The Duke is But a Dream by Anna Bennett 3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book and it was a fast read. This is Book 2 of the Debutante Diaries. I did not read the first book in the series, but it was unnecessary to enjoy this book. Miss Lily Hartley is one part of a trio that produces The Debutante's Revenge column. She is the writer and her columns seeks to provide advice to young ladies so that they can find their happily ever after. Through a series of misunderstandings, Lily is left without supervision at her sister's house (heroine of Book 1) . After she delivers her latest column, she decides to walk on the wild side and go to a local tavern. She gets into a little trouble when some of the locals decide to do a shake down. Also at the tavern is Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge. He decides to help out a lad that is being robbed and gets into a bar fight. Unfortunately for Lily (disguised as a boy), she gets in the way and hits her head on a table. Eric takes her to his home and when she wakens she has amnesia. What comes next is a search for identity and a strong attraction between Eric and Lily.

I rated this book 3.5 stars because Eric seemed to good to be true - a gentle parfait knight - and Lily seemed to be bolder that I thought she should be. I thought he would be more stubborn; his quick changes in attitude kind of gave me whiplash.

Thank you St. Martin's Paperbacks and Netgalley for this ARC.

Lily is a strong, opinionated, and impulsive heroine who develops temporary amnesia. Nash is a guilt ridden Duke who takes her in. Even though Nash doesn’t know who Lily is, he falls in love with her and plans to marry her. A real feel good story! I received an ARC for my honest review.

This is my first book by Anna Bennett. It was ok. The characters were likable, the duke very dreamy, but it was just ok. The beginning started out grabbing my attention, but kind of slowed down in the middle.

“I will never have enough of you…If we stayed just like this for a hundred years, it would feel too short.”

Lily Hartley, along with her sister and dearest friend, has been secretly writing a column in the local paper—The Debutante’s Revenge. The column offers advice to the ladies of the ton that may be seeking out their future husband. Disguised as a young lad, Lily drops off their newest installment, but on her way home, is waylaid in a tavern skirmish. But as luck would have it, the Duke of Stonebridge notices she is a lady in distress and comes to her rescue. Receiving a rather large bump to the head, Lily is whisked to the Duke’s home to convalesce. Too bad when she wakes, she has no memory of why she is there or even who she is.

Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, has been in a self-imposed exile since the passing of his twin sister. Having a drink at the local tavern, he is mesmerized by a beautiful woman that is for some odd reason dressed as a boy. Being her savior is the least he can do, if only he knew her name.

Lily and Nash work together trying to locate her family and discover her identity…and in the process, develop a bond that surpasses the need for names, for when the heart discovers it’s other half, no name beyond Love is required. “When I’m with you—no matter what I’m doing or where I am—I feel like I’m right where I belong.”

Oh I so enjoyed this light romantic read. While this is the 2nd installment of Anna Bennett’s Debutante Diaries, it may be read standalone. Lily and Nash’s HEA is everything. “…we never know what the next day may bring. If you’re always waiting on the future, it’s easy to miss the joy of the present.”

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. This is the second book in the Debutante Diaries series and even though I hadn’t read the previous book I was just so lost within this story that I didn’t even care that I hadn’t read the previous book. I most definitely will read more by this author.

The Debutante Diaries series continues with the second installment of The Duke is But a Dream, and I for one, flew through this story, reading it in one sitting. It's the story of Lily, authoress of the Debutante's Revenge - an advice column for women, encouraging them to take the reigns in their lives. To experience situations only men seem to have the luxury to do...

After Lily drops off her article to the newspaper, she decides to experience a pub, dressed as a boy. Yet, she becomes injured in a brawl and loses consciousness and her memory.

Part of the reason for the brawl? Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge enjoys a tussle, because it helps numb the pain for the loss of some of his family. And thus, he takes responsibility for Lily when her hat falls off and reveals the boy is actually a lass.

Still unaware of who she is, Lily is given the name Caroline, befriends Nash's sister, Delilah, and falls for Nash - a man who claims himself incapable of loving.

As long as you suspend reality and enjoy the tale as fun historical romance, you'll enjoy this installment, as I have. I'm ready for the next in the series and wonder who our couple will be?

