The Irresistible Earl

by Regina Scott

If Chase Dearborn, the powerful Earl of Allyndale, found Meredee Price's family in Scarborough, surely he'd continue his quest to challenge Meredee's stepbrother to a duel. Meredee is determined to avoid the earl at all costs. But saving a drowning young lady thwarts Meredee's plans when her act of heroism nets her the attention of the lady's brother and guardian—none other than Chase himself.

Meredee's gentle ways and tranquil beauty touch Chase's guarded heart from the moment he meets her. He's waited a lifetime for a worthy companion—someone he can trust with his deepest secrets. But then he discovers that Meredee has harbored a secret of her own, one that love may not overcome.

Genres: Regency, Romance, Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Clean Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn’t actually sell her first novel until she had learned a bit more about writing. Since her first Regency romance was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages including Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese. She is now the author of more than 50 works of warm, witty historical romance.

She and her husband of 30 years reside in Washington State on the way to Mt. Rainier. Regina Scott has driven four in hand, learned to fence, sailed on a tall ship, and dressed as a Regency dandy, all in the name of research, of course. Sign up for her free alert service to hear when the next book will be out or on sale at https://subscribe.reginascott.com/. You can find her online blogging at www.nineteenteen.com. Learn more about her at www.reginascott.com and connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorreginascott .

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R36XTFIY...

The Irresistible Earl is the fourth book I've read by Regina Scott and I really enjoyed it! I really liked the characters and loved seeing them grow. One character in particular surprised me as I had misjudged him and what kind of man he was - I was pleased to find out I was wrong and he was actually a great guy. :)

A little bit of The Irresistible Earl reminded me of Cinderella - Meredee's father had remarried giving her a stepmother and stepbrother. Later, her father dies and Meredee sort of has to serve her stepmother - who isn't evil or anything, just needy.

The romance was very sweet and made The Irresistible Earl even more enjoyable to read. Sir Trevor Fitzwilliam was introduced in this book and I look forward to reading An Honorable Gentleman (Trevor's story) as soon as I can. I recommend The Irresistible Earl if you enjoy historical romance. :)

*I received this book as a gift from the author. I did not have to write a review, but chose to - all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

[Juana "Darkness" Duran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merede is always trying to put others before herself. In doing so her father left her without a dowery. That in turn left her stepbrother Algernon in charge of the family money. And left Merede a slave to her stepmother. But a chance meeting with Chase the Earl of Allyndale helped her see that the world was passing her by. Merede in associating with Chase had to lie to him about his sister and her stepbrother going together. They want to get married but Chase is the one stopping them. And in keeping the truth out of the way Chase and Merede spend time together looking for a rare seashell for her collection. The truth also would have been nice to here when Chase's sister was kidnapped by an unhinged young man who wants her money to settle his debts. The ending is a mystery that you will have to figure out yourself, read and enjoy this book.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is set in 1811, in Scarborough, part of the Yorkshire coast.
Meredee Price is in Scarborough with her stepmother.
Chase Dearborn, the Earl of Allyndale is also enjoying the seaside resort with his sister, Phoebe.
Scott's plot uses the trope of the: star-crossed lovers with the secondary characters.
Scott also mentions seashell collecting.

[Kathleen ShortRidge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this writer. She was new to me but one I will be reading more and more. It was full of great characters that you want to hear more about as well as real application of the Bible without being preachy.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[Cindy DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my kind of book: action-packed starting on the first page.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, with interesting characters, plus a few quirky ones to add a bit of spice. It was just what I was in the mood for today, and very relaxing. Regina Scott does not disappoint.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mercedee Price thinks she's doing a good deed by rescuing a young lady from drowning in Scarborough Bay, but soon wishes she hadn't been the one to help. First, the young lady refers to Mercedee as her "savior," the whole town takes up the nickname and Mercedee is uncomfortable with the title. Next, Lady Phoebe introduces Mercedee to her brother, the formidable and handsome Chase Dearborn, the Earl of Allyndale. The Earl promised to challenge Mercedee's foppish stepbrother Algernon to a duel when they next meet and Mercedee and her family have been hiding from the Earl in the very last place they expected him to be. When the Earl wants to pursue an acquaintance with the woman who saved his sister's life, Mercedee is torn between loyalty to her brother and her growing friendship with the Irresistible Earl. Chase has spent most of his life as the head of the family. He is naturally protective of his innocent little sister. She's little more than a child and Chase feels it's his duty to protect her. He also tries to keep himself clear of any fortune hunting ladies. He's unsure what Mercedee's game is but he's determined to find out. The more he spends time with her, the more he comes to appreciate her intelligence, beauty and selfless nature. However, both Mercedee and Chase have secrets that could be obstacles to true happiness. The plot is somewhat similar to Pride and Prejudice but different enough to be original. Regina Scott's strength lies in the building of the relationship between the main characters. Her characters take the time to become friends. Her other strength is her wonderful descriptions of the setting. I could easily picture Scarborough (though growing up spending summers on Cape Cod made that easy) and the descriptions of the clothes worn are fully detailed and wonderful. On the downside, I found Mercedee mostly irritating. She's far too selfless to really seem real. She gets more appealing as the story goes along but she still doesn't seem realistic. Chase bears a strong resemblance to a certain hero with a little sister we all know and love. Since some of the book is from his point-of-view, we get his side of the story with his motivations which is a big plus. He has reasons for acting the way he does and his reasons are understandable and realistic, which I like. The romance blooms slowly - almost too slowly - and I didn't get a feeling of much chemistry between the romantic pairings. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book though, unless you are more interested in burning passion than a realistic story. Even if you're not into Inspirational or Christian fiction (which I am not), this book is still enjoyable. The characters look to the Lord for guidance and there's a lesson at the end that's a little corny but it's not too heavy handed. I look forward to Regina's next novel starring Chase's best friend, Sir Trevor, who is rather appealing!

