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The Arrogant Earls #1
Forgetting the Earl
Seducing the Earl of Southwell is the perfect revenge…unless Honora loses her heart.
Honora Drevenport is a young, awkward, barely acceptable young lady when she first meets the dashing Earl of Southwell and falls hopelessly in love.
After suffering a terrible humiliation at the hands of Southwell’s friends, Honora’s family forces her to marry. Years later, Honora is no longer unhappily wed but a stunning widow and the toast of London. A woman who has never forgotten the Earl of Southwell or what happened that terrible night.
Honora’s plan is simple; make Southwell fall in love with her and exact her revenge.
Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised."
Honora Drevenport is a young, awkward, barely acceptable young lady when she first meets the dashing Earl of Southwell and falls hopelessly in love.
After suffering a terrible humiliation at the hands of Southwell’s friends, Honora’s family forces her to marry. Years later, Honora is no longer unhappily wed but a stunning widow and the toast of London. A woman who has never forgotten the Earl of Southwell or what happened that terrible night.
Honora’s plan is simple; make Southwell fall in love with her and exact her revenge.
Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised."
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2022
423 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Ayers
40 books608 followersKathleen Ayers has been a hopeful romantic since the tender age of fourteen when she first purchased a copy of Sweet Savage Love at a garage sale while her mother was looking at antique animal planters. Since then she’s read hundreds of historical romances and fallen in love dozens of times. In particular she adores handsome, slightly damaged men with a wicked sense of humor. On paper, of course.
Kathleen lives in Houston and is married with one college aged son and two very spoiled dogs.
Kathleen lives in Houston and is married with one college aged son and two very spoiled dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
January 16, 2023
I started and stopped this book a couple of times thinking it HAD to get better...there would be more substance......Well it didn't. Talk about holding a grudge. I found myself not liking Honora or her cousin. There was no depth to the characters other than a hurt teenager who grew into a beautiful woman that endured a dreadful marriage and continued to live with past hurts. I mean why have your mother-in-law continue to haunt your life. 2.5*
April 14, 2022
2 Stars
What a load of tripe. I expected better from Ms Ayers.
- The story might have felt conceptually sound, but in actuality, it was a yawn fest.
- I couldn't have been less invested in what was happening.
- The hero & heroine were both boring.
- There was no real depth to the characters, nor was there a development to the romance
- Even though it was written to feel, I felt like I was told and instructed on what was happening.
- Monthiet had it right when he called Emmie (the heroine's cousin) a bitch.
*This whole thing screams of an afterthought's half-assed attempt. I refuse to believe that this was Ms Ayer's story or writing. Thank God it was short.
What a load of tripe. I expected better from Ms Ayers.
- The story might have felt conceptually sound, but in actuality, it was a yawn fest.
- I couldn't have been less invested in what was happening.
- The hero & heroine were both boring.
- There was no real depth to the characters, nor was there a development to the romance
- Even though it was written to feel, I felt like I was told and instructed on what was happening.
- Monthiet had it right when he called Emmie (the heroine's cousin) a bitch.
*This whole thing screams of an afterthought's half-assed attempt. I refuse to believe that this was Ms Ayer's story or writing. Thank God it was short.
June 22, 2024
Watered down Kathleen Ayers
You can easily tell this book had been written by KA; in the writing, in the angst, in the flow of the story.
But I'm disappointed in the content, the characters, the themes. I can't believe the same woman that wrote The Beautiful Barringtons Series also wrote this... second-rate wannabe emo twaddle.
❖ The Good
The writing is just as excellent as any of her other works. The dialogues take you to the era and make you feel like just another sophisticated lady gliding around beautiful ballrooms.
The story's progress is also on point. The prelude to their meeting, the betrayal, the pain and the consequences. The properly timed time skip. We didn't need to read about how her first marriage since we are sporadically told how it went in the present time, so no unnecessary repetition of that.
❖ The Bad
↠ The body image issues: the book spends the first 30 minutes (audiobook) almost entirely on all the physical and mental flaws of the heroine. Her plump stomach, her lumpy thighs, her freckled face, her acne, her frizzy hair, her sweaty armpits, her sweaty boobs, her tiny stature, her too smart mouth, her too shy personality, her too morbid interests. I GET IT!!! She's fat, ugly and a bluestocking. CAN WE MOVE ON?!?!?!
Sadly, almost to the end of the book, we are reminded of the 'awkward youth' she was.
↠ The lame hero (pun intended): the justification for the hero seeing what was happening to a socially inferior, socially awkward girl and just walk away was: "I was too young to do better/We weren't ready to find each other". What? Had he married her that evening and then went on to Brazil for 6 years (like he did) her life would've been a 100 times better, even with him gone (⇐ lame)
I liked his slow courting and seduction, but to be honest until the epilogue, I had no idea if he had any intention of marrying her (⇐ lame)
As if to add insult to injury, the guy that has lied about the heroine for almost a decade spreads a few rumors AND HE BELIEVES THEM?! The heroine has to do the whole 'run to the airport' thing (only he wasn't leaving, he was just hiding in his country estate like the lame coward he is) and the heroine does the grand declaration of love. (⇐ lame)
↠ The tied too neatly ending: So you're telling me that with a bunch of men saying they slept with the heroine and everyone talking about it, all you have to do is have the men recant and bam the rumors are dead and the reputations restored? IS THIS A JOKE?
❖ Final thoughts
I haven't yelled in a review in a very long time and I've read some reaaaally bad books. I think I was especially angered because I know how great this author can be.
