Cover Image: The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane

The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Miss Jane Featherstone is in love with the Earl Spade. However the Earl has made a vow to his dead father that he would marry an heiress so that he may bring the family castle back from ruin. Which at the point would cost a formidable fortune. Even though he cares for Jane, he will be courting her cousin Sarah who come with a very substantial fortune. As they go through different experiences, they will both come to know that they love each other. Again, there is that unforgettable vow.
Well written, classic characters for that time period and place.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed reading the story of Jane Featherstone and Lord Slade. This was an entertaining book and I would recommend this author.

Was this review helpful?

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from netgalley. The Earl The Vow in the plain Jane right off the bat I have to admit I hate the title. I also dislike the fact that Jane constantly refers to the fact that she doesn't think she's pretty and then she doesn't add up to her cousin Lady Sarah who is renowned for her beauty in addition to being a heiress. That being said I do appreciate that the romance between Lady Jane and Slade feels very organic. The two of them have known each other since they were young as Slade participated in the political discussions held by Jane's father. I think the book include too fast it felt like it was trying to wrap up really quickly it went from the middle of the story to here's the ending. But overall I enjoyed the story.

Was this review helpful?

Bereft of beauty as well as fortune, Miss Jane Featherstone has failed to attract any suitor during her three Seasons. Rather than be a burden to her brother and his obnoxious wife, Miss Featherstone vows to accept the first man who asks even though she's always worshipped a lord who's far above her touch. Jack St John, Lord Slade must marry an heiress in order to honour the deathbed Vow he made to his father, and he needs Miss Featherstone's help in wooing her beautiful cousin Sarah. After her initial anger, Miss Featherstone agrees to his scheme, telling him she's doing so because she admires his Parliamentary record of humanitarian legislation and his reverence for truth.
This is the second book in the series but could be read on its own. The characters have plenty of depth & even Cecil is likeable. The story on the whole flows well but does stall a couple of times. I did love the slow burn romance & how Jack reacted to Jane being courted. Whilst this series is about the three Etonian friends I’d like to see Jack's siblings have their HEAs. I look forward to Alex’s story

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Was this review helpful?

First off all, I feel obliged to point out (as I did not see anything in the description regarding this), but this story is an edited (and slightly expanded upon) version of her original short story; His Lordship's Vow.

Now, I had previously read His Lordship's Vow and had expressed in my review then how I wished the story had been longer, so when I saw this one and noticed it was approximately 113 pages longer, I was eager to give it a re-read!

Unfortunately, it didn't seem like anything had changed. There was still no romantic buildup between the two leads even though it seemed everyone else thought they would be perfect for one another. In fact the entire "romance" between them seemed entirely too rushed, and the "solution" presented one that was so obvious it defies logic that someone as intelligent as Slade was didn't see it well before the last five minutes of the book.

Don't get me wrong, I adored these characters (as well as Slade's brother and Lady Sarah), but I don't feel this book did them justice. There was just as much attention paid to Lord Alex and his campaign than there was any sort of romance.

I am sure there will be many other people who will enjoy this one more than I did. I have read other works by this author and enjoyed them, so I will continue to read more from them!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Was this review helpful?

It didn’t take me long to read this book, probably only two sittings. I liked the story. I loved the premise behind it. The characters were okay, too. But, that was it. They were just okay. Not spectacular, not extraordinary, and I would not call Lord Slade an alpha male at any turn, for any reason. Obviously a vow to a dying father was important, but a man caring for three sisters should have realized (way before he did) that those left alive are far more important than any vow, particularly minors in his care. He was only a man and Jane was only an average woman–the Plain Jane, I suppose. I expected much more from these characters. By their descriptions, I envisioned totally different people.

I really felt like the book was missing some umph.

Regardless, there were a lot of things within the story I liked, otherwise I would have taken much longer to read it. There were also things (and characters) I really hated, which, to a certain degree, was the reason I stuck around to finish the story.

