4/5 stars

I really enjoyed this historical fiction romance debut. Ethan and Lottie's enemies to lovers, second chance romance was so good! There was plenty of delicious slow burn chemistry that took it's time as they went from enemies to wary friends to lovers. I appreciated that the story took the time to take a few extra steps to establish trust and friendship and didn't immediately jump to lovers. Although once they finally get to the lovers bit, it's definitely descriptive and open door steamy scenes. The fake engagement between Lottie and Ethan while they dealt with their past issues made this story an entertaining read as well. Overall, I liked this historical fiction romance and I'm curious to see where this series goes next!

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

An excellent debut! I thoroughly loved this book. Lottie and Ethan were a great hero and heroine. The pace was smooth, the writing fun through out and steamy when it needed to be. This was a great start to a new series and I cant wait to read more! Highly recommend!

“Any Rogue Will Do” ended up being a an enjoyable read with some creative modifications of tried and true romance tropes.

Pros: Strong and independent heroine, second chance romance, “groveling,” sexy scenes, interesting supporting characters, characters grew on you, story got better in the middle and ended well. I really didn’t like either character at first, but the author developed them well and they both ended up growing on me, especially Ethan. In the end, I enjoyed the story overall.

Cons: The beginning was clunky and did not engage me, I almost DNF’d. The writing took some getting used to. The author used a technique in which she alternated between the characters’ inner monologue and actual dialogue and action. The inner monologue was dry at times. As one might expect with a first time author, there were some historical inaccuracies, limited details, storyline aspects and dialogue that could have been better developed.

Employing some of my favorite tropes of second-chance romance, enemies-to-lovers, and fake engagement in her debut Any Rogue Will Do, Bethany Bennett offers a well-crafted historical romantic fiction with an engaging storyline, fully fleshed-out characters, and steamy sexy times.

I like that Charlotte Wentworth is a capable, smart heroine who thinks on her feet and saves herself from dire situations without waiting for someone else to rescue her. I admire her independence and her desire to take control of her life while still working within the boundaries of the aristocratic society she belongs to. That means a marriage of convenience with a man who is willing to live off her dowry in London while she takes care of her estate in the country. She doesn't require love as she has seen how it could devastate a person when somebody dies like with her parents.

I like that Ethan Ridley is a truly repentant hero who has matured into a responsible and hardworking man. I admire that although not born into the nobility, he genuinely cares for his tenants, wants his lands to prosper, and he doesn't care to be looked down by society for engaging in trade to achieve his goals. His apologies to the people he wronged because of his past behavior are sincere with words backed by action. That's how he finds himself offering a temporary fake engagement to Charlotte. Except, he quickly wants the relationship to be more permanent and more real.

I love that both of them maintain strong friendships with people from all classes. Charlotte with her godmother Agatha and her maid Darling. Ethan with his steward Connor and his best friend Cal. These secondary characters brought much of the humor in the story.  

While I enjoyed most of the story, I found Charlotte's pushing Ethan away to stick to her plans frustrating and a bit unfair. I guess it's Ms. Bennett's fault for redeeming Ethan so thoroughly that he gained my sympathy and became less understanding of Charlotte's reluctance to fight for their love.

The fact that I'm talking about these characters as if they're real people should tell you how engaged I was with this story. A fantastic debut for Ms. Bennett. I'm looking forward to Book 2.

Any Rogue Will Do is an unusual form of second chance. Although I enjoyed the story line, I had difficulty connecting with Lottie and Ethan. They did not seem to connect well, either. Their story was a good one, but I found myself skipping pages of sex to get back to their romance. I enjoy a little sex in a relationship, but there was too much here. There came a point in which I did not care what happened - sorry! I did appreciate the cover showing Lottie to have ‘curves’ as her description indicated.

DNF

There is nothing objectionable in what I read before stopping. I’m just bored. If you’re reached a certain point in the text and the only positive takeaway is, “I guess the sentences are constructed nicely,” then continuing is not fair to the book or yourself. Generally, feeling emotions while reading is important; I was completely ambivalent here. I didn’t want to finish/2-star since this is a reader-book mismatch. YMMV, so please read other reviews.

