Member Reviews
Will they see what is right in front of them before it is too late …
A sweet seconde chance romance with this third book.
Adrian never really recovered from his wife’s passing, running away from his pain, drowning it in excesses of all kind but by leaving behind the place of his happy years, he also kind of abandoned his children.
Trouble bringing him back home, he must face two disappointed children, a governess with a temper and some furry devils.
Helena is one of the many Templeton’s girls, her name tainted by her mother’s scandal and the ton’s gossiping tongues. To help her siblings when funds went lacking, she had sought a governess position. She is quite happy with her two hellions, she has somewhat tamed.
With the return of their father, a new challenge kind of manifested itself.
How to rekindle this father with his sons and not fall from the grump with a kind heart.
This is a sweet cute tale with a fun first encounter, a miss who has a backbone, a lord who realizes he must let the past go, two misfits who miss their father and plenty of purring help.
While I think the story could have enjoyed a bit more chapters to enhance their romance, I really loved this lovely holidays romance.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
Thank you NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for the chance to read and review this book!
While there isn't anything really wrong with the book, it just got slightly boring. We never really got into his time in London. Didn't really learn much about anyone. The main thing used to get things going in the book were the cats.
The next installment in the Templeton sisters. Helena is the governess for the Earl of Hawke, who is currently in London, drinking himself through the ton to get over his beloved wife's death. When a scandal drives him back to the country, he tries to get rid of Helena multiple times, not realizing she is the sister of a Countess and Duchess.
This book was not my favorite in the series but still entertaining. The couple spends most of the book apart in their heads. Recently I have discovered a couple of new authors that, instead of separating the H/h, work through their differences. And I have to say, it's a much better storytelling device. When Hawke and Helena finally confess their love, I was like, when did this happen since they spend most of the book avoiding each other?
But whatever. I still love Anna Bradley and can't wait to see the next in the series.
Returning home to his country estate after his latest London scandal, widower Hawke meets his sons' governess for the first time. Helena is a tart-tongued, managing woman who fiercely advocates for her charges without respect to Hawke's elevated status as a nobleman. He'd like to dismiss her, but his unruly boys need her. And maybe, beneath his bluster, he does, too.
This book is a perfect example of why Anna Bradley is one of my top 5 favorite Regency romance authors. The opening is hilarious, the banter is delightful, and the characters carry wounds they need to overcome in order to be together. The tone is light with deeper undercurrents. This heartfelt novel is one to be savored.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Quick Summary: A sweet second-time-around love story
My Review: Fell in Love with an Earl by Anna Bradley was a charming romance about a governess and a widower who unexpectedly fall for each other. Filled with kittens, kids, kindness, and kisses, this love story will make you swoon.
My Final Say: Readers who enjoy stories about finding love after loss will really appreciate this work.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: Clean
I voluntarily read this ARC via NetGalley. Thanks to the author and to the publisher, who provided access to this title exchange for an honest review.
* A Goodreads review has been posted.
Helena has been governess to Adrian's twin son's for over 6 months before the man ever comes home and when he comes home he rides in missing his cravat and a boot when he stops to calm him stomach a ball of mistletoe hits him in the head and he looks up into the tree above to find Helena.
While he's upset that someone is stealing his mistletoe he still climbs the tree to help free her hair that's been tangled in the branches, he's a grump but only on the outside.
Helena absolutely adores the boys but she is iffy on their father the drunken grouch when he first comes home until she realizes he's really just heartbroken and after his long absence doesn't know how to talk to his sons anymore.
This was shorter than I expected, but the author still built the characters and relationships well and the whole story was very sweet.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Finding work as a governess was not what Helena Templeton expected from her life, but she relishes her job and spending time with her young charges. The boys, Ryan and Etienne, have been without their parents since their mother died and their father travelled to London to try and chase away his memories. But when Adrian Chatham, Earl of Hawke, arrives home unexpectedly, half dressed and not even sure that he employed a governess, let alone Helena, he's in for a shock. Just as Helena and Adrian call a truce, for the sake of the boys and the estate, she needs to leave to be with her sisters, and Adrian feels her loss greatly. Never expecting he would want to remarry, all he can think of now is Helena, and being a family. But can he convince Helena to give it a go?
