Miss Hannah Pendleton is nursing her pride after her childhood crush falls in love with another. Determined to break a few hearts of her own, she hurls herself into the exciting and hectic schedule of a first season. Hannah finds the glitter and malice of London and its society both intriguing and intimidating. Always clever and direct, the smooth manners and practiced words of the gallant but … meticulous bachelors do nothing to stir her soul until…
Since his wife’s suicide on their wedding night, the Earl of Darby has carefully cultivated his rakish reputation. It keeps overprotective mamas at bay and provides him with unlimited clandestine affairs. But when Nicholas sees a lovely newcomer being courted by the devil himself, her innocence and candor revive the chivalry buried deep in his soul. The ice around Nicholas’s heart cracks as he desperately tries to save Hannah and right a hideous wrong committed so long ago.
more
I enjoyed this book. It is a historical romance story that is engaging and kept me turning pages. The characters made the story feel realistic as well as being connectable. Hannah’s response to her hurt pride after losing her crush to another is to throw herself into her first season. Nicholas has a reputation and also a past. What will fate have in store for them? They are great characters, I highly recommend their story.
The story opens with an unbearable scene. There is crying, sobbing, apologies, begging for forgiveness and anger. When all is said and done there is a suicide. The note left behind explained it all. Racked with guilt, Nicholas, Earl of Darby has spent the last five years cultivating his life as a rake. At the same time he also hired a former Bow Street Runner to assist him dogging the person to blame for the suicide, the Duke of Colvin. So far they could not formally charge the Duke with any type of crime. But Nicholas never gave up hope to bring the depraved scoundrel to justice. Present: Nicholas was with his two best friends, Nathaniel, Viscount of Pendleton and Gideon, the future Earl of Stanfeld at the Wicked Earl’s Club. Nathaniel had a great favor to ask of his friends. His sister, Hannah Pendleton was celebrating her first season in London. Nathaniel asked Nicholas and Gideon to watch over his sister. Her chaperone is their Aunt Roberta/Bertie. One issue was his friends were rakes and he told them protect but do not overstep. He also knew than Hannah held a tendre for Gideon and tried to steer her elsewhere. Nicholas had no problem with the idea as his own sister Matilda/Mattie was coming out too. So it was decided for the young ladies to be introduced and spend the season together. When Nicholas first laid eyes on Hannah he was smitten. It had been many many long years since he felt anything of the kind for any woman. Hannah and Mattie hit it off and became the best of friends. Nathaniel noticed how Nicholas stared at Hannah and gave him a stern look. When Nathaniel and Nicholas told Hannah that Gideon had found love, she was sorely disappointed. But he was not betrothed nor married so she did not give up hope. However, meeting Nicholas was the first time she felt the stirrings of desire. As time went on Aunt Bertie filled in Hannah’s family history. Who, what, where but most importantly why. Some was quite sad. It involved her mother, her father, Lady Darby and Aunt Bertie. What a mess. Also Nathaniel filled them both in on why Nicholas would never marry. Now that Mattie and Hannah were more comfortable going to events and had Aunt Bertie, Nicholas and Gideon to watch over them, they felt safe. One evening at a ball, Hannah felt too hot and needed fresh air. She saw a group of her friends enter the garden and decided to join them. Nicholas followed her they chatted and got to know each other better and then he kissed her passionately. Nicholas could not believe what he was feeling and doing. Hannah knew right then and there she loved him. The storyline is split: Nicholas’ dedication to avenging the poor soul that committed suicide and the difficult romance between Nicholas and Hannah. When I finished the book to the last page I said “Awww”. I did not want the story to end. The suicide victim was avenged, Nicholas forgave himself and he and Hannah had a bright future together. There is one aspect of this story that the suicide brings to light. It broke my heart to read it. You will understand the victim had little choice and that was a sad fact. When I read the beginning of the book I was so sensitized to the suicide that I could not read any further. Later I was glad I picked the book back up and finished it. It is worth the time and it made me feel good that everything came to a satisfying conclusion. I only wish there had been an epilogue to further what happened to Nicholas and Hannah. None the less, this is a good story. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Earl of Darby (Wicked Earls’ Club) (Once Upon A Widow Book 4)
By: Aubrey Wynne
5 out of 5 stars
The story Earl of Darby (Wicked Earls’ Club) (Once Upon A Widow Book 4) by Aubrey Wynne is a historical romance. It is a wonderful story to read and I found myself not wanting to put it down until I had finished it. I loved reading about the characters of Miss Hannah Pendleton and Nicholas, the Earl of Darby. Hannah is a young woman who is scheduled for her first season. She is learning that the one she has had a crush on has fallen for another. Hannah feels the attraction when she meets Nicholas. Nicholas is a man who is not seeking out anyone to marry. A tragedy has affected every part of his life. He is surprised when he feels an attraction to Hannah. Will Hannah and Nicholas act on their feelings for each other? There is another who has noticed Hannah as well. Will Nicholas be the one that Hannah chooses? What does the future hold for Hannah and Nicholas? Read this book to find out. I enjoy reading historical romances and this story is an example of the reason why. I love reading about romance, masquerade balls, parties, and the attention that is lavished on the young woman by the men in attendance. The story has some heartbreaking moments however I found that there were more times that were heartwarming and I had a smile on my face. Don’t miss out on Miss Hannah Pendleton’s first season. I highly recommend reading this book.
