“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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This was such a pleasant surprise! I’ve never read this author but am so happy to have discovered her.
Sophie is the moderator for the Debutante Underground, a secret society of women from all walks of life who meet to discuss things society deems inappropriate. She is also having to agree to marry a man she doesn’t love to save her family financially. Reese is a war veteran with demons to fight who was thrust into a title at the unexpected death of his beloved brother.
Both characters are almost innocently sweet, and the story is both beautiful and heartwarming as they give each other strength and confidence to overcome their trials. It reminded me a bit of Beauty and the Beast, as Reese is a bit gruff and rough around the edges and Sophie is full of light and life.
While I did have to suspend my disbelief in some parts, it absolutely charmed me, and as it’s the third of a trilogy, I definitely intend to go back to read the previous two.
Thank you to both #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
This is the third book in the series about three friends (two are sisters) who went to school together, made vows about their future and created The Debutante’s Revenge column for women in the London Hearsay and a secret society called the Debutante Underground. The two sisters, Fiona and Lily, each found a love match and are now happily married, but Sophie is being sold to Lord Singleton, to cover the debts of her father, an alcoholic. While Lord Singleton is handsome and well off, she doesn’t love him, but feels trapped by her families precarious position. But while looking for a larger place for the Debutante Underground to meet, she meets Henry Reese, newly Earl of Warshire. He is suffering from PTSD and has insomnia. He finds that Sophie is the cure, but can he keep her?
The author weaves a charming tale with lush descriptions of the surroundings and rich character developments, so that the reader can not only picture what each person looks like, but what they are made of. The descriptions of the garden at Warshire Manor is breathtaking.
This would be a 5 star but I took half a star for predictability. Sophie and Henry were fantastic characters. Henry’s PTSD was realistic. Story was steady paced. Had great romantic and deep feeling scenes. Really enjoyed the descriptions of the garden. Overall a fantastic read.
Enjoyed it
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Debutante Diaries
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
First off, suspend belief a young debutante would repeatedly meet a gentleman and travel to his estate where her soothing presence helps him find sleep. Or having secret weekly meetings in the evening with a group of women of all classes. Put that aside and you may enjoy reading how the h and H become better acquainted.
I really like Reese. Aside from his unrealistic demands on her time he was a sort of tragic-romantic figure. Sophie – she’s ok. I’ve no strong feelings about her.
There are numerous HR stories wherein the h must make a dreaded match to save her family financially. Thankfully we see little of Sophie’s ungrateful family.
I’ll rate this an OK; not re-read worthy.
I received a free advance copy from netgalley and voluntarily post this review.
When You Wish Upon A Rouge by Anna Bennett, started a little on the slow side for me. However, a couple of chapters in, I was totally spellbound by the romantic honesty of this story. This was my first read by the author and definitely will NOT be my last!
Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire struggles both mentally and physically due to abrupt changes in his life. Brought on by the death of his brother, his life as the second son has been irrevocably changed.
Sophie Kendall expected to marry a man she does not love in order to save her family from financial ruin. Her dreams of finding that one special person to connect with and love are apparently not in her future.
Upon meeting, they realize they could be of help to one another and form a partnership of sorts. Henry loans Sophie the use of his building for her meetings and she in turn helps him heal his broken spirit. My heart was literally in my throat reading how they were fighting their growing feelings and admiration for one another. The absolute sweet honesty of their relationship brought me to tears on more than one occasion.
When Henry says “No matter who you marry or where you go, you’ll remember this night. And you’ll know I loved you enough for a lifetime”. Please pass the tissues. This is definitely one of the most beautiful sentiments that I have ever read.
I found this to be a breathtakingly beautiful story. Complete with intrigue, secret meetings, beautiful romance, passion and a surprise twist at the end. This one has it all and should not be missed.
Those who love stories about that unexplainable “thing” that connects two people need to add this one to their must read list.
I very rarely give books 5 stars when I’m giving a review for a book, but man… people I’m shaking my head. This book was DAMN GOOD!! Sorry for the explicit language. This book blew me away. It had passion.
It had romance. It had steamy hot characters coming together anywhere they felt like. And a surprisingly twist that I certainly did not see coming in the end. Reese the lead character, he could carry me away anywhere. Gosh, that man with his words and how the writer brought all his male masculines forward- be still my beating heart.
I would fall right there in front of him and say take me right here. I don’t care about proprietary because it’s about to get raunchy and hot in here! Anna Bennett has proved to all readers that she is a great writer. The way the story flowed effortlessly from beginning to end was astounding. The characters intermingled flawlessly.
It was as if I was watching a movie that I so did not to end. My fellow readers hear me! I recommend this book with two snappy, two twist, and double thumbs up. I’m definitely reading more from this writer.