So does this book deserve 2 ★? No, it doesn't. Because it's too well written for that.
But!
Does this Kathleen Ayers book deserve 2 ★? Most definitely.
P.S.: Even after her 'glow up' she's still voluptuous. WTF is up with that cover?!?
You can easily tell this book had been written by KA; in the writing, in the angst, in the flow of the story.
But I'm disappointed in the content, the characters, the themes. I can't believe the same woman that wrote The Beautiful Barringtons Series also wrote this... second-rate wannabe emo twaddle.
❖ The Good
The writing is just as excellent as any of her other works. The dialogues take you to the era and make you feel like just another sophisticated lady gliding around beautiful ballrooms.
The story's progress is also on point. The prelude to their meeting, the betrayal, the pain and the consequences. The properly timed time skip. We didn't need to read about how her first marriage since we are sporadically told how it went in the present time, so no unnecessary repetition of that.
❖ The Bad
↠ The body image issues: the book spends the first 30 minutes (audiobook) almost entirely on all the physical and mental flaws of the heroine. Her plump stomach, her lumpy thighs, her freckled face, her acne, her frizzy hair, her sweaty armpits, her sweaty boobs, her tiny stature, her too smart mouth, her too shy personality, her too morbid interests. I GET IT!!! She's fat, ugly and a bluestocking. CAN WE MOVE ON?!?!?!
Sadly, almost to the end of the book, we are reminded of the 'awkward youth' she was.
↠ The lame hero (pun intended): the justification for the hero seeing what was happening to a socially inferior, socially awkward girl and just walk away was: "I was too young to do better/We weren't ready to find each other". What? Had he married her that evening and then went on to Brazil for 6 years (like he did) her life would've been a 100 times better, even with him gone (⇐ lame)
I liked his slow courting and seduction, but to be honest until the epilogue, I had no idea if he had any intention of marrying her (⇐ lame)
As if to add insult to injury, the guy that has lied about the heroine for almost a decade spreads a few rumors AND HE BELIEVES THEM?! The heroine has to do the whole 'run to the airport' thing (only he wasn't leaving, he was just hiding in his country estate like the lame coward he is) and the heroine does the grand declaration of love. (⇐ lame)
↠ The tied too neatly ending: So you're telling me that with a bunch of men saying they slept with the heroine and everyone talking about it, all you have to do is have the men recant and bam the rumors are dead and the reputations restored? IS THIS A JOKE?
❖ Final thoughts
I haven't yelled in a review in a very long time and I've read some reaaaally bad books. I think I was especially angered because I know how great this author can be.
So does this book deserve 2 ★? No, it doesn't. Because it's too well written for that.
But!
Does this Kathleen Ayers book deserve 2 ★? Most definitely.
P.S.: Even after her 'glow up' she's still voluptuous. WTF is up with that cover?!?
April 2, 2022
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Very good read, my first from this author.
Suppose to be in the steamy side, but it wasn’t too bad tbh.
Great characters and storyline that keep you entertained and love the secondary characters who I hope at least one or two will see their own stories told.
It was fun and very enjoyable start to finish.
No complaints here.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
Very good read, my first from this author.
Suppose to be in the steamy side, but it wasn’t too bad tbh.
Great characters and storyline that keep you entertained and love the secondary characters who I hope at least one or two will see their own stories told.
It was fun and very enjoyable start to finish.
No complaints here.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
no-way-jose
June 22, 2024Note to self: refer to Izzah’s review to remind myself why I wouldn’t enjoy this storyline.
March 27, 2022
Miss Honora Drevenport is an awkward young lady with few prospects and a big crush on Gideon, Earl of Southwell. Gideon is pulled into a wager, accidentally humiliating Honora and forcing her into an unwanted marriage. Six years later, now a confident widow, Honora vows revenge on those that hurt her.
This is the first book in The Arrogant Earls series. This was a quick, easy read, but the characters frustrated me a bit. Honora was rightfully bitter about her past, but decided to match spite with spite. Gideon always enjoyed Honora's company, so I thought his actions at the end were a bit out of character. What I did enjoy was that the couple connected through their common interests and dialog. There was more to their journey than just a physical attraction.
Tropes: Ugly Duckling, Secret Crush, Widow, Revenge
Steam: 2
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ForgettingtheEarl #NetGalley
This is the first book in The Arrogant Earls series. This was a quick, easy read, but the characters frustrated me a bit. Honora was rightfully bitter about her past, but decided to match spite with spite. Gideon always enjoyed Honora's company, so I thought his actions at the end were a bit out of character. What I did enjoy was that the couple connected through their common interests and dialog. There was more to their journey than just a physical attraction.
Tropes: Ugly Duckling, Secret Crush, Widow, Revenge
Steam: 2
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #ForgettingtheEarl #NetGalley
March 28, 2022
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Honora Drevenport is too plump, knows too much information, and corrects people all too often. She corrects the wrong man, Lord Tarrington, and he humiliates her in front of everyone causing her forced marriage to a man she doesn't want to marry. Honora vows revenge on the people who hurt her, including the Earl of Southwell, who she had always held a tender for. Years later, Honora is no longer the girl she was before, and she is ready to take her revenge on the people she believes ruined her life. Will she be able to ruin the one man she ever truly cared about?
