Thank you Erica and NetGalley for the ARC! I had a great time reading!

soooo castle drama and plans falling apart but make it MOUTH WATERINGLY SEXY WOW. This was so so so cute

The Wynchesters are hired by a woman who planned to turn a castle into an orphanage and school. The castle had been left to her in a Countesses will that went missing...isn't it just ironic that the new Earl lost the castle in a card game after his mother’s death... Finding the will should prove the Earl couldn’t wager the castle....

Seriously this was such a fun historical romance. I will be reading all of Erica's books!

The Wild Wynchesters return for a whimsical action packed fifth book. Elizabeth, aka Beth the Berserker, loves weaponry and combat, but her most difficult battle is with her own body which flares with joint pain, leaving her incapacitated for days. When Elizabeth takes the case of a woman who needs to find proof of ownership of a castle in order to open a school for orphans, she finds the castle occupied by Stephen, a "tinker" whose love of Rube Goldberg style gadgets belies the mechanical genius that has earned him over 100 patents. Sparks fly as they team up to beat a megalomaniac Battle of Waterloo re-enactor who is convinced the castle is his. The tone is breezy, the romance steamy, and both main characters grow as their their romance intensifies. A solid addition to the Wynchester series that can also serve as a first glimpse into the family.

While there were some aspects that I really enjoyed about this book, there were also some that I did not. I loved the fierceness of the FMC, Elizabeth, and her swashbuckling ways. And her chronic illness made her less a superhero and more an actual person. Stephan was also a likeable character. But I found their banter too modern for the time period. I also felt their romance was lackluster. While the Monty Python-esque fight scenes with Reddington were funny, I felt they ended up too drawn out. I really liked the interactions with Elizabeth’s siblings.

Our fmc Elizabeth Wychester is a fierce and misunderstood lady whose skill with a sword appears to be under-appreciated by everyone but her. Apparently the large and extremely dedicated Wynchester family runs a business specifically to help the downtrodden seek justice. The family is hired to help an older spinster who's being denied access to her rightful property (a castle belonging to her late sister) by her nephew. Mmc Stephen is the nephew's cousin, an unconventional and reclusive inventor, he was impersonating his cousin (per his cousin's request) at the castle in question so the property wouldn't be seized by a dastardly neighbor. The eccentricities of both characters gave some nice depth to their personalities. It also meant they were a really good match, I love these two.

Historical romance with delightfully untraditional main characters, and the author has a fun comedic voice. Nice found family vibes, there are a lot of adopted siblings in this family along with warm acceptance when you feel like an outcast. I was at a bit of a disadvantage because this is part of a series I've never read before. Although it was confusing in the beginning with all the family characters, once the story just focused on Elizabeth and Stephen it was much easier to follow. Reading the previous books may have helped with clarity in this story, but I managed it just fine as a standalone. I enjoyed the writing in this one enough to make me want to go back and read the first four books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this story, this is my honest and objective review.

A swashbuckling adventure between two people that don't quite fit in - but fit together perfectly.

All the Wynchesters are involved in Hot Earl Summer and they employ all their skills as they defend a castle from a neighboring tyrant and wannabe duke.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨ARC Review✨

There is something about anachronisms in historical romance that draws me in- maybe it all boils down to the authors rewriting history to give women agency.

At any rate, Elizabeth Wynchester is a berserker of a hero- she’d rather settle all things with one of her many swords. (Nothing says I love you like a bejeweled claymore.) She’s been charged to get the last will and testament for a client. It’s possibly hidden within Castle Harbrook which is currently impenetrable and being guarded by the Earl of Densmore’s cousin, Stephen Lenox.

It’s quite the meet-cute with Elizabeth slashing the doors and Stephen’s shirt with her battle axes.

This is such a fun, banter-y, sexy story. Elizabeth and Stephen are, of course, extremely attracted to each other: their bodies, brains, and souls. Forced proximity allows for ample time to flirt and secret places for rendezvous.

In addition to all this, I love the attention to Elizabeth’s chronic illness. She does try to hide it, but when it can’t be hid anymore, it leads to some frank discussions between a trying-to-be-helpful Stephen and an I’m-an-independent-and-not-at-all-weak-woman Elizabeth.

This is part of a series, but I had not read any of the others (I will now though!) and it was perfectly fine to be read as a standalone.

I was able to read this ARC via #netgalley and @readforeverpub in exchange for a review. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romance #historicalromance #disabilityrep #chronicillnessrep #arc #hotearlsummer #ericaridley #elizabethandstephen

This is book 5 in the Wild Wynchesters series but can be read as a standalone. I think I have read one of the other book in the series. This book is about Elizabeth Wynchester and Stephen Lenox. I loved Elizabeth and Stephen and their interactions. Both are "social misfits" but thats what makes them great together. I did really enjoy the book, the story line was unique, as was the heroine, but I thought the book was too long and it lost my interest several times through out the book.

