The Duke Is But a Dream

What happens when the secret authoress of a scandalous weekly article dressed as scamp ends up in bar fight and loses her memory? What happens when a reluctant duke who has cut off his feelings due to tragedy interferes in said fight? What if the duke with a heart of stone cares for the unknown scamp err woman until she is healed and wants to keep for his own? What if he can't give her what she wants most? To find out the answers to these questions you must read this book. It is a delightful book filled with angst and love.

Miss Lily Hartley is Fiona's younger sister that we met in First Earl I See Tonight. Lily is smart, strong willed and loves to speak her mind...so much so that she secretly writes the newspaper column The Debutante's Revenge, along with her sister and her best friend, Sophie. After dropping off her latest column to the newspaper, Lily curiosity gets the better of her and she decides to go into a tavern since she is disguised as a young boy. When trouble comes her way, a handsome man comes to her rescue not knowing at first that she really is a female. The bigger problem is is that Lily has lost her memory and has no idea who she is.

Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge may have been itching for a fight when he jumped in to the help the young lad, but when he realizes the person who was knocked out is really a lady, he decides to take her to his house to help her. Nash finds himself strangely drawn to her. Even Nash's sister, Delilah has taken a shine to the newcomer whom they name as Caroline. As Nash and Caroline spend more time together, their feelings grow very strong, very fast. While they work on trying to find out who Caroline really is, Nash has to face some real demons from his past. Just when Caroline is figuring out who she really is, Nash will have to do some deep soul searching finally get to his happy ending but in the end it was all worth it!

I really loved Lily and Nash. I loved Lily's sassiness and how she brought out such a good part of Nash's personality. He's such a loyal and loving person deep down, but he just needed the right person to find it! Overall this was a great story with perfect characters!

This was a wonderful story. Nash and Lily were great characters. Lily was so captivating and full of life. Even after her accident she was so strong and determined to live life to the fullest. This was a well developed, well written story, with endearing characters and an intriguing storyline. I would love to read more about Sophie, Delila and the other endearing characters and I would definitely recommend this book.

Anna Bennett is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  I absolutely loved the previous book in this series, First Earl I See Tonight (see review here ) and had similar feelings for this book.  The Duke Is But A Dream also had adventure, humor, and (of course) romance.  This time it focuses on the headstrong and bold Lily Hartley's love adventure following memory loss from a bar brawl injury.  This injury brings her and Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge, together in a unique situation that forces them to show their true character.  Even if Lily can't remember her character, or her own name for that matter.  It then forces the question: Can you truly love someone if you don't even know who you are?
This is not a simple romance.  All characters are dealing with heavy subjects that are not simply resolved by a true love's first kiss (sorry Disney, I still love you).  Grief is an ongoing struggle that cannot truly be resolved, just like the void cannot truly ever be filled in reality.  However, this novel does portray how to cope with the grief in healthy ways and that trying to avoid it just makes you stuck and does not honor their memory well.  Abandonment is another issue that is dealt with as there does not seem to be anyone looking for Lily as she is missing and going by the name Caroline (as she does not remember her own name).  Don't worry, reader, it was a misunderstanding that has a happy ending. 

Additionally, this book briefly catches us up with the characters from the previous book in the series, Sophie, Gray, and her sister Fiona.  However, this book could be read as a standalone as it does not rely heavily on previous events.  Probably because Lily does not have any memory of previous events.  I did like the new characters that were introduced and I hope there are more books in the series.  I would love to see a story about Lily and Fiona's close friend and colleague, Sophie.  I would also love to see a story about Nash's sister, the bubbly and lovely Delilah. 

I would absolutely recommend this book for fans of regency romance novels that have to do with brooding dukes and concerns about the reactions of the ton.  I would also recommend this book for adults as there are graphically sexual scenarios, mild foul language, violence, and alcohol use. 

Please note: An electronic Advanced Readers Copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

Absolutely stunning! You do not want to miss this one. Obsessed. That’s how i felt while reading this book. Like every page was better than the previous one. This story was a wonderful love story. So expertly written and so beautifully done.

Everything about the storyline and the characters captivated me. Their personalities, their desire, their warmth, their conversations, their chemistry... my my my! Their longing for each other, their breathlessness, as well as their slow kisses, the glorious anticipation and their lingering touches, painted an exquisite story. I was a goner, charmed. Beyond words. I couldn’t put this down. And I cant wait for the next in this series.

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

Right off the bat I was drawn into Lily’s story. Secrets and memory loss bring Lily and the duke together. But it may be the truth that tears them apart. The Duke is but a Dream is not to be missed. I can’t wait for more!!!
5 stars!

