I DNF'd this book at 20%. The writing was light and easy to read. Some fun humor and physical comedy. I just didn't connect to the story or the characters. I did appreciate the inclusion of the main character's chronic illness. People might enjoy this book if they are looking for a fun, light hearted historical romance, with humor and a bit of a mystery.

Thank you to Forever for this eARC! I have had SO much fun with this book. E.lizabeth reminds me of a friend who also suffers with chronic pain - a badass to her CORE even when her legs are screaming at her to calm down. But girl she has a cane with a sword and she has people to mow down!! The Wynchesters are such a remarkable family and Elizabeth and her tinker man Stephen and his lovely little machines are just so to die for. This is fun and light and lovely and also epic and sweeping and AWESOME! What a good read!

My goodness is this one going to sit on my heart and mind for a very long time! Witty, tender and steeped in care Hot Earl Summer is Ridley at her best!

This zany Regency romance is the fifth novel in the Wild Wynchesters series by one of my favorite romance authors, Erica Ridley. While the stories interconnect, each book focuses on one couple and can be enjoyed on its own.

The Wynchesters are a delightful family of memorably idiosyncratic characters, all orphans adopted by a baron from Balcovia, a small foreign country. This book, and the entire Wild Wynchesters series, is populated with delightfully quirky, smart, funny characters who are each in their own way trying to do good. I adore them all.

The main characters of this story are ardent swordswoman Elizabeth Wynchester and inveterate inventor Stephen Lenox. Elizabeth has suffered from a fibromyalgia-like condition since childhood, and I enjoyed reading about how she copes with and communicates about her condition. Stephen charmingly copes with loneliness and anxiety by compulsively exercising and creating Rube Goldberg-style contraptions. These two were so perfect together, and I loved their unique courtship approaches.

Elizabeth and Stephen engage in a treasure hunt to find a missing will while defending his relative’s castle from an entitled neighbor determined to possess it, and of course engaging in outrageous flirtation. Can they find the will, defeat the dastardly neighbor, and overcome their own insecurities to find lasting love? They may need some help from the rest of the Wynchesters.

It is always a pleasure to watch the Wynchesters engaging in wild hijinks to solve mysteries and right wrongs. It was also a delight to watch Elizabeth and Stephen’s relationship evolve and to see them both grow as individuals. The book strikes a very nice balance between humor, action, and romance.

The story is told in chapters alternating between Elizabeth and Stephen’s perspectives, which worked well. I recommend this book for fans of Regency romance, rom-coms, treasure hunts, and found family.

I received an advanced reader copy of this ebook via NetGalley and volunteered to provide an honest review.

This provided a very entertaining reading experience. The writing is divine. The author does an excellent job of crafting the characters, setting, plot, and the dialogue is sublime.
I frequently laughed out loud and rooted for the leads from the beginning. The dual point of view provides the reader with both perspectives, permitting the reader a chance to fall in love with both Elizabeth and Stephen’s quirks. The banter in this book was top tier - I couldn’t help but highlight several passages so that I can refer to them easily at a later date. This could maybe fall under the banner of insta-love, but I can sure any future readers that it feels like these two MCs have known each other forever, as they just click.
The story was unique - I have never read any historical fiction like this. If I went into details I would give too much away, so all I can do is encourage people to pick up the book and experience it for themselves.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever for a digital arc of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Grand Central Publishing for this advanced copy!

Hot Earl Summer was such a fun and enjoyable read. This is the first book I’ve read about the Wynchesters and I will be going back to read all the others. The banger between the two main characters was fantastic, and the respect they had for each other was a refreshing take that you sometimes do not always see in current romance books. I loved Beth so much!!!

Action adventure and regency romance? The perfect combo in this delightful feminist romp. With a bold and curvy heroine and a dastardly Earl, only the best hijinks will ensue!

Gotta love those Wynchesters! They are quite a bunch! Quirky and unconventional, but thick as thieves. They all have unique personalities and gifts that they use together to solve any crime. Every story in this series is witty and clever which makes for a most entertaining read.

I thought this book was full of laughter and fun, but I found myself having a difficult time seeing past it being so goofy. Don't get me wrong, I love a good romance and has me swooning and laughing but i don't know why this one just was a little too much silly for me. There were some parts of this book that dragged, but felt that I was dragged in with the puzzle solving parts of the storylines. I don't read many romance novels with that factor in there, so i did enjoy that in this story. over all, i thought this was fine! i didnt realize it was a interconnected standalone. definitely shouldve noticed that and wouldve liked to read the other ones before, my fault though!

Berserker Beth!

Another delightful Wynchester story. This time Beserker Beth takes on a case trying to find a lost Will to a disused castle. Arminia, wife to the Earl of Densmore, left Harbrook Castle to her sister to turn into an orphanage.
Unfortunately the current heir has gambled away the castle (which he has no right to) to a pratt of a Viscount’s son, Richard Reddington who keeps on re-inacting battles from the past. He wants the castle.
The Earl of Delamere has fled leaving his look alike, marvellously inventive, cousin Stephen Lenox to hold the fort um castle.
Beth of course becomes involved and what follows is hilarious, eye rolling repartee, and Circque de Soleil action.
A fun read!

A Forever (Grand Central Pub.) ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Hot Earl Summer is the fifth installment in the Wild Wynchester series. It follows Elizabeth Wynchester, the sword-wielding sister. It was an enjoyable read, and like the previous books, this novel is filled with humor and silliness. Although I don't have any myself, I appreciate that several books within this series, including this one, showcase characters with different disabilities. The story was entertaining throughout, and I eagerly look forward to the next addition to the series!

*4.75

This was a lot of fun. I liked the banter that they had and how nerdy he was. He was nothing like she expected her dream man to be but she loved him all the same.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Grand Central Publishing for this advanced copy! You can pick up Hot Earl Summer now.

What a delightful historical romance! This was my first Wynchester book, and while it admittedly was a bit difficult to keep track of all the siblings and their quirks, I still enjoyed Elizabeth and Stephen's journey. I really appreciated Erica Ridley's approach to Elizabeth's disability, and I think it's so cool to see a strong and literally fearless FMC navigating her mission with her physical capabilities in mind. All of Elizabeth and Stephen's characters were handled with such care!

Their romance was adorable, if a bit quick for my preference. I would've appreciated a bit more time with them getting to know each other before jumping each other's bones, but I can't complain too much when it was still so sweet (and sexy).

If you're a historical romance girlie looking for a sword-wielding FMC and mad genius/inventor MMC with massive found family vibes, this is your book!

I enjoyed Elizabeth and Stephen's story! It was so much fun watching these two match wits and work together to defeat their enemy.

Enter Elizabeth Wynchester, our curvy sword-cane wielding berserker! Chronic pain or no, she is about to take on a mission solo. One that drops her into a castle filled with hidden traps and a handsome reclusive inventor.

This series is called the Wild Wynchesters for a reason and I feel like Hot Earl Summer brought all the bonkers Wynchester fun! Was the banter and storyline slightly over the top? Yes, it was. But did it bring me so much joy? Also, yes! Elizabeth's story has been one I have been looking forward to since the very beginning of the series and I love how her character was allowed to truly shine in this novel. I loved how Erica Ridley balanced Elizabeth's chronic pain with her need to fulfil her mission as well as provide her with an out of the box partner who was able to learn from her. This novel was the perfect summer read for me!

The Wynchester's are one of my favorite historical romance families!
Elizabeth has intrigued me from the moment we first met her, so I was super excited to get her as the Heroine of her own story. She is feisty and has a penchant for swinging her sword and asking questions later.
When the Wynchester's get a new case looking for a lost will proving ownership of a property, Elizabeth is on the hunt. She doesn't expect to find Stephen an inventor of crazy machines in the place she's trying to infiltrate, and another person trying to get the property out from under all of them.
While I did think they caught feelings awful fast I did love all their interactions and how they thwarted the other dude and went about searching and solving the clues that lead to the will.
One of my favorite parts is towards the end when all the Wynchester come together and win the fight!

I can't wait to see who is going to be Jacob's match in the next book!

Elizabeth is a scene stealing character whenever she appears in her siblings’ books so I shouldn’t have been surprised that she was so fun to read as a main character. I absolutely loved this. A fun, feminist romp where the heroine is celebrated for her antics, not punished.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

As I have said in other recent book reviews that I have written over the last month or so, I would say that summer 2024 is the summer of royal romances. I have already read at least 3 or 4 royal/regency themed romances this summer. So royal romances are definitely super popular right now. If I had to guess, I would say that it is because of Bridgerton's popularity on Netflix and with the books. While I am not necessarily bored, I must say, how many royal romances can be published at one time? Oh, who I am kidding...I am NOT complaining because I have DEVOURED every single one of these royal romance books the last few months. With that being said, I have to wonder what the next big "trope craze" will be? Because there can only be so many royal romances unfortunately...

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I loved the romantic chemistry. If you want to set out and read dozens of royal romances, I think this book should definitely be included on your list. Erica Ridley did a fantastic job and I would definitely read more books from her in the future (royal themed or not!)


Read if you like

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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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This is another book about the Wild Wynchesters, who are a family who care about people. Each sibling has a unique skill. Elizabeth (Beth) skill is her trusty blade which is hidden inside her cane. She uses this blade whenever she can. Stephen is pretending to be his cousin, the Earl for a while but it is taking longer than he planned. Elizabeth and Stephen become lovers, and Stephen does not want it to end. When Erica Ridley writes a book, you get lost in the book and you lose time. This was an enjoyable entertaining book.
I received an ARC of this book, and I am giving my honest opinion.

Format - E ARC (Netgalley)

Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Spice- 🌶

Series- The Wild Wynchesters #5

Troupes- strangers to friends to lovers, forced proximity, Historical, found family, Adventure romp, slap stick fighting

Representation- rheumatoid arthritis chronic illness

CW- abandonment

Have you been following the Wynchesters on their journeys to find love? Yes then you know Elizabeth and her blood thirsty sword wielding ways. And if you’re anything like me, you desperately wanted to know her HEA. Well we finally have it and its everything I could have wanted and so much more.

For one I love a hero named Stephen, so often they are the villain or cheating ex and that is just not right. Secondly I love the Stephen is a straight up nerd genius that builds what are affectively Grinch level contraptions to do everyday and not so everyday tasks.

These two together banter for days and the sexual attraction is palatal from the beginning while Elizabeth is hacking at a door with a bloody axe. I love how Elizabeth describes her bodies limitations and how her percentages and Stephen’s are different but still make sense to each other. I love that he cares for her but also makes know that he fully believes in her bada$$ery and knows she can handle herself even when all he wants to do it hold her and coddle her.

I loved every wild, witty, blood thirsty, sexy, family bonding bit of this book and cannot wait to find out what Erica has in store for Jacob and his HEA!

Thank you Erica Ridley, Forever and Netgalley for the advanced copy all opinions are my own.