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thefarmwifereads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
beckyrendon's review against another edition
4.0
What a diversion!
Susanna Craig is new to me and I wish I found her sooner. WHO'S THAT EARL is a fun and entertaining tale. A second chance romance with a sweet and (scandalous at the time) independent woman.
Lobe and Let Spy seems like it's going be a fun set of adventures with spies dropping everywhere. Poor men, never even knew what hit them, except of course Mr. Sutherland.
Susanna Craig is new to me and I wish I found her sooner. WHO'S THAT EARL is a fun and entertaining tale. A second chance romance with a sweet and (scandalous at the time) independent woman.
Lobe and Let Spy seems like it's going be a fun set of adventures with spies dropping everywhere. Poor men, never even knew what hit them, except of course Mr. Sutherland.
sarah_moynihan's review against another edition
4.0
'Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentleman create lurid gothic novels so infamous someone wants their author silenced forever? Fortunately, Jane has taken steps to protect herself, first by assuming a pen name, and second, by taking up residence at remote Dunnock Castle, surrounded by rugged scenery that might have been ripped from the pages of one of her books. Her true identity remains a secret, until one dark and stormy night...
After years of spying for the British army, Thomas Sutherland doubts the Highlands will ever feel like home again. Nevertheless, thanks to a quirk of Scottish inheritance law, he's now the Earl of Magnus, complete with a crumbling castle currently inhabited by a notorious novelist. When the writer turns out to be the woman Thomas once wooed, suspicions rise even as mutual sparks reignite. As danger closes in, can Jane and Thomas overcome their pasts to forge a future together?'
___________________________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
Who's That Earl is the first book in Susanna Craig's new Love and Let Spy series and is a historical romance.
Despite finding the book to be a little slow to start while the characters and their current circumstances are introduced, I really enjoyed reading this book. It a great start to a new series that I will be looking forward to reading more of.
At the start of the book, I felt largely ambivalent to Thomas' character as I found him to a bit gruff and aloof, as he was meant to be due to his time serving in isolation on an island. I wasn't sure that I would find him to be likable enough to follow through the entirety of the book. But despite his unwillingness to be there, he really started to grow on me once he made his way into Scotland to explore he reversal of fortunes.
I really like Jane's independent nature, even if it was largely born out of unfortunate circumstances. This isn't the first book I've read with the heroine a beloved author writing under a male nom de plume, but I loved the ruise that Jane devized in order to allow her to write in plain sight, yet still enjoy the fruit of her labors and to bask in others' adoration of her work, all without any the wiser. Jane is a talented storyteller both within both her books and her own life, which earned her the both strength and independence.
I loved the characters and especilly the twists and spots of dangert hich they encountered over the course of the story. The next book of the series is lightly introduced in the epilogue of this book and I am entruiged by what we know of the premise and will be looking out for the next book.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing an eARC of Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig. This is my honest review.
After years of spying for the British army, Thomas Sutherland doubts the Highlands will ever feel like home again. Nevertheless, thanks to a quirk of Scottish inheritance law, he's now the Earl of Magnus, complete with a crumbling castle currently inhabited by a notorious novelist. When the writer turns out to be the woman Thomas once wooed, suspicions rise even as mutual sparks reignite. As danger closes in, can Jane and Thomas overcome their pasts to forge a future together?'
___________________________________
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.
Who's That Earl is the first book in Susanna Craig's new Love and Let Spy series and is a historical romance.
Despite finding the book to be a little slow to start while the characters and their current circumstances are introduced, I really enjoyed reading this book. It a great start to a new series that I will be looking forward to reading more of.
At the start of the book, I felt largely ambivalent to Thomas' character as I found him to a bit gruff and aloof, as he was meant to be due to his time serving in isolation on an island. I wasn't sure that I would find him to be likable enough to follow through the entirety of the book. But despite his unwillingness to be there, he really started to grow on me once he made his way into Scotland to explore he reversal of fortunes.
I really like Jane's independent nature, even if it was largely born out of unfortunate circumstances. This isn't the first book I've read with the heroine a beloved author writing under a male nom de plume, but I loved the ruise that Jane devized in order to allow her to write in plain sight, yet still enjoy the fruit of her labors and to bask in others' adoration of her work, all without any the wiser. Jane is a talented storyteller both within both her books and her own life, which earned her the both strength and independence.
