This is Book 2 in "The Wayward wallflowers" Series and it is an easy and enjoyable read.

Elizabeth and Alex, The Duke are very interesting characters and I think the author does a very good job describing them and making them real to us, the readers.

Elizabeth never let the Duke walk over her and I really liked that about her. The banter between them was witty and fun to read it.

Alex and Elizabeth have great chemistry and some love scenes were very hot.


Nice and sweet read!

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire is convinced someone is trying to kill him. The last thing he needs is an addition to his household. His beloved grandmother has taken on a companion right when he wants to send her away to his country estate.
Miss Elizabeth Lacey needs to be needed, so being a companion to the lovely duchess is her ideal job. She knows with her reputation as a wallflower she is unlikely to ever marry. With the Duke determined to sack her and send his grandmother away she must use all her wiles to stay.
A lovely story with a mystery to solve and our hero getting out maneuvered by the clever heroine. Both of them have reputations that are totally undeserved. All of the characters are people that want to care for their families above all else. The danger that seems to come from everywhere and nowhere is difficult to trace to it's source.
This is the second book in a series but easily read as a stand alone.
I loved every page, good fun.

Light hearted engaging story. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more.

I Definitely Dared the Duke!
Alexander Savage is the Duke of Blackshire. A notorious rake with the reputation of love'em and leave'em type an always satisfied. But things are not as they seem for the Duke is fighting an invisible foe! His life has been threatened and he needs to get his Grandmother away fearing that to get to him they will harm his grandmother.
He's confronted with Miss Elisabeth Lacey-his grandmothers companion. He doesn't need another meddling female but there's something about her that sets his body on fire, and he needs to get her away from his home -but how to manage that when he's sweet grandmother is so attached to her?
Elizabeth has other plans for the haughty Duke and puts him through a number of trials. But when threats hit closer to home so does their desire for each other! Can he keep her close to him without risking her life? Can Elizabeth unravel the threat without risking her life and their budding love for each other?
A true treat, it has all the elements to keep the reader interested from the first page. Fast paced with a plot for murder delightful banter and a feisty heroine who's no wilting wallflower! A sexy Duke who's swoon worthy and not afraid to go after the woman he loves! Highly entertaining and will be looking forward to more Anna Bennett books!
Received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest unbiased opinion

For my first read of anything by Anna Bennett, I have to say I found I Dared the Duke fun and entertaining…but not a standout. As someone who reads historical romances fairly often, especially lately, this one was light and all sorts of fluff fun but once I was done reading it didn’t stick with me. Which, honestly, isn’t a bad thing because I can’t think of many romances that do.

I Dared the Duke is the second of the Wayward Wallflower books and while I haven’t read the first one (and I do plan to now), I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything so you can definitely read this one as a standalone.

I liked Beth. Some aspects of her personality didn’t really connect for me, like the constant need to be needed. I just couldn’t relate to that. But she wasn’t a doormat and used her wit to trick Alex into spending more time with his grandmother which I found both hilarious and unusual for a romance. Generally there are side characters in a romance but I don’t often see them play a larger role, but Alex’s grandmother was definitely the third member of this little party and it made for an interesting dynamic. Alex is a bit rough around the edges and has his reasons for pushing Beth away but they don’t last long when attraction enters the game. I enjoyed watching his character develop because he wasn’t the most likable person at the beginning but at the story progressed, he opened up more and grew on me until I cheered him and Beth on at the end.

Much of the story actually centered around these two interacting so the story took a backseat as well as all the action that could have come with it (which all seemed to be saved up for the end of the book when everything happens all at once. Unfortunately, the lack of story meant the story didn’t quite fit was I was looking for in a romance but it had some elements I wanted to see.

My favorite part of I Dared the Duke was definitely the banter between Beth and Alex. this isn’t a book I’d recommend for the story because despite all the tension that’s hinted at, the book was a pretty light read and didn’t really play up the action like it could have. Which was a bit disappointing. And honestly, this book didn’t have the true feel of a historical romance to me, in the way the characters talked and interacted. There was definitely a modern edge, but I found I didn’t mind? Again, I didn’t keep reading this one for the story so much as the characters so it wasn’t much of a bother.