Ahh, this book was so good! Adrian and Helena's romance was perfect for them as a couple, and as much as Adrian tried to show he was a hard and tough man, his soft side with the cats, and the clear wish he had to do better for his sons was phenomenal. I always love it when the hero falls first, and that was definitely true here. The family aspect was fantastic too, and I loved how the boys respected Helena so much, and truly loved her and wished for her to be part of the family as much as Adrian did. A lovely romance, and great end to the series.
I am posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.
Games Earls Play Book 3 was interesting and enjoyable enough to make me search for books 1 and 2, that's a true recommendation. The Templeton sisters have wreaked havoc in London this season. They're broke and need to marry, if just one marries well the family won't sent to debtors prison or a workhouse. By book 3 it's Helena's turn at a job and love. 2 sisters have married Earls and the real financial danger is over but Helenas governess job has given her twin boys she's crazy about and doesn't want to leave. Their father is a roaring drunk when we meet him, his broken heart is marinated in brandy The good guy went bonkers after his wife died and he hasn't been home in almost 2 years. Once he sobers up and gets to know his boys and Helena they bring out the good guy again. He wants to do better and to his credit he pulls it off.
#Netgalley #AnnaBradley #FellinLovewith an Earl #GamesEarlsPlay #Oliver Heber Books
A thoroughly enjoyable book. He is a little lost from grief and didn’t know how to heal the gap with his sons. She is lively, smart and caring. Cats play a role in bringing them all together into a family. So the story is a special treat for cat and animal lovers. Lots of moments for laughter.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.
This book is part of a series, but could be read by itself without too much trouble about past events. I enjoyed the twins and the cats in the story. The heroine is a spirited young lady. The hero has been grief stricken due to the death of his wife. He took to being a rake to try to forget his grief, but now he realizes he has to forge a relationship with his sons. He doesn’t know how to do it without the help of the governess. It is a well written story with engaging characters.
A sweet romance taking place near Christmas. Adrian is a widower who is so lost after his wife died, he leaves for London for eight months to live a life of infamous debauchery. While he is gone, his housekeeper hires Helena as his young twin boys' governess. When he flees back home after a scandal in London, he needs to get to know his sons again. His scandalous time in London is never addressed except to briefly say the last bit wasn't true. He rises early each day to secretly feed a pregnant cat in the barn, showing his empathy and humanity. Kittens abound and the biggest conflict is having to make too many kissing balls for the annual Christmas fete.
I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of "Fell in Love With An Earl" written by the extraordinary Anna Bradley via Netgalley. This is one of the sweetest romantic stories I have read in a while. The well developed characters are intriguing as well as unpredictable. Lord Adrian Chatham, Earl of Hawke was devastated by the death of his wife and his home holds such fond memories of her that he has a hard time returning though he has two young twin boys there. Helena Templeton is the well adored boys' governess. Her instruction includes everything including teaching them about "feline husbandry" as there is a very pregnant cat in the stables. Adrian returns home unwillingly due to unforeseen circumstances in town. His arrival upends an existing unperturbed schedule and everyone is suddenly on pins and needles to avoid his acknowledged detest of cats. What ensues is the characterization of a loving, caring man who knows how to talk to cats, but not his loved ones. I can't give enough praise to this beautiful story of how we sometimes hide our true nature to maintain a facade of indifference because we dont know how to face the beauty of love. A truly remarkable story.