I loved the characters and especilly the twists and spots of dangert hich they encountered over the course of the story. The next book of the series is lightly introduced in the epilogue of this book and I am entruiged by what we know of the premise and will be looking out for the next book.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing an eARC of Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig. This is my honest review.
jillmlong's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. The characters were very likable. Jane is a very strong heroine with many facets to her character. At times I wished that Jane and Thomas would express their true feelings to each other instead of keeping everything in, however the ending made it worth the wait.
jennifergbenson's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ladynightwolf's review against another edition
4.0
Thomas Sutherland, a spy for the British Army, comes home to settle the matter of an inheritance. He has no real intention of leaving his position and wishes to return to the life he is used to as quickly as possible. That is until his superior officer makes it clear that he must do his domestic duties before he will be allowed to resume his place. As it turns out, Sutherland’s inheritance is that of the entirety of the Scottish village he spent his summers in as a child, including Dunnock Castle. His plan is to quickly set the place up, find someone who can properly run the land, and head back to the foreign lands he’s spent most of his life in. Luckily, it appears that a famous author has already taken up residence in the castle and may have a secretary who can do just that for him. However, when he appears on the doorstep of his new found seat, he discovers that the secretary he thought was a man is not only decided NOT male, but is also a widowed woman, and the one he fell in love with before he took his foreign commission! This may be harder than he thought…
Ms. Jayne Quayle has lived under the guise of widowed Mrs. Higginbotham for the past six years, acting as a amanuensis to the popular and reclusive gothic novelist, Robin Ratliff. Well, that’s what she wants people to think. She’s neither a widow, nor just a simple copy editor, but the author him-well, her-self. This precarious tower of deception has kept her hidden and independent for many years. That is, until the whole guise is threatened when a certain handsome soldier she once had feelings for turns up on the doorstep of Dunnock Castle where she has been living. However, when death threats against Mr. Ratliff start to show up in the mail, Thomas feels the need to protect Jayne, and Jayne feels a passion stirring in her that she hasn’t felt in years. At the risk of toppling everything they both have at stake, they band together to find out who is threatening Robin Ratliff, while trying to protect their secrets. Someone should have also reminded them to protect their hearts.
I really truly loved this book. I could practically see the setting in the misty, cold Scottish Highlands. The characters were well-rounded. The only thing that slightly bothered me was when the author described Thomas as slipping into a deep brogue and it felt a little forced and over used. However, I truly loved Jayne. I also loved seeing a smart and creative BBW in the lead role of a romance novel.
I’m a true sucker for regency era spy romances and this delivered in spades. The quaint town, all of the side characters, and even the secret underlying plot that encapsulates the series is a bit of a mysterious delight. I’m honestly excited for the next one. Plus, look at that cover and the title! So cute!
Thank you Kensington books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. Kensington always seems to deliver exactly what I need.
Ms. Jayne Quayle has lived under the guise of widowed Mrs. Higginbotham for the past six years, acting as a amanuensis to the popular and reclusive gothic novelist, Robin Ratliff. Well, that’s what she wants people to think. She’s neither a widow, nor just a simple copy editor, but the author him-well, her-self. This precarious tower of deception has kept her hidden and independent for many years. That is, until the whole guise is threatened when a certain handsome soldier she once had feelings for turns up on the doorstep of Dunnock Castle where she has been living. However, when death threats against Mr. Ratliff start to show up in the mail, Thomas feels the need to protect Jayne, and Jayne feels a passion stirring in her that she hasn’t felt in years. At the risk of toppling everything they both have at stake, they band together to find out who is threatening Robin Ratliff, while trying to protect their secrets. Someone should have also reminded them to protect their hearts.
I really truly loved this book. I could practically see the setting in the misty, cold Scottish Highlands. The characters were well-rounded. The only thing that slightly bothered me was when the author described Thomas as slipping into a deep brogue and it felt a little forced and over used. However, I truly loved Jayne. I also loved seeing a smart and creative BBW in the lead role of a romance novel.
I’m a true sucker for regency era spy romances and this delivered in spades. The quaint town, all of the side characters, and even the secret underlying plot that encapsulates the series is a bit of a mysterious delight. I’m honestly excited for the next one. Plus, look at that cover and the title! So cute!
Thank you Kensington books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. Kensington always seems to deliver exactly what I need.
jrho's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
This book was utterly delightful! Romances about writers are the best--gothic novelists, even better. I can't wait to read more by this author!
simira's review
2.0
Cute historical romance. Conflicts were easily resolved and led to happy ending.
abbie84's review
4.0
Who's That Earl is a great comfort read. Jane Quayle is writing scandalous novels under a male pen name. She rents a Scottish castle to hide away in. Everything changes when the new earl comes to take possession of his inheritance. Thomas Sutherland, the new Earl of Magnus and former spy, is surprised to find that his tenant is the woman he lost track of years before.
This book was a little predictable but in all the best ways. I'm a sucker for a second chance story. I loved the characters of the village and the matchmaking spymaster. The way Jane's Gothic novel was woven in with the story was great too. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
(I was provided an ARC by NetGalley, but the opinions provided here are my own.)
This book was a little predictable but in all the best ways. I'm a sucker for a second chance story. I loved the characters of the village and the matchmaking spymaster. The way Jane's Gothic novel was woven in with the story was great too. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
(I was provided an ARC by NetGalley, but the opinions provided here are my own.)