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Marriage by Fate #1
The Reclusive Earl
Titled gentlemen are supposed to be perfect. Whether it be good looks, charm, or eloquent speech, everyone expects an earl to be refined in every way. And if the earl isn’t, he risks being shamed by the Ton. No one knows this better than Landon Tait, the Earl of Farewell, who’s been on the receiving end of the Ton’s gossip since he first made his appearance in London.
After the last Season, he vowed to stay as far from London as possible. But when his brother lands into serious trouble, he has no choice but to come to his aid. He tells himself he’ll make it quick. Just one evening, and his brother will be free from trouble. Then he can return to his country estate to enjoy his life of solitude.
Miss Opal Beaufort is attending a ball when she overhears the snickers about a certain gentleman who was born with a lisp. Several ladies sneak to a private room to listen to him, and something in Opal snaps. She can’t stand the idea of someone being made the laughingstock of the Ton. But as soon as she intervenes on his behalf, a scandal ensues, and she finds herself unwittingly betrothed to him.
Now, Landon isn’t only forced to stay in London to face the ridicule of the Ton, but he also must deal with a beautiful wife who might find him as imperfect as he fears.
After the last Season, he vowed to stay as far from London as possible. But when his brother lands into serious trouble, he has no choice but to come to his aid. He tells himself he’ll make it quick. Just one evening, and his brother will be free from trouble. Then he can return to his country estate to enjoy his life of solitude.
Miss Opal Beaufort is attending a ball when she overhears the snickers about a certain gentleman who was born with a lisp. Several ladies sneak to a private room to listen to him, and something in Opal snaps. She can’t stand the idea of someone being made the laughingstock of the Ton. But as soon as she intervenes on his behalf, a scandal ensues, and she finds herself unwittingly betrothed to him.
Now, Landon isn’t only forced to stay in London to face the ridicule of the Ton, but he also must deal with a beautiful wife who might find him as imperfect as he fears.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2017
803 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
172 books712 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 19, 2020
This is my favorite author, and I find it painful to write this review because although I love so many aspects of the book, there are some that I felt could have had more of an impact, but instead fell a little short.
First a brief summary:
Landon is a wealthy, honorable nobleman. He doesn't care for London and keeps himself to his country estate. The reason is because he speaks with a lisp, pronouncing words with an "s" as "th." This speech impediment has caused him embarrassment so he remain reclusive. He has though, over the years, learned to speak very carefully choosing his words slowly, with care, to avoid using words that contain an "s." (certainly a challenge on the author's part for sure).
Opal is coming into her first season and her brother Warren is very picky regarding her suitors. He throws a ball so that Opal may meet and consider some of these suitors. During the Ball, Landon and Opal are caught alone together in a room (innocently talking..nothing more) and are seen by many. To avoid a scandal they agree to marry.
Opal has had a tormented childhood growing up with an abusive mother. During that time she used to pretend to be insane..she did this by lying, saying she saw things that were not really there etc.. in order to avoid her mothers wrath. It appears to have worked so she kept it up until her mother passed.
Landon and Opal fall in love, accept each other for who they are. No scandal ever occurs and they are very happy.
The conflict arises due to
So what I loved:
So what's the problem?
-Conflict was too mild. No sense of urgency..nothing to make the heart pound. Too easy..too comfortable. Nothing life threatening. Basically the only emotions I felt were love (good thing) and embarrassment(for the hero).
-The lisp thing just didn't work for me. I would have liked to see him work on it..maybe with the heroine, to try to improve it instead of avoiding it by choosing different words. The lisp sadly for me, made the hero seem a little silly. I can't explain it. I felt very very sorry for him..I truly did, but when the lisp came out.. it was so distracting that it disrupted the flow of the reading for me.
-Heroine was too perfect. I felt her past with her mother should have been shown and not just told. I didn't have any feeling of pity for Opal because we are never SHOWN how she was abused.. no visual snippets of that terrible time of her life.
-Too much talking about insignificant things. I would have liked more intense conversations about controversial or emotional matters. Something to get the blood pumping and the mind questioning.
-The hero was too sweaty and nervous. It was a little overkill.
-I think areas that were supposed to be humorous just didn't come off as funny. I think he just comes off as looking weak and silly.
DO NOT MISINTERPRET THIS REVIEW.
I DID LIKE THE BOOK VERY MUCH! I just felt it could have been great instead of very good.
I do love that this author writes atypical HR. That BOTH H & h are virgins..as opposed to the typical rakes and man-whores. I love that her heroines are strong and intelligent. She has written many books that I love and will read over and over again. But this one just didn't have the usual edge to them like her others. I prefer more conflict, a little more emotion, and humor with dialogue as opposed to humor at the expense of the character..if that makes sense.
