Cute and angsty

What I liked:
The characters
The writing style
Part of a series: Rogues to Lovers
Standalone
HEA

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.

Girls Before Earls by Anna Bennett, book one in her Rogues to Lovers series, is an entertaining, romantic, and wonderful story with great messages about family, grief, society, and love. Miss Hazel Lively is a strong, independent woman who dedicated her life to helping young girls. Adamant that all girls, regardless of social class, deserve the same opportunities, Hazel opens a school to girls of all social stations. A lover of books and learning, Hazel is determined to make her school a success, and when the Earl of Bladenton enrolls his niece, it seems her prospects are looking up. However, Blade’s niece Kitty is a handful, and Hazel’s feelings for Blade are less than professional. Blade doesn’t believe in love. Determined to enter a marriage of convenience, Blade intends to leave Kitty in Hazel’s capable hands so that he can ensure his engagement to a woman of the ton. However, when Hazel makes his involvement in Kitty’s life part of their arrangement, Blade finds himself returning to Bellhaven Academy to visit Kitty and developing feelings for the proper and intelligent headmistress.

Though very different, Hazel and Blade both keep people at a distance. For different reasons, neither let anyone get too close, and neither are looking for love. Hazel is committed to her school, and Blade has been burned by love in the past; which swore him off love forever. In addition, they are from different social classes, live in different places, and have different goals. From their first meeting, these two have explosive, off-the-charts chemistry, and their feelings are undeniable; despite trying to deny them. Theirs is a case of opposites attract, and these opposites have an amazing connection. Their budding relationship is equal parts sweet, romantic, fun, angst-filled, and sensual.

I love the found family aspect of the story and how Hazel connects with other motherless women. She, Poppy (a local woman), and Kitty all lost their mothers at a young age, creating a bond between them; one that allows them to relate and understand each. I also enjoyed seeing Blade and Kitty grow closer as the story progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Kitty and Blade barely know each other. Estranged from Kitty’s parents, Blade is stunned to learn that he was chosen to care for her, and he struggles to connect with his difficult niece. However, with Hazel’s help, Kitty and Blade begin to develop a bond and a mutual regard for each other. This relationship changes both of them for the better.

Ms. Bennett wrote a charming, clever, entertaining story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with amusing banter, sizzling chemistry, and charming characters giving Hazel and Blade a chance for happiness, love and a future together. I definitely recommend Girls Before Earls to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This was a fun and fast paced start to a new series!

Orphaned herself, Miss Hazel Lively has set about to make more than a school for her for her Bellhaven Academy, she wants it to become a family. And with the handful of girls enrolled and her assistant they have that connection … but a school can’t survive on care and respect. Bellhaven needs more paying students enrolled.

Kitty has been expelled from more boarding schools than her guardian can count. The fledgling Bellhaven Academy is Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton’s last hope to get his niece off of his hands. Too bad that Bellhaven’s headmistress expects more from her students families and demands that the Earl visit his ward every fortnight and spend time with her as in order to secure her enrolment… How hard can a by-weekly visit be??

Not hard at all when Gabriel soon finds that he can’t get the up tight headmistress out of his thoughts! He’s supposed to be wooing the perfect countess right now to solidify their perfect society match… but he keeps coming up with excuses to get back to Bellhaven and Hazel.

This story captured me from the beginning! Miss Hazel Lively’s yearning for family and her devotion to her girls was very relatable and I loved how Gabriel understood her desires and respected her needs. I appreciated how this book felt with the class differences and the desire to for a woman to have independent industry.

I’m anxious to see where this series goes next!

Girls Before Earls by Anna Bennett is releasing December 28th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#GirlsBeforeEarls #AnnaBennett #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

After reading My Mistletoe Beau by this author, I jumped at the opportunity to read her next novel; the first instalment in her new Rogues to Lovers series.

Hazel Lively, is a woman who wants to help those less fortunate than herself, although her own background and upbringing were tough. Now, as a twenty-eight-year-old spinster, she's finally trying to fulfil her dream and opens Bellehaven Academy of Deportment in the coastal town of Bellehaven Bay. However, the success of the school hangs precariously as she juggles the roles of teacher and fundraiser, until Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton enrols his troublesome, teenage ward into her school.

The Earl of Bladenton, "Blade", is at his wits end after his niece, Kitty is expelled from yet another school in London. So, he decides to enrol her at Bellehaven Academy, a school far away from London simply because 'out of sight, out of mind' is the best solution for both of them… or is it? When he meets the woman who runs the establishment, it triggers an unexpected response; one which questions his plans for the future.

