I was given an ARC from Netgalley of "An Unexpected Earl" written by the fantastic Anna Harrington.
Brandon Pearce, Earl of Sandhurst, and
Amelia Howard, sister of an MP, were the best of friends in their childhood. Being found in a compromising position at the age of 18 and 16 respectively,  both were forbidden from ever having contact with one another. Brandon went off to join the war, and Amelia was stuck under the authoritative thumbs of her father and brother. Fate had better plans for them, and they meet again after 12 long years of separation. The sparks rekindle,  but Amelia has new truths in her life that forbid her from pursuing the love of her life. Another beautiful story!

This is a sweet second chance story. Pearce and Amelia were separated as teenagers just as their friendship was on the verge of becoming more. Amelia was a little too helpless for my taste and too credulous toward her brother. I wished she had taken more charge of herself. The two characters were likable and I was happy to see them get their HEA.

This story is pleasant tale of childhood sweethearts separated by a combination of fate and malicious manipulation, who reunite by chance 12 years later. It is the second book in the series, but while there is a storyline that seems to weave through the series (the criminal organization Scepter), An Unexpected Earl can be read as a standalone.

Pearce and Amelia are likeable characters, though I felt like Amelia was a little too willing to sit back and be rescued (even though the book's description claims she's "strong-headed). Also, I am not convinced that their separation had to have persisted that long.

For me, the storyline dragged at times. I also felt like character development outside of the main characters was missing. Amelia has a maid that she's claims to be close with, but we only see her at the very beginning and then very close to the end. Partway through, Danielle, the heroine from the first book, and her sister-in-law Claudia meet Amelia at a ball and seem to befriend her, but then they too disappear until the epilogue. It's harder to get to know a character of we don't see how she interacts with others. Pearce, on the other hand, is frequently seen in the company of the other men who are part of the Armory.

The storyline involved several secrets, but I figured the main one out pretty quickly. What I wasn't sure about was how the main secret would be resolved. I don't want to risk spoiling the ending, so I'll just say that while there is an HEA, I'm not entirely satisfied that the book arrived there in the best way. (Sorry, kind of oblique...)

Overall, it's a decent read, but it isn't a keeper book for me.

I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

An Unexpected Earl is an overall enjoyable read. Brandon and Amelia's love story was so sweet. Their paths cross in a masquerade ball after 12 years apart. Their chemistry sizzles as a mystery unfolds, reluctantly forcing them to come together in order to solve it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

A great romance complete with a well developed action/mystery plot!

The friends to lovers/long lost hero tropes are woven in a delightfully sweet (and often HOT!) romance while the action unfolds. Without giving too much away, the mystery (or mysteries as the case may be) moves along well, with attention to detail and a plausible outcome. This book combines a bit of cozy mystery feel with a touch of Bond-style heroes.

If you are looking for a historical romance with just a bit more, this should be on your TBR list.

Amazing . A love like Brandon & Amelias is wonderful . After 12 years they find each other again under difficult circumstances . An evil brother and a group named Scepter .
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An enjoyable read by Ms. Harrington, which brings together love, blackmail, and deception. Amelia and Brandon have known each other since they were children, sharing many adventures and were ready to take it to the next level where they were cruelly torn apart. Years later both changed, both with secrets, but their love for each other still remains. Amelia has been under the thumb of men for too long, being manipulated and making her feel guilty for her decisions. Brandon is now an earl, but works with an organization that is investigating Specter and a blackmailer, which brings him back to the woman he loved and lost, Amelia. Both have their own agendas, which forces their paths to cross and reluctantly work together to stop Scepter. Secrets threaten to break them apart, but will the love they have always had for each other be able to bring them back together?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.