Good Duke Gone Wild

Bluestocking Booksellers #1

by Bethany Bennett

A bookseller and a duke? She couldn’t have written anything more perfect.

Dorian Whitaker, Duke of Holland, needs an heir after his so-called “fairytale marriage” ended in disaster. When the intriguing bookseller he’s hired to liquidate his late wife’s library finds love letters revealing an affair, he is drawn into a mystery alongside a lady whose sharp intellect dazzles him and dares him to imagine a new adventure outside the gilded cage of the Ton.

If anyone found out Caroline Danvers writes erotic novels under a pen name, she’d face utter ruin. Except her latest hero inspiration is none other than the Duke of Holland—a man with the power to destroy her family’s bookshop. And yet the real man proves to be so much more than the character she created. Even as they expose the dark secrets of his past, she knows he can never discover her own. But the more time they spend together, the more tempting it is to rewrite their ending and turn fantasy into reality.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Regency Romance, Adult

345 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 20, 2024

About the author

Bethany grew up in a small fishing village in Alaska where required learning included life-skills like cold-water survival, and several other things that are utterly useless as a romance writer. Eventually settling in the Northwest with her real-life hero and two children, she enjoys mountain views from the comfort of her sofa, wearing a tremendous amount of flannel, and drinking more coffee than her doctor deems wise.
Be sure to follow her Bookbub for the latest release news, recommendations, and updates.
https://rb.gy/3ipr6t

Reviews

[Kristina]

DNF first chapter

The heroine, a virgin spinster daughter of a country vicar, is an author of erotic novels and displays her books in the window of local bookshops in 1813 England.

Pls stop with this nonsense, authors. Just write contemporary and leave historical romance alone.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Duke, Gone Wild by Bethany Bennett
Bluestocking Booksellers series #1. Historical romance.
Caroline Danvers is a poor vicar’s daughter, thrown out of the cottage when he discovers her hidden job as an erotic romance writer. Fortunately Caro has cousins in London and their parents who are more than happy to have her live with them and work at their bookshop. After all, Caro is a well known favorite author of the ton though they only know her pen name and not who she really is. The most recent book has the ton speculating if the hero is one of their own. Caro did in fact, use the Duke of Holland as inspiration for the novel since he comes into the shop on a regular basis.
Dorian Whitaker, the Duke of Holland first met Caroline when she had just arrived in London having traveled several days to get to the bookstore and family that will help her. He’s a bit smitten and has visited the book shop on a regular basis since she arrived. He eventually hires Caro to inventory and sell his late wife’s library where she finds love letters in books that were not written by him. Dorian and Caro investigate the letters and eventually grow closer. But their class differences are sharp and a future together is unlikely between a Duke and a bookseller. Even with her secret author identity and her own money she will never be accepted into the peerage. Is there a solution or compromise?

I loved Caroline’s wit and intelligence. More so her two cousins who were behind her 100% unconditionally. I definitely want more of them in the future. But back to Caro and Dorian, their relationship is forbidden and has a lot of inequities. She was fortunate to have her book income which gave her a bit of leverage. Tough choices for them both.
Engaging, and a bit unique. Lots of little inclusive details beyond the main story that added depth and richness.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Duke Gone Wild was a fantastic read featuring a romance between a bookseller and a duke.

After his first marriage ended poorly, Dorian Whitaker the Duke of Holland, needs to remarry in order to have an heir. But first he needs to get rid of the last vestige of his late wife and liquidate her large library. When Caroline Danvers, the intriguing bookseller he hires to deal with the library, finds love letters hidden in the books that reveal an affair, Dorian finds himself pulled into a mystery. Caroline is drawn to Dorian and is determined to help him uncover the truth of what his wife was involved in but she has a secret of her own that she needs to keep hidden.

The hidden love letters plotline sounded really interesting and I was curious where that would lead. When Caroline initially finds the letters, she believes they were written by the duke to his wife and returns them to him. Eventually he opens up to her about his wife's affair and that the letters are the proof he didn't previously have that his wife was involved with someone else while he was on the continent. The two search the letters for clues to the man's identity and begin following those clues to track the man down. I enjoyed the two working together and I liked how the story was wrapped up.

