery worth solving and a happily ever after that enchants. Even though this one is the second book in a series, it can be read as a stand alone. This one is a highly entertaining read.

This book was awesome! It pulled me out of a reading funk that I was in and I'm so glad that I was gifted an ARC of I Dared the Duke because I had such a blast reading this story.

Literally from the first page I was pulled right in to the story. After several accidents that almost kill him, Alex the Duke of Blackshire resolves to find out who, if anyone, is out to end him. With a reputation for being a rake of the highest order, he isn't short on enemies. Coming home to pack up his grandmother to the country and away from any possible threat, Alex didn't count of Beth laying waste to his plan.

As his grandmother's companion, Beth is under the assumption that Alex is ungrateful and selfish towards his grandmother for trying to send her off so suddenly. To prevent hurt feelings, Beth makes a bargain with him. She will convince his grandmother that a trip to the country is ideal if Alex promises to spend more time with his grandmother by granting her three wishes.

Rather than telling her of his suspicions, Alex plays along and agrees to Beth's plans. It doesn't hurt that he finds Beth fascinating and vise versa. What follows is a funny light hearted love story with a great H and h, some hot chemistry and some rose tinted romance.

I loved Beth, she was sweet, and thoughtful and so selfless. There was something so endearing in the fact that she longed to be needed. Needing to be needed didn't make her weak, Beth had a backbone of steel and a heart big and strong enough to take a few bruises. Alex was written so perfectly - from the arrogant stuffy Duke we catch a glimpse of in that first scene to the vulnerable man risking it all for a chance at a once in a life time love.

This is actually the second book in Anna Bennett's Wayward Wallflower series. I can honestly say that it reads well as a stand-alone novel because this is the first book I have read by this author. Beth has the unfortunate honor of having been dubbed as a "Wilting Wallflower" and as such really doesn't have a promising courtship future. As the companion to the dowager duchess, Beth has found a place where she is needed, and Beth needs to be needed. So when there is an opportunity to assist Alex the dowager's grandson, Beth is right there to assist. Little does she know, Alex, whom she is now attracted to is the very man that bestowed the nickname on her and her sisters.
This was an enjoyable historical romance with a touch of intrigue. Someone is out to kill Alex and so naturally everyone in his circle is also at risk.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

I liked book 1 so I was curious to see how the next wilting wallflower got her man (oh, that name, what an ahole thing for a man to come up with and spread.)

Elizabeth becomes the companion of a dowager duchess. It's nice. Sure maybe she could get a better chance now when her sis married an earl, but Elizabeth is done with all that, and the name they were called.

I liked the duchess, I liked Elizabeth. They made a good team. And in comes the Duke. They argue, they banter (don't they always). She challenges him. He is annoyed and intrigued. And of course there is the drama. Someone wants him dead! Oh and he has issues from his childhood. So yes this is another pretty Duke, we already came to the conclusion they always are ;)

He fights of the attraction. She falls for him. And they lived happily ever after.

I so want a blurb for book 3 now, but they are none! So sad, I want to know who her other sis will end up with.

Conclusion:
A lovely romance.

This is the first book I have read by Anna Bennett though it is the second book in her series of romances involving three sisters (The Wayward Wallflowers.) The series title is based on a nickname that the sisters had picked up in society as The Wilting Wallflowers. Based on the actions of Miss Elizabeth Lacey (the second sister and the center of attention in this book), Wayward is the more apt title.

Beth (as she prefers to be called) has agreed to become the temporary companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. The Duke, Alexander Savage is the grandson who is rarely to be seen at the London residence where Beth is now residing.

When he suddenly appears on the scene and tries to push Beth to leave, Beth digs in and decides she must stay for a given period. That sets the scene for these two individuals to get to know one another and find out if their instant attraction is just that or if it is more long-standing.

The book contains sex scenes, some language and has violent scenes as well. In the content of the story, these didn’t bother me but I mention it for those who are interested.

I found the book amusing and the characters likeable. I was left wondering about the back story on the Wilting Wallflowers, so I am planning on picking up the first book in the series and will certainly look for the third book in the future.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett
The Wayward Wallflowers #2

Elizabeth “Beth” Lacey has taken an unpaid position as companion to the grandmother of Alexander “Alex” Savage, Viscount of Blackshire. He does not see why his grandmother needs a companion but over time realizes that Beth is good for his grandmother…and perhaps for him, too. However, with someone intent on murdering him he wants both of them safe. Beth agrees to help him get his mother out of town to safety if he grants his granny three wishes. Before the third wish is granted there are murder attempts, suspects to suss out, the next in the series to present and a whole lot of romance going on. The undercurrents of loss and fire thread their way through the story with a HEA that was just right. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

This is the second book in The Wayward Wallflowers Series. It is a fun and entertaining historical read. Alex and Beth are great characters and have amazing chemistry and the conversations were so much fun. I really liked this historical read.