This book started out cute and I was excited then it kind of flopped. I mean it was ok but I kind of hoped for more. This was the third in series, and I do like reading all of them, but you dont have to. Anywho we have Brina who is a beautiful who insists she will not marry again and agrees to go to a masquerade ball with her aunt, she goes to get away for a little while and ends up finding the wicked earl tied up Now he decides that he wants Brinda to himself and he places a wager that he will get her to marry him, but he has to give up his pleasures, will he or can he, there was so much potential, wasn't bad, just wanted a little more, but it had it cute moments.

This book was a really enjoyable read. The characters seemed real and grew throughout the novel, so much so that I sometimes forgot how we met Zane. The struggles that the main characters are going through (other than the wager itself) are relatable. The cousins were just irritating although I understand how they are being used to set the conflict. I found myself wanting to go back and catch up with Brina and Zane, picking up the book often. There was a lot of description in this book as well, and I could easily imagine the pink dress and the dinner party table. I am a sucker for unconventional heroes and heroines -- this story had both! Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of the book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.

How To Train Your Earl is a reformed rogue historical romance with the feel good HEA that is totally predictable but just the warm fuzzy feeling we all need sometimes. Brina Feld is the most proper widow in all of London. No one can speak ill of her and she devotes her time to helping orphans of the same shipwreck that claimed her husband's life. One night in Paris, Brina tries a taste of the other life at a masquerade ball only to flee a handsy suitor and stumble upon a sexy, tied up rogue. Zane, the Earl of Blacknight, never though he would see the lady who came to his rescue again but lays eyes upon her in a London street followed by a group of students. A well placed bet later finds the rogue and the lady in a wager, Zane trying to reform for family and his lady- a lady who has sworn to never marry again. Brina leaves Zane a better man in a sweet and sexy romance that challenges a lady to improperness and recasts a rogue as a hero for a warm hearted good read. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

What a great ending to the, First Comes Love, series. I've been waiting for Brina's story for a while it seems.
Zane didn't stand a chance of winning Brina's hand it seemed. I loved how he won her over one day at a time.

The improper Gentleman!

I loved everything about this book. It was tence, funny and exciting to go through the story with both characters. Mrs. Feld had been a widow for some years and wouldn't want to get involved with any man at all. What she hasn't counted on was one impropriate wager from a very handsome yet ungentlemanly Earl of Blacknight to win her hand in marriage and teach him to behave to ton's expectations.

This book was simply joy to read as it has had everything you wish for in a great regency book. Independent woman who has stolen one gentleman's heart although he was more roughish and wild in his behaviour yet she wouldn't want him any other way.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St, Martin's Press for the early review opportunity.

As the final book in the series, this didn't disappoint. Amelia flawlessly wove the prior characters into this story and kept the integrity of the series.

This third in the First Comes Love trilogy has an intriguing beginning in Paris. As the context of the initial meeting of main characters Zane and Brina unfolds we begin to learn more about their nature and personalities. Zane, a newly minted Earl as a result of family tragedy becomes determined to pursue and marry Brina. Although mostly improbable the storyline is filled enough with villains, disloyal family members, and bizarre Regency society to be entertaining. The book is made for me with the resolve in the ending that is absolutely unexpected and clever.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the

I thought this one looked great from the blurb, but I was sadly disappointed. I could tell within a few pages that the writing style was not for me, and the next few chapters didn't change that. I started skimming but still couldn't find anything to draw me into the book. Brina is constantly thinking about how 'masculine' Zane is. There's a lot of insta-lust but not really much substance. And the writing is.... clunky.

It seems to be getting a lot of good reviews though, so maybe if writing style isn't a make or break issue for you (it is for me) then it's worth a try?

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an e-arc to review.

What a fun way to end the First Comes Love series.

Tropes:
• Bet on a Marriage at the end of the Season by the Hero
• Second Chance at Love
• Reformed Rake
• Young Widow how looks good in a Pink Dress

I received an ARC from St. Martin's and Netgalley.

The widow of a seaman meets an Earl to be at a Paris masquerade when she seeks to evade the attentions of another guest and finds him trussed to a chair while partially clothed begging for her to release him. Later they meet again and he wagers she will accept his proposal of marriage. She counters with a wager of her own that if he drinks, gambles, curses, or consorts with a woman she will accept only his apology rather than his proposal. All of London immediately gambles as to the eventual outcome. Everyone loses but the happy couple. While the author never explains how the widow of a seaman hangs out with the nobility, this is a very heartwarming story.

Opposites attract in this wonderful historical romance about two people who bet on love! Zane is adjusting to life as an Earl, a role he never expected or wanted, and knows that marriage to a suitable woman is the best way to show that his rakish days are over. Enchanted by Brina, a widow who is not interested in love, Zane places a bet that he will win Brina’s hand by the end of the season.

