I absolutely love Anna Bennett's new series. This is my first book by her and I know its the second book but I will be reading the first book next. I very much love her character's Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire and Miss Elizabeth Lacey. This book had some surprises but I am not one for spoilers. I hope others will enjoy it as much as I did.

Elizabeth Lacey or Beth, also known as one of the Wilting Wallflowers, and her sisters were named wallflowers by the Duke of Blackshire in a passing comment that stuck. Only they did not know he was the one who had given them that notorious title. Once he really looks at her, he cannot believe he ever thought her a wallflower.

Beth become san unpaid companion to the duke’s grandmother. They are getting along rather well, until the day the Alex moves in with them. Then, he demands Beth leave because she is no longer needed and his grandmother is moving to the country. He essentially fires her.

Alex does not want to tell his grandmother she has to leave London, but wants Beth to inform her she must leave. She refuses. A few days pass as Alex begins to enjoy trading verbal barbs with his grandmother’s companion. He is sure someone is trying to kill him and worries his grandmother will be hurt or killed due to her close proximity. He believes she will be safer in the country. His grandmother raised him, staying with him following the fire that took his parents and scared him. His grandmother is the only true family he has left.

Eventually, Beth agrees to help him if he will grant his grandmother three wishes without her knowing he is granting her wishes. Beth tells him when a 'wish' is the right one to grant. Of course, Alex and the lovely Beth get to know each other well, but she is not quite sure she can trust him. In order to prevent Beth from believing the worst of him, this strongly handsome man who is thought to be rake in the bedroom of too many women to count, tells her of the ‘accidents’ that surround him possibly trying to take his life. She decides to help him and his good friend, Darby, determine who is behind the accidents.

This is a lively and somewhat sensual romance that is a great addition to the Wayward Wallflower series, yet, it is a good stand-alone novel, too. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review.

I Dared the Duke (The Wayward Wallflowers, #2)
by Anna Bennett (
Anna Swedenmom's review Feb 28, 2017 ·
really liked it

Okay don't burn me at the stake for this review. However, it was witty and engaging. The characters were light and a little too contemporary, but the story was good. I totally enjoyed it and rate it that way. While I cannot say it is a true historical , it is a good read. There are some parts that were a little too unbelievable for me. However, the writer is talented and I hope to read more from her as she continues to write in this line. I truly enjoyed the fact that while there was sex it was not the focus of the book. I did not have to skim through many pages I would not read anyway. I instead thought it was done well and I enjoyed reading it. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

2 helms
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)

"I Dared the Duke" reads like a boat on a calm blue sea...adrift with no purpose....This book really lacked substance for me and hence why I could not connect with the characters: Miss Elizabeth Lacey and Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire (To be completely honest, I couldn't even remember the last names of the H/h!). The entire book felt like filler material sadly, with the plot and the subplots really haphazardly put together :(

Alex has a wicked reputation as a rogue and someone wants to murder him. His grandmother is his dearest and closest relative and he doesn't want her near danger until he figures out who's behind it all. He needs her to move back into her country manor quick smart before anything happens, and without giving away his reasons. Elizabeth (Beth) is the dowager's live-in companion and cannot believe Alex's callous plans to banish his grandmother to the country and refuses to aid him until he grants her three wishes. Their close proximity leads to Alex seeing Beth as more than just a "Wilting Wallflower"- a cruel nickname and reputation that has haunted Beth and her sisters and unbeknownst to Beth, started by Alex. Beth is becoming more than just his grandmother's companion to Alex and she makes him want to reveal everything to her: scars, secrets and his love.

A teen 1990s romcom movie masquerading as a historical romance novel, where the popular, closet-sensitive school jock realises that the nerdy kid ain't that bad and is quite sweet and pretty. Just wasn't my cup of tea.

*Thank-you Anna Bennett, Netgalley & St. Martin's Paperbacks for the ARC.

This was a very enjoyable read, well written and with a fluid style. I liked the characters, specially the hero, slightly damaged, slightly vulnerable; in the beginning, he appears to be a rake, a scoundrel, “London’s most notorious lover” (quote from ARC) until we find out that appearances can be deceiving and there’s a gap between reputation and reality. I really liked this twist.
The heroine, too naïve and dazzled by his supposed success with women, willingly begins having sex with the hero after a period of flirting and innuendos that I found most enjoyable. I’m always a bit disconcerted by this tendency in historical romance to relax the “rules of propriety” of the time, but, well, perhaps that’s what readers expect and I’m really no expert on the subject.
I also liked the historical depiction of places and social setting, the author delivers vivid and believable descriptions.

