For when you're vibing with: nerdy heroines, a bit of servant/rich girl (but not really), mystery in your romance, and a looming villain.

Lucy Bertram is in a tight spot: her father wants her to marry an odious man for the sake of her family, and her brother (who would normally be in her corner) is missing. Little does she know that there's an investigator (investigating something else, but still) right under her nose in the form of the new groom Will, who's actually the Earl of Kyle and an agent of the Crown. Will could come in handy for Lucy--but there is that issue of his overwhelming attraction to her...

This one was a mixed bag for me--I really liked aspects of it, and others I found harder to follow. Part of this may be that I'm just not the right reader for the book; I think that mystery subplots can be hard for me to follow in romances. However, I really did like the pacing of the book, and the sex scenes were frankly pretty bomb.

Quick Takes:
--Having read two Amy Rose Bennett books (both of which I had a mixed reaction to) for me the standout is really how she handles the sexuality of her heroines. Lucy is a virgin, but as a nerdy heroine, she's not completely in the dark about the physicality of sex. Furthermore, she's super enthusiastic about learning! I also really loved the amount of sex in this book--and while, how it did lead up to in v, that wasn't the end all be all. Both Lucy and Will treated the non-penetrative sex they had as really physically and emotionally important. This is something you don't find in a lot of het romance, and especially not in a lot of het historical romance.

--The mystery... It was just hard for me to get into. I kind of wish that Will had just been--actually a groom. I liked the villain trying to marry her, I liked their interactions, but the mystery was just... Not hard to follow, but not connecting with me. Again, that might just be me as a reader; I've had mysteries work for me in romances, but here it just didn't and it did feel like it took away from the love story.

--While I enjoyed Will and Lucy's chemistry and dynamic, I do think that if the mystery hadn't been so in focus, we could've gotten more focus on them and their personal flaws and issues and conflicts as a couple. I don't need a romance to be conflict central (though I love conflict) but to me, when I don't see a couple come up against each other (non-sexually) at some point, I kind of wonder about their long term romantic viability...? I don't know, I guess I as a reader just want a bit more oomph to my leads, even if they're not in an enemies to lovers situation (which to clarify, these two are not).

I definitely want to read more from Amy Rose Bennett. I like her writing style a lot, I just don't know if I've come up on the right plot from her for me. However, if you do like a bit of a cozy mystery vibe, if you enjoy a nerdy heroine and a bit of an undercover situation, you will probably love this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Lucy Bertram has a comfortable life helping her father with scientific research. But her father, an eccentric botanist, is demanding she be courted by a wealthy but uptight religious zealot who is offering to fund a research expedition. Lucy is determined to avoid the man and locate her missing brother...she just needs someone to help her find him in St. Giles's cutthroat rookeries. Enter William Lockhart: Earl of Kyle, heir to a duke, covert agent for the Crown, and disguised groom in the baronet's household.

This is the second book in the Byronic Book Club series, featuring three bluestocking friends. It can stand alone, although the first couple does play a small role and this book's couple have a brief meeting in book one.

William is on the hunt for a ruthless killer who has already poisoned and threatened members of the Linnean Society. Lucy's father, Sir Oswald, is the prime suspect due to his expertise in a botanical poisons. Will knows he and Lucy have met before (under one of his different disguises), and there is an almost immediate attraction between the two. I usually enjoy "impersonating a servant" stories because characters get to spend a lot of time together and generally let their guard down. That was the case here. I liked the balance of romance and investigation, and felt like the book took off in the second half when Will let Lucy into his confidence.

Tropes: Bluestocking, Spinster, Character in Disguise, Spy/Govt Work, Forced Proximity, Fake Relationship (sort of)

Steam: 4

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #NetGalley #CurledUpWithAnEarl

Great second entry to Amy Rose Bennett's Byronic Book Club series. While I recommend reading the first book because I liked it, it is not necessary to have read that book to thoroughly enjoy this one. "Curled Up with an Earl" is the story of shy spinster Lucy and Will Lockhart, British spy and Earl of Kyle.. Lucy and Will have an adorable meet cute when he comes upon her after her cart has gotten stuck in the mud during a rain. Will is undercover, posing as a groom to investigate whether Lucy's botanist father is part of a poisoning plot that has Charles Darwin as its reason for being and ultimate target.

Lucy and Will have an immediate attraction, but more than that, they learn they like spending time together. Getting more and more nervous as her father's apparent determination to marry her off to a repulsive older crony, Lucy seeks Will's assistance in trying to locate her brother, Monty, who has been missing for a number of months. He provides her help, and seems to see her in a way no one else has. Their courtship is not super steamy but progresses in a sweet way as they do small actions of physical care for each other.

Ms. Bennett did a good job weaving together the mystery and the romance, even though some of the major plot points - Monty's reasons for departing, the identity of the villain - are predictable early on. I liked the glimpses of Artemis and her duke and look forward to Jane's story to come.

4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up. Curled Up with an Earl has a different tone from book 1 of the series -- less action/drama and slightly less steam -- but is equally enjoyable. It can easily be read as a standalone, though. The chemistry between Lucy and Will is evident from their first meeting when he discovers her cart stuck in the mud during a rainstorm. Will is on his way to Lucy's father's estate to serve as the new groom, though we learn this is just a cover for his spy activities on behalf of the British government. As hinted at in book 1, Lucy's father has been acting erratically and pulled Lucy from her reluctant debut season to return to the country after a mysterious fight with Lucy's brother. Will suspects that Lucy's father -- an expert in plant-based poisons -- is involved in a plot to murder members of a scientific society and is seeking evidence. However, he is soon distracted by his growing attraction to Lucy, who he agrees to assist in tracking down her missing brother. On top of additional murders and assassination attempts, the stakes between Will and Lucy are further escalated when her father insists on forcing her to marry a rich religious zealot who holds mysterious control over Lucy's father.

Despite Lucy's insistence on remaining a spinster to pursue her scientific research -- which to date has been mainly poached by her father due to restrictions on women in the main scientific societies -- her undeniable attraction to Will makes her start questioning that plan. Will, who has been ignoring his title as the Earl of Kyle due to his hatred of his father and grandfather, similarly had no plans of giving up his spy work to settle down before meeting Lucy. I liked that their relationship starts to really grow through small acts of caring that neither is used to receiving. After Will tries to hide his late-night searches for evidence by claiming he can't sleep, Lucy offers to make Will warm milk (which he actually detests but drinks every time). Lucy is used to relying on herself since her father is oblivious and absorbed in his own studies, but comes to appreciate having Will's help and protection as she searches for her brother in dangerous areas of London.

In additional to an adorable romance growing between Will and Lucy, we also get some glimpses of Artemis and Dominic after they return from their honeymoon, as well as the third member of the Byronic Book Club, Jane. I am definitely looking forward to reading her story next!

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Spy William is sent as a groom to the country home of a man who is a botanist specializing in poisons. William needs to see if Sir Oswald is involved in the poisoning of other scientists. He doesn’t expect the beautiful and intelligent daughter Lucy. Lucy wants to continue research in her own name. While trying to solve the mystery, Lucy and William can not deny their feelings. Will they act on them? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my honest review.

*Received a copy for review.
I love a smart woman who bowls over a man with secrets. A Scot, who is a spy and an Earl, and can pretend to be a groom if necessary, is a win for me.
I loved that there is no real dramatic parting/ misunderstanding. These two are lovely together and this was such an easy read.

This story was a romance, but also a little murder mystery set in around 1858. The heroine is a highly intelligent botanist. Her father is being blackmailed to get him to agree to her marrying a villain. The hero is a spy working for Scotland Yard. Together they find her brother, save some scientists from possibly being murdered and find heir HEA. Even though you know who the villain is early on, it still takes some time to figure out how to catch him without endangering others. It was a good plot with characters who you start to care for. I didn’t read the first book in the series, but this one makes me want to. There are a few steamy scenes but they are nicely written.

Love Story With A Mystery. Perfect!

I really love historical romance stories and the ones with a mystery always add something extra and this one was a really enjoyable read.

Will an Earl working undercover with Scotland Yard was asked to investigate Sir Oswald in relation to some deaths that had occurred with poison which is where he met Lucy his daughter.

Lucy was quite a shy person who found it hard to speak to men, she was more interested in helping her father and what she didn’t know about poison wasn’t worth mentioning.

Passion, romance, mystery, secrets are revealed. A lovely read with wonderful characters sure to keep you reading until the end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Will is on the hunt for a murderer so he goes undercover as a groom to investigate. However, he becomes interested in the suspects daughter Lucy.
I liked how the murder investigation was actual used and not just a forgotten plot device. I liked the relationship between Lucy and will.
Lucy was described as a shy wallflower but honestly never acted that way even once.
Overall I liked this book and will read book 3.