I found this book to be quite charming and very entertaining. Lily, her sister and their best friend have been secretly writing and illustrating a column in the paper entitled the Debutante's Revenge. After delivering the latest installment dressed as a delivery boy, Lily is involved in a brawl at a tavern and is knocked unconscious. She is rescued by Nash, a Duke who was nursing his melancholy at the tavern and caused the accident that injures Lily. Upon awakening at the Duke's home the next day, Lily does not remember who she is so she and the Duke's sister choose the name, Caroline. Since Caroline has no memory, the Duke finally decides to have a lawyer friend run a description of her in the paper to see if they can get any answers. In the mean time, Nash and Caroline become intimate, but Nash maintains that there is no way that he will ever fall in love as it only brings misery and heartache. He lost his twin sister and father because of it and might lose his younger sister because of the "love" she feels for a young gentleman. This story includes a daring chase, a fight or two, an awakening of a closed off heart and the revelation of a mother. I hope that there will be more books to go with this one.

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

Miss Lily Hartley, is celebrating her latest edition of ‘The Debutante’s Revenge’ to the publisher, when she is embroiled in an argument at a tavern. She finds herself knocked unconscious when Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge, intervenes on her behalf in a fight with other men. Nash soon realises that the young boy that he has tried to save, is in fact a girl. Desperate to protect her, he takes Lily home to be treated. It soon becomes apparent that Lily has lost her memory and that Nash, in caring and spending time with her, finds himself truly happy when he is with her. However, both fear that on regaining her memory, life for them will change forever, and maybe not for the best.
This was a delightful story, if you put aside that Lily is unchaperoned throughout all the events. However, this is all cleverly explained, and it was so easy, to be carried away in the romance of Nash and Lily. Lily’s caring nature, balanced with her independent manner, make her the perfect match for Nash, as he struggles with his demons, which are interwoven with his desire to care for his younger sister. It is his love for his sister and protectiveness of Lily, that make it easy to fall in love with him (even as the reader). The excepts from The Debutante’s Revenge at the beginning of each chapter, was a highlight and very entertaining.
This is another fantastic addition to the series “Debutante Diaries” and I look forward to reading more by Anna Bennett. Whilst this is a standalone book, you must do yourself a favour and read more by this author.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Duke Is But a Dream (Debutante Diaries, #2) by Anna Bennett ...I would like to thank the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. Miss Lily Hartley is the anonymous author of The Debutante’s Revenge. Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge guardian of his sister, he also has hardened his heart after the loss of his twin sister and father. After delivering her columns disguised as a boy she lands in the middle of tavern brawl .. Nash rescues her and takes her home...She can't remember who she is and he vows to help her.. there are secrets, some danger, laughs, tears, adventure, steamy stuff and romance all leading to a very HEA. I sure hope there will be a Debutante Diaries #3.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Happily Ever After Witty Easy-to-read Steamy Page-turner Wonderful characters Great world building Romantic Entertaining Funny

Anna is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this story. It is about an wonderful young Lady,
Miss Lily Hartley. She is the adopted daughter of the Hartley's . She was left in a basket by the front door with a note to love her, and wearing one bootie. She has been raised as one of the upper crust.
Lily with her sister, Fiona and best friend Sophie write 'The Debutante's Revenge' which is a scandalized paper for young Debutante's on a different way to act then what proper matron's and chaperones offer. When her sister Fiona and her new husband the Earl Gray get a chance to go to
Scotland for a visit, Lily tells her to go and enjoy herself. She forgets that her stepmother and father are also going to be gone and each think she is with the other. Lily see this as a chance to see the other side of life. When she delivers copies of the sketches and letters for the next two copies of The Debutante Revenge. She is dressed in boy's breeches, shirt and jacket so no one knows who she is.
She looks like a young lad. She ends up in a run down tavern, due to a rain storm. As she waits out the storm, the tavern fills up with workers, dock people ect. Lily knows she is in trouble and tries to leave when she is set upon by a trio of man wanting money. She tries to hold her own.
When The Duke of Stonebridge who has been watching her all evening steps in and fights them off.
Lily gets hit on the head and passes out. The Duke feeling he is partial the cause takes her home to his townhouse, where Anna is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this story. It is about an wonderful young Lady,
Miss Lily Hartley. She is the adopted daughter of the Hartley's . She was left in a basket by the front door with a note to love her, and wearing one bootie. She has been raised as one of the upper crust.
Lily with her sister, Fiona and best friend Sophie write 'The Debutante's Revenge' which is a scandalized paper for young Debutante's on a different way to act then what proper matron's and chaperones offer. When her sister Fiona and her new husband the Earl Gray get a chance to go to
Scotland for a visit, Lily tells her to go and enjoy herself. She forgets that her stepmother and father are also going to be gone and each think she is with the other. Lily see this as a chance to see the other side of life. When she delivers copies of the sketches and letters for the next two copies of The Debutante Revenge. She is dressed in boy's breeches, shirt and jacket so no one knows who she is.
She looks like a young lad. She ends up in a run down tavern, due to a rain storm. As she waits out the storm, the tavern fills up with works, dock people ect. Lily knows she is in trouble and tries to leave when she is set upon by a trio of man wanting money. She tries to hold her own.
When The Duke of Stonebridge who has been watching her all evening steps in and fights them off.
Lily gets hit on the head passes out, The Duke feeling he is partial the cause. Takes her home to his townhouse, where he finds out she has lost her memory.
As Lily, now called Caroline by The Duke/Nash and his sister Delilah. While staying with them,
her and Nash give in to the attraction both feel and have affair.
She is able to get Nash to open up about his father and sister's death, and his feeling on keeping
Delilah safe even if it means not letting her grow up. Nash founds out secrets of her life also.
As the two grow closer and Caroline tries to remember they will need to solve many problems.
There are lots of growing up for both, feelings neither expect and twist and turns.
I don't want to see too much as it's best to find out as you read this very entertaining book.
You just don't want to stop reading it's great.
Be sure and order your copy now, you will not be sorry
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the author for my honest review.

