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sarah_moynihan's review
3.0
‘After a debut season plagued by scandal, Lady Emma Hardwick is ready to return to London, now with her young son in tow, and make a match. She's looking for someone respectable. Someone wholly unlike Malachi Harlow, the new Duke of Trenton and former ship captain, whose long hair and tattoos make him decidedly dangerous to her peace of mind.
Malachi would rather be at sea than in a London ballroom. But until he can sort out why the admiralty brought him home, he has to stay landbound. That becomes less of a hardship when he meets the beguiling Lady Emma, whose dimples and easy laughter capture his imagination. When they start receiving threatening notes, they realize that there's more to their connection than chemistry, and they'll have to work together to figure out why someone wants to ruin their lives.’
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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Dukes Do It Better is the third book in Bethany Bennett’s Misfits of Mayfair series and is a historical romance with a bit of mystery.
From reading the previous book in the series, I really did not care for Emma so I was worried going into this book. Emma was so immature and selfish, I thought she was a real piece of work and I was disgusted by her manipulation and thoughtlessness. I think that had I read this book closer to finishing the previous book, when that dislike was so fresh, it would have greatly impacted how open-minded I felt toward her growth and redemption as a character. But she has grown a lot since the previous book. Some of that is due to her self-imposed (near) exile from the society from which she fled, but also from learning to care for the little boy that depends on her. She’s also aware of what an entitled brat she was before and reflects on her prior behavior on a few occasions in the book. Due to her growth and self-awareness, I wound up liking her as the book progressed.
I enjoyed the book. But I will say that this book is a bit busy, there are multiple plotlines running simultaneously. Between the romance(plus side romance), blackmail, biological father, navy commission, family secrets, mystery, ect. it felt like a lot at times. But Bennett wove them together nicely so that it wasn’t overwhelming and none were dropped or rushed.
The adorable goats were my favorite characters from this book, they were the comedic s
I would recommend reading these books as a series, not stand-alones, as the couples from the previous two couples feature quite often and plot points from those books are referenced frequently.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for sharing an eARC of Dukes Do It Better with me. This is my honest review.
Malachi would rather be at sea than in a London ballroom. But until he can sort out why the admiralty brought him home, he has to stay landbound. That becomes less of a hardship when he meets the beguiling Lady Emma, whose dimples and easy laughter capture his imagination. When they start receiving threatening notes, they realize that there's more to their connection than chemistry, and they'll have to work together to figure out why someone wants to ruin their lives.’
______________________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Dukes Do It Better is the third book in Bethany Bennett’s Misfits of Mayfair series and is a historical romance with a bit of mystery.
From reading the previous book in the series, I really did not care for Emma so I was worried going into this book. Emma was so immature and selfish, I thought she was a real piece of work and I was disgusted by her manipulation and thoughtlessness. I think that had I read this book closer to finishing the previous book, when that dislike was so fresh, it would have greatly impacted how open-minded I felt toward her growth and redemption as a character. But she has grown a lot since the previous book. Some of that is due to her self-imposed (near) exile from the society from which she fled, but also from learning to care for the little boy that depends on her. She’s also aware of what an entitled brat she was before and reflects on her prior behavior on a few occasions in the book. Due to her growth and self-awareness, I wound up liking her as the book progressed.
I enjoyed the book. But I will say that this book is a bit busy, there are multiple plotlines running simultaneously. Between the romance(plus side romance), blackmail, biological father, navy commission, family secrets, mystery, ect. it felt like a lot at times. But Bennett wove them together nicely so that it wasn’t overwhelming and none were dropped or rushed.
The adorable goats were my favorite characters from this book, they were the comedic s
I would recommend reading these books as a series, not stand-alones, as the couples from the previous two couples feature quite often and plot points from those books are referenced frequently.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing) for sharing an eARC of Dukes Do It Better with me. This is my honest review.
andrea_author's review
5.0
Emma's young son is the center of her life. But as a widow, she yearns for companionship. The kind she shared with Captain Malachi Harlow. They only spent one night together, but she can' forget him.
Visiting London, she meets up with him again—only now, he's inherited a dukedom. He wants to return to sea, but the admiralty isn't budging. His mother wants him to give up his position and focus on his ducal responsibilities—and apparently, she's willing to use blackmail to make that happen.
