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Rhymes With Love #3
If Wishes Were Earls
When you wish upon an earl . . .
Harriet Hathaway has only ever wanted one man: the Earl of Roxley. After a passionate interlude at a house party, Harriet is convinced Roxley will do the right thing and propose. But when she returns to London, she finds the roguish earl on the verge of proposing to another.
Yet Harriet refuses to believe that her hopes of a happily-ever-after are completely lost—for she can see the desire still flickering in the earl’s eyes when he looks at her from across the dance floor. And when they are alone . . . there is one wish neither can deny.
. . . the most extraordinary things can happen
The Earl of Roxley is in a dangerous fix—and to keep Harriet safe, he must hold her at arm’s length. He won’t entangle her in the murderous mystery that is threatening to destroy his family and his future. But keeping Harriet Hathaway out of his troubles proves as impossible as it is to keep the determined beauty from stealing his heart.
Harriet Hathaway has only ever wanted one man: the Earl of Roxley. After a passionate interlude at a house party, Harriet is convinced Roxley will do the right thing and propose. But when she returns to London, she finds the roguish earl on the verge of proposing to another.
Yet Harriet refuses to believe that her hopes of a happily-ever-after are completely lost—for she can see the desire still flickering in the earl’s eyes when he looks at her from across the dance floor. And when they are alone . . . there is one wish neither can deny.
. . . the most extraordinary things can happen
The Earl of Roxley is in a dangerous fix—and to keep Harriet safe, he must hold her at arm’s length. He won’t entangle her in the murderous mystery that is threatening to destroy his family and his future. But keeping Harriet Hathaway out of his troubles proves as impossible as it is to keep the determined beauty from stealing his heart.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2013
116 people are currently reading
1126 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Boyle
89 books2,082 followersElizabeth Boyle is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 historical romance novels and several novellas. Her upcoming novel, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, is a mix of women's fiction and historical fiction, with a bit of magic thrown in. This story of friendship and empowerment is already getting rave reviews.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
September 17, 2019
I wish this book never has to end!
November 30, 2013
"I want you, and only you" he'd whispered as he'd entered her. Taken her. Possessed her. It had been so breathless, so ruinous. So very wonderful.
Harriet Hathaway has known Roxley for most of her life. Now as a grown woman, she wants more from him than mere friendship, she desires him and loves him. One night at a ball they share a memorable kiss, but nothing came from it. Now over a year later, she still wants to marry him and wants to show him that what they have is more powerful than any other match he could ever make with any other woman. Roxley, due to his parents gambling habits, has barely kept himself afloat. Now he is approached by a man who has bought all of his debt, and demands that he marries his daughter. Feeling as if his hands are tied, he knows that he has no choice, even though his heart has always belonged to one woman, a woman who was dare enough to kiss him and change everything. The last thing that Roxley wants is to hurt "Harry", but he doesn't have a choice in order to save those whose welfare are relying on him. Harriet is shocked when she learns that Roxley is suppose to propose to another woman, and is determined to stop it. Then a dangerous plot unravels, and it will take Roxley and Harriet working together to put that which was wronged right once again, and to take down those who would destroy them.
If Wishes Were Earls is the first novel that I have read from Elizabeth Boyle. I was able to receive a copy in exchange for a honest review from Avon and Edelweiss. I don't know why I haven't read her before now, especially since I love historical romance. As they say "Better late than never", and I definitely feel that way about this author. I plan on looking for this author at my local library and reading more of her books. Even though this is the third in the series, it could be read as a stand alone, but I definitely wishes I had read the first two beforehand, but it isn't necessary to read this one. First off I want to discuss the cover, which is one of my favorites, including the stepback. When I saw it for the first time, I found the blend of the purples, pinks and the white dress, had such a mixture of soft colors that created a magical scene of sensuality.
One of my favorite aspects of If Wishes Were Earls was the way that the story picked up, it starts with the reader seeing Harriet being bold and daring and going after what she wants, which is the Earl of Roxley. But what turns into hopes gets turned into disappointment when Roxley treats her differently after the fact. But she doesn't want to give up hope, so she sets up a plan to make Roxley fall in love with her and choose love over his duty. We see that there are two sides to this situation. Roxley wishes he was free to marry Harriet, but he has to provide for his aunts, and keep those lands that have been in his family for generations. When he ends up being blackmailed, he knows he has little choice. Then we see a certain sub plot of danger and intrigue involving some diamonds, and the plot thickens, and the reader is then taken on a ride of passion, suspense and power of true love.
I found If Wishes Were Earls to be a truly captivating story that reeled me in from the prologue. Usually I have to force my way through the prologue sometimes, I just want to get to the story (LOL). But I have found that reading the prologue lends the reader to some background information needed to make sense of the rest of the story. When I first read the synopsis I wasn't sure if I would like it much, but the story was far different than what the Synopsis implied the story to be. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed seeing the change of events and the way the Harriet and Roxley get on together. I couldn't complain much about the setting, I found it very delightful the connection the Roxley and Harry have with each other, even though its subtle at times and too obvious at other times. The one thing that I would complain about this story would be the multiple flashbacks, it could be a bit confusing at times. Other than the flashbacks, I truly enjoyed this story and I can hardly wait for the chance to read the rest of the series, and more from this author.
Overall I splendid romance with a touch of witty humor, a hint of passion and excitement, a plot thickened with drama and danger and intrigue that will tie you up in knots, and a love story to charm and entice. A DELICIOUS READ!!!
Harriet Hathaway has known Roxley for most of her life. Now as a grown woman, she wants more from him than mere friendship, she desires him and loves him. One night at a ball they share a memorable kiss, but nothing came from it. Now over a year later, she still wants to marry him and wants to show him that what they have is more powerful than any other match he could ever make with any other woman. Roxley, due to his parents gambling habits, has barely kept himself afloat. Now he is approached by a man who has bought all of his debt, and demands that he marries his daughter. Feeling as if his hands are tied, he knows that he has no choice, even though his heart has always belonged to one woman, a woman who was dare enough to kiss him and change everything. The last thing that Roxley wants is to hurt "Harry", but he doesn't have a choice in order to save those whose welfare are relying on him. Harriet is shocked when she learns that Roxley is suppose to propose to another woman, and is determined to stop it. Then a dangerous plot unravels, and it will take Roxley and Harriet working together to put that which was wronged right once again, and to take down those who would destroy them.
If Wishes Were Earls is the first novel that I have read from Elizabeth Boyle. I was able to receive a copy in exchange for a honest review from Avon and Edelweiss. I don't know why I haven't read her before now, especially since I love historical romance. As they say "Better late than never", and I definitely feel that way about this author. I plan on looking for this author at my local library and reading more of her books. Even though this is the third in the series, it could be read as a stand alone, but I definitely wishes I had read the first two beforehand, but it isn't necessary to read this one. First off I want to discuss the cover, which is one of my favorites, including the stepback. When I saw it for the first time, I found the blend of the purples, pinks and the white dress, had such a mixture of soft colors that created a magical scene of sensuality.
One of my favorite aspects of If Wishes Were Earls was the way that the story picked up, it starts with the reader seeing Harriet being bold and daring and going after what she wants, which is the Earl of Roxley. But what turns into hopes gets turned into disappointment when Roxley treats her differently after the fact. But she doesn't want to give up hope, so she sets up a plan to make Roxley fall in love with her and choose love over his duty. We see that there are two sides to this situation. Roxley wishes he was free to marry Harriet, but he has to provide for his aunts, and keep those lands that have been in his family for generations. When he ends up being blackmailed, he knows he has little choice. Then we see a certain sub plot of danger and intrigue involving some diamonds, and the plot thickens, and the reader is then taken on a ride of passion, suspense and power of true love.
I found If Wishes Were Earls to be a truly captivating story that reeled me in from the prologue. Usually I have to force my way through the prologue sometimes, I just want to get to the story (LOL). But I have found that reading the prologue lends the reader to some background information needed to make sense of the rest of the story. When I first read the synopsis I wasn't sure if I would like it much, but the story was far different than what the Synopsis implied the story to be. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed seeing the change of events and the way the Harriet and Roxley get on together. I couldn't complain much about the setting, I found it very delightful the connection the Roxley and Harry have with each other, even though its subtle at times and too obvious at other times. The one thing that I would complain about this story would be the multiple flashbacks, it could be a bit confusing at times. Other than the flashbacks, I truly enjoyed this story and I can hardly wait for the chance to read the rest of the series, and more from this author.
Overall I splendid romance with a touch of witty humor, a hint of passion and excitement, a plot thickened with drama and danger and intrigue that will tie you up in knots, and a love story to charm and entice. A DELICIOUS READ!!!
June 10, 2014
Warning #1: The blurb on the back cover is misleading.
Warning #2: There are flashbacks in this story. Many of them.
