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Regency Charms #1
Defying the Earl
Game…
Matchmaker Wilhelmina Montgomery helps cupid’s arrow find its mark in the drawing rooms of the Ton, effortlessly pairing even the most unlikely couples for a discreet fee. Perhaps not an appropriate pursuit for a lady…but with an ailing sister to care for, it’s Whimsy’s only hope at securing their future.
Set…
Meanwhile, penniless aristocrat Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is society’s favourite matchbreaker; assisting those who want to escape engagement without being sued for breach of promise. Cynical, yes…but with no intention of falling in love himself, Valerian considers himself ideally suited to the role.
…And match!
When Whimsy discovers that Valerian has set out to break the very engagement she has been painstakingly arranging, she refuses to allow this mysterious saboteur have his way. Yet she didn’t expect to find the handsome Earl so distractingly alluring. And suddenly, it seems that the Ton’s last two loneliest hearts are in danger of meeting their match… in the most inopportune of places.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2015
79 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Anabelle Bryant
23 books414 followersAnabelle began reading at age three and never stopped. Her passion for reading soon turned into a passion for writing and an author was born. Happy to grab a suitcase if it ensures a new adventure, Anabelle finds endless inspiration in travel, especially imaginary jaunts into Regency England, a far cry from her home in New Jersey. Instead, her clever characters live out her daydreams because really, who wouldn't want to dance with a handsome duke or kiss a wicked earl?
Though teaching keeps her grounded, photography, running and writing, counterbalance her wanderlust. Often found with her nose in a book, Anabelle earned her Master's Degree and is completing her Doctorate Degree in education. Thrilled to be an author for Harlequin's Carina line, Anabelle's historical romances are character driven. She strives to provide a heartfelt connection between her hero, heroine, and the reader, believing the emotional journey on the path to true love is the most important bond. Clever secondary characters and lively conversation keep the pages turning.
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBrya...
Though teaching keeps her grounded, photography, running and writing, counterbalance her wanderlust. Often found with her nose in a book, Anabelle earned her Master's Degree and is completing her Doctorate Degree in education. Thrilled to be an author for Harlequin's Carina line, Anabelle's historical romances are character driven. She strives to provide a heartfelt connection between her hero, heroine, and the reader, believing the emotional journey on the path to true love is the most important bond. Clever secondary characters and lively conversation keep the pages turning.
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnabelleBrya...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 28, 2019
Valerian an earl known as "Dash" & Wilhelmina
known as "Whimsy" each nearly penniless, each
became respectively a matchbreaker & a match-
maker. Each felt obliged to provide for a younger sib
who he/she loved.
There were likeable aspects of this story ie bantering
& arguing by the leads, Whimsy being self-sufficient
as possible, reading the first 1/2 (2nd half not so much.)
The author offered too many details on the heroine's
sib's recovery. Some scenes needed a smoother trans-
ition. IE The heroine talked to someone in a paragraph,
the next paragraph abruptly shifted to the hero in a
different locale with someone else. It seems highly
unlikely the hero would be paid 5K in British currency
to prevent an engagement! Lastly the hero's former
love Caro came across as strictly 1 D.
known as "Whimsy" each nearly penniless, each
became respectively a matchbreaker & a match-
maker. Each felt obliged to provide for a younger sib
who he/she loved.
There were likeable aspects of this story ie bantering
& arguing by the leads, Whimsy being self-sufficient
as possible, reading the first 1/2 (2nd half not so much.)
The author offered too many details on the heroine's
sib's recovery. Some scenes needed a smoother trans-
ition. IE The heroine talked to someone in a paragraph,
the next paragraph abruptly shifted to the hero in a
different locale with someone else. It seems highly
unlikely the hero would be paid 5K in British currency
to prevent an engagement! Lastly the hero's former
love Caro came across as strictly 1 D.
August 13, 2015
Normally when I disliked a story as much as I did this one I would give up all together but I didn't. I skipped and jumped until the end. I guess for that I should give it a 2 star but I just can't.
The story and the behaviors of the characters were completely wrong for the period. I should've stopped reading as soon as I read someone refer to America as "the States" but I didn't. The hero slept with the heroine and then told her that as much as he loved her he couldn't marry her. His honor forbad him to drag her into a financial ruin with him. She deserved much better. HUH??? Anyone who has read a regency book and a half would know that a gentleman is bound by honor to marry a lady if he took her to bed and ruined her as thoroughly as the hero did the heroine. All of a sudden the hero came into money and they married, happily ever after.
It's not just the historical inaccuracies that drove me insane about this book. The characters (all of them) were shallow and the plots made no sense. The hero was promised five thousand pounds to break a match by the groom-to-be's father, and then was offered ten thousands to match the two lovebirds back, only to be again promised fifteen thousand pounds to break it later. I'm sorry but this was a joke, right?
I feel bad for giving such a bad review but as a regency romance go (or any romance, for that matter) this was a terrible, terrible book.
The story and the behaviors of the characters were completely wrong for the period. I should've stopped reading as soon as I read someone refer to America as "the States" but I didn't. The hero slept with the heroine and then told her that as much as he loved her he couldn't marry her. His honor forbad him to drag her into a financial ruin with him. She deserved much better. HUH??? Anyone who has read a regency book and a half would know that a gentleman is bound by honor to marry a lady if he took her to bed and ruined her as thoroughly as the hero did the heroine. All of a sudden the hero came into money and they married, happily ever after.
It's not just the historical inaccuracies that drove me insane about this book. The characters (all of them) were shallow and the plots made no sense. The hero was promised five thousand pounds to break a match by the groom-to-be's father, and then was offered ten thousands to match the two lovebirds back, only to be again promised fifteen thousand pounds to break it later. I'm sorry but this was a joke, right?
I feel bad for giving such a bad review but as a regency romance go (or any romance, for that matter) this was a terrible, terrible book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2019
Matchmaker💞 and The Heartbreaker💔
This is a very sweet ADULT Regency Era Romance.
Valerian🐺🍆⛲, the handsome Earl of Dashwood, is at the end of his string. His father spent everything he could lay his hands on, leaving them nearly destitute, and now his wastrel brother, Jasper🐶, is just about to finish the job. Happy go lucky Jasper is a rakehell, and he also has invested their dwindling money supply in various inventions that never take hold.
Jasper's latest idea to make money is to charge a fee to break up relationships or betrothals.
The first client wants his daughter away from a man who is at odds politically with him in parliament. Valerian🐺🍆⛲ is the one to do the dirty deed of breaking up The happy couple💔.
Across town, Wilhelmina, a young noble woman, also needs money for her sister's care and rehab. She was badly injured in a carriage accident that killed their parents. Since women have limited job opportunities, Wilhelmina thinks she can become a matchmaker.
Valerian and Wilhelmina meet by accident in the street, and it takes a while for them to realize they are on opposite sides of the marriage mart👰, but both are doing it for the same reasons!
This is a very absorbing story and well written!
This is a very sweet ADULT Regency Era Romance.
Valerian🐺🍆⛲, the handsome Earl of Dashwood, is at the end of his string. His father spent everything he could lay his hands on, leaving them nearly destitute, and now his wastrel brother, Jasper🐶, is just about to finish the job. Happy go lucky Jasper is a rakehell, and he also has invested their dwindling money supply in various inventions that never take hold.
Jasper's latest idea to make money is to charge a fee to break up relationships or betrothals.
