Odd Earl Out is the story of Juliette and Miles, who reconnect at Miles' country house after some sort of interaction in London during The Season. The reader is left to connect some fairly wide spaced dots on this point....there is never any real clarification of the issue between the two that serves as the initial main conflict. It wouldn't be quite the plot gap that it is if only Miles didn't frequently reflect upon it in vague terms. I've read a lot of historical romance (A LOT), and I am always willing to suspend my disbelief for the cause of a good narrative. In this case, the characters and the narrative were enjoyable, but not quite as captivating as they could have been if some more backstory details were provided. All in all, it was an entertaining read and I will definitely give Anna Bradley another go on the chance that this was one of her good works, but not one of her best (solid 3.5).
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC; all opinions are freely given.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I would advise reading them in order there is significant crossover with the first book.

This book was okay. There was nothing that made it stand out from the crowd. Somewhat predictable and a little forgettable.

I will be keeping with the series as I know the author can do better.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Miles Winthrop, Lord Cross, leaves London for his country estate, throwing a house party with the hopes of finding a bride for his cousin so that he doesn't have to marry and provide an heir. But the woman he is trying to escape, Juliet Templeton, shows up as an unexpected guest. Cross wants to turn her out, but instead he decides to use her matchmaking to his advantage.

This is the second book in the Games Earls Play series. It starts after the fallout (and before the HEA) of the previous book. I recommend reading them in order because the explainer/refresher for events from the first book doesn't come quickly enough.

I really enjoyed the first book, but this one didn't work for me. It may have been my mood, but the characters were flat and I just didn't care about them. Sadly, I was glad to be done with this one.

Tropes: House Party/Forced Proximity, Matchmaking

Steam: 1

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #OddEarlOut #NetGalley

Bradley's writing is simply enchanting! Odd Early Out is a fast and pleasant read. It's a minor take on slow burn and grumpy/sunshine. Unfortunately, the plot and characters feel very half-baked. I have no idea who the characters are or why I'm rooting for them. Juliet and Miles have a history but it isn't rehashed to orient the reader. I don't even know what they're supposed to look like besides Juliet's blue eyes. I know it's the second in a series but it feels like there's so much context missing. I was really hoping that more would unfold but it never did. I love Bradley's writing style that I want to read more of her books, but this was a bit of a pass for me.

This is an interesting book. Juliet is the perfect heroine and Miles is an indomitable earl.
His reluctant belle…
Juliet Templeton didn’t embark on a risky London season in search of a fairy-tale. Fluttering hearts, yearning glances and stolen kisses are for starry-eyed debutantes, not disgraced, penniless females approaching spinsterhood. But when her quest to find a dull, respectable husband leads her to grumpy, maddening, brilliant Lord Cross, her foolish heart overrules her head, and insists on beating for him alone.
Her irascible earl…
Flirtatious, witty Juliet Templeton is the last lady Miles Winthrop should have trusted with his heart, and the only lady he ever has. He leaves for the country to escape her tempting lips and teasing eyes, vowing to forget her. But when Juliet turns up at his house party in the wake of a disastrous ton scandal, he discovers he’s still a captive to his deep desire for the bold, audacious beauty.
A battle of wits, and wills…
The passion that began in London soon flares to life again, sparking a battle of wits and wills that has them balanced on the brink of heartbreak, or happily-ever-after. Will their dangerous game of seduction end in ruin, or will two people who were never meant to be together, find they can’t bear to be apart?
I love Anna Bradley's writing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

2 stars

The second book in her Games Earl Play series, Anna Bradley continues with the romance between Miles, Earl of Cross and Juliet Templeton that had been thoroughly set up in the first installment. Almost entirely set during a house party, Juliet and Miles reluctantly team up to make a match between his cousin Barnaby and her friend Cora...while trying not to fall in love themselves.

While I enjoy the characters of Juliet and Miles separately, I don't think there was enough in this book for me to really grab onto in terms of the romance. The book goes to the extremes in terms of taking for granted that you have read and remembered the first installment as the book very much starts in medias res with their relationship. The other plot points around the romance such as the matchmaking and the house party are fun, but feel underdeveloped in the grand scheme of things. It's definitely a quick and easy read, but I still wish there had been a bit more substance.

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

I enjoyed most of the book, interesting first few chapters, witty writing, Juliet is not your average bear, too modern for my taste, but that's me, I want 19th Century ladies to behave like ladies! I thought the Earl was interesting, handsome of course, and his relationship with his cousin very funny, very honest rapport between cousins. The problems for me are, not in depth enough, the Earl would have had to marry Juliet by his simply being alone with her, that is a major problem with the story, not realistic at all. I prefer realistic, not boring, not dull, but yes, realistic. Then the ending was very interesting, original, clever, until, yep, sex, unnecessary gratuitous sex! You can have sexy, romantic, without being graphic.
I appreciate Netgalley allowing me #Odd Earl Out.
I cannot recommend.
carolintallahassee

Another satisfying read by Anna Bradley. Her character driven novels never disappoint! While reading the first novel in the series, Not Just Any Earl would enhance one’s enjoyment of this second in the series, Odd Earl Out can be read as a stand-alone book full of wit, charm, romance, with a little Shakespeare thrown in. Read this in one sitting and highly recommend it.

This was a super cute, super sweet book! I would have been better served reading the first of the series, although reading as a standalone was still good, I was just confused about the scandal and Juliet and Miles' backstory. But I really, really liked the book!
Miles, the hero in the book, has a house party to find his cousin a wife. He has a short I guess courtship with Julie (in the first of the series), who I gathered from the first book may have been matchmaking one of her sister's with Miles' friend. Miles second motive for the house party was to get away from Juliet, as a way to protect his heart from Juliet. Juliet, without an invitation comes to the house party and through a series of events and bargaining, stays for it. Here their story begins.
It was entertaining, had good dialogue and really likable characters. It wasn't terribly angsty or suspenseful, but I am happy for that and only mention if one looks for stressful nail biters there is not a much of that. I liked the details, the story and the plucky heroine Juliet! I will be reading the first in this series now, and am excited to see which Templeton sister is in the next book, seems like there is some setup for two of Juliet's sisters!

I love Anna Bradley's books. Her characters are always witty, intelligent and interesting. They are also unfortunately stubborn and this leads to their issues..... Juliet in particular is sassy, brave and smart... I really like her. Miles is more of the grumpy type but I like him too. I love how their banter and flirtations.... A very enjoyable read.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.