Ridley does it again. A fun, steamy, historical romance that leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: A bit silly and OTT but entertaining

Elizabeth Wynchester loves nothing more than an opportunity to stab the guilty with her sword. She is bold, beautiful, smart, and competent despite the unknown reason for her joints to jam at random. When Elizabeth’s mission takes her to the castle of Earl of Densmore, she realizes she needs more than a sword to complete the mission.
Stephen Lennox loves tinkering with machinations. He has invented too many of them and continues to do so. After all, machines are more reliable than humans. However, when he agrees to take the place of his cousin, the Earl of Densmore, for a while, Stephen comes face to face with a woman who truly understands him.
Elizabeth and Stephen are similar yet different. However, before they explore their feelings, they need to sort out the case of the hidden/ missing will and put a criminal in his place.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Elizabeth and Stephen.

My Thoughts:
After enjoying the previous book in the series and loving Elizabeth in that one, I knew I had to read this. I understand her urge to stab anything/ anyone that annoys her. Naturally, people don’t let us act on it, but one can dream!
The dual POV does what it should and gives us the backstories of the main characters. Both of them present a façade to the public to hide their vulnerabilities. While Elizabeth is kinda sunshine, she is also grumpy (with loads of delightful bloodlust). She loves that the MMC builds murder machines (even if not all are meant to… you know… pop off a person).
There is insta-lust (obv) but there is also some friendship, banter, and the case, which keeps things interesting. I enjoyed the puzzle parts.
The villain is pretty much a 2D cartoonish man though we can see glimpses of his cunningness and evilness. Not sure if he’ll appear again but in this one, he is more like a comic villain than a real one.
The FMC is curvy and has Fibromyalgia. This is my second book where the FMC has this condition. However, this book is historical, so no one knows what her condition is called and why it affects people. I like how the whole aspect is incorporated into the plot and her character arc.
Stephen is well-written, and there were instances when I liked him more than Elizabeth. Somehow, his vulnerability comes out more clearly. I empathized with his loneliness and sense of wanting to belong.
There’s some filler which at times results in uneven pacing. There’s a 3rd act breakup, but no miscommunication. This one was bound to happen, so I was okay with it.
The battle scenes are nice but lighthearted. This aligns with the book’s overall tone but it may not work for everyone.
The Wynchester family scenes are always fun to read. I missed Tickletums, the hedgehog. He barely got any space. Ugh! So not fair as I was hoping to meet the cutie again. The book ends with a teeny lead to the next one. I know Jacob’s book will be lovely with all those animals and… Tickletums!

To summarize, Hot Earl Summer is a lighthearted and fun read that also deals with some important themes like acceptance, found family, loneliness, finding love, etc. It is moderately paced and enjoyable if you like historical romances with a modern touch.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

DNF at 49%

I really enjoyed My Rogue to Ruin but this one I just couldn't get into at all.

I was super excited about neurodivergent and disability rep and was disappointed with insta-lust, making out immediately in a regency romance, and an overall lack of differences in chapters.

The characters are adorably nerdy and I love them but it started to be the exact same formula in every chapter and I couldn't keep going.

Maybe in the future this will hit differently but right now, it's just not what I'm looking for in my books.

This book is a fun, quirky read with a heroine who’s anything but ordinary. Elizabeth Wynchester is bold, curvy, and loves cuddling hedgehogs just as much as she enjoys taking down villains with her cane-sword. She’s definitely a character who stands out, and the whole idea of her getting stuck in a castle with a handsome inventor has a lot of promise. Stephen Lenox, the inventor who’s in over his head, is also pretty likable. The mistaken identity plot and the danger they face together keep things interesting, and there’s definitely some good chemistry between him and Elizabeth. Their back-and-forth is entertaining and adds a bit of humor to the story. That said, the book has its ups and downs. The pacing can be uneven—some parts drag a bit, while others feel rushed. The romance is sweet, but it doesn’t always hit the emotional highs that would make it really stand out. The adventure elements are fun, but sometimes they take away from the romantic build-up. Overall, it’s a light, enjoyable read if you’re in the mood for something different in the historical romance genre. It might not be a top favorite, but it’s worth checking out if you like quirky characters and unique plots.