Warning #3: Because of the flashbacks, we are told from the beginning that Roxley and Harry are in love, but forces are keeping them apart.
Warning #4: If you haven't already guessed, will be ranting somewhat in this review.
I was so excited about this book because the summary sounded so awesome and I enjoyed the scenes with Harry and Roxley in the first book of this series (and the first line of this book was glorious!). Unfortunately for me, this book was not what I expected, but not in a good way. Boyle is a good writer, but there were too many elements that I do not favor that permeated this book.
First off, we find out in the beginning of the story that Roxley ruined Harry at a ball 8 months ago and his luck began to fail after that as if someone was trying to deliberately ruin him. As a result, he was being forced (blackmailed) to marry someone else. This was the book's core starting point and it had one vital problem: if (1) Harry and Roxley were so in love, (2) Roxley was so honorable, and (3) Harry was ruined by Roxley, then why in the hell were they not already married before 8 months had passed?! Why you ask? Because if they were married, this book couldn't happen. That is the sad answer.
Secondly, while I thought this book would be a sweet childhood friends to lovers theme, it was instead a caper book. Now, not all caper books are bad (I really enjoyed Suzanne Enoch's Something Sinful), but combine the caper book with random sex scenes in flash backs, no love story, and a lot of not-so-angsty internal dialogue about why Harry and Roxley couldn't be together (the excuses were flimsy), and you get a story I rant about. The caper story is based on a rumor that Roxley's parents were part of an infamous card game where they won half of a priceless diamond necklace. However, Roxley doesn't know about a diamond necklace and he has no idea who is willing to ruin (and possibly kill him) for those diamonds. While I did not suspect the villain, I did know where the diamonds were hidden almost from the beginning and I thought it was silly no one else suspected.
Thirdly, I did not like how we were told Harry and Roxley were in love and there were no real scenes that depicted them falling for each other (there are sex scenes but they were pointless and I didn't find them romantic at all). One of the best scenes is in a flashback to when Roxley sneaks to Harry's house after an incident at a ball where he worried about how much trouble she would be in. That scenes showed the pull between the characters and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately because this book had so many external baddies to deal with, there was not much room left for sweet, romantic scenes like this. And it was in a flashback!!
I read Boyle's early book, This Rake of Mine, and loved it and began auto-buying her other books, all of which have not been as enjoyable for me. An exception is Cynders and Ashe, a short story I adored. This book, while well written, felt disorganized because of the flashbacks and contained too much external conflict, even for me. I typically enjoy books where the characters admit their feelings for each other early and take on problems as a team, but it still like to see them fall for each other, a development this story lacked. To be honest, this story would have been better off being told linearly, starting at a ball where Harry was ruined, progressing through Roxley's ruin and why the couple weren't yet married. they could have been engaged and worked together to figure out who was behind the plot and the scenes could have shown their worry for each other about the danger involved through communication, instead of Roxley just pushing Harry away with no explanation. Then, there could have been information fed in breadcrumbs of dialogue instead of flashbacks. We could have seen more of Roxley and Harry and less of all the villains. I would have enjoyed this better, I think.
I would only recommend this book for the following reasons: (1) you've loved all of Boyle's other books, (2) you enjoy flashbacks, and (3) you don't mind if a story lacks in romance because of an elaborate revenge plot.
I did not enjoy this book and only give it 2 stars because I finished it and Boyle is a decent writer. I will also be skipping the other book in the series, And the Miss Ran Away with the Rake, because I just really don't like the characters. I'm going to finish up the Boyle books on my shelf and take a break from her for a while. Bummer.
Warning #2: There are flashbacks in this story. Many of them.
Warning #3: Because of the flashbacks, we are told from the beginning that Roxley and Harry are in love, but forces are keeping them apart.
Warning #4: If you haven't already guessed, will be ranting somewhat in this review.
I was so excited about this book because the summary sounded so awesome and I enjoyed the scenes with Harry and Roxley in the first book of this series (and the first line of this book was glorious!). Unfortunately for me, this book was not what I expected, but not in a good way. Boyle is a good writer, but there were too many elements that I do not favor that permeated this book.
First off, we find out in the beginning of the story that Roxley ruined Harry at a ball 8 months ago and his luck began to fail after that as if someone was trying to deliberately ruin him. As a result, he was being forced (blackmailed) to marry someone else. This was the book's core starting point and it had one vital problem: if (1) Harry and Roxley were so in love, (2) Roxley was so honorable, and (3) Harry was ruined by Roxley, then why in the hell were they not already married before 8 months had passed?! Why you ask? Because if they were married, this book couldn't happen. That is the sad answer.
Secondly, while I thought this book would be a sweet childhood friends to lovers theme, it was instead a caper book. Now, not all caper books are bad (I really enjoyed Suzanne Enoch's Something Sinful), but combine the caper book with random sex scenes in flash backs, no love story, and a lot of not-so-angsty internal dialogue about why Harry and Roxley couldn't be together (the excuses were flimsy), and you get a story I rant about. The caper story is based on a rumor that Roxley's parents were part of an infamous card game where they won half of a priceless diamond necklace. However, Roxley doesn't know about a diamond necklace and he has no idea who is willing to ruin (and possibly kill him) for those diamonds. While I did not suspect the villain, I did know where the diamonds were hidden almost from the beginning and I thought it was silly no one else suspected.
Thirdly, I did not like how we were told Harry and Roxley were in love and there were no real scenes that depicted them falling for each other (there are sex scenes but they were pointless and I didn't find them romantic at all). One of the best scenes is in a flashback to when Roxley sneaks to Harry's house after an incident at a ball where he worried about how much trouble she would be in. That scenes showed the pull between the characters and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately because this book had so many external baddies to deal with, there was not much room left for sweet, romantic scenes like this. And it was in a flashback!!
I read Boyle's early book, This Rake of Mine, and loved it and began auto-buying her other books, all of which have not been as enjoyable for me. An exception is Cynders and Ashe, a short story I adored. This book, while well written, felt disorganized because of the flashbacks and contained too much external conflict, even for me. I typically enjoy books where the characters admit their feelings for each other early and take on problems as a team, but it still like to see them fall for each other, a development this story lacked. To be honest, this story would have been better off being told linearly, starting at a ball where Harry was ruined, progressing through Roxley's ruin and why the couple weren't yet married. they could have been engaged and worked together to figure out who was behind the plot and the scenes could have shown their worry for each other about the danger involved through communication, instead of Roxley just pushing Harry away with no explanation. Then, there could have been information fed in breadcrumbs of dialogue instead of flashbacks. We could have seen more of Roxley and Harry and less of all the villains. I would have enjoyed this better, I think.
I would only recommend this book for the following reasons: (1) you've loved all of Boyle's other books, (2) you enjoy flashbacks, and (3) you don't mind if a story lacks in romance because of an elaborate revenge plot.
I did not enjoy this book and only give it 2 stars because I finished it and Boyle is a decent writer. I will also be skipping the other book in the series, And the Miss Ran Away with the Rake, because I just really don't like the characters. I'm going to finish up the Boyle books on my shelf and take a break from her for a while. Bummer.
December 30, 2020
Tremenda decepción.
Era una de mis series favoritas y pensé que el que fuera un libro más del tipo friends to lovers podría gustarme pero nop. Fue terrible.
Era una de mis series favoritas y pensé que el que fuera un libro más del tipo friends to lovers podría gustarme pero nop. Fue terrible.
October 8, 2014
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but instead I found myself hating it! The mystery of who was financially ruining Roxley was the only thing mildly entertaining in the story and thus saved the book from a one star rating. Harriet and Roxley themselves were too wishy washy about their affections for one another that it dragged the story down into tedium. I couldn't see other Society ladies doing the things that Harriet did to gain Roxley's attention, no matter how meddlesome or how many brothers she might have had! Don't even get me started on the wardrobe choices she wore, because I don't believe that any marriage minded lady of Quality would wear the colors that were reserved for the married women of Society when she herself was unmarried, no matter how black her hair was! I must admit, I did enjoy the twist that was Lady Oriel, which added to my star rating as well. Overall, I found this to be a weak link in the series, and I'm hesitant to continue with the series.
July 31, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
If Wishes Were Earls by Elizabeth Boyle
Book Three of the Rhymes With Love series
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: December 31, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
Harrriet Hathaway has loved only one man her entire life: the Earl of Roxley. But when he ignores her at a ball, she takes rather desperate steps to catch his eye and her plans find her ruined and without any hope of gaining Roxley’s heart. So it is much to her amazement when Roxley proposes marriage to save her from ruin. But Roxley’s proposal isn’t quite on the up and up and when she finds out she’s just another piece in one of his plots and japes, she vows revenge.
