The Earl and the Country Girl

by Eva Devon

This stablehand is definitely more than he appears in USA Today bestselling author Eva Devon’s captivating tale of two complete opposites refusing to fall in love…

Miss Alice Wright should be content. After all, her knowledge of herbal lore helps so many in her village. Yet she longs for more. For Alice dreams of becoming a famed parfumier in London, celebrated for her fine scents…even as her family's past warns her of the perils of ambition. But when Alice collides—quite literally—with a charismatic gentleman in a field of lavender, her perfume-filled dream is suddenly within reach. Be careful what you wish for…

Lord Felix Brightman is certain that no one can see through his clever disguise as a stable hand. How else could he, the Earl of Enderley, accurately gauge the management of his Cornwall estate? But a pretty—and surprisingly pert—maiden sees through his façade instantly. So he offers Alice a deal: if she helps him out, he’ll do everything he can to help her realize her dream…

Yet attraction simmers in the air between them, and it’s not long before Alice and Felix find themselves tempted to compromise any notions of propriety. After all, lust leads to disaster. Marriage is out of the question. And Alice is determined that nothing shall stop her from pursuing her passions…even if the road to London—and certain success—could lead to certain ruin.

Genres: Historical Romance

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2024

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 70th book by Eva Devon. I read one of her books in 2016 then didn't pick her up again until 2018 and I have been reading her ever since. She is one I consider a favorite. I saw she had this new book out and was intrigued. I don't read book descriptions anymore so I have no idea what this was going to be about. It makes a story more interesting to not know what's to come.

This was a good story. I felt she got really great depth in her characters, Alice and Felix. I mean you knew why they did and said the things they did. It made sense. It was a very different storyline than I am used to reading. Even though this is my 70th book by Eva Devon, I think I am finally realizing she doesn’t stick to the “formula” of HR. She writes all kinds of interesting subjects. I guess because I read so many books in between her releases I don’t really notice but lately it seems she’s had quite a few books out close together so I noticed it more.

Anyway, overall really good and good characters.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how much fun historical romances can get when reading. The banter is great, it's a little instalove but the tension between the two do them is there. It's a dual pov which I love with romances. The story does take a turn in the plot halfway through. I wish it just had the singular plot about the estate which seemed to make it more rushed for an already short novel. It's very quick paced has the spice you want from a book like this and a fun read if you have a Bridgerton hangover.
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled publishing for the opportunity to read this e-arc! This is my honest opinion!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slow paced, cozy, romantic read. Low anxiety moments, sweet commentary and 3🌶️ spice. It was a nice quick palette cleanser read.

There was more description than dialogue which was fine.

While the characters may have reached climax, the story itself was anti-climatic with everything that could have cause tension being wrapped up off-page and everything tied up neatly with a bow.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not bad, I just can’t get into it. I made it to 52%.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I discovered Eva Devon's books last year and now I'm giddy every time I spot a new one in the catalog. They're incredibly tender and her heroines are so well written. The Earl and the Country Girl is definitely my favorite publication of hers since I first read The Beast and the Bookseller. This couple was as sweet as the lavender field where they met. I was immediately drawn in by these two. They were incredibly kind towards each other and well suited. The earl was charming and the country girl had a great head on her shoulders. These two were a match made in heaven and nearly every scene they shared made me smile. I'm telling you those purple fields are the perfect setting for a romance novel and should be utilized more by authors. Alice Walker knew what she was talking about when she remarked on the importance of The Color Purple.



One of my favorite elements of this novel was the heroine's interest in perfumery. It was so fascinating to read the different processes of extracting the required ingredients to concoct a particular perfume. It brought back fond memories of reading Patrick Suskind's Perfume without the bothersome murder subplot. Devon's writing was very evocative and it was great to read a heroine with a unique hobby. My only critique about this book was the unnecessary conflict near the end of the book that unfortunately afflicts a majority of romance novels. It didn't feel natural and it made me dock a star from an otherwise perfect book. This book could have been 5 stars if both characters had revealed their true feelings in a romantic air balloon ride like it was intended. They squandered the perfect setup only to immediately descend and squabble. What a waste!