Caroline was a wonderful character and her backstory as a writer of erotic novels was such a great choice. Caro knows what she wants from life and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. Dorian is attracted to these qualities in her and I liked how he was immediately smitten with her. With Dorian needing a Society match, there's no shot at a future between them which they're open about. I liked how they managed to figure that situation out and thought it was a great solution. The chemistry between the two is fantastic and I ultimately really enjoyed their relationship.

Overall Good Duke Gone Wild was an amazing read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Her Best Friend's Earl.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story...but maybe for a different reader audience. Something just felt off the whole time I was reading, and after looking at other reviews to see what others thought, I realized the problem was that it was written like a contemporary novel but in a historical setting. The bookstore trio read like a modern day group of women, which is fine but didn't match the context of the story. There was *heavy* emphasis on how awful religious leaders are, to the point that they go around delivering erotic novels in the name of pastors in the area (who haven't necessarily done anything except be pastors), which was so random and weird to me. In that time period, erotic novels are taboo, of course, so if a pastor's daughter wrote an erotic novel...did they expect him to be jumping for joy? Not condoning what he did, but for that time period, they acted like it was so crazy that he didn't approve. What? Are they time travelers from 2024 who have gone back to 1812 to have some laughs and live life like it's 2024? It just felt so confusing. And then we got to the hero, who is all down and depressed but also crushing on the heroine, who is a shopkeeper he has barely spoken to. He hires her to sell books in his library, and there isn't much mention of interaction between them...yet all of a sudden they are making out. And it read like a modern day make-out scene, brushed over the fact that their pairing was wildly out of character for the times.

I think if you're a newbie to the historical romance genre, this will be perfect for you. The writing style will feel very similar to contemporary. But for the rest of us who read historical romance all the time (and that's actually where I started my romance journey), this book felt misplaced. In a contemporary setting, between a billionaire and a bookstore owner, that would have worked so much better, maybe her father is a pastor in 2024, who has outdated ideas about erotica, and he kicks her out. She's living on her own. A wealthy grieving widower develops a relationship with her. See THIS is what would have made it work. Modern setting. It's a shame that I couldn't read that book instead.

Three stars because I think this is mainly a fit issue for myself, and I would still recommend to some readers.

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*NEW SERIES* Book #1 in the Bluestocking Booksellers series. Friends to lovers + he-falls-first tropes. There’s NO miscommunication in this story. ツ

Caroline “Caro” Danvers’ father boots her out after discovering she writes erotica. She arrives in London to stay with her cousins at their bookshop, Martin House Books, selling her novels under her pen name. Outside the shop, Caro bumps into a customer she finds out is Dorian Whitaker, the Duke of Holland. She goes to work for him organizing his late wife’s library to sell and finds spicy love letters tucked into Shakespeare novels. The surprise.. Dorian didn’t write them. As they try to find the writers identity, their friendship and similarities evolve into a love affair, but the class difference between them means they can never marry.

Oh what a tangled web this is, mainly for our heroine! 1-Only Caro’s family knows she writes these taboo novels. 2-We find out Dorian’s wife has a secret lover. And the kicker, 3-Caro based her latest hugely successful book hero on Dorian 4-with gossipers spreading rumors the book IS ABOUT Lord Dorian. It’s humorous, steamy, emotional, and has the best insight into breaking (the mold) of what’s expected after falling for the one person society rules won’t permit. This has quite the engaging, well-crafted plot with actual historical events inside the story. ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 8/20/24

[i_hype_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorian is a duke and a diplomat who doubts his appeal, set on discovering why his deceased duchess sought company elsewhere.
He’s impeccably attired, starchy and aloof.

Caro is a woman with a goal. She’s determined to make her own way in the world and pens secret erotica the ton is obsessed with. She senses the banked fire he hides from everyone else.

Read this if you love:
-opposites attract
- pining, widower hero
- independent, bluestocking heroine
- mature MMC & FMC
- mystery subplot

I absolutely devoured this book!

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn’t read like a historical romance book, more contemporary than any thing. After Caroline is kicked out of her home by her vicar father, she arrives in London to her aunt and uncle’s bookstore. She finds family and comfort there and starts to rebuild her life. Caroline has a secret….she writes erotic romance. She meets Dorian, the Duke of Holland, and he hires her to go through his deceased wife’s library to sell. While doing so, she comes across love letters not written by Dorian. This sets them on a quest to find his wife’s former lover. In the meantime, Caroline and Dorian fall in love. However, their class difference could pose a problem. For the most part, I found this book to be entertaining. The characters were great. My main problem was that it didn’t read like an historical, it was too modern for me.

