First I have to say the cover of this book is perfect for the story. I have read many of Anna's books and they are always great, but this was the best I've read yet and that is saying something. One of the best parts being the story is mostly on a hidden beach sanctuary and not in ball rooms and dealing with the ton. Loved it.
Poppy Summers is having a rough time of it; her brother Dane has left the family fishing business to her to try and keep going. With their father ill and bedridden it's a lot. Dane took off to London to work on the docks, unfortunately he is more into drinking and placing bets then working. Poppy has found many interesting things caught in her nets, but never anything like now. A very large, half naked, wounded man is laying on her beach !! She is afraid of him and for him. The gash on his head is bad, just as she is about to go for the Dr he awakes and pleads with her not to. Keane, doesn't know where he is are all that happened to him. He has been attacked, beaten and tossed in the sea by someone. He needs time to find out who wants him dead and the lovely lady who found him distrust him for sure.
She thinks he is delusional when he tells her he is a Duke of all things. He offers to pay her more then she would make in a year to help him. Her family is the most important thing in the world to her so she can't say no. Now the plot gets started with intrigue, adventure and lots of secrets and twist and turn.
As they grow close looking for the person behind his attack both have more then feeling for the other.
There is a lot going on in this book, and much for the reading to enjoy. Solving the mystery of who is after him, her feeling about anyone in the ton, hiding secrets and passion. What a story.
Can Keane with help from his valet and friend, Diggs help Poppy get over her dislike for anything to do with the ton ?? Will you be able to figure out the villain ? You need to get a copy and get started; you will not be able to put this one down. This is a steamy story for those who like to know. I can't wait to see what or who Anna writes about next.
I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

At first I wasn't sure about this book but I found it to be delightful. This was one first introduction into Bennett's books and I thoroughly enjoyed this text. Something I am always looking for when reading romance is the palpable yearning that the reader can feel from the characters in these stories. One of my favorite things about this book was that I felt that I could feel that yearning that I am always desiring to see. The chemistry was believable and the build up was truly worth it. I'll definitely be recommending this book to friends!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters had immediate chemistry, and the writing was very good. Poppy Summers & the Duke of Hawking were fun to watch grow closer, and eventually fall in love. Very highly recommended.

A beautiful adventure! Compelling characters, surprising mystery and explosive chemistry. Poppy Summers is an ideal heroine. She is unbelievably strong, self-sufficient and compassionate. She not only stands on her own two feet but single-handed lay supports her family all with a smile. It is no wonder Keane is so quickly drawn to her. His firm and undeniable believe in them is such a strong point, it melts your heart. Nothing can turn him from securing his future. Indeed, the way they bring out the best in each other is an absolute delight. Keane is unbearably sweet and tender in his affections. Aside from the fiery romance, the mystery of this story keeps you in the edge of your seat and truly is unpredictable. This story is an entertaining page-turner, with many endearing moments of support. The supporting cast is as as delightful as the MC’s. A definite must read!

Zounds! What a book! I absolutely love these historical romance trilogies. A new fun, funny, sweet, sexy romance with characters we know a little from previous books, but we also get to check in on some of the main characters from those previous books and see how their HEA is going. Win-win all around. One Duke Down, the second in the Rogues to Lovers series, can most definitely be placed in that win-win category.

Poppy Summers is one of Hazel’s good friends in the first book in the series, Girls Before Earls. Hazel the schoolmistress who meets the dashing Earl of Bladenton. Hazel, Blade’s teenage ward Kitty and Poppy form a little group, the Belles of Bellehaven. Sadly, that’s about the only place Poppy feels welcome and can be herself. Poppy is ridiculed, excluded, ignored, looked down upon by the town. It’s bad enough that she is a fisherman’s daughter, but she is also a woman who fishes. Ugh. The treasure that is Poppy is so overlooked.

