Who's That Earl is a historical romantic suspense (more romance than suspense) with an independent, plus-size heroine and a hero reluctant to become an earl with a career in military intelligence. I had such a good time with this one and I'm excited to read more from the author!

Jayne Quayle is secretly the author of pulpy novels, written under a male nome de plume. She is renting a castle in the remote Scottish Highlands as she pens her very successful novels and hides her identity by pretending to be a widow who works for this elusive author. And she has just received her first death threat.

Thomas Sutherland has been recalled from his post in the military because he has unexpectedly become heir to a Scottish Earldom. In fact, the very one that Jayne is currently inhabiting! And they have a history. Not to mention plenty of secrets.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this. I will say, don't go expecting a heavy emphasis on suspense or an elaborate mystery plot, as I see some readers disappointed with that element. But I loved the characters! Jayne is curvy, smart, and fiercely independent. Thomas might want to save her, but quite often she can save herself. Thomas appreciates and respects her work as an author and doesn't need her to fit inside a box. I was a fan. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig is the first book in the Love and Let Spy series.
It presents the story of Jane Quayle, an author, who publishes under a male name. She lives alone in a small town. She rents from an Earl, who passes away, That's when the new Earl, Thomas Sutherland, comes into the story, It turns out that they knew each other from 7 years ago.
The story wasn't that bad, but I really liked what Susanna Craig with the male author vs female author. People from the town where Jane lives have never seen the suspected male author, but they never suspects that Jane could be the one writing the books. As we all know, many women were writing under a male name, because women could not write. So I really liked that Susanna Craig went with that subject in her story.
Jane is what I would call a bad-ass. She had to start her life alone without any help at a time where women were under male authority. Thomas is everything you would expect in a gentleman.
There's nothing amazing about that book, but it's pretty good.

Who's That Earl is a great comfort read. Jane Quayle is writing scandalous novels under a male pen name. She rents a Scottish castle to hide away in. Everything changes when the new earl comes to take possession of his inheritance. Thomas Sutherland, the new Earl of Magnus and former spy, is surprised to find that his tenant is the woman he lost track of years before.

This book was a little predictable but in all the best ways. I'm a sucker for a second chance story. I loved the characters of the village and the matchmaking spymaster. The way Jane's Gothic novel was woven in with the story was great too. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Who’s That Earl turned out to be a fun read that surprised me – in good and bad ways - along the way. The good - I really liked the hero and heroine and their witty banter and sexual tension. The bad - the intrigue is too easily solved and the villains too easily vanquished. But in the end I did enjoy the story and so the book receives a qualified recommendation - if you like your historical romances quick and sweet and your intrigue light, this is likely to be a good read for you.

Seven years earlier, Miss Jane Quayle waltzed with Lieutenant Thomas Sutherland at a country dance and sparks flew. The next morning, when Thomas went to Jane’s house to call on her father, Mr. Quayle had declared he had no daughter and slammed the door in his face. A few hours later, a confused Thomas received new orders from his commander and later that day set sail for the island of Dominica. He never forgot Jane nor ceased to wonder what happened to her.

After returning from the dance, Jane had been cast from her home. Forced to fend for herself, Jane relied on her writing skills, eventually penning gothic novels under the name of Robin Ratliff. Seven years later, presenting herself as Mrs. Higginbotham, Mr. Ratliff’s amanuensis, she is renting Dunnock Castle in Scotland. Her novels have been wildly successful but have also garnered the attention of those who feel her stories are too lurid. Mr. Ratliff has received threatening letters and to make things worse, Jane has heard from her man of business that there is a new Earl of Dunnock and she may have to vacate the castle.  Fate (and a strange twist of Scottish inheritance law) has brought intelligence officer Thomas Sutherland back to Scotland as the new Earl of Dunnock.

When Jane and Thomas are reunited both play it cool. And both know the other is not telling the complete truth.

For a long moment, he simply looked at her, poised on the edge of speech but not speaking. She felt certain that the mischievous sparkle in his eyes, the slight play of amusement around his lips were matched by a similar expression on her own face. As if each of them knew that the other was not being entirely truthful but, instead of being dismayed or frustrated by the discovery, was intrigued by it.

What did it say about either of them that the prospect of a cat-and-mouse game was so appealing?

Thomas has mixed feelings about becoming the new Earl and decides not to tell anyone at the castle his true reason for being there. He spies one of the threatening letters on Jane’s desk and announces he was hired by Robin Ratliff to investigate the threats. Well, Jane knows that this is not true, Thomas doesn’t know that what he declared is impossible and Jane has no clue why Thomas is really there. Here’s where the novel first surprised me - I assumed I would have to slog through a hundred pages of everyone disassembling to each other only getting to the truth during the last chapters. Instead, Jane and Thomas tell each other the truth early on, and instead of the conflict being a Big Misunderstanding that could have been resolved with some honesty, the story focuses on their reunion, the events that happened seven years before, and the mystery of the threatening letters. Ahhh, what a breath of fresh air.

Jane and Thomas are truly delightful main characters. I was especially enamored of Jane - a woman who takes charge of her own destiny, not in a brash ‘get out of my way’ manner but in the style of someone who knows her value and pursues her desires. When the opportunity for a sexual encounter with Thomas presents itself, she doesn’t hem and haw about loss of virginity or what her desires say about her, she just goes for it. Another good surprise.

The bad surprise though was really unexpected. The mystery of who wrote the threatening letters and the resolution of the mystery were both too short and too unsatisfying. After a buildup of the threat to Jane, the vanquishing of that threat was disappointing. And when a second challenge was introduced late in the story, that – again - was too easily solved. I was prepared for an intrigue feast and I got a cucumber sandwich (nothing against cucumber sandwiches but when expecting a feast…)

Who’s That Earl is the first book in the Love and Let Spy series. I love the premise of the books - the London spymaster wants to see his intelligence officers happy, especially after the dangerous work he has asked them to do in the past, and so he goes from spymaster to matchmaker, happily pairing his jaded spies with ladies worthy of them. This all sounds delightful to me. But the subtitle of the book is “An Exciting and Witty Regency Love Story”. I’d have to say that Who’s That Earl has “witty” and “love” down, but needs to work more on “exciting”. A little more development on the intrigue part would have made this a more solid recommendation.

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***3.5 stars***

I enjoyed this book and found it well written, amusing and sweet at the same time ... however, plot seemed a bit slow, dragged in a few places. Overall, a good summer read for a light historical romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an opportunity to receive this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Miss Jane Quayle has created a life for herself, hidden away in the remote Dunnock Castle, in Scotland. She writes lurid gothic novels, yet to all who know her, she seems to be only the author’s secretary. Yet the life that she led as Miss Jane Quayle, is known by few, and to all she is now the widowed Mrs Higginbotham. Her true identity remains a secret, until Thomas Sutherland comes back into her life after seven years away. Unbeknownst to Jane, Thomas is now the Earl of Magnus, the owner of the castle that she currently resides it.
I must admit that Susanna Craig is one of my favourite authors, and this is another great book by her. The two main characters are so meant to be together, and we see a brief glimpse of what could have been seven years ago. Their dialogue is engaging, making them all the more realistic. Jane is so clever and Thomas so much the protector, that it was hard not to fall in love with them both, as their romance progresses. The storyline had me engrossed from the very beginning, and I also enjoyed the excerpts from Jane’s gothic novels, interspersed in the story.
I highly recommend ‘Who’s that Earl’ and so look forward to more books in the series. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I'm so glad I pick this arc up.  It was a good blend of suspense and romance. And the steamy scene were quite steamy. The last twenty-five per cent was hard to put down. It's my first from this author and it was most definitely my cup of tea.  I'm looking forward to diving into her backlist.

Miss Jane Quayle is living under quite a few secrets. She writes gothic novels under a pen name and is posing as a widow who works for the author. All steps to protect herself while living at Dunnock Castle. Now she's received a letter threatening the mysterious author

Thomas Sutherland has been abroad working as a spy for the British army now he's back in the Scottish highlands because of an inheritance that now makes him an earl of Magnus and Dunnock Castle is his official residence currently occupied by the woman he wooed before receiving his commission. 

Thomas is surprised to see the woman whose very memory has haunted him for the last seven years.

ARC provided Kensington/Lyrical via NetGalley

Who's That Earl is the delightfully charming first book of Susanna Craig's Love and Let Spy series. As this author is new to me, this was the perfect vehicle in which to check out her work. A spy, a novelist protected by a nom de plume and a second chance at love come together for a hugely entertaining way to spend a couple of lazy summer days reading.

Thomas Sutherland, who has spent years spying for the Crown, has been called home by his commanding officer. Apparently, due to some odd Scottish inheritance law, Thomas has inherited the title of the Earl of Magnus, whose holdings include the remote Dunnock Castle in the Highlands. Thomas isn't interested in becoming earl, but his commander insists that he do his duty to his tenants and set things to rights. He's informed that Dunnock has been leased by the wildly popular but reclusive gothic novelist Robin Ratliff. When he arrives, who does he discover? Mrs. Higginbotham, Ratliff's secretary, who was formerly Jane Quayle...Thomas's lost love of seven years ago. Jane is actually Ratliff, who is being threatened by a mysterious correspondent. Jane doesn't reveal who she is, but neither does Thomas. He uses the threatening correspondence as an excuse to spend time with Jane. Will love bloom a second time around?

This was a cute, fun story, but it was the characters who made it shine. Jane was kicked out of her home when she was 17, disappearing from Thomas's life. She had nothing but her writing talent, but was able to make a successful - if secret - life for herself. She was well accepted in the village and made friends, but she never ceased longing for the young man she lost. And then we have Thomas. I just adored the man! He, too, never forgot about his young love. He didn't want to be earl, but he knew he had to face his obligations. He was beyond charming and irresistible. My favorite thing about him, though? Jane was curvy and plump...and Thomas was ravenous for her. I loved that he found her so attractive. The chemistry between the two was great. The banter was witty and the intimacy steamy. Rounding out my favorite characters were Athena and Aphrodite, Jane's man-hating spaniels. I'm very impatient for round two of this series!

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 expressed are entirely my own.

STRONG FEMALE LEAD IN A PLOT-LESS WISHY WASHY HISTORICAL ROMANCE

When I read Historical Romance I like a bit of heartfelt (maybe even sizzling) romance. I also like a plot that goes beyond the romance and maybe has some drama, mystery or horror. And I like strong female characters who stand up for themselves. With this book I got only one of those things...

👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍

Jane: Our female lead Jane is a selfmade woman - she is a published author, writing under a male pseudonym. She writes horror stories that nobody in her day or age would suspect was written by a woman. I really liked that she went against convention and made her own fortune evne when others (particularly her father) said she couldn't.

Secrets: Normally I absolutely hate characters that keep secrets from each other because you always know how it is going to end up - the secret will come out leading to a momentary split or rift which is ultimately overcome in the end. For me the 'secret keeping trope' is so old and tired. So when I first felt this book going down that road I was a little annoyed - but then my feelings changed, because this was actually a new take on that trope. Jane and Thomas actually know that the other person is lying! That was refreshing!

Second chances: Jane and Thomas had a short lived affair seven years before the events of this book. I always enjoy a second chances love story, event though I wish we would have gotten to know more about their earlier romance.

👎 WHAT I DISLIKED 👎

Plot: Overall, the plot was lacking. Based on the blurb I was expecting mystery, intrigue and even a bit of action, but I didn't feel like the book delivered on either account. It was slightly mundane and I was not expecting that one bit.

Romance: Jane and Thomas may be second chance lovers, something that I really like, by I was just not sold on their romance. I couldn't connect with their relationship, couldn't feel the attraction, the emotions or the chemistry.

This story was a total delight! It's my first by this author, and I enjoyed it so much!

Miss Jane Quayle, having been forced to leave home at 17 with barely a penny to her name, has created a whole new identity for herself. Well, 2 identities actually! She's now Mrs. Higginbotham, a young widow, and secretary to the famously scandalous Gothic novelist, Robin Ratliff. But, she's actually the author too! She rents an old castle in the Scottish Highlands, and keeps to herself, in order to keep herself safe, both emotionally, and physically, now that someone is mailing threatening letters to Robin about his books. Even the castle's servants don't know that she's really Robin too. But, when she receives a note from "Robin's" lawyer that her former landlord, the Earl of Magnus has died, and a new Earl has been named, she's afraid her lease won't be renewed. Where will she go? Then a most unexpected man from her past shows up on her doorstep, and she's not sure if she can trust him with her secrets.

Thomas Sutherland, is the new Earl of Magnus. He can't believe that it turns out his sweet mother was related to titled people and he has now inherited this title and lands. He's spent the last 7 years in the British Army, stationed as an undercover operative in Dominica, in the Caribbean. Once his general recalls him to London, and informs him of his new duties as an Earl, he sets out for Scotland at once, though very reluctantly. He's hoping he can find someone to run the estate for him, so he can return to the military. But, he has no idea the shock he's about to get when the castle's tenant is none other that the woman he hasn't stopped thinking about in 7 years. But, they are both keeping secrets, and since he's a master spy, he's determined to learn hers, and help with the threats against her employer.

Jane and Thomas' chemistry was quite strong from the start, though this was quite a slow burn romance, as many historicals are, of course. Though they had a history, it was quite short, and ended abruptly 7 years ago. They really do manage to get to know each other, even with both of them trying to keep their secrets hidden. I loved that they both suspected the other of lying and omitting things, but since they were each doing their own hiding of the truth, neither of them could really judge each other. They really learned to trust and rely on each other, and I loved watching it happen.

The side characters in the village of Balisaig were so fun, and I loved that Thomas had a childhood connection to many of them. Though that made it harder for him to admit that he was the new Earl, as it changed his relationship to his friends, with whom he'd previously been on equal footing. It was an interesting dynamic, and I found it unique to many other historical romances I've read. I especially loved Dunnock Castle's housekeeper, Mrs. Murdoch, and Jane's 2 dogs!

There was a small suspense plot, about the threatening letters, and a few other things, and that was a fun aspect of the story too. Also, the storyline with Jane's father was fun for me as a reader, because he was a complete and total waste of space, and I was glad to see what ultimately happened with him. I also loved the idea of Thomas' general as a bit of a matchmaker. It definitely set things up for book #2 and I'm excited to read it!

This was such a fun, unexpected, sweet and sexy, second chance story, and I loved it. I also really loved that the heroine was an author, and was wealthy in her own right. She knew she had a talent, and she went for it, regardless of what happened to her in her life. She didn't need to become a Countess for her life to be good, and her Earl loved her just as she was. I definitely recommend this one, and I'll be looking forward to book 2!

A castle in the Scottish highlands. A reclusive author. A common-born British spy turned noble. And the woman he left behind seven years ago...

Thomas Sutherland has spent the last seven years living in the West Indies as a spy for the British in the war against Napoleon. Suddenly, two words from his superior officer send him back to British soil: Homeward, Magnus. Through an odd twist of fate (courtesy of his mother's family line), Thomas is now the Earl Magnus with a castle in the Highlands of Scotland adjacent to the village of Balisag where he spent his boyhood summers. But Thomas isn't an Earl. Not really. He's a soldier and spy for His Majesty first and foremost. He knows nothing about managing an estate and caring for tenants. Surely, there is someone else better for the job? Well, first order of business: go to Dunnock Castle and speak to the reclusive author who rents the place.

Jane Quayle has a secret. She is Robin Ratliff, the author of insanely popular gothic novels. Pretending to work for the author as a widow has done well for her, protecting her from society and granting her independence. For the last seven years, she has lived in the Highlands in Dunnock Castle, giving her plenty of inspiration for her dark tales. But when letters start to arrive for Ratliff that are more than just the usual criticisms of her work, and threaten death, she starts to feel uneasy. Nevertheless, her charade has served her well, and she should be safe. Which gives her plenty of time to devote to not only her novel, but the arrival of someone she never thought she'd see again save in her dreams: Thomas Sutherland, who claims to be there to investigate the poison pen letters sent to Ratliff. And asked for by Ratliff.

Clearly, Jane knows better. Not that she's going to say anything...

Both Thomas and Jane have reasons to keep their true identities secret from each other, though the sparks they felt for each other seven years prior have grown once more into large, passionate flames. As more poison pen letters arrive, will they be able to keep up pretenses--or deny their feelings once more?

This wonderful first in a new series, "Who's That Earl" is a story of a second chance at love set in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, with mystery, action, and passion. Gorgeously written, with an amazing cast of characters, "Who's That Earl" is a phenomenal Regency-era romance that is perfect for fans of Jane Austen who want a bit more Highlander in their romance...

I asked to review this because the synopsis sounded great. A spy has to investigate a death threat against a famous writer whose also his ex. Sounded like there was going to be a lot of action and drama. Unfortunately this is not the case. Now my main issue is with the writing. It’s too descriptive. There’s more pages for descriptions or similes instead of dialogue. It bogs down the story. After 30% of this I just can’t continue anymore. Hopefully this author’s next work is better.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thomas-soldier/military intelligence operative who has just been sent to claim his title of Lord Magnus.
Jane-Writer hiding behind the pseudonym of Robin Ratliff, author of several successful gothic novels. Rents the castle that should be inhabited by Lord Magnus.
Their history-a few stolen glances and chats seven years ago, yet Jane was thrown out of her home and when Thomas arrived the next day to ask for her father's blessing, the father claimed he had no daughter.
Suddenly these two are thrown together in the castle, and as threatening notes begin appearing, Thomas find himself using his military experience to save the love of his life. The question is-does Jane love him back?

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Who’s That Earl by Susanna Craig is the first book in her exciting new series Love and Let Spy.
When Lieutenant Thomas Sutherland is called home after seven years, from his mission in the West Indies, he’s not at all happy to find out he’s inherited the title of the Earl of Magnus. He plans to check out his inheritance at Dunnock Castle, ensure that things are being handled properly and get back to the business of gathering intelligence. Jane Quayle has been on her own for seven years, when her mother discovered a novel she was writing her father, tossed it in the fire and banished her. She’s made a successful career writing gothic novels under the pseudonym Robin Ratliff and to keep her identity hidden, she goes by the name of Mrs. Higginbotham, a widow who acts as the reclusive author’s amanuensis or secretary. When Thomas arrives at the castle, he’s shocked to find that the lovely young woman he was planning to propose to before receiving his orders is his tenant at the castle, because when he attempted to get her father’s permission to wed her father said he didn’t have a daughter, so Thomas had no way of finding her before leaving on his mission. Keeping his identity as Lord Magnus under wraps, he tells Jane that he’s there to investigate the death threats Robin Ratliff has been receiving, which of course, Jane immediately knows is not true, but she decides to go along with this fiction because the threats are quite concerning. This is a lovely second chance at love story with both mystery and adventure that I enjoyed very much. Medium Steam. Publishing Date: August 18, 2020. #WhosThatEarl #SusannaCraig #KensingtonBooks #LyricalPress #bookstagram #HistoricalRomance #NetGalley #SecondChanceAtLove

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Who’s That Earl is my first book by Susanna Craig, although I’ve been aware of her for a while. And while I’m still interested in what her other books may have to offer, this one just wasn’t for me.

For one, it lacks a real sense of its own identity. It tries to be both a nice sweet romance and a Gothic mystery, and while I’ve seen these elements mixed together well, I don’t know that Craig really mastered that. It leaned more toward the sweet than the suspenseful, if anything.