The Debutante Diaries series is so much fun. I enjoyed the first story about Fiona & Grey & this story about Lily & Nash didn't disappoint. I couldn't put it down. I love that it had the unique twist of how they met & how headstrong & feisty Lily is, even in circumstances where she doesn't really remember who she is. Nash's sister, Delilah, is a delightful character. I enjoyed seeing how Fiona & Grey were doing, & of course Sophie, which I hope will be the next book. Highly recommend reading this book!

Great book! Lily Hartley suffers amnesia and Nash endeavors to help her find out who she is. I would love to see a book about Nash’s sister!

Excellent story! Lily is headstrong and daring. Nash is wary and reclusive. Their paths cross in a tavern and their lives become intertwined. Saved from danger by a hunky protector the fairytale journey begins. A page turning story filled with wit and romance. The characters are beautiful and brilliantly created. You will enjoy the journey of watching Lily recover old memories and create new ones as she falls in love with her handsome Duke.

How much trouble can a young lady get herself into by dressing as a boy to go deliver the weekly article she writes under an assumed name? After delivering the articles she stops in a tavern for a bite to eat. She gets hit and loses her memory and a duke who is there takes her home to recover.. Very simple and could happen to anyone. It happened to Lily Hartley and now she can't remember who she is. Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge does need her help though he doesn't realize it. In the process of helping him and his sister she falls in love with him. Can he let go of his past ot love her?

What a way to meet! And the loss of memory is such a part of the story. I liked the characters and their relationships. I wonder if she had not lost her memory would she had acted differently? A bit of steamy for those days and times. I enjoyed the book.

I would not change a thing! The Duke of Stonebridge, nicked named the duke of stoneheart, is a gentleman at heart. Yes, he has closed himself off to his sister Delilah, and the world in general, due to the hurt in his past. Then, he meets Lily Hartley/Caroline who knocks the breath out of him with her kindness, gentleness, courage and sweet nature, in addition, to her strength and outspokenness. His character would be a challenge for any young lady to try to break through to reach his heart.

While waiting for Caroline to remember who she is, love blossoms. No, Nash cannot admit it to himself, but it is there. As Lily, Caroline has a lot of freedom. Her parents are very trusting. They took her in when she was left on their doorstep in a basket with very little to go on except her name and the one bootie she wore. The way in which Caroline finds out she is Lily is sweet and endearing. I loved her openness to Serena, although nothing was the way she had imagined it. Nash even had a welcoming heart in this situation.

The amnesic part of this romance was handled well and felt real. Caroline could remember some things just because they felt natural. She and Nash were careful to keep in mind that she could be affianced or even married – well-done.

This is such a sweet, charming story that warms your heart and leaves you feeling the love and kindness that, I believe, Ms. Bennet wants us to see. The Duke is But a Dream is a great weekend read to lighten your days. As the second in the Debutante Diaries series, both can be standalone novels; I enjoyed reading them in sequence.

(I found it a bit ironic that Nash is so very strict with his sister while Nash and Caroline’s relationship becomes more sensual – pot and kettle . . . )

The Duke Is But a Dream is the second book in the Debutante Diaries series by Anna Bennett. A swoon-worthy romance that is sure to sweep you off your feet. While this is part of the Debutante Diaries series, it can be read as a standalone novel. A stunning romance that is full of delightful twists and turns, mystery romance, and humor. Bennett has created a unique list of characters that are well-written and develop nicely. The secondary characters help to add depth to the plot and make reading The Duke Is But a Dream seems more like a movie than a book. I enjoyed reading The Duke Is But a Dream and look forward to reading more from Anna Bennett. I highly recommend this to readers who love a swoon-worthy romance.