I always love Kathleen Ayer's books, but I was immediately turned off in the beginning. I know it was necessary for us to see Honora like that, but it was rough hearing her talk about herself the way she did or how people bullied her. It almost made me feel uncomfortable. After that, the story found a good stride and I started to really enjoy it once we got onto better footing. I enjoyed that Gideon and Honora had shared interests and their love of history and adventure that brought them together. I loved how he treated her like an equal. I could have gone without the misunderstanding at the end or him running away without hearing her out because that just makes me a little crazy. I wish she had made him beg a little for forgiveness because I love when Kathleen writes a grovel. Oh well. I'm excited to see who will be next in this new series!
Honora Drevenport is too plump, knows too much information, and corrects people all too often. She corrects the wrong man, Lord Tarrington, and he humiliates her in front of everyone causing her forced marriage to a man she doesn't want to marry. Honora vows revenge on the people who hurt her, including the Earl of Southwell, who she had always held a tender for. Years later, Honora is no longer the girl she was before, and she is ready to take her revenge on the people she believes ruined her life. Will she be able to ruin the one man she ever truly cared about?
I always love Kathleen Ayer's books, but I was immediately turned off in the beginning. I know it was necessary for us to see Honora like that, but it was rough hearing her talk about herself the way she did or how people bullied her. It almost made me feel uncomfortable. After that, the story found a good stride and I started to really enjoy it once we got onto better footing. I enjoyed that Gideon and Honora had shared interests and their love of history and adventure that brought them together. I loved how he treated her like an equal. I could have gone without the misunderstanding at the end or him running away without hearing her out because that just makes me a little crazy. I wish she had made him beg a little for forgiveness because I love when Kathleen writes a grovel. Oh well. I'm excited to see who will be next in this new series!
March 30, 2022
Revenge is sweet. Or is letting go and getting what you always wanted better?
I don't want to say too much and give away what happens,but....Oh how my heart broke for Honora at the beginning of this book! To be treated so poorly, and by so many people! But Honora could never forget Southwell. And he didn't forget her and his part in her humiliation. I thought Southwell was a bit of a coward, both in the past and now. Honora forgave him and I guess that is all that matters LOL
This is a really good book and we met some interesting people in it. I can't wait to see if Emmagene gets a book. She's a tough one and I'd love to see her fall in love.
I don't want to say too much and give away what happens,but....Oh how my heart broke for Honora at the beginning of this book! To be treated so poorly, and by so many people! But Honora could never forget Southwell. And he didn't forget her and his part in her humiliation. I thought Southwell was a bit of a coward, both in the past and now. Honora forgave him and I guess that is all that matters LOL
This is a really good book and we met some interesting people in it. I can't wait to see if Emmagene gets a book. She's a tough one and I'd love to see her fall in love.
April 27, 2022
The premise intrigued me and I always love when I stumble upon a hr heroine who, for a change, actually kinda looks like me aka has an actual belly and thick tighs and round face. Sadly, that didnt last long bc _of course_ she magically loses weight and now can finally catch the eye of our hero...
I did enjoy the connection Honoria and Gideon shared but it kinda got muddled and ooc toward the second half of the book - especially plot wise.
All in all, MEH.
I did enjoy the connection Honoria and Gideon shared but it kinda got muddled and ooc toward the second half of the book - especially plot wise.
All in all, MEH.
March 31, 2022
Kathleen Ayers new series, Arrogant Earls, has started off with “Forgetting the Earl” an emotional enemies to lovers, second chances, historical romance. This story starts with an emotional, heart-breaking, and traumatic event that leaves the female MC, Honora, looking for vengeance. However when she sees Gideon Lawrence, Earl of Southwell, again after several years she can’t decide if she wants revenge or if she wants a second chance at happiness.
I enjoyed the story and thought the MCs were both believable and easily relatable. I found the villains of the story to be despicable and thought they got off to easy. I enjoyed the second chance aspect of the story and Gideon’s wooing of Honora. ❤️😉
I felt the story to be lacking in substance during the resolution of the conflict. It just felt too quickly resolved. I would have enjoyed more emotional content from both MCs POV as these two work through the hurtful past.
Overall 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I am ready for the next story in the series!!
📚I received an ARC from Dragonblade Publishing and chose to leave this review. 📚
I enjoyed the story and thought the MCs were both believable and easily relatable. I found the villains of the story to be despicable and thought they got off to easy. I enjoyed the second chance aspect of the story and Gideon’s wooing of Honora. ❤️😉
I felt the story to be lacking in substance during the resolution of the conflict. It just felt too quickly resolved. I would have enjoyed more emotional content from both MCs POV as these two work through the hurtful past.
Overall 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I am ready for the next story in the series!!
📚I received an ARC from Dragonblade Publishing and chose to leave this review. 📚
May 29, 2024
I received a free copy from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.
Honora Drevenport doesn't have a lot going for her when she has her debut. She isn't like her mother or married older sister; she is short, plump, and has a poor complexion (hey - most of us have been there, right? Heck, thanks to COVID, I am reliving that awkward part of my teen years again - stupid maskne!). She is also an intelligent bluestocking with a love for geography/archeology, and comes from a less than noble background as her father is wealthy from copper mines. She has a tendency to correct people when they are wrong - which does not endear her to some members of the Ton. You know, because the Haute Ton is known to be so warm, open, and welcoming to begin with.
Gideon, the Earl of Southwell, is a young, wealthy, handsome Earl, socially popular and a vaunted adventurer, well liked and a popular speaker on his various travels throughout the world. Honora, amongst other debs, has a huge tendre for him after hearing him speak at a charity event. They meet at a ball one night, and she is persuaded to meet and dance with him. They have a lovely dance, and he seems genuinely interested in speaking with her about their mutual interest in his travels and exploration of other cultures. But she is crushed afterwards when it turns out that he and others were part of a conspiracy to engage her in a malicious wager where he is supposed to dance with whomever is presented to him as the most unattractive girl at the ball.
