The friendship of four young ladies has created an indestructible bond to protect one another from the perils of love and marriage . . . After the demise of her friend’s disastrous marriage, Mercedes Parsons isn’t about to let the widowed Wallflower of West Lane, Lady Aurora Radcliff, undertake another perilous trip to the altar. At least, not before the bridegroom-to-be is thoroughly … bridegroom-to-be is thoroughly investigated. If only Mercy could stop her uncharacteristic daydreaming about Wesley Renshaw’s charm, his intellect, his dashing good looks. After all, the earl has already set his sights on her best friend! She must keep her wits about her and avoid giving into temptation.
Wesley is both irritated and intrigued by the machinations of Mercy—He cannot let her cleverness and beauty distract him. He needs to marry her friend, Aurora, so he can reclaim his family’s ancestral home. A wrong he has hoped to right his entire life. Besides, who is penniless spinster Mercedes Parsons to decide whom he can and cannot marry? Yet while he admires her unwavering loyalty to her friends, he decides it’s high time the misguided woman had a dose of her own medicine. Two can play at this spying game. But they are both embarked on a dangerous charade. And it won’t be merely Mercy’s reputation at risk—or her heart on the line—as Wesley comes to the inescapable conclusion that he has found the right woman at exactly the wrong time.
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I was glad to get Mercy’s story. She has been a faithful friend to the other Wallflowers and thinks she will die a spinster. Aurora has sworn to never marry again. Been there, done that. So, when Aurora’s mother informs her that Wesley is going to call on her to court her, the Wallflowers decide to discourage him. Mercy has already met him and is quite taken with him. She really doesn’t want him to be with Aurora. But, he wants a property that she owns and the way to get it is to marry her. Mercy has no title and no fortune so she knows he won’t want to marry her. Wesley knows he can’t marry Aurora, but can he marry Mercy? People will talk and he isn’t sure if his family will approve. Can they be together?
Since her friend, Lady Aurora Radcliff, suffered a disastrous first marriage, Mercedes Heath is determined not to let her be coerced into another bad match. At the least, she’ll make sure this suitor’s character is well-evaluated by their friend group. Unfortunately, Mercy is plagued by distracting thoughts of the man herself. Reminding herself of his interest in her best friend, Mercy tries her best to tamp down her feelings and avoid temptation.
Wesley Renshaw, the Earl of Castlewick, is annoyed by Mercy’s attempts to come between himself and her friend, and yet he’s simultaneously charmed and left wanting to know her more. He reminds himself that it is Aurora he must marry in order to restore his family’s ancestral home, which she now owns, to his title and repair the family honor his grandfather destroyed. He tries to keep himself from becoming distracted by Mercy, but he cannot help himself and soon both his heart and Mercy’s are at risk.
I was a bit nervous about this book at first just given the premise of the hero being interested in another woman, especially the heroine’s friend. But since neither of them actually had any feelings for each other and Wesley was merely trying to restore his family’s reputation and do his duty by them, that wasn’t really an issue here. I really loved the sense of inevitability that developed with this couple’s continued acquaintance, especially when Wesley recognized it too. It was a bit frustrating how long it took Mercy to believe in her own self-worth, but she also knew what she wanted and refused to settle for less, which I loved. Wesley’s steadfastness in convincing Mercy of his ardor was also very endearing and made me like them more as a couple. I only wish Wesley’s cousin had been dealt with a bit more thoroughly, along with Aurora’s mother. Both were vaguely villainous and menacing but then just faded away a bit anticlimactically. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book and the rock-solid bond shared between the wallflowers and now their spouses as well. Now I’m curious as to whether Aurora will get her own story and HEA and I’m hoping the answer is yes.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspot.com/2021/01/arc-review-of-capturing-earl-by-as.html
*** 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 ***
This series features four friends who first met at Miss Agatha Wormbattle’s School for Young Ladies in Lucerne, Switzerland. The young ladies, Aurora, Faith (Misleading A Duke), Poppy (The Earl Not Taken), and Mercy had trouble following the rules of society, so their parents sent them away to school to learn to behave properly. While the parents all viewed it as a punishment, the young ladies viewed it as the best thing to ever happen to them. After school, Aurora’s parents forced her to marry a vile, abusive, nasty man who mistreated her – almost killed her. After his early death (YAY!), the Wallflowers all came to live with Aurora and they all vowed that no man would ever, ever, ever be allowed to hurt one of them again. Any man wishing to court and/or marry one of them would be fully investigated by all of the others. They would investigate and they would thwart whatever plans he had if it was necessary.