Lady Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Wentworth is determined to be in charge of her own future, so when an unwanted suitor, James Montague, tries to manipulate her into an engagement, she has a plan. He can't claim to be her fiancé if she's engaged to someone else even if it means asking for help from the last man she would ever marry―Lord Amesbury, Ethan Ridley. Better off known as MacBrute, he regrets ruining Lady Charlotte's reputation years prior during a previous courtship, so he goes along with her charade is the least he can do to clean the slate and perhaps earn her forgiveness, and if he's lucky, her love too.

‘Any Rogue Will Do’ was a positive start to a series I am sure to love. A strong-willed heroine and a hero looking for redemption, the enemies turned lovers (brief) historical romance didn’t exactly have a strong plot and was a tad bit slow on the second half but the steaminess and the chemistry between the characters was engaging enough to peak my interest.

All in all, it was good and I look forward to Calvin and hopefully Conner's story in the near future.

This sparkling debut was exactly what I was looking for! 4.5 Stars!

Lady Charlotte Wentworth lived through a young society lady's worst nightmare. During her first season, one of her suitors opened his big drunk mouth and said some unkind things about her, which were taken as fact, and reported on ad nauseum by the papers. It was mortifying, and she's never forgiven the man. But, after returning home to the country, a lot of other things happened with her family that changed her life forever. She never returned to London to participate in a season again. But now, seven years later, her father has given her an ultimatum. She needs to find a husband, (hopefully one that will agree with her master plans to run her own estate without any input) and she has to do it with a relatively short deadline, or she'll have to marry the man her father has chosen for her. She has NO INTENTION of allowing that, so she's off to London to stay with her godmother and enact her plans.

Ethan Ridley, Viscount Amesbury, has been in a bit of a rut. Years ago, after running his drunken mouth and ruining poor Lady Charlotte's reputation, and then drunkenly almost killing his Clansman, Connor, who lost his leg, Ethan cleaned up his act. He hasn't been with a woman, or had more than 1 beer or glass of wine at a time, in many years. He didn't expect to inherit this title, growing up a shepherd in Scotland, but now he's trying to make the most of it. He's even going into trade, starting a brewery on his land. He hopes it will be a success, to help keep the estate flush with cash, and help all his tenants as well. When he runs into Lady Charlotte again after all these years, he's grateful for the chance to finally apologize to her properly. But, when they continue to end up at the same events, they start to become friends. When she needs help, he's glad to be able to be there for her. But, he doesn't expect to lose his heart.

Ethan and Lottie's chemistry was so strong, even when she was busy telling him off! They both finally got the chance to say their piece, and once they did, they were able to communicate with each other in a different way. I thoroughly enjoyed their banter, and how much Ethan loved it when Lottie got smart with him. He loved finally seeing her true personality, and she couldn't believe how much she came to like him. It was magic, and everyone around them could see it too.

Speaking of the people around them, I LOVED the side characters in the story, especially Lottie's maid Mrs. Darling, and her godmother Lady Agatha, and Ethan's best friend Calvin, Earl of Carlyle. I loved how Lottie was always finding less fortunate people who needed help, and hiring them. Her maid Mrs. Darling had previously turned to prostitution when her husband died. Her coachman Patrick is a recovering alcoholic. The way Lottie cared for people was lovely, even when they didn't deserve it, like her father. Mrs. Darling obviously was much more wise about the world than a virgin, almost-spinster, so Lottie would constantly ask for her advice, which was often funny. Lady Agatha was the perfect character of an old lady who has been around the block and does things her own way. I enjoyed the caring grandmother-type relationship she had with Lottie. Cal will be the hero of book 2, and I'm very much looking forward to his story!