Honora is humiliated, and because of the social ruin, ends up wedding her only remaining choice, Mr. Dalward Culpepper. The marriage is unhappy, with Honora being generally maltreated by her husband, who married her for her father's wealth and mines, and his awful mother. Luckily for Honora, Culpepper chokes to death at dinner one night, leaving her a wealthy widow. Unfortunately a wealthy widow with a barnacle of a nasty mother in law who refuses to leave her house. In the meantime, she was a caterpillar who became a butterfly over the years. After her mourning period, she decides to seek revenge against those who acted to humiliate her that one night.
One of those she targets is Southwell. Unknown to her, he was not part of the plan to publicly humiliate her, and has been out of the country for several years. During that time, he suffers severe injuries during his adventures, and returns to London with debilitating scars. Many others do not recognize the sultry Widow Culpepper as drab, plump Miss Drevenport, but Southwell, who never really forgot about her and their connection through their interests, does recognize her as the girl he danced with.
This is an ugly duckling to swan, and a bit of an enemies to lovers story, which I quite enjoyed. I felt it was a bit too short in that some bits of the story got a bit of short shrift, such as the relationship between Honora and her family (the mother and sister seem rather terrible, in that they wash their hands of Honora, and she is abandoned to a terrible marriage, but want to reconnect when she becomes a countess?). But I loved the portrayal of Southwell as a Regency Indiana Jones, and the reversal of their roles too. Honora starts out as the self-doubting, socially awkward bluestocking outcast wallflower, and Southwell, the popular jock type, and later on, he comes back in a rather similar role, in that he is no longer a perfect specimen, lost some of his glamour, now has a limp, and the ton speculating about how injured he is (gasp - is he injured and incapable of functioning *there*?), and she is the popular widow. I like his self reflection as well, of his involvement with her and how it may show that he is hopefully not as shallow as his ex-friends.
This was quite enjoyable as a story on it's own, but now I am looking forward to where this is going as a series.
4 stars out of 5.
Honora Drevenport doesn't have a lot going for her when she has her debut. She isn't like her mother or married older sister; she is short, plump, and has a poor complexion (hey - most of us have been there, right? Heck, thanks to COVID, I am reliving that awkward part of my teen years again - stupid maskne!). She is also an intelligent bluestocking with a love for geography/archeology, and comes from a less than noble background as her father is wealthy from copper mines. She has a tendency to correct people when they are wrong - which does not endear her to some members of the Ton. You know, because the Haute Ton is known to be so warm, open, and welcoming to begin with.
Gideon, the Earl of Southwell, is a young, wealthy, handsome Earl, socially popular and a vaunted adventurer, well liked and a popular speaker on his various travels throughout the world. Honora, amongst other debs, has a huge tendre for him after hearing him speak at a charity event. They meet at a ball one night, and she is persuaded to meet and dance with him. They have a lovely dance, and he seems genuinely interested in speaking with her about their mutual interest in his travels and exploration of other cultures. But she is crushed afterwards when it turns out that he and others were part of a conspiracy to engage her in a malicious wager where he is supposed to dance with whomever is presented to him as the most unattractive girl at the ball.
Honora is humiliated, and because of the social ruin, ends up wedding her only remaining choice, Mr. Dalward Culpepper. The marriage is unhappy, with Honora being generally maltreated by her husband, who married her for her father's wealth and mines, and his awful mother. Luckily for Honora, Culpepper chokes to death at dinner one night, leaving her a wealthy widow. Unfortunately a wealthy widow with a barnacle of a nasty mother in law who refuses to leave her house. In the meantime, she was a caterpillar who became a butterfly over the years. After her mourning period, she decides to seek revenge against those who acted to humiliate her that one night.
One of those she targets is Southwell. Unknown to her, he was not part of the plan to publicly humiliate her, and has been out of the country for several years. During that time, he suffers severe injuries during his adventures, and returns to London with debilitating scars. Many others do not recognize the sultry Widow Culpepper as drab, plump Miss Drevenport, but Southwell, who never really forgot about her and their connection through their interests, does recognize her as the girl he danced with.
This is an ugly duckling to swan, and a bit of an enemies to lovers story, which I quite enjoyed. I felt it was a bit too short in that some bits of the story got a bit of short shrift, such as the relationship between Honora and her family (the mother and sister seem rather terrible, in that they wash their hands of Honora, and she is abandoned to a terrible marriage, but want to reconnect when she becomes a countess?). But I loved the portrayal of Southwell as a Regency Indiana Jones, and the reversal of their roles too. Honora starts out as the self-doubting, socially awkward bluestocking outcast wallflower, and Southwell, the popular jock type, and later on, he comes back in a rather similar role, in that he is no longer a perfect specimen, lost some of his glamour, now has a limp, and the ton speculating about how injured he is (gasp - is he injured and incapable of functioning *there*?), and she is the popular widow. I like his self reflection as well, of his involvement with her and how it may show that he is hopefully not as shallow as his ex-friends.
This was quite enjoyable as a story on it's own, but now I am looking forward to where this is going as a series.
4 stars out of 5.
April 25, 2025
The H and friends publicly humiliated the very young h. He left after taking his winnings, and she had to marry an old man. Years later they meet again, fall in love and while he says all the right things, once again he fails her. Unpleasant plot, while she got her HEA, she deserved better.