The Earl and the Country Girl has been one of my favorite ARCs that I've had the pleasure of reading all year. Alice and Felix were definitely in my top 10 couples of 2024. Quite the prestigious honor considering I've read over 70 books this year. This book was a dream and it was wonderful watching these two lovebirds find their happily ever after. I'll never look at a lavender field the same way again without thinking of The Earl and the Country Girl.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Wright feels trapped in her small town. She loves her family but sees her mother exhausted from raising her and her siblings after their father passed, having abandoned her dream of being an apothecary and bearing the weight of keeping their shop afloat. She has dreams and no hopes of achieving them. Until the day she finds a strange man damaging her flowers and confronts him. The man is Lord Felix Brightman, Earl of Enderley, who is in Cornwall to ensure the man he assigned as caretaker for his estate is doing the job he was supposed to. They form a pact that starts with Alice helping Felix in exchange for his help in moving to London, but it soon becomes a deep friendship with the potential for more. But can the Earl terrified of the risk of love and the country girl who swore off having a family at the expense of her dreams find the courage to reach for more?

It's a practically perfect romance with tons of little plots to help keep the story interesting and show that the leads have their own lives even as we see their relationship form and grow. It's a sweet read full of emotions that play out on the page and really help the reader see how right Felix and Alicia are for each other.

The only complaint I could possibly level against is that it feels impossible that Alice faces almost zero censure or repercussions for the relationship she has with Felix. The Earl is all fine and dandy because of his high status but it would take truly exceptional people around him for no one to make the obvious remarks. A minor quibble that's easily ignored due to the fantastic nature of historical romance, but I would have liked to see both of them stand up to the pettiness that their relationship was sure to arouse in people. They both have personalities perfect for this to result in excellent scenes.

Overall, it's a quick and extremely enjoyable read that gives you all the positive feelings even in the moments where they're both being too hardheaded to accept the truth. I enjoyed every moment of it.

Also, I need to read a book where Felix's best friend, a brokenhearted Duke, finds love and happiness again, ASAP.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for the wonderfully romantic read!

[Vanessa (bookfairy.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how much I like reading historical romances! Thanks to Bridggerton for making me venture into this genre again, because I really liked The Earl and the Country Girl and it gave me the perfect Bridgerton vibes, after season 3 of Bridgerton left me a little disappointed (but that's a story for another day lol).

I really liked the whole setting and the banter between the Earl - Felix - and Alice. These two seemed to hit it off instantly and I loved that Felix wasn't a stuffy lord who felt above everyone else. Felix is down to earth, compassionate and has his heart in the right place. He wants to help those around him and doesn't stand for injustice. It made him likeable instantaneously!
Alice was also wonderful though. She seems a little naive despite her age and despite the things she must have already endure with her family not being very well off. But she has that curious innocent wonder about her that made her endearing.

The book is quite fast paces with many things happening, but I most liked the interactions between Felix and Alice because they seem so genuine. Especially because there didn't seem to be a need for Alice to hold her tongue around Felix. She speaks freely to him and he doesn't seem to mind. Not even when she admonishes him about his disguise and his talents of deceipt simply being not good enough to fool anyone.

