Okay, this is a lukewarm review. However, this is my personal opinion and is not a reflection on the book itself.

It's a good book for a book of its genre. But I've found that lately I'm getting more and more harsh on books in this genre (e.g. clean Regency romance). I don't know if that means I should stop reading it or what, because ... I did still enjoy reading this book. And I would do it all over again, though I wouldn't reread it.

The characters were decently well-developed. I really liked James's friends and their families and saw a lot of potential there!

I also thought it was set up well. Though I realllllyyyy wanted the book to go in a different direction (covering some of their early marriage instead of being entirely about their betrothal period, short as that period was), the direction it went in was fine until about the middle when it started to go off the rails (more on that later).

I was personally bored by the longer descriptions and the long periods of Kate just *thinking* which I felt were much overdone and often redundant. However, I can see how a lot of readers might really enjoy this. To me, it just felt like a bit much, fluffy and unnecessary, and I had a hard time not skimming it.

That said, the plot was again intriguing, and there were some very pretty things about the author's writing style and the way she portrayed certain situations. There were even times where she made choices that were unique to her, and I really appreciated that!

However, there were just some things about this book that drove me crazy!

First, in my opinion, the way love is represented in a lot of romances these days is just off. And I'm wearing out on it. In addition, the way the heroine and hero viewed love was quite cliché (and unrealistic). Especially the heroine, who, like most heroines, seems to view love as some unstoppable force that she must resist despite the hopelessness of it all.

I'm terribly tired of that "I won't fall in love no matter what" heroine who eventually "succumbs." I dislike it for being cliché, I dislike it for portraying love as something it isn't, and I feel like it's a harmful stereotype, too. There are people in this world who make themselves too hard for any kind of affection or feeling to penetrate.

Inspirational movies and books make it seem like these people don't exist, or if they do, they just need a little drawing out ... but nope. As someone who struggles with letting myself feel emotions, as well as practically express love for others, every day, I acknowledge that they are NOT unstoppable ... and yet I need to have them. I need to accept that I need to have them. I can't just sit around and wait until the action of love happens or until I start feeling loving toward someone because I inevitably will.

And yes, yes, I am taking this WAY too seriously. I got married last month, and that's made me really serious about love in a way I haven't been before. xD It'll fade in time, and I'll be able to enjoy romances without any side-effects. However, right now ... well, no reflection on the book, but I am rather done with it.

Second, there was a big "plot twist" at the very end of the book that I hated, and I'd promised myself that if it happened, I would rate the book 3 stars. Otherwise, it would've gotten 4. I'll dive into that in the spoiler section, but basically, it was again not the book's fault so much as my fault. I was done with the cliché, and the book can't help that.

The Spoiler Section:
Basically, at about 50% through, the heroine starts receiving mysterious threatening notes telling her to end the engagement. I thought this was weird, as she has no power to do so, but the book never really addresses that, sooo? Whatever.

Based on some not-so-subtle foreshadowing, plus the lengths to which the book went to try to "misdirect" me, it was pretty easy to figure out who was sending the notes and why ... sort of. Even when it was revealed why, it didn't make sense as yet another cliché popped up at that point - the "insane, money-hungry mother who does random but easily defeatable things" cliché. Which is one I'm done with, too. (Surely not every villain in these kind of books must be simply insane, so to justify their random choices and lack of true motivation, and so also to make them easier to defeat? But this genre seems to think that's the only kind of villain!)

Anyways, these notes keep coming, and eventually, they threaten the hero's life. Heroine is worried but somehow doesn't manage to quite communicate this with Hero so to cause artificial drama. At the ball, Hero gets a note, this time threatening Heroine, so he publicly breaks off the engagement. He decides to NOT take time to explain to either his friends or to Heroine what he's doing, even though in less than a sentence he could've told a friend what was up and told him to tell the Heroine. But I digress.

Heroine is upset and just decides to wander out into the garden in the middle of winter wearing a ballgown with the Obvious Villain. Obvious Villain literally doesn't even have to try to get her out there - Heroine basically just follows. (Why are heroines so stupid?) Heroine, who is an excellent horsewoman and not encumbered by a heavy pelisse, is then overpowered by Obvious Villain (an old lady) and then proceeds to get away but TRIPS AND FALLS like an ABSOLUTE IDIOT who has NEVER BEEN ON A HORSE A DAY IN HER LIFE.