Although well written, this novel didn't manage to hit the spot for me. The actions of the heroine didn't seem either fitting or appropriate, at times. Additionally, I didn't feel I was reading a story set in Regency England. Yet, the narrative is surprisingly addictive and keeps you wanting to turn the pages to read more. The protagonists, Hazel and Blade are likeable enough, but it's Kitty who steals the show, as we see how the young woman embraces life at her new school and thrives.

Overall, I feel confident Ms Bennett's legion fans will adore Girls Before Earls and look forward to future novels in the series. Despite my own personal reservations, this is a highly entertaining novel with an enticing plot and intriguing characters.

3.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of St Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley***

Bellhaven Bay - 1814

At age 9, Hazel Lively’s parents had died and with no where else to go, was finally admitted to Miss Haywinkle’s School for Girls after she arranged the headmistress’s library. Now, she has her own school for girls called the Bellhaven Academy of Deportment.

Today, Blade, the Earl of Bladenton has brought his niece and ward, Kitty Beckett, to the school hoping that she will be allowed to be enrolled. However, when Hazel learns that Kitty has already been expelled from other schools, she is reluctant to accept her as a student. But, Blade is determined to find a school for her and when he offers more money that will allow other students to attend for free, Kitty finally agrees. However, she stipulates that he must visit Kitty once a fortnight. She is hoping that seeing one another often, will help to cement Blade and Kitty’s relationship and end the girl’s tendency to get into mischief.

Blade enjoys seeing Hazel and they soon find a romance spark. However, Blade has already proposed to Lady Penelope who has no desire to let him go. At the same time, Hazel wants to fulfill her dream of her own school and also to be able to teach some girls who might not get the chance for an education. Will they have a chance at love and a future together?

I really liked this book. Hazel and Blade have both suffered loss in their lives and have known much sadness. But their love for one another is beautifully written. I have found that Anna Bennett pens books that delve into the hearts of her characters and end up grabbing the hearts of her readers. Enjoy!

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

Girls Before Earls is a fantastic start to Anna Bennett's newest series! You'll find it hard not to love the main couple, but also the extensive and lively cast of characters introduced in the novel.

Hazel Lively was orphaned at a young age and through a combination of luck and her intelligence made it into a boarding school where she went on to thrive. Eventually the headmistress decides to close the school to pursue her own future, leaving Hazel and two students without a home once again. When the main story begins, she has founded a fledgling school of her own with her limited means, her goal being to grow the school and take on both paid and unpaid charges. To do this, she needs to establish prestige through paid pupils, which is where Kitty comes into the picture.

The Earl of Blandenton is saddled with a 15 year old niece, Kitty, whom he's only recently discovered after her parents are killed in an accident. Their relationship is tentative at best, and she's now been booted from two schools. Blade is desperate to board her somewhere until he can successfully court and marry someone who will hopefully help guide her and relieve some of the burden on him to bring her in line. He doesn't want love, just a typical ton marriage where affection is not involved.

Blade jumps on the opportunity to negotiate a deal with the proper headmistress who desperately needs the funds he offers to make her academy a success. Hazel is reluctant, acknowledging the risk, but she also recognizes in Kitty the pain she knows so well of losing parents young. They strike a bargain with the condition that Blade must visit at least twice a month with Kitty, Hazel's attempt to help heal the void between the niece and uncle.

The romance between Blade and Hazel is complicated but entertaining, intelligent and passionate. They both realize they have to stop putting up walls to keep others out in order to protect themselves from heartbreak.

I loved the pace, banter and wit that are woven into every scene. On top of the excellent writing and flow the cast of characters we meet becomes like a group of old friends, if you're like me, you can't wait by the end to hear more from them ASAP!

Such a entertaining story and a fantastic start to this series! This story is packed full of feels and emotion, humor and flirting, and all the witty banter. I cannot believe how quickly I devoured this beautiful adventure. I was absolutely engrossed from the beginning by the connection between the characters and the abundance of aww moments.

Hazel Lively is my favorite sort of heroine, feisty, intelligent, quick witted with a soft vulnerability shown to those she cares about. She claims to be shy, but she is fierce and always says what is on her mind and what she is feeling. She has come so far and is finally realizing her dream, that has taken her a decade to achieve. Hazel has started Bellehaven Academy of Deportment. Now she just needed students especially the sort who could afford the tuition!