As a fisherman’s daughter Poppy is doomed to a lowly life. Her mother was “connected” as they say but turned away by her family in a time of need. Poppy does love her father and brother, she loves the memories of her mother, and would – and does – do anything for family, but oh, how she wishes life could be easier, exciting, romantic? Even if for just a little while. Then Poppy shakes her head to get that nonsense out and gets back to work.

Andrew Keane, the Duke of Hawking, can’t quite find his place or fit in with the ton. He’s not the rake his reputation says he is, but he was maliciously used and now someone is trying to kill him. He’s come to Bellehaven to escape his troubles in London and to regroup. But he has no firm idea of who wants to harm him, and he sure didn’t expect to find himself washed up on shore with this strong, suspicious, argumentative, disbelieving, beautiful woman gazing down on him. He says he’s a Duke, she thinks he’s delusional and must have hit his head. She agrees to help him when he makes an offer of payment she can’t really refuse if she is to continue to take care of her family, but she continues to be very, very wary Until she’s not. Until like a bonk on the head Poppy realizes she’s not just intrigued, she’s in love. So she shakes head again and thinks, nope, that can’t be. Keane is initially at her mercy and must trust her to keep him and his secret safe, but soon his compassionate nature and inherent protectiveness take over and he becomes the one who wants to keep her safe. No bonk on the head for him, he glides slowly forward as he realizes he’s in love with Poppy: she’s the one, and he determines to make their HEA happen. As readers we kind of fall in love with him from the start, but once “He rubbed an odd ache located in the center of his chest and tried for a light tone.” we were sunk – this happy-ever-after must happen and it must happen now!

Both Poppy and Keane are brave and determined and saddled with burdens – and absolutely appealing. Their adventure is funny, witty, sweet, and scorching, giving you all the danger, mystery and suspense as well as all the sighs you expect from one of Anna Bennett’s charming novels. The sea and the stars combine to give these two lonely people a (large, intense, heated) spark and a sense there could be something deeper. The looks, the subtle touches, sometimes accidental, sometimes not and the explosion of heat. Ummm. And wow.

One Duke Down is another fantastic read by this fantastic author. I couldn’t wait to get to the perfect ending but didn’t want their perfect story to end. Fortunately, I may get another glimpse of them when the certain-to-be-delightful third story in this trilogy is released. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of One Duke Down via NetGalley. I am voluntarily leaving this review; all opinions are my own. Author Bennett is a favorite of mine: short story, standalone, series, all perfect and perfectly entertaining.

Title: One Duke Down
Author: Anna Bennett
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

A FISHERMAN’S DAUGHTER
Miss Poppy Summers is determined to keep her family’s fishing business afloat. Her poor widowed father has fallen ill, and her foolhardy brother has moved to London, leaving her precious little time to read or pursue her own dreams. But she’ll do anything for her family, so she cheerfully spends mornings in her rowboat, casting her nets. The very last thing Poppy expects or wants to find tangled in them is a dangerously attractive man. Especially one with a head wound—who’s convinced he’s a duke.

AND A DUKE OUT OF WATER
Andrew Keane is the Duke of Hawking, but he’s having the devil of a time convincing his fiery-haired rescuer of that fact. The truth is he came to the seaside resort of Bellehaven Bay to escape his life in London. Unfortunately, someone in Bellehaven wants to kill him—and he intends to find out who. He implores Poppy to tend to his injuries and hide him on her beach, reasoning it will be easier to find his attacker if that man assumes Keane is already dead. She wants no part of the scheme but can’t refuse the generous sum he offers in exchange for food and shelter while he recovers. It’s a mutually beneficial business arrangement…nothing more.

ARE ABOUT TO MAKE WAVES
Under Poppy’s care, Keane regains his strength—and a sense of purpose. As they work together to solve the puzzle of his would-be murderer, he’s dazzled by her rapier wit and adventurous spirit; she’s intrigued by his mysterious air and protective streak. Though Poppy’s past gives her every reason to mistrust someone like Keane, the seawalls around her heart crumble in the storm of their passion. But when clues hint at the prime suspect in Keane’s attempted murder, Poppy must decide where her loyalties lie. Torn between the world she’s always known and the one she’s always dreamed of, she’ll need true love for a shot at her fairytale ending.