Like, I laughed aloud when that happens. How?! Is she really that helpless? Yes. Yes, she did. She gives herself a concussion and then just LAYS THERE throughout the next scene, doing nothing. Such a strong woman.

Anyways, Villain has a gun and is going to just shoot Hero when he comes looking for Heroine. Why does she think this will work? Because she's insane. That's the only reason she thinks that 1. she can actually shoot him and 2. it will lead to her son inheriting and then actually better her situation (as there is no way they wouldn't know it was her because SHE IS THE OBVIOUS VILLAIN).

To be fair, due to Heroine's incompetence followed by Hero's stupidity, this almost works. Excepting that of course nothing would come of their deaths because everyone would know it was Villain. But I digress.

So Hero comes out, is stupid, and then eventually, after some more artificial drama, they disarm Villain, Heroine is carried up to her room (not wounded, sire, but dead ... sorry, I couldn't resist), and everything comes out and all is restored. After like three pages.

I just ... I know I'm being overly harsh. I KNOW IT! And I'm sorry to those of you who loved this book. I'm the one who's in the wrong here.

But I'm just done with the clichés and the kidnappings and the stupid heroines who lose their brains just long enough for the plot to happen. Also, the incompetence, and the lack of intelligence, and I just ... I'm done. I'm done. That is it.

In summary, this was a disappointing book for me. However, I don't regret reading it, and I think it was all right - if a bit on the cliché side.

Definitely read this book if you love Regency romances! It's not Christian, but it is clean, and it's a perfectly fun read with a lot of engaging characters and an intriguing plot!

~Kell

Intricate story and um, what a gorgeous cover, am I right?! This is one to re-read due to the twists and turns.

This was a very well crafted book! I loved the interaction between the Hero and Heroine! Ms Thornell is a fantastic job describing both sides of their perspectives! I truly enjoyed the setting and the side characters as well! I would read this again!

This book gave me the warm fuzzies. I love stories where friends fall in love. The road for Katherine isn't easy, but it is so satisfying in the end!

After thoroughly enjoying this author’s contemporary Christmas story I was excited to read more from her! When I found out she would be publishing a regency I was definitely intrigued, and if I’m being honest a little wary. It’s tricky to do historical and contemporary and keep them both true to their genre. But Karen Thornell did it exceptionally and this story had everything I love about regencies!
I’m always a fan of friends to more, though this one had a slightly different spin due to the fact that they had been separated for years.
James was great and truly desired to do the right thing, even if he was misguided occasionally about the best way to do it. I greatly admired the way he wanted Kate’s happiness and safety above any of his own desires. I wanted him to tell Kate the truth faster than he did but I did understand the reasons he held back so I didn’t dislike him for that.
I felt so bad for Kate and the life she’d been forced to endure under her father’s thumb. She didn’t let it turn her bitter though and she had the kindest heart. She also had some trust issues that needed to be worked through thanks to her father and other circumstances and I was so happy to see her start to let her walls down.
I thought James and Kate made a wonderful couple and their romance, while a bit of a bumpy road was still so sweet!
I absolutely enjoyed everything about this book and I cannot wait to read more from this author!

To Marry an Earl was a delightful Regency tale of an arranged marriage between two people who years earlier had been friends. There were strained and hurt feelings to overcome and a heroine whose emotions had been damaged so much by the actions of her father, that she was scared to allow herself to love. Add in a hint of mystery and danger and the tension was just right.

I really liked both James and Kate and especially enjoyed their time spent getting to know each other again. It was clear that James was already very much in love with Kate. Their time together was very sweet and I liked watching them fall in love. Both of these characters did make some decisions a few times that did not make much sense to me. Clear communication could have solved some misunderstandings, yet all ended beautifully. I also enjoyed the wonderful epilogue.

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful and heartwarming story! Kate's father is marrying her to the highest bidder, and when an old friend finds this out, he sets out to save her and marry her. This book made me laugh a little and almost cry at other times. I enjoyed the POV that it's written in as it gives a much necessary look into the thoughts of both Kate and James.
I received an ARC through NetGalley and this review is voluntary.

