I knew I would love Emmagene's story! The banter between her and Huntly was fantastic. Watching them fall in love and make themselves vulnerable to another person made my heart flutter. This was just so good

Emmagene is a confirmed spinster. Henry is a no-good earl. Against their wills, they are attending a house party wedding--she to support her best friend, Honora, from the previous book in the series, he to support his best friend, the Earl of Southwell, Honora's groom.

Both have been disappointed in life and have grown into unpleasant people--Emmagene is a curmudgeon and Henry is sloppy and boorish.

So of course, they collide during the house party, thrown together as the unwanted guests and finding solidarity in their disappointment.

Some times amusing, other times poignant, I enjoyed the book, but wished for more. There is a lot more story than book here, with skipped opportunities to say more about Henry's upbringing and Emmagene's failed engagement. These two characters had so much more to offer than this short book allowed. I liked them both by the end (although neither was particularly endearing at the start). Since Honora and Southwell appear in this book, I am hoping that Henry and Emmagene feature in the next one, if only to get to know them a little better.

This book is steamy, so do not read if that's not to your preference. If you don't mind a little premarital action, I recommend this book and the previous installment in the series. I'm looking forward to the next one!

I loved the different characters and that they weren’t like the normal couples in these type of books! Witty, sarcastic and most definitely not the norm for ladies and title gentleman during that time.. Very refreshing! Although I will say I didn’t feel a buildup of romantic tension between the two characters it felt more forced.

The second book in the Arrogant Earls series. Henry the Earl of Huntly and Miss Emmagene Stitch do not get off to a very good start. I enjoyed seeing these two get their happy ending with all the ups and downs they went through. I want to read the next book. This story is well written and well worth reading.

I liked the characters and the story line. The love/hate relationship lead to very steamy love scenes. Looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Chasing the Earl by Kathleen Ayers. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing an ARC to review.

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

There is something so enjoyable about watching two cranky people fall in love. Chasing the Earl might be the first time I have read a regency romance where at least one of the leads, was not dashing or a diamond hiding in plain sight. It was such a breath of fresh air, and my only complaint was that the book was shorter than expected. I appreciated that this felt like a new type of OTP (One True Pairing) and that the tropes didn't feel stale. I highly recommend Chasing the Earl to anyone who wants a swoony and quirky read.

The steam builds slowly in Chasing the Earl. Initially, the spinster Emmagene Stitch and the uncouth Earl of Huntly appear to be a very unlikely pair. It takes a strong imagination and masterful tale-spinning to convince us that, though awkward and unpolished alone, they uniquely fit together, softening each other’s rough edges and building missing self confidence. Both have been soured by being rejected and unwanted.by society and family alike. This story of unexpected redemptive love is amusing and compelling.

Miss Stitch is an unloved spinster, who on the outside doesn't care.
Earl of Huntly is a boorish hulk of a man who is unlikable, who doesn't care at least on the outside.
I found the book riveting not because of the suspense. Because I wanted to see the main characters redeemed. Which they were in their own ways. This is in a series but you wouldn't know it really. There are several steamy scenes. However dont skip these too hastily like I did because you might miss out on important tidbits about the past that affected the future.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

The second book in The Arrogant Earls series stars Emmagene and Lord Huntly who are both mentioned in the previous book. This is a short story of enemies to lovers and both characters portray their own insecurities through sarcasm and wit.

I enjoyed this book but I feel the series doesn’t stand up to Ayers past books. They are far too short and I personally feel that we don’t connect with the characters enough to fully understand them. I was about 70% into this one before I actually started to like the main female character.

That being said, because I am a huge fan of Ayers work I will always read anything she publishes. I just wish her newer books weren’t so short and that she would go back to writing full length novels.

Even though you can read this as a stand alone, I feel like there are too many characters that do not make sense if you haven’t read the previous book, I have and even I had forgotten who half of them were.

I would recommend this book to a friend.

*Thank you to Netgalley, Dragonblade publishing and Kathleen Ayers for an advanced copy of this book. All thought are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Miss Emmegene Stitch, self-proclaimed spinster, has been burned by a man before so she hides her insecurities by lashing out with her sharp tongue and not so nice opinions. She has no problem sharing those opinions of Henry, Earl of Huntley, repeatedly castigating him as rude, impolite, and annoying. While at a house party where no one seems to like either of them, they forge a bond of friendship that ultimately leads them both down a path they never expected to be traveling especially with each other.

I enjoyed this one much better than the first. There is something that I like about Emmie. People get hurt, and they close off these parts of themselves that they are afraid to show each other. She doesn't allow herself to be vulnerable because she knows it makes her susceptible to being hurt. Her favorite target is poor Henry, but he gives it back to her pretty good. They traded barbs for a long time during this book even longer than I expected them to. I think they both found a kindred spirit in each other. Neither one of them the most likeable or charming person in the room, but perfect for each other. Overall, another good one from Kathleen Ayers, and can't wait to see who she pairs Monteith up with.

A boring house party, two eccentrics forced to spend time together …. What could go wrong??
Ms Ayers delivers another heartfelt story about the tortuous road to happiness and true love.