The first client wants his daughter away from a man who is at odds politically with him in parliament. Valerian🐺🍆⛲ is the one to do the dirty deed of breaking up The happy couple💔.
Across town, Wilhelmina, a young noble woman, also needs money for her sister's care and rehab. She was badly injured in a carriage accident that killed their parents. Since women have limited job opportunities, Wilhelmina thinks she can become a matchmaker.
Valerian and Wilhelmina meet by accident in the street, and it takes a while for them to realize they are on opposite sides of the marriage mart👰, but both are doing it for the same reasons!
This is a very absorbing story and well written!
May 5, 2015
His estate is almost in ruin. Valerian St. David, the handsome Duke of Dashwood is in dire straights after having inherited his title and all the debt along with it, as well as a spendthrift gambling, inventor of a brother who always sees the bright side of things instead if facing the problems head on. Putting their heads together to find a solution to their problems, Jasper suggests that Valerian become an anti-matchmaker for money. He would break apart the budding matches of the ton's sons and daughters at the bidding of their rich mamas and papas. Very inventive!
After having lost her parents in a carriage accident that also maimed her beloved sister, Wilhelmina Montgomery decides that becoming a matchmaker will help to pay for the costly treatments her sister needs in order to get well, and her first job would be any easy one since she is sure that the pair already are close to an engagement and they only need a slight push. Only problem is the handsome man she met on the street prior to a dinner party where the man, Valerian St, David now is trying to thwart her efforts with the couple.
Never wanting to marry himself, Valerian does not fully see the implications of what he is doing, only the pounds that will go to repair his home and pay the help's wages. Honestly, what would a poor aristocrat have to offer a wife? When Valerian actually opens his eyes and truly sees the beauty and intelligence before him in the form of Wilhelmina, who is so aptly nicknamed Whimsy, he knows he could be in trouble in more ways than one.
Whimsy holds Valerian at arms length at first, not knowing his true intentions, but once she opens her lonely heart to his, his acceptance of that it half the battle. Can two wayward souls with two seemingly different agendas that inevitably hope for the same outcome see what is in front of them? Read the clever and fast-paced tale that answers those questions, Defying the Earl by Anabelle Bryant.
This first tale by skillful storyteller, Anabelle Bryant, in her Regency Charms series, Defying the Earl is thoroughly entertaining with it's twists and turns. Poor Valerian is at the mercy of the would-be groom's father and his political ambitions. When the father flip flops on the wanted outcome of the anti-matchmaking efforts Valerian has devised, the game changes completely, leaving Valerian in the middle of a mess on one end and with a potential romance on the other. I do so like him, even in his emotional ignorance, which actually makes it more adoring when he wakes up. Whimsy is one hell of a heroine, with guts, a big heart and loads of determination. Defying the Earl is yet another notch in Anabelle Bryant's buckle that deserves a resounding yes in the must read territory.
After having lost her parents in a carriage accident that also maimed her beloved sister, Wilhelmina Montgomery decides that becoming a matchmaker will help to pay for the costly treatments her sister needs in order to get well, and her first job would be any easy one since she is sure that the pair already are close to an engagement and they only need a slight push. Only problem is the handsome man she met on the street prior to a dinner party where the man, Valerian St, David now is trying to thwart her efforts with the couple.
Never wanting to marry himself, Valerian does not fully see the implications of what he is doing, only the pounds that will go to repair his home and pay the help's wages. Honestly, what would a poor aristocrat have to offer a wife? When Valerian actually opens his eyes and truly sees the beauty and intelligence before him in the form of Wilhelmina, who is so aptly nicknamed Whimsy, he knows he could be in trouble in more ways than one.
Whimsy holds Valerian at arms length at first, not knowing his true intentions, but once she opens her lonely heart to his, his acceptance of that it half the battle. Can two wayward souls with two seemingly different agendas that inevitably hope for the same outcome see what is in front of them? Read the clever and fast-paced tale that answers those questions, Defying the Earl by Anabelle Bryant.
This first tale by skillful storyteller, Anabelle Bryant, in her Regency Charms series, Defying the Earl is thoroughly entertaining with it's twists and turns. Poor Valerian is at the mercy of the would-be groom's father and his political ambitions. When the father flip flops on the wanted outcome of the anti-matchmaking efforts Valerian has devised, the game changes completely, leaving Valerian in the middle of a mess on one end and with a potential romance on the other. I do so like him, even in his emotional ignorance, which actually makes it more adoring when he wakes up. Whimsy is one hell of a heroine, with guts, a big heart and loads of determination. Defying the Earl is yet another notch in Anabelle Bryant's buckle that deserves a resounding yes in the must read territory.
September 1, 2016
From netgalley for an honest review.
Regency era books are my all time favourite. I know this review is well and truly delayed, but it's finally been done. My honest opinion of this book is...I LOVE IT!! It is amazing, the authors writing style sucked me straight in. The main characters, along with the side characters were all well written.
The story between the two main characters whimsy and Valerian, was a complete opposites attract situation. His job was to matchbreak and hers was to matchmake. They both have people they need to support, whimsy with her sister's treatment and Valerian with his brother's habit of spending money on everything and anything.
As the story progresses you see a bond develop between the two, The fact that they were working against each other didn't stop the sparks from flying and a love growing.
This is truly one of my favourites.
If you want to know, you'll just have to read it for yourself, believe me it's so worth it.
Regency era books are my all time favourite. I know this review is well and truly delayed, but it's finally been done. My honest opinion of this book is...I LOVE IT!! It is amazing, the authors writing style sucked me straight in. The main characters, along with the side characters were all well written.
The story between the two main characters whimsy and Valerian, was a complete opposites attract situation. His job was to matchbreak and hers was to matchmake. They both have people they need to support, whimsy with her sister's treatment and Valerian with his brother's habit of spending money on everything and anything.
As the story progresses you see a bond develop between the two, The fact that they were working against each other didn't stop the sparks from flying and a love growing.
This is truly one of my favourites.
If you want to know, you'll just have to read it for yourself, believe me it's so worth it.
November 7, 2019
A 3.5 (nearly 4) rating for me as explained below.
Defying the Earl is a delightful story about a society matchmaker and a short-term matchbreaker. Two single individuals find themselves in such businesses simply due to circumstances, a determination to keep their creditors at bay. Families of the ton will sometimes pay strangers such as themselves to negotiate or break pairings - for a price. Is it possible for matchmaker Wilhelmina Montgomery/FMC and matchbreaker Valerian St David/MMC to have their own HEA when they find themselves at cross-purposes in society's drawing rooms, and separate hurtful pasts hinder them?
I liked Wilhelmina's spunk and strong personality. For the most part, she refused to allow circumstances to get her down. Valerian, impoverished Earl of Dashwood, has his own burdens - a younger brother mainly adept at frivolities and spending money, and the recently inherited family properties which are in great disrepair. Both characters require funds desperately. I was glad to discover that Defying the Earl did not wallow too much in the emotional angst of the characters' difficulties, but rather moved toward their hopeful HEA. I recommend Defying the Earl to readers who enjoy a lite and quick reading HEA historical fancy.
A readers note - the 2 main characters in Defying the Earl develop a relationship that does lead to sexual intimacy near the end of the story which is somewhat steamy in nature. Readers who might find this offensive should be advised. Language remained clean throughout.
