I was fortunate to receive an ARC of "Blame It On The Earl" from Netgalley. This is the first  book I am reading by Jane Ashford. She has a unique writing style that I enjoyed. Sarah Moran and Kenver Pendrennon are forced into a marriage of convenience when they fall of a cliff and are stuck together overnight in a cave, and then seen together in a state with disheveled clothes. Kenver's parents are vehemently opposed tonthis marriage and do their very best to ruin any chance of happiness the newly wed couple may have.  Sarah and Kenver learn to get along and in fact enjoy each other's company. Their trials and tribulations make up the gist of the story and their efforts on making their marriage a happy accident.

Sarah and Kenver are forced to wed after an accident has them together overnight. They get married and his parents are horrible to her.

This whole story rushed in the beginning and then just stalled.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

Kenver Pendrennon is heir to an earldom. He falls off the side of the cliff and then Sarah Moran falls when she attempts to rescue him. They spend the night in a cave at the bottom until the tide lets up. To avoid ruining her reputation, they decide to marry. He insists on doing the right thing by Sarah even though his parents are unhappy that she is not from an aristocratic family. After they marry, his parents are patently awful and abusive to her. They treat them both like children. What I found disappointing was Kenver didn't stand up to his parents or their house servants to defend his new wife.

I just reviewed Blame It on the Earl by Jane Ashford. Opinions are my own. #NetGalley

This started out really good and I was swept up until...the mother. (::cue the evil music**)

Sarah & Kenver have a life-threatening meet-cute after falling out of a cave down a cliff and escaping drowning by crawling up into another cave for the night. Now, however, Sarah is "ruined" and Kenver (who is heir to an Earldom and kind of a wuss) steps up and proposes to the cool chick who saved his life. I wish this book had given me more Kenver and Sarah bonding and less family drama.

Of course, his parents aren't thrilled and treat Sarah like garbage. This is where it got really frustrating for me. Kenver's mom is straight up Cinderella's Evil Stepmother, and Mrs. Squeers from Nicholas Nickleby rolled into one! You just want someone to punch her and it takes WAY too long for anyone to stand up to her.

I was rooting for Sarah's parents or the Duke & Duchess (her friends) to take the newlyweds in or just ANYONE to call the Pendrennon's out directly on their shit. Come on, KENVER!

ENTER Tamera, the estranged sister who married "beneath herself" and was disowned.
"AHA! Finally," I thought. "Someone who will put this matriarch in her place!" ... FAIL.
Honestly, at this point I was still reading just to see this B get her due and had given up on a decent love scene.

I was so excited when S&K finally moved out, but that was too short-lived. I would've liked an open-door love scene with some steam after all the trouble they went to in order to even HAVE a wedding night. This is closed door and brief, so the romantic pay-off was disappointing as well. I don't think I'll continue with any of the other books in this series. It was just not focused on the couple as much as I like, and the romantic hero didn't live up to my standards.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book - I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the first of this author's books that I have read and I am so glad I started with this one, as it is totally in my wheelhouse.

I fell in love with both Sarah and Kenver. Their nerd romance and genuine compassion for other people just makes them both total cream puffs. The book isn't as raunchy as some of the other historical romance novels I enjoy, but there is no lack of passion or swoony moments in the book.

I love the fact that there are elements of the previous books in this story., which peaks my interest in reading the other novels in the series.

I'm looking forward to reading Charlotte's story, she sounds like a firecracker!

Blame It on the Earl is a sweet and cuddly romance about Sarah and Kenver, who are thrust together after a tumble from the cliffs near Tintagel leaves them stranded alone overnight. While there was definitely a spark between the two of them, they are not prepared for a speedy marriage to prevent scandal. When Kenver takes his new bride home to meet his parents, not only are they against the marriage, they are downright hostile to Sarah. The couple must learn to both adjust to marriage and to navigate the family dynamics.

This is the third book in The Duke's Estates series, and while I did not read the first 2, I still enjoyed this book. However, as other characters in the series appear in this book and contributed to the story, I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had read the first 2 books. Sarah is strong female protagonist, and while Kenver initially seemed a little clueless, he did grow on me. I did enjoy the seeds being planted for future storylines with other characters, and even an apparent furthering of the storyline between lead characters from the first 2 books. In case it matters to you, this is a closed door romance.

