3.5 stars. Titled lord Harry arrives in the village Little Puddleton on a mission for his ducal friend, and discovers the woman he left behind when he went off to war, but never stopped thinking about. Pen is shocked to see Harry, and has some news for him, in the form of a daughter he never knew about. Even though they're (mostly) glad to see one another, they know they have no future. Pen is a farmer's daughter who has made a life for herself growing hops for the women's home where she and her daughter Harriet live. Harry's mother has insisted it's time for him to marry well. But it's hard to ignore the connection that is still there after a decade apart.

I enjoyed this book, but I found Harry in particular very frustrating. He expects everyone to fall in line with his plans, and has a hard time seeing things from Pen's perspective. There are some plotlines that never get resolved, which seems like a missed opportunity. (I was hoping they might wrap up in the next book, but they do not.)

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute but not particularly spectacular historical romance, with a few unusual aspects. First of all, Our Heroine is neither a lady nor a wealthy merchant's daughter -- she's a farmer from the hero's family's estate. Secondly, this is a second-chance romance with a surprise baby element! (Common in contemporary romance, way less so in historical.) The hero is (realistically, I think) oblivious to the fact that he sails through life without experiencing any consequences to his actions, while the women around him are forced to live according to a strict set of rules or suffer the punishment, but he does clue in over the course of the novel. The secret baby (who is now ten years old) suffers a bit from Plot Moppet Syndrome, but if you like insta-family books or are intrigued by the premise of a beer-brewing heroine, What Ales the Earl is still worth a shot.

The first book in the Widow's Brew series, follows childhood friends and lovers, Pen and Harry. Harry, at eighteen, left for the war in France acting as a spy for the crown leaving farmer's daughter Pen behind. Pen, motherless and only seventeen, didn't know much about anything so it was a few weeks later she realized she was pregnant.

Ten years later the two are living very different lives. Harry was called back home after his brother's death to become the Earl of Darrow. Pen had to create a dead husband and is living in a widow's home and growing hops for their Widow's Brew ale. Harry has wondered what became of Pen, but has never asked anyone. On the verge of asking Lady Susan to marry him, Harry is interrupted by his host, the Duke, for a favor. The Duke does not like Lady Susan and is sending Harry off to Little Puddleton to discover what business the previous Duke had there.

Upon reaching Little Puddleton, Harry meets a girl named Harriette with the distinctive silver streak in her hair marking Harriette as a relative. When he finds out Pen is her mother he realizes his past has come back and it feels so good. Can he convince Pen to let him back into her life? Will his family accept Pen as his lady love despite the class divide?

It took a little time for me to get into this story. Pen and Harry are a childhood best friends turned lovers turned estranged couple. There are some parts that I didn’t like about this book, like when Harriet asks her own mother if she would like to be a mistress to her natural father. It was a disappointing story for me and I wouldn't recommend this book. It is sad as I really like this author but fans of this author will be better off skipping this one.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Sally macKenzie is one of those authors whose books you see in the store and buy without reading the back cover description. Her words are strung together with such aplomb that you know the novel is a winner before you read a word. What ales the Earl is no exception to that idea. From the get go I was hooked and swept away by the story and kept captivated until the very end. I can't wait to read the next by this stunning author.

A good story, an Earl who was a second son, now finds himself filling the shoes of his brother. One of his duties is to marry and produce an heir, so as the story opens, he is preparing to propose to a proper candidate for the role of countess, though he’s really neither interested in her, or even truly attracted to her. A friend , a Duke, interferes with the timing of said proposal, sending him off to investigate a charity the former Duke had supported. The village is difficult to locate, though he eventually finds it, meeting a child on arrival that he assumes to be a by blow of his brother, now deceased. There are many, all bearing a specific family trait. Once ensconced in the local inn, he elects to walk around the area, and comes to the rescue of a woman being assaulted, only to discover it is a childhood friend. He is startled to realize the child must be his own. Upset to find he was never made aware of the child, now nine, he is initially angry, then realizes the reasons why.
There is still a strong attraction between the couple, and both are very likeable, but absolutely from differing classes, she is a farmers daughter, he is a member of the aristocracy. He knows he must marry in his own class, but this woman owns his heart and has his child. She has made a life for herself, and their child, and is torn between loving him , and becoming his mistress, and continuing her present life.
There is so much more to this story, and it was enjoyable to me. This is the first of this author’s books for me, and appears to be the first in a series, which I think I’ll continue to read.
I received a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

I did not like this as much as I liked other books by Sally Mackenzie. There was something about both of the main characters that just put me off. I couldn't really see them as a couple. I also found the whole hair streak known all through England as a bit much.

