Lovers of Regency romance will be queuing up on February 23, 2021 for the publication of "An Unexpected Earl" by Anna Harrington. I'm probably a throwback to another era but period romances are a favorite of mine. The grandeur and excesses of that age offer an alternative to the grind of present day troubles. Escapism? Absolutely!

"An Unexpected Earl" is part of a series but can also be read as a stand-alone. In it we meet the newly minted Earl of West, Brandon Pearce, aka "Brigadier" (from his days in the army) and Amelia Howard, a spinster who lives with her brother Frederick. Due to his lack of station twelve years ago, Pearce was not considered a suitable match for Amelia but now with a title and wealth Frederick has no obvious reason to keep them apart. Only now Frederick needs Pearce's help placing men in Parliament because he's being blackmailed.

Amelia and Pearce unexpectedly meet again at a masquerade ball and, after their twelve year hiatus, it's as if nothing has changed. The sparks fly when they're together and this time they refuse to be kept apart.

As part of a group of former soldiers called the Armory, Pearce is investigating a criminal group known as Scepter that is believed to be behind the government appointments so he pretends to take sides with the blackmailer even though he knows it will not sit well with Amelia. But what will happen when Pearce discovers Amelia's secret past?

Historical romances are heavily dependent on lavish descriptions to set the period scenes but this story thankfully keeps that fluff to a minimum. Character development of the two protagonists is very good Pearce is of course a heartthrob. Amelia however is portrayed as a passive pawn. She has accepted her brother running her life, handling her finances, doling out an allowance and "pin money" as if she's not up to the task and she is grateful for his guidance. This is supposed to be a strong woman? Really? Her more redeeming qualities become evident later in the story though. The plot is well developed and has enough intrigue and mystery to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. At times the pacing felt like it needed a boost but on the whole it adequately held my attention. Three and a half stars.

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

I enjoyed this historical romance featuring two people separated years ago, who come together amidst mystery and intrigue to find their second chance. Although second in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone even though there is a continuing story thread. I look forward to what comes next.

Another wonderful story in the Lords of the Armory Series. Brandon Pearce and Amelia Howard were denied their chance of happiness due to their unequal stations in life and the machinations of her family. Twelve years pass and the two stumble upon each other at an infamous masquerade. Will they get a second chance at love? I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I read an ARC of An Unexpected Earl via NetGalley and chose to leave a review.

An enchanting story of two lovely people that are separated for twelve years, by some cruel people.
Amelia Howard was sixteen and very much in love but her father caught them and she went to school in Scotland and he went into the Army. He returned a Brigadier and new Earl of Sandhurst. His general had gathered his troops and set them up so they would have someplace to go but also so they could help if he needed them. They were Veterans that had been tested and survived.
Amelia Howard was as kind as she was beautiful. But she did not trust men anymore. She had been subjected to some very bad things and she did not trust. She had never forgotten him.
All the trials and tribulations they have to face to be together is scary. The characters are amusing, frightening and try to keep friends and themselves alive. They do have friends that help but who do you trust. I loved that they fought together. If you love excitement and action then I highly recommend this book.

This is the second book in the series and the mystery continues. Although there is an ongoing mystery through this series, this book can be read as a standalone. Once again I have enjoyed the way Ms Harrington entwines romance, mystery, and adventure with a background mystery making the reader want to keep turning the page. The characters are well written and very likable. It is a book I found hard to put down. There was some sex in this book and this reviewer as always skipped it. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.

An Unexpected Earl by Anna Harrington is a fun, action packed historical romance that we all need right now!

I’m a new reader to Harrington. She is a great writer and this series is a gritty, sometimes dark and swoon worthy. I highly recommend this series for fans of Elizabeth Hoyt and Kerrigan Byrne.

You can absolutely read this as a stand alone but the first in series sets up this book very nicely. I enjoyed this book much more than the first.

