West End Earl
Book 2 in the Misfits of Mayfair series
Rating: 5 awesome stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

West End Earl was so good!! I loved the characters, the story line and how different it was from what I've reading lately (at times it feels that all the stories mesh and hardly any of them stand out!) I can honestly say that this has been one of my favorite reads for historical romance for this year. The story is so different...Ophelia is impersonating her deceased brother, Adam, in order to avoid her villain uncle who only want to get rid of her to keep her money. She's been on her own most of her live. She's a survivor and for the past two years she has been working for Calvin, Earl of Carlyle as his steward. Calvin depends so much on "Adam" and believes to be friends with him. Calvin trusts "Adam" with many tasks. It is not until Calvin learns the truth of who Adam really is that the story takes us on a romantic and sweet adventure.
Calvin discovers he is very attracted to Ophelia. He begins to see in her all the things that he never really paid attention. Ophelia has been holding on to a crush on Calvin for the past two years. I loved their interactions and they had an intense chemistry.
As the story moved along I kept thinking...how is the author going to do it for these two to have their HEA when so many things were against them being together. I really enjoyed every scene Calvin and Phee had.
His sister, Emma, grew on me. She's so young and spoiled that her actions now have consequences. I liked how Phee befriends her and actually helps her out in a very unique way. You can see her character grow and now I'm looking forwards to reading her story.

I highly recommend West End Earl!!

West End Earl by Bethany Bennett was absolutely hysterically bonkers and I adored it!

It’s probably the most tropetastic as well with:
- Uber competent heroine in disguise
- Sunshine and the she-grump
- Best friends to lovers
- All the pining but also insta-love!
- The absolute best use of marriage of convenience I have ever read!!!

The story begins with Adam/Ophelia working for Cal as his land steward but is really a bit of a super-spy as she gathers information for his business dealings. She’s in hiding for fear of her dastardly uncle who wants to steal her inheritance. Set against the social whirl where Cal is determined to find his little sister a good match, intrigue abounds with a sinister suitor, their feckless gambling addict father, social climbing barons and a marital barter for prized horse.

I loved Cal and Phee’s friendship and really enjoyed their interactions both before and after the reveal. Watching Cal learn how to navigate how to behave and treat Phee-as-a-lady was fun and I liked that after all is said and done, at the core, these characters are beloved friends.

There were some pacing issues with this book and I was also disappointed with how the main antagonist plot line was dealt with, but overall I greatly enjoyed this story.

The bonkers shenanigans drew me in but the author’s deft hand with sensitively drawn characters and balancing humour and angst kept me turning the pages.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the Misfits of Mayfair series.

If you've been following my reviews for a while, you know a mistaken identities trope is my absolute catnip. Now make it a woman disguised as a man one and you basically have my heart forever. *dreamy sigh* This is also a friends to lovers romance, which isn't my FAVORITE trope with with the long term mistaken identities trope thrown in, it was just really excellent.

I like that when Calvin finds out Ophelia isn't what she first appears, he doesn't make any snap judgements about why she's disguising herself as a man. Maybe she is more comfortable living her life as a man. Maybe she's into women. And those are totally valid options, as far as he's concerned. While Ophelia is not trans or queer, I appreciate that Bethany Bennett sort of gives a nod to the fact that these folks exist. And of course Calvin does eventually screw it up once he gets into it with Ophelia (once it's clear she is, in fact, into men - and him specifically.) Because what kind of romance novel would it be without some DRAMA?

I loved the chemistry between Phee and Cal. They've been friends as men for years, so their relationship is this delicious stew of new attraction on Cal's part, a long-held simmering desire on Phee's, and this great camaraderie underlying it all. They've got such a great rapport as friends, and it just gets better when they become lovers.

