5/5 stars

*Thank you so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this slow burn, friends to lovers romance so much! Anytime I see that there's a girl in disguise trope in the description, I'm going to need to read it. The author did such a good job by taking their time with establishing a strong friendship between Adam/Ophelia and Cal from the start. I loved reading how Phee and Cal went from friends, to something in between with discovering Phee is a girl and then finally to lovers. The slow burn was the best I've read in awhile if ever! The chemistry was always there, but it was so much fun seeing how it evolved between these two characters. The added tidbits with Lottie and Ethan throughout the story was a nice added bonus. Overall, I really loved this book even more than the first and can't wait to read more from this author!

4.5 Stars
While most young ladies attend balls and hunt for husbands, Ophelia Hardwick has spent the last ten years in disguise. As Adam Hardwick, the land steward for the Earl of Carlyle, she’s found safety from Milton Keating, the uncle determined to kill her and freedoms a lady could only dream of. Ophelia’s situation would be perfect—if only she wasn’t hopelessly attracted to her employer. Calvin, Earl of Carlyle, is determined to see his sister Emma married this season. And he’ll do it with the help of his trusted right-hand man. But when he finds out Ophelia's secret, and that her life is in danger, his priorities change. Their attraction is passionate, all-consuming, and if they aren’t careful, it could turn downright deadly—for both of them.
This is the second book in the series & also the author’s second novel. I was impressed by the first book & still impressed after reading this well written, page turner. The characters are very well portrayed & believable. I loved both Cal & Phee, I fell for Cal in the previous book & he’s just toe curlingly gorgeous. Phee is strong, intelligent & caring. They are best friends but when Cal rescues Phee & realises Adam is really Phee he sees all the little traits that are now so obvious. Then their attraction spirals into love. A thoroughly enjoyable, fun, humorous read which I devoured
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Bethany Bennet is an excellent story teller. She evokes a variety of emotion with her writing, creating characters we love, characters we hate, and characters who annoy us to pieces. This story's leads, Cal and Phee are both incredibly likeable. I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning, much like I did with the main characters from the first book in the series (Ethan and Lottie in Any Rogue Will Do).

While the characters were incredibly well-developed, so was the plot. This friends-to-lovers story is unlike any other historical romance I've read. Without giving too much of the plot away, Cal is trying to manage his sister's debut and his father's scandals. All the while, he finds himself falling in love with his land steward, who isn't exactly the person Cal thought he was. Can he maintain his relationship and keep everyone safe, all while avoiding scandal?

West End Earl by Bethany Bennett, book two in her Misfits of Mayfair series, is an amazing, intriguing, and heartwarming story, that pulled me in from page one; not letting go until the end. For the past ten years Ophelia, Phee, Hardwick has kept herself safe and alive by disguising herself and pretending to be her twin brother Adam. As the land steward for the Earl of Carlyle, she’s was safe from an uncle who was determined to kill her, and all the freedoms a lady could only dream of. Phee’s life would be perfect, except for her attraction to her employer. Calvin, Cal, Earl of Carlyle is determined to lead a scandal-free life, especially after dealing with his father’s numerous indiscretions. Cal has also taken it upon himself to see his sister married this season; doing so with his trusted right-hand man, Adam. Cal’s sister, Emma, is more like their father, finding ways to do as she please, not worried about consequences or her reputation. After a near-fatal mugging, Cal discovers Adam’s secret, or is it Ophelia’s, and that her life is truly in danger. This changes Cal’s priorities, awakening his attraction and passion, directing it toward Phee. An all-consuming attraction like Calvin and Adam’s could become a problem if discovered and if they aren’t careful could become deadly for both of them. Phee, has learned much during the past decade being her brother, and has a plan to save the day, when Calvin’s sister finds herself in a compromised position; benefitting all three of them. This plan definitely includes a path for Phee to become the woman she has only dreamt of, able to be the wife of an Earl; specifically, the wife for Calvin.

I really liked Cal and Phee, especially Phee; amazed at the strength and perseverance they possessed in dealing with adversity. Phee was amazing with her strength, determination, cleverness, and confidence, but also her vulnerability. Cal and Phee definitely shared a magnetic attraction. As they spent time together, they not only set the sheets aflame, but created fireworks with the chemistry and electricity they shared.