Now I can’t say I would recommend this book to those of you who read historical romances pretty often because it likely won’t live up to your expectations. This is definitely just a light, fun read and I do plan to read the first in the series as well as any others that release because it was definitely enjoyable if you’re not looking for anything heavy.

Once more, the haughty duke is front and center this time engaging in battles with his grandmother’s companion – Miss Elizabeth Lacey, one of the wilting wallflowers. What delicious battles between the haughty duke, Alexander Savage and Miss Lacey. He wants his grandmother out of town and her companion gone, but like so many men of that era, doesn’t explain himself. He’s not trying to get his grandma out of town; he’s worried that someone is trying to hurt his family. But explain? Not the duke.
So Miss Lacey is ready to do battle. She loves the old lady and wants her to remain in town where she is enjoying herself. That sets her and the duke up for one fight after another, with the banter (barely) disguising the growing heat between the two. Since this duke is responsible for the name given to Beth and her sisters, the Wayward Wallflowers, there is plenty of bad blood between them.
What he thought of an offhand remark hurt Beth and her sisters, nearly ruining their marriage prospects and causing real pain. The lessons of this (without being preachy) really remind us that words can hurt. Dial in one damaged duke, one forthright heroine, a touch of mystery, and Anna Bennett has another winner in this delightful series.

(I received a NetGalley eARC in return for this honest review.)

London - 1818

Alexander (Alex) Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, possessing scars on his neck and a crabby disposition, also has a reputation for pleasing the ladies. Alex lost his parents in a fire that also left him scarred. His grandmother raised and cared for him.

Elizabeth (Beth) Lacey currently lives in the Duke’s home acting as companion to Alex’s grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. Her grandson, Alex, lives at his estate outside London. Beth has long been known for her caring nature and is always willing to help someone. Beth is also known to be part of the Wilting Wallflowers. Beth promised her uncle and guardian after the loss of her parents that she would be happy to be with the Duchess. Her uncle and sisters do not have a lot of money so with her away, it is easier on the family’s finances.

The Duke arrives in London with all of his luggage. When he finds Beth has become his grandmother’s companion, he tells her that her help is not needed and she must leave. However, Beth is stubborn and refuses to accept his command so she informs him that she is not leaving. She is not being paid for being with the Duchess and is doing this only because she cares for the lady. When Alex tries to get her to leave by reminding her of his reputation with woman, she is not impressed. Soon, Alex and Beth decide to let things stay as they are.

Alex has arrived in London because he wants to find out who is trying to kill him. Alex’s friend, Darby, the Marquess of Darberville, is helping him try to piece together why Alex was first poisoned at his club followed by wrecking his coach that had been tampered with. This is one reason he wants his grandmother and Beth out of the London house. He wants them safe. However, the two ladies aren’t ready to leave that easily. First, grandmother wants to redecorate his study and then a ball is planned.

Alex and Beth form an attraction that cannot help but grow. The Duke is smitten with this young woman who isn’t a pushover and intrigues him. But there is still the matter of someone trying to kill him. Who and why?

This is another good book by Anna Bennett. There is a lot of clever dialogue and some well-developed characters for the reader to enjoy. This is the second book in the Wayward Wallflowers Series. Book No. 1 is “My Brown-Eyed Earl” which is equally as good.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you like your heroines feisty and your heroes handsome, if a bit difficult, then this is your book. Beth adores her employer who just happens to be Alex’s grandmother. Alex thinks someone is trying to kill him and he worries for the safety of his grandmother and Beth. He doesn’t want to tell them why he wants them out of his London house and into the country so Beth digs in her heels and will only go if Alex grants his grandmother’s wishes. There is a mystery to be solved and secrets to be discovered.
I enjoyed this fun and light novel. At times Beth’s attitude was a bit present-day instead of Regency so if you are a stickler for authenticity then you may be disappointed. I found it to be charming. The romance is slow developing so it feels very natural.

Elizabeth Lacey, middle sister of the dubiously dubbed Wilting Wallflowers, loves nothing more than when she feels needed. So being the companion of a duchess is the type of fulfilling job she's looking for. The only problem is the grandson of the Duchess, Alexander Savage, The Duke of Blackshire, has quite the reputation for his horrible disposition and his penchant for leaving a string of broken hearts. With the Duke out of residence, Beth has had no interaction with him which serves her just fine, but when he abruptly returns one afternoon and immediately fires Beth, that she will not put up with.

