Owen, an Earl, is returned from the war and looking to enjoy himself before getting leg-shackled and siring an heir. Louisa, after years of acting as her father's hostess, is ready to enjoy the season, finally find a husband and settle down. The two are introduced, prompting Louisa to call Owen out as a rake not worth her time. Owen, however, begins to have a change of heart and realizes Louisa is just what he didn't know he needed. Let the dance begin!
Thank you Alexa Aston, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Capturing the Foolish Rake’s Heart

Owen is back from the army, ready to sew some wild oats. Love is not for him, no sir. Love might be just fine for his friends. There are plenty of women for him to enjoy. Marriage is for someday in the future. As to his friend’s wife’s cousin, Louisa, he will be her friend. He is attracted to her, sure, but he will just be her friend. He will even teach her how to kiss, but he will not marry her. Owen’s heart will argue, and he will continue to resist. He will even help her to find the right man. When he realizes that his heart was winning, will it be too late? Louisa is looking for a husband and does not believe that Owen will change his rakish ways. Could love win in the end? This is an entertaining Regency romance about two people who fall in love but let the trivial get in the way of happiness before they surrender.

The Review
Major Owen Hasbury, Earl of Danbury has returned to London to take up the earldom at the death of his brother. After being a soldier for years, he has no interest in marrying anytime soon and wants to enjoy being back in London first.

Louisa Goulding has been assisting her father ever since her mother died years ago. Her duties keeping her busy, she has never really had time to be part of society and find a husband. This season, however, every man she meet seemed immature and uninterested in her intellectual self.

When Louisa and Owen meet at a house party, there is definite attraction, but both dismiss the feelings. But spending time together, Owen makes Louisa feel beautiful and worthy of a love match, but Owen is insistent that he is not interested or ready for marriage. He instead offers to help Louisa refresh her riding skills and to help sort through the bachelors attending the house party...but watching the other men spend time with Louisa has Owen realizing he just can't lose her!

Ms. Aston knows how to weave a genuine romance in to a short story! And for being a fairly straight forward story...girl likes boy, boy not ready to be serious and needs some convincing...it was so fun to watch their romance bud and watch Owen kick himself for thinking he could walk away from Louisa! I loved seeing the characters from previous books in the series; it is always fun to see them years after their happy ever after!

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Era, House Party, Country Life, Season/Marriage Mart, Gamma Hero, Rake Hero, Soldier/War Hero, Possessive/Jealous Hero, Protective Hero, Titled Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Spinster Heroine, Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Sudden Nobility/Rags to Riches

Who doesn't love a book where the hero takes it upon themselves to teach the heroine about passion so they can find a husband? Of course everything goes exactly as planned. I loved the chemistry between them and the writing is wonderful as always.

I don't normally pick up a series in the middle, but this sounded really good. I was not disappointed & have a new series to catch up on. I found the characters to be interesting and the plot engaging. There were a couple of places where a little background might have been helpful, but it never felt like I was missing something having not read the beginning of the series. All in all, I think was a great way to spend an afternoon.

Love this series about Second Sons by Alexa Aston, Alexa writes fantastic stories that keep my attention throughout. I was looking forward to reading about Owen and Louisa, and I was not disappointed in their story!
I enjoy how the Second Sons have formed their own "family" and are there to support each other!
I highly recommend this book and this series!

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

This is the third book in the Second Sons of London series, and the story of Owen and Louisa. Louisa is the cousin of Tessa and Adalyn, from the other two books. She is the daughter of a baronet heavily involved in the government, and as such, took on the hostess role for her father. She has developed a personality and intellect that fits in well with dealing with older men, and politics. But she is now older, in her mid-20s, and is not doing as well with the more socially minded, younger, marriageable men. Unfortunately, she is not enjoying her Season, especially now that she is on the look-out for a husband for herself. She also misses her cousins terribly, since they have each gone to their country estates, with their husbands.