IDK
I did like this book very much. It was a perfect..low angst gentle, sweet romance that doesn't ruffle the emotions of the reader.
Romance peeps-No safety issues at all
First a brief summary:
Landon is a wealthy, honorable nobleman. He doesn't care for London and keeps himself to his country estate. The reason is because he speaks with a lisp, pronouncing words with an "s" as "th." This speech impediment has caused him embarrassment so he remain reclusive. He has though, over the years, learned to speak very carefully choosing his words slowly, with care, to avoid using words that contain an "s." (certainly a challenge on the author's part for sure).
Opal is coming into her first season and her brother Warren is very picky regarding her suitors. He throws a ball so that Opal may meet and consider some of these suitors. During the Ball, Landon and Opal are caught alone together in a room (innocently talking..nothing more) and are seen by many. To avoid a scandal they agree to marry.
Opal has had a tormented childhood growing up with an abusive mother. During that time she used to pretend to be insane..she did this by lying, saying she saw things that were not really there etc.. in order to avoid her mothers wrath. It appears to have worked so she kept it up until her mother passed.
Landon and Opal fall in love, accept each other for who they are. No scandal ever occurs and they are very happy.
The conflict arises due to
So what I loved:
So what's the problem?
-Conflict was too mild. No sense of urgency..nothing to make the heart pound. Too easy..too comfortable. Nothing life threatening. Basically the only emotions I felt were love (good thing) and embarrassment(for the hero).
-The lisp thing just didn't work for me. I would have liked to see him work on it..maybe with the heroine, to try to improve it instead of avoiding it by choosing different words. The lisp sadly for me, made the hero seem a little silly. I can't explain it. I felt very very sorry for him..I truly did, but when the lisp came out.. it was so distracting that it disrupted the flow of the reading for me.
-Heroine was too perfect. I felt her past with her mother should have been shown and not just told. I didn't have any feeling of pity for Opal because we are never SHOWN how she was abused.. no visual snippets of that terrible time of her life.
-Too much talking about insignificant things. I would have liked more intense conversations about controversial or emotional matters. Something to get the blood pumping and the mind questioning.
-The hero was too sweaty and nervous. It was a little overkill.
-I think areas that were supposed to be humorous just didn't come off as funny. I think he just comes off as looking weak and silly.
DO NOT MISINTERPRET THIS REVIEW.
I DID LIKE THE BOOK VERY MUCH! I just felt it could have been great instead of very good.
I do love that this author writes atypical HR. That BOTH H & h are virgins..as opposed to the typical rakes and man-whores. I love that her heroines are strong and intelligent. She has written many books that I love and will read over and over again. But this one just didn't have the usual edge to them like her others. I prefer more conflict, a little more emotion, and humor with dialogue as opposed to humor at the expense of the character..if that makes sense.
IDK
I did like this book very much. It was a perfect..low angst gentle, sweet romance that doesn't ruffle the emotions of the reader.
Romance peeps-No safety issues at all
July 28, 2018
Nice virginal heroine at her first ball accidently comprises shy virginal earl and they are forced to marry. On their wedding night he is a no show. So our h puts on her robe to go look for him. She finds him hiding under his bed with his hands over his face. She has to crawl under the bed and lay next to him to coax him out. Bless her Mary Sue heart. Nuff said.
February 22, 2024
4 🌟
I liked this sweet, low-angst romance!
Opal (h) is finally entering her first season and her brother is ready for her to find a husband. To help her do this, he compiles a list of suitable men and throws a ball at their townhouse. Whilst at the ball, however, Opal hears some women making fun of a man who talks with a lisp. Landon (H) hates being out in London because of the gossip he stars in when he speaks. He is painfully shy and aware of his lisp. When he finds himself involved in a scandal, he has to marry the beautiful woman who defended him like no one else before.
Opal was a great character. She was sweet and strong willed. When she marries Landon, she commits to bringing her shy husband out of his shell. Once they get past the initial awkwardness, they have a wonderful and loving relationship. Landon was lovely to Opal and you could really feel their love and acceptance of one another. All of the conflict in this was external to their relationship, but it still provided enough drama to keep me interested throughout.
My only issue with this was the unsatisfying conclusion with the bad guy. I’m convinced that this author just doesn’t know how to write a storyline where the villain gets their comeuppance.
Safety:
Dual v - both first everything.
No ow or om drama.
I liked this sweet, low-angst romance!