Defying the Earl is a delightful story about a society matchmaker and a short-term matchbreaker. Two single individuals find themselves in such businesses simply due to circumstances, a determination to keep their creditors at bay. Families of the ton will sometimes pay strangers such as themselves to negotiate or break pairings - for a price. Is it possible for matchmaker Wilhelmina Montgomery/FMC and matchbreaker Valerian St David/MMC to have their own HEA when they find themselves at cross-purposes in society's drawing rooms, and separate hurtful pasts hinder them?
I liked Wilhelmina's spunk and strong personality. For the most part, she refused to allow circumstances to get her down. Valerian, impoverished Earl of Dashwood, has his own burdens - a younger brother mainly adept at frivolities and spending money, and the recently inherited family properties which are in great disrepair. Both characters require funds desperately. I was glad to discover that Defying the Earl did not wallow too much in the emotional angst of the characters' difficulties, but rather moved toward their hopeful HEA. I recommend Defying the Earl to readers who enjoy a lite and quick reading HEA historical fancy.
A readers note - the 2 main characters in Defying the Earl develop a relationship that does lead to sexual intimacy near the end of the story which is somewhat steamy in nature. Readers who might find this offensive should be advised. Language remained clean throughout.
July 29, 2017
Defying the Earl ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Annabelle Bryant
(Regency Charms #1)
Although, I find I have read this regency series out of order none the less this is a delightful and heartwarming story. This whole compass of "matchmaking" and "matchbreaking" is hilarious.
Matchmaker Wilhelmina Montgomery lost her parents in a carriage accident. Wilhelmina's sister Lavinia was badly injured as well. The two ladies now reside with their elder aunt Kate. Finding the treatment to rehabilitate Lavinia extremely costly, Wilhelmina decides to try her hand at matchmaking for a fee.
Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is truly a penniless aristocrat and has taken up the position as a matchbreaker. Both characters are in desperate need of finances. What would the chances be that they are both working opposite position on the same couple.
This story throughs Wilhelmina and Valerian together but instead of being at odds with each other they find a magnetic attraction and find themselves falling in love. I can see this first book being a part of a tapestry of romance but it can truly stand alone. I enjoyed this book so much and would recommend it.
(Regency Charms #1)
Although, I find I have read this regency series out of order none the less this is a delightful and heartwarming story. This whole compass of "matchmaking" and "matchbreaking" is hilarious.
Matchmaker Wilhelmina Montgomery lost her parents in a carriage accident. Wilhelmina's sister Lavinia was badly injured as well. The two ladies now reside with their elder aunt Kate. Finding the treatment to rehabilitate Lavinia extremely costly, Wilhelmina decides to try her hand at matchmaking for a fee.
Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is truly a penniless aristocrat and has taken up the position as a matchbreaker. Both characters are in desperate need of finances. What would the chances be that they are both working opposite position on the same couple.
This story throughs Wilhelmina and Valerian together but instead of being at odds with each other they find a magnetic attraction and find themselves falling in love. I can see this first book being a part of a tapestry of romance but it can truly stand alone. I enjoyed this book so much and would recommend it.
October 23, 2021
This one got off to a nice start - I enjoyed the language and the premise that they were working at cross-purposes.
But after awhile the language became clunky rather than historical, and midway through I stopped caring for either of the characters - they were both being ridiculous.
And the story started feeling more and more convoluted. By the end I just wanted to know the deal with the bracelet and even that was denieed me.
I doubt I'll read any of the others.
November 21, 2019
Matchmaker meets matchbreaker
Lord Dashwood is destitute and needs money fast, Wilhelmina is also in need of funds. One becomes a match breaker and the other a matchmaker. I loved the premise of this twist. And the road to HEA for this couple. You won’t be disappointed in this read!
Lord Dashwood is destitute and needs money fast, Wilhelmina is also in need of funds. One becomes a match breaker and the other a matchmaker. I loved the premise of this twist. And the road to HEA for this couple. You won’t be disappointed in this read!
February 23, 2018
Interesting twists and turns keep you turning the pages
Interesting story with a few subplots that keep you guessing. When you think you know how it will turn out the plot twists. I'm intrigued to find out if the next book in the series is Livie's story.
Interesting story with a few subplots that keep you guessing. When you think you know how it will turn out the plot twists. I'm intrigued to find out if the next book in the series is Livie's story.
April 4, 2019
Not a bad book, but a terrible ending. Like it should have another chapter.
I would think this book has no conclusion. No real ending. It seems incomplete. It needs another chapter to wrap everything up.
I would think this book has no conclusion. No real ending. It seems incomplete. It needs another chapter to wrap everything up.
November 9, 2017
So excited for this delightful and sexy series!!
October 19, 2018
Very enjoyable story! 4☆
Read
November 9, 2019Romance
Loved the characters. Interesting plot with twists and turns. The usual happy ending. Surprises in the storyline. Would recommend it
Loved the characters. Interesting plot with twists and turns. The usual happy ending. Surprises in the storyline. Would recommend it
May 3, 2025
2.5 Would have been better if they match made and match broke for a bit before their paths crossed. Also didn’t love the fact that the only reason MMC changed his mind was financial security
December 15, 2025
That abrupt and crappy ending took TWO stars off. No resolution
May 19, 2015
I think it’s safe to say that something about Anabelle Bryant’s writing doesn’t work for me. This is the second book of hers that I’ve tried, and although I actually managed to finish this one, it was a close run thing. If you prefer the idea of history in your romance rather than historical accuracy, and enjoy reading about Regenciana Land rather than Regency England, you’ll probably get on a lot better with this than I did. But historical accuracy issues weren’t the only problems I found here.
I loved the idea of this book – the matchmaker vs the matchbreaker – and yet the story itself was a disappointing. At the start of the book both Wilhelmina and Valerian are both facing a life of gentile poverty thanks in part to their younger siblings – though Whimsy’s sister is ill rather than careless like Val’s brother – and those same siblings have each come up with a scheme to assist the family finances. The similarities continue when both Whimsy and Val are hired by the parents of the same man, one to ensure the engagement happens and one to prevent it.
For me, that’s where this book starts to fall apart. I would have much preferred for the two of them to have at least established themselves in their prospective roles before going up against each other, but I might not have minded so much if Whimsy’s role in that particular match wasn’t so pointless. I could see why the father might have wanted Val to break the match (though his objections and follow up vacillations are ridiculous at best), but there’s no need for Whimsy to bring together two people who are already widely regarded as a match. All Leonard needed to do was propose – which is not something Whimsy could have encouraged him to do.
There’s also the fact that nobody in this book has any friends – until they meet each other in convenient circumstances. Whimsy becomes instant best friends with the girl she’s matchmaking, while Val reconnects with a man he hasn’t seen since school, and there are no other friends in sight for any of them. The whole making and breaking of the courtship is also repetitive and farcical, throwing up problems that aren’t even there and making everything tangle up in knots that I didn’t even care about seeing broken.
It all felt unnecessarily silly and foolish, dragging on much longer than necessary, but surprisingly after that was taken care of everything got worse. At the beginning there is an attempt at keeping things true to the historical period, but after halfway even this pretense collapses. There’s the sadly familiar mess with titles, everyone is way too free with each other’s first names, and to be honest I got completely confused about Whimsy’s place in the world. One moment she’s the daughter of respectable, but not particularly rich people, whose estate was sold off after her parents’ deaths. Then she’s the daughter of an earl. Then she’s Lady Montgomery, which makes her a peer. Which also makes no sense considering everything that’s gone before. As for the meddlesome Lord Rigby, he’s an earl married to a marchioness, while his son sometimes assumes the title too. And that’s without the other errors that made me twitch – biscuits with gravy, a riding horse suddenly harnessed to a carriage, street blocks.