Brina is shocked, angry, and dismayed by Zane’s bet and makes a bet of her own that will ensure she remains single. With her bet in place, Zane must refrain from gambling, drinking, swearing, and philandering for Brina to agree to marriage. However, Brina didn’t account for Zane’s feelings and his determination to marry her. Thus begins a whirlwind courtship that blossoms into a beautiful love story.

Brina devotes her life to helping others and is a very compassionate person. However, she does not want love or marriage. She is afraid to open herself up to love again because she knows the pain of loss and can’t imagine going through that again. However, she finds it hard to resist Zane, especially once she gets to know the man behind the rake. Trina also struggles to trust Zane because of his rakish past. However, Zane does everything in his power to prove he is a reformed man, and he is very convincing!

I love that Zane has to work so hard to win Brina’s love. He is a man used to getting what he wants until he meets the untouchable Brina, who tries to refuse his advances. They seem like such an unlikely pair. Zane is a rake, while Brina is above reproach. Brina follows the rules of society, and Zane loves to break them. However, for many reasons, they work. Brina and Zane challenge each other and bring out the best in each other, and it is together when they seem most happy.

Though the focus of the story is the romance, the novel touches on issues like grief, guilt, and regret. It also focuses on more positive messages like the power of friendship, embracing love, and giving to others less fortunate. Though this is the third book in the series, it is easily read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Amelia Grey for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 3rd book in the series and it’s Brina’s story. Zane has just inherited a earldom and is quite unhappy about it. Brina is still trying to deal with her past. After a wild bet they come to terms about helping each other. Together they find a wonderful future.

How to Train Your Earl is pretty middle-of-the road, vanilla for a romance novel. There's nothing about that has me deeply connecting with the characters and experiencing them falling in love with each other. And while there is some trite, overdone writing it isn't excessively so. While the wager that brings society's attention to Zane and Brina is unique, and Brina being a widow instead of a wide-eyed virgin are unique they never feel like anything that creates a crackling chemistry between the two characters. The threat to them finding their happily-ever-after is relatively minor. If you're looking for an HEA to fill the time, this will probably work for you, but don't expect an emotional roller coaster or an overly deep connection with the characters.

In the final volume of this series we see a widow take on the conceited Earl who dared to make a wager concerning her future. I loved Brina! She works so hard to be a good person but the Earl always finds a way to bring out her temper. The Earl's wager was carelessly made but as he spends time with Brina he begins to realize he is drawn to her and wants her for his own. Brina's proposes a wager of her own and all of London society is keeping their eye on the outcome.

I thought this book would be a traditional fun romp and it was , but I was pleasantly surprised that the author delved deep into the effects of guilt and remorse and the many factors that can hinder our desire for positive change. I also loved that Brina had such a wonderful support system with her friends. I always love it when other characters from a series appear in such a fun way. This was a really enjoyable read.

This was the best of the series, by far. The tension and playfulness between Brina and Zane was just so much fun. And the setup in this book felt the most believable. I enjoyed the growth of their relationship and how Zane brought Brina out of her shell. A very satisfying conclusion to the series.

3.75 - 4 stars

He bet the ton that he would get her to marry him by the end of the Season.
She countered that if he could abide by her rules (no drinking, no cursing, no gambling, no women) by the end of the Season she would gladly accept his hand; else, he would need to make a public apology to her for starting the stupid bet.

This was so much fun than I expected it to be! My favourite in the series, for sure.

The chemistry between Brina and Zane was [insert fire emoji]. I didn't expect Brina to be this feisty - she was much more reserved in the previous books. The wagers (and the ton's investment in it) are so entertaining.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was book 3 in the First comes Love series. This series is about three widows that come together to help families that had been impacted by a bad shipwreck. This addition is about the third widow of the group Brina. She lost her husband in the shipwreck and is punishing herself for bad thoughts. Zane is a newly minted earl that wants to get her attention. He places a bet that she will say yes to his proposal at the end of season. Brina has some of her own stipulations to add to the wager. I do think it had a good premise but it did move a little slow at times. Overall a solid read.

This was my first book by Amelia Grey and I had high hopes for this one after reading the synopsis. Unfortunately I could not get into the plot and found Brina to be a bit immature and annoying at times. I didn't realize it was part of a series, I may try again after reading the first two books. DNF at 22%

This was my first Amelia Grey, and I was happy to discover a new author who knows how to write a satisfying historical romance.

Brina is a dedicated widow, spending her time devoted to causes including the care of girls at the school she started with her friends and in giving back to the Abbey near her house.  She is very proper, driven to repent (by what it is not revealed until 2/3 in), and claims to be satisfied with her current and future life in service of others...but still attending Society functions.  Her grief is present but not over-emphasized (so I didn't include a content warning).

By contrast, Blacknight is the black sheep of his family and an infamous rake, who has had the misfortune of inheriting the Earldom.  The prospects of his duty are overwhelming and he hopes to gameify it a bit, using his infamous gambling skills, but engaging Mrs. Feld to help.  Blacknight suffer from a hard case of insta-love, and will do anything to win over the widow who has vowed to remain single.