Stevie‘s review of What Ales the Earl (Widow’s Brew, Book 1) by Sally MacKenzie
Historical Romance published by Zebra 31 Jul 18

I must admit to a certain fondness for older or more experienced heroines in historical fiction, especially those who have been necessitated to make their own way in life due to widowhood, abandonment, or enforced separation from their first love. In some ways I prefer it when the woman in question meets either a new man to love or is reunited with a former love after she’s had some experience with others, but I’ll give all permutations of the trope a fair chance.

In this case, the lovers have been separated for a good decade due to the war on the continent in his case and good reasons to move across the country in hers – in the form of a daughter born out of wedlock. Fortune has favoured them both to some extent: Pen has made a home with other women who would otherwise have had nowhere to go and is now putting her farming talents to good use, supplying their brewery with hops, while Harry has inherited the Earldom of Darrow from his brother – a man very good at begetting children but less lucky at fathering sons within his marriage. The two might have gone on in blissful ignorance of each other’s continued existence but for the intervention of another unexpectedly elevated aristocrat, who wonders just what one of the regular payments made from his new estate is all about. Harry is dispatched to Little Puddledon to find out…


… and there he encounters Pen in a spot of bother with the local – less than devout – clergyman, who has heard unfounded rumours about the circumstances behind Pen’s daughter’s origins and thinks Pen’s supposed wayward past entitles him to get what he wants from her without seeking her permission first. Harry weighs in to rescue Pen, and the pair are reunited, while the reverend slinks off to tend to his wounds. Harry is delighted to meet his lost love again, and enchanted to discover he has a daughter, but it takes an awful lot of book time for the pair of them to decide that Pen is ideally suited to being a slightly unconventional countess to Harry, even after his sister-in-law and mother weigh in with their opinions.

Frankly, I’m not totally convinced that Pen’s happy ever after really lay with Harry, rather than with her hop plants, and while I’d love to see both of Harry’s female relatives find lasting love after their disappointing first marriages, I suspect the series is going to concentrate on the other women of Little Puddledon, who in this book seemed rather bland and insipid by comparison. Not exactly a series I’m planning to keep following, but I may change my mind once I see the blurb for the next instalment.

Grade: C

What Ales the Earl (Widow's Brew, #1)
by Sally MacKenzie

A little so there.... However a good read. I am not sure this author has ever written a bad book. So, I will say this one almost got a three star but with me it went four.

Having said that, it is a very enjoyable book. I did not like the hero so much so I had to take off for that one. I enjoy the way the story progresses but the idea of a business woman got me a little ill because it seemed like every other page it was on it. Truly a romance and a light read but not up to her usual five star standard. So while I enjoyed this read, I did not love it like I normally do. I was given this arc via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own. Regards, Anna

I had previously been introduced to this author via her Spinster House series, which I adored! So I was excited to join her on this new journey... only to be let down. Unlike her Spinster House series, I found it almost too easy to put this one down and walk away from it. It was just missing ... that spark.

Normally I enjoy a second chance romance, and that is exactly what this was. However, Pen was lacking the backbone that I expected from heroines this author produces. She claims to be "offended" and "mad" about the way her daughter (and later herself) are treated, but she does little to stand up against the bullies (especially the ones against her daughter). In fact, after building a life she "cannot leave" she certainly considers leaving it to marry the Vicar and take on the duties of his wife.

And then Harry comes back into her life and ...... he is going to marry someone else. This is not unusual per-say, but the amount of emphasis the author placed on it was a bit much. Not only was Harry consistently thinking of the woman he was going to marry, but Pen thought of her as well. In fact Lady Susan made a much bigger role in the overall story than the character actually played.