I really enjoyed this read! I like that it’s a linked standalone in the Rogues to Lovers series, because I really liked the first read in the series, too. I thought Poppy was a great character, and I loved how she took no nonsense from anyone—including her family! Keane was also a great character, and I loved the interplay between he and Poppy. This is a perfect binge read!

Anna Bennett lives in Maryland. One Duke Down is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Who just leaves a concussed man on a beach for a day and a half?!

Was that a literal Dory- just keep swimming quote that I read?

Why is her fishing business focused on in the blurb, but barely mentioned or referred to in the story. There is no show of the FMC working her business, only fishing, and a single mention of a customer. It’s barely a plot device…

There were many ‘twists’ in this book. so many, that my brain stopped computing the rhyme or reason to them as I tried to not skip or skim the pages. It seems like the author had to backtrack or add characters in order to make her plot twist or trope make sense, but only after the fact.

The main characters exhibit risky behaviors seemingly without any care or thought. They all reacted situationally rather than relationally. I found them reaching for depth, but missing the mark.

I feel like the personal history of the FMC was directly contradictory of her actions and what she was claiming or saying. Secrets could have been revealed to the readers and still kept from the MMC and continue to hold the intended tension of the ‘twist’… It probably would have made more tension because it would have helped explain character choices (or lack ther of) and made more sense.

This is my third Anna Bennett book (My Brown Eyed Earl, Girls Before Earls) that I have read. I can confidently say that I will not be reading any more of her work.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC copy of One Duke Down in exchange for my honest review

One Duke Down is the second title in the Rogues to Lovers series, and if that stunning cover doesn’t entice you, well, the story within will certainly do that all on its own! Whenever possible I prefer to read series in order, it gives me a better feel for the world I’m entering… yet, One Duke Down could be read on its own without any problems at all as anything you’d really need to know from the previous release is mentioned in passing.

I adored Poppy and Keane both individually and as a couple. Both are a bit stubborn, headstrong, and determined in their own right, yet together they bring out all the best in each other with very little effort. All that you’d need to know before picking up this title can be found in the cover description but it’s their emotional connection, and the really “seeing” each other for their own worth that had me invested in their story. Yes, they come from far different worlds, and Keane is determined to discover who wants him out of the picture but I didn’t feel that those things got in the way of their emerging reactions to how they felt about each other… if anything, their differences only added to the charm of their story as each must take a step back and try to see the world from a different viewpoint which can make all the difference in a relationship.

I had such a good time in this couple’s world and would not hesitate to recommend One Duke Down to any reader who loves a well-written, steamy romance with touches of humor, danger, and possibilities. This couple is believable given their circumstances, but the sparks will soon turn to something deeper, longer lasting as a love that could last a lifetime. Yeah, such a good story!

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

One Duke Down is the second book in the Rogues to Lovers series by Anna Bennett. This time around the story is centered around Poppy Summers, a character that was already introduced in the previous book as a secondary character. And, to be honest, as we got little glimpses of her, I was very excited to get to read about her as a main character in her own book.

While I don’t want to reveal too much neither about the story nor about the main characters, I can say that the vibe that this cover set was thoroughly met when set to reading. Both main characters, Poppy Summers and Andrew Keane, were interesting and enchanting in their own way, complementing each other so well from the very first page. And, while I adored the romance, I liked that the author set a bit of mystery and adventure around the situation regarding the duke. For some reason, I always end up loving historical romance books with a little bit of adventure added as an aspect.

This book had me feeling very soft at times, but let me tell you that the spice is still there and it’s amazing, kind of going gradually with each encounter between the couple. And, if I haven’t sold you already onto reading this book, the best news is that there isn’t a third-act breakup to anticipate, so rest assured that that is going to make it more enjoyable.