This was a cute regency romance but it wasn't as exciting as some other one's that I've read. It definitely has a lot of exciting elements such as a the FMC being a swordsman and being part of a family that focuses on bringing justice to those who deserve it. There wasn't as much focus on the actual romance bit of the story, which I would've preferred since the build up was a little anti-climatic.

Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley is exactly the kind of quirky, joyful romp you want in a summertime historical romance!

The novel follows Elizabeth “Beth the Berserker” Wynchester and the “improbably athletic” inventor Stephen Lenox as they team up to locate a missing will and defend a medieval castle against an impending siege.

This is so silly and over-the-top and I had so much fun. The two romantic leads are the most lovable oddballs! I also looove a forced proximity romance and these two are stuck in an old castle together. Love that for them and for me :)

There’s great disability representation here with Elizabeth’s chronic pain and joint problems. I hadn’t encountered invisible disability rep in a historical romance until this!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Forever for providing this ARC in exchange for my review!

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

Elizabeth's book! I love all of the Wynchesters, and I have always had an especially soft spot for Elizabeth. She is the Wynchester most likely to suggest violence to solve problems, but somehow she never actually deploys it. She is simultaneously such a curmudgeon and so caring of her family. I knew she deserved a wonderful match.

And she got it in Stephen. He has exactly the hot athletic nerd energy that I have been loving this summer (looking at you Summer Olympics). He is an inventor and a bit of a grump himself. And somehow, I am totally here for the grump-grump energy.

They are such a delightful pairing, as they team up to fight this novel's villain. And there are actual fights involved! As well as some of the most amazing and hilarious Rube Goldberg type machines.

I found the plot dragged a bit in the middle, and as always, my favorite parts always feature the whole Wynchester crew. This is absurd and ridiculous in all the best ways. It's a series I choose for the pure fun of it over and over again. I'm looking forward to the next which should feature even more delightful animal antics than we usually get.

4.5 stars rounded up

Attention all my Bridgerton besties! Get ready to swoon over a summer read that blends Regency romance with action-packed adventure! Elizabeth Wynchester is my favorite heroine. She loves cuddling hedgehogs as much as she loves taking down villains with her hidden blade. When her latest mission lands her at the Earl of Densmore's castle, she's ready for battle... but not for the devilishly handsome rogue who has her locked in!

Enter Stephen Lenox, a reclusive inventor who never expected to be impersonating his cousin or facing death threats, let alone meeting a fierce, sword-wielding spinster who's determined to protect him. 🏰 As enemies close in and passions ignite, these two must navigate hidden traps and growing feelings that might just lead to more than they bargained for. Will Elizabeth's heart be the ultimate prize?

This is a must read for anyone who loved Bridgerton. I highly highly suggest it.

3.5/5

First of all, thank you to Forever Pub for the ARC.

That being said, 3.5/5. I wanted to give it a full 4 stars, but hear me out. I liked it, it was fun. Would I recommend it? Yes. But I'm not sure I'd be up for a reread. The lack of communication in this book just put me off and something that happened in the last fourth of the book just seemed unnecessary.

I adored this book, it was short, refreshing and charming! I usually don't like reading historical/regency romances, but after this, I might give them a chance more often.

Elizabeth with such a breath of fresh air, it was nice to see a woman in the regency era described how women actually looked back then! And we love disability rep!

Stephen was probably my favorite part of the book. A nerdy athlete, kinda... He worked out, in a sense.

A 8 1/2 on my Heyer scale: entertaining, original, and compelling.
Original characters, a lot of fun, a good romance that made me root for the characters.
Read it and have fun
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is an odd duck of a romance. In some ways, it’s very sweet and caring, and in other ways, it’s more like a romantic variation of a Monty Python skit. Ridley is clearly aiming at romcom territory in Hot Earl Summer, and while some elements worked for me, many did not.