The biggest error and plot mess for me, though, was when Whimsy turns up at Val’s house. Not only does she somehow make it from London to Devon in an hour or two (I’d love to know how, since it takes over three these days), but she turns up at a gentleman’s house in the evening, on her own without a chaperon, and this is totally fine with everyone? It’s bad enough that she gallivants all over London without a maid, when she’s supposed to be a lady or an earl’s daughter, or something, but turning up at his country home, having travelled over a long distance on her own, without even a thought about the impropriety was just too much in a book already filled with foolishness and plot holes.
Add in some clunky dialogue and a bunch of characters I didn’t care a whit for and only stubbornness carried me through the end. It’s safe to say I won’t be reading the next one in this series. Plenty of other people seem to love this author, though, so clearly there’s just something here that doesn’t work for me.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I loved the idea of this book – the matchmaker vs the matchbreaker – and yet the story itself was a disappointing. At the start of the book both Wilhelmina and Valerian are both facing a life of gentile poverty thanks in part to their younger siblings – though Whimsy’s sister is ill rather than careless like Val’s brother – and those same siblings have each come up with a scheme to assist the family finances. The similarities continue when both Whimsy and Val are hired by the parents of the same man, one to ensure the engagement happens and one to prevent it.
For me, that’s where this book starts to fall apart. I would have much preferred for the two of them to have at least established themselves in their prospective roles before going up against each other, but I might not have minded so much if Whimsy’s role in that particular match wasn’t so pointless. I could see why the father might have wanted Val to break the match (though his objections and follow up vacillations are ridiculous at best), but there’s no need for Whimsy to bring together two people who are already widely regarded as a match. All Leonard needed to do was propose – which is not something Whimsy could have encouraged him to do.
There’s also the fact that nobody in this book has any friends – until they meet each other in convenient circumstances. Whimsy becomes instant best friends with the girl she’s matchmaking, while Val reconnects with a man he hasn’t seen since school, and there are no other friends in sight for any of them. The whole making and breaking of the courtship is also repetitive and farcical, throwing up problems that aren’t even there and making everything tangle up in knots that I didn’t even care about seeing broken.
It all felt unnecessarily silly and foolish, dragging on much longer than necessary, but surprisingly after that was taken care of everything got worse. At the beginning there is an attempt at keeping things true to the historical period, but after halfway even this pretense collapses. There’s the sadly familiar mess with titles, everyone is way too free with each other’s first names, and to be honest I got completely confused about Whimsy’s place in the world. One moment she’s the daughter of respectable, but not particularly rich people, whose estate was sold off after her parents’ deaths. Then she’s the daughter of an earl. Then she’s Lady Montgomery, which makes her a peer. Which also makes no sense considering everything that’s gone before. As for the meddlesome Lord Rigby, he’s an earl married to a marchioness, while his son sometimes assumes the title too. And that’s without the other errors that made me twitch – biscuits with gravy, a riding horse suddenly harnessed to a carriage, street blocks.
The biggest error and plot mess for me, though, was when Whimsy turns up at Val’s house. Not only does she somehow make it from London to Devon in an hour or two (I’d love to know how, since it takes over three these days), but she turns up at a gentleman’s house in the evening, on her own without a chaperon, and this is totally fine with everyone? It’s bad enough that she gallivants all over London without a maid, when she’s supposed to be a lady or an earl’s daughter, or something, but turning up at his country home, having travelled over a long distance on her own, without even a thought about the impropriety was just too much in a book already filled with foolishness and plot holes.
Add in some clunky dialogue and a bunch of characters I didn’t care a whit for and only stubbornness carried me through the end. It’s safe to say I won’t be reading the next one in this series. Plenty of other people seem to love this author, though, so clearly there’s just something here that doesn’t work for me.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
May 1, 2016
Defying the Earl by Anabelle Bryant is the first book of her Regency Charm Series and what a great start it is! This book has a great plot, well developed characters, a wonderful storyline and great dialog between all of the characters.
The two main characters are Wilhelmina Montgomery and Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood, and the way they come to know each other is quite unusual to say the least. Valerian also has a younger brother who takes after their father and takes nothing seriously, spending money on anything he wants to and thus he and his brother are in dire straits, and they are a month away from being totally broke with servants to pay, and the estate falling into ruin. Valerian is at wits end, not knowing what will happen.
Wilhelmina, or 'Whimsy' to her friends is a beautiful young woman, but due to circumstances of a year ago, she will not be able to have a normal girl's young dream of coming out in society, as her parents and her young sister were in a horrible accident one night - their carriage overturned, killing her mother and father; her sister survived but bed ridden until recently. If not for their aunt they would be in a worse situation than they are now, at least they have a roof over their heads, and an Aunt who loves them. Whimsy needs to find a way to make money as her sister's treatments are costly, and her aunt is not wealthy.
It is during one of the ton's parties that Whimsy meets Valerian, while incidentally they are both doing their own new jobs, unfortunately involving the same people! Whimsy is acting as a matchmaker! Valerian is acting as a matchbreaker! Needless to say, sparks fly behind the scenes as they confront each other while they are both doing their best to cause their needed plans to come into fruition! On the same couple! They both are depending on the money they are earning to see them through.
On top of all this Whimsy can't help but notice how handsome the Earl of Dashwood is! The Earl can't help but feel a little besotted by the lovely Whimsy. While all this is going on at several different functions they are attending, Valerian is worried sick at what he thinks his brother is up to, carousing and drinking away what's left of their life savings. The Earl and Whimsy start running into each other everywhere! Now not only are sparks flying, romance is in the air!
Once these two learn of each other however and things change for the person the Earl is working for and now he wants Dashwood to encourage rather than break up the couple in question, he agrees to help Whimsy so she will get what she needs to help her sister, and he will get what he needs to start pulling the estate out of ruin! This causes them to have time to get to know each other and everything is going along well for all involved-until the man the Earl is working for changes his mind yet again!
Read this book and find out what happens with Whimsy, the Earl, and their family members. On top of all this while they are in direst of straits, Whimsy sells her Mother's beloved charm bracelet which has 4 charms on it with a space for another on it. The Earl sells his last valuable thing-his mother's special charm, of which he is heartsick to sell. It was the last valuable thing he had of his mother and he never wanted to sell it.
There is a store in town that one can sell and purchase valuable things at, run by a peculiar man and a big yellow cat. See what happens when Whimsy's aunt makes her go back and get the charm bracelet she sold, and it ends up with a new charm to replace the missing one! When she goes back to the store and the cat gets out and she is forced to chase him down to bring him back, she loses this charm bracelet! It falls right into the river! The cat gets home safe but what he causes to happen is unreal and Whimsy goes home soaked yet again in water, mud and a ruined gown and slippers!
One things for sure, this book will delight you and you will find yourself at times laughing at the circumstances these characters wind up in, you will also get vexed by their behavior at times to each other and to others as well! I loved the dialogs in this book and I loved the moments when the character's are talking to themselves and acting like they will do what is needed or right and then hours later will be doing the exact opposite!
I gave this book 5***** stars!