Roxley is desperate to pull his family from the brink of ruin, and the only way to gain a lost fortune is to prove to his aunts that’s he’s “reformed” his life and is determined to settle down. But the bride-to-be that he thought would be most amiable is doing everything to turn his life and his heart upside down. Harriet Hathaway had always seemed the most sensible girl he knew, but now this siren of a stranger he’s engaged to is leaving him feeling anything but sensible. Harriet is about to steal not only his heart, but quite possibly the keys to the Roxley fortune.
What I Liked:
What a fabulous historical romance novel! I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel - in all honesty, I hadn't read the summary in a very long time. I requested this book months ago, and downloaded it months ago. I've now read this book in December, so I had no idea what this book was about. So, my expectations were fairly low, if existent at all, for this book.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book! Harriet and Roxley, the non-romance plot, the humor... everything was wonderful! There was a slow start, but the plot warmed up and took off. I didn't expect so much from a historical romance novel. Some might be put off by the amount of this book that ISN'T romance, but I love that.
Let me talk about the romance. Harriet and Roxley have a history. They shared a very passionate kiss, and then some time after that, a memorable night together in a garden. Months later, neither can forget either event, or each other. But Roxley is in dire straits, and is blackmailed into marrying a merchant's daughter, in order to save his family's fortune and his good name as the Earl of Roxley.
Harriet, of course, will have none of that. When she finally thinks that she will be reunited with Roxley, after so many months, she is crushed at first, to learn the hard way that Roxley will be marrying another. Harriet is not so easily deterred. She puts her nose and herself right into the thick of things. I love this about Harriet - she is bold, but not in the typical way that you might find in historical romance novels. She also isn't a simpering ninny. Good for her.
She and Roxley are so perfect for each other, and they know it, and it takes more than half the book for the two of them to finally realize that they can be together. Both of them find out that the merchant and his merchant aren't as honest as they appear, and that is when things go downhill. Harriet isn't safe, Roxley's aunts aren't safe, and the mysterious diamonds aren't safe, either.
The romance is great, in this book. It doesn't exactly take the forefront in this novel, though it might appear to do so. There is so much going on - Roxley trying to figure out who the merchant's daughter really is, Roxley trying to find the family's lost diamonds, Harriet trying to seduce Roxley back into loving her (he never stopped loving her, in case you wanted to know), Harriet dodging the idiot Fieldgate, Roxley and Harriet and the merchant's daughter prancing across the country to meet Roxley's aunt... it's a very busy book!
And might I mention the humor in this book? Oh my goodness, I loved how Boyle injects the occasional joke or hilarious scene every now and then. I cannot remember the name, but there is this one Lord somebody who ALWAYS says the funniest things at the perfect times. And then there is Harriet, with her five brothers, and her ridiculous childhood with Roxley. There were so many funny scenes in this book - which I really appreciated.
Overall, I really liked this book! I might actually read it again - we'll see. It has to be a fairly great book for me to re-read it, and this one was great! Plus, the romance was steamy, when there were steamy scenes. An all-around great novel!
What I Did Not Like:
Occasionally, there was some dragging in the plot - meaning, it seemed like the story was stuck in one place for too long. Like, I'll admit, the beginning is kind of slow. The way the plot is set up - with flashbacks placed every now and then in the story - made the story stand still for some time. The author needed readers to understand the past between Harriet and Roxley, and there was a lot that had already happened before this novel started.
Of course, I never read the first two novels in this series (not that one HAS TO), so perhaps the background might have made more sense had I read them. I don't know if the events that transpired between Harriet and Roxley occurred during those books.
But that's okay, about the drag, because it's a small thing, and it didn't detract from the overall story. It was just a pacing issue, but a tiny one nonetheless.
Would I Recommend It:
YES! I was very impressed with this novel, and how much I really liked it. This book isn't just a romance novel - there is a fair amount of great humor, scheming, and action. A perfect mix!
Rating:
4 stars. I really enjoyed this one! This one will probably end up on my end-of-the-year favorites list.
If Wishes Were Earls by Elizabeth Boyle
Book Three of the Rhymes With Love series
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: December 31, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
Harrriet Hathaway has loved only one man her entire life: the Earl of Roxley. But when he ignores her at a ball, she takes rather desperate steps to catch his eye and her plans find her ruined and without any hope of gaining Roxley’s heart. So it is much to her amazement when Roxley proposes marriage to save her from ruin. But Roxley’s proposal isn’t quite on the up and up and when she finds out she’s just another piece in one of his plots and japes, she vows revenge.
Roxley is desperate to pull his family from the brink of ruin, and the only way to gain a lost fortune is to prove to his aunts that’s he’s “reformed” his life and is determined to settle down. But the bride-to-be that he thought would be most amiable is doing everything to turn his life and his heart upside down. Harriet Hathaway had always seemed the most sensible girl he knew, but now this siren of a stranger he’s engaged to is leaving him feeling anything but sensible. Harriet is about to steal not only his heart, but quite possibly the keys to the Roxley fortune.
What I Liked:
What a fabulous historical romance novel! I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel - in all honesty, I hadn't read the summary in a very long time. I requested this book months ago, and downloaded it months ago. I've now read this book in December, so I had no idea what this book was about. So, my expectations were fairly low, if existent at all, for this book.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book! Harriet and Roxley, the non-romance plot, the humor... everything was wonderful! There was a slow start, but the plot warmed up and took off. I didn't expect so much from a historical romance novel. Some might be put off by the amount of this book that ISN'T romance, but I love that.
Let me talk about the romance. Harriet and Roxley have a history. They shared a very passionate kiss, and then some time after that, a memorable night together in a garden. Months later, neither can forget either event, or each other. But Roxley is in dire straits, and is blackmailed into marrying a merchant's daughter, in order to save his family's fortune and his good name as the Earl of Roxley.
Harriet, of course, will have none of that. When she finally thinks that she will be reunited with Roxley, after so many months, she is crushed at first, to learn the hard way that Roxley will be marrying another. Harriet is not so easily deterred. She puts her nose and herself right into the thick of things. I love this about Harriet - she is bold, but not in the typical way that you might find in historical romance novels. She also isn't a simpering ninny. Good for her.
She and Roxley are so perfect for each other, and they know it, and it takes more than half the book for the two of them to finally realize that they can be together. Both of them find out that the merchant and his merchant aren't as honest as they appear, and that is when things go downhill. Harriet isn't safe, Roxley's aunts aren't safe, and the mysterious diamonds aren't safe, either.
The romance is great, in this book. It doesn't exactly take the forefront in this novel, though it might appear to do so. There is so much going on - Roxley trying to figure out who the merchant's daughter really is, Roxley trying to find the family's lost diamonds, Harriet trying to seduce Roxley back into loving her (he never stopped loving her, in case you wanted to know), Harriet dodging the idiot Fieldgate, Roxley and Harriet and the merchant's daughter prancing across the country to meet Roxley's aunt... it's a very busy book!
And might I mention the humor in this book? Oh my goodness, I loved how Boyle injects the occasional joke or hilarious scene every now and then. I cannot remember the name, but there is this one Lord somebody who ALWAYS says the funniest things at the perfect times. And then there is Harriet, with her five brothers, and her ridiculous childhood with Roxley. There were so many funny scenes in this book - which I really appreciated.
Overall, I really liked this book! I might actually read it again - we'll see. It has to be a fairly great book for me to re-read it, and this one was great! Plus, the romance was steamy, when there were steamy scenes. An all-around great novel!
What I Did Not Like:
Occasionally, there was some dragging in the plot - meaning, it seemed like the story was stuck in one place for too long. Like, I'll admit, the beginning is kind of slow. The way the plot is set up - with flashbacks placed every now and then in the story - made the story stand still for some time. The author needed readers to understand the past between Harriet and Roxley, and there was a lot that had already happened before this novel started.
Of course, I never read the first two novels in this series (not that one HAS TO), so perhaps the background might have made more sense had I read them. I don't know if the events that transpired between Harriet and Roxley occurred during those books.
But that's okay, about the drag, because it's a small thing, and it didn't detract from the overall story. It was just a pacing issue, but a tiny one nonetheless.
Would I Recommend It:
YES! I was very impressed with this novel, and how much I really liked it. This book isn't just a romance novel - there is a fair amount of great humor, scheming, and action. A perfect mix!
Rating:
4 stars. I really enjoyed this one! This one will probably end up on my end-of-the-year favorites list.
July 21, 2017
So, I think the summary on GR is a bit off on this one, but despite that, I quite enjoyed the book. I always love heroes and heroines who would put their own happiness aside to ensure the safety and well-being of those they love -- even when it's frustrating as hell to read, knowing what they're prepared to sacrifice. I also love a heroine who flouts the rules of society, who barrels toward danger, all in the name of love. Harriet, nay Harry, was perfection. (And I definitely want to read more about her five brothers!) Roxley was a fine love interest, but Harry really stole the show. There should be a series -- like the one "quoted" from in this story -- detailing her adventures.
