When You Wish Upon a Rogue is the third book in the Debutante Diaries series. Sophie is looking for a new place for the Debutante Underground meetings when she is surprised by Henry. She is in his building. Henry carries so much grief and guilt about his brother’s death and the men he left on the battle field that he suffers from nightmares and often cannot sleep. Sophie’s mother suffers insomnia often. She gives Henry the herbal concoction that helps her mother. Henry is shocked that it works. They soon come to an agreement that he will let her use the building if she stays with him once a week and helps him sleep (risky, to say the least). Because of her betrothal (she doesn’t want to marry him, but family problems seem to make it necessary), they do not touch, become wonderful friends, develop a strong attraction, and soon fall in love (and there is touching). Is there any way to stop the betrothal and help Sophie’s family so that these two can be together?

I love Henry and Sophie. They are both smart and caring people. The other characters are wonderful. Fiona, Lily, and the ladies of the Debutante Underground are sweet and fierce. This is a charming story. There is a bit of angst, some drama, a good dose of humor, healing, and, of course, romance. There are a few surprises, happy and sad. One of the biggest is what happens in the library at the engagement ball. I like this series. I enjoyed and recommend When You Wish Upon a Rogue.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My Review is voluntary.

If you're looking for realism, regency romance probably isn't the place to go, but if you've read any, you already know that. So, it's safe to say that I wasn't looking for that when I read this one. Plus I have some experience with this series, so I kind of knew what I was going to find. I also expected things to be a bit over the top, and I got that too. Nevertheless, the story is a fun bit of escapism to while away a few hours. The characters are interesting, not exactly appropriate to the time period, but interesting, the story has a good pace, and the romance is adorable. I liked the premise and the fairy tale feel of the story, which goes a long way toward making that suspension of disbelief easier to swallow. All in all, When You Wish Upon a Rogue is a charming regency romance and a good addition to the series.

This author saved the best of the trilogy for last. The first 2 books were very good, but this one was hard to put down.

Miss Sophie Kendall monitors the meetings of a secret society of ladies who faithfully read The Debutante’s Revenge column in the paper. They call themselves The Debutante Underground and only discuss things in their group. Her best friends, Fiona and Lily, are behind the Debutante’s Revenge column and happily married to wonderful men. Sophie’s parents are insistent that she marry a man she doesn’t like because they need money. Her older sister, Mary, is not as outgoing and expects she’ll never marry.

After the Debutante Underground meeting, she goes to explore an old tailor’s shop as the DU need more space for their meetings. As she entered the back of the building, she thought it would be a great place but will see more in the daytime. As she starts to leave, she encounters, Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire who owns the building. He has demons from the war that he cannot shake and rarely sleeps well. She makes him tea with Valerian root to help him sleep, which he did to his surprise.

Henry has decided to peek into a ball looking for Sophie as he wants her recipe to help him sleep. She agrees to help him and plans to go to his home. Her friends will cover for her if her parents wonder where she is. The rest you should read as I truly enjoyed it.

I have read 2 books out today. 1st up is Anna Bennett's When You Wish Upon a Rogue - you can probably tell it is a historical romance from the title. Sophie helps run The Debutante's Underground which is a great group of women helping women.

Sophie is looking for a new place for the group to meet. She finds the perfect building . . . but its owner Henry (and Earl of course) isn't keen on leasing the space.

Except for that he finds Sophie very restful. She helps him sleep - and boy does Henry need sleep.

So, they make a deal. Henry will let Sophie use the space (no questions asked) if she helps him sleep. She is wary but eventually agrees. Unfortunately, Sophie is being forced to marry another (families!).

I found this romance delightful. It made me so happy to read it.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue is the 3rd book in Bennett's Debutante Diaries series. I haven't read the 1st 2 books, but I plan to now.

7:10pm · 2

Book 3 in the Debutante Diaries series, and just as good as the first 2! Sophie unfortunately has to marry a man she doesn't love in order to save her family. Just as she resigns herself to her fate, she meets Reese and falls in love knowing that nothing can be done. I spent a wonderful afternoon sitting in my chair while camping reading this story and don't regret a single moment of it!

