Love or Honor

Wesley must reclaim his family’s property, and he is determined to marry a woman he does not love to obtain it. His heart has other ideas, and he finds himself falling in love with her best friend. Is honor more important than love? How crucial is it for Wesley to get back this property, and is it worth sacrificing his heart? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance.

Four friends, more like sisters, protect and support each other from childhood on into adulthood. The author skillfully creates these complex and likeable characters as they navigating society's rigid expectations to find their love in life - as wives, mothers and sister friends. Excellent writing, humor, intense attraction, angst, and finally all the romance and happiness both Wesley and Mercy deserve. This is the first book by this author I've read and the third book of this series but easily works as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed my first A.S. Fenichel book and look forward to reading more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*

3.5 stars

First I would like to say that I loved the fact that our protagonist wears glasses.
But about the story itself, I liked it but I found it a bit repetitive because the story revolves around the fact that both protagonists put an obstacle to the fact that they cannot be together, obstacles that in my opinion are not so great that in the end were resolved quickly and easily.
But this book was so quick and enjoyable to read that I didn't even care so much that the story itself wasn't so interesting.
The characters were amazing, I loved watching them realize they were falling in love.
In the end, I really enjoyed the reading experience and I highly recommend this book.

As I've learned to expect, a beautifully written and fun read. Fenichel writes wonderful whimsical hospital books with flawed but truly good heroes and heroines that defy expectation

I absolutely adore this author and this is only my second book with her! She has such a way of bringing you into the world with the characters and feeling the story is happening right in front of you. The characters are portrayed so vividly, their personalities so alive. I felt for both main characters and the purposes they had, the emotions they carried. I'm delighted with the ending and hope that Aurora finds happiness too. #capturingtheearl #netgalley

4.5 stars
This story moved along at a good pace. I just loved the way that the Wallflowers were always there for one another, they had such a strong bond. Mercedes( Mercy) was a gifted musician but because she didn’t have a dowry or land, she was looked down on by certain member and society. Wesley Renshaw, Earl of Castlewick, wanted to marry Aurora, (Mercy’s friend) to gain a portion of land that had once been in his family. Aurora had the most dreadful mother. Unfortunately, he had feelings for Mercy. I really wanted Mercy to be aware of her own worth. Her aunt Phyllis is quite a character and well aware of all going on. I did like Wesley, he was torn between duty and love. This was a most entertaining read and I’m wondering if Aurora will get a happy ending in the next book. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Capturing The Earl by A.S. Fenichel is the third book in the Wallflowers of West Lane series. I think you will enjoy it more if you have read the first two books. Wesley Renshaw, Earl of Castlewick, has made it his life’s ambition to regain all of the lands his family once owned, and his grandfather gambled away. He decides to marry Lady Aurora Radcliffe as she is now the owner of the last estate that he needs to complete his goal. Mercedes Heath (note although she is Mercedes Parsons in the blurb in the book, she is Mercedes Heath) has neither title nor dowry and although she has several suitors interested in her for her musical genius, she does not expect to marry, and her very inconvenient crush on Wesley could lead to heartbreak should he achieve his goal of marrying her close friend Aurora. I enjoyed this book very much and do recommend reading it. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: January 26, 2021. #KensingtonBooks #CapturingTheEarl #HistoricalRomance #ASFenichel #RomanceSeries #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #NetGalley

This book tells the story of Mercy and Wesley. It is also the third in a series and I think for the book to be most enjoyed, it would be better to read the series in order. I did not do that and therefore had a very hard time getting into the story or understanding some of the beats. A lot of the premise is inbuilt in that we know some of their backstory already. The writing was also uneven in places and ultimately I did not care very much about the main couple getting their HEA which is the aim of a romance novel.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

He wants to marry her best friend.

Mercy is trying to prevent Wesley from marrying her BF Aurora. He only wants to marry her to get her property (which he considers his).
I found this book moved a slow pace and found myself frustrated with Wesley, who would kiss Mercy, then keep trying to marry Aurora.
He had little respect for either Mercy or Aurora with his game.

Still, I can recommend it.