I won this book through a Goodreads contest and in return I promised an honest review. This is the 3rd novel in the Debutante Diaries series. Each book is a stand alone and doesn’t have to be read in any particular order.
Miss Sophie Kendall is chair person of a group of women who secretly meet each Friday called the Debutante Underground. These women get together to discuss the advice column The Debutante’s Revenge. Sophie is unhappy about her upcoming engagement to a man she does not love and is only marrying to keep her father out of debtors prison. She knows she must give up her position as chair with her betrothal. Sophie is looking for a bigger building to use for her meetings when she meets Reese and is automatically drawn to him.
Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, cannot sleep, hasn’t slept for weeks, he has nightmares that torment him. Desperate to escape his manor home and all it’s memories, Reese heads for his abandoned London property. He meets Sophie and it’s obvious that she is hiding something. But Reese isn’t interested in her search until she calms his demons and soothes him to sleep. So he comes up with a plan, the use of his shop for free in exchange that she spend one night a week with him.
Sophie cannot turn the offer down. And she cannot deny the spark of desire that Reese brings forth. Sophie is truthful and lets him know that their time is limited, that she promised to help her family. But maybe they can find a path to happily ever after in spite of the risks.
We have the last book in the Debutante Diaries or as they call themselves in the book The Debutante Revenge, So we met Sophie before but it is finally her time to find love. Unfortunately for her, her family is broke and she is the sacrificial lamb that has to marry so that her family can have money. She meet Reese a recent earl who is grieving and going thru PTSD. As she spends time with him they fall in love, but she has to marry to help her family, but her sister the one that was oh so sick, will shock her. Glad to read of the past couples..Fiona and Grey still my favorite
Friday night meetings of The Debutantes Revenge brings together ladies from different levels of society. Discussing their observations, dreams and tribulations gives them an outlet, especially when they have them printed in the paper with cartoons. Looking for a new meeting location for their expanding group, Sophie investigates an empty tailor shop. An encounter with the owner of the shop is Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire. A troubled man, he suffers from nightmares from his time in the war. With Sophie’s kind heart, she soothes him to sleep. Soon they form an unbreakable bond, but Sophie is committed to marrying another. Highly emotional for a couple meant to be together, including some pretty hot sex. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Reese is the type of hero that you just want to hold tight in your arms and never let go. Wow, what a story this was, my emotions got so involved and I’m not ashamed to admit I broke down crying a few times!
Sophie agrees to help Reese overcome his insomnia in exchange for the use of the abandoned shop he owns for her secret meetings with the Debutante Underground group. Her kindness, compassion and innocence are a soothing balm to Reese’s tortured soul. They meet once a week to spend the night together and even with the rule of “no touching”, they form a bond and a love that surpasses all others. Unfortunately, Sophie is soon to be betrothed to a man she doesn’t love, to protect her family from destitution. If only she could marry Reese but he doesn’t have the funds to help her out. Heartbreak….heartache…..hopelessness…magical time spent together….heated passions….facing your demons…..forgiving yourself…..yes, it’s all in this story.
This is so well written, it pulls at your emotions and you just don’t want to put the book down, that’s how good it is. I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
“Follow your dreams. And never, ever apologize for who you are.”
Sophie Kendell is kind hearted to a fault. Always willing to help and putting family first, she has agreed to a loveless marriage to keep her family’s finances solvent. But their destitute state isn’t the only secret Sophie is hiding. Sophie is the founding member of the Debutante Underground, a secret group of women that meet weekly to discuss freely without worry of station status the advice column, The Debutante’s Revenge. As word of the group spreads, Sophie finds herself seeking out a larger meeting space, and when she investigates an abandoned shop that will suit her needs, she stumbles upon a man desperately in need of her compassion.
Henry Reese, Earl of Warshire, believes he is looking into the eyes of an angel. Haunted by the ghosts of his past, Reese has not been able to sleep for days on end. So, when his beautiful mirage soothes him with her voice and a cup of tea, Reese drifts off and is finally able to find some peace. Desperate to once again find slumber, Reese offers the use of his building in exchange for Sophie to spend one night a week with him…but will one night be enough for either of them…
Never have two souls needed each other more than Sophie and Reese…but will love be enough to keep them together, or will Reese’s past and Sophie’s obligation to family keep true love from conquering all…
Dear Reader, I absolutely LOVED this book! For me, it was the perfect romantic read…the drama is minimal, the hero broken yet able to reach out for help, and the heroine strong and compassionate. The heat level is just enough to get your heart racing, and the love between them is swoon worthy. Anna Bennett’s When You Wish Upon a Rogue was impossible to put down, and honestly wish I could give it more than 5 Stars!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **