“Something special.” – New York Times Book ReviewA New York Times Book Review Summer Read Pick!Once upon a time in Anna Bennett’s When You Wish Upon a Rogue, three young ladies vowed to record their first London seasons and to fill in the gaps of their educations.She knows what she wants.Miss Sophie Kendall is happiest arranging the secret meetings of the Debutante Underground, a group of women … arranging the secret meetings of the Debutante Underground, a group of women who come together to discuss the weekly advice column The Debutante’s Revenge. What makes Sophie most unhappy is her impending march down the aisle to a man she does not love. But her family’s finances are in increasingly dire straits.
He makes an offer she can’t refuse.
Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, hasn’t slept in weeks. Desperate to escape his manor house and its haunting memories, he heads for one of his abandoned London properties. There he meets a beautiful, intriguing woman—trespassing. Reese is far less interested in Sophie’s search for a secret meeting spot than he is in her surprising ability to soothe his demons. So he strikes a bargain with her: his shop in exchange for spending one night a week with him.
Is this love for real—or just a dream?
Sophie never expected this to happen. But she cannot deny the fire Reese sparks in her—and soon their shared desire burns bright. Sophie is irrevocably promised to another. But maybe these two ill-fated lovers can find a way to risk it all—all the way to happily ever after…
“Sparkling.” – Publishers Weekly on When You Wish Upon a Rogue
“Fans of…Eloisa James, Tessa Dare, and Mary Jo Putney will go wild.”—Booklist
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I have to admit I was a little bit wary when I started this book, because one trope I really dislike in novels of any era is one of the protagonists getting ‘magically cured’ of some physical or mental illness literally just by the presence of their love interest, and I had my suspicions that might be what happens here. I was very happy to be proved wrong.
Reese, Earl of Warshire, is lately returned from the Peninsula Wars and suffering from both survivor’s guilt and PTSD, both of which have combined to give him an insomnia which is absolutely destroying him mentally. But here’s the thing; although HE thinks it’s just Sophie’s presence which is helping, it’s obvious to the reader that Sophie is, all unknowing, actually conducting psychological therapy sessions with Reese which are helping him to deal with and move past his trauma. Combined with some herbal remedies (and yes, valerian really is a good natural remedy for insomnia) she does cure him, but there’s nothing magical about it at all. Even though he thinks there is.
Sophie’s got her own problems, with a family sliding rapidly into debt and the weight of rescuing them on her shoulders. Betrothed to a man she has no interest in whatsoever, she doesn’t want to fall for Reese, but as she gets to know him, it’s pretty much inevitable. He’s also the first man who’s really taken the time to get to know her, and she finds she likes the person she’s allowed to be with him, rather than the stifled version she’d have to be as the wife of her destined husband.
This is the third in a series about three young women who write a revolutionary feminist gossip column, but you absolutely don’t have to have read the others to thoroughly enjoy this. Sophie is a delight and Reese a good man struggling under an intolerable burden, and there’s a lovely cast of well-realised supporting characters who all have their part to play. Five stars for an excellent read.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
When You Wish Upon a Rogue is the third book in the Debutante Diaries. The series is based on three ladies who wanted to capture their experiences of their Season by keeping journals and eventually they start The Debutante’s Revenge, an anonymous column in a London newspaper.
Sophie Kendal dreamed of finding a husband who loved her but to save her family from destitution, she is being pressured to marry Lord Singleton. She organized The Debutante Underground meetings and since they were growing, she needed to find a larger meeting place. Sophie goes into a vacant tailor’s shop to look around where she encounters Reese.
Henry Reese “Reese”, Earl of Warshire, was a grouchy man with extreme insomnia. He had idolized his older brother and when he died Reese had to return to England. He was consumed with memories of the war and guilt from leaving his fellow soldiers behind and finds peace at one his empty buildings. Sophie was able to get him to relax and sleep with some herbal tea and her presence. He convinces her to come and help him to sleep and in return allows her to use the tailor’s shop for her meetings. As they continue meeting their feelings grow for each other, but Sophie’s family situation has become dire. Can they find a solution so they can be together?
This was such an attention-grabbing book that I just couldn’t put down. The characters were so charming, and the ending was certainly a surprise. The series was great fun and I am sad to see the end of it.
When You Wish Upon a Rogue, the third title in the Debutante Diaries series will steal your heart away with a fairy-tale feeling and two people who shouldn’t, couldn’t fall in love – but certainly, most completely did – and they got their happily ever after as well.