Is this really only her second novel?! Anna Bennett is fast becoming an auto buy author for me!
Alex is a scrumptious grumpy yet tender hero. He'd do anything for his grandmother! He'd made an enemy though and he needs to protect her. His grandmothers' companion is a nuisance but she grows on him quite quickly.
Beth is a fantastic heroine and she knows how to manage a grumpy Duke. I love wallflowers! When they find their hero's it's bound to be a delicious story!
If you love wallflower stories and a bit of mystery. this is a must read!

This is the second book in the Wayward Wallflowers series and is just as entertaining as the first book.

This story centers on Elizabeth Lacey aka Beth, the sister of the heroine in the first book and Alexander aka Alex, Duke of Blackshire.

Alex has a reputation for being a legendary lover, he is also known for his scars and his grumpy nature He also has a problem, someone is trying to kill him.

Beth is a fixer, she lives to solve other people problems and to feel useful. Because of this, she agreed to become the companion to the elderly Dowager Duchess of Blackshire. She genuinely likes the older woman and when her grandson, the duke shows up unexpectedly and tries to fire her, Beth is outraged and refuses to leave. When Alex tries to change his tact and have her and his grandmother leave London. Instead of complying, Beth bargains with the duke and promises to leave and take his grandmother with her to the country, if Alex promises to grant the older woman three wishes.

The book is well written, has some spicy moments, a decent mystery, some surprising revelations and a very sweet ending.

While this book is the second in the series, it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

I am really enjoying this series and am looking forward to the next book!

Loved this book!! Finished it in a day because i just couldn't put it down.I fell in love with the Wilted Wallflowers in the first of the trilogy(about the eldest sister Meg) and now i cant wait for the final instalment.
Its fantastically written so ( as i said) you fall in love with the characters and go along with them in their adventures. Anna Bennett you are brilliant!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, is being hunted. Someone wants the Duke dead and he has no idea who. His best course of action is to get his beloved grandmother ensconced safely in the country. One thing is standing in his way, his grandmother’s new companion, Miss Elizabeth Lacey.

Beth and her sisters were dubbed the Wilting Wallflowers years earlier and the misconceptions were accepted by the ton. Yet Beth herself accepts the rumors about the most notorious lover in England, the Duke of Blackshire. A mistake she has trouble accepting throughout the novel. Beth assumes when Alex asks her to help her convince his grandmother to move to the country he just wants her out of his hair. We all know what assumptions get us.

Bennett weaves her way through romance and mystery to give us all one hell of a read. The concept of the three wishes Alex must grant his grandmother was outstanding. The things Alex does for her are nothing he wouldn’t do if his grandmother only asked, but with Beth around, he was able to gift them to her without suggestion. Beth and Alex set the pages on fire with their passionate banter and swoon worthy kisses. I Dared the Duke is a heart melting, pulse pounding love story sure to entice any historical romance lover!

The Duke of Blackshire arrives home determined to move his grandmother to the country in an attempt to protect her. Someone is trying to kill the Duke and he doesn't want his beloved grandmother to be collateral damage. However Alex encounters an obstacle in his grandmother's companion, Beth. Beth sees Alex as uncaring to his grandmother and refuses to leave. So they strike a compromise that will please Alex, Beth and the dowager duchess.
This was a really intriguing read with a surprising end. This was a well-written book that I really enjoyed. The character of Alex was absolutely terrifying but I fell in love with him by the end of the book. Something that really stood out to me was the ending. As much as I love historical romance novels, I usually skip the end scenes since they're sickening, boring declarations of love. That wasn't the case here and I really enjoyed that.

I love reading books wherein the hero is either disfigured or broken yet is so alpha and takes command of every situation. It's a different take on the whole so hot, so handsome, so perfect kind of hero.. This is the story of the Duke of Blackshire, Alexander Savage and Miss Elizabeth Lacey,

The story centers on Alex as he tries to figure out who is out to murder him as there has been several attempts on his life and he needs to get his grandmother to move back to the country to keep her safe.. Alex loves his grandmother so dearly for it was her who tended to his wounds ( burns sustained when he was a little boy).

Unbeknownst to him, his grandmother hired a companion who happens to be Beth, one of the Wilting Wallflower ( incidentally, it was also Alex who gave the 3 sisters that name). Their first meeting doesn't go as planned when Alex tries to fire Beth but Beth won't have any of that and they compromise - Beth helps him convince his grandmother to move to the country if Alex grants his grandmother 3 wishes... As the story progresses we see how they both try to fight their attraction to each other and when Alex decides to come clean and explain to Beth that there have been several attempts on his life, Beth decides to help him out.

I truly enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait for what Ms. Bennett comes out with next...

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Paperbacks and Ms Anna Bennett for providing me with this ARC.