The love story between an Earl and the poorest of the Wallflowers of West Lane is sap and romance central and it was just what I needed. The book practically emanates flowers and rainbows and good feelings from how positive and lovely the story is. Even the obstacles they have to face are more annoyances and misunderstandings than actual danger. And honestly, that's exactly what I needed in my romance today.
I have much respect for the fact that Fenichel managed to write a series book that is wholly original while remaining deeply a part of the series. Mercedes has her own distinct voice, and the situations she and Wesley find themselves in are separate from anything in the other books. Yet it's more than just the characters that mark it as part of a series, it really is the world that the author has built.
The one thing I can complain about is that Fenichel still takes for granted that you know what happens in previous volumes and just hints at things in a way that I would have found frustrating if it weren't for the fact that I knew what the characters were talking about. A minor detail, but enough that I remembered it from the last volume and wish it had been addressed in this one.

Many happy thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the early read!

This is the third book of THE WALLFLOWERS OF WEST LANE series by A.S. Fenichel and the second one I've read. I love everything about these books, beginning with their whimsical covers. CAPTURING THE EARL tells the story of Wesley and Mercy and their love. Mercy denies the feelings they have for each other at first because she has no title or money...and Wesley is an Earl after all. Wesley starts out thinking he needs to wed Aurora because she holds land his grandfather lost many years ago and his goal is to get back all the family land that was lost. But he eventually realizes that he won't be happy without her.
This is a very charming and entertaining story...I especially enjoyed the Wallflowers and their husbands and how they all looked out for each other. If you enjoy an intelligent, engaging romance with well developed, likeable characters these books are for you!
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley
First off this book Capturing the Earl is the third book in The Wall flowers of West Lane series. Having not read the others I never once felt lost. A.S. Fenichel did a good job keeping the reader updated with anything you might have mist in the other books without sounding redundant. There are four woman that happen to be wall flowers who met at school and became best friends. They protect one another fiercely Aurora Radcliff was married to a ruthess man. So when he died she had decided to never marry again. Her mother doesn't seem to comprehend that fact and has pushed Wesley Crenshaw her way. Wesley needs to marry Aurora to gain the last of his lands, that were lost from his grandfather. He promised his father on his death bed he would regain all the lands back. Mercedes Heath will not let Aurora be pushed into anything she doesn't want and she doesn't want to marry. Mercy tries to help her friend with out hurting herself in the process. From the beginning of the book Wesley and Mercys chemistry was undeniable. You feel it come off the page. They're being separated from the start really puts a sadness under tone throughout. I felt for these two and rooted for their happy ending. I enjoyed this story,

This was a well-written, entertaining book. Mercedes Parsons meets Wesley Renshaw, who intends to court Mercy's widowed friend. She won't let anyone take advantage of her friend. Things get complicated when Mercy and Wesley find they are attracted to each other. The book moved quickly and I found it hard to put down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

The friendship of four young ladies has created an indestructible bond to protect one another from the perils of love and marriage . . .

After the demise of her friend's disastrous marriage, Mercedes Parsons isn't about to let the widowed Wallflower of West Lane, Lady Aurora Radcliff, undertake another perilous trip to the altar. At least, not before the bridegroom-to-be is thoroughly investigated. If only Mercy could stop her uncharacteristic daydreaming about Wesley Renshaw's charm, his intellect, his dashing good looks. After all, the earl has already set his sights on her best friend! She must keep her wits about her and avoid giving into temptation.

Wesley is both irritated and intrigued by the machinations of Mercy—He cannot let her cleverness and beauty distract him. He needs to marry her friend, Aurora, so he can reclaim his family's ancestral home. A wrong he has hoped to right his entire life. Besides, who is penniless spinster Mercedes Parsons to decide whom he can and cannot marry? Yet while he admires her unwavering loyalty to her friends, he decides it's high time the misguided woman had a dose of her own medicine. Two can play at this spying game. But they are both embarked on a dangerous charade. And it won't be merely Mercy's reputation at risk—or her heart on the line—as Wesley comes to the inescapable conclusion that he has found the right woman at exactly the wrong time.

Another great read by A. S. Fenichel.
I’m absolutely loving this series and wish it would never end.
I loved getting to know Mercy better in this book and how she fits within the group of friends.
This was my least favourite book of the series so far but it still was a good solid read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an arc of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first foray into the writing of A.S. Fenichel, and it was a solid read. The primary relationship was based on a feeling of immediate shared connection, which I appreciated.