I liked that Ridley gave both Stephen and Elizabeth back stories of suffering—Stephen from bullying in his youth, and Elizabeth with (somewhat ill-defined) chronic pain. But she covered that in characteristics that drove both protagonists towards caricature to me. Elizabeth is a bloodthirsty swordswoman who constantly thinks about battling someone, repetitively asking if she can maim whoever is annoying her. Stephen is an inventor extraordinaire who somehow manages to build his Rube Goldberg contraptions in a couple of hours but who also manages to restructure and restore his cousin’s fortunes in four months (which I just couldn’t swallow).

Stephen is posing as his cousin the earl and living at his estate because of…guilt over childhood friendship, I guess? He is dealing with multiple claims to the estate while that cousin has gone missing, and then Elizabeth arrives to (literally) defend one of those claims. One thing I loved is how over the moon Stephen falls for Elizabeth and for how accepting her motley family is of both him and her. The villain is straight out of the Snidely Whiplash bucket, adding to that sense of whimsical caricature that permeates Hot Earl Summer.

Rather than romantic comedy, I’d call Hot Earl Summer a romantic farce. If that idea of a romantic romp appeals to you, you’ll love this book. For me, it left a hollow feeling at the center of the story.

Quirky, fun, romantic.
Hot nerdy scientist who can do lots of press ups (He gives major Stephen Nedoroscik vibes: glasses, super smart, deceptively strong and agile)
Strong, feisty berserker queen who wants to behead her enemies.
What's not to love?

I absolutely adored Elizabeth (though she'd likely cut my ear off for such sentimentality) and Stephen is VIBES!!! Major pants feelings for this hot nerd. At times over the top but in the best way, this was just a fun read and I love the found family of the Wynchesters, as always. Stephen was PERFECT for Elizabeth in every way and an obvious need to the family. Didn't want it to end.

The entire Wynchester series is delightful chaotic, but I think this story takes the crown. It centers around Elizabeth Wynchester, swordswoman extraordinaire, and Stephen Lenox, an inventor tricked into pretending to be his cousin, an Earl. Elizabeth and Stephen do not have the best of first meetings, but soon find they've met their match in each other. When the rest of the Wynchester siblings show up to help defend a castle from a Viscount determined to use it to re-enact the Battle of Waterloo (complete with cannons), they show just how clever and resourceful they all are when it comes to outwitting their opponents.

I enjoy this series very much, but I think this story can stand on its own. Definitely a must read!

Hot Earl Summer is the 5th book in the Wild Wynchesters Series but it can be easily read as a stand alone. I do love this found family with their intense loyalty, quirky personalities and the drive to help the helpless! Hot Earl Summer brings the youngest sibling, Elizabeth, to the forefront as she is sent on a mission without other members of her family. She is talented in swords, battle axes and knives but questions her worth to the family business as she compares herself to her brothers, sisters and new in laws. This assignment is of most importance because it will allow Elizabeth to show her value to her family.
Elizabeth is an excellent main character filled with courage, intelligence and drive. She is curvy and endowed with a generous bust who deals with a disability that gives her chronic pain and effects her daily choices. Bravo to Erica for writing a main character with this type of challenge!
Stephen Lennox is the shy, inventor who is living in the castle that Elizabeth has vowed to protect from the evil Duke determined to take possession in what ever manner necessary. Stephen, a lifelong loner with a creative mind, lives a solitary life estranged from his family. He watches in wonder as Elizabeth tries to chop through the door to gain entry and once she is inside, blushes as she admires the many inventions he has around the house. She chooses to stay in the castle for both their safety and as he continues to tinker with his creations, he is drawn into her quest solve the mystery of the missing will !
I loved the unfolding of their love story as two who thought they would always be alone discovered that they had a chance at love. Elizabeth has to reveal to Stephen her physical challenges and the way he steps in and works to understand her needs without overstepping pulled at my heart! To me, this is the heart of the story encased in the entertaining historical read!
I enjoyed Hot Earl Summer and am looking forward to the next book in her Wild Wynchesters Series!
i received an advanced readers copy and am leaving a voluntary review based solely on my reading experiences.

