I like these Authors books, usually. This one was a tad disappointing; for me. I love the Earl, Lyon; I liked the widowed Countess, Adeline. Her two friends, also widows were nice, yet, something is missing? The Earl was extremely patient with her, the school and the girls were too cute; I think that is what is missing! Did she never make certain the headmistress was not using the cane? There is some disconnect between her, and the school. It was a basic, nothing exciting Historical Romance.
I recommend! Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee.com

Wonderful, delightful read. First, in a new series. Great premise. Three widows starting a school for children whose dad's or brothers were killed in boat accident. Hero and heroine had great chemistry. Cute young characters.I am quite a fan of Fanny.

What a fun, delightful story.

Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake, is widow at only 22 years old and is finally free from her husband's demanding rule. He treated her poorly because after 2 years of marriage she still hadn't provided him with an heir.....even his mistress has been able to do that! While Adeline was retrieving her husband's personal items that were found from the sunken ship, Salty Dove that he was on, she met two other young widows, Julia and Brina. Together they decided they were going to open a school for females whose families didn't have the money to teach them things like reading and writing and they would start by inviting girls who lost a family member on the Salty Dove.

While getting ready to open the new school, a man shows up at Adeline's house, forcing his way into her house and happens upon her in an uncompromising position. Lord Lyonwood, the Marquis of Marksworth immediately thinks that Adeline is a lady of the night based on how she is dressed. Quickly, he realizes his mistake but is instantly smitten with Adeline. This starts their fun journey of getting to know each other. Lyon would love nothing more than to court Adeline because she is the first woman to have captured his attention but Adeline is not interested in getting married again. She'd be glad to be his lover though!!!! Lyon has never had females turn him down before and is now more determined than ever to make Adeline his.

These two characters went on such a fun journey together to get to their happy ending. I loved both Adeline and Lyon! I really enjoyed all the supporting characters too! This was a wonderful start to this new series and I look forward to reading more stores in it.

"The Earl Next Door" was a nice story about two very different people who discover that opposites can attract and love can overcome fear. Adeline was so hurt by her first marriage that she vows never to marry again, and focuses her energy on a boarding school for girls. Lyon is a man who likes things just so, and is determined to wed for love after seeing his father do the opposite. I would have liked a little more depth to the main characters, and maybe a little more conflict that they needed to work together to solve to bring more emotion to the story, but both were decent characters. The secondary characters, who will presumably get their own stories in the future, were pretty two-dimensional and cardboard here with nothing to really make you look forward to their books. Overall though, "The Earl Next Door" was a sweet, short, and simple book, fine for reading on a rainy day, and a nice bit of gentle escapism: just what I was in the mood for when I read it.

This is the first book in a new series called, First Comes Love. It's about 3 widows who join together to form a charity school for young girls whose fathers or brothers have died at sea.
This story is about Adeline, a dowager Countess and Lyon, her neighbor and an Earl.
Adeline was married to a man who treated her badly. He banished her to the country, while he carried on in town with his mistress. Then he blamed her for not getting pregnant with his heir. Then He subjected her to so many demeaning treatments and examinations. When he passed away she vowed she would never marry again.
Then comes along Lyon. Their first meeting was hysterical. Their attraction was instant. After several meetings where Lyon makes a fool of himself and Adeline takes him to task for it their passion explodes.
The issue now is can Lyon get Adeline to change her mind about marriage.
I liked the book but didn't love it. I would have liked to see a little more development of the secondary characters. The other two widows were hardly in the story. They could have been there for Adeline and showed their support for her in what she was going thru. I also thought the sex a little too sudden. It had a modern, contemporary feeling to it.
I have been a fan of Amelia Grey for a long time. Although this wasn't one of my favorites, I still liked it and would recommend it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received this ebook in exchange for a review.

