I am a fan of historical romance and this is a very good one.
It is well written, interesting and lively character, and the right dose of humour.
I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next instalment in this series.
Recommended.

The first book in Galen’s The Survivors series was so much fun to read that I anxiously awaited the day when I could clear my calendar completely and binge on this second installment. A snow day provided just that, and I'm happy to report that No Earls Allowed was even better than expected.

Featuring a heroine struggling to save a failing orphanage and a hero who has been sent by the heroine’s father to bring her back home, this book was total romance bliss. Both Juliana and Neil have their reasons for avoiding any emotional entanglement, but as soon as they meet and begin to set the orphanage back on track, their attraction hits them squarely over the head.

Juliana and Neil's unique relationship (due to Neil's orders to bring her home and Juliana's dedication to the orphans) really made for a story that is totally and completely distinctive. There wasn't a ruined reputation or a marriage of convenience in this book, and it was simply glorious to bask in Galen's invigorating writing and charming plot. 5 stars way up for No Earls Allowed.

Wonderful, Enchanting, Intriguing, Emotional and there are so many more words to describe this amazing book. It literally held me captive until 2:30 in the morning because I could not put it down. At the last page my heart was smiling!! Shana Galen took the hero Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of a Marquess and made his character come to life, with all of his haunting memories from the war. He and the heroine Lady Juliana, spoiled daughter of an Earl evolve right there on each page as each deals with their issues and each others. Juliana has been devoting herself to an orphanage and trying to keep it afloat with 12 boys, who will make you want to just jump in and help them. The story begins when Neil is sent on a simple mission to fetch Juliana and make her go home as she has been spending too much time at the orphanage. You see, his father is a good friend of Juliana's father so there is a connection. Enough said. What follows is a an entertaining, sometimes funny (yes there are pets you will squeal about!) and at times dangerous journey as Neil and Juliana spark a friendship (ok I might say slow burn) while trying to navigate the care of the boys and outside forces that are determined to cause harm. I truly am caught and pulled in by this series "The Survivors" and cannot wait to see who comes up next!!!! Thank you Shana for writing this story and touching my heart..

I was easily captured by No Earls Allowed. Two stubborn, head-strong people from far differing backgrounds will find friendship, danger, satisfaction in their work with the boys at the orphanage… and along the way the love of a lifetime.

Neil is a survivor, in more ways than one. As a member of an elite fighting force during the Napoleonic Wars, this acknowledged bastard son of a Marquess placed his life on the line countless times. To many he is considered a hero. To himself he is worthless. Neil suffers from horrifying nightmares of his time in battle. Today we would recognize PTSD, but then this condition was often suffered in silence and ignorance. He often puts himself down for his place in life, and although his father acknowledges him, Neil still feels the taint of his birth. The fact that he survived the war and others, especially his half-brother did not eats away at his soul. When Neil is tasked by his father to bring a friend’s wayward daughter back home he thinks nothing of it. A simple task, easily done and finished. Or… maybe not.

Juliana is at her wit’s end, but she will not give up. Yes, it’s true that the teacher has left, the cook quit and that nasty slumlord will simply not leave her alone or take the word “No” for an answer – but she is not giving up on these boys. No one, not her father’s wishes nor the handsome military man he sent to shoo her back home will change her mind – or get her to leave these boys. It’s not happening. But one handsome man who knows how to make some much needed repairs around the rundown orphanage, can understand and engage several young boys into doing chores, doesn’t turn his nose up at the odd three pet rats… and could charm her stockings off in a heartbeat — now that man might convince her to do just about anything.

There is much to enjoy about No Earls Allowed, and I’ll let you discover those things for yourself firsthand. I frankly love Shana Galen’s works, I have for some time now. I don’t think there is one book of hers that I haven’t re-read several times over the years. And Neil and Juliana are among the top favorite couples of mine. I don’t know what it is that connects characters to readers, for each are unique, but I liked these two, enjoyed their romance, their discovery of each other and the way they worked together. The brotherhood of friends and survivors adds such a unique touch to this series, and I frankly would love to read stories about every single one of them. Which means I’m definitely looking forward to the next one, Affair With A Spare.