100% my favorite of the series! Top notch, Tessa Dare level, banter. Absolutely over the top characters, charm, and adventure all inside a castle set with murderous traps. I absolutely adored this book!

When Miss Oak comes to them for help, all the other Wynchesters are occupied, so Elizabeth is assigned the task of finding her sister’s will and the deed to her castle. Unfortunately, the Earl of Densmore gambled the castle away even though he had no right to. It is Eliabeth’s job to find the deed and thwart the villain. When she arrives at the castle, she is not received. Taking things into her own hands, she eventually succeeds. Now she meets Stephen Lenox, cousin to the earl and tinkerer extraordinaire. Elizabeth is determined to accomplish her mission and protect Stephen and herself. When danger lays siege to the castle Stephen, Elizabeth, and the Wynchesters combine their skills to try to hold the castle and win the day. Somewhere along the way Elizabeth and Stephen fall in love. Frightened to give in to such strong emotion, they part. Will they find a way back to each other? This is another great story in the Wynchesters’ saga. The story is laugh-out-loud funny in places, a lot of places, and downright serious when it is called for. Elizabeth is brave, opinionated (bloodshed may sometimes be necessary), and good with her sword. Stephen is just as clever in other ways. He is intelligent and meticulous. He is caring and wants to make things better for others. While it may not seem so, I think Elizabeth has found her perfect someone. Great Story!

I enjoyed reading Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

This was an unexpectedly fun and ridiculous ride (in a good way). This is a historical romance with a delightfully quirky, nerdy couple. I am not sure how I missed out on the previous books of this series, but I have to go back and read them all. I jumped into book #5 and loved all the characters! The Wynchesters are siblings, found family and are investigators in Victorian England. Sword-wielding Elizabeth is a bit rough around the edges, but an excellent fighter. She does have an issue with her joints, but throughout the story readers will see how she copes.
Elizabeth is tasked with finding a will for a castle that was supposed to be an orphanage and school. The Earl lost the castle in a card game after his mother’s death, but the will needs to be found so that the wager will be invalid. Elizabeth arrives at the castle to find that the Earl has fled and the castle is occupied by his inventor cousin. He has the place booby-trapped because his neighbor is trying to seize the castle. Between Elizaabeth’s sword fighting and Stephen’s machines, they are going to try to hold off the invasion (for which tickets were sold!). As they get to know each other, they find they are perfect for each other. The writing is funny and the situations are crazy at times, but this makes for a very entertaining read. I love how Stephen tries to accommodate Elizabeth, without knowing the whole story. Swoon. Lots of action and comedy in this book. A definite series to add to your TBR pile.

What does one do when one gets a self appointed bodyguard?

This was a fun, summer read. Hot Earl Summer is a witty read with very contemporary notes.
Elizabeth loves her cane with a sword inside and hedgehogs. She likes to spar, both verbally and with her sword.

Stephan is pretending to be his cousin, he's actually an inventor. His protector is Elizabeth...and he does want her by his side when his enemies attack.
A fun, summer recommend.

The latest and greatest adventure of the Wynchester family by Erica Ridley. While set in the historical era, the story could have easily been contemporary. The plot was well written, action packed and full of new exploits for the family that solves cases for people who are in need of assistance when they are unable to get a resolution on their own. Hot Earl Summer is the story of how Elizabeth Wynchester meets Stephen Lenox and conquers his heart while trying to solve a puzzle for her client and prove her ownership in a castle that is thought to have been gambled away by its owner of record, the Earl of Densmore. I was engrossed in the book until the epilogue and although my ideas of how it would end didn't occur, I am more than pleased with how the author ended the story. Just what I needed to break out of the monotony of the same old historical romance.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.