‘After a debut season plagued by scandal, Lady Emma Hardwick is ready to return to London, now with her young son in tow, and make a match. She's looking for someone respectable. Someone wholly unlike Malachi Harlow, the new Duke of Trenton and former ship captain, whose long hair and tattoos make him decidedly dangerous to her peace of mind.

Malachi would rather be at sea than in a London ballroom. But until he can sort out why the admiralty brought him home, he has to stay landbound. That becomes less of a hardship when he meets the beguiling Lady Emma, whose dimples and easy laughter capture his imagination. When they start receiving threatening notes, they realize that there's more to their connection than chemistry, and they'll have to work together to figure out why someone wants to ruin their lives.’
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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

Dukes Do It Better is the third book in Bethany Bennett’s Misfits of Mayfair series and is a historical romance with a bit of mystery.

From reading the previous book in the series, I really did not care for Emma so I was worried going into this book. Emma was so immature and selfish, I thought she was a real piece of work and I was disgusted by her manipulation and thoughtlessness. I think that had I read this book closer to finishing the previous book, when that dislike was so fresh, it would have greatly impacted how open-minded I felt toward her growth and redemption as a character. But she has grown a lot since the previous book. Some of that is due to her self-imposed (near) exile from the society from which she fled, but also from learning to care for the little boy that depends on her. She’s also aware of what an entitled brat she was before and reflects on her prior behavior on a few occasions in the book. Due to her growth and self-awareness, I wound up liking her as the book progressed.

I enjoyed the book. But I will say that this book is a bit busy, there are multiple plotlines running simultaneously. Between the romance(plus side romance), blackmail, biological father, navy commission, family secrets, mystery, ect. it felt like a lot at times. But Bennett wove them together nicely so that it wasn’t overwhelming and none were dropped or rushed.

The adorable goats were my favorite characters from this book, they were the comedic s

I would recommend reading these books as a series, not stand-alones, as the couples from the previous two couples feature quite often and plot points from those books are referenced frequently.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for sharing an eARC of Dukes Do It Better with me. This is my honest review.

This book was utter perfection.
A second chance romance after a one-night-stand neither of them can forget. A one night stand that fueled hundreds of turbulent, torrid fantasies. A one night stand that was a warm halcyon blanket and bulwark against long, cold, lonely nights.
Emma can’t afford the distraction of the newly minted, gorgeous, tattooed duke who was a devil may care sea captain that left her replete with satisfaction the last time she indulged her fascination.
Malachi hasn’t stopped thinking about her. She has the power to bring him to his knees, both literally and figuratively. He’s been dreaming and pining since their magnificent night together. He wants to muss her and unravel her and show her that he can give her what she needs. That he can cherish and ravish, protect and please. That he can be a father to her son. That her past doesn’t matter because if it hadn’t happened the way it did, they wouldn’t have this chance.

I have really loved this series from Bethany Bennett and look forward to seeing more from her!

I really loved the relationship between Emma and Malachi, and loved how Mal treats Emma’s son. I also really liked getting to see the characters from the previous 2 books and how the conflict from this one’s ties them all together. I did feel like there were a few too many story lines here but ultimately enjoyed the book.

I will miss all of these characters we’ve come to know over the last three books. If you’d like to read them in order, check out Any Rogue Will Do and West End Earl (my favorite)!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dukes Do It Better is a fresh, unique twist to Regency Romance. Captain Malachi Harlow, the new, unexpected Duke Of Trenton, is stuck in London for mysterious reasons. Lady Emma Hardwick is back in London with her young son. Both Malachi and Emma have dark secrets that threaten their tumultuous, burgeoning emotions.

I believe Emma might be my favorite heroine I have read this year. Emma comes from a dysfunctional family where her only good example is her brother. Emma has made terrible choices in her past and has vowed to live honorably, giving her son the stability and love she never had. She also chooses slowly and wisely when it comes to her romantic feelings, having been hurt before. Emma is skittish and confused when around Malachi; she doesn’t jump headfirst but weighs her options and examines her feelings before acting. I loved the maturity and level-headedness Emma possessed.