3.5 Stars
When Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, learns of her husband drowned when the Salty Dove sank off the coast of Portugal, she realizes she’s free. At last, she can do, go, and be as she pleases. Lyon Marksworth, Earl of Lyonwood wants to run his estates and watch them flourish and find a wife who brings love to his life. When he meets spirited and self-reliant Adeline in a case of near-scandalous mistaken identity, Lyon feels he’s met his match. But Adeline isn’t interested in a marriage proposal. She will only accept becoming his lover and Lyon finds it hard to refuse.
I loved the first meeting between Lyon & Adeline, it had me laughing out loud & I was all set for a really good read. I did enjoy the book & loved that Lyon fell hook, line & sinker for Adeline. However I liked Adeline but I never felt that she truly loved Lyon, she seemed to want her cake & eat it without confiding in him. The pace was good although the ending was a little rushed. An enjoyable read that just slightly missed being an enthralling read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey is an historical romance with a bit of a different twist. We have a determined widow Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake who is starting a school for girls. We have a neighbor, Lord Lyon who (thanks to a nosy neighbor) believes nefarious going ons are happening. He immediately believes that the situation is that of a brothel moved into the neighborhood. Imagine his surprise when it turns into a school to teach sewing to less fortunate girls.

The beginning of the story really catches the reader’s attention and you find yourself wondering what is going to happen next. Adeline and the Earl next door continue to ‘run’ into each other, but it is how that makes the story so much fun. Don’t forget the nosy neighbor who actually has a spyglass!

I liked the independence of Adeline and her friends. I like how they are planning their future regardless of the expectations of society. The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey was a fun read with some heat!

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable but forgettable read.

A charming little tale with a more independent than usual heroine, which I appreciated. Great chemistry between the lead characters, with some nice subplots. Based on this book, I would definitely consider picking up other novels by the author.

The story of Adeline and Lyon starts off with great potential that declined for me as it progressed. I love Regency period novels but am getting tired of the subjects introduced, in this case fertility issues and casual sex. It just didn't fit for me, and I wanted it to. I am intrigued by the school, and the potential for future stories, but this missed the delight I usually take in this era of story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Enjoyable read
A good story , likeable characters, but for some reason I found it hard to stay focused on the story .
It felt a little jumpy and didn’t flow as easily as I hoped , please allow for the fact this is a personal thing and may be great for you .
I didn’t stop me from enjoying the general storyline or the plot of the book , so please bare this in mind .
I’ve read the author before and her books have been wonderful .
I look forward to reading more from her .
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Adeline is a widow who has sworn off marriage. She dedicates her time to a good cause which is quite fullfiling.

Lyon is an Earl who has never been married despite his father's nagging to settle down and produce an heir.

Adeline and Lyon start off with a love hate relationship but underneath it all, they are attracted to each other. Being neighbours they are unable to avoid bumping into each other. They fight their attraction as they have different dreams. They eventually give in, but Adeline is adamant about getting remarried. Can Lyon change her mind?

It's an entertaining and easy to read book. Both of the main characters have their appeal and the concept of the story is interesting.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from Netgalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

I was grateful to receive a copy of the Early Next Door in exchange for an honest review. This was a quick and very enjoyable book. The plot was unique and, the character building was simple and easy to follow, and the relationship between Adeline and Lyon was perfect. Overall, this is a great book that I would recommend to friends and family.

The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey is the first in her new series First Comes Love. A well written Regency romance with an imaginative premise. Three young women become widowed when the ship their husbands were on sank. They decide to create a boarding school for the daughters and sisters of the crew members of that ship to teach these girls reading, writing and dressmaking skills in order to have options for their futures.

I enjoy stories about widows who find love again. Widows don’t have the same societal constraints as unmarried maidens so they can have more adventures.

I so enjoyed this line after Adeline’s first encounter with her neighbor Lord Lyonwood. (He thinks she’s opening a brothel in his neighborhood…many beds had been delivered to her house after all…)

“For three days Adeline has stewed about her neighbor. Well, some of that time she’d simmered and a time or two she’d sizzled. But no matter when or how she’d thought about the man, heat was involved.”