[Sophie Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had an interesting concept which required some departure from historical accuracy in order to execute. However, it was still an entertaining read filled with the relationship obstacles this author is known for. Low angst with lots of 'feel good' vibes and a couple you just want to see get their happy ending. Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok Bethany Bennett, I see what you’re doing here.

We love a hero that gets walked like a dog from the meet-cute all the way through the epilogue. If you love a smitten hero in love with a baddie heroine who doesn’t need him, but chooses him anyway, this is the book for you.

The story follows Dorian Whitaker, Duke of Holland, who has hired bookseller Caroline Danvers to help catalog and sell his late wife’s book collection. When Caro discovers love letters that detail the late wife’s affair, it sets off a series of adventures where the two attempt to uncover the details of the letters. That’s the official summary of the book, and certainly pushes our protagonists along, but in my opinion these external forces aren’t the strongest part of the book. Don’t come here for the “mystery”. The real love story here is between two people from different social classes who have an instant connection, keep being drawn back together, and choose one another again and again.

What I loved:
-No miscommunication tropes. Our protagonists mean what they say and don’t hold back from one another. It’s so freaking charming that it’s named and part of their love story to “speak the pause” as in “tell me what you were about to say when you hesitated, not what you decided was polite to say after you paused and thought about it”. Even the big reveal of Caro hiding her secret identity as an author was never portrayed as a betrayal of communication, just as something she hadn’t revealed yet until trust was earned.
-Dorian love loves Caro almost from the start. Any hesitation he shows in making her his wife is never about her unsuitability and always about his inability to handle the pressure of making that choice. It’s a subtle shift in internal motivation that makes all the difference to me. Dorian has to change, Dorian has to improve, Dorian has to be a better man to make himself worthy of asking her to take on the burden of becoming a Duchess.
-Loved the supportive friends and fully formed side characters. I’m sure we’ll see them pop up as leads in future books.

Overall another delightful read from Bethany Bennet.

I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read book two of this series before book one (unusual for me, I know), so I was excited to go back and see how Caro landed her duke. Luckily, Good Duke Gone Wild did not disappoint.

Caroline Danvers is disowned by her conservative vicar father when he discovers she’s the notorious erotic novelist Blanche Clementine. With nowhere else to turn, she heads to London to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins at their bookshop—bringing only her clothes, a few coins, and the manuscript for her next novel. On arrival, she literally collides with Dorian Whitaker, Duke of Holland: widower, former diplomat in the Napoleonic wars, and soon-to-be Caro’s inspiration for the next hero of a book. Two years later, when his mother pressures him to remarry and produce an heir, Dorian asks Caroline to help clear out his late wife’s library. But when she uncovers a cache of love letters hinting at a mysterious affair, the two are drawn into a secret that forces them together in ways neither can ignore.

I loved this book—it had so many of my favorite things wrapped into one. A 30-year-old heroine who writes novels, a starchy hero who gets even starchier under stress, a strong supporting cast (several of whom are headed for their own books), and a plot with real substance. Bennett also starts the story in the perfect place: with Caro at her lowest point, so we get to watch her rise to the highest levels of society entirely on her own terms.

Starchy heroes are second only to alpha assholes for me, and Dorian is exactly the kind I love—so uptight he practically short-circuits when emotions get involved. His best friend Oliver even has to remind him to act like a human being, and once Caro notices his tendency to lock up under pressure, it becomes a running observation that’s both funny and endearing. Watching this accomplished diplomat lose his composure over a captivating bookseller is exactly what I want from historical romance. His stoic nature leads him to notice things about Caroline that others gloss over, especially her tendency to pause before she speaks. I loved their running ask to, "Let me into the pause." Absolutely perfect.

Since I’d already read book two, I knew where Connie’s engagement would end up—but what surprised me here was how misunderstood she was by her family. In her own book (My Best Friend’s Earl), we learn Connie has ADHD. Looking back, it is clear in Good Duke Gone Wild that her family loves her but doesn’t fully grasp how her mind works. Reading book one first adds an extra layer to her story, and I think it makes My Best Friend’s Earl even more impactful.

