To Covet a Countess is a lovely story about fighting for what you deserve, Sania is a strong woman who has made her way to England from India. She had to escape a bad situation, so she flees to her cousin in England. Things take a turn and she meets Nicholas. Nicholas is a damaged man who doesn't see his worth. As they both forge their path they have to fight for what they want and to find happiness. This is such a heartwarming story!
I highly recommend!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

To Covet a Countess is my first book by Sapna Bhog, and while I didn’t love it, it’s a fairly promising read. I didn’t realize at first it was second in the series, but it works well as a stand-alone.

Sania is a pretty interesting character. I liked the subtle comment on the prejudices of the time period through her eyes, without it feeling too heavy handed or dominating the story. I liked that she was able to find strength in the dire situation she finds herself in.

Nicholas didn’t fully grab me, but I did appreciate that he was fairly open about his feelings early on, and he wasn’t the type to waffle or deny them. I generally liked them as a couple and how they are both generally good people who see the best in each other.

But plot wise, that does leave the story feeling a bit lacking. I’m all for lower angst, especially given my issues with execution in stories that are the opposite at times. But the external plot with Sania’s past coming back to haunt her just wasn’t that engaging to compensate for the romance being fairly uncomplicated.

This is still a pretty sweet story, and hopefully others will get more enjoyment out of it than I did.

OMG, I think Sapna Bhog is my new favorite historical romance author. I loved this book. I loved the plot and I LOVED the chemistry between Sania and Nicholas. Sania is so badass and I love her outspokenness. She does such a great job of putting Nicholas in his place. Cannot wait to read more from this author.

To Covet a Countess is an insta-love story, and it worked perfectly. Sania and her sister, Aisha, escape a tyrant from India, to make their way to her cousins home in England. One fateful, blustery evening, the sisters cross paths with Nicholas, an earl whose home is adjacent to one they are seeking refuge.

This exciting, page-turning story grips the reader to the lustful eyes of Sania and Nicholas. Together, they traverse hardship after hardship to find love. The female characters in the novel are feisty and don't mind a verbal battle with the opposite sex. They speak their mind to seek what the heart desires.

I throughly enjoyed this novel, and its diverse cast of characters. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the complimentary copy.

When the situation at their uncle’s home in India becomes unbearable, Sania Aaryan takes her younger sister Isha and flees to England, where she hopes to find sanctuary with her cousin Lara, the new Duchess of Wolverton. But when they arrive looking bedraggled, Lara is not home and her butler refuses to believe that they are related to the duchess and turns them out. With no money and near-freezing temperatures, Sania takes matters into her own hands and tries to break in.

The last thing Nicholas “Hawk” Delmore, the Earl of Hawksley expects to see while returning home is someone trying to break into his best friend Wolf’s house! He immediately intervenes and gets yet another shock when the small intruder turns out to be a woman, who threatens him with a dagger and then faints! Hawk takes Sania and Isha to his house and sends a letter to Wolf. He plans to keep them at his house until Wolf returns and either confirms or denies their relationship to his wife. What he doesn’t plan on doing is becoming infatuated with the lovely Indian woman, but that is exactly what happens.

Wolf and Lara return and are overjoyed to see Sania and Isha, they immediately move them into their house and get ready to launch them into society. Hawk tries to distance himself from Sania, sure that she would be better off with another man. Events from his past have convinced him that he doesn’t deserve a wife and children, so while he desires Sania, he goes out of his way to avoid her. It is a good plan, too bad Sania doesn’t agree. She refuses to give up on the attraction that is growing between them and eventually, she succeeds in making Hawk believe that they could have a future. All seems to be going well until their betrothal ball when the past comes calling and Hawk lets his insecurities destroy their chance for HEA. Can he convince Sania to give him another chance to prove his love or was his betrayal too much to overcome?

This was a good story, it was well-written and nicely paced, but some things just didn’t work for me. Things like: not stating when the book was set, I’m guessing late-Georgian, a lot of modern verbiages, title errors, and the villain's name/title. What I did like is that the author accurately and subtly addressed the prejudices that Lara and Sania faced in society, she makes Hawk work for his forgiveness, she writes some steamyish love scenes, and she included a charming epilogue. Overall, it was a good read, and while I enjoyed the story, it is not one I would read again. This is the second book in the series, but I had not read the first book and had no trouble understanding the relationships in this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

This is book 2 in the Elusive Lord series. In this one we have two sisters that have fled India to try and seek safety with their cousin the new Duchess. I enjoyed the story but have to say I was disappointed in Nick. He was just a whining annoying guy. He just did not know how to stand up for himself. I just didn’t love the characters but story was fairly well done.

