ARC Review: West End Earl (Misfits of Mayfair #2) by Bethany Bennett
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Series: Misfits of Mayfair #2
Author: Bethany Bennett
Published June 29th 2021 by Forever
Goodreads Synopsis
While most young ladies attend balls and hunt for husbands, Ophelia Hardwick has spent the last ten years masquerading as a man. As the land steward for the Earl of Carlyle, she’s found safety from the uncle determined to kill her and freedoms a lady could only dream of. Ophelia’s situation would be perfect—if only she wasn’t hopelessly attracted to her employer.
Calvin, Earl of Carlyle, is determined to see his sister married this season. And he’ll do it with the help of his trusted right-hand man. But when he finds out his man is a woman, and that her life is in danger, his priorities change. Their attraction is passionate, all-consuming, and if they aren’t careful, it could turn downright deadly—for both of them.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
During her childhood, Ophelia Hardwick lost her parents, became a ward to an evil uncle, lost her twin brother, Adam, and had to masquerade as said twin in order to save herself. She's been 'Adam' Hardwick for the last 11 years, and only has one more year to get through before she comes into her majority, and can finally claim her rightful inheritance. Luckily, she found herself work as the land steward for Calvin, the Earl of Carlyle, and she's formed a friendship with the Earl, and his friend, Ethan, Lord Amesbury. But, no one knows the truth about her identity, and she needs to keep it that way, lest her uncle get a hold of her. But, when she's attacked, and it seems her uncle is behind it, Cal discovers the truth, and realises that his 'Puppy', the man he relies on to make it through his sister's debut, is a woman, and one who get's his blood pumping, he may have to change his priorities. Will the two be able to be happy, or will their differing positions in society, and the ever present threat hanging over them be too much to overcome?
This book just blew me away. After reading Any Rogue Will Do, I fell in love with Bethany's writing and her characters, and couldn't wait to get my hands on Cal's book. So, when I was sent the NetGalley widget for West End Earl I couldn't wait to start it, and devoured it all within hours. All I knew going it - I didn't read the synopsis - was that this would be Cal's story, and I was overjoyed to realise that the Puppy who we all came to know and love in book 1, was in fact a woman in disguise, and to see Cal and Ophelia (as we now know her as) fall for each other.
Obviously, it wasn't without it's issues. First of all, there's the whole fact that for the start of the book, Cal and others didn't know Ophelia was a woman, and even when Cal realised it, and they started their relationship, many people still thought of her as Adam. I loved seeing the valet, Kingston, not be phased by it all, and adapt his work around it all - and even keeping the real secret once he knew it. Then there's the fact that Phee is hiding for an important reason, and she needs to make it to 25, or marry, before she can claim her inheritance, and it seems her wicked uncle has put an insurance plan on her - as Adam - and hired thugs to kill her in order to retain all the money. And, finally, Calvin's own father is a bit of a scapegrace, though a Marquess, and has decided to bet his son off to the highest bidder, to marry a friend's daughter, in order to pay off all his debts. Cal really doesn't want to marry anyone other than Phee - though he hasn't told her that yet - and decides to host a house party with the hope of finding a groom for his younger sister, Emma, and his 'fiancee', all the while being able to have a normal relationship with Phee in the process. I loved the house party part of the book, and seeing how Phee and Cal went from friends, to lovers, and being so intimate with each other, and revealing they hopes and wishes.
Like with most romances, there's the inevitable section where our heroes are separated, and I felt like the way it was done in this book was absolutely perfect, and helped everyone who needed it. Emma and Phee's budding friendship was a joy to see, and I seriously hope there's more of that in book 3, All Rogues Lead to London, when Emma finally gets her happy ending. West End Earl was a fantastic book, and I'm so pleased I had the chance to read it!
Dates Read:
April 14, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
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