All in all, this was a great read. Solid 4.5 stars.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 4th book by Bethany Bennett. She only has 4 books out but glad to see she has a new series out. Her books are so well written. Really looking forward to this series.

I loved Dorian and Caro. I loved their personalities and their story. I loved their differences and I loved those differences didn't matter to them. Most books I read the MCs are mostly in the same social circle whether on the ton side or the working class side. I do read some cross overs but this one was interesting in that it even though he was ton and she wasn't hardly any of the story took place in a ton setting. It was only talked about. There was great depth to the characters. Her cousins even got good depth in their stories. Sex was good. Not super descriptive but they had a lot of it. :) I really like this author a lot. Can't wait for more.

[Jessica Grogan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried this again because I couldn’t remember why I didn’t finish before. Erotic novels would not have been sold blatantly at a bookstore regardless of how progressive that bookstore was.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Danvers works with her family at their bookstore, Martin House Books. An encounter with Dorian Whitaker, the Duke of Holland, leaves a lasting impression and inspiration for Caro's next erotic book written as Blanche Clementine. Hired to catalogue his dead wife's books, Caro finds letters in various books giving evidence of his wife's affair. Dorian's plan is to find her lover and the money he swindled from his wife. Caro and her cousins are more than willing to help. His attraction to Caro becomes more important as friends, then lovers, until he finds out her secret. I hope the next books are about her two cousins, Constance and Hattie, who contributed a lot of laughter to the book. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[CAROLYN Wyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Duke Gone Wild by Bethany Bennett

Good Duke Gone Wild is your bodice ripper style historical romance, but with contemporary points thrown in. Caroline Danvers has been writing erotic novels under the nom de plume Blanche Clementine. Her books are salacious and get tongues wagging. She has been secretly lusting after widower Duke Dorian Whitaker, going so far as to use him as the inspiration for her last book.

Dorian has been having a rough time since his wife Juliet died, especially after discovering that she was having an affair with an unknown man. He has found himself repeatedly drawn to Caroline, but never holding a real conversation. When he decides to sell his wife’s library collection, he enlists Caroline and the book shop she works at to expedite and arrange buyers. The more they are together, the more they are drawn together, defying societal norms.

Bethany did a great job creating and developing characters that you grew to like. All the additional side characters added depth to the story and created great humor. Who doesn’t like a story that defies the conventional and bends the rules? This book has this is spades. The author used Juliets mysterious lover as a great plot point, creating intrigue and drama. I also liked that he came to the revelation on his own that he could have what he wanted and keep his title, that marrying below him wasn’t hurting anyone.

While I loved the story and the storyline, I want to state that it’s not really an accurate historical romance as most of the subjects and situations would not have been normal or accepted during that time period. The book was fun and entertaining, giving some modern day feel to a historical romance. This book has some spice, maybe mid level spice. I can see fans of Johanna Lindsey, Julia Quinn, and Lisa Kleyplas enjoying Good Duke Gone Wild.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in the new Bluestocking Booksellers series from Bethany Bennett. I’ve enjoyed her previous series, Misfits of Mayfair (2020-2022). Dorian Whitaker is the Duke of Holland and needs to marry and produce an heir. He was married before but his wife died, breaking his heart. He is allowing his mother to point out potential mates as men in his family do not enjoy longevity. He finds himself distracted by Caroline Danvers. She is cataloging and selling the late Duchesses library. She works in trade and normally would be beneath his notice. In addition to working at the book shop she is a successful author of erotic novels but very few people know about her pen name. She finds a love letter to the late wife that sets Dorian on a hunt for the mystery man.

Caro is great as the hard working author and book shop worker. She can hold her own with Dorian and isn’t intimidated by him or his wealth. This book has a more modern flair. She knows her wants and needs and is bold about expressing them. She isn’t a member of society but she works among so if you’re a stickler about rules of propriety of the time this is a stretch. I enjoyed it when the pair were together. Their banter was fun. And she isn’t expecting a HEA with the Duke.

The only downside for me was there was a lot of time spent on figuring out the mystery about the love letter. When they are working on that together that works for me. But he was often out running down leads with a friend or lawyer and then it felt like filler. It did get resolved but it felt like the resolution was anti climatic. Time is also spent on introducing other characters like her cousins. I am sure they will star in their own romances but it took page space from this story. I liked the book and will look forward to the next in the series.

[Megan (Midwest Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookseller and undercover romance writer Caro Danvers is in for more than she bargains for when it comes to Dorian Whitaker - the handsome Duke who, unbeknownst to him, reads and loves her novels.

Having had and lost his love match, like any good Duke, widowed Dorian is seeking a practical match this time. His estate needs an heir. Enter the very impractical and vivacious Caroline Danvers, whose frankness and beauty catch his star-of-this-novel blue eyes.

The title is, perhaps, a bit misleading as our bookseller is the true star. This is a story of a mystery solved, a hurt processed, and ultimately, one of self acceptance.

These two characters had very real barriers to a happily ever after - it’s the kind of conflict that got me immediately invested and kept me engaged.

I adore books that tell the stories of people who write books - especially in the regency era where a women’s work in this space was something to hide.

For this reason, fans of Bridgerton’s Penelope and Ne’er Duke Well’s Selena will love Good Duke Gone Wild.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an e-ARC of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Rolé - Hooked By That Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and delightful romance between an author desperate to keep her secret and the duke that couldn’t stop thinking about her.

The fact that Caro was an author of lurid novels made her even more interesting and the best parts were when she modeled her heroes after Dorian and other people started to notice. Caro’s cousins were hilarious and so supportive without asking questions. But frivolity aside, this book had plenty of depth uncovering the truth about Dorian’s marriage and Caro walking a fine line concealing her author identity.

This book was a pleasure to read. I enjoyed the light-hearted writing style, witty dialogue, and there was plenty of sizzling chemistry between Caro and Dorian. I can highly recommend it if you like steamy historical romance.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This review is also on Hooked By That Book.

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Good Duke Gone Wild
Author:Bethany Bennett
My fellow readers this love story was a warm cozy story that you will love. I enjoyed the humor when the main characters Dorian and Caro interacted with their close family and friends. The moments are quiet entertaining. I really enjoyed Constance flighty personality. If you think about Caro could have written a number one bookseller off of A Day In the Head of Constance. Thank the Lord that there was Dorian to sooth some of Caro’s unpredictable life. Their romance starts off a little slow, but begins to pick up after a couple of chapters. Their romance is one that every young lady dreams of having, but without all the added excitement that reveals its-self in the book. Dorian is a romantic soul that any woman could fall for and Caro is a independent, strong willed, well organized business woman that any man would be very proud to call his soulmate. The love of his life. I had a wonderful time reading this book.
I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writer of erotic novels meets gorgeous unhappy duke.

Dorian Whitaker, Duke of Holland needs an heir. He doesn’t really care who his wife will be.
Caroline ‘Caro’ Danvers is the daughter of a strict vicar, secretly writing erotic novels. When her father discovers this here takes all her saved earnings and throws Caro to the streets. Fortunately Caro finds solace with her aunt and uncle in London. There she works with them as a bookseller whilst continuing to secretly write erotic novels.
Hired by the Duke to liquidate his dead wife’s books Caro finds letters of an intimately charged nature, proving his wife’s unfaithfulness.
Well there’s definitely an attraction between Caro and the duke. Their way to happiness however is marked by misunderstandings, often unhelped by their burgeoning passion.
Truly enjoyable. Heaps of drama and wonderful moments.
(Sadly I lost my review notes and records amongst a heap of stuff and have just found them. C’est la vie! 🤷‍♀️)

A Forever ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Amanda (Romance Reviewed) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(ARC Review) 4 stars

I really enjoyed this start to a new series! Bethany Bennett’s books have all been solid and this is no different.

This is a romance between a starchy Duke and the bookseller he falls for. Caroline works at her family’s bookshop, but also secretly writes erotic novels which are growing rapidly in popularity. At the bookshop she meets Dorian, a widowed Duke looking to liquidate his late wife’s library.

Caroline agrees and while she’s working finds evidence the Duke’s late wife had an affair, and the two work together to try to find out more information. They unravel the mystery which brought an interesting element to the story.

Dorian assumes it was because he was a bad husband so he wants to find the affair partner to see what his wife said about him, so he can avoid that and be a better partner to his next wife. I love a man who can admit fault and works to improve himself! His mother is pushing him to get remarried because they need an heir, so there is also a subplot around his mother’s meddling.