I really hated the younger cousin, Sarah, and I desperately wanted somebody to shove a pie in her face–unfortunately, no pies landed. Major bummer, right? She was a bit sure of herself and, even though she was young, I really think she could have taken better care of her words regarding beauty and Miss Featherstone.

Some people, amirite?

This was a very sweet romance, too, so not really the sort of book I’m used to picking up. I tend to read racier, edgier, faster paced books. When I, on purpose, pick up a sweet romance, I expect for there to be some sort of major conflict or, at the very least, some really warm scenes. In this book, a lot of that was really lost. To add insult to injury, so to say, the ending unfolded too quickly for the amount of build up behind it. I’m okay with knowing what’s going to happen before it does (and any reader can tell you this is very common), but I really dislike being let down in the delivery of these happenings.

I can’t say that I can give a recommendation for this book to anyone unless I give them a full report of the letdowns as well as the good points, so you have all been warned. Three stars.

Was this review helpful?

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
A wonderful, sentimental romance , of an Earl who needs to marry money to save his estate and keep his vow to his dead father , and a plane young miss who is nothing in looks compared to her ravishing cousin.
But what they do have us a love of politics, a thirst for truth and reform , and a hidden desire for the one person that completes them , even if it’s not the one they require .
I really enjoyed this book and look forward the Alex’s story x
I received an advanced copy of this book and chose to submit a review

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed learning more about the systems of government in this and having a heroine who was generally interested in it.

Was this review helpful?

Found this one pretty hard to finish. I would not recommend even as a “read now” on a long hot night. Pacing not even nor the characters three demensional

Was this review helpful?

An interesting story, believable characters and a good setting. I think if you already like this writer you'll enjoy it a lot.

However, for me the style was quite different and had to get in to. I found it very formal and to convoluted. It really took effort to read. But for many this will read more like a book written at the Regency time, so it will appeal. Just not for me.

Was this review helpful?

Lord Slade needs a wife with a dowry so he can pay for his sisters to come out when they are old enough. He made a vow to his father to marry someone who could restore the castle that the family owns that is falling into ruins. Jane is a very smart girl who is pretty but not ravishing. She is helping to bring Lady Sarah out and to find her a husband. Lord Slade needs help to woo Lady Sarah and asks Jane. He does not know she is in love with him Lord Slade is very in to politics and Jane is very knowledgeable about them as well. Jane has met someone who wants to marry her but Lord Slade cannot let this happen. Will Lord Slade marry Lady .Sarah or lose the castle. It is a sweet and lovely story. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no other compensation.

Was this review helpful?

This was a great read which is the second in the series. Lord Slade and Jane Featherstone have so much in common but he has to marry an heiress with a large dowry to satisfy the vow he made to his father. As much as Jane loves him she sees the problem and offers to help him win her cousin, Lady Sarah who has a large dowry. She only ask that he love Sarah when he asks for her hand in marriage. That is the problem and he is at a loss how he can keep that promise. Lady Sarah is drawn to Lord Slade's brother more than him. Can they all work out the problems, honor the vow and find love?

Was this review helpful?

This book was a pleasant surprise. It took me back to some of my favorite books. It reminded me people could still write like Jane Austin with such detail in the characters and so proper. It was like stepping back in a time machine. It's sad to think that just a hundred years ago people needed to marry for money and not love. This story is about Jane. A non wealthy commoner who was intelligent and loved politics. Not the ideal wife for many. But her friendship will Lord Slade had grown into a crush and with Lord Slade's money issues he needed to marry Jane's cousin Sarah. She was bringing a big dowery with her and Lord Slade needed it to care for his 3 sisters and upkeep on his castle. This is a simple Romance novel and makes you remember just how simple life use to be.

Was this review helpful?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is more traditional and i think true to form as Regency novels should be. It is a straight forward romance with no silly plot twists, just to fill pages. I recommend this book to readers of all ages. Well written with a solid idea for a story. Interesting historical references befitting the times. This is hard to find from a lot of authors these days. Very much appreciate well researched time periods. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?