3.5 stars

Not Just Any Earl is one of those stories that you wish was just a bit longer. It's almost like a fine wine that you need to give a little bit more room to breathe.

There is plenty to enjoy about this fun Cinderella-style plot between a botanist heroine with a heart of gold and an earl of unimpeachable honor that get mixed up in a case of mistaken identity. I just wished that we had gotten more of everything - more in-depth backstory on both characters, more interactions between them, and more build to the relationship. The set-up is so strong, but it does get a bit repetitive as the story goes along because we don't have the time to dig deep.

On top of that, I did find the third act conflict to be a bit grating. I won't spoil it here, but it actually has the easiest solution in the world and none of the characters even think to do it. Considering the way that the heroine was characterized, it honestly surprised me that it never came up. By that point, I was actually more interested in her sister's potential romance than in the resolution of the main storyline.

All in all, I did enjoy this book and I am looking forward to reading more from Anna Bradley's backlist. Hopefully, we get the sister's romance next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I received a free copy from NetGalley; thanks. This is my freely given review.

I found this story very appealing. The Templeton sisters are young women who seem to all have a bit of a bluestocking bent, and are also orphaned and tainted by scandal. Apparently their mother ran off with another man after the debut of one of the daughters, causing the remaining family to retreat from London as they are all tainted by her behaviour. Shortly after, their father passed on. Their mother also died, but never returned to her daughters.

As such, the sisters are living a rather isolated, quiet life on their father's crumbling estate, with no real prospects of good futures, and in poor funds. Because of the family scandal, they do not have many friends. Lady Fosberry is one family friend who stayed in touch with the sisters. She comprises a wager to trick two of the sisters to join her in London for the Season, Emmeline and Juliet.

Emmeline is the heroine of the story. She had a great love of her father, a botanist who developed various hybrids of roses and worked on devising their oils into various scents. She helped him with his work and hoped to carry some of it on. This seems to help with her mourning his loss and gives her great purpose. Unfortunately, after his passing, his gardens fell into disrepair, and he never wrote his formulas down. She has just a bit of one of his last formulations and is trying to recreate it. Going to London may help her to figure out the various scents that comprise his last scent formula, and they are hopeful that Juliet, will catch the eye of the most eligible bachelor, Lord Melrose.

At a ball hosted by Fosberry, Melrose, while drunk, tries to follow an old paramour. He goes into the library and has a passionate encounter in the dark. However, it was not with his former lover, but a strange woman who utterly beguiles him with her scent and passion. She escapes before the encounter goes too far, but Society, being the gossips that they are, find out that Melrose had an encounter with a mysterious woman in the library, and everyone is eager to find out who she was. Including Melrose, as he cannot forget her.

In his investigation, he frequents Lady Fosberry's and engages with the sisters, eventually realizing that it likely is one of them, and through his continued encounters is very attracted to Emmeline. The path to love and a HEA is never straight, and there is various misunderstandings, and scandal... but eventually the couple make it to the HEA and alter.

This was a rather short novel, less than 200 pages, but I found it was a quick and lovely read, and I quite enjoyed the characters. There was a warmth and sweetness to the hero/heroine that I quite enjoyed, and their developing attraction. I was also quite touched by how much Emmeline loved the roses, and her attachment to her father through them. I am intrigued by the scandal too - there is not a lot of information about the relationship of the Templeton parents and I am curious as to what lead up to the break down of the relationship and how a mother could abandon her daughters like that.

I also look forward to the continuation of the story of Juliet and Lord Cross.

Four stars out of 5 for me. Short, sweet, and satisfying historical romance.

Not Just Any Earl follows one of the Templeton sisters, a family that has been disgraced by scandal. Emmeline Templeton is a quiet, unassuming woman that just wants to tend to the roses left behind by her father. Enter Lord Melrose, the star bachelor of the season that is sure to marry the esteemed Lady Christine. When Lord Melrose mistakenly kisses Emmeline in the library, everyone in the ton is determined to find out who she is, including Lord Melrose.

I adored this book. It was such a fun and romantic read. Lord Melrose and Emmeline's chemistry was so sweet, as well as the secondary romance (hoping they're the next book!). I could feel how deeply Emmeline cared for her father and how it became her passion for roses. Lord Melrose profoundly cares for her and loves her for her.