Gabriel Beckett “Blade” Earl of Bladenton has been at his wits end, ever since he became the guardian of his niece Kitty Beckett. She had already been expelled from two other schools in London. Hoping this seaside town and this new school would work out so he would be able to return to London and his courting to find a suitable Lady that he could marry. But the prim and proper headmistress Miss Lively is all about appearances and proper behavior in hopes to impress and increase her number of students, so Kitty is not the type of students she wants. But with a sizable increase in her monthly tuition and an agreement to return every two weeks to visit his niece she agrees to take on Kitty.

I simply adored Hazel and Blade and their story turned my insides into marshmallow. I found both characters impossible not to love. Their story was beautifully composed and had me quickly cocooned in its warm embrace with the most delicious tension and the very best entertainment and I was happy to stay there and enjoy every minute of this enthralling read. These two are really perfect together. Their banter and chemistry was addictive.

This book blew me away! I was unable to put it down. Perfect. Dazzling. Very well written. The details described throughout the book was amazing. The characters and the storyline were fantastic. EVERY single page was filled with perfection. Ah-may-zing!

Anna Bennett is a go-to historical author, and just seeing her name activates my grabby hands. Perhaps it will come as no surprise, then, that I was delighted by this book. It's an easy recommendation for me, especially as this is the first in a new series and, therefore, the perfect place to start reading Bennett's books if you aren't already.

Hazel and Blade are two matching souls looking to avoid love and entanglements, and over the course of the book, we get to see them each grow into their own and together. For Hazel, that means seeing beyond her school and reopening her frozen heart, which is beautifully illustrated through her growing attraction to Blade, but also through her friend- and- mentorship with Blade's niece, Kitty, and with a local woman, Poppy. In Blade's case, growth means accepting the past, forgiving himself for mistakes made, and recognizing that marriage shouldn't only be about what works on paper.

In the simplest terms, Girls Before Earls is a lovely, well-written, and perfectly paced book. And if it's not necessarily historically accurate, then that's okay by me. If I wanted complete accuracy, I'd read textbooks. Instead, I go for books like this one, with characters that weasel and worm their way into your heart and mind and leave you believing in a love story that's part fairytale, part hard work, and all romance.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I read a novella by Anna Bennett and loved her style and characters, so I went looking for more. Ms. Bennett writes a wonderful Historical Romance with a light touch and wonderful characters. I especially loved that the Bellehaven Academy girls all came together and were the family that Hazel needed when she needed them most.

Miss Hazel Lively was orphaned at a young age and only her intelligence saved her from a not so nice life. Her upbringing and love of books led her to open her own school for girls in the resort town of Bellehaven. Now, all she needs is for the wealthy to send her their daughters to her to educate. That way she can offer help to those girls, like her, who need a helping hand. Her plan is working, but she is in need of additional wealthy families to make it a success and a handsome earl could be just what she needs.

Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a very unwelcome change to his family. His 15 year old niece has lost both her parents in an accident and he is now her only surviving family and her guardian. She is not adjusting well and neither is he. She has been expelled from two boarding schools in London and is throwing a wrench in his plans to court and win the woman of his choice, a woman who wouldn't require any thing of him beyond his name and rank. Quite simply put: he's desperate. Putting his niece in Bellehaven Academy, well away from London, is the perfect solution to his problem, but the headmistress, and her demands of him to actually spend time with the chit, could be a problem. Actually, the beautiful headmistress herself could be the real problem.

As Blade makes his visits to his niece, he soon discovers he quite enjoys matching wits with Hazel far more than he wants to. Blade is drawn to the competent Hazel and wants nothing more than to
make her his countess, but Hazel wants a real family with a man who loves her and is willing to share his heart. That is something Blade did once, got it stomped to pieces, and is never going to do again.

A light enjoyable historical romance!
This is a quick read if you're looking for a book to read on a trip or cozy weekend.
The romance between the hero and the heroine starts off on rocky ground but a strong foundation is made from it. You can certainly feel the chemistry with these two!
I also liked the change of scenery. The seaside village differentiates the story from other Regency romances and sort of reminds me of Sandition.
All the characters were fun and memorable. I usually don't care for children in books but the hero's niece was a well thought out character and developed nicely.
Would definitely re-read as a beach read!

Girls Before Earls is the first in the new Rogues to Lovers series. Bookish Hazel Lively survived a difficult childhood and has just realized her dream of opening a school for girls. The Earl of Bladenton crosses paths with Hazel while enrolling his niece in her academy. Hazel and Blade are from two different worlds and there are pitfalls to navigate before opening their hearts to love.

