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The Radcliffes of Meryton #1
Trouble With The Earl
In the beautiful county of Hertfordshire, the Lady Charlotte Radcliffe has reached the imminent age of marriage. Her father, the estimable Lord Radcliffe, who is in poor health, has proclaimed she must marry a suitor within forty-five minutes of their estate so as not to unduly grieve her mother. When they draw up a list of suitable suitors for her, Charlotte is delighted to find the recent widower, the Earl of Buckland, at the top of their list. Believing a good marriage is more of station and security than attraction or love, Charlotte proceeds with her parents' plan to make her the Earl’s second wife. Yet when Guy Lancaster, the family’s former tutor, unexpectedly arrives in Hertfordshire, he laughs at her geographical approach to marriage and challenges her to let her heart, and not her lists, decide her future. The Trouble With The Earl is a lighthearted, sweet Regency romance that takes place in the same towns and neighborhoods where Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy live, who also make appearances in the novella. In the spirit of the time frame, it is a genteel romance where only the tea is steamy.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2014
28 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 10, 2020
A naive aristocratic young lady makes a list... he is not on the list... oh the fun of her brother's former tutor teaching Charlotte a little something about love. I spotted the blurb on Trouble With the Earl while it was a freebie and thought it sounded like a fun regency romance comedy.
Trouble With the Earl introduces Charlotte Radcliffe and her lovable though slightly quirky parents right when Lord Radcliffe is concerned about his health and wanting his daughter safely situated. He and his wife and daughter determine to draw up a list of eligible suitors who live close to home because Lady Radcliffe cannot bear to have her children far away. Charlotte is amenable and sees this as a sensible way to go about finding a husband, but then her oldest brother shows up with a surprising family friend. Hugh's former tutor has gone from poor and ineligible to a gentleman owning his own prospering estate and he is handsome and easy to tease and be around. Unfortunately, Guy Lancaster can also irritate her to distraction, too.
This is fair since Guy is equally captivated and distracted, but he is also annoyed that Charlotte is ready to take the Earl of Buckland strictly for his proximity and title. He tries to focus his thoughts elsewhere, but it is the provoking Charlotte who has taken his fancy and he is determined to win her even though his name is not on her infernal list.
As this was novella-length, it was also a fast read. It was also a delightful, light and well-developed story. I chuckled over Charlotte's early naive confidence and how Guy came along and consternated her at every turn. On paper, the earl was a great match, but Guy had a way of getting under her skin.
The family group were great and I found them all amusing and added to Charlotte and Guy's sweet and teasing romance. As swift as this one read, I thought it worked well that the main pair and the family were already all acquainted well since Guy was a tutor in the household for years. It was just a matter of he and Charlotte coming to appreciate their adult selves.
I thought the inclusion of Lord Buckland's occasional thoughts was a helpful device to develop his character swiftly so the conflict was growing evenly to the crisis point and worked out well.
All in all, this was simply a fun, light Regency romp that gave me an appreciate for the author's writing and a desire to see what happens next for this engaging family. Definitely a gem I was glad to grab up while it was free and I can recommend to historical romance fans who want a quick and easy read.
Trouble With the Earl introduces Charlotte Radcliffe and her lovable though slightly quirky parents right when Lord Radcliffe is concerned about his health and wanting his daughter safely situated. He and his wife and daughter determine to draw up a list of eligible suitors who live close to home because Lady Radcliffe cannot bear to have her children far away. Charlotte is amenable and sees this as a sensible way to go about finding a husband, but then her oldest brother shows up with a surprising family friend. Hugh's former tutor has gone from poor and ineligible to a gentleman owning his own prospering estate and he is handsome and easy to tease and be around. Unfortunately, Guy Lancaster can also irritate her to distraction, too.
This is fair since Guy is equally captivated and distracted, but he is also annoyed that Charlotte is ready to take the Earl of Buckland strictly for his proximity and title. He tries to focus his thoughts elsewhere, but it is the provoking Charlotte who has taken his fancy and he is determined to win her even though his name is not on her infernal list.
As this was novella-length, it was also a fast read. It was also a delightful, light and well-developed story. I chuckled over Charlotte's early naive confidence and how Guy came along and consternated her at every turn. On paper, the earl was a great match, but Guy had a way of getting under her skin.
The family group were great and I found them all amusing and added to Charlotte and Guy's sweet and teasing romance. As swift as this one read, I thought it worked well that the main pair and the family were already all acquainted well since Guy was a tutor in the household for years. It was just a matter of he and Charlotte coming to appreciate their adult selves.
I thought the inclusion of Lord Buckland's occasional thoughts was a helpful device to develop his character swiftly so the conflict was growing evenly to the crisis point and worked out well.
All in all, this was simply a fun, light Regency romp that gave me an appreciate for the author's writing and a desire to see what happens next for this engaging family. Definitely a gem I was glad to grab up while it was free and I can recommend to historical romance fans who want a quick and easy read.
January 4, 2016
This is only marginally JAFF - The main character, Charlotte Radcliffe, lives in Hertfordshire and Elizabeth Bennet is a good friend, appearing in a grand total of one scene. Lady Catherine and her daughter Anne are also mentioned briefly near the end.
Regardless, this is a very JAFF-like story that holds up well to scrutiny. Charlotte is a delightful, believable Regency heroine and Guy is a worthy counterpart as the sympathetic hero. Her mother is almost as silly as Mrs. Bennet in that she's very prone to breaking down in tears at the least provocation. Lord and Lady Radcliffe and Charlotte take a very practical approach to finding her a suitable husband, trying to stay close to home (so as not to distress Lady Radcliffe) and, having learned that the Earl of Buckland has just become a widower, they move him to the top of their list. Things get more complicated when Charlotte's brother, Hugh, brings his good friend, Guy, to visit. The banter back and forth is adorable, especially when Charlotte forces Guy to read aloud The Mysteries of Udolpho.
