Great read. Enjoyed the close friendship of the cousins. The laugh out loud moments were spot on. Story line kept my interest to see what was going to happen next. Was a little confusing at the start, with the names. Took me a few minutes and some back reading to figures out who was who. Will be looking forward to reading more books by Bethany Bennett.

One of my favorite microtropes is seeing a stuffy nobleman come undone by a chaotic woman.

Constance is trying to help her friend Althea break her unwanted engagement to Oliver. Of course, her scheming immediately starts backfiring.

I appreciated the ADHD representation and the beautiful support the Martin family gives each other.

After leaving her fiancé at the altar, Constance has gained a reputation and her best friend, Althea, asks for her help in ending her own engagement to Oliver Vincent, Earl of Southwyn. Oliver has been betrothed since childhood, first to Althea’s sister and then to Althea, and knows marriage is the only way to get back his family’s land. As Constance assists in breaking things off between Althea and Oliver the attraction between herself and Oliver grows, but Oliver still feels honor-bound to do right by Althea even though it may break all their hearts.

I usually love Bethany’s books and for whatever reason this one really dragged for me, particularly the first half. On top of that, it broke one of my cardinal rules of historical romance and name dropped Jane Austen prior to 1817 (book is set in 1816). I did like the juxtaposition of Oliver’s calm and Constance’s chaos and I could feel the attraction between the pair but it just took so long for us to get to the pair’s actual romance. I have read the previous book in the series but it’s been a while and I must admit I was a bit lost at the beginning with so many things starting directly where that one left off. I still enjoyed myself well enough and will read the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Delightful romance with a side of girl power!

In this opposites-attract romance, our inconstant Constance finds herself helping her friend, Althea, avoid marriage to the staid Oliver. Althea has her eye on another suitor, but her parents are determined to gain their foothold in society by having her marry the earl.

I loved how Connie was determined to make Althea intolerable to Oliver, and I wondered at just how much of a gentleman he could be when he was insisting on marrying her regardless of how she felt. However, once the story really gets going, Oliver's motivations become clear and we realize he's truly trying his best to do right by his childhood friend, even if it means forcing her into a loveless marriage.

Once Oliver starts to fall for Connie, however, he needs to come up with another plan, and boy, does he! I loved the intricate, complex solution he found, and was glued to the book as I watched him put his plan into action.

I adored the witty banter between Oliver and Connie, almost as much as I loved the friendship between Connie and Althea, as well as that of Connie with her sister and cousin. The gals really have all the fun in this story, and I loved every madcap moment!

I really appreciated the author's note at the end, how she explained her decision to write a character with what we now know as ADHD. She did a wonderful job of showing both the good and the bad, especially with the compromises necessary to secure the future of the family business, and I couldn't be happier with the HEA for the entire family.

Bethany is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. It's always nice to hear from a new historical romance author. I loved the first book in this bookseller series, so it was nice to see the second continue with Constance's story. It was a quick easy read!

I loved Constance in the first book and I was thrilled she got her own story.

Connie's had a bunch of failed relationships in the past. Oliver is engaged to Althea since childhood and neither one of them wants the marriage to happen. Althea gets Connie to help her end the engagement.

Connie is an adorable whirlwind of a sweetheart. Oliver is also an adorable, starchy fellow with a deliciously filthy mouth. They both love animals so you know they are good people. Oliver is also a virgin!! Through a bunch of hijinks and escapades they end up together and althea ends up with her true love too.

Tuesdays are the best day of the week too.

Thank you to Bethany Bennett and Forever for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

I read this and a bunch of other historicals back to back, so unfortunately this one did not really stick out to me, it just blurred with the rest I have read recently.

TL;DR Summary
My Best Friend’s Earl by Bethany Bennett is a Regency romance where chaotic bookseller’s daughter Connie helps break her friend’s engagement to the duty-bound Earl of Southwyn, only to fall for him herself. It’s a fun, banter-filled ride with some hiccups, but I enjoyed it despite not reading the first book in the Bluestocking Booksellers series.

Main Review
New to Bethany Bennett and her Bluestocking Booksellers series, I jumped into My Best Friend’s Earl blind and mostly kept up, though I’d have vibed more with the characters if I’d read book one. Connie, a lovably chaotic bookseller’s daughter, and Oliver, the rigid Earl of Southwyn, spark with witty banter that’s genuinely heartwarming. The pacing starts slow but picks up, delivering a romance that’s sweet but doesn’t fully ignite—their attraction builds nicely, yet the climax feels flat. Bennett’s writing shines with clever dialogue and cozy vibes, but I got lost when older series characters popped up. Oliver’s hyper-controlled life (scheduling masturbation? Wild.) clashes with Connie’s chaos, which is fun, but his obliviousness to his fiancée’s coercion annoyed me. Still, it’s a charming read with great banter, even if the resolution left me wanting more.

P.S. Thank you NetGalley for ARC, all opinions are my own.

This has got to be one of the most precious stories I have read in a long time, except for one-that I will get to shortly. The author does a fantastic job of showing Connie’s issue at its finest and watching her demean herself for it almost brought tears to my eyes. Oliver is so uptight- I think his “thread” would snap with just one pull. I adored how Althea and Connie did their best to unravel him, ones so hilariously funny, they were laugh out loud moments. Connie and Oliver’s relationship shift was well orchestrated and beautifully done. Oliver’s surprise was incredibly amusing and Connie’s treatment of it was so sweet and endearing. I adored the ending with all involved with the climax and seeing Althea’s parents get their due was priceless ! I enjoyed how Oliver directed the onslaught and how he helped Althea in the end.