Sophie is faced with what many women of her era faced, a loveless marriage arranged for the financial good of others not themselves. Her family is destitute, rather nasty, and has arranged for a marriage that would save them and sacrifice Sophie. Her future holds no hope of the happiness her two friends found recently. She has a few weeks yet, and within that time she must find a new secret meeting place for the gathering of friends to write their column. And she’s found the perfect place, unfortunately, that perfectly abandoned building is owned by a man who carries his own demons.
Henry never expected to end up with the title, he’d gone into the military and was, to this day, suffering from survivor’s guilt, the sights he’d seen in battle and with what today would have been diagnosed as PTSD. He cannot sleep. At all. To the point where his insomnia is threatening his health. As he discovers Sophie at one of his properties, Henry makes the surprising discovery that this young woman soothes him, allows him to relax enough to feel as though he could finally rest, sleep a full night. He strikes a bargain, one night a week, innocently, in exchange for the use of his building. What began as a bargain turns into love as this couple will get to know each other deeply, share secrets, a rundown garden that is coming to life again, and falling in love – even though that seems dooms since Sophie is betrothed to another.
When You Wish Upon a Rogue was everything I wanted to close out this trilogy (although I often hold out hope for just one more story). Sophie and Reese have a love story with a whimsical, fairytale feel that reminds me of Beauty and the Beast, right down to the garden, and that rose. Their story was a joy to read and become part of their world for a bit. As always with this author the story flows smoothly, while perhaps not totally accurate historically (I rarely find that any Historical Romance truly is) that didn’t draw away from a lovely romance that held my attention and had me wishing for more. You “could” read this on its own, but the complete series is such fun and gives a much broader story to enjoy – that choice is yours.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the St. Martin’s Press 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.*
When You Wish Upon a Rogue is the third book in the Debutante Diaries series. Sophie is looking for a new place for the Debutante Underground meetings when she is surprised by Henry. She is in his building. Henry carries so much grief and guilt about his brother’s death and the men he left on the battle field that he suffers from nightmares and often cannot sleep. Sophie’s mother suffers insomnia often. She gives Henry the herbal concoction that helps her mother. Henry is shocked that it works. They soon come to an agreement that he will let her use the building if she stays with him once a week and helps him sleep (risky, to say the least). Because of her betrothal (she doesn’t want to marry him, but family problems seem to make it necessary), they do not touch, become wonderful friends, develop a strong attraction, and soon fall in love (and there is touching). Is there any way to stop the betrothal and help Sophie’s family so that these two can be together?
I love Henry and Sophie. They are both smart and caring people. The other characters are wonderful. Fiona, Lily, and the ladies of the Debutante Underground are sweet and fierce. This is a charming story. There is a bit of angst, some drama, a good dose of humor, healing, and, of course, romance. There are a few surprises, happy and sad. One of the biggest is what happens in the library at the engagement ball. I like this series. I enjoyed and recommend When You Wish Upon a Rogue.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My Review is voluntary.
If you’re looking for realism, regency romance probably isn’t the place to go, but if you’ve read any, you already know that. So, it’s safe to say that I wasn’t looking for that when I read this one. Plus I have some experience with this series, so I kind of knew what I was going to find. I also expected things to be a bit over the top, and I got that too. Nevertheless, the story is a fun bit of escapism to while away a few hours. The characters are interesting, not exactly appropriate to the time period, but interesting, the story has a good pace, and the romance is adorable. I liked the premise and the fairy tale feel of the story, which goes a long way toward making that suspension of disbelief easier to swallow. All in all, When You Wish Upon a Rogue is a charming regency romance and a good addition to the series.
This author saved the best of the trilogy for last. The first 2 books were very good, but this one was hard to put down.
Miss Sophie Kendall monitors the meetings of a secret society of ladies who faithfully read The Debutante’s Revenge column in the paper. They call themselves The Debutante Underground and only discuss things in their group. Her best friends, Fiona and Lily, are behind the Debutante’s Revenge column and happily married to wonderful men. Sophie’s parents are insistent that she marry a man she doesn’t like because they need money. Her older sister, Mary, is not as outgoing and expects she’ll never marry.
After the Debutante Underground meeting, she goes to explore an old tailor’s shop as the DU need more space for their meetings. As she entered the back of the building, she thought it would be a great place but will see more in the daytime. As she starts to leave, she encounters, Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire who owns the building. He has demons from the war that he cannot shake and rarely sleeps well. She makes him tea with Valerian root to help him sleep, which he did to his surprise.
