I really like Jane Ashford’s works and this is one of her earlier works in reissue. The heroine, Gwendeline, is a well developed character with a wonderful cast is side characters. But even though we have an earl for a hero, we really get to know nothing about him. He’s a side character.
The premise: orphan Gwendeline is losing everything she owns to auction to cover her “not involved in her life” parent’s debts upon their death in a carriage accident. A handsome earl appears upon her doorstep in the 11th hour with a home and allowance from mysterious benefactors. Gwen is thrust from country life into the glittering world of the ton where her parents were somewhat of a scandal. Throw in a villain who perceived a wrong (you really never get a clue as to what this wrong is). The story is well written but I felt like it was missing half the story. Who is Alex St. Audrey besides the fifth earl of Merryn? What is his connection to the heroine? Why does he show up? Why was the villain so mad and at who for what? You will enjoy the read but will walk away asking some questions.

A romance that made little sense. Not very interesting, hard to finish. The story was slow, the couple not compelling, overall question why it’s been published.

I received a free copy of the Earl.to the Rescue in exchange for an honest review.

Usually, I love historical romances, and I have a hard time putting them down once I start. Unfortunately, that was not the case with The Earl to the Rescue. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get into this story. There was absolutely no relationship building bewteen the characters, and I still haven't decided what the plot, ornifntjere even was one. The writing style of was mediocre at best, and included so many "filler" words that it became distracting.

I quickly started skimming through the book in hopes that the story would develope, but it never happened.

Unfortunately, this was not a good read for me.

This book was witty and entertaining. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more books by this author.

I enjoyed this book by Ms. Ashford. It was similar in tone to older Regency romances. I liked the characters and plot. Will be reading more by her.

Oh this is just a giant nope from me. I'm not usually bothered by accuracy questions, but this hit me as aimless and not grounded in any historical period, but instead taking place in all of them where women wear corsets. I couldn't connect to anyone and DNFd it about 30% of the way through.

EARL TO THE RESCUE – Jane Ashford

November 2018

Historical Fiction

England during the Regency Period

Gwendeline Gregory has spent her eighteen years rusticating in the country while her absent parents partied through life in London. Now that they have both been killed in a coach accident, Gwendeline finds herself penniless and soon to be homeless. She knows little of the world, had a marginal education, and has no idea what her future holds. Then, shockingly, all is taken care of when Alex St. Audley, the Earl of Merryn, arrives. Although he is clearly surprised not to find a child, but a young woman, he assures her that all has been taken care of by friends of her father. Gwendeline is to be set up in a small house in London, but first will be presented to Society by the earl’s mother.

London is a new experience for Gwendeline, but she settles into Lady Merryn’s house, enjoys shopping for a new wardrobe, and attending functions with her hostess. She meets new friends, including Lillian Everly, with whom she forms a close friendship. But all along Gwendeline wonders what the earl knows of her parents, and why he won’t tell her of the others who are sponsoring her? Unfortunately, there are some people who do know of her parents’ history, of their reputation, and their secrets.

EARL TO THE RESCUE was first published in 1980, but it is every bit as exciting today. Gwendeline must grow up fast, and sometimes her naivety gets her into trouble. Confusion over the earl is her biggest stumbling block. His mother, a novelist, is an enjoyable side story, and Gwendeline’s friendship with Lillian helps her fit into London society easier. The earl is an enigma, and readers won’t find out what’s truly going on until very near the end of the story. But it’s very satisfying.

EARL TO THE RESCUE is a fun read with exceptional characters.

I cannot believe that this book was written by Jane Ashford. It was so bad that I could not finish it. Her writing is usually more sophisticated while this read like something a novice writer would do in a creative writing class. I could not get into the story and at the 56% mark, I still cannot tell you much about the plot. This was a disappointing book.

I was unable to finish this book. Perhaps it just isn't to my liking, so I hope other readers are able to enjoy it.

The writing is too pathchy for me, and from the very first interaction the MC's have it's too trite to read. I read up until 45% and the plot was predictable and the tropes highly cliche.

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This one is an old school pre-woke historical romance being re-released in 2018, Just be warned that it has 1980 romance norms, not 2018. I'm old enough to remember those norms, so it's not quite as shocking, but don't expect anything like the author's more recent works.