The two main characters are Wilhelmina Montgomery and Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood, and the way they come to know each other is quite unusual to say the least. Valerian also has a younger brother who takes after their father and takes nothing seriously, spending money on anything he wants to and thus he and his brother are in dire straits, and they are a month away from being totally broke with servants to pay, and the estate falling into ruin. Valerian is at wits end, not knowing what will happen.
Wilhelmina, or 'Whimsy' to her friends is a beautiful young woman, but due to circumstances of a year ago, she will not be able to have a normal girl's young dream of coming out in society, as her parents and her young sister were in a horrible accident one night - their carriage overturned, killing her mother and father; her sister survived but bed ridden until recently. If not for their aunt they would be in a worse situation than they are now, at least they have a roof over their heads, and an Aunt who loves them. Whimsy needs to find a way to make money as her sister's treatments are costly, and her aunt is not wealthy.
It is during one of the ton's parties that Whimsy meets Valerian, while incidentally they are both doing their own new jobs, unfortunately involving the same people! Whimsy is acting as a matchmaker! Valerian is acting as a matchbreaker! Needless to say, sparks fly behind the scenes as they confront each other while they are both doing their best to cause their needed plans to come into fruition! On the same couple! They both are depending on the money they are earning to see them through.
On top of all this Whimsy can't help but notice how handsome the Earl of Dashwood is! The Earl can't help but feel a little besotted by the lovely Whimsy. While all this is going on at several different functions they are attending, Valerian is worried sick at what he thinks his brother is up to, carousing and drinking away what's left of their life savings. The Earl and Whimsy start running into each other everywhere! Now not only are sparks flying, romance is in the air!
Once these two learn of each other however and things change for the person the Earl is working for and now he wants Dashwood to encourage rather than break up the couple in question, he agrees to help Whimsy so she will get what she needs to help her sister, and he will get what he needs to start pulling the estate out of ruin! This causes them to have time to get to know each other and everything is going along well for all involved-until the man the Earl is working for changes his mind yet again!
Read this book and find out what happens with Whimsy, the Earl, and their family members. On top of all this while they are in direst of straits, Whimsy sells her Mother's beloved charm bracelet which has 4 charms on it with a space for another on it. The Earl sells his last valuable thing-his mother's special charm, of which he is heartsick to sell. It was the last valuable thing he had of his mother and he never wanted to sell it.
There is a store in town that one can sell and purchase valuable things at, run by a peculiar man and a big yellow cat. See what happens when Whimsy's aunt makes her go back and get the charm bracelet she sold, and it ends up with a new charm to replace the missing one! When she goes back to the store and the cat gets out and she is forced to chase him down to bring him back, she loses this charm bracelet! It falls right into the river! The cat gets home safe but what he causes to happen is unreal and Whimsy goes home soaked yet again in water, mud and a ruined gown and slippers!
One things for sure, this book will delight you and you will find yourself at times laughing at the circumstances these characters wind up in, you will also get vexed by their behavior at times to each other and to others as well! I loved the dialogs in this book and I loved the moments when the character's are talking to themselves and acting like they will do what is needed or right and then hours later will be doing the exact opposite!
I gave this book 5***** stars!
September 26, 2016
First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
Oh what a delightful Regency romp! And to think, this is only the first novel in the Regency Charms series… I see more fun love stories in my future that’s for sure.
It’s not unusual to find members of the aristocracy in financial straits. Some lived their entire extravagant lives while deep in debt and thought little of it – the only thought was that an advantageous marriage would solve the problem, until the next time. And to use matchmakers to help bring about those marriages has been done long before the good folks of London did it.
For some, like Whimsy or I should say, Wilhelmina Montgomery aren’t looking for marriages for themselves – but to discreetly sell their matchmaking abilities and connections within the ton. What other options does a Lady have when she must look after her sister, who since the accident needs medical care that Whimsy simply cannot afford. It shouldn’t be a difficult chore. After all, when looking upon prospective marital mates it’s so much easier to see who would suit each other well when one isn’t personally, emotionally involved. It should be a relatively easy and safe way to get the funds needed for her sister’s care.
The Earl of Dashwood has no intention of every marrying. Valerian is penniless for one point, and for another he just doesn’t “get” this love and ever after kind of thing. What he does understand is that men who wish to cry off from their engagements for whatever reason risk being sued. Why couldn’t his services be used to, shall we say, “help” a gentlemen out of his marital contract without danger of being sued by the girl’s parents – wouldn’t that be worth payment from grateful men who barely escaped the wedding noose? Just think of Valerian as a matchbreaker, instead of the traditional matchmaker.
So there we have our hero and our heroine, each at the opposite end of the love or marriage mart shenanigans. When Whimsy discovers that Valerian is trying to break up one of her matched couples – then life gets interesting.
I completely enjoyed Defying the Earl. The story is involved, fun, sweet, sexy and at times a definite laugh out loud moment. Valerian is really clueless of the damage he is doing to so many lives. Right up to the point where Whimsy becomes important to him… then he must rethink a bit.
I have loved Historical Romance for years, and I am always looking for that amazing story or series to get totally caught up in. I would recommend this novel for anyone who loves romance – because this is not only a novel about match making and breaking, but about two people who thought they’d never, ever get their chance at happy ever after. Pick this one up and lose yourself in history and romance – and a darned good story too.
*I received an e-ARC of Defying the Earl from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
~What you, the reader, always must remember is this simple truth. Any review is just one person’s opinion. You might feel the same or totally different. The only way to know for certain if any novel is right for you – is for you to read it. This was my opinion of this particular book.~
Oh what a delightful Regency romp! And to think, this is only the first novel in the Regency Charms series… I see more fun love stories in my future that’s for sure.
It’s not unusual to find members of the aristocracy in financial straits. Some lived their entire extravagant lives while deep in debt and thought little of it – the only thought was that an advantageous marriage would solve the problem, until the next time. And to use matchmakers to help bring about those marriages has been done long before the good folks of London did it.
For some, like Whimsy or I should say, Wilhelmina Montgomery aren’t looking for marriages for themselves – but to discreetly sell their matchmaking abilities and connections within the ton. What other options does a Lady have when she must look after her sister, who since the accident needs medical care that Whimsy simply cannot afford. It shouldn’t be a difficult chore. After all, when looking upon prospective marital mates it’s so much easier to see who would suit each other well when one isn’t personally, emotionally involved. It should be a relatively easy and safe way to get the funds needed for her sister’s care.
The Earl of Dashwood has no intention of every marrying. Valerian is penniless for one point, and for another he just doesn’t “get” this love and ever after kind of thing. What he does understand is that men who wish to cry off from their engagements for whatever reason risk being sued. Why couldn’t his services be used to, shall we say, “help” a gentlemen out of his marital contract without danger of being sued by the girl’s parents – wouldn’t that be worth payment from grateful men who barely escaped the wedding noose? Just think of Valerian as a matchbreaker, instead of the traditional matchmaker.
So there we have our hero and our heroine, each at the opposite end of the love or marriage mart shenanigans. When Whimsy discovers that Valerian is trying to break up one of her matched couples – then life gets interesting.
I completely enjoyed Defying the Earl. The story is involved, fun, sweet, sexy and at times a definite laugh out loud moment. Valerian is really clueless of the damage he is doing to so many lives. Right up to the point where Whimsy becomes important to him… then he must rethink a bit.
I have loved Historical Romance for years, and I am always looking for that amazing story or series to get totally caught up in. I would recommend this novel for anyone who loves romance – because this is not only a novel about match making and breaking, but about two people who thought they’d never, ever get their chance at happy ever after. Pick this one up and lose yourself in history and romance – and a darned good story too.
