This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, clever, steamy, action-packed and inclusive. I didn't want to put it down and couldn't stop reading it. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

Hot Earl Summer (The Wild Wynchesters #5)-I read it as a standalone and wasn't lost.

By Erica Ridley-new to me author

Publication 8-6-24, Read 8-6-24

Format: e-book 360 pgs.

Genre: Regency Romance, Adult Fic

Tropes: opposites attract, forced proximity, adventure/action, feminism, sword fighting, and slapstick comedy

FMC: Elizabeth Wynchester/Beth the Berserker-31, bold, curvy spinster who loves a good fight. She has chronic joint pain but fights villains with her cane to bring justice to those who can't do it themselves.

MMC: Stephen Lenox/Earl of Densmore/Tinker-a nerdy, reclusive inventor pretending to be his cousin the earl but gets trapped in the castle filled with booby traps. When someone tries to take over the castle, Elizabeth helps Lenox defend it and him as his bodyguard.

🤔My Thoughts: The opposites attract trope is one of my favorites and this doesn't disappoint. Elizabeth is a fighter and warrior at heart, while Lenox uses his imagination making contraptions. They are both outsiders in society and find solace in each other. I will definitely have to go back and read the other books because of the Wynchesters found family filled with misfits.

Overall Rating
4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🙏🏽Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

4.5/5 stars. Hot Earl Summer is the fifth book in The Wild Wynchesters.

I’ve been looking forward to Elizabeth’s story and felt it showcased her perfectly. There was plenty bloodthirsty and sword wielding moments. But it was also heartwarming and endearing.

I loved the quirkiness of the MC and how cute and nerdy they were together. The hero is a reclusive tinker that also has an impressive abdomen that he isn’t afraid to show off, nor is Elizabeth too shy to appreciate. The connection he develops with Elizabeth is different from anyone else he’s met. Elizabeth also realizes things about herself she needs to improve on and getting out of the comfort zone she’d built for herself.

If you’ve been a fan of this series, there’s several themes that are continued in this book - found family, teamwork, celebrating individual strengths, listening to what others need, and acceptance.

I enjoyed the treasure hunt and that while it’s a bit obscure, it didn’t over shadow the book. It was fun, adventurous and lighthearted. There’s other parts that I loved how they were done but don’t want to give too much away.

The love between Stephen and Elizabeth isn’t displayed as a passionate love affair. But was caring, kind, and deep to where it gave me warm fuzzy feelings. There’s only one encounter with several kisses prior and off the page encounters alluded to afterwards. I found it to be lower steam.

I received an advance ebook from Forever via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Regency mf rom com with action and adventure. I loved both leads and really enjoyed the writing style. I didn't realize this was 5th in a series (standalone so not a problem) and plan on reading The Duke Heist and following books asap.

Oh, how I adore the Wild Wynchesters, and Erica Ridley!

This series has kept me on my toes and thoroughly entertained me the last few years. I’m going to be so sad when it ends after the next and final book!

This book though, was so not what I expected from Elizabeth!! She was so much braver and so much more feisty than I ever picked up on in the rest of the series, or at least far more than Ridley ever gave us a peek of. I love her! She’s a lot of fun and how she interacted with Stephen right from the moment that Beth the Berserker was released… oh, joy!

This book was such a pleasure and while I’ve loved every single page of the entire series (and even the novellas which I just went back to read before this one), I may have to replace Wallflower with this as my new fave. Sorry, Tommy and Phillippa! The dynamic duo and contrast between this pair is everything!

I loved this one so much (4.5-stars!) - whether you’re a long-time fan of Ridley or new to her books, this is definitely a recommendation from me! You could totally read this as a standalone, but honestly, with writing as fantastic as hers, and characters as brilliant as the Wynchesters, you should most definitely go back and read this entire series from the beginning!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and this is my honest feedback.

This was just such ridiculous fun! I don’t even know how to explain what I just read. It was sweet and funny, deep and inspiring all at once. Elizabeth’s cheerful bloodthirstiness is balanced by Stephen’s logical, methodical nature. On the surface, they’re the definition of “opposites attract”, but they have so much in common in their hearts. I adored this pair together and I kind of hate that the book is over already. If for no other reason than that I have to wait for my next dose of Wynchester shenanigans. However, that’s also made me more desperate than ever to get my hands on the next book once it’s available.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

Hot Earl Summer is the fifth Wild Wynchester novel, which follows Elizabeth Wynchester as a mission throws her into the path of the reclusive inventor and Earl of Dinsmore, Stephen Lenox.