This isn't particularly long, and it's a fun, satisfying story. My only observation is that the writing is not pure Regency which doesn't bother me; however, Americanisms like "okay" are apt to annoy purists.
Regardless, this is a very JAFF-like story that holds up well to scrutiny. Charlotte is a delightful, believable Regency heroine and Guy is a worthy counterpart as the sympathetic hero. Her mother is almost as silly as Mrs. Bennet in that she's very prone to breaking down in tears at the least provocation. Lord and Lady Radcliffe and Charlotte take a very practical approach to finding her a suitable husband, trying to stay close to home (so as not to distress Lady Radcliffe) and, having learned that the Earl of Buckland has just become a widower, they move him to the top of their list. Things get more complicated when Charlotte's brother, Hugh, brings his good friend, Guy, to visit. The banter back and forth is adorable, especially when Charlotte forces Guy to read aloud The Mysteries of Udolpho.
This isn't particularly long, and it's a fun, satisfying story. My only observation is that the writing is not pure Regency which doesn't bother me; however, Americanisms like "okay" are apt to annoy purists.
January 14, 2015
I liked the story enough, but have to say that it felt like the author tried too much to sound like Jane Austin, though she didn't quite succeed. It was a fun concept that her characters had interaction with Lizzy Bennett and others from Pride and Prejudice, but it didn't actually work well in the story.
The plot was interesting enough to stand by itself and I wish the author had simply written the story as herself, not trying to emulate Ms. Austin or borrow her characters. I think it would have read more naturally and could have been a more enjoyable read.
The plot was interesting enough to stand by itself and I wish the author had simply written the story as herself, not trying to emulate Ms. Austin or borrow her characters. I think it would have read more naturally and could have been a more enjoyable read.
March 25, 2016
This book has so much potential to be a great book, but it needs more meat to the story! It's short and sweet, yes, but it's not enough for those of us who really want to sink our teeth into this.
July 21, 2018
Nice little romance story that meshes well with Pride and Prejudice. I'm not really a romance fan so I can't judge on that point, but it was engaging enough to keep me entertained. I like the writing style and characterization and the pacing was okay except where Charlotte is ordering Guy around all afternoon, so I would recommend it for a break from heavier tomes.
March 10, 2017
The Romance Dance
Have you heard of miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy? Well this is a lovely stroll through that time period. A short yet delightful romance! Great light reading that holds your attention. G rated for GOOD! Enjoy.
Have you heard of miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy? Well this is a lovely stroll through that time period. A short yet delightful romance! Great light reading that holds your attention. G rated for GOOD! Enjoy.
June 21, 2017
Another look at the Bennett's
I enjoyed this book. The characters were in line with the Austin world. While getting only a glimpse of the Bennett's life I still learned a bit of their lives.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were in line with the Austin world. While getting only a glimpse of the Bennett's life I still learned a bit of their lives.
March 29, 2018
Tepid tale, typical except that it frequently referenced characters from Pride and Prejudice, though Elizabeth was barely seen and nitwit Lydia mentioned often as a joke. Is this breaking a literary wall of some sort? Could have deleterious effects on my grasp on reality.
April 4, 2018
Old Friends
This book has a surprise ending which is definitely intriguing.Characters are so familiar if you read Pride and Prejudice which makes it more entertaining
This book has a surprise ending which is definitely intriguing.Characters are so familiar if you read Pride and Prejudice which makes it more entertaining
February 1, 2017
Clean English historical romance mostly set in the countryside of Hertfordshire.
The young Lady Charlotte Radcliffe has decided to get married, but wants to stay near her parents so she makes a logical list of potential husbands in a very cold blooded fashion, but luckily her older brother shows up with their old tutor Guy Lancaster who has recently inherited a comfortable living so has become a gentleman. Lady Charlotte starts to court the newly widowed Earl of Buckland, but he isn't what he appears to be. Charlotte and Guy have a comfortable relationship which becomes more through very little actual courtship because they are constantly surrounded by family or friends.
Cute clean romance.
114 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
The young Lady Charlotte Radcliffe has decided to get married, but wants to stay near her parents so she makes a logical list of potential husbands in a very cold blooded fashion, but luckily her older brother shows up with their old tutor Guy Lancaster who has recently inherited a comfortable living so has become a gentleman. Lady Charlotte starts to court the newly widowed Earl of Buckland, but he isn't what he appears to be. Charlotte and Guy have a comfortable relationship which becomes more through very little actual courtship because they are constantly surrounded by family or friends.
Cute clean romance.
114 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
January 2, 2016
Lord and Lady Radcliffe, who live in Hertfordshire near the estate of Longbourn decide it is time for their daughter Lady Charlotte, friend of Elizabeth Bennet, to marry.
After drawing up a list, the newly widowed Earl of Buckland is at the top. But can her attraction to Guy Lancaster, the family’s former tutor and now landowner, be overcome and marry the Earl.
The story continues in 'Trouble with Wickham' though they can be read separately.
After drawing up a list, the newly widowed Earl of Buckland is at the top. But can her attraction to Guy Lancaster, the family’s former tutor and now landowner, be overcome and marry the Earl.
The story continues in 'Trouble with Wickham' though they can be read separately.
February 22, 2015
Disappointed. Weak story line.... Had a little potential. Weak characters that needed to add more
July 16, 2015
Very silly book but entertaining and fun nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews