⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

There are times when I am reading that I am conflicted. I am unsure how to review the book. The reasons include the quality of the work but also my mindset when reading. This was a good book, not a great book. However, I would recommend it and the series. There were a few nuances to the writing I found a little lacking. For reasons I cannot pinpoint, I found my mind wandering at times. My attention was not 100% through the entirety of the book. It was entertaining but a little predictable.

The characters of Zane and Brina were spot-on. They were both written vividly and with great attention to detail. Brina is a widow who has had a difficult time since her husband passed. Her grief and stages of mourning she went through were believable and realistic. I loved her independent nature and her inner strength. She had the moxy and fortitude to stand toe to toe with Zane. Zane was a rake with no desire to be an Earl. He was thrown into the role expecting to fail. Going through all the trials he faces throughout the book, he earned my respect. He was flawed and outrageous at times. A free spirit not wanting to conform to society’s strict rules. Zane was just an all-around lovable character. The book received a four-star review because of the strength of these characters. Their personalities carried the brunt of the book.

The connection between Zane and Brina was a little shallow and coerced. I didn’t feel the passion strongly between the two during the romantic moments. Their interactions seemed a little staged at times. The romance between the two improved three-fourths into the story. By the end of the book, I felt that they cared for one another.

The plot was multifaceted and intricate though characters felt forced into situations at times. The conditions, although true to the story, came across as being contrived. The plot moved at an even pace and held a lot of content. It was a fiercely strong storyline; it just fell through with the delivery sometimes.

After reading this review, I hope you understand my conundrum with this book. There was nothing terrible or boring that stood out; it just didn’t shine as brightly as I wished. It was a good, strong story. I felt with a little more focus on character and plot connection; this could have been an outstanding five-star book. I can sense the greatness that these books could be, and I feel that future books could be stellar. The plot needs a little sprinkle of passionate, soul-searing connections. I am hard on this book because I see its potential. All that being said, I liked the authenticity of the book and will read future works to come.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press. This is my honest, voluntary opinion.

Zane Blacknight never thought he would be an Earl. But when the heirs in line before him die in a tragic accident, he is thrust into the spotlight. Brina Field never thought she would marry again after losing her husband at 19 in a boating accident. When Zane and Brina meet by chance in Paris, it is lust at first sight. Fast forward to London where Zane is learning to be an Earl and Brina continues to run her school with two other former widows and volunteers. When Zane places a wager on taking Brina as his bride, it is the talk of the ton. Brina puts restrictions on Zane if he wants her hand, no drinking, no cursing, and no gambling. When the end comes, it is not what you expect, but is a very satisfying conclusion to their love story. I really enjoyed Zane and Brina as a couple. They were both in roles they never thought they would be in, but through their love and support they can conquer anything.

The third installment, yet the first I have read, we now have Brina Field’s story: the widow of the ship’s captain and ostensible leader of the three society women who banded together after the shipwreck to find new purpose and hope in widowhood. Brina, although she loved her husband, is hiding herself away in her good works, and has zero intention of ever becoming vulnerable to the earth-shattering loss that love brought her. But years in, her aunt convinced her to attend a masquerade in Paris, setting aside her widow’s weeds she encountered Zane, the infamous rogue of the Blacknight family.

Zane is now back in England after a tragic accident means that he is now Earl Blacknight, with his uncle, cousins and others who preceded him in the title inheritance are gone. With no interest in the Earldom, and little regard for the norms of society, he’s captivated by thoughts of a night in Paris when he first met Brina – although he doesn’t know her name. Spotting her on the street in town, he is informed that she’s a widow devoted to the state of singledom, her good works, and far too staid and proper for the likes of him.

What follows is Zane’s attraction and fascination with Brina finds itself a home – as she is as intrigued, if more reticent to declare herself or become involved. A wager at White’s , several lovely moments of a blossoming friendship and adorable banter as Brina starts to show her less ‘restrained’ side, and Zane does his level best to convince her that he is the man she needs to marry. Grey has done a lovely job of checking in with others affected by the shipwreck, showing us Brina’s slow but steady reclamation of the life that she was born to live, and find Zane really is good hearted and better natured than his appearance and reputation. A great story with plenty of light and laughter, easy to follow even if read out of order and sure to intrigue readers in the earlier titles in the series.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aTu /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I loved this book! The plot and the characters kept me guessing the whole time. I couldn't wait to read more after finishing the second book, and I couldn't put this one down.

After a fateful night in Paris where two strangers meet and share an unforgettable embrace their paths cross again in London. When Zane discovers who his mystery lady in pink is he decides to place a wager in the betting books at Whites, that irrevocably changes lives.