A satisfying read with the expected romance but also includes many little side issues going on which makes it stand out from many other books of its genre. Well worth reading.

Lily Hartfield is a rebel with a cause. She feels it is her duty to help the young ladies of the ton navigate the ins and outs of flirting and getting to know the gentlemen that are seeking them out. The only problem is that she must do this anonymously as the consequences would be uninmaginable. Nash, The Earl of Stonebridge is out of sorts. He is angry all the time and it is beginning to ruin his relationship with his sister Delilah. On a stormy night, he comes to the rescue of what he assumes is a young lad. Only it is Lily. With no memory of who she is, she brings out the best in Nash. Like all good things, they must come to an end. Only does it? Delilah has a plan and Nash is all in. Love the ending!

I honestly thought this was going to be a run of the mill type of historical romance but Lily proved me wrong. She is one of those women who would take the bull by the horn and search their body later for signs of hurt. She is truly an unabashed young lady who knows what she wants. The Duke ain’t bad himself he has a foul temper but a kind heart, when he realizes his hot temper only makes things worst. These two fated characters were well balanced and when combined they brought this book to life with their tantalizing and delightful encounters culminating with a saucy ending.

The duke is but a dream is a charming fun read. Lily writes an advice column for young girls, dresses like a boy to delivery it. One day Nash a handsome Duke figures out she’s a she. But by then Lily has no memory of well anything. You will route for these characters.

What a sweet, endearing story with such lovely characters in it. I very much enjoyed reading The Duke Is But a Dream by Anna Bennett. I enjoy this author’s writing style and her way of making you feel like you are right there with the characters. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series.

Miss Lily Hartley, along with her sister and her best friend, is the writer behind their anonymous and wildly popular advice column, The Debutante's Revenge. To maintain that anonymity Lily dresses as a boy to deliver the completed columns to the paper, which works fine until her bid to enjoy a little freedom lands her in the midst of a tavern brawl.

When Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge, sees a young boy facing three attackers, he steps in to help and is shocked to find that the boy is in fact a woman. When Lily is rendered unconscious in the melee, Nash views himself as partly responsible and brings her to his home to recover.

Unfortunately, when she wakes she has no memory of her family or even her own name, so Nash takes her in and tries to help her remember and find her family. But the more time he spends with Lily, the less he wants her to leave him and return to her life. The two grow extremely close, but after everything he's been through, Nash is convinced he can never love Lily the way she deserves. Too bad Lily has already lost her heart and risked her reputation, not to mention Nash's potential wrath when he learns she is the authoress behind the Debutante's Revenge.

Lily was a true romantic and Nash was gruff and terrified of his feelings, afraid love and devotion could only ever lead to disaster and believing himself incapable of deep emotion. He was really quite sad but Lily was his perfect foil. It was very sweet to see these two both find themselves and find their way to each other. The pacing was great; just when the amnesia started to go on a big long, it was brought to a conclusion and I found the ending quite satisfying. All in all, this was a great read and I look forward to the next one.

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

Oh, this had all the trope goodness—amnesia and a road trip and a female dressed as a boy—wrapped into one book. And, it was fantastic.

Lily, dressed in disguise bumps her head and loses her memory. The handsome Duke, Nash, feels responsible for her injury so he brings her home with him. Their story was wonderful and so much fun.

Highly recommended for those amnesia trope lovers.

I lost myself in this book with characters who were relatable, likeable, and real, and romance that was irresistibly sweet, innocent, brave, and at times, heartbreaking. My emotions were all over the place as Anna Bennett masterfully orchestrated events and deftly described the feelings of the characters in words that were poetic and honest, gradually and surreptitiously pulling my heart from my chest and leaving it exposed. And I couldn't bring myself to protect it because I somehow knew that the joy that would come after would make the heartbreak worthwhile. Truly, I was spellbound and utterly in thrall to the relationship building between Nash and Lily.

When an author endeavors to portray intimate moments in a way that is both sensual and spiritual, this book should be her guide. There is nothing robotic, detached, or overly erotic in these scenes. Far from obligatory sex, the kind that one might feel is needed to gain readership, the intimacy between Nash and Lily is precisely that — intimate. It's a window into the deep feelings they have for one another and the courage it takes to be vulnerable.