I do feel like I've read this ending before. How? When? Where? I do not know, but it gave me a weird sense of deja vu. Except for the part with Milton, I knew, once it hit a certain turning point in the book, exactly where the ending was going. Down to the plan, the next point in the plan, her hair, how he'd find out (I'm being vague because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet!) Have I read this same resolution somewhere else? Or was it just such a foregone conclusion (and also the most drama filled one!) that it just had to be? Regardless, it was glorious and everything I wanted from this book.

This is the second book in the Misfits of Mayfair book. While it can be read as a stand alone, Ethan and Lottie from the first book, Any Rogue Will Do appear as side characters in this one and there are a few minor spoilers for their book. (Also Any Rogue Will Do is RIDICULOUSLY EXCELLENT, so you should definitely go read it right now if you haven't!) I can't wait for the next book, All Rogues Lead to London, which is Emma's book.

A delightful and engaging friends to lovers regency romance. I enjoyed Cal and Ophelia, and you start their journey with secret identities, danger, passion and an unlikely love that leaves you with something special. Their happily ever after is not easily come by, but well worth it in the end.

The plot of this book is clever and so different than most historical romances, Phee lives has her brother for over ten years and is the land stewart for the Earl of Carlyle, Calvin. I was hooked from the start and didn't wait this book to stop. Phee's character is just wonderful, its heartbreak for her having to be someone else for such a long time but love when Cal final see's her for her. The nickname is just too funny- puppy. I loved the friendship that forms with his sister, Emma and Phee as well. Women sticking together.

Can't wait for Emma's story and more of Bethany's books to come. I just love the flow of her books, and the plots are original.


4.5 stars
4 steam

Thanks to forever for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 out of 5 stars!

The heroine masquerades as a man for ten years due to the danger that she'll face if her uncle ever finds her before the inheritance deadline. She would have been fine if she didn't have feelings for her employer. The hero is determined to find a husband for his sister and thought that his employee and friend would do nicely. But that idea changed when the hero finds out that his friend is female, and feelings changed. How will the two ever find their happy-ever-after...?

Though I had not read the first book of this Bethany Bennett series, there was enough information about the first book to not be lost when reading this second book of the series. I enjoyed the story and how the couple fought for their hard-earned happy ending through various ways. Most of the secondary characters were entertaining and necessary for the story to move forward, but there was definitely one secondary character that frustrated me due to the actions taken at the first half of the book. I found the main couple engaging with strong personalities together and individually. Overall, I liked the book and would definitely read more Bethany Bennett books in the future.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Bethany Bennett’s lovely debut Any Rogue Will Do had me so excited about this new voice in historical romance. While West End Earl falls somewhat flat for me, I’m really looking forward to seeing what Bennett writes next.

Adam Hardwick has worked as a land steward for Lord Calvin Carlyle for two years. They’ve developed a close friendship, Cal even referring to his amiable, red-haired friend as Puppy.

But after Adam is attacked, Cal realizes that Adam is a woman, Phee, who has assumed her brother’s identity & the dress & mannerisms associated with men during the time so she can hide from her nefarious uncle & guardian.

Cal’s there for her, even as this development causes him to develop romantic feelings for his employee/friend. There are lots of things standing between them but can they make it work?

Kudos to Bennett for writing a sweet, beta hero who’s a good friend, a bold heroine, & an unconventional story. On balance I think Bennett writes with grace & sensitivity, & as I mentioned before, I think more great things are in our romance-reading future.

But I was disconcerted by Cal’s rapid transition in thinking regarding Phee. As Adam, Phee garners none of Cal’s romantic interest; Cal even muses on how unattractive a sister of Adam’s would have been. But basically as soon as Phee reveals she’s a woman, soon after Cal’s aforementioned musing, she becomes attractive to him. The turnaround is very quick & it just feels odd to me.

The story also goes in a very unexpected direction & while it eventually gets smoothed away, some of those vaguely rough edges took me out of the story somewhat.

I love the sweet friendship between Cal and Phee & that the story (& Bennett) are willing to be daring, but sadly West End Earl doesn’t always work for me.