This is a sweet story about knowing what you want and going after it. It is also about working through grief and the anger of losing someone. I am really glad I picked up this book. It is a lovely story. I would 100% recommend this title!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun and entertaining read by one of my favorite authors. Even though this if the third book of First Comes Love series, it can be read as a standalone. The characters seemed real with thought and feelings of their own.
Brina Feld lost her husband when the ship Sally Dove sank and left her a widow. Now she can help the people in her small community. She is contented with her life and needs no man to order her about. But then the rakish Zane, the Earl of Blacknight, returns to upset Brina's peace of mind. He totally gets under her skin with his smooth talking and flirty ways to make her blush. He's not at all her type, who drinks, gambles and chases skirts to cause talk. Even though Zane was never to inherit the title of Earl, he wants to change his life to be respectable but needs help. The oh so proper Brina is the perfect person to get him back on track. He hopes he can become something more than a wastrel
There is a lot of sexual tension between these two and and love blossoms for a happy ever after.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

What a fun story! Zane, the new Earl of Blacknight, has been the family's black sheep almost since birth. If Society requires it, he does the opposite and always has. He has no interest in toeing the line that Society demands of a peer but his uncles demand that he, not only take his proper place in Parliament, but that he marry to show everyone that he has settled down. The only woman who interest him at all is the lovely widow, Brina Feld.

When Brina Feld lost her husband to the sinking of the Salty Dove, she decided she had no interest in giving her heart to another man who could die and leave her. Five years on from the event, she is comfortably single, and so virtuous in her charity work, that no one suspects the passion she hides. On first meeting Zane, she knows he's a scoundrel, but since she's in Paris, at a masquerade, and not wearing her widow's weeds, he has no idea who she is. Can he convince her to be his bride, using his honor as the key to her heart?

While not laugh-out-loud funny, this book had enough humor to keep readers engaged, and chuckling. At first glance, Zane and Brina couldn't be more mismatched. She is everything prim and proper, and he is a rogue. He's gone against Society's norms for so long that he doesn't remember most of the rules he now has to follow. I loved how the two of them clashed, but also how they made each other better.

If you enjoy Regency romance with all of its rules that are made for Zane to break, you'll love this book. I plan to go back and read the first two in the series, now that I "know" the characters!

In this third installment of the Love Comes First series, Amelia Grey has outdone herself. This sweet tale of strangers to lovers is heartwarming and brilliantly written. Brina Feld Is devoted to helping the families who lost loved ones on the ship that claimed her husbands life. She works tirelessly to better their lives while dealing with her own grief. While attending a masquerade ball with her aunt she meets a strange man tied to a chair and frees him. Zane the Earl of Blacknight, has never forgotten the mystery woman who helped him in his time of need. When he takes his place in the earldom he realizes that he needs help reforming his rakish ways. However in true roguish fashion he bets that he will
marry the elusive widow by the end of the season. The chemistry between these two characters is outstanding. The storyline is both intriguing and sweet. This is definitely a must read!

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I could not get into this novel. While I admired Brinas strength and good heart this story takes a ridiculous turn when after meeting her once, the earl proposes marriage so she can show him how to be a proper Duke and they can rekindle their attraction for each other. She's a widow with no plans to marry another and he disregards her wishes by attempting to persuade her to marry him based on their attraction. The story felt too far fetched and forced.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication April 27, 2021.***

3.5 - 4 stars

I found this to be a cute book. The main characters are actually quite likable, and I enjoyed the banter between Brina and Zane. The story started a little slow for me, but it was a nice change of pace instead of instant action.

I'd like to try the other books in this series to learn more about the side characters.

The third book of this series and I am sad to see this series end. Brina is the last of the three women to get her story told. And it is a good one. A new earl but a gambling, swearing rogue sets his sight on Brina, a confirmed widow that plans to stay that way. Let the chase begin! From the ballroom to the park and even a race is part of this delightful story. I found the story to be a nice escape read.

She lives a life of charity. He wasn't supposed to inherit the earldom and didn't want it.
Brina and Zane are perfect for each other. They are opposites and opposites attract.
Amelia Grey has written a good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. This in no way affects the opinion I have of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

*Thank you to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This was my first read from Amelia Grey, even though I have been collecting her books for her beautiful covers for some time now.

I really liked the premise of this book from what the synopsis said. However, in the execution I was not feeling it..

I just didn't get the hero's motivations and I was annoyed with how long it took for things to get started. 40% in and it was still crawling along. I just wanted things to go faster.

I also don't like books with bets in them, and this one was all about that. So that could be my fault for not thinking it through better before grabbing it.

I am still willing to read another by this author and I will continue to buy her books for the beautiful covers they add to my shelf.

3/5 stars

The 3rd book in the series by Amelia Gray and just as entertaining as the first two. Brina and Zane's romance was quite entertaining and well-written. I liked the plot elements and enjoyed the happy ending.

This series just isn't for me. I always leave each book wanting a little more than what I get from them. Thank you for letting me give it a shot.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR EARL by Amelia Gray sounded great in the blurb provided. If only the book could live up to the excitement promised.