The characters were…ok, but given their shared history, I definitely wanted more. Jane’s competence and independence are definitely worthy of note, and Thomas had the potential to be an interesting character as a solider-turned-earl, but I felt the story was severely lacking in tension and stakes that made me really care about them as the book progressed.

Craig does have a fairly readable, engaging prose style, and that and the story’s relatively short length saw me through it quickly. However, I still found myself wanting, unsatisfied as it came to a close, as I didn’t feel the romance was properly fleshed out.

I think if you like sweet romances with a bit of mystery, you might enjoy it a bit more than I did. I just wish it would have committed more to one style instead of trying to do both.

Melt-your-Kindle hot and a great romantic story. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved the premise of this one. Jane is a George Eliot-style writer who is using a man's pen name and renting a castle on a remote Scottish estate where she writes her lurid Gothic thrillers. She writes in solitude, pretending she is a widow serving as the secretary and transcriber of this elusive (and imaginary) male author. Then Thomas, who has been spying for the British, become the heir of the estate and returns there.

Jane and Thomas had met before and shared a brief but apparently very memorable kiss. This was a bit of a stumbling block for me and seemed entirely too convenient, but okay. Jane knows that there's a new heir who could kick her out of the castle, but Thomas doesn't tell her that he's that person. They circle around each other a while and then he figures out her secret and she figures out his and there are some love scenes.

Given the thrilling novels Jane wrote, I wished this could have had a little more oomph or tension. Jane is receiving some vaguely threatening letters, but that doesn't create much conflict. There just didn't seem to be enough happening for me.

Miss Jane Quayle is living her life under 2 aliases: Robin Ratliff, the famous gothic novelist and Mrs. Higginbottom, the authors’ amanuensis. While working in her leased Scottish castle, it appears her ruse is going well... that is until her lost love from 7 years ago, Lieutenant Thomas Sutherland shows up to investigate the threatening letters recently received by Robin Ratliff.

I loved a good second chance romance! It was fun watching both these characters uncover each other’s secrets and re-kindle their romance! There were some gothic elements and suspense added into the mix as well- all and all a fun read!

I also really enjoyed the ending where a certain match maker was revealed and sets up the next book in the Love and Let Spy series!

I definitely choose this book because of the cover! ...The modern text, the clean white background against the purple dress- it all just pops and I love it!

This was a quick easy read and I really enjoy it. It totally gave me Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare vibes! (Both books feature secretive female authors!)

Who’s That Earl by Susanna Craig is scheduled to release August 18th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#WhosThatEarl #SusannaCraig #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

Seven years ago Thomas Sutherland fell for a quiet girl in a sleepy village - now he is back from his long term assignment in the Caribbean and has to reluctantly take up the mantle of Lord Magnus. Jane has many names but seeing Thomas again changes her world - and it may not be for the better.

I had high hopes for this story - spies, second chances, Scotland, and a Gothic novelist?! But the pacing was way off and the "mystery" was meh at best. Leaving this story lukewarm and this reader a bit bored. Jane is a hot and cold heroine and I am never totally clear on her reasons for doing anything are. (I mean I guess her father??) Stephen is a sweet hero though - kind and a listener and well aware of his responsibilities that he is reluctant to take up but steps up for. Most of this seemed to be a commentary on writing, publishing, and the world of authors. Which while interesting - didn't really lend itself to an action-packed story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“Who's That Earl” is the first book I’ve read from Susanna Craig, as whole as the first in the series “Love and Let Spy”.

What first intrigued me to read this book was the cover - complements. I at first thought the title was graffiti on the wall which made me pause while perusing the digital shelf. It’s striking pink title on a white wall certainly got my attention to read the blurb.

Overall both main characters were well suited for each other. A love that was never lost after so many years. Both have a secret - he as a spy and she is posing as a writer under another name.

Book Rating: 3.5

[** I received a copy of “Who's That Earl” by Susanna Craig via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Thank you to publishers and Netgallery for the opportunity to review this book.]

#whosthatearl #NetGalley