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.
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Earl of Darby was a great 5 star read and book 4 in the Once Upon A Widow series.
We start out with a heartbreaking tragedy that left Nicholas reeling with all that was revealed. This tragedy has made a big impact on him and the fact he doesn’t celebrate Christmas. He has built up walls and has avoided women as well.
Hannah is getting ready for her first season. She has her sights set on one specific man, Gideon, however when she finds out he has eyes on someone else she is devastated. When her brother has to go home to be with his wife, he leaves her in the care of his best friend, Nicholas. When Hannah meets Nicholas she is instantly drawn to him.
When Hannah catches the eye of someone very dangerous, things take a scary twist.. Can Nicholas keep Hannah safe? Will they give into their attraction?
Overall I really enjoyed this read, I liked watching these two slowly come together. I really liked Nicholas and I wanted to see him happy again, Hannah was perfect for him. My emotions were all over the place. This was a Christmas love story with a twist and I loved it. This is a must read series and I look forward to reading more from this author.
A tragic beginning at Christmas casts a dark shadow over what should be a happy celebration. Nicholas, Lord Darby, seeks revenge for the death of his young wife. Five years later, he’s closer to his goal. Then into his life comes Hannah, his best friend’s sister. Her coming out is at the same time as his sister’s. His job is to watch out for both ladies while out in society, but the evil from the past now threatens Hannah, the woman he loves. A sexy dark hero, a sweetheart young lady and her aunt, Lady Roberta who keeps everybody’s spirits uplifted, move the romance to a conclusion that makes two couples happy. Recommended if you’re looking for a hero.
4 1/2 STARS.
This story started off with a heartwrenching scene and did not let up until the end. Nicholas, the Earl of Darby experienced a tragedy that was beyond compare when his new wife committed suicide on their wedding night. It sets the stage for how Nicholas lived his life for the next few years and how he was determined to find and get vengeance for what caused her death.
Hannah Pendleton was determined to shine on her first season after being disappointed that her childhood crush had married. Hannah’s brother had asked his friend Nicholas to keep an eye out for his sister, who becomes a friend to his sister Maddie. Hannah is very attracted to him and he too her. It had been such a long time since he had felt feelings of this kind.
Such a wonderful story, that kept me turning the pages, anxious to find out what would happen to these two who really needed each other. Not to be missed!
Earl of Darby by Aubrey Wynne is part of the Wicked Earl’s Club and the Once Upon a Widow Series. This is the story of Nicholas, the Earl of Darby and Hannah Pendleton. I did feel this could be a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Nicholas doesn’t have trust anymore nor does he enjoy the holiday season after the death of his wife on their wedding night. The only person he holds true and dear is his sister. But when his friend asked him to keep an eye on his sister Hannah, who along with his sister, is making their debut into society…he agrees. Hannah has set her mind to enjoy the season and befriends Nicholas’s sister. Hannah having mixed feelings about Nicholas goes forward to do her best to enjoy her time. Nicholas becomes worried for Hannah when the man that ruined his wife and possible other starts to show interest in her.
Hannah ends up open up Nicholas to trust and feelings again. Enjoyed their story.
A wonderful well-written story with great Characters that have to make a choice Revenge or Love and the setting is just wonderful. I love sitting down to read so many different genre of Romance, but this is my first love – regency. I started with this type of book when I was 12, now 50. So it takes me back, but this author also brings it to life
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first book in either of the series it is a part of. An exciting tale with sorrow, adventure, recovery and new beginnings. A most wonderful and enjoyable story. Personable characters. I can’t wait to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wynne hits it out of the park with this one. I LOVE historical romance. When you throw in a rogue and an innocent and sprinkle it with Regency… I’m done for. And this book certainly lived up to all of my expectations. A classic storyline that doesn’t feel trite or over-told, I found it simply wonderful, rich with imagery and emotion. Loved every page and look forward to reading it again very soon!
Earl Of Darby is a spectacular historical romance by Aubry Wynne. Ms. Wynne has once again provided readers with a well-written book populated with a cast of characters you can’t help but love. This is a fairly quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time and is appropriate for all ages. Nicholas is the Earl of Darby and after being tricked into marriage and a traumatic wedding night, avoids marriage. Hannah is hoping to spend time with her brother’s friend Gideon while in London. Nicholas and Hannah’s story is loaded with drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to my next book by Aubrey Wynne. Earl Of Darby is book 4 of the Once Upon A Widow Series and is also a Wicked Earls’ Club book but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I loved this story. Hannah is delightful and the Earl is just a man trying to protect his own heart and bring justice to his dead wife, and all of the lives that the Duke of Colvin has destroyed. It’s hard to bring down a peer of the realm, especially a Duke. The problem is the Duke of Colvin has his eye on Hannah, while the Earl is losing his heart to her. There is lots of action and intrigue. Each character is written well and with their own level of personality and morality.
This story started out dark with a suicide and a mystery. Hannah was bright and full of hope with a crush on her brother Nathaniel’s friend Gideon and looking forward to going to London for her first season. I was surprised she would go so close to Christmas as the traditional London season is usually in the spring. She finds herself attracted to Nathaniel’s friend Nicholas, but it’s hard to get past her childhood crush. Also darkness surrounds Nicholas after what happened to his wife. I liked his sister Mattie and hope she has her own romance in a future book. I loved that both Hannah and Mattie loved to read as I do too. This was a funny, suspenseful, romantic Regency holiday romance.
