<b> 3.5 Stars </b>

I love Annabelle Greene and her historical romance books. I adored her Society of Beasts series and when I had the opportunity to read this I jumped at the opportunity to do so.

Like all second chance novels go, in this, someone royally screws up, and the rest of the novel is about getting them back to the place of love. This for the most part was the same, in other ways, quite different. I enjoyed the writing and found the story to be good. It was not perfect, but I enjoyed reading it for the most part.

At first, I intensely disliked Sherborne because of what had occurred but as the book went on, we get to realise that everything was not as it seemed and he was as multi-layered as an eccentric poet could ever be. Richard was a noble sweetheart and a better person than me (because I wouldn't have returned for any reason, lol). I liked their connection together which transitioned from one fraught with anger and betrayal to one with genuine emotional connections.

Unfortunately, this brings me to the thing that frustrated me most about this book: The poor communication. I really REALLY dislike this plot device in books I read. I mean, half the angst and more than half of the push and pull could've and would've been avoided had things been made clearer earlier.

I got it initially, but after the 60% mark, my patience for it was nonexistent. I needed things to happen and they just weren't.

Also, if Richard & Sherborne had not been (and sorry to say) so self-absorbed, they would've seen the obvious signs on the wall about the happenings in the castle much much earlier .

Further, Although I liked the ending, I felt there were a few loose ends , especially concerning Beth's husband and Arturo.

Nonetheless, like I said earlier, this was a well written historical second-chance romance and I would recommend you give it a try should you be in the mood for same.

I'm a big fan of the other books by this author, hee books are firmly in the category of what I would call Regency Done Right, and this book is in the same vein. But the prose is much more poetic and the prose is what I would describe as lyrical which was beautiful to read. That combined with the mountain of angst between the MCs made this book an unique pleasure.

This is a second chance romance after a very brutal public outing and separation. Richard is very right to have anger towards Sherborne and well Sherborne didn't deserve all the blame, he certainly wasn't very apologetic for his past misdeeds. Unfortunately don't expect that to change, Sherborne remains unapologetic but that's one of the reasons that Richard loves him so who can complain?

I did also like the hints of the couple of various mysteries that get solved towards the end, they are very big spoilers so I won't mention them here. I would recommend this to fans of Regency romance or those who like the second chance romance trope. Yes this is a Christmas themed story but very very loosely, but if you're on the look out for a good wintery read, then this one will fill that need.

Not a light and fluffy Christmas story but really good.

I’ve really enjoyed reading Annabelle Greene’s other two MM historical books, The Vicar and the Rake and The Soldier and the Spy – books one and two in the Society of Beasts series – so I was happy to give this one a try.

This book started out a bit slow for me but that may have something to do with real life interfering with my reading time. Once I had a chance to sit down and really concentrate on the book it didn’t take me long to become engrossed in the story.

Something horrible happened to Richard 16 years ago and he blamed his lover and friend, Sherborne. Sherborne writes to Richard imploring him to come see him about a matter that is life or death. Beyond this aspect of the story there is a side story going on about the abandoned baby left with Sherborne. I was intrigued by this aspect of the book as much or more than I was by the main story about Richard and Sherborne. I had my suspicions of what was going on with the baby but I certainly didn’t figure it all out correctly and I think that’s a really good thing when an author can keep me guessing until all is revealed.

There is a lot of back and forth between Richard and Sherborne to the point where it almost becomes tedious which is why I rated the book 4 stars instead of 5. In spite of that I did really enjoy this and the sexy time between Richard and Sherborne was pretty hot. I liked how their relationship evolved from one of antagonistic lovers to something more gentle and loving. I could feel how much they loved each other while at the same time still having negative feelings about what happened in the past.

The blurb does a much better job giving you details about the book so I’m just going to close by saying I love historical MM romance and I think Annabelle Greene’s books are great additions to this genre. I’m looking forward to the next book in her Society of Beasts series coming in May 2022.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

"Come to me. I need you. It’s a matter of life-and-death."

