Book: The Earl and the Country Girl
Author: Eva Devon
Rating: 4/5 stars

This delightful, light-hearted, slow burn romance novel was a 4 out of 5 star read for me. The characters were fun and both them and the story were written in a way that made me want to find out what happened next. Watching the two main characters' romance build between them was also very enjoyable. I was rooting for them both, in terms of romance and their personal goals, and was happy to have the story wrapped up nicely in the epilogue.
This is the first historical romance I have read in a long time, and I am very happy that I did! It was a nice change of pace, and I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun summer read!


Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Earl and the Country Girl.

I love historical romances, and this was right up there with the best of them. I love the camaraderie between the main characters. This was fast paced, and very hard to put down. I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys historical romances.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

**Review of The Earl and the Country Girl by Eva Devon**

Rating: ★★★★☆

"The Earl and the Country Girl" by Eva Devon is a captivating slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance that deserves its 4-star rating. With a spice level of 3, this novel strikes a perfect balance between emotional depth and steamy moments.

The story begins with the Earl arriving in a town he owns, disguised as a stable hand, to gather information on his corrupt landlord. He meets Alice, who quickly realizes he isn't who he claims to be. When she discovers his secret, she decides to help him. Their partnership soon blossoms into a genuine friendship, and eventually, a heartfelt romance. The Earl later takes Alice to London so she can pursue her dream of learning to make perfume, all while trying to convince himself they can remain just friends with benefits.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the Earl's thoughtfulness and care toward Alice. Both characters are initially guarded, each chasing their own dreams, but their journey to open their hearts to love is beautifully portrayed by Devon. This heartwarming tale is sure to leave readers rooting for the Earl and Alice from beginning to end.

Pros:
- Thoughtful and caring male lead
- Strong, independent female lead
- Engaging slow burn romance
- Well-balanced mix of emotional and steamy moments

Cons:
- Some might find the slow burn pacing a bit too gradual

Tropes:
- Friends to lovers
- Disguise/secret identity
- Dream chasing
- Guarded hearts

This book is a beautiful slow burning romance, you can see it all building, it’s so predictable but done in a lovely way.

We see how she changes the Earl and the way he changes her too.

This story shows you that dreams, beliefs and life can change.

“I urge you beyond all things, create your own story. Do not live the lives of others”

Thank you to Entangled publishing and NetGalley for this arc

Miss Alice Wright dreams of adventure, away from her loving, but loud family in the country. She longs to see London and open her own perfumery. She and her mother use their herbal knowledge to help their village, bur Alice longs for more. When Lord Felix Brightman walks into her field of lavender everything changes. and her dreams just might become reality, or maybe her dreams will change. Lord Felix is pretending to be a stable hand so he can prove his steward is stealing from him. In order for his ruse to work Alice needs to help him.

Lord Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley, is not good at disguises, but with Alice's help he can do anything. This tale is of friendship, trust and falling head over heels in love. Wanting more for your partner than you do for yourself. Felix wants to help Alice realize her dreams, even if it means letting her go. Overall this was a good book and I'd read another by this same author.

I enjoyed this story, however it sometimes felt a little stilted. The writing style would change unrepentantly and the story would not flow as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I really enjoy Eva Devon’s work. I love how she writes historical romances with strong heroines with exciting and specific ambitions. It goes beyond even the woman who wants to control her own life, to a relatable goal to a modern day woman pursuing her passion.
This book is no different, with a fun twist that makes for a similarly interesting hero!

Eva Devon’s "This Stablehand is Definitely More Than He Appears" charms with its tale of opposites attracting. Alice, an aspiring parfumier, and Felix, an earl posing as a stablehand, strike a deal that fuels their dreams and undeniable chemistry. A delightful blend of ambition, romance, and intrigue awaits!

I gave The Earl and the Country Girl four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

I love a good historical romance and The Earl and the Country Girl did not disappoint. The love was there from the beginning. The characters didn’t know it, but the readers did. Felix and Alice both declare that love is forbidden, but for different reasons.

The characters were well developed and easy to root for. I liked how they both grew and found out about themselves. The storyline progressed perfectly. And, this is a quick read with nice sized chapters.

The Earl and the Country Girl is a cute historical romance. I liked that Alice was able to see through the Earl's disguise right away. Although to be fair while Alice did help him figure out how to act more like he should have a stablemaster, I think people mostly didn't see it because why would an Earl be working? I also like that the subterfuge didn't last very long before he came clean.
I think the only thing that I would have liked to see would be after he reveals himself as the Earl, for him to stay in the village for a bit, and fix what had been neglected.
This story was fun, with pretty low angst, at least until we get to the kind of third-act conflict and breakup. Their romance was sweet, and they had visible chemistry, I liked the way the story played out and how it all wrapped up.

I discovered Eva Devon's books last year and now I'm giddy every time I spot a new one in the catalog. They're incredibly tender and her heroines are so well written. The Earl and the Country Girl is definitely my favorite publication of hers since I first read The Beast and the Bookseller. This couple was as sweet as the lavender field where they met. I was immediately drawn in by these two. They were incredibly kind towards each other and well suited. The earl was charming and the country girl had a great head on her shoulders. These two were a match made in heaven and nearly every scene they shared made me smile. I'm telling you those purple fields are the perfect setting for a romance novel and should be utilized more by authors. Alice Walker knew what she was talking about when she remarked on the importance of The Color Purple.