The only critique I have is that I wish this book had focussed more on the hidden identity part, because I really enjoyed all these scenes in the countryside!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Alice Wright should be content. After all, her knowledge of herbal lore helps so many in her village. Yet she longs for more. For Alice dreams of becoming a famed parfumier in London. Lord Felix Brightman is certain that no one can see through his clever disguise as a stable hand. Why is the Earl of Enderley, pretending to be a stable hand? He thinks his land agent is stealing from him. Alice sees through his façade instantly. So he offers Alice a deal: if she helps him out, he’ll do everything he can to help her realize her dream
A well written romance which I enjoyed. I liked both Felix & Alice but didn’t love them as I felt the chemistry wasn’t there & couldn’t quite believe that they fell in love. That said my interest was held all the way through even though I felt the ending was a bit rushed. Ideal for a light deck chair read
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Megan Markey · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Review of The Earl and the Country Girl by Eva Devon**

Rating: ★★★★☆

"The Earl and the Country Girl" by Eva Devon is a captivating slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance that deserves its 4-star rating. With a spice level of 3, this novel strikes a perfect balance between emotional depth and steamy moments.

The story begins with the Earl arriving in a town he owns, disguised as a stable hand, to gather information on his corrupt landlord. He meets Alice, who quickly realizes he isn't who he claims to be. When she discovers his secret, she decides to help him. Their partnership soon blossoms into a genuine friendship, and eventually, a heartfelt romance. The Earl later takes Alice to London so she can pursue her dream of learning to make perfume, all while trying to convince himself they can remain just friends with benefits.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the Earl's thoughtfulness and care toward Alice. Both characters are initially guarded, each chasing their own dreams, but their journey to open their hearts to love is beautifully portrayed by Devon. This heartwarming tale is sure to leave readers rooting for Felix and Alice from beginning to end.

Pros:
- Thoughtful and caring male lead
- Strong, independent female lead
- Engaging slow burn romance
- Well-balanced mix of emotional and steamy moments

Cons:
- Some might find the slow burn pacing a bit too gradual

Tropes:
- Friends to lovers
- Disguise/secret identity
- Dream chasing
- Guarded hearts

[Kristens_korner · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adorable love story. The author does a fanstatic job of conveying the excitement and positive energy of the main characters. There was good banter and flirting as well as friendship and love with just a tiny hint of spice. The story was paced well, and the flow and nice even rhythm. Overall, an enjoyable book that leaves you with all the good feelings.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very great read. I like it when the story is not all about debutants. You will enjoy this story for sure.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5
I received this book for my honest opinion.

You will meet Alice Wright who is a country girl that helps her mother at their shop, but she dreams of something more in her life. She wants to be making perfumes, and making a name for herself. She wants out of this small life that she is living and to see the world, but she knows that it’s just a dream and there is nothing that she can do to make it happen. Then one day she finds a tall stranger in her fields and damaging her flowers, she confronts him. She doesn’t know that he is the Earl of this estate, the place where she rents the fields for her flowers. They get to talking and when the Earl, Felix explains why he is there and what he hopes to accomplish, she is happy to help him out and not because they come to an agreement where both of them get what they both want. However, they just might get something more than they both thought they wanted, but they needed.

I love this author's writing so much, she was one of my first historical romance authors I tried, and I am happy that I did. Eva writing style flows when it comes to writing, you will not find parts in the book that are slow, without having a justified reason like; diving into what the characters are feeling/thinking, building up the story and leading you to a wonderful HEA. I like that with this author you will find yourself reading a fast paced book, and even when it comes to the trope that most hate (even myself), miscommunication. The way that she writes, it just blends together, and doesn’t just drag along. The characters in this book can see their development throughout the book. I found that the characters were easy to connect with and I could relate to Alice in this book a lot.

With Alice, I found that her character and myself had a lot of traits. Loyal to her family, wanting something more, scared of love, determined to make her dreams come true and the biggest one, making sure that she stayed true to herself. I found Alice to be an amazing MFC in a historical romance, she isn’t like the normal ladies in that time period. She speaks her mind, and that is refreshing to see when most back then would hold it inside. I found Felix to be a gentleman, but a huge pain in the butt. Only when it comes to seeing what is right in front of his face. I really liked that he was a man to his word, protecting and caring. I found his passion for life and justice to be what Alice needed in her life and with Alice Felix finally got to understand what love really means. I think their story was wrapped up nicely and I am happy to see all the parties in the book get wrapped up nicely

I want to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

[Whitney Theresa June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Alice Wright longs for London and the opportunity to create perfume like her grandfather did once upon a time in France. But with her mother widowed and her multiple siblings to look after along with their apothecary shop her dreams might forever be on hold. That is until she runs into a gentleman in the fields of lavender she tends and enters a bargain to aid him in hiding his identity in exchange for a chance at her dreams.

