Sally MacKenzie's books have always made me laugh, and are a form of mind candy for me. I enjoy them, they relax the brain, and I'm always left wanting more at the end (because it's enjoyable!). The last in Spinster House trilogy was no different.

This book focused on Jane, the last of the trio of friends to remain unmarried and to take up residence in the Spinster House. Of course, if you have an unmarried heroine determined to remain unmarried, there's going to be temptation and confusion entering the picture in the form of a handsome hero. Conveniently enough, he's the only unmarried friend in a trio of three gentlemen, the first two having married Jane's two best friends.

I enjoyed the relationship between Jane and Alex, and how Alex is not completely (just a little) the mega-alpha male, and that Jane's hesitations regarding marriage aren't just fluff. There were several times in their interactions where my husband would keep asking me "why are you smiling" and considering we were on a plane I'm glad I was only smiling and not laughing out loud while I read. There's no real "bad guy" or drama in the story outside watching two people with completely different experiences in life working to try to find a path together...and doing so in a way that is entertaining and light and brings in the characters and stories from previous books. We're also left with what I assume may be the next installment/character/series, and I look forward to seeing where the introduction of this new character may lead.

From Goodreads:
If love is a malady, the Spinster House ladies have caught it, one by one.
Miss Jane Wilkinson couldn't be more delighted when her two best friends marry, creating a much-desired vacancy at the Spinster House. For the first time in her twenty-eight years, Jane can be free of her annoying older brother and enjoy complete solitude with the exception of the Spinster House cat, Poppy. If only Jane's unruly thoughts didn't keep drifting to handsome Alex, Earl of Evans, in the most un-spinster like ways.

Though jilted once, Alex has always intended to marry and raise a family. Now that his two closest friends have tied the knot, he is more determined than ever to find a wife. If only it wasn't the intriguing Miss Jane Wilkinson that his heart as well as the rest of him desired. Not only does she appear uninterested in marriage, it's clear she's the managing sort. And yet, despite Alex's fiercely independent spirit, the idea of being managed by her is quite appealing. Now if he can only convince her to give up her beloved Spinster House in favor of a far more pleasurable home in his arms

What a wonderfully fitting ending to what has been a remarkable series of stories! I have been lucky enough to have gotten to know these characters from the start, so it was wonderful to have them not only altogether again, but to see where they are in their lives (and the nod to the curse from the first story and the uncertainty surrounding that - oh my goodness I could not have envisioned a better way to tie that in). And POPPY! Poppy has always been my favorite character (even though she's a cat, she has such personality and she's a calico cat which makes it all the better), so I was super excited to not only see her come back, but to see what kind of antics she would get up to.

As for Alex and Jane themselves - I loved the banter (and the tension) between them. They were evenly matched, and I very much enjoyed watching the romance between them bloom. When you get two people are stubborn as these two are, you know sparks are going to fly! Also loved how down to Earth Alex really was. Despite his title, he was still willing to help Jane put on a good show for the fair, even if that meant he was the one putting on said show.

Overall, I would highly recommend this story (as well as the others that have come before) to anyone who enjoys light romances (even if they don't technically adhere to all the proper rules of society). I would definitely read more from this author!


DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

I enjoyed this story between Miss Jane Wilkinson and Alex, Earl of Evans. This book is the 3rd and final installment of this series. I have to say that I love the idea of the Spinster House; a place that women could go to if they were not married by their mid-20's. Ancient by regency standards ;) Jane was not particularly well off, but she did not want to be dependent on her brother anymore. She felt that he needed to get on with his life, just as she needed to get on with hers. Jane was thrilled to finally be the only spinster at the Spinster House. She had never lived alone and was looking forward to it.
If you read the other 2 books you would have been introduced to Alex. At this point in the story, he is the only single one left in his group of friends. He is a man who wants to be married and start a family. I LOVE this! I think many times in regency romance stories the man is a confirmed bachelor by choice and does not want to be "shackled" to a wife. So, this was a refreshing change. MacKenzie's description of Alex made me want him. Who doesn't love a sexy Earl with loads of money? One that wants to marry for love and be a father? Totally swoon worthy right there.
I agree with some of the other reviews in that this is a more light-hearted regency romance. The dialogue and mannerisms are a bit modern for the time period. Normally, I am not a stickler for rules and conventions...I just want great chemistry and hot sex scenes. This book delivers. I picked up this book expecting a HEA and I definitely got one. The author keeps the action moving, the dialogue is great, the character development will make the reader not want to put the book down. I have to mention Poppy. I would have never thought a cat would make a good character and MacKenzie managed to make this cat memorable. It will be a detail that readers will not forget. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good historical romance and a lot of romance in your day. *sigh*

When to Engage an Earl by Sally MacKenzieThe third spinster of Loves Bridge has finally helped her two friends find love and now she gets what she wants most in the world, Spinster House. She moves out of her brother's home and into her own. Too bad she's starting to realize that a home of her own might not be what she really wants.
Alex, Earl of Evans, is also starting to realize that he might want more out of life. His heart was bruised when he was jilted (not quite at the altar but fairly close). It may be that she was just too young. He's discovering that an older woman (twenty-eight) might be the way to go.
This was a nice, gentle story but sort of elliptical. Alex likes Jane, Jane's not sure, 'round and 'round they go, spanning months.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out May 30
Follows How to Manage a Marquess

I thought this was a really sweet third book in the series. Alex and Jane were cute together and they both seemed to really enjoy anytime they interacted. Both characters have things they need to work through in order to get their happily ever after; Alex needed to trust his romantic instincts after being jilted and Jane needs to be able to surrender some of her independence. I have to say though, at times Poppy the cat stole the show. I like how the author wrapped up the major plot lines, letting you know if the Duke's curse was broken, and who ends up in the Spinster House in the end, while still leaving some mystical mystery to the tale.

I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sally MacKenzie writes fluffier Regency-era romances with engaging characters and a nod to (rather than adherence to) the manners of the era.

I think I was a little lost on the backstories of the characters in this third instalment in a series, and didn’t make the greatest effort to figure it out. This is definitely a series to follow in order to get the most out of.

I liked both hero and heroine, as anachronistic as they sometimes seemed to be. I really appreciate authors who make their characters likeable, and I always give major bonus points to a hero who WANTS to get married (especially in an era where it was an obligation to his title).

However, the discrepancy in the social status of hero and heroine made this one a hard-sell. This was not an aristocratic hero who behaved like a man of his social standing – I mean… the puppet show!

The heroine inexplicably lives totally on her own – except for a cat. This is not believable to me, especially for a woman apparently able to marry into the aristocracy. The world was different then; even people on pretty meagre incomes didn’t do everything on their own.

Hero and heroine also do a lot of touching. What makes behaviour two hundred years ago different to today is that men and women touching each other was a big deal, not something you did as a matter of course.

If you like your historical romances light, fluffy and modern, this might be more the book for you than for me.

All of the Spinster House books have been delightful, although sometimes it seems as if our H and h are trying too hard to stay apart.

Sorry but I must say BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY!
This was a very witty, entertaining series! I was totally immersed in every single one of the stories and could not believe the ending! I am truly amazed at how wonderful this talented writer is. She has such a marvelous way of giving humor, romance, passion and a story line that is fresh , witty and totally different! I enjoy her characters and just want to keep reading and rereading her stories! You will absolutely not be disappointed in this series, I can only say buy buy buy buy buy! A truly talented author with a highly entertaining and witty series. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

The conclusion of the Spinster House series is everything I expected it to be. Jane, the last Spinster, was rather happy holding that title. She liked being alone and beholden to no one. Alex was setting out to attempt to find a bride after the first time turned out in disaster. Seeing Jane again made him rethink what he wanted. It takes quite a lot of persuading though. It was fun to catch up with all the ladies and gentlemen in the series and read about the happiness they continue to experience.

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this series and was anxiously awaiting Alex and Jane's story. If you have been following the series, you know that Alex arrived heart-bruised and jilted in the village of Loves Bridge with his friend Marcus, the cursed Duke of Hart and Nate, the Marquess of Haywood. It was supposed to be a quick stop and then they would be on their way to the Lake District. One by one his friends fall in love and marry the spinsters of Spinster House. Alex does feel a connection to Jane, but his heart and head are not ready for love, he leaves the village and travels to the Lake District alone.

Jane finally has her heart's desire, with a bit of meddling she has managed to be the last spinster standing and has moved into Spinster House. She does feel a little lonely, but she is determined to be independent and has no wish to marry.

When Alex returns months later, she is glad to see him and again feels the pangs of loneliness - but not enough to give up the independence she has worked so hard for. She has a lot of internal conflict about her feelings for Alex, but convinces herself that being a spinster is what she wants.

A few months later, Jane and her brother are invited to the christening of Alex's nephew and it turns out that her brother's lost love is there as well as Alex's former betrothed. This makes for a very interesting (and amusing) party - especially when Alex's family decides to play matchmaker. Alex realizes that he didn't really love his betrothed, he loved the idea of marriage and family - so now even though he is attracted to Jane, he convinces himself that he isn't really ready to find another bride. He and Jane share a moment and she runs away the next morning.

Another few months pass and Alex finally goes to try and make amends with Jane - who is still happy being lonely and independent. They meet again just as Cat is going into labor. And when the baby is born, they end up having to stay at the castle together. One thing leads to another and Alex proposes. Jane refuses.

More months pass and finally Cat steps in and makes Jane write to Alex. Jane has regretted refusing Alex and is scared that he has moved on. Alex gets the letter and goes to see Jane.

I loved this book until about the 75% point - at which time I got bored (and a little annoyed) with the internal conflicts - Jane was never the most likable heroine to start with and her stubbornness to remain a spinster, even when she was clearly miserable just annoyed me. At this point, I almost wished Alex married someone else and let Jane remain "independent".

But all is not lost, at the 89% mark the book takes a turn and the ending was wonderful!

If you have been following the series - this book is a MUST READ if you want to find out if the curse is broken and see ends up in Spinster House once all the spinsters of Loves Bridge are married!

Alex has been jilted and this colours his relationship with Jane. He does not trust his own growing feelings for her but he does not seem to be able to stay away from her. Jane feels that becoming someone's wife will take away her independence. Enjoyed reading about the resolution of all these struggles.

WOW!! What a bang-up ending to this series!! The Spinster House goes to a bachelor -- you just have to love it!! Sorry -- you'll just have to read it to see what I mean!

I have to say that I loved all of the characters in the entire series, but Poppy is the absolute best character you could want in a book!! Poppy is a reddish-orange cat that is the very definition of independent AND everybody truly believes that she is magical. After you read this series, you'll think so too!

If you read the first two books, you'll know that Miss Jane Wilkinson had some behind-the-scenes involvement in getting the first two couples together. She did that because she wanted the Spinster House for herself. Jane was determined to never marry and to live independently of her brother. However, she didn't really bargain for how lonesome she might be - even though she'd never admit that. She had an attraction to our hero from the first time they met, but was determined to fight it.

Alex, Earl of Evans is feeling pretty insecure about himself since he was jilted. He doesn't trust himself to know if he is in love or even to evaluate how someone feels about him at all. However, he feels continually drawn to Jane and finds himself turning up at the Spinster House when he doesn't really intend to go there.

Alex and Jane don't have a smooth path to their HEA - mostly because of Jane's fears. Once Alex realizes how he feels, he's ready to go - but not Jane. Takes a while and a lot of hurt before she gets where she needs to be.

I absolutely LOVED the epilogue. I always think a book - especially a romance - needs an epilogue, but this one was really, really good. It followed up on the previous couples and ended it all with a really sweet loving finish. Way to go Sally MacKenzie!

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

I have read a few books by this author and she is usually a hit or miss author for me but this story I mostly enjoyed. I have not read the previous books in the series and those storylines are mentioned a lot but I never felt lost so I think this story can easily stand alone.

I mostly really loved this story. It was sweet and romantic. What I felt it missed was passion. I did not feel either characters love and lust for the other and there really is just one sex scene in the story. I did really love all the characters especially Alex, his sister Diana and her daughters Bea and Rachel.

I mostly liked Jane, but as the book progressed and she claimed to love Alex but refused to marry and I found her tedious. I did not understand why she refused Alex and his love and it kinda bored me and I was ready for the book to end. I actually started not to like her as she really had no real reason to want to stay single.

I did mostly enjoy the book and there is a small part of the story where Jane got just too much. So I do recommend the book and I positively Loved Alex and his whole family.

Sally MacKenzie's books are funny, sexy and a delight to read. We always buy her for our library and recommend for Readers' Advisory.

When To Engage An Earl by Sally MacKenzie is a fun historical romance. This book is well-written. Ms MacKenzie has delivered awesome, lovable characters. I especially enjoyed Alex's nieces. Alex and Jane's story had plenty of drama, humor and spice to keep readers attention on the story. I enjoyed When To Engage An Earl and look forward to reading more from Sally MacKenzie in the future. When To Engage An Earl is book 3 of the Spinster House Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.

Another delightful story bu Sally MacKenzie! Thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more!

I must admit that it took me some time to realize that this book is the third in a series and that I read the first book "I-can't-remember-how-many-times-but-very-often". And guess what, I loved this book as much as I loved the other one, "In the Spinster's Bed".

The characters are wonderful and I love to read how close they all are and to see how they interact. Our hero, Alex, the Earl of Evans, is someone I'd love to be friends with and when he is with Miss Jane Wilkinson, our heroine, well, you definitely get why everybody -except them, of course- knows that they belong together.

And of course there's also Poppy, the cat, how could I not remember this cat right away? She is a very unusual but simply amazing character (and I loved it!). As a cat, well, you know what they say about cats and their owners underlings and the way cats rule their lives, right? And Poppy - let's just say that she is a very special case and nobody would dare not to obey her.

What I liked a lot about this book was the fact that even though Jane's indecision and her insecurity concerning her feelings for Alex are a bit frustrating and sometimes you just want to take her and Alex, lock them up somewhere together and don't let them out till they realize what everybody else already knows: they are perfect for each other! But - and this is what I really liked, you can understand Jane and her indecision. No, her childhood wasn't perfect but she hasn't been badly abused or soemthing like that but you can understand why she values her independence that much and why she is loathe to give it up. Of course there are also other insecurities and some misunderstandings but in the end - well, all is well, that ends well, right?

A very enjoyable and highly recommendable read - I loved it!

He's a good uncle. And Rachel is adorable.

That's a lot of alliteration.

Yikes, so Isabelle Dorring was a witch?

Yes, appeal to her vanity.

What is Jane's profession?

I feel bad that Randolph has been carrying around all this guilt. Sometimes accidents just happen. I hope his belief that Imogen still cares for him comes true.

Haha! You tell 'em, Judith!

Aw, he's subconsciously planning their family.

This house party is making me tired.

Rachel's eight, not two, man.

It's nice that the villagers care so much about Marcus.

I don't imagine any women in the village give their husbands permission to visit Mrs. Conklin.

He did not just say that.

The last of the Spinsters house story. Sorry to say, this one was not anywhere as well written as the first two. I thought the Earl was made to look like a wimp. She actually struck me as being stupid, instead of fiercely independent.. Very disappointed in this book. The Author is a better writer than this. Some of it was funny, however, the two main characters were lacking . I recommend it, just to finish off the Series. Thanks!
carolintallahassee