Brandon Pierce (aka Brigadier) is back in town with a new title, Earl West. He is part of a trio of friends who have all fought together during Napoleonic Wars. He is working to uncover a mysterious and corrupt organization when the love of his young life crosses his path at a masked party.

Amelia Howard is trying to find a mysterious blackmailer who is after her brother. Howard has much at stake to lose if the blackmailer is successful. She will loose a charity shop for women that she runs and the property she inherited. She has a shameful secret that has left her unable to trust anyone but her brother.

There is so much mystery to solve that the romance is woven throughout. Second chance romance works the best for me in historical romance. Often the couple is torn apart by parents like Amelia and Pierce. Harrington is such a great writer and really paces their getting to know each other. Amelia wants nothing to do with Pierce but relents when their paths continue to merge.

I don’t want spoil any of the mystery... so expect some twists, turns and an incredible boat chase!

Thank you to Netgalley and Source Books Casablanca for the Arc in exchange for a fair review.

#Netgalley #SourceBooksCasablanca #sourcebooks #annaharrington #anunexpectedearl

Brandon Pearce gave up Amelia twelve years ago to save her from a cruel father's threats, but he's never forgotten his one true love. Now adjusting to his new title, Pearce runs into Amelia and all his old feelings came surging back, but Amelia wants nothing to do with him. Pearce is investigating a secret criminal group and Amelia seems to be caught up in their cross hairs when she tries to find out if her brother Frederick has ties to the group. Can Pearce convince her he still loves her and to tell him the truth before it's too late to stop the criminal enterprise Scepter?

Ms. Harrington weaves a gripping story of love lost and found with government conspiracy and a criminal enterprise that is more far reaching than anyone could imagine. She teases out details of what happened twelve years ago between Pearce and Amelia. I loved Pearce. He was such a honorable and true gentleman always protecting Amelia from whatever came their way and Amelia was no wilting miss either. She stood up for what she believed in even if it went against her brother's orders. A shocking plot twist at the end involving Frederick, Amelia and Pearce kept me turning the pages to the end.

The mystery within this entire book was what drew me to it in the first place, as regency romance isn't my typical go-to. The way the author weaved the romance into a tale of deceit and secrecy was fantastic. Amelia is attending a ball, in disguise, where she literally runs into the former love of her life. Little does she know, Pearce is about to turn her world upside down. Scepter has been increasing its presence within the government and Pearce is on the hunt to find out who is running the show and stop them in their tracks. Amelia gets caught in the middle of the scandal and has to decide if she wants love or if she wants to stop he brother from controlling her life now and forever. Between the smoldering love, the secret societies, the blackmail and betrayal this book is a page turner from start to finish. All ending with one final twist you don't see coming.

I am usually not a fan of second-chance childhood sweetheart romances. This book was one of those. There are secrets and lost communication between the MC's. I though the blackmail and the brother took up too much of the story.

I did enjoy this author's writing style and may try another of her books.

I received an ARC from Netgalley.

Amelia reunites with her childhood sweetheart who helps her unravel the truth of her past and her brother's blackmailed.

I am not one for historical romance but this one kept me interested from the beginning. There is romance and a good plot line. Amelia is a strong female that stands up for herself.

It is the second book in the Lords of the Armory Series. I did not read book one and was not lost. It was easy to get into the story and characters.

It was a quick and easy read

I have been provided with a review copy of An Unexpected Earl from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is the second book in the Lords of the Armory series and I just loved getting to reenter this world. I was just drawn into this wonderful story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. It was just so easy to get lost in this great story. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

This is a second chance love story wrapped up in a spy caper. Pearce and Amelia were childhood sweethearts, once torn apart by her father. Now Pearce has unexpectedly become an Earl, he is also a spy for the crown. When they encounter each other twelve years later at a masked ball, sparks fly. Pearce needs to know how Amelia's brother is connected to a sinister organization, and Amelia needs Pearce's help in trying to find who is blackmailing her brother, as it also threatens the charity she has worked so hard to establish. As they grow closer to discovering the truth it appears nothing is what it seems, except their love for one another.

