An Unusual Proposition

He needs a dowry; she needs a man to paint in the nude, so they make a bargain. Neither realizes that love will upset their plans. A misunderstanding might ruin a good thing; will they let it? If you like Historical Regency romance with unconventional women, you might enjoy this story.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book, and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the second book in the Marrying a Mabry series by Lexi Post, and follows the story of the second sister, talented artist Lady Amelia Mabry. At the end of book 1, she was invited to exhibit her art but overhears the critique of others implying that she does not know how to paint the male form, and this sticks with her and consumes her. She borrowed the book her sister had taken in book 1 and uses that to help her with her art, but unlike male artists, she is not given the same opportunities to learn, and thus, cannot have a nude model, let alone a nude male, to improve her ability to paint the human body.

Oh where, and how shall Lady Amelia find herself a nude male body to guide her art??? Of course without absolutely guttering her reputation and having her tossed from the salons of Society of course.

Enter Andrew Crauford, the handsome Earl of Sommerset. He has recently come into his title, after the passing of his father, and has discovered how poorly his father has managed their finances, and after paying off his debts, Sommerset has found that the estate is quite impoverished. Add to that it is the year 1816, the year without summer, and everyone is suffering from poor crop yields, and loss of goods because of poor weather patterns. His tenants can't make enough to pay rents, and may not even have enough to eat and survive the winter. His investments are not yielding what they should. He is forced to consider other means to bring in funds, and that includes possibly selling off his beloved art collection, and perhaps having to marry an heiress.

Well Lady Amelia fits a couple of those needs - she is an heiress and when he finds out her art knowledge, can help him determine if his collection real and saleable. When he approaches her, and offers a proposal, Lady Amelia does not welcome him as he expects. Lady Amelia is aware that if she were to marry. that her husband may resent the time spent on her art and as her lord and master, would likely stifle her artistic endeavours and force her to behave as he expects - managing his home, being a Society hostess, and raising his family.

But when Sommerset, the Golden Adonis offers for her, she decides to take advantage of the situation and bargains with him that she would accept his courtship and proposal if he would pose nude for her, in secret.

This was a cute idea for a plot, with a lot of steamy potential, and in general I did enjoy the story. But I found that at times there were too many details that were not clear, or muddied the storyline a little. Such as Sommerset's memories and resentment of his father on discovering his father's mismanagement of the estate. His mother's behaviour seemed off to me too - being tearful and aware of the prior Earl's unfaithfulness, but being so worshipful of his memory that she cannot stand to hear about their troubles doesn't read right to me.

On saying that, I quite enjoyed Sommerset posing for Amelia and some of the humour coming from that, with his playfulness, but also his ego being a bit deflated when he also realized that she was serious about her art and that she did at times see him objectively as a model, and not a sex object.

Of course, that does not stay the course, and Amelia the artist, cannot stay separate from Amelia the woman, and she learn to appreciate the naked male gorgeousness that is Sommerset, as more than a mere male model. Who could blame her (insert in mind's eye naked man of your choice - for inspirational purposes I am thinking Chris Hemsworth... Chris Evans... Channing Tatum... Daniel Craig... Ryan Reynolds... I'm good - your own imagination can take over now...)

Anyways, as she paints him, she starts to appreciate other aspects of Sommerset, including his humour, his appreciation of art, and that he seems genuinely kind... and he likewise learns to appreciate her talent, intelligence, and realizes that he is falling for her. Except Amelia did not realize that he was on the search for a rich dowry as well, and when she discovers this, it becomes a barrier as she interprets his withholding that information until he proposes in the worst light, and now their fragile budding relationship is threatened.

A sweet and steamy story that I enjoyed for the most part, but at times the story was a bit convoluted by too many details that muddied the story rather than clarifying it.

3.5 stars out of 5

This is Book 2 in Marrying a Mabry series and it is fantastic! I read and loved the first one as well and this one also did not disappoint! Who would have thought that a shocking counterproposal would lead to love? After his father's passing, Andrew becomes the new Earl of Summerset. He not only inherited a title, but also all the debt his father accumulated. He needs to find a way to gain funds fast and the only way he can think of is to marry a wealthy heiress. Amelia is the youngest of the Mabry sisters. She is an artist and loves painting. She's been told after marriage she won't have time to paint, so she is desperate to create her masterpiece before then. She is trying to paint the male form, but she needs a nude model. When Andrew gives her a proposal for marriage, she offers him a counterproposal. She will marry him if he first poses as her male model allowing her to finish her painting.
What an outrageous yet fun idea for a story! These two were well-developed characters and had strong and electrifying chemistry right from the start. Their banter and witty exchanges were such fun to read. Andrew and Amelia were wonderful together and I enjoyed following their story. An entertaining and enjoyable addition to the series! Can't wait to read more!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