I hope there's more books in store for this series, since Lily's mom never came into this book at all. Plus there's so many more characters in the Debutante Underground that need wonderful men!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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

When You Wish Upon A Rogue, by Anna Bennett, is available at booksellers on 5-26-20. Wish is book 3 in Ms Bennett's Debutante Diaries series. I've given this story a rare, for me, five stars. I actually cried. Darn Ms Bennett, she made me cry. I liked the characters and became involved in their journey and HEA. More than that though, I loved the story line. Love, loss, heartbreak, sorrow, depression, PTSD. So many emotions beyond the usual romance fare. While the heroine, Sophie, is lovely, brave and loves her family & friends, she's not the main character. Reese, our hero, is the one who will truly break your heart. I rooted for him and was pleased when he finally came through. An imperfect hero, how perfect.

#AnnaBennett #Netgalley #DebutanteDiaries #StMartin'sPaperbacks #historicalromance #romance

Nice read. The “twists” were a little predictable and the pacing was slow at some points but overall enjoyable.

This has become high on the list as one of my favorite historical romances. It had lots of emotions (there was leakage from my eyes on quite a few occasions). A tortured Earl, Reese, who has many demons, you can’t help but instantly fall for him and hope he slays those demons. A young caring woman, Sophie, with ideals & thoughts, who cares so much about everyone, and usually puts them before herself. When they meet, at first, he’s just a grumpy man & she’s the one who helps him. From there it turns into so much more. And the more they get to know each other, the more you fall in love with the idea of them being together. He loves her but is torn up by recent tragedies. She loves him but is duty bound to another for her families sake. And as you read you hope they find a way to make it to each other in the end. Completely in love with this!

When You Wish Upon a Rogue is book #3 in Anna Bennet’s Debutante Diaries series. Like the previous entry, the pacing in which the two main characters’ relationship grew was done well. Also like the previous entry, the circumstances that thrusts them together is too far-fetched, which seemed unnecessary since they are both in the same social circle.

Miss Sophie Kendell must marry for money, not love, to save her family. She’s agreed to marry a marquess, Lord Charles Singleton, in two months time, a situation she’s unhappy with but resolved to do. Henry Reese, the Earl of Warshire (who is referred to as “Reese” throughout the book), is plagued with the grief of losing his older brother and the circumstances that arose when he left the war to take over the earldom. When Sophie, who runs the Debutante Underground society, seeks out a new, suitable location for its growing numbers, she meets Reese and though it’s a rocky start, she affects him in a way he hasn’t experienced in a long time.

She helps him fall asleep.

That’s the premise that brings Reese to seek out Sophie again—a request to, at least once a week, help him sleep. Not sleep together in a sexual way, but to offer her presence so that Reese can simply evade the nightmares and feel like a person once again, however briefly. Like I said, it’s far-fetched, but it allows the two to spend time together and get to know each other.

The story has a lovely connection with flowers. They become an integral part to building their relationship and offer an organic element to how it builds over time. Reese is cunning and tenacious, growing as a character to work past, or at least with, his demons. Sophie isn’t a shy miss, takes her married friends’ advice, and was both forthcoming and cautious about the realities of her and Reese’s situation early on. It was refreshing to see Reese respect her boundaries even as their feeling grew.

When You Wish Upon a Rogue takes you on a romantic journey through Sophie and Reese. It’s a story that reminds us that not all is lost, even if the odds seem against you. The book is a fast read that will sweep you into their little corner of London and leave you feeling warm inside. It is part of the Debutante Diaries series, but can be read as a standalone.

The concept of this book intrigued me from the beginning. I am all about a close group of friends who do something unconventional for the society/times for which they live. For this book, Sophie and her friends (the Debutant Underground) meet to discuss the weekly advice column The Debutant Underground. Such funnies here! Anyway, this group is girl talk at its best! Sophie, our heroine is the organizer and hostess. Luckily she has this group of friends because life at home is certainly not great. Because of her families debts she has to wed a man she does not love. This makes Sophie realize she wants more for her life. While trespassing one night looking for some adventure, she meets our hero Reese, who due to crippling insomnia, is awake late one night when he finds Sophie in his garden. What happens next is a budding friendship...and then more between two interesting people, both needing just what the other has to offer.
I really enjoyed the book. The only negatives for me were it seemed Sophie had so much on her shoulders in caring for her family. Why did she have so much of the burden? Otherwise I found this book very romantic, especially the night time garden moments. A satisfying HEA.