Giving this book a 4.25/5!

It's exactly what I'm always looking for in a summer romance --- a ridiculous, yet entertaining, time.

The characters had such big personalities and I loved all their interactions. There was actual communication and the natural attraction didn't feel rushed despite the short time frame.

Is some of the plot outlandish? Absolutely! Does it require a lot of suspension of disbelief? You bet! But it was entertaining and humorous and just a fun read.

Bonus points for it being the 5th in a series and still making a great standalone, since I didn't even know it was a series until I went to write my review!

I loved it! However I think for a more enjoyable read, you need to read the first books in the series. It's a little confusing at the beginning with all the characters that make up the family unit. It took me some time to catch-up on who was who and the background story of the family. The rest was good, love him. She got on my nerves a little bit - she is really explosive.

First Impression review:
Dare I say I have new favorite Wynchesters book? The Perks of Loving a Wallflower will always have my heart, but this one has soared and stolen my love. This family is so wonderful. And Elizabeth, well, she’s me.

Full review:
It’s well known among my book friends that I’m a certified WILD WYNCHESTERS book fanatic. It’s my comfort series. It makes me happy. It can make me laugh and cry—sometimes at the same time. I’ve been anxiously awaiting HOT EARL SUMMER, Elizabeth Wynchester’s book, with only slightly less excitement than Tommy Wynchester’s story that came out second (THE PERKS OF LOVING A WALLFLOWER) and is my favorite to date. Well, sorry to say Tommy and Phillipa, Elizabeth, with her swords, stealth, smarts, and throwing voices at no matter what percent she was at, has become my hero. HOT EARL SUMMER is my new favorite book in the series!

Each sibling has their own nuances and special talents that shine in every book, but it was so excellent to have Elizabeth shine front and center in her own book. While we had family time—and I always love that—I love that each book gives us insight into a specific sibling.

Elizabeth has many unique skills and is keen to see justice get done. Still, she is also disabled, uses a cane (with a hidden sword inside!), and checks in with herself to evaluate how much percent Elizabeth she is today. I love how Elizabeth was written. Strong, go-getter, loving adventure, fighting her body exhaustion daily, and hating seeming weak in front of anyone.

I wish it were legal to walk around with a sword in a cane à la Elizabeth because I would find joy in moments when I’m not at Peak Katie. But I suppose I would want to be quick to use it like Elizabeth. I think one of the reasons I loved this book so much is that I saw myself in Elizabeth so much. I am Elizabeth. I do stretches daily so my body, hopefully, stays okayish and keeps the limberness it has. Every morning, I check in to see what I’m functioning at and, if needed, during the day because it constantly changes as I do things. I use snark to cover up how I really feel. It was an extraordinary feeling to have a character like Elizabeth on the page and think that it was me; that’s what I do!

Plus, the relationships between Elizabeth and her family made me feel warm and fuzzy because it reminded me of the people who have stuck by me and treated me as not a burden but a human, which means more than they will ever know. Then, the entire arc of Stephen and her relationship made me so happy. This series is known for such excellent banter, but this book also has lovely communication. I liked that they took time to know one another truly, and Stephen learned about her health and body and accepted her for who she was. A girl can dream…

I may have gone a little off-topic with my review - relating it more to me - but you don’t need to be a disabled reader to love this book. You need to love witty banter, a found family, a castle filled with secret traps, and a mystery to solve, and you’ll have so much fun reading HOT EARL SUMMER!

Thanks, Forever, for my arc!

HOT EARL SUMMER is out on 8/6!

I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc copy I received.

While reading of Elizabeth, whom comes from a famous family of very talented people who help with various projects against villains as it were. She very much reminded me of Eloise Bridgerton in the best of ways honestly, some siblings have found love in prior novels and she feels lonely. What sets her apart is she has some kind of disability that some days leave her in bed in pain all day (she refers herself as 55% Elizabeth at what have you).

In a spite of this she takes a case far from her siblings away to a Castle with a missing will there that she must find thru puzzles hidden inside of the castle. The case deals with two wills stating her client gets the Castle whom wants to turn it into an orphanage. Then the other will states a nephew of sorts will receive, however said now has gambled it away to one of the most annoying people in the country.

And if that was not complex enough, the man: Stephen Lenwho is making sure that nobody takes place before the will from his cousin (whom has disappeared at the worst time) is not only the most prolific inventor but incredibly attractive as well. His cousin the Earl of Denmore asked him to watch the place very inconveniently and has now been getting attacked by the same man whom his cousin gambled the place away to. Quickly Stephen and Elizabeth join forces the find the will along with chemistry heating up as well. They are equally attracted to the physical but more than anything the accomplishments of one another. Like each time he shows her another of his “tinkers” aka inventions she gets turned on 🤣 and vice versa with him and her sword play


Slight warnings on mention of past child abuse, medical flares and of course action injuries. This is a fade to black.