4.5 stars rounded up for this sweet and charming story.

Kate and James were childhood best friends separated by her father, who are reunited in quite an unusual way. Kate's father needs to cover his debts and has decided to basically auction his daughter to the highest bidder. James, the new Earl of Bowcott, can't bear to have that happen to the girl he's loved since they were teenagers, so he arranges with Kate's father to marry her. Kate has no idea the man she is to marry is James. When she discovers his duplicity will it ruin their chance at happiness?

What a great second chance at love story mixed in with an arranged marriage, a secret identity, and a house party, topped off with a mystery to boot! Poor Kate, to have her father care so little about her as a person he'd basically sell her to anyone with enough money. Kate loves James but has a hard time trusting others because her parents marriage wasn't the best example of love and trust.

I loved James, although his idea not to tell Kate that he was the Earl to whom she was betrothed was hare-brained at best. Thankfully his friends tell him so and the charade ends fairly soon. One reason I loved James was because as soon as he heard Kate's father's plan he made his own plan to rescue Kate and save her reputation by having a proper engagement period. He's so sweet to Kate and I loved their Sunday carriage rides home from church. *swoon*

I liked the mystery that ran through the story and had my thoughts as to whom the mysterious note writer was. The culprit was a surprise to me. No worries though, it all worked out in the end with a happily ever after for Kate and James. I also loved James' friends and would love to see more of them.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications via NetGalley to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thornell writes a beautiful regency romance that had me hooked right from the very start. Kate was thrown into unknown circumstances with her betrothal to the highest bidder. Unbeknownst to her it is her childhood friend James! Side note: James is just everything! *Sigh* He is handsome, kind, and thoughtful. We all need a James in our lives! Thornell beautifully weaves a captivating tale of friendship, love, and heartache. This was a well rounded story with both POVs from Kate and James. It helped me understand what each one was thinking and why they did what they did. The mystery element was what really had me reading until the very last page! I love a good mystery and Thornell had me guessing up until the very end. Bravo for a wonderful regency romance that all fans of the genre will enjoy! I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of Karen’s newest book, as I loved her novella Pursuing Miss Hall. And I loved To Marry an Earl as well! Kate and James were good friends in their youth, but when James’ family suddenly left without any explanation or saying good-bye, Kate was devastated. She was left with a cruel and overbearing father and a mother who was too timid to help Kate at all. A few years later, Kate’s father decides to basically sell her as a wife to the highest bidder. James hears of it and decides to try for her hand.

This book is so good! I love Kate and James, and I also and intrigued by Henry, Lucas, and Julia, and I hope this isn’t the last we see of them! (Am I the only one who always wants to learn more about the side characters?)

This is a clean Regency romance with an arranged marriage, mistaken identity and friends to true love.

Kate’s father is in debt and with her dowry gone, he decides to give her in marriage to the highest bidder. The winner is the new Earl of Bowcott, who unbeknownst to Kate (or her father), happens to be her childhood friend and former neighbor James. He will do anything to see Kate happy and so invites her to a house party where they become reacquainted. There’s a bit of a mystery to go along with the misunderstandings as Kate and James learn to trust each other and their hearts. Although I guessed the villain early on, there is an exciting confrontation that surprised me. The story is well written and I would definitely read more by this author.

I received an ebook from the publisher via NetGalley to review. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

‘Katherine Cartwright knows through bitter experience that true love is fiction and trust should not be bestowed easily. Now, after two unsuccessful London Seasons, her atrocious father has decided to marry her off to the highest bidder to pay for his gambling debts, ridding himself of the daughter he never wanted. A profitable deal is struck, and Kate is packed off to the home of her betrothed, an earl she has never met. Or so she believes.

When James Fenwick, the new Earl of Bowcott, learns that the girl he’s loved since childhood is being sold off like chattel, he’s determined to step in and save her. He makes an offer her father cannot refuse and insists on a proper engagement. But when Kate meets James again, her old friend cannot bring himself to admit it is him whom she is to marry. Soon, an intricate charade and a past that cannot be escaped jeopardize James’s chance at rekindling their friendship, to say nothing of winning Kate’s heart. Can love truly conquer all, or was this a match doomed
from the start?’
___________________

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars.

