A deliberately notorious rake meets an accidentally scandalous lady.Sophie Brightwell's chance at a society marriage was dashed years ago, after she and her school friends were found by their headmistress in the midst of drinking brandy, smoking cigarillos, and reading books like Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. But she's remained friends with all the members of the Society for Enlightened Young Women despite their mutual scandal, and her friend Lady Charlotte Hastings still has hopes of finding Sophie a husband to help her family's fortunes. Calling the society back together, Charlie decides they should all look for eligible rakehells to marryafter all, "rakes sometimes turn into the very best husbands." Little does she know that Sophie already has her heart set on one: Charlie's brother, Nathaniel, Viscount Malverne. Nate, as notorious a rake as the beau monde has seen, is attracted to her as well but knows he should leave his sister's friend alone, and after an accidental indiscretion, he agrees to help introduce her to bachelors meeting her specifications. But as he watches her flirt with other men, he realizes he wants her more than he wants to admitand both will have to decide if potential ruin is worth the plunge. The first book in Bennett's new Disreptuable Debutantes series sets up and delivers on an appealing premise: clever Regency heroines willing to sacrifice their reputations for disreputable love matches. Sophie's intelligence and innocent lust are charming, and Nate is a pitch-perfect rake. Although their happily-ever-after is never in doubtthere's little suspense, though a lot of sizzle, in this plotreaders will enjoy this expertly executed Regency with likable characters.A well-written start to a historical romance series full of rakes and the women who love them. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The only gentleman willing to wed a lady with a scandalous reputation is one whose own notoriety is even worse. At least, that is the rationale Sophie Brightwell and her three friends Charlotte Hastings, Arabella Jardine, and Olivia de Vere come up with when the four young women are expelled from Mrs. Rathbone's Academy for Young Ladies of Good Character. Now, in order to even have a hope of making a suitable match, Sophie will have to find a wicked rake not only whose scandalous conduct eclipses that of Sophie's, but who is also open to the idea of marriage. Fortunately for Sophie, Charlotte's brother, Nate Hastings, Viscount Malverne, just may be the solution to all her problems. In the stellar debut of her Disreputable Debutantes series, Bennett makes the Regency historical seem fresh and new through her vividly rendered settings, which display her impeccable command of the glittering world of the ton; her perfectly matched protagonists, whose potent sexual chemistry evolves into sizzling love scenes; and her expertly graceful, tartly witty writing.--John Charles Copyright 2010 Booklist

Sophie Brightwell finds her prospects of marriage slimmed to none after she's discovered sipping brandy at a meeting for the Society of Enlightened Young Women and is expelled from school. Invited to be a companion to friend Charlotte Hastings during the London Season, Sophie has one more chance to secure a match or, at least, try to get the children's book she's been writing published. Nate Hastings, Viscount Malverne, a known rake and Charlotte's brother, has no intention of marrying--for love or advantage. When he comes home after a night of revelry and accidentally places Sophie in a compromising position, Charlotte hatches a plan: Nate will help Sophie attract a husband to avoid taking the trip down the aisle himself. This suits Nate until he realizes the more time he spends with Sophie, the less he can put her out of his mind. VERDICT Bennett ("Highland Rogue" series) delivers a fun start to a new Regency series in which embracing one's bad reputation yields some pretty good results.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Launching the Disreputable Debutantes series set in Regency-era London, Bennett introduces a group of ardent young women who are determined to marry on terms they find agreeable, despite the unladylike scandal that got them expelled from school. This installment focuses on Sophie Brightwell as she is given the opportunity to escape the precarious stability of home in order to venture into London under the care of Lady Charlotte "Charlie" Hastings, another defamed young lady. They plan to capture the hearts of the only men who won't think less of their purported debauchery. The two young women catch Charlie's brother, Nate Hasting, Lord Malverne, in a tricky act of his own and blackmail him into assisting Sophie in her debut. Despite his protests, he finds himself falling for her as quickly as she does for him. Some events are revisited by both protagonists in sections that feel more repetitious than revelatory, but the characters have great potential, carry the story, and hold promise for the series. Bennett's gratifying if simplistic Regency will appeal to readers looking for something quick and fun. Agent: Jessica Alvarez, BookEnds Literary. (Sept.)