This didn’t turn out to be the story I expected. First off, I admit to be new to Anna Bennett’s writings and some might say diving in the middle of an ongoing series is not a clever thing to do. I had no difficulty following the story though. So if anything, this third entry to her “Debutante Diaries” can easily be read as a standalone. Even a schmuck like me had no trouble despite being a newbie. But I guess I just didn’t click with the writing.

While trying to picking up interesting premise the delivery didn’t live up to expectations. The story felt two-dimensional and predictable with tedious characters; everything seemed too orchestrated. Personally, for a historical romance set in (I assumed) Victorian era England, the story didn’t sound convincing to my plebeian self. Small things like the word/expression used, the unmarried leading lady could go anywhere unchaperoned (impoverished status notwithstanding) niggled on me.

Sophie would’ve been wonderful MC if only her character were being delved more. Same as Reese. The way his distress first introduced, I thought it would be much more complicated than what’s revealed. Not that I’m trying to belittle the tragedy surrounding him, but perhaps with a bit of a tweak the delivery of grief concerning his family and friends could leave more impact to the story.

As an addition to my historical romance repertoire WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE just fell under okay but unmemorable category. Not really one I wish to revisit any time soon.


Copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue by Anna Bennett is the third book in the Debutante Diaries. The books each focus on a different couple, but the three females are all best friends. I continue to find reading about the ton with all their interesting rules and fashions.

Miss Sophie Kendall is the leader of the secret club called Debutante Underground. She believes in true love. She knows it exists because her two best friends found it, but Sophie is in a different situation. Her parents are expecting her to save their family from becoming destitute. She is expected to marry well and a suitor has already come forward. There is nothing wrong with him, except she feels nothing.

Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire can’t sleep. Every time he wakes up in the midst of a horrible nightmare. He roams at night trying to sooth himself with no success, until he accidently meets Sophie and she helps him sleep. Now he wants her to help him sleep at the time and she wants to help and spend more time with him, but not at the expense of her family.

The two main characters were well suited. I was getting a bit nervous for them and their future as the book went along. I found the novel to be interesting and well paced. When You Wish Upon a Rogue by Anna Bennett was a fun, quick, easy read.

This was way too much for me! Sorry, but to be honest, I liked the heroine at first, then she turns into a Gloria Steinam in the 18th Century, or early 19th Century?! I am losing my taste for Historical Romance for this very reason, they are no longer historical, they are contemporary dressed up as historical. I read historical fiction as an escape, not for political statements dressed up! How did a young lady move about in Society without a chaperone? That would never have happened, never, she would not have been invited to balls by the ton, she would have been considered fast, much less have a Marquess wanting to marry her, and she thinks she is too good for him? Please give me Jane Austen!
Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee.com

When You Wish Upon a Rogue (Debutante Diaries #3). By Anna Bennett. 2020. St. Martin’s Press (ARC eBook).

As Sophie Kendall inspects a seemingly vacant building in search of a larger place for the ladies of the Debutante Underground to meet, she is met with the building’s owner, a seemingly sleep-deprived tailor. When she inquires if she can rent the building he entices her into playing a card game, wagering buttons; and she makes him tea that will help him sleep. Curious as to what she wants his building for, he sets a monetary price that Sophie can not afford and the two part ways.

When Henry Reese, the new Earl of Warshire discovers that it was not Sophie’s tea blend that soothed his nightmares that night, but Sophie herself who acted as a balm to his tortured soul; he seeks her out and offers a new proposition—the use of his building in exchange for her company one night a week.