To Marry an Earl by Karen Thornell is a stand alone historical romance and is a clean romance.

I was hoping to like this book and, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t very intriguing. The premise of them being childhood best friends reunited after years apart had great potential, but kind of fell flat. There were several points that felt promising, but they didn’t go anywhere terribly exciting. The pacing was very slow, the first 75% of the book is essentially horse rides, getting caught in the rain, and stilted conversations.There was nothing unlikable about the main characters, they just weren’t interesting. They consistently questioned their feelings and intentions, which got repetitive. And although we spent a lot of time with these characters, I just didn’t feel connected to them at all and I wasn’t invested in what happened.

My biggest complaint was probably the villain. They were cartoonish, to the extent that they even took the time to explain their master plan before acting, giving the heroes time to thwart the sinister plot. What a shame, it really dampened any plot-strengthening that the danger may have added. It was also a bit ridiculous that neither of them picked up on who might be trying to prevent their engagement.

I think this book was not for me, as it appears that others quite enjoyed it. Personally I found the book to be boring and I won’t be reading more by this author.

_____

I would like to thank Covenant Communications and NetGalley for sharing an eARC of To Marry an Earl by Karen Thornell with me. This is my honest review.

I don’t remember if I already reviewed this book - NetGalley seems to have problems with me sending reviews.

I enjoyed this book. It’s an entertaining regency novel and it has all the standard things one would expect.

Unfortunately I don’t remember a lot from it - I read so many books since then, I can’t remember half of them. All I remember is that I didn’t put it down until I finished it. It’s a good one.

I think I smiled through this whole book. The interesting thing is, nothing about the plot was very unique. Stay with me here. The distant father, the unrequited friend love, the unexpected inheritance, even the mistaken identity are all very common plot elements in a regency romance. Putting them all in the same novel, seems like a bit much. However, the way Karen developed those ideas was enchanting.

She created characters that you love to love. She even built side characters in a remarkable and careful way. Giving us insight into their more intimate ways, deepening our love of the story. Also suggesting that hopefully this isn’t a standalone.

James’ deception was done in a guileless way with such emotion and introspection that you love him anyway. And I loved how the author gave Kate a willingness to concede somethings. It created a genuineness to both the plot and their budding romance.

If that wasn’t enough, the mysterious notes added a suspense level to the book. Karen left wonderful crumbs and enough red herrings to give the book just that added something. Making it that much harder to put the book down.

Official title: To Marry an Earl
My title: Boring people at the Estate
Author: Karen Thornell
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Fav character: Nutmeg
Type: Book - ARC
2.2/5

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. A very slow burn, with a trodding storyline focused on taking us through EVERY instance of this friends to lovers trope. I cannot say I was particularly interested in the outcome OR the ride, but if you enjoy sweet and staid stories, this may be for you.

Kate has a horrid, controlling and emotionally abusive father and a defeated, ‘recalcada’ mother. As the cherry on top, their fortunes are not what they ought to be. The father decides to solve this problem by selling her off, on the respectable betting books 🙃, to be married to a man with deep pockets and little sense.

The perfect candidate arrives in the form of James, a friend she had three years ago who went poof. Turns out James disappeared as a Mr. and returned as an Earl. Not only that, he has been enamored of Kate for years, and is the perfect deep pocket no sense young man to secure her place at his side… you know… if he can actually manage to TELL her that he is her betrothed, instead of horsing around 🤭.

THEN, A THREAT…. one which we anticipated given there were still another 100 pages in the book. Now, we have to wonder when James will finally share it all, when Kate will become interesting and which one of our narrow suspects believe they are better suited to mix with a titled gentleman.