2.5 Stars!! Eh... it was an ok book. It was previously published in 1980 as “Gwendeline”. I really wasn’t crazy about this book. The main characters seemed to “fall in love” with barely speaking to one another!! The beginning portion of this book was slow with hardly any dialogue! Towards the middle of the book, things pick up & than everything starts happening. The ending is kind of abrupt. I really would’ve liked more of an ending. It’s not terrible but I’ve read better.
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher.*

Lady Gwendeline Gregory has become incapable of keeping all that is dear to her. Her parent’s death has caused her to become destitute and wondering next where is she to go, who is she to live with, how will she survive and make a living to keep a roof over her head. In walks Alex St. Audley, Earl of Merryn to rescue her. He is surprised that she is not a child as he was expecting but a beautiful young woman. Under pretense, he convinces her to travel to London to meet her benefactors, but it is the Earl who is paying for everything. Alex's mother persuades her to stay with her as a companion until she moves into her own place. There is so much going on for the heroine…love, kidnapping, unscrupulous people, a predator and a lot of miscommunication to boot. Was there any romance? Not early on and somewhere later...disappointing.

This was a very perplexing story and one that I had a hard time trying to figure out whether there will be a HEA. The plot was too slow, characters were not as appealing and lacking. I’ve read other novels by Ms. Ashford but this one I did not finish although there is potential to making it much better.

ARC received by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

I am really sorry to say that this is not up to Jane Ashford’s normal standard. The characters were poorly written and lacked any depth. The plot was confusing. For the first time I didn’t finish the story.

This book is a clean, Georgette Heyer type story. I found it very slow, very predictable, genuinely trying to finish. I would recommend for YA genre; the characters are not well done, needs more polish.
Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee

I normally enjoy Jane Ashford’s work but I just couldn’t get into this book. The hero and heroine (the latter especially) seemed to have very little dimension. I got about half way through the book and could only tell you two things about the heroine - one of which I learned about 40% into the book. I didn’t finish this title.

Wow - what more could happen to this naive, young lady? Faced with the death of her parents, a bankrupt estate and a controlling Earl moving her into his eccentric mother's home, she has no opportunity to contemplate her circumstances. Rumors abound, nefarious "gentlemen" make untoward insinuations and this young woman presses forward. A mad dash to disappear for a while lands her right in the path of the villain and we haven't even had a whiff of romance yet! Lots of miscommunication, kidnaps, unsavory characters and unsettling missives make for very entertaining tale, but not my favorite from this author.

Gwendeline Gregory is destitute and trying to decide what kind of job she could get so she would have a place to live. after the death of her parents. Alex St. Audley, Earl of Merryn arrives to rescue her. He is surprised that she is not a child as he was expecting but a beautiful young woman. He tells her that a group of friends have gotten together to make sure she is cared for but it is Alex who is paying. She travels to London expecting to have her own little house and servants but when she meets Alex's mother, she is persuaded to stay with her. Alex's mother is an eccentric author who insists that Gwendeline would be a great companion for her. She gets involved with someone and gets kidnapped and is told the truth about who is paying for everything. So much is happening so she leaves but comes back when Alex gets engaged. She is reintroduced to London's society. So much happens and she and Alex love each other but he's engaged and a marriage takes place. Complications arise and secrets are revealed. Will there be a HEA or will there heartbreak? I really liked this book. There was so much happening that you have to pay close attention to what's going on. I received this book from Net Galley for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.

I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
The story had potential, but I was a little frustrated with the writing. The story was told from third person point of view of one character, and I would have liked some incite to the other "main" character.
Gwendeline Gregory is left alone after the deaths of her parents, with no money. Alex St. Audley, Earl of Merryn enters her life saying that a group of men consisting of her father's friends have pooled money together for her to live on. She travels to London and stays with Alex's mother. Gwendeline gets kidnapped and learns that what Alex told her is not true. She is confused and runs away. She loves Alex, but I could not see how through their interactions. Gwendeline returns to London after hearing of Alex's engagement and reintegrates herself into society. Gwendeline begins to receive threatening letters and informs Alex. She gets kidnapped once again and eventually learns the truth about Alex and his feelings towards her. There is a little side story with Alex's brother and Gwendeline's friend. Misunderstandings caused Gwendeline and Alex's affections for the other to be hidden until other agendas took their course.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The plot blurb on this story was very vague and I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I started reading the story but I've enjoyed Jane Ashford books in the past so I gave it a shot. I was really disappointed in this book it just didn't connect with me. The motivations of all the characters seemed very vague and weak. I also didn't understand how the main characters fell in love when they were they were rarely in the same room. The entire plot seem very vague and disappointing. I'm probably going to be taking a break from this author for a while.