Helena is the governess of two young boys for 6 months. Their father Adrian has decided to come home after living in London and doesn't make a good impressionon on anyone. Helena and Adrian do not see eye to eye on anything and Helena has been fired and rehired several times. Both are to stubborn to admit to any kind of feelings until it's almost to late. Will they find happiness before she leaves to take care of her family?
The Earl of Hawke, Adrian Chatham, has lost many articles of clothing when fleeing London and a lady. As Adrian got closer to Hawke’s Run, Oxfordshire his home in the country, he notices a woman up a tree on his property no less trying to throw branches at him. The woman-Miss. Helena Templeton attempts to apologize and explain why she is up the tree. Helena’s hair is tangled up in the tree. Adrian demands she comes down and must help her. After doing so, he finds out that Helena is his son’s governess. Helena goes back to the house and tries to discipline both boys and things would have worked out fine. Until Helena steps on a cat’s tail and loses the tray she is taking to them, dropping it to the floor. Adrian heard the commotion and fires Helena on the spot, which causes quite an uproar making the boys beg to keep her while the household threaten to quit. Adrian has no choice but to rehire her with much apprehension. As Adrian gets to know Helena, he realizes how she really has turned everyone around even him. Adrian knows it Helena ever leaves it will also destroy his world.
This a quick historical romantic novella which is a joy to read! The story moves quite smoothly despite the length and isn’t even hard to understand. Sure, it is part of a series but can stand alone without too much trouble. Of course, it wouldn’t be so hard to read the other books in the series just to enjoy and understand the crazy Templeton family. The characters even shimmer with life, making them fun even wishing you could be part of them. Yes, Oxfordshire just seems like a wonderful place to not only visit but live. Helena, the fiercely independent heroine is just so captivating! It would have been nice to hear of more history of Helena, but it was adequate enough. While Adrian on the other hand at first seems a bit high handed eventually softens especially when it comes to showing that he is truly a good guy. The way he treats a pregnant cat is just so sweet. Even when he yells at everyone, and people fear him Helena is never scared of and can stand up to him. Ms. Anna Bradley just knows how to write a humorous Regency love story that of course I will want to read more about!
Adrian, Earl of Hawke, lost his wife and has left his twin sons in the care of their governess, Helena, while he lives in London. After a scandal, he returns.
This is a well-written, emotional, fun book. I enjoyed the development of the relationships between Helena, Adrian and his boys.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Super cute story! Immediately loved the heroine! Who could dislike little boys and kittens expertly placed in a blossoming love story? II wish the book was longer but I intend to read the other stories in this series!
I read and really enjoyed the first book in this series and somehow missed the second which I am very much regretting. Fell in Love with an Earl is a pretty standard historical romance. Some highlights were the first meeting between Adrian and Helena and Juliet's meddling towards the end. And Helena's scenes with Ryan and Etienne were really sweet. I felt like I missed something about Adrian and Lady Pamela - specifically, what exactly happened to him prior to the start of this novel that resulted in him escaping out a window and losing a shoe?
While I liked the optimistic heroine and the pessimistic hero, opposite do attract, the romance was a bit unbelievable. The dialog was great and Helena’s interaction with the too cute kids is fantastic. Adrian is the grumpy, which I like, guy but his sweet treatment of the cat is precious. I should have totally loved this story but as a whole it didn’t work for me. I love everything that Anna writes so I hope this is an anomaly. If you like grumpy heroes, sweet heroines, slow burn and no sex this is a story for you.
A governess, Helena is enjoying taking care of two lonely boys in the country. A widower, Adrian, is spending time in London grieving over his dead wife and ignoring his children and his estate. When he comes to the country to avoid a scandal, he encounters a governess who is going to stand up to him and advocate for his boys. Can Adrian appreciate all he has in Helena? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for my honest review.
Anna Bradley, once again, produced a charming book with characters that are entertaining and likeable. The book is a quick and sweet read, with low angst and low steam. If you, like me, are a cat lover then this is the story for you!
Thank you to Oliver Heber Books and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.