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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Charming Wesley Renshaw, Earl of Castlewick, is immediately smitten with Miss Mercy Heath when he dances with her at a ball and her spectacles are broken. He may be smitten with Mercy, but his duty lies in marrying her best friend Aurora. He promised his father on his death to acquire the rest of the original estate that now belongs to Aurora. Westley can’t keeps his eyes off Mercy or stay away when he’s anywhere close to her. Moved by her music, her sweetness, her beauty, everything about her, Wesley must decide what’s more important, his love for Mercy or his duty to his promise.
A breathtaking romance with a swoon-worthy Earl who brings a few tears to a romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Another gorgeous story in this series. Mercy is the wallflower with the least connections. She is a musical genius and a wonderful friend. Wesley needs to marry to gain some property. Once he meets Mercy he loses his heart. The wallflowers are delightful and do not disappoint in their quest to protect each other. The men they bring into their circle become a perfect part of their group. Enjoy the wit and candor as these ladies have fun with their friendship.
I requested an ARC of this book, and all opinions are my own.
This is the third book in this series, but it can stand alone.
In this book, we get the story of penniless Mercedes Parsons and Wesley Renshaw – the Earl of Castlewick. It starts off with a very intriguing premise – he wants to marry Mercy’s best friend, who happens to own the last property he needs to restore his ancestral lands – but it doesn’t really deliver on the drama. I felt like there needed to be more – both to do with the property itself, and with Wesley’s cousin Malcolm (who had great potential to be a terrific villain). In my opinion, the story is enjoyable but seems to fall flat when compared to the first two books.
Worth reading if you like to read all in a series, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase.
NetGalley
First off this book Capturing the Earl is the third book in The Wall flowers of West Lane series. Having not read the others I never once felt lost. A.S. Fenichel did a good job keeping the reader updated with anything you might have mist in the other books without sounding redundant. There are four woman that happen to be wall flowers who met at school and became best friends. They protect one another fiercely Aurora Radcliff was married to a ruthess man. So when he died she had decided to never marry again. Her mother doesn’t seem to comprehend that fact and has pushed Wesley Crenshaw her way. Wesley needs to marry Aurora to gain the last of his lands, that were lost from his grandfather. He promised his father on his death bed he would regain all the lands back. Mercedes Heath will not let Aurora be pushed into anything she doesn’t want and she doesn’t want to marry. Mercy tries to help her friend with out hurting herself in the process. From the beginning of the book Wesley and Mercys chemistry was undeniable. You feel it come off the page. They’re being separated from the start really puts a sadness under tone throughout. I felt for these two and rooted for their happy ending. I enjoyed this story,
Mercy would do anything to help her widowed friend Aurora, including running interference with a very persistent Earl who wishes to marry her, to get back his ancestral home. Since inheriting his title, Wesley has worked long and hard to build back what his grandfather gambled away. Unfortunately he does not have the funds yet to purchase his family’s estate but knows if he marries the widow Aurora who now owns it, it will once again be his. What he hadn’t counted on was her very persistent friend getting in his way at every turn, or how he finds her so much more appealing than the woman he intends to marry. But getting back his family home has been all he’s ever wanted. Is he willing to give that up for love?
Capturing the Earl was a rough start for me for I did not like our hero on first appearances. An Earl, Wesley Renshaw is stuffy and lofty and intent to restore the wrongs his grandfather placed upon his family and their title. Mercy is a musical prodigy and a sweetheart of lowly birth who has some rather lofty friends, the likes of countesses and duchesses. Being part of a noble crowd, Mercy is often treated better than a servant and demanded perform on the drop of hat. Wesley takes a while to come up to snuff and become worthy of Mercy but he finally won be over by the end of sweet HEA that was a long time coming. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
This series started on an incredible high and hooked me into going along for the ride. Which brings us here to book three.
A lot less action packed than the last, however it definitely didn’t lack in the heart and friendships that I’ve come to appreciate over the course.
These girls keep bringing in the perfect addition to their group in the men they end up with, and Wesley was no different. Another complimentary addition, another intriguing ride to the finish line.
I wanted a little more from Mercedes, and wanted to have less of a love hate relationship with Wesley.
All in all, I enjoyed the read.