January 9, 2015
This would have been a fun book but I couldn't get over one major aspect of the book. He kept her dangling. I found it hard to swallow that she wore her heart on her sleeve and waited for him to set things right. There really wasn't a struggle to win her heart because it was his for the taking despite many reasons she should get over him. I thought he was stringing her along and I couldn't support him on that. He knew she loved him and he kept her dangling. She waited patiently for him all this time and I just wanted her to get someone else who would overlook the fact that she was poor. I really liked Harriet in Along Came a Duke and I thought she deserved far better than being the person who wore her heart out in the open while the person who held it treated it callously. I thought she deserved an explanation especially as he was marrying someone else. Despite their being childhood friends, I don't think he treated her well at all. I thought her coming after him was a little cringe inducing and to someone else, it is a bit delusional. She maintained that he loved her despite the fact that he left her right after he had sex with her and didn't contact her again. Everything hinged on the fact that she loved him despite all the contrary evidence. It was an annoying fact that kept me from enjoying the book. I didn't have her rose-tinted glasses and just saw Harriet and Roxley as a bit mad in their own ways.
The story revolves around Roxley and Harriet. He took her virginity one night, left, and didn't contact her. Eight months later, he is planning to be engaged to another woman. In fact, he is being blackmailed into the affair. He hit a string of bad lucks that left him in debts. He needed to marry into money to relieve the debts. Behind his misfortune are the people who wanted to possess the diamonds. His parents won them in an infamous card game. Now, their murderers are back with a convoluted plan that will allow them access to Roxley's home, through marriage. However, Roxley is delaying because he really wanted to marry Harriet. He would have gone through with it if she did not show up. Harriet is in love with Roxley and insinuated herself in the affair, even volunteering to be a companion to Roxley's almost fiancee. They get sent on an errand, Roxley's family tradition in which the intended is sent to be examined and approved by their family. However, it is Harriet who is approved. It is no matter because the fiancee took it in her mind to use force. At gunpoint, Aunt Elena and Harriet are forced to be hostages. Roxley came after them and met his mentor, the mastermind of the scheme. The mentor is outnumbered and gets caught. Three months later, Harriet and Roxley are already wed. They are ready to sell the diamonds but conveniently for them, Mr. Murray waived off the debt and left them his money in the event of his untimely death. The book ends with them making love on the desk.
Although the book had its little nice moments, everything depended on a big major character flaw that was contrary to Harriet's image of him. I couldn't get over the fact that he strung her along all this time. I just couldn't buy into the fact that they were supposedly so in love because if they were, they would have been married a long time ago.
Additionally, the conversations got a bit annoying. They were all on a time sensitive mission but they took their time revealing information. Also, the scene where he broke into his aunt's house was not only time consuming, they were also arguing with raised voices. It was pretty sloppy in my opinion and the bad outweighed the good in this book. 2.5 stars.
The story revolves around Roxley and Harriet. He took her virginity one night, left, and didn't contact her. Eight months later, he is planning to be engaged to another woman. In fact, he is being blackmailed into the affair. He hit a string of bad lucks that left him in debts. He needed to marry into money to relieve the debts. Behind his misfortune are the people who wanted to possess the diamonds. His parents won them in an infamous card game. Now, their murderers are back with a convoluted plan that will allow them access to Roxley's home, through marriage. However, Roxley is delaying because he really wanted to marry Harriet. He would have gone through with it if she did not show up. Harriet is in love with Roxley and insinuated herself in the affair, even volunteering to be a companion to Roxley's almost fiancee. They get sent on an errand, Roxley's family tradition in which the intended is sent to be examined and approved by their family. However, it is Harriet who is approved. It is no matter because the fiancee took it in her mind to use force. At gunpoint, Aunt Elena and Harriet are forced to be hostages. Roxley came after them and met his mentor, the mastermind of the scheme. The mentor is outnumbered and gets caught. Three months later, Harriet and Roxley are already wed. They are ready to sell the diamonds but conveniently for them, Mr. Murray waived off the debt and left them his money in the event of his untimely death. The book ends with them making love on the desk.
Although the book had its little nice moments, everything depended on a big major character flaw that was contrary to Harriet's image of him. I couldn't get over the fact that he strung her along all this time. I just couldn't buy into the fact that they were supposedly so in love because if they were, they would have been married a long time ago.
Additionally, the conversations got a bit annoying. They were all on a time sensitive mission but they took their time revealing information. Also, the scene where he broke into his aunt's house was not only time consuming, they were also arguing with raised voices. It was pretty sloppy in my opinion and the bad outweighed the good in this book. 2.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2021
We were utterly charmed by the first two (and a half) books in the series. Those two books also spent a lot of time setting up the romance between Harriet and Roxley, so we were ready to read it!
We were a little let down by the execution, though. You'd think that a book featuring childhood friends to lovers + spying + an OTT mystery would be right up our alley, but something was missing for us. Meg thinks it's the structure, Laine thinks it's the sheer number of characters and plot points, but we both agree that it's not our favorite Boyle.
17-Word Summaries:
Meg: Two books in, Roxley’s finally hot for Harry! So why is he practically engaged to someone else?
Laine: If you ruin a lady in gardens (twice) you'll be blackmailed for your dead dad's lost winnings.
www.linktr.ee/plottrysts
We were a little let down by the execution, though. You'd think that a book featuring childhood friends to lovers + spying + an OTT mystery would be right up our alley, but something was missing for us. Meg thinks it's the structure, Laine thinks it's the sheer number of characters and plot points, but we both agree that it's not our favorite Boyle.
17-Word Summaries:
Meg: Two books in, Roxley’s finally hot for Harry! So why is he practically engaged to someone else?
Laine: If you ruin a lady in gardens (twice) you'll be blackmailed for your dead dad's lost winnings.
www.linktr.ee/plottrysts
September 9, 2013
I was a little put off by the numerous flashbacks in the book, as they occasionally became confusing.
Still, a decent read, with the Childhood Friends To Lovers trope that I enjoy so much.
3.5-4/5
Still, a decent read, with the Childhood Friends To Lovers trope that I enjoy so much.
3.5-4/5
July 19, 2016
Original post: http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
IF WISHES WERE EARLS Colorful, Witty & Romantic
E-Galley provided by publisher via Avon for reviewing purposes. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own unless otherwise noted.
This was an absolutely charming story — the plot offers quite a lot of danger, witty dialogue often makes the story comical and always entertaining. It’s linguistically interesting: I suspect Boyle enjoys the origin of words in much the same way I do. I really enjoyed her use of original words that have come down to us in different spellings: for example, partis for parties as in interested parties. I thought it was well-written and plotted. The main characters were not the same old, same old fodder of the romance genre but quite different, amusing, smart, flawed, frightened but courageous, uncertain all will be well. The story’s aristocrats are beginning to be overtaken by the “common” middle classes and it shows in their attitudes.
I enjoyed the “always thought of her as a sister, but now she’s a woman” theme. The tenderness Roxley presents for both young Harry and the grown up Harriet are sweet. And, young Harry and Harriet have both always thought of Roxley otherwise.
I thought the description of customs and attitudes was spot on. And the description of the financial straits many nobles found themselves was enlightening. The internal monologues describing the character’s feelings was so romantic as the hero and heroine struggle towards each other in a farcical; comedy of errors and intrigue.
While the situation became dire it never really felt as if the couple were in danger. Somehow, in the way of romance I knew all would work out in the end for all but a few characters.
Sweet, sexy romance with a little danger will add color to any dreary winter’s day. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
IF WISHES WERE EARLS Colorful, Witty & Romantic
E-Galley provided by publisher via Avon for reviewing purposes. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own unless otherwise noted.
This was an absolutely charming story — the plot offers quite a lot of danger, witty dialogue often makes the story comical and always entertaining. It’s linguistically interesting: I suspect Boyle enjoys the origin of words in much the same way I do. I really enjoyed her use of original words that have come down to us in different spellings: for example, partis for parties as in interested parties. I thought it was well-written and plotted. The main characters were not the same old, same old fodder of the romance genre but quite different, amusing, smart, flawed, frightened but courageous, uncertain all will be well. The story’s aristocrats are beginning to be overtaken by the “common” middle classes and it shows in their attitudes.
I enjoyed the “always thought of her as a sister, but now she’s a woman” theme. The tenderness Roxley presents for both young Harry and the grown up Harriet are sweet. And, young Harry and Harriet have both always thought of Roxley otherwise.
I thought the description of customs and attitudes was spot on. And the description of the financial straits many nobles found themselves was enlightening. The internal monologues describing the character’s feelings was so romantic as the hero and heroine struggle towards each other in a farcical; comedy of errors and intrigue.
While the situation became dire it never really felt as if the couple were in danger. Somehow, in the way of romance I knew all would work out in the end for all but a few characters.
Sweet, sexy romance with a little danger will add color to any dreary winter’s day. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
November 3, 2014
What a fun story. The pace rarely lets up. Harriet is delightful. I know others have criticized her "chasing" Roxley but that keeps her in character. She is not a missy miss. She has always been forthright since the two of them met and she planted him a facer.
