A Symphony for the Earl

The Merricks #1

by Patricia Wilson

Amid the chaos of a London Season, can a fiery Irish pianist and her overbearing guardian come to an understanding long enough to fall in love?

For two years, piano virtuoso Fiona Rafferty has waited for her father to return home from a sea voyage. But now Irish law declares him deceased and says she’s an orphan at eighteen. The last thing she needs is an overbearing and arrogant English guardian, but she’s packed off to London until she comes of age.

Richard Merrick, Earl of Seldon, doesn’t need an outspoken ward who takes the ton by storm, plays Beethoven instead of minuets, and disregards him at every turn. Even more maddening is his growing attraction to the willful Miss Rafferty.

When a shocking indiscretion amid Mrs. Drummond-Burrell’s prizewinning camellias forces them into the betrothal of the Season, neither can admit they’re falling in love. And when they finally do, Fiona’s past threatens to derail any hope of a wedding.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2026

Reviews

[Petula]

This is a lovely historical romance. There were a few musical references that I didn't fully understand but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Our lead characters are very different but equally stubborn. There is a big surprise near the end that could turn things upside down. Will our talented musician get her dearest wish, to play to the public? Read the story to find out.
Good fun.

[Jenna]

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

I love a piano-playing princess, especially when it gives an otherwise plain heroine a personality trait. A Symphony for the Earl was a rather standard historical romance where an Irish lass becomes a ward to a hot member of the gentry while she waits for her inheritance. I don't mind ward/guardian romances, as long as they're not too creepy and he's not salivating while she's underage. Unfortunately, this book gave total "nothingburger" and I was bored for a majority of the book. I kept waiting for something to happen while she uttered random sentences in Gaelic during moments of distress. Calm down, wain. I will say they had great chemistry and their bedroom scenes were pretty hot. Besides their moments of pattycake, this was a forgettable book in my sea of historical romances I've read this year. I don't believe I'll continue this series nor this author. It was giving Francesca Bridgerton: pretty piano virtuoso but nothing else to add to the table. I'm always grateful to Dragonblade for the early copies, but this struck too many wrong chords for me! I'd recommend you sit this symphony out.

[Cassandra]

2/6 stars

I read this on my flight earlier today and I sadly did not enjoy this novel. The writing felt stiff, robotic, and a bit repetitive. I didn’t like either main character either. Our FL was contrary just to be so it felt like. They argued about buying her clothes multiple times. It felt silly. Our ML could have tried to explain things to her instead of just telling her.


Yeah, I liked no one.

[Pam Puckett]

Delightful

Although this book is spicy, which I normally don’t read, the love stories are wonderful. This is an era of romance that is enjoyable to read.

[Mallory Pryor]

A symphony for an Earl was a joy to read! It is the first book in the "The Merricks" series by Patricia Wilson. I especially enjoyed that the author 's attention to detail throughout the book. An Earl ends up with an unexpected orphaned ward from afar and they immediately bump heads but as time passes find some commonalities. Could this bond lead to friendship or possibly more? Charming characters and entertaining events made this book a great read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Nancy]

Thank you NetGalley. Fiona has been waiting for her father to come home to Dublin, her aunt has died and she is without funds. She must go to London to be the ward to Richard the Earl of Seldon. Richard finds his letter telling him of her arrival the day she is to arrive. He thinks it will be a school age young lady. Much to his surprise she is older, He comes home to find a scene in front of his house that the whole neighborhood is watching. As they get to know each other he finds what a fine piano virtuoso she is. Richard is rather an over powering lord to all of his household, Everyone is use to it but not Fiona and they have many words about it, The best way she can come to terms with him is through music.

[Beth]

A Symphony for the Earl gets 5 stars from me as a fantastic historical fiction book. I love Victorian era romance so this was a fun read. The FMC and MMC were both likeable. The yearning was fantastic and the conflict was perfect. The side characters were delightful and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Winnifred D.]

Tropes: enemies to lovers; betrothal of convenience; stuffy MMC/free-spirited MFC
Steam level: 3

3.75 stars rounded up. This is a full-fledged old school HR, with the pro's and con's that might involve. The language seemed fairly true to the period and I enjoyed the writing style, which flowed very well. I'm not a big "drawing room" HR fan currently (plots that focus on manners and lifestyles of the upper crust aren't my favorite right now) but I was surprised by how much the story drew me in. If you're a fan of authors such as Mary Balogh you'll quite likely enjoy this.

