An Earl mired in melancholy is no match for a determined woman…Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She doted on Benjamin’s late Countess, and can’t bear it when she hears rumors that … it when she hears rumors that the Earl is too bereaved to care for his young son. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.
Jean’s sudden eruption into the Earl’s household simultaneously infuriates and invigorates him. She may be the only person who can breathe life into his neglected home—and his aching heart…
The Way to a Lord’s Heart:
Brave New Earl (Book 1)
What People Are Saying About Jane Ashford:
“Jane Ashford absolutely delights.”—Night Owl Reviews
“Filled with wit and charm.”—Fresh Fiction for Nothing Like a Duke
“Expertly crafted…another triumph of nuanced characterization and sparkling wit.”—Booklist for Nothing Like a Duke
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I don’t normally enjoy stories centred around children, but Brave New Earl by Jane Ashford kept my attention from beginning to end! Geoffrey was such a comical child and there was never a dull moment. I full belly laughed so many times! Benjamin and Jean are absolutely wonderful and well developed characters, it was fascinating watching them grow. Benjamin is a desirable hero and I was drawn to him. Jean was a little on the emotional side, but you can’t help but like her. Tom is a character that completely stands out; there is such a wisdom to him. I loved his character and how he spoke. This is a romantic and sweet story, that is tactfully done. I loved the storyline, it was unique and fun. The story feels natural and flows nicely. A very enjoyable read.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t love this. It was slow, long, and hard read. We have an earl who is stuck in his grief and a hellion of a girl storms in trying to take his child. Good premise I guess just wasn’t in love. The story was good but just not over the moon about it.
It was wonderful. The characters were realistic and interesting. The sex scenes were also realistic , especially since I didn’t have to endure a play-by-play description of the “action.” Thank you!
Good
Arthur Shelton, Earl of Macklin, gathers a group of four young men who have something in common with each other and with him. He has brought them together to help them cope with the death of a loved one, to let go of the past and learn to live again. Skeptical at first, the men felt a bit of comfort as they left the gathering. Brave New Earl is the first book in the Jane Ashford’s new series The Way to a Lord’s Heart centered around this group of men.
This book features Benjamin Romilly, the Earl of Furness and Arthur’s nephew, and Jean Saunders, a distant cousin to his late wife. Benjamin has been grief-stricken since he lost his wife in childbirth five years ago. He has been unable to deal with his son Geoffrey. Jean storms into their lives believing that Benjamin is neglecting Geoffrey (which he is) and determined to rescue him from the miserable childhood she herself endured. Uncle Arthur arrives soon after and finds himself chaperone and referee. He watches as Benjamin and Jean work (fuss and argue) through how best to take care of Geoffrey, to bring father and son together. Is it possible it will also bring them together and pull them out of the past?
This is a wonderful story of second chances and recovery. Benjamin and Jean are great together, even in the midst of argument and disagreement, and better when they get along. A delightful cast of characters lead by Geoffrey, who keeps everybody hopping, Tom, and Uncle Arthur brings life and humor to the story and keep it moving. This is a great start to a new series. I recommend this book and look forward to the other in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
The Way to a Lord’s Heart: Brave New Earl (Book 1) by Jane Ashford is a delightful and charming Regency romance. Follow, Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, a widower with a five year old son and Miss Jean Saunders, a cousin to Benjamin’s late wife on their journey of redemption, finding love and a HEA.
What strong, wonderful and charming characters! Well crafted, well written with plenty of wit, charm and romance. Readers will be glued to the pages of this charming, witty, delightful and energetic Regency Romance. Unpredictable and unique with interesting obstacles, challenges and a strong romantic love story.