I could easily have read this in one day if I'd had nothing else to do. Unfortunately that was not the case and it was very difficult to put down. And yes, like others, I also knew where the diamonds were but found knowing added to the suspense.
Roxley was a typical male. He thought honor meant having a fortune for Harriet. Silly men. Love trumps money any day. If he had followed through with his honorable plan they both would have been miserable. Good thing he had Harriet to set him straight.
I struggle with the incestuous component of "friends becoming lovers" stories but I loved everything else so I decided to ignore my qualms.
I could easily have read this in one day if I'd had nothing else to do. Unfortunately that was not the case and it was very difficult to put down. And yes, like others, I also knew where the diamonds were but found knowing added to the suspense.
Roxley was a typical male. He thought honor meant having a fortune for Harriet. Silly men. Love trumps money any day. If he had followed through with his honorable plan they both would have been miserable. Good thing he had Harriet to set him straight.
I struggle with the incestuous component of "friends becoming lovers" stories but I loved everything else so I decided to ignore my qualms.
February 17, 2014
The third book in Elizabeth Boyle's sparkling Rhymes with Love series, whose titles are based on nursery rhymes, about three best friends from the cursed village of Kempton, who find true love.
We finally get Harriet (Harry) Hathaway’s story, with her long suffering love for the Earl of Roxley. And what a sweet story it is.
My thoughts:
Each chapter opened with a line from Harry’s beloved and sentimental Miss Darby novels. This brought to mind the hilarious one liners in Maggie Robinson’s Mistress by Marriage, whose heroine was secretly an author of romance novels.”’I have seen one night be the ruin of many a good man.’ Lt. Throckmorton to Miss Darby from Miss Darby’s Reckless Bargain.” Also, the book titles were great: Miss Darby’s Daring Dilemma, Miss Darby’s Perilous Journey, and Miss Darby and the Counterfeit Bride.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1cQ0Nrf
We finally get Harriet (Harry) Hathaway’s story, with her long suffering love for the Earl of Roxley. And what a sweet story it is.
My thoughts:
Each chapter opened with a line from Harry’s beloved and sentimental Miss Darby novels. This brought to mind the hilarious one liners in Maggie Robinson’s Mistress by Marriage, whose heroine was secretly an author of romance novels.”’I have seen one night be the ruin of many a good man.’ Lt. Throckmorton to Miss Darby from Miss Darby’s Reckless Bargain.” Also, the book titles were great: Miss Darby’s Daring Dilemma, Miss Darby’s Perilous Journey, and Miss Darby and the Counterfeit Bride.
For my full review on my historical romance and history blog: http://bit.ly/1cQ0Nrf
December 13, 2013
IF WISHES WERE EARLS by Elizabeth Boyle is another exciting Historical Romance. #3 in the "Rhymes With Love" series, but can be read as a stand alone. See, "And the Miss Ran Away with the Earl" and "Along Came a Duke". Follow the Earl of Roxley and Harriet Hathaway on a dangerous journey of love, passion and danger. Someone is trying to destroy Roxley. With betrayal, suspicion, danger and passion how can you go wrong. I believe this is by far by favorite of this series. It is fast paced and filled with suspense and action. A must read if you enjoy historical romance, the strong,protector type hero and a heroine who is determined to help her beloved Roxley. Received for an honest review from the publisher and Above the Treeline.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
October 21, 2013
Karla says: Lady Harriet has wanted to marry Lord Roxley since she was six years old. And finally last summer, Roxley kissed her. Having grown up on neighboring estates, and running wild with Roxley and her brother, Harriet, "Harry", dispaired of Roxley ever seeing her as a woman. She remembers the kiss. It was wonderful...glorious...perfect. She was sure he remembered too. After all, he was only a little foxed.
But who is this Miss Murray? And why is Roxley escorting her about town as if he is enamored of her? Roxley is hers and she will find a way to remind him.
Highly recommend - loved it
But who is this Miss Murray? And why is Roxley escorting her about town as if he is enamored of her? Roxley is hers and she will find a way to remind him.
Highly recommend - loved it
January 5, 2014
I want to start with a simple statement: Typically I LOVE Elizabeth Boyle books.
This one was a DNF for me (yes, I gave it two stars anyway bc of her track history).
The characters started off unlikable for me and then they just kept getting more annoying. He's an idiot who did something that is typically considered unforgivable in that time and she's an idiot who brought on all the stupid stuff herself.
I quit about 1/2 way thru. Also, the book jumped around and instead of feeling like it was building and revealing, it felt disjointed and lost. So sad. I hope this series picks up again with a nice, clear next book.
This one was a DNF for me (yes, I gave it two stars anyway bc of her track history).
The characters started off unlikable for me and then they just kept getting more annoying. He's an idiot who did something that is typically considered unforgivable in that time and she's an idiot who brought on all the stupid stuff herself.
I quit about 1/2 way thru. Also, the book jumped around and instead of feeling like it was building and revealing, it felt disjointed and lost. So sad. I hope this series picks up again with a nice, clear next book.
May 9, 2016
Harriet and Roxley has been all I have focused on since meeting them both in the very first book of the Rhymes with Love. I knew they were meant to be together. I just was not that excited by their story. I should have probably expected a mystery, intrigue, and more. But I just was so focused on them that the extra throw me off. I did enjoy the story just not overly so. It took me tooo long to finish. I was not held captive.
August 21, 2013
Coming in Dec 2013:
I loved this romantic comedy with some heated moments. Harriet, the feisty, gothic-mystery-loving heroine is so fearless! And poor Roxley is so put upon, with his crazy aunts, but oh so witty. (Reminds me of Peter.) Their situation gets a little kooky, but it's a very fun ride!
I loved this romantic comedy with some heated moments. Harriet, the feisty, gothic-mystery-loving heroine is so fearless! And poor Roxley is so put upon, with his crazy aunts, but oh so witty. (Reminds me of Peter.) Their situation gets a little kooky, but it's a very fun ride!
July 25, 2015
3 1/2 stars
February 12, 2019
So far this is the best of the series. Harriet is the most daring of the three friends, Daphne, Tabitha and herself. The spark between her and Roxely was a long burning on, and there was no denial of thier felings in this one. The plot with the diamonds was a good addition for me, as I like some adventure with the romance. I do wish Tabitha and Daphne had been in the book more, but other than that and a few grammatical errors, it was a good read.
Read
April 6, 2018Predictable, but then, do we read romance novels expecting depth and amazing plots?
January 9, 2014
Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, & The Unread:
This is the latest in Boyle’s series about the ladies of Kempton and their various ways of avoiding the curse that condemns them to spinsterhood – or their new husbands to terrible fates. This time we get the story of Miss Harriet Hathaway and Tiberius Maximus Marshom, the 7th Earl of Roxley, both of whom we first met right at the beginning of the first book when Roxley arrived in the village with his friend the Duke of Preston, and whose story I’ve been dying to read. This book, like the rest of the series, certainly made me smile numerous times, and it also had a mystery plot that took me most of the story to figure out completely, though the solution was obvious once I saw it.
The story opens during the Masquerade Ball at Owle Park – the one from which Daphne eloped in the previous book, although knowledge of that fact isn’t essential if you’re joining the series in the middle – and Harriet, dressed as Cleopatra, is being chastised by Roxley over her scandalous costume. We learn that she has set her cap at Roxley, but he has a potential (if not very welcome) rival in the form of the dastardly Viscount Fieldgate. Harriet – the only girl in a family of five boys, all of them Roxley’s childhood friends – isn’t afraid to go after what she wants, though, and sets out to seduce Roxley in the gardens of Owle Park. Not that he’s entirely opposed to the idea, of course, even if he does feel obliged to behave honourably towards a woman who is practically family.
Skip forward eight months and Roxley is in trouble. Since that night at Owle Park nothing has gone right for him – almost as if someone is conspiring against him – and his debts have mounted up well beyond any funds he might be able to raise elsewhere. Not only that, a wealthy merchant has bought up all those debts and is using them to compel Roxley into marrying his daughter – or else Roxley’s beloved aunts, who brought him up following the death of his parents, will be thrown out of their various homes and he will have to find some other way of accommodating them all. Aunts are a recurring theme in this series, and I love the lot of them.
Meanwhile, Harriet arrives in London with one of Roxley’s aunts and is horrified by the news of his impending marriage but also suspects that something untoward is afoot. Roxley has already figured that much out and has enlisted the help of Harriet’s older brother and his colleagues at the Home Office, who piece together a story regarding the deaths of Roxley’s parents and a missing necklace, although there is at first no hint of who the villains are who are trying to retrieve it from Roxley (not that he has any idea where his parents might have hidden it).