While on the subject of that particular character, I find it hard to believe that he did not see Lady Susan for who and what she was before it came to a head in Little Puddleton. There were also a few other details that I felt were not keeping in tune with the time period.

On the whole however, I do think those who enjoy second chance historical romances may enjoy this one and I would read more from this author.

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.

This is the first book of the series. It is a very clever story about forbidden love and doing what one feels rather than what society tells them what they should do. I wish there was a part two of this book so I could see how things turn out and see the struggles being overcomed. Loved it! Worth the read!

Great book that had me intrigued and reading in all one setting. This is one of those stories you really wonder if the H/h can find a way to make it work or if it’s even best if they do. I loved Pen’s strength and that she always focused on trying to do what was best for her daughter even if it meant sacrificing a part of herself. As a mom I felt those parts relatable.

All of Ms. MacKenzie's books feature independent heroines, something I very much appreciate and definitely make me enjoy a book more. As we meet the women that will be featured in this series, the independence is obvious as they run the house, a brewery, and the agricultural operations and are determined to grow and succeed. I loved the premise, the theme, and the women, and overall, I liked the story.

I found this to be a quick read and one that entertained me, even if it did seem a bit rushed at times in terms of the relationship between our two main characters. For not having seen each other in a decade and all the angst and hurt and class and family issues, it seemed like it all came together just a little too easy. And I was left with a lot of questions about how things were going to progress, but I suspect many of those questions will be answered in the next installment in the series!

*Review copy kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley*

This is the first book in a new series called the widows brew series.
Harry is the 2nd son of an earl, who had spent the last 10 years off at war. He has come home to be the Earl, since his brother has passed away.His first responsibility is to find a bride. But first He is asked to look into a matter for his friend the Duke of Grangier, where he runs into his childhood sweetheart, Pen.
Pen hasn't seen Harry in almost 10 years. 9 years ago she had his child, a girl, Harriet. Harry is shocked to find out he has a daughter. He now needs to decide what is his most important responsibility.
Great story. A few twists and turns to keep it interesting . I look forward to see which story will be next among the widows.

Penelope Barnes and Harry Graham were in love when they were young. Until Harry leaves for War and Penelope discovers she is pregnant. Years later, Penelope is making a life for her young daughter at the Home by cultivating the hops needed for the Home's superlative ale. Her past with Harry is just that - the past until he visits the little village she lives in and discovers his daughter.

Harry is no longer the second son. He was called home after his brother died and is now the Earl of Darrow. Harry has promised his mother that he will marry and has a perfect candidate for his Countess. Until he sees Penelope Barnes and his daughter.

Penelope would do anything for her daughter, even marry the vicar to provide for a future. When a new arrival at the home declares Harriet is Harry's brother's daughter, Penelope hopes she can bring the vicar up to scratch. After Harry discovers the vicar attacking Penelope and saves her, their romance is rekindled. But, can a farmer's daughter marry an Earl?

I loved the characters in the book. Penelope was an amazing heroine and mom. I was a little dismayed by Harry when he was attempting to set up Penelope as his mistress. Until he corrected himself, I wanted another hero to ride in and save Penelope and Harriet.

I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

What Ales the Earl by Sally MacKenzie is book One in the Widow's Brew series. This is the story of Penelope Barnes and Harry Graham.
Penelope and Harry where childhood friends that turned to a lover's relationship. But Harry ended up going to war and now several years later he has returned. Harry didn't know that he was leaving Penelope with a lasting outcome of their relationship when he left. Now he is back having to take over a title that he inherited after his brother death. When going to Little Puddledon he finds Penelope and Harry starts to learn all he lost.
I really enjoyed their story and think this is a great start to a great series.

I just knew from the title and the play on words this might be a fun read. I was not disappointed in the least. Penelope Barnes makes her home with her young daughter at the Puddledon Manor's Benevolent Home for fallen ladies. She went there years ago to make a life for herself and put behind her affair with Harry Graham before he went off to war. She also became part of the ladies operating their own alehouse and brewery. Harry is now back in England and contemplating his own marriage when he makes a visit to Little Puddledon and comes in contact with Penelope again. He makes assumptions when he sees her daughter and does not realize at first it is his own. This second chance at love tale has a little of it all. Secrets, snappy banter and a chance at love that is so heartwarming. Do not miss this first book in the Widow's Brew series.