The author's note was interesting. 1816 was known as the year without a summer. Catastrophic cold temperatures in the northern hemisphere caused many crop failures and deaths. The failure of his tenant's crops along with his deceased father's debts caused Andrew to look for a wife with a large dowry to save his estate. His friend suggested Amelia since they both had an interest in art. Amelia was devastated when she overhead some men laughing at her painting saying she must never had seen a nude man. She couldn't figure out what she had painted wrong. When Andrew proposes, she takes this chance to make a bargain. If he'll pose nude for her, she'll agree to the marriage. She believes she'll have to give up her painting when she marries just like her mother did. So she's determined to paint her masterpiece while she can. The salacious nude posing wasn't really much of the plot. It was more about Amelia's lack of confidence with her place in her family and Andrew wanting to not let his mother find out his father left them financially ruined. There's a lack of chemistry for much of the book. They have no real interest in each other for much too long. This is book 2 in the series. You see the sister from book one but I feel this is fine as a stand alone.

From the description of the book you may surmise that the steam level is HOT and you would be right. But the essence of the book is not just the physical interplay, but the dialogue that goes with it between Andrew and Amelia. It's a proposal and a counterproposal with witnesses. With a little angst, let the fun begin!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This was a delightful story to read! I just loved it. the H/h never intend to fall in love but they just can't seem to help themselves. It was a very daring and desperate proposition Amelia made to Andrew but it paid off in the end. It was a delightful adventure.

Lady Amelia Mabry, youngest of the sisters and the artist, doesn't feel she she contributes to the family like her other sisters do. Each has a talent or role they play in making the family work. She's been told that once she marries she'll have to put her paintbrush down because she'll have no time to paint with running a household, raising children and being a society hostess. She's desperate to create her masterpiece before she must marry. She and two other women were invited to show their work at London Art Academy where women were not invited. She had mixed feelings about it because of comments made about her male figures. They said she obviously had never seen a man nude. She was determined to master the male figure right. She sees an opportunity when Andrew Crauford approaches her.

Andrew Crauford is the Earl of Summerset now that his father has passed. He has a huge problem in that his father died leaving the estate with almost no funds to run it. On top of that all the crops failed in 1816 making his tenants unable to pay their rent to him. He told them to keep their rents to be able to feed their families. The only thing he can see to do is marry a rich heiress so his family can get through the winter. When his best friend Felton Enderly, Earl of Harewood suggests Lady Amelia Mabry he approaches her about marriage. Amelia has been putting off getting married but sees an opportunity with Andrew, the "Golden Adonis", to get her male figures right. She proposes he secretly model nude for her to paint a portrait and after that they can marry. But they must ignore each other during the modeling so no one suspects their inappropriate relationship. He agrees. Their time together and their project surprises them and is a wonderful read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thought and opinions are my own.

The story has a slow progression towards romance for our two main characters Amelia and Andrew. I thought that the writer did some excellent research regarding the informational background on painting’s as well as the differences in painting styles and colors. I also thought that the book had good information on forgeries too. Amelia is a very confident woman. As you continue to read you can imagine it as you moves through the book.
Andrew is a charmer who is very fascinated by Amelia’s abilities. The story is a wonderful page turner that explores the romance of two people who are well deserved for some love. The story is entertaining and fun to read. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

An unconventional young lady makes an outrageous proposal to a struggling Earl in this witty and entertaining novel. Hoping to stave off marriage for as long as possible so that she can pursue her art, Lady Amelia thought that asking Andrew to pose nude for her would make him withdraw his offer of marriage. She was wrong. Andrew is taken aback, but given that she has surprised him, he is intrigued by Amelia. After all, he desperately needs her dowry and the connections she has within her family. Whilst the novel does come to a happy and entertaining conclusion, it is not without a few mishaps and misunderstandings along the way. Altogether this romance is well written and I did enjoy it. I received a copy of this book through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Lady Amelia Mabry is unhappy with her work. She is an artist who has exhibited, but her male models are not to her satisfaction. She believes there is only one way to get it perfect.
Andrew Crauford, Earl of Sommerset has inherited a debt ridden estate. His best friend has suggested one of his neighbour's daughters for a bride with a healthy dowry. He hopes he can just sell some of the art collection he has instead.
This historical romance is filled with mischief and wonderful characters. You could easily read each of these books on their own, but they are such fun I think you will read the whole series. Each of the Mabry girls has a special talent that high society might not accept. This heroine's is probably the naughtiest.
Great fun.