What a sweet, riveting, romantic story – even if it did have a tragic start with a woman committing suicide on her wedding night, and on Christmas Eve no less.
There was a delightful mix of characters, many of whom were turned out to be different than their first impressions. The story had intrigue, tragedy, young love, strong family ties, humor, and justice.
As with the other books in this series by this author, I felt like I was transported to another place and time, and look forward to reading more to reading Mattie’s story.
Book four of the Wicked Earls’ Club/Once Upon A Widow series a well written Regency story. This is Miss Hannah Pendleton and Nicholas the Earl of Darby’s story. The story starts with a suicide on Nicholas’ wedding night. After their marriage he found out something, and stormed from their room just after Alice and he had arrived. When he got back Alice was dead. This story kept me turning pages I was not putting it down until I had finished reading it.
An excellent story, well written, with wonderful characters and attention to detail. A romances full of unexpected turns, nefarious villains, and happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Absolutely Loved It!
Very interesting story! Hannah is perfect for Nicholas. The beginning is certainly a sad situation but it does not take away from the rest of the story. I very highly recommend this book. I have not read the other books in the series but I will definitely be doing so.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an okay read. It was the first I’ve read from this author, and it is better than some I have read, but the story started out rather slow for me. The male lead has not led the most appropriate life after a bad circumstance, and the female lead is disillusioned thinking her childhood crush will fall for her during the Season even though he is interested in someone else. Those two things kept me from wanting to pick the book up at times. It wasn’t a bad story though, and I liked the writing better than some I’ve read. It takes place around Christmastime if someone is looking for a festive read.
On their wedding night, Nicholas realized he was not the first to have relations with his new wife, Alice. Then she tearfully told him she was pregnant after being raped. Because it would be his word against hers, her mother told her to remain silent and Nicholas’ mother agreed in order to get the dowry funds they needed after her husband gambled away a large sum of money. Nicholas was devastated. He had been used, betrayed by his own mother and his new wife.
After a long ride on his horse, he thought about things and realized Alice had been a victim as well. He intended to confront their mothers and get the truth, and he and Alice would work something out. When he entered the room, it was cold. He found a note addressed to him on the table. Before he could read it, he looked up and saw his wife’s body hung from their four-poster bed!
Nicholas, Earl of Darby, no longer celebrates Christmas since the death of his wife. Now he seeks revenge and justice for the harm that was done by a vicious man. His own heart had hardened and he no longer trusted women.
Miss Hannah Pendleton is excited to attend her delayed first season. Her brother Nathaniel, Viscount Pendleton, introduces her to one of his best friends, Nicholas. He had asked Nicholas and Stanfeld to watch out for Hannah’s safety when they could since his wife is close to giving birth and he needs to be near if she needs him. When Nicholas sees the dangerous man who caused his wife’s suicide paying attention to Hannah, he knows he must protect her. Will he be able to keep her safe from the evil predator? Will he be able to let go of his painful past and allow himself to love again as he realizes his attraction to her?
I really enjoyed this story and all the details and descriptions it provided. The characters were well-portrayed and the story line moved along at the perfect pace. Grab your copy and see how it all plays out for Nicholas and Hannah, who both deserve a HEA!
Earl of Darby is the fourth book in the Once Upon a Widow Book series by Aubrey Wynne. Aubrey Wynne does an amazing job writing historical romance stories. I find her attention to detail amazing. While reading this book, I feel like I have been transported to the time period in which the story is based. Her characters are complex and relatable. In this story, Miss Hannah Pendleton finds herself with a broken heart. That is when the Earl of Darby notices her, but there is a problem, Hannah is being courted by (in the words of the author) the Devil himself. What will Hannah chose the Devil or the Earl of Darby? You will have to read the story to get the answers of this and many more decisions made by Hannah , the Devil, and the Earl of Darby.
ONE ENTHRALLING ADVENTURE!!!
Awesome! Aubrey hits the motherload with this refreshing spin that rocks this genre with unexpected events that blows this baby wide open. Mastering the ups and downs, weaving a cocoon so intricately and tight, draws you deeper into this tangled web until everything else ceases to exist. Displaying amazing scenario’s that punch dead center with such intensity and precision, propels this jewel into a tailspin with astonishing impacts. Pushing on-ward, coping with the trials and tribulations along with a slew of plot twists and turns, witnessing the strife and struggles our characters carefully traverse. The chemistry builds as each layer is peeled back exposing a growing bond and amplifying affections that catapult this jewel to life beautifully. The characters and their on point personalities are authentic and realistic with depth and qualities that make it easy to relate. The scenes are so graphically detailed and descriptive it paints an elegant backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Awesome job Aubrey, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.
They rescued each other.
I loved the cover on this one the hero has such a mischievous look on his face. Nicholas may have done everything in his power to prove he was a rake, but when a lady appears to be heading for problems he steps up like a true gentleman. Nicholas had not been able to help Alice but he would help Hannah and as the story progresses they become more attracted to each other, but there are problems in their path. This well-written piece has a balance of sorrow and happiness it will make you cry, smile, and maybe even jump with joy. I highly recommend this charmer. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Wow! Not what I expected. When I read the warning about a suicide involved I was a little skeptical, but the author totally pulled it off! This story has everything. It has suspense, drama, romance and chivalry. It is the story of the Earl of Darby whose wife committed suicide on their wedding night. He is determined to see that no other young ladies become like her. This story was both suspenseful and romantic, but highly addictive. I would definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.