Miss Sophie Kendall is the creator of a secrect society that provides women with the details of wedding nights and other topics off limits to young ladies. Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, is plagued by memories and guilt of his time in the war. He has not slept and stays in an abandoned store he bought. When Sophie explores the building as a new place for her meetings, she meet Henry and when she leaves he has had one of the best nights of sleep in awhile. This leads to them comin g up with an arrangement ohe her using the building and staying the night with him so he can sleep. This leads to love and compassion, and trying to do what is right. Henry's guilt is driving him, Sophie makes him confront his guilt. Sophie's family is marrying her off to pay their debts and its now complicated by her live for Henry. Sophie is determined to say her family and Henry needs to find away to help. They are great together and it seems like fate has brought them together. They now have to face the truth and the past to find love. Recommend this book

Sophie Kendall is the leader of a rebel secret society that meets to discuss “taboo-for-drawing-rooms” topics. Henry Reese is a tortured Earl, having “won” his title after tragically losing his brother in an accident. Sophie is a wickedly smart woman who speaks her mind and depends on logic and rules to navigate life. Reese is the opposite, a brooding and moody soul skulking in shadows desperately searching for the balm for his sorrows.
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When a chance meeting thrusts these two together, the chemistry is immediate. Sophie’s sweet and loving nature immediately senses the helplessness in Reese, and she begins to tend his mental scars without even realizing what she’s doing!
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I was instantly swept up in this budding friendship akin to two young lovers enjoying a beginning-of-summer flirtation, first as a friendship and then flowering into much more. Most of the couple’s interactions happen during late night conversations in a magical garden setting on Reese’s estate (a long neglected place that springs back to life along side this new relationship), and I found these interludes sweet, romantic, and heartwarming.
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When You Wish Upon a Rogue is a perfectly paced summer read with lots of fun banter, romantic overtures, and enough tension to keep the plot moving. Grab your lemonade, find your favorite porch swing, and be prepared to fall in love.

Miss Sophie Kendall is part of the secret society called the Debutante Underground as written in the newspaper column entitled The Debutante’s Revenge. The society was founded by Sophie and her friends, Lily and Fiona. Every Friday evening, Sophie secretly speaks to a group of women mostly about taboo subjects within their marriages.

Sophie’s father drinks to excess and has lost his fortune. Now, she and her older sister, Mary, need to find a wealthy husband. But Mary’s childhood bout with scarlet fever has left her weak and frail. Thus, it’s now Sophie who must marry a wealthy man. Her parents want her to marry Lord Singleton, a marquess. A slick fellow, he has paid off many of her father’s debts and is using this as a lever to force Sophie to marry him. However, she knows she could never love him.

One Friday night after her weekly meeting, Sophie goes to search out another meeting place that she hears is empty. Slipping inside the dark place, she is shocked to be confronted by a man who introduces himself as Henry Reese, the Earl of Warshire. As they discuss her using the place once a week, she realizes that he is anxious and looks exhausted. He admits that he does not sleep well and she gives him some Valerian root that she grows. It is supposed to help induce sleep. Sophie is an avid gardener and is quite knowledgeable about plants. She makes him a cup of tea and as they chat more, he falls asleep and she heads home. Reese had been fighting in the war for years and has had to leave his men behind to take over being the Earl after the recent death of his beloved brother.

Reese is smitten with Sophie and she agrees to meet with him once a week just to talk. They soon become good friends and can’t help but become attracted to one another. However, Sophie is bound to marry the marquess as she cannot let her family suffer. Does she follow her heart or bind herself to a man she could never love?

Oh, I really loved this book and gobbled it up in one sitting. Reese and Sophie are so perfect for one another. The author has written their attraction, happiness, and growing love just perfectly. There is a twist at the end, but it’s not for me to tell. I’ve said enough expect to add that you must read this book. It’s pure romance at its best.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Three best friends have worked together secretly forming an advice column “The Debutante’s Revenge”. Fiona did the sketch work, Lily wrote the column, and Sophie lead the secret meetings of the Debutante Underground every Friday night. This was a group of women from all walks of life who got together to talk about the advice column. They only used first names and only talked about the column at their meeting that occurred one night a week. As their group was growing, they were going to need a bigger place. That is when someone suggested a vacant building down the street. So after the meeting Sophie decided to check it out. That is when she was caught trespassing by Reese. He came home from the military to take over as Earl of Warshire after receiving word his brother died from an accident. As he hasn’t slept in weeks, he had gone to the deserted building he owned to escape his haunted memories and when he confronted Sophie, he found her to be soothing and he slept that night sitting in the chair. Because of her ability to aid him to sleep the night they met, he bargains with her the exchange of her spending one night a week in exchange for his shop for her meetings. There love grew even though she knew it wouldn’t go anywhere as she was to be betrothed to a man she didn’t love to keep her father, mother, and older sister out of the poor house. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley/MacMillan and this is my honest review.