To Marry an Earl by Karen Thornell is a story of second chances, forgiveness, and love. I enjoyed reading the story of James and Katherine. Their reunion, after a three year absence in which Katherine came to consider James a stranger, had me both laughing and cringing- what a meet cute! This story combines the tropes of friends to more and arranged marriage, and it’s done so well. Katherine really struggled to trust James, and though at times I found it slightly annoying, I had to remember that I’ve had a much more blessed growing up experience than she did. And so her struggle made sense. I enjoyed the personal growth of both characters, and James is probably one of my favorite heroes now. There were lots of sweet and swoony moments in the book as well. The mystery also added to the plot, and kept me reading up late some nights. Overall this was a great book, and one I will be recommending to fellow readers! I also hope there will be more to the series! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers, and was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oxfordshire - 1812

Kathryn (Kate) Cartwright has been denied a third season by her father. He claims to not have the money and he has also lost her dowry to his gambling. Therefore, he will marry her off to the highest bidder.

James Fenwick, the newly named seventh Earl of Bowcott remembers his friendship with Kate when they were younger. He refuses to see her auctioned off like cattle, so he offers for her through her father and is accepted. Kate does not know that her fiancé is her old friend James. All she knows is that she is to marry an earl. She and her mother are sent to the earl’s home to attend a house party and shortly thereafter, they will wed.

When Kate arrives at the earl’s home, she is told that James has been delayed and will arrive in a few days. In the meantime, she is to be the hostess to people she doesn’t know. When James does arrive, he gets cold feet and says he is just a friend of the earl whom she will meet soon. As they spend some enjoyable time together horseback riding and such, his lie to her has grown and he doesn’t know how to tell her the truth.

When Kate and James finally open up to one another, we see a nice love begin to blossom. This is where the book should have stopped. But, there was more angst and intrigue added on that messed up this sweet love story for me. Sometimes, less is more. Earlier, I could have given this book 5 stars but after all the other add-ons, I reduced that to 3 stars.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A sweet childhood friends-to-lovers with twists along the way! Kate doesn’t only learn to trust and love (eventually of course!), but she also learned about friendship… I really appreciated that part of the story and it helped make her journey realistic.

Such a wonderful debut novel! It is diverting, intriguing, and captivating. I loved Kate and James individually and together. It was just wonderful! If you are looking for a sweet read this book is the one for you!

You should read this story because it is so incredibly sweet! James is tender and watching his patient loving of Kate is beautiful! Kate is such a wonderful character! It is truly a wonderful book!

Kate's father is borderline abusive. At least verbally. He has never shown much interest in her except to berate her. And her mother hasn't stood up to him on her behalf. So Kate has often felt alone and unimportant. She's only ever had one friend, and he moved away three years ago with no word or even a goodbye. Her father has accumulated debts so high and Kate has been unwilling to marry in her prior Seasons that her father has become desperate enough to nearly offer her to the highest bidder.

James had begun to feel more for Kate than friendship when his family had to move unexpectedly. When he hears of the kind of men offering for Kate's hand and her father's desperation to accept whoever can provide him the most beneficial offer, James knows he has to step in. Thankfully, his new earldom has offered him the means and anonymity to be able to do so.

I was really unsure how Karen Thornell was going to work out this ruse of James keeping his identity from Kate. This was actually revealed in the early portion of the book, which made sense because I don't see how it could have gone on any longer than it did.

Kate has trust issues. No one has ever taken up for her. And everyone she's been close to has taken advantage of her, sat by while someone else did, or left. She has to work through her feelings about James leaving and his lies. Kate's struggles with trust were so easy for me to relate to that I almost got teary during one section.

I wasn't expecting a mystery. The description didn't hint at one. In some ways, I felt like the culprit was obvious. In other ways, I kept questioning myself and every single character--even the ones who should have been obvious to have no part in the scheme.

Favorite quotes:
-Father may control her life, but she controlled her perspective on it...

-He would never tire of hearing her say his name. It was likely a rather unmanly feeling, really, to be brought to one’s knees by the sound of one’s own name.

-“I am perfectly capable of having more than one friend, James. You need not enter into a rivalry with my horse.”

To Marry an Earl was enjoyable. I was hooked easily, but I also found myself wanting to put it down when Karen Thornell got to the true climax of the story. It was time for bed, and I just couldnt possibly read that section where the character does something stupid right before bed. I also wasn't expecting a mystery. Typically, I shy away from those. To Marry an Earl gets 3.5 Stars. I'm curious to see if any of the side characters will end up with stories of their own. Have you read To Marry an Earl? What did you think? Let me know!