Malachi is a great lead character. His piratical appearance and smoldering looks tempt Emma. I loved how Malachi fell in love with Emma. His unrequited love pushed him to be a better man for Emma and her son. Malachi was a strong character but I feel Emma shone brighter.

The plot was intricate, passionate, and intriguing. This was a page-turner! The story moved well, and my interest never wavered. The sensuality and intense connection between the couple was pure fire. I loved how Emma embraced her sensuality yet didn’t let the physical side of the relationship rule her – she was cautious and intelligent. The characters had a maturity and easy-going feel to them. I was never lost and was captured by the romance.

Dukes Do It Better is the third book in the Misfits Of Mayfair series. Bethany Bennett has created multi-dimensional, mesmerizing characters with a love story that is unique and enthralling. I fell in love with Malachi and Emma! Bethany Bennett is an author to watch!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dukes Do It Better is the third book in the Misfits of Mayfair series by Bethany Bennett. I highly recommend reading these books in order. This was an entertaining and engaging read. I think this might be the best one yet.

I’ve definitely gotten to the point in my reading life (career?) that if one of my favorite authors makes me deeply dislike a character in the first few books of a series, I am going to absolutely LOVE the redemption story of that character.

West End Earl was one of my top favorite books of 2021, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting for Emma’s HEA since then.

Bethany Bennett wrote Emma so well in West End Earl, that I truly did not like her. She was spoiled and just awful. But from that, the author created such an amazing story about her journey, and her redemption.

Malachi is the pirate Duke I never knew k needed. His sly facial expressions, and not very subtle innuendos had me smiling and laughing throughout. Mal and Emma just fit so well with each other, their chemistry is undeniable, but they completely balance each other out.

I absolutely loved how Malachi was able to have resolution with his family, it was very emotional, especially towards the end.

I really loved seeing Ethan and Lottie, and Cal and Phee again. Cal continues to be one of my favorite historical romance heroes, though Malachi comes very close. I cannot wait to see what else this author writes.

I love a book that immerses me so completely into a story that I read it in one sitting, eagerly flipping pages as quickly as I can to discover what will happen next, then go back to page one and read it again, slowly savoring each word, detail, and nuance of the story. That is the reading experience Bethany Bennett gave me with Dukes Do it Better. First, she hooked me with the passages from Emma's journal, in Mal's possession during his lonely days - and nights - on duty in the Baltic. Then she factored in the mystery of Mal not knowing the identity of the journal writer but forging an emotional bond with that person through her written thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams. So much emotion. So much yearning. I was hooked. By the time Mal and Emma met in person I was already completely invested in them as a couple. And then, of course, we discover there's more to their story. Could I turn those pages any faster? Why yes, I could.

One of the things I most enjoyed about this series was the growth of the characters. Emma was a pivotal secondary character in book two and I did not like her. At all. She was, as she acknowledges in her book, a spoiled, selfish brat. But there were tendrils of growth in the latter stages of that second book that fully actualized in the five years between the end of book two and the beginning of book three. I found, much to my surprise, that she had become one of my favorite characters of the series. And then there's Mal with his roguish charm, his piratical appearance, his tattoos, his kindness (his interactions with Emma's son were so sweet), his horrible family, and his (well hidden) vulnerable heart. Needless to say, I fell hard. I loved the passion between these two, the banter, the partnership, the respect, and the genuine feelings that grew deep and true, taking them both by surprise.

This is a trilogy where I strongly recommend reading the books in order. Not only do the main couples from books one and two play significant roles in book three but there is also an underlying story thread that runs through all three books and a major twist that will be spoiled if you read book three first.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Amazing, complex, original!