Everything you could possibly wish for in an historical romance, WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE by Anna Bennett, effortlessly transported me back in time to witness a romance that made my heart glow.

Miss Sophie Kendall is honest, strong, and clever. She adores her two best friends, her family, and her secret project co-ordinating the Debutante Underground, a place where all women are welcome to discuss all parts of life which are often seen as unseemly or unimportant by society. Sophie dreams of making a love match like her friends but sadly this is not to be. With her family finances in severe trouble, Sophie is soon to be engaged to a Lord who, while kind, does not set her soul on fire. But she will do what she has to for her family, even if it means giving up the Debutante's group too. But when she is thrown into the path of Henry, the Earl of Warshire, Sophie discovers a man who speaks to her soul as well as her desire. But he is struggling with a poor estate that he was never meant to take over, and memories from his past are tormenting him at night. Even though they both know that Sophie will soon become someone else's wife, they cannot deny the love that has grown between them. But can they find a way to be together and solve everyone else's problems too?

Beautifully descriptive and with characters that felt like family, I dived into WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE and didn't come up for air until I had finished it. Sophie and Henry are both such wonderful characters with depth and emotional honesty that warmed my heart, and I was desperate for them to discover a way to be together.

With sizzling chemistry that is sure to make you hot under the collar, and plenty of drama to keep you hooked from beginning to end, WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE by Anna Bennett is one of my favourite books from this genre and I cannot wait for more - the perfect book to lose yourself in, in these troubled times.

This was such a captivating story with two very engaging characters in Sophie and Reese. Reese was in a dark place due to his memories and loss and Sophie was just the right person to bring peace and lightness into his life. Sophie was a very observant person but she was also determined and had a love of gardening. Due to her father’s alcoholic problem, the estate was in a desperate financial state and Sophie was due to be betrothed to a wealthy man she didn’t love. Added to this is her mother’s pandering to her father and mollycoddling her older sister. Reese has also inherited debts but was not afraid of hard physical work. There is also the secret meeting for women. The part I enjoyed most was the relationship between Sophie and Reese, they were so in tune with each other. There are a number of discoveries in the story where all is not as it first seems. This was a most enjoyable read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love the concept of a rogue group of women meeting to discuss "taboo" and salacious topics. Sophie's role as organizer and hostess truly is surprising when compared with her life at home essentially being a sacrifice to a peer because of her father's drunken debts. She is a complex character with hidden gumption and a gentle, kind, practical disposition that made her story a joy to read. Paired with the grumpy mess that is Reese, the two really blossomed into a couple that readers love to root for.

Watching Sophie's character arc was incredibly satisfying, though I admit to wondering why she had to be the one to marry for the family. While it was explained away, I still don't buy it. I was also on the fence regarding the terrors that Reese suffered from and whether it was enough to cause that much torment, but after thinking on it... It's clear that he is deeply romantic and hangs a lot of his self-worth on his ability to provide and be present for others. The perceived failures in his past would be devastating.

Overall, this was an incredibly sweet romance with just a bit of self-discovery on both sides of the romance. Be prepared for incredibly romantic garden scenes, some steamy no-touch moments, and to sigh happily upon finishing the last page. You can certainly read it as a standalone, though I'm sure you would get more pleasure from starting with book one. 

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

When You Wish Upon a Rogue is the third novel in Anna Bennett’s Debutante Diaries series. This novel closes the series out with the story of Sophie a young woman who is trapped between family expectations and her own desires. Our hero Reese is the new Earl of Warshire and is struggling with the transition from a soldier’s life to one of lord. Reese needs Sophie’s help, but can she risk it all to help him?

The blurb about this book drew me in, Sophie helps organize meetings with other women to discuss the weekly Debutante's Revenge column. In those meetings the women share openly and honestly about all matters relating to relationships and men. I love a feminist and subversive heroine in historical romance, and Sophie was no disappointment. She is a sweet person that prefers the garden to the ballroom, and though she participates in the meetings isn’t as bold as her counterparts. I liked that she managed to be a beacon of reason and hope to other women in a quiet graceful way.

