This was almost a DNF. I had a hard time finishing it. The story was not very original, and, while that is not a deal breaker in the romance genre, as everyone recycles the same romance tropes. It does require that the writing itself has a bit of polish or wit. It seemed like a good rough draft to me.

Attracted to the Earl is the third book in Bronwen Evans' Imperfect Lords series. I missed the first one, but I very much enjoyed her second installment. However, this book I LOVED. Seriously, I picked it up yesterday morning, and by the evening I was done. My face was puffy from crying. (My husband doesn't understand this. "Why are you reading it if it makes you cry?" Men just don't get it!)

Guy Neville is the new Earl of Argyle. He should never have become the earl; his hateful father died (probably burning in hell, or so Guy wishes) and his beloved older brother took the title. However, his brother died of a burst appendix, so Guy inherited the title. This is not a good thing, as Guy is illiterate. He could not learn to read no matter how many times his father beat him. His former batman from the army and now his man of affairs Kit has helped Guy cover this big secret. Trouble looms, though... His cousin Patrick suspects something is amiss, and he wants to become trustee of the earldom so he can take charge of the funds and use them for himself. He blackmails artist Miss Abigail Pinehurst to discover Guy's secrets.

I loved both of the leads in this story. Abigail did not want to do this job for Patrick, but she had shameful secrets of her own from her past that she did not want to see the light of day; she would lose everything, including her beloved sister Dora, if that happened. Guy, though brilliant (he could remember entire documents word for word if they were read to him once!), still suffers from the abuse from his childhood and cannot risk losing his earldom. These two damaged people needed each other to make them whole. The intimate scenes between them were incredibly sensual. There was also a lovely, sweet romance between Dora and Kit, which was a nice addition to the story. This was truly a story that pulled at my heartstrings and made me cry like a baby.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I did like this book for couple of reasons: great and unique plot and laughter. The book was romantic and it kept my interest from beginning till end. I liked it!

I really enjoyed this book. Although I have not read any of the previous books it was really easy to get into this one and I don't feel that I missed anything by not reading them. I liked seeing both hero and heroine that had "flaws" and weren't perfect. I will def be reading more of this author. Overall, I thought this was a great historical romance!

An Imperfect Lord! A nasty cousin. A woman supporting her sister. Secrets that cannot be revealed, or…. This is my first time reading a book by Ms. Evans, and it won't be my last. There was plenty here to keep me entertained. Great characters, great plot, wonderful writing. It had me feeling plenty of different emotions, and hoping for an HEA for Abigail and Guy! Fun read!

WARNING!!! This book is going to make you feel different emotions. I loved this book so much. I felt in love with main Characters. If I could give ☆☆☆☆☆☆ . Thanks to Netgalley for this amazing copy.

Attracted to the Earl, the third book in Bronwen Evans Imperfect Lords series, gives us two imperfect souls who find perfection with each other. Guy Neville, Earl of Argyle, and Abigail Pinehurst are kindred spirits who both survived heart-wrenching childhoods.

"Never be ashamed of being a survivor."

Guy is the "spare" heir who inherits at the unexpected death of his brother. A learning disability prevented him from learning to read and write, and he was seriously abused by his father as a result. However, Guy is a whiz with numbers who excelled at strategy as an officer during the war and makes his way with help from his friend, Kit. Although Abigail Pinehurst was raised in a brothel, she escaped and made something of herself through Mrs. Wakefield's School of Industry and her benefactress, Lady Calthorpe.

The common denominator bringing these two together is Patrick Neville, Guy's cousin and heir. He covets the title and estates that Guy inherited and blackmails Abigail to learn Guy's secret or have her past revealed.

"Something worth having is worth fighting for."

Once Abigail and Guy reveal their secrets to each other, they form a united front to fight Patrick and for their place in society.

While I did enjoy reading the story, the author does push the boundaries with regards to the strictures and acceptable mores of the Regency period.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for voluntary, honest review.

I really liked this historical read. Guy and Abigail both have secrets they are hiding bit Patrick; Guy’s cousin is willing to do anything to discover what Guy’s are. He threatens to reveal Abigail’s secrets if she won’t spy on Guy for him. Will she do it? Fast-paced read with plenty of drama and suspense. The chemistry between Guy and Abigail is steamy and I really found the story entertaining. A good read.