I enjoyed An Unexpected Earl by Anna Harrington.

Amelia and Pearce’s chemistry was sizzling and the plot was a good one. At the end was a twist that I did not see coming! I also liked how the author explained divorces and certain clubs that were all the hype during England’s regency era.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ebook arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love that there is so much substance to this story. This is the second book of the series and there is an overarching plot surround the nefarious, mysterious group Scepter and the attempts to take them down by the honorable men of The Armory. And that plot is sooo engaging. And the romance? Sigh. Second-chance, former young love is simply delicious. Pearce is so confident and sincere in his love for Amelia that he’s beyond swoon-worthy - he’s a good man.

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

Pearce and Amelia's story was expected. Meaning most of what happened I figured out early on or expected it. I did enjoy it though so all's good.

A wonderful second-chance historical romance, the story focuses on Pearce and Amelia, childhood sweethearts who are brought together under dubious circumstances. Pearce, a newly appointed Earl who worked for the crown, is working to uncover corruption, and Amelia’s brother is a suspect. Amelia knows her brother is being blackmailed and will do whatever she can to protect him. However, the more Amelia learns about her brother and Pearce, the more conflicted she becomes.

Amelia’s entire life has very much been dictated by men, and, betrayed by several men in her life, she hesitates to trust. She has a fierce dedication to helping others, and I like how selfless she is. She’s determined to help other women gain independence, which is propelled by her inability to break free from the patriarchy. There are some great messages here about a woman’s worth, sense of free will, and gender inequities. Other messages about the confining dictates of society, as well as societal inequities, are also prevalent.

Pearce is a great character as well. Sent away after a scandalous tryst with Amelia, Pearce works his way up in the military before becoming an Earl. He is an honorable man with a tremendous amount of patience, and his feelings for Amelia are clear. I love how he fights for her and accepts her no matter the consequences. Like Amelia, Pearce is selfless, and his quest for truth and justice is admirable. Plus, he is incredibly smitten with Amelia, which I loved!

Pearce and Amelia have amazing chemistry, and I really enjoyed their second-chance romance! The couple has a long and complex history, and there are a lot of buried feelings between them. Neither forgot or moved on from their first love, and seeing them reconnect and face their past while still dealing with their present was fantastic. I love Pearce and Amelia’s easy way with each other, and the dialogue between the pair is fantastic. They have a deep and profound love that time and distance didn’t erase, and I wholly rooted for their happy ending.

The mystery surrounding Sceptre is also really intriguing. Pearce and the other members of The Armory are trying to solve a case that involves members of Parliament. Sceptre is a nefarious and mysterious group, and I enjoyed how this aspect of the story played out.

I really enjoyed this interesting and swoon-worthy historical romance can’t wait to read more by Anna Harrington. Though it is the second book in the Lords of the Armory series, An Unexpected Earl can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Anna Harrington, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc copy for an honest review.

This is a second chance romance between Brigadier Brandon Pearce and his childhood sweetheart Amelia Howard. Brandon and Amelia are reunited while Amelia is trying to save her brother from blackmail charges and Brandon is investigating Scepter. It's a great addition to the Lords of the Armory series, can't wait for the third book in the series!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3771558736

Brandon and Ameila make for an exciting and influential couple.. Blackmail and a faux marriage make this story one for the ages.
Anna Harrington has crafted an amazing story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily..

Anna never fails us! She gives us characters that capture our hearts. Pearce is everything you want in a man: strong, brave, loving. Amelia is determined, loyal, caring. Torn from each other in their youth, this story is 12 years later. No spoiler here. I will tell you it has a great plot, some truly evil men, and left me looking forward to the next book in this series.

A great second chance story. The characters were well developed. The plot kept me hooked from beginning to end. A good mix of steam and thrill. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!