Wow - what a terrific story! On the surface, it has all the usual plot points we expect from historical romances - reluctant heirs, scandals, secrets, reputations at risk, and so much more. But in all the hist-roms I've read, I've never seen the usual presented in such a refreshingly unique manner.

Malachi is the second son and a successful, if restrained, captain in the navy. He's determined to remain in that position, despite the demands of his father's title and estate. His mother is a whole thing all by herself, and the history of both of Mal's parents is fascinating and pivotal to the pressure being put on Mal on several different fronts.

Emma, whom we met in the earlier book as Cal's sister whose youthful exuberance led to some life-changing decisions, has settled into her new life with her secrets well preserved. A one-night-stand in her small coastal town was supposed to be just that, but once she returns to London it appears that that's one secret she's not going to be able to keep.

The use of the journal as a plot device was a clever way to show us the character's inner thoughts and how those thoughts influenced the eventual reader. As brilliant as that was, it pales beside the eventual use of the book to understandably cause a series of misunderstandings that nearly derailed both the romance plus the investigation into a conspiracy that has begun to plague all three couples from the series. Once I could see how all the dots were connected, I was amazed at the author's attention to detail and commitment to playing the long game.

The romance is absolutely beautiful. Emma and Mal have an instant, fiery attraction but their hearts are far more guarded. It was a tumultuous journey to their HEA, and I loved every step along the way. We're also treated to a secondary romance, which added a lot of depth to the overall story and itself was a delight to watch as it unfolded. And, I don't think I've ever read about a duke with honest-to-goodness tattoos! I nearly stood up and cheered when I read that!

While each of these books is a standalone romance, understanding the details of the main conflict in this one will be much easier if you've read the earlier two books, as much of the drama refers back to those stories. However, the author does include enough reference points that you won't be lost if this is the only one you read. That said, I highly recommend all three just because they're all terrific stories with plenty of heat, heart, and legendary romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

*** 3.5 Stars ***

There is a LOT going on in this book and I believe you’ll want to read books 1 and 2 prior to reading this one. Otherwise, you might never understand what is going on, especially with the plot against our intrepid group. Our couples from the first two books get a fair amount of page time along with our current couple and even an additional couple.

When I first met Lady Emma in earlier books, I definitely did not like her. She was spoiled, inconsiderate, and thoughtless. Just a few short years after the events in West End Earl, Emma has changed. Now widowed, she and her son, Alton, live in a lovely cottage by the sea – along with a goat named Leonard. Emma has embraced motherhood and has no use for London – or men. Her life was celibate and quiet until one night when she met a pirate captain. They agreed to one night of unbridled passion, then they’d separate and never see each other again. No problem there – right? So, why does she continue to think of him?

Captain Malachi (Mal) Harlow has long resented his parents who treated him as if he didn’t exist. His mother cared nothing for him while doting on his perfect brother, George. He thought to remedy that by running away and joining the Royal Navy – only to find that his father was still managing him. Mal wanted to be part of the war and help defeat Napoleon, but instead, his father, the Duke of Trenton, had him and his crew assigned to areas well away from any of the fighting. Then, his father died, and later, his brother George died leaving Mal as the new Duke of Trenton. Oh! How he resented that! He resented his manipulative mother who pulled strings to have him brought back to London and temporarily relieved of his command. His mother insists he must do his duty to the title by taking up the duties of the Dukedom and, of course, marrying. Ha! He’ll never marry, but there is a woman who haunts his memory.

When Emma and Mal cross paths again, they agree to resume their affair. Things quickly escalate though and they each come to care for the other, but neither wants to admit it. Each has secrets to keep at all costs and just simply cannot let anyone else in. But, when blackmail rears its ugly head, it appears that all the couples will be drawn into it. Who would hate all three couples so much they’d want to blackmail them and threaten them with ruin?

This was a good story and I mostly enjoyed reading it. Mostly? Forms of address are one of the easiest things to get correct in a period book, yet this author flubs it over-and-over-and-over. Each time Mal was referred to or introduced as Lord Trenton, it would just pull me right out of the story – and it happened so often, that I felt I was out of the story more than I was into the story. Aside from referring to Mal as Lord Trenton rather than Your Grace or Duke, the story ‘felt’ very modern in the casual way people acted and spoke. However, when you have goats wearing nappies, you just know you’re going to find a book filled with wit and humorous antics. I hope you’ll enjoy the read.

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

Dukes Do It Better


QOTD: Who is your last book boyfriend or girlfriend??

This book has one of each for me!

This book is completely brilliant. Just brilliant. I adored the first Misfits of Mayfair last week but honestly - somehow I loved this even more?! I don’t know… I also will eventually read (and replace) book two soooo maybe I will just reread them all.

Anyways - Mal and Emma and perfection. They both own their mistakes, communicate (and when they don’t I still was in to ‘cause the writing is THAT GOOD). They are both are vulnerable and oh so sexy! (Hello menage a moi, Roger - IYKYK - and some steamy trysts!) Mal is swarthy and rough around the edges after twenty years in the Navy but has a core of gold and is actually just the sweetest and mildly feral Captain cum reluctant Duke I have read in a hot minute. Emma is a bold as brass, single mom, who owns her mistakes and her secrets and also doesn’t regret the being that is her adorable son. Bennett’s writing is emotional and heartfelt and the parallels between reading and writing in the journal as well as solving the secrets of your parents and being a parent made this book nearly impossible to put down but also probably is going to give me a hangover…

TL/DR Review
Stars: Five Stars
Series: Misfits of Mayfair - book three (can be read as a standalone but even more fun with at least one of the previous books read)
POV: dual third person
Steam: Steamy! Also deeply intimate and sweet
Tropes: single parent, reluctant duke, hook up to HEA, mutual pining
For Fans Of: When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare (for many reasons!)
Theme Song: Signed Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Subgenre: historic romance
CW/ TW: references to abandonment by lover while pregnant, references to toxic parenting, some bloodshed on the page

Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Emma Hardwick's first foray into society left her plagued with scandal, and though she managed to come out of it relatively unscathed, she's shunned society for years. But now that her son, Alton, is no longer a baby, and she's wanting more from life than her little village and cottage, she's return to return to London. She wants to marry, someone respectable, who will care for her and her son, and hopefully give her more children. But the one person she finds herself drawn to, is the only person she shouldn't have. Malachi Harlow, may be the new Duke of Trenton, but his past a naval captain, and the torrid night they spent together without knowing each other's names, means he is wholly unsuitable. However, their friendship, and the relationship between their friends and families, is undeniable, and when danger comes to their door, there's nothing either wouldn't do to protect those they love.

I went into this book a little apprehensively. If you've read the previous book in the series, West End Earl, you'll have met Emma as the hero's younger, vapid, and shallow sister. She finds herself pregnant, on the verge of scandal, and to save herself - and Ophelia, if we're being honest - they marry with Ophelia playing her brother, who then dies, and leaves Emma as a comfortable, and pitied, widow. I'm extremely glad to see that she's grown up a lot since becoming a mother, and has really grown on me too. I was fully invested in her having her happiness - and with Malachi, because no one else would do - which I didn't see happening when I first started. Bethany has created characters, and plots, which are fantastic, and the interaction of all characters, but especially seeing Emma, Mal, and little Aston be a family, was the dream! Any plot holes which had arisen in the previous books were fully dealt with here, and the epilogue to Dukes Do It Better really tied up a wonderful series!

I enjoyed reading Bethany Bennett's Dukes Do It Better. I had read one of the previous books in the series but not the other, and it did not create any gaps or holes for me in terms of character/back story.