June 27, 2022
Absolutely adored the two main characters, Gideon and Honora.
Both showed strength in their own way and with a little encouragement, this shone out.
Gideon had been severely injured and scarred on one of his exploratory trips, leaving him having to walk using a walking stick. This did not stop him from pursuing Honora.
Honora, on the other hand, had been largely ignored or mocked by most people while she was growing up because she was fat and pimply, but what they didn't see was the beauty within.
This story clearly shows that people can change for the better and with just a little bit of encouragement, they can shine!
A beautiful and fulfilling story which I am very happy to have read.
Both showed strength in their own way and with a little encouragement, this shone out.
Gideon had been severely injured and scarred on one of his exploratory trips, leaving him having to walk using a walking stick. This did not stop him from pursuing Honora.
Honora, on the other hand, had been largely ignored or mocked by most people while she was growing up because she was fat and pimply, but what they didn't see was the beauty within.
This story clearly shows that people can change for the better and with just a little bit of encouragement, they can shine!
A beautiful and fulfilling story which I am very happy to have read.
April 3, 2022
A chance to put things right almost gets derailed by malicious people with evil intent in this well-written and almost painful romance. The victim of a vicious prank before her miserable marriage, Honora has had years in which to plan her revenge. When the opportunity presents itself, her first public victory is spectacular, but unfortunately leads to even more plotting against her. Being reacquainted with the Earl of Southwell seems as if the wheels of justice are starting to turn once more, but Southwell's seduction upends Honora instead. His careful wooing of the woman he inadvertently hurt and has never forgotten, makes Gideon realize that if he is to win the siren she has become, he has to tread carefully, otherwise risk his own heart. Despite the worst society can do to Honora, this novel comes to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as an advance copy through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
March 26, 2022
Thank you NetGalley. Honora has a terrible prank pulled on her when she is in her first season. She is heavy and her complexion is not very nice. The man she idolizes asks her to dance. It is a bet with his friend. Bad rumors are told about her and she is pushed into marriage with a man who is after her father's copper mines. Her husband dies choking on a chicken bone after five years of treating her badly. After her mourning time she comes back into society with a thinner body and a better complexion. There is Lord Southwell. She thinks he does not recognize her but he has been thinking about her these years he was away and she suffered. There is a spark that was there from the start. They just need to find it again.
March 28, 2022
The book was very disturbing. Full of body shaming.. especially by the H . The story was totally flat. The heroine should be seeking revenge, instead she became desperate for H’a attention . Everyone, literally everyone in this story were evil, not bad, purely evil people. The only good thing about this book is .. it is short.
One star from.
I have received an ARC copy from Netgalley, this is my honest review.
One star from.
I have received an ARC copy from Netgalley, this is my honest review.
April 2, 2022
4.25 Stars
Honora Drevenport is a young, awkward, plump, barely acceptable young lady when she first meets the dashing Earl of Southwell and falls hopelessly in love. But after suffering a terrible humiliation at the hands of Southwell’s friends, Honora’s family forces her to marry Mr Culpepper. Years later, Honora is no longer unhappily wed but a stunning widow and the toast of London. A woman who has never forgotten the Earl of Southwell or what happened that terrible night. Honora’s plan is simple; make Southwell fall in love with her and exact her revenge.
A new author to me & I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating romance. I loved Honora the ugly duckling turned into a swan, I also loved Gideon the explorer earl who had been gored. A delightful mix of revenge & second chance but there are hateful characters out to spike the pairs’ boats. I did feel two characters didn't get much of a comeuppance & deserved far worse. There were also delightful secondary characters who I hope we meet in later books as they deserve their HEAs. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed & would have preferred a longer book.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Honora Drevenport is a young, awkward, plump, barely acceptable young lady when she first meets the dashing Earl of Southwell and falls hopelessly in love. But after suffering a terrible humiliation at the hands of Southwell’s friends, Honora’s family forces her to marry Mr Culpepper. Years later, Honora is no longer unhappily wed but a stunning widow and the toast of London. A woman who has never forgotten the Earl of Southwell or what happened that terrible night. Honora’s plan is simple; make Southwell fall in love with her and exact her revenge.
A new author to me & I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating romance. I loved Honora the ugly duckling turned into a swan, I also loved Gideon the explorer earl who had been gored. A delightful mix of revenge & second chance but there are hateful characters out to spike the pairs’ boats. I did feel two characters didn't get much of a comeuppance & deserved far worse. There were also delightful secondary characters who I hope we meet in later books as they deserve their HEAs. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed & would have preferred a longer book.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
April 8, 2022
London
My heart went out to Honora, the heroine of this story, and the beginning was painful. I think most of us have felt self conscious for different reasons, but her humiliation from the man she admired, Gideon, was so hard, but even worse his friend Tarrington.
Honora ended up married to a man who only wanted her for her father's money, and six years later, a widow, she reenters society. Oh, but has she changed and she wants revenge. What is entertaining is that nobody recognizes her, but her heart cannot help but still have feelings for Gideon.
Such an incredible, emotional and satisfying story as Honora and Gideon come together, each with their wounded hearts to find love may just be possible!!
My heart went out to Honora, the heroine of this story, and the beginning was painful. I think most of us have felt self conscious for different reasons, but her humiliation from the man she admired, Gideon, was so hard, but even worse his friend Tarrington.
Honora ended up married to a man who only wanted her for her father's money, and six years later, a widow, she reenters society. Oh, but has she changed and she wants revenge. What is entertaining is that nobody recognizes her, but her heart cannot help but still have feelings for Gideon.