I cannot wait to see what the author has in store when coming to the series and her other upcoming books!

*ARC kindly provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Poppy Summers has been running the family fishing business on her own since her brother left for London and her father’s health declined. And she has found many things while out fishing, but when she finds a gorgeous half-dressed man, barely clinging to life on her beach, that is a first. She drags the man to safety and tends to his wounds, she doesn’t really believe that he is the Duke of Hawking as he swears he is, but she will help him anyway, she leaves to check on her father, promising to return later.

Andrew Keane, the Duke of Hawking is having a bad day and he knows he is lucky to be alive after being beaten and thrown into the sea upon leaving the pub the night before. He is sure someone is trying to kill him and begs Poppy to hide him until he can figure out who is trying to do him in. Poppy finally believes he is the duke and reluctantly agrees, she has a strong mistrust of the nobility and after hearing his thoughts on who might be after him and why she is sure he is just like every other pampered, entitled peer she has ever met (with a few exceptions). But the more she gets to know him and the more she learns about him, she realizes that she was wrong. Feelings develop and it is clear that Keane wants a future with Poppy, he loves her and will do whatever it takes to prove to her that they can have a HEA. But first, they have to find out who is trying to kill him, and hopefully, he will find them before they can succeed in killing him and the truth behind the attempts won’t destroy the progress he has made in convincing Poppy that forever is possible for them.

I thought this was a very well-written, nicely-paced story with an intriguing mystery and wonderful characters. The story has a bit of intrigue, misconceptions, great secondary characters, a hero that is head-over-heels in love with the heroine, surprises, cameos from Hazel, Kitty, and Blade, steamyish love scenes, forgiveness and a very sweet declaration leading to their HEA. There are parts of the book that are a bit hard to believe and there are some title errors, but overall, it was a very enjoyable read, that I am happy to recommend, and left me looking forward to Kitty’s story. This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone title.

*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.*

Such a fun intro to a new-to-me author! I haven't read historical romance in a while and absolutely fell in love with One Duke Down.

- he falls first
- historical romance
- dual pov

I loved how strong and independent Poppy is! She carries her demons, the responsibilities of taking care of her father, and wrangling her wayward brother with grace and strength. Capable of taking care of herself but not immune to the charm of the lost soul who washes up on her beach.
Andrew Keane meets Poppy the morning after someone attempted to kill him, by luck washing up on her shore. He's been running from his dukedom for two years and realizes it's time to step up.

I loved that this romance was dual pov! Keane and Poppy were goners the first moment they laid eyes on each other and we get to be there every step of the way. The way Keane admires Poppy and wants to be the best version of himself, because that's the kind of man she deserves, was heartwarming. Poppy facing her past demons and learning to trust Keane, to allow him to take care of her, was so sweet.

This is book two and I absolutely loved Anna Bennett's writing, so I'll be checking out her other books as well!

Thank you to Anna Bennett, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this e-arc!

Another historical romance I wouldn't have thought to pick up! Overall, I enjoyed this book as much as I do other historical romances. It didn't really stick out to me but I would pick up another book by this author. I think this is a great book when you're in the mood for a romance.

I liked Keane because he fell in love with a fisherman's daughter and in spite of society, he wanted to marry her. Poppy didn't have a good impression of higher society and knew she and Keane would never work. Keane isn't typical. He doesn't care about society. Someone is trying to kill him, and he needs to lay low while he figures out who it is. He is only too happy to stay on a beach with a beautiful woman who makes him want to be a better person. Can they overcome the problems that might keep them apart? Will they find the person who wants him dead?