When Richard receives a missive from ex-lover Sherborne, he knows he has to leave the safety of Sicily. Never mind that his freedom and very life could be in danger if he returns to England. Or that Sherborne's words, in an old letter sent to the newspaper, are the reason why.

For sixteen years, Sherborne has regretted the careless, jealous act that ruined Richard's life. Now, something bigger than both of them is at stake. Can Sherborne find a way to make amends?

This is a quietly haunting story of a painful past that won't release its grip on the hearts of these two ex-lovers. Set in a snowy castle near the Scottish border at Christmastime, it mixes in elements of Gothic romance and even farce after some unexpected guests show up. Sensual, deeply emotional, and a little claustrophobic, this story of found families is one you won't want to miss.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

If you're looking for a very angsty story featuring former lovers turned bitter exs, look no further! A Winter's Earl had me feeling all the feels - initially pain and frustration, anger and hurt, and then gradually bittersweet and softer emotions. The miscommunication/withholding of information between Richard and Sherborne had me wanting to shake both of them, but especially Sherborne! Truthfully, I really hated him at first and was convinced that nothing could make me like him. I really didn't understand how Richard was still drawn to him after the horrific way their relationship imploded. However, I had faith in the author - I really love her other books - so I persevered and was rewarded! Their story is fraught and intense and engrossing. My favorite part was seeing them take the time to work through their past, have conversations they should have had ages ago, and learn new ways to love each other. There is also a side plot that I figured out pretty quickly but demonstrates another side of miscommunication.

Overall, an emotionally fraught historical romance set against the backdrop of winter and Christmas in England. Expect the icy blasts of storms before the comforting warmth of a cozy fire.

Have you ever been a fan of a long-running soap opera? Recall all those scenes where two characters talk constantly about .... "talking"? As in, "We really need to talk about our feelings" or "Why can't we just talk about Devon's terrible accident?" or "I've decided to finally tell you .... my deep, dark secret" as they stare off into the distance and furrow their brow?

Yet somehow they never actually TALK, while miscommunication, HUGE misunderstandings and MASSIVE secrets pile up like sands in the hourglass .... (Yup, that's a Days of Our Lives reference.)

I loved Annabelle Greene's "The Vicar and the Rake" and adored the wonderful second chance romance, as well as the way she crafted her MCs and the secondary characters. And starting in on "A Winter's Earl" I had hoped to find the same sort of cohesive story that grabs your attention and won't let go.

However ... reclusive poet Sherborne Clarke and moody self-exiled Earl of Portland, Richard Ashbrook are wrapped in their mutual misery of a youthful infatuation and so-very-hot affair cut short by betrayal. The betrayal is all they talk .... and NOT talk about ... for almost 300 pages. There is brow-furrowing aplenty and numerous angry scenes ending with Richard storming off, while Sherborne suffers in noble silence. We get POV from both MCs, yet I never found myself gaining a deeper understanding of either character.

The secondary characters are also somewhat murky and unfleshed out, while the plot device to get Richard and Sherborne together is lightly explored, in my opinion. Personally, I felt this particular book was a near-miss, but I continue to admire Annabelle Greene's work and look forward to reading more from her. 3 stars.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I really enjoyed. The characters were really interesting with great backstories and the pace was good. The author created an interesting situation for the MC that was really enjoyable and kept me reading it. This will definitely not be the last book by this author that I read.

I enjoyed this so much. Annabelle Greene's writing and character dynamics are very addictive, and this book is no exception. I'm not usually a fan of lovers to nemise to lovers trope, but this book had so much yearning, it was great. It way passionate, intense, witty, with so much pining. I loved the baby mystery, the atmposphere, and the secondary characters. The way the story unfolds, slowly uncovering their past was great, and there was a lot of cuteness too (Parsley!😍😍). The ending was so swoony as well. I highly recommend this.