The rundown: MFC Fiona is a gifted classical pianist who has been attending a conservatory in Dublin but is forced to leave and live in London with MMC Richard and his family because she has found out she is legally his ward, and will remain so until she comes of age. This ends up disrupting his life as well as hers, and both MC's are strongly attracted to each other on top of it. One thing leads to another, he ruins her, and they end up betrothed. The bulk of the second half focuses on their relationship and dealing with the Ton.

What I liked:
--I appreciate that music is an emphasis, although I'm not well-versed in the classical genre, so I can't speak to the accuracy of the information in this book regarding the piano or classical pieces.
--I really enjoyed the slow-burn aspects of the MC's attraction and their push-pull.
--The pacing is solid for a book that normally I wouldn't be into as much.
--Writing style, as mentioned, is smooth.

On the fence about:
--There were details that made me go "hmm", although I glossed over them to get to the heart of the plot. For example, people usually posted banns once they were betrothed, in the weeks leading up to the wedding, and it was done in church (not sure why Fiona was confused?). Also, while I'm not a music wonk, I knew the Dublin Conservatory of Music wasn't around during the Regency period, partially due to religious reasons/funding. I did find myself wondering why the author didn't just set this book during the Victorian period or slightly later.
--I liked that Fiona was so independent on one hand, but at times she argued unnecessarily. Richard was also unnecessarily overbearing at times. I like the free spirited vs. stuffy trope but they were a bit cookie cutter.

What I didn't like:
--Insta-lust. I wish the slow-burn had lasted a bit longer. It didn't take much to become compromised during the Regency period.
--More scenes were needed in which the MC's discussed with each other their mutual interests, goals, and fears without arguments or other characters encroaching.

Overall: this is an engaging read and the author's writing style appealed to me. There were a few aspects that weren't my cup of tea.

This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book. Thanks to the author, Net Galley, and Dragonblade for this opportunity.

[Christy Matheson]

As a former professional pianist, I am excited to devour any Regency story about music. Unfortunately, it was egregiously obvious that the writer didn't have any understanding of playing piano, and instead of glossing it over, she devoted a huge amount of page time to music-making, which was overwhelmingly incorrect and not believable.

The dialogue about music, both internal and external, is not the way musicians talk. There were plenty of big words, many of them used incorrectly. There was no understanding of what the character would have learned at the Dublin Conservatory — which, in actuality, was founded 70 years after this book was written (which makes sense if you know music history). Most frustrating to me was the many mentions of the physical sensations of playing the piano which are just not how bodies work. For instance, at one point they discuss ring size in relation to piano-playing ability. We're pianists, not body builders! I know plenty of professional pianists— playing larger, heavier instruments than the characters had in this time period — with tiny hands and yes, small ring sizes. It was not once or twice, but the whole book was filled with problems like this.

As for the plot.... I was immediately drawn to both Fiona and Richard as characters. They each felt dynamic, with wants and flaws and style. I also really enjoyed the family and community setting, an the interplay between the side characters. This immersive family setting and wide cast of characters was where the book was lovely and kept me reading.

The romance was primarily insta-lust. This is not my favorite trope, but I think it was well done if that's your style. There was plenty of craving, brief passionate scenes that kept getting interrupted, and the characters' obsession with each other built steadily. Personally, I could not see any reason that the mains were drawn to each other besides physical attraction — at least Fiona admits this, and says several times that she doesn't think they have enough to build a marriage on. Richard, unfortunately, just shuts her down and says that they do, and buys her more presents. Even in the last quarter of the book, I found myself more interested in each individual than in their relationship.

If you are looking for an insta-love dream hero, this story ticks all the boxes. He's physically perfect, obsessed with her body, rich, capable, and rains presents on her. The Cinderella/instant princess vibes were strong with this one, and the writing and characters were interesting enough to carry the story.

If you like relationship building or care about the music, I'd give this a pass.

[Reading Adventures]

I didn’t expect A Symphony for the Earl to hit me the way it did. Sometimes I pick up a historical romance hoping for that spark—that feeling of slipping into another era—and instead I get something pleasant but forgettable. But this one… it felt like stumbling into a story that understood exactly what I crave. And the best part? Patricia Wilson was a new‑to‑me author, which made the whole experience feel like discovering a hidden gem tucked behind the usual Regency shelves.

Fiona Rafferty grabbed me immediately. Not because she’s perfect, but because she’s alive on the page—fiery, gifted, stubborn, emotional, and so unapologetically herself. She’s the kind of heroine who reminds me why I adore historical romance: women navigating rigid worlds with sharp minds and soft hearts. And Richard… oh, Richard. The exact flavor of emotionally buttoned‑up Earl who thinks he’s in control until he absolutely isn’t. Their dynamic had that irresistible enemies to lovers crackle—every conversation a tug‑of‑war, every glance a little too loaded.

