Bereft of beauty as well as fortune, the exceedingly plain Miss Jane Featherstone has failed to attract any suitor during her three Seasons. Rather than be a burden to her brother and his obnoxious wife, Miss Featherstone vows to accept the first man who asks—even though she’s always worshipped a lord who’s far above her touch. . .Lord Slade must marry an heiress in order to honor the deathbed … deathbed vow he made to his father, and he needs Miss Featherstone’s help in wooing her beautiful cousin. After her initial anger, Miss Featherstone agrees to his scheme, telling him she’s doing so because she admires his Parliamentary record of humanitarian legislation and his reverence for truth. But the more he’s with the two cousins, the more attracted he becomes to Miss Featherstone. What’s a man of his word to do? Break a vow to a beloved father—or follow his heart with Miss Featherstone?
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The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane by Cheryl Bolen is book Two in The Lords of Eton series. This is the story of Jack St. John, the fourth Earl of Slade and Jane Featherstone. I have read the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Slade had Jane know each other through her father and their political talks. So when Slade has to go forward with courting Sarah, Jane’s cousin he has for Jane’s help. Slade needs to marry for money and Sarah fits the bill but the more he gets to know Jane the more he is taken with her.
Really enjoyed reading their story…for me it was one that was hard to put down.
Jack St. John (Sinjin), now the Earl of Slade, finds himself in the uncomfortable position of needing to marry an heiress to fulfill his responsibilities to his title, and to keep a death bed promise to his father. It’s not as if he’s the first titled gentleman to find himself in this situation, but he’s much more passionate and committed to his politics and to the Whig party. He also finds he’s much more interested in bluestocking Jane Featherstone, the daughter of a man he greatly admires, than to her cousin, who has a rich dowry and exquisite beauty. Jane is his intellectual equal, and he can discuss Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, or the writings on social reform of Hannah More, Jeremy Bantham, and James Mills’ with her. But Sinjin is an honorable man, and knows he must fulfill his responsibilities. There appears to be no way these two worthy people will have their HEA.
Not only do I enjoy the romance in Cheryl Bolen’s books, but I also learn much about the economic and political mores of the time. A fun and fulfilling story.
Fun romance with an Earl needing to marry for money and then discovering the love of his wife.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it
I won this book in a contest and it is the first regency novel that I have read in several years. I enjoyed the characters of Lord Slade and Miss Jane Featherstone who were perfect for each other, but due to Lord Slade’s vow to his dying father, could not be together. In fact Lord Slade enlisted Jane’s help in his courtship of her heiress cousin, Lady Sarah. What a tangle! I enjoyed how the characters came to know one another better and will definitely be reading more regency novels again.
Ah … the set-up. Rely on the less attractive, financially strapped female to get you in with the more beautiful heiress. What a wonderfully unique idea.
Lord Slade needs a wife and, because of a promise he made his dying father, only an heiress will do. So, to get to the heiress, he persuades the plain Jane Featherstone to help him accomplish his goal.
I loved the interaction between the hero and heroine as they struggle with mixed emotions. Jane falls easily for Lord Slade, a man she admires from afar. He, in turn, finds he far more attracted to Jane’s intelligence than her cousin’s beauty.
I was reading as quickly as I could to make sure they got their happily-ever-after. Fans of well-written Regency romance will enjoy this book, and the series.
Now, on to the final book in the series!
In the second story of the Lords of Eton series, Jack St. John (SinJin to his friends) has become the East of Slade. He has taken his seat in Parliament and is enthusiastic and successful in his political efforts. However, the earldom is not wealthy and he needs money to dower his sisters and fulfill the vow he made to his father that he would not let the ancestral home crumble to dust. He turns to his friend Jane Featherstone to help him court and win her cousin who is an heiress. Although Jane loves Jack, she agrees. Things don’t go exactly as they planned.
With the stage set, this story allows the reader to enjoy the interaction of the characters and just wait to see how it all works out. There is a very nice solution to the Lord Slade’s dilemma. All he needs to do is recognize it. The characters are likeable, and they like each other. There is a little excitement in the political element of the story, only a dash of action, but interesting. I recommend this one to those who like sweet romances with a little surprise.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The review is my own.
Good read. Jane is fearful /anxious with her clueless brother (looking to marry Jane off) and his selfish wife, trying to get Jane out of the house. Jack is titled with a homeless estate and clueless about his feelings. Liked that both are intelligent and compassionate; I was disappointed by their immature actions. Standalone in a series.
Voluntarily read ARC for honest review.
The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane by Cheryl Bolen
Like that I had just read the first one and this one reaches out to others I’ve met in the prior book. It’s great to catch up with everyone and also it’s a good stand alone.
Love how the title has the components of the book story itself.
So many emotions they go through while attending events that include dancing.
Love the political dinners and discussions and how important they are and love the secrets that come out about who is writing the articles for the paper.
Love hearing of the food and precise details of coming out mean. Very descriptive details just walking outside near the gardens-so lovely.
You know they can never be married because of a vow made. Found at times there were a lot of characters that might confuse the readers.
About the author and other works by the author are included at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Bereft of beauty as well as fortune, Miss Jane Featherstone has failed to attract any suitor during her three Seasons. Rather than be a burden to her brother and his obnoxious wife, Miss Featherstone vows to accept the first man who asks even though she’s always worshipped a lord who’s far above her touch. Jack St John, Lord Slade must marry an heiress in order to honour the deathbed Vow he made to his father, and he needs Miss Featherstone’s help in wooing her beautiful cousin Sarah. After her initial anger, Miss Featherstone agrees to his scheme, telling him she’s doing so because she admires his Parliamentary record of humanitarian legislation and his reverence for truth.
This is the second book in the series but could be read on its own. The characters have plenty of depth & even Cecil is likeable. The story on the whole flows well but does stall a couple of times. I did love the slow burn romance & how Jack reacted to Jane being courted. Whilst this series is about the three Etonian friends I’d like to see Jack’s siblings have their HEAs. I look forward to Alex’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read