This was a cute regency romance with a class difference trope, steam and secondary characters that really added to the story, maybe hinting to future books. I really enjoyed the seaside town setting instead of London. Blade is dealing with trust issues and feels he has no love to give. Hazel was a very likable character and I love that she could hold her own while she reached for her dreams.

This had a fun ending and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to the publisher for my ecopy copy of this book.

Will they be able to open their heart before it is too late …

Like every Anna Bennett’s book I have read, the writing style, plot and narrative’s pacing all come together perfectly balanced for an enjoyable read.

Hazel is a resilient strong woman who from nothing shaped her life to make her dreams come true. Even if on the way she had to bury parts of herself, it was at a time necessary to reach her goal.
Blade went through a heartbreak which left him deeply damaged. Since, he keeps people at arms-length and refuses any emotional entanglement.
Why he is at a loss about his niece’s behavior, she is his ward, but he can’t find in himself the strength to open his heart to her.

So when prim and proper meets aloof and emotionally dispassionate, sparks fly. Both igniting in the other something they did not see coming. They slowly warm to the other, yet when her livelihood is at stake, which path is left to them.
A lovely fairytale of a commoner who digs her way among those who see themselves as her better.
I loved the cast of younger girls, each with their own talent.

4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Hazel has achieved her dream of opening a girls' school. For the endeavor to flourish, she needs to attract more students. The Earl of Bladenton's niece would be a nice feather in her cap. But when Blade shows up on her doorstep with an incorrigible girl mourning her parents and refusing to submit to anyone's authority, Hazel knows she's got her work cut out for her. It doesn't help that Hazel has never been attracted to anyone the way she is to Blade. A headmistress would be ruined by the smallest hint of scandal. Can she resist temptation for the sake of the girls who count on her?

I connected with Hazel and Blade right from the start of this story. Watching Hazel deal with the long-suppressed passionate side of her nature, and Blade learn to love again after an old betrayal, was a satisfying experience. There's also a strong plot that keeps the pages turning. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was clever, steamy and fast-paced. I didn't want to put it down and was eager to see how things would turn out. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

This was well written but an overall pretty average read for me. I connected with the Hero, Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, more than any other character. He intrigued me from the start and my heart absolutely broke when his entire backstory came out. Don’t get me wrong, it was a predictable backstory, but so well written your heart shatters along with his. I really enjoy when the male protagonist in a historical isn’t your typical everyday rake. For me, Beck made the book and it's kind of ironic that the title and cover ooze girl power and yet he steals the show. It felt like I was on his journey of self discovery and growth. I could care less about the Heroine Hazel, who was sweet but just didn’t stand out for me. Even our secondary supporting characters were blah.

The setting was definitely idyllic and I thoroughly enjoyed the sexy time beach scenes. I haven’t read Anna Bennett before but she does stand out, she is very witty and I love the sense of humor she brought to her characters. I look forward to the next book in this series, dare I hope it’s centered around Lady Penelope and Dunmire?

Hazel Lively and Blade make for a very fun couple to follow in the start of this new series, and I'd love to see how their future develops (fortunately, this is the first in a new series, so hopefully readers will get to glimpse what happens with them next!). They bring out the best in each other, and they both have past hurts that challenge their relationship and how they perceive love and connection. Hazel's independence and her determination to have a school that brings something unique to the table makes her a standout historical romance character.

Anna Bennett has kicked her Rogues to Lovers series with a bang. Girls Before Earls is an entertaining, fun, heartwarming read with a romance that will make you smile and sigh.

As a child, school saved Hazel Lively. Her determination, love of learning, and caring heart have her now opening her own school in the seaside town of Bellehaven. To keep her doors open and take in more girls can’t afford school, she also needs the daughters of wealthy families to attend her school. Enter the Earl of Bladenton. Blade closed off his heart after it was broken by his childhood love. But now he’s in charge of his orphan niece, a bright fifteen-year-old who keeps getting herself kicked out of London schools. Hazel’s school is his last chance, but he doesn’t expect to find the buttoned-up mistress so intriguing. And Hazel, who has closed herself off but secretly desires true love, can’t resist Blade even though his station and determination to wall off his heart make him an incompatible match. I really liked the chemistry between Hazel and Blade, enjoyed how they couldn’t resist each other because they simply fit. They come alive in each other’s company and become their best selves with each other. It’s not a smooth road to happily ever after, but the bumps in the road are worth it. Their romance is sweet, engaging, and ultimately delightful.