A clumsy but cute introduction starts off the story of Miss Lucy Bertram and William Lockhart, the Earl of Kyle, who is undercover as the hired help for Lucy's father. While there is an immediate connection between the Lucy and William, he is actually investigating Lucy's father in a murder.
Quickly, a new suspect comes to light which allows for a romance between Lucy and William to quickly build. It is in the obvious introduction to the villain, and the unmasking of William as a secret agent for the Crown that wrapped the storyline up in an hard to believe bow. The only one not made aware of William being a spy was the murderer.
It was a good book but the simplicity in resolving the crux of the murder plot and the easily rectified family dynamics kept it from being great.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable read. I love shy sciencey heroines.

This was just an okay read for me - I do love Bennett's writing but I just didn't find myself as invested in this story and these characters as I'd like to have been.

Thank you for an early copy!

Set in Victorian England in 1858, our heroine Lucy Bertram is a botanist who actually writes her father's books. She is 28 and determined to be a spinster and be a botanist on her own terms.
In a meet cute, her pony cart is mired in mud when along comes William Armstrong to get her on the road again and as he rides back to her home, she discovers the strong, handsome Scot is the new groom.
I do not want to give away the plot, but this is a romance as well as a murder mystery. There is quite a bit of sex, as well as the couple taking a long time to realize they are in love.
I almost forgot, though the author explains at the end that she took some liberties, the botany is very interesting along with discussions of Darwin.
This is the second in the series, and I will be reading the first book soon.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the EARC for an honest review.

I liked this book. It was an enjoyable light read with likable characters in Lucy and Will. The storyline followed a murder investigation along with a romance that made it fun.

This book had everything I needed. It has murder, mystery, family drama, love, and most importantly spice. I loved the slow burn of Lucy and Will’s relationship, and while I’m not a violent person, every part of me wanted to punch Thorne in the throat. Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it.

In the second book of the Byronic Book Club, we get to see Lucy getting her happy ending. Painfully shy and already 28 years old, she isn't really interested in getting married and having kids, butshe's more interested in having a career as a botanist. And then comes the hero...

William, the Earl of Kyle is pretending to be the new stable master so he can investigate Lucy's father's potential part in a series of poisonings of several members of the Linnean Society including Darwin... From the moment they met sparks fly everywhere..

I really loved this one! The whole book was packed with sexual tension and the themes were quite modern as well. Lucy as many women today wanted to pursue a career and wasn't sure about where and if kids and marriage could fit.. The hero was dreamy and sexy and I really loved that he was very supporting of Lucy's plans for the future.. He was also calling her "bonny lass" and we do love when Scot hero's say that 🥵

We also got to see Artemis and her duke and Jane, next book's heroine as well. I'm really looking forward for the next book..

I received a free eARC via Netgalley and these are my honest opinions

This is the second book in The Byronic Book club, and it is as romantic and entertaining as the first one. I loved the characters and the romance as well as the intriguing mystery.

After a falling out with her father, Lucy’s brother has been missing for months. Her family seems to be struggling financially, and her father is pushing her toward a man she has no interest in. Lucy is perfectly content becoming a spinster, traveling, and working on her botanical goals even though she doesn’t get credit for the papers she writes for her father. When Lucy meets Will, their new stableman, she has no idea how much her life is about to change.

Will is an Earl and a spy for the crown charged with investigating Lucy’s father, a suspect in a case Will is working on. Posing as a stableman, Will has easy access to her father’s home, which helps his investigation and allows him time to get to know Lucy. I love Will! He falls for Lucy so fast and so hard, and he is beyond distracted by his feelings. It’s so sweet to see this capable, strong man become so unraveled by her. And Lucy is equally drawn to him. I think it helps that he is pretending to be a stableman. If she had met him in a formal setting with other members of the elite, I have a feeling their relationship would be quite different.

Lucy is intelligent, awkward, and shy, but when she’s around Will, her timidity begins to fade. It’s so wonderful to see Lucy go from being reserved, uncomfortable, and apprehensive to self-assured and willing to speak her mind. She reminds me of myself in many ways. She has anxiety and struggles with social and new situations, and she doesn’t like conflict. She is also a people pleaser and tries really hard to appease her family. Her budding relationship with Will gives Lucy the confidence she seems to lack.

I adore the romance between Lucy and Will. They have amazing chemistry, and they see each other in ways that no one else does. It’s a new experience for them both. Their love story is filled with yearning and longing, and there’s some steam too. Some of my favorite scenes are when they take secret peeks at each other, and when you can tell they are ready to burst with love for each other but try to resist. It’s so sweet and angsty and endearing, and it made their eventual HEA all the more romantic.