Sophie meets Reese by chance after one of these meetings and the chemistry was immediately evident. He is newly returned to England to take over the Earldom after the death of his older brother. Adjusting to the new role has taken its tole on Reese and he’s feeling like a shell of his former self. The weight of his new responsibilities as well as his grief is nearly crippling him. That is until he meets Sophie brings light to his world, much like Persephone brings spring to Hades.

Rather than spoil too much of the plot, I’ll say that this book uses one of my favorite tropes very well. Reese can barely function without Sophie, and I am always a sucker for the kind of story where the heroine is the only one that can truly see the hero and help him heal. I loved that Anna gave us a troubled hero that was honest with the heroine from the start about his struggles. He was willing to reach out for help and expose some of his deepest issues to her almost immediately. Sophie of course wants to help, but family and society expectations make that a huge risk for her.

Through much of the story Anna had me guessing about how these two were going to end up together. She did manage to make it seem truly impossible. By the time we got to the resolution I was relived that she managed to tie up the end of the series in a very neat package. I only had one complaint that some of that resolution came out of nowhere for me, so I had a bit of a hard time believing it. However, it was a minor plot piece and really did not detract from my overall enjoyment.

What more can I say about this book, other than I absolutely adored it? I had never heard of Anna Bennett prior to picking up this novel and now I am of course ready to devour everything else she has previously written. Overall, I’ve rated this 5 starts, the first 5 start book for me of 2020, and I’m excited to go back and read the first two books of this series. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Sarah MacLean or Tessa Dare, because the story felt very similar in tone to some of their recent offerings. While I don’t recommend staying up till 3 a.m. to finish the book like I did (hello book hangover), I do recommend you pick this novel up as soon as it’s released.

~ Lindsey

Posted!

I cannot even begin to explain how much I loved this book. Author Anna Bennett roped me in quickly with just the blurb. My mind kept trying to figure out how Reese and Sophie could pull off one night a week and not get caught in their era. This was handled by the author in a stunningly believable way.

The book is very emotional as it deals with what we know of today as PTSD, true abiding love, and deep emotional commitments to family.

Sophie is one of those women that people become instantly peaceful around. She has a graceful presence that draws people to her. This alone draws Reese to her. I do not think it mattered to him that she was beautiful as well till much later in the story.

Reese was a surprising character. I at first expected an alpha type man but he was much more than that. He had a soft intellectual side that was very expressive and romantic. This man may be tortured but he had depth to his character making him extremely interesting.

Because I am sentimental this story started me crying almost immediately. It was such a soft emotional feeling that just keep coming and going with the depth of feelings and emotions of this couple paired with the authors superb story line. I absolutely love books that bring out this depth of emotional.

I give it 5+ STARS for the delightful solution to Reese and Anna’s situation.

Sensual & Charming. WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE will give you the build up you desire, the adventure you didn’t know you craved and the happy ending to end all happy endings. This story had so many facets to it that I couldn’t put it down.

When Sophie Kendall starts looking for another place for her secret meetings for the Debutante Underground, she meets a grumpy, tired looking man, who she offers some tea and conversation to help him sleep. Henry Reese the Earl of Warshire hadn’t slept for weeks. Tormented constantly by the memories of war, by the lose of his brother Edmund, and leaving his brothers in the trenches behind, and returning home. When he wakes up after a good night of sleep he knows that he needs Miss Sophie Kendall and makes a deal with her. She can have the tailor shop every Friday evening for her meetings if she spends an evening a week with him. Scandalous for these times!

But Sophie is to be engaged, since her family is dire straits. Sophie must not be seen with him or her reputation would be destroyed. So she sets up some rules to keep herself and Reese from crossing the line. No Touching! No one must know. And she got the tailor shop for free. And no inquiries about what her use of the shop. But Sophie has always harbored romantic notions of falling in love before becoming engaged. Unfortunately marrying for love was a luxury that she and her family could not afford. But with the heat that simmers between them and every night they spend together is better than the last, will these two find love before she becomes engaged? You need to read this exquisite story.

If you are looking for a book that will give you all the feels, some adventures and makes you want to break out a fan then dive into WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE.

Gifted an early copy in exchange for an honest review.