Alex's love for his grandmother is unquestionable, that is why, when he feels his life is being threatened, he comes home to ensure her safety by getting her to relocate to his country house for the foreseeable future. To do this, Alex must enlist the aid of his grandmother's companion Beth, all without revealing the actual reason why Beth must help convince his grandmother to move to the country.

As these two being to butt heads with one another, they also realize that they are undeniably attracted to one another. But as their feelings deepen, secrets from Alex's past threaten to come forth and ruin their tentative new relationship.

I'll be honest, I could not get through the first book My Brown-Eyed Earl. Sometimes that just how things work out. I just could get myself drawn into the story. But that was not the case whatsoever with I Dared the Duke. I think this has a lot to do with Beth. I wasn't prepared for her character to be so unflinchingly stalwart. I loved the way she stands up to Alex upon their first meeting. Even though her family has suffered numerous let downs and had themselves gossiped about incessantly by the ton, Beth still maintains this fine levelheadedness about her. That's not to say she isn't emotionally effected by the gossips, we definitely see some vulnerable moments in this regard, but she doesn't let it keep her from standing up for herself where the Duke is concerned.

Alex, for his part, was not as much of a standout for me as Beth. But he compliments her nicely. I was really happy that this wasn't a book about a Duke falling in love with someone considered "beneath them". Alex and Beth are kept on pretty equal footing, and it just made their relationship / romance all the more satisfying.

What threatens to draw them apart is nothing that Beth even knows about, but are the secrets that Alex is keeping. Not going to reveal said secrets, of course, but suffice it to say, I really liked the way things played out. I didn't feel like the secrets were trivial matters. Plus, the mystery surrounding all of Alex's untimely "accidents" was intriguing enough to keep me reading long past the time I should have been sleeping (or working).

Overall, I enjoyed this second book enough that I want to go back and give the first book another try. Definitely before the third book comes out for sure.

I chose to read this book because the first book in the series, My Brown Eyed Earl, has been in my TBR pile since it debuted. Since I can't abide reading books out of order, I found that one at my local library and I received a copy of this one, I Dared the Duke, from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

And, honestly, I've found a new author to enjoy! This story was similar to the first one in that the hero falls in love, identifies his emotions, and stays fixed in them while the heroine vacillates (to a degree). There is also an element of mystery in both books, but the drama factor is seriously ratcheted up in this book. There have been several attempts made on the Duke's life and a good portion of the plot is devoted to unraveling the villain's identity.

The writing was fast paced, straightforward, and very familiar. There were a few charming scenes and turns of phrase - I particularly enjoyed the trip to Vauxhall Gardens, hearing about Phyllis, the three gifts at the end, and how the Dowager Duchess would love to decorate the study. Speaking of whom, I quite enjoyed reading the scenes with her and seeing how both Beth and Alex cared for her.

All that being said, this was very sweet, charming, and fun beach read. I look forward to reading Julie's book and will certainly keep my eye out for more books by this author.

Deliciously, Mesmerizing! This is the first story that I have read by Anna Bennett and I was dazzled by this superbly well written romance, and I can't wait to read more from this author. These fascinating and well developed main characters ensnared me with their sizzling sparring and charming, seductive romance and love, that brings this story come to life. But this story has so much more going on than romance, it is filled with mystery, intrigue, danger and suspense, leaving you on the edge of your seat and turning those pages as fast as you can. Amazing, tantalizing and intriguing historical romance! Don't miss this one! Loved it!

I voluntarily requested and received an ARC through Entangled and NetGalley and wrote an honest review.

The second in the Wayward Wallflowers series does not disappoint. We continue to get witty dialogue, awkward moments, swoon-worthy moments, and chemistry! All these things make I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett a “yes, if you love historical romance you should read” read. The icing on the cake? The Dowager Duchess, our beloved Duke’s grandmother. She’s a conniving sort who only wants the best for her grandson, and I love how her mind works. Hehe.