I could relate to Emmeline in her love for her family. She puts her sister's happiness before her own. She believes herself to be underserving of love, something I've seen in myself before. A lack of self-confidence in main characters can be annoying if done wrong, but I believe the author wrote it excellently. It was easy to root for her.

This is the first book in this regency romance. This is a heartwarming and sweet romance. I really liked all of the characters and the story line. I am looking forward to more in this series

This tender, dare I say gentle romance hinges on scandal. In more than one sense of the word, actually. Emmeline and her sisters are overshadowed by the specter of their mother's disgrace, which leaves Emmeline in particular anxious about the way that she is perceived by society, and as a result quite shy. She can't cling to that shyness for much longer, however, after falling into an accidental scandal with the man of the moment, the Earl of Melrose (otherwise known as Johnathan).

There is definitely an air of the fairy tale with this one; Emmeline is something of a wallflower. She reminds me a little bit of Sophie from Julia Quinn's An Offer from A Gentleman--the book in general has a similar vibe, but with a much more appealing hero, in my opinion. Johnathan is certainly a rake (he and Emmeline actually end up in the midst of their scandal because he mistakes her for a woman he's bedded in the past) but he's obviously quite a sweet guy at heart. Of course, the issue for me is that as much as so many people do love that Offer From A Gentleman vibe, for me it's a bit too sedate. The story is well-written and honestly quite lovely; I just think that it might have benefited from more conflict and higher stakes.

With all of that being said, however, Not Just Any Earl is quick and to the point, and is the kind of book that I can easily see plenty of readers swooning over--especially if they're dipping their toes into romance. It's a bit tamer than the books I tend to pick up (though certainly not sexless--Johnathan's mental dialogue makes it very clear that he has things he wants to do to Emmeline) and because of that I would actually recommend it to younger romance readers as well. It would be a perfect bridge for someone who's not quite ready for the intensity of more explicit romances, but still wants a bit of something going on in that department.

If you're looking for something that fits that shy, nerdy bluestocking girl meets partyboy lothario vibe, without taking up to much of your time, I would definitely recommend this one.

This was a delightful find - a new series by a new to me author. The Templeton sisters have been rusticating in their family's estate since their mother's big scandal.

Now that their father has passed away, the girls are slowly heading towards dire straits until family friend Lady Fosberry comes up with a wager that allows Juliet & Emmaline the opportunity to come to London. Emmeline has ulterior motives - she's trying to find an elusive rose so she can recreate her father's perfume - and Juliet just wants to marry a Lord so she can save the family.

A case of mistaken identity in a dimly lit library leads to the scandal of the season, which centers upon Emmeline and Jonathan Parrish, the Earl of Melrose - although no one knows it's her. Hijinks ensue as Lord Melrose searches for the Lady in Lavendar, ultimately finding his true love in Emmeline.

The characters are charming, and there's a delicious side-plot involving Juliet and Lord Cross, which I hope will be the subject of the next book.

This is a good entry in historical romance, especially if you like your steam on the low end. I recommend to all.

I received an ARC of "Not Just Any Earl" from Netgalley and the fantabulous Anna Bradley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Anna Bradley weaves a magical story every time she writes. Her ability to tell stories is fantastic as we readers are drawn in to the lives of her characters. In her newest novel, Emmeline Templeton, and her sister go to London because of a far-fetched wager.... only London holds her family's dreadful memories. She is the daughter of a renowned chemist but a disgraced mother who ran away with her lover. One night at a ball, Jonathan Parrish, Earl of Melrose, also known as the Nonesuch, follows his lady love into a library where he continues to caress and kiss her in the dark, until she runs away when he says her name. After that, he makes it his goal to find out who the unknown woman is,   a woman not whom he thought to be loving, but who has shaken him to his core. This is one of the sweetest, most romantic books I have read in a long while. Double thumbs up for this sensual, historical romance. I can't wait to read the next story.

Not Just Any Earl was the sweetest book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the fact that there is practically no heat. Jonathan was the sweetest man, I loved him. The whole story was heartwarming and comforting.

5 stars.