Henry has decided to peek into a ball looking for Sophie as he wants her recipe to help him sleep. She agrees to help him and plans to go to his home. Her friends will cover for her if her parents wonder where she is. The rest you should read as I truly enjoyed it.
When You Wish Upon a Rogue by Anna Bennett is book Three in the Debutante Diaries Series. This is the story of Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire and Sophie Kendall. I have read the other books and loved them so that added to my enjoyment of this one. But, I did feel this can be a standalone book. Reese can never rest because of guilt, what ifs and memories. So when he happens upon Sophie she brings calmness to him and he feels somewhat a peace enough to sleep. Sofia who secretly scouting out a place to continue the Debutante Underground Society finds herself meeting Reese. Sofia tries to help him with some of her tea but he is firm that it is her that is helping him. So they come to an agreement where she helps him once a week and he helps her. Sofia and her group go over the advice column called ‘The Debutante’s Revenge’. But all that will becoming to a end soon along with her dreams of marrying for love like her friends. Sophie finds that her parents are in need of money and she is the key to getting it by having her marry Charles a wealthy Marquess. The meetings with Reese are center on helping him and nothing else it doesn’t take to long before their feelings start to intertwine. But there can be no happy ending for them…or does love prevail. Enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading more from this author.
Sophie and Henry’s story captured my attention from the start, was entertaining, well-written, and heart-warming. Sophie Kendall enjoys running the Debutante Underground meetings but needs to find a new place to hold the meetings. While sneaking about an apparently abandoned tailor shop, she comes across Henry Reese, the Earl of Warshire, who happens to be the owner. Henry appears quite troubled and admits to Sophie he has difficulties sleeping. She concocts a tea for him that helps tremendously, even though teas and brews were not effective for Henry in the past. He is willing to provide her weekly use of the tailor shop in exchange for her spending one week of nights with him, so he can sleep well.
Sophie is nearly betrothed to Lord Singleton (not that she wants to be) so she sets ground rules: no touching, no questions asked about the use of the shop, and no one must know! As Sophie and Henry’s friendship develops, she finds out Henry’s nightmares stem from his wartime battles and his guilt over surviving the war. Also, as their friendship develops, and the week progresses, the rule regarding ‘no touching’ becomes harder to follow. And Sophie is torn between her growing love for Henry and her duty to her family.
Henry is a wonderful, swoon-worthy, brooding, grouchy hero. Sophie is a strong woman stuck between following her heart and doing what is expected to save her family from her father’s gambling debts. Together, they battle Henry’s demons and find the way around Sophie’s unwanted betrothal.
Although When You Wish Upon A Rogue is the third book in Anna Bennett’s Debutante Diaries series, each book can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the continued friendship seen between Sophie, Fiona, and Lily (from the previous books in the series), the well-rounded characters, and the witty banter between Sophie and Henry. Thank you to the author and St. Martin’s Press for sending me the ARC through NetGalley. My honest review is happily provided.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When You Wish Upon A Rogue, by Anna Bennett, is available at booksellers on 5-26-20. Wish is book 3 in Ms Bennett’s Debutante Diaries series. I’ve given this story a rare, for me, five stars. I actually cried. Darn Ms Bennett, she made me cry. I liked the characters and became involved in their journey and HEA. More than that though, I loved the story line. Love, loss, heartbreak, sorrow, depression, PTSD. So many emotions beyond the usual romance fare. While the heroine, Sophie, is lovely, brave and loves her family & friends, she’s not the main character. Reese, our hero, is the one who will truly break your heart. I rooted for him and was pleased when he finally came through. An imperfect hero, how perfect.
#AnnaBennett #Netgalley #DebutanteDiaries #StMartin’sPaperbacks #historicalromance #romance
Sophie is the last of the three to find her one true love. She has lived her life in the shadows. Always doing what was expected of her. Never daring enough to be bold. Reese is in a dark place. Death of his brother and several of his men from the military, have left him despondent. He barely eats or sleeps. By chance they meet at an old property that Reese owns. It is the start of a beautiful friendship. They bring truth the equation, which is sorely lacking in that time period. Love doesn’t come when expected but it does anyway. Reese only has feelings for Sophie but Sophie is promised to another. In the end, secrecy is what brought them together and it will be what makes their being together possible. Loved this book!