In order to delay the wedding, Roxley announces that it can’t take place until there has been a ‘mustering’, according to his family’s traditions: his bride-to-be must meet and win the approval of each of his aunts in their own homes.
Harriet, determined to find out what’s going on, decides to accompany them (against Roxley’s advice, since he wants to protect her from whoever’s out to get him), and offers to work as companion to the future Lady Roxley (the previous incumbent having mysteriously sprained both ankles). There follows an excellent series of adventures featuring the aunts, as well as a hideous china pug dog that Harriet is forced to transport from one aunt to the next. All ends well eventually, and I’d guessed the location of the diamonds before the characters, even if I didn’t figure out the identity of the main villain until the big reveal.
A worthy addition to the series, which also stands up well as a story in its own right. I also like the excerpts from a series of fictional romance novels (the Miss Darby Stories) which introduce each chapter as well as being referred to at times by Harriet when she’s seeking to illustrate their current situation by comparing it with a fictional example. Now I want another book in the series sooner rather than later, as well as more glimpses of the various aunts within the different families.
This is the latest in Boyle’s series about the ladies of Kempton and their various ways of avoiding the curse that condemns them to spinsterhood – or their new husbands to terrible fates. This time we get the story of Miss Harriet Hathaway and Tiberius Maximus Marshom, the 7th Earl of Roxley, both of whom we first met right at the beginning of the first book when Roxley arrived in the village with his friend the Duke of Preston, and whose story I’ve been dying to read. This book, like the rest of the series, certainly made me smile numerous times, and it also had a mystery plot that took me most of the story to figure out completely, though the solution was obvious once I saw it.
The story opens during the Masquerade Ball at Owle Park – the one from which Daphne eloped in the previous book, although knowledge of that fact isn’t essential if you’re joining the series in the middle – and Harriet, dressed as Cleopatra, is being chastised by Roxley over her scandalous costume. We learn that she has set her cap at Roxley, but he has a potential (if not very welcome) rival in the form of the dastardly Viscount Fieldgate. Harriet – the only girl in a family of five boys, all of them Roxley’s childhood friends – isn’t afraid to go after what she wants, though, and sets out to seduce Roxley in the gardens of Owle Park. Not that he’s entirely opposed to the idea, of course, even if he does feel obliged to behave honourably towards a woman who is practically family.
Skip forward eight months and Roxley is in trouble. Since that night at Owle Park nothing has gone right for him – almost as if someone is conspiring against him – and his debts have mounted up well beyond any funds he might be able to raise elsewhere. Not only that, a wealthy merchant has bought up all those debts and is using them to compel Roxley into marrying his daughter – or else Roxley’s beloved aunts, who brought him up following the death of his parents, will be thrown out of their various homes and he will have to find some other way of accommodating them all. Aunts are a recurring theme in this series, and I love the lot of them.
Meanwhile, Harriet arrives in London with one of Roxley’s aunts and is horrified by the news of his impending marriage but also suspects that something untoward is afoot. Roxley has already figured that much out and has enlisted the help of Harriet’s older brother and his colleagues at the Home Office, who piece together a story regarding the deaths of Roxley’s parents and a missing necklace, although there is at first no hint of who the villains are who are trying to retrieve it from Roxley (not that he has any idea where his parents might have hidden it).
In order to delay the wedding, Roxley announces that it can’t take place until there has been a ‘mustering’, according to his family’s traditions: his bride-to-be must meet and win the approval of each of his aunts in their own homes.
Harriet, determined to find out what’s going on, decides to accompany them (against Roxley’s advice, since he wants to protect her from whoever’s out to get him), and offers to work as companion to the future Lady Roxley (the previous incumbent having mysteriously sprained both ankles). There follows an excellent series of adventures featuring the aunts, as well as a hideous china pug dog that Harriet is forced to transport from one aunt to the next. All ends well eventually, and I’d guessed the location of the diamonds before the characters, even if I didn’t figure out the identity of the main villain until the big reveal.
A worthy addition to the series, which also stands up well as a story in its own right. I also like the excerpts from a series of fictional romance novels (the Miss Darby Stories) which introduce each chapter as well as being referred to at times by Harriet when she’s seeking to illustrate their current situation by comparing it with a fictional example. Now I want another book in the series sooner rather than later, as well as more glimpses of the various aunts within the different families.
December 27, 2013
From the moment a very young Harriet Hathaway gave the young Earl of Roxley a facer, knocking him on his arse, she knew that he was ‘the one’. Years later after a most passionate moment at a house party, Harriet was convinced that her feelings for Roxley were returned and he would do the right thing and ask for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately a considerable amount of time has passed, and Harriet returned to London only to find that Roxley was on the verge of proposing to another. Refusing to believe that Roxley would truly marry another while his eyes still showed so much passion when he looked at her, Harriet refused to give up on a happily-ever-after.
Roxley, realizing that his luck could not possibly have turned so badly, was in a terrible fix. He knew someone close to him had engineered his downfall, but couldn't understand the reasoning of forcing him to marry Miss Murray. Knowing he didn’t want any harm to come to Harriet, as he surmised it would should he continue to be close to her, Roxley attempted to keep Harriet at arms length. Yet, trying to keep Harriet from involving herself in his affairs would be like trying to keep the snow from falling during a blizzard!
*** I have read many books by Ms. Boyle and have never been disappointed and with IF WISHES WERE EARLS, she continues to employ some of the best types of plotting with originality and creativeness. As such, there was quite a bit of suspense and mystery thrown into the mix as well as a lively pace that kept me totally immersed and guessing as to what was behind all of the bad luck that seemed to be following Roxley around. The bigger question was what did the mysterious Miss Murray hope to gain by marriage to a reputed rake who lived off of gambling and all types of games of chance. What exactly was the bigger motive?
Well, with the bigger questions of what, who, and why being unanswered through most of IF WISHES WERE EARLS, one still has the effervescent dialogs between Harriet, Roxley, and his eccentric and highly unusual aunts that were a total hoot. Harriet was a gal after my own heart, who knew what she wanted and wasn’t going down without a fight. The characterizations of the leads with motivations was spot on. As should have been with the suspense, the secondary characters and villains all added to the total enjoyment of the story. Combine this with the witty dialogs, lovely sensual romance and it’s the perfect read complete with all the elements of whiling away a snowy day, while curled up in a big chair, with a cup of tea!
Bottom line: IF WISHES WERE EARLS is a marvelous story and one which I highly recommend!
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
Roxley, realizing that his luck could not possibly have turned so badly, was in a terrible fix. He knew someone close to him had engineered his downfall, but couldn't understand the reasoning of forcing him to marry Miss Murray. Knowing he didn’t want any harm to come to Harriet, as he surmised it would should he continue to be close to her, Roxley attempted to keep Harriet at arms length. Yet, trying to keep Harriet from involving herself in his affairs would be like trying to keep the snow from falling during a blizzard!
*** I have read many books by Ms. Boyle and have never been disappointed and with IF WISHES WERE EARLS, she continues to employ some of the best types of plotting with originality and creativeness. As such, there was quite a bit of suspense and mystery thrown into the mix as well as a lively pace that kept me totally immersed and guessing as to what was behind all of the bad luck that seemed to be following Roxley around. The bigger question was what did the mysterious Miss Murray hope to gain by marriage to a reputed rake who lived off of gambling and all types of games of chance. What exactly was the bigger motive?
Well, with the bigger questions of what, who, and why being unanswered through most of IF WISHES WERE EARLS, one still has the effervescent dialogs between Harriet, Roxley, and his eccentric and highly unusual aunts that were a total hoot. Harriet was a gal after my own heart, who knew what she wanted and wasn’t going down without a fight. The characterizations of the leads with motivations was spot on. As should have been with the suspense, the secondary characters and villains all added to the total enjoyment of the story. Combine this with the witty dialogs, lovely sensual romance and it’s the perfect read complete with all the elements of whiling away a snowy day, while curled up in a big chair, with a cup of tea!
Bottom line: IF WISHES WERE EARLS is a marvelous story and one which I highly recommend!
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
December 30, 2013
Harriet "Harry" Hathaway is one of three young friends from Kempton, a village with a curse - involving old maids and the peculiar dangers of marrying a Kempton woman. This is the third in a series about these young ladies, and although I skipped the second, I enjoyed the first. Harry, our main character, has known Lord Roxley since he moved to the neighborhood when he was eleven to live with his aunts. She is the youngest of five children, and the only girl - so when young Roxley meets her for the first time, she's dressed in boys' clothing. As a young adult, she's been trained in comportment, etiquette, and all the rest - so she no longer wears pants - but she still puts her foot in her mouth, defends her own honor, and - my favorite - seduces Roxley.
My absolute favorite part of this book is Harry. She is confident, determined, intelligent, and forward. And she has decided to marry Roxley. So she sets out to seduce him. Roxley, of course, has only recently realized that Harry is actually a beautiful young woman, and not just his rambunctious, fun, childhood friend. Over the course of the novel, Harry pursues Roxley, and he tries not to succumb to temptation - a delightful reversal of roles in a historical romance, that makes this novel stand out.
Roxley is not the only obstacle to Harry's ultimate happiness - smarter than he seems, and with a sketchy family history, he has been targeted by a greedy sociopath, who is convinced that Roxley has Marie Antoinette's stolen diamonds (there's truth to this fiction - evidently the stolen diamonds did end up in London). In order to get the diamonds, the mysterious villain has bankrupted and blackmailed Roxley. As he tries to figure it out on his own, Harry keeps up her campaign to marry him. The romantic tension kind of fizzles out to leave center stage to the theft/espionage plot, but that arc is also fun.
The narration sometimes gets mixed up, with one character narrating when another's perceptions/feelings intrude, which detracts from the interest provided by multiple narrators. I was never sure if I liked the flashbacks, which tell the story of Harry's and Roxley's romance. The ending was tied up extremely neatly, with no surprises in the plot or the resolution, but overall this novel was a fun read with an unusual romantic storyline, and absolutely delightful characters. I recommend this fun, light, sweet, and subtly spicy read that has both romance and adventure for fans of historical romance, especially for fans of authors like Julia Quinn and Tessa Dare.
For a few similar reads, check out my blog post on The Book Adventures
September 11, 2013
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Cute, sweet, and unexpected. I enjoyed reading If Wishes Were Earls. I can't say that I loved this book, but I definitely liked it and enjoyed it.
Harriet was a lovely heroine. She is determined and stubborn to the max. When she wants something, there is no way in this world she will let it go. And I liked that about her. She wasn't stubborn in an annoying way, but in a way that made it clear she wasn't the type to just give up. I thought she was a great character and I really liked her.
Roxley was...difficult for me.
On one hand, he was sweet, and I thought his steadfast love for Harriet was adorable.
On the other, I kind of wanted to tell him to man up.
I don't understand why he so meekly fell to blackmail. No fighting back, no trying to get out of it. Just acceptance, even though he was in love with Harriet. It wasn't until Harriet kicked his butt into taking action did he begin to see the possibility of fighting back and refusing to bow to blackmail. It just made me want to shake him and I got frustrated with him. In the second half of the book, when Harriet spurred him into action, he got better. We finally see him be determined and defiant. So, I ended up okay with him and I liked him just fine. But, he's not one of my favorite heroes.
The romance was sweet. Harriet and Roxley have been in love for years and had planned on getting married until something threw a wrench in their plans. I love me the "best friends to lovers" trope in romance, so that was definitely a point in their favor. The spice was just a sprinkle, but it was full of sparks. These two were lovely together.
I LOVED Roxely's aunts. They were hilarious. I just loved their characters. They were so fun and they livened up the book. They were undoubtedly my favorite part. They were not your typical regency women and I really liked that about them. They were all wonderful.
The plot was steadily paced. I was kept interested the entire way though. There were some surprises along the way, secrets about Roxley's parents and the strange situation surrounding their deaths. I enjoyed the story and the ending was lovely.
If Wishes Were Earls was a wonderful historical romance. It was sweet and surprising. I really enjoyed reading it. Lovers of romance, you definitely should give this book a read.
*Thanks to Edelweiss and Avon Books for a copy!
Cute, sweet, and unexpected. I enjoyed reading If Wishes Were Earls. I can't say that I loved this book, but I definitely liked it and enjoyed it.
Harriet was a lovely heroine. She is determined and stubborn to the max. When she wants something, there is no way in this world she will let it go. And I liked that about her. She wasn't stubborn in an annoying way, but in a way that made it clear she wasn't the type to just give up. I thought she was a great character and I really liked her.
Roxley was...difficult for me.
On one hand, he was sweet, and I thought his steadfast love for Harriet was adorable.
On the other, I kind of wanted to tell him to man up.
I don't understand why he so meekly fell to blackmail. No fighting back, no trying to get out of it. Just acceptance, even though he was in love with Harriet. It wasn't until Harriet kicked his butt into taking action did he begin to see the possibility of fighting back and refusing to bow to blackmail. It just made me want to shake him and I got frustrated with him. In the second half of the book, when Harriet spurred him into action, he got better. We finally see him be determined and defiant. So, I ended up okay with him and I liked him just fine. But, he's not one of my favorite heroes.
The romance was sweet. Harriet and Roxley have been in love for years and had planned on getting married until something threw a wrench in their plans. I love me the "best friends to lovers" trope in romance, so that was definitely a point in their favor. The spice was just a sprinkle, but it was full of sparks. These two were lovely together.
I LOVED Roxely's aunts. They were hilarious. I just loved their characters. They were so fun and they livened up the book. They were undoubtedly my favorite part. They were not your typical regency women and I really liked that about them. They were all wonderful.
The plot was steadily paced. I was kept interested the entire way though. There were some surprises along the way, secrets about Roxley's parents and the strange situation surrounding their deaths. I enjoyed the story and the ending was lovely.
If Wishes Were Earls was a wonderful historical romance. It was sweet and surprising. I really enjoyed reading it. Lovers of romance, you definitely should give this book a read.
*Thanks to Edelweiss and Avon Books for a copy!
August 12, 2016
3.0 stars
This was definitely not the story I expected. I thought that the story would be about Roxley falling in love or realising his feelings for Harry. But even before the start of the story he knew he loved and wanted to marry her, unfortunately some villainous influences prevented that. I was surprised that Harry and Roxley until Harry went to London herself and saw that HER Roxley intended to propose to another. He was blackmailed into it because of his debts but I never understood why Roxley left Harry. This was explained later into the story but I never saw why he wasn't more honest .
I was very disappointed with the love story since Harry and Roxley knew they loved the other one before the story started (although Harry wasn't sure about Roxleys feelings) I missed the development of the love story and the "falling in love" moments. The story had some flashbacks which were important because they showed Harrys and Roxleys first meeting and first kiss and made their feelings more understandable for the reader. And because there was only one obstacle to overcome (the stupid villain) the love story was very tedious and unexciting.
For me the "crime story" was the focus of "If Wishes Were Earls" and that story wasn't very good in my opinion. It could've been worse but the scenes with the "mysterious villain" were unnecessarily mysterious. Of course everyone is speaking in riddles and no one is ever talking about important informations (although they cannot know some mysterious reader is listening!). And obviously even the hero isn't thinking or talking about his suspicions. He suspected that the villain is the villain but never told anyone. Why? To make it more "interesting" and "surprising" for the reader but I always think that this is lazy writing and the reason why I don't like crime stories in historicals. 99% of them end with an like this one.
Overall I was disappointed with "If Wished Were Earls" because we never really see how Harry and Roxley fell in love.
This was definitely not the story I expected. I thought that the story would be about Roxley falling in love or realising his feelings for Harry. But even before the start of the story he knew he loved and wanted to marry her, unfortunately some villainous influences prevented that. I was surprised that Harry and Roxley until Harry went to London herself and saw that HER Roxley intended to propose to another. He was blackmailed into it because of his debts but I never understood why Roxley left Harry. This was explained later into the story but I never saw why he wasn't more honest .
I was very disappointed with the love story since Harry and Roxley knew they loved the other one before the story started (although Harry wasn't sure about Roxleys feelings) I missed the development of the love story and the "falling in love" moments. The story had some flashbacks which were important because they showed Harrys and Roxleys first meeting and first kiss and made their feelings more understandable for the reader. And because there was only one obstacle to overcome (the stupid villain) the love story was very tedious and unexciting.
For me the "crime story" was the focus of "If Wishes Were Earls" and that story wasn't very good in my opinion. It could've been worse but the scenes with the "mysterious villain" were unnecessarily mysterious. Of course everyone is speaking in riddles and no one is ever talking about important informations (although they cannot know some mysterious reader is listening!). And obviously even the hero isn't thinking or talking about his suspicions. He suspected that the villain is the villain but never told anyone. Why? To make it more "interesting" and "surprising" for the reader but I always think that this is lazy writing and the reason why I don't like crime stories in historicals. 99% of them end with an like this one.
Overall I was disappointed with "If Wished Were Earls" because we never really see how Harry and Roxley fell in love.
January 8, 2014
This is the third novel in Boyle’s Rhymes with Love series, and readers of the first two books will take a particular delight in seeing Harry and Roxley achieve their HEA. I found the pair charming when they were introduced in the first book and I thoroughly enjoyed the blend of romance, mystery, and humor that is their story.
I have an abiding affection for the hero who plays the fool but is really quite astute and brave. Roxley is a great example of such a hero, and Harriet calls him on his disguise, reminding him that he doesn’t have to act with her because she knows the person that he really is. The exchange where she reminds him of this truth is a great scene in a story that with many great scenes, particularly those that involve Harriet and Roxley in conversation.