Lord Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley, worries about the mismanagement of one of his estates. In order to suss out the culprit, who he believes is the estate manager, he decides to go undercover as the new stable manager. Yet the moment he runs into a the clever Alice Wright in a field of lavender, she immediately see through his facade. And he decides to enlist her aid in exchange for helping her achieve her dreams.

From the moment of the meet-cute to the very end of The Earl and the Country Girl I was invested in Felix and Alice's story. There was a lot of grief that was wrapped up within the pages of this novel, grief of the loss of a parent/parent(s) and the loss of a loved one by Felix's friend the Duke of Tynemore. And it was the grief that was experienced by both Felix and Alice that hindered them from allowing their to be anything beyond an amorous friendship, as Alice did not want to ever love someone enough to give her dreams up for and have a lifetime of regrets. Felix on the other hand, whose job in the Horse Guards has him constantly informing the loved ones of those they have lost who he had recruited into joining the war. Combined with his own loss of his parent's at a very young age, leaves him never wanting to have to feel such a loss himself in his adulthood.

I enjoyed the banter between Felix and Alice. How so much of who Felix was was helping people in any way that he could. And how much he regretted allowing his estate to fall into such disrepair from a crooked estate agent. His remorse and need to fix everything made me love him all the more. I also loved the friendship between Felix and Tynemore especially how Tynemore's own loss of the wife that he loved was a driving point in him speaking honestly and openly to Felix up to and after the third act breakup. I love when male friendships are shown within historical romance and Eva Devon does such a phenomenal job of this in every book of hers that I have read.

The moment I found out Eva Devon had an upcoming release, I immediately emailed the amazing Brittany from @entangledpublishing and was so grateful to have received an eARC in exchange for an honest review as an Eva Devon novel is one that always brings me such cozy joy.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley is sure the land agent he hired for his newly acquired estate in Cornwall is robbing him blind, but he needs proof. So hatches a plan to travel to the estate incognito, how hard could it be considering he trains spies for the military. But his disguised is blown within minutes of encountering Alice Wright, a local woman and he strikes a bargain with her. If she will help him fit into to his role as stablemaster, he in turn will help her launch a career in London as a perfume maker, promising to introduce her to London’s premiere perfumer. An agreement is made, and Felix is surprised by how much he enjoys Alice’s company, but they could never be more than friends, as Felix is adamant that he will never fall in love. At least that is his plan.

Alice Wright comes from a family of perfumers, but since the death of her father, her mother has not had time to make perfume, opting rather to be an herbalist and run an apothecary. Alice believes that her mother gave up on her dreams to marry and have a family and has decided that she will never succumb to love and give up on her own dreams, even if her dream seems impossible. Or at least it was before she met Felix. After helping Felix with his problem, he in turn helps her achieve her dream of learning the art of perfumery from London’s renown Madame Clemence Dubois. But dreams are funny things and sometimes they change, leaving Alice to wonder if it is possible to love another and still have dreams for yourself?

I honestly don’t know how I feel about this book, it wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t really drawn into the story. I liked Alice and Felix, but I never really felt their connection, for most of the book they played at being friends with benefits and they never really convinced me that they were more than that. I also felt that Felix held onto his “I can’t fall in love” raft for way too long and didn’t do nearly enough to make up for that. Overall, it was a quick, light read with a fair amount of angst, a villain who is almost forgotten, warm love scenes and a grieving duke (who I hope finds his own HEA), a somewhat rushed ending and a sweet epilogue.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Erika B. Sappia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Earl and The Country Girl - Review

Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley, suspects his land agent Bilby is stealing from him. To uncover the truth, he devises a plan to go undercover as a stablehand at his estate in Cornwall. Felix, confident in his abilities as a spy trainer, believes he can successfully carry out his scheme.