I don't think Erica Ridley could write Wynchesters installment that I don't like, and Hot Earl Summer is just further evidence of that belief. These books are fun, funny, hot, and heartwarming, and they are always a joy to read. The best part of it all is that each book is even more absurd than the last, with the zany Wynchester crew getting up to even more unbelievable hijinks. It's just overall a remarkably pleasant time, and one of those series I will always go back to any time I want something that will make me smile. I can't wait for more!

Elizabeth is by far the most… jabby… of the Winchesters. With her trusty sword she can get anything done. When Miss Oak comes to the Winchesters for help, it’s clear that this sword wielding spitfire is the only one up to the task of finding a lost will. Miss Oak and her late sister Arminia spent the past ten years planning to turn the property into an orphanage, but without the original will entrusting the land to her, there’s nothing her lawyer can do. Elizabeth marches up to the doors of Castle Harbrook expecting to find the dastardly Earl of Densmore that squandered away the deed, but instead finds a timid tinker in his place.

The Earl has vanished leaving his reclusive cousin in charge. It’s up to Elizabeth to find the lost will that’s hidden somewhere inside, but her first hurdle will be entering the castle. Luckily, Stephen’s wild inventions are no match for Beth the Berserker. Elizabeth and Stephen become quite the pair as they try to solve Arminia’s clues, and fight the real Earl of Densmore’s battles.

This book was so much fun. It’s filled with humorous quips and wild characters. Elizabeth’s family is hilariously strange. I loved watching the comically normal Stephen interact with them. This book was fast paced and filled with near constant battles, and well crafted inventions. I loved trying to guess what would happen next.

Hot Earl Summer had the best disability rep! Elizabeth suffers from chronic pain. The way she categorized her pain into percentages was so interesting. I loved the time she took to advocate for herself, and the way she put Stephen in his place when he tried to overstep his bounds. It was so powerful to see the way she continued to find
strength even when she wasn’t feeling 100%. We need more representation like this!

A big thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Erica Ridley for the copy of this eARC.

4.5 stars.

I forgot how much fun the world of the Wild Wychesters is. Hot Earl Summer stars Elizabeth: the swashbuckling, sword carrying, chronically disabled berserker.

She meets her match in Stephen. I never thought we'd meet a character that is more whimsical or off-the-wall than the rest of the Winchesters, but Stephen has moved into my favorite character slot.

Hot Earl Summer made me laugh out loud, smile happily, and also want to strangle a certain character sometimes. I despaired of Elizabeth ever allowing herself to be vulnerable, but I was glad she and Stephen created a real, emotional connection.

Only one sibling left and I feel like it'll be a doozy!

Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and the author for a free eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I, unfortunately, have very mixed feelings about this book. While there were some aspects that I really enjoyed about this book, there were also some that were a little lacklustre. I loved the fierceness of the main female character, Elizabeth, which was humanized by her experience with chronic pain, making her more relatable. Stephen, the main male character and love interest, was also a likeable mix of engineer and eye-candy. However, while nice as characters, that didn't really translate well into the romance which progressed very fast with no depth or exploration of their feelings for each other. The book also tended to go on for a bit too long and could have used some editing to maintain the reader's attention.

Another fun romp by Erica Ridley

I really enjoy Erica Ridley's books and Hot Earl Summer was one of my favorites! We have a saucy heroine and a scrumptious hero, what's not to like! Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

It's always a wild time with the Wynchesters and I really enjoyed reading how Elizabeth found her HEA. I was a bit meh on her previously but totally came to her side in this book. I enjoyed Stephen and felt he balanced her out very well.

Regarding the plot, all you need to know is that hijinks ensue with one of the most fun families I have ever read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!

A berserker and a tinker make an unlikely love match while thwarting the efforts of a power-hungry, demented neighbour.

I loved Elizabeth’s unabashed appreciation of Stephen’s physical form and his reciprocal feelings of admiration. Elizabeth took charge of the situation and Stephen, and he was happy to let her. All he wanted was to work on his inventions and for the world to leave him alone. And then, for Elizabeth to be a part of it all. They were definitely two unusual personalities, but they fit together so well.

The Wynchester’s devious scheming and obvious enthusiasm were very catching, and I felt completely immersed in their efforts and exuberance. As usual, I enjoyed every moment of this farcical battle and the way the family banded together. This is not your garden-variety historical, that’s for sure.

