I LOVED this book!!!

Earlier this year I read Madddison Michaels first book The Devilish Duke which I thoroughly enjoyed, it was my first regency romance and what an introduction. This second book well and truly met my expectations, which were pretty high after the reading her first book. Once again we have a very strong headed female Brianna as our lead character, she's stubborn and brave and just wonderful, and always getting into some sort of trouble. Then there's our reluctant leading man Daniel who's job it seems is to save Brianna from the trouble she gets herself into. This book was so much fun! There was action, bad guys, twists, humour and romance aplenty, it kept me reading straight through, I did not want to put it down. I cannot wait for the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for a copy in return for an honest review.

"One day, that mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble."

This lovely historical romance has adventure, sass and heart-pulling suspense! I was that little devil/angel on the characters' shoulders rooting them on to embrace their passion or reprimanding them when it was denied! I could not put this book down - Maddison is a goddess when it came to this thrilling ride! And that proposal?!?! Swoon - worthy :)

- Characters -
What could be more better than a couple deigned to fit the motto "opposites attract* and how relatable their actions were in denying their love for each other! It reminded me of how when as little kids if you liked someone you were mean to them instead - LITERALLY Bree & Daniel! All their bickering and arguments were designed and scripted in perfection that I felt as if I was standing there with them.

- Setting/World -
I love an adventurous romance and treasure hunting is one of the best ways to achieve that! It was full of riddles that I am HORRIBLE at but kept me thinking of what they could mean and what the next step was. Of course, it's Regency era so the patriarchal society was present but surprisingly the upperclass stuffiness was not - I really felt that there were no real class distinctions and therefore mistreatments; and when Alessandro found his happy ending I was beyond ecstatic.

- Writing -
It wasn't as sexy as I'd expect as most historical romances have some form of ruination by sex on the balcony BUT those kisses that Bree & Daniel shared were so steamy and hot that I forgive the author for not making it so erotic. In fact, this could potentially be for YA readers because of its PG-13-ness. The writing is still romantic and desirable of an HR novel.

* I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found this story to be very charming and the plot intriguing, but I had difficulty really getting into it until about halfway through. However, I just have to jump on my soapbox for a second to say that some things were sorely lacking in accuracy and it drove me nuts while I was reading. For example, nearly all of the references involving horses were wrong. I realize that most people don't have horse experience the way I do, but reading about horses "braying" was just cringe-worthy. There also wasn't quite enough steam for me, but that's just a personal preference. That said, I enjoyed this story and found it refreshing to read a historical set in Italy. Once I got into the adventure and mystery of the story, I couldn't put it down until I finished. Overall, I would recommend this book as an enjoyable and entertaining read.

The story revolves around the lost treasure of King Aleric and Brianna attempt to find it. The book has. Many different elements in that they include but are not limited to humorous bantering between Bree and Daniel, murder, kidnapping, dangerous escapes, lost treasure, discovery of family and love. There is a HEA in this story with Brianna and Daniel but it takes Daniel almost the entire book before he will admit he loves her. In the end, he finds the greatest love of all Brianna and his twins, a daughter and a son. The book was a great read, especially as Daniel keeps kissing Brianna and then declaring that nothing can ever come of it. I would r3commend this book for a great read.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Oh bickering buddies to lovers, I just love it. Brianna and Daniel bicker so well together, I absolutely enjoyed their few sparring matches. The unfortunate thing is that I wasn't completely sold on them being a couple. Like, yes the bickering to kisses helps because that is cute and I love it, but besides that, everything they want in a relationship is different. And those ideals weren't brought up in the end when they eventually get together. Not really anyhow... So, even though they might love each other, do they really know if they'll work out since they want different things? 

Besides the romance, Brianna's cousin is missing and people are out to kill or capture her. Exciting stuff! There are a few chapters from Travis's POV which I think are to set up the next book?? Maybe??? And that one should be interesting. 
As for Brianna being royalty...  I still don't understand the inheritance rules. I was under the impression inheritance was passed through the mothers? Yet, males are the heirs too? So confusing... thankfully that isn't a major part of the book. What did irk me was no one wanting to say the name of the man who killed Brianna's parents. Like, the dude is a murderer and you're just going to let me walk around without telling her who to be careful of? Uhhhhh what? 

But, the book is fun and reading about Daniel and Brianna fight their feelings for one another was pretty entertaining. I will probably go back and read the first one and potentially even the next one if it is about Travis!