Alice Wright, a country girl from Cornwall, comes from a family of perfumers and helps her mother run their apothecary. She dreams of becoming a perfumer in London and studying under Madame Clemence Dubois. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she literally runs into Felix in her lavender fields. Alice quickly sees through Felix’s disguise.

Felix proposes a deal: if Alice helps him expose Bilby’s wrongdoing, he will help her achieve her dream of becoming a perfumer in London.

Both Felix and Alice are determined not to let love interfere with their futures. Felix views love as a source of pain to be avoided, while Alice sees it as a distraction from her ambitions.

As the story progresses, Felix and Alice struggle to hide their growing feelings for each other, masking their emotions as mere friendship. I enjoyed how the story immerses readers in the historical world of the London ton, a society vastly different from today. The novel delivers exactly what one would expect from a period piece set in this era. The characters are compelling, although I wished for more insight into Felix’s past. The epilogue provided a satisfying conclusion to the overall story.

Thank you, Entangled Publishing, LLC, for this ARC to read and review.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both are fighting their attraction
I have only read a few of Ms. Devon’s books but they are always interesting, well-written and keep me captivated until the end. In this one we find two stubborn and uncompromising people: Lord Felix Brightman, Earl of Enderley and Miss Alice Wright. Talk about men are from Mars and women are from Venus. They are very much different but they do share one facet: neither ever want to marry for love. Felix realizes as an Earl he must marry and produce an heir and a spare, but he does not plan on marrying for love. He has seen how love can break a man. Alice does not plan on marrying at all, but instead run her own perfumery shop in London. Oops! What happens when they fall headlong into a bed of lavender together?!
Fascinating side plot of an estate agent who is pocketing the profits from Felix’s estate, Helexton. How Felix determined it was happening is a major part of this book and coincidentally how Felix and Alice became friends. This book has a clever plot filled with humor, conflict and poignant moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you enjoy intrigue with your historical romance, you will want to read this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of it through Entangled and NetGaley.

[*BookarazziBookNook* Kristin B · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲. 𝗛𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲… 𝗕𝘂𝘁, 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱, 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲. 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗺.”

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub Date: 6/24/24

*Thank you @NetGalley and @Entangled_Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Felix, Earl of Enderly, suspects his hired Land Steward is stealing money so he decides to go undercover to catch him in the act. When he gets to his distant Cornwall estate, he meets Alice, a common country girl who dreams of traveling to London to open a perfume shop. Felix and Alice develop a friendship and make a deal to help each other in their persuits. One rule, don’t fall in love.

𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲:

*Forbidden Romance
*Opposites Attract
*Instant Attraction
*Friends to Lovers
*Bridgerton
*Happy Ever After


𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:

Initially, I judged the book by the cover and thought “this is one of those cheesy romance novels”, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. The characters were very likable, the plot was simple yet interesting, I felt like I was transported back in time and place with this story. I was also challenged with some older English vocabulary and I enjoy expanding my repertoire.

#TheEarlandTheCountryGirl

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felix is doing such a terrible job at pretending to be a stablemaster that local apothecary’s daughter Alice realizes that he’s a fraud pretty quickly. Felix is actually the earl who owns to village and estate and he’s trying to find out if his estate manager is embezzling funds. In exchange for Alice’s help in learning how to play his part, he promises to set her up as a perfumer’s apprentice in London. The books is split pretty much into two parts, with the first being all the village happenings and catching the villain there; then when we go to London, Alice gets to learn the trade she’s so interested in. Plus, we get Felix and Alice start an affair with each other, knowing that neither are interested in marrying each other. Alice is afraid that having a husband will derail her dreams and plans, while Felix is afraid of any attachment at all because he doesn’t want to cause or feel loss or grief. But you know they’ll fall in love with each other anyway, and at least they’re having a good time along the way.