3.5 ⭐️. Release date: 06/29

I received a copy of West End Earl by Bethany Bennett through Netgalley for an honest reiew Phee was pretending to be Adam her brother to hide from her evil uncle. Dressed as a man working for the earl of Carlyle. Until she can claim her inheritance. There were so many pieces to this story that wound together to make a perfect ending. For me the saying its not the destination but the journey really sums up this book. There was so much great solid filling. It never got boring or side tract. It was exciting and held my interest the whole way through. At some point in the book I was floored by a decision made by Emma and phee. I didn't see it coming. So entertaining thank you Bethany Bennett

I laughed so often while reading this book, even though it did have its moments of angst and sadness. Bethany Bennett had some amazing one-liners thrown in that had me highlighting in my ereader often. I loved the older brother point-of-view shown at the beginning, when the hero sees his sister dancing with a gentleman. It was adorable and so relatable! What I noticed in the first book of this series that carried on to the second was how fun and unique the characters were, not just with the main characters but the others as well. Another ongoing theme was terrible fathers - my goodness, was no father a decent man back in the day? In the first book, the heroine's father was awful, and in this book, the hero's father decided to step up and claim the top spot for awful human being. Imagine - gambling away your son's hand in marriage...for a horse. A HORSE.

Calvin, Earl of Carlyle, is in a pickle. His wastrel father made a bet and lost, and now Calvin must marry a baron's daughter whom he has never met. Seeking comfort with his good friend, Adam Hardwick, he tries to think of a way out of his father's scheme. His life is complicated enough with his sister's debut and warding off the worst of men from pursuing her, and then the unexpected happens. Adam is attacked by street thieves, and when Cal goes to his aid, he learns that he is a she - Adam is really Ophelia. Ophelia took on her twin brother's name 11 years ago after his death, out of desperation to save her life and escape an arranged marriage by her uncaring uncle. On the run and in hiding as a man, she has learned to blend in with the men and has valued her friendship with Cal. Of course, her feelings for him run a bit deeper than friendship, and when Cal realizes she is a woman, his feelings develop as well. But Ophelia is not out of danger, in spite of the passing of time, and she must maintain her status as a man until she turns 25 and is free from her uncle's control. If they want to pursue their feelings for each other, they must do it in secret...as two men.

Cal was a hilarious hero, bumbling his way through life making all sorts of small yet entertaining errors. We see it in the first chapter, when he accidentally forgot the name of his friend's deceased sister and joked that "sisters are the bane of a man's existence." Ouch, Cal, ouch. Also, his handling of his sister was just terrible - he wanted to protect her, but instead of trying to educate her on the perils of society, he let her run roughshod over him and ended up trying to pay off a suitor he knew was up to no good. Poor Cal needed a keeper, and thankfully he had Adam/Ophelia. Ophelia had a tough time since she was 13 and almost sold off to an old man in marriage. Forced to dress, talk, walk, and act like a man, she never had the experience of being a woman to help guide her when the time came to don a dress instead of pants. When she is found out, I expected Cal to be more upset by the discovery, but they were such good friends, he took it all in stride. He recognized that, man or woman, this was his friend, and he needed to support her. Cal immediately went into protector mode when he realized she was in danger, and I loved that side of his personality. He may not have been the most coordinated man alive, but he was always genuine and kind. There was a drama towards the end that was frustrating, and I found the whole miscommunication to be entirely unnecessary. But it was also typical Calvin behavior. Like I said - he needed a keeper.

I continue to really enjoy Bethany's books - always funny, always entertaining, and always a good read from start to finish. I'm excited to read what I imagine will be Cal's sister's book next. The hellion herself. Should be exciting!

