kyriannaj's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
The characters, set up, and plot all had the makings of being an amazing historical romance with angst, pining, murder, and a great push-pull romance. Instead it was insta-love after three interactions with most non-romance plots getting pushed aside, rather than helping propel the romance. With a slower, more realistic build up of the romance and more of the two side conflicts built into the plot this would've been an easy 4+ star read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Grief
lkpij's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
ssejig's review
2.0
Arianna Sweet has come to Valleydale to enlist the help of her father's friend in discovering the recipe her father created right before he was murdered by his partner. It's supposedly going to cure consumption. Unfortunately, Lady Elder has died and her grandson is in residence, expecting a prostitute for a week of frivolities. The prostitute that he, at first, mistakes Arianna for. But then he realizes that she is an innocent, lately from India, who is still suffering from a debilitating illness that she caught while in Egypt.
Though he is scornful of his cousins falling in love this season, he soon finds himself falling under her spell.
Though he is scornful of his cousins falling in love this season, he soon finds himself falling under her spell.
lootsfoz's review
3.0
This could have been a better book. Stronger editing would help. Also, I read it as an e-book and was startled to find about 15 pages repeated as I neared the end. It jumped from one scene back to the one where Morgan discovers Ariana left London.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
This is the third book about 3 cousins finding love. Like with the two other books here each chapter starts with a quote from Lord Chesterfield, and I do like that. She has kept consistent, the letters from lady Elder, the quotes by or jokingly by Lord Chesterfield, and Gibby getting into trouble.
Wouldn't exactly call Arianna young, she is 27, but she has lived in India her entire life, and has not been presented. She is very young in one way. After her father's death she leaves for England and shows up at at Morgan's estate. She is looking for his grandmother and she is weak from fever. Soon he realizes that he is attracted to her, but he has better things to do than seducing innocent women. Better to send for someone who can introduce the lovely Arianna to society.
This book has another pace then the other two. There there were more "action" in one way. This one introduced the couple and the time they spent at Valleydale getting to know each other, and falling in love, whether they want it or not. That is the two first parts of the book, getting to know each other, starting with the sexual tension and then the last part that is set in London. Here the danger starts, it all has to do with her father's work in India and the reason why she has come to London.
Arianna is sweet, she may be a blushing virgin but she does not deny what she is feeling for him. And Morgan, well I do like he eagerness to preserve her innocence. He seems honorable (but well we all know he is not gonna be able to keep that up for long.)
This is sweet romance, I do not mind things going slowly or it not being steamy (I did have that earlier talk about how conservative I get sometimes, lol.) There is some passion in the latter part of the book, fear not those who want that. But I think the sweetness is the thing about this book just as that is her name.
When thinking about all 3 books, then I think number 2 was my favorite of the three, and these two can share the second place. They do not need to be read in order. Even if I hadn't known anything I could have read this one without the rest. But then I love order and could never read a book out of order.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I do want faces
Reason for reading: From the publisher
Final thoughts: Sweet
Final grade: 3
prationality's review
4.0
While Blackwell (from A Duke to Die For) still holds my heart the most, I think Morgandale might make a good showing for second favorite of the three cousins. He certainly knows how to make a girl's heart flutter and Arianna was an interesting mix of innocent and temptress due to her upbringing.
An Earl to Enchant definitely has more of a mystery feel to it then the previous book, A Marquis to Marry, with higher stakes and a bigger gamble in my opinion. Morgandale and Arianna, despite starting off on the wrong foot make a commendable effort to get along and develop their relationship. They both show patience which I think is what was lacking in Marquis so very much.
Morgandale, despite his initial disappointment and irritation over Arianna not being the courtesan he had hoped her to be, offers assistance for her problem. Arianna, thinking him to be an ogre at first, revises her opinion as he proves himself to be a gentleman and willing to help her honor her father.
The letters to Morgandale from his grandmother, Lady Elder (the original person Arianna meant to meet with to discuss her problem) are charming and filled with 'wise words' that help illuminate the chapter's events a little differently.
The development of the romance moves at a good pace, though some of the 'bonding' moments were more contrived then others. And despite knowing this is a romance, the ending with the much too sweet to be real words of love rubbed me the wrong way. Not because I didn't feel either meant them--they clearly grew to love and cherish each other through the course of the novel--but because it didn't feel 'real' for them to be saying things.
Happily I can look forward to a fourth book in this Rogues' Dynasty series, though I have to wait a good number of months for it. No matter, I'll be happy to read it whenever it comes out!
An Earl to Enchant definitely has more of a mystery feel to it then the previous book, A Marquis to Marry, with higher stakes and a bigger gamble in my opinion. Morgandale and Arianna, despite starting off on the wrong foot make a commendable effort to get along and develop their relationship. They both show patience which I think is what was lacking in Marquis so very much.
Morgandale, despite his initial disappointment and irritation over Arianna not being the courtesan he had hoped her to be, offers assistance for her problem. Arianna, thinking him to be an ogre at first, revises her opinion as he proves himself to be a gentleman and willing to help her honor her father.
The letters to Morgandale from his grandmother, Lady Elder (the original person Arianna meant to meet with to discuss her problem) are charming and filled with 'wise words' that help illuminate the chapter's events a little differently.
The development of the romance moves at a good pace, though some of the 'bonding' moments were more contrived then others. And despite knowing this is a romance, the ending with the much too sweet to be real words of love rubbed me the wrong way. Not because I didn't feel either meant them--they clearly grew to love and cherish each other through the course of the novel--but because it didn't feel 'real' for them to be saying things.
Happily I can look forward to a fourth book in this Rogues' Dynasty series, though I have to wait a good number of months for it. No matter, I'll be happy to read it whenever it comes out!
More...