This is the first book I’ve read from Bennett. Sophie and Reese are likable characters; however, I feel like maybe had I had some attachment to Sophie coming into her story, maybe I would’ve enjoyed it more. I did like the parts where Reese tends to his garden—seeing the beauty return and his gifts of flowers to Sophie as he begins facing the losses that had previously sent him into a tailspin. He does seem rather mild-mannered for a rogue though. Overall, this is an entertaining story about the healing power of love and I do look forward to reading another book by Bennett.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue
Series: 3rd book in the Debutante Diaries
Rating: 5 stars!!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue was such an unexpected wonderful story! I loved it from start to finish. I wish I could experience it again for the first time. The story felt very unique to me. We have an Earl who because of his involvement in war and his new social status as the new Earl of Warshire can not sleep. One night he meets Sophie Kendall and finds in her the peace he needs to finally sleep for a good amount of time. He asks her to help him sleep in exchange for her to use one of his buildings for her meetings. She is to spend every Friday night at his house. I liked that the time spent at his house was spent outdoors in his garden. The garden scenes between Reese and Sophie were so sweet and romantic. I liked how the author showed the attraction between them without them touching each others. The words Reese spoke to Sophie were so beautiful. Each night they spent there was a wonderful experience for Sophie. I fell in love with Reese along with Sophie. They found in each other what they needed to be happy for a long time.
The story did seem a little too out there, but that's what I liked about it. I know this story will stay with me for quite some time.
Highly, highly recommend!!

I thought the writing in this book was great, and I LOVED the hero's battle with insomnia. That is something I haven't seen much of in the genre and I thought it was portrayed really well and utilized as a unique plot point.
Unfortunately, this book wasn't a slam dunk for me. I felt like the heroine was a bit flat and so were her friends. The hero lacked a little oomph too. I also couldn't get past the lack of a chaperone or ANY real significance placed on Sophie's actions and her staying with a bachelor, overnight, once a week. The thing about historical romances is how that lack of female freedom plays a huge part in their ability to break free of societal structures. I just had a really hard time getting past her being a lady of the upper class but lacking any chaperonage that she could do that.
I do think the writing was great and there was uniqueness to the story. 3.5/5

This was not the book I was expecting! I thought the first two books in this series to be silly, fluffy fairy tales and assumed the same for book three. But no! This book had depth of emotion that was wholly unexpected! Longing and grief and regret and honor - so many feels. I’m so glad I didn’t write off this book as silly and skip it.

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

A cute read but a little too unrealistic for my liking. It’s definitely one of those books that once you finish reading it, nothing about it is really memorable.

I loved When You Wish Upon a Rogue. I had no idea what to expect as I haven't read anything by Anna Bennett until today. I started and just couldn't stop. The tension between Reese and Sophie was amazing. I adored him as a grumpy hero and just loved her willingness to help him. Their relationship and rules was the best. I can't wait to go back and grab the other two books in this series. If you are hooked on historical romance like I am, don't pass this one up.

Thank you so much, SMP Romance and Netgalley for letting me read and give my honest thoughts. I am so glad you did!

3.5 of 5 stars

Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, was never supposed to inherit the title. Except life doesn't always happen the way you expect them too and when Reese's older brother tragically dies in a hunting accident, Reese must give up the army and return to take up the title and responsibilities. When Reese learns that his army troop was attacked the night after he left and many good men die, the nightmares and guilt begin and the sleepless nights are relentless. He flees to his abandoned property in London where he meets the bold and beautiful Sophie Kendall. When he asks her to stay and talk with him a while, she agrees and it's the first night in weeks, he's able to fall asleep. Now all he wants is to make Sophie is own, but she's got her own secrets and guilt to deal with.

I enjoyed this story though I don't understand why "Rogue" is in the title. Reese isn't anything of the kind. He's a war hero called back to England when his brother dies. So I started reading the book expecting something totally different in the plot. I liked Sophie-she's smart, bold and falls for Reese's sweet and romantic ways as he restores his long neglected garden. I didn't like her family at all. They expected her to be the sacrificial lamb saving the family from ruin and she loved her family and wanted to do whatever she could to help them. I had figured out the twist long before the end of the book so it was no surprise when I got there.

This is third in a series, but it works as a stand alone read. We get glimpses of the characters from the first books and we realize that there is love and happily ever afters all around.

Sophie is a part of group of 3 women who create a newspaper column about what a debutante can expect from gentlemen. The expectations include everything from courtesy to physical relationships. At the same time, Sophie is involved in weekly meetings which include women from upper and lower classes. All of them come to the meetings to discuss what men want of women and what women want of men.

Reese has become an earl because of the death of his elder brother. He idolized his brother to the point of not recognizing any flaws. When his brother died, Reese had to come home to take over the duties of his new position. Coming home meant that he left his position as a leader of men in battle.

He is now suffering from PTSD, guilt and depression. He is unable to get a good night’s sleep or to get a day which does not include thoughts filled with all the things which are making him so anxious and stressed.