Emmeline is one of five sisters. She has been invited to London for the season. Really she is not interested in the balls. Emmeline is a botanist and her interest are roses. The Earl of Melrose finds her in the library and kisses her in the dark. He has decided he will marry whoever that was as she was the perfect one for him. Emmeline keeps trying to make him see she is not the one. Thank you NetGalley.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Following her father's death, Emmeline Templeton and her sisters faced ruin, and had to rely on the kindness of others, including Lady Fosberry. Hoping for a better future, Emmeline and her younger sister, Juliet, head to London for the Season, thinking the beautiful Juliet will find a good match. All Emmeline wants is to discover the rose that her father used to create the perfume she remembers him by. While sneaking around Lady Fosberry's home, during a party, to search the gardens, she encounters Jonathan Parrish, the Earl of Melrose, and they share a kiss which changes them both. Luckily no one knows it was Emmeline who kissed Jonathan, as the gossip is soon all over the ton. Jonathan wants to discover who mysterious lady was, and is drawn to Emmeline. Can they discover the truth, and protect her reputation, or with the rumours and gossip split them apart?

Another Regency romance that I recently read, and one which was a really quick read. I liked the characters, and though there wasn't too much to the plot, it was enjoyable nonetheless. I liked how Emmeline and Jonathan developed a friendship, apart from the kiss, but wish that Emmeline had owned up to it a lot earlier, so her sister and Jonathan's best friend, Lord Cross (who I think will be the protagonists of book 2) weren't hurt in the mean time. All in all, a decent read.

Emmeline and Juliet aren't excited to go to London but off they go. They enjoy town life as much as the next young lady. A chance meeting with Johnathan and mistaken identities lead to heartbreak and fleeing. Can they work it out? No spoiler here. Can't wait for the next story in this series!!

Miss Emmeline Templeton was content to stay in the garden. Lady Fosberry, is a constant visitor to Emmeline and her sister’s home giving them a glimpse into London with the juicy gossip she brings. Lady Fosberry has Emmeline and the sisters secretly match Lord Melrose to Juliet. Lady Fosberry offers to give Juliet a season and have Emmeline tag along not only to chaperone Juliet, but to check out all the gardens. Emmeline is pleased and happy to be going because she is on a mission to find a scent that her late father had concocted. At Lady Fosberry’s ball, Emmeline secretly goes to the library to find a book. Johnathan Parrish, the Earl of Melrose follows a mystery lady into the library. Johnathan believes it to be another woman but being slightly drunk he can’t help but touch her. Emmeline can’t let Johnathan know who she truly is. So, Johnathan knows the elusive girl he touched is the Lady in Lavender. Johnathan wants to find her because when he does, he will make her his.
What a delightful whimsical historical Regency romance! The story isn’t complicated and flows beautifully. The setting is easily imagined and the characters are wonderfully written and seem very real. There are a few times when the history of the Templeton family is not really explained or the meeting of Johnathan and Emmeline seem a bit vague. At the beginning the meeting between them both is illicit and oh so steamy. Sure, it would have been nice if they would have actually kissed, but it wasn’t bad. So, it makes the true kiss that much sweeter. Emmeline the quiet reserved garden loving heroine is never cruel even when others are just downright mean to her. Sure, she fights her battles and doesn’t come off as weak or fragile. Emmeline remains true to her character and who she is. Johnathan the good-hearted hero makes many mistakes and at first doesn’t seem like an upstanding guy. When he finally starts to open up to Emmeline you can’t help but cheer for them both. The book is a captivating charming tale well worth the read!

When wallflower Emmeline gets mistakenly kissed in a dark library she tries to hide her identity in order to save her destiny. Jonathan is obsessed with finding the mystery woman who got away. Spending time together, Jonathan falls in love with Emmeline’s quirkiness and she falls in love with his kind heart. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for my honest review.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of Anna Bradley and this new series doesn't disappoint.
After the Templeton sisters' mother ran away with another man, there names have become synonymous with scandel. A bet with a friend of their deceased father leads Juliet and Emmeline to having their first season.
After a kiss in the dark with a stranger Jonathon is determined to find out who the woman is before the gossiping members of the Ton discover her.
I liked the relationship between Emmeline and Jonathan even though it was completely instalove.
I look forward to the next book in this series.

Melrose and Rose - ah I mean Emmeline - what an 'aromatic' read!

A feel good romance and a good start to a beautiful series.

Looking forward to next books in the series!

Emmaline Templeton’s family of five sisters was devasted by scandal when their mother ran off with her lover. A wager with a family friend provides a last bid to save their family from ruin, leading to a trip to London. At her friend’s houseparty, Emmaline shares a passionate kiss with the most eligible bachelor of the season, Johnathan Parrish, the Earl of Marlow in the library. Johnathan knows the only woman for him is the mystery lady from the library, yet he’s equally drawn to Emmaline, the shy botanist with a passion for roses and their scents. Emmaline’s feelings for the Earl of Marlow don’t correlate with her scientific, logical principles. Will they recognize how special the love blooming between them is?