After the ultra-exciting, action-packed story in the last book, I was really looking forward to this book being another rip-roaring tale. I didn’t get it. This book was much slower paced – almost dragging – and I had a real love-hate relationship with the male lead. I liked him when he was kind and considerate of Mercy – but detested him when he’d kiss her one minute and then pursue marriage with her best friend the next minute. I liked the female lead, but, she often annoyed me as well. She was SUCH a doormat. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the read, it just wasn’t stellar.
Wesley Renshaw, the Earl of Castlewick, has dedicated his adulthood to rebuilding his family estate and legacy after his profligate grandfather lost or sold most of it off to stay out of debtor’s prison. Wesley’s father did the best he could with the estate, but with no resources at hand, he only managed to keep what was left in-tact. On his death bed, Wesley’s father made him promise to continue rebuilding the estate until it was whole again. Wesley’s talent and skills as an investor and businessman have allowed him to rebuild all of the family’s fortune and lands except for one piece, Cheshire. That piece is owned by Lady Aurora Sherbourn, a widow who Wesley intends to court and marry in order to gain the land. I like that Wesley is upfront about why he wants to marry Aurora – but his arrogance is beyond the pale. Although Aurora and everyone who knows Aurora tells him she will not marry him or anyone else, he considers the marriage a done-deal – it will happen. Does he really think he is so irresistible? Apparently. He likes Aurora very well, but he doesn’t love her – he just wants the land.
Mercy Heath is the only Wallflower left living with Aurora. Mercy is sure she’ll never marry – she is a woman of no means, no title, and no influence. The only men who have pursued her are of absolutely no interest to her. She is a bit concerned about her future once her beloved aunt, Lady Phyllis Mattock, passes away – but she hopes that won’t be for a very long time. Mercy understands that not everyone can marry for love, but she’s not met one man who even remotely interests her. Mercy is a gifted musician who most hostesses’ request to play at every function she attends. Basically – she performs for her supper. When she dances with Wesley Renshaw at a ball, she is smitten. Nobody ever dances with her and she doesn’t understand why he does. He actually treats her as if he likes her and likes dancing with her. When, two months later, Aurora’s toad of a mother announces that the Earl of Castlewick will be paying calls on Aurora with the intention of courting and marrying her, Mercy is shocked – but mostly she’s outraged for her friend.
I liked seeing the arrogant Wesley come to terms with the promise he made to his father. Sometimes, you just have to let go and change your plans to something even better. I didn’t like cousin Malcolm in the least and couldn’t understand his role in the book. I know he was to cause conflict, but he was so ill-defined. I couldn’t decide if he was truly a friend and trying to do something for Wesley, albeit stupidly, or if he was, at heart, a villain. I also couldn’t understand the quick tolerance for him. I don’t know – that whole thread was just uncalled for and weird.
I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to Aurora’s book. I hope that one is as exciting as the second book in the series. I’d love to see the author and publisher add books for Mr. Geb Arafa (I love him), and for Mercy’s aunt Phyllis. That probably won’t happen, but I’d love it. I hope you will read this book and enjoy it too.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Capturing the Earl (The Wallflowers of West Lane, #3 by A.S. Fenichel
Each book in this series is better than the last one. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I strongly suggest you read them all. This story is about Mercedes Parsons (Mercy) and Wesley Renshaw (The Earl of Castlewick “Wes”). Mercy Wants to save the widowed Wallflower of West Lane, Lady Aurora Radcliff, undertake another perilous trip to the altar. There is lots of laughter, tears, angst, mean people, adventure, music, good friends and steam all to get us to a very HEA. I do hope the remaining Wallflower will get her own story.