Owen, after his brother falls into a coma following an attack, reluctantly leaves the army to take up the care of the Earldom, and inherits it when his brother succumbs to his injuries. But he finds them changed after their marriages. He is determined to not marry for a number of years yet, and wants to enjoy his bachelorhood, and is vocal about this, but afraid what this would mean for keeping his friendship with his married friends and their wives. Adalyn plans a houseparty and insists on his attendance. Owen, on hearing that there will be unmarried debutantes there, including her cousin Louisa, and other bachelors, suspects Adalyn of matchmaking and is clear about his bachelor plans.

But he and Louisa are attracted to each other. Owen continues to decry marriage and is vocal about wanting to be a bachelor and sow his wild oats, and Louisa is determined to look to the others to find herself a suitable mate, and Owen agrees to help her, but finds ultimately that he hates the idea of the other men being with her.

This is different from the other stories as Owen was always the more social of the three men, even as a child, and has clear plans to put off marriage and enjoy a variety of women in the mean time. He is clear about communicating this and does not plan on having the love matches that he sees his friends have. This sets up quite a bit of tension between Louisa and him, as she is determined to find a husband and start a family, having spent so many years putting it off for her husband. The house party offers her several options, but also forces Owen to see her with other men, and while he vows to help her find a suitable mate, it is hard for him as he is so attracted to her himself. So when Owen finally realizes that he wants Louisa for himself, he has a hard road to earn her trust, since she thinks he is such a bad risk as mate.

Another solid story of the Second Sons. I really enjoyed the tension set up between Louisa and Owen, and also the tension it all places on his relationship with his friends and their wives. It was hard for him to be the determined rakish bachelor while his childhood friends are in stable, happy marriages, and wish the same for him, and he fought against that, while still trying to keep those friendships, but alliances have changed with the marriages.

3.5 stars out of 5.

This is Book 3 of The Second Sons of London series. I have been reading this series from the beginning and have been loving it and this latest installment also did not disappoint. Owen returns from the war and is now the new Earl of Danbury. He is ready to embrace that life and enjoy all the rakish activities that go along with it. Louisa is known to be somewhat of a bluestocking. She has been helping her father in the War Office and now that the war is over, she is ready to fully participate in the Season. When her and Owen meet, she calls him out on his rakish ways. He in turn is captivated by her and they slowly become friends. The sparks between them are strong but Owen denies the feelings taking root inside him. That is until Louisa starts attracting the attention of other suitors. Owen needs to reveal his feelings before it's too late.
The story was charming and enjoyable and Owen and Louisa were simply wonderful together. I also enjoyed the witty banter between them. The story was engaging and entertaining and Ms. Aston did a nice job with vivid descriptions which really made the story and characters come to life. Another wonderful addition to the series!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Empowered by the Earl by Alexa Aston is the third book of the Second Sons of London. Major Owen Hasbury has returned from the Napoleonic Wars as the Earl of Danbury, a title he never expected to have as a second son. He is not ready to settle down, and much prefers life as a rake. This attitude bothers his two closest friends who have recently become happily married and wish the same for him. Louisa Goulding is a bluestocking. She has served as her father’s hostess and has had an active role in her father’s work for the War Office. Louisa doesn’t have much time for or care much for the Season, so when her cousins invite her to a house party, she goes. Louisa and Owen have mutual friends who insist on setting them up. Louisa doesn’t want to marry a rake, and she makes her opinion of Owen very clear to him. Despite this, Owen and Louisa begin a friendship that also features Owen teaching Louisa how to flirt—including how to kiss. Owen soon realizes the only man he wants Louisa to kiss—and marry— is him. He is determined to prove to Louisa that he is the one for her and that he has left his rakish ways behind.

Louisa and Owen have great chemistry. I loved how Louisa became more confident because of Owen, and Owen started to believe in love because of Louisa. I also really enjoyed the side characters. I will definitely go back and read the prior books in the series!

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I liked this book more than the first in the series which I DNF, it still wasn't a homerun for me.
Owen is a second son who returns home from the army when his brother goes into a coma. He is now the earl and determined to enjoy his bachelor hood.
Louisa is on the shelf as she has spent years as her father's hostess rather than at ton parties.
I didn't like Owen. The only thing keeping them apart was Owen's insistence that he was going to wait years to marry. He just annoyed me.
Louisa was just dull.
The writing style also didn't work for me. The dialogue was weak and the description were too long. Ie how to play lawn bowls.