*I received an e-ARC of Defying the Earl from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
~What you, the reader, always must remember is this simple truth. Any review is just one person’s opinion. You might feel the same or totally different. The only way to know for certain if any novel is right for you – is for you to read it. This was my opinion of this particular book.~
May 30, 2015
AMAZING PAGE TURNING READ!!!
This is the first book I have read by Anabelle Bryant, but I will PROMISE THIS, it will not be the last. Defying the Earl is book one in the Regency Charms series, which is about a magical mystical charm bracelet. Since finishing this book in one sitting, I have ordered and downloaded her previous series, Three Regency Rogues.
I made a super choice when I decided to try Anabelle Bryant. She has earned a permanent place on my read and reread page turning keeper shelf. She writes with a super flair which once the reader opens the book they are pulled into the story and feel as if they are part of the characters. From page one I did not want to put the book down, even carrying it into various places just to keep reading. Everything on my to do list took a back seat to finishing the story of this hero and heroine.
This story is fast paced, full of twists and turns, humor, romance, and everything other ingredient needed to make a page turning romance that will bring the reader back for more. I won’t go into great details of the book as you can read about it in the book description
The heroine, Wilhelmina Montgomery (nickname Whimsy), is an independent, strong-willed, and stand up for herself lady. She has an ill sister to care for so to make ends meet she helps couples find each other and pairs the couples as a way to make money. She does like to meet and pair the most unlikely couples.
The hero, Earl of Dashwood, Valerian St. David, is in financial need to repair his home and pay inherited debt. He thinks, as a suggestion from his brother Jasper, to become the ton’s match breaker, meaning he helps those who do not want to marry escape the trap and does this with no threat of the gentleman being taken to court for breach of promise, all for a fee, of course.
Imagine what can happen when you come upon a lady of the ton who wants things one way and a male member of the ton who decidedly wants things another way. As he himself has no thoughts and no plans whatsoever to marry, he thinks helping other gents obtain the same goal is the thing to do. But just watch the sparks fly when everything collides. In their pulling apart against each other, can this couple possibly overcome and give in to the attraction they feel for each other.
I highly recommend this book, author, and anything she has written to anyone who enjoys reading romance. I will put Anabelle Bryant on my auto buy list for future releases.
This is the first book I have read by Anabelle Bryant, but I will PROMISE THIS, it will not be the last. Defying the Earl is book one in the Regency Charms series, which is about a magical mystical charm bracelet. Since finishing this book in one sitting, I have ordered and downloaded her previous series, Three Regency Rogues.
I made a super choice when I decided to try Anabelle Bryant. She has earned a permanent place on my read and reread page turning keeper shelf. She writes with a super flair which once the reader opens the book they are pulled into the story and feel as if they are part of the characters. From page one I did not want to put the book down, even carrying it into various places just to keep reading. Everything on my to do list took a back seat to finishing the story of this hero and heroine.
This story is fast paced, full of twists and turns, humor, romance, and everything other ingredient needed to make a page turning romance that will bring the reader back for more. I won’t go into great details of the book as you can read about it in the book description
The heroine, Wilhelmina Montgomery (nickname Whimsy), is an independent, strong-willed, and stand up for herself lady. She has an ill sister to care for so to make ends meet she helps couples find each other and pairs the couples as a way to make money. She does like to meet and pair the most unlikely couples.
The hero, Earl of Dashwood, Valerian St. David, is in financial need to repair his home and pay inherited debt. He thinks, as a suggestion from his brother Jasper, to become the ton’s match breaker, meaning he helps those who do not want to marry escape the trap and does this with no threat of the gentleman being taken to court for breach of promise, all for a fee, of course.
Imagine what can happen when you come upon a lady of the ton who wants things one way and a male member of the ton who decidedly wants things another way. As he himself has no thoughts and no plans whatsoever to marry, he thinks helping other gents obtain the same goal is the thing to do. But just watch the sparks fly when everything collides. In their pulling apart against each other, can this couple possibly overcome and give in to the attraction they feel for each other.
I highly recommend this book, author, and anything she has written to anyone who enjoys reading romance. I will put Anabelle Bryant on my auto buy list for future releases.
Read
March 7, 2016Defying the Earl by Annabelle Bryant is a High 5 Star Read. This lovely tale will capture the hearts of historical romance lovers all around.
Wilhelmina Montgomery has come up with a clever way to help her sister get more treatments. Her sister, Livie, and her parents were in a terrible accident some years before. Her parents died and Livie was badly hurt, she became unable to walk. Live and Wilhelmina live with their aunt Kate and Livie’s treatments for her legs have become very costly and Wilhelmina come up with a plan to be a matchmaker and help bring couples who truly love one another together. While browsing in the bookstore, Wilhelmina comes upon Lady Brigby who wants to see her son Leonard matched up with the one he truly desires, Lady Fiona. So Wilhelmina is on her way to matchmaking and bringing in some money to help pay for Livie’s treatments.
Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is in need of a way to make money quick. He and his brother are in dire straits. His father the former Earl squandered their savings and now his brother Jasper has gambled and partied what remained of their savings and inheritance and now creditors are hounding on their door and they are in fear of losing their manor in the country. So the two come up with a plan to be matchbreakers in order to recoup what they’ve lost. He meets with Lord Rigby who wants nothing more than to see his son not fall in love with Lord Noble’s daughter, Fiona. Leonard Rigby has been smitten with Lady Fiona and truly desires her, so it is up to Valerian to break the two up.
Through a series of circumstances and rather humorous meetings, Lord Valerian and Lady Wilhelmina keep running into one another and neither has any knowledge of what the other has been up to. Through their matchmaking and matchbreaking schemes they both find themselves falling for one another. Valerian invites Wilhelmina to Kirby’s Place, his manor in the country and opens up to her about his impoverished situation and also bears his heart and expresses just how in love he is with her. Will Wilhelmina accept Valerian as poor as he is? Will she too open and give her heart to him? What will become of their matchmaking and matchbreaking schemes?
Annabelle Bryant weaves a beautiful tale of love, romance and yes schemes and humor all around. The scenery and plot are vivid and deep. Each character is well developed and the reader can’t help but fall in love with each one. I can’t wait to read the next in this wonderful series! This is truly a wonderful book that will make a great addition to your library.
Wilhelmina Montgomery has come up with a clever way to help her sister get more treatments. Her sister, Livie, and her parents were in a terrible accident some years before. Her parents died and Livie was badly hurt, she became unable to walk. Live and Wilhelmina live with their aunt Kate and Livie’s treatments for her legs have become very costly and Wilhelmina come up with a plan to be a matchmaker and help bring couples who truly love one another together. While browsing in the bookstore, Wilhelmina comes upon Lady Brigby who wants to see her son Leonard matched up with the one he truly desires, Lady Fiona. So Wilhelmina is on her way to matchmaking and bringing in some money to help pay for Livie’s treatments.
Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is in need of a way to make money quick. He and his brother are in dire straits. His father the former Earl squandered their savings and now his brother Jasper has gambled and partied what remained of their savings and inheritance and now creditors are hounding on their door and they are in fear of losing their manor in the country. So the two come up with a plan to be matchbreakers in order to recoup what they’ve lost. He meets with Lord Rigby who wants nothing more than to see his son not fall in love with Lord Noble’s daughter, Fiona. Leonard Rigby has been smitten with Lady Fiona and truly desires her, so it is up to Valerian to break the two up.