Such an incredible, emotional and satisfying story as Honora and Gideon come together, each with their wounded hearts to find love may just be possible!!
March 6, 2024
I am overly fond of ugly duckling stories, so I enthusiastically jumped on this one which entertained me well enough.
The characters were likeable and were together on page most of the time leading a merry banter. I cannot give the fifth star as I could not fully buy the complete change in appearance of the h. Six years had passed but if you have fuzzy hairs they remain fuzzy, there was no keratine treatment in 1835, if your skin was tragically blemished by acne as a girl , the woman would show scars and so on and so forth.
The author should have given her less initial flaws.
The characters were likeable and were together on page most of the time leading a merry banter. I cannot give the fifth star as I could not fully buy the complete change in appearance of the h. Six years had passed but if you have fuzzy hairs they remain fuzzy, there was no keratine treatment in 1835, if your skin was tragically blemished by acne as a girl , the woman would show scars and so on and so forth.
The author should have given her less initial flaws.
July 29, 2022
I was promised a "sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes" and while this did indeed have multiple sex scenes, turns out the blurb might have exaggerated it a little bit. There were sex scenes alright—about two or three—but they weren't as steamy as I would have liked. That didn't take away from the plot, but I believe it's worth addressing for my fellow horny people going in for the steamy bits.
It's short so the revenge plot doesn't take long to wrap up and the lovey lovey scenes take up the majority of the book. The intro was also unnecessarily long and I believe some pages could have been dedicated to exploring the plot properly. All in all, it's a good read. Nothing extraordinary, by any means. Recommended if you like medium steam, revenge plots, or a cutesy romance.
It's short so the revenge plot doesn't take long to wrap up and the lovey lovey scenes take up the majority of the book. The intro was also unnecessarily long and I believe some pages could have been dedicated to exploring the plot properly. All in all, it's a good read. Nothing extraordinary, by any means. Recommended if you like medium steam, revenge plots, or a cutesy romance.
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June 2, 2023
The sheer number of body weight shaming comments in this book is exhausting. The set up of the story is an evening where Honora is humiliated for being overweight (and therefore ugly, naturally 🙄). "Okay," I thought, "maybe it's trying to put me in the mindset of the character and there will be a good redemption arc." I'm about 40% through and it's STILL intensely body shaming; the most recent example: "Honora smoothed the velvet over her hips, a habit she'd never been able to break, though there were no longer mounds of excess flesh to worry her." How is that acceptable? Who would write that?
This is the second book of Ms. Ayers's that I've read that uses body weight as a storyline in a cruel and shaming way (that character used a fat suit to make herself unappealing to suitors she was trying to drive away), but this one is FAR worse than the previous one.
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I did finish the book, and it only barely got better. I'm glad they got their HEA but oof, wading through all that to get to it was rough.
This is the second book of Ms. Ayers's that I've read that uses body weight as a storyline in a cruel and shaming way (that character used a fat suit to make herself unappealing to suitors she was trying to drive away), but this one is FAR worse than the previous one.
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I did finish the book, and it only barely got better. I'm glad they got their HEA but oof, wading through all that to get to it was rough.
Read
October 23, 2023DNF. Sold to me as a bigger heroine who grows into her beauty wanting to get hers on the hot hero who makes her feel less than. The initial slight didn’t seem worth the revenge. Hope someone else enjoys it. Not for me.
May 10, 2022
Honora's story was very different from most historical romances I've read; the humiliation she endured in the beginning was heartbreaking. And then the awful marriage she allowed herself to be coerced into was just a bad. I can't believe she hadn't completely lost her spirit! After the incident at the ball when the man she was infatuated with unknowingly assisted in her humiliation, Honora gave up and married the man her family wanted. She lived for four years with her husband's and even his awful mother's cruelty until thankfully he died.
I was frustrated that Honora let the treatment go on for so long, especially after her husband died and she had complete freedom. I kind of wanted her to have all the affairs the Ton accused her of! I wished Gideon would have done better by Honora in the initial embarrassment, even if he had still left, I would have believed the love between the two a little more, if he had at the very least sought her out to apologize before running off somewhere.
The Heroine
Honora was like most teenage girls; awkward in their bodies, blemishes on their face and lacking confidence. But Honora was also a bigger girl and the brunt of most of the Tons teasing. Not only were they cruel to her, but so was her family! After her marriage, she endured more torture from her husband and his mother; they said cruel things to her, kept her locked up in her house and humiliated her at every chance. I felt horrible for Honora; she was a smart, intelligent, sweet woman and just couldn't seem to get out of the grip of people who mistreated her!
The Hero
Gideon, the Earl of Southwell, was a explorer with the Geographic Society and traveled the world discovering new places and mapping them. He seemed to be a good guy, but he also was cruel to Honora. Even though he did it unknowing of the deeper meaning to the bet with his friend, he didn't try to speak with Honora, he just tucked his tail between his legs and left to explore some more. I really wanted to like him, but it wasn't that easy. I think he was sweet to Honora in the end, but he also believed all the lies about her.
The Steam
Of the few scenes towards the end of the book, they were steamy, but I would have wished for even more passion from Honora. I know her physical relationship with her husband was horrible, but I hoped she would have been more eager and therefore passionate with Gideon.
Tropes
Victorian Era, Historical Romance, Ton Society, Disability, Explorer, Beta Hero, Titled Hero, Damaged Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Experienced Heroine, Widow/Widower, Damaged Heroine, Unrequited Love, Betrayal, Ugly Duckling, Secret Crush
I was frustrated that Honora let the treatment go on for so long, especially after her husband died and she had complete freedom. I kind of wanted her to have all the affairs the Ton accused her of! I wished Gideon would have done better by Honora in the initial embarrassment, even if he had still left, I would have believed the love between the two a little more, if he had at the very least sought her out to apologize before running off somewhere.
The Heroine
Honora was like most teenage girls; awkward in their bodies, blemishes on their face and lacking confidence. But Honora was also a bigger girl and the brunt of most of the Tons teasing. Not only were they cruel to her, but so was her family! After her marriage, she endured more torture from her husband and his mother; they said cruel things to her, kept her locked up in her house and humiliated her at every chance. I felt horrible for Honora; she was a smart, intelligent, sweet woman and just couldn't seem to get out of the grip of people who mistreated her!
The Hero
Gideon, the Earl of Southwell, was a explorer with the Geographic Society and traveled the world discovering new places and mapping them. He seemed to be a good guy, but he also was cruel to Honora. Even though he did it unknowing of the deeper meaning to the bet with his friend, he didn't try to speak with Honora, he just tucked his tail between his legs and left to explore some more. I really wanted to like him, but it wasn't that easy. I think he was sweet to Honora in the end, but he also believed all the lies about her.
The Steam
Of the few scenes towards the end of the book, they were steamy, but I would have wished for even more passion from Honora. I know her physical relationship with her husband was horrible, but I hoped she would have been more eager and therefore passionate with Gideon.
Tropes
Victorian Era, Historical Romance, Ton Society, Disability, Explorer, Beta Hero, Titled Hero, Damaged Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Experienced Heroine, Widow/Widower, Damaged Heroine, Unrequited Love, Betrayal, Ugly Duckling, Secret Crush
March 27, 2024
A quick read. The steamy scenes were good. Had some nice groveling. The misunderstandings weren’t super frustrating. There were elements that I think could have been explored more, and I would have liked to see discussions about the characters present and future, rather than so much focus on the past. It wasn’t my favorite by this author, but it did provide a couple hours of entertainment.
April 2, 2022
I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off the steamy scenes that were promised aren't anything beyond most romance novels.
Honora was more rounded than the average woman on the marriage mart. After a cruel wager, she is forced to marry a man she dislikes. Once she is widowed she is bent on revenge on the people who humiliated her. But she still feels a connection with Southwell.
Honestly the revenge plot seemed pretty nonexistent and the majority of the book focused on Honora and Southwell getting to know one another.
This is a decent romance but nothing exceptional.
First off the steamy scenes that were promised aren't anything beyond most romance novels.
Honora was more rounded than the average woman on the marriage mart. After a cruel wager, she is forced to marry a man she dislikes. Once she is widowed she is bent on revenge on the people who humiliated her. But she still feels a connection with Southwell.
Honestly the revenge plot seemed pretty nonexistent and the majority of the book focused on Honora and Southwell getting to know one another.
This is a decent romance but nothing exceptional.
January 1, 2023
Forgetting this book is more like it 😴
March 15, 2023
short book, i felt like that lead to the characters not really having any substance to them.
April 5, 2022
This is the first book in Ayers’ new series and it follows Honora and Gideon. Honora Drevenport is an awkward, plump girl who has a massive crush of the Earl of Southwell. In a society full of slender judgemental girls Honora is uncomfortable in her own skin. Not only does her body shape not fit in but she’s very well educated and loves knowledge, yet another quality frowned upon by society. After accidentally humiliating the wrong Lord, he takes his revenge and humiliates her in front of everyone. Forced to marry a man she hates, Honora grows up to be a beautiful curvy and confident woman, set on taking some revenge against those who hurt her.
Gideon, Earl of Southwood is an explorer, and he returns after years away a changed man. His reintroduction to Honora brings back a lot of memories. Honora has never lost her adoration of Gideon and Gideon has never forgotten the girl he connected with all those years ago – the past mistakes haunt their interactions and Honora is torn between exacting some revenge and letting herself fall again.
I always enjoy Kathleen Ayers books and I was very excited to find out she was starting a new series. I was invested right from the start and enjoyed seeing the start of everything but liked that we had a time jump for the characters to have grown and changed in. The start was a little uncomfortable in the way that Honora thought of herself because of her weight but overall, I thought Ayers did an excellent job of showing her journey and the way Gideon saw her and helped her to see her past self in a different light.
I liked the concept of Honora being wronged and wanting some payback, she had a good heart and her friend was definitely a bad influence, but it was an interesting motivation for her to have. I loved seeing Gideon and Honora getting to know each other and liked that neither knew where the other was at emotionally as they left a lot unspoken. I also liked that during the development of their relationship reputation and virginity weren’t something they worried about as the time for those things had passed.
The revenge romance delivered an exciting edge to the romance along with heartache and second chances, all brought together in a beautifully written story. And though we had the concept of revenge it was done in a way that was understandable and not cruel or angry, instead it was more a story redemption and forgiveness. The story was fast paced with an easy natural flow. I loved this story – binged in one sitting! – and am already dying to read the next book in this new series. It delivered everything I’ve come to expect from Ayers’ books, complex characters, heartache, love, fast paced and compelling writing that draws you in right from the start!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Gideon, Earl of Southwood is an explorer, and he returns after years away a changed man. His reintroduction to Honora brings back a lot of memories. Honora has never lost her adoration of Gideon and Gideon has never forgotten the girl he connected with all those years ago – the past mistakes haunt their interactions and Honora is torn between exacting some revenge and letting herself fall again.
