I Dared The Duke by Anna Bennett is an amazing read. This well-written book is a fast paced story loaded with fantastic, lovable characters. Alexander and Beth's story is loaded with suspense and drama but tempered with humor and spice. I loved reading I Dared The Duke and look forward to reading more from Anna Bennett soon. I Dared The Duke is book 2 of The Wayward Wallflowers Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.

This was a fun Historical Romance to get lost in. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters. It was written well and held my attention all the way. Hot and steamy parts: that's the only warning you'll get from me. Take a chance on it.

I Dared the Duke by Anna Bennett is the hottest historical read. The main female character does exactly as the title suggests...she dared the Duke in granting his grandmother three wishes. Most of which he really didn't want to grant but upon seeing his grandmother so happy he couldn't take back the wishes.

Alex comes back home only to find a strange beauty in his house. She tries explaining why she's there but he won't have it. Seeking his grandmother, he soon finds the woman has worked her way into his grandmother's heart. Beth is a beauty for the eyes. He tries to convince her to leave his house but sees that request would only hurt his grandmother. Alex soon learns a lot about Beth and he feels like a heel for calling her a Wilting Wallflower...

Beth and her sister were called the Wilting Wallflowers and it has been hard to rush it off...then fate has it that she meets the man who gave them the name. He's known as a player. A Duke who is an endless flirt and tough to converse with...until Beth gets to know him. Something about him both lures and keeps her away from him. But not for long...

I Dared the Duke is full of heat, compassion, trust and danger. Someone is trying to kill the Duke. So far, the identity of the killer is unknown. There are suspects...but drawing out a killer will prove most deadly...Anna Bennett has captured my full attention in this novel. I was entertained from the beginning to end. Enticing, engaging, and funny too. I loved how Beth and Alex argued and how perfect they were. Overall, I highly recommend this title to readers worldwide.

I sincerely enjoyed the chemistry between the hero and heroine in this novel! Certainly, there are some familiar tropes in place, but the story was full of excellent tension and enough mystery to keep things interesting. Based on this book, I would definitely check out other stories by this author. Recommended.

Loved it! The rake and the wallflower are thrust together and through trials begin to unlock the chains on their hearts.

I received this from Netgalley/ Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the Wayward Wallflowers series. In this book we get the story of Beth the middle sister from book 1. I enjoyed Beth's tale a great deal. I just wish the ending was a little better. I did not like the waiting period at the end other than that it was a good read.

Deliciously evocative of Barbara Cartland at her best, this lush romance came with a side of suspense and matchmaking. There was a mischievous, sweet grandmother trying to herd her bossy grandson into a relationship with our spirited young heroine. Beth prefers to stay away from society, having been mocked by society in the past. Her uncle convinces her to stay with his dear friend, the Dowager Duchess of Blackshire, because she was lonely and longed for a companion. Seemed like an easy thing to do, right?

Plus, the Dowager had assured Beth that her grandson Alexander, the current Duke, preferred to stay at his country estate. So, she wouldn't have to deal with him. The Duke had quite the reputation, so Beth was very glad for that.
Unfortunately, Alex didn't get the memo about staying away.

He's on the hunt for the person who wants him dead. One incident of what appeared to be poisoning? He could have gotten a bug or eaten spoiled food. The carriage accident he nearly didn't survive? That was harder to attribute to mere coincidence. Whoever it was hadn't been successful, obviously, but they appeared to be persistent. Alex was worried that they might try to hurt those close to him...like his grandmother. When he reaches his townhouse, however, he finds a very different type of foe.

The clash between Alex and Beth was sizzling and sweet, with the two at first refusing to compromise. Luckily their feelings became heated in a good way as they teamed up to protect the Dowager and find the killer.

Naughty and complicated with just the right amount of angst, I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. Thanks!

I Dared the Duke
As I loved the first book in this series, My Brown-Eyed Earl, I had high hopes for the second novel in the series The Wayward Wallflowers. I was right, book two I Dared the Duke, was even better!
Elizabeth (Beth) Lacey is a tough little lady. Even though Beth has faced many challenges in her young life, she has matured into a confident, intelligent, and interesting woman. Beth is the middle Lacey sister and all three have been nicknamed the Wilting Wallflowers. The moniker has led to many painful situations, but by overcoming the name, Beth has become a stronger individual. Beth has a need to take care of and possibly fix people and situations around her, and this leads her to become a companion for the Duchess of Blackshire.
Introduce the Duke of Blackshire, Alex is the grandson of Beth’s employer. Rumors about the duke indicate he is a prolific womanizer, as well as ornery and standoffish.
Sparks fly when our loveable H/h first meet, with both disliking the other. The banter is fast and witty, completely enjoyable. The developing relationship between Alex and Emma is fun to watch. The supporting characters add depth to this fast-moving tale, where it isn't always wise to believe the labels given out so carelessly by those around us.

ARC KINDLY PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY FOR A HONEST REVIEW!!

Alex the Duke of Blackshire has arrived home to find his grandmother has employed a companion Elizabeth/Beth Lacey. Alex had coined the phrase for Beth and her 3 sisters as the Wilting Wallflowers. This phrase has caught on in the Ton and Beth and her sisters are basically shun.

Someone has tried to murder Alex and he wants his grandmother to move to the country. He also, wants Beth gone. He basically fires her. Alex refuses to tell anyone but his friend Lord Darberville that several attempts have been made on his life. They plan on finding how who is trying to kill Alex.

I was sure I was going to give I Dared the Duke 2 stars, but the very ending around 75%, on my Kindle made me upgrade the story to a 3 star review. The ending is good. In my opinion the author Ms. Bennett missed great opportunities. The story reads like an outline for a story at first. The characters are totally under developed. Like what they looked. I didn't realize that Alex had brown eye until nearly the end and Beth had blue eyes. How old are they? What year is this or era Georgian, Regency or Victorian is the story taking place? You don't even know the butlers name until the end of the book. It's like a house being built with bones but no structure. There is no sense of community. I am not sure how to put it but what does the house and grounds look like? What kind of food are they eating at breakfast or dinner? Things that give you a backdrop into the story are sorely lacking. The sex scenes had me believing that Beth was Not a virgin. The first sex scene did not read like a virgin, but a few pages later she says this is her first sexual encounter. I thought maybe she had a previous lover.

The only complaint I have about the murder mystery is why would the Duke keep it a secret and you are halfway through the story before he tells the companion Beth which he is falling in love with. He thinks he is protecting them. But that sound foolish if you know danger is around and who might be causing it you avoid it. But not in Alex's mind.

I did like the 3 wishes that Beth asked Alex to grant his grandmother before she talks to her about leaving and living in the Country. I also, like the murder mystery and how it was resolved. It was a bit of a surprise. But none of this occurs until the near the end.

I thought this story was really cute. Miss Elizabeth Lacey is a plucky, positive character who serves as the companion to the Duke of Blackshire's grandmother who is rather feisty for a lady of her years. Alex, the Duke, wants to move his grandmother out to the country to avoid the recent attempts on his life, but needs the help of Beth to convince her. The chemistry between Beth and Alex is great, and the book has a good sense of humor. The main romance of the story is given depth by the mystery of who is trying to kill Alex and why. Also the lead characters are surrounded by an ensemble of supporting characters who have there own quirks and personality. I enjoyed this quick read.

I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Anna Bennetts new book even more than the last one. I loved Alex and Beth. Alex has such a bad reputation but underneath he is a great guy and Beth has the reputation of a wallflower but she is anything but. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Honestly, older people are more interesting.

You tell him, sister.

Talk about bad first impressions. Does he even like his grandmother?

Gosh, it really does seem like someone is trying to kill him.

Jeez, don't let a nearly-blind man drive you around!

I wouldn't discount Coulsen just yet. Sometimes it's the quiet, unobtrusive ones who carry the most rage.

Uncle Alistair is adorable. It's a good thing that she went to find him, but she should have taken someone along.

Only Alex would give a self-defense lesson in the middle of a fireworks shows at a pleasure garden.

So he never takes off his shirt, then?

Men are so simple. One punch, and the argument's over.

Ha, they truly are the odd couple.

He really should tell her about the wallflower business.

Things just got real.

Poor thing. His parents really loved each other, didn't they.

A wine cellar? Romantic.

Ooh, his grandma middle-named him. He's in trouble, even though he was going to jump in to save her.

Haha, everyone fusses over the duchess like she's a feeble old lady, but she's stronger than most people half her age!

True that, Meg.

Heck, I would have left after the first day.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this novel. The author continues the story from the first novel about the "wilting wallflowers". The first novel is the series was good and the author did not disappoint me in this story. It involves romance and mystery, which is a good combination. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters, for appearances are never what they seem.
Miss Elizabeth Lacey, aka Beth, becomes a companion to the duke of Blackshire's grandmother. Beth enjoys helping people and has a large heart. However, she believes all the tales about Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, and his exploits. Alex does nothing to confirm or deny these rakish stories, which causes some men to be jealous of him and seek him out for retribution. Alex is attracted to Beth the moment he meets her. Beth knows a relationship with Alex is not possible due to her being labeled as a wilting wallflower and the fact that he is a duke.
Alex has had several attacks on his life and wants to move his grandmother to the country for her safety. He did not count on Beth and tried to make her leave. Beth is rather clever and Alex does not like to see his grandmother sad. His grandmother raised and cared for him after the fire killed his parents and left his scarred, which he has nightmares of and feels self-conscious. Beth blackmails him into giving his grandmother three wishes and she will persuade her to settle in the country. Eventually, Alex tells Beth about the attempts on his life. Beth realizes there is more to Alex then what society sees. She begins to love Alex as she uncovers the mask he wears. Alex cares greatly for Beth, but harbors a terrible secret that could destroy their blooming relationship. With a murder still at large, will Beth and Alex be able to catch the villain before the villain kills Alex or someone he cares about? Will Alex's secret destroy Beth's love for him?

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review and once again this author doesn't disappoint. It was a great book and the characters are fabulous, however towards the endI thought the conclusion was a little rushed. Overall I Would recommend this book and cannot wait for Julie's story.