How To Train Your Earl

It started at a masquerade in Paris. Running from unwanted attention at the party, she finds him tied to a chair. It took a while for him to convince her to free him, but she does, and receives a kiss. A quick adventure, no harm, they will never see each other again. Right… Zane Howard Veldon Dormer Browning, eighth Earl of Blacknight, was not supposed to be the earl. He doesn’t want to be the earl. This handsome, typical self-centered rake has come into the title by default. All the other heirs died, the last two in an accident together. To quiet his selfish demanding family, at least for a while, he agrees to find a wife. When he sees Brina walking near the park and recognizes her, Zane decides she is the one. Brina Feld is the third widow of the Salty Dove tragedy. She is quite lovely, intelligent, kind, and gentle. She is content to help with the school she and her friends established and aid the Sisters at Pilwillow Crossing with their work. She does not wish to marry again, and she tells Zane just that. And then there was the bet. Zane put a bet in the book at White’s that Brina would agree to marry him by the last ball of the season. Irritated, Brina fires back. She will take his bet under a few conditions: no drinking, no gambling, and no women for the duration of the bet. If she wins, he is to apologize at the ball in front of all for causing such a stir. Zane courts Brina. The attraction grows and both he and Brina think he is changing. It looks like the courtship might succeed, when something goes terribly wrong. Brina is furious. His bet is lost. Can it be as bleak and bad as it seems? Then her trouble-making cousin brings her news that she is not expected. What will happen at the ball? This story and its characters are fun. It was interesting to watch Zane learn the ins and outs of being an earl (with the help of his uncles), and Brina finding a way to let go of the past. The story is fairly straightforward with a couple of twists and a beautiful epilogue. It is a nice ending for the series. I enjoyed and recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

3.5 Stars!! This is the 3rd book in the ‘First Comes Love’ series. I’ve read book 1 & this book but missed book 2. They can all be read as standalone books. This was a good book. Not great or especially memorable but still, enjoyable. I didn’t get any real romance between the 2 main characters but it was still a decent read. I was interested in finding out what would happen next and that kept me reading. I really like how unique this story was. I’ve never read a book with ‘crimping’ in it before. And I loved the ending! *I am voluntarily leaving a review for an ARC that was provided to me by the publisher!*

Oh these two... I knew before I opened this book I’d love it. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. Amelia Grey has a way with words. There’s a beauty and magical quality to the words she strings together and the stories she creates. I get excited each time she releases a new book because I know whatever story is coming my way is going to move me. “How To Train Your Earl” did just that. After losing her husband five years ago when the Salty Dove sank, Brina Feld has been the perfect example of what a widowed lady should be. Devoted to the memory of her husband and kind to those in need, she is adored by many. But when she attends a masked ball in Paris at the urging of a relative she comes face to face with the Eighth Earl of Blacknight. And when she comes to his rescue, his scandalous behavior leaves her shocked and exhilarated at the same time. I adored watching these two fall in love. They were simply brilliant together. There was something special about the connection between them and I felt like I had a personal stake in the fate of their relationship. Witty and charming, full of angst and sizzling chemistry, this is a story that you do not want to miss.