Sandy M’s review of Waiting for an Earl Like You (Masters of Seduction, Book 3) by Alexandra Hawkins
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 3 Jan 17
I’m a sucker for books about brothers. In this case, I was definitely jealous of Olivia, our heroine, because she’s grown up with Thorn and Gideon, the twins next door, also known as the Earl of Kempthorn and the spare. As children they played together, leading to a close friendship between Olivia and Gideon. Thorn has taken his responsibilities seriously even from an early age, so he had some jealousy of his own going on too when he stood back and watched his brother and friend. Now Gideon is home after branching out on the continent to make his own way, and Olivia is once again in the picture, a woman in her own right so many years later. Thorn has a lot to take care of…
He feels Olivia may be after Gideon to lure him into wedlock, and that just won’t do. Especially because he’s a bit attracted to the lady, but he’ll not admit that to anyone, including himself. But he puts himself in her way whenever possible, even pretending to be his twin and capturing a few kisses when they’re alone. He even finds himself rescuing Olivia from her soon-to-be-stepmother’s wrath a time or two. Despite these gentlemanly times, Thorn has a stiff upper lip that is caustic at times and takes him down a few notches in the reader’s mind.
But then you see how he feels about his brother, hates that they are now at odds, and that Gideon won’t confide in him as he used to. That brings Thorn up a bit for the reader. Gideon has had something happen during his travels, and while we’re given only hints, we won’t discover what that something is until his book. For now we are left to only imagine, so, heavens, it could be something closer to home for all we know. Whatever it is, it makes Gideon a much more sympathetic character than Thorn.
Olivia is a sassy heroine, for the most part. She’s been given a lot of leeway as to freedom to do as she chooses, so she’s used to doing what she wants. She does acquiesce to her stepmother, all because she doesn’t want to upset her father. When deal old papa catches Thorn and Olivia sharing a kiss, however, he makes certain a wedding is in his daughter’s future. Thorn, however, wants a pretend engagement, still not acknowledging his feelings for Olivia. Even through that stiff upper lip, it is enjoyable to watch him fall before he realizes what’s happening to him.
I like the added touch of the cameo of the Marquess of Norgrave in this story. The entire sequence featuring him caught me by surprise, as it had to for all readers of the series so far. All in all, a good addition to the series, and I’m looking forward to finding out Gideon’s secrets.
Grade: B
Summary:
Justin Reeve Netherwood, Earl of Kempthorn—a.k.a. Thorn—has never cared much for his neighbor’s daughter. But his twin brother, Gideon, befriended the wild, reckless, and wholly inappropriate Miss Olivia Lydall in youth, and two have been close ever since. So when Olivia finds herself in a state of romantic conflict and seeks out Gideon for advice, he’s only too pleased to oblige. Only problem: The man Olivia is speaking to is Thorn. And now it’s too late for him to tell Olivia the truth…
Thorn always believed that Olivia was too smitten with Gideon for her own good. So what’s the harm in steering her away from him? But Thorn’s charade turns out to be anything but harmless once he begins to see Olivia for who she really is: A woman full of spirit and passion…and someone he can’t live without. But how can Thorn claim Olivia’s heart when their deepening connection—and burning desire—is built on lies and deceit?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