This book had some of my favorite tropes in a historical, a second son, nice-guy hero with a severe learning disability which had always been kept secret, who never expected to inherited a title, an older, experienced heroine, and class differences (hero is nobility, heroine comes from the slums). Plus, [ the heroine, at least initially was being blackmailed to "spy" on the hero to discover his secret, but once she realized what a good guy he was, she openly communicated with him so that he knew what his evil cousin was up to. (hide spoiler)]

With all that going for it, I should have loved it, but unfortunately, I never really connected with any of the characters. It was like the author was just going down a checklist and ticking off the various tropes and plot points with no real emotions. We were told that the MCs were attracted to each other (instantly) and admired each other, but it was all telling and no showing. I never felt any real sparks or excitement between them, and it was the same with the secondary characters. It was like they existed to advance the plot, but otherwise served no purpose.

I did love the treatment of Guy's disability and how he was depicted as an extremely intelligent man who just could not order words on a page enough to read them, but had been able to compensate for it so well that no one even suspected what the issue was. From what I know of dyslexia, this is pretty realistic. Many dyslexics are very smart, but their eye/brain connection just doesn't work normally and no amount of trying to force it can fix it. I can also well believe that he would have been in danger of being committed to an asylum just on the basis of not being able to read. Nineteenth century society was not at all tolerant or knowledgeable of any kind of deviation from the norm.

I loved Abigail and Guy. They were both raised by an abusive parent and came out of it better people.
Guy was always told by his father that he was stupid and wouldn't amount to much because he couldn't read. He has an amazing memory, but he just can't read. After his father tried to kill him when he was 14, he left and went into the Army. Abigail was raised by the madam of a brothel and sold to men when she was 12. They have both fought hard to be better than their parents. When Guy's brother died, he became the Earl. With the help of a good friend, he is able to make people think he can read. When an ambitious cousin finds out Guy's secret, he tries to become the person to control the estate and have Guy declared unfit to do it. Abigail has her secrets too, but Guy is trying everything to get her to marry him. If anyone discovers her secret, it would disgrace not only her, but Guy and his family too. She needs to leave Guy so she won't bring shame to him and his family. Will he be able to convince her that he doesn't care? Will they be able to be together?

All his life, Guy has thought himself to be an imbecile and unworthy person, all because he was unable to learn to read and write. Yet, in the Army, he proved himself invaluable because of his quick thinking mind and his uncanny strategizing. Now with the help of his best friend and former batman, Kit, Guy has to prove that he can run his family's estate upon the death of his older brother. Guy's nasty cousin Neville is bound and determined to learn Guy's secret and gain control of the estate that he feels should rightfully be his--enter, Abigail.
Neville blackmails Abigail into learning Guy's secret and helping Neville gain control of the estate. Abigail cannot stand Neville, but doesn't have much choice as she is protecting her (sister) Dora from learning the truth of their past. Alas, love does not care about one's background nor one's secrets, the heart chooses who it chooses and so it is with Guy and Abigail and Kit and Dora. Neville will not be thwarted and kidnaps Dora, exposes Abigail's past and learns Guy's secret. You will have to read the book to see if goodness and love triumph over hate and evil and see if everyone that deserves to gets their HEA.

I received an ARC of this book and I am freely and honestly giving my opinion of this book. I plan to go back and read the first two stories in this series at some point.

Attracted to the Earl
Imperfect Lords book 3
by Bronwen Evans

WOW! Just WOW! This was exceptionally written ! Bronwen Evans has written a GEM of a story with flawed characters that have overcome tragedy and found love.

Our hero Guy is a war hero with a secret, after his brothers untimely death he gains the title Earl of Argyle. But he has a secret that his father tortured and almost had him killed because of his affliction. Life hasn’t been easy for him, surviving the horrors of war he now has to survive his cousins machinations to have him either killed or take over the Earldom by uncovering his secret. Not knowing who’s friend or foe the tempting Miss Abigail has him wondering if she can be in league with his cousin. But Abigail has secrets of her own that she’d do anything to keep from being exposed. If only she wasn’t so attracted to Guy!

This was such a roller coaster ride of emotions, it was one of the best books that I’ve read by Bronwen Evans in my opinion. Fraught with dangers, secrets and villains. A scared hero and even more scared heroine find their happily ever after! I highly recommend this amazing book by the talented Bronwen Evans not to be missed!