This story was all about the main couple's journey, of course, but it also took a few surprising twists and turns that I didn't see coming. There was quite the villainous side character that snuck up on me a bit, and that storyline was a good addition, though unexpected. Lottie was a manager, and a planner, and that came in handy each time she found herself in a pickle. I liked the way her brain worked, though sometimes it was frustrating that she wouldn't just tell Ethan what she was feeling. Though usually, he wasn't much better about doing that either. But, he was so clear with his actions that his love was unmistakable, and I don't think the same could always be said of Lottie. Ultimately though, the love between them was clear to all, and I adored watching them each realize they didn't want to live without each other, regardless of whatever social or monetary consequences they might face.

This book was fantastic and I enjoyed it SO very much. For a debut it was doubly impressive! I will be anxiously awaiting Cal's story next!

I’m in a Tessa Dare fan group and, a few months ago, our admin told us that a member had a book on NetGalley and if we’d request/review it. I love Tessa Dare and I figured a kindred spirit would write an equally good book. Well, Bethany Bennett did not disappoint with her debut novel, Any Rogue Will Do.

We first meet Lady Charlotte (Lottie) Wentworth when she is riding astride, covered in blood. She was on her way to London when her carriage had an accident and she needed medical help for her groomsman. Little did she know that the man who would help her was the man who ruined her chances at love during her first season, Ethan Ridley, Viscount of Amesbury. When they had first met, Ethan was a former Scottish shepherd who inherited the title through bad luck (a series of familial deaths). After being turned down by Charlotte’s father when requesting permission to court her, Ethan started a drunken rumor that Charlotte was the Paper Doll Princess, no substance but just good manners and deportment. Lottie left the season a laughingstock and spent time strategizing her return with her mother. Unfortunately, her brother and mother passed in quick succession and her grand return to society never happened.

However, her widowed father decided that Lottie needed to be married and arranged a match between her and the youngest son of a marquess. Lottie, not interested in an arranged marriage, decided to take her chances in London. She made a deal with her father that she could find a husband before Parliament returns, which is how Lottie and Ethan find each other at a random roadside inn. And, later, as neighbors in Mayfair. After Lottie meets the man her father wants her to marry, she realizes she can’t do it and convinces Ethan to ask her to marry him… but just for four weeks.

Y’all, the chemistry between Lottie and Ethan is everything. Ethan made mistakes in the past, and he knows and is trying to make amends. He falls in love with Lottie so easily and so quickly, just as she is. It’s understandable why Lottie won’t trust him immediately and why she is resistant to his love, seeking the safe road. I can’t wait to read books two and three in this series (is it obvious that Cal’s sister and The Puppy will have to get together?). Ethan was such a satisfying love interest that I can’t wait for more men written by Bethany Bennett.

Any Rogue Will Do - Review

Overall - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat - 🔥🔥🔥

Any Rogue Will Do is the debut novel by Bethany Bennett. It’s an incredible debut that tells the story of two people that get a second chance at love after a damaging incident. Ethan, Lord Amesbury, made the mistake of ruining Lady Charlotte Wentworth’s reputation when he was younger and dumber. He’s regretted his actions for a while now, so when Charlotte comes to him for help Ethan goes along with her charade. But what is he to do when it doesn’t feel like he’s pretending anymore?

I am such a sucker for historical romances where the heroine has decided to shake off the expectations of society. Though Charlotte may not have intentionally made the decision to ruin her reputation, once it’s done she adapts to the situation in an admirable way. She’s determined to be in charge of her life and so when a man tries to manipulate her into marrying him she takes charge and plots a way out of a bad marriage. It was fun to watch these two fall in love as they pretended to have a relationship for the eyes of the public. A fake engagement is probably one of my favorite tropes.

Bennet’s writing was so engrossing and well-paced it’s hard to believe this is a debut. She crafted characters I wanted to see fall in love and I cannot wait to see further entries in this series. If you’re a fan of authors like Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, or Lisa Kleypas you will enjoy this book.

This book has a great cast of characters! Lady Charlotte was likeable and feisty. Ethan is a hunky, muscled, repentant rogue that you just have to forgive. Ethan’s friend Cal and Charlotte’s Aunt Agatha are hilarious and provide comic relief. The next book is about Ethan's friend Cal and I can’t wait for it!