If you love Historical Romance books with humor, steam, likable and believable characters, lots of interesting secondary characters, touches of danger and intrigue… and just a damn good story, then I’d highly recommend No Earls Allowed and the entire Survivors series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

No Earls Allowed is Book 2 in Shana Galen's Survivors Series which features Draven's Dozen, the surviving members of Col Draven's Suicide Squad. This book features Major Neil Wraxall, the bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington. Neil, aka "The Warrior", was the former squad leader for Col. Draven. He is still suffering screaming nightmares and flashbacks from his time on the battlefield. Neil, being 1/2 Italian, has olive skin but with a golden hue. He also has turquoise eyes that mesmerize everyone.
Our heroine is Lady Juliana, last surviving daughter to Earl St. Maur, She has taken a vow of spinsterhood, much to her father's annoyance. She is willful, impulsive, and stubborn. She's barely over 5 feet with long red hair and lots of curves.
Lady Juliana is running an orphanage for 12 boys in the slums of Spitalfield, London. It is a falling down mess. the roof leaks, the stove smokes, her cook and the teacher quit on the same day, and her manservant is never around and seems to do even less. If that wasn't enough, the local crime lord, Mr. Slag, has decided that Lady Juliana can either pay 1000 pounds for his protection, or she can turn her body over to him for his pleasure. Blecch. Julia just wants to hide under the covers.
Neil, home from the war, receives a message that his father has an assignment for him. The assignment seems simple enough: do a favor for the Marquess' friend. The friend is Earl St. Maur, and the favor is to bring Lady Juliana home to Mayfair so she will "stop playing at her charity work". Well when Neil gets to the orphanage everything is in chaos and he quickly realizes that this favor is not going to be quick or easy in the slightest.
Especially because of his unexpected and overwhelming attraction to the Lady Juliana.
Neil ends up staying at the orphanage to help; with the organization and cleaning, the feeding of the boys, the safety and maintenance of the premises, and finally with Mr. Slag, which is an entire adventure story in and of itself.
Intertwined throughout this is the burgeoning romance of Neil and Julianne. Both of them have painful pasts that, combined with the differences in their stations, put additional barriers between them.
A nice treat is that Ewan and Rafe from Third Son's a Charm make an appearance and we get to visit with them again. I'm looking forward to Rafe's story!
Shana's writing is always full of humor while pulling at the heartstrings. While I would not consider this a deep philosophical book by any stretch of the imagination, it is not your typical Regency Romance with ton balls and house parties. This story deals (lightly) with PTSD, grief, street gangs, and the sad plight of the forgotten child. But at the same time it is full of love, laughter and hope...all things we can use a little more of in our lives.

Sweet romance happens when the son of a Marquis - Major Neil Wraxall- accepts an assignment to bring home the daughter of an Earl. He thinks he can make light of the work until he meets Lady Juliana.

Lady Juliana isn’t able to do her best job with the orphanage- and Neil takes over and begins to get the tasks at hand taken care of for her. His military style doesn’t sit well, and their personalities clash- even while sparks fly between them.

I won’t mention more about the book for fear of spoilers.

Liked the book very much and recommend it.

Shana Galen has done it again and written a fantastic read. In this second book of her Survivor's series, we enjoy Juliana and Neil's HEA. I liked this premise. Juliana and Neil are well written characters with unique back stories that directly relates to their actions throughout this story. I loved Juliana's unwavering faith and determination to provide a safe environment for the orphans even with the scum of the earth trying to stop her. I loved Neil and how he steps up. I know that Juliana and Neil are meant for each other. This is a very well written story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur is running a ramshackle orphanage in London's worst slums. Her father has suddenly become determined to marry her off.
Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington has been sent to assist Lady Juliana in any way he can. He’s a natural leader of men and now women and orphans, he’s seems a bit bossy, he’s handy with repairs, he knows how to keep her and the orphans’ safe. Right away you see their personality’s class and the instant chemistry is sizzling with an undeniable desire. Neil is truly a hero and I know you’ll love how he and Juliana come together, fall in love and find their own unique brand of happiness and HEA!!! This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: March 6th 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 149263901X (ISBN13: 9781492639015)
Edition Language English
Series The Survivors #2
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


It is a truth universally acknowledged
that a lady can do anything a man can do:
backwards and in high-heeled dancing slippers.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, needs all the help she can get. She's running a ramshackle orphanage, London's worst slumlord has illicit designs on her, and her father has suddenly become determined to marry her off.

Enter Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquess of Kensington, sent to assist Lady Juliana in any way he can. Lucky for her, he's handy with repairs, knows how to keep her and the orphans safe, and is a natural leader of men.