The London Season setting was everything I love: gossip, gowns, music drifting through crowded rooms, the pressure of propriety pressing in from every direction. And Fiona playing Beethoven instead of polite little dance tunes? That detail alone made me grin. It’s the kind of character choice that feels bold and romantic and wonderfully disruptive.

The forced engagement trope was handled exactly the way I like it—messy, inconvenient, full of tension neither of them wants to acknowledge. And the slow burn… delicious. Watching Richard unravel, watching Fiona soften in unexpected places, watching them circle each other with equal parts frustration and longing—it was the kind of emotional pacing that makes me read slower just to savor it.

And then the twist from Fiona’s past. It didn’t feel tacked on or melodramatic; it felt like the natural swell of a symphony reaching its final movement. A moment that tests everything they’ve built and makes the ending feel earned.

By the time I finished, I had that warm, satisfied feeling I only get from the best Regency romances—the ones that give me atmosphere, yearning, banter, and heart all at once. And knowing this is the first in a series? Pure joy. I love when a new author becomes someone I want to follow.

[Michael C]

A Regency romance which starts with Richard Merrick, Earl of Seldon, unexpectedly finding himself guardian to Fiona Rafferty, who is believed to be orphaned. Things between them get off to a bad start, and their relationship continues tempestuously as it progresses through complications, obstacles and failure to communicate towards the inevitable happy ending.

The plot has its unlikely aspects, and towards the end there is a coincidence of timing that defies belief. As often with Regency romances, one has to suspend one's disbelief at language and behaviour out of place for the time.

There are also factual slips. FIona is a gifted pianist. The pieces she is described as playing include: a Bach cantata - unlikely, given that his cantatas were vocal works not suited to piano arrangements; a Schubert étude - he did not write études; and a Toreador Song by Schubert - he never wrote one, and the famous Toreador Song was in Bizet's "Carmen", first performed in 1875.

At one point Fiona asks if a couple can be engaged when banns have not been read - she would have known that banns were read in the weeks before a wedding, after the betrothal. RIchard responds that he has arranged for banns to be published in a newspaper: an engagement might be announced in a newspaper, but banns had to be read in a church.

At another point, the author has Richard spend a morning on business at his estate near Wembley, then travel to Bath to collect a sister, than then come to London in time to attend part of a soirée - all in a single day. A glance at a map would have told the author that this was impossible. The travelling would have taken several days.

On the plus side, Fiona is a likeable character, even if it felt to me that her characterisation is more appropriate for someone of the second half of the 20th century.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Zaho ZZ]

a copy was provided to me from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for a review

Rating: 2 stars

this is a historical romance, the story was between a stong opiniated young woman who loves playing on the piano and recently got orphaned, and an older Earl who took her custody
this was my first historical romance so I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I thought at least I would have fun, given that I love reading classics set in victorian era and I overall enjoy romances, but this didn't work for me

what I liked:
- it was an easy and short read, like I didn't feel the need to DNF it, despite not enjoying it
- there was a chronic pain rep, it wasn't a good, because I felt as if it was only used as a plot device,
- the musical aspect of the story, that played a huge part

what I didn't like:
- the writing style was so formulaic and dry, if it was anymore longer I don't think I would've finished the book
- most of the tropes:
- the age gape romance: it not the age that bothered me but the fact that she was under his custody, and she was way less experienced than he was, they did mention this as an issue but not as deeply as this matter deserved
- it was mentioned in the description that it was a slow burn romance, well they didn't confess their love until later, however it was an insta lovey book, they were on each other since the get go,
- I didn't feel any chemistary between the the 2 love intrests, only lust with a lot of explicit content, no build up and no character growth,
- the other cast were not developped either, felt like 2 dimentional and predictable
- there was a plot point that got me mad by the end, and I know it was accurate given the time period, but still infuriating
- there is another thing, this one is a pet peeve of mine, but there was a french character so they added some french worlds but with some mistakes (they could be fixed in the final version)

[Lesley]

Insta Lust
I had such high hopes for this book when I first started reading it but unfortunately the errors spoilt the flow of the story. It was plain to see that the author had done little research as the book was riddled with historical inaccuracies which even a simple internet search would have addressed. Errors included well-known historical figures with wrong titles or first names, French titles given to English lords, Prinny staying at Balmoral (when it didn’t become a Royal residence until the Victorian period). The author appeared to have no idea that banns only appeared after a betrothal and were read out in Church on three successive Sundays (not published in a newspaper the next day). Nor that it was not done to dance with an unattached young woman more than twice at a ball…I could go on. The heroine is an accomplished pianist, but it seems that the author’s knowledge is lacking here too, as I see from another reviewer that all the musical sections were also sadly incorrect.
We are therefore left with a nineteen year old young woman with a passion for music, a fiery temper and need for independence which leads to outbursts and bad decisions, and a thirty-two year old Earl who having taken on the responsibility for his family at an early age is dictatorial and disguises his jealousy of Fiona’s suitors by telling himself and others that they are unsuitable, but has no control over his actions when found alone with her, leading to a hasty betrothal.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Em Pitre]