Emma and Mal resume their affair, but secrets from the past threaten their future. Can they discover who's scheming against them before it's too late?
I adore Emma and Mal. They were great together, and with her little boy. The plot had a lot going on, but the author wove the strings together well. This is a tense yet heartwarming and entertaining story.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Visiting London, she meets up with him again—only now, he's inherited a dukedom. He wants to return to sea, but the admiralty isn't budging. His mother wants him to give up his position and focus on his ducal responsibilities—and apparently, she's willing to use blackmail to make that happen.
Emma and Mal resume their affair, but secrets from the past threaten their future. Can they discover who's scheming against them before it's too late?
I adore Emma and Mal. They were great together, and with her little boy. The plot had a lot going on, but the author wove the strings together well. This is a tense yet heartwarming and entertaining story.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
winterreader40's review
5.0
Emma and Mal didn't manage to dethrone Cal and Phee for me but it was a really close race. I loved how much Emma has grown in the 5 years since the previous book. She's a good and patient mother but she's been hiding in the country for long enough, she and her son Alton go to London for the season where she runs into the father of her child in the park and is saved from him by her one night stand.
Mal has been thinking about Emma since their one night in Olread Cove months ago and when he stumbles across her being accosted in the park he steps in and then asks to call on her because he wants to have an affair with her before he goes back to sea.
The communication between these 2 was incredibly straight forward/fun and watching Mal get to know Alton was incredibly sweet. Mixed in with all this we get to see the previous books MC's again because they are all being attacked in some form or another by an unknown blackmailer.
My one small wish is that we could have seen the friendship develop between all the guys a bit more, but the women's friendships were great fun and well done.
Mal has been thinking about Emma since their one night in Olread Cove months ago and when he stumbles across her being accosted in the park he steps in and then asks to call on her because he wants to have an affair with her before he goes back to sea.
The communication between these 2 was incredibly straight forward/fun and watching Mal get to know Alton was incredibly sweet. Mixed in with all this we get to see the previous books MC's again because they are all being attacked in some form or another by an unknown blackmailer.
My one small wish is that we could have seen the friendship develop between all the guys a bit more, but the women's friendships were great fun and well done.
lifeasmrsbaker's review
4.0
A great finale to the Misfits of Mayfair series. My only critique of this book is that the steamy scene is OFF PAGE?!?! I would have loved to read it. I enjoyed the character development in this book and the various friendships that developed.
Read if you love: bridgerton vibes
Thank you to Forever Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read if you love: bridgerton vibes
Thank you to Forever Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
amberleelettersandreads's review
4.0
This was my first book by Bethany Bennet, so I didn’t read the other books in this series. I should though because I think it will help me with some of the supporting characters.
This book features Emma and Malachi. I loved that Malachi had found Emma’s journal and was something that was a comfort to him without even knowing its author. Before this book, it sounds like they had a steamy one night stand. But that’s either completely off page or in another book?
I liked that Emma is extremely confident in her sexuality and I think this is one of the first historicals I’ve read with the mention and use of sex toys. She and Malachi have good chemistry.
I got a little lost with the blackmail plot + the letters and the court martial situation. But overall, I did like this story and the journal entries.
This book features Emma and Malachi. I loved that Malachi had found Emma’s journal and was something that was a comfort to him without even knowing its author. Before this book, it sounds like they had a steamy one night stand. But that’s either completely off page or in another book?
I liked that Emma is extremely confident in her sexuality and I think this is one of the first historicals I’ve read with the mention and use of sex toys. She and Malachi have good chemistry.
I got a little lost with the blackmail plot + the letters and the court martial situation. But overall, I did like this story and the journal entries.
cjeverafter's review
5.0
I don’t do reels BUT if I did, I would make one titled “Things In This Book That Just Make Sense” with the snapping fingers, supposedly Italian looking hand gesture that would look a little something like this
thatsoneforthebooks's review
4.0
I. am. in. love. with. this. trilogy.
Every one of the books in this series hooked me in and I couldn't put them down. I think I'd rate #2 as my favorite, and then this one (#3), and then #1. I loved that they also spurned Mayfair conventions, putting their characters in a variety of risque and non-conventional situations. All of them attended to not just the wealthy, but also the working class, the servants, and others who surrounded them. Overall, just fun historical romance reads!