Unfortunately for both of them, the scandal that ensues from their mutual attraction is going to lead them a merry dance...

My Thoughts


Finally a Historical Romantic Suspense that involves both the wealthy and the poor elements of London in a wholly believable manner to me.

Lady Juliana, who prefers to be called Julia, has found herself in a bit of a predicament when not only her maid but the cook and teacher that she depended on for keeping things running in the orphanage have all left. Not only that but the man servant who is supposed to be making repairs to the dilapidated building keeps disappearing daily as well rather than doing his job as she expects him to do.

Enter Neil Wraxall, bastard son of a Marquess and retired soldier, a man whom her father has hired to persuade Julia to return home and leave the squalor of London behind.

Having found herself deeply attached to the 12 boys in her care the lady in question refuses to go anywhere, not even when threatened by the local crime lord who is also a threat to the boys in an even more sinister fashion.

Julia and Neil join forces, albeit somewhat reluctantly on his part, finding that working together they not only rally each others ability to cope with the rowdy group in their care but also forge an emotional attachment that neither quite knows how to handle due to their respective past experiences.

As has already been pointed out, Julia can easily slip from her former role as a fashionable lady into the more practical role of head of an orphanage. Neil himself wears many hats in this story not least of which is that of seducer when the overwhelming attraction he feels for Julia can no longer be denied.

Not only do the boys steal the show over and over but their choice of pets in Mathew, Mark and Luke prove that even a lowly rat has the ability to inspire affection in someone who otherwise would just consider them to be vermin that needed to be disposed of rather than cuddled close.

Filled with a veritable cornucopia of antics that will make one chuckle a time or two, as well as want to spank a few boys then hug them, this story was very enjoyable to me.

Like Ewan Mostyn before him Neil Wraxall never stood a chance!

[EArc from Netgalley]



On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Lady Juliana is determined to make a safe

and successful place of this Sunnybrooke

Home for Boys. At all costs. These boys need

her. They need a safe place to live and grow

and become men. But it is the 'costs' part that

is making it so very difficult for her.


Major Neil Wraxall has been enlisted to convince

Juliana that she must return home. She must let

someone else manage the home for boys.


Major Wraxall believes he can easily

solve this problem. And make everyone happy

at the same time. But then, he does not know

how much Juliana has invested herself in

the home and the boys.

Wraxall finds out very quickly that this is not

going to be resolved as he had hoped.


No Earls Allowed is a sweet story of romance

unexpected. Generosity of the soul.

Strength of spirit. We all must decide what

matters most to us. And if we are very lucky,

that person will make their way into your

life. The person that will show you that

you are worthy. You are worthy of love.

Shana Galen has written a deeply

emotional story. With very unusual and

unique characters.

As a disclaimer, I think I’ll say that I was in a bit of a reading slump during this time, and I think part of my disconnection might have been because of my headspace. Take this review how you will.

No Earls Allowed is book two in Shana Galen’s The Survivors series. I had a hard time connecting to the characters, so this fell a bit flat for me.

Neil has taken a world of responsibility on his shoulders, and he’s still feeling the repercussions years later. So when he’s assigned to bringing a family friend’s daughter back home, he takes the mission. How hard can it be?

He isn’t prepared, however, for one, Lady Juliana.

I enjoyed Lady Juliana the most. She finds purpose and need in taking care of a group of boys at the Sunnybrooke orphanage. So much so that she hasn’t really left. Finding former soldier Neil on her doorstep, ready to take her home, just isn’t going to happen.

Neil for his part just isn't expecting quite a formidable opponent in Juliana. But she's putting a chink not only in his plans but in the shield he has erected around himself too. These two had really good chemistry in the beginning. The opening scene where they meet…absolute perfection! Galen has a masterful quality of telling a story and bringing characters—both the main MCs and secondary cast to life—and No Earls Allowed is no exception.

But about 30% of the way through, things just felt…off. The conversations felt a bit awkward, and the secondary plot of taking care of everyday tasks took time and attention away from cultivating a true connection between Neil and Juliana. The ending just tended to drag, and that disconnect continued all the way through for me.

I was bummed simply because I LOVED the first one. But while this was a bit of a miss for me, there were so many good qualities to it, too, that I might come back and try to re-read it again later. I’m definitely going to continue with this series. (Jasper is coming!!!)