This was a light, fun and enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next books in this series.
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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

"The Earl Next Door" by Amelia Grey
Loved this easy to read Regency romance... The growth of the characters as they are find real love and learn to trust. Truly a relaxing fun read. I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. And, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this story. I hope that you will enjoy this story also. Happy Reading.

This was a very enjoyable read. I liked getting to know Adeline, her friends, & of course, the Earl of Lyonwood (aka Lyon) her next door neighbor. Adeline is a widow that is opening a boarding school for girls who lost their father to a sea disaster. She wants to give them an opportunity to better their lives by learning to read, write, & sew, which was very uncommon during this time period if you weren't wealthy. She & two friends that lost husbands at this same disaster are working together for this cause. Adeline had no love with her husband & couldn't conceive no matter how hard she tried. He made no bones about making her feel poorly about this. Therefore she doesn't want to marry again even though she feels something for Lyon (after tumultuous first meeting). I highly recommend reading this book to find out how their story develops. You won't be disappointed. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

4 starts. A great read.
This is the first book I have from her and I will continue with the series.
Amelia Grey did a great job with this love story. The characters are easing to like and you will find yourself laughing and crying at some of the situations they get themselves into. She does a great job of introducing the other widows for the books following.. The antics of the little girls are fun and could be another series :).
I was given a free copy from Net Galley for an honest review.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake has sworn she’d never marry again. She enjoys the freedoms she has a widow and being able to decide what she does with her days. When she meets Lyon Marksworth, the Earl of Lyonwood, the attraction between the two is mutual. Sparks fly as Adeline struggles with the feelings Lyonwood awakens within her even as she remains firm in her decision to not marry. It’s up to Lyonwood to convince her otherwise.

Lyonwood is likeable. He is honorable and tries to do the right thing. Adeline has issues to work through from her past and she is unable to move forward until she does. I only wish that when Adeline and Lyonwood come together at the end that there had been a different reason for it.

I thought the story was well-written. I enjoyed the secondary characters.

I look forward to the other books in this series.

Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake, had been mistaken as a lady of the night. She was getting ready for her first season since her husband had died on the Salty Dog. A ship that was sunk with a hundred and fifty people aboard and very few made it. She was trying to select fabrics to make up a few gowns. In amongst the fabric she found a red set of stays and her favorite color is red. So she did the unthinkable and tried them on, with a gold ribbon around her waist tied in a huge bow. There was a brusque knock on the door and in barged a man. Demanding to see the madam of the house. This man turned out to be Lyon Marksworth, the Earl of Lyonwood and he had just been slapped across the face for insulting her, thoroughly. She is attracted to him as he is to her but there always seems to be misunderstandings separating them.
I enjoyed this tale of a difficult introductions, meeting the ton and slowly getting to know each other. The author has written an amusing, but well written story. The characters are well developed and are very lifelike. His dad was something else, he was in his fifties and acted like he was thirty, he was also just as young looking. A truly mesmerizing read.

What does a fiercely independent young widow really want? One determined suitor is about to find out. . .

When Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, learns of her husband’s sudden death, she realizes she’s free. At last, she can do, go, and be as she pleases. Finally, she can have the life she has always dreamed of. She doesn’t need, or want, to remarry. Especially not the supremely dashing future Marquis of Marksworth, who makes Adeline yearn for his desire. . .
Lord Lyonwood, son of a philandering marquis, will not be like his father. He wants to run his estates and watch them flourish—and find a wife who brings love to his life.
This newest book by Amelia Grey is one I simply could not put down. This is book #1 of the new First Comes Love series. I hope the whole series enthralls and pulls me in like this one did.
I gave this book 4.4 of 5.0 stars for plot, storyline and characterization. There are humorous moments from the girls at Adeline's school that she opened for the unfortunate children whose fathers were lost at sea on a particular ship.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.