Ms. Bennett wrote an emotional, heartwarming yet heartbreaking story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sizzling chemistry, intelligent banter, and the amazing characters who assisted Phee and Cal in obtaining a future together as man and wife. I highly recommend West End Earl to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I loved this book so much!! Cal and Phee really stole my heart. I liked the first book in this series, Any Rogue Will Do, but West End Earl was amazing! This book is a serious contender for my favorite book this year.

Cal has spent much of his life cleaning up other people’s messes, namely his father. While Cal is trying to help his sister find a husband this season, his father makes a bet that could seriously jeopardize Emma’s chance at marriage and drag Cal down with him.

Opehlia (Phee) has spent that last 10 years of her life disguised as her brother Adam in an attempt to keep her Uncle Milton away from her until she can claim her inheritance. She is currently the land steward for Calvin, the Earl of Carlyle. That is until she gets attacked coming home one night and Cal finds out her secret.

I love a good friends to lovers romance. Cal and “Adam” were very close friends before Cal realizes Phee is a woman. Phee has been secretly crushing on Cal the whole time she worked for him. Their romance is a little bit of ‘inta-love’ on Cal’s part once he finds out her secret but it worked in this book. I love the banter between these two and I love the friendship that develops between Phee and Emma too.

This book can be read as a stand alone but I do recommend reading the first book in the Misfits of Mayfair series, Any Rogue Will Do. Ethan and Lottie were a lot of fun to read!
I was given an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Orphan Adam Hardwick has been living a lie for over a decade and working for Calvin, the Earl of Carlyle for the past two years with no one even suspecting anything is amiss. But all that changes just months before Adam turns 25 and would finally be able to take control of the inheritance left to him by his parents, which is currently being managed by his uncle. Badly beaten and left for dead, Calvin learns Adam’s secret when he comes to see him after the attack. Adam is actually Ophelia “Phee”, Adam’s twin sister who was killed in a boating accident almost 13 years ago. Adam and Phee were running away after learning their uncle wanted to marry off 12-year-old Phee to an old man. When Adam died the local vicar helped Phee assume Adam’s identity. Phee has been living as Adam ever since and plans to reinvent herself yet again once she has control of her inheritance.

Cal is shocked to learn Adam aka the Puppy is a woman, but that doesn’t change the fact the Adam/Phee is his friend and Cal wants to help her. Cal is a fixer, for years he has fixed problems for his wastrel father, the Marquess of Eastly, and his sister Lady Emma. Surely helping Phee can’t be much of an ordeal – can it? As Cal and Phee navigate their new relationship and deeper feelings develop, they must also deal with the news that Phee’s uncle has taken a life insurance policy out on Adam and plans to collect on it, as well as the ramifications of a bet Cal’s father lost, which directly affect Cal.

Cal is confident that he can fix all the problems and find a HEA for him and Phee, but soon everything comes crashing down around him and in a surprising twist he loses the woman he loves to another. It seems as if all is lost and any chance for a HEA is impossible but is it? Calvin is ready to accept a life without Phee when he gets some no-nonsense advice from his best friend Ethan’s wife, Lottie. But even that may not be enough to give them their HEA when yet another twist is thrown at them!

This was a well-written, nicely paced, very original take on the secret identity trope. The book is filled with secrets, lies, impossible situations, lots of angst, wonderful secondary characters, lots of surprising twists and turns, some steamy love scenes, a very nasty villain, and finally a very hard-won HEA. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

I loved everything about this! Both Phee and Calvin were characters with flaws, overcoming the nature of their circumstances. Phee living as her brother who passed away to protect her future and fortune, and Calvin continuing to have to fix his parents scandals.
Phee doesn't want to fall for Cal, because he is her employer, but they are truly best friends. I love how this played out.
This is the second book in this series, and book 1 was also fabulous! Will be reading what I can get my hands on from this author.

West End Earl is the second book in the Misfits of Mayfair series by Bethany Bennett. A dreamy historical romance that is sure to take your breath away. The plot is well thought out, with brilliant characters crafted with intriguing backstories. West End Earl is a wonderful rags-to-riches story with many twists and turns throughout. It will keep you guessing and the pages turning until the very end.