I absolutely loved this novel! I was charmed and delighted with Bethany Bennett's first novel and I am blown away with her second novel. Bennett's writing is engaging, intriguing, accessible and well paced. Bennett has woven together strong and realistic characters amongst an adventurous plot that, to me, felt very reminiscent of Lorraine Heath's works (who I absolutely adore). This novel is sensual and sexy and the relationship building between the hero and heroine is just so beautiful!

The heroine-Phee (or Ophelia/Adam) has such a strong core and smart mind that has helped her survive the last ten years impersonating her brother Adam. The hero-Cal is kind and loving, he wants to solve everyone's problems and protect everyone he loves (and sometimes that is to the detriment of himself and those he is trying to protect). This novel starts with our Hero and Heroine as friends and employer/employee. Adam/Phee has been working with Cal as his land steward for the past two years and the reader gets to see that this working relationship has grown into a strong friendship of trust and admiration for the other. This strong foundation is what roots all feelings and helps to grow the more romantic relationship that flourishes after Cal discovers Phee's secret.

I was just so taken with Cal and Phee, I loved watching their relationship grow and change. I found Cal to be such a sweet hero, when he finds out Phee's secret he takes it all in stride, he is never angry at her for the deception but rather amazed at her brilliance and will to survive and overcome. Watching the longing and pining between Phee and Cal, as they discover their attraction, is so lovely, and as they begin to explore a physical relationship they are both so aware and understanding of each other's needs. I believed their relationship from the start, it was beautiful to watch it thrive, and heartbreaking to come upon their falling out but so satisfying when they are reunited.

I was just so moved with this novel and I was along for the ride every step of the way. I think Bethany Bennett did a wonderful job balancing a plot driven by outside events with the building of a relationship between to people. I liked how the events helped our hero and heroine learn how to work together, or when they did not worked together they were able to learn from that as well. My only little hiccup that I did not love was the nickname that Cal had for Adam/Fee which carried over (luckily the nickname is dropped more or else about half way through the book), but ultimately my love for their relationship made me overlook this.

I definitely recommend this book, it is such a wonderful historical romance that is very well written, has a dearth of charming and realistic characters and has me anticipating the next book in the series!

I loved Cal in Any Rogue Will Do, and I was so pleased to learn he would be the main character of the next book in the Misfits of Mayfair series. This second book, West End Earl, can stand alone. However, I do recommend reading them in order if you plan to read the first book.

Cal is a great character because he is an amazing blend of light and funny with serious and responsible. As we learn his backstory, his choices make such sense. He cares greatly for his family and friends and is so loyal. And Phee is the greatest. I love seeing her as the heroine. She is such a strong woman and doesn't wait around to be saved.

This is my favorite trope, friends-to-lovers. I love seeing how their relationship evolves. There's also a great plot with intrigue and suspense. And the side characters fill out the story well. This was a really fun regency romance.

Thank you to Forever for the book. These opinions are my own.

After finding out the premise of West End Earl, I couldn't wait to read it. It's a beautiful friends to lovers romance with a twist. I loved that Phee and Cal knew each other so well, but that there was so much more to discover as their friendship/relationship shifted. They were wonderfully human, both trying their bests, but also making mistakes along the way. The conflict between them was frustrating at times, but believable given the circumstances. I loved how strong and resilient Phee was, overcoming so much hardship and heartache, and doing anything to pull herself up from her circumstances. Cal was loyal and loving to a fault, often sacrificing his own happiness for others. His attraction to Phee after discovering her secret felt a bit abrupt, but their friendship had been so strong that it was understandable that romantic feelings might develop. I wouldn't have complained if there had been a bit more grovel at the end or for Cal to have realized his future options on his own, but it was wonderful to see him finally fight for his happiness and be truly vulnerable with Phee.

There was a lot going on in the story with both Phee and Cal's pasts and their families, and I felt this made their romance stall at times and the story unfocused. It also made the book feel too long and some of the plot points weren't fully fleshed out/were resolved too quickly. For example, the resolution to the Milton conflict felt very anticlimactic after so much build up and a bit too convenient and unbelievable. It was still an enjoyable and entertaining historical romance though and I'm looking forward to Emma finally finding her happily ever after in the next book.