Then he accidentally finds that Sophie’s calm demeanor and gentle nature help him find enough peace to allow him to sleep. He immediately convinces her to go into a partnership with him. He wants her to spend time with him and help him sleep and also absorb some of her calm.

Sophie is an interesting heroine, but I found her inconsistent. She has a powerful nature and yet will not speak up to her family to prevent marriage to a man she does not like. She has the ability run meetings and organize ideas and actions, but is unable to solve some of the problems presented by her family. She has such confidence in herself and her inner strength that she agrees to Reese’s plan. Although she is a young woman gently raised, she is willing to have clandestine meetings with a proverbial stranger.

Actually, that I understand.

If I were creating a truly romantic leading man, I would build a Reese. He is intelligent, kind thoughtful, attentive, romantic and humorous. Did I say romantic? He offers tenderness and care to a young woman who evidently has not found it in her past relationships.

I loved the slowly developed romance that grew between Sophie and Reese. I loved the premise that each of them found someone who understood them and treasured them. I liked the romance of this book a great deal.

I have not read the first two books in the series. I found it evident that Ms Bennett has the ability to create characters who draw a reader into a story.

This is a regency which gave me a happy ending. And I also got to know Reese.

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

This book was a dnf for me. I found the premise unbelievable. I could not connect with the h or the beta H. I just did not care enough to what happened to either of the main characters.

Beautiful, touchless romance has all the feels!

Trapped by duty, Sophie takes comfort from her rules. As her family's only hope for financial security lies in her upcoming marriage to the agreeable Lord Singleton, Sophie constructs her life around a support system of rules of behavior that will ensure protection for her heart and her family's future.

"There was no escaping the future that had been prescribed for her. And that future was knocking on her door."

Reese, on the other hand, has no use for rules. He's nearly broken by the recent deaths of both his brother and his best friend. His brother's death forced Reese to assume the title and control of the estate, leaving his comrades behind on the battle field. Their friendship is conducted entirely within Sophie's rules, but the heart has never met a rule it isn't willing to break.

This was such a sweet, tender, emotionally exhaustive story, yet filled with hope and joy in the smallest things. I loved every bit of this romance, from the sweeping grand gestures to the little side glances and all the sigh-worthy moments in between. These two are so right for each other, it was almost unbearably frustrating that Sophie still couldn't see a way for them to be together. I swooned hard for Reese when he demonstrated the full extent of his devotion by coming to her aid even when he thought all was lost.

Of course they do get a very satisfying HEA, one that makes everyone involved as happy as can be. This author's writing style is absolutely captivating, and I couldn't put this book down until I was done. I highly recommend this for all Regency romance readers. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Anna Bennett has done it again! When You Wish Upon a Rouge captured my attention from start to finish.

I simply adored Sophie and the relationship she and Reese develop throughout the twists and turns of a classic Regency.

Five stars!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for sending this, page turning, advanced copy to me.

This was a cute book and I loved the characters of Reese and Sophie as I often do in Anna Bennett books. The premise of the book is a little wild for Regency England but the author made it work. After all, if she's staying the night with a countess, her parents have nothing to worry about right? I mean a young miss wouldn't actually spend hours or all night with an eligible bachelor, would she? Well, it starts innocently enough. Sophie can't turn away anyone in need, an animal or even an Earl with gaunt features especially if it affords her the use of an empty shop for the Debutante Underground. And so begins a new adventure. I have to say I thought of ways this could end and the author surprised me, even to the point I was really beginning to wonder how an HEA would be possible. I shouldn't have doubted it though. I received this ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue is the third book in the Debutante Diaries. The series is based on three ladies who wanted to capture their experiences of their Season by keeping journals and eventually they start The Debutante’s Revenge, an anonymous column in a London newspaper.
Sophie Kendal dreamed of finding a husband who loved her but to save her family from destitution, she is being pressured to marry Lord Singleton. She organized The Debutante Underground meetings and since they were growing, she needed to find a larger meeting place. Sophie goes into a vacant tailor’s shop to look around where she encounters Reese.
Henry Reese “Reese”, Earl of Warshire, was a grouchy man with extreme insomnia. He had idolized his older brother and when he died Reese had to return to England. He was consumed with memories of the war and guilt from leaving his fellow soldiers behind and finds peace at one his empty buildings. Sophie was able to get him to relax and sleep with some herbal tea and her presence. He convinces her to come and help him to sleep and in return allows her to use the tailor’s shop for her meetings. As they continue meeting their feelings grow for each other, but Sophie’s family situation has become dire. Can they find a solution so they can be together?
This was such an attention-grabbing book that I just couldn’t put down. The characters were so charming, and the ending was certainly a surprise. The series was great fun and I am sad to see the end of it.