I received a complimentary copy from the author via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

Love conquers all! Guy and Abigail are hiding secrets that can devastate their lives. They are both hardworking and loving people. When faced with danger they decide to trust in the feelings brewing between them and share their secrets and burdens. Through sharing it brings them closer and deeper in love. This is a spectacular love story. It shows how to love people despite their differences. It also shows how love can heal and restore a person’s faith.

Attracted to the Earl is an entertaining, quick read that gives us a good mix of romance and intrigue. Guy and Abigail both have secrets, and I liked how the author reveals them bit by bit throughout the story. This pair certainly has the deck stacked against them with a greedy family member and the difference in social class to keep them from being official. There's also a secondary romance going on throughout the story, which for me was just a bit too much with everything already going on in the book, and the main romance suffered for it. In the end, I would've preferred a little more focus on the romance between Guy and Abigail, but I still enjoyed the read.

Bronwen Evan’s never disappoints. This is a fantastic read about a second son who becomes an Earl and grows even more weary about the need to hide his inability to read and write. I wish the author would have detailed exactly what his affliction is called. It sounded like dyslexia and dysgraphia at first, but that doesn’t seem exactly right. Anyway, the heroine, like the hero, was abused by her mother. If it weren’t for their stations in life, they’d be a perfect match.

Witnessing them fall for one another, fight for their family and find their HEA, was just what I needed.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Attracted To The Earl by Bronwen Evans is the 3rd book in her Imperfect Lords series. This book can be read as a stand-alone but as I enjoyed the other two books in the series I do recommend reading them all. His brothers premature death has left Guy Neville bereft he is now the Earl of Argyle a position that he never wanted or imagined he could fulfill. Guy has a secret …. He cannot read and although he has developed many skills to compensate for the lack he fears that he will not be a good Earl. His nasty cousin Patrick is looking for a way to get control of the estate and blackmails Abigail Pinehurst an artist looking to draw a ghost orchard that is located in the forest on the estate into spying on Guy in order to find the secret that Patrick feels he must be hiding. Lots of passion, adventure and edge of your seat thrills are in store. Medium Steam. Publishing Date May 28, 2019 #NetGalley #AttractedToTheEarl. #BronwenEvans #RandomHousePublishingGroup #Loveswept

Captivating In Every Way! Beautifully written with a Extraordinary and Original story with characters that are fabulously crafted and gloriously complicated. I felt like I was transported back in time. The author balances the dark with the a light humor and asexual tension that adds sizzle to every scene. “Attracted to The Earl” is, intense,satisfying and cleverly unpredictable.

Bronwen Evans never ceases to deliver something completely unique, completely addictive and completely mind-blowing. I was utterly mesmerized by her exquisite ability at storytelling. She transforms a simple love story to one that enraptures readers with it’s emotion, conviction, and vitality. This is a insta-must read, and one you wont be able to put down.

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

Guy Neville is the second son to the Earl of Arygyle, he's left the army and has engaged a mistress. He thoroughly enjoyed his liaison with his mistress (this was absolutely unnecessary to the development of this book), she had arranged for another protector, while she was entertaining him, he gets news that his brother, the current earl is dead. Guy can't read or write and has been the object of ridicule from his father. But now he's the new earl. Except, he couldn't even read the missive from his mother letting him know that his brother died.

Abigail Pinehurst disklies Patrick Neville, Guy's cousin. He wants the title and fortune. Patrick has coerced Abigail to enter into Guy's household to spy on him.
I really liked Abigail. She's had a hard life, but is razor sharp and smart. And can read and write, something Guy cannot do.

I enjoyed this book, because the characters did have angst, and obstacles they had to overcome. Abigail is a strong counter balance with her brains to Guy's brawn, although he does have a decent memory and a rocking bod.
And an obvious bad guy.
Recommend.

London 1816 The loss of his brother, left Guy wanting to scream for the unfairness of it all. Now he was the Earl of Argyle and how would he cope with that? "He couldn't read, for God's sake. He was stupid. An idiot." My heart became engaged immediately with Guy and I could almost feel his anguish. Bronwen Evans is a master at creating characters that pull at the emotions and bring you into their world. To see what was endured in times past that is taken in stride today is difficult at best.
Of course Guy's cousin Patrick would be looking for anything to take the title from him due to his jealousy.
Miss Abigail Pinhurst, bluestocking and plant lover comes to the estate to study and draw a rare orchid for her patron Lady Calthorpe. But before she gets there is waylaid by Patrick who wants her to spy on Guy. You see Abigail has her own secrets and and he threatens to expose her if she does not cooperate.
Such a truly wonderful story with strong emotions and heartbreak that pull these two souls together at the perfect time. Could these two from different walks of life pull together and thwart Patrick and have a happy life of their own? As in all of this author's work, she pulled me in and did not let go until the end and left me wanting more of her stories.

