This was a very cute romance, though it was on the shallower side in terms of the exploration of personalities. It's nice to read a Regency romance set well away from the balls and carriage rides of the ton, and the boarding school that the heroine sets up provides a humorous background for the story. I didn't connect much with the hero, Lyon, and I found the romance a little predictable, but I overall this is a very serviceable story.

The “insta-lust” trope is not a favorite of mine in historical romances, but it can be done well enough in the hands of a strong author. That is not the case, here. The romance felt rushed, almost forced, when I really felt no chemistry between them at all. (Truthfully, I was more interested in Lyon’s father and his new bride). Both the primary and secondary storylines needed to be more fleshed out. Or perhaps the more historical romances I’ve read, the higher my standards and expectations have become.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! It is the first book in the First Came Love series and it did a great job pulling readers in and making them want to read the next books. The series is based on three widows who lost their husbands on the ship, Salty Dove. The book was entertaining, well written and caught my attention. I loved the characters. Lyon showed such patience with Adeline as she overcame her weariness of remarrying. The children’s antics made the book humorous and I was not expecting it. Overall I would say a great book to a wonderful series.

Sweet story.
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The first thing that struck me about this story was the difference in the female lead from traditional females in these type of stories. I love the fact that Adeline was a widow, and a young one at that, who knew what she wanted and was not on the hunt for a man.

She is feisty and speaks her mind, is not afraid of not looking perfect, and has a perfect plan for her life.

But I also love Lyon and his resolve to make sure she becomes his. I love that the author did not tip toe around the heat and passion they felt for each other. She laid that spice and heat right out there and we did not have to endure pages of simpering female babble on how to catch a man and open his eyes to her.

However, the first quarter of the book was a bit slow for me. There was a lot of repetitive conversation but as the story heated up, the pace picked up too. I loved the surprise ending, which was unique and just made the story.

The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey is delightful and the author crafts a winning story that will change your mind about historical romances.

I enjoyed the first book in the series: The Earl Next Door. The setting of a school for girls and the 3 widows was interesting. I would be interested in reading more books in this series.

Amelia Gray writes a wonderful, touching, funny and heartwarming historical romance. The Earl Next door is one of those books that I did not want to put down once I started it. I love the fact that Amelia Gray shows that women are intelligent and can be appreciated for that even for the time that it is written. I will be looking to read more stories by this author. If you are looking for a story filled with humor, love, laughter, and charm, be sure to read The Earl Next Door.

Three widows open a school for girls. This leads Adeline to meet her neighbor. Chemistry between them is instant. Now Lyon has to convince her to marry him. Enjoyed reading about them getting their happy ever after.

Heat Factor: Mildly steamy
Character Chemistry: Like an old pair of jeans
Plot: A widow starts a school and rubs a neighbor the wrong way...but then kind of the right way...
Overall: It’s cute, you’ll fall in love with the characters, it’s well-written. It’s a keeper.

Some people go on vacation and they max out their itinerary, seeing as much as they possibly can. Other people go on vacation and stay put. They read, they eat where the locals eat, they find the best coffee shop and go there every day...if you’re the latter, you’ll love this book.

Let me explain. This book largely takes place on the same block. Nearly the whole thing. You’ll get to know the neighbors, you’ll get comfortable with the alleys and gardens. It’s just charming. Equally charming? The relationship between Lyon and Adeline, our hero and heroine.

I expected their relationship to be more complicated and messy based on its beginning--Lyon mistakes Adeline for the mistress of a new “house of ill repute” setting up in his neighborhood. That error is quickly resolved when he learns that the number of mattresses being delivered are for, in fact, the small girls’ school Adeline is starting for the daughters of those lost in a shipwreck (a wreck where she also lost her doofus of a husband, may he rest in peace).

I will say that the first steamy scene was a little less than titillating--but then as Lyon and Adeline develop more complicated feelings for one another, those scenes get steamier and more beautifully written. (I see what you did there, Ms. Grey. It’s always better when you’re with someone you love. Clever.)

All in all, it’s sweet, it’s funny, you’ll feel like you’ve made yourself a comfortable little home in their neighborhood, and when you’re finished you’ll feel a little homesick.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Adeline's husband died when he went down on a ship called the Salty Dove. She is now a beautiful widow, who with two of her widowed friends start a school for the girls whose brother, father or some other relative were on the ship when it went down. They saw the need to help the girls learn to read and write and to learn a trade so they can support themselves. The only problem is Lyon, the Earl of Lyonwood who happens to be her neighbor. It has been reported that since a large number of beds were being delivered, it must be a bordello. When Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake was mistaken for the madam of this so called house of ill repute, she slaps him across the face. Lyon was intrigued by this woman. He wants a wife who will love him as he will love her. Part of the reason that she was picked by Wake to marry was that he wanted a heir. He tortured her and was cruel to her, and she still did not get pregnant . The chemistry and attraction sizzles between Adeline and Lyon. I loved the caring between the two, but Lyon took my heart with the love and support he gave to her. I received this book from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this wonderful book. Loved it. They is so much more but I don't want to give away the plot.

I have been an Amelia Grey fan for years. I loved Adeline. The plot was good. This story is about Adeline who is the Dowager Countess of Wake and after he husbands death found herself and found her independence. Lord Lyon is the son of the two-timing Earl of Marksworth and he wants to have a respectable, loving wife someday. He is likes Adeline instantly, But she just wants a handsome man not another husband. I enjoy this book very much.

This book was ok. And you can sympathize with Adeline for not wanting to get married again after what she went through. Though Lyon was making it very hard for her (I admire his restraint in waiting for her, and not giving in to the physical only). I didn't like that Adeline came to her senses not because she realized or came to realize by way of her friends that she wanted to be married to Lyon, but because of circumstances. Huh. Or maybe I missed that part?

At any rate, this was an easy read to while to afternoon away.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book.

What a great story! The characters, Countess Wake and Lyonwood, were relatable and their chemistry jumped off the page. I had a hard time putting the book down and am excited for the next in the series!

. It was a sweet book and I enjoyed the writing style. It felt like there were some pacing problems towards the second half and there are definitely threads that could have been more fully fleshed out and will hopefully be addressed later in the series.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing us with a copy of this book so that we can write this review.Its been a while since I have been able to sit down and write a review, but the second I finished this book I knew that I have to sit and write this one. This is a great book for the first book in a series. It introduces out to such a beautiful thing that three amazing widows do. They take the time to look past their own loss and hurt to do something amazing for some little girls. I have to say though that there are things that were really sad during this book. The things that Adeline had to deal with in her marriage were so sad to read. To have her go through so much, its no wonder that she didn't want to ever marry again. She was such a strong woman is made to endure some hardships because of an insecure man is just heartbreaking. So its no surprise that she doesn't ever want to marry again. But Lyon is an incredible man who helps her see that not everything is how it was in her first marriage. I loved the fire and spark between them. There is definitely chemistry between the two from the very beginning. I think you will also enjoy every part of this book.I give this book 5 kisses.Happy reading... Adri

3.5 Stars!! This book was good. I wasn’t crazy about it though. It felt a bit rushed. The main characters seem to have fallen in love really easily. All they really did was argue & they fell in love? It was a good read, just a bit underwhelming.
*I received this book to read and review at no charge from the publisher and I gave my honest opinion.*

Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, loses her husband in an accident at sea. She joins two other widows to establish a Boarding school for girls who fathers also died in the wreck but have no means to support themselves.

Lord Lyonwood lives next door and is awakened to find young girls singing and dancing in the garden. He is instantly drawn to Adeline but after a love less marriage, she refuses to enter into another. Instead, she agrees to be his mistress.

It is a great story with witty banter and well developed characters. I am looking forward to the next adventure in the series. I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. All views are my own.

I only have given this book 3 stars because I never really could get into the story. It felt stilted and, unfortunately, boring. I never connected to Lyon and Adelaide. I may have too high standards, but that is how I felt. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
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I loved Adeline and Lyon's story!!

Adeline and Lyon's first meeting didn't go well, to say the least. But they were both instantly attracted to the other. As they got to know one another their feeling turned into something more. But what happens when one wants marriage and the other doesn't? Can these two work out there issues to find their HEA?

These two were great together! Grey did an amazing job of bringing these two together and showing them struggle with the decisions they had made for their lives. This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait to read the next book!!

A pleasant read to escape reality for a bit and go back in time. I voluntarily read this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Netgalley gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and here goes...
The Earl Next Door starts of strong. Our heroines is mistaken by said Earl next door, as a "night angel". Well, that she is not, nor will she have any man marching into her house and tell her how it is. She's done that. She's been there. Now that she's had the proper time to "grieve" her overbearing and mostly cruel late husband, she will not have any man control her again. She opens a school to help unfortunate young ladies that lost someone in the shipwreck that claimed her late husband.
Anyways, will all that said. The idea was interesting and it started out strong. However, the first time they MARVIN GAYE, it's sudden and uncharacteristic. What were we just tiptoeing for if this is going to be their first encounter? The way the first time went in this book made me concerned. It felt weird, rushed, and way out of character.
Overall this one fell short romance for me. Felt strange and creepy and not in the way I like. LOL But for the idea and possibilities of what it could be, I would try reading Amelia Grey again.