NO, no, no. This is the second book in the series that I have read and I can say with certainty that this series is not for me. The characters are terrible. Hard to like any of them. The worst part is that the book is just boring.

Enjoyable, steamy antagonistic attraction!!!! Grumpy meets sarcastic will keep you reading. Really enjoyed it.
Thank you Kathleen Ayers, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

I always like grumpy meets sunshine, but this was grumpy grumpy and it worked for me along with house party shenanigans

Sooooo this was a DNF for me.

This is a very horny heroine, very sharp tongued, and knows what she wants. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but in this case it just didn’t work for me.

I usually love a good grumpy grump romance situation but either I just wasn’t in the mood, or it was just too much.

Either way I know loads of people who LOVED this one and I think there is a definite audience for it. I just tend to like my HR to be less… modern (I guess that’s the word). Anyways this was purely a me problem nothing to do with the writing or the characters/plot.

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

All she's ever heard was that she was difficult and unpleasant, and Miss Emmagene Stitch relishes in her spinster status. After seeing how supposed 'gentleman' act when in love, she's more than happy to avoid marriage, but her favourite cousin is marrying her love, and she needs to go to the house party to support her. While en route, and at the party, Emmie is forced into the company of the arrogant and rude Earl of Huntly. Their every conversation is full of vitriol and disagreement, but soon they realise that they have more in common than they might expect, and open up like never before.

I didn't like Emmie in book 1, but we see why she was so harsh and abrasive in this book, and the same with Huntly. Both had had difficulties in their pasts, Emmie with a beau who broke her heart, and Huntly with his parents. They had put up walls to protect themselves, and their outward personas were designed to turn people away. That connection is what brought the pair together, and I feel like their relationship was better than book 1. An improvement in the series, and one I'm glad I continued.

A Delightful Historical Romance with Wit and Charm

Was she chasing the earl? She was vexing him, arguing with him, insulting him, and he was doing the same to her. Their animosity started from the first moment we met them. Both Emmagene and Henry were damaged by their past. It was a delight to watch them grow and fall in love at a house party, where neither of them wanted to be. What will happen once the house party ends? Those demons from the past aren’t so easy to defeat. Will Emmagene and Henry let them get in the way, or will they let their new love thrive?

This is a delightful story. I found myself chuckling quite often as I was reading. If there is such a thing as a historical romcom, this story would fit into it quite nicely. Once I started reading, I did not want to put this book down.

A short collection is quick reads by My Ayers. I enjoy her in depth narratives but no big complaints her stories and characters are always enjoyable. Full review coming up soon.

Emmagene and Henry attend a house party to support their friends’ wedding, but because they are not very popular people, they are constantly thrown together by the hostess – which turns out to be not a bad thing after all.

I picked up this book because I was interested in how the author would convince me to invest in a romance with two quite unlikable leads – truly unlikable, with her cutting sternness and his beastliness, not merely unpopular. Spoiler alert: the author manages it. This is the second book in the series, but I was able to follow it easily enough.

The leads are both desperately lonely people who behave in very bad ways to keep other people far away. I liked learning about their backstories and seeing how they broke each other’s walls down. I also liked how Henry was certain of what he wanted pretty much off the bat, and willing to embrace Emmagene’s prickliness.

I did wish the book was a bit longer, though. I thought the book could have benefited from some more realizations on the part of Henry and Emmagene about how their behavior was was hurting them – the topic is dabbled with but not paid much attention to. I also thought the sex scenes, after the excellent rising tension throughout the book, were oddly paced – did we really need three chapters to cover the same encounter?

Overall, I enjoyed these unique characters and the redemption they find in each other.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I don't know how I missed this book on NetGalley, I have been waiting for it to be able to review.
Spoiler alert.
I actually went and bought this book on Kindle in order to read and review it.
This is another great book by this author. I had not read her before her first book in the series, so I am new to reading her series.
I can honestly say that this is a stand alone book. It does mention the couple from book 1,but that is because the hero and heroine are invited to the house party/wedding/reception for the couple in book 1. The heroine is the cousin of the heroine in book 1 and the hero is the childhood friend of the hero in book 1, so this book has to mention them.
The heroine is a 28 year old spinster, who wears clothes designed to make her unattractive to men because when she was younger, she gave it all to a second son and he never even looked back as he married an heiress. She decides to forgoe marriage all together and devote herself to her family and charities. The hero was a disappointing second son. His older brother was the heir and golden child. The hero was a second son with a rambunctious attitude and learning problems. His parents were over strict with him and he has a more relaxed attitude. They originally meet when the couple from book 1 is courting. Then, the aunt of hero from book 1 is planning the house party and wedding and sends the carriage for the heroine and also the hero. The aunt doesn't like the hero or heroine. They travel alone for the day, sniping and being sarcastic with each other. He is astounded to see that his body is desiring the heroine and she is not his type at all. There is no chaperone and this is unusual. The aunt continually pairs them up through the house party. They end up in a scalding affair and the heroine realizes that she has fell in love with this boorish, arrogant earl. But she realizes that similar to herself, he has a lot of baggage and trauma to overcome.
I really enjoyed this story and was laughing out loud often. This book was so well written, it practically read itself. I really appreciate this author sharing herself in this book. It was very good. 5 stars and I bought it myself to review.