I was given the opportunity to read a free, pre-release copy of the book through NetGalley. I actually had the ebook for several months. Each time I began to read it, my attention would wane and I would put it aside for “later.” Each time I had to start over because I had a hard time remembering what I had previously read. To me, that is an indication that the book was not really very catching, and I was right.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR EARL is the third and final book in the trilogy First Comes Love. As in the previous two books, Brina, the main female character, has lost her husband in the shipwreck of the Salty Dove, where he had helped to save many. He was considered a hero. Brina wishes to model her own life to reflect the same type of altruism.

Zane, the new Earl of Blacknight, wasn’t very happy about inheriting the title. He was a bit of a wild man, enjoying life on his own terns and felt the title was a constraint.

Of course, these two personalities were bound to clash but needed a HEA. Yes, that happens, but I found the necessary storyline tedious and difficult to maintain my interest. Three stars as my personal opinion.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

How to Train Your Earl by Amelia Grey is the third book in her First Comes Love series. I enjoyed book one, The Earl Next Door, so I was happy to dive back into this world.

Brina Feld is a young widow. She lost her husband of three months when the ship he’d been sailing on went down. His heroism (he died saving a multitude of others) inspires her to devote her own life to service. Together with two friends, heroines in the other novels, she has founded a school for the sisters and daughters of sailors lost in the same shipwreck. She has spent five decorous years honoring her husband’s memory. She’s content and fulfilled, or so she tells herself and others.

Zane Browning, Earl of Blacknight, is a very reluctant earl. Until recently very far down in the line of succession, Zane had no qualms about devoting his life to gambling and womanizing. The accidental death of the previous earl and the next couple of young men who should have succeeded to the title, has left him loaded down with responsibilities he does not want, the chief of which is to marry and produce an heir.

Zane has crossed Brina’s path once before, under circumstances Brina would like to forget. When he sees her again, he makes up his mind at once. It is Brina or no one. However, while she certainly finds him attractive, in a way she never expected to be attracted again, she has no interest in changing her lifestyle.

Zane’s plot to change her mind, placing a bet that she will agree to be his wife by the end of the London Season, has the whole of the ton agog. Bets are placed for and against. Infuriated and embarrassed, Brina counters with a bet of her own. She will not marry him. Rather he will apologize to her before the world. In this somewhat ill-conceived way, he convinces her that he is in desperate need of reformation and needs her help. She agrees to help him learn the correct way an earl should behave.

Fans of historical romance can see how this will play out. Happily, it plays out in a lovely, fun-to-read fashion. This is a delightful series. Having missed book two, I’ll have to go back and see how the second heroine fared.

Cheeky man.

I wonder what horrible things she could have done.

His uncles are so loving. Not.

Robert is heading for addiction.

Poor Harry. No good deed goes unpunished.

And now there are loan sharks.

Imagine a world where Florida still belongs to Spain.

Oy, it's a coat!

He should have either sent a note or Harry.

Attaboy, Harper.

Excellent!

An chance encounter and a bet leads to some good characters,banter,drama and romance.
A easy read,enjoyed reading..
Voluntarily reviewed

After her husband died rescuing several of his fellow passengers on the Salty Dove, Brina Feld has lived a sober and sedate life of service, running a school for those orphaned by the same tragedy which left her a young widow. She has no desire to remarry. No interest in finding a new man to love. Which is why she is shocked to discover that the scandalous Earl of Blacknight has bet that he will be able to woo the virtuous widow and have her accept his suit by midnight of the final ball of the season.

Zane, the accidental Earl of Blacknight, has only ever had eyes for one woman -- the woman who he'd stolen a kiss from at a masquerade ball several years prior. When he discovers that she's the elusive and impeccable Mrs. Feld, that doesn't cool his ardor one whit. He's going to prove to her, and the rest of Society, that he's the one for her. Even if that means giving up every single vice to do it!

---
I went into this book with an open mind. I've never read anything by the author before and the premise sounded quite cute. I love a good enemies-to-lovers story. But this one fell flat for me.

I absolutely loved the first chapter. It was exciting and the banter flowed like champagne. However, the action slammed to a screeching halt and the banter devolved into inquiries after various relatives' health. I felt thrown. Worse, the action didn't pick up and the pacing just dragged. Worse still, because the pacing dragged so much I kept finding various anachronistic phrases and words -- something I don't generally notice if the banter and flow are on point.

I also found myself disliking the main male character. While I love a good reformed rake/rogue... I didn't like Zane's refusal to take Brina's no for an answer. He kept pushing and pushing and putting her on the spot -- even in public. Something that didn't sit very well for me.

I made it to the 30% mark and then started skimming, hoping--praying-- that the action would pick up. It didn't. Honestly, this book bored me. Others might find it right up their alley, but for me it was a miss.

Two Stars

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley