I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 1 in a new series by Amelia Grey. I must say I did enjoy the story. An Earl comes home and storms next door thinking that a house of ill repute had moved in. Lyon is rude and annoying but he did grow on me. Adeline is trying to help girls in need and all she needs is an annoying neighbor. I loved the romance that grew. Looking forward to more in the series.

The Earl of Lyonwood’s aunt arrives at his townhouse to complain that a house of ill repute is moving in next door. After all, why else would her friend, his shut-in neighbor, have seen all those beds being delivered to the building? And when the earl goes to confront his new neighbor and finds her wearing a risqué red dress, he assumes his aunt was correct. Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake is, of course, not planning a brothel, but rather a school for the daughters of seamen lost in the disaster that killed her late, unlamented, husband. Naturally, one misunderstanding leads to another, and Lyon is not especially happy to have a covey of boisterous girls as his neighbors. And when two of the girls appear in his room while he is in the bath, things go from bad to worse! How all this get ironed out, despite many bumps in the road along the way, makes for an absolutely delightful and satisfying tale. Characters are well-drawn, even minor ones, and their flaws make the story more interesting, despite the predictability of the romance at its core.

This book was an okay read. I appreciated the strong female lead character however I didn’t find anything particularly “original” about this historical romance. The market seems to be heavily saturated with similar storylines. Unfortunately this failed to stand out and did not hold my attention well.

Strong female characters always grab my attention and this one doesn’t disappoint. Well written, kept my attention, and made me feel like I was right there, wanting to reach out and plead for each other’s case with the emotions I felt.

Amelia is a widow after her husband drowns in a shipwreck. She is finally free to do what she chooses so, she buys a new house with a large building behind it that she decides to use to start a school for girls. Lyon, her next door neighbor, is sent, by his aunt, to see what kind of business Amelia is opening and, mistakenly makes a wrong
assumption. These two fight tooth and nail about the school, the girls in the school, the noise and, generally everything! The heat between them is explosive and, painfully obvious to everyone but them! When they finally realize they have no control over their physical attraction to each other, Lyon realizes that he loves and wants this woman. Amelia, on the other hand, has decided that, since she believes she is barren, she will never remarry.
It takes time, for Amelia to realize that Lyon is nothing like she believes and, that true love is worth the effort!

The Earl Next Door by Amelia Grey. St. Martin's Press. 2019.

In this story, the recently widowed Adeline and her two friends open a school for girls associated with the ship that took their husbands’ lives. This book has a great start when Lyon, a Marquess and Adeline’s neighbour is persuaded by his aunt that Adeline has opened a brothel in their upscale neighbourhood.

There are some excellent scenes that were a joy to read such as when Adeline tries on some racy clothing mistakenly included in her order or when Lyon’s guests block the street in a rainstorm, so Adeline’s carriage can’t get to her house. Soaking wet, she storms in during a card game and tears a strip off them all.

Between often amusing, vivid, well written scenes though there are some sections that I just plodded through; when I hit these, I would put the book down and not rush back.

Though the writing is fine, the heroine and hero are likable, consistent, believable characters, and the plot has elements that are better than average, this book was just ok for me.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Earl Next Door via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adeline finally has her freedom...and the pleasure of setting up a girls school. Lyon comes to town and isn't pleased to find loud squealing girls playing outside his bedroom window. Ms. Grey continues to write books that the reader doesn't want to put down until it is totally finished. I loved Adeline and Lyon's story and anyone who reads it will love it as well.

This book started well... or at least differently. Our hero thinks that heroine works in the brothel next door. What a faux pas!
Lord Lyon is not living next to a house of ill-repute, but rather a boarding school for girls (hence all the beds being delivered). He's not your standard overbearing Lord - well not all the time. And Adeline, she's not your typical widow - ever.
I really enjoyed this book. I've read a lot of similar stories over the years but this author has captured something different and given the lovers (and their immediate relations) something I can't quite name. Maybe it's that they feel more human and flawed - not black and white but hues of shades in between. They appealed to me and I'm looking forward to reading more works from Amelia Grey.

It was refreshing to read about a strong lady of the ton. They were rare back then and to have one depicted and be able to be accepted was a great storyline. The handsome earl that was thrown in didn't hurt either.

What a fantastic idea for a book series. The way that the girls were included in the story really made it great. I enjoyed, The Earl Next Door. I cannot wait to see whose story will be next.

“The Earl Next Door” by Amelia Grey is a delightful love story between two people who must be convinced they are meant for each other. Adeline, the Countess of Wake, has no plans to ever marry again after her husband died due to the abuse she suffered at his hands when she could not produce an heir. Along with two of her friends they created a school for the daughters of the men who died in the same shipwreck that claimed each of their husbands. Lyon Marksworth the Earl of Lyonwood has come back to London from his country estate to find his aunt in a dither about his new neighbor. His aunt and her friend are convinced that a brothel has setup shop next to Lyon’s home, but instead he finds the lovely Countess of Wake and her school. The two circle each other like warring tribes until the sensual heat between them explodes, but Lyon has a bigger task at hand and he must convince Adeline that he is worth the risk to her heart. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Adeline, Countess Of Wake, is a widow who lost her husband at sea. She befriends two other widows and they decide to open a school for young girls who have lost loved ones at sea.

Lord Lyon, Earl Of Marksworth, her next door neighbor, barges into her home thinking that she is running a house of ill-repute, which starts their relationship/attraction.

This is an entertaining, well-written story.

Adeline, the Dowager Countess of Wake finally has the freedom to follow her dreams. This involves starting a boarding school for young women, many of whom were the spouses of sailors who lost their lives, in the same accident that her husband died in. She and two of her friends, who also lost spouses set up the home only to find her neighbour is Lord Lyon, the Earl of Marksworth, who after initially mistaking her as the owner of a brothel, finds himself captivated by her. However, Adeline is resolute in not wanting to remarry, so Lyon must do all he can to convince her otherwise.
This first book in the series ‘First comes love’, was a sweet romance, with Lyon being a man of strength and character, and with a desire to marry for love despite his father’s protest, standing out. I also enjoyed the friendship between Adeline and her friends and the relationship between Lyon and his aunt. Both added to this delightful story. I do look forward to reading more about Adeline's friends in this future books in the series.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! The guy was a bit of an oaf/butt at the beginning, but he soon comes to realize that for himself and cleans up his act. Even still, he can be a bit dense, and it sometimes takes Adeline practically screaming at him for him to realize something. I loved the subplot of Adeline and her friends opening a girls school. One thing that did bug me was a minor plot point that developed with that at the very end that was sorta dropped in there without any warning (though I kinda expected something like it to happen) and then not developed. It's just sorta weirdly in there for a chapter and then disappears once the characters have the rest of their HEA.

Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, is about to rejoin society after the mourning period for her husband is over. Joining together with two women who also lost their husbands when their ship sank she has decided to open a school for the daughters of the ship workers and offer them a better opportunity than any of them could have expected. After all her husband put her through on his mission for an heir, she has no interest in remarrying or men in general, but she cannot help but find herself matching wits with her new neighbour.

Lord Lyonwood’s father is determined he marry and provide him with a grandchild. It doesn't matter that he, himself, is marrying for the third time, he wants to see his only child settled. Lyon has no interest in marrying until he finds a woman he loves and after watching his father and much of society be unfaithful Lyon plans on being true to his wife when he finds her. He did not expect his life to be upended when a group of young girls move in next door. He is especially unbalanced when he meets the owner of the school, and he finds it hard to resist falling for her even if she is adamant she wants nothing to do with him.

This book was an okay read, while the characters and story were entertaining it lacked anything special. The market is saturated with similar romances that I would recommend the reader to look at. I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a great start to a new series! After a loveless marriage, Adeline becomes a widow and is ready to conquer life. She wants to go and do as she pleases and forget marriage. Her neighbor Lord Lyon comes in to her life. Can he change her mind? This was an enjoyable, light read and kept me entertained. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Adeline became a widow at a young age after only two years of a marriage that was not a happy one. As the Dowager Countess Wake, she had freedoms never dreamed of before and now with two other friends who lost the spouses on the same ship sinking, they have opened a school for the children of sailors from the disaster. Her next door neighbor, Lord Lyon, Earl of Marksworth charges over to meet Adeline under mistaken circumstances so their relationship starts off with high drama. Lord Lyon’s father, the Marquis of Marksworth, like a lot of his peers, sees women to be enjoyed for a man’s pleasure regardless of the bonds of matrimony. Lyon wants to marry planning to be devoted to only one woman.

Adeline and her friends have all stated they will not marry again for varying reasons. When she and Lyon come together after several tumultuous encounters, Adeline makes it clear to the Earl that she is only interested in an affair. Having already won already won her heart, Lyon makes it his goal to convince Adeline that marriage is the only way for them to be together.

Women of that period has a lot of restrictions so making it understandable why the widows would not relish marrying again. Adeline’s biggest issue has to do with ill treatment in her first marriage. The high society she moves in would look askance if they knew Adeline’s wishes regarding an illicit relationship with Lyon.

This first book in Amelia Grey’s First Comes Love series is a slow burn Regency romance. Quite a bit of the story sets ups the background for Adeline’s past and the girls’ school which is at back of the London property where Adeline lives. She and Lyon’s have multiple encounters though the romance happens fairly late in the story. All three women are found to be highly desirable by the men of the Ton who expect these women to be ripe for the picking. That they have other ideas than jumping back into matrimony surprises would be suitors of high society. It is interesting to see how Adeline and her friends deal with men who usually have the upper hand in this world of rank and privilege. Ms. Grey’s fans and those readers who enjoy Regency romances will be pleased this new series.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent historical romance. Adeline is a recent widow who is determined to live her life freely and open a boarding house for underprivileged girls. Lord lyon mistakenly things it's a whorehouse and embarrasses himself by confronting her.
I enjoyed their banter but felt that Lyons passive personality made Adeline appear curt and rude. They have a whirlwind romance with Lyon mostly chasing her. The novel is predictable but suitable for those who love a simple romance.

When Adeline and Lyon meet for the first time sparks fly. Sparks of annoyance, anger, and sexual attraction. The two have to deal with the situation as they are now next door neighbors. Lyon is an appealing character as he has a good relationship with his father Markswood, a serial bridegroom. Markswood married for love; when Lyon's mother died he married for companionship and further wealth. He has outlived subsequent wives and is looking to marry yet again. Lyon also has a loving relationship with his mother's sister, Aunt Cordelia, who doesn't care for Markswood and doesn't pretend otherwise. Lyon intends to marry for love and won't settle for less. Adeline is a widow and has no plans to remarry. She suffered in a miserable marriage with a husband who was interested only in getting her pregnant with a son. She never conceived while her husband's mistress did. I enjoyed following the trajectory of Adeline and Lyon's interactions and the "help" given them by Markswood and Cordelia.

If you asked me for an honest review, I would say this....
Did I like this book? Yes.
Would I read it again? I won't.
Would I recommend the author? Yes
Would I read more of the books written by this author? Absolutely.
What was the best feature of this book? The romantic scenes, plot and romance in general.
What was one thing you did not like? The fact that the book has ended, because I have enjoyed it.
What is your rating after reading "The Earl Next Door"? - 4.5 out of 5 no doubt.