4.25 Stars ✨

As with every Wynchester book, I had a really good time with this one. They're always delightfully funny, representative, and touching in ways you don't always expect. Ridley is amazing at writing sympathetic heroes and heroines and after reading five of these books I also really appreciate her talent for creating fully-fleshed characters with unique personalities. Every Wynchester sibling really stands out on their own and I love that each book is different enough because of that characterization.

This book pace was quite slow and I found myself disappointed. I was recommended this book as being the vibes that Bridgerton show watchers want the books to be. I may have had too many expectations but I felt myself getting bored as I attempted to move along in the plot. I felt there was a lot of time saying the same things and I found myself wishing there was actually something going on. As well I found the MC of this book to be quite aggravating. She seemed quite immature and very one note in her "I can be whatever I want" attitude and I found myself very off put and not enjoying her pov. Overall I think maybe this book was just not for me.

Funny, action packed and quirky.

This was a fun and funny read about a swashbuckling heroine, Elizabeth and a serious but cute hero Stephen.

A mission at castle dunsmere puts these two opposites together to create an epic love story. Of the crazy Wynchester family is also here for rhe ride.

Regency era rom-com, LGBTQ+ supporting cast, and Ehlers-Danlos representation in the strong sword-wielding FMC Elizabeth Wynchester. That's what readers can expect from this witty and silly historical romantic comedy that gives Inspector Gadget meets Bridgerton. Fans of Ali Hazelwood's STEMinist romance novels will find a similarly compelling nerdy romantic male lead in this book in the form of Stephen Lenox, a mathematician, inventor, and scientist. And although this book is the fifth in the series Hot Earl Summer can be easily picked up and read as a stand alone without any prior knowledge of the series. A fun read for anyone looking for a regency rom-com with a colorful cast!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in consideration of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Wild Wynchesters series by Erica Ridley are delightful romps through and through. It really embodies my favorite tweet, "when the hero introduces himself and is like, "I'm one of seven brothers. We're all single and tormented by this ancient curse in our own way.'" Each of the Wynchesters is given their moment in the spotlight and find their romantic match. Hot Earl Summer's is sword-wielding's Elizabeth turn. Watching her and Stephen each overcome their fear of intimacy and letting someone see their weaknesses had me kicking my feet. Plus there are quite a few elaborate action sequences and a hunt for clues to discover a missing will. A true fun summer romance read, highly recommend.

Hot Earl Summer (The Wild Wynchesters, #5) by Erica Ridley
Elizabeth Wynchester and Stephen Lenox - "Beth the Berserker" and the "Reclusive Inventor" - both with tons of baggage just happen to be perfect for each other. This story is a little different because the complete Wynchester family is not on the case as they are too busy with so many new cases. There is angst, laughter, tears, mystery, discovering feelings, and some steam all leading to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed Easy-to-read Entertaining Great world building Happily Ever After Informative Page-turner Romantic Scary Steamy Tear-jerker Unpredictable Whimsical Witty Wonderful characters.

A charming romance where two misfits are the perfect match for one another.

The romance takes place against a mad dash to save an inherited castle from falling into the wrong hands.

Elizabeth Wynchester takes on a client who needs to find the missing will of her sister in order to claim her sister’s castle as her inheritance. Before her death, they agreed that the castle would be turned into an orphanage and the only other copy of the will was destroyed in a fire. The sister’s son, the Earl, has gambled the deed to the castle in a card game and lost to a dandy named Reddington. Reddington wants to take possession of the castle to stage a military reenactment, but to prevent it from happening the Earl has installed his cousin, Stephen, to watch over the castle until his return.

The Earl is gone for months before Beth the Beserker shows up at the castle to demand entry from the reclusive Stephen. She eventually persuades her way into the castle and together, they work to find the missing will. Elizabeth quickly discovers Stephen’s skill as a tinkerer and inventor, something that has always kept him as a misfit and apart from his family and society. She finds him perfect for being so unconventional. And he falls for her, too, for her tough spirit, offbeat personality, and bravery.

When Reddington wages a war to physically take the castle, Elizabeth and Stephen work together with the rest of the wild Wynchesters on several versions of a plan needed to defeat him. In the end, the will is found, Reddington is defeated, the Earl returns, the orphanage is opened, and Elizabeth and Stephen live happily ever after.

I found the romantic moments as Elizabeth and Stephen fell in love to be sweet and lovely. All of the external conflict with the bombastic Reddington, the wayward Earl, and Elizabeth’s unusual family I found a bit over the top. This is my first Wynchester novel and I hadn’t expected such a madcap backdrop for the romance, which I found at times entertaining but at times distracting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my gosh, BETH THE BERSERKER!!! Ok. I know I say this about every Wynchester book, but this one is my favorite. Elizabeth, in all her bloody glory!! Stephen in all his tinkering glory!! Brilliant, full of fun and action and love....and family. I loved every moment.

This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.