4.5 Stars.
I loved it! The story is very engaging and entertaining. I loved all the characters. It has right amount of mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure. I think it's a must read for historical fiction fans, especially for those who enjoy reading about treasure hunts.
Brianna Penderley has been the bane of Daniel's life for quite some time now. The girl has a bad habit of finding trouble and he is the one who comes to her rescue every single time. But he cannot help it, he feels that he owes it to her uncle to help her out on difficult situations. Not that she is ever thankful. She is headstrong, stubborn, and has no sense of self-preservation. So, when he is told to go to Italy and save Brianna from not one but two fiances, he of course goes. And what he finds may very well change the course of his life for good. Because as it turns out she is even more danger than they thought initially. The kind of danger that will lead the two of them to spend way too much time in each other's company... and that changes things...
Brianna simply wanted to know more about her mother, but deciding to get her mother's journals translated turns out to be the worst decision of her life. Travis is kidnapped and now she must save her cousin even though it means putting herself in danger. The only good thing is that Lord Thorton is here. She trusts him to keep them safe. He will find a way to protect them and resolve all the problems. That's what he does and he is very good at it. What she doesn't count on is changes in her feelings towards him. The more time they spend together, the more she knows about him the more she feels for him... will their story end happily or in heartache like her parents?
It's a very well-written story. I enjoyed reading it from the beginning until the very end. It was definitely worth the read.

Brianna Penderley has a knack for getting into precarious situations, especially when it comes to her love for archaeology. In the heart of Naples, her terrible Italian has her accidentally becoming engaged to two men at the same time. Of course, Daniel Wolcott, the Earl of Thornton and the only man ever able to vex her, shows up to rescue her in fact he's been rescuing her for years
Daniel has spent the majority of his life exercising rigid control over his emotions, determined never to become the rake his father was. Daniel and Brianna find themselves swept up into a perilous adventure, and they must work together to set things right. Now, if they can just avoid killing each other in the process.
This is the second book in the series & the second by the author, once again it’s a very accomplished book. Daniel is the brother of Sophie who we met in the first book he’s seen as stuffy & proper with no sense of fun or adventure, Bree often calls him Lordyness however he's worked for the crown for years. Bree is impetuous, lively & adventurous in fact they are like chalk & cheese but they are also attracted to each other, which they both fight & leads to wonderfully witty & engaging verbal spars. I was drawn into the book from the very first page & hooked from there until the last page, I made the mistake of starting it one evening & it was early morning with eyes drooping that I reluctantly put it down. The story flows very well & doesn’t lag at all, although there was a very satisfactory epilogue I was left wanting more & certainly want to find out about Travis’ journey & Milly deserves her HEA. If you love a romance combined with adventure then you'll love this book I certainly did

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

That was a fun read. Read it in one day. Lots of funny moments.
The Elusive Earl is part of the Saints and Scoundrels series. I haven’t read the first book in this series (The Devilish Duke)
But they can be read as a stand-alone.

Brianna was taken in by her uncle as a small child, as she had seen her parents brutally murdered, he brought her up as his own daughter.
Raised very much an independent young lady, but rather too high spirited and in trouble all the time.

Brianna is the type of girl to get herself in to awkward situations, like getting engaged to two men !! She is a funny, quirky and awkward woman.
Her love of archeology leads her to Naples, and that’s where her problems start .... trying out her Italian is funny 😁
Daniel is the total opposite, he is true and steadfast, he swore long ago that he’d never really marry, he’d never be the rake his father was, but there is something about Brianna that gets under his skin. And when he is tasked to rescue her in Italy, he sees her in an altogether different light.
On the way home, he has to get the captain to “marry” them, he tells Brianna that they will get an annulment once they get back.
We then have a cousin who gets kidnapped.. so the pair race off to rescue the cousin.
There is mystery, there is intrigue, enough romance to keep you happy, comedy and a little danger.

fabulous book didn't want to put down. so much humor between main characters. a great mystery to find the hidden treasure. favorite book by maddison michaels yet.