[LianaReads blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Earl and the Country Girl by Eva Devon

Miss Alice Wright, a village herbalist with dreams of becoming a famous parfumier, meets Lord Felix Brightman, an earl disguised as a stable hand to uncover theft on his estate. Alice sees through his disguise instantly, and Felix offers her a deal: help him, and he’ll assist her in achieving her dream.
The romance between Alice and Felix is beautifully written, with their partnership and friendship developing naturally. Both characters are strong-willed and opposites, which makes their sizzling connection even more captivating. While I felt the chemistry wasn’t always believable and the ending a bit rushed, the story kept me engaged throughout. Alice's delightful personality and Felix's loyalty make them endearing characters.
Overall, this is a charming and entertaining romance, perfect for readers who enjoy witty banter and a love that defies societal expectations of their times.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

[DD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just about 4*

Felix became an earl very young when his parents died suddenly, which along with his job managing spies in France and having to healing and news to families, has led him to believe love is a bad thing. He plans to marry appropriately and have children raised by nannies, then became be hurt. Travelling incognito to his estate in Cornwall to investigate bad things he's heard about his steward there, he literally bumps into a country girl Alice amongst her lavender fields, and is scolded for damaging the plants.
Alice is granddaughter to a perfumier, and caught of the local apothecary, which she now runs with her mother. She believes her mother have up her dreams to make perfume to marry her father, and now widowed is regretting it. So Alice has decided not to marry so she can follow her dream.
Quite why a living mother allows her daughter (who's her right hand person) to leave home and travel alone to London with the earl I have no idea, and this is the flaw.... Which I can't get around

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently started reading books by this author and have very much enjoyed them and this one was no exception. It's a classic Regency romp that was fun and entertaining. The characters are well-developed, full of liveliness and interesting and the witty banter between them is absolutely on point. Alice and Felix meet in a lavender field. He is an earl pretending to be a stablehand but she sees right through his facade. He is trying to ensure the caretaker he has hired is adequately doing his job. Alice's dream is to become a successful parfumier, and so the earl makes a deal with her. He will help her realize her dream if she in turn helps him. As they work together they form a strong friendship which quickly develops into something much more.
This was a highly entertaining and enjoyable
story with some plot twists that kept me interested till the end. The characters were lovely and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and following their story.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Danielle Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Earl and the Country Girl is a cute historical romance. I liked that Alice was able to see through the Earl's disguise right away. Although to be fair while Alice did help him figure out how to act more like he should have a stablemaster, I think people mostly didn't see it because why would an Earl be working? I also like that the subterfuge didn't last very long before he came clean.
I think the only thing that I would have liked to see would be after he reveals himself as the Earl, for him to stay in the village for a bit, and fix what had been neglected.
This story was fun, with pretty low angst, at least until we get to the kind of third-act conflict and breakup. Their romance was sweet, and they had visible chemistry, I liked the way the story played out and how it all wrapped up.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: The Earl and the Country Girl
Author: Eva Devon
Rating: 4/5 stars


This delightful, light-hearted, slow burn romance novel was a 4 out of 5 star read for me. The characters were fun and both them and the story were written in a way that made me want to find out what happened next. Watching the two main characters' romance between them build was also very enjoyable. I was rooting for them both, in terms of romance and their personal goals, and was happy to have the story wrapped up nicely in the epilogue.
This is the first historical romance I have read in a long time, and I am very happy that I did! It was a nice change of pace, and I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Earl and the Country Girl.

[Rainelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Earl and the Country Girl. My fellow readers. The writer put their foot in this book and did let up until the last word has been written. I thoroughly enjoyed this love story from beginning to end. The two main characters Felix and kept hope alive for other friends and family that there is truly real love out there for you and don’t ever give up. I love the humor that always seems to come first in Felix’s and Lana’s conversation before the naughty thoughts begin. I actually didn’t could not figure whose mind was more naughtier, Felix or Lana’s. The story is one that moves fast, which I truly was happy about. There wasn’t to much drama, but I loved the mystery mixed with the romance. I had so much fun reading this book. I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

[Ashleah]

dnf @ 43%

I picked this up because it sounded like a fun romp!

A young woman who dreams of being a perfumer but is stuck working with her widowed mother in the family apothecary, and an earl who pretends to be a new stable worker on his estate while he's trying to sus out whether his land manager is skimming from the top. She totally sees through him upon their initial meeting, and offers to coach him on how to be a commoner.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with the characters, even though they seemed like very good people. I was reading this one on my Kindle Paperwhite just before bed, so some nights I was only reading a chapter or two before falling asleep. That didn't help the fact that the plot moves very slowly here. The author also seems to rely on descriptions more than dialogue, which isn't something I prefer.

I think if I pushed through to finish, I would have given this book 3 stars (2.5 rounded up).

[Hannah R Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always thankful to the Entangled crew for giving, hobbyist ARC readers like me, a chance to help authors and review books. Thanks to Entangled, I found that I like Historical Romance books and this one is awesome. I enjoy the build-up of how the two characters grow together in the book, and in my opinion, it depicted the time accurately enough where you feel transported to the lavender fields with an Earl who wants justice and learns more about himself and Alice in the process. I enjoyed this book very much and I think if you are a fan of historical romances you will enjoy this one! It reminded me so much of Bridgerton (in a way) that I was hooked. I wanted to keep reading and finish the book as soon as I knew it!

[Cheryl McTyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Alice Wright dreams of adventure, away from her loving, but loud family in the country. She longs to see London and open her own perfumery. She and her mother use their herbal knowledge to help their village, bur Alice longs for more. When Lord Felix Brightman walks into her field of lavender everything changes. and her dreams just might become reality, or maybe her dreams will change. Lord Felix is pretending to be a stable hand so he can prove his steward is stealing from him. In order for his ruse to work Alice needs to help him.

Lord Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley, is not good at disguises, but with Alice's help he can do anything. This tale is of friendship, trust and falling head over heels in love. Wanting more for your partner than you do for yourself. Felix wants to help Alice realize her dreams, even if it means letting her go. Overall this was a good book and I'd read another by this same author.

I enjoyed this story, however it sometimes felt a little stilted. The writing style would change unrepentantly and the story would not flow as well.

[Gmr · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I love this book? Let me count the ways! ❤️

... great female lead, whip smart, yet kind, with a dream, and won't be bamboozled except perchance by her own feelings 😊
... great male lead, good intentioned, heart of gold, but his attempt to reign in his feelings are about as successful as his initial disguise 🥸
... a story filled with misdirection for the greater good, secrets kept for the same, good will intended for all, and a sizzling chance for romance waiting just beneath the surface.. 💕

Did I mention I loved this one? 😍

*ecopy received for review; opinions are my own

[Christi Leaverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave The Earl and the Country Girl four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

I love a good historical romance and The Earl and the Country Girl did not disappoint. The love was there from the beginning. The characters didn’t know it, but the readers did. Felix and Alice both declare that love is forbidden, but for different reasons.

The characters were well developed and easy to root for. I liked how they both grew and found out about themselves. The storyline progressed perfectly. And, this is a quick read with nice sized chapters.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 3rd novel by Eva Devon and definitely my favorite so far! Felix and Alice hit all the right notes. Alice is a country girl with big dreams and a lot of spunk. Felix is a city man trying to sort out his estate while maintaining his duties as a spy master. They form an unlikely but loveable team. I really loved how their relationship had a solid foundation and developed naturally without feeling forced. They come to a deep understanding of one another and it is a wonderful journey.

4⭐️

Thank you to Amara Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.