The Wynchesters are back with Elizabeth and Steven's tale. Steven is currently residing in a home that was bequeathed to two ladies who want to turn it into an orphanage. Unfortunately, Steven cannot leave the house because someone believes he has won the house in a poker match.
Elizabeth was hired by the ladies to find the will so they can claim proper ownership. Living under the same roof as Steven, Elizabeth sets forth to find the will. However, she keeps getting interrupted by Steven's good looks and the gentleman who believes he owns the house.
Opinion
I honestly cannot fathom how Ridley does it. I swear that each new book, as it comes out, is my favorite. She manages to top herself time and again.
I personally enjoyed the reenactment scenes as I was forced as a child to attend those near and including Gettysburg. It gave me a bit of nostalgia as well as a good laugh at the spoiled man leading the charge.
Elizabeth and Steven's story certainly kept a smile on my face as their romance budded. It went from shy to hot in the blink of an eye, something I don't see as often in romance books.
All together, the book was a fabulous and quick read. I have recommended Ridley to friends as a great author and will continue to do so.
Many thanks to Net Galley and to Forever for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I received an advanced reader's copy of Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley.

Elizabeth's story is one I've been wanting to read. I've loved her character in the previous books. In this story, she goes out on assignment and ends up having to stay in a castle with Stephen, the hero. The castle has been fortified by him to keep it safe from a group of re-enactors and their leader. Elizabeth joins him in defending the castle. He is the perfect complement to Elizabeth. He accepts her just as she is and learns the best way to support her when she's having a bout of pain. Some scenes seem a bit improbable but make for fun reading.

The love, acceptance. and support the Wynchesters show each other makes this a wonderful series.

What a fun book! If you're looking for a story that will have you grinning from beginning to end, the adventures of berserker Beth and nerdy Stephen are what you need. My favorite Wild Wynchesters story so far. And that's saying something.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Elizabeth in this book. We've always known that she's a bold warrior who leads with her sword but we discover in this story that there's much more to her than her battle skills and bloodthirsty nature. She's actually a very complex woman who lives with chronic pain and the challenges that can bring in both activities and relationships. I loved getting to know her better through her interactions with Stephen, the last man she would have chosen for herself but the very best match possible. I loved these two together. The banter. The battle of wits. The attraction. The care, respect, and admiration that Stephen holds for Elizabeth exactly as she is.

When a neighbor with delusions of grandeur lays siege to the castle, requiring Elizabeth and Stephen to merge their skill sets, that's when the fun really begins. So many laugh-out-loud moments. So many hilarious scenes and lines of dialogue. Ridley really outdid herself with the humor in this one. But with all the fun and humor of this adventurous romp, there is also a satisfying balance of emotional depth and tender feelings. Along with, of course, the feel-good bonds of chosen family that come with the Wynchester siblings, romantic partners, and unique pets, all dedicated to delivering justice for the underdogs of the time.

There's so much more I could say about this book but all the deliciously delightful bits really deserve to be discovered by each reader as they navigate the journey of a Hot Earl Summer. This one is going straight to my comfort read keeper shelf where I will no doubt revisit it whenever I feel the need for a mood boost.

For those of you who have not yet discovered Erica Ridley's Wild Wynchesters, Hot Earl Summer is the fifth book in the series. It's fun to catch up with all of the siblings in each book but you can absolutely jump in at any place in the series and not feel lost or confused. Having said that, I enthusiastically recommend all five of the titles for a rollicking good reading time.

Rated 3.5 Stars

Hot Earl Summer was an enjoyable read. It was ridiculously over the top at times but so so amusing. It had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.

I loved the characters. I loved the way Beth and Stephen's relationship developed. Their flirting amused me to no end. I loved their banter as well. Beth had a bloodthirsty nature which I loved. She had spunk. I loved that even with her body's limitations she was a force to be reckoned with. Stephen was a nerd but he had quite a mouth on him. I loved how he loved and cared for her. They were an unlikely pairing but they complemented each other oh so well.

This book was filled with hijinks and shenanigans aplenty which made for a highly entertaining story. Hot Earl Summer was an awesome read that I definitely recommend.

Erica Ridley might just be one of the best historical romance authors of our generation. This was fun and dynamic and romantic and captivating. A stellar read.

It was a great book with lots of fun charaters but I had a hard time gettting over Elizabeth's immaturity. Either way, I love a good historical romance!