As much as I like Roxley, however, it is Harriet who is the true star. She is smart and funny and active in pursuit of her desires. She knows Roxley, and she knows herself. Often with heroines of historical romance, while I find them perfectly satisfactory at the stage in life they are in the story, I have difficulty imagining them aging. They just seem perennially young. But I can imagine Harriet as an interesting old lady, wiser and more mature, but with no iota less of passion and conviction and willingness to act than she displays in this book.
If you are a reader who appreciates lighthearted romance that may seem all froth but which contains a core of substance underneath the delightful entertainment it offers, I definitely recommend If Wishes Were Earls. I feel certain that some of you will share my pleasure in the snippets from the Miss Darby novels that serve as epigrams for each chapter. Despite its being the third in the series, Boyle provides enough glimpses into Harriet and Roxley’s long relationship that the book can easily be read as a standalone. However, if you’ve read the other two books, I predict you will embrace this one with special enthusiasm. I confess it’s my favorite.
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2014/01...
I have an abiding affection for the hero who plays the fool but is really quite astute and brave. Roxley is a great example of such a hero, and Harriet calls him on his disguise, reminding him that he doesn’t have to act with her because she knows the person that he really is. The exchange where she reminds him of this truth is a great scene in a story that with many great scenes, particularly those that involve Harriet and Roxley in conversation.
As much as I like Roxley, however, it is Harriet who is the true star. She is smart and funny and active in pursuit of her desires. She knows Roxley, and she knows herself. Often with heroines of historical romance, while I find them perfectly satisfactory at the stage in life they are in the story, I have difficulty imagining them aging. They just seem perennially young. But I can imagine Harriet as an interesting old lady, wiser and more mature, but with no iota less of passion and conviction and willingness to act than she displays in this book.
If you are a reader who appreciates lighthearted romance that may seem all froth but which contains a core of substance underneath the delightful entertainment it offers, I definitely recommend If Wishes Were Earls. I feel certain that some of you will share my pleasure in the snippets from the Miss Darby novels that serve as epigrams for each chapter. Despite its being the third in the series, Boyle provides enough glimpses into Harriet and Roxley’s long relationship that the book can easily be read as a standalone. However, if you’ve read the other two books, I predict you will embrace this one with special enthusiasm. I confess it’s my favorite.
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2014/01...
December 30, 2013
Ok, so the summary above isn't quite true to the story. Roxley does ruin Harriet, but he doesn't propose to save her from ruin and she doesn't vow revenge on him. So I was basically a bit confused at first, but then I just went with it and it was ok.
Harriet has a strong will of her own. And she's set her heart on Roxley, so she's doing everything in her power to make sure he marries her. She was actually a little scary in her determination. I mean, getting yourself ruined to trap a man isn't exactly endearing behaviour to me. That's a big no for me. But I did love that she knocks Roxley to the ground as a kid when he's being all high and mighty 'But I'm an earl', so I forgave her, but she isn't my favourite type of heroine.
Roxley is a bit of a mess. I mean, he loves Harriet and ruins her and then he doesn't go see her for 8 months. I was ready to cry DOUCHE when it turns out he has a bit of honour left in him somewhere. His excuse was that he's suddenly stopped being lucky at his gambling and other endeavours, but he didn't know that the morning after he ruined Harriet and in my opinion in those days he should have just married her straight after. It seemed pretty irresponsible of both of them.
But Roxley is being all tortured man-like and it was pretty funny! I also liked how much he cared about his aunts!
I think my lack of enthusiasm for the hero and heroine let me to not have all the feelings I like to have while reading a romance novel. Don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read, but from the summary I had just expected something a little different and a bit more filled with tension and for me it just wasn't there. Also, it was pretty obvious from the beginning where exactly those damn diamonds everyone has their panties in a bunch over had been hidden.
If Wishes Were Earls was a nice, relaxing read, but not my favourite in the genre.
My rating: 3 stars
Harriet has a strong will of her own. And she's set her heart on Roxley, so she's doing everything in her power to make sure he marries her. She was actually a little scary in her determination. I mean, getting yourself ruined to trap a man isn't exactly endearing behaviour to me. That's a big no for me. But I did love that she knocks Roxley to the ground as a kid when he's being all high and mighty 'But I'm an earl', so I forgave her, but she isn't my favourite type of heroine.
Roxley is a bit of a mess. I mean, he loves Harriet and ruins her and then he doesn't go see her for 8 months. I was ready to cry DOUCHE when it turns out he has a bit of honour left in him somewhere. His excuse was that he's suddenly stopped being lucky at his gambling and other endeavours, but he didn't know that the morning after he ruined Harriet and in my opinion in those days he should have just married her straight after. It seemed pretty irresponsible of both of them.
But Roxley is being all tortured man-like and it was pretty funny! I also liked how much he cared about his aunts!
I think my lack of enthusiasm for the hero and heroine let me to not have all the feelings I like to have while reading a romance novel. Don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read, but from the summary I had just expected something a little different and a bit more filled with tension and for me it just wasn't there. Also, it was pretty obvious from the beginning where exactly those damn diamonds everyone has their panties in a bunch over had been hidden.
If Wishes Were Earls was a nice, relaxing read, but not my favourite in the genre.
My rating: 3 stars
December 20, 2013
This was a great book. I like historical romance and this book was no different. It not only was a romance but it also was partly a mystery as well. This book is the third in the series but is fine to be read as a standalone as I have not read any other books in this series either. This is also the first book I have read by this author but I definitely will read more of her books.
I really enjoyed Harriet. She made me laugh with her antics and how she shocked Roxley or others at times. She spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. There were some twists to the plot that I was not expecting to happen and that is always a good thing. I think my favorite flashback was when Harriet and Roxley first met and Harriet attacked him. That had me cracking up.
At the beginning of the story I admit I really did not like Roxley. I was starting to wonder when the real love interest was going to show up because he bored me. As the book went on to the next couple of chapters though I really started to like him once I knew more about him.
I was kind of back and forth on whether I liked the flashbacks or not. While they did add background to the story and let you know what had happened, a couple of times I had to re-read the first page or two before it dawned on me that it was a flashback. They are clearly marked on the chapters but I was just paying attention to the story and not the labels. My fault!
All in all this was a great book and I recommend it to the fans of historical fiction. I would like to go back to read the other stories in the series because I really enjoyed the authors writing.
*I received this book free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I really enjoyed Harriet. She made me laugh with her antics and how she shocked Roxley or others at times. She spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. There were some twists to the plot that I was not expecting to happen and that is always a good thing. I think my favorite flashback was when Harriet and Roxley first met and Harriet attacked him. That had me cracking up.
At the beginning of the story I admit I really did not like Roxley. I was starting to wonder when the real love interest was going to show up because he bored me. As the book went on to the next couple of chapters though I really started to like him once I knew more about him.
I was kind of back and forth on whether I liked the flashbacks or not. While they did add background to the story and let you know what had happened, a couple of times I had to re-read the first page or two before it dawned on me that it was a flashback. They are clearly marked on the chapters but I was just paying attention to the story and not the labels. My fault!
All in all this was a great book and I recommend it to the fans of historical fiction. I would like to go back to read the other stories in the series because I really enjoyed the authors writing.
*I received this book free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
January 10, 2014
If Wishes were Earls is the latest in the 'Rhymes with Love series. This series keeps getting better and better. I loved Harriet and Roxley's story. I have always been a sucker for Friends to lovers tales. The two have known each other since they were small. In fact, the first time they met, "Harry" knocked a young Roxley in his behind when he said he would never marry the likes of her. They definitely are right for each other. Harriet has been in love with him forever and truly sees beyond the playboy image that he portrays in London society.
The story was a fun adventure. Someone is trying to ruin Roxley and his 3 aunts. I had an inkling of who was behind it, but there were a few suspects, I kept second guessing myself. That made it more fun when I got to the end. In order to try to save Harriet from danger, Roxley tries to deny his feelings. I was really pulling for him to give into his desire. They had great banter and that showed how deep and true their friendship ran.
The only thing that was missing from the book was my favorite dog, Mr. Muggins. He is always good for a laugh-out-loud scene. I look forward to the next in the series. I also hope that Harriet's brother, Chaunce gets a book in the future! I definitely recommend this series for anyone who loves historical romance!
The story was a fun adventure. Someone is trying to ruin Roxley and his 3 aunts. I had an inkling of who was behind it, but there were a few suspects, I kept second guessing myself. That made it more fun when I got to the end. In order to try to save Harriet from danger, Roxley tries to deny his feelings. I was really pulling for him to give into his desire. They had great banter and that showed how deep and true their friendship ran.
The only thing that was missing from the book was my favorite dog, Mr. Muggins. He is always good for a laugh-out-loud scene. I look forward to the next in the series. I also hope that Harriet's brother, Chaunce gets a book in the future! I definitely recommend this series for anyone who loves historical romance!
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