Every one of the books in this series hooked me in and I couldn't put them down. I think I'd rate #2 as my favorite, and then this one (#3), and then #1. I loved that they also spurned Mayfair conventions, putting their characters in a variety of risque and non-conventional situations. All of them attended to not just the wealthy, but also the working class, the servants, and others who surrounded them. Overall, just fun historical romance reads!
aharper07's review
4.0
Dukes Do It Better is a Regency, second chance romance between Emma and Malachi.
.
A one night stand that was supposed to be between strangers eventually lead to them meeting in society in London. What was supposed to be a short affair led to falling in love, some heartbreak due to blackmail and then love again on a coast.
.
I loved how Emma, a single mother, didn't always ditch her son for romance. Yes, she went to a ball, and went to Mal's house but Alton was present, had a role to play. I honestly don't have much to complain about. I think Mal is pretty great and swoon worthy. There are a few open door scenes so, be aware.
.
A one night stand that was supposed to be between strangers eventually lead to them meeting in society in London. What was supposed to be a short affair led to falling in love, some heartbreak due to blackmail and then love again on a coast.
.
I loved how Emma, a single mother, didn't always ditch her son for romance. Yes, she went to a ball, and went to Mal's house but Alton was present, had a role to play. I honestly don't have much to complain about. I think Mal is pretty great and swoon worthy. There are a few open door scenes so, be aware.
rainelle_barrett's review
4.0
Quotes from the book.
“Let me make my intentions clear. I want you in my bed again.”
“That damned eyebrow raised again and it did something low in her belly. Sweet Lord, she was becoming aroused by his eyebrow.”
Dukes Do It Better, by Bethany Bennett. Absolutely beautiful! Absolutely superb! This is a heart warming book were I had such a wonderful time reading it. Em and Mal are super fantastic.
I loved that the writer created their intimate relationship earlier in the book. Doing this just made the book even more fun for me to read. Mal is a Duke that has a silver tongue in many ways and he definitely knows how to use it. This man character is strong. He charming.
He’s caring. He’s a lover. He gives pleasure where pleasure is due. He’s a gentleman among gentleman. Em is a heroine in this book that is not your normal leading lady.
She is so carefree and independent. Em moves through the book without caring what the next person thinks, except for Mal. She is very much a lad that Mal would risk everything to have. Her love and protectiveness over her son is so precious.
When Mal and Em come together the story gets so interesting and even better. The entertainment from their relationship and the plot plays out so well. The book managed to hold my attention to the end. I loved the different characters with their little stories, but my favorite characters are Billy and Lilly. I think these two could rule whatever home Alton dragged them to.
I enjoyed the imaginative writing from the author. She brought forward a book that keeps the readers believing in love. I give this book two snaps and a, is that goat walking around in a Nappy?! Maa. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
“Let me make my intentions clear. I want you in my bed again.”
“That damned eyebrow raised again and it did something low in her belly. Sweet Lord, she was becoming aroused by his eyebrow.”
Dukes Do It Better, by Bethany Bennett. Absolutely beautiful! Absolutely superb! This is a heart warming book were I had such a wonderful time reading it. Em and Mal are super fantastic.
I loved that the writer created their intimate relationship earlier in the book. Doing this just made the book even more fun for me to read. Mal is a Duke that has a silver tongue in many ways and he definitely knows how to use it. This man character is strong. He charming.
He’s caring. He’s a lover. He gives pleasure where pleasure is due. He’s a gentleman among gentleman. Em is a heroine in this book that is not your normal leading lady.
She is so carefree and independent. Em moves through the book without caring what the next person thinks, except for Mal. She is very much a lad that Mal would risk everything to have. Her love and protectiveness over her son is so precious.
When Mal and Em come together the story gets so interesting and even better. The entertainment from their relationship and the plot plays out so well. The book managed to hold my attention to the end. I loved the different characters with their little stories, but my favorite characters are Billy and Lilly. I think these two could rule whatever home Alton dragged them to.
I enjoyed the imaginative writing from the author. She brought forward a book that keeps the readers believing in love. I give this book two snaps and a, is that goat walking around in a Nappy?! Maa. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!