This wasn't my thing. The parents were killing me, and I'd like some more steam, but there is certainly an audience for this style of historical.

i enjoyed this much more than i expected and will be reading more! also the cover is very pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet marriage-of-necessity tale from Jane Ashford -- only this time, the hero's mother-in-law is such a pill, it takes away a bit from the hero. If a guy can't stand up to his mother when she is cruel to is bride, it's hard to think of him as a man. The H/h meet in an emergency. Kenver Pendrennon is heir to an earldom; he falls off a cliff and Sarah Moran seeks to save him. They end up in a cave overnight which in Regency times means they have to marry. When the future earl takes his bride home, his parents conspire to stop them from having a real marriage. It's a tad uncomfortable. Yet the sweetness of the love story triumphs in the end. Both Kenver and Sarah are delightful people; how Kenver became such a good person with his mother is almost a miracle. He eventually grows a backbone, too, a circumstance that saves the story. (I received an eARC via NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

Title: Blame it on the Earl
Author: Jane Ashford
Pages: 360

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Sarah Moran did not expect this outing to end with her, drenched in seawater and sheltering in a cave with a stranger... A male stranger, but after a night of fantastical conversation and a little bit of cuddling, they emerge into scandal.

Kenver did not expect to end this outing engaged, but after spending a night with Sarah, he can't be too upset about it. Now only to convince his parents that Sarah, is lovely, smart caring and good for him. Which proves a lot more difficult than he first thought.
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I was hesitant to read this book, I will admit. I did not enjoy the second book all that much, but this book was enjoyable. As with the previous book my favourite characters were the Dule and Duchess, but at least in this story the main characters were really likeable, the plot interesting if a bit long and the conflict exciting.

I really did hate Kenver's parents and would not have been too sad to see them end up dead. That sounds harsh, but until you meet them you wouldn't understand. Kenver was a good main character, as I enjoyed seeing traits in him that are usually reserved for female protagonists in historical romance. Shy of confrontation, unwilling to rock the boat, and whimsical, he really was a nice character to explore. Sarah on the other hand was bitingly smart, a reader and fierce for those she cares about was the perfect foil for Kenver and they made such an adorable couple you couldn't help but root for. I will say that the book felt a bit unnecessarily long and could have done with the snipping of a few storylines.

I am so happy I enjoyed this book and will definitely make a plan to read book 1, for my favourite characters. I will probably continue to read this series as the author releases more books and I am excited to see where she takes it.

Shy Sarah Moran wasn't a hit during her London Season, and didn't expect to be; modest if well-read young ladies from merely respectable circumstances are not exactly mobbed by suitors. She's happy to be back in Cornwall and thinks she's through with adventures--until she and a handsome stranger suddenly tumble off a cliff near Tintagel Castle. With her companion knocked out by the fall, Sarah saves them both from drowning in the incoming tide by dragging him to refuge in a cave along the beach. There they huddle, sharing warmth and stories, until the tide goes out and they can emerge the next morning, grateful for their lives . . . and facing the enormous scandal of having been alone together.

Kenver Pendrennon has never gone against his parents, the Earl of Trestan and his formidable Lady. He doesn't like conflict and, when his eldest sister was struck from the family due to some unspoken trespass, Kenver learned to keep his head low and obey. But when he realizes that shy, sweet Sarah will be ruined by the gossip if he doesn't do the honorable thing, Kenver goes against his parents' wishes and offers her marriage. It isn't honor alone that compels him; he felt a connection during their first hours together and hopes that might develop into a happy marriage.

Little does he know that his parents are going to resist the match by every means possible. Kenver will have to acquire the mettle of adventuring knights of old if he wants to protect and keep his damsel, and he very much does, for Sarah's clever mind, kind spirit, compassionate heart, and lively humor keep showing him, day by day, that she is a woman worth fighting for. But with his parents dead-set against them and no place they can call their own, how can Kenver and Sarah's fragile attraction blossom into something lasting and real?

I've enjoyed how each of the installments in the Duke's Estates series have had such a different feel. The Duke Who Loved Me, Cecelia and James's story, had a marriage of convenience, slow-burn appeal; Earl on the Run, Harriet and Jack's story, was a delightful Regency romp with swift banter and sexy byplay. Kenver and Sarah's romance is sweet and soulful, but their obstacles are less about circumstance and more rooted in who they are. I admit that the conflict with Kenver's difficult mother--VERY difficult mother--was heavy going for me at times; the portrayal was too realistic for my comfort. But this figure provides real, substantial conflicts that the leads must overcome, and I kept reading because I had to know how they might achieve their HEA after all.

As in Earl on the Run, Cecelia and James return in this book to play a prominent role, but they're adorable and it's a joy to see how their relationship continues to deepen. The setting in Cornwall provides welcome atmosphere, complete with haunted house and an itinerant stranger named Merlin. The themes of family healing and reconciliation are touching as the truth about Kenver's sister is revealed, and it's nice to see a good girl win through sheer force of intelligence and compassion. I was rooting for Sarah the whole time.

