Who knew living with an earl… …would lead to such temptation? Marianne Grant’s new identity as a governess is meant to keep her safe. But then she meets her new employer, Ash, Earl of Kingswood, and she immediately knows his handsome good looks are a danger of their own! Brusque on first meeting, Ash quickly shows his compassionate side. Yet Marianne doesn’t dare reveal the truth! Unless … the truth! Unless Ash really could be the safe haven she’s been looking for…
“The Makings of a Lady is an engaging, easy, enjoyable read that’s perfect for fans of the historical romance genre”
— What’s Better Than Books on The Makings of a Lady
“Once again Catherine Tinley has taken me to a time and a place when romance was an art … I loved this story”
— Krafti Reader on The Makings of a Lady
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After having the pleasure of reading author Catherine Tinley’s previous books and loving them, I was looking forward to her latest. Ms. Tinley is a RITA award winning author and this book again proves that she is an excellent writer and is so deserving of the honor.
William Ashington “Ash” never expected to inherit the title, Earl of Kingswood. He feels trapped with the title and all the responsibilities he now has.
Marianne Grant has become the ward of her evil stepbrother at the death of her mother and stepfather. No longer feeling safe in her own home, she leaves in the dead of night to escape.
I absolutely adored Marriane from the very beginning. She was thrown into a situation not of her making but yet was determined to survive. She was smart and brave, especially for a young woman who had to adjust to a totally different lifestyle than the one she was accustomed to.
As for Ash, I felt his situation was similar to Marriane, forced into a situation not of his doing and trying to find his feet to survive. The resentment and anger he felt in the beginning along with the frustration and fear was real and I did feel for him.
I enjoyed watching these two learn to adapt to their new situations. There was a definite spark when they were together and the banter between them was entertaining. As with all of Ms. Tinley’s books the writing is exquisite with wonderful secondary characters, an evil villain and a storyline that was real and suspenseful at times. This was a story that kept me turning one more page to find out just how this will all play out, and I must say I am highly satisfied! This was another fantastic story from the pen of Catherine Tinley and one I can highly recommend! Loved it!
3.5 stars rounded up
When Marianne Grant’s parents die and name her stepbrother Henry as her guardian, her pampered and sheltered life comes to a swift end. She endures Henry’s wild parties and his lewd friends, but when he goes to far, and she fears for her life, she runs away. With the help of her housekeeper, she finds a position as a governess and sets out on her own for the first time in her life.
William Ashington “Ash” is now the Earl of Kingswood, a title he never expected or wanted. He had a falling out years ago with his cousin – over a woman – who is now the widowed Countess. Ash is happy with his carefree life in London and has no desire for responsibilities the earldom demands, nor does he want to see Fanny, his cousin’s widow and the woman he stupidly thought himself in love with. But he soon learns that what he wants and what will happen are two different things – his cousin left him the estate and guardianship of his daughter. He soon learns that the estate fell into disrepair and financial woes while John was ill. Reluctantly, he makes plans to settle affairs in London and return to the estate – but just until things are under control!
Marianne and Ash meet at an inn near the estate and he gives her a ride to the house – she introduces herself as Anne Bolton, the new governess – her welcome at the house is not what she expected and she thinks she has lost the position before she even starts! But Ash quickly takes control and Marianne’s true sweet nature eases tensions.
As the weeks pass, Ash finds himself captivated by “Anne” and when an impromptu visit to London reawakes old fears, Ash comforts her and the two share a kiss. But things are far from easy for these two – especially when Marianne’s brother finds her. Can Marianne trust Ash with her secrets? Will Ash believe Henry’s lies and let his anger cause the woman he has come to love, slip away forever?
This is a fast paced story that delivers a “sweet” love story chocked full of lies, secrets, misunderstandings and finally a hard won HEA. Marianne is very likable, yet at times she has TSTL moments. Ash is a little harder to warm up to and seems to have an anger problem – but in the end he does seem to get it under control. The only love scene in the book consists of a single kiss, so if you are looking for a book without steam, but delivers an interesting story – look no further – this is that book.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*
Fleeing her lecherous, tyrannical stepbrother’s guardianship, Marianne Grant has little choice but to try and conceal herself in a household which wants a governess to teach a young girl ladylike ways. Arriving at the Earl of Kingswood’s household to care for his niece, she’s distressed to find the Earl, Ash, is of an age with her stepbrother and shares at least some of the same habits. Hiding under his nose may prove to be impossible, especially since from the beginning she’s thrown into his company as she attempts to mediate between Ash and the widowed former countess.
Marianne’s plight was a sobering reminder of just how utterly powerless a woman was in the Regency era (and still is, in many parts of the world). She literally had no choice about remaining in her stepbrother’s household because as her legal guardian, she had no recourse under the law to escape him until she came of age. Kept pampered and sheltered by her mother and stepfather, she had a very rude awakening and had to learn to fend for herself quickly, or suffer an extremely distasteful fate.
Ash in many ways has to grow up even faster than Marianne, though he’s already got a few years on her. Raised by his father to be relieved not to have the responsibilities of the earldom on his shoulders, his cousin’s death means he has no choice but to step up to the plate as he comes to see just how many people are dependent on him. His cousin’s widow is no help whatsoever, so discovering that the new governess apparently has quite a wealth of knowledge about how to run a household and estate. It takes him a while to start wondering exactly where she acquired that knowledge, but once he does start, he’s too intrigued to stop digging, unaware that his efforts may be endangering the woman he’s falling in love with.
Ash and Marianne have different problems, and Ash’s self-absorption contrasts beautifully with Marianne’s genuine terror, right up until he discovers what she’s really up against and realizes his issues are nothing in comparison to what she’s facing. His outrage over the injustice of her situation comes across as very believable and his desire to help somehow makes up for the shallowness of his character to that point, as it’s evident he was acting out of ignorance.
Catherine Tinley writes characters who feel real and relatable, and her historical settings are solidly researched and believable, with real stakes and consequences her characters must face. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every one of her books I’ve read so far and this one is no different. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review from the author.