This book had two tropes, fake relationship and enemies to lovers, so a lot to work with plot wise. Because of this, we get the complex relationship between Lady Charlotte and Ethan and the person her father wants her to marry, Montague. It was interesting to watch Charlotte and Ethan try to navigate the complications of their previous botched relationship. I also liked watching their relationship develop and recover from the mistakes of the past.

One thing I didn’t enjoy was Montague’s second kidnapping of Lady Emily. I feel like he already kidnapped her once when he took her to the lake. The second kidnapping and the carriage ride/abduction just went on too long for me and dragged out the ending.


This was a steamy open door historical romance that is a great debut and start to this historical romance series.

“This woman, with her opinions and defense of the less fortunate masses, was breathtaking. And he—Ethan Ridley—had made her laugh. Pure. Magic. She’d bewitched him.”

What You’ll Find:
✔️Historical Romance
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Second Chance
✔️Fake Engagement
✔️Dual Third Person POV

Lord Ethan Amesbury, ruined Lady Charlottes reputation years ago. When she’s finds herself in the clutches of an unwanted suitor forcing an engagement, she turns to the last man she’d ever marry to help her fake an engagement. Only he’s older and wiser now, and still attracted to her. He’ll do whatever it takes to earn her forgiveness and hopefully her heart too.

This was a charming historical romance debut. What I think I truly enjoyed most was Ethan. He was just so sweet. There’s nothing better than loving and accepting someone for who they are. Especially when Lottie’s strong personality and outspokenness wasn’t always deemed acceptable in those times.

I quite enjoyed how the author allowed her to be a strong female heroine though. I did feel she was a little too headstrong at times, seeming sole focused. But she got it together in the end. The side characters are unique and charming as well. Especially Cal. I think he will have a fun story in the future.

I do feel the flow and pacing could have been better. It took me quite some time to get into this story. But once I did I flew through the rest. Overall an enjoyable debut. A great fake relationship, enemies to friends to lovers storyline. A good mix of slow burn, steamy scenes, as well as some closed door. And a bit of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to reading what’s next from this author.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC for my honest review.

An accident brings Lady Charlotte “Lottie” Wentworth and the man who humiliated her during her first (and only) London season seven years ago. As much as she despises Ethan Ridley, Viscount Amesbury, she has no choice but to accept his help. They form a fragile truce and she admits that he does seem like he has changed, but not enough to completely forgive him. They part ways and he wishes her well and hopes to see her in town – not likely!

Lottie is only going to town to find a husband – on her own terms. Her father proposed a match and she declined, so she has until the start of the season to find an acceptable husband or she will have to marry the man her father has chosen. Lottie wants no part of love, she just wants to retire to an estate of her own and live her own life – without a husband getting in the way. At one time she had dreams of happily ever after, which included Ethan, but he showed his true colors and she was dubbed the Paper Doll Princess and became the laughingstock of the ton. Her mother whisked her home and they planned to return in a year, but tragedy struck, first her brother died and then her mother. After that her father locked himself away and Lottie took over the estate management. But recently her dad has taken an interest again, thus her need to find a husband. She finally makes it to London and can’t believe that Ethan is staying next door to her aunt!

Ethan has grown up since the last time he saw Lottie, at that time he was new to his title – a title he never expected. He inherited a debt ridden estate and needed a heiress, he thought Lottie fit the bill, but when her dad sent him packing, he got drunk and said the words that sent her running back to the country in tears and sadly that was not his only mistake – he also cost his clansman Connor his leg in a racing accident. As a result, Ethan has striven to become a better man and for the most part has succeeded. But he is still hobbled by guilt and feels the needs to make amends. He has come to town for two reasons, one to find a brewmaster for his brewery business and to visit his friend Cal, Earl of Carlyle. Cal tells him that his presence was requested at a dinner party – for years Ethan has tried to fit in and has never been accepted, so he is surprised at the invitation. But the reason becomes clear when he arrives and sees Lottie – they have been set up. But Lottie is gracious and plays that they are reconciled – he plays along and becomes intrigued.

