Brina Feld has always been a proper lady. Long ago while visiting her aunt one night in Paris she decides to foolishly attend a masquerade ball dressed not plainly but in a bright pink ballgown. In wearing this a nobleman chases her. Brina must escape and hides out in a room but the room is already occupied by another man tied to a chair. Brina is intrigued by the mysterious man who pleads relentlessly to please untie him. Brina throws caution to the wind and does, but in doing so he passionately kisses her. Many years later Zane Browning, Earl of Blacknight, spies a familiar face the selfsame woman he met years ago in Paris. Zane decides that he must have her and wagers that Brina will be married to him by the end of the season. Brina does all she can to avoid Zane to marry him is out of the question but pretty soon the attraction boils over and despite her resolve love finds a way. Still, the secrets between them could destroy them in the end.
What a wonderfully written lovely historical romance! The story starts out beautifully at a masquerade, building in mystery and suspense definitely capturing the interest not just for them both but us too. This is probably one of the truer regencies because yes there is steam and heat especially with all the passionate kissing going on, but very little graphic descriptions of sex. Still, you know that the strong emotions are there between the couple and is pretty easily felt. Brina the austere polite woman suffers under the guilt of what happened to her husband. Of course, her feelings of inferiority make her easily relatable. Zane the brash spontaneous handsome Earl is easy to fall for. Sure, he does things quickly never looking or thinking of the consequences manages to be swoon-worthy. The story does have dark points but with the small bits of humor never really transgresses into the depressing and still is an enjoyable read!

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. How to Train Your Earl is the third book in Amelia Grey’s First Comes Love series. I think you will enjoy this book more if you have read the first two. Zane Browning, Earl of Blacknight, was never supposed to be the Earl, a series of tragic deaths have left this black sheep, his family’s leader, and he’s finding it a struggle. Briana Feld, widowed when the Salty Dove sank, has devoted her life to good works to cope with the guilt she feels for being angry at her husband for saving others but not himself. Zane makes a bet that he can win Briana’s hand, and his gamble to win her heart has him trying to make himself a better man to deserve her, but it will only work if she realizes that she deserves a HEA as well. I enjoyed reading this opposites attract story very much. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: April 27, 2021. #HowToTrainYourEarl #AmeliaGrey #StMartinsPress #StMartinsPaperbacks #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalRomanceSeries #OppostitesAttract #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

This story was so awesome. I had been waiting for Brianne’s story. I was captured from the 1st chapter. Zane was my suitor in my head. I thought he was everything Brianne needed but denied herself since her husband died. Can’t wait for more from this author

I’ve read the first book in this series and thought I’d give it one more try. Well, Amelia Grey’s writing style and my preferences are not a match. Too much internal dialogue and descriptions as well as the drama was a bit over the top. Best wishes to her and her future books.

This is the last book of this very delightful series about 3 wealthy widows who rose above their sorrow when their husbands drowned in the sinking of the Salty Dove and decided to aid the families of the sailors who died, by opening a boarding school, The Seafarer's School for Girls, for the daughters of the lost men. Wonderful characters, lively banter and interesting plots make this series one worth reading.

Adeline and Julie have both found love with other men, which leaves only Brina alone. Married only 3 months, she loved her husband, Stewart and has vowed never to marry again, because she will not go through that pain again. Also, no other man has ever stirred her, until she unexpectedly meets Zane Howard Veldon Dormer Browning, the black sheep of the Blacknight family, under unusual circumstances at a Mascarade ball.

Several months later, Zane is suddenly the new Earl of Blacknight after his uncle, and two cousins were killed in a coach accident. Zane doesn't want the honor, but now he has responsibilities. His relatives all have demands on him and he is being pressured to marry. When he spots Brina walking down the street, he realizes that she is the only one he wants and begins the most unusual courtship ever done. Can his unorthodox ways convince Brina that he needs her and she most definitely needs him?

I read an ARC from NetGAlley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review

I thoroughly enjoyed the third book in Amelia Grey’s First Comes Love series! While it is a stand-alone story, it has lovely cameos of main characters from the previous books. The story is well-written and full of humor, witty banter, angst, and great chemistry between the hero and heroine.

This book will capture your attention from the start. How can it not when Brina, trying to escape a drunken partygoer, bursts into a room and finds Zane tied to a chair. He orders her to untie him and when she eventually does, he kisses her and runs out!

Zane Browning is the new Earl of Blacknight and is not happy about that fact. Nor is he happy about his uncles pestering him to marry. However, if he must then he wants to marry the woman who released him at the party. When he identifies her, he places a bet in Whites’ books that he will get her to agree to marry him by the end of the season.