This was a very enjoyable and beautiful story. I loved how Alex and Beth came together and how their relationship progressed. It was not rushed, but rather took its time to develop and I enjoyed watching it unfold. I also like that along the way she helped him to see that he could be desired and he helped her to see that she could be needed and loved. When they meet she is not impressed with his rude behavior and his lack of care for his grandmother. He has only one goal when he arrives at his London townhouse, to send his grandmother to the country to protect her from someone who has tried to kill him twice. What he doesn't expect is to meet a feisty companion who defends his grandmother from what she sees as his selfish desires to get rid of his grandmother so he can live it up as the rake he is known for in London without her hanging on. They strike a deal, he will grant his grandmother 3 wishes and then Beth will help persuade his grandmother to move to the country. Along the way they both discover the truth about each other and fall in love. She believes that at the end of the time, he will still send her to the country and she worries that he will not be able to find the culprit who is trying to kill him. He worries that she will not be able to forgive him for his callous words a few years ago. I enjoyed the story a lot. I enjoyed his proposal at the end it was just perfect. I will definitely pick up book 1 and book 3 to see how her other sisters end up with their happy ever after.

A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

It's not the book, it's me.
It's one of those historicals featuring modern day characters. I personnaly love my historicals dark and intense and true(ish) to the period (for exemple the heroine was too mouthy and too independent to be a realistic companion).

loved the book, well written, great couple

Beth Wiltmore's position as the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire's companion is now in doubt. It seems her grandson, Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, wants them both gone as soon as possible.
But it seems he is not being forthcoming with all the facts.
When Beth becomes aware of the truth of the matter, and her strong feelings for Alex, she refuses to leave until they formulate a plan to solve his dilemma.
Things go awry and he is desperate to find her...and does....eventually.
The answers he sought were in a totally different direction of the facts.
This fast moving historical has intrigue, romance, humor, and some very sensual scenes. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley as per my request and loved this addition to the 'Wilting Wallflowers' series.

I finished I Dared the Duke, my first experience with Anna Bennett's work, and I will be honest, I had a hard time deciding upon a rating. I think there will be readers that will really enjoy this novel, and others that will not. My intention here is to outline my opinions about the book's strengths and weaknesses so you as a reader can determine if this book is a good fit for you.

I Dared the Duke is the second novel in Anna Bennett's debut Wayward Wallflowers series. I have not read the first book in the series, but was able to follow this novel just fine so it can stand alone (I appreciate this since I often read series out of order). In this story, the second sister of the Wilted Wallflowers, as they have been cruelly dubbed, meets her match in the Duke of Blackshire. Elizabeth, or Beth, is a woman who likes to be needed. After her older sister marries well and the once struggling family is saved, she is left in an odd position of comfort/idleness. As a result, she accepts the task of acting as a companion for the dowager duchess of Blackshire (the hero's grandmother) so that she has someone to care for. For a time, she is happy with the arrangement, until the Duke, Alexander (Alex) Savage returns and begins wreaking all sorts of havoc. Someone is out to hurt him and he needs his grandmother and her companion out of the house and out of harm's way. However, since he doesn't tell Beth the problem and he doesn't want to worry his grandmother, neither departs and thus, Beth and Alex begin spending a lot of time together.

The bulk of the story focuses entirely on interactions between Beth and Alex. They initially trade barbs with each other, but that soon dissolves into mutual attraction. Throughout the story, the duke struggles to avoid various attacks on his person, tries to keep all his secrets about his past hidden, and avoid Beth--all of which he fails at miserably. Beth, despite her initial misgivings, begins to fall for the duke, and also begins to understand that something is wrong and she wants to help him. This results in many late night meetings, some intimate times, a whodunit climax, and a HEA.

This book, despite the threat to the duke, remained very light and fluffy. To be honest, there was little substance at all. I had a hard time connecting to either character and had no sense of the time period. The writing flowed well and the dialogue had some spark, but the story also had a very contemporary feel, which kept me from feeling immersed in the time period. I am not a huge stickler for the historical detail since I cannot claim to be an expert, but one of the things that bothered me about this story was how the crux of the main couple's romance was built upon three assumptions I couldn't quite believe. First, someone was out to kill the duke but he didn't hire any investigator or body guard to help--he only told Beth and his one good friend. Second, Alex and Beth constantly interacted in the middle of the night--most of their relationship developed in relative privacy without a whiff of scandal or a meddlesome chaperone. Last, no servants or anyone outside of the house created any sort of scandal/found out about Alex and Beth's antics even with the risks they took and the longing glances they sent each other. With the hero in the position of a duke, constantly surrounded by people and with tons of resources at his disposal, it seemed odd that he wouldn't use help or that Beth and he ever had so much time to converse alone without anyone finding out or raising an eye brow.