An exciting and page turning story. Sania and her sister Aisha have fled from India to England to escape an overzealous suitor. Nicholas is an Earl who is fighting demons from his past. The story continues a series that has female characters that are feisty and bold and the men who are willing to take them on. They take the Ton by storm and defy all their carefully curated conventions. It makes for a great story as they are not afraid to speak their minds and go after their hearts desire.

I loved the characters, the writing style, and the overall story of this book. I hate insta-lust, though, and to show the heroine scaling the house and climbing into hero's bedroom a quarter of the way through the book was just too much for me. DNF.

A delightful story featuring a young Indian woman and her sister fleeing danger, an Earl with a troubled past, loyal friends and family, and a conniving villain. An enjoyable plot and engaging characters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have never read a book by Sapna Bhog before reading To Covet a Countess. I chose this book because the cover was so beautiful It didn't take me long to figure out that I will definitely add her to my favorite author list. This book is romantic, witty, emotional, and frustrating! You find yourself wanting to dive into the book and smack someone because she puts you right there. The characters are vulnerable, protective, loving and brave. The storyline is one that you just can't put down. I guess what was happening about tow-thirds into the book but I was so riveted into the story that I wanted to find out how it all unfolded. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.

I would like to thank Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

A healing love from halfway around the world!

Sania and her younger sister fled India to avoid an impossible arranged marriage, landing on the front door of her cousin, the new duchess of Wolverton. But first she's rescued from the frigid weather by Nicholas, the duke's best friend and an earl with a heartbreaking history.

This wonderful story deals with the latent (though sometimes overt) racism head on, clearly highlighting the difference between compassion and bigotry. The love story is sweet and sensuous, and I loved the way Sania stood up for herself to anyone who would make her feel less than. As the secrets on both sides come to light, a surprising connection is discovered that threatens to ruin everything Sania and Nicholas have built together.

The HEA and epilogue were everything I could hope for, and I highly recommend this Own Voices romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Sania and Nicholas had a fairly unusual path to love. I enjoyed the twists and turns of their story, especially the big one which I did not see coming at all. The secondary characters do a great job of providing laughs and support at various moments. I enjoyed this unique plot.

When Sania Aaryan flees India with her sister and heads to her cousin in England, she never expected to be caught in a snowstorm and turned away from her cousin’s home by the butler. With her cousin out of town and nowhere safe to wait out the winter storm, Sania decides to break into her cousin’s home, but she is caught by the Earl of Hawksley. Hawk is shocked when he sees a beautiful woman trying to break into his neighbor and friend’s house, and he stops the interloper. However, when he realizes who Sania is and how desperately in need she and her sister are, he honorably steps in to help them until Sania’s cousin returns. Hawk takes the sisters back to his home, and romance blossoms. However, many obstacles stand in their way, including social pressures, the danger Sania fled from, and Hawk’s past.

Sania is a strong and courageous woman who will do anything to protect her sister. She is such an admirable character, kind and caring, astute and intelligent, and a wonderful sibling and friend. Hawk is also quite compelling, and he proves repeatedly that he is an honorable and respectable man. Together, they make quite a pair, and they definitely bring out the best in each other. I like how both slowly become more confident and self-assured because of each other’s influence.

Like the first book in the series, there are powerful messages about racism in England during this time. Sania and her sister are from India, and, like their cousin, they face prejudice because of that. She knows he will face difficulties if he marries her because she is Indian and considered unsuitable, and she refuses to put him in that position. The discrimination makes her feel unworthy of his love, and she fears ruining his reputation. Hawk deals with feelings of unworthiness as well, though for different reasons, and he doesn’t think he’s good enough for Sania. Throughout the story, both characters must face these feelings and decide if their love is worth fighting for.

The romance between Hawk and Sania is almost instantaneous, and the chemistry between the pair is palpable. Though they face a lot of internal and external obstacles, their feelings prove stronger than society’s unwarranted censure, prejudices, family strife, and perilous antagonists who threaten them. They are challenged, both separately and as a pair, and both make mistakes at different points in the story. Hawk, in particular, must prove to Sania that his love is unwavering. However, through it all, their ever-growing feelings are filled with chemistry and passion.

Other characters in the story are fabulous, including Sania’s younger sister and Lara and Wolf, the couple from the first book who have large roles in this book, too. Since Sania and her sister flee to and stay with Lara and Wolf, the couple becomes an important part of the sister’s lives as well as great allies. I love how supportive and protective Lara and Wolf are, and it’s always great to revisit beloved characters and see what’s happening in their lives.

