I received a free copy from netgalley and exchange for an honest review. This is the second book that I've read by Kellie Bowen and I enjoyed this one just as much as I enjoy the first one if not more. Eli has returned home after he was injured in the war and he encounters Rose the woman he was in love with before he left but the woman who he could not have because she was engaged to his friend. The women in this book including Rose we're pretty much atypical of women at the time but I still enjoyed how powerful and strong they were and willing to break society's rules. I loved Eli's love of rose and how natural it felt and how Eli allowed Rose to teach him how to be comfortable with who he is returning home. I really enjoy the story.

I received an ARC from via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is exceptional. It is truly the best I've read in a very long time and that is saying something; I almost feel like I have to go edit some of my ratings of other books because this one has changed the scale. This was a beautiful, romantic love story of two damaged people learning how to grow together and meet each other halfway. It was so refreshing to have a somewhat reluctant leading lady who doesn't come off as immature and irritating, but rather seems like someone you could know. Most books of this genre tend to have an outside force working against the couple and bringing them together, but in this case it was their own demons keeping them apart and seeing them overcome them was lovely. Also, Eli is the best hero I have read in sometime. This book is also extremely well written, from the steamy scenes to the descriptions, which, as a linguist, I truly appreciate. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and preorder/one click this book, you won't regret it.

LAST NIGHT WITH THE EARL - Kelly Bowen
The Devils of Dover Series – Book 2
Forever
ISBN: 978-1-4789-1859-2 (mass market)
ISBN: 978-1-4789-1858-5 (ebook)
ASIN: B078W5M8HG
October 2018

Dover, England, 1820

Eli Dawes, the fourteenth Earl of Rivers, was believed dead after the Battle of Waterloo, but now, years later, his father’s solicitors have found him living in Belgium. Eli and best friend Andrew had left England together, both going against their fathers’ wishes and demands, to join the effort to defeat Napoleon. Andrew did not survive the last terrible battle. Eli never talked to his father again, and now the man is dead. The battle and events that occurred have permanently marked Eli. He is no longer the handsome, careless, and entitled rogue he was when he left England. Half his face is scarred so badly he tries to avoid any public attention, which means avoiding London. Once in England, he goes to his family estate of Avondale in Dover. Needing to break into his own manor house, in the dark he trudges to his old bedroom only to be attacked by a woman once there. He meets Rose Haverhall again, the one woman he truly loved and could not court. She was Andrew’s fiancée. Her rich merchant family has a summer rental lease on the manor for some select students from the Haverhall School for Young Ladies. The only positive thing is the damage to his face shocks her but doesn’t faze Rose.

Rose has faced her own battle and doesn’t trust Eli as she remembers his and Andrew’s wild, womanizing ways. Andrew scarred her in another way that makes her avoid society ballrooms and entertainments. Her sister, Clara, administers the school while Rose teaches painting. Her masterful painting talent has let Rose support herself. Her portraits help damaged women see their special beauty. Husbands and lovers also hire Rose to paint their wives and lovers – her confidentiality about these paintings keeps her business thriving. She soon learns Eli had no part in her social disparagement. He wants to be friends again and moreover, he loves her. While Rose comes to love Eli, she cannot marry him.

Today’s knowledge of how traumatic events affect people give the reader special insight into this historical period's values. How Eli and Rose, who help each other, overcome their ordeals, makes this a special story. They are attracted to each other, but Rose’s continual insistence they can only be friends puzzles Eli and inflicts new pain on him, and as he suffers, so does Rose. Characters from the first book take important positions as mentors to these two psychologically wounded characters. All of this makes the story good reading.

Robin Lee

This is the next book in a series, but you will not need to read the series to enjoy this novel (although the series is good and you should read them for your enjoyment). This book is delightful in that both the hero and heroine are damaged people, but that damage brings them closer to each other rather than providing the "angst" of the story. Our hero is disfigured by war and our heroine can see beauty in places that others do not. She is also brave and does not let the hero hide away or intimidate her. It is refreshing to see this kind of maturity and understanding in a relationship. Too often a "scared hero" is played to torment the heroine whereas this hero is befriends the heroine. The pacing is good and the drama is more psychological than "angsty". I highly recommend this one.

Last Night With The Earl is a wonderful steamy romance. Bowen spins a complex tale that beats a romantic heart all its own. Her characters are very well developed with deep layers. Truly a great foray into the world of England after Napoleon’s defeat. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author. A must read.

Last Night with the Earl by Kelly Bowen is historical romance that captures the heart and soul. Here, I got to explore the depths of humanity. How far are we willing to help others? An earl, suffering from war, gets a young boy soldier up on a horse when his fellow friend/soldier points a gun at him. Daring the earl to give up the horse so that his uninjured friend could run away. Yet the earl refuses and saves the boy instead. That day earned him more scars and possible death...Years later, just when everyone assumed him dead, the earl finds his father has died and is now taking up to hiding away from the public. Scarred, damaged, and licking his wounds, the earl is content to leave London's society. Yet his plans are dashed when he comes back home. The one woman who caught his heart lives and teaches at his home residence. There they banter back and forth until both get their anger, loss, and grief straightened out...friendship builds up and so does the attraction and lust. However, both are too injured to let loose and love. The young female artist and the earl need to forgive, heal, and overcomes their fears. 

I loved this novel. Kelly Bowen creates characters that are impossible to ignore. Her scenes are vivid, entertaining, and full of emotion. My heart broke for both protagonists. Their troubles made them three-dimensional. I easily was swept away by their actions, romance, and personalities. Plenty of heat, intrigue, and humor are displayed on the pages. These make it hard to stop reading the book. Overall, I highly recommend Last Night with the Earl to all readers. A discovery of art, passion, and inspiration await in this read.

I absolutely loved Eli and Rose's story!! I have wanted to read Rose's story since the last book and Bowen did not disappoint!!

Eli has been damaged mentally and physically by the war and doesn't want to return to society. But with the death of his father, he doesn't have the option to remain hidden anymore. Her returns to his family home, only to discover is has been taken over by a school for girls.

Rose has hidden away from society after being throughly humiliated by something her former fiancee did. Eli had been friends with him, so she also blames him for her troubles. But when they meet again, she gets the feeling that Eli knew nothing about the incident. She has hated him for so long, can she ever see him any differently?

I loved watching these two work together to get over the pain of their past. The bantering between them had me laughing out loud at times. This is definitely a must read for any historical romance lover!

I can't wait to see what Bowen come up with for the next book in the series!!

ARC provided by the Author/Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. A scarred hero and a struggling heroine make this a story that touched my heart. As much as I enjoyed though, I still felt like we didn't get enough of the heroine's emotional arc considering how much of the climax hinged on it.

I really enjoyed this book and will look for other books by this author. It was a fast and easy read and closed out beautifully.

Rose Hayward is an artist and an art teacher at a privileged, progressive school which is located on an estate owned by an Earl who is thought to be dead. Eli Dawes, the not-dead Earl, barely survived Waterloo and stayed in Belgium for six years not notifying anyone of his whereabouts. When his deceased father’s solicitors find him, he reluctantly returns to his estate where he is reunited with Rose,
Rose and Eli met six years prior, when Rose had her first season. Although they seemed opposites: he was handsome, charming, arrogant, a ladies’ man and she was a blue stocking in love with her fiancé, they became friends until there was a betrayal.

I enjoyed many aspects of the book, the conversations between Rose and Eli for example. However there were too many plot holes, unbelievable situations (a Lady running an inn for example) and character inconsistencies. I am rounding up to 4 stars because of the delightful short story by Grace Burrows.

ARC provided by the Author/Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

ARC provided by the Author/Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This lovely romance is the story of a man with scars that mar his face and a bluestocking who pursues her love of art while teaching at a school for ladies. What made this novel heart-warming and different were the physically flawed characters and their acceptance of their deformities despite the rules and conventions of Society.

Eli Dawes, the Earl of Rivers never wanted to inherit the Earldom despite all the efforts of his father. Eli lived a life of the son of an Earl, debauching woman and presenting a picture as a pure rakehell. He also never pretended to be what his father wished, enlisting in a War with no intention of ever returning…years later believed to be dead by everyone. Not wanting the pomp and circumstance of being labeled hero by society, he sneaks off to his estate, Avondale in hopes of spending the rest of his life in peace. It ends quickly with his encounter with Rose Hayward, the ex-fiancé of his best friend.

Rose Hayward endured one endless, tormenting season where she was mistreated and gossiped about because of an anonymous publication that left her heartbroken by the one man she thought she loved. Scandal left her in a dark place and in a life of seclusion, relinquishing any thoughts of marriage.
As the story continues, there is passion, love, and courage to conquer and overcome. The passion and need the major characters have for one other was spot on and I loved how it was nicely written. The story is slow-paced and easy to read. It has its share of well- developed and relatable characters.

There were some parts of the story that felt a bit empty, for example the way the two major characters met and then his pursuit of her early on was a little bit unbelievable. My opinion in that there was no leading up dialogue on when he fell in love or became smitten with her before he went to war rather than him telling her about his affections later in the story. However, Rose’s character comes off as a strong-willed, hard-nosed kind of individual. But one kiss introduced way too soon, and that side dwindles. I found it difficult to follow her not knowing when she would be a disagreeable agreeable.

Likeable Quote: “Your mind, Rose, is what set you apart from any other woman I’ve ever known. Your intelligence, your abilities, your compassion, your convictions. I wouldn’t be much of a man if I couldn’t admire any of those things.”

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.

A scarred hero and a struggling heroine make this a story that touched my heart. The slow reveal of their past connection made me root for them to get together. Even when they get past that and care for each other, there is uncertainty about their future because of a medical condition. Perfect ending!

I look forward to more historical romance from this author.

If you like your intimacy behind closed doors, you may not like parts of this book.