What did I really enjoy? I LOVED the sex positive spin Bennett used with Emma. Emma is a woman who does not simper or blush when considering or discussing her own physical needs. While this could be jarring in the context of a historical romance, I think Bennett pulls it off; it is an honest and refreshing approach to women and sex. I also really enjoyed the "Friends" (think sitcom) vibe created with the characters. There are very few modern friendship boundaries that do not get crossed and it feels more noticeable in the historical romance setting. It was a gamble, and it might be a bit too much of a departure for those looking for a "stickler" HR read.

That said, there were some parts of the book that fell a bit flat for me. I really loved Mal and Emma, and their stand alone conflict was plenty for me. I thought the additional conflicts did not really add to the story, and the second half of the book felt like the story became a bit bogged down trying to weave all the threads together. Unfortunately, that conflict/resolution bit is the part I love most in the historical romance genre, so this was not an insignificant drawback. It was an enjoyable read and I think Bethany Bennett is a talented writer worth watching. I would rate this a 3.5 but I will round up to 4 for the risks she took in her story and characters.

I received an ARC from NetGalley; my review is freely given.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Emma had a child out of wedlock and has been living isolated with her servants and her son.
Mal has been ordered home to take up the dukedom after the deaths of his father and brother.
After 1 night together the two meet in London and agree to a temporary affair.
I liked Emma and Mal together. The book really held my attention and I didn't want to put it down.
The secondary characters were also fun and added to the book instead of being a distraction.
I will be reading more by this author.

Bennett’s series is a gem with steamy goodness. This round we get Emma and a navy captain who is now also a duke. Mal was her past one night stand while he was in her village and comes back into her life with his sea tattoos - I mean he has a narwhal so I’m done with just that! But then you get him with her son! We get some mystery and past catching up with them both, they work through it. The chemistry is wonderful for these two. Also love the friendships for both in this one!

This could be read as a standalone but you know I say read the whole series. This one has very good steam- high heat. I really enjoyed this whole series and can’t wait to see more of Bennett’s work in the future!

5 stars
4 seam

Thanks forever for a copy of his book!

I read the description of this book and it seemed like a typical, heroine-made-youthful-mistake romance mixed with an unexpected-aristocratic-title romance, but this book was so much more.
For one, I really liked the heroine! She is a hands on titled mom, how is lucky enough to have the financial support of her older brother, also titled. She was taken advantage of when she was on her first Season and the man did not help her when she told him she was pregnant. So, she told her brother she was pregnant, and they found a place on a sea coast, in the boonies and her friend helped her fake a husband and funeral. That friend also fell in love with and married her brother.
Second, the hero is a sea captain, which I normally do not like, because sea captains were ruthless in those times. If you were a sucessful sea captain, you were a pirate in disguise. But, I liked him, too. He was a younger son and has all the younger son instincts and helped the heroine's brother out in the past.
The third thing I liked was that the heroine was about 24, and a mom. Her priority was her son and she was teaching him many things to help him become a successful adult. There was a time for play and there was a time to learn letters.
So, all together, this book was much better than I expected. The story was fluid and read nicely, there were no dangling story lines. All the supporting characters made sense and were not just plucked out of nowhere. This was a good, solid story. There was a bad guy and action and intrigue. This story hit every high point there is AND the author made sure it made sense. Bravo and 5 stars!! I definitely recommend reading.

Captain Malachi “Mal” Harlow, and now the Duke of Trenton is livid, if it wasn’t bad enough that his late father interfered with his Naval career, now his mother has apparently blackmailed the Admiralty to force him back to London. When his attempts to regain his command once again fall on deaf ears, he decides to take a stroll in the park and it appears as if fate has decided to smile on him by reuniting him with the lovely widow he shared a night of passion with months ago and whom he hasn’t been able to forget.

Lady Emma Hardwick, the widow of “Adam” Hardwick and sister to the Marquess of Eastly and most importantly mother to Alton, has come to London to visit her brother and his family. She isn’t interested in remarrying and has no desire to spend more time than necessary in town, but when she reconnects with Mal and learns he will be in town for the next few weeks, she decides to give in to her family and stay for the season, and as a bonus, she and Mal agree to embark on an affair while they are both in town.