They spend time together and form a friendship of sorts. When the man her dad wants her to marry tries to force his hand, she turns to Ethan, she proposes they have a faux engagement to get rid of her annoying suitor and he agrees – but he plans to win her this time! Little by little, he chips away at the wall she has around her heart and finally she agrees to marry him – but old doubts, conniving fathers and spurned suitors will not make their path to HEA easy.

I thought this was a well written story and for a debut it was very good. Overall, the story flowed at a good clip, there were some title/formal address errors, some modern verbiage and at times, I found Lottie hard to like and thought Ethan was a bit of a glutton for punishment. But for the most part, I thought it was well researched and entertaining. There is a lot of emotion, some witty dialogue, great secondary characters, drama, misunderstandings, determined and possibly insane suitors, steamyish love scenes, a bit of angst and heartache and finally, HEA. This is the first book in a new series and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this new author.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher.*

Any Rogue Will Do
By: Bethany Bennet
Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️

Blurb: For exactly one season, Lady Charlotte Wentworth played the biddable female the ton expected and all it got her was society's mockery and derision. Now she's determined to be in charge of her own future. So when an unwanted suitor tries to manipulate her into an engagement, she has a plan. He can't claim to be her fiancé if she's engaged to someone else. Even if it means asking for help from the last man she would ever marry.
Ethan, Lord Amesbury, made a lot of mistakes, but the one he regrets the most is ruining Lady Charlotte's reputation. He's older and wiser now, but his attraction to Lottie never wavered. Going along with her charade is the least he can do to clean the slate and perhaps earn her forgiveness. And, if he's lucky, her love.

This is a second chance romance. Charlotte is a strong character however not very likable. There was a lot of internal dialogue which I found myself skimming. The way Ethan’s Scottish accent is written it took me out of the story and it was distracting. Ethan’s friend Lord Carlyle is an intriguing character. I’m looking forward to his book.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

Any Rogue Will Do
1st book in the Misfits of Mayfair Series
Rating: 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Any Rogue Will Do was an amazing read!! This series is to a great start!!
I'm usually not a fan of second chance romances but Lady Charlotte and Ethan's romance was barely beginning to take off when an immature comment was made by Ethan. He, of course, immediately regrets making it but unfortunately it caused some damage to Lottie's reputation. Her feelings were very hurt, but she walked away from society to recuperate to make a comeback. Sadly unfortunate events cause her to stay away for awhile.
Seven years later fate intervenes and they are reunited. Ethan asks for forgiveness which she does give after he explains his reasons for saying those things and admits that it was very wrong of him and that he regrets it.
The chemistry between them was very intense, but I liked how first they became friends though they were very physically attracted to each other. I liked how Ethan redeemed himself and became Lottie's protector and only friend. He was such a sweetheart and did many things that were so nice. For example, becoming her fake fiance to fend off a man who her father wanted to marry. Ethan didn't have to think twice about doing it to help her out.
I liked how it also had some action and that Lottie was able to find her own way and realize that dreams can change for the better. Especially when those dreams are shared with someone you love.

I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next one!!

This is a 2nd chance romance book. I loved the characters of Charlotte and Ethan. They were 2 young kids who met and were drawn to one another . When it didnt work out, they went their separate ways, both hurt by their experiences.
Years later they meet again., they are 2 totally different people. They've matured and learned from what life has thrown at them. But they're still drawn to each other. Can they forgive each other for the past and start again?
It was a very enjoyable book. I liked the relationships both Charlotte and Ethan had, not only with each other but with their servants, friends, relatives.
I look forward to reading Cal's story.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Splendid second-chance Regency romance!

I loved the way both Ethan and Lottie had shown such tremendous personal growth and maturity. Seven years earlier, neither one had much to contribute to their swiftly doomed romance, but now there's a strong attraction felt between two people who have learned a few things about life.

I was instantly charmed by the delightful writing style that balanced razor-sharp emotional insights with humor-laden banter and even a few bawdy locker-room wisecracks. The story moves at a brisk pace with surprising twists and unexpected villainy. There's just a touch of the Beauty and the Beast theme, brilliantly executed throughout the entire story.

