The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey. St. Martin's Press. 2019.

In this story, the recently widowed Adeline and her two friends open a school for girls associated with the ship that took their husbands’ lives. This book has a great start when Lyon, a Marquess and Adeline’s neighbour is persuaded by his aunt that Adeline has opened a brothel in their upscale neighbourhood.

There are some excellent scenes that were a joy to read such as when Adeline tries on some racy clothing mistakenly included in her order or when Lyon’s guests block the street in a rainstorm, so Adeline’s carriage can’t get to her house. Soaking wet, she storms in during a card game and tears a strip off them all.

Between often amusing, vivid, well written scenes though there are some sections that I just plodded through; when I hit these, I would put the book down and not rush back.

Though the writing is fine, the heroine and hero are likable, consistent, believable characters, and the plot has elements that are better than average, this book was just ok for me.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Earl Next Door via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adeline finally has her freedom...and the pleasure of setting up a girls school. Lyon comes to town and isn't pleased to find loud squealing girls playing outside his bedroom window. Ms. Grey continues to write books that the reader doesn't want to put down until it is totally finished. I loved Adeline and Lyon's story and anyone who reads it will love it as well.

This book started well... or at least differently. Our hero thinks that heroine works in the brothel next door. What a faux pas!
Lord Lyon is not living next to a house of ill-repute, but rather a boarding school for girls (hence all the beds being delivered). He's not your standard overbearing Lord - well not all the time. And Adeline, she's not your typical widow - ever.
I really enjoyed this book. I've read a lot of similar stories over the years but this author has captured something different and given the lovers (and their immediate relations) something I can't quite name. Maybe it's that they feel more human and flawed - not black and white but hues of shades in between. They appealed to me and I'm looking forward to reading more works from Amelia Grey.

It was refreshing to read about a strong lady of the ton. They were rare back then and to have one depicted and be able to be accepted was a great storyline. The handsome earl that was thrown in didn't hurt either.

What a fantastic idea for a book series. The way that the girls were included in the story really made it great. I enjoyed, The Earl Next Door. I cannot wait to see whose story will be next.

Adeline, Countess Of Wake, is a widow who lost her husband at sea. She befriends two other widows and they decide to open a school for young girls who have lost loved ones at sea.

Lord Lyon, Earl Of Marksworth, her next door neighbor, barges into her home thinking that she is running a house of ill-repute, which starts their relationship/attraction.

This is an entertaining, well-written story.

Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake finally has the freedom to follow her dreams. This involves starting a boarding school for young women, many of whom were the spouses of sailors who lost their lives, in the same accident that her husband died in. She and two of her friends, who also lost spouses set up the home only to find her neighbour is Lord Lyon, the Earl of Marksworth, who after initially mistaking her as the owner of a brothel, finds himself captivated by her. However, Adeline is resolute in not wanting to remarry, so Lyon must do all he can to convince her otherwise.
This first book in the series ‘First comes love’, was a sweet romance, with Lyon being a man of strength and character, and with a desire to marry for love despite his father’s protest, standing out. I also enjoyed the friendship between Adeline and her friends and the relationship between Lyon and his aunt. Both added to this delightful story. I do look forward to reading more about Adeline's friends in this future books in the series.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! The guy was a bit of an oaf/butt at the beginning, but he soon comes to realize that for himself and cleans up his act. Even still, he can be a bit dense, and it sometimes takes Adeline practically screaming at him for him to realize something. I loved the subplot of Adeline and her friends opening a girls school. One thing that did bug me was a minor plot point that developed with that at the very end that was sorta dropped in there without any warning (though I kinda expected something like it to happen) and then not developed. It's just sorta weirdly in there for a chapter and then disappears once the characters have the rest of their HEA.

Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, is about to rejoin society after the mourning period for her husband is over. Joining together with two women who also lost their husbands when their ship sank she has decided to open a school for the daughters of the ship workers and offer them a better opportunity than any of them could have expected. After all her husband put her through on his mission for an heir, she has no interest in remarrying or men in general, but she cannot help but find herself matching wits with her new neighbour.

Lord Lyonwood’s father is determined he marry and provide him with a grandchild. It doesn't matter that he, himself, is marrying for the third time, he wants to see his only child settled. Lyon has no interest in marrying until he finds a woman he loves and after watching his father and much of society be unfaithful Lyon plans on being true to his wife when he finds her. He did not expect his life to be upended when a group of young girls move in next door. He is especially unbalanced when he meets the owner of the school, and he finds it hard to resist falling for her even if she is adamant she wants nothing to do with him.

This book was an okay read, while the characters and story were entertaining it lacked anything special. The market is saturated with similar romances that I would recommend the reader to look at. I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a great start to a new series! After a loveless marriage, Adeline becomes a widow and is ready to conquer life. She wants to go and do as she pleases and forget marriage. Her neighbor Lord Lyon comes in to her life. Can he change her mind? This was an enjoyable, light read and kept me entertained. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Adeline became a widow at a young age after only two years of a marriage that was not a happy one. As the Dowager Countess Wake, she had freedoms never dreamed of before and now with two other friends who lost the spouses on the same ship sinking, they have opened a school for the children of sailors from the disaster. Her next door neighbor, Lord Lyon, Earl of Marksworth charges over to meet Adeline under mistaken circumstances so their relationship starts off with high drama. Lord Lyon’s father, the Marquis of Marksworth, like a lot of his peers, sees women to be enjoyed for a man’s pleasure regardless of the bonds of matrimony. Lyon wants to marry planning to be devoted to only one woman.