For a time, things are going exactly as planned and they discover their mutual connections, which only enhance their relationship, causing them to not only enjoy their time together and maybe even has them falling in love. But each of them is dealing with things that they are not willing to share with the other and while their attraction and admiration for each other comes easily, trust does not. Will they be able to work together to uncover the forces working against them or will a perceived betrayal keep them apart?

This was a well-written, fast-paced story, but it is also a very busy book, with A LOT of things going on and multiple storylines seemingly intersecting willy-nilly, but, if you have been following the series from the beginning, you will eventually come to appreciate all the random goings, as everything (and I do mean everything) comes around full circle. And if you believe in “fated love”, then Mal and Emma are perfect examples of that phenomenon! The book is filled with secrets, lies, steamy love scenes, baby goats, a tattooed piratical hero, a biscuit baking heroine, great secondary characters, treasure, misunderstandings, more steamy love scenes, a desperate former lover, a sweet secondary romance, and a HEA complete with an epilogue. I did enjoy the book, but if like me you cringe when formal address is butchered, prepare to cringe a lot – other than that, the book is a fun, fast read that really ties all the books together nicely. This is the third book in the series and I would strongly recommend reading the books in order to completely understand and enjoy this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Lady Emma is back in London with her son for a short while to see his brother and her best friend. But her turbulent past is back as well, and it means to hunt her… And not even dashing Malachi, the new duke of Trenton, may be able to help her this time.
Captain Malachi Harlow is a reluctant duke who has been forced to leave his ship and go back to London to shoulder his responsibilities to the dukedom by his mother’s schemes. The only pleasant side of his stay is the presence in town of an alluring widow he met some months before and whom he couldn’t seem to forget…
Oh, my! A big hulking man with a beard and tattoos! And sweet, caring and hot as hell to boot! Can’t you think of anything better? Actually I can. I can think of beautiful writing, full rounded characters, intriguing heroines and heroes with a modern feel and an overall gorgeous and entertaining book such as this one. Bennett wrote a five star book that didn’t fail to entertain me, make me smile, laugh and fan myself in the hottest moments and that left me wanting for more! Highly recommended!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sensual, scandalous, and amusing!

Dukes Do It Better is a mysterious, engaging tale set in England during 1825 that features the sassy, independent, single mother Lady Emma Hardwick who, after spending one glorious night in the arms of the ruggedly sexy sailor Captain Malachi Harlow, willing agrees to spend one more season indulging in a no-strings-attached romantic affair with him until things get a little more serious and they found themselves the target of a blackmailer looking to destroy their lives and reputations.

The prose is seductive and sweet. The characters are strong-willed, resourceful, and determined. And the plot is an arousing mix of family, friendship, heartbreak, secrets, action, adventure, societal expectations, wicked intentions, tender moments, and unconditional love.

Overall, Dukes Do It Better is a provocative, entertaining, engaging treat by Bennett that is the third novel in the Misfits of Mayfair series that, in my opinion, shouldn’t be missed.

Yes!! this was everything I wanted it to be!!
I loved these characters and their stories. This may be my favorite of the series but Bethany Bennett is for sure an auto-buy author for me!!

Emma's young son is the center of her life. But as a widow, she yearns for companionship. The kind she shared with Captain Malachi Harlow. They only spent one night together, but she can' forget him.

Visiting London, she meets up with him again—only now, he's inherited a dukedom. He wants to return to sea, but the admiralty isn't budging. His mother wants him to give up his position and focus on his ducal responsibilities—and apparently, she's willing to use blackmail to make that happen.

Emma and Mal resume their affair, but secrets from the past threaten their future. Can they discover who's scheming against them before it's too late?

I adore Emma and Mal. They were great together, and with her little boy. The plot had a lot going on, but the author wove the strings together well. This is a tense yet heartwarming and entertaining story.

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