Ethan and Lottie were a beautifully-matched couple. I really loved how the author developed these characters into fully complex, believable people who were equals in every way. Theirs is a fierce love, one that makes them stronger together than they ever were apart. The inner struggles they had to overcome were almost insurmountable, while the outside threat against them was handled with unexpected restraint and resolved in a way that saw justice served with a huge helping of humor on the side.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last. It's a wonderful gem and I highly recommend it for all romance lovers. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This was an entertaining, well-written regency romance. Lady Charlotte Wentworth followed the ton's rules during her first season, but since then she has lived life her own way. Now she is being manipulated into an engagement with an unwanted suitor, and she decides to take on a fake fiance to evade an unwanted marriage. Ethan, Viscount Amesbury, accidentally ruined Lady Charlotte's reputation during her first season. Now he wants to make up for that error, earn her forgiveness, and maybe a second chance as well. The story was fast-paced and caught my attention, making it hard to put down.. I enjoyed this story and would read more books by this author.

Lady Charlotte Wentworth spent her first and only season acting the perfect lady, as was expected of her, and it only ended in her ruination in society’s scandal sheets. Ever since, she’s been determined to make her own decisions. When her father and an especially determined suitor attempt to force her into an engagement, Lottie takes matters into her own hands. A fake fiancé is exactly what she needs, even if the man she has in mind is the one she’d always thought to hate.

Ethan Ridley, Viscount Amesbury, never expected to inherit a title. He grew up in Scotland and worked as a shepherd. In no way prepared for London society, Ethan made numerous mistakes, one of which ruined Lady Charlotte’s reputation. He’s learned a lot since then and finds himself more attracted to Lottie now than ever before. When she asks for his help, he goes along, hoping to gain her forgiveness, and maybe her heart.

This was a stellar debut! As a heroine and a lady in this period, Lottie was incredibly unconventional, which made her interesting, but I did have a hard time warming up to her. Much of my annoyance with her was probably due to how much I recognized myself in her, but she was frustrating in her rigid adherence to her plans, even after they ceased being what she wanted. She got in her own way to such an extent that I found it vastly frustrating. Thankfully, Lottie did a lot of growing and realized the issues with her thinking, though sadly not before hurting Ethan quite a bit. For his part, Ethan showed a tremendous amount of growth as a character. He had a lot of change to contend with in his life and wound up handling it admirably, even as he realized many would never forgive him for his former life as a Scottish shepherd. I loved him as a hero and only wish we’d gotten a bit more scenes with him and Lottie together after her realization of her true feelings. I also wish we’d gotten to see more of Lottie’s father admitting his wrongness and acknowledging the danger he put her in.

I really appreciated that the enemies to lovers element here wasn’t taken too far and neither was the fake engagement. Much of what occurred in their pasts was down to misunderstanding, but Ethan delivered one of the best and most sincere apologies I’ve ever read. I also loved that the fake engagement became very real very quickly, even if everyone could see it except Ethan and Lottie themselves. This plot was solid, with the slandering spurned suitor serving as an excellent foil for Ethan. This was also one of the most satisfying endings I’ve read, especially as regards the villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed the humor incorporated in this writing style. It was new and different, of course, since this is a new author, but I found it quite charming. Further side note: there are also some delightful balcony scenes to enjoy in this one. The side characters, especially Agatha and Cal, really made this for me, stealing some scenes for themselves and I’m looking forward to Cal’s story now. This new author is off to a great start and I’m looking forward to her future works.

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

In Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett, we meet the MCs as Ethan, a sheep herder turned viscount, rescues Charlotte from a bad accident. Ethan had ruined Charlotte’s season by publicly giving her an unflattering nickname and she’s been determined to forge her own path ever since.

This book was a super fun lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers and I really liked Charlotte and Ethan as characters. The author really fleshed them out and it was great seeing their growth and how they came together.

While Ethan does the hard work to make up for the past, Charlotte is still determined to remain unmarried and independent. The push and pull of their relationship was engrossing and I got really invested.

Overall, this was a great debut and I can’t wait to see more from this author.