Harry Graham, age 28, has just lost his older brother, Walter, which makes Harry the Earl of Darrow. He is quite taken with the lovely Lady Susan Palmer, daughter of the Earl of Langley. However, the young woman loves to talk. His mother has impressed upon him that he must marry soon and get an heir. But Harry’s friends think he will make a mistake by marrying Lady Susan because her constant talking will drive him crazy.

Harry’s friend, the Duke of Grainger, has asked for his help with his estate books. For some time now, the estate has been supporting something or someone using the initials JSW in the village of Little Puddleton. Harry agrees to investigate this for his friend by visiting the village.

Penelope Barnes, age 27, and her daughter, Harriet, are in church lamenting how there are no handsome single men in Little Puddleton. They are living in the Benevolent Home for the Maintenance and Support of Spinsters, Widows, and Abandoned Women and their Unfortunate Children. Some of the women at the Home work to raise some crops. Penelope has been successful in growing some hops to produce their Widow’s Brew which is becoming popular at various local pubs and even in London.

Harriet is the illegitimate daughter of Harry Graham, but he does not know about her. Harry and Penelope had played together as children and as they grew up, they became lovers. When Harry left to fight the war, Penelope realized she was pregnant. With no mother and a hateful father, she left home to care for the two of them on her own.

The offspring of the Darrow family inherit a gray streak in their hair. Thus, any of their by-blows are easily recognized. Harriet has recently acquired this gray streak in her hair.

When Harry comes to town and meets Penelope whom he has seen in years, he is delighted to learn that he has a daughter. He wants Penelope and Harriet to come live in a house on his estate. He plans to marry Lady Susan and when he gets an heir and a spare from her, he will spend his time with Penelope and Harriet. Will she agree to share Harry like that?

This is a delightful book by a favorite author of mine. I love this new Widow’s Brew series and cannot wait to read more of the books. Well done! Love her tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Harry Graham has to choose a bride, and quickly. He was never supposed to be Earl, but when his brother died in his mid-thirties without siring a son, Harry inherited both the title and the responsibility to ensure the succession. The only problem is that all the ‘suitable’ young ladies he’s meeting in London are utterly uninteresting. None of them compare to Pen, his childhood sweetheart.

Encountering Pen again when helping out a friend is quite a surprise… but not as much so as meeting Harriet, who couldn’t be more obviously his daughter.

When Harry went away to join the army, Pen was horrified to find herself pregnant. Her abusive father tried to marry her off to the local blacksmith, an unpalatable option, so she ran away to an aunt who helped her out, eventually ending up at a countryside home for widows and abandoned women. No ordinary home, this one grows hops and makes ale, and Pen’s knowledge of farming is essential to the process. Harry’s reappearance reopens old wounds as well as jeopardising Pen’s standing as a ‘respectable widow’.

Frankly, Harry behaved like an ass throughout a lot of the book. His internal thoughts about how Pen would be grateful for his attentions and how she must be gagging for sex after years of abstinence made me want to smack him any number of times, as did his complete ignorance of the trials Pen and Harriet would face if Pen allowed him to set them up in a house near his home. It never even seemed to occur to Harry to ask Pen to marry him until his family basically gave him permission, and as a friend pointed out to Pen, she would have to give up everything to do what Harry asked (become his mistress) whereas he would get to have his cake and eat it too.

Harry basically spent a lot of time thinking with the head between his legs. He largely let other people solve his problems, not thinking about other people’s wants or needs until he was basically hit in the face with their existence. Ultimately, he came off as very selfish and I really struggled to like him - we were told in Pen’s point of view how wonderful he was, but I could never quite see it.

I liked Pen and her friends, and Harriet was a delightful character, but when you spend the whole book thinking the hero is a bit of a selfish ass, it’s pretty hard to get past. This was solidly written and edited and had some very accurate social commentary so it definitely deserves four stars, but I can’t give it five.

Really enjoyed this book, the strong women, the roguish men and the sweet romance. I like Sally MacKenzie's books for just this reason. Looking forward to more.