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

4 stars! I really enjoyed West End Earl by Bethany Bennett. The first half of the book was a solid 5 star for me. Phee and Cal were such a fun couple. I adored Cal and how much he wanted to protect and care for Phee. The only reason I took off one star is something that's more of a personal preference for me and not anything to do with the authors writing style. I just hate when any simple conversation can resolve the conflict. In this case Phee hears a closed door conversation that really should not have made her react quite the wy she did, without at least trying to ask the hero for more details. If you love someone and they love you, wouldn't you give them the benefit of the doubt and clarify the meaning behind what you heard? I hope so, at least in real life! Overall though I really really enjoyed and look forward to more from this author!

This book was good. It had a lot of story in it. I had a few moments of show don’t tell. Cal was a sweet beta hero. This book is reminiscent of Minerva Spencer’s writing for those that enjoy her. Thank you for the opportunity to review an ARC!.

4.5 Stars

I was very impressed with this author’s debut novel, Any Rogue Will Do, and have been excitedly waiting to see how her second release would fare. Well, the answer is in – I LOVED it. Cal was one of my favorite characters in the first book, and I am delighted he has gotten his well-deserved HEA in this book. The prose is outstanding, the story flows flawlessly from beginning to end and the characters are relatable, likable, and could easily become friends if we knew them in real life.

Calvin (Cal) Carlyle, Earl of Carlyle, heir to the Marquess of Eastly, is a fixer. He always feels it is his responsibility to fix problems for his friend and family. He’s very good at that, but it is often to his detriment – especially when those family members don’t really appreciate it or him. They are vain to the extreme and just take him for granted. The Marquess is a profligate who moves through the world without a thought to anyone other than himself. He leaves illegitimate offspring everywhere, spends recklessly, wagers recklessly, and then just expects Cal to clean it all up. Cal’s sister, Emma, is just as self-centered and reckless as their father. She goes through her life without a thought about the consequences of her actions – until those consequences catch up to her.

Calvin’s father has gone beyond the pale this time. He invested heavily on an investment when Cal had cautioned him to invest much more modestly. Then, on top of that, he made a wager he couldn’t possibly pay unless the investment pays out. That doesn’t trouble the marquess in the least because if the marquess can’t pay, the winner is perfectly willing to take Cal as his son-in-law. Cal has no intention of becoming that son-in-law, but he’s going to have a time working his way out of that. He’ll have to handle it carefully. Cal just isn’t good at telling his father no, even though there is no way for the marquess to force Cal to marry.

Adam Hardwick, AKA Ophelia (Phee) Hardwick is a survivor. Adam and Ophelia are orphaned twins who were thrust into the guardianship of their vile, odious uncle Milton Keating when they were very young. At the age of thirteen, the uncle sent Adam away to school and drew up marriage contracts for Ophelia to marry a very old and odious man. When Adam accidentally died, Ophelia began living as Adam and went to school in his place and Adam was buried under Ophelia’s name. Now, she’s been living as a man for ten years and wouldn’t have a clue how to behave as a woman. That deception works well for her – until she is attacked – and her best friend and employer, Calvin Carlyle, comes to her aid.

When Cal discovers Adam is really Ophelia, he wonders how he never saw it before. He’d always felt an affinity for Adam – and now he feels a full-force attraction that quickly becomes love. Cal has to manage to keep Phee safe, see that she continues to love him, and somehow manage to thwart his father’s schemes to marry him off to the winner of the bet’s daughter. It is fun to watch Cal screw it all up – the poor boy just can’t seem to go against his nature. Winning and keeping Phee may be one of those things he just can’t fix.