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

Louisa Goulding has seen her two beloved cousins marry, and start families, and she's ready for her own future. After years being hostess for her widowed father, she's finally having a Season for herself, with the hope of finding a partner, but none of the gentlemen have caught her eye. When she's invited to her cousin, Adalyn's, home for the winter, and to prepare for the birth of her child, she meets Major Owen Hasbury, friend of her in-laws, and newly minted Earl of Danbury. Owen plans on waiting to get married, but knows that Adalyn will likely start matchmaking, and when he and Louisa meet, it seems he was right. Though neither think the other will suit - Owen is too much of a rake, and Louisa wants to marry for love, and children - the longer they spend together, as friends, it's clear that they are struggling to not blur the line between love and friendship.

Since reading the first two books in the series, I've been waiting for Louisa's story, and am so glad with how it turned out. She's put herself on the shelf while being her father's hostess, and now ready to marry, the men she meets are too concerned about their wealth or looks, and don't want an intelligent, older woman to marry. She needs someone she can talk - and argue - with, and who will challenge her, and not expect her to be a trophy wife. Owen is perfect for that, though they don't have the best first impression, nor though they see each other are a credible partner. I loved that Owen seemed to fall harder, first, and he was willing to fight to show Louisa that he was the one for her, but also willing to step aside if she decided she didn't want him. He never took away her autonomy or freedom, and rather praised her mind and intelligence more than anything. I'm not sure what the next books will bring - I don't think we've met any of their main characters, but I'm looking forward to them!

Louisa Goulding is a bluestocking and proud of it. Helping her father manage his duties to the crown has only increased that moniker. Wanting to escape London she goes to spend time with her cousin who is a neighbor to Hasbury.
Major Owen Hasbury recently returned from the war, only wants to get his estate going. His best friend has other ideas.
I mostly enjoyed the story. I thought that the first steamy scene was forced and threw the flow of the story off. The story would have just as well without it. Then she goes to flirt with others while Hasbry sticks to his ideals of staying a bachelor. Until he sees how close he is to losing her. It just hit me wrong, the way it was written in. I would have enjoyed the book much more without that one scene. The title comes from Hasbury's friendship with Goulding and how he boosts her confidence.

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

Empowered by the Earl is a lovely historical romance about friendship, healing, and love. After the death of his brother, Major Owen Hasbury inherits the earldom and must leave military service and return home. Determined to enjoy his freedom, Owen has no intention of marrying. Louisa Golding has taken care of her father’s household for years and now wants to marry and run her own. She knows Owen is not the one for her. He is a rake, and she wants to settle down. So, Owen agrees to help Louisa find a suitable match at an upcoming house party if she helps him keep the eligible women at bay. However, neither can deny their growing attraction to each other.

This is a great addition to the Second Sons of London. I wanted to learn more about Louisa ever since she was introduced in previous books in the series. She is intelligent and interesting, and she has the best group of friends. Owen is also part of this strong group of friends, many of whom were the focus of the first two books. They are loyal, supportive, and encouraging, and I love the found family vibes you get from them. This group always has each other’s backs, even when they don’t agree. I thought this was especially highlighted in this book, as Owen has some difficulty adjusting to his new life and is often at odds with his friends and their wives.

Both protagonists go on emotional journeys in the story, and I like how they both learned more about themselves over the course of the book. Louisa seems to grow more confident and self-assured, and Owen begins to find his place in this new situation he’s been thrust into. I think their friendship and feelings for each other help both characters understand more about themselves, their desires, and others.

Louisa and Owen have a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance. At first glance, they seem like opposites, especially in regard to their relationship goals, and though they are attracted to each other, they know it will never work. Their relationship starts off pretty rocky, but when Owen is tasked with giving Louisa riding lessons, and they spend more time together, they really get to know each other, and a friendship develops. I like how they slowly get to know and appreciate each other before their relationship grows into something more. And, as Owen watches other men at a house party try to woo Louisa, he begins to realize that his feelings are more than friendly. Their chemistry throughout the story is fantastic, and I really enjoyed their banter, teasing, and interesting conversations.