Part of The Wild Wynchesters series, this installment delivers a thrilling blend of action, romance, and wit. Elizabeth is a bold and fiercely independent woman with a sharp mind and a sharper sword. She defies the expectations of her time—one duel at a time. The story kicks off with her mission to take down villains, but things take a complicated turn when she ends up trapped in a castle with Stephen Lenox, a reclusive inventor and reluctant stand-in for his missing cousin, the Earl of Densmore.

The chemistry between Elizabeth and Stephen is electric, but it's their dynamic that truly drives the narrative. Elizabeth is no damsel in distress; she’s a fierce, sword-wielding force, while Stephen is a man who’s more comfortable with inventions than with romance. As the two of them navigate threats to their lives—and the growing attraction between them—their banter and evolving trust create an irresistible tension. The novel seamlessly blends action with romance, and Elizabeth’s feminist spirit brings a refreshing depth to the story.

A fun, heart-pounding romp, with enough suspense, romance, and humor to keep you engaged and entertained from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This book was cheesy but cute! Elizabeth Wynchester is a bold, curvy heroine who’s impossible not to root for as she takes on villains and navigates hidden traps in a castle. The blend of adventure and romance with a bit of humor made it an enjoyable read, even if the plot felt a little over-the-top at times. Stephen Lenox, the brooding inventor, brings a nice balance to Elizabeth’s fiery spirit. While the story leans into the cheesy side, the dynamic between them and the action-packed setting gave it a fun, lighthearted charm. Perfect for fans of whimsical, romantic adventures!

The title of this book is hilariously intriguing, but the story itself didn’t quite meet my expectations. As the fifth in a series, it can be read as a standalone, focusing on Elizabeth Wynchester and Stephen Lenox. While I appreciated the mystery/puzzle-solving aspect, which kept me engaged, the cartoonish characters and over-the-top dialogue, particularly Elizabeth’s bloodlust, detracted from the story. Both protagonists have compelling backstories of feeling unloved and unwanted, and I sympathized with their struggles, but their chemistry fell flat. The pacing dragged, especially during the overly long battle sequence. While the premise had promise, the execution felt lackluster. Three stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC!

A delightful romp with some unique twists. The story is a charming blend of action, adventure and romance. Elizabeth is bold and independent and Stephen is a little quirky, and their chemistry is sizzling. A fun read.
Many thanks to Forever Grand Central Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Erica Ridley is one of my favorite historical authors and Hot Earl Summer did not disappoint. If you like feisty female characters, castle sieges (but make it sexy) and socially awkward main characters, this is the book for you!

Hilarious! This is Elizabeth"s story. She has Juvenile Arthritis (?), and because of that she was rejected by her family. Luckily for her, Bean found her and she became part of the Wynchester family, but because of the pain and the rejection, she is a bit of a curmudgeon and always ready for a fight. The family has become so successful and famous that they have more clients than they can service together and are having to split up to bring their clients justice. Elizabeth volunteers to help Miss Oak, whose nephew has gambled away the family castle that he knows was willed to his aunt to be repurposed into an orphanage. But the will is missing and so is her nephew, the Earl of Densmore. Miss Oak's sister and her husband had both loved puzzle, so she hid her will, with clues that her husband could easily find, but he died shortly before she did from the same illness. And their son lost it to a popinjay, who lives in the property next door, and wants his castle. Elizabeth goes to the castle and finds not the missing earl, but his cousin, Stephen Lenox, a tinkerer who batted down the hatches with numerous inventions to keep the castle save form the neighbor next door until the will can be found. And as it turns out he is lonely, because he also was rejected by his parents. The perfect match for Elizabeth if she is only willing to risk her heart. I'm not a fan of anachronisms in historical novels, but these were just too funny, as is the banter, the characters and the situation.

I was gifted with an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased, voluntary and honest review.

Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley was another hit for me. It's described as "Indiana Jones meets Bridgerton" and that's very accurate. This novel is delightful, engaging and fun. It's the fifth novel in the series and is ok and a stand alone but is better enjoyed having read the previous novels. That said, the writing is well done and the characters are engaging and quite brilliant.

Elizabeth Wynchester is a curvaceous and bold woman who loves cuddling hedgehogs (me too) almost as much as she adores beating villains. Despite others’ opinions about her body and gender, nothing stops her from ensuring justice is done.

Elizabeth is on a mission at the Earl of Densmore’s castle, and well she is ready to duel like gentlemen—only she finds herself locked inside! While locked inside she comes across traps, death threats and and a devilishly handsome man.

