Sandy M’s review of How to Bewitch an Earl (How To, Book 2) by Ally Broadfield
Historical Romance published by Entangled: Scandalous 30 Nov 15
I think I have finally found a new historical author I’m going to enjoy for a while. I had fun with her charming characters, as well as trying to solve their intriguing mystery, all amid watching them fall in love, despite their mutual dislike when they’re first introduced. Ms. Broadfield has about half a dozen stories on her backlist, which makes me happy now that I’ve discovered her and will have the chance to read more of her works.
Heir to a dukedom, Edward is the typical aristocrat who like his friends and women and drink, but never thinks about marriage. That last to the consternation of his parents. So they toss an ultimatum to him – attend their soon-to-be dinner party, find a wife, marry and begin to produce heirs of his own. But Edward would rather continue his work trying to locate the long-hidden tiara of his great grandmother, which has been a mystery he’s wanted to solve all his life.
Her family having fallen on hard times, Isabella is now companion to a family friend who knows her secrets and is trying to assist Isa in helping her brother restore the familial estate. When she first meets Edward, he’s pompous and irritating, in her opinion. That opinion is confirmed when he discovers her in the library reading his great grandmother’s journal and the mystery of the tiara. He wants her to butt out, but his mother feels a fresh and unbiased eye would do them good in their search. Mother is always right.
As these two finally agree to work together, both in solving the family mystery and keeping Edward out of the clutches of mamas who want their daughters to marry up, their opinions, as well as their feelings, begin to change. Edward tries to be a gentleman when their relationship is on the precipice of the next level, but Isa is having none of that. She knows this is her one chance to be loved by a man who cares for her, so she goes for it. I love her openness and curiosity in the bedroom. She’s confident and keeps pace with Edward every step of the way.
Of course, there is that one secret that, once revealed, will change things between them again. Isa is hopeful it won’t, but Edward’s shock overtakes her hope and crushes their future. Well, we know it won’t be crushed entirely, and I enjoyed the resolution of both the mystery and the chasm that develops in the relationship. Even though this is Book 2, I never felt like I was missing anything at all; it reads perfectly as a standalone. I look forward to reading more by Ally Broadfield. These charming characters give me hope I’m in store for other lovely stories.
Grade: B+
Summary:
He never expected the clues to lead to her…
Edward Adair, heir to the Duke of Boulstridge, is more interested in finding a missing family heirloom than a wife. But when his parents issue an ultimatum – marry or lose your allowance – he reluctantly agrees to attend a house party to find a bride. Instead, he discovers attractive but infuriating Miss Isabella Winthrop in his library, reading the private family journal that holds clues to the location of the heirloom.
Though Isabella finds Edward haughty and arrogant, she offers to take him to the next clue mentioned in the journal if he will pay her, which will enable her to help her brother restore his estate. Edward counters with an offer of an even larger payment…if she agrees to masquerade as his betrothed to deter the other ladies until the house party ends.
As they work together to solve the mystery their mutual attraction grows, but just when they begin to think they should make their engagement real, a secret is revealed that could destroy everything.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