I cannot overstate how much I loved this book, and especially how much I adored these characters. It's one I would be happy to read again and again. *sigh*

She’s a secret sensation.
Miss Lily Hartley is the anonymous mastermind behind the ton’s latest obsession: The Debutante’s Revenge, a tell-all advice column for young ladies.
He has no idea who she is.
While defending an apparently defenseless lad Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, discovers there’s a beautiful woman hiding beneath the lad’s cap.
She is knocked unconscious during the struggle so he takes her home with him so she can be tended by a doctor. She wakes up with no memory of her past or notion of who she is.
This begins this delightful tale of love between people who likely would never have met under different circumstances.
I loved this book and actually read it twice before leaving my review. This is the second book in this series and although I found the first one a little bit lacking, this one took me back to what I have come to expect from this author.
The characters were very well drawn and synonymize with characters from her previous series.
There was never a dull moment in this delightful read.
I gave this book 4.5 (rounded up to 5) of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read from the publisher via NetGalley.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

“I will never have enough of you…If we stayed just like this for a hundred years, it would feel too short.”

Lily Hartley, along with her sister and dearest friend, has been secretly writing a column in the local paper—The Debutante’s Revenge. The column offers advice to the ladies of the ton that may be seeking out their future husband. Disguised as a young lad, Lily drops off their newest installment, but on her way home, is waylaid in a tavern skirmish. But as luck would have it, the Duke of Stonebridge notices she is a lady in distress and comes to her rescue. Receiving a rather large bump to the head, Lily is whisked to the Duke’s home to convalesce. Too bad when she wakes, she has no memory of why she is there or even who she is.

Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, has been in a self-imposed exile since the passing of his twin sister. Having a drink at the local tavern, he is mesmerized by a beautiful woman that is for some odd reason dressed as a boy. Being her savior is the least he can do, if only he knew her name.

Lily and Nash work together trying to locate her family and discover her identity…and in the process, develop a bond that surpasses the need for names, for when the heart discovers it’s other half, no name beyond Love is required. “When I’m with you—no matter what I’m doing or where I am—I feel like I’m right where I belong.”

Oh I so enjoyed this light romantic read. While this is the 2nd installment of Anna Bennett’s Debutante Diaries, it may be read standalone. Lily and Nash’s HEA is everything. “…we never know what the next day may bring. If you’re always waiting on the future, it’s easy to miss the joy of the present.”

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. This is the second book in the Debutante Diaries series and even though I hadn’t read the previous book I was just so lost within this story that I didn’t even care that I hadn’t read the previous book. I most definitely will read more by this author.

Really enjoyed this story and the characters. Romance was sweet and entertaining. Have already ordered for the store. Will be reading more of Miss Bennett's books.

What a fun story!

I recommend reading the first story in this series (First Earl I See Tonight) because it introduces the characters and provides some background, but this could probably be read as a stand-alone..

Lily is not the typical debutante - she is also the author of a scandalous column - The Debutante’s Revenge, which advises young ladies to think for themselves (gasp!). Nash is a duke who famously has a heart of stone... but he’s hiding a secret. This is an amnesia story for the meet-cute - which aren’t always my favorite, but I liked the way she did this one. I really enjoyed this story!

Thanks to St. Martin’s press publicity & Netgalley! I received this book as a free ARC for an honest review.

Miss Lily Hartley, her sister Fiona, and her friend Sophie are the masterminds behind the potentially scandalous advice column for young debutantes called The Debutante's Revenge. They give advice to young women looking to navigate the marriage mart. However, if their secret is revealed, they will be thrown out of society.

One evening, Lily disguises herself as a boy and delivers the latest column to the newspaper. Because her sister and her new husband are out of town as are her parents, Lily takes the opportunity at freedom and explore parts of London she has seen before. She finds herself in a pub and in the middle of a bar fight.

Lily is rescued by Eric Nash, Duke of Stonebridge, who was also in the pub. Lily has an accident that was partially caused by Nash so he brings her to his home and calls his doctor. When Lily awakens, she has no memory of her past. Nash and his sister Delilah, who is a big fan of the Debutante's Revenge, nurse her back to health. They want to help her recover her memory.

Nash and Delilah have just returned to London from five years at their country home. A tragic accident which cost the life of their father and Nash's twin sister sent them away from all the memories and left Nash guilty and afraid to commit his heart to anyone.

The story has Nash and Lily falling in love while Delilah is also falling in love - with a very unsuitable suitor. I loved the relationship between Nash and Lily as she convinced him that his heart was safe with her.

A very sweet, romantic read. I loved it!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

Lily is putting herself in danger with her escapades and disguises. But she gets the opportunity to meet her one true love and the adventures begin. Great story.

I absolutely loved Nash and Lily's story. When Nash has no idea who Lily really is, he gets to know Caroline. There are so many unknowns for her but the love they find is known and true. It was fun watching them find Lily together.