This is the second book in the Debutante Diaries series and I found it as enjoyable as the first, and it totally works as a standalone if someone hasn't read the previous story.
The main characters here are Lily Hartley whom suffers amnesia and Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge, the blurb is pretty much self explanatory but I will say I quite like the characters, i thought they were really well written and developed; also while this is a light read, the plot is interesting and it did make me want to keep reading, plus the pace and the writing itself are quite entertaining. I'd like to read more books in the series.

The Duke is But a Dream is the second book in the Debutante Diaries series. It follows the story of Lily Hartley and Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge. I liked their story, but I did feel that their physical relationship was a little too rushed. Especially since she was suffering from amnesia after bumping her head during a scuffle in which, luckily for Lily, Nash intervened. It is because of her amnesia that I feel that things should of been taken slowly. It was a little disappointing that Nash being so overprotective of his sister didn't stop to think that what he was doing with Lily was too soon and without consideration of who she might be. Though it was Lily who initiated those moments, he should of taken more care of not acting too soon on their physical attraction.
This aside, I did enjoy the rest of the story. Lily was a very independent and strong character. I loved the relationship she had with her sister and best friend. I felt that Nash did not want to let go of the past, and due to his fears this was causing turmoil in his life and in those around him.
I do look forwards to the next in the series.

Lily and her sister and a friend have become the anonymous authors of a scandalous newspaper column. It is for young ladies who are seeking information about relationships and the way young ladies should respond to gentlemen.

One evening when she is disguised as a young boy and delivering the column to the newspaper, things go badly.

She goes into a tavern, tries to remain unrecognized and gets involved in a fight. A gentleman saves her, finds she is a girl and takes her to his home because she is unconscious. The fact she is lovely also may have had something to do with it.

The gentleman is a duke, but call him Nash.

Nash lives with his younger sister, Delilah. They are the only two remaining family members. He treasures his sister. He has devoted the last 5 years to keeping her safe and protecting her reputation. He does not want anything to happen to ruin her future.

Lily has now become Caroline, because she has amnesia and has no idea what her name is nor who she is. She is living in the home of Delilah and Nash and they are treating her as though she is a young lady of the ton. But, they are not certain that she is.

First, allow me to say that Ms Bennett writes beautifully. She writes characters who are fully developed. Her plotting moves along well and she is very good at creating a plot which holds the reader's interest.

Second, although this is the second book in a series, it works well as a stand alone read. Past events and relationships are explained.

Now, I could not become all warm and fuzzy over Lily/Caroline. She did not act like a young lady of the upper classes during any historic period that I know. Her column was amusing and entertaining. On the other hand, her actions in real life were mind boggling.
She decided that she wanted the duke and she becomes very brazen in order to get him. In order to have a relationship with him, she makes the first moves. She has amnesia, has no idea whether she is married and yet continually pursues a relationship with this man.

Nash is a man of honor. For the last 5 years he has devoted his life to taking care of Delilah and keeping her safe. Yet, he takes a strange young woman home with him, and continually puts himself in a position to ruin her. I found it difficult to imagine that such an honorable man would be willing to ruin someone's daughter when he was so careful with his sister.

I was hoping to see more a sense of romance between the Lily/Caroline and Nash and less strong feelings of lust. The rules of the on are completely ignored at every turn.

Again, the writing is wonderful and the plot is interesting with a happily ever after in the works. But, I just felt that the actions prevented me from feeling much of an emotional investment. They both rushed to judgment and so did I. I hope the next book in this series gives me more of a feeling of romance. I know it will be well crafted.

I received this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

Really enjoyed this story and the characters. Romance was sweet and entertaining. Have already ordered for the store. Will be reading more of Miss Bennett's books.

This is my first Anna Bennett book. While I wasn’t swept off my feet, I did enjoy the organic way the two characters got to know each other. The premise that Lily (a Miss from a well-to-do family) is left alone while everyone leaves town and has a head injury/memory loss and then Eric (the Duke of Stonebridge) decides to take her in until her family is discovered is far-fetched—but it worked for this particular plot, as the two wouldn’t have socialized otherwise.

Lily is energetic and enjoyable, and I loved the snippets of her columns prior to each chapter. The friendship between Lily and Delilah, Eric’s sister, helped both characters grow and accept realizations and realities of the world around them.