The leads are appealing, the romance is tender, the conflict is deep and complex, and the book feels historically grounded, especially with Sarah tossing off historical tidbits she's gleaned from her reading. I had the kind of happy sigh at the ending that is precisely the reason I go to this genre to escape the conflicts of real life. Thank you, Jane Ashford, for another gem!

Blame It on The Earl continues The Duke’s Estates series with a couple who I enjoyed – when it was just them in the scenes – but, unfortunately, Kenver’s mother is in this one as well and she is one nasty piece of work.

While on an outing along the shore with her parents, Sarah is fascinated with the possible sighting of a cave entrance. As she is an intelligent young woman with a fanciful streak she’s already weaving stories and possibilities for this mostly hidden cave’s entrance. What she didn’t expect was to find someone else within that cave, nor to instinctively reach out to help the man when it seems he was about to fall into deeper waters. The result? Well, being trapped in a cave with the tide coming in will mean that these strangers will spend an uncomfortable night together… with the expected results from parents and society at the time. It doesn’t matter that during the time trapped they had talked, perhaps felt the first stirrings of attraction, what matters now is propriety and that means a hasty marriage. Something that neither wants at this early point, but they’ll have no choice but to comply.

While I always enjoy this author’s storytelling abilities, this time I absolutely loathed several characters from the first meeting (and they only got nastier as time went on). Not every hero is going to be dashing, brave beyond belief, and able to stand up to family members. The way that Kenver’s mother (and by not stopping his wife – his father as well) treats her grown son… and the reprehensible way she treated Sarah was heartrending and only infuriated me at those characters and took away somewhat from Sarah and Kenver’s romance.

I finished Blame It on The Earl but it certainly wasn’t a favorite of this author’s works. The writing is smooth, the details amazing, and the story basically good – but for me, it was very difficult to watch a grown man allow his mother to act as she did toward his new bride. Yes, circumstances were involved, but so were emotions, the beginning of a love that needed a bit of tending to grow strong enough to stand the onslaught of hate from one woman and some of her servants. It sounds strange, I acknowledge that, but it was very hard to root for a hero’s happiness when I cannot find the least respect for his lack of action in defending the woman he does have feelings for. Everyone reads the same story with a different perspective, that’s true no matter the book. Yet this time around I wish Kevner had found his backbone a bit sooner and stood up to his hate-filled mother. It was a good story – with characters that I didn’t always like.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own -good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*

Blame it On the Earl by Jane Ashford
The Duke’s Estates #3
Historical Romance
Publication Date: August 23, 2022

Sarah is visiting a local estate rich in Arthurian history when she tries to save a man from going over a cliff. Panicking he grabs ahold of her and brings her over with him. As he lies unconscious, Sarah does the only thing she can, and drags him into a nearby cave to wait out high tide. Spotting Sarah after her ordeal, her family assumes the worst and demands this man marry their daughter. Kenver, heir to an earldom, is not used to defying his family wishes but he is intrigued by this strange girl and her bravery.

The marriage between the two happens pretty early on in the book and the rest of the novel’s focus isn’t so much on Sarah and Kenver’s relationship but more on how the two navigate his family’s very obvious disapproval. Their romance is a closed-door one.

The mother is frankly a tyrant and her husband just follows her lead. This means that if the climax isn’t going to be Sarah and Kenver declaring their love then it should be dramatic in terms of the mother’s comeuppance. This just didn’t deliver. Their confrontation was anti-climatic and unsatisfying.

The involvement of the Arthurian tales into the narrative was a bit odd. I’m not really sure why there was a Merlin-but-Really-Oliver character? I was a bit confused by it all.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing an advanced reader’s copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah is exploring some ruins when she comes upon a man who needs her help. After helping him and having to spend the night with him she is considered compromised and the man she saved, Kenver offers to marry her.

It is a sweet romance story and you can see the love grow between Kenver and Sarah.

While Sarah's family is excited about the marriage, Kenver's family is not thrilled in the least. His mother goes to great lengths to try and separate Kenver and Sarah. I wish Kenver had stood up to his mother and made it known he would not stand for any disrespect toward his bride and cemented Sarah's place in his life. I'm more inclined to liking Heroes that will stand up for their partner.

All in all this was a good read.

The third book in the Duke’s Estates series a well written story that I found myself smiling as I read. Kenver Pendrennon and Sarah Moran end up falling over a cliff and take selter in a cave overnight they are found the next morning. I enjoyed seeing them get a happy ending with all the ups and downs they went through with his parents. The story was well written and held my interest throughout. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I like romance and this story was romantic but some of my favorite things in this book was that in this case, is the male main character that because of the love of the female main character finds his voice to stand up on his own. The story is cute and sweet.