It’s always a pleasure when a romance book is truly romantic. Anna Bradley has written a book that packs a lot of joy and sigh-worthy moments in a compact package. The bond between Emmaline and Johnathan feels really special from the moment they meet. Emmaline is caring and sweet, determined to look out for her family, and endearingly bookish. Her tendency to compare human relations to cultivating roses is amusing. Johnathan is refreshingly not a rake. His ability to see Emmaline’s natural beauty and how he really cares for her and what interests her makes him a wonderful hero. The blossoming secondary romance between Emmaline’s sister and Johnathan’s grumpy friend is wonderful bonus to the satisfying love story between this endearing pair.

This story is different from her last series (which I loved!) and hearkens back to her early works that were on the lighter side. I love a good romp and this story brings all of the wit and ridiculousness of the Regency time. One man’s blabbing causes all kinds of trouble. Emmeline’s reluctance to put herself front and center but try to elevate her family’s status is portrayed in a believable manner. Johnathan is such a sweetheart. He can be kind of roguish but really does not want scandal. I thought Emmeline and Johnathan’s interactions are tension filled both sexually and emotionally. I loved this story and can’t wait to see the sparks fly between Juliet and Cross. Just the beginning of what I feel will be a fabulous series.

This book was so much fun to read!

Emmeline is such a delightful character! She appears to be quiet and a bit shy, but only because she's careful about how much of herself she shows to the public. After weathering a family scandal a few years prior, she is more concerned with tending her late father's garden and determining the formula for the unique perfume he created. She's a scientist, a botanist, and treats every problem in life with the same scientific approach.

Johnathan may be the toast of London society, but he couldn't care less about any of the debutantes being dangled in front of him, especially the horribly conniving miss that has convinced everyone she's moments away from accepting his proposal. In a moment of uncharacteristic inebriation, he follows his favorite mistress out of the ballroom and into the library, only to find that she's not who he thinks she is. Only she runs off before he can find out exactly who she is. Unfortunately, the rumors are already swirling around, trying to find out who Johnathan has compromised, forcing him to find out first for the sake of both his and the lady's reputations.

The characters and plot are unique and wonderfully presented, but the real jewel of this story is the effervescent writing style that sprinkles clever innuendo and witty asides throughout the story while giving the reader exquisitely detailed insight into the hearts and minds of the main characters. Stunning revelations, jaw-dropping declarations, and genuinely swoon-worthy romantic moments keep this story moving briskly towards the final climactic scene followed by a sweet and tender HEA.

This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. I loved her charming, lyrical writing style and am looking forward to reading more about the Templeton sisters. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Not Just Any Earl is a quick read, but it doesn't leave you feeling like you are missing parts. Overall, I enjoyed Emmeline and Johnathan's story. There were a couple of times where I rolled my eyes at the unbelievable course of the rumors and Johnathan's reaction. Even though there were some 'Are you serious' moments, it is still a book worth reading.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet Regency romance between a bluestocking, Emmeline Templeton, whose family has a blackened reputation and is in dire straits financially, and Lord Johnathan Melrose, the "flavor of the season" in ton circles.. I always like Anna Bradley's writing style, and this is an enjoyable book, although not quite as engaging as Bradley's Virgin series. Emmeline is easy to root for, if rather meek and timid. I have to admit I wasn't crazy about Lord Melrose at first, as, in the beginning, he gets soused enough at a ball to pursue his mistress into a dark library to make love to her, which is how Emmeline is mistakenly compromised to begin with. This is just a plot machination, of course, but I always cringe when books start off with the H making love to a mistress (or someone he thinks is his mistress). Events unfold in the typical manner, with the "mean girl" rival for Lord Melrose's affections and the unforgiving gossips of the ton out in force. I have a feeling I'll enjoy the second book in this series more, as it will involve Emmaline's saucy, outspoken sister and Johnathan's cynical, moody best friend.

Language is mild and true to the period. Sex scenes: steam level of 3, post-marital sex only, in the epilogue.

I received an ARC from the publisher and this review is my own. #NotJustAnyEarl #NetGalley.