I actually really enjoyed how Grey played with the inheritance as a burden, and showed the real downsides of the aristocracy.  His relatives haunt him with requests and their hand out, and he is supporting a multitude of loosely related people.  Coupled with two older uncles who have made it their primary mission to school him into shape, Blacknight seeks out Brina who has entranced him after an initial meet-cute.

The romance between the two build sweetly as they transition from stranger to friends and then, finally, to lovers.  When their love is challenged in the end, by some really brilliant writing, its nice to see how it is resolved.  This was a fast paced read with really seamless writing, a good romance, and two characters with a fair amount of inner conflict.  That inner conflict is never exhausting or overplayed, but does give both characters depth.

I enjoyed seeing the reforming of a rake (and maybe a bit of unwinding the widow) and the very sweet and romantic gestures that start to sway Brina's stalwart feelings against marriage.

I think the only thing I didn't like was that it didn't make sense to me that this woman, who feels burdened by grief and dedicated to service, goes to so many ton functions.  In some ways it makes sense as the happy middle between debauchery and nunnery (two options Brina explored for herself), but I think I could have used a tad bit of internal reflection on that to make it make sense.  I also would have liked a bit more internal insight into what the rakehell payoff was for Blacknight.  I suppose the thinking is that a life full of vice and adventure is payment enough, but given his transformation it felt like maybe there was just an emptiness there that was being fulfilled...but I am still not sure what.

Regardless of that feeling of wanting a bit more insight (which I think is probably a good sign of how I was invested in the characters), this was really an easy read with a sweet romance, some interesting scenes, and enough of those historical touches to create an immersive experience.  Any violence, mature themes, and intimacy are handled deftly, with a light touch, so while kisses only readers wouldn't enjoy it, I do think its appropriate for most other readers.

The third in a series, this worked great as a standalone, but I do think readers interested in second marriages for widows would enjoy the whole series.  I recommend checking this book out when it is released on April 27th, so you have plenty of time to dive in to the first two books now!

4.75 out of 6 An easy read about a widow unwinding and a reforming rake

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

For Brina Feld, she felt the loss of her husband especially hard. Widowed at 18, after being married only 3 months, she relied on the support of her parents, and her friends, Adeline and Julia. She is still in love with her late husband, and can never imagine wanting to remarry - rather she thought to join the Sisters of Pilwillow Crossings and help those less fortunate than herself. Now moved into the home nearby the school she, Julia, and Adeline set up, she is more than happy to occupy herself with her volunteer work, and teaching the girls to paint. However, she lately spent time in Paris with an aunt, and met a handsome stranger while hiding in a bedroom. Her stranger was masked, and tied to a chair, but she released him and let him flee to stop his young cousin from marrying. But he didn't leave without stopping to give her a spine tingling kiss, one she hasn't yet forgot about. And her handsome stranger isn't a stranger any more. It was Zane, the new Earl of Blacknight, and he's already put down a wager at White's that they will become engaged by the end of the Season. Zane never expected to become the Earl, but when three of his family members are killed in a carriage accident, he has to take up the mantle of head of family, and all the responsibility the title brings. He knows he's the black sheep of the family, and needs a bride to help support him, and start his family, but he wants no one other than the respected, and beautiful widowed Mrs Feld. Brina is furious to find herself the topic of a wager, and the subsequent gossip, but she proposes a counter wager: if Zane can withhold from drinking, gambling, and women until the last ball of the Season, she will accept. She never expects him to last a day, let alone a few weeks, what with his reputation as a card shark, but the season is drawing to a close, and Brina must consider whether she can face remarrying, and to someone she is falling for too.

I just loved this book. After reading the other two in the series, I knew I couldn't wait to see Brina find happiness, but I wasn't expecting to fall for her and Zane's story so much. As soon as I started the book, I couldn't put it down, and was finished in just a couple of hours. Brina was young, and in love, when her husband died, and heard the stories of how he saved half a dozen of his fellow passengers before he was unable to save himself. She only has her friends, Julia and Adeline, and their new husbands, for support, but occupies her time in her volunteering. She has never felt an attraction like that to Zane, and fights his seduction at all turns, but it's a hard fought battle that even she can't win, and I just felt that the chemistry between them was perfect. Zane knew his way around a card table, but he never expected to have any sort of responsibility on his shoulders, so finding himself at the helm of the extended Blacknight family, overseeing all of their requests and allowances, as well as the expanse of properties he inherited was a big shock. Two of his uncles offer their support, but it soon becomes clear they want to control him, and force him to fit into the mould of what they expect an Earl to be. The wager between Zane and Brina was hilarious, and it was nice to see how Zane was willing to improve himself for love, though not becoming someone completely different. The ending of the book killed me, and I was dreading that they wouldn't have their happy ending, but all in all, everyone was happy. Seeing the other couples again, in their own romances was a joy too, and I know this won't be my last series by Grey.