What do I think could be improved? I think the wording, descriptions, etc. sound very American in what is supposed to be nineteenth-century England. Anachronistic word choices – also sound very American, but weren’t in use at the time – for instance, ‘scrapper’ didn’t come into use until 1874, and then it was used for a pugilist. It didn’t come to stand for anyone who puts up a fight until later. It isn’t usual for an earl’s last name to match his title. I guess it is just that word usages and choices, situations, etc. just sound very American to me and perhaps the author could spend a bit more time immersed in that period in England.

However, the bottom line for me is that it was a lovely, witty, fun story featuring lovely people and I’m glad to have read it and I hope you will love it as well. The next book, All Rogues Lead to London, will feature Emma, Cal’s sister. I’m so looking forward to that because Emma grew exponentially as a person in this book and I can’t wait to see what happens with her. I also hope we see something dire happen with Roxbury AND I’d like to see Emma’s child inherit Milton’s estate. Grand payback I’d say.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story had a plot that was filled with emotion and turmoil. Phee had dealt with so much in her life, one tragedy after another followed by many difficult challenges that no woman should face alone. And then Cal had dealt with emotional turmoil all of his life and desperately wanted better, wanted peace. Then the conflicts they faced together, followed by the one between them... well, it was certainly quite a ride for this pair. I enjoyed their happy ending, and can only hope that Emma gets hers too. #netgalley #westendearl

Ten years ago, to get out from under the thumb of her uncle Milton, Ophelia Hardwick took her brother Adam's identity and has been living as a man just until she can come into her inheritance. She's an employee and confidante of Calvin, the Earl of Carlyle, until one day she's mugged in the streets and Cal learns her secret. He can't believe he never noticed, but as Phee says, people see what you want them to see.

Even as the two of them fall for each other, Cal is juggling his sister's social debut and getting roped into marrying a friend of his father's to pay off a debt. He's doing his damndest to find a way out of it, including hosting a house party to find a love match for his intended.

The thing is, despite engaging writing, West End Earl is lacking in any story tension. There's never a risk or even the barest hint that anyone else suspects Adam is actually Phee. Nothing much happens at the house party. What pulls Phee and Cal apart is just circumstance and not communicating despite previously being close. Even when Cal wakes up and realizes how royally he's screwed up, the grovel is just a technicality, you never doubt that Phee will take him back.

Overall, it gets a shrug, it's fine from me.

This book felt very original and I really enjoyed meeting Phee and Cal. I was really at a loss on how the author was going to tie this up for an HEA, but she was able to do so, although you had to just believe it was all neatly tied up, because in real life that wouldn’t have been plausible. Still, this is my first book by this author and it did what it was supposed to, it sucked me in and made me forget about everything going on around me! Strong 4.5 stars!

What a wonderful addition to this Regency romance series! West End Earl reminded me of Twelfth Night, which is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays.

I fell in love with Cal in the first book of this series, Any Rogue Will Do. Cal is funny, protective, and smart. I love his mother-hen protectiveness with his sister, and Ophelia, once he realizes her secret. The heroine, Ophelia, works for Cal and is hopelessly attracted to him. Once her secret is revealed, it was so interesting to watch their romance develop.

As with the first book, this one has many interesting secondary characters. Lottie & Ethan from the first book in the series make fun appearances in this book. Cal’s sister Emma is chatty and bubbly with some interesting challenges ahead of her. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series about Emma!

I really enjoyed this latest installment of the series with its Twelfth Night vibes and steamy open door romance scenes.

Cal has been cleaning up after his father's indiscretions all his adult life. But when his father betroths Cal to a baron's daughter in return for a horse, it's a step too far.

To escape the threat of a horrific marriage, Phee has been hiding her identity for years. After Cal finds out the truth about her, they soon begin a torrid affair. Will the lies and the dangers of her past come between them?

This book is such a delight. The banter between Cal and Phee is witty and full of tension. The plot is well-paced and intriguing, so the story never lags. The side characters add interest and fun. It's a perfect Regency romance.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.