I always except a Jane Ashford novel to be a sweet and heart warming story that will feel like a nice warm hug. This novel is exactly that, the story is sweet and very low angst, there is minimal conflict in the relationship, lots of the conflict in the story is outside of the main romantic relationship and the growth of the story focus on the characters. Ashford’s writing is well laid out, accessible and is softly paced. Because the novel is more focused on the nuances of day to day life, the pace is gentle and can feel slow in moments but is what I fully expected from this novel. If you enjoy a gentle romance with very low/to no steam levels, Ashford is definitely an author for you.

This romance is between Kenver, the heir to an earldom, and Sarah, an untitled young lady from Cornwall. When Kenver takes a tumble over a cliff and Sarah tries to rescue him, they both find themselves stranded in a sea cave all night until the tide goes out. In order to safe Sarah’s reputation the two get married but when they return to his home his parents are very unfavorable to the marriage and try to keep it from being consummated at every turn.

Sarah is a very sweet heroine, she is young and smart and thoughtful. While being constrained by the times and her gender she still tries to keep her head up and stand tall. Kenver, while a sweet hero towards Sarah at many times, does feel weak and a push over more often through out the novel due to the relationship he has with his parents. While Sarah wants to make the best out of her marriage and have a true one, she is constantly thwarted be Kenver’s awful parents. We see Sarah constantly mistreated by them, but it shows her strength in character, her kindness and her heart. Ultimately, these situations make me look down on and think less of our hero. Yes, he does eventually learn to stand of for himself and Sarah, it is hard to watch him take so long to come to this conclusion as well as his growth in this area is leaking because we don’t see a more steady growth. I did love the fact that Sarah and Kenver both share an interest in Arthurian legend. It is delightful and sweet how they can bond over a mutual interest. And even with the hardship of hero’s relations, we still do get some lovely growth of trust and interest between Sarah and Kenver. I do feel like the lack of sensuality and an exploration of a physical side of their relationship takes away some of the heartwarming moments and true believability in the growing of a loving relationship (but I do know to expect this with an Ashford novel).

Overall, I was charmed by the set up of this novel and while I got pretty much what I expected, I still felt a lack of believability in their relationship and a disheartening around the overall growth of the hero’s character. If you like the pacing and story telling of Ella Quinn and Mary Balogh, Jane Ashford is definitely worth checking out.

Sarah and her family are touring Tintagel Castle, where legend has it that King Arthur was born. She and Kenvar are exploring along the same cliffs when they fall over the edge. They escape the incoming tide by climbing into a cave. The next morning, they find their way out, and Sarah’s worried family. What happens if you fall off a cliff and are stranded in a cave with a handsome gentleman? You do the proper thing to avoid scandal; you get married. Sarah’s family insists; Kenvar’s parent’s, the Earl and Countess of Trestan are not happy. How will all this work out? Sarah and Kenvar are an adorable couple. They had some trouble at first, but things eventually got better. There is quite an array of secondary characters, some good, some not so much. The Duke and Duchess of Tereford are here for advice and support. The story is interesting and easy to read, with a few twists and turns, and there is a happy ending. An enjoyable read.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was a somewhat slow paced read. The main character, Kenver is the heir to a Earldom, he is also a meek person that allows his parents total control of his life. When on a jaunt to getaway from the tension at home he meets Sarah at a tourist stop near some cliffs. Clumsy Kenver slips and reaches out to grab Sarah and they both tumble down to the beach below. Kenver is unconscious and Sarah struggles to find shelter from the rising tide. Finally found after spending the night together the only option is to marry to avoid the gossip of the Ton. They find they get along together quite well, but Kenver mother is not happy! She is overbearing and controlling. Kenver knows of nothing differ, but seeing Sarah constantly belittle is not right!
It’s a story of a dysfunctional family and learning to stand up for yourself and the ones you love. I was to the point that a never thought Kenver will finally to the light. That did seem to drag on quite a while. The story was more about the mother than getting to know Sarah and Kenver. I give it 3.5 stars, but rounded up to 4. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #BlameitontheEarl

I really, really wanted to like this book because I enjoyed the previous novel in the series so much. And I think this one had so much potential, but overall, I just found it a little boring.

The leads, Kenver and Sarah, are both so clever and kind, and they meet in a fun way that leads to a somewhat forced marriage. And then after that, things fall apart. Kenver is so meek where his parents are concerned, and it takes him far too long to stand up to them. Because they’re truly awful to Sarah, and I think the book suffers for focusing too much on that. It made the story drag. The Countess is particularly terrible, and I found the part where she gets her “comeuppance” a bit underwhelming.

There is a side character called Merlin who is more than a little odd and eccentric, and while I didn’t mind him at first, the reveal of who he truly is added absolutely nothing to the novel. His presence was wholly unnecessary. He could have been left out completely for more focus on Kenver and Sara actually coming to love each other, which would have strengthened the book.