Member Reviews
Lady Arabella and Nash, the Earl of Clarendon clash at their first meeting in the book. She is chasing a cat she has nursed back to health, he is unfortunately in the way of the cat who pounces on his chest knocking him into a mud puddle, setting off a sneezing jag. These two are so unsuited for each other. She is a animal lover, caring for all injured ones who come her way. He is on the verge of offering for an heiress who is what he sees as the epitome of what his countess should be. Fate has something else in store for them. Their trials and tribulations make for an interesting read. Although I liked some of Callie Hutton's other books better, this is a worthwhile read. I look forward to reading more of her.
Arabella’s mother is trying to quickly marry her off especially since her father had died and left them very little to no money. But Arabella has already turned three suitors away. The town thinks Arabella is odd because she likes to take care of sick animals. Arabella knows it will be hard to to find a husband who will accept her for who she really is. Nash is the Earl of Clarendon and is looking for a biddable wife who is young and can be trained to be the wife Nash wants and needs. Nash has Lady Grace in mind to propose to even though he doesn’t love her. Then Nash is in the area when Arabella is trying to deliver a promised cat to a lady in the village. Said cat gets away and goes up a tree Arabella gets Nash to go up the tree and get the cat even though he is allergic to cat dander. Nash knows Arabella isn’t the woman he wants and Arabella knows Nash isn’t someone she would want to spend her life with. Her mother wants Arabella to marry the Earl of Pembroke who is rich. But he is old enough to be Arabella’s grandfather. She wants nothing to do with the Earl, Arabella was Nash’s sisters best friend. Nash went to a ball with his sister and brother in law. Arabella was also there as was the Earl of Pembroke. Nash is forced by his sister to dance with Arabella and they just don’t get along. Nash goes off to a darkened library to get some peace and grab a drink before proposing to Lady Grace. Arabella got a note saying to meet her mother in the library she hurries there thinking her mother really needed her. When she gets there Nash is there they argue and when Arabella goes to leave she trips and ends up in Nash’s arms and her mother comes out and sees them. She had set this up for Arabella to be found with the Earl of Pembroke but found Arabella and Nash instead. Not only for Arabella’s reputation but for Nash’s good name so they marry.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved that Arabella followed her passion which was animals and taking care of them even if she was thought to be odd because of it. I loved the plot and pace of this book. I love how Arabella turned down three suitors as she felt they weren’t right for her and she didn’t want anything to do with the earl of Pembroke. I choked up at times and chuckled at times while reading this. I really enjoyed reading this historical novel. I liked that there wasn’t insta lust but a growing relationship in this book. I loved reading about the interaction between Nash and Arabella. This caught my attention right from the beginning and kept my attention until the end. I didn't like Nash when he sent Arabella away for being herself but I did understand just didn’t like him for it. I liked the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.
This was my first by Callie Hutton and won’t be my last! I really enjoyed this!
Lady Arabella is not the typical lady of the ton. She likes helping animals that are hurt and in need. But when an accidental meeting thrusts her into marriage with Nash, Earl of Clarendon, she knows how to be a proper lady, but her caring nature comes in between them. In my opinion, Nash was a bit of a jerk about the animals and her caring for them.
Yes, this was the second book in the series, but it was easily read as a stand alone.
*thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy of this with me*
Although not my favorite Callie Hutton book I did like it overall. I liked the characters and their journey from dislike to love and understanding but it felt like the book was dragging on too much for me to have given this book a higher rating. This book for me was more of a liking than utter love.
What should one do when they are not convinced that the heroine is truly in love with the hero? I feel like Arabella fell in love with Nash, because the book was ending and since this is supposed to be a romance novel, the main characters had to fall for each other. It took me 3 weeks to finish the book because I couldn't stand the characters.
Arabella was too open minded and independent for a woman who is supposed to live 200 years ago. If she lived in the modern era she would have been a feminazi. When the readers ask for a strong female character this isn't what they have in mind. In the end, Arabella comes off as a snobbish person who thinks that everyone else is beneath her especially the male characters. I have read books with heroines stronger in a sense than her, independent and willing to be free from their current station who are by far more developed and the reader falls for them.
Nash is also a unlovable character, but for me, he had more redeeming qualities. He wasn't the one who in one chapter though he could never even care for the other person an,d in the next chapter admits his undying love. He acted more like the way I think men were acting at the time, rather than the way a hero in a romance novel would do. He was always forbidding Arabella to do something, but I also don't believe that she ever tried to make him see her point. Arabella operated on animals in their library for the love of God. Nash was a jerk about it, but Arabella thought she could do whatever she wanted to. It was like she hadn't realized that her circumstances had changed and kept on living her life as a woman with no responsibilities other than caring for the animals.
I don't think there is anything else to say. The big obstacle in this book is the two main characters. If someone can find a way to like them, then they might enjoy the book. Unfortunately, for me, I was dreading to read it.
I didn't like Nash...I felt like all he did was tell Arabella what she could do or what she was doing wrong, which was a big turn off for me.
Loved Arabella! I loved that she continued to do what she loved even when other condemned her for it.
I also like the storyline. Couple that is forced to wed, making the most of it and eventually falling in love. But I just couldn't get over Nash...
Even though this isn't a great one for me, I still look forward to seeing what Hutton has in store for us next!
3.5/5 stars
This book has the classic elements you will find in an historical regency romance/erotica. Arabella is a smart girl with different interests than the society expects her to have. Of course, everybody is against her odd hobby and she is "shake it off" Taylor Swift style (that dreadful song you cannot "Shake it off" once you are forced to listen a million times :D). Nash... Well, he is the metaphorical pain in the bottom. I think I spent more time being angry with him throughout the book than admiring his good side. In my opinion, the author spent to much time on the couple's fights than their chemistry. I am not afraid to say that most of the time Arabella ended up looking like the oppressed and Nash like the oppressor. A lot of you would say that I should think about the society's mindset during those times etc. I know but reality is different in most of the cases than the people who record history let us believe.
I liked the characters separately than together.
The character development happened suddenly rather than smoothly.
Arabella was the reason I continued reading the book until the end and I was glad. That ending melted my heart. I wanted more from it. How Nash and Arabella clicked and realized what's important... Oh! I wanted the book to be longer.
This story was like an overly bitter cup of green tea. I loved it at times and it angered me at other times. And I still have that bitter after taste because of some scenes which reflected a real reality. (Yes, I am aware of my repetition. It was intentional.)
In terms of my recommendation, I wished I had read more books by this author to make a comparison. Although, I got the feeling that she has better stories up her sleeves because of her good writing style.
Feel free to make your own impression on the book.
This is my sole opinion. ^_^
I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I love this cover! MARRYING THE WRONG EARL is the story of Lady Arabella Danvers and Nash, Earl of Clarendon. It's book #2 in the Lords and Ladies in Love series. I read it as a standalone even though I have the first book, I've not gotten to read it yet. That oversight will be rectified very soon. I had no problems following the story.
MARRYING THE WRONG EARL is my first Callie Hutton novel I really enjoyed it. It kept me engaged because I didn't know what's going to go wrong next. Even though I'm a pet lover myself, I felt that Arabella put her pets before her marriage too many times. BUT I also thought Nash could've given in a little more. Ultimately, it's an enjoyable tale of compromise.
Lady Arabella likes animals more than she likes people. The animals aren’t judgmental. They don’t expect her to dress, speak, and act a certain way. She is free to be herself. All of that could change if she takes a husband, which is why she avoids doing so. No matter what her mother says.
Nash, Lord of Clarendon, needs a wife. Well, he needs an heir and a spare; but unfortunately for him, that requires he takes a wife. Resigned to do what needs to be done, he was prepared to make an offer. However, those plans came crashing down with an “ooh”, a couple of “oh my goodnesses”, and a plethora of “shame on yous”. Before he can blink and clear his throat, he finds himself betrothed and then quickly married to Arabella.
Considering they couldn’t stand each other, they were set for a very interesting union. And interesting it became.
Both very easy on the eyes, they find themselves physically attracted to each other…that is, once they stopped arguing long enough to notice. Rules of the ton don’t have to be followed in the privacy of their own home; so before long, they find themselves finding common ground. There was still an obstacle, of course. Arabella’s love of nursing sick animals isn’t at all appropriate for a Countess, and Nash doesn’t hesitate to remind her of that. They slowly learn to compromise, and the love, honor, and respect grows.
The drama is minimal, with just enough to keep the story interesting. With no murder, theft, blackmail, or manipulation; and only a moment of a thought of possible infidelity, the story is light and sweet. It does have an ample amount of heat with the steamy sex scenes, so don’t let the sweet confuse you. Although the union is quick – as it often is in historicals since they are known for “love not being necessary”, the actual love developed at a steady pace. It’s so cute (for lack of a better term coming to mind) when Clarendon gets jealous. I couldn’t help but to smile.
I really enjoyed the story. I have not read the first in the series, but I plan to. I’d also like to follow up with Nash and Arabella.
A lady of this time, Lady Arabella Danver she loves animals. She loves to care for them. She also loves her freedom to do so. She knows that she will need to marry but she wishes to marry a man that will understand her and her need to care for the sick and injured animals. She was also very aware that her mother wanted to marry her off. She was not aware that the money was tight and her marriage was needed to keep them afloat. The earl was the other side of this duo. Nash, the Earl of Clarendon wanted a wife that he could mold to be what he wanted but of course that was not going to happen. He had the perfect pupil in his sights, but Lady Arabella steps in or stumbles in.
Here was where it all changed for the duo. Things get interesting and life takes on a new meaning for them both. Arabella was sweet, loving, and caring. She was a woman out of her time with the need to care for animals. On cue there was Nash, he was sexy, arrogant, and authoritative. This was a romance that grew and bloomed with interaction and time. Some schemes catch the wrong prey but makes a perfect match. This was a delightful historical read of romancing the wrong prey but getting a perfect fit.
Lady Arabella Danvers is an animal lover, mending any stray that comes her way. She is perfectly happy being a spinster and living with a household full of pets but her mother has other ideas. In fear for her future, Arabella's mom orchestrates her ruin to ensure marriage but the wrong man shows up.
Nash, the Earl of Clarendon, has a biddable wife in mind, so being caught in a compromising position with Arabella changes his future in mere minutes.
Lady Arabella Danvers is an animal lover, mending any stray that comes her way.
Nash, the Earl of Clarendon, has a biddable wife in mind so being caught in a compromising position with Arabella changes his future in mere minutes.
I spent the first half of the book furious at the childish Arabella who cared so much for her animals she could care less that her husband was allergic to cats (and this continued all the way through the book). I guess the poor guy just had to get used to it. I guess I was supposed to feel bad for her when he tried to change who she was but I couldn't really blame him. I might want to curtail her animal rescue if my eyes and skin itched beyond belief! That bothered me so much that I looked over the fact the money issues and the new Earl whose story was just left hanging.
A completely charming and thoroughly satisfying read!
Arabella was a leading lady after my own heart as, I too, am an animal lover and "helper".
Poor Nash is in the wrong place at the wrong time and, therefore, ends up married to the exasperating and irascible Lady Arabella.
But, maybe these two aren't so unsuitable after all. Can compromise and love find their way into two stubborn hearts set on having things their way?
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & Entangled Publishing, LLC in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
A definitely buy book if you like charming and totally lovable regency romance. Each step of this book as it unfolded brought the regency period alive in my mind. I so enjoyed the characters as stubborn and argumentative and arrogant! I enjoyed the side stories and plots around being an animal lover. I totally became engrossed in the story itself. i found it to be charming and alive in its unfolding.- So if you want a funny, lovable regency to read that has arrogance in the hero and stubborn as well as a lot silly heroine this is definitely a book to read. I totally enjoyed it! I was given this arc in return for an honest review. Anna
Though I’ve read and enjoyed several of this author’s Scottish historical romances, the prim and proper dialog and demeanor of the characters in this book took me some getting used to, folks. But, honestly, that’s just me, and not likely going to be you. I eventually tapped into the very English vibe and just went with it. In fact, I realized it did fit the storyline.
Arabella certainly made it easy to do so. Her at times feisty, sassy character may have known all the ins and outs of being a proper lady, but she was quick to try and assert herself as a strong willed person who had a mind of her own. For me, that helped aleve an overly stuffy feel. But there were several times she seemed to let him get his way when I desperately wanted her to tell him to stuff it. Her obsession with animals seemed a little out there, but it was all due to having a very kind heart, so, really, how could anyone hold that against her? Well, the hero certainly took exception as he mandated/enforced his proper wife rules of conduct.
You see, Nash seemed to gnash his teeth out of frustration a lot, especially over Arabella’s antics. And bless his little ole English heart, he mistakenly thought he was always doing the right thing.
With a contentious beginning that became interlaced with undeniable steamy attraction, this unexpected married couple made the best of a bad situation and grew to care for one another. It took this knucklehead Englishman some time to come to his senses, but not before what definitely felt like rejection set the stage for an “almost lost it all” scenario that had them both scrambling to compromise and finally get their HEA.
Title: Marrying the Wrong Earl, Series: Lords and Ladies in Love (Book 2), Author: Callie Hutton, Pages: 224, ARC copy, animal loving/virgin heroine, experienced hero, VERY smexy scenes about halfway into it, stand-alone, no cheating, no love triangle, no OM drama, had wanted to marry someone else originally, hurtful at times hero, comes to his senses.
Book 1 - Seducing the Marquess, 10/17/16, (Richard & Eugenia)
Book 2 - Marrying the Wrong Earl, Pages: 224, 4/17/16, (Arabella & Nash)
(This review is based on an advanced reader copy distributed via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased, fair opinion. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, Barnes & Noble.)
Marrying the Wrong Earl was a pretty good read. First off, we have Lady Arabella Danvers. She's definitely different everyone in the ton. I mean she rescues and nurses animals. I mean she has to be a kind hearted person. However, this is looked down by the ton, even the Earl of Claredon.
Nash is the Earl of Claredon, and he has a goal to marry the most eligible young lady Lady Grace. I mean she's everything an earl could want. However, things don't work out ever since he collided with Arabella. He needs to map a road to happiness.
Who doesn't love scandal? A scandalous encounter between these two that forces them to be tied together. They have a bumpy road a head of them. I mean he's a bit condescending towards Arabella especially when she takes in more animals. Normally, I side with the guy in the story, but in this case I was on Arabella's. I wasn't a huge fan of Nash, but Arabella put up with a lot from Nash and her mother. She's quirky, and there's nothing wrong with that, I totally loved her. She was my favorite, because she was willing to stand up for what she believe in. Overall, a pretty good read.
Copy provided by Entangled via NetGalley
Rating:
4 1/2 Stars
Nash, the Earl of Clarendon, has always been an honorable gentleman so when he finds himself in an accidental, but compromising position with Lady Arabella, he does the only thing he can and announces they are engaged. Lady Arabella is a free spirit and her life's passion is rescuing and saving injured animals. The last thing she wants is to be married to a straight-laced Earl.
This book is about letting go of one's arrogance and stubbornness and learning to compromise. Neither Nash nor Arabella want to change and therein lies most of the conflict in the book. There is a minor mystery going on in the book about declining revenues at Nash's country estate, but I had that figured out early on. Ms. Hutton writes well, but I didn't feel any scorching heat between the H and h. I would have liked to have seen more conflict between Nash and Arabella than just being set in their ways. Don't get me wrong--It was a pleasant story overall that comes to a predicable end. If you're looking for a quick and easy read, this story will delight you.
Lady Arabella Danvers is an unusual young lady, and that is causing her mother to doubt she will ever find a husband. What's a mother to do??
Nash, the Earl of Clarendon has just about decided on his bride. He needs someone who knows how to act in society and preferably has a decent dowry. Certainly not someone like his sister's hoydenish friend who disgraced him in the park.
This is such a giggle. I saw pictures in my mind when the animals misbehaved. Our heroine has a passion for helping injured animals, not something a lady should do. Our hero is a good man with a strong idea of how things should be done and seen.
I loved every page. A wonderful lightheaded read.
I was pretty enchanted by Arabella and Nash. While not the steamy, turn the page and up all night kind of read, it certainly entertained and kept a good steady pace.
I liked that Arabella wanted so much to keep her independence and loved treating and healing strays. It was pretty comical to read how poor Nash was trying to put it all together. The difficulty of trying to accept his wife just the way she is and worrying about the image that she would show to society. Many times you just wished he would get off his high horse and accept Arabella just as she was. If it made her happy, and he wanted her happy, why not put up with it?
I also find it interesting that the topic of her dowry never came up. I was waiting for that moment to show itself when she would finally realize just how much in the dark she had been, but the author decided to keep it in the background. No biggie.
There were some spicy moments, and I did enjoy the chemistry that these two had. There really wasn’t a terrible villain, but it didn’t take away from the story. All in all, it was an enjoyable read.
This is the second book in the Lords and Ladies in Love series and I will admit to not reading book 1, which I know to some people, is scandalous, but to me, it's not an issue, as I found that this book can be easily read as a standalone, which is exactly what I did.
I have read Callie Hutton's books in the past, and I have always enjoyed her books! There a refreshing take on the Historical Romance world, and I don't think I have read any books quite like hers. The authors writing is magical and the plots are addictive, even though I have found myself yelling at the books like they could actually hear me *blushes*
When it comes to the characters though, I have to say that I haven't found a character as fun as sweet Arabella, in a long time. I will admit to Nash annoying me though! As he fell in love (though he doesn't admit it) with Arabella knowing her love (borderline obsession) of animals, but then tries to change her!! But on the other hand, you can help but like him, even if he is an idiot.
I really could go on and on about the storyline and the writing and retell the story under my own interpretation, for hours, but instead I'm going to recommend that you buy this delicious book and savor it for yourself, by giving it 5 stars!!
This is the second novel in the Lords and Ladies in Love series. Nash, the Earl of Clarendon and Lady Arabella Danvers are thrown together due to a series of mishaps and end up in a compromising position. The main plot of the story is of a marriage of convenience with Arabella being very independent and against the idea of marriage. I didn't like Arabella's character as I thought she was way too defensive and argumentative about everything. She is not appreciative of Nash, when she falls sick right after marriage and he takes care of her. She is more worried about her animals than the husband she has married. She also kept assuming worse things about Nash and then got depressed thinking about them. But I really liked Nash's character. He was kind, charming and considerate. Even though marrying Arabella is not in his plans, he adjusts to the idea and puts his heart into making the marriage work. I also felt that the romance between Nash and Arabella seemed a little forced and without any hot spark. I understood the drive she had to save the animals, but her character came across as more arrogant and annoying than altruistic.
I have enjoyed the books from this author before but I would recommend skipping this particular novel.
* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*