Amelia Grey's The Earl Next Door is about Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, who lost her husband at sea. Her two friends, also widows, have joined with her to open up a school for young girls who have also lost family members at sea. Her next door neighbor, Lord Lyon, Earl of Marksworth, first assumes she is running a house of ill-repute and then is later rudely awakened and frustrated by the house of school-aged girls disturbing his mid-morning sleep.This sets off the attraction, sparks, and tension between Adeline and Lyon that continues through the rest of the book.

I thought it was an easy, fun read, and perfect for a week that was more than a little stressful! To me, the ending was a little contrived, but ultimately it works with the story itself, and I'm curious to see how the rest of the series pans out because I loved Adeline's two friends so much!

Great Book. Lyon wasn't at all what I expected considering his fathers way of life and I loved it. He truly wanted the whole package. Lady Wake had some demons of her own to work through but it can be possible to have what you never thought true with the right person.

The first book leads me to believe it will be a very lively and entertaining series. This book has an interesting plot and appealing characters of three wealthy widows of men who went down in the sinking of the Salty Dove decide to aid the families of the sailors who died, by opening a boarding school. Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake, did not have a happy marriage, She doesn't plan to remarry but can her sultry, next door neighbor Lord Lyonwood change her plans. This is a story of two people who keep having the wrong impressions of one another and their relationship is tested.
I received a free, advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.com.

It took me a while to get through this book. I enjoyed the beginning with the Earl thinking a brothel was moving next door only to find out quickly it was actually a school. If I'm being honest neither the hero or heroine of the story very memorable. At times the book seemed to drag on. I feel bad saying that I had a difficult time getting into this book.

The first book in a series usually sets the tone for those that will follow. This looks to be a very lively and entertaining series. Appealing characters and an interesting plot from the imagination of the author make this a compelling and amusing read. Three wealthy widows of men who went down in the sinking of the Salty Dove decide to aid the families of the sailors who died, by opening a boarding school, The Seafarer's School for Girls, for the daughters of the lost men. The goal is to teach them reading, writing and sewing skills so they can find jobs when they are older. Of the three women, only Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake, did not have a happy marriage, but none of the ladies are eager to remarry. Adeline bought a large property in a residential neighborhood to live in, with the school to be located in the rear garden. Her next door neighbor, Lyon Marksworth, the Earl of Lyonwood, had been out of town, but is confronted by his aunt when he returns, that a "house of pleasure" had moved next door- and that he had to do something about it. When he barges in, he mistakenly confuses Adeline for the Madam, which sets off their relationship to a fiery start, sparks an all. Lyon has refused to marry for anything but love, and after several confrontations, he realizes that Adeline is that woman. But her previous marriage had been so unhappy because of her inability to become pregnant and the things her husband had put her through to get pregnant. She knows that Lyon needs an heir, too, so refuses to admit that she loves him too. How will he be able to convince her that "love is all you need". (Sorry, couldn't resist that one.)

I received a free, advanced copy of this book from NetGalley.com. this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Adeline is a happy widow. Her former husband was a controlling, abusive type who constantly criticized her for not giving him a child. His death in a shipwreck has left her financially independent, and she’s using her money for a good cause, setting up a small school for the orphaned daughters of the sailors who perished in the same shipwreck. Now, if only the bothersome earl next door would just make himself scarce…

Honestly, I found myself wishing Lyon would do just that. The first few times he saw Adeline, he was an absolute turnip to her. I couldn’t figure out why she would allow him to be on intimate terms with her at all, and then once they were, he seemed to manage to get worse. So many times she’d say she didn’t want something and he’d just ignore her wishes and do it anyway because He Knew What Was Best, which is just the most aggravating trait in romance heroes. Any man who behaved like that in real life would be lucky to escape with only a flea in his ear.

Adeline was delightful, determined and wilful, strong in personality despite having taken some serious knocks in her life. Several scenes where she told Lyon exactly what she thought of him had me silently applauding, but the problem was Lyon never really changed. Sure, he accepted maybe he’d over-reacted once he was apprised of the true situation, but why over-react in the first place? He was an entitled prig who, most annoyingly, had everything fall out just the way he wanted it without having to do any work for it whatsoever, whereas Adeline was left with really no option other than to compromise her own principles.

Lyon wasn’t fit to kiss Adeline’s shoes. I can’t give this any more than two stars.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I’ve read a number of Amelia Grey novels in the past so I was interested to read this first book in her new series. This really was a lovely story and the characters were interesting and genuine. I loved Adeline’s character and also her friends and how loyal they were to her. I hope their stories are also forthcoming in the series! Overall the story line involving the three women and their idea for the school was a great idea – the students, especially the trouble-makers, provided a bit of excitement to the story line. Adeline’s character development through the story and how she overcame her emotional obstacles with a marriage was very heart-warming. And Lyon was the epitome of a perfect hero – romantic and brooding and great. Overall I really enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading both Julia and Brina’s stories (hopefully)!

Hmmm. I liked the characters in this book, and I liked the setup (young widows set up a London boarding school to help girls from poor families learn a trade, and their handsome new neighbor is annoyed by the noise and disruption). But it just felt a little flat on the page. The main couple are supposedly mad for each other, but it seemed more tell than show. And there was something off about the two girls we meet from the school. They didn’t really act like kids.

I’m curious enough to read on and see what happens in the next book, though.