Caroline was super competent, she had had a hard life and was forced to become pretty self sufficient, so she really wasn’t looking for a husband. Especially not a husband who is a Duke, which would bring a lot of attention to her and possibly reveal her secret writing career so even though she quite likes the Duke, she knows they can’t be together.

The two had a lot of chemistry despite their very different social standings and they finally combusted. I enjoyed them together and I also enjoyed the supporting characters who I look forward to having future books.

Overall I enjoyed myself while reading this and was very interested to see how it would all work out!

[Joan Peiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A patron at the library said this might be too racy so naturally i had to read it to find out! 🤣
Kept my interest as I love that time period. There was a spicy event but all in all I enjoyed the book.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

vibes: writer in disguise, crushes, and learning how to love (and trust) again

Heat Index: 6/10

The Basics:

Dorian, the Duke of Holland, is looking for a new wife after his previous marriage ended in his wife dying after having a torrid affair. This affair is on the brink of getting exposed when Caro, the bookseller he’s employed to liquidate his wife’s library–the same bookseller he can’t get out of his head–discovers secret letters between the late duchess and her lover. As Caro and Dorian hurtle into a mystery together, there’s an additional snag–she secretly writes scandalous novels under a pen name. If Dorian finds out and disapproves, he could shut down her family’s bookshop. Yet she can’t resist going on an adventure with this man–despite the stakes.

The Review:

This is one of those reviews where there really isn’t a lot that I can critique about this book on a technical level. It’s well-written; the characters are charming; I appreciate the way that Caro and Dorian both have friends and exist beyond their own internal bubbles. I love that Caro isn’t a babe in the woods in her early twenties. She’s seen some life.

And the actual mystery is pretty intriguing, and I think it will definitely please people who like something somewhere between hardcore mysteries and cozy mysteries. There are stakes, there’s emotional complexity–I mean, it’s Dorian’s wife we’re talking about–but it’s not to heavy. For me, a mystery is really neither here nor there; it’s very dependent on how engaged I am with the rest of the plot and character development.

While I wasn’t disengaged with the story–there were things that made me smile and kept me reading–I just wasn’t DYING to read more. It’s the kind of very pleasant historical romance narrative that I think is popular at the moment. Caro and Dorian like each other very early on, and are honestly pretty aware of the attraction for what it is, too. They’re a little too in touch with their own feelings for me; but I’m an angsthound.

I will say–it’s not that the idea of a conflict centering on this “secret writer” thing is bad at all. I like it, though I think we can sort of put two and two together about why tradpub likes it for historicals right now. But I do think that the hero being in the dark for a long time can be a little… hard to handle. I can think of at least one book that made it less of a secret, and that worked far better for me.

The Sex:

I did like how the sex scenes in this book were written–they weren’t super explicit, but they were fun and chemistry-full and interesting. Caro takes a bit of charge with Dorian, and he sure does like it.

If you’re the type of reader who enjoys a bit of light mystery and leads who are genuinely nice people and besotted pretty early on, I think you’ll love this. Me? I need a it more OOMPH. But that’s a matter of taste.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three cheers for a romance author heroine!! I love Caro, who has been hurt in life but gives her whole heart to her chosen family and her career. She is so beautifully herself in every scene. Dorian, well our tortured Duke has quite a bit to work through if he wants to win the heart of Caro. I really enjoyed this book, mostly Caro, who just made me want to cheer again and again.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Low conflict historical (regency) romance with class difference and a main character who's a romance writer

I liked this book. I always enjoy a romance writer character, and it's nice to have a feminist, self-confident heroine. (She definitely doesn't need a man to save her. She's with the hero because she loves him and wants to be with him. The fact that he's a duke is a point against him, really). The third act conflict played out differently than I expected, in a way I liked. I liked the secondary characters. I assume the cousins and Oliver will get books of their own.

I can be nit-picky about things that generally shouldn't matter (reading romance often means just accepting "romance reasons" and going with it). But, I kept getting taken out of the story by the mix of anachronisms and otherwise typical 1814 England. Specifically 1) selling or owning erotic fiction would have been illegal at the time, so it wouldn't have been sold out in the open in bookshops or discussed openly, esp. by upper crust women; and 2) a couple of M/M relationships are mentioned, and none of the characters are so much as surprised about this. I love the representation of gay characters living their HEAs, but since gay sex was illegal (punishable by death at that time), this is not the kind of thing an entire village would be aware of, and even the most progressive person would be at least surprised to hear of such a relationship. On the other hand, the descriptions of the heroine's undergarments seemed accurate (which is so rarely the case in historical romance. She wears a shift under her corset/stays!!)