Lady Amelia Mabry is a painter. She would love to have a male model, but of course that's not possible.
Lord Andrew Crauford finds that when his father passes the estate is in never ruins. He needs a dowry from marriage to save the estates. His best friend introduces him to the Mabry family. When Andrew meets Amelia he is smitten with her and would really like to court and marry her and not just for her money.
Amelia will let him court her if he agrees to pose for her to paint. When she finds out he needs her money she is heartbroken. Can Andrew and Amelia find their way to a happy marriage?

Refreshingly original in premise; slow burn, romance!
Fun, witty and sensually electrifying romance by an exciting new author for me. Where by chapter five, I was so in love with her engaging writing style and slow burn tension ringing pace, I just had to buy book 1 before settling in to eagerly relish Andrew hopefully embracing Amelia's counterproposal, with all due haste... and I wasn't disappointed!!
The chemistry was so fluid as artistic appreciation and a secret need for a hefty dowry, shifted, beyond a basic need, to fascination and captivatingly into romance, one sensually explorative touch and glance at a time as it rose by heated degree to sensual, body blushing proportions that had my tummy thrumming and fluttering as heat gradually notched up by sizzling degree and a connection and acute understanding of the other began to shimmer and sparkle.
Creating a satisfyingly titillating, charged, energy to the air and a smooth with easy charm banter and wit that bloomed into a deeper bond - born from a love of art and a deeper understanding of the nuances that make art personally evoking - that builds and grows into an intricate unraveling of insight into the visceral understanding of each other. As one tries so hard to protect, nurture and support those in his care and responsibility, while the other, equal in compassion and caring, wants so desperately to be able to reach the pinnacle of her artistic ability before surrendering to the practical need to marry.
A fabulously well written addition, to a series reimagining of Little Women, as Post reinvents Amy as the much easier to love, Amelia. Bringing a new lease of life to the sisterhood that inspired it and the passions they nurtured and fought so hard to nourish.
A joyous and emotionally tangling, heated, romance with a spot of scheming and miscommunication to add a touch of drama, turmoil and test potent insecurities! A really fun book to escape into!

It is a surprise when Andrew Crauford, Earl of Sommerset, proposes marriage to Amelia. Lady Amelia Mabry, an artist, would like to create her masterpiece before she marries. She has been struggling with painting the male form, and since Andrew has a fine form, she makes him a shocking counterproposal. If he poses nude for a painting she expects to be her masterpiece, she will marry him and gift him the painting. Everything was wonderful, but they hit a big bump in the road to happily ever after when she learned the secret Andrew had failed to tell her. Will they be able to deal with this new problem? This story is a bit unusual. You don’t find innocent young ladies requesting a suitor pose nude every day.
Staging this activity without getting caught was fill with humor. The discussion between Andrew and Amelia was witty, the chemistry sizzling, and their romance steamy. Their HEA is insight, but first they will learn that it is always best to talk things out. A well-written, entertaining story with likable characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Adonis, Artist, Proposals:
Well, that was a shocking opening to a romance story, 
Amelia and Andrew's romance starts out quite different and intriguing. I enjoyed the charisma and attraction between the two.
The blossoming romance took a while to start to materialize. There is a bad person so you know they had a rough time before reaching their happy ending.
A charming story for the most part but, there are many characters that I thought slowed down the actual story for me.
Cover sets the story very nicely.
3.5 Star rounded up to 4.

Lady Amelia Mabry is determined to paint her masterpiece before marrying, but she’s struggling with the male form. So when Andrew Crauford, the Earl of Sommerset, who she’s privately dubbed the Golden Adonis, surprises her with a marriage proposal, she can’t resist making a counterproposal – pose nude for her, and when the painting is complete, she’ll marry him if he still wishes her to. Andrew has just inherited his title – and as he’s discovered, his father’s significant debt. He needs to marry a woman with a sizeable dowry. Though Lady Amelia has fancied painting the earl since meeting him, she’s shocked he agreed to her counterproposal.
The second book in the series & another very well written book, which is easily read on its own. The characters have lovely depth, the pace is good, the chemistry sizzles, it's witty & it’s different. I loved both Andrew & Amelia & thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA. I also loved that they talked & were honest with each other so was surprised that Amelia didn't raise the subject of her continuing to paint once she married. I look forward to the rest of the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Amelia Mabry has a goal, she needs to paint her masterpiece before she marries and it's to late, but she's already turned down 2 proposals when Andrew makes a surprise third proposal and Amelia panics because her parents will be so upset if she rejects another one so she makes a counter proposal.
Andrew is stunned by Amelia's counterproposal, she wants to paint him nude and pretend that they aren't acquaintances until after the painting is done at which time she gives him the option to proceed with the proposal or reject her as well as giving him first dibs on the final masterpiece.
This was definitely a different way to start a story and it was a lot of fun, the banter, the mutual love of art, how she can get so in the zone while painting, even while painting him in all his "glory". Both characters are direct and honest, the only thing I found a little irritating was her insistence on believing that she isn't allowed to continue to paint once married instead of asking about something that is that important to her. The rest of this was otherwise a great time.