When You Wish Upon a Rogue features an unconventional heroine and a broken hero in a sensual and sweet tale of love. Miss Sophie Kendall leads the scandalous group of women called the Debutante Underground but spends her days preparing to make sacrifices for her family. Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire is a broken man, buried in his grief. Sophie needs a new venue for meetings and Reese’s empty store front hits the spot. Reese finds glorious peace in Sophie’s presence and cuts Sophie a deal. A little sleep for a secret meeting place, what could ever go wrong? The more time they spend together the harder it is to separate as true love battles family loyalty for a sweet, satisfying HEA that will leave you wanting more. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
I had such high hopes for this book mainly because of the unusual setting mentioned in the book information. However, for me it just didn’t pull me in as much as I had hoped it would.
On the plus side -both of the main characters had depth and there were good descriptions of their surroundings. The gardens and property at Reese’s home being one of them. There are also some tender moments between Reese and Sophie as well. Sophie is a rule maker but not much of a rule breaker. She’s never really felt the need until she met Reese. She not only has a couple of rules for the secret society that she helped formed but also sets them up for her meetings with Reese.
The risks they took with Sophie’s reputation though after awhile was kind of hard to believe and often yanked me out of the story.
Reese is an honorable man but he doesn’t think that he desires anything good because of all of the things that haunt him. So there is plenty of angst and emotions in that area. There is also the emotion of friendship that builds between the main characters, although Reese fights against it.
Sophie does have some good lady friends who would gladly help her if she would let them. Two of them who were also co-founders of the Debutante Underground have found love and want the same for Sophie.
One thing that I noticed was that Sophie’s soon-to-be fiance didn’t spend very much time with her. But there was also the fact that she was ducking him as much as she could too.
There wasn’t all that many surprises in the story except maybe who the father was of Violet’s baby. There is one twist towards the end of the story that I kind of suspected. Although I didn’t really feel like the author left all that many breadcrumbs to point to another woman being involved in a “romance”. It didn’t feel all that deep when it was exposed. But I got the feeling that both of the two people exposed were kind of shallow people to begin with. But at least there is a H.E.A for more than one couple, quickly pulling all the loose ends together.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved Reese, the soldier who feels guilty he survived the war, and Sophie the kind spinster who always thinks of others first. The part with Mary and Charles was weird. I don’t think anyone would agree with that! Overall, I enjoyed this series very much. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I just adore this series. This book is Miss Sophie Kendall’s story.
Sophie loves presiding over the secret meetings of the Debutante Underground to discuss the local weekly advice column The Debutante’s Revenge, along with her best friends Lily, who writes the column and Fiona who draws the pictures. Sophie knows that once she is married to Lord Singleton she will need to give it up. It also doesn’t help that she really doesn’t want to marry Lord Singleton but because of her father’s gambling debt she has no choice.
One night after her meeting, Sophie scopes out other nearby bigger locations for her meetings. While in an abandoned warehouse, she comes upon Henry Reese, the Earl of Warshire. Sophie doesn’t realize who Reese is but quickly he is taken by her. Sophie brings a calm to Reese’s mind and soon he falls asleep…something that he rarely ever does. After waking, Reese realizes that he wants to make Sophie a deal….she can use his warehouse in exchange for spending one night a week with him so he can get some sleep. Sophie is reluctant at first but then agrees.
As Reese and Sophie spend more time together, certain feelings start to emerge. Sophie decides to throw caution to the wind and experience a little of life before she has to marry Lord Singleton. By the time she has to announce her betrothal she has fallen in love with Reese. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, the perfect answer falls into their lap and Reese and Sophie can finally get their happy ending.
I just adore Sophie! She is such a fun, sassy heroine. I love how she takes control of her life. I really enjoyed Reese too. He had such horrible skeletons in his closet but with Sophie’s help he was able to overcome them. This was a fun, enjoyable love story that had great banter. I’m sad to see this series end.
I received this book as an ARC thanks to Netgalley & the publisher. The review is my own.
I really like this series! I strongly recommend you read the first two in Anna Bennett because the world builds, but this is a great final addition! Sophie & Reese have a delightful chemistry and this is just a fun, quick read! 4.5 stars!
I was so completely enchanted by this delicious story that I read it in one sitting! Sophie and Reese are incredibly endearing and charming, and they epitomize the idea of romance, devotion, and love.
Miss Sophie Kendall is part of the secret society called the Debutante Underground as written in the newspaper column entitled The Debutante’s Revenge. The society was founded by Sophie and her friends, Lily and Fiona. Every Friday evening, Sophie secretly speaks to a group of women mostly about taboo subjects within their marriages.