3 stars.

Major Neil Wraxall’s life is turned upside down when his father asks him for a favor. Neil has been tasked with what seems like an easy mission; his father has asked him to persuade Lady Juliana St Maur to return home. The Earl of St Maur is tired of his daughter spending time at St Dismas orphanage and has decided that she should marry. Neil realizes that Lady Juliana is clearly out of her element when he walks into the orphanage; he smells burning bread, sees that the oatmeal has boiled over on the stove, notices three rats are running around the kitchen and notices Julia’s ball gown is splattered with flour and oatmeal. The cook has quit and twelve hungry boys need their breakfast. Neil realizes that this rescue mission is not going to be as easy as he thought.
The chemistry between Neil and Julia was apparent in the first chapter of the book. Neil takes a military approach to the orphanage. He notices that the doors and windows don’t lock properly, the roof leaks and the kitchen and bedrooms are a mess. He decides that the boys need structure and soon has them cleaning the kitchen and their rooms. But, that approach doesn’t work so well with Lady Juliana! Juliana is clearly out of her element but, she is determined to stay at the orphanage with the boys. Loved how the couple’s romance progressed and that they worked together to keep the boys home.
I enjoyed that Shana Galen chose to make No Earls Allowed a character driven romance. This choice changed the book from a good to an excellent read. Her descriptive prose enables her to weave in social commentary throughout the storyline. There is a dark undertone present in the plot but, the novel’s focus is positive. The fabulous characters and the dialogue and the well -paced plot drew me in to the novel. The secondary characters added warmth and depth to the story line. The characters and the witty dialogue reminded me of Ms. Galen’s Jewels of the Ton series which I adored. The novel’s conclusion was perfectly written as Ms. Galen balances the elements of suspense, trust and romance in the last few chapters.
No Earls Allowed features a romance between an unlikely pair; a former military hero with a complicated past and a stubborn heiress—their journey towards happiness makes for a delightful read with all the feels!

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review; I give this 4 1/4 stars which rounds down to 4. The second title in the loosely linked The Survivors Club features Neil Wraxall, the leader of a group of soldiers selected for suicide missions during the Napoleonic War, who lives with the guilt that not all his men made it home. The acknowledged bastard son of Marquess of Kensington, Neil was serving in the Peninsula with one of his legitimate brothers when he discovered his brother's body during a battle. Deciding he should have died instead of his brother, Neil no longer cares if he lives or dies and was recruited by Lt. Col. Draven to lead a group of similar men in suicide missions to help ensure the British and her allies won. Neil agrees to assist his father's friend, the Earl of St. Maur by bringing his daughter home from the orphanage where she spends the majority of her time, including living there. After a tragedy featuring her beloved sister, Lady Juliana sees the orphanage as her way to make a difference in the world by saving the boys there from life in the street and showing them that at least one person cares about them. She hasn't had an easy go of it as funds are tight and one of the local crime bosses has his eye on getting money or another form of payment in return for "protection". Despite his belief that bringing Juliana home would be the work of a day, Neil quickly finds himself immersed in helping out her and the orphaned boys in the home. Juliana initially sees Neil as just another attempt by her father to bring her back to the family home, she is amazed by Neil's ability to care for the orphans despite his protests to the contrary. Neil has never been able to forget his bastard status and at first just sees the boys as another reminder before he gets to know them as individuals. I love both Juliana and Neil as individuals and a couple. Galen does a wonderful job of allowing the two to get to know each other and for their relationship to develop naturally as the story unfolds. I can't wait for the next title in this series to see which of the Neil's fellow soldiers finds his happily ever after next.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, needs all the help she can get. She's running a ramshackle orphanage in Spitalfields, London's worst gang lord Slag has illicit designs on her, Enter Major Neil Wraxall, bastard son of the Marquis of Kensington, sent to bring Lady Juliana home. Neil realises that getting Juliana to go home won’t be easy so he decides to keep her and the orphans safe.
A very well paced book that had me hooked from the beginning, the characters were very well fleshed & Neil had my heart when he showed the youngest boys how to make a bed. Juliana is impulsive, headstrong & trying to make amends for losing Davy. Neil still suffers from nightmares & feels survivors guilt. The boys are delightful & a certain thumb sucker steals the book. I look forward to more in the series, after all there were twelve survivors!