Bennett brings the world of Bellehaven to life in Girls Before Earls and I loved the picturesque seaside town. The supporting cast made me smile and there are characters I definitely want to see get books of their own. I really enjoyed all the female relationships in this story, both when it came to friendships and to mtade families. In a lot of ways, Bellehaven and some of its residents reminded me of the TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sanditon, which is likely why I was so charmed by it. All in all, I adored Hazel and Blade’s story and I cannot wait to see what Bennet has in store for the next Rogues to Lovers book.

Girls Before Earls is wonderful story about people losing the ones they love only to come out stronger after finding love. Miss Hazel Lively was orphaned at the age of nine. Taken to a school for girls with the hope of being accepted. After being told no she can not join the school they stay the night. Unable to sleep Hazel enters the office and discovers all the book inside. She takes a handkerchief and begins to take them all down and dusts them. Returning the books she organizes them by color as a rainbow. The next morning Miss Haywinkle is amazed by the sight of her books and immediately takes the girl into the school. Nineteen Years later, Hazel has opened her own school for girls. She is devoted to her life in helping young girls. Hazel is determined that all her girls, regardless of social class, deserve the same opportunities. When the Earl of Bladenton enrolls his niece, it seems her school just might have a chance at succeeding. However, Blade’s niece Kitty is a handful, and might be more than Hazel has bargained for. Hazel agrees to take Kitty on, with one condition, that he comes to visit and spends time with Kitty twice a month. Eventually he agrees. Kitty is grieving for the loss of her parents, Blade is grieving a lost love as well as a brother and his brother's wife. These characters will slowly bond over their losses and begin to count on one another for support.

I loved watching the relationships between all the characters and how they grew from distancing from one another to needing each other. I was rooting for Hazel to become the person she was hiding from everyone. The class system was very much alive and well, but I particularly enjoyed how Hazel turned all the negatives into positives. Very inspiring especially since this was unusual for a unmarried women in that time period. I highly recommend this book. It is definitely enjoyable and entertaining.

Title: Girls Before Earls
Author: Anna Bennett
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5

WHAT A GIRL WANTS

To survive her difficult childhood, Miss Hazel Lively relied on two things:a tough outer shell and a love of books. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she’s finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. She’s hoping that the wealthy families who flock to the shore for the summer will entrust their daughters to Bellehaven Academy―and help pay the way for less fortunate students. All Hazel must do is maintain a flawless reputation and raise a good deal of money. It’s a foolproof plan…till a sinfully handsome earl strides into her office.

WHAT AN EARL NEEDS

Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a monstrous headache since the day his teenaged niece became his ward. She’s been expelled from two London boarding schools and is doing her damnedest to scare off his potential fiancée. But Blade has a plan of his own―enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy, where she’ll be out of town and out of his hair. He just needs to convince the buttoned-up headmistress with the soulful brown eyes to take on his niece.

LEAD TO AN IRRESISTIBLE DEAL

When Blade makes a generous offer to the school, it’s impossible for Hazel to refuse. But she has one non-negotiable condition: the earl must visit his niece every other week. Soon, Blade discovers there’s much more to Hazel than meticulous lesson plans. In moonlit seaside coves and candlelit ballrooms, their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But the passion that flares between them poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love? Well, it just might…

This was a good fun read. It isn’t heavy or depressing, just plain fun. I like how Hazel didn’t compromise her priorities or values, even for Blade, and his willingness to do the right thing, even when he didn’t want to. The girls were the best part, though. I liked seeing them grow and blossom as they learned and became friends.

Anna Bennett is an award-winning author. Girls Before Earls is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

What a delightful story this was! I so enjoyed Hazel and Blade together. It is the classic tale of the rogue pursuing the virtuous headmistress, and was SO fun to read!

I loved how Hazel had really made a name for herself with starting her own school. After a tragic childhood with no parents, she's devoted all her years to studying and doing everything she could to one day run her own school, and be able to help girls like herself, who have no one else and would end up in the Foundling home were it not for kind benefactors.

Blade has had tragedy in his past as well, and has resigned himself to just marrying for the stature, no emotions involved. Until he meets Hazel Lively, and then his world is turned upside down.

This story had everything I enjoy in reading a regency romance. I loved the angst of Blade and Hazel not being able to be together. I truly enjoyed the gradual way that Blade realized he could in fact, love someone. And Hazel's steadfast grace in the face of heartbreak. I loved reading about the gorgeous countryside and the pounding of the ocean. Those details are very important to me, as I am a very visual reader and picture these things in my mind.

I loved the transformation that Kitty went through, and her friendship with Poppy and the other girls at the school. Lady Rufflebum provided much levity with her theatrics! Overall, I was very impressed with Ms. Bennett's writing and can't wait to read more from her!

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.