Opal (h) is finally entering her first season and her brother is ready for her to find a husband. To help her do this, he compiles a list of suitable men and throws a ball at their townhouse. Whilst at the ball, however, Opal hears some women making fun of a man who talks with a lisp. Landon (H) hates being out in London because of the gossip he stars in when he speaks. He is painfully shy and aware of his lisp. When he finds himself involved in a scandal, he has to marry the beautiful woman who defended him like no one else before.
Opal was a great character. She was sweet and strong willed. When she marries Landon, she commits to bringing her shy husband out of his shell. Once they get past the initial awkwardness, they have a wonderful and loving relationship. Landon was lovely to Opal and you could really feel their love and acceptance of one another. All of the conflict in this was external to their relationship, but it still provided enough drama to keep me interested throughout.
My only issue with this was the unsatisfying conclusion with the bad guy. I’m convinced that this author just doesn’t know how to write a storyline where the villain gets their comeuppance.
Safety:
Dual v - both first everything.
No ow or om drama.
July 25, 2021
2.5 stars. The scandal leading up to their wedding was rather thin, but just when I was starting to get bored with the very likable and nice (but ultimately a little dull) MCs, the author threw in some gothicky elements that drew me back in. As obvious as the truth was, it was nice to see the heroine trust the hero with her fears and seeing the hero step up out of his comfort zone to help her. I have high hopes for their HEA. :)
June 8, 2019
Ruth Ann Nordin is one in my collection of favorite authors so I decided to read The Reclusive Earl to shorten my TBR List.
Although the story was very nice and the characters loveable and warming, the story fell a bit short for me. No one's perfect and Landon's shortcomings made him annoying at times. Yes, he has a lisp but not everyone thinks it is a fault. Rather than dwell on the minor disability, I kept encouring him as well as myself while reading to accept it and devil care what others think.
Lovely story but not as good as some I've read by Ms. Nordin.
3-Stars
Although the story was very nice and the characters loveable and warming, the story fell a bit short for me. No one's perfect and Landon's shortcomings made him annoying at times. Yes, he has a lisp but not everyone thinks it is a fault. Rather than dwell on the minor disability, I kept encouring him as well as myself while reading to accept it and devil care what others think.
Lovely story but not as good as some I've read by Ms. Nordin.
3-Stars
October 4, 2017
I have to say that Regency England is not this author forte. Just like Landon, it felt like the author was trying too hard to choose the right word so that it won't stray from the Regency feeling. Everything was stiff. And there were too many unnecessary part.
I do like that the author wrote a not perfect hero. But, oh how I feel sorry for Landon. Maybe if he was a Duke, he could have a certain confidence only a Duke can establish. I don't care much about Opal. She was too perfect. And for suddenly accepting Landon when at first she was choosy, a bit unbelievable.
I like the plot, the hero and the author, enough for me to give it a 3.
I do like that the author wrote a not perfect hero. But, oh how I feel sorry for Landon. Maybe if he was a Duke, he could have a certain confidence only a Duke can establish. I don't care much about Opal. She was too perfect. And for suddenly accepting Landon when at first she was choosy, a bit unbelievable.
I like the plot, the hero and the author, enough for me to give it a 3.
July 30, 2018
Poor research. This reads like a contemporary novel with a few Regency bits chucked in for good measure.
Regency men did not have 'dens'. As far as I am aware the term 'den' is a modern phrase.
I found the 'lisp' aspect cringeworthy as well.
Regency men did not have 'dens'. As far as I am aware the term 'den' is a modern phrase.
I found the 'lisp' aspect cringeworthy as well.
November 10, 2020
This was a very unexpected read! It is one of the weirdest historical romances I have read recently if not at all. First half of it was romance and the second half turned into a mystery novel. It lacked depth to be great at either of the two. I guess since it is a part of a series story and I have read only this one my opinion might be different had I read others...
March 25, 2020
This book was pretty irritating.
It got boring early on and then just continued to drag out for way longer than it should have.
Annoying instances of terrible writing where the author doesn't seem to understand how to show instead of tell. It's also like she thinks the reader has amnesia that comes on within two minutes of reading something because you'll get passages where she'll explain something and then the characters will explain it again literally right after.
Not to mention the constant:
"I'm happy to be here." Opal said.
Opal looked around. She was feeling very content since she came here.
"This has been nice". Opal said.
Like okay, we get it, man?? All these characters ever do is tell each other how nice it is to have someone that cares for them and then the other character will say the exact same thing back and that's basically the entire conversation
Not to mention every single character in this book is bland and a total cliche
Horrible writing
It got boring early on and then just continued to drag out for way longer than it should have.
Annoying instances of terrible writing where the author doesn't seem to understand how to show instead of tell. It's also like she thinks the reader has amnesia that comes on within two minutes of reading something because you'll get passages where she'll explain something and then the characters will explain it again literally right after.