Enjoyed the book. The story is well written, interesting and entertaining. Lily who has lost her memory and has fallen in love with Nash, the Duke who rescued her, but before anything can come of it she must recall her life. There is drama in the book regarding Nash’s younger sister that adds to the story. As in most romance stories there is a HEA but a lot happens first. I would recommend this book as a great read.

This is the first book I've read by Anna Bennett and I loved it! There was a lot of adventure, great characters, secrets and love. This is the 2nd book in The Debutante Diaries series. I haven't read the first book in the series yet but that didn't detract from this book. I have the first book now and I'm looking forward to reading it and I can't wait to read how some of the other characters find love in the future.

I confess I was granted this ARC some days ago but more pressing reads stolen its place in my reading list.
And worst, I even have the previous book in the series and it was forgotten somewhere on my shelves.
Lily with her sister and friend decided to improve in their own way the life of the ton’s debutantes with their wicked column. I liked her boldness, and strength. She is clever and has a level head.

« She wasn’t about to give up her spot among the potted palms for a man who thought women were mere ornaments. »

Nash is a good man, despite his guilt, he thinks only to protect his remaining sister even if his way to show it is quite over the top. And because of past experience, he has decided, Love is surrendering its sanity.

« In his mind, love always led to pain, devotion to disaster. And he didn’t have room in his heart for those messy, unpredictable emotions. Didn’t have room for her. »

I liked the side characters, I was just a bit upset at Nash’s sister, she knows how wounded he was from their family’s history and she repeats the storyline, it was trivial and hurtful.
The book sucked me in, the main characters were very lovable until at some stage of the story , it felt like something was missing.
I enjoyed reading Lily and Nash’s journey but he didn’t appear to behave like a duke, sure if I count well, he is only 23, but I thought a Duke would have acted more “duke-like”.
Plus their week-trip alone was not right, no inn would have accepted them so easily, did I missed something in the story?
In all, it was a lovely story and Mrs Anna Bennet has joined my list of to-read-authors.
4.5 stars
I was provided an advance copy by Netgalley and St Martin’s Press, but I purchased my own copy and I voluntarily give my true and unbiased opinion.

This delightful and well-crafted romance uses amnesia as the key plot device, and it works. The three central characters are realistically portrayed, and the circumstances that ensure that no one is searching for Lily make sense. The difficulties in the relationship between Nash and Delilah ring true, and even the “reveal” about Lily’s birth is believable. While there may be a loose end or two, and secondary characters are less distinctly drawn, this one is a winner!

ANNA BENNETT BRINGS MORE THAN JUST A TYPICAL ROMANCE WITH HER DEBUTANTE DIARIES #2. Lily Hartley is a young women with many things going for her. She has an amazing family and a talent for writing her Advice Column that are matched with her sister's fantastic art work. But.. her life alters when she sustains a head injury that results in amnesia. She does not even know her name! Mystery is complicated when her rescuer is the Duke of Stonebridge. Sparks ignite between the two but how can they commit to love without knowing if her past could include a beau. This can be read a stand-alone but Bennett's writing and characters are so great that I will be seeking out the first in this series. "A copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." PICK THIS ONE UP FOR MORE TO LIKE THAN JUST THE MAIN COUPLE!

I love Anna Bennett books, while she is still a new author. I really enjoyed this book. The story is about how three friends decided to write The Debutante’s Revenge. Miss Lily Hartley is the mastermind behind the column and Lily delivers her columns disguised as a chimney sweep. Until the Duke of Stonebridge has to rescue her. She hit her head and now does not remember. Eric Nash, who is the Duke of Stonebridge and discovers a beautiful woman hiding in chimney sweep’s clothing and now Nash has to take care of her since she can't remember. I enjoyed the plot it was a new compared to other amnesia storylines. I really love Eric.

Simply stunning. I absolutely loved this book! The title alone made me swoon.

I found so many delightful twists and turns during Lily’s episode of amnesia. The Duke Is But a Dream has mystery, romance, historical fiction, humor, all wrapped up with that wonderful regency grandeur.

Nash, The Duke of Stonebridge’s evolution is charming and believable. Lily (Caroline during her amnesia) is fun and feisty whilst being relatable. The secondary characters added depth and feel to the storytelling. I absolutely loved this read and am eager for more by Anna Bennett.

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

"The Duke Is But a Dream" by Anna Bennett
What fun read this has been. So many adventures in such a short time-frame.. I was so lucky to receive an ARC of this story from the publisher and to have this opportunity to share my honest review with you. Yes, I loved this story. I did skip over some of the more explicit scenes, because that is what I do to increase my enjoyment of a story. This story is a worthy read, in my humble unbiased opinion.. IF, you enjoy Regency Romance stories and one that has a enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages to keep up with what happens next. I do hope you enjoy your time with this cast of characters as much as I did. Happy Reading !!