Emmagene Stitch after three unsuccessful seasons was declared a spinster unlikely to get married by her family. A cousin of Honora who is to be married to the Earl of Southwell she is unable to avoid having to attend the house party before their wedding. She would rather stay home having tea and reading but she enters the coach sent by the Earl to take her an hour away to his estate. Though first they must pick up a passenger who will also be attending. When the big burly passenger boards she remembers their first unpleasant meeting when he rather rudely ignored her. Immediately he curtly demands they switch seats. She refuses. Thus begins this opposites attract romance. Even their hostess doesn't like them and seats them together so they may not make the other guests uncomfortable. It is the author's skill that progressively brings these two ornery people to becoming a couple with steamy heated romance and sex scenes no less. An exceptionally good read. Received this arc and have voluntarily reviewed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I fell in love with Henry and Emmie from their first encounter! Chasing the Earl is everything I expect from Kathleen Ayers. These unique, individualistic characters jump from the page. Both Henry and Emmie are boisterous and vivacious; one could even call them “robust” (wink to those who have read the book!). I adored Henry’s character; large, rude, ungainly - Henry is the guest everyone avoids. Then there is Emmie, strict, stiff, prudish – she is another person who is an afterthought in society. These two outcasts who start as enemies combust into a love affair that is fiery hot.

Henry and Emmie’s connection is volatile at best and abrasive at worse. Yet these two click immediately. This character-driven plot has scene after beautiful scene of the couple sparring and accidentally falling in love. The verbal assaults and banter were fantastic. The character dialogue moved the story along at a brisk pace. I love a story about underdogs and outcasts, and Henry and Emmie are definitely both!

Chasing The Earl is the second book in The Arrogant Earls series. I immensely enjoyed the first book in the series. However, this one shone even brighter. I was not too fond of Emmie in the first book; she was coarse and stringent. It was great seeing her bloom into full potential. I also loved learning the backstory of Henry. Kathleen Ayers always creates characters you can invest in and deeply care about; that is her secret weapon! I always recommend her books to readers new to this genre, and I always get good feedback from those that follow my advice. You can’t go wrong with this gripping, steamy, charismatic romance! I adored it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spinster Emmagene Stitch is going to the wedding of her cousin, Honora Drevenport to Earl of Southwell, a renown explorer and map maker. A coach is picking her up to take her to the celebration at the Earl’s Estate. She could not be happier, until the coach made an unexpected stop. In bounds the dreadful Earl of Huntley. He reminds her of a poorly behaved dog, shaggy, unshaven, rumpled, ungloved and defiantly ungentlemanly. What a trip this is going to be! Even his coat is soiled, and he smells. As it turns out, the conversation is not friendly, and they each give as good as they get. A celebration that started out as a hopeful journey has just turned out to be a terrible experience. But an interesting plot develops, and the characters are beyond the ordinary. The reader is granted a wonderful escapade that even introduces you to a black and white furry creature named Peony. I thoroughly enjoyed this journey and will recommend it as enjoyable.

The main characters couldn't be more different than Emmagene and Henry .by the way kudos to the author for creating Emmagene ,a highly unique name just like the fmc.
Well both agree that they disagree on everything including the houseparty they are "trapped in.
Lots of unplanned situations and after a lot of disagreements and bickering LOVE HAPPENS.
this was a quick fast read though is a standalone ,should be read I'm series.
Henry was everything aristocracy stands for but he was a likeable character .
Emmagene is a self proclaimed spinster with no plans of getting married but when do plans work when love knocks on the horizon.
They were both perfect for each other.
Waiting for the next book from the author.

Emmagene, a snarly spinster and Henry, the uncouth, grumpy Earl of Huntly are both irascible, unpopular, blunt people; outsiders in the society to which they both belong. In many ways they're made for each other, though neither would agree with that in the beginning of this story. Inexplicably, in spite of not liking each other, they share an intense chemistry.
I love house parties as a trope or plot device. They're a great way for the main characters to get to know one another. There's also multiple chances for shenanigans to occur. And shenanigans do happen! Another good entry in the series!

This short but good regency book was fun to read and the two main characters were rather like able in their unlikable was by others. Two grumps that could be just who they were with each other. Especially in a society that rather stupidly needs that point Ed out to themselves. I like novellas. I find that the short book packs in enough for good development and story.

3.75/5

Sometimes you never know what will happen when two disagreeable people are thrown together at a party! It might just lead to love!

A spinster who wants to stay that way, and a very disagreeable Earl seem to be end up at a house part and the adventure begins!

Neither wants to marry, both not your normal happy couple, but the more time they spend together at the house party, they both dislike, it seems they can agree on a few things!!

A quick, steamy read that will have you turning the pages!

4.5 Stars
There is no gentleman in all of London considered more rude, impolite, blunt, and just plain awful than Henry Eldrickthe 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, The pair find themselves attracted to each other so their affair is as unexpected as it is passionate.
The second book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. A well written quick witty, humorous, steamy read which I read in a sitting. I really liked both Huntly & Emmie both almost social pariahs, their verbal sparring is so well done & often had me laughing out loud. They are the pair who almost love to hate each other until they kiss! They are both unconventional but perfect for each other, I look forward to more from the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Spirited enemy-to-lover battle
An epic encounter between an astringent spinster and an uncouth, rude, larger than life earl.
Is there any hope for Emmalinne after being ruined and abandoned by an unscrupulous suitor? And what about Huntly, despised and reviled by his parents and society?
Kathleen Ayers depicted effortlessly and with unmistakable verve the encounter of two incredibly strong and equally vulnerable beings.