I have not read the first book in the series but I do not think it is necessary in order to enjoy this one.
Oh boy did I love this!
This has hidden identity, a murder plot, angst, and friends to lovers romance.
The writing flows effortlessly and made this an unputdownable read.
The build up of the relationship between the two characters is done wonderfully. I just wanted them to get together so bad! However, I can understand why other readers may get frustrated but fear not the wait is worth it.
The plot is interesting and compelling. I had to know how it ended.
Cannot wait to see what else the author has in store for us as this series continues.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eArc. This is no way effected my opinion or thoughts on the book.

I was dazzled by Bethany Bennett's debut, Any Rogue Will Do (click to read my review) and eager to learn more about Ethan's friend, Cal in Bennett's second book, West End Earl. Once again, Bennett pulled me into a story from the start and held me spellbound until the end. She's making a habit of that dazzle.

Bennett excels at creating fully-dimensional characters who come to life on the page. I adored Cal and was right there with him as he worked through a plethora of emotions regarding his family, his unexpected relationship with Ophelia (Phee), and the future he yearned for as opposed to the one he felt resigned to. He has a significant growth arc that tests his beliefs as well as his close relationships before he ultimately takes control of his life and learns to fight for his happiness. I loved that Ethan and Lottie (Any Rogue Will Do) were there to help him along the way. Lottie, especially, really shines in this book.

Cal's younger sister, who also has a significant role in the book, has quite the growth arc as well. I didn't like her at all during the first half of the book but the evolution of her character was very satisfying and left me eager for her story in the third book of the series.

And then there's Phee, who is without doubt the undisputed star of this book. I'm usually pretty good at ferreting out characters' secrets but not this time. There's a major twist with her character that I did not suspect at any point while reading Any Rogue Will Do. I love when an author is able to surprise me and Bennett certainly did. Phee is one of my favorite characters I've "met" this year. I love her strength, determination, cleverness, and confidence, but also her vulnerability. Bennett took her story in directions I did not expect but, in retrospect, I understood that the decisions she made were the only ones that could have ultimately brought about happy endings for multiple characters. Doesn't mean they didn't make me sweat, wondering how it would all work out. ;-)

If you're a fan of historical romance, give this new author with her fresh, sparkling, page-turning stories a try. I highly recommend both West End Earl and Any Rogue Will Do. Both books can be read as a standalone but I think reading them in order will deepen your understanding of the characters and pleasure in their journeys.

*Advance copy received for fair and unbiased review

Ophelia Hardwick lost her twin brother in a terrible accident. Out of necessity, Ophelia assumed his identity in order to get away from their domineering and abusive uncle. For ten years now, Phee has been living under Adam's name and she only has until the end of the year before she can claim her inheritance then disappear to finally live as herself again.

For the past two years Phee has been living in London working as an assistant to the Earl of Carlyle. Cal relies on Phee (whom he of course knows as Adam) to help keep his investments running smoothly with the information he gathers from those that live more on the outskirts of society. When Adam is attacked on his way home, Cal is thrown when he learns his best friend is a woman.

Now, faced with knowing the truth, Cal and Phee begin to see each other in a new light, but Phee cannot give up Adam's persona until she gets her inheritance.

This book has me a bit stumped. I've taken a couple of days after finishing trying to find the right words to convey my feels about the book and but the truth is I'm finding it difficult to form the words to back up my thoughts. So please bear with me.

While I found the book to be engaging and while I was reading I was invested in the story, the idea of Cal pretty much instantaneously pivoting his feels for Phee from platonic friendship into romantic interest nearly gave me whiplash. I think I could have dealt with it a bit had there been some exploration of the origination of Cal's feelings - i.e. on some level was he attracted to Adam?

Bringing that potential aspect of Cal's character up, for a good portion of the story Phee is considered a man by every other character and while it certainly did happen at the time that there were men who loved other men, it was certainly not something that was openly talked about. It was literally a punishable offense. I almost felt like the story, while not making light of this aspect, was also very quick to smooth over any potential conflict that may arise.

You can pretty much say that exact thing for all other potential conflicts in the story. More than a few are introduced but none are really committed to. The story felt a bit one-note in that regard.

However, both Cal and Phee are such striking characters. They're loyalty for each other and for those around them knows no bounds. It's Cal's penchant for having to fix every one else's mistakes that pulls him into one of the aforementioned conflicts.