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a bit lackluster for me. It was good, but not quite great. The intrigue was there, and I didn't have any issues with the pacing or the overall storyline. The plot kept me engaged, and there was enough romance to keep me turning the pages.
My biggest struggle was connecting with the characters, especially the female lead. No matter how much time I spent with her, I never felt fully invested in her journey or emotions, which made it difficult to become completely immersed in the story.
That said, I still think this is a solid love story and one that many fans of historical romance will enjoy. While it wasn't a standout read for me and isn't one I'll be rushing to reread, it was still an enjoyable romance. I found myself invested in the relationship and curious to see how their journey would unfold. I particularly enjoyed the reluctant connection between the main characters, the moments of self-doubt they each had to overcome, and the outside forces working to sabotage their relationship—classic historical romance tropes that were executed well. These elements created enough tension to keep me eagerly turning the pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy!

[Kimmy]

Such a good classic regency romance. Its a larger age gap then normally is accepted in modern romances. Not surprised for the time but i wish they were slightly closer in age. The female lead is extremely fiery and upbeat, she is a great foil for the male lead. The author uses this as a way to break down the male lead's controlling attitude, which I think could have been taken on the more modern way to have him realize his ways a little bit sooner. He controls all the women in his life very tightly, while he does spoil them with wealth, they ultimately have to follow his rules to the letter. Fiona (female lead) pushes against that and creates the initial attraction that way. But in the end we only see the male lead fall for Fiona and her musical talent, she doesn't get another teacher or joins a conservatory. She is just pregnant and married in the end with her spunky personality. If this lead was so ahead of her time in Ireland why is she crushed under the London society.

This was a lovely fast read and I thoroughly enjoyed the build and pacing of the romance. Will definitely read again, just wish the characters spent a little more time thinking with their brains instead of their loins.

[Veronica Hamilton]

This was a great read! I enjoyed every minute of this book, even when the Earl lost his mind and acted like a fool. The characters were well developed, and the story did an excellent job of setting up the next book in the series.

The plot moved at a steady pace and never dragged. I was hooked from the very beginning. There were a few surprises along the way, and I appreciated the satisfying ending and the epilogue.

Fiona was a likable heroine, although there were moments when her personality felt a little over the top. The same could be said for the Earl. While he often came across as stern and frustrating, it was clear that he cared deeply for his family and placed a great deal of pressure on himself. That made him a more understandable and well-rounded character.

I highly recommend this book. It was an enjoyable read from beginning to end, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Ariel H]

This was a great story with a surprise that shifted things to a new direction towards the end. I absolutely loved Fiona and Richard. It was like a pride and prejudice situation with her new ward telling her what to do when she wanted to make her own decisions.
I really enjoyed the character development and chemistry. The connections to the time with Lord Byron and Sense & Sensibility was enjoyable. The love of music they share was a really great element that helped them to bond and express their emotions.
This was a wonderful book!
Some other elements include:
-reluctant connection
-self doubting
-others trying to sabotage the relationship
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Reader]

What a great book! I was invested in Fiona's story from the start. I love how she was fiery and independent, bucking conventions. She met her match with Richard, and while there was an immediate attraction between them, I wouldn't call it insta lust. Their relationship developed into a deep, lasting love. Speaking of attraction, their scenes were hot, practically scorching the page.

I've read the author's other work--her writing is impeccable and well researched. A few reviewers have mentioned there are inaccuracies in the book, but if so, it didn't detract from the great characters and rich detail throughout the story. It is fiction, after all.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!

[Tini Wider]

You can tell an incredible amount of research went into this book. The historical details, world-building, and atmosphere feel thoughtfully crafted, and it's clear the author invested a great deal of care in bringing the setting to life. I especially appreciated the richness of the details and the effort to create an immersive experience. Readers who enjoy thoroughly researched stories with vivid detail will likely find a lot to appreciate here.

[cobalt]

Fiona is one of the best characters I have encountered so far, this story is so well crafted with historical facts, also you can feel the music as a living being part of te narrative, Patricia nailed the narrative and the way she makes us care for these characters and each of their struggles to become who they are meant to be.

Thanks for the ARC.