Ms. Ashford expertly bended the conventions of Regency historical with a refreshingly different, and sweetly romantic love story. Fans of cute kids, kitty antics and witty charm with a message of redemption will definitely enjoy BRAVE NEW EARL. BRAVO, Ms. Ashford!!! #NewGalley,#BraveNewEarl,#Sourcebooks
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR
A story of second chances and finding happiness when least expected. Benjamin had lost his wife during childbirth and could not seem to come out of his grief. He had a hard time interacting with his five year old son Geoffrey because he reminded him of his mother too much. Jean, a distant cousin to Benjamin’s late wife, barges into his household determine to to take Geoffrey with her. What occurs is a lot of humorous moments and Jean and Benjamin are such great characters. I enjoyed the dialogue and the interactions between the three and could not wait to see how it all turned out. Prepare to be entertained!
Leaving the Past Behind 3.5*
A grieving widower ignores his young son, whose features remind him of his late wife, until a distant cousin of hers descends on his home, accusing him of neglect and sparking him into renewed life with her feisty temperament. This was an easy read, with some witty moments and a 5 year old boy who stole every scene he was in. I did though find it a little slow and with some silly mistakes that show that the author has done insufficient research.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 Stars
Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart Geoffrey who only reminds him of his loss.
Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.
An enjoyable read but if you’re looking for historical accuracy then this isn’t the book for you. A wife & child were the property of the husband so a distant cousin arriving to remove the child had no legal standing to do so & a magistrate would have put her in her place. Also a single young woman would have been ruined staying in a home with two unmarried men without a chaperone. So a book to enjoy as purely a piece of fiction. The story flows well & the characters are well portrayed but I found it hard to really connect to both Benjamin & Jane, I liked them but didn’t love them. I also felt a little sorry for Jane as felt she’d always be second best to Benjamin. I do however look forward to more of Arthur’s meddling!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
Ashford’s prose is charming and witty. The plot is unique, but certainly not period accurate. I really had to work at suspending my disbelief before I could begin to enjoy the read. The characters were likable.
I am assuming this is supposed to be a Regency romance, but there were few signs relating it to any period. The one sign was that ‘the war was over’. I’m not saying that there should always be an indicator, but it would be nice to know, for sure. The entire premise of this book is inaccurate for any of the earlier time periods. The father actually owned his wife and children – just as if they were a piece of land or livestock. So, there would be no way that anybody could barge into his home and threaten to take his child from him – and threaten to call the magistrate if he didn’t comply. We also had a single young woman staying in a home with two unmarried males – without a chaperone. The chaperone was provided later, but not in the beginning. So, the book is unique and interesting, but totally improbable. So, just suspend your disbelief and enjoy the book.
Both of our main characters are very, very broken people. He was devastated by his wife’s death during childbirth five years ago and he sank into a very deep and dark depression. He couldn’t even look at his son because he looked so much like his mother. She is learning to cope with life on her own after both of her parents have died. She had a horrendous childhood and she is still lancing the boil that was her mother.
Miss Jean Saunders sweeps into the home of Benjamin Romilly, the Earl of Furness, like a tiny tornado. Jean is a distant cousin to Benjamin’s late wife and she has heard that their child is being mistreated, totally ignored and not properly cared for at all. She has coerced his late wife’s parents into agreeing to take the child in – all she has to do is go collect him. You can imagine Benjamin’s reaction when this total stranger barges into his home – where absolutely no visitors are welcome.
Jean is quickly followed by Benjamin’s uncle – yet another totally unwelcome guest. Benjamin sees no one. He sits in his library staring at the large portrait of his deceased wife and drinking. What are all of these people doing populating his entry way. Then, there is a loud whoop and a mostly naked five-year-old boy painted in red paint dashes in wielding a tomahawk.
Jean won’t take no for an answer when it comes to the welfare of this delightful, incorrigible, highly intelligent young boy. Either she will take him or his father will take proper care of him. It is fun to watch these two dance around each other – each bring out the other – until they find they are in accord.
The HEA is sweet, but I have to wonder if he would mourn Jean as much as he did his first wife. I know people can love more than once in a lifetime – but – I also think there is only one soulmate. So, if the first wife was the soulmate, then what does that really leave for Jean. She can’t even give him his heir – he already has that too. I don’t know – I know he loves her, but . . .
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”