Two more second sons remain in this close-knit group of men, and I can’t wait to read their stories. Thanks so much to Dragonblade Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

When one of your favourite authors publish a book you drop everything and read it. Empowered by the earl is book three in Second sons of London series and follows Louise and Owen. I really enjoyed this book, but the third act conflict irritated me so I could not give it 5 stars. But I still really enjoyed and recommend it to everyone

A follow-on from the first two books in this series, this romance is nevertheless a standalone. Two stubborn characters refuse to be manipulated into marriage and it is with reluctance that they agree to accept an invitation to a house party. When Owen Hasbury discovers that his brother has died as a result of head injuries and is the new Earl of Danbury, he determines to hold out for as long as possible before finding a wife, as the example set by his own parents is not one he aspires to. However, his friends and their wives have other ideas. Louisa Goulding, on the other hand, grew up much too quickly, taking on tasks for her father that far outweighed her youth. She has learned to entertain, speak intelligently with senior officials at the War Office, plays bridge with expertise, and is well-read. None of these attributes win her the praise and attention of the young bucks in society, most of whom have no clue how to converse with an intelligent woman. She has two failings: firstly she is unsure of herself when it comes to horse riding and secondly, her dancing skills leave a lot to be desired. Tasked with giving her some riding lessons, Owen reluctantly agrees to take on the task, but when Louisa picks up on his attitude, he realizes he has to do a whole lot better. Riding lessons lead to dancing lessons, which in turn leads to lessons in flirting, and therein lies the crux. Once that line is crossed, the reluctant pair spiral down into a vortex of love. The novel ultimately comes to a good conclusion, bringing smiles to their friends' faces. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Read this ARC via NetGalley. This is a wonderful romance - I love any romance where a man helps a woman (usually a “spinster”) see her own worth in the world and worthiness of love. Combine that with a reformed rake, and you have the makings of a great book. Louisa and Owen have a sweet banter between them, and while there is some drama and angst it is handled maturely.

A very enjoyable battle between Louisa and Owen to not be drawn to each other. Owen because he isn't ready to marry and Louisa who doesn't think they will suit as he is a rake. This is a character driven novel and very entertaining with their banter and chemistry evident. Very enjoyable read all in all. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What was the saying? There is none so blind as one who refuses to see. He gave her confidence and skills to navigate courtships but refuses to consider she completes him. Fortunately, they are smart and figured things out just in time. It’s the journey to enlightenment that is thoroughly enjoyable.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Major Owen Hasbury is a second son. For the highest in Society that marks him as the spare. He and his friends have that in common, and is usual for those like them joined the army.
After the death of his brother he finds himself inheriting the title. Unlike two of his friends, he has no intention of marrying, he will enjoy himself first.
Louisa Goulding has spent most of her adult life as a hostess and helper to her father. Now it's time to live for herself.
This is a happy go lucky historical romance. All the characters are good friends and have been for years. It very easy to fall in love with them. There might not be too many surprises, but it's definitely well worth reading.
Good fun.

Alexa Aston continues her streak of never letting me down! So far this series has set itself apart from previous series by having you know both the lead characters (or at least know of them) prior to getting their love story. As much as I liked Owen, I was really excited to get to learn more about Louisa. We have gotten smal bits about her in the previous two books in the series and just from that you knew she deserved someone amazing. It was also so nice to have a book where the female characters actually support one another. Even though the other ladies at the house party are also looking for husbands there is not really any animosity between them. I found even Miss Rexford to be likable - I appreciated her honesty and the way she really just did her own thing. I would love to find out what happens with Miss Peterson - maybe we will see her again in book 4 or 5? Back to the love story, of course we know how the book is going to end but I loved the journey each character made throughout. Seeing Louisa gain her confidence and spread her wings when really given the chance was wonderful. I thought everyone was a little overly tough on Owen. He had just returned from the war and taken up his responsibilities as the Earl and all they cared about was making him just like them. I love Tessa and Adalyn but they did annoyed a little in the way they talked to him. Can't wait for book 4!