I'm always slightly disappointed by historical romance that spends more time on a mystery plot than the actual romance the reader is expecting, and I'm sad to say that this is the case here. The hero and heroine spend very little time together, and have almost no emotional scenes that would have served to make me believe in their love. This is partly due to the mystery plot, and partly due to the huge cast of characters they have to contend with, all of whom are written about as if the reader should know them already - I know this is book 5 in a series, but historical romance series are usually connected standalones, and it seems unusual not to introduce recurring characters in case readers come to it out of order. The writing is also slightly messy, with the point of view flicking back and forth between the hero and heroine in the space of a few paragraphs. Overall, I really struggled to enjoy this, sadly.

Teresa Alvarez was once a gentleman’s daughter in Spain. The war changed everything for her, and now she lives quietly in London painting sets for the theater. Arthur, the Earl of Macklin, is a widow who recently seems to rescue people and help lovebirds. This book seems to be part of a series that I am not familiar with as the characters seem to know each other from previous books. It’s not a distraction though, just makes you curious about their stories. While this is a romance, it takes a back place to the investigation of missing dancers from the theater.

3.5 stars

Can a novel still be categorized as romance when your romantic leads are levelheaded to a fault? Earl's Well That Ends Well, with its homonymous word play of a title, might has misrepresented itself as a potentially quirky, lively affair. While the book is skillfully crafted and never dull, the minuscule presence of courtship might disappoint readers seeking some escapist romance fun.

The romantic pairing will instantly hook you: a well-reputed widowed earl in his 50s (still handsome and in good shape, as the book constantly reminds us), and a Spanish noblewoman (in her early 40s) with a traumatic past, perfectly content with solitude for life. Even though the mutual attraction is established early on, author Jane Ashford keeps them at arm's length: the earl too polite to encroach, and the noblewoman too stubborn to disrupt her hard-earned peace. This standstill is kept up well into 70% of the story, when their relationship finally comes to the forefront and advances. When it rains, it pours, while the sample-sized romance still manages to close out the narrative on a gratifying note, it remains an off-balanced pacing, even for the most patient reader.

**Minor spoiler ahead**

To fill that romance-less 70%, Earl's Well That Ends Well paints an engrossing world packed with a surprisingly large cast of secondary characters, and a very plot-driven narrative. I was pleasantly surprised to realize the main narrative through line involves solving a serial kidnapping scheme. Being the fifth book in a series, I'm sure readers with previous knowledge will be happy to see characters returning for another round.

**Minor spoiler ends**

While I didn't get the brash banter, or spark of passion I was hoping for (I mean, the earl is clearly going through a midlife crisis, how can you not have fun starting with that?), I do appreciate Jane Ashford's more sensible, slowburn approach. Just beware in Earl's Well That Ends Well, it focus more on things happening around the two leads, rather than things between them.

***This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!***

Thank you for the review copy!

This was a little different from the historical romance novels I usually read. Teresa and Arthur had maturity and their life experiences brought depth to the characters and the story. Both of them came from a privileged life but the war changed Teresa's life so dramatically. Teresa was prickly but understandably so. Her dramatic change in circumstance taught her some hard lessons and then her new living conditions showed her the disparity between nobility and the working people. However, Arthur won her over with his sincerity, honesty, and trustworthiness. His actions spoke louder than any words. He was amazing in winning over Teresa and earning her love.

I really really really appreciate when an author gives a non-traditional character whom we've all loved throughout a series a happy ending of their very own. This particular matchmaking Earl was very much deserving of a second romance of his own. At nearly 50 - he is definitely older than most romance novel heroes. He is however, still pretty youthful in description and activities. He has grown children - and grandchildren - and is looking for his own happy ending. He is such a kind man - and even though he is a product of his time - he is much more open to supporting young women and men to finding happiness and living their best lives. He really wants only the best for others.

Teresa is a survivor. She is originally from Spain, where her family lost everything in Napoleon's grab for power across the continent. She did what she needed to survive - and has now made a life for herself in London. She is fairly bitter about the hand life has dealt her - but has found some peace having a small home and painting scenery for London theatres.

I enjoyed this book a lot - especially Teresa learning to trust again and Arthur learning about his own privilege and how those who don't have that same privilege can be very vulnerable. Particularly women. His education in that department is pretty soft- but still very real.

I am hopeful that we might get to see more of the girls - maybe as they grow up a little bit more - and in a few years a story for Tom of course.

Overall - I am so happy Jane Ashford gave the Earl of Macklin a story of his own.

I received this book as an an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Earl of Macklin, Arthur Shelton, learned to live his own life as a widower. When he returns home after traveling, his estate feels too empty, and he quickly heads to London where he encounters Teresa Alvarez de Granada, a charming Spanish noblewoman and is immediately entranced. There begins the pull and tug relationship and the more determined Teresa is to discourage Arthur, the more entangled they get, and it's only a matter of time before her respect for him starts to feel a lot like love. Love which I absolutely did not have for this novel.

The first quarter of any book is crucial and can literally make or break it. If the author fails to gain the attention of the reader (me), get ready to wave your hand and say sayonara because this girl is gone! I tried really really hard to like this but goodness gracious this was a snoozefest. From the leading characters, romance, meek storyline and everything else in between. I just couldn’t do it anymore and had to unfortunately drop this. I gave this more than a fair shot to impress me but nope. It was more than apparent it wasn’t happening and I ponder, how did I keep my eyes open for this?

All in all, this was more of a ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ type of read and I hope the next novel I read from this author is something to write home about.