I always enjoy Kathleen Ayers books and I was very excited to find out she was starting a new series. I was invested right from the start and enjoyed seeing the start of everything but liked that we had a time jump for the characters to have grown and changed in. The start was a little uncomfortable in the way that Honora thought of herself because of her weight but overall, I thought Ayers did an excellent job of showing her journey and the way Gideon saw her and helped her to see her past self in a different light.
I liked the concept of Honora being wronged and wanting some payback, she had a good heart and her friend was definitely a bad influence, but it was an interesting motivation for her to have. I loved seeing Gideon and Honora getting to know each other and liked that neither knew where the other was at emotionally as they left a lot unspoken. I also liked that during the development of their relationship reputation and virginity weren’t something they worried about as the time for those things had passed.
The revenge romance delivered an exciting edge to the romance along with heartache and second chances, all brought together in a beautifully written story. And though we had the concept of revenge it was done in a way that was understandable and not cruel or angry, instead it was more a story redemption and forgiveness. The story was fast paced with an easy natural flow. I loved this story – binged in one sitting! – and am already dying to read the next book in this new series. It delivered everything I’ve come to expect from Ayers’ books, complex characters, heartache, love, fast paced and compelling writing that draws you in right from the start!
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 2, 2022
Utterly captivating! An absolute delight to read a sassy heroine who is not a diamond, but a true gem. Honora Drevenport begins as a plump, curvy girl who has been groomed to think little of her person. Not small enough, not interested in the right things, not a lady. But when she meets Gideon, Earl of Southwood, he calls to her. This man, an adventurer & explorer, the opposite of the typical Lords content to drink, gamble and play, is different. When she dances with him at a ball, it is obvious that despite their differences, there is a connection, a spark. But then she discovers his attention was simply a bet, and she is humiliated. She flees to the marriage her family has pushed for and after 6year, she is now a widow whose beauty is sought after. Southwell has returned from the Amazon, after surviving an attack from a Caiman. Their connection is just as palpable now, and he courts her. But the past never truly stays in the past and those same trouble makers strive to insert a wedge between them.
It is pleasant change to see a Lord who well appreciating a woman’s beauty, also understands the beauty that comes from within. He saw Honora’s beauty in the past, and continues to see that beauty in the future. He adores her curves, and does not seek to change her but to help her find comfort in the body she has beyond stays & corsets. Gossip can be a deadly thing, but when you have the right person by your side, nothing else matters.
It is pleasant change to see a Lord who well appreciating a woman’s beauty, also understands the beauty that comes from within. He saw Honora’s beauty in the past, and continues to see that beauty in the future. He adores her curves, and does not seek to change her but to help her find comfort in the body she has beyond stays & corsets. Gossip can be a deadly thing, but when you have the right person by your side, nothing else matters.
April 12, 2022
A quick and fun read by Ms Kathleen Ayers. Usually her books are more detailed with plenty of mystery and angst and character development and finally denouement.
Although short certainly just as appealing to her fans.
The intro to a very young Honora Drevenport is certainly a refreshing change to the usual. The short and rotund young gal with a headful of both hair and brains is mocked and left in the dust and this is detailed thoroughly. No mincing of emotions, just a brutal attack on a young non peer gal who had to pick up the pieces after one brutal ball.
She comes back swinging after a few years of growing up and slimming down, however she is that intelligent loving gal. Now she is back in London, a A widow and living with a vicious mother in law (after suffering an 5 year brutal and demeaning marriage). But a very supportive father m, formidable friend who would end being perhaps the heroine of an upcoming book in the series. The hero, the widely travelled Earl, of Southwell. Honora adored his stories of his adventures and her fascination for history and archeology she was not the typical debutante. Well after things turn nasty and now she back also a injured Southwell and quickly they meet and how they eventually are freed of their past forms the rest of the story. Definitely we are introduced to the next two hero earls each with their own singular personalities.
Honora is inadvertently used in a betting by two callous peers and plays right into the hands of the famously handsome explorer Earl Gideon Southwell.
The story takes up after 6 years when lot has changed in both Honora and Gideon’s lives. How they each face their past and reconcile is narrated in a fun and nuanced way. Nothing too complicated here just a fun narrative.
Although short certainly just as appealing to her fans.
The intro to a very young Honora Drevenport is certainly a refreshing change to the usual. The short and rotund young gal with a headful of both hair and brains is mocked and left in the dust and this is detailed thoroughly. No mincing of emotions, just a brutal attack on a young non peer gal who had to pick up the pieces after one brutal ball.
She comes back swinging after a few years of growing up and slimming down, however she is that intelligent loving gal. Now she is back in London, a A widow and living with a vicious mother in law (after suffering an 5 year brutal and demeaning marriage). But a very supportive father m, formidable friend who would end being perhaps the heroine of an upcoming book in the series. The hero, the widely travelled Earl, of Southwell. Honora adored his stories of his adventures and her fascination for history and archeology she was not the typical debutante. Well after things turn nasty and now she back also a injured Southwell and quickly they meet and how they eventually are freed of their past forms the rest of the story. Definitely we are introduced to the next two hero earls each with their own singular personalities.
Honora is inadvertently used in a betting by two callous peers and plays right into the hands of the famously handsome explorer Earl Gideon Southwell.
The story takes up after 6 years when lot has changed in both Honora and Gideon’s lives. How they each face their past and reconcile is narrated in a fun and nuanced way. Nothing too complicated here just a fun narrative.
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