Not to mention the constant:
"I'm happy to be here." Opal said.
Opal looked around. She was feeling very content since she came here.
"This has been nice". Opal said.
Like okay, we get it, man?? All these characters ever do is tell each other how nice it is to have someone that cares for them and then the other character will say the exact same thing back and that's basically the entire conversation
Not to mention every single character in this book is bland and a total cliche
Horrible writing
August 24, 2020
Started reading this book, but I just couldn't finish it. Between the poorly written dialog, ridiculous events (seriously - an adult male hiding under the bed on his wedding night???), and that the author overlooked the fact that other letters make an "s" sound besides the letter "s" (ex: the letter "c" also is often pronounced like "s" so why does the hero only lisp when he says words like "serious" and "sweet" but not "exceptional" or "except"?) . . . I just couldn't do it. I don't like to be harsh because I'm an aspiring writer myself, but I really couldn't get past the ridiculousness of this book.
May 30, 2022
sweet story with a drop of mystery
Very sweet, very low angst, just a little bit of steam made this a fun and easy read on a lazy Sunday.
I liked the hero’s arc the most. He has a speech impediment which causes him to be shy and self-conscious, but when it comes time to be there for his wife and take the lead, he steps up. He finds his strength.
Totally safe. Double virgins. No others, no cheating or abuse of any kind. HEA with epilogue
Very sweet, very low angst, just a little bit of steam made this a fun and easy read on a lazy Sunday.
I liked the hero’s arc the most. He has a speech impediment which causes him to be shy and self-conscious, but when it comes time to be there for his wife and take the lead, he steps up. He finds his strength.
Totally safe. Double virgins. No others, no cheating or abuse of any kind. HEA with epilogue
May 17, 2020
Characters were not really believable, the "hero" was absolutely pathetic (and no, not because of his stutter, but because he hid under the bed at the idea of having sex), the complication of someone wanting to buy their house was unnecessary and added nothing to the enjoyment of the story, and yeah. Just not a believable story with characters I wanted to like but just couldn't.
August 4, 2020
I just adored this book! If your looking for a entirely different hero then every other book. Typically the hero’s are big, brooding, or rakes. Some reclusive as this one is but this hero is all puppy dog tails and no bark or bite! It’s a marriage of conscience to stop a scandal. The hero is at a ball to settle his brothers 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙩 and ends up in a scandal and has to get married. He is just such a wimp it’s adorable! He has a stutter so he really keeps to himself. He gets so nervous on his wedding day that he runs and hides in the attack he really is a baby and delicate . I’m so use to reading about the hottest men and powerful this guy is just nothing of the sort . He hides under the bed on his honeymoon and tells the h he’s a Virgin and might be bad in bed. It’s really just a adorable story. It would be 5 stars but the author transitions half the book to a mystery and I’m not about that so 4 stars. But it’s a lovely first half especially if your looking for a very delicate earl lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2020
The mystery of it (that developed near 50% of the book) was interesting, but the rest was quite cumbersome. I didn't really like the beginning all that much because Opal was all about how handsome a man is rather than what he's actually like and it rubbed me the wrong way. In addition to that, the long and tiring small talk conversations between Landon and her felt a little boring to me. But then it got a little interesting when weird things started happening, so I didn't hate the book. I was mostly indifferent.
September 15, 2017
Sigh.
I don't know how to share my feeling about this one.
I like Landon, but wish I knew more about him other than he has a lisp and is so shy he flees situations that that make him nervous. Including hiding under the bed on his wedding night!
His real personality had just started to come through, but then it all got lost in the gaslighting.
Yeppers Gaslighting.
Someone is trying to make Opal think she's going crazy. It starts about halfway through the book, which is good because at that point I was starting to think, "this has been nice and all, but where is the conflict? the story arch?"
I didn't like Opal at first. She seemed so wrapped up in the outward attractiveness of a future spouse that it really surprised me when she got all protective of Landon when she hears someone making fun of his lisp.
The writing style seemed rather amateurish, and could have benefited from some stronger editing.
All the critique aside, I did enjoy the story and have already cued up another book by the author.
I don't know how to share my feeling about this one.
I like Landon, but wish I knew more about him other than he has a lisp and is so shy he flees situations that that make him nervous. Including hiding under the bed on his wedding night!
His real personality had just started to come through, but then it all got lost in the gaslighting.
Yeppers Gaslighting.
Someone is trying to make Opal think she's going crazy. It starts about halfway through the book, which is good because at that point I was starting to think, "this has been nice and all, but where is the conflict? the story arch?"