[Tena Rees · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Regency

This was a well written story about a brother and sister in love with a brother and sister. Plenty of misunderstanding that add to the fun. A little peachy at times but fits in with story. First book I've read by this author and I think I will read another.

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book were described in colors they would be a grey-blue, and dusty coral.
This engaging and winsome novel takes place in Scarborough, Yorkshire England, where many go to partake of the healing waters, but the Prices have gone to hide.
Chase Dearborn, earl of Allyndale, has also sought refuge in the crowded tourist town, hoping to distract his sister from an unworthy suitor- a young dandy with more coats in his closet than sense in his head; Algernon Whitaker Price.
Whitaker happens to have a sister who is befriended by Phoebe Dearborn, and noticed by Allyndale himself, for the service performed.
For Meredee Price, Scarborough is useful for more than a hideaway or a chance to take the waters; for here she hopes to fulfill a promise she made to her father on his deathbed, by finishing his lifelong quest.
Chase and Meredee grow close as they- with Phoebe- spend time together ambling along the shore, visiting the spas, and even joining forces to hunt down the elusive incarnata.
Will their bond prove strong enough to weather the gales of deceit and betrayal when Meredee's connection to the unwelcome "popinjay" is revealed?
Lessons are learned as each character realizes that pretending to be someone you're not only brings burden, the blessings of putting others before yourself, trying to control those around you will only sow discord, and that nothing is too insignificant for prayer; God hears (and answers) every one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this seaside adventure of love and the importance of family.
Regina has outdone herself.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story about a brother and sister, and the brother trying to take care of the sister and the sister trying to grow up yet still let her brother feel like he was in charge :) Of course there is romance involved, with a great title like that how can there not be? The author does a good job of making her characters fallible, yet likable. You root for them and cheer when things go their way, but I felt she kept the characters consistent through the book and didn't have them do things that didn't fit. My only issue was her word choice sometimes. The author seemed to choose words that weren't quite right and were either really close to another word or perhaps would have meant something different during the books time period. I can definitely appreciate wanting to keep historical integrity but the way it was done it kept pulling me out of the story as my brain stumbled over the mismatched word. For instance, one sentence says "before she began refining on what could only be a kindness?" I'm not sure if the author meant relying instead of refining, because looking in the dictionary it talks about making something pure or improving upon it. The author could be intending to say that they would be improving upon their relationship but if that is the case I wish she would have chosen a clearer method of stating that....sorry about the rant, that really bugged me in this book! :P

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was fun, clean and romantic. Good for my teen daughter. Not my favorite, but worth the read. From the book...If Chase Dearborn, the powerful Earl of Allyndale, found Meredee Price's family in Scarborough, surely he'd continue his quest to challenge Meredee's stepbrother to a duel. Meredee is determined to avoid the earl at all costs. But saving a drowning young lady thwarts Meredee's plans when her act of heroism nets her the attention of the lady's brother and guardian —none other than Chase himself. Meredee's gentle ways and tranquil beauty touch Chase's guarded heart from the moment he meets her. He's waited a lifetime for a worthy companion— someone he can trust with his deepest secrets. But then he discovers that Meredee has harbored a secret of her own, one that love may not overcome.

[MariaFernanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it at times, but I felt like near the middle of the book, the plot spun out of bobtail and things were brought to an end in a very predictable way. I also expected more of the characters, development wise.
I also felt like there wasn't a lot of love; there was obsession and affection between the two couples, but not love, and that disappointed me.
There wasn't a lot of depth in the role of God either, what there was was fairly duh and not a lot of deep insight.
I did enjoy the sibling relations however, very much!
It was a good read, but not anything exciting, although it did have a lot of potential to be.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. A little slow at times.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to her next one.

[Eva Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the family element in this book!

[Terri Pray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable quick read, with the right time period feel to the writing.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. I thought the story was good and the characters were likable enough. The romance didn't give me butterflies, but was still sweet.

Content: Clean, mild religious themes.

[Jody Ellis - pownall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sounded really great, but ended up to be a book that was disappointing. xx

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and I would read another by this author but I did get a little bored with all the information about seashells.

[Paula Bothwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meredee (the h) is all that is kind and good. This was a nice book. I think I might be a little bit tired of the "Love Inspired Historical" genre.

[Christine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! A wonderful page-turner with a delightful ending.