That said, I want to rant a bit. This story would have gotten a resounding 5 (or more ) stars, if allowed, except for one thing. The f-bomb was used so disgustingly much that it ruined the whole story for me. There is no way that Oliver , so uptight , would have used that word so much. It felt so VERY. Out . Of . Character, it destroyed everything the author was trying to convey about him.(in my opinion) I grew up on Kathleen Woodwiss and John Jake historical novels and NOT ONCE was that word used. Their stories were phenomenal, and yes , there was some language, but the crassness that newer authors seem to think they just have to have is just not likable LET ME SAY THIS NICELY- YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE THE F-BOMB TO GET THE POINT ACROSS! I read historical romance to escape real life and am incensed when it follows me into my safe reading room.

All that said, this was a good book, when it could have been a GREAT book. I can’t , in good conscience, give this 5 stars and lean more towards 3, so will split the difference with a 4 star. Please, for the sake of the readers, think twice before using the f-bomb.

I received this story for free and these are my own opinions

“My Best Friend’s Earl” (Bluestocking Booksellers, book 2) by Bethany Bennett
The Un-Match Challenge
Oh, my what a fun Regency era romp. I had no trouble ignoring the things I should be doing to read just one more chapter (multiple times) first. There was a little bit of spice but not enough to keep me from turning the pages or drop a star from the rating. I suggest you read the author’s notes when you finish. You will find some interesting facts that may increase your appreciation of this story. Happy Reading ! !

My Best Friend’s Earl by Bethany Bennett is the second book in the series “Bluestocking Booksellers.” I also reviewed the wonderful first book “Good Duke Gone Wild” and this is a great follow up. Constance is the dear cousin of our last heroine Caro, but the similarities end there. Constance is no bluestocking, lively and spontaneous she brings chaos wherever she goes. When a friend asks for help ending her loveless engagement, Constance is eager to lend a chaotic hand. What could go wrong? Apparently lots and we soon learn entertainment and love can be found in the most surprising of places. I am really enjoying this series and highly recommend you check both books out!

Constance ‘Connie’ Martin is the daughter of a bookseller with a family who loves her. She is easily distracted, has to write things down to remember and chaos seems to follow her.

Oliver Vincent, Earl of Southwyn is determined not to be like his father so he always does the opposite of what his father would do. He does not let his emotions tell him what needs to be done and chaos has no place in his life.

Connie is approached by Oliver’s fiancé for help to break her engagement to Oliver. Connie is happy to help, but as she gets to know Oliver she begins to develop feelings for him. Oliver realizes that emotions may pay a part in his life when he discovers he has feelings for Connie and not his fiancé. Will Oliver decide that honor and duty are more important or will he decide that loving Connie is more important?

This book was just delightful, very entertaining and so much fun!! I enjoyed reading how Connie brought so much chaos into Oliver’s life that he had to reconsider everything he thought his life should be. I liked how Connie and Oliver were opposites but were the perfect couple together. The secondary character were absolutely wonderful and really added to the story. I truly loved Connie and Oliver’s love story and how they got their happily ever after!! I highly recommend this book!!

One of the first few HR authors I tried was Bethany Bennett back in 2020, I have fond memories of “Any Rogue Will Do.” Last year when Good Duke Gone Wild released I was pretty excited to read a new series of hers. I tried repeatedly to read it but never got through it. The premise of this one was too tempting and so I figured I’d try it out. Admittedly, it took me a few chapters to get hooked but it was such a surprisingly good time. The premise lived up to what I wanted it to be. I have a soft spot of virgin male main characters and this one delivered. I even liked the main characters from the first book as secondary characters in this one.

This book brought me back to reading my very first Bethany Bennett book, definitely glad I gave it a chance.

I received this ARC via NetGalley, any opinions expressed and entirely my own.

When a friend of Constance comes to her asking her for help in breaking an engagement she never saw her falling for the man whose life she was supposed to ruin.

I liked Constance’s need for adventure and Oliver slowly unwinding his attitude. They were perfect for each other but they didn’t know it. Some of my favorite stories.

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC.

This next installment in this series is my favorite story out them all. Why? One name… Constance. Her character is my favorite character that I have out of all the leading characters that I have read in any book by far. Constance literally brings the realism to the story. She brings out the humor. The entertainment. The romance and the emotional connections with the plot. I enjoyed this book a lot.

I laughed so often while reading this. While trying to help her friend Connie falls for her friend’s fiancé. Opposites do attract . But in order for them to be together they have to get help from family and friends.

Readers who enjoy romance, suspense, and friends helping friends will love this regency era romp where, when plotting to save her friend from a fiancé she doesn't want bookseller Constance finds true love. Humorous, heartfelt, and fun. Will definitely be recommending to readers who like smart regencies.

I absolutely fell for this charming and witty romance that effortlessly blends humor and heartfelt moments. The writing sparkles with clever banter and warmth, making every interaction between them feel genuine and alive. I loved how the story explores the idea that love is not just a contract or a plan but something full of surprise and risk, and it’s exactly that unpredictability that makes it worth fighting for. It reminded me why I adore stories where characters break free from convention and find something beautifully real.

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Opposites attract and many hilarious scenes (specially with the cat) as well as steamy ones. This is as good as the first in series. Can’t wait for the “third bookseller” to find her love!

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 2 in the Bluestocking booksellers series. This was a pretty good book. I did enjoy the story and relationships. It was a pretty good read.