I have received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley, and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review.

A Winter’s Earl by Annabelle Greene

A Regency Romance


What a wonderful story filled with second chances, romance, and the holiday spirit. I was swept into the past and immersed in a story that made me hope for a HEA for more than one in this book!

What I liked:
* The setting, plot, character development, and beautiful writing
* Richard Ashbrook: nobility, banished, abandoned by family, exposed, scarred, lonely, and hurt…
* Sherborne Clarke: commoner, alone, wordsmith, gambler, alone, falsely blamed, martyrs himself…mourns the loss of Richard
* Arturo: Sicilian valet to Richard, a good man, interesting, would like to see him in a book of his own
* Parsley: abandoned female infant, taken in by Sherborne, catalyst to bringing the separated lovers together again
* Pauline: housekeeper for Sherborne, capable, has a secret, and deserving
* Hermione: wet nurse to Parsley, friend of Pauline, has a secret
* The traveling menagerie and their human troop: brought something different to the snowbound people in Sherborne’s castle – the bear, parrot, and monkey were definitely something different
* The story of what separated Richard and Sherborne and how it impacted them both – and learning the truth of the matter before the end of the book
* That I was invested in the characters and rooting for them to get together again
* That the second chance at romance came when both men were mature and wise enough to finally get it right
* The conclusion and potential for happiness for more than one in the book.

What I didn’t like:
* The person that caused the trouble between Richard and Sherborne
* The time lost to the two men
* Knowing how horrible the laws and penalties for breaking them that existed in the era of this story and how they would have impacted Richard, Sherborne and others like them

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin – Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Sherborne and Richard were outed to Society nd Richard was exiled to Sicily while Sherborne kept to his castle in the north. Will an abandoned baby and a snow storm bring them together again? You'll want to keep a blanket covering you while you read this - the snowstorm is so realistic. This is a slower, character based story rather than an action packed adventure. If you've read the authors Society of Beasts series, you'll want to read this also even though it's not part of the series.

I liked other books by this author but this one wasn't my cup of tea: I liked the characters but the plot is a bit inconsistent and the story didn't keep my attention.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

3.5 Stars
A Winter’s Earl is a holiday, second chance, MM, historical romance, which are all things that I love. Unfortunately this book fell a little flat for me. It’s apparently based on the Shakespeare play A Winter’s Tale which I have never seen nor do I know the story of, and maybe if I did I would have appreciated the story more.

The story follows Sherborne Clarke, a poet, and his former lover and best friend Richard Ashbrook. Ashbrook has been living in exile after a letter written by Sherborne outed him to his family and society several years ago. When Sherborne writes saying he needs help Ashbrook returns to find Sherborne has found a baby on the estate grounds and does not know what to do with her. The pair come together for the sake of the baby and rekindle their feelings for one another.

I wanted to like both Sherborne and Ashbrook but really struggled with both of them and I can’t quite pinpoint why. The book was dual POV so it’s not like I never got to know their thoughts. I don’t know if it was the writing style, but I always felt like I was kept at a distance from the pair. I did really enjoy the side characters and found that they added to the story.

Overall I didn’t hate it but didn’t love it. Thank you to Harlequin Carina Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Winter's Earl is a story of second chance at love and redemption. It M M romance. Richard felt betrayed by Sherborne 16 years ago when he revealed his sexuality in the paper. But all is not what it seems!!
He got exiled to Sicily and one day he received a letter from Sherborne. That is where the story start.
The story was enticing but the sex scenes were missing depths and were a bit too tame for me.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This is my honest opinion.

A Winter's Earl by Annabelle Greene is a regency romance that gives readers a clever twist on Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. It is well crafted, well-written with such beautiful, lyrical writing that will leave readers wanting more.

This was a quick moving romance that felt real, with characters that you could root for. I will say that sometimes the choices of characters did not make much sense to me but otherwise this was a very great book!

