Tag: #ASeriesofUnconventionalCourtships

Why Do Earls Fall in Love by Deb Marlowe

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Why Do Earls Fall in Love? (A Series of Unconventional Courtships, #5)Why Do Earls Fall in Love? by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: A Series of Unconventional Courtships, #5

Release Date: July 27, 2021

Miss Charlotte Mayne is in London for one reason and that is to find a husband. She and her maiden aunt have scraped up enough money for one season and she hopes to find a man who will be willing to support her and her younger siblings. But things are not progressing as she would have hoped, especially since her nasty cousin seems bent on ruining any chances she may have. She meets Gabriel Harris, Earl of Whiddon when she escapes to the terrace during a ball. Gabriel is smoking a vile-smelling cigar and she rightly guesses it is to keep people away. They strike up a conversation and she learns that he never wants to marry, but that doesn’t stop her from enjoying his company.

After that meeting, Gabriel watches out for her and on more than one occasion sees her cousin sabotaging her, so he steps in and dances with her, which seems to open the door for other suitors. He knows he should keep his distance, but he can’t seem to stay away and when they are caught in a compromising position, he proposes a marriage in name only.

Charlotte agrees, to a point, she wants more but is willing to wait for it. Slowly, she weaves herself into his life, first by setting his house to rights, despite his reasons for keeping it barely habitable, and then by getting him to share some of his tightly held secrets, including his ongoing mission to right the wrongs done by his father. At first, Gabriel tries to resist, but soon he can no longer deny his feelings and it seems like these two will find their HEA, but when an old advisory teams up with Charlotte’s cousin, their blossoming love will be tested.

What a great story! Of all the books in this series, I think this is my favorite, I just loved Charlotte and Gabriel and their road to HEA was filled with emotion, betrayal, secrets, lies, cameos from previous characters, truly evil villains, steamyish love scenes, and a little bit of heartache all wrapped up in a well-written, fast-paced story. This is the fifth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

A Cup of Cheer by Deb Marlowe

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Cup of Cheer (A Series of Unconventional Courtships Book 4)A Cup of Cheer by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Series of Unconventional Courtships, #4

Release Date: December 10, 2020

Alexander Edgerton, the Earl of Chester has spent years pursuing pleasure and thinking only of himself, but when he fails to collect his ward, Charles Edgerton (his late cousin’s son) on time and the boy goes missing, Chester knows he needs to change. Unsure where Charlie has gotten to, Chester seeks help from his grandmother, but knowing she is going to read him the riot act, he stops in the local tavern for a cup of cheer, to fortify himself. More than a little tipsy, he sets out for his grandmother’s cottage and gets way more than he bargained for! Knocked down by the very boy he is looking for, he barely has a moment to register when he is confronted by what surely must be a goddess and passes out.

Life has not been easy for Miss Julia Deering, her mother died when she was young and she was raised by her brilliant but preoccupied father. Her father was a scholar who taught and tutored young men, he didn’t skimp in Julia’s education, but fell short in many other ways. As a result, when he died, she was left to the mercy of his colleagues – thankfully, she was able to escape to Half Moon Street and Harriet quickly found her a position with the dowager Countess of Chester. Julia is shocked at her reaction to Chester – never has she been attracted to a man, but Chester is everything she never knew she wanted and want him she does!

Together these two form a friendship and soon begin to long for more, but before they can even think of a future, Chester needs to deal with his past and Julia needs to learn to trust again. Hopefully, with a bit of matchmaking help from Charlie and the Countess, they will be able to get their HEA!

I thought this was a nice, feel-good read with wonderful characters and a very sweet HEA. The book is a long novella and is paced well, but I wish I had more backstory on Chester from the beginning since it is pretty late in the book that the reader learns what set him on the path of selfish pleasure. The romance is subtle and the love scenes are kisses only, so if you prefer low/no heat romance – you are in for a treat! This is the fourth book in the series and there is a mention of the previous couples and a cameo with Whiddon (the last man standing), but you can absolutely read this installment as a standalone title with no issues at all. I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it!