The scenes with Cal and Phee together just spark with chemistry. Their attraction to one another leaped off the page, and Bethany Bennett certainly gave them plenty of steam.

Overall I enjoyed the book, I just wish it would have really committed itself to one type of conflict and really run with it. I think this would have made it a more compelling read. Regardless, however, I'm very interested in the next book in the series which will follow Cal's sister Emma. Introduced in this book as a secondary character, she went from being a quasi-spoiled brat to a good friend of Phee's, and I'd like to see how her HEA goes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this.
This story was longer and more involved with side characters than I expected. I did like that Cal and Phee had been friends for a while, and got to know each other after the reveal... I just hoped there had been more of a reaction from Cal after Phee had told him the truth.
Emma's side story was interesting and I wonder what will happen to her in the next book.
The situation with Eastly, the bet, the twin, the pregnancy, and the marriage all came together to make it quite an intricate plot.
3.5 stars

I loved this regency romance! It was part She's the Man, part Jane Austen's Emma, with some Bridgerton mixed in. This is a friends to lovers trope with a twist. I really enjoyed the author's first book (Any Rogue will Do) and this one was even better.

Ophelia Hardwick had a rough life, when her twin brother died when they were 13, she assumed his identity to escape her awful uncle and came to be employed by Calvin, the Earl of Carlyle except he doesn't know she's a girl. Calvin employs "Adam's" help to get his sister married this season but a lot of complications arise along the way, including Ophelia's uncle coming back to haunt her.

This story was so good for a regency romance. There was a lot going on but it wasn't overly complicated. I loved the male main character, Calvin. The author wrote him so perfectly. Cal's sister, Emma, was also a fun character and I look forward to the next book, where we see her happily ever after.

*Thank you to Read-Forever and Hachette Book Group and Netgalley for my advanced copies. Opinions are my own.

A far cry from other young ladies her age, Ophelia Hardwick has spent the last ten years pretending to be a man. She’s found a position as steward to the Earl of Carlyle which provides her a good income and safety from her uncle who wants to kill her and collect the life insurance. The only glitch is the fierce attraction she struggles to hide from her employer.

Calvin, Earl of Carlyle, is busy cleaning up his profligate father’s messes and trying to see his younger sister safely through the London season and settled into marriage. That goal at least seems attainable with help from his right-hand man, Adam. Only, when Cal learns that man is in fact a woman under serious threat, his priorities shift dramatically. Now that his eyes have been opened to the truth, the passion between Cal and Ophelia becomes an all-consuming inferno that could destroy them both.

This book was such a rollercoaster of masterful plotting and I’ve really never read anything like it. It had me laughing, tearing up, getting frustrated, and feeling satisfied by the end. The plot was so original; I’ve never read anything quite like it and I think it really worked. I adored the friendship Cal and Adam had before he learned she was really Ophelia, and that foundation was such a strong basis for their deeper relationship with a longer time of acquaintanceship than we’re usually able to get in a historical romance without it being a second chance trope. The relationship development between these two as a couple as well as in their individual characters was well done and it really felt genuine and believable. Phee had never had a true friend and had to learn how to trust Cal. After being seen as mostly just a pretty face and a convenient problem solver, Cal finally got someone who valued him for who he was, not what he could do for them. Cal was so well-meaning and sweet, even when he was bumbling and messing up, it was impossible to stay annoyed with him, especially given his ability to readily admit his mistakes and work to correct them.

I loved seeing Phee and Cal tackle the challenges thrown at them and these two had some of the best banter I’ve ever read. I do wish we’d seen more communication from them, rather than having misunderstanding playing a role here, and yet it really did work nonetheless, and my frustration was fairly short-lived. I also wish we’d gotten more detailed information and explanation regarding Phee’s uncle’s motivations and such, but these are essentially the only issues I had. This story had some unexpected plot twists I’ve never seen before, but I don’t want to say any more and risk spoilers. Suffice it to say, I couldn’t put this book down. Even when Cal and Phee were frustrating me and I wanted to shake them both, I still had to keep reading to find out how Bethany was going to work it all out. I also loved seeing Lottie and Ethan again and the strong relationship they both had with Cal.