I thought this was a wonderful love story and a strong addition to The Elusive Lords series. The characters are dynamic and layered, and the plot is intriguing. I also appreciate the themes and messages, which are highlighted in the first book as well. I’m super thankful to Entangled Publishing, Netgalley, and Sapna Bhog for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and I’m eager to see who will be the focus of the next book in the series.

This novel was sweetly charming and the perfect way to spend a low angst evening. Sapna Bhog's writing has a conversational ease that quickly draws the readers in, her characters are compelling and interesting, and this novel is quick paced keeping the reader engaged through the entire story. Bhog does a lovely job of showing diversity in a time period that we don't always acknowledge it, while softly commenting on racism and colonization of the time without making this the overall conflict of the plot, but a side issue that the characters are aware of and handle beautifully and gently in their own way.

This story is about Sania, who has recently fled India with her sister, seeking refuge and safety with their cousin who has married a duke and is now a duchess. The novel opens up with a snow storm in which the sisters find themselves in grave needs of warmth but are turned away from their cousin's home by the butler, because the lord and lady are not at home. Sania has been learning to stand up for herself and be brave in situations when she needs to, and because of this she attempts to break into her cousin's house knowing if she and her sister do not find shelter that they will be in very dire straits. During her attempted break in, Nicholas the Earl of Hawksley, and friend to the duke, sees Sania and stops her. Recognizing that she and her sister are in need of assistance, he takes them back to his home and from there, Sania and Nicholas grow more and more attracted to each other as well as cautiously unsure of where their relationship might be going.

Their love story is really a sweet one, they are both instantly attracted in the other and they very swiftly fall into infatuation which grows into love as they spend more time together and learn more about each other. I love that both Sania and Nicholas always see the good, strength and independence in the other. I love that they both want to fight for what is best for the other, even if they don't always agree on what is best. I also love that Sania always sees the good in Nicholas and she fights for herself and him, knowing that they are a partnership. Sania knows that she must stand strong for herself and never back down from what she deserves and I love this, and that through this she can show Nicholas the error of his ways and make him work to earn her trust and confidence. I love that both Sania and Nicholas are surrounded by friends who will fight along side them, show them when they need to take a step back and reexamine the situation, as well as hold them accountable when they need to. This novel is also very sweetly sensual, Sania and Nicholas have a really lovely chemistry that draws them together and carries them through their ups and downs. I love that Sapna Bhog references the ton's racism and gives Sania the words and strength to point out their contradictory ways with out making this the catalyst for our couple not being able to be together.

This was just a really delightful and sweet romance, with two people learning to stand strong for themselves, their needs and wants while being surrounded by a fantastic support system to help them through their ups and downs. This is the first book I have read from Sapna Bhog and it will definitely not be my last!

Nicholas Delmore, the Earl of Hawksley, was not expecting a snowstorm-sieged London evening to end with a dagger held to his throat. Nor did he anticipate his spirited attacker to have glossy black tresses and lush red lips that might invite a lesser gentleman to steal a kiss. But before he can demand his beautiful assailant to identify herself, she faints dead away in his arms.

Sania Aaryan has no choice but to trust the breathtakingly handsome Earl of Hawksley with both her life and her sister’s. Trusting him with the truth, however, is out of the question. Because fleeing India for the icy shores of England was rash. Impulsive. And it might have saved her life—only to land her into the arms of a man who poses an entirely different kind of danger.

Now Sania is experiencing a world filled with luxury and opulent decadence. But starry nights and fairy-tale balls cannot chase away the shadows of Sania’s secrets. Especially when her terrible past arrives in London with an eye for icy vengeance…
Nicholas is undoubtedly the most unlikely hero in this new novel by Sapna Bhog.
Sania is a competent heroine and very likeable.
I haven't read a book by this author before but I will be on the lookout for more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Was it love at first sight? Lust? Intrigue? It certainly was something impactful, and it set up a really beautiful love story. Both main characters are haunted by their pasts, especially Hawk, and they do make mistakes, but they continue to strive to do and be better. Sania was a little too feminist with contemporary dialogue at times, but I attribute that to the author strongly making her feelings known. I loved the pacing of the romance, as well. Yes there was some back and forth, we-can’t-be-together nonsense, but Sania and Hawk truly got to know one another, even outside of the bedroom, and it made their relationship all the more believable.

I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing. All opinions are my own.

I was looking forward to reading this book but I really didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would, everything seems not quite right for my tastes and the only thing I really liked about the book in the end was it’s cover which isn’t really a good thing. The characters felt kinda flat to me.