Will their guilt and ire continue to stand between the truth …

I confess it is the cover which caught first my eyes, the blurb intrigued me.
So here I am.

Oh my!
Sixteen years of estrangement because of someone else ill thought deed.
So here they are now, face to face with the angst and the wounds that have had years to fester, the unsaid, the lies, the betrayal but also the love they once shared.
When they parted way all those years ago, they were ill-equipped for love. Their feelings were at their early stages, raw, brutal and filled with doubts, jealousy and pain.
And while everything is still there a decade and a half later, they have matured, their feelings and their wounds still open but no more bleeding.
Richard had to leave everything behind and rebuild his life after his sexual preferences were published, so he lives in exile, in a sort of limbo of existence as he never was able to let go of his past love, despite the treason.
Sherborne made a name of himself but he never recovered from his parting with Richard, ashamed that his words were Richard’s downfall even if he was not the one behind the published deed, the thoughts were his. So he silenced his hurt and let go the man he loved.

Would their life have been different if Sherborne had been able to confide in Richard, he did not have his thoughts published, but their affair at that time was one too tumultuous for them to see reason. As they have matured, while the scars are still à vif, will Richard be able to put aside his pain and anger and listen to Sherborne without rushing to assumptions. And can Sherborne lessen his guilt enough to shared his own pain.
Their reunion is in some way a means to clean the stake but interlopers and others’ secret repeatedly impede their journey toward one another and the truth.

In all, a lovely second chance romance about two prideful stubborn wounded lovers.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Carina Press, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

A Winter's Earl is a m/m historical romance that follows Richard as he returns to his ex-lover's manor 16 years after said ex-lover outed their relationship to a newspaper. I usually don't read romance novels, but I'm glad I gave this one a go since I read a lot of Victorian-era books anyway. I read it quickly in two sittings and thought it was cute (albeit the basis being a miscommunication spanning 16 years). I liked the characters though, especially Sherborne.

Tropes/rep:
-Second chance romance
-lovers to enemies to lovers
-romance with characters 30+
-m/m, f/f side character
-miscommunication
-forced proximity

TWs:
-off page past s*xual assault
-su*cidal thoughts
-public outing

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This m/m Regency romance is such a clever twist on Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale, a thoughtful adaptation without being either too esoteric nor too faithless. The story is crafted with such beautiful, lyrical writing that truly made me ache for the heroes, the side characters (who are heroines in their own right), and all the many forms of love celebrated in these pages.

CW: Public outing, suicide (ideation and attempt), drowning, accidental pregnancy

Thanks to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC.

When I started this, I was hesitant. Historic romances aren’t usually my thing, because their almost always based around blatant homophobia. While “A Winters Earl”’s main conflict is mildly a product of the homophobia of its time, the story was endearing enough to overshadow. Richard was an alright narrator, but I absolutely adored when Sherborne took the reigns. Not a whole lot of steam, but that isn’t necessary to this plot, and if there’s one thing about romances I can’t stand it’s out of character smut scenes. High angst, but deserved. The cast of B characters add a charm to this book that it needed: Arturo (Richards servant) is probably the most loyal servant In history. Beth is one of the most layered characters I’ve read in a book like this in ages, and her progression really stands out. Overall, middle of the pack for me, but worth the stars for character development alone.

This wasn’t for me and I liked The Vicar and the Rake infinitely better. There’s a lot of back and forth between the characters about an old hurt that’s pretty serious. Serious enough that I wondered if it could even be resolved. But with more explanation that was easier to move passed.

However, I wasn’t really understanding the connection between the characters apart from the physical. They suck at communicating and it was hard for me to understand their bond.

And the circus bit was a little over the top for me. I ended up skimming the last 10% or so. I have to admit though that one of Sherborne’s final acts was super sweet. I wish more of that part of his personality had been explored or more to do with his poetry perhaps.

Thank you Carina Press and NetGalley for the ARC!