I didn't like Opal at first. She seemed so wrapped up in the outward attractiveness of a future spouse that it really surprised me when she got all protective of Landon when she hears someone making fun of his lisp.
The writing style seemed rather amateurish, and could have benefited from some stronger editing.
All the critique aside, I did enjoy the story and have already cued up another book by the author.
June 16, 2020
Made me think of a mystery or ghost story. Maybe even a little Scooby-Doo... Reading in bed at night, I felt like I needed to know the truth so I wouldn’t be tempted to be afraid like Opal.
Think I missed a few books between... Augh! working on order by dates... Still lots more to go but will find so many of the same characters & over lapping scenes between these.
1 - The Earl's Inconvenient Wife (Marriage by Scandal 1) - Nate Buford (Earl of Roderick) & Claire Lowell - April 1813
2 - Breaking the Rules (Marriage by design 1) - November 1813
3 - Her Counterfeit Husband (was Marriage by Scandal 2) - Anna & Jason Merrill, the Duke of Watkins - October 1814
4 - A Most Unsuitable Earl (Marriage by Scandal 2) - Ethan Silverton (Earl of Edon) & Catherine - April 1815
5 - His Reluctant Lady (Marriage by Scandal 3 / same time as "The Earl's Secret Bargain") - Christopher Robinson (ward of Perry/Earl of Clemen) & Agatha Lyons (Lady Richfield) - June 1815
6 - The Earl's Secret Bargain (Marriage by deceit 1) - same time as "His Reluctant Lady" Lord Davenport, Lord Pennella, & Regina Giles - June 1815
7 - The Earl's Scandalous Wife (Marriage by Scandal 4) - Perry Ambrose (Earl of Clement) & Paula Leighton - September 1815
8 - Love Lessons with the Duke (Marriage by deceit 2) - Helena Walter, Lady of Seyton & Camden, Duke of Ashbourne - June 1816
9 - Ruined by the Earl (Marriage by deceit 3) - Logan Breckman, the Lord of Toplyn & Melissa Jasper - June 1816
10 - The Earl’s Stolen Bride (Marriage by deceit 4) - Orlando Emmett, the Earl of Reddington & lady Chloe Hawkins - August 1816
11 - His Wicked Lady (Marriage by Arrangement 1) - June 1817 - Malcolm Jasper & Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell
12 - Her Devilish Marquess (Marriage by Arrangement 2) - July 1817 - Dr. Derek Westward / Marquess of Dodsworth & Danette Everson
13 - Earl’s Wallflower Bride (Marriage by Arrangement 3) - August 1817 - Lady Iris (Duke of Hartwell’s daughter) & Warren Beaufort, the Earl of Steinbeck
Think I missed a few books between... Augh! working on order by dates... Still lots more to go but will find so many of the same characters & over lapping scenes between these.
1 - The Earl's Inconvenient Wife (Marriage by Scandal 1) - Nate Buford (Earl of Roderick) & Claire Lowell - April 1813
2 - Breaking the Rules (Marriage by design 1) - November 1813
3 - Her Counterfeit Husband (was Marriage by Scandal 2) - Anna & Jason Merrill, the Duke of Watkins - October 1814
4 - A Most Unsuitable Earl (Marriage by Scandal 2) - Ethan Silverton (Earl of Edon) & Catherine - April 1815
5 - His Reluctant Lady (Marriage by Scandal 3 / same time as "The Earl's Secret Bargain") - Christopher Robinson (ward of Perry/Earl of Clemen) & Agatha Lyons (Lady Richfield) - June 1815
6 - The Earl's Secret Bargain (Marriage by deceit 1) - same time as "His Reluctant Lady" Lord Davenport, Lord Pennella, & Regina Giles - June 1815
7 - The Earl's Scandalous Wife (Marriage by Scandal 4) - Perry Ambrose (Earl of Clement) & Paula Leighton - September 1815
8 - Love Lessons with the Duke (Marriage by deceit 2) - Helena Walter, Lady of Seyton & Camden, Duke of Ashbourne - June 1816
9 - Ruined by the Earl (Marriage by deceit 3) - Logan Breckman, the Lord of Toplyn & Melissa Jasper - June 1816
10 - The Earl’s Stolen Bride (Marriage by deceit 4) - Orlando Emmett, the Earl of Reddington & lady Chloe Hawkins - August 1816
11 - His Wicked Lady (Marriage by Arrangement 1) - June 1817 - Malcolm Jasper & Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell
12 - Her Devilish Marquess (Marriage by Arrangement 2) - July 1817 - Dr. Derek Westward / Marquess of Dodsworth & Danette Everson
13 - Earl’s Wallflower Bride (Marriage by Arrangement 3) - August 1817 - Lady Iris (Duke of Hartwell’s daughter) & Warren Beaufort, the Earl of Steinbeck
December 28, 2019
Landon really lives up to the book title. Dude hides under his bed on their wedding night because he's so nervous about his sexual performance. But the heroine is very careful with him. Opal was almost too sweet; she's portrayed briefly as this somewhat vain young woman who's dreamed about a perfect wedding, but then very much goes with the flow when her engagement and wedding are nothing like she'd planned. With the way I interpreted her character initially, it seemed like something she would resent a little bit. But I liked her, and her relationship with Landon was sweet.