I thought the duke was developed a little differently than he was first presented, which I liked. He doesn't end up being the libertine everyone assumes and I found it interesting and refreshing how Bennett handled his character. He made a poor first impression, but I found that the duke was a romantic man without all the darkness he thinks he had. Beth, on the other hand, was more difficult for me to connect to. I initially liked her character, with her 'needing to be needed' and her compassion for the duke's grandmother. However, this faded as she continuously discarded what she knew about the duke in order to flounder with indecision and to believe rumors.

Based on these perceptions of the book, I think there are a few recommendations I can make to guide people for whether to select this book:

1. If you are looking for a light story with a romantic, powerful hero who falls for the wallflower, but you do not care about a lot of historical accuracy, you will enjoy this. The writing is clean and easy to follow. The mystery kept me turning pages to find out what happens next and the hero has some very romantic lines.

2. If you are a veteran of the genre and read a ton of historical romance, bear these things in mind before picking up this book. First, the book felt modern and I thought the two leads had way more private time together without discovery than I would've thought possible. The duke, as powerful as he was, did not use any help on the threat which I thought was odd. The solution to the mystery, after I learned the person's identity, didn't fully make sense. I was not sure how they could've pulled off some of the threats on the duke as they did. While I found the duke's past was underwhelming in how it was handled, how Bennett developed the duke's character regarding the rumors of his sexual prowess was original and well-done. It was one of my favorite parts of this book.

3. The sex scenes were pretty tame in this book (yay!). They were still fully explicit, but I wasn't cringing or skimming. I usually like the sex scenes to further the romance or to have some impact on the plot. In this case, I thought they were well-done for revealing different facets of the duke's character. Not a lot of steam if you are into that sort of thing, but more emotional and like older books which was just fine with me!

Overall, I thought this book was good. I didn't love it, but I think there will be plenty of people that will enjoy it. In many cases, I think the average rating is more a result of my preferences than the writing style. I either must LOVE the characters and be swept up in their romance so completely that I don't care about the plot, or I must be immersed fully in the time period. In this case, I was able to settle in and easily read the story and I liked the duke, but I couldn't connect with the heroine and I was jarred out of the story by some points of historical inaccuracy and modern language.

If you love reading a lot of the new authors coming out recently and just want to read for an escape, this will be a good fit. If you read a ton of historical romance and are pickier like me, I'd suggest you try a sample of the writing to see if the feel will work for you.

A nice effort and a good way for me to spend a few hours, but I will not be continuing the series. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and and provide an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved Beth and Alexander Savage and loved to see their story unfold itself. Beth fighting for the happiness of the Duke's grandmother and Alexander, well, he is trying to fight for the safety and the lives of his grandmother and Beth without scaring them.
Actually - it was never a good idea to hold back essential information when dealing with people and Alexander soon learns that a (not so) meek and (not really) wilting wallflower may be a fierce opponent when it comes to a battle for someone's happiness.

Three wishes, he has to fulfill three wishes of his grandmother's and then Beth will finally agree to convince his grandmother that they should leave for the country.

A race against time and some unknown foe trying to kill Alexander - and those around him.
A battle of wills with a not so wilting wallflower - and against his own feelings.
A duke and well-known rake falling for the dowager's companion - and...well, read and see!

I loved that Alexander never tried to seduce Beth just for a sport and I loved to learn about his real character and his feelings. Yes, those two are linked, believe me. You know how often the heroine is seduced by the hero to give up her principles, to give up her virginity and to sacrifice it all for love - without the hero ever telling her that he intends to marry her anyway because he just wants to know that she would put out for him no matter what because he is just so irresistible, whatever? Yeah - that's not the case here. Alexander doesn't promise anything that he can't keep (being in the aforementioned rather precarious position of having to deal with the possibility of a killer on the loose...) but he doesn't hold back when it comes to his feelings.

I also loved that Alexander realized exactly what an impact a seemingly meaningless, stupid comment can make and how much it can hurt and change someone's future forever. And of course, considering his very redeeming qualities like loyalty, protectiveness, responsibility and his love for his grandmother and ...well, everything, it is very easy to like Alexander as a character and strong, stubborn, protective and loving Beth - well, I think they are perfect for each other!
A well written book with an interesting, gripping and well developed plot and great characters - I can definitely recommend this book! Oh, and this may have been the first book by Anna Bennett that I've read but I'm sure that it won't be the last!

Great intrigue and mystery. The shroud of murder around every corner. Loved the masked ball. I'll love for the dragon in the sky every night now.

Cute couple and pretty good banter between them. Well-written but not without flaws. Fast-paced with some mystery - I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

Who doesn't love an opposite attract romance? Not me, but while I found, I Dared the Duke, to have the personality arcs down pat the chemistry was a little lacking for me. Plodding and predictable, it doesn't have many surprises. The mystery as to who the Duke's would be assassin notwithstanding, gave the story a little boost. However, you could easily skip and skim to the end and not lose any of the plot points. It is an easy read, but too light to make much of an impression.