Poppy Summers is a fisherman’s daughter and is working hard to keep her family’s fishing business afloat as her brother is away most of the time in London and her father is currently ill. One morning she found a man who turns out to be Andrew Keane, the Duke of Hawking, tangled in her nets with a head wound. As she tries to help him, he tells her he is a Duke, and he needs to hide out till he is well enough to find who is trying to kill him and why. Poppy has a small shack she put together to have a place to go to read and have privacy, so she ends up taking hm there. He said he would pay her, so she also takes him meals and they spend time talking. There is strength and confidence in Poppy and Keane showed he was her protector throughout their excursions. There is a lot to this story that I totally enjoyed reading.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

The heroine comes upon the unconscious hero when said person ruined her daily fishing. When the hero proclaimed himself as a duke, the heroine doesn't believe him. The hero implores the heroine to hide him as he wants to find his assailant incognito and offers to pay her as he recovers from his ordeal. Not knowing that their mutual agreement will change their lives in many ways that will affect their future.

This is the second book in the Rogues to Lovers series by Anna Bennett. The book was a delightful read. It features a strong heroine and a dashing hero that I found likable and entertaining. I enjoyed the cameo appearances of friends and family that had strong presence in the story. I would have liked some more details in certain areas of the story, especially in those parts that were a bit dragging to read. However, this refreshing book doesn't involve high angst and has a good story vibe. Overall, I look forward to reading more Anna Bennett books in the future.


**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

One Duke Down, Anna Bennett’s newest addition to her Rogues to Lovers series, was such a delight to read. The story is captivating and entertaining from the moment Poppy Summers finds an injured man washed up on the shore with his leg stuck in her fishing net. When he says he is Andrew Keane, Duke of Hawking, Poppy in no way believes him – how would a duke end up on her shore? This well-written story has everything you want in a romance – a plucky heroine, a dashing hero, wonderful secondary characters, a mystery surrounding Keane’s injuries, steamy chemistry, romance, a beach that sounds lovely, and carriage rides through the English countryside.

Ms. Bennett’s colorful narrative places you in the moment with the characters. You can practically smell the ocean and feel the spray of the crashing waves. I loved the time Poppy and Keane spent together at her beach hideaway. It was a wonderful place for them to grow closer and fall in love.

If you like smoking appeal and witty banter between the main characters and swoon-worthy, charming dukes who fall first, then you will definitely enjoy this book! Get ready for Poppy and Keane to be your next favorite couple!

Thank you to Ms. Bennett, St. Martin’s Publishing, and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy. I voluntarily read the book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy and held my attention. I didn't want to put it down so I could find out what was going to happen. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is book 2 in the Rogues to Lovers series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in this series as well as other books by this author.

I just love Anna Bennett's stories, she never disappoints. This was a Cinderella story of a fisherman's daughter who rescues a man she found in the surf. She later learns he's the Duke of Hawking that took a blow to the head outside a dockside tavern and was shoved into the sea! She doesn't believe him at first but a little investigating in town and she realizes his tale is true. They strike a deal where she'll make sure he has food and can stay hidden outside of town while he works to find out who tried to kill him.

Miss Poppy Summers is keeping her family business afloat while singlehandedly nursing her father. Her brother is off causing casting his wild oats in London under the guise of working at the docks to make more money for the family. Always one to help, Poppy drags the unconscious man away from the surf. She leaves him under a tree to check on him later. After determining his wild story is probably true they set ground rules to keep him hidden. While investigating who tried to kill him they spend more and more time together chipping away at Poppy's guard against the nobility. Her mother was a Lady and her family disowned her because of Poppy's fisherman Daddy. She lost her mother at age 9 and she's distrustful of the nobility because of what happened to her mother. Through Keane she learns not all nobility are so bad.

Andrew Keane has been Duke of Hawking for two years since his horrible father died. Keane was never good enough to his father. After one of his parents fights he learns he's probably not his father's son. His uncle Viscount Rawlings and his cousin Teddy were where he spent as much time as possible. Andrew is drifting, not being a good Duke and unsure of his place in life until he meets Poppy. He begins to see the world through her eyes and he finds new purpose while falling in love with the very capable woman. The journey to love was a delight to read as the try to figure out who tried to kill him. Believe me you'll never see it coming!