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, became duke at much too young of an age, due to much too sad of circumstances. Having survived a fire where his parents periled, he carries around the guilt of his survival. The grandmother, the dowager duchess raised him and she is the penultimate grandmother. Unbeknownst to Alex, she takes on a companion, Lady Elizabeth Lacey, aka one of the Wilting Wallflowers. A moniker Alex created at the start of Beth and her sister’s first season.

No, the name was not nice. In fact, it quite tarnished their reputation and made their marriage mart prospects quite glum. The less than enticing name combined with the fact their impoverished uncle—the man who raised them when their parents died—was a bit off his rocker, does not make one’s prospects on the marriage market favorable.

Thus, Beth finds herself in the townhome of the infamous Duke of Blackshire, a man whose sexual appetite and abilities are well-known among the ton. Good thing Beth knows her path will not often cross the Duke, as he keeps another residence. That is, until he arrives at the townhome and demands she gives her resignation (minor spoiler but happens quite early on in the book). Oh, let the fun begin.

The duke’s gaze drifted over her slowly, almost insolently, heating her skin in its wake. If she’d taken a bit more care dressing for dinner this evening, it certainly wasn’t for his benefit. She’d been saving her blue gown—the one she’d worn to her sister Meg’s wedding—for another special occasion.

Being tossed out of the duke’s house seemed to qualify. After all, it never hurt to look one’s best during the most trying of times.

Never truer words, Lady Beth. Yet, she is unable to curb her tongue in her interactions with the Duke, which make for fun banter for the reader, though maybe not the best move if she wishes to have any possibility of maintaining her role as companion.

“Good evening, Miss Lacey.” The low timbre of his voice vibrated through her.

She raised her chin and sniffed. “your grace.”

“Impressive.” He nodded thoughtfully.

Beth blinked. “What’s impressive?”

“Your ability to make a simple greeting sound like an insult. Not everyone can manage it, you know.”

Oh, I love the banter and how it intensifies their attraction to one another. They always seem to be bickering, until the bickering turns into something more.

“But I know what I heard—moans. Tortured moans.”

Christ, she wouldn’t give up. “You think you know what you heard. It’s late.” He shrugged. “Perhaps your mind was playing tricks.”

“No,” she countered. “I know what I heard.”

“Do you?” He pushed himself off his desk and walked all the way around her in a slow, deliberate circle. “There are all sorts of moans, Miss Lacey. Moans of pain...moans of pleasure. They sound remarkable similar.”

Her eyes went wide. “I do not pretend to be a connoisseur of moans, your grace, but I shall take your word for it.”

“It’s Alex. And maybe you shouldn’t.”

“I beg your pardon?”...

“You shouldn’t take my word for anything. A moan of pleasure is something you should experience for yourself.”

Egah...can someone get me a fan? Yet, all is not what it seems with both Lady Beth and our Duke. The delciousness of the book increases as we patiently wait for the two to realize the folly in their impressions of one another as they fight their attraction, yet eventually work together to solve a mystery.

Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher

2,5/5

I Dared the Duke is the second volume in the Wayward Wallflower series about three orphaned sisters. Here we follow Beth, at present companion for an old duchess, grappling with the lady’s grandson who wants to send them to the country against their wishes.

By her own admission, Beth needs to be needed. She likes being helpful and gets out of her way to help. However she has a nasty tendency to jump to conclusions and to believe gossips, and it plays tricks on her several times in the novel.
Alex has a reputation of being a Casanova not at all deserved, but he never contradicted the ladies who pretended to have been his mistresses (who knows why). He’s at first presented as bad-tempered and domineering but we realize little by little that’s not the case at all.

At the beginning Beth and Alex argue, make barbed comments to each other, while they’re forced to be in each other’s presence after Beth promises her help provided that Alex grants three wishes to his grandmother. Little by little they realize the other is not what he seems, and the attraction grows quite fast. There are numerous sensual scenes, but the sex scenes when they happen are not really steamy, much tamer in fact. However I wonder if Beth’s behavior is compatible with the (very vague) period the story is meant to take place.