Brina Feld’s husband died rescuing men from his ship, the Salty Dog, as it was sinking. She has no desire to remarry and has spent the ensuing years running a boarding school (with her two best friends, also widows) for the daughters and sisters of the ship’s crew who died. Again, she has no desire to remarry so when Zane tells her of his bet, she is furious and sets some rules of her own.

Can Zane meet Brina’s challenges to become the winner of the bet? Or will he fall back on his old vices when the going gets tough? You will enjoy their journey through the season.

Thank you to Amelia Grey, St. Martin’s Publishing, and Netgalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily read the book and gladly leave my unbiased opinion.

As a lover of all things historical romances I was excited to try out a new author for this genre. As my first read by Ms. Amelia Grey, I have to say I did enjoy it. But it was a little tame, and I was missing that intense connection between the two characters. Nevertheless, I'm intrigued to try out more of Ms Grey's books.

*ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This is the third book in a series, but the first I have read and it stands well on it's own. This is a regency romance told in dual points of view. The main characters are well developed, but so different a romance seems unlikely! Our MFC - Brina Feld (25 years old) has been widowed for five years. Her husband was killed in a shipwreck while saving many lives. She is guilt ridden and vows never to marry again, and devotes herself to a school and training center for the wives and children of the killed sailors. Our hero, Zane, Earl of Blacknight is a gamester and rake of the highest order until the deaths of his uncle and two cousins leave him as the Earl. This moves him from Black sheep to head of family over night! Previously, Zane and Brina meet by accident and she aids him in saving his nephew. Neither expects to see the other again, but each has vivid memories of their encounter. Now as Earl, with his family dogging his every move to push him to start a family and hand over their allowances, he decides Brina is the girl for him! He places a wager at Whites that she will agree to marry him by the end of the season. She counters his wager by requiring he give up drinking, swearing, gambling and of course women! The story proceeds from there, but the pace is now too slow. I did not care for Brina, she is too guilty, too pious and immature. On the other hand I did like Zane, but felt he should have been more forceful with his family. Zane was much too accommodating to everyone! I still enjoyed the concept, but wished for some modifications.
I received an ARC from Net Galley. I chose to read the book and the review is mine alone.

3.75 stars

How to Train Your Earl is a cute, sweet historical about grief, responsibilities, and new relationships amidst the gossiping elite of the Haute ton.

Brina Feld has settled herself into a life devoted to helping others to offset her immeasurable grief at losing her much-beloved husband in the sinking of the Salty Dove. She is much sought after, as many wealthy widows are, but none will do for her. Her husband is dead. But one fated night, she does something rash. She wanted to shake off her widow clothes and act, well, very unwidowly. But the second she enters the masked-house party, she knows she is in over her head. In an attempt to hide herself away until the party was over, she stumbles on a scene most risque. A masked man tied to a chair, in a room, alone. Her actions earned her a kiss from the mysterious stranger and thus all her carefully crafted widowed facade starts to crumble.

Lord Blacknight's life is changed one fateful day and he is reeling from its effects. He never expected to be in his position but now is faced with picking up the mantle of his family's name. The notorious and handsome rake returned to London and is struggling to meet all his family and society's expectation when he sees a woman that he never thought he'd meet again. The mysterious woman that helped him out of a most precarious situation. Now that he knows who she is, and knowing his family's expectations as he is the newly minted Lord Blacknight, it only seems fitting that he engages the proper lady's services again. Except, the more Brina engages with the wildly outlandish Lord, the more she awakens something she once thought long dead.

I really enjoyed this book. It was cute and full of a sweet slow burn (at least on Brina's end) that trenched through layers of snarky banter, elements of grief, as well as, awakened fire and passion. All around I did truly enjoy the couples interactions as well as the re-emergence of the previous books' couples in the overall storyline. I do love historical romances that involve previously married parties (so we miss out on the whole introduction to the physical love part- it gets so old.) I will say that while the story was solid, I felt a missing element in the couple's connection that I cannot quite place. However, I felt the steam off of these two from the first, so, it sort of evens out. Regardless my heart was engaged throughout.

Definitely recommend this for lovers of historical romances with the sweet sting of second love.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a fast moving fun story. Anyone who enjoys historical romance will love this. Second chance at love and reforming a rake. With some humor too. It has it all! I really didn't see that ending coming . A delicious read

There are times when I am reading that I am conflicted. I am unsure how to review the book. The reasons include the quality of the work but also my mindset when reading. This was a good book, not a great book. However, I would recommend it and the series. There were a few nuances to the writing I found a little lacking. For reasons I cannot pinpoint, I found my mind wandering at times. My attention was not 100% through the entirety of the book. It was entertaining but a little predictable.