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

No Earls Allowed is book two in Shana Galen’s Survivors series, and like the first book, Third Son’s a Charm, features one of the men who had belonged to a specialist ‘suicide troop’ formed during the Napoleonic wars.  The group consisted originally of thirty, all of them single men, some of them younger sons, some of them by-blows - but all of them expendable; and under the command of Major Neil Wraxall, the men were given the most dangerous missions, missions from which they were not expected to return – and many did not.  By the end of the war, thirty had become a mere dozen, and even though the war has ended, Wraxall continues to carry a mountain of guilt for the eighteen men who did not return as well as for the death of his half-brother Christopher, the oldest legitimate son of their father, the Marquess of Kensington.

Neil’s life as an illegitimate son has perhaps been easier than many others in his situation given that his father acknowledged him from birth; he provided for him, made sure Neil had a good education and upbringing and then purchased his army commission.  In spite of that, however, Neil still feels his status – or lack thereof – as a bastard, and has never really felt as though he fit in or belonged anywhere apart from with his company of men in the army.  Now the war is over, he spends most of his time at his club with his closest friends – Ewan Mostyn and Rafe Beaumont - or alone, wallowing in guilt and consuming large amounts of strong drink in the attempt to keep the nightmares at bay.

When Neil receives a note from his father asking to see him, he isn’t too surprised. Neil performs the odd service for the marquess now and again, and he takes himself off, wondering what his father needs him to do this time.  The last thing he expects is to be asked to retrieve an earl’s daughter from an orphanage for young boys located in one of the less salubrious areas of London; but Neil can’t imagine it’ll be difficult and arrives just in time to discover the earl’s daughter in question being importuned by an unsavoury character.

Lady Juliana (Julia) is the one remaining unmarried daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, and is currently residing at the Sunnybrooke Home for Boys in Spitalfields where she is trying desperately to keep the place running without sufficient funds and staff.  When her sister, Harriett, was alive, the home had been one of the charities to which the two of them donated, although it had been Harriett who had been the truly tireless supporter of that particular orphanage and several others; but after Harriett’s death in childbirth, the home has become something of an emotional crutch for Julia, who sees devoting herself to Sunnybrooke as a way to keep Harriett’s memory alive. The earl is naturally concerned and wants Julia to return home to the world of the ton as befits her station in life, but she will hear none of it.  The boys need her, and given the way her beloved sister’s husband treated her, Julia has decided she wants nothing to do with men or marriage.

Added to Julia’s many problems – pilfering from the pantry, the resignation of the cook, the leaky roof and a trio of escaped pet rats – is Mr. Slag, the local crime-lord who is pressing her for payment of a large sum of money in exchange for his ‘protection’ – or if not money, he insinuates another way in which he would become her protector.  Julia has just got rid of him – for now – when Neil arrives and stops her dead in her tracks. With his dark hair, well-muscled build and startlingly blue eyes, he’s the most gorgeous man Julia has ever seen and, lost in contemplation of all that male beauty, Julia fails to recall she’d been cooking breakfast for the boys when Slag had turned up – a fact that suddenly makes itself known courtesy of the burning smell emanating from the kitchen.

Neil hadn’t planned to spend the day sorting out breakfast, wrangling rats and a group of young boys alike, but he quickly realises that the notion he could simply tell the lady that her father wants her home and then escort her there was rather wide of the mark and that she’s not going to meekly obey the earl’s summons.  He decides instead that the best way to get Julia out of there is to make sure the orphanage is safe (none of the door and windows lock properly), clean and dry (the roof leaks and the boys are slobs) and that proper staff are engaged… but it quickly becomes apparent, even when the place is tidier and more secure, that Julia isn’t going to go back to her father’s house. And if she stays at the orphanage, then Neil stays, especially when he discovers that one of Julia’s servants is working for Slag.

No Earls Allowed (a title which seems to have no bearing on the actual story) is an enjoyable and entertaining read, but I found the premise of an earl’s daughter running an orphanage while still being accepted by the ton to require quite a large stretch of my credulity. I did, however like that Ms. Galen gives Julia underlying and unacknowledged (to herself) reasons for her determination to run the place, rather than making her a blithe Lady Bountiful type – as I said earlier, it’s clear she’s using the place as some sort of emotional crutch and, as her former governess points out, that she’s using it to hide from life.  She’s determined and gutsy, and I liked her – until, towards the end of the book, she turns into one of my least favourite heroine-types, the one who, when told to stay behind for her own safety (and because the hero wants not to have to worry about her while he’s confronting the bad guys) insists on tagging along and then has to be rescued. And while Neil is a wonderful hero – handsome, kind, honourable and just plain decent - he has his moment of stupidity near the end, which just feels tacked on in order to provide a bit of last minute drama.  Which it doesn’t.

Some of the best moments in the book are provided by the interactions between Neil and the boys.  I’m not normally fond of children in romance novels, but I’m pleased to say that Ms. Galen writes them all well, and does a great job of showing how they bond with Neil and adopt him as a father figure, and how he so naturally steps into that breach and takes charge of them and the orphanage. The romance between Neil and Juliana is sensual and nicely-developed; they have scorching chemistry and in making Neil a man who knows all too well the stigma of illegitimacy, of being ostracised, talked about and looked down on, she has created a hero who is a little different from the norm, a man fully aware of the consequences of passion and so unwilling to visit them upon an innocent child that he has remained (technically) a virgin - although luckily for Julia, he’s not inexperienced (!).

I enjoyed meeting Ewan and Rafe again; their unquestioning loyalty and the snarky banter between Neil and Rafe are other high points, and overall, I enjoyed the No Earls Allowed in spite of my reservations. I'll definitely be reading the next in the series when it comes out later this year.

Buy it at: Amazon/Barnes & Noble/iBooks/Kobo

This is the second book by Galen that I have read and she writes light hearted romances really well. I did not love this book as much as the first in the series as I just did not connect with the characters in the same way. I did love reading about the orphans and there was certainly a lot of excitement and action in the plot. Looking forward to book three.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title and author: No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen

Series: Survivors – Book 2

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Releases: March 6, 2018

Purchase: https://tinyurl.com/yaag86lg

Genre: Historical

Author website: http://shanagalen.com/

Rating: 4.5 Stars

When individuals have definite goals, their lives feel rewarding when these objectives are finally reached. But if a person is wandering aimlessly through most days with few accomplishments, then no real sense of purpose is felt. This is how the romantic couple in the second book of The Survivors series are living, as Lady Juliana devotes most of her time to running an orphanage, while Neil Wraxall just tries to forget his distressing past at Daven Club. When he has to come in contact with her, what should have been only hours turns into days of dramatic personal entanglements. Toss in a large group of kids and one despicable criminal, and the lives of Neil and Juliana will never be the same. Shana Galen has certainly created original storylines for The Survivors series, where characters are diverse and find themselves in unusual situations. I thought the book had compellingly clever developments not usually depicted in a Regency story, thus keeping me captivated during every fascinating event. NO EARLS ALLOWED is imaginatively entertaining with romance, intrigue, and candid emotions.

Although Major Neil Wraxall is an illegitimate son of a marquess, his father did claim him and helped make his life better. Buying him a commission in the English cavalry meant that the younger man fought the French, and the events of one battle still haunt him. Now his days and some nights are often spent at Draven Club, and during a late evening visit, Neil receives a message to meet with his father. Grateful for all he has been given, he tries to fulfill any wish made by his parent.

The request made this time is certainly different from anything before, as Neil is to offer his assistance to Lady Juliana. She runs an orphanage for boys, and between very little help or funds and a crime lord offering more than just protection, her life is in complete turmoil. When Neil arrives, he can instantly tell that his services are needed, and his mission to have Juliana return home will not be happening soon. As the two adults work toward making the orphanage more livable, numerous secrets are learned that make the other exceedingly appealing.

There is a very interesting background premise for stories in The Survivors series, and Shana Galen definitely incorporates how the past can greatly affect the present in NO EARLS ALLOWED. Neil has mentally suffered after great loss during a battle, and he now wishes for some peace. While he may no longer be a soldier, he can still get others to follow his commands, and this comes in handy when dealing with rowdy boys. I enjoyed seeing him start to feel emotions again, as the author gradually had interactions with others start to influence his thinking. Juliana is a strong-minded female for this period in history, and she was always willing to do whatever was necessary. Though her unwavering resolve did not always get the results she wanted, I did respect her reasoning. Neil and Juliana were not alike in many ways, and how they worked out their differences was often humorous.

Sometimes kids add to a story, while they can be annoyingly distracting in others. In NO EARLS ALLOWED, the unique personalities of the boys had me smiling, and I could not keep from laughing at some of their antics. Lots of humor scattered throughout the story kept me amused, and Shana Galen made situations realistic with accurate details. I am so eager for the next book in the series because of whose story is being told.