As for the secondary characters, there is of course the grandmother, for which we guess very quickly that she wants Alex and Beth to be together; Alex’s best friend who helps him in his investigation; and Beth’s family making a few appearances. But all in all they are not very present and the story focuses more on the couple’s meetings. The tone is spirited and the repartees spicy in the first half of the novel, but I thought there was a down phase in the second half.

The investigation about who wants to kill Alex doesn’t move much and is solved quite fast. I’d have liked more details about how the person responsible was able to organize the attacks, but unfortunately there’s only a quick explanation on the motivations.

All in all this is a cute historical romance that’s reads well but I wasn’t really hooked, sorry.

This is the second story in the Wayward Wallflowers series and I liked it a lot. This story was as much fun as it was steamy. I adored the duke and liked the companion as their fun banter made me smile and chuckle through out.

As the story moved at a fast pace, I found all the characters interesting and entertaining, and I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn of the attraction between these two. I also thought that the secondary mystery plot was well written and executed because I just couldn’t guess the outcome.

This was a lighthearted romance with a hero with a darker side to him and a heroine who is most happy when she’s taking care of people in need.

What I appreciated a lot from the author is the way she handled the sensuality between the leads. The love scenes were there to help me understand the characters and not just to fill the pages. They were emotionally charged and their realism brought the characters to life.

If you’re a fan of Vicky Dreiling, Eileen Dreyer or Julia Quinn, then you’ll find this story and its romance sweet and sensual and a must read.

Melanie for b2b

The Lacey sisters have lost their parents and found themselves in dire financial circumstances. Even if her sister is married to a wealthy earl, Beth Lacey, the middle sister, needs a job and she has accepted to act as a companion to a dowager duchess. She would be perfectly happy if the duchess’ grandson, Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, hadn’t decided to get rid of her.

Alex is an intriguing hero, deeply scarred physically and emotionally. He is arrogant, ornery and haughty and yet there seems to be much more to him than the player he seems to be. He has found a worthy opponent in Beth, though. She is mouthy, sassy, spirited and doesn’t hold Alex in high esteem. Their verbal sparring was so much fun! Alex is forthright and doesn’t do flattery. But he needs Beth’s help to persuade his grandmother to move to the country.

In exchange for her cooperation, Beth intends to impose her rules and teach him a lesson. These two characters had me laughing, their bickering and battle of wits were irresistible. As it happens, they really enjoy each other’s company. Alex is worried, there were several attempts on his life and it is obvious that someone wants to kill him. The culprit has not been identified yet and he can’t bear the idea that something could happen to Beth because of their relationship. He is protective of her, but seems vulnerable and without actual protection. There were several interesting plot twists and suspenseful scenes. The mystery part of the story was well written and well-paced, it kept me guessing until the very end. But what really held my attention is the burgeoning relationship between Beth and Alex. They are both endearing characters, who have become prejudiced through some traumatic events they experienced in their life. I loved their interactions, the witty dialogue and their mutual emotional healing.

I enjoyed this charming, lovely and fun historical romance with suspenseful elements. I dared the Duke was my first book by author Anna Bennett. It is the second installment in her Wayward Wallflowers series, but this book can be read as a standalone.

Favorite Quote: “This was the kiss she’d been waiting for forever. And she hadn’t even known till that moment.”

Reviewed by Tori

I Dared the Duke by Anne Bennett is the second story in her Wayward Wallflower series which is based on a trio of orphaned sisters. A classic romance with its faint Cinderella theme. A scandalous Duke falls for his grandmother’s beautiful companion and they live happily ever after. What makes this story interesting is the characters themselves. Our companion is a companion by choice, not because of economic or social factors. Our Duke is anything but scandalous.The many rumors that surround him are just that…rumors…From their first meeting, this affordable and personable couple amused me with their witty, energetic banter and simmering chemistry.

The story starts out on a bang with our hero and heroine sharpening their verbal swords on one another as the Duke, Alex, tries to fire the companion, Beth. Alex is determined to get his grandmother out of London and away from him due to the near fatal events that seem to befall him lately. Behaving in his usual overbearing snotty self, he attempts to browbeat Beth into quitting and finds himself quite intrigued when she turns the tables on him.

“Now then,” he drawled. “I believe Miss Lacey has something of import she wished to tell us.”

“Why no, your grace. I’ve nothing to share. Nothing at all.”

“Are you quite certain you have nothing to share?”

“I am.”

“I believe you had some news concerning your own situation.”

“Situation is such a vague word, is it not? It could refer to a number of topics. I’m afraid you will have to be more specific.”

Alex and Beth dance around one another and the topic at hand until Beth finally offers Alex a deal. If he grants his grandmother three wishes, she’ll help to convince her to leave. Beth just wants the Duke to spend some time with his grandmother. His grandmother adores him and to Beth family is everything.

Elizabeth (Beth) Lacey and her two sisters were orphaned and left penniless when their parents are killed in an accident. Only their uncle, Lord Wiltmore, is willing to take them in and his odd reputation doesn’t exactly ensure their welcome into society. Their uncle adores them and just wants them to be happy but Beth and her sisters are given an unfortunate nickname that follows them around the ballrooms for years; making them the recipient of snubs and jokes made at their expense. Though Beth is tired of being humiliated through no fault of her own, she accepts a position as the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire companion as a favor to her uncle knowing it will place her in society’s sights again. Beth loves to feel needed and while she the epitome of a well-bred lady, she is quite amusing with her dry wit, subtle set downs, and sheer stubbornness.

“Good evening, Miss Lacey.”

“Your grace.”

“Impressive.”

“What’s impressive?”

“You ability to make a simple greeting sound like an insult. Not everyone can manage it, you know.”

Alex, the Duke of Blackshire, is not quite the cold, detached jerk he presents himself to be at the beginning. Someone is trying to kill him and he fears for grandmother’s life. His grandmother is his heart. He lost both his parents in a fire at a young age. She not only raised him but nursed him back to health when he was injured in that fire. He is unable to comfortably investigate while worrying for her safety but refuses to tell anyone (beyond his best friend) what is going on. When he and Beth first meet, it is like mixing oil and water. They repel one another all while trying to co-exist in the same space.

“Aren’t you one of Lord Wiltmore’s ___?”

“Wallflowers?” she provided. “How kind of you mention it, “ she added dryly.

He raised a dark brow. “I was going to say nieces.”

She shrugged. “Perhaps. But you were thinking wallflowers.”

“I am fascinated by your uncanny ability to know what I am thinking. If you can predict what I’m going to say before I say it, this whole conversation is rather pointless.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Are we through?”

As they spend more time together, the attraction between them intensifies yet they both feel that nothing can come of it. Alex has secrets, one especially that revolves around Beth and her sisters. One that he is convinced will cause her to hate him. Beth is sure that Alex will grow bored and eventually leave her as everyone always does. Emotions run high and the sexual teasing and tension is quite delicious as Bennett slowly but steadily leads them towards their destiny. Nicely framed love scenes dot the landscape to invigorate the reader as this couple takes advantage of a few stolen moments.

It was a heady feeling, being in the arms of London’s most notorious lover. Before this kiss, she never understood why otherwise perfectly intelligent women would sully heir reputations for a night with him. But as he speared his fingers through her hair and trailed kisses down the side of her neck, she understood all too well.

A hint of mystery adds to the overall anticipation of the story though the two storylines don’t blend was well as I would hope. Bennett attempts to merge them in the end but it comes off a bit rushed and forced.

The secondary characters are an interesting and diverse group used to create depth and to help push the story along. Beth’s uncle and sisters are quite frank and affectionate. They rush en mass when Beth is in trouble and I enjoyed their interactions. Alex’s grandmother is a pip and her matchmaking attempts weren’t all that subtle. Alex’s best friend plays a strong role and I hope we see more of him in the future. I do wish that the story hadn’t stayed so insulated on this couple. I would have enjoyed seeing them interact together with the outside world more. To be honest, I don’t even know the dates/era of this world. Regency? Georgian? Victorian? That’s how focused Bennett is.

The mystery wraps up in a surprisingly dramatic fashion with the villain unmasked and dealt with by a shocking source while Alex lays his childhood guilt to rest with a heroic act. All in all a pleasantly lightweight and amusing historical romance that is sure to elicit a happy sigh from its readers. Though part of a series, each book can be read comfortably as a standalone. The next sister’s story will be told in The Rogue is Back in Town-set to release January 2018.