Through a series of circumstances and rather humorous meetings, Lord Valerian and Lady Wilhelmina keep running into one another and neither has any knowledge of what the other has been up to. Through their matchmaking and matchbreaking schemes they both find themselves falling for one another. Valerian invites Wilhelmina to Kirby’s Place, his manor in the country and opens up to her about his impoverished situation and also bears his heart and expresses just how in love he is with her. Will Wilhelmina accept Valerian as poor as he is? Will she too open and give her heart to him? What will become of their matchmaking and matchbreaking schemes?
Annabelle Bryant weaves a beautiful tale of love, romance and yes schemes and humor all around. The scenery and plot are vivid and deep. Each character is well developed and the reader can’t help but fall in love with each one. I can’t wait to read the next in this wonderful series! This is truly a wonderful book that will make a great addition to your library.
June 5, 2015
Check out more reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
Whimsy has responsibilities. She can't continue to rely on someone else to help her take care of her sister. She needs money yesterday. Whimsy comes up with a fabulous plan, not only will it get her out into society but it will pad her pockets and make her future a little more secure. Whimsy is going to become a matchmaker. And really, what an easy job! At least that's what she thinks. Enter Valerian ... he also needs money, his estate is crumbling around him, his life is in shambles and his brother keeps blowing through money like it's going out of style. Valerian decides that he's going to become a matchbreaker. He also thinks his job couldn't be any easier! Valerian and Whimsy have no idea that they are working to sabotage the other.
When I read the summary for this one, I was intrigued. I've never read anything like this and the matchbreaker idea was fabulous! Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. It's been a long time since I didn't connect with a historical romance novel, I love just about every one that I come across. But there was just something off about this one.
I didn't find myself connected to the characters in any way. I found them to be a bit boring and shallow. I just couldn't drum up any type of reaction to them except indifference. There was literally no love lost on the people in this novel. That is just so weird for me. Only a handful of times have I just not connected with any of the characters. I really could have cared less about any of them.
Because I couldn't seem to connect with the characters, it made for a VERY long read. It took me forever to get through this one because everything felt just so ... long winded. I know that sounds rude, but why take seventeen pages to say something that could be said in one paragraph? I don't mind books that take a leisurely jaunt around the plot but this was just too much. I found myself just not wanting to read at all rather than continue Whimsy's story.
This book is really well liked ... I'm definitely in the minority with my feelings on this one. Hopefully you'll have better luck than I did.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review *
July 24, 2015
3 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Rock Hard from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Wilhelmina Montgomery, or Whimsy, feels that she must do something to help her aunt with her crippled sister’s medical bills. Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is in major debt and in need of anything to keep his creditors away. Both get roped into a scheme by a husband and wife to match and break their son from a certain lady. Whimsy to do the matching, Valerian to do the breaking. They keep encountering each other. Trying to ignore the attraction between the two of them might just be the most impossible thing.
I wanted so bad to like this book. But I got into it and discovered that the blurb is a lot misleading. I loved the idea that the two were already match making/breaking. That they had already been established and that they were rivals who fell in love while one uping each other. I expected a lot of back and forth plus maybe a few outrageous pranks. None of this happened. Whimsy and Valerian are both inexperienced and quite clumsy try to achieve their own goals.
I thought the end was a little weird. She's in love with him but he won't marry her and she sleeps with him anyway even though it won't change his mind. I just didn't make sense to me. And how the carriage accident was her fault. And how she loses the bracelet that she loves and carries significant and it isn't brought up again. He doesn't replace it or try to find it. She just lets it go. I don't' think so.
So I wanted to this book to be something it wasn’t. It was okay but it could have been much better.
I received an e-ARC copy of Rock Hard from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Wilhelmina Montgomery, or Whimsy, feels that she must do something to help her aunt with her crippled sister’s medical bills. Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood is in major debt and in need of anything to keep his creditors away. Both get roped into a scheme by a husband and wife to match and break their son from a certain lady. Whimsy to do the matching, Valerian to do the breaking. They keep encountering each other. Trying to ignore the attraction between the two of them might just be the most impossible thing.
I wanted so bad to like this book. But I got into it and discovered that the blurb is a lot misleading. I loved the idea that the two were already match making/breaking. That they had already been established and that they were rivals who fell in love while one uping each other. I expected a lot of back and forth plus maybe a few outrageous pranks. None of this happened. Whimsy and Valerian are both inexperienced and quite clumsy try to achieve their own goals.
I thought the end was a little weird. She's in love with him but he won't marry her and she sleeps with him anyway even though it won't change his mind. I just didn't make sense to me. And how the carriage accident was her fault. And how she loses the bracelet that she loves and carries significant and it isn't brought up again. He doesn't replace it or try to find it. She just lets it go. I don't' think so.
So I wanted to this book to be something it wasn’t. It was okay but it could have been much better.
June 23, 2015
DEFYING THE EARL by Anabelle Bryant is an exciting Regency Historical Romance. It is the first book in the new “Regency Charms” series. A Great Beginning! Each romance is represented by a different charm on a magical charm bracelet. A unique precept to the storyline! Think Panadora Jewelry Charms.
This is Wilhelmina Montgomery and Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood’s story. What will be their charm? Wilhelmina, in order to help pay for her sister’s medical care becomes a Matchmaker of the Ton.
Vallerian is a penniless Earl seeking a match. Sparks ignite between the two. The chemistry between them is magical . This book is filled with witty dialogue, passionate kisses, passion, romance, love and a few twists and turns, the reader won’t see coming.
I enjoyed this story very much! Ms. Bryant’s storytelling is not to be missed. She has a way with words, her stories are unique and spellbinding. Fans of Eloisa James or Tessa Dare, are sure to enjoy, this charming, charismatic characters and unique storyline. A must read for fans of quirky, energetic stories with a few twists and turns. Fans of Regency Historical Romance and great Romance are sure to enjoy “Defying the Earl”. A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read! I look forward to the book #2 of the series.
The cover art did bother me a bit as the heroine's eyes look as if she is startled and not enjoying what is going on. The cover art could use a little improvement in that area.
*I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an Honest Review*
This is Wilhelmina Montgomery and Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood’s story. What will be their charm? Wilhelmina, in order to help pay for her sister’s medical care becomes a Matchmaker of the Ton.
Vallerian is a penniless Earl seeking a match. Sparks ignite between the two. The chemistry between them is magical . This book is filled with witty dialogue, passionate kisses, passion, romance, love and a few twists and turns, the reader won’t see coming.
I enjoyed this story very much! Ms. Bryant’s storytelling is not to be missed. She has a way with words, her stories are unique and spellbinding. Fans of Eloisa James or Tessa Dare, are sure to enjoy, this charming, charismatic characters and unique storyline. A must read for fans of quirky, energetic stories with a few twists and turns. Fans of Regency Historical Romance and great Romance are sure to enjoy “Defying the Earl”. A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read! I look forward to the book #2 of the series.
The cover art did bother me a bit as the heroine's eyes look as if she is startled and not enjoying what is going on. The cover art could use a little improvement in that area.
*I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an Honest Review*
May 8, 2015
DEFYING THE EARL by Anabelle Bryant is an exciting Regency Historical Romance. #1 in the new and exciting "Regency Charms" series. What a beginning! Each romance is represented by a different charm on a mystical, magical charm bracelet. A unique storyline! Think Panadora Jewelry Charms.