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

A gorgeous romance with a strong, passionate heroine, thoughtful and caring hero, lots of adventures and a mystery to solve- what more can a reader ask? There are also a few hot, swoonworthy, steamy scenes, just to warn you in case you decide to listen to the audiobook version in a public place.

Poppy Summers is a fisherman's daughter, hard-working and loyal to her ailing father, her brother who has been drinking and gambling too much, and of course, her friends- Hazel and Kitty. Imagine her surprise when she finds an unconsious man tangled in one of her fishing nets! Poppy tries to help the poor soul by bandaging his head wound and moving him further away from the sea, all the time ignoring his attempts to pass for a duke. She does make a few discrete inquiries later and it turns out Keane was telling the truth- he is the Duke of Hawking! All Keane knows someone tried to murder him and throw his unconscous body in the sea, so he comes up with a brilliant plan to hide away on Poppy's beach for a few days and do a bit of sleuthing in the meantime to find the attacker. Poppy could do with the money the duke offers for staying in her humble beach shack, but more importantly Keane offers an opportunity for an adventure.

I was amazed how well Poppy took to her new role of an amateur sleuth and how good she was! Keane and Poppy make up a wonderful couple- they complement each other, listen and learn from each other which is a perfect recipe for a happy relationship. There's a lot more to Poppy's life story and it isn't particularly easy for an aristocrat to gain her trust. Needless to say, this is exactly what makes their story even sweeter and more swoonworthy.

Recommended to anyone who likes fun, entertaining historical romance with low-angst and a bit of spice.

One Duke Down by Anna Bennett, book two in her Rogues to Lovers series, is an entertaining, steamy, romantic, and wonderful story with a touch of humor, intrigue, family drama, supportive friends, a beautiful, vividly described setting, a delightful, heart-warming romance, with a twist. Poppy Summers is truly a fisherman's daughter, and now the sole provider for her ill father. She spends her days on the water, hauling in her nets and selling her fish at market. Imagine her shock to find a gorgeous injured male tangled in her nets one morning; one claiming to be a Duke. That head wound has obviously made him delusional. Andrew Keane is the Duke of Hawking, and he's having a heck of a time convincing the fiery haired fishing beauty that he is truly telling the truth. He does, however, convince her to hide him away on her beach, allowing him time to heal, and figure out who wants him dead. Poppy may not believe him, but she can't turn down the large sum of money he offers her to help him. Those sparks flying between the pair are just her imagination; or so she tries to convince herself. Poppy doesn't trust aristocrats due to an incident in her past, while Keane is quickly drawn to Poppy's warmth, wit, and adventurous spirit. Getting to know each other through Keane's questions, which was quite clever, drew them together and their quests to find the attacker brought them a common bond. Poppy’s secret place, where she hid Keane, is a healing location. It is here, overlooking the sea, where they fall in love, and share a mixture of sweet, fun, and steamy moments.

Keane had already been questioning himself about his place in life and the way he's lived it. However, the more time he spends in Bellehaven Bay and with Poppy, the more he finds a sense of purpose. As the two of them grow closer and while Poppy may dream of what a life with Keane would be like, she's convinced there's no way she'd ever fit in a Duke's world, nor would she be accepted. Keane is determined to gain her trust as he falls head over heels for her. As the pair works together to uncover the truth, Keane is determined to show Poppy that although they are from very different worlds and social classes, they truly have a future together.

Ms. Bennett wrote a charming, clever, entertaining story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale with some strong messages about love, life, prejudice, taking chances, finding adventure, and forgiveness. There is a perfect blending of family ties, friends, and even a bit of suspense filling the pages. Bennett included amusing banter, sizzling chemistry, and charming characters giving Poppy and Keane a chance for happiness, love and a future together. I definitely recommend One Duke Down to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.