This is a story of two very strong-willed people – Brianna Penderley and Daniel Wolcott, the Earl of Thorton. Brianna’s parents were killed when she was a baby and taken in by her uncle, Sir Walter. When word reaches him that Brianna has gotten herself into some trouble, he sends Daniel, who words as a spy, to return her to England. As soon as they encounter each other in Italy, the sparks begin to fly; however, these sparks are largely from the arguments between the couple. It soon becomes apparent that someone is after the journals that Brianna has kept, belonging to her mother and in them, the possible location to ancient treasures.
This story was filled with action, adventure and romance. The pace does not let up until the very end and their romance, quite a rocky one! The intensity of their romance leaps off the pages, making for an interesting read.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. Nothing new or dramatically different, but cute. Enjoyable for a rainy afternoon

The Elusive Earl is part of the Saints and Scoundrels series. I didn't read the first book in this series, but in my opinion this one can be read as a stand-alone, too. The beautiful setting of Italy took me in and the story had a strong element of adventure which always is a good addition to romance for me. Brianna and Daniel are delightful characters and their journey is eventful as romantic. Lovely summer read, I had a good time with this book.

Brianna's parents were killed in front of her when she is a baby by someone looking for a legendary treasure. She is taken in by her uncle and raised as his own child. Brianna is high spirited and stays in trouble all the time. She takes after her mother who was adventurous. Daniel works for Sir Walter, Brianna's. uncle. Brianna is in Italy where she gets engaged to more than one man. Daniel is sent to rescue her, again. Daniel thinks she is too wild to marry. He wants a nice, gentle woman who won't cause any problems, but gets the ship's captain to marry them to protect her. An annulment can be gotten later. Brianna's cousin gets kidnapped and the random is some journals that belonged to Brianna's mother which may have the location of the treasures. Loved this book. It is about treasure hunting, villians, a princess and treachery.. Will the treasures be found and her cousin saved? Great book. I loved it. I received this book from Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.

A non-stop action adventure story the likes of which remind me of old Hollywood serials. Treasures, villains, elixirs, princesses and heroes abound in this great story. For me, this story is more of an adventure novel rather than a traditional romance. There are romantic elements but they are overshadowed by the treasure hunt. Do not mistake, I loved this story. It was not what I was expecting but it was a fun read. Ms. Michaels’ has again written a great tale.

I loved Brianna and Daniel's story!!

Brianna has gotten herself into another mess and Daniel has been sent to extract her from it once again. But this time, there seems to be a lot more going on than the mess that Brianna caused. Always at loggerheads with each other, the two must pose as husband and wife as they move to finding a solution to Brianna's problem. Could all the bickering they find themselves in really be a mechanism to hide their true feelings? As the journey continues, they find themselves growing closer. Could the person the thought they hated really be the one to give them their HEA?

I loved every single minute of Brianna and Daniel's journey! This is a must read for any historical romance lover!!

I can't wait to read the next book in the Saints & Scoundrels series!!

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
An adventure to knock your socks off , an Earl trying to keep a Lady in line and rescue her , mainly from herself and her actions .
He’s Daniel , An Earl , a Spy , an adventurer, a saviour , a hero .
She’s Bree , a Lady , an orphan, a collector, and a pain in the neck , at least for Daniel .
The two don’t get on , say they don’t even like each other , but who’s trying to fool who , these two were made for each other .
A really great book full of angst , adventure, emotional situations, and lets hope a really happy and satisfying ending , when reading it your never really sure if you’ll get that HEA , never was there a more stubborn man than Daniel .
It written brilliantly, and an addictive read start to finish .
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review

I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
This novel was a great read! I read the first novel in the series and could not wait to read about Daniel and Brianna after having them mentioned in the first novel of the series.
Brianna Penderley speaks her mind, climbs out of windows, and has a knack for getting in trouble. Luckily, her uncle sends the best man for the job to get Brianna out of these troublesome situations. Daniel Wolcott, the Earl of Thornton, is a stubborn man who is a spy and argues constantly with Brianna. They both frustrate the other, Daniel the "stuffy" one and Brianna the "passionate" one. Daniel needs to rescue Brianna once again when she finds herself accidentally engaged to two men in Italy. Brianna has never felt like she belonged, being half English and half Italian, but she will discover much more about her heritage. Daniel and Brianna have to find her cousin, who has been kidnapped, which is due to Brianna's mother's journals and a treasure. This has many people after Daniel and Brianna. Daniel has every intention of keeping Brianna safe, which is not an easy task, especially the passion that ignites between them. Daniel refuses to be like his father, which destroyed his mother, and therefore believes there is no place for love. Brianna will only ever marry someone she loves, for she is loyal and loves fiercely. Daniel is protective of Brianna, but holds himself back and hurts Brianna with various declarations. They need to work together to find Brianna's cousin and keep the fortune hunters off their backs. I enjoyed the adventure that Brianna and Daniel had as well as several plot twists and the realization of the love between them.