This is Wilhelmina Montgomery and Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood's story. What will be their charm? Wilhelmina is a renowned Matchmaker of the Ton. Vallerian is penniless and seeking a match. Sparks fly between the two. The chemistry between these two is magical and beautiful. Filled with witty dialogue, passionate kisses, passion, romance, love and a few twists and turns, the reader won't see coming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I love Ms. Bryant's storytelling. She has a way with words, her stories are unique and a bit spellbinding. Fans of Eloisa James or Tessa Dare, are sure to enjoy, this charming, charismatic characters and unique storyline. A must read for fans of quirky, energetic stories with a few twists and turns, Regency Historical Romance and great Romance are sure to enjoy "Defying the Earl". A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read! I look forward to the next installment.
*Received for an honest review from the publisher through Net Galley*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
This is Wilhelmina Montgomery and Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood's story. What will be their charm? Wilhelmina is a renowned Matchmaker of the Ton. Vallerian is penniless and seeking a match. Sparks fly between the two. The chemistry between these two is magical and beautiful. Filled with witty dialogue, passionate kisses, passion, romance, love and a few twists and turns, the reader won't see coming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I love Ms. Bryant's storytelling. She has a way with words, her stories are unique and a bit spellbinding. Fans of Eloisa James or Tessa Dare, are sure to enjoy, this charming, charismatic characters and unique storyline. A must read for fans of quirky, energetic stories with a few twists and turns, Regency Historical Romance and great Romance are sure to enjoy "Defying the Earl". A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read! I look forward to the next installment.
*Received for an honest review from the publisher through Net Galley*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
August 17, 2015
This is book 1 in the Regency Charms series.
Wilhelmina "Whimsy" Montgomery must find a way to support her aunt, sister and herself after the death of her parents. Trying her hand at matching making, she gets her first paying job that appears to be a piece of cake. The couple is very close to getting engaged anyway, she she just needs to make sure they stay on that path. She hadn't counted on Valerian St. David.
Valerian, the Earl of Dashwood, hardly has enough money to feed himself, let alone pay his staff and support his properties. His brother is full of ridiculous ideas on how to make money, but his latest scheme might just work. Valerian is going to act as a match breaker. He is quickly hired to break up his first couple, which just happens to be the couple that Whimsy is trying to keep together.
What happens when these two cross paths with different purposes? Sparks fly for sure!
LOVED this story. I always love a story where the H/H banter with each other throughout the story and this story had plenty of that. Bryant hits it out of the ballpark again!! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Thanks go out to Carina UK for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
Wilhelmina "Whimsy" Montgomery must find a way to support her aunt, sister and herself after the death of her parents. Trying her hand at matching making, she gets her first paying job that appears to be a piece of cake. The couple is very close to getting engaged anyway, she she just needs to make sure they stay on that path. She hadn't counted on Valerian St. David.
Valerian, the Earl of Dashwood, hardly has enough money to feed himself, let alone pay his staff and support his properties. His brother is full of ridiculous ideas on how to make money, but his latest scheme might just work. Valerian is going to act as a match breaker. He is quickly hired to break up his first couple, which just happens to be the couple that Whimsy is trying to keep together.
What happens when these two cross paths with different purposes? Sparks fly for sure!
LOVED this story. I always love a story where the H/H banter with each other throughout the story and this story had plenty of that. Bryant hits it out of the ballpark again!! I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Thanks go out to Carina UK for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
May 8, 2015
As a first in a new series, called the Regency Charms series, Defying The Earl is a delightful read, written as only Anabelle Bryant can write it. Her characters are real and relatable, the story fun and engaging and her use of words....superb! I love reading everything Anabelle Bryant writes and Defying the Earl is now a new fave!
When an almost penniless down on his luck Valerian, the Earl of Dashwood, decides to start mis-matchmaking to save his brother, his family home and basically just to be able to survive, he runs, literally, into a desperate matchmaking Lady Wilhelmina Montgomery who'll do anything to help her sick sister, you find yourself in a whimsical story full of regret, romance, heartbreak and healing. Tie this in with an old romance Wilhelmina's sister has hidden, the Earls scheming but good hearted brother, an odd pawn store owner, his persnickety cat and a mysterious charm bracelet left to "Whimsy" by her mother, things tend to become, serendipitous....
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Regency period, romance and happily ever afters. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!
When an almost penniless down on his luck Valerian, the Earl of Dashwood, decides to start mis-matchmaking to save his brother, his family home and basically just to be able to survive, he runs, literally, into a desperate matchmaking Lady Wilhelmina Montgomery who'll do anything to help her sick sister, you find yourself in a whimsical story full of regret, romance, heartbreak and healing. Tie this in with an old romance Wilhelmina's sister has hidden, the Earls scheming but good hearted brother, an odd pawn store owner, his persnickety cat and a mysterious charm bracelet left to "Whimsy" by her mother, things tend to become, serendipitous....
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Regency period, romance and happily ever afters. Can't wait to read the next book in this series!
May 15, 2015
REVIEW: DEFYING THE EARL(REGENCY CHARMS #1) BY ANNABELLE BRYANT
My Review
Defying the Earl (Regency Charms, #1) by Anabelle BryantMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Out of necessity Whimsy has made matchmaking her preferred profession. The sum she makes helps take care of her family. Valerian is a penniless earl who breaks up unwanted matches. When he sets his site on ending one of Whimsy's matches, she is not about to let that happen. Defying the Earl is a gorgeous story with two funny and endearing characters that I found to be a pleasurable read. Received this story for an honest review.(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Defying-Earl-Re...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/defyi...
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
My Review
Defying the Earl (Regency Charms, #1) by Anabelle BryantMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Out of necessity Whimsy has made matchmaking her preferred profession. The sum she makes helps take care of her family. Valerian is a penniless earl who breaks up unwanted matches. When he sets his site on ending one of Whimsy's matches, she is not about to let that happen. Defying the Earl is a gorgeous story with two funny and endearing characters that I found to be a pleasurable read. Received this story for an honest review.(www.goodreads.com/review/list/2555691...)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Defying-Earl-Re...
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/defyi...
Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
May 19, 2015
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'Defying the Earl' is a light hearted story set in Regency England. Matchmaker versus matchbreaker is an interesting premise. Interwoven into the story is the charm bracelet, the Regency charm. There are plenty of plot twists and connections between the characters but the story does seem a little contrived. The story's pacing is a little slow in parts and more historical details would give the story greater depth but with well written characters and an ending that ties up all the loose ends; 'Defying the Earl' is a gentle introduction to Regency romance.
Anabelle Bryant
December 12, 2015
This is book one in the series "Regency Charms". I found this was a stand alone book, so don't be worried if you are reading the series out of order like me. Our heroine is Wilhelmina Montgomery and she had her sister lost their parent..which also left Whimsy’s sister with health issues. They have went to live with their aunt who they feel they are a great burden to with the cost of doctors. They come with the ideal to have Whimsy start going into the match making business to make money. Our hero is Valerian St. David, Earl of Dashwood. Who is to having a problems with not having any money due to his brother, who gambles and gets involved in crazy inventions. They decide to go into the un-matching business to raise money. Dash has been hurt before by a women so he does have a bad view of marriage and love. With both Whimsy and Dash set to do their first assignment on the same couple. Which starts the story of how they overcame being on opposite sides and working to have their true love.
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