The mystery is also intriguing, as Will tries to determine who is threatening members of the scientific society, and Lucy tries to find her brother. Will also has to reveal his true identity to Lucy, and I was curious to see how she would react to that. Their journey takes them into some dangerous situations, which adds to the mystery and suspense and makes the story even more entertaining. I was eager to find out if my predictions were right, and I enjoyed the botanical aspect of the investigation and Lucy’s pivotal role in solving the mystery.

I thought this was a great addition to the series and loved that the characters in the first book are also in this one. However, even if you didn’t read the first book, you can easily read this one. They both can be read as standalones. That being said, I enjoyed and recommend them both! Special thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Fun, adventure, action and sexy times - Curled Up with an Earl is a perfect blend of what makes historical romance exciting.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

For fans of Mary Balogh, Lisa Kleypas, and Julia Quinn, Curled Up with an Earl offers a feel good Regency romance set post Regency Era.

Curled Up with an Earl starts off engaging, with the male lead, William, introduced to the female lead, Lucy, within the first chapter due to a dogcart mishap on the road. This leads to Lucy paying closer attention to the new stable help that William is posing as (while he is actually spying on Lucy’s father, who is a prime suspect in a murder case). The story can be interesting and attempts to play as feminist, but allows Lucy to fall into the normal feminine roles outside of her science, even going so far as to have William tell Lucy to not worry about the plan at the final plot climax, because he, William, and the other man, have everything planned perfectly so she doesn’t need to know what the plan is.

Lucy’s character has the potential to be interesting because of her knowledge of poisons and scientific interest, but proves to be rather unstable throughout the novel. In the beginning, Lucy is portrayed as extremely shy, yet later on has no qualms with defending her knowledge and expertise for a poison sample to investigators with high authority at Scotland Yard and proves to be rather forward in her advances towards William, despite having no experience. This seems halfheartedly explained in a throwaway line about how Lucy feels no shyness around William but doesn’t help to explain why this timid character who dreads social activities due to her shyness is able to defend herself so strongly to other characters beside William.

William seems a bit daft for being an experienced spy. He not only consents to take Lucy to sketchy London neighborhoods twice without much resistance (he should know all the things that could happen and exactly how incapable he is of guaranteeing her safety no matter how good of a fighter he would be) but also never considered that he can use his colleagues, who are a network of professional investigators working throughout London , to locate Lucy’s brother until someone else mentions it to him. Who in the profession would not immediately think of solutions that are so easily in their grasp due to the people they already have in their acquaintance?

Overall, Curled Up with an Earl is a quick read that could do better on making the characters feel more realistic, but still offers a feel good mystery romance.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

This book is just a big warm hug.

I was so lucky to get chosen to read an ARC of this wonderful second installment of the Byronic book club series. Just when I thought it couldn’t possibly be better than Up all night with a good Duke, this just knocks that one right out of the park.

I really liked the low angst but still engaging mystery-murder solving plot. I love a good ‘who-dunnit’ story and this book kept me on the edge on my seat and I wanted to read it one sitting without being interrupted. Also, who doesn’t love a good bodyguard story?
The realistic characters, the lgbtq+ representation, the faults we have as humans and accepting that we make mistakes. This was excellent.

I just adore Lucy. It’s very hard to write a likeable bluestocking character and there was some discussion on the historical romance society discord about how difficult it actually is to walk the fine line between too endearing and condescending eccentric.
In my opinion, Lucy knocks it out of the park. The way she struggles with wanting her independence to go to foreign countries and do her botanical studies there, but also her love for Will and how she might make it work and have both feels so real. The made up curse words made me snort multiple times, fuddling fiddlesticks! She also is a bit older and I like my MC’s to be around the age of 30. The way she stands up for herself is so good to read. If you loved Violet from The Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan you will adore Lucy.

Then let’s talk about Will; he is just a big cinnamon roll and so gone for Lucy and it’s adorable. He doesn’t give a damn that she’s smarter than him and supports her scientific endeavors and battles. I gave him huge bonus points for telling her his true identity halfway through the book. I laughed so hard about the warm milk at the end.
I only felt a bit disappointed with the end of the book and felt like his family history and resolve was wound up too quickly. I wanted more, I wanted to see him go up to his grandfather and confront him about everything that happened.

I want to talk about this book for hours, but it will just be more and more praise.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks casa for receiving this ARC.