Although Wesley should be wooing Mercy's cousin, Aurora, he and Mercy find themselves alone time after time. Their connection and their feelings become more difficult to ignore with each stolen moment...until they succumb to temptation.

I enjoyed the relationship building, the 'should we throw caution to the wind' approach, and seeing the personal growth of Mercy and Wesley. I enjoyed the glimpse into the female friendship circle and how their support and care for each other was depicted.

While I enjoyed many aspects of the story, the plot stumbled on occasion for me. The obstacles to the relationship seemed both far-fetched and absurdly convenient, and there definitely could have been more action.

That being said, this was a delightful story with a winsome hero and heroine.

First of all, thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance copy.

MAJOR BRIDGERTON VIBES AHEAD! If you are looking for a series to fill the void left behind by Bridgerton, look no further - and there are three books to read!

Capturing the Earl is book 3 in A.S. Fenichel's series following the Wallflowers of West Lane. Mercedes Heath, Mercy to her friends, is living with her friend Aurora and generally enjoying her music and life when she is whisked off her feet by Wesley. However, Wesley has his eye on Aurora - or rather the land that Aurora inherited when her husband passed.

The attraction between Mercy and Wesley is undeniable, but will the pull of reclaiming lost ancestral lands be strong than their love?

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read Capturing the Earl early in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read all three of the books in this series so far and though I enjoyed the characters and the overall storyline, like some of her previous works, this one feels rushed. Mercy has been one of my favorite characters in the series so far and this book didn’t change that, but for her and Wesley to fall for one another so fast (literally at the very beginning) felt disappointing and unrealistic, somehow. The conflict in the storyline also felt underdeveloped - Wesley’s motives for regaining his family land was never fully explained and Mal’s odd behavior was likewise not really explained. There were definitely spots of humor and wit that I enjoyed - the Wallflowers are an exceptional bunch! - and overall I enjoyed the read. I just wish the author would take a little more time to build relationships and make sure things are explained. Okay, so who else things Geb and Aurora are the next couple???
3.5/5

I liked the premise of this book and I expected it to be angsty and heart-wrenching. However, the execution fell flat for my taste. It seems like everything happened too quickly and too slow at the same time. I couldn't also buy the instant attraction or love at first sight thing that happened early on in the book. The Earl's characterization is weak and made him forgettable to me, even if he is one of the main characters. The only thing I loved in this book is the friendship between the four wallflowers. The rest is either boring or annoying to read.

The continuation of this wonderful series about four friends who bonded at finishing school in Switzerland is another winner. The young ladies became friends for life while at the Miss Agatha Wormbattle's School for Young Ladies, a punishment that became a blessing. While their parents wanted their recalcitrant daughters turned into more biddable young ladies, the school became a place where the women blossomed and became fast friends. We've seen Faith and Poppy find love, and now we turn to Mercy, who lives with their fourth friend, Aurora — who still is recovering from a miserable marriage. Aurora is being courted by Wesley, Earl of Castlewick who wants to restore his family's heritage. He believes marrying the widowed Aurora is the path to financial success, although he can't help but preferring Mercy. She is not rich, though, and he is alternatively attracted and repelled — in fact, he is somewhat of a louse, kissing Mercy while wooing Aurora. But it's clear that he is torn by what he views as his duty and what his heart wants, so it's hard to dislike the earl. He is trying to balance a deathbed promise to his father — restore the estate — with his one true love. This is a less action-packed book than others in the series, but I liked the tale of lovers struggling to be true to themselves and their responsibilities. Not only is this an engaging story in and of itself, it lays the ground for Aurora's story — and we can't wait. (I received an advanced copy via NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

Four young ladies, two married, one widowed all very well established financially. The only single girl is Mercedes of a respectable lineage but unfortunately with very little money.

The four girls developed a deep friendship whilst schooling in Switzerland, sent there by their families for various reasons. Aurora, the widowed girl has eschewed marriage ever again after escaping a monster who tormented her throughout the marriage. Now being pursued by Lord Castlewick she is determined not to marry him but he though determined to marry her, with the sole intention of obtaining some land which was lost to his family, is nevertheless attracted to Mercy in a way that he does not seem to be able to waive off.

The story which ends happily for Mercedes and neatly, had a degree of sexual violence which jarred slightly with the rest of the book. This story is of course just one and I now want definitely to read what happened to bring Poppy and Rhys together.