I love Kathleen Ayers books, her writing technique as well as the way she tells a story.
The caracters were honest maybe too honest, as people always portray a front to society, that is why people get offended when confronted with the truth. Two people so similar in caracter and believes that would only lead to true love.
A happy ending guaranteed.

This one is so good!! Enemies to lovers trope and experienced heroine! So hot and the story is not in rush. Thus, the building chemistry between the hero and heroine is perfect! Recommended

Miss Emmegene Stitch is on her way to her cousin's wedding which is a house party which is two things she hates on the way there she picks up Henry, Earl of Huntley which is a cousin to her cousin's groom. They are both like the black sheep of the party. They are thrown together so much they start having feelings for each other. This book is really good I just reviewed Chasing the Earl by Kathleen Ayers. #ChasingtheEarl #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

This is the second book in this series. It is a good author who can write a book about two very unpleasant characters and make you like them. Reading the reviews showed me that most people gave it a 4 or 5. I am not sure how I felt about this book as I am not used to reading about this characters

Oh my, I loved this book and the two flawed main characters! They made me laugh so much with their constant banter! Miss Emmagene Stitch and Henry, The Earl of Huntly are two quite unpleasant people, or so says pretty much everyone. Why is it they get along so well?!?!? I loved that these two are "flawed" but you just got to love them! Great story, great characters, love and sex. What more could you want in a book! GREAT BOOK!

I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

I am a huge fan of Kathleen Ayers but this book was a DNF. I didn't love the MMC and FMC. Their personalities were really unpleasant and I ended up skipping to the end.

I might revisit it later, but it wasn't what I was looking for. Also, I usually love the characters she writes about, but in this case, I didn't love the FMC from book one and didn't really want to read her story.

I loved everything about this book! Kathleen Ayers know how to create stories that are full of charm, witty banter, passionate encounters, and characters you fall in love with … even those who throw peas at their dining companions and eventually even manages to charm Peony! 🦨

Spinster Emmagene Stitch doesn’t believe in love…until she meets the worst earl in London.

There is no gentleman in all of London considered more rude, impolite, blunt, and just plain awful than the Earl of Huntly. Miss Emmagene Stitch, self-proclaimed spinster is considered nearly as unpleasant with her sharp tongue and opinions.

The only thing Emmagene and Huntly can agree upon is their dislike of the house party they both find themselves attending. Forced into Huntly’s company by their hostess, Emmagene finds herself attracted to the earl despite the deficits to his character. Their affair is as unexpected as it is passionate.

But will it survive their eventual return to London?


I loved these two MCs - Henry Eldrick, Earl of Huntly, is the perfect man for Miss Emmagene Stitch, self-proclaimed spinster. These two have combustible chemistry from the get go - whether they are exchanging barbs or exchanging passionate kisses - their attraction to each other is palpable in the story. What’s even better is underneath their tough outer shells both of them crave love, yet both are afraid, so both have remained alone. Then they kiss … it’s game over. ❤️

I enjoyed “seeing” the characters from book one Forgetting the Earl as they continued on their way to HEA 🛕🗺🛳

I am eager for the next book in this series Enticing the Earl as we will finally get to see what makes the Earl of Montieth tick and watch him fall in love!