I was skeptical about the next book’s heroine being Emma because she’s really not likable for at least the first half of this book, but she improves a lot and now I’m interested to see where we’re going with her story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

West End Earl should put Bethany Bennett on the list of best historical romance authors. A brilliantly woven tale of an orphan given into the custody of an abusive relative who attempts to sell her into marriage at 13. Instead, on the eve of running away, she accidentally kills her brother and with the aid of a helpful vicar, escapes assuming the identity of her brother. She successfully becomes Adam for the next decade and so the story begins. With a beginning as impactfully impossible as that you may correctly assume that there are many more twists and turns to come. Never dull, never predictable, this is a highly inventive novel that will leave you wanting more books from this author. Happy reading!

I went into this book without reading the blurb because I loved the first book in the series, and it did not disappoint! It kept surprising me throughout. The dialogue is witty, and the plot is definitely creative. I don't want to spoil any of the craziness of what happens in the story, but we get to see a friendship blossom into love, and there is an interesting house party along with lots of sexy times. The hero and heroine have to overcome treacherous relatives and potential ruin to obtain their happily-ever-after.

You don't have to have read the first book in the series in order to enjoy this one, but the characters do overlap and it is so good that you should.
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I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: death of a sibling (past), grief. emotional abuse (past)

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f friends to lovers
-secret identity
-secret relationship
-some intrigue
-a lot of sneaking around bedrooms

While the second book in the series you do not need to have read the first book to read this one. Though I really enjoyed the glimpses of Lottie and Ethan's HEA throughout this book.

In order to get away from her terrible Uncle, Phee takes over her brother's identity, successfully and is only weeks away from finally gaining her inheritance. Calvin is dealing with his own scheming father and learns that his best friend Adam isn't actually Adam but Phee. Things very quickly change from friends to attraction once Calvin realizes that Adam is Phee and they try to keep their relationship under wraps while trying to get their HEA.

This one was a fun and quick read. I was really excited to see that the third book was Emma's.

Rating: 3
Steam: 3

A whole new spin on the friends-to-lovers trope!

What a fantastic story! Unique doesn't even begin to describe this storyline. Full of surprises, this book had me reading non-stop despite its length. The author has a beautiful yet simple writing style that brings all the heart and heat to every scene. I adored the witty, snarky, wry inner thoughts of both main characters, and I really appreciated the sense of acceptance and lack of judgment when one is faced with an unusual situation.

Cal and Phee are just so right together, yet the conflicts they face are real and seem insurmountable. I could feel every emotion, all the highs and lows, as they figure out how to keep Phee safe and how to manage the predicament that Cal's father has placed him in.

And Emma! While I can't wait to read her book next, I surely hope her character undergoes some serious maturing before then. Even so, the trouble she gets into sure made for an interesting twist in Cal and Phee's story - one I can honestly say I've never encountered before! It should have made their HEA absolutely impossible, but in actuality it made it all the more attainable in the end.

This story was so much fun to read, and it was terrific to see Ethan and Lottie again (from the first book). The author has a unique gift with words and I can't recommend this romance highly enough. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

The second installment of the Misfits of Mayfair from Bethany Bennett is such a fun ride. This friends to lover story has so many twists and turns and keeps you guessing the entire time. Calvin, The Earl of Carlyle is introducing his sister to society which can be taxing - unless you have a friend along for the ride. Ophelia has been disguising herself for years and has become one of Cal's closest friends as well as his land steward. This story has it all - mystery - evil guardians - deception - siblings run amok and romance. This book kept me guessing from start to finish - even as we raced towards the climax I wasn't quite sure how things were going to resolve which is fresh for a romance. I loved how this story was really original and unpredictable.

This was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and it did not disappoint!
I absolutely LOVED Any Rogue Will Do and was hoping this second book in the series was just as good. It was better. How? The fact that the main female character dressed as a man for 10 years! YES!
I've read hundreds of HR and love when I come across something new or different. The 'dressing as a man' is not new but the time frame she did it was. To do that for 10 years you have to truly become someone else and that's what Ophelia did.
I adored the relationship between Calvin and his steward Adam. The fact that Adam was in reality Ophelia made it so much better. Even when Calvin became away of this, their relationship continued to be incredible. When it turned to love? Superb.
Bethany Bennett has become a favourite of mine and I cannot wait to read more from her.