4
Welcome back to The Wallflowers of West Lane. They met at school and took an oath to always be there for each other. Poppy and Faith have found the loves of their lives. Aurora will never remarry. To many scars. Mercedes Heath, to her friends she is Mercy, she does not come from wealth or peerage. At a ball, Wesley Renshaw, Earl of Castlewick, has asked her to dance. Thinking it was a joke, she finds a rhythm with him that she has never felt with anyone else. But an ice cold bucket of water was thrown on her by Aurora’s mother. She has arranged for Aurora to be courted then married to The Earl of Castlewick. Throughout the book Wesley keeps saying he needs to marry Aurora to get his ancestral lands back, but he can’t seem to stay away from Mercy. He has no idea to what lengths The Wallflowers will go to protect one of their own. In the end, Mercy knows she has found home and safety in Wesley arms. I love that he has set up a music room for her. When she is happy, he is happy.
Four friends, more like sisters, protect and support each other from childhood on into adulthood. The author skillfully creates these complex and likeable characters as they navigating society’s rigid expectations to find their love in life – as wives, mothers and sister friends. Excellent writing, humor, intense attraction, angst, and finally all the romance and happiness both Wesley and Mercy deserve. This is the first book by this author I’ve read and the third book of this series but easily works as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed my first A.S. Fenichel book and look forward to reading more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.
I absolutely adore this author and this is only my second book with her! She has such a way of bringing you into the world with the characters and feeling the story is happening right in front of you. The characters are portrayed so vividly, their personalities so alive. I felt for both main characters and the purposes they had, the emotions they carried. I’m delighted with the ending and hope that Aurora finds happiness too. #capturingtheearl #netgalley
Wesley needs to marry Aurora, but he can’t get Mercy off of his mind. Good read. I received an ARC of this book.
This was a well-written, entertaining book. Mercedes Parsons meets Wesley Renshaw, who intends to court Mercy’s widowed friend. She won’t let anyone take advantage of her friend. Things get complicated when Mercy and Wesley find they are attracted to each other. The book moved quickly and I found it hard to put down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Wesley needs to recover his family estates which are now owned by the beautiful widow Aurora. He decides to court her for her land. Her good friend, Mercy, objects and instead decides to spend time with him to see if he is worthy of her friend who was abused in her last marriage. As they become closer, Wesley and Mercy realize that the attraction between them is too much to overcome. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.
I received an ARC of “Capturing the Earl” by the fabulous author, A.S. Fenichel and Netgalley. Each one of A.S. Fenichel’s books is spectacular. Her stories and storylines are unique and fascinating. In this story, she has an even more unique way with her words that truly plucked my heart strings while making me remember all the reasons I fell in love.
Mercedes Heath, aka, Mercy and the Earl of Candlewick, Wesley Renshaw are very attracted to each other, but circumstances prevent them from trying to form a union. They both try to fight their attraction but destiny had its own plan.
A must-read!
4.5 stars
This story moved along at a good pace. I just loved the way that the Wallflowers were always there for one another, they had such a strong bond. Mercedes( Mercy) was a gifted musician but because she didn’t have a dowry or land, she was looked down on by certain member and society. Wesley Renshaw, Earl of Castlewick, wanted to marry Aurora, (Mercy’s friend) to gain a portion of land that had once been in his family. Aurora had the most dreadful mother. Unfortunately, he had feelings for Mercy. I really wanted Mercy to be aware of her own worth. Her aunt Phyllis is quite a character and well aware of all going on. I did like Wesley, he was torn between duty and love. This was a most entertaining read and I’m wondering if Aurora will get a happy ending in the next book. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The continuation of this wonderful series about four friends who bonded at finishing school in Switzerland is another winner. The young ladies became friends for life while at the Miss Agatha Wormbattle’s School for Young Ladies, a punishment that became a blessing. While their parents wanted their recalcitrant daughters turned into more biddable young ladies, the school became a place where the women blossomed and became fast friends. We’ve seen Faith and Poppy find love, and now we turn to Mercy, who lives with their fourth friend, Aurora — who still is recovering from a miserable marriage. Aurora is being courted by Wesley, Earl of Castlewick who wants to restore his family’s heritage. He believes marrying the widowed Aurora is the path to financial success, although he can’t help but preferring Mercy. She is not rich, though, and he is alternatively attracted and repelled — in fact, he is somewhat of a louse, kissing Mercy while wooing Aurora. But it’s clear that he is torn by what he views as his duty and what his heart wants, so it’s hard to dislike the earl. He is trying to balance a deathbed promise to his father — restore the estate — with his one true love. This is a less action-packed book than others in the series, but I liked the tale of lovers struggling to be true to themselves and their responsibilities. Not only is this an engaging story in and of itself, it lays the ground for Aurora’s story — and we can’t wait. (I received an advanced copy via NetGalley. Opinions mine.)
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 investigated. If only Mercy could stop her uncharacteristic daydreaming about Wesley Renshaw’s charm, his intellect, his dashing good looks.