Capturing the Earl is book three in the Wallfowers of West Lane series by A. S. Fenichel. These stories revolve around the lives of four women who have been close friends since their school days. This book is about Mercedes Heath referred to as Mercy. She finds herself longing for a man she can never have and envious of one of her best friends. Wesley Renshaw must marry one of Mercy’s friends in order to reclaim lost property. But what happens when he finds himself drawn to Mercy instead of the right Wallflower? I enjoyed the book. I thought there were just enough twists and turns in the plot to keep the pace interesting. There are a number of steamy scenes. Overall I liked Mercy’s character. I found her lack of self-esteem annoying at times. This wasn’t my favorite book in the series, but still very well written.
“Capturing the Earl” by A.S. Fenichel
This is truly a fun read. I laughed and I cried just as a good story should make you feel what the characters feel. This story can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone but I bet you will want to read the other stories once you have read this story. Yes, I did thoroughly enjoy my time within this story, and as in all good stories. I hated for it to end. I especially enjoyed the use of the hat-pin. This is a worthy Read. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.
This is my honest opinion review.
I liked this book for the most part. The characters were interesting and had such a heartbreaking romance. Wesley was trying to do the right thing but was breaking Mercy’s heart at the same time. It was kinda a mess but still sweet. They did have great chemistry which led to steamy but sweet romance. There were many moments I wasn’t expecting and the writing as smooth as I would’ve liked, but otherwise I definitely enjoyed this. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romance with steam and a tight-knit group of friends.
Wesley, Earl of Castlewick, has been slowly undoing the damage his grandfather inflicted on the family and its estates. To regain the final piece of property he needs to marry the woman who owns it, Aurora Sherbourn, the Dowager Countess of Radcliff. But there are two major obstacles. Aurora is a lovely woman but she does not wish to marry again. And her fellow Wallflower, Mercy, has captured Wesley’s heart much against his will. Mercy is wildly attracted to Wesley but has no title and no money to offer. A gifted musician, she feels she rides her friends’ coattails in society and much of society reinforces that belief. I enjoyed his story of mixed emotions, thwarted plans, and friendship.
Mercedes Heath is an orphan whose Aunt was kind enough to take her in. When her Aunt married a second time, she went to Wormbattle School. They are known as the Wallflowers of the West End. While there she met three other girls and they became fast friends. They are inseparable. She is also a prodigy at playing musical instruments. She can play anything. She is mesmerizing when she plays,
she is so talented. Aurora, her friend, was married before but her husband was very abusive to her. The other girls would run to her to help her. She had massive bruises and most of the time she could not move. Her husband was killed while at a gaming parlor and he was cheating. Never will Aurora marry again.
Wesley Renshaw, the Earl of Castlewick, is trying to get his family’s lands back. His Grandfather did what he had to do to keep from going to Debtor’s prison. He only had one more piece of property left to pick up. He was going to marry Aurora but the Wallflowers would protect her. He has two sisters and a cousin plus a governess, left for him to care for.
A thrilling story that is exciting and entertaining. Wes and Mercy are such sweet people and they seem to have a lot of respect for the people in their lives. They enjoy mutual respect and caring and this includes all their friends.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
4/5 stars!
Four friends bond as they protect each other from perilous matrimonial pitfalls, especially after one of them had a loveless marriage. Two of them found love in their marriage, so now it is up to the heroine to protect their widowed friend from the attentions of a handsome earl, one that she is herself attracted to. Likewise, the hero is attracted to the heroine, but a deathbed promise to his late father made him turn his attention to the widowed friend. How will the story write itself towards the happily-ever-after that the couple deserves?
I enjoyed the story, though it does need more details for smooth transition in certain parts and characters. I liked how the couple each grew individually and together in the story. Plus I enjoyed the sisterhood the four friends have, supporting each other and being there as well in solidarity. Some secondary characters were also wonderful to read, providing that freshness during times when the story dealt with some serious situations. Overall, the whole story just gave some positive vibes and I would love to read the widow get her own story in the future.
**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.**