Lily Hartley is out delivering her latest copy for The Debutante’s Revenge in disguise as a chimney sweep as no one must know who pens these scandalous articles. As her parents and sister are out of town, she feels she can dally and finds herself in a rough tavern. Things get dangerous as she is accosted by some ruffians out to rob the ‘boy’ but is saved by Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge who is also craving some time away from his cares. In the process Lily is injured resulting in amnesia. Nash decides to care for her until the puzzle of her origin is solved. Enjoyable with an intriguing storyline. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Bennett gives her readers a fabulous read with Lily and Nash's story. This was one of the best stories with amnesia and mistaken identity that I have read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I enjoyed this version of the lost memory trope. I find that normally in the romance genre it is the man who looses his memory, placing the woman in a caregiver role.

What an absolute wonderful read.. This was such a heart wrenching love story, without giving away an spoilers, our main lady has some major hurdles to live and feel her way through. But, the one thing she never strays from is her love for him. The dashing grumpy Lord who rescue's her in so many ways.. I really enjoyed the book and I will be looking for ward to the others in this series

I requested this book to read and review The Duke is But a Dream by Anna Bennett. This is the first book I have read by this author. But cant wait to read more of her stories. I loved the time period for this. It's gives you an idea of what women went through. But also shows the reader that women were still trying to empower women in any time period. I love the characters Nash, Caroline/Lilly and Delilah. And there was other but you will have to read this book to find out the rest! This has romance, mystery, history and some self help in it. This book is a great read for any adult reader. Once you get started you won't want to put it down!!

The duke is but a dream is a happily ever after that I really enjoyed. A young woman, Miss Lily is an heiress and part of a column that could ruin not only her reputation but her family too. She’s quite the character and seriously enjoyable. When her adventures lead her to take shelter in a tavern and ends up in a brawl who knew where things would go.

Nash is known for being closed off, rescuing the young lady who blacks out isn’t quite his usual thing but he feels the need to protect her. When she wakes with no memories things get interesting.

This books is filled with stubborn ladies, a tortured duke, and some adventures you won’t believe, but the romance is sweet and makes you sigh wishing for your very own Nash. Liked this one a lot and wanted so much more!

Lily is the younger sister of Fiona, the heroine from book one of the Debutant Diaries. Fiona and her now husband, Gray, fought off a blackmailer with a secret about Lily’s birth mother. Lily has known from a young age she was adopted, but never knew who her real mother is.

In the second installment of this series, we find Lily in a bit of a jam. She is the authoress of the Debutante Diaries in a local newspaper. When she delivers her latest column to the paper disguised as a chimney sweep, she shelters in a rough pub when caught in a storm. After an ale and some Shepard’s Pie, she attempts to leave but gets accosted by some louts.

Enter Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge. He attempts to save the lad, but discovers she’s not a lad at all after she knocks herself out when she smacks her head on a table. No one knows who she is so Nash takes her home. When she awakens, she has no memory of who she is.

I am a sucker for an amnesia story. Every author’s take is different. I love how Bennett deals with things that are familiar to Lily. She gets a tingly feeling in the back of her brain. I would describe it as having a word or phrase on the tip of your tongue that you just can’t get out.

While Lily is living with a dashing duke, she also finds a life-long friend in Nash’s sister, Delilah. While Nash and Lily are slowly exploring intimacy, Lily finds another sister in Delilah. After Nash and Delilah lost Nash’s twin sister and their father five years earlier, Lily is a bright ray of sunshine in their dark live. I love how in helping Lily heal her memory, she also helps to heal a family that has experienced such a devastating loss.

Now that the Hartley sisters have found love, hopefully it is time for their friend, Sophie, to find her happily ever after. I would also love a story for Delilah! She hit some rough bumps in this story and she deserves a handsome rogue of her own.

I received The Duke Is But a Dream for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I absolutely loved this book, I haven't read book 1 in this series but I bet I would enjoy it as much as I did this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. It was well written and the characters were described well.

“The Duke Is but a Dream,” is Anna Bennett’s latest novel and it is filled with a little bit of intrigue, a little bit of humor, and a whole lot of romance. Lily Hartley is the secret author of The Debutantes Revenge, a column in a local paper that gives advice to young women. Lily desperately wants to learn more about the world, but she is kept on a short tether by her loving family, so one night when she goes to drop off her column she decides to take her boy disguise out to a local tavern to see how men interact in a different environment besides ballrooms and dinner tables. Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge, has had a difficult time in life lately due to the death of his father and his beloved twin sister. He not only has had to take on the responsibilities of his title, but he has had to take on the full responsibility of raising his younger sister Delilah. When he needs a break from life he goes to a local tavern to drown his sorrows and encounters a disguised Lily. One thing leads to another and Lily is engaged in altercation and Eric steps into the fray and ends up causing Lily to get hurt, coming to her aid he quickly discovers her secret and takes her home to recover. This is a beautiful story about love and discovery and it is written in a way that engages the reader and transports them back in time. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Duke is But a Dream by Anna Bennett is a delightful historical romance. The lead female character I’d free spirited and rambunctious. She lives within the strictures of the ton...but just barely. The characters are believable. But, the circumstances are a slight stretch. Love all the characters and want to read more about them.