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.
This is the third book in the series & could easily be read on its own. There was much I really liked about the book, a well paced story & strong characters but I found it very hard to warm to Wes. I found it hard to understand why he continued to pursue Aurora when he’d fallen in love with Mercy. I also felt that the chemistry between Wes & Mercy didn’t sizzle. However I did enjoy the book but it wasn’t my favourite by the author. I look forward to Aurora’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The attraction is undeniable, but regrettably, Miss Mercedes Heath (known as Mercy to her friends) does not have the means by which the Earl of Castlewick can fulfill his father’s dying wish, one that his cousin will not allow him to forget. Aurora Sherbourn, the Dowager Countess of Radcliff, on the other hand, has not only the means but she is beautiful and kind as well. Fighting his feelings for Mercy, Wesley pursues Aurora until it becomes quite clear that avoiding Mercy is going to be more difficult than he thought. After reading the previous books in this series, I expected more suspense, especially as Mercy is the most protective of the four Wallflowers. I enjoyed Mercy’s character, her passion for music, her enjoyment of new adventures, and her determination to keep Aurora safe. Wesley is a kind man at heart and sees the real Mercy, where others treat her as a commodity for their own entertainment. However, his lack of conviction in following his heart causes hurt and misunderstandings. Ultimately, I enjoyed this romance and it does come to a happy and successful conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
In this touching and heartwarming story, we get to know Mercedes (Mercy) Heath, one of the four life long friends of the Wallflowers of West Lane. Developing their sisterhood during their time away at school together, the ladies have now become women and have done well for themselves. Two are Countesses, one a Duchess, and then there is single Mercy, no title, no money, no dowry. Even though, an integral part of this group, she is ever reminded of her lower status, and that is a central part of this story. Early on in the story she is quite taken in by Wesley Renshaw, Earl of Castlewick, after dancing with him at a ball, but she knows that nothing could ever become of them because she is so beneath his station. Indeed, he is just as smitten with her, but is committed to courting her friend, Aurora, a widowed Countess, left with the property once belonging to his family, that he is so desirous of obtaining. Torn between love and doing the right thing for his family estate, he fights the growing attraction that he and Mercy share. The characters in this book are well developed, interesting and enjoyable, even the despicable ones. Mercy is an accomplished musician which adds much to the storyline. All in all, this is a most enjoyable read!
Capturing the Earl
The Wallflowers of West Lane Series #3
A.S. Fenichel
https://www.facebook.com/A.S.Fenichel/
Release Date 01/21/2021
Publisher Kensington Books/Lyrical Press
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 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.
Will she accept she has as much right as her friends to want and ask more from life …
While I did not like the idea of the hero pursuing a woman whom does not want to be courted. He struggles to reach his goal probably because he too does not want to follow this path even if it is he believes for a greater cause. Yet it is the mercenary mechanism of the marriage mart, and while he could have asked first if she was interested or else proposed a deal as it is after something Aurora owns he is after, he knows his limits.
Wesley did a great job at restoring his family’s wealth, and now that only pieces of it are missing, he thinks he has the right answer to recover one of the last one. Marry the woman holding its deed. He just never expected to be drawn to the companion of said woman. Why he is thorn between his attraction and his duty to his name.
From the beginning it was clear he is a good man, only seeking what he sees as a wrong done by a careless forefather. Why he is so torn by the pull he feels for Mercy, he twists his gut to follow one path when his heart and soul long for another road. He knows he hurts her and himself but does not see a solution to his predicament.
Until he realizes what really has value in life.
Mercedes until now, has lived a quite contented life, she knows where she belongs and what to expect. With her friends she is her true self, not need to put a mask. There is no lie even by omission between them.
But outside this close circle, she is seen as nothing less than a companion, a cheap mean to entertain and by men an easy prey. All this combined leads her to believe she deserves less than others, she is not of their ilk, that they are her better when she is only a penniless orphan, a charity case. And despite her incredible talent, she does not see her worth.
Even Wesley carelessly reminds her she is no bride material for his like. And while she made her mission either to discourage him to pursue her friend or to assess his fortitude, she is enticed by him but tries to stay out of his way. Always reminded by others she is not deserving of his attentions.
So when things take a different turn I understand she has her doubts and reservations.
In all I loved this tale of a courting that strayed for its initial course, with a hero who needs to have his eyes opened and his love interest looking for the right hands to hold and shoulders to rest her head on.
It is too a wondrous tale of friendship as the four girls they were are still as close and forthright now they are women navigating the world.
5 stars
onscreen detailed lovemaking scene.
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington Books, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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