I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher via NetGalley, and all comments are my honest opinion

I liked this book, but not as much as the previous book.

Lady Juliana St. Maur aka Julia, last surviving daughter of the Earl of St. Maur has taken over the St. Dismas Home for Wayward Youth or as she calls it Sunnybrooke Home for Boys, an orphanage in Spitalfields. Her father has allowed her to continue her work there believing that it was part of her grieving the loss of her sister, but now he has had enough and he wants her to come home.

Enter Major Neil Wraxall, aka Warrior, war hero, member of the Survivor's Club and illegitimate son of the Marquess of Kensington. His father and Juliana's father are friends and the Earl has asked Kensington to have his son bring Julia home. Neil believes this will be an easy "mission" and he will be back in his club drinking gin before dinner.

Neil's first encounter with Julia is certainly not what he expected, he didn't expect a gorgeous woman in a ball gown covered in flour, he didn't expect rats and he didn't expect to have to wrangle boys and get breakfast. He tells Julia he is here to escort her home and she tells him she isn't leaving. Her maid has quit, her cook has quit and now her teacher is leaving, she cannot leave the boys alone. Neil decides to help her get things in shape at the orphanage, so he can keep her safe until he can get her to leave.

Julia's father has let Julia stay at the orphanage as long as she agrees to participate in ton events and she doesn't cause a scandal. Julia really could care less about the ton, she has no desire to marry and doesn't trust men. Her heart was broken when her sister died and she lost her nephew Davy. She pours all the love she had for them into the orphanage and she will not leave. She is not exactly thrilled to have Neil there, but considering the unforeseen threats she has received from the local crime boss Slag, she isn't in a rush to get rid of him.

What began as a simple mission to bring a pampered earl's daughter home has morphed into an epic battle of wills and neither Julia or Neil is willing to give an inch. Neil makes repairs and unwillingly helps with the boys, earning Julia's respect. There is an immediate attraction between them, but they both fight it. Slowly Julia begins to trust Neil and finally shares the threats Slag has made. Neil vows to keep her and the boys safe and promises that he will take care of Slag.

When it appears that Slag is no longer a threat and Julia is safe, Neil decides to leave. Julia asks him to stay, she knows she loves him, but Neil can't seem to let go of the past and enjoy the future. He cares for Julia, but he is not the man for her. Julia is left broken hearted and Neil returns to his "life". It seems there will be no HEA for these two, until Rafe steps in and Slag reappears and Neil realizes that he loves her, but it might be too late.

This was a very well written book, the story moves right along and there is no lagging, the secondary characters are wonderful - loved the boys! There are cameos by Rafe & Ewan (yes!), steamy love scenes, some amusing moments, some nail biting moments and finally a very, very hard earned HEA. There is much to recommend this book, but the idea that a young unmarried woman could do what Julia was doing and still be accepted in polite society defies belief and Neil's overwhelming guilt and his negative outlook got to be a bit tiresome.

This is the second book in the Survivors series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title with no problems. I would happily recommend this book and can't wait for Rafe's book!!!

Ms. Galen continues her Survivor series and I am finding this series fast paced, smartly plotted and vastly entertaining. However none of that would have been enough if the characters weren't interesting and compelling, which they certainly are.

When you find yourself caring for the characters from a fiction, you must give respect where it's due. To the author that knows how to hook you on the story and the characters within it.

If you've never read any of this author's stories then you are missing on some wonderful story telling.

Melanie for b2b

The Warrior
Neil Wraxham (Warrior) returned from the Napoleonic Wars a haunted man, unable to sleep without nightmares and using alcohol to blunt his emotions. If it wasn’t for his fellow survivors, so close they are like blood brothers, it is doubtful he would function in any type of meaningful way. Our hero meets the heroine when he is tasked with returning Lady Juliana to her home in Mayfair; her father wants her to stop playing at her charity work (a rundown orphanage in crime riddled Spitalfields). Neil thinks it will be a simple assignment but he has yet to meet the obstinate, headstrong, impulsive and very beautiful Lady Juliana. Loved this story and how Neil was able to open his heart to a tribe of little boys and an unusual (for her class) woman and finally make peace with his past. Looking forward to the next Survivor story, will it be Jasper or Rafe?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.