Ms. Wynne certainly knows how to write a story that will have you gasping in surprise and gripping your seat. This story is packed with emotion and breaking through emotional walls while finding justice against an evil man. I received a complimentary audio and this review is voluntary.
Another beautifully written book!! In this book you have Earl of Darby [ Nicholas] who found out on his wedding night on December 24th that she was not a virgin and was pregnant. Darby was very upset and he left and when he returned and he found his wife had committed suicide and left him a letter of apology and named the man who had raped her and it turned she had been raped by a member of society Duke of Colvin. Nicolas had been trying to get evidence to bring him to justice. Then you Miss Hannah Pendleton who is looking forward to her season and seeing Giedion and then she finds out that he is married. She is bound and determined to break a few hearts of her own, she throws herself into the exciting and hectic schedule of a first season. During a Masquerade Ball she gets a note from a man telling her to meet him and he signed with a C. Well she thought it was from Nicholas but, it turned to be from the Duke of Colvin. Well he tried to rape Hannah and she fought him and screamed and then Nicholas breaks through the door and saves Hannah and the Duke of Colvin is arrested. Nicholas realizes that he is in love with Hannah and Hannah is in love with him. You really need to read this book to find out what happens and how it happens!! This was a different kind of Christmas love story!! This is a must read book!! I truly loved this book!!
AH! A change of pace. The air is full of promise and young love floating just up above. There is a taint just a wit in the slight breeze. Be careful it may linger a bit. Very good story I like it. I received a complimentary review copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
This book will kept reading until the end…
Wonderful characters and plot…
This is the story of a young man, searching justice and atonement for the past… of a young lady, kind and with a big heart and a crush with her brother’s best friend…
Surprises and fun until the end!
A book for all that love sweet story
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Aubrey Wynne has done it again! I adore her writing! I think she has hit an absolute homerun with this story!
This is an intriguing story about a man’s hardened heart and how a sweet and generous spirit breaks through.
Nicholas has been widowed for 5 years. His younger sister is having her season in London so he has his chaperone duties to attend to for her. The sister of one of his good friends is also in town for her season with her aunt.
The girls become bosom buddies and spend their time together. Nicholas’ past still haunts him and begins to threaten his future.
I enjoyed how Hannah and Nicholas’ relationship evolved and the unexpected plot twists. A wonderful read that I highly recommend!
Series: Wicked Earls’ Club #21
Publication Date: 11/19/19
Number of Pages: 160
Well, color me gobsmacked! Had you told me that I would actually enjoy a Christmas story that begins with a suicide, I would have laughed at you. However, that is exactly what happened with this novella. Kudo’s to the author who managed to pull that off.
Nicholas (not sure I learned his last name), Earl of Darby, does not celebrate Christmas and hasn’t for the last five years. Not since his wife, Alice, committed suicide on their wedding night – which was Christmas Eve. What he learned that night has driven him for the five years since – and he’s getting closer to revenge and justice – he can just feel it. Not only did he lose his wife and his love of Christmas that night, but he also lost all trust in any female – save his sweet, innocent sister, Mattie. Now, he confines his interactions with women to his mistresses.
Hannah Pendleton is looking forward to her first season. The balls, the excitement and maybe even garnering the regard of the man she has admired all of her life, Gideon, Earl of Stanfield. Hannah is a lovely person – inside and out. When her brother introduces her to Nicholas, one of his best friends, she immediately befriends his shy sister who is also having her first season.
Hannah’s brother has asked Nicholas to keep an eye out for Hannah because he has to return to his country estate to await the birth of his child. Since Nicholas will be seeing after his own sister, Hannah won’t be any additional burden. Or will she? When she catches the eye of a predator, Nicholas knows he has to be doubly vigilant – especially since that same predator is the one who caused his wife’s suicide.
It was lovely to watch Hannah work her magic on Nicholas – without even meaning to do so. The romance was lovely and the characters were memorable. I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. Then, when you add in a lovely second-chance romance as well as a villain getting his just desserts – well – that is a pretty good read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Starring: Nicholas, Earl of Darby and Hannah Pendleton.
This was a little too dark to be a Christmas story, but I did enjoy it. I liked the times that Nicholas and Hannah were on the page together. I thought they were wonderful characters. Nicholas had a lot of baggage and mistrust due to the circumstances surrounding his wife’s suicide. Sadly it took place on their wedding night AND Christmas Eve, so he doesn’t find much joy around the season. Hannah is the sunshine he needed to crack his dark exterior. She is exactly the perfect heroine for him. These two kept me interested. I thought their road to HEA was really sweet, even with all the dark intrigue. This was a clean romance… kissing only.
This is my first Aubrey Wynne experience and I think I’ll try another story from her. I’m excited about Matilda’s (Nicholas’s sister) book and I already guessed who her hero will be. Glad that Aubrey Wynne confirmed it in the Author’s Notes section.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are my own.
My star system…
3 stars: Characters and storyline were good. Some parts kept my attention. But will not be re-reading this story.
Easy to read, read it in one day