However, I thought the second act was kind of Scooby Doo-ish, and very different from the first half of the book. It was disjointed to me, and a little out of left field. Neither of the main characters even knows the antagonist.
I think a more compelling "main plot" could've been built if the heroine's mother and brother were still alive. Opal's experience with her other family besides Warren would've made for a more compelling story than what we got (which was some dude we didn't know making an elaborate ghost-related scheme to get the money of some other dude we didn't know). It would've been interesting to see, if Opal's mother were still alive, . Or the loan sharks that are after Landon's brother could've made a reappearance. Just something that relates to the established cast of characters, you know?
Overall, a cute couple, and early-book Landon makes me feel better about my own level of social anxiety.
However, I thought the second act was kind of Scooby Doo-ish, and very different from the first half of the book. It was disjointed to me, and a little out of left field. Neither of the main characters even knows the antagonist.
I think a more compelling "main plot" could've been built if the heroine's mother and brother were still alive. Opal's experience with her other family besides Warren would've made for a more compelling story than what we got (which was some dude we didn't know making an elaborate ghost-related scheme to get the money of some other dude we didn't know). It would've been interesting to see, if Opal's mother were still alive, . Or the loan sharks that are after Landon's brother could've made a reappearance. Just something that relates to the established cast of characters, you know?
Overall, a cute couple, and early-book Landon makes me feel better about my own level of social anxiety.
September 23, 2017
This was a sweet love story between Opal and Landon that also have a little bit of mystery. One was looking to get married while the other never thought about getting married. Even though this book contained both povs, I wish it would have had more from Landon's. Landon is forced to go into London to settle his brother's gambling debt. They arrange for a place to meet and Landon takes his brother with him to do his talking. Opal is in her first season and her brother is hosting a ball in his home for potential suitors. She is with her best friend Ava and is only concerned with how her potential husband must look. Landon is at the same ball to meet with his brother Guy's gambler to pay off his debt. On the way to the den, some ladies overhear Landon speak with a lisp and decide to follow him to see if they heard correctly. Opal sees the ladies and not trusting them, follow to see where they are going. She breaks up the meeting and throws out the guy trying to take advantage of Landon. She requests to speak to Landon alone, not realizing what she was doing. The guy Opal thought she threw out tries to cause a scandal, forcing Opal and Landon to get married. Landon is terrified of his new wife because of his lisp, while Opal tries her best to calm him down and feel at ease. When they finally do come together and Landon realizes Opal really wants to be with him, he starts to gain confidence in himself around Opal. Meanwhile, Opal starts to slowly lose her mind and is afraid of telling anyone, especially Landon, because she is afraid of losing him.
I really liked the little touching moments between Landon and Opal. The wedding day and night were funny, even though it was a nightmare to Landon. I just with this book had been a little bit longer.
I really liked the little touching moments between Landon and Opal. The wedding day and night were funny, even though it was a nightmare to Landon. I just with this book had been a little bit longer.
April 6, 2021
I like Nordin’s stories, but I have problems with her writing style in most of her books, and, it would appear, especially in her Regency romances. Firstly, the sense of the historic setting doesn’t really come through. Sometimes it is the vocabulary used, sometimes it is that there is only a nod towards the period. In The Reclusive Earl the word that jars is “den”. I cannot find reference to when it was first used to mean a man’s hidey-hole, but I suspect that the more correct term for the Regency period would be to call it a library. Secondly, Nordin has a habit of both over-explaining and of telling rather than showing. I think this may be what has annoyed me with each story when I could not necessarily work out what was wrong. Lastly, in this story, the hero has a lisp. Her description of his embarrassment and anxiety due to this, makes him pathetic. He is also delightfully gentle and considerate. Unfortunately, put together, he does not come across as terribly masculine. Thankfully this improves once he decides that his lisp does not matter so much with his wife and family, and Nordin stops describing it.
The story itself has overtones of gothic romances such as Rebecca when Opal’s lady’s maid starts tormenting her and making her think she is crazy. While I loved the idea, I couldn’t help but compare the two and any copy is going to fall short.
The story itself has overtones of gothic romances such as Rebecca when Opal’s lady’s maid starts tormenting her and making her think she is crazy. While I loved the idea, I couldn’t help but compare the two and any copy is going to fall short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2024
Rating: 4.4 / 5
This is really quite sweet--and just what you'd expect from Ruth Ann Nordin!
In this tale, we meet Opal and Landon, two people destined to be with each other--not that they know it! Opal is interested in marriage to any gentleman who's good looking and not boring, whereas Landon...is just self-conscious about his lisp and therefore wants to avoid making a fool of himself by saying the wrong thing. When he's made fun of at a party hosted by Opal's brother, Opal gives him advice privately, which of course results in a "scandal" and thus necessitates their getting married.
What ensues is a cute romance, along with a touch of a "gaslighting" plot around Opal.
All in all, it's just really sweet and cute; and, while I don't think I absolutely adored it enough to give it the full five stars, I would easily re-read it again! (Also, for a Kindle freebie, it's definitely worth it, ha ha!)
Interested to check out the series as well, which I'll do gradually a bit later. Cheers!
This is really quite sweet--and just what you'd expect from Ruth Ann Nordin!
In this tale, we meet Opal and Landon, two people destined to be with each other--not that they know it! Opal is interested in marriage to any gentleman who's good looking and not boring, whereas Landon...is just self-conscious about his lisp and therefore wants to avoid making a fool of himself by saying the wrong thing. When he's made fun of at a party hosted by Opal's brother, Opal gives him advice privately, which of course results in a "scandal" and thus necessitates their getting married.
What ensues is a cute romance, along with a touch of a "gaslighting" plot around Opal.
All in all, it's just really sweet and cute; and, while I don't think I absolutely adored it enough to give it the full five stars, I would easily re-read it again! (Also, for a Kindle freebie, it's definitely worth it, ha ha!)
Interested to check out the series as well, which I'll do gradually a bit later. Cheers!
July 23, 2018
The Reclusive Earl by Ruth Ann Nordin is a fantastic historical romance. Ms. Nordin has delivered a well-written book. I adore the characters in this story. Opal is disgusted when she hears young ladies making fun of a man's lisp and follows them as they are spying on the gentleman. Landon must pay off his brother's gambling debt, even though he hates being at gatherings because of his lisp. When Opal delays him to warn him of the ladies making fun of him, they are caught alone and forced into marriage. Opal and Landon's story is loaded with drama, humor and sizzle. I enjoyed reading The Reclusive Earl and look forward to reading more from Ruth Ann Nordin in the future. The Reclusive Earl is book 1 of the Marriage By Fate Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
November 5, 2019
All in all, this was a sweet book. The character's love story was refreshing (as well as their personality). Usually, they start at odds with each other but this wasn't the case here and it's a nice change in my opinion.
Plus, Landon's personality is amazing, he really is different from most of the genre's obnoxious and über alpha males. He is shy but nice and isn't automatically a god in bed. That was very nice.
Moreover you can notice some improvement of his shyness as the book progresses so I really enjoyed it.
Now, I still have things I didn't like about this book (the plot was just a way to showcase their relationship, the lines they say to each other are really cheesy and the descriptions of anything in this book are minimal) but I would recommend it as a quick and enjoyable beach read, a lazy read where you don't have to think too much. It really is nice enough and enjoyable.
Plus, Landon's personality is amazing, he really is different from most of the genre's obnoxious and über alpha males. He is shy but nice and isn't automatically a god in bed. That was very nice.
Moreover you can notice some improvement of his shyness as the book progresses so I really enjoyed it.
Now, I still have things I didn't like about this book (the plot was just a way to showcase their relationship, the lines they say to each other are really cheesy and the descriptions of anything in this book are minimal) but I would recommend it as a quick and enjoyable beach read, a lazy read where you don't have to think too much. It really is nice enough and enjoyable.
June 28, 2024
This was a cute quick read. I never thought I would enjoy reading a story between two shy and sweet characters. I'm usually one to read about a scarred hero or a misunderstood cold-hearted man but never one with a speech impediment.
Going into it I thought the main obstacle would be Landon and Opal basically being forced into marriage and how they would get along but surprisingly it was not the story's main obstacle. Our heroine's rough past life before living in London and her dead brother's ghost coming back to haunt her is what makes this story very refreshing and unique all on its own - no speech impediment needed. Although, it is what makes this unlikely marriage happen.
I wouldn't mind reading this again. It had nice steamy scenes and a calm love between the two and the side characters were likable.