This was my first book by this author. Very enticing story. The book cover is beautiful. The story is a slow burn but it is sexy and engaging. If you want an easy, fun read then grab this one.

I voluntary review this ARC and the opinion expressed here is my own.

Painting the Earl was a verified masterpiece in every single regard. It was crafted from an artisan's hands and made to spread beauty for the masses. I loved it from the blank canvas of the first page all the way to the finished stunning portrait of an epilogue. What ultimately spurred me to request this book was that it was inspired by Amy March from Little Women. This is a pro-Amy account and I love seeing other author's interpretations of this classic character. This is actually my second Little Women retelling this year and I vastly preferred this one. As the baby of my family, I can resonate with her and she deserves a larger fan base. Painting the Earl was not only a phenomenal Little Women inspired story, it was a beautifully written and unique historical romance.

Painting the Earl had so many fantastic elements: clever heroine, tender blossoming romance, delicate allusions to the source material, and beautiful writing from beginning to end. The list goes on and on of all the positive attributes of this book. I loved this book and I already downloaded the previous book in this series. I loved all the paintings and I Googled every one that was referenced. They were all well-placed and fit each scene so perfectly. I cannot praise this book enough and it seemed like it was tailor-made for me. Even if you're not familiar with Little Women, Painting the Earl deserves its own exhibit in a premier gallery.

Painting the Earl tickled me pink, chartreuse, and all colors in between. I loved discovering Lexi Post as an author and I hope to read much more of her catalog. I'm so curious to read the previous book about "Jo March's" romance in the first book. I had a rollicking good time and I can't recommend this book enough. Although I'm no Amelia Mabry, I'm sure I could muster up some finger painting sessions that allow me an excuse to start Painting the Earl.

I really liked the uniqueness of the Mabry girls. Each with their gifts and the unusual upbringing which allowed them to thrive beyond decorative wife and brood mare of that time. I also appreciated the respect the male figure [Andrew] had for Amelia's talent. She was more than a pretty face. Andrew's own good looks and affable nature could have been tiresome, but he exhibited humility and loyalty too, They were both worth waiting for and the timing was spot on. Really a good read!

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Marrying a Mabry series. Amelia is the youngest Mabry sister who is focusing on her painting and aims to paint a masterpiece before settling into marriage. When a handsome earl proposes to her unexpectedly, she offers him a counterproposal: serve as her nude model before they marry. Andrew is in dire financial circumstances due to debts his father left behind and needs to marry for money quickly, but he is intrigued by Amelia’s proposition and agrees to it. As they spend more time together, he quickly falls in love with her and hopes that she will someday see him as a desirable husband rather than just a handsome subject of art. We get to interact a bit more with Amelia’s sisters, and there’s definitely a strong set up for sister Mariel’s future book. This one was relatively low-angst and easy to read.

An enjoyable read from Lexi Post, "Painting the Earl" is the second in the Mabry Sisters' series, but it would also work as a standalone. Andrew, Earl of Sommerset is on a down-low hunt for a wife with a decent dowry. Amelia is wanting to paint her masterpiece before she has to marry and give up her art for good. A scandalous bargain is struck - he poses nude for her, she (eventually) marries him, and neither contemplate falling for the other for real.

Of course they do fall for each other in the course of their clandestine meetings. But there is a still a third act separation born out of miscommunication before the inevitable HEA.

I liked this book, though certain elements didn't work for me. It is odd that it never occurred to Amelia to seek a husband who would let her continue to paint. The quick disposal of Andrew's previous paramour was a little too easy. The large amount of unchaperoned time allowed Amelia also seemed incongruous with the times. Still, Andrew and Amelia are likable characters with palpable chemistry and she especially offered some amusing moments with her refusal to kowtow to all mores of the ton. Andrew spends a lot of the book seeming not to know what to make of Amelia, which makes it interesting when he suddenly realizes he is in love with her.

3.5 stars, rounded to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.