Reclusive inventor Stephen Lenox agreed to impersonate his cousin for a few days at his castle but he never expected the Earl to disappear. Nor could Stephen have predicted the arrival of a gorgeous, blade-wielding woman who declares herself his new bodyguard.

If you are a regency romance reader or a lover of powerful women this novel is for you!

So I'm very late with this review but I read the first Wynchester book this summer, saw that this book was available on NetGalley and requested it not realizing it was the latest book in the series and I had completely skipped over three whole books. Could I have read this without reading the others? Probably. But would I have? Unfortunately for all I cannot. But I've read everything in the series so far and I am ready to review Elizabeth's book.

I was a little hesitant on Elizabeth's story. I enjoyed her as a character in the other books - who wouldn't enjoy a cranky curmudgeon whose solution to injustice is bloodshed via sword (or other weapon)? I'm being 100% serious I love curmudgeonly, misanthropic characters (probably because I am a little that way myself). But I also worried that while she was interesting as a side character she would be one dimensional as a main character.

Of course I was absolutely wrong.

The Wynchesters have become well known for their heroic deeds and vanquishing of injustice. The family has grown but not enough to take on the many cases heading their way. The only solution is to split up which is how we find Elizabeth on a diplomatic mission to the country estate of a wayward Earl. The earl turns out to not be in residence - instead we meet Stephen Lennox: inventor, scientist, maker of murder rooms, and most importantly the love interest. Elizabeth and Stephen team up to solve the case - which involves searching the entire manor, illicit kisses, lots of inventions, an annoying enemy and more.

Elizabeth and Stephen make a great pair and are eventually able to be real and open with each other. Elizabeth's cranky exterior is mostly for protection and Stephen's constant inventions are to feel useful (that's just a tiny bit of info - more would spoil the romance). I also liked how Elizabeth's pain and pain management were depicted.

My only complaints were that the ending felt a little rushed and that the spicy scene was kind of boring.

Otherwise I really enjoyed this and am definitely looking forward to Jacob's book.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley,

This was a like not love for me. A lot of it really worked -- banter! castles! -- but there were points when I found it just too outlandish. I did really love the representation of chronic disease.

Hot Earl Summer was another fun read in The Wild Wynchesters series! This time we get to follow ELizabeth as she is sent on a mission alone to find the will and deed to a castle owned by The Earl of Densmore who conveniently has left the country leaving his cousin Stephen in charge. Sparks and weapons fly upon there first meeting and as the search for the will and the clock comes to a close will what they have last after their time is up? I really enjoyed this one because we got to see Elizabeth's vulnerability and her defenses come down.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review. I greatly look forward to reading Jacob's story this coming summer.

Yes, but no, I don't know. I loved most of this book but there were certain parts that just didn't mesh with me. Guess you'll have to give it a try.

Erica Ridley’s HOT EARL SUMMER (Forever, 354 pp., paperback, $9.99) is the other kind of historical: a champagne fizz of a romance, where trying to possess history and wear it like a costume is a villain’s gambit.

Stephen Lenox is an inventor of ludicrously improbable machines (the kitten dispenser?!) who’d much prefer to spend all his time tinkering in his London workshop. Unfortunately his cousin, the Earl of Densmore, needs a favor — and, long story short, Stephen is now pretending to be the earl while defending a medieval castle from the Waterloo-reenacting neighbor who claims the real earl lost the castle to him in a card game. And this jerk is determined to seize the place with cannons, if necessary.

Enter the bloodthirsty Elizabeth Wynchester, whose body often rebels due to a chronic joint illness but whose skills with a blade never fail her. One of the “Wild Wynchesters” who help clients seek justice outside of the law, Elizabeth has been hired by the castle’s true heir, Miss Oak, to find the will that proves her claim.

Stephen has been able to keep his villainous neighbor at bay for weeks; it takes Elizabeth all of 10 minutes to breach both the castle’s and Stephen’s defenses. They’re both used to being punished for their differences, so it’s a long, delicious while before they learn to trust one another beyond the battlefield.

Loved loved loved! Elizabeth is fiery, fun, and fierce. Unwilling to conform to society's notions of a lady, her badassery knows no bounds. A great romance novel for those who love a strong FMC.

This is part of a larger series about the do-gooding Wynchester family, I haven't read any of the previous book so luckily this works as a standalone! It feels very feminist and modern so for anyone who prefers the more historical part of historical romance, I don't think this one is for you. However, it is a super fun, sexy romp so if you're liking for a fast paced, hilarious, and a man with lickable abs then this is the book for you!