Sophie’s father drinks to excess and has lost his fortune. Now, she and her older sister, Mary, need to find a wealthy husband. But Mary’s childhood bout with scarlet fever has left her weak and frail. Thus, it’s now Sophie who must marry a wealthy man. Her parents want her to marry Lord Singleton, a marquess. A slick fellow, he has paid off many of her father’s debts and is using this as a lever to force Sophie to marry him. However, she knows she could never love him.
One Friday night after her weekly meeting, Sophie goes to search out another meeting place that she hears is empty. Slipping inside the dark place, she is shocked to be confronted by a man who introduces himself as Henry Reese, the Earl of Warshire. As they discuss her using the place once a week, she realizes that he is anxious and looks exhausted. He admits that he does not sleep well and she gives him some Valerian root that she grows. It is supposed to help induce sleep. Sophie is an avid gardener and is quite knowledgeable about plants. She makes him a cup of tea and as they chat more, he falls asleep and she heads home. Reese had been fighting in the war for years and has had to leave his men behind to take over being the Earl after the recent death of his beloved brother.
Reese is smitten with Sophie and she agrees to meet with him once a week just to talk. They soon become good friends and can’t help but become attracted to one another. However, Sophie is bound to marry the marquess as she cannot let her family suffer. Does she follow her heart or bind herself to a man she could never love?
Oh, I really loved this book and gobbled it up in one sitting. Reese and Sophie are so perfect for one another. The author has written their attraction, happiness, and growing love just perfectly. There is a twist at the end, but it’s not for me to tell. I’ve said enough expect to add that you must read this book. It’s pure romance at its best.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I love the concept of a rogue group of women meeting to discuss “taboo” and salacious topics. Sophie’s role as organizer and hostess truly is surprising when compared with her life at home essentially being a sacrifice to a peer because of her father’s drunken debts. She is a complex character with hidden gumption and a gentle, kind, practical disposition that made her story a joy to read. Paired with the grumpy mess that is Reese, the two really blossomed into a couple that readers love to root for.
Watching Sophie’s character arc was incredibly satisfying, though I admit to wondering why she had to be the one to marry for the family. While it was explained away, I still don’t buy it. I was also on the fence regarding the terrors that Reese suffered from and whether it was enough to cause that much torment, but after thinking on it… It’s clear that he is deeply romantic and hangs a lot of his self-worth on his ability to provide and be present for others. The perceived failures in his past would be devastating.
Overall, this was an incredibly sweet romance with just a bit of self-discovery on both sides of the romance. Be prepared for incredibly romantic garden scenes, some steamy no-touch moments, and to sigh happily upon finishing the last page. You can certainly read it as a standalone, though I’m sure you would get more pleasure from starting with book one.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Sensual & Charming. WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE will give you the build up you desire, the adventure you didn’t know you craved and the happy ending to end all happy endings. This story had so many facets to it that I couldn’t put it down.
When Sophie Kendall starts looking for another place for her secret meetings for the Debutante Underground, she meets a grumpy, tired looking man, who she offers some tea and conversation to help him sleep. Henry Reese the Earl of Warshire hadn’t slept for weeks. Tormented constantly by the memories of war, by the lose of his brother Edmund, and leaving his brothers in the trenches behind, and returning home. When he wakes up after a good night of sleep he knows that he needs Miss Sophie Kendall and makes a deal with her. She can have the tailor shop every Friday evening for her meetings if she spends an evening a week with him. Scandalous for these times!
But Sophie is to be engaged, since her family is dire straits. Sophie must not be seen with him or her reputation would be destroyed. So she sets up some rules to keep herself and Reese from crossing the line. No Touching! No one must know. And she got the tailor shop for free. And no inquiries about what her use of the shop. But Sophie has always harbored romantic notions of falling in love before becoming engaged. Unfortunately marrying for love was a luxury that she and her family could not afford. But with the heat that simmers between them and every night they spend together is better than the last, will these two find love before she becomes engaged? You need to read this exquisite story.
If you are looking for a book that will give you all the feels, some adventures and makes you want to break out a fan then dive into WHEN YOU WISH UPON A ROGUE.
Gifted an early copy in exchange for an honest review
A delightful story that showcases female power. Sophie is the last of the trio who started the Debutante’s Revenge to remain unmarried. Things are not going as she would have liked. She is a caring person. She is very intuitive about people and uses that knowledge to help others. Reese has demons that are keeping him awake. Meeting Sophie becomes one of the best things to ever happen to him. The author writes a spectacular story to shows these two falling in love as they discover all the ways they connect and help each other. It is a beautiful love story with really great characters.