Great read from beginning to end. Lily was a very nice girl with good intentions even as Caroline. Couldn't wait to see how this story played out! Great story!

This book was super fun. Caroline is rebellious and I really liked her. She ends up in a situation that gets out of hand and ends up hitting her head and losing her memory. Nash takes her in, as he accidentally caused her injury. As she heals, they fall in love and it's super sweet. I also loved Nash's sister and the role she plays in the story, though her behavior with the man courting her seems out of character given the rest of the way she acts. I really enjoyed this book and it was fun seeing the main couple fight to be together.

A Duke Is But A Dream by Anna Bennett is a fast-paced, fun historical romance. Ms. Bennett has provided readers with a well-written book loaded with a stellar cast of characters. Lilly writes The Debutante's Revenge column in secret with her sister and their friend. After a bash on the head and a rescue by Nash, Lilly loses her memory. Nash and Lilly's story is packed with drama, humor, action, spice and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Anna Bennett in the future. The Duke Is But a Dream is book 2 of the Debutante Diaries but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

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

Such a sweet sorry between Lily and Nash. I loved the supporting characters too. Delilah was so sweet I hope we’ll have a book for her.

Lily Hartley, her sister Fiona and their best friend Sophie write a column named the 'Debutante's Revenge', favored by young ladies, frowned upon by older family members.
Delivering her column to the paper in disguise, she stops in a disreputable pub on a lark, and ends up losing her memory, when she is injured as collateral damage in a bar fight. Eric Nash, the Duke of Stonebridge, is her rescuer and he feels guilty that she was hurt.
She has no memory of who she is or why she was there. He takes her home and along with his sister, Delilah cares for her until she's better.
Nash has difficulty keeping his lips and hands off her as she tries to recover her memory.
They agree and disagree on many things as they grow closer and closer. She comes to Nash's and Delilah's aid as much as they came to hers.
Her column created a rift between Nash and Delilah, and then bought them back together.
Ms. Bennett's tale is of heartbreak, familial love and true love, and love that conquers all.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc to peruse and loved every word. I recommend to to all lovers of romance.

I zipped through this in no time! it was adorable and delightful! I'm not sure it would appeal to strict Regency fans, as the main characters are a great deal more modern than , but I don't mind, so I absolutely loved it.

This is my first Anna Bennett book...but not my last. Her characters are wonderful. Lily is a modern day young woman, determined to help out the rest of the young debutanets in England by writing a column in the newspaper. The Duke is a sad man, who has lost his father and sister and blames himself. Nash saves Lily one night but doesn't know who she really is... because Lily has amnesia! Their story is filled with smiles, laughter and sadness too. The Duke - Nash - is so troubled by the events of his life that he doesn't think he can love. Lily can't live without his love. Read this adventure!

My favorite book in this genre in a long time! I loved reading about a heroine with complete freedom (and would love to see this trope used more often)! With plenty of well-developed characters and a lot of chemistry between the leads, I was very impressed by Ms. Bennett's writing, and would look forward to more of her writing.

When I started reading this book I thought ho-hum. Was I wrong. The book was pleasantly not what I expected. Fabulous characters and talk about sexy romantic love scenes. Scenes to droll for. And an unexpected story with several twists. Emotions. Your emotions will be all over the board with this book. And it has surprises that you will not guess. Even better she’s developed some other characters and I hope we will shortly see Books involving these characters

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone if you like. What a great read! I couldn't put it down so I read straight through. Wonderful characters, excitement, adventure, love, and heartbreak are just a few elements of the story. It's a must read!

Loved this book!!! Lily is a young debutante that is secretly the author of the titillating newspaper column "The Debutante's Revenge." When she's involved in an incident that causes her to lose her memory, she has no idea who she is. Nash, a duke, takes her into her home to take care of her. As she convalesces, Lily and Nash begin an unusual and improper relationship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and loved the interactions between Lily and Nash. Lily is delightful as she struggles to regain her memories, while somehow still staying true to who she is. Nash is the swoon-worthy duke whose heart is still broken by the loss of his father and twin sister. I was charmed by their tale and found myself turning pages just as quickly as possible.

If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. The author is on my must read authors' list.