There were a few things that I really liked about this book, one being the opening scene and two being the scene when the main character is stuck in her carriage in the rain. In both instances you get a glimpse of what a strong female character she is. However, it goes down hill from there. The book was just to slow and repetitive for me. I felt that the same internal dialogues were being said over and over.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

This one had its moments of great fun and passion. I did find the pacing a bit slow and I don’t like that it took her getting pregnant to realize  that Lyon wasn’t her dead husband and that he could make her happy. She kept saying she loved him, but it wasn’t enough until she was pregnant. Other than that, it was an enjoyable story and I am glad he stuck to his demands that they marry rather than continue an affair. The concept was good, I liked the aunt and the kids, they added to the enjoyment of the story. I wish that the story moved along at a faster pace, and there really wasn’t a villain and no dire conflicts in this one, which might have added in how slow I thought it was.

Great opening scene!

I found that the opening scenes involving Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, Lord Lyonwood the rather delicious future Marquis of Marksworth, a case of a mistaken use of a house and a fabulous crimson corset were hilarious.
The scene where Adeline is so annoyed by carriages blocking her doorstep, as it were, where she confronts Lord Lyonwood and his cronies adds further amusement.
Adeline in full flight is brilliant.
A definite five stars for these amusing interludes but to my mind the ending dwindled into predictability. After such a strong start this was a disappointment.

A St Martins Press ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

The first time Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, and Lyon, Earl of Lyonwood, meet, he mistakes her for a brothel madam. Whoops. The new neighbors aren’t off to a particularly auspicious start. Despite their instant attraction, these two keep butting heads every time they run into each other. But the sparks fly, and both Adeline and Lyon are happy to surrender to them.

After losing her husband in a shipwreck (not that she’s sad to see him go), Adeline decides to open a boarding school (with two other widow friends) for the daughters of the sailors who also died. The three women have all sworn never to marry again. Lyon is not thrilled about this declaration, wanting Adeline as his wife, not just his lover. The ending is pretty easy to guess.

This story was quick and easy, but I don’t have much to say about it otherwise.There was some odd bits with some of the boarding school girls that didn’t seem to fit, but overall the story was fine but not memorable.

A new series from Amelia Grey about 3 widows starting a boarding school after loosing their husbands in a shipwreck. Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, is not heartbroken at the loss of her husband and despite a bad first introduction, she is enamored with the Marquis of Marksworth, Lord Lyonwood,
He feels likewise but is not interested in just an affair, he is ready for marriage. He just needs to convince Adeline he is not like her former husband.
A good premise but the story had a lot of wholes. Love scenes were so rushed they didn’t feel that romantic and the ending and resolution came out of no where. It did not have me believing that Adeline loved Lyons but was convinced only by the situation she found herself in.

A fun historical romance with interesting main characters - Adeline and Lyon. This ticks all the boxes: romance, bold heroine, emotions, a dashing earl.

Lord Lyonwood is in London for the season. He has a new neighbor, Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake. Her husband went down in a ship during a storm off the coast of Italy. She bought the house next to Lyonwood and is making a school for the daughters of the workers on the ship her husband was on who lost their life. It is keeping Lyonwood's life more interesting than he would believe. Adeline does interest him though. Can he talk her into marriage again?

I found this book to be a pleasant read. The relationship between the main characters, Adeline and Lyon, is a serious of mishaps/misunderstandings that eventually evolves into an exciting affair. Lyon wants more and Adeline wishes to stay single and enjoy life as a widow, enabling her to participate in the things that matter to her. If you enjoy a good regency novel, then this book is for you! (I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.)

Very sweet story and very enjoyable, I really liked this book, my first from this author. Even though a series has been done with each of the widows getting their own book, every book can be read as a stand-alone novel. The characters are very well written and the scenes believable. I liked Lady Wake’s attitude of being a free woman with a mind of her own yet not snobby or over the top with it. The addition of the trouble making girls at the school add a nice reprieve from the main characters. Overall a very nice storyline and held my attention. And the romance was tastefully done I thought, I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake is finally free to do as she pleases after her husband’s death. She has no desire to remarry ever. She is opening a school for girls and living the life she wants. Enter Lord Lyonwood, the next door neighbor who mistakes Adeline for a madam of a brothel. He’s met his match but she’s not interested in a proposal. Then she proposes another arrangement that he can’t refuse. A good read for fans of historical romance.

In The Earl Next Door, the first book in Amelia Grey's First Comes Loves series, a red corset and a case of mistaken identity bring Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake and Lyon Marksworth, Earl of Lyonwood, together; and the neighborhood will never be the same!

Lyon's gossipy aunt tells him a house of "ill repute" is being set up next door and finding a woman dancing around in a red corset seems to confirm his aunt's information. When he realizes his mistake, Lyon apologizes but is not sorry he met Adeline.

Adeline has joined two other widows in establishing The Seafarer's School, a boarding school for girls who lost a father or brother when the Salty Dove sank. The widows lost their husbands, and the families of many of the crew members lost their only means of support.

Finding out how courageous, impassioned and strong-willed Adeline is intrigues Lyon. Adeline has gained freedom after her controlling husband's death and isn't afraid to indulge the attraction she feels for Lyon and get what was missing in her life.

"The Earl of Lyonwood had made her aware of what it was. What she had dreamed of having from her marriage but never received. Someone to hold her possessively. To touch her with passion. To love and desire her."

Lyon is ready to give Adeline all that and build a future with her, but she is afraid to trust in that future after what she endured with her husband. Her offer to continue as lovers is not what Lyon wants.

"A lover is not what I want and a lover is not what you deserve."

Lyon is steadfast in what he wants from Adeline - marriage. Grey deftly establishes him as a solid presence in Adeline's life.

This first installment was enjoyable and entertaining. Mrs. Feversham and her spyglass were a hoot! I'm looking forward to reading about the other widows of The Seafarer's School.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun historical romance. I really liked Adeline and Lyon. They were both interesting characters. I loved the idea of these widows starting a boarding school for girls that would not have a chance to get an education. I look forward to reading the next two books in the series. I want to learn more about each of the widows. I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.