Grade: C+

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher.

I Dared the Duke is a historical romance novel by Anna Bennett. It’s set during the Regency era, which is one my favorite era.

Beth Lacey is working as a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. Her days are not terribly exciting, but that changes when the Duke of Blackshire decides to take up residence in his London home- the same home where the Dowager Duchess and Beth are currently living. The Dowager Duchess is thrilled to see her precious grandson, but Beth is wary of the grumpy duke with the fierce disposition.

This is definitely not a case of insta-love. In fact, Alex tries to fire Beth the first night, but she is too devoted to the Dowager Duchess and refuses to leave. Beth and Alex do not expect that they would have very much in common, but they discover that they both care very deeply for the Dowager Duchess. And then of course, as they spend time together, they realize that they have more in common than that. There’s just one problem- someone is trying to kill Alex, and he has no idea who or why. If he wants to stick around long enough to appreciate the study his grandmother is having decorated, then he needs to figure out who hates him enough to kill him!

I Dared the Duke is a charming book. Alex and Beth have great chemistry, and the mystery element had me intrigued. The unmasking of the villain was a surprise; I certainly wouldn’t have ever guessed! The resolution of mystery happened a little too quickly, but that’s forgivable since this is a romance and not a mystery.

I would recommend I Dared The Duke to fans of the genre. This is my first experience reading one of Anna Bennett’s books, and I’m pleased to have discovered a new author. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books, and I’m hoping that Alex’s friend Darby gets his own book in the future!

Beth was feisty and sure knew what she wanted, but not in a way that was too forward or out of character. Alex was both grumpy and kind, and watching them fall in love was a pleasure.

This is the second book in the series but works well as a standalone, too. The wayward wallflower in the story is Miss Elizabeth Lacey (Beth) who likes to be needed. After her sister married well, she’s no longer feeling needed at home so goes to be the companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. It is in this role that she meets the Duke of Blackshire, Alexander Savage (Alex). He has a reputation as a talented lover - especially of married women. As a child he was severely burned in a house fire in which his parents died and it was only the care and attention of his grandmother which helped him survive his injuries. He adores the old lady but is increasingly concerned by apparent threats on his life from an unknown source, so he’d like her to move back to the country and out of harms way. When he tries to sack Beth, he discovers she really isn’t a meek wallflower and is ready to stand up to and defy him. This is the start of a confrontational relationship between the two that leads on to them falling in love but, with a potential murderer having Alex as their next victim, how can he keep himself and those he loves safe?

I found this an engaging read to escape into. The characters are well developed and Alex is particularly easy to relate to. I didn’t, however, understand why he, as a wealthy Duke, didn’t get others to help determine the perpetrator of the attempts on his life. Beth is more of an enigma, feisty, stubborn, vociferous and suspicious though she was also caring and charming at other times. I loved how she blackmailed the Duke to enable her and the Duchess to stay! The mystery of who is attempting to kill the Duke is kept till very near the end of the story (though how the person managed to carry out the attempts is also somewhat mysterious, too). It is a steady paced book that flows well, keeping the reader guessing and providing some humorous banter, too.

I requested and received a copy of this story via NetGalley and this is my honest review after reading it.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. I would rate this 3.75 stars so I rounded up to 4. I Dared the Duke is the second title about the Lacey sisters. Beth is the middle sister and enjoys being needed so she has accepted a position as companion to the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. Her grandson, Alexander the current duke, demands she leaves her position and wants to send his grandmother to the country. Beth thinks Alexander doesn't appreciate his grandmother and strikes a bargain with him - she'll help convince the Dowager to move to the country after he grants his grandmother three wishes. Alexander's desire to move his grandmother to the country is an attempt to protect her from the recent attempts on his life. As Alex fulfills his grandmother's wishes and spends time getting to know Beth, he realizes that he won't be able to live without her. Alexander is more emotionally complex than he originally appears - an event in his childhood continues to effect him into adulthood. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Alex and Beth's relationship develop throughout the story and deepen from initial attraction into something deeper and lasting. I am looking forward to the last book featuring the youngest sister. Readers looking for an entertaining read won't be disappointed and will enjoy the story of who is trying to kill Alex.