I highly recommend this book & series!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 | 2022 Top Contender 🏆


📚I received a review copy of this book from Dragonblade Publishing this is my voluntary and honest review. 🦄

bookshelves: 2022-top-contenders, 5-star, arc, aristocrats-in-love, chemistry-hot, historical-romance, level-5-heat, noble-loves-commoner, publisher-dragonblade, scoundrels-rogues-rakes, sequel-or-series, spinster-gets-her-man

I Loved This! Chasing the Earl unfolds beautifully and will hold you spellbound from the moment you begin the journey with Emmagene and Huntly until the very end! This is the second in the Arrogant Earls series which brings the characters who found a place in your heart are back. Kathleen Ayers has written a story that's filled with characters that weave a story that will hold you spellbound as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale they come off the pages and pull you in, sizzling red hot passion, wonderful back and forth witty banter, laugh out loud moments, and with a heartfelt plot that leaves you looking forward to the next in the series.

Chasing the Earl is book two in The Arrogant Earls series and I'm so glad I grabbed this one.

Emmagene Stitch is a self-proclaimed spinster and isn't afraid to share her opinions which means she isn't necessarily loved within Society. Headed to a house party to celebrate her cousin's engagement, she finds herself stuck in a carriage with the Early of Huntly who is considered rude, impolite, blunt, and just plain awful.

I thought Ayers did a fantastic job of reflecting the personas of these characters. It was clear that their hostess was pushing them together to make life easier for herself (i.e. not having to worry about what they might do when mingling with other guests). The dinner where the flying peas make an appearance was especially fantastic. As Emmagene and Huntly begin to spend more time together and learn more about each other, they begin to discover they are attracted to one another.

I think you could read this book as a standalone if you'd like but it picks up right after the end of book one so if you are interested, you could (and should in my opinion) grab book one first so you can get glimpses of these two characters earlier on.

I will definitely be picking up more from Ayers as she has quickly become a favorite historical romance author.

What happens when a firmly on the shelf spinster is forced to spend time with a rude, ill-mannered earl? Pretty much anything. Chasing the Earl by Kathleen Ayers is positively delightful from beginning to end. The characters are well-written, the scenes vivid and descriptive and the dialogue…witty and at times downright hilarious. And just in case you’re wondering…there’s plenty of steam!

Book 2 in The Arrogant Earls series picks up immediately after Forgetting the Earl, so I’d encourage you to read book 1 prior to picking up this book.

Forced to spend a few days together at a house party to celebrate the wedding of their cousins, two highly unlikable people find that misery does indeed love company and proceed to make the most of a terrible situation.

No one would ever in a million years accuse Miss Emmagene Stitch of being sweet. In fact, those who know her use words like…Tart. Sour. Crabby. As far as looks are concerned…eh…she isn’t a great beauty, she’s passably attractive. But beneath her hard exterior is a woman who’s been misused and hurt. Which is why attention from any man, no matter how eligible or handsome, is non grata.

Henry Eldrick, Earl of Huntly is considered a decent catch…if boorish, selfish condescending men are your thing. Sure, he’s extremely wealthy and fairly good looking…but his manners and social graces leave quite a bit to be desired. For some odd reason, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to Miss Stitch and she to him. After being forced to spend time with one another, since no one else likes them, they soon realize something far greater is going on between them and must decide if it’s truly worth risking their hearts!

I absolutely loved this book. The writer’s style is full of energy and draws you immediately into her stories. I can’t wait to see what’s next.


#Chasingtheearl

I received a copy of this from Netgalley and this is my freely given opinion.

It says something about an author if they can make you like unlikeable characters. Both Emmagene Stitch and the Earl of Huntly were seen briefly in the first book of this series, as cousins of the main characters. They both seemed rather unlikeable then, with Emmagene being rapacious in her desire for Honora to get revenge on Southwell, and Huntly for just being boorish and uncouth.

In this book, they are thrown together at a house party for the couple, and their wedding. They have made themselves so unlikeable by members of Society that they are pretty much only in each other's company as no one else seems to want to spend time with them. This rather forces them to become a bit more self aware and to become more aware of each other. This story explores their behaviour, bitterness, and the reasons why they behave the way they do, and exposes their shared loneliness, and the growing sense of connection to each other.

It actually develops from a story of a seeming bitch and an apparent rude boor, to a rather touching story of deeply hidden hurt, and loneliness and finding an empathic soul, and a path to love and acceptance.

In the end, I found I was rather falling in love with the two of them and their story too. I just wish it was longer. I don't understand how Huntly's parents could have been so cruel to him. The story of him and Peony is rather sweet too (and is Peony and ode to Disney's Flower?).

4.25 stars out of 5.

It was lovely but it also left me wanting more - I wanted to see more of a happy ending for the two of them, and wanted just more of their stories.