The characters of Zane and Brina were spot-on. They were both written vividly and with great attention to detail. Brina is a widow who has had a difficult time since her husband passed. Her grief and stages of mourning she went through were believable and realistic. I loved her independent nature and her inner strength. She had the moxy and fortitude to stand toe to toe with Zane. Zane was a rake with no desire to be an Earl. He was thrown into the role expecting to fail. Going through all the trials he faces throughout the book, he earned my respect. He was flawed and outrageous at times. A free spirit not wanting to conform to society’s strict rules. Zane was just an all-around lovable character. The book received a four-star review because of the strength of these characters. Their personalities carried the brunt of the book.

The connection between Zane and Brina was a little shallow and coerced. I didn’t feel the passion strongly between the two during the romantic moments. Their interactions seemed a little staged at times. The romance between the two improved three-fourths into the story. By the end of the book, I felt that they cared for one another.

The plot was multifaceted and intricate though characters felt forced into situations at times. The conditions, although true to the story, came across as being contrived. The plot moved at an even pace and held a lot of content. It was a fiercely strong storyline; it just fell through with the delivery sometimes.

After reading this review, I hope you understand my conundrum with this book. There was nothing terrible or boring that stood out; it just didn’t shine as brightly as I wished. It was a good, strong story. I felt with a little more focus on character and plot connection; this could have been an outstanding five-star book. I can sense the greatness that these books could be, and I feel that future books could be stellar. The plot needs a little sprinkle of passionate, soul-searing connections. I am hard on this book because I see its potential. All that being said, I liked the authenticity of the book and will read future works to come.

I have now read all the books in this series, and was really looking forward to Brina's story! It started out really strong, with Brina finding Zane tied to a chair and he trying to convince her to untie him. From there is had so many elements that should have kept me from being able to put this book down. The wagers, Zane trying to find his place in the world, the family dynamics. But this book ended up taking me nearly 3 weeks to finish. It wasn't until the last 1/4 of the book that I was really hooked. I think it had a bit to do with Brina being a bit too perfect, and the steam was very low on this one if that is something you look for.

All in all, a good story that just didn't suck me in.

I felt lukewarm on this book. I liked the beginning, but the middle seemed a bit repetitious. The ending was uneventful and predictable. I didn’t read her other books in this series, so I can’t compare this one to the other two.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

How To Train Your Earl by Amelia Grey

2 Stars - So I truly hate to give a book 2 stars.. especially an Amelia Grey book! I have really loved all the other books I have read by her, this one however didn't do it for me. It started out great! The plot line was promising the banter was fun and the chemistry was all there.

Sadly I hit about half way and started to feel the repetition of the rules of the wager and him abstaining. Then it felt like there was just details and repetition to fill the pages.. nothing concrete to hold my interest. The chemistry was still there between Zane and Brina but then they would start discussing the wager again…

I found I didn't even feel like finishing the book 😕 which when I have made it to 74% I don't wanna cut and run. So, I finished and yes I skimmed. I know all books can't click with everyone, so I will be on the lookout for her next book and give that one a go.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

~ Paragraphs and Petticoats ~

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

I have been provided with a review copy of How To Train Your Earl from NetGalley for an impartial review. This is the third book in the First Comes Love series and I just loved getting to reenter this amazing world. Oh my gosh this story was just epic. I just couldn’t put this story down and I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. The author truly outdid herself with this story. This story just had my emotions all over the place and I am so sad to see this book end. I just can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Brina is fiery passionate; she flaunts society’s rules, and as a widow, she can. Zane has charisma that makes anyone weak in the knees. Brina definitely was up for a challenge. I love with this book, and I think all historical romance fans will too. I highly recommend this book, and the rest of the series; you’ll be laughing out loud at these characters!

This third book in the First Comes Love trilogy was a great ending story for the three women friends who found their true loves in an unusual fashion. Brina Feld and Lord Blackknight (Zane) seemed to be a perfect fit for each other…however reluctant Brina seemed to be. Zane’s diligence in courting Brina and making promises that seemed doomed …led to a heart- throbbing romance. I loved the character that the author gave to both Brina and Zane and enjoyed the care that Zane showed to Brina no matter the circumstance. Of course the cousins, Harper and Robert, led to some interesting side-stories…..and who couldn’t picture Uncle Sly and Uncle Hector as the family elders who had to stick their noses into everything.. That was a fun departure from the usual female elders who would do the same thing! Overall, a quick and entertaining read which could be a stand-alone…but why? A reader will enjoy the other two books of the series just as much! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. #NetGalley #HowToTrainYourEarl

Brina feels since she has the status of widow and is content that she does not need a man. Hence though when Lord Blacknight or Zane returns he wakes up feelings she had turned off. He has his sights and it would seem his heart on Brina. As they toy with each other, you will find yourself turning the pages to see how this works in these unpredictable times.

I really tried to like Grey's books but I can't get into them at all. I can't connect to the characters and the plot is all over the place. I understand why people like her books but she's just not my cup of coffee.