Good book with an unusual hero and a heroine who turns out to be the perfect match. Guy is the second son of an earl and never expected to inherit the title. Severely abused as a child by his father, he ran away to join the army when he was fourteen. After 15 years and a brilliant career, declared a hero for his abilities as a tactician, he is back home. Guy is devastated when he receives word that his beloved older brother is dead, and terrified by what it could mean for him. Guy knows that his inability to read and write if revealed could see him stripped of his title and lands and even thrown into an asylum. His cousin Patrick Neville has tried for years to discover what secret the family is hiding, determined to take it all for himself. Guy's saving grace is his best friend and former army batman, Kit, provides Guy with the assistance he needs. The arrival of Abigail, invited by his brother to use the library and study the elusive Ghost Orchid, adds another complication as someone he must hide his disability from.

Abigail is unwillingly involved in Patrick's plans. Her plan to find and sketch the Ghost Orchid is real, and her motivation for visiting Lord Argyle's estate. Unfortunately, Abigail has secrets of her own that would ruin her life and that of her sister Dora if revealed. Patrick has discovered those secrets and blackmails Abigail into spying on Guy and finding out his secrets.

I really liked both Guy and Abigail. The things that Guy experienced growing up could have made him a hard and bitter man. Instead, he is an honorable man with a heart. I ached for the way he was made to feel stupid and horrified by what his father did to him. I was also incredibly impressed by the techniques he has learned to compensate for his disability. Abigail also had a terrible childhood, experiencing things that no young girl should have to experience. Her story is revealed slowly, and though I suspected the truth early on, it did not diminish the impact. She is intelligent, determined, and protective.

I enjoyed the first meeting between Guy and Abigail. Each of them was bowled over by the other. I had to laugh at the way Kit ended up elbowing Guy to break the trance, and Abigail gave herself a stern talking-to. But in spite of his fascination and attraction, Guy still felt a niggle of suspicion over the timing of her arrival, as well as later when he found her near his study. I was impressed by Abigail's quick thinking. Over the next couple of days, they spent some time together, and it doesn't take long for a tentative friendship to build along with some fantastic chemistry. As Abigail begins to suspect Guy's secret, she also can't deny that he is a kind and honorable man. I loved how she chose to tell Guy and Kit the truth.

The pace of the story picked up as the three of them worked together to bring an end to Patrick's plans. There was an attempt on Guy's life that they were confident Patrick was behind. His arrival at Argyle ramped up the intensity as we saw his threats against Abigail and Dora. I definitely felt the waves of hatred toward Guy, and the evil of his intentions was apparent. I felt their hopefulness as they laid their trap for Patrick and their fear as they discovered his abduction of Dora as a bargaining chip. Though Dora had previously seemed to be a somewhat naïve young woman, she proved to be much stronger and smarter than I expected. I cheered that determination and rooted for her success.

All through this time, the feelings between Guy and Abigail grew stronger. Abigail has no hope of anything coming from it because of who she is and what she was hiding in her past. Guy wants to believe that he can make it happen. But when Patrick finds a way to threaten Guy's hold on his title and lands, it takes all of them plus the help of two of his good friends to counter the threat. I loved Guy's protectiveness toward Abigail and how he was willing to give up his dreams to keep her safe. Abigail is just as determined to protect Guy and his dreams, and I loved seeing her do what she felt was right.

I was a little disappointed in the resolution, as I would have liked to see a different outcome for Patrick (not that he didn't deserve what he got). The way it happened was an interesting and unexpected twist. I liked how Guy's friends helped him and Abigail find a way to be together. The epilogue was a nice wrap-up.

There was also a sweet secondary romance between Guy's friend Kit and Abigail's Dora. The attraction between them was also immediate. I enjoyed seeing the two of them together, as Dora did her best to tempt him, and Kit held tight to his honor and resisted her. He was very fierce when she was in danger and so proud of her when she escaped.