Bottom line: I liked it and will probably try future books in the series.

Spiciness 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (explicit open door)

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing a free advanced reader copy (ebook) for my honest review.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way in which I could not put down Good Duke Gone Wild once I started it!!!

Okay, so we have Caroline who is the author of popular erotic novels under a penname. She works in a bookstore with her cousins and is trying to save enough of her earnings to buy a cottage in the country so she can be free of the trappings of London….as well as her interest in a certain duke.
Said Duke, Dorian Whitaker, ran into Caroline once - full-body contact - two years ago, and has yet to move on. However, he’s in need of a wife to fill the role of Duchess, an heir, and someone to help him sell his late-wife’s collection of books.

In this delicious mutual-pining scenario with a dash of forced proximity, Caroline and Dorian STOLE MY HEART. My word - these two ARE CUTE, and the start of their affair is pretty cute and innocent, but quickly (and believably) gets turned up a notch🔥🔥as both their feelings for the other go from infatuation to admiration to love. The way in which I was rooting for the HEA here but wasn’t sure how it was going to work out made it so *chef’s kiss* when it did.

Also there’s a public love letter - and this bitch loves a public love declaration and love letters.

As a bonus, I found the side characters and plot well done - nothing was a distraction from the central romance and only added to it. This was my first Bethany Bennett novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. If you’re looking for a fun, sexy romance that has just the right amount of drama and emotional depth, I don’t think you can go wrong here!

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

This was my first Bethany Bennett novel and it certainly won't be my last. I was surprised by how talented and strong the writing was from the first page. A good handful of romances can come off as juvenile with very basic narrative structures and a guaranteed third act breakup. Good Duke Gone Wild had a great cast of characters who were open with their feelings and shut down any attempt of miscommunication. That being said, I wish we had more time spent with our couple. They were well matched but often their scenes felt rushed with multiple sequences fast forwarding an anticipated moment. It would describe them stealing a few kisses, then it would immediately switch to cataloging books in the duke's library. Like, come on! That's the whole reason I'm reading this book! There were also a few dialogue choices that were way too modern and didn't fit the historical setting, but that's just me being picky. I can always sniff out a poorly placed anachronism.



I thought this was a stellar entry in the Bluestocking Booksellers and I'm pretty keen to learn more about our heroine's bookish cousins. I really enjoyed Bethany Bennett's writing style and I hope I'm treated to the same standard in her future books. The majority of this book was spent checking a ducal library for hidden correspondence and that is my exact definition of a Good Duke Gone Wild.

[Seems · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with other reviews, it was too contemporary for a HR. I liked the concept of her being a romance writer and working in a bookstore, but the way her and her cousins were behaving it would never be OK. Her cousin was going through men openly and making innuendos to men of the peerage. It could've easily backfired and her family could've lost their business.

The fmc pretty much carried an affair with the duke openly in front of his servants. She even stated that they gossip.

She didn't just write romance, she wrote erotic romance. She used the dukes likliness and his situation in her book as "inspiration". He didn't know she's the writer. So when the ton started gossiping that it was about him, he and his mom go to the bookstore threatening to sue. Here's a plot hole-why would they go to a bookstore and not the publisher? Anyhoo, she announces she's the author to everyone at the bookstore and gets mad at him basically breaking things off with him. And he has to grovel. I feel like he deserved the apology, not her.

[Heather Moll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has very, very modern language and not a realistic regency setting, if that matters to you. I mean, someone even says “oh, sweet baby Jesus”. There’s an instant attraction and it’s low angst with no miscommunication, and the backstories of both characters unfolds well. But I couldn’t believe this took place in the past. YMMV

I received an arc from NetGalley.

[Jill Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be ok. I liked the characters and overall plot of the story. However, I felt there were a lot of historical inaccuracies and that kept pulling me out of the story. The story felt like it took place in the late 20th century rather then the 1800's.

[travelbug74 · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to write a contemporary romance please do so. This book was way too modern for the time period and it really takes me out of the story. The only thing I really liked about the book was the MMC.

I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.