Going into it I thought the main obstacle would be Landon and Opal basically being forced into marriage and how they would get along but surprisingly it was not the story's main obstacle. Our heroine's rough past life before living in London and her dead brother's ghost coming back to haunt her is what makes this story very refreshing and unique all on its own - no speech impediment needed. Although, it is what makes this unlikely marriage happen.
I wouldn't mind reading this again. It had nice steamy scenes and a calm love between the two and the side characters were likable.
October 31, 2017
I absolutely loved this story. It had falling in love, intrigue and mystery, fabulous humor, compassion, patience, two extraordinary people as the main characters and a great supporting cast.
On the one hand we have an Earl with an embarrassing lisp which has made him into a recluse. Besides this, he proves to be a fantastic human being with all the right attributes and then we have his wife who has had a very troubling earlier life. Together they are just magical as they work together to sort out all the hardships that people and life throw at them.
I am extremely happy to recommend this as a very satisfying and enjoyable book and I am sure that if you choose to read it you will love it too.
On the one hand we have an Earl with an embarrassing lisp which has made him into a recluse. Besides this, he proves to be a fantastic human being with all the right attributes and then we have his wife who has had a very troubling earlier life. Together they are just magical as they work together to sort out all the hardships that people and life throw at them.
I am extremely happy to recommend this as a very satisfying and enjoyable book and I am sure that if you choose to read it you will love it too.
August 6, 2018
Oh I just loved this book. The background that Opal had was one to pull the heart strings. Then you add Landon’s (I just love that name) lisp and being an outside because people of the ton are just plain mean and bully’s. I wanted to punch all the people laughing at him when he would talk. Like for real he is handsome, wealthy and they only focus on how he is different. For shame. I would stand with him and I’m glad Opal and her family felt as I did. I just loved that they found all the new things together since he wasn’t experienced because of his lisp. This love makes you want to champion for all the men or women like him. I would take a guy like him in a heartbeat.
June 24, 2020
I could not really get away with the authors writing style. Some reviews say it is poorly written. There are no typos that I could see but I could not get away were the short sentence structure. I do not mind reading about NON alpha males, but hiding under the bed on his wedding night. Really. I could not admire the hero and that had nothing to do with the lisp but he redeemed himself in the end. The speech and manners were also not in keeping with Regency romance.
I have marked it 2 stars, (Goodreads rating okay) because of the plot. which was fine. It was, however too long in the telling and I did find myself skip reading to get to the end.
I have marked it 2 stars, (Goodreads rating okay) because of the plot. which was fine. It was, however too long in the telling and I did find myself skip reading to get to the end.
December 2, 2017
I liked the book. Especially the shy hero!
However, while his lisp has always been mentioned everytime he talked, the author probably didn't notice some words that doesn't have an S is still pronounced with one.
There were words with "C" that is pronounced as S such as 'notice'.
Or words with "X"... and even "Mr."
That's just me and my weird thoughts.
Anyways, it's nice to read beat heroes once in a while. :)
However, while his lisp has always been mentioned everytime he talked, the author probably didn't notice some words that doesn't have an S is still pronounced with one.
There were words with "C" that is pronounced as S such as 'notice'.
Or words with "X"... and even "Mr."
That's just me and my weird thoughts.
Anyways, it's nice to read beat heroes once in a while. :)
September 18, 2020
For Landon and Opal a chance meeting turns into a sweetly predictable forced marriage which in turn becomes one filled with mutual respect, friendship and the kind of deep abiding love that both wanted but never dreamed they would find so quickly.
The twist in this story was rather strange but all works out well for every one of the main characters by books end.
A quick and easy read.
The twist in this story was rather strange but all works out well for every one of the main characters by books end.
A quick and easy read.
November 18, 2020
Pleasantly surprised
I was once again pleasantly surprised by this author. Just when I think its going to be one of those regular regency romance stories she adds in a mystery. Kind of made the story even better. This is the fifth book I've read by this author and each one has a twist: pioneer romance, husbands from another planet, A fantasy book husband, and a regency romance with a mystery.
I was once again pleasantly surprised by this author. Just when I think its going to be one of those regular regency romance stories she adds in a mystery. Kind of made the story even better. This is the fifth book I've read by this author and each one has a twist: pioneer romance, husbands from another planet, A fantasy book husband, and a regency romance with a mystery.
April 8, 2023
I think the writer didn't do too badly, but Landon was insufferable in the beginning with his constant sniveling about his speech impediment... The Landon at the end is more believable and likeable. The story was nauseating for the most part but in the end was redeemed by Mr Hamilton's shenanigans to make 20% of the entire book intriguing. Opal's character was the most authentic and consistent with the unfolding of events.
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