I look forward to Jacob’s story, even though that will probably be the end of this wildly entertaining series. This is the book for you if you like steamy historical romance with over-the-top characters, and can to suspend disbelief for a moment.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a fun Regency romp, with over-the-top lead characters: Beth the Berserker; Stephen the brilliant “tinker.” They’re very different from each other, but their immediate chemistry makes a lot of sense, since they are both used to being outsiders. You’ll have to suspend your disbelief a little—or a lot—to accept that Stephen could quickly design amazing contraptions in a matter of hours, or that Elizabeth’s sword skills could rival Inigo Montoya’s, but if you’ve read other Wild Wynchesters books, you’re probably prepared for such fantasy elements.

On the other hand, Elizabeth’s disability, which causes chronic joint pain, is described in realistic detail. The book does a good job of showing how she’s adjusted her daily life in response to painful flare-ups that may come when least expected. I suspect many readers will relate to Elizabeth’s memories of her birth family doubting her pain, since the same thing happens today.

Fans of the previous books in the Wild Wynchesters series will naturally want to read this newest addition, but the book has a standalone central plot, so it’s accessible to new readers, too.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley, but this represents my unbiased opinion.

This is the long awaited tale of Elizabeth, the berserker! When she met Stephen, the mad tinker/inventor, she met her match! Two eccentrics make perfect! Their interactions are witty, bloodthirsty and so hilarious it was hard to put this book down! I so love this series I hope they will make these books into a tv show.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

This is book #5 in the Wild Wynchester's series but it can be read as a standalone. I had not read any other books in the series before this one. This follows Elizabeth Wynchester, she is a bold, curvy, sword wielding heroine. The Wynchester family is hired for a new case and Elizabeth heads to the Earl of Densmore's castle on her own. When she arrives she expects to find the Earl of Densmore but instead she finds the Earl's cousin and inventor, Stephen Lennox holed up inside the castle. An enemy attacks the castle and they must work together to defend it so that it gets into the hands of the rightful owner.

This book made me laugh out loud so many times while reading. I enjoyed the bit of mystery and action in it. I loved Elizabeth, she was unapologetically herself but could also be vulnerable at times with those she trusts. Stephen is a cinnamon roll hero, I thought it was a unique aspect that he was an inventor. I enjoyed the inclusion of his inventions and thought it was such a fun aspect to the book. The immediate chemistry between Elizabeth and Stephen was amazing. However, I enjoyed how the book showed that both characters felt the need to safeguard their hearts from others since they both had been let down by loved ones before. I loved that the book included chronic pain representation in it as well.

Tropes: Opposite's Attract, Forced Proximity

4.5/5 Stars

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Thank you, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley was such a fun regency romance!
Amusing, charming and so sweet! Loved it! I love regency romance and fun storylines that are entertaining and filled with lovable characters and Ridley writes the absolute best!

This was a really fun read! I loved the banter between Elizabeth and Stephen throughout their stay at Densmore Castle. I love it when FMCs are independent and not afraid to fight for what they believe in.
Elizabeth has such a fun personality. Even though she has difficulty dealing with what seems to be an autoimmune disorder, she doesn't let that stop her from helping others. The whole Wynchester family is an exciting bunch. I couldn't have asked for a better ending for Elizabeth!!

⭐️: 4
🌶️: 2

⚔️ regency
🏰 forced proximity
⚔️ booby traps
🏰 sword fighting
⚔️ chronic pain representation

A fun, quick read for lovers of historical romance. The characters were lovable but silly- Elizabeth is a sword wielding badass and Stephen is a recluse tinker with deep pockets. The antics they got up to kept me on my toes and needing to see what happened next!

This is book number 5 in The Wild Wynchesters series but can easily be read as a standalone (I did, unintentionally).

🌶️🌶️ = open door, minimal detail


♥︎ Many thanks to Forever Publishing and Erica Ridley for the eARC of Hot Earl Summer!

Hot Earl Summer is the fifth book in Erica Ridley's fantastic Wild Wynchesters series. I adore that these books are part romance and part adventure book. Elizabeth is set on a mission to bring in the elusive Earl of Densmore. At his country home she discovers his cousin Stephen is impersonating him. Thinking he was doing a favor for a few days Stephen has found himself now stuck there for months. Elizabeth and Stephen join forces to discover the secrets of the house and quickly find themselves drawn to each other. The characters in this series are great. There is really good disability representation. It is also very hot! I can't wait for the next installment.

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