I really liked Eric as a person, but absolutely didn’t like his reasons for not wanting a romantic relationship. He aspired to have great intentions but his decision-making skills need some improvement. He’s unwilling to commit, but gets involved with Lily anyway—even when she doesn’t know who she is.

The circumstances of the story force both Lily and Eric to open up in ways they may not have otherwise. While I would have liked to have seen these characters come together in a less-forced manner, their story was still a fun and quick read. It isn’t the most memorable of stories, but is an intriguing one. The book is part of the Debutante Diaries series, but can be read as a standalone.

Pleasant romance about a an unconventional adopted woman, Lily, who is the anonymous author of a slightly daring column called The Debutante’s Revenge. She is coming back from delivering her column, disguised as a boy when she gets caught up in a tavern brawl and knocked unconscious. Nash, Duke of Stonebridge has become a bit of a recluse ever since his twin sister and father were killed 6 years ago. He blames himself for their deaths, and is very protective of his sister Delilah, who is a 18 year old longing for fin, romance and excitement.

He feels responsible for the injury to lilyso takes her home with him, where we eventually discover she has lost her memory. They are both drawn to each other, but lily doesn’t know who she is, and Nash is determined to keep his heart safe from love, as he doesn’t want to feel the pain of losing a loved one again.

They work together to try and discover Lily’s true identity, and Lily tries to get Nash to let his guard down and fall in love with her. Will Nash learn to be vulnerable again.

The subplot about her parentage was sweetly done, if a bit far fetched, and the relationship between the main protagonists was nicely drawn. Perfectly pleasant.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Posted on goodreads.

What a fun story!

I recommend reading the first story in this series (First Earl I See Tonight) because it introduces the characters and provides some background, but this could probably be read as a stand-alone..

Lily is not the typical debutante - she is also the author of a scandalous column - The Debutante’s Revenge, which advises young ladies to think for themselves (gasp!). Nash is a duke who famously has a heart of stone... but he’s hiding a secret. This is an amnesia story for the meet-cute - which aren’t always my favorite, but I liked the way she did this one. I really enjoyed this story!

Thanks to St. Martin’s press publicity & Netgalley! I received this book as a free ARC for an honest review.

As with the first book in this series, this story also requires an open-mind and a suspension of disbelief in regards to the plot. It’s so far-fetched, it’s almost laughable. But if you just let it go, and enjoy it for what it is (a fairy tale) and not what it “should be”, then you’ll undoubtedly be pleased. It’s a quickly read romantic romp with a strong hero and heroine, and a fun secondary cast. Can easily be read as a stand-alone.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the it. The premise was unique in that in paired a trope I haven't seen too often in regency novels. I would recommend it to anyone that wants a lighthearted beach read.

Stirring historical romance with a different sort of characters. An unusual start however became predictable.

Miss Lily Hartley, her sister Fiona, and her friend Sophie are the masterminds behind the potentially scandalous advice column for young debutantes called The Debutante's Revenge. They give advice to young women looking to navigate the marriage mart. However, if their secret is revealed, they will be thrown out of society.

One evening, Lily disguises herself as a boy and delivers the latest column to the newspaper. Because her sister and her new husband are out of town as are her parents, Lily takes the opportunity at freedom and explore parts of London she has seen before. She finds herself in a pub and in the middle of a bar fight.

Lily is rescued by Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, who was also in the pub. Lily has an accident that was partially caused by Nash so he brings her to his home and calls his doctor. When Lily awakens, she has no memory of her past. Nash and his sister Delilah, who is a big fan of the Debutante's Revenge, nurse her back to health. They want to help her recover her memory.

Nash and Delilah have just returned to London from five years at their country home. A tragic accident which cost the life of their father and Nash's twin sister sent them away from all the memories and left Nash guilty and afraid to commit his heart to anyone.

The story has Nash and Lily falling in love while Delilah is also falling in love - with a very unsuitable suitor. I loved the relationship between Nash and Lily as she convinced him that his heart was safe with her.

A very sweet, romantic read. I loved it!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. It's sweet and witty but a little predictable. It was enjoyable nonetheless.

The Duke is But a Dream is a very light read and a little predictable featuring Lily Hartley whom suffers amnesia and is cared for Eric Nash. It will fill a few hours but don't expect any surprises.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.