Adeline and her friends have all stated they will not marry again for varying reasons. When she and Lyon come together after several tumultuous encounters, Adeline makes it clear to the Earl that she is only interested in an affair. Having already won already won her heart, Lyon makes it his goal to convince Adeline that marriage is the only way for them to be together.

Women of that period has a lot of restrictions so making it understandable why the widows would not relish marrying again. Adeline’s biggest issue has to do with ill treatment in her first marriage. The high society she moves in would look askance if they knew Adeline’s wishes regarding an illicit relationship with Lyon.

This first book in Amelia Grey’s First Comes Love series is a slow burn Regency romance. Quite a bit of the story sets ups the background for Adeline’s past and the girls’ school which is at back of the London property where Adeline lives. She and Lyon’s have multiple encounters though the romance happens fairly late in the story. All three women are found to be highly desirable by the men of the Ton who expect these women to be ripe for the picking. That they have other ideas than jumping back into matrimony surprises would be suitors of high society. It is interesting to see how Adeline and her friends deal with men who usually have the upper hand in this world of rank and privilege. Ms. Grey’s fans and those readers who enjoy Regency romances will be pleased this new series.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent historical romance. Adeline is a recent widow who is determined to live her life freely and open a boarding house for underprivileged girls. Lord lyon mistakenly things it's a whorehouse and embarrasses himself by confronting her.
I enjoyed their banter but felt that Lyons passive personality made Adeline appear curt and rude. They have a whirlwind romance with Lyon mostly chasing her. The novel is predictable but suitable for those who love a simple romance.

When Adeline and Lyon meet for the first time sparks fly. Sparks of annoyance, anger, and sexual attraction. The two have to deal with the situation as they are now next door neighbors. Lyon is an appealing character as he has a good relationship with his father Markswood, a serial bridegroom. Markswood married for love; when Lyon's mother died he married for companionship and further wealth. He has outlived subsequent wives and is looking to marry yet again. Lyon also has a loving relationship with his mother's sister, Aunt Cordelia, who doesn't care for Markswood and doesn't pretend otherwise. Lyon intends to marry for love and won't settle for less. Adeline is a widow and has no plans to remarry. She suffered in a miserable marriage with a husband who was interested only in getting her pregnant with a son. She never conceived while her husband's mistress did. I enjoyed following the trajectory of Adeline and Lyon's interactions and the "help" given them by Markswood and Cordelia.

If you asked me for an honest review, I would say this....
Did I like this book? Yes.
Would I read it again? I won't.
Would I recommend the author? Yes
Would I read more of the books written by this author? Absolutely.
What was the best feature of this book? The romantic scenes, plot and romance in general.
What was one thing you did not like? The fact that the book has ended, because I have enjoyed it.
What is your rating after reading "The Earl Next Door"? - 4.5 out of 5 no doubt.

Wow, I love this book. Wonderful chemistry between Adeline, Dowager Countess Wake a young
widow. And Lord Lyonwood, a true gentleman at heart who believes one should love ones wife only marry for love,
Their is a Hugh misunderstanding when these two first meet, he believer's she is opening a "House of Pleasure" instead of a young girl's school for families who have lost love ones at sea.
He thinks she is a lady of the night, she slaps him across face hard. He is shocked that he has called a Lady no a widow and a countess a "madam"!
From this bad start these two have a number of meetings, over the girls in the school, gaming at his
place ect. Then they have his father, her friends that are partners with her in the school and the girls
from the school. Thru all of this is the under lying chemistry and desire between them.
I don't want to say too much or it will take away from the twist and turns that you should read.
Please give it a try, know you will love it....
I received and ARC from Book Spout for a review

This book was refreshing,in that the earl was waiting for love and not marry for duty. No matter what his father wanted.
The dowager countess is a strong and passionate person but also vulnerable.
You get the two together and it’s fireworks.
I enjoyed and recommend reading this book.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. The Earl Next Door is the first book in the new First Comes Love series and it was a great way to start off a new series. I loved getting to enter this new world and meet these new characters. I just fell in love with this story and these characters and I am so excited to see what this author writes next.

Adeline and Lyon’s story is a great start to the First Come Love series. I enjoy a strong heroine and hero. I can’t wait to read the next in the series and to find out what happens to Nora!
I received an ARC for an honest review.

Another very pleasing story by Amelia Grey. A romance between a feisty heroine and a dashing hero. Twists and turns and a relaxing read with a satisfactory ending.

The meetcute was the best part, and then the story just became boring. I found it very easy to put down and forget about to the point that I didn’t care if I finished it or not.