Title: Earl of Darby
Author: Aubrey Wynne
Genre: Regency Romance, Holiday Romance
Book Blurb:
Miss Hannah Pendleton is nursing her pride after her childhood crush falls in love with another. Determined to break a few hearts of her own, she hurls herself into the exciting and hectic schedule of a first season. Always clever and direct, the smooth manners and practiced words of the gallant but meticulous bachelors do nothing to stir her soul until… Since his wife’s suicide on their wedding night, the Earl of Darby has carefully cultivated his rakish reputation. It keeps overprotective mamas at bay and provides him with unlimited clandestine affairs. But when Nicholas sees a lovely newcomer being courted by the devil himself, her innocence and candor revive the chivalry buried deep in his soul. The ice around Nicholas’s heart cracks as he desperately tries to save Hannah and right a hideous wrong committed so long ago.
My Review:
Nicholas, the Earl of Darby is a cynic when it comes to love and women. He’s nurtured his rakish status over the years and with good reason: he’s hunting the man responsible for leading his first wife to commit suicide. He’ll not put an innocent in harms way. But upon meeting his best friend’s sister, Hannah, his heart has other plans. Hannah is a breath of fresh air and the more he’s around her, the more he wonders if she can rescue him from a lonely life. But his dreaded enemy, the same man he’s hunting to avenge his first wife, ensnares Hannah in a wicked trap. Can Nicholas save her before it’s too late to confess his feelings or will history repeat itself?
To say I loved reading Earl of Darby is an understatement. From the very first page, my heart broke again and again for Nicholas. Such heartache wrenched sobs from my throat. Vengeance ruled his heart and it wasn’t until Hannah bright spirit broke through the darkness did Nicholas finally heal. The characterization of Nicholas and Hannah, as well as the minor characters, is incredible and I found myself growing attached to them all. The suspense and action surprised me but added such depth to the story, I found myself holding my breath as I whipped through the pages. The last part of the book shocked me but rang with historical accuracy. The ending filled my romantic heart with all the feel-good emotions. I hated when it ended because I wanted to stay, at least for a little while longer.
If you’re a Regency romance fan, you’ll love Earl of Darby. Plenty of holiday traditions and foods pepper the plot to immerse the reader in Christmastide bliss. Highly recommend!
Favorite Character/Quote:
“Today, I feel like a new man. This is a new beginning for me. You are my chance to start again.”
My Rating: 5+ stars
Author Biography:
Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule, and barn cats. Obsessions include wine, history, travel, trail riding, and all things Christmas. Her Regency romances and A Chicago Christmas series have received numerous awards and thrice nominated as a Rone finalist by InD’tale Magazine.
Aubrey’s first love is medieval romance but after dipping her toe in the Regency period in 2018 with the Wicked Earls’ Club, she was smitten. This inspired her spin-off series Once Upon a Widow. In 2020, she will launch the Scottish Regency series A MacNaughton Castle Romance with Dragonblade Novels.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://aubreywynne.com/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/aubreywynne51
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Reviewed by: Mrs. N