Sometimes when you step into a series… you can feel a bit lost… I hardly even noticed that this was the third of a series! Wow.

This story started off and quickly through the two leads together in an accidental meet that changes both their lives. Miss Sophie is part of an underground women’s group that she started with her 2 best friends. Her contribution to the group entails leading a ladies meeting where women from all walks of life can come together and openly discuss, love, relationships… and sex! Very forward thinking. Her meetings keep getting bigger, so she decided to check out the abandoned building down the street from their current meeting place…

Henry Reese, the new Earl of Warshire hasn’t slept in days. Sadly, this is a regular occurrence. He is haunted by his time in the army and the death if his brother. Not able to sleep he decide to visit one of his properties, an abandoned tailor shop. Tonight he is not alone…

It was such a delight to see these two come together and strike their unique bargin. Reese and Sophie were almost like a beauty and beast pairing. The brought out the good and strength in each other and personified #CoupleGoals !

This story had me turning the pages and saying: Just one more chapter…) throughout the whole book. I was on the edge of my seat anxiously awaiting Reese and Sophie’s happily ever after and reader, I tell you I was not disappointed. This was such a fun read - I am going to go put the first 2 Debutant Diaries book on the TBR list right now!

When You Wish Upon a Rogue by Anna Bennett is scheduled to release May 26th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com/2020/05/when-you-wish-upon-rogue.html

#WhenYouWishUponaRogue #AnnaBennett #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

Delightful romance with features a feminist heroine who finds herself with a hero who isn’t the richest man I town, isn’t the most dashing or handsome but who is “just right” for her, How they discover each other and find their way to defy convention for each other makes for a satisfying read. Did I mention the underground women’s club? All part of the charm of Bennett’s characters and their world.

-- This review, and others, are also on my blog www.hookedbythatbook.com –

This is the third book in the series Debutante Diaries.

Sophie’s family has placed all their hopes on her shoulders. She is on the brink of getting engaged to Lord Singleton, who will rescue them from their financial woes. But Sophie has dreams of her own, and one of those is the Debutante Underground Society. The Society has outgrown their current meeting place and Sophie went on the lookout for a bigger location. She walked into an empty building that was unlocked and ran into Reece, the Earl of Warshire. Reece is an ex-soldier and has taken over the title after his older brother’s death. He suffers from PTSD, and has trouble sleeping and integrating into normal society. On that fateful night, in Sophie’s presence, he had his first good night’s sleep in a very long time. Reece makes a proposition to Sophie – she can use his building for her Society’s meetings, and in return she will spend one night a week with him to help him sleep.

The whole situation is probably a bit far-fetched, but it does seem to fit in with Sophie’s character. Sophie and Reece spend a lot of time together, and fell in love, even as Sophie’s impending betrothal looms ever closer. Both characters had to make hard choices and make decisions about where they want to go.

I have to admit that I thought this was a very dangerous situation for Sophie to put herself in. She agreed to spend time alone with a stranger, who is extremely anti-social, and has no friends or family who can vouch for him. She also kept the entire arrangement a secret from everyone. If something had happened to her, nobody would have known.

The way Sophie got out of the engagement was also maybe a bit too convenient.

I liked Sophie and Reece, and the writing is excellent. The story is very well told and kept my interest. And that’s why I’m still giving it a 4.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is one of the best historical romance books I've read this year! Rarely do I read a book in one day but Anna Bennett's When You Wish Upon A Rogue is just such a book! I couldn't put it down. The premise is unique. The characters came to life. I especially enjoyed the characters' not touching each other but still managing to develop a beautiful relationship! Ms. Bennett's writing style moves the storyline along through action and dialogue without too much mental debates that other authors are prone to. I highly recommend this book!