One of my favorite elements of this novel was the heroine's interest in perfumery. It was so fascinating to read the different processes of extracting the required ingredients to concoct a particular perfume. It brought back fond memories of reading Patrick Suskind's Perfume without the bothersome murder subplot. Devon's writing was very evocative and it was great to read a heroine with a unique hobby. My only critique about this book was the unnecessary conflict near the end of the book that unfortunately afflicts a majority of romance novels. It didn't feel natural and it made me dock a star from an otherwise perfect book. This book could have been 5 stars if both characters had revealed their true feelings in a romantic air balloon ride like it was intended. They squandered the perfect setup only to immediately descend and squabble. What a waste!

The Earl and the Country Girl has been one of my favorite ARCs that I've had the pleasure of reading all year. Alice and Felix were definitely in my top 10 couples of 2024. Quite the prestigious honor considering I've read over 70 books this year. This book was a dream and it was wonderful watching these two lovebirds find their happily ever after. I'll never look at a lavender field the same way again without thinking of The Earl and the Country Girl.

This was a cute fun read. Alice and Felix are so cute together. From the moment they met I was sold on them needing to be together! This book had banter and longing. I highly enjoyed it!

Rating: 4.5/5
I received this book for my honest opinion.

You will meet Alice Wright who is a country girl that helps her mother at their shop, but she dreams of something more in her life. She wants to be making perfumes, and making a name for herself. She wants out of this small life that she is living and to see the world, but she knows that it’s just a dream and there is nothing that she can do to make it happen. Then one day she finds a tall stranger in her fields and damaging her flowers, she confronts him. She doesn’t know that he is the Earl of this estate, the place where she rents the fields for her flowers. They get to talking and when the Earl, Felix explains why he is there and what he hopes to accomplish, she is happy to help him out and not because they come to an agreement where both of them get what they both want. However, they just might get something more than they both thought they wanted, but they needed.

I love this author's writing so much, she was one of my first historical romance authors I tried, and I am happy that I did. Eva writing style flows when it comes to writing, you will not find parts in the book that are slow, without having a justified reason like; diving into what the characters are feeling/thinking, building up the story and leading you to a wonderful HEA. I like that with this author you will find yourself reading a fast paced book, and even when it comes to the trope that most hate (even myself), miscommunication. The way that she writes, it just blends together, and doesn’t just drag along. The characters in this book can see their development throughout the book. I found that the characters were easy to connect with and I could relate to Alice in this book a lot.

With Alice, I found that her character and myself had a lot of traits. Loyal to her family, wanting something more, scared of love, determined to make her dreams come true and the biggest one, making sure that she stayed true to herself. I found Alice to be an amazing MFC in a historical romance, she isn’t like the normal ladies in that time period. She speaks her mind, and that is refreshing to see when most back then would hold it inside. I found Felix to be a gentleman, but a huge pain in the butt. Only when it comes to seeing what is right in front of his face. I really liked that he was a man to his word, protecting and caring. I found his passion for life and justice to be what Alice needed in her life and with Alice Felix finally got to understand what love really means. I think their story was wrapped up nicely and I am happy to see all the parties in the book get wrapped up nicely

I want to thank NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

This is my 3rd novel by Eva Devon and definitely my favorite so far! Felix and Alice hit all the right notes. Alice is a country girl with big dreams and a lot of spunk. Felix is a city man trying to sort out his estate while maintaining his duties as a spy master. They form an unlikely but loveable team. I really loved how their relationship had a solid foundation and developed naturally without feeling forced. They come to a deep understanding of one another and it is a wonderful journey.

4⭐️

The Earl and the Country Girl was such a good read. I couldn’t put it down and I really enjoyed the banter between Alice and Felix. It made me want to go find a lavender field to fall into.

I’ve been on a historical romance kick lately and this book just made me want more.

This wasn’t bad but it wasn’t for me . I enjoy stories with more banter and dialogue and I really didn’t connect with either of the characters . 🤷🏼‍♀️ but I assume there will be a second book and I am looking forward to that story .

Eva Devon's "The Earl and the Country Girl" is a masterfully crafted romance that brings together two compelling characters, each with their own dreams and reservations. Miss Alice Wright, bursting with the fragrant dreams of becoming a celebrated parfumier, collides with the enigmatic Lord Felix Brightman, the Earl of Enderley, who hides his true identity as a stablehand to oversee his estate.

From the moment Alice and Felix meet in a field of lavender, the air is thick with more than just the scent of flowers; it's filled with the undeniable chemistry and tension that keeps readers hooked. The plot deftly weaves together Alice’s quest for independence and recognition with Felix’s covert investigation into his estate’s management, presenting a narrative rich with intrigue and emotional depth.

Devon’s writing is imbued with sharp wit and tender moments, allowing the characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

This book is a quick enjoyable read! Great for a weekend read. Beach read, or just for a nice relaxing escape.

I enjoyed it thoroughly. I was able to read it over the course of a couple days.

Recommend.

The Earl and the Country Girl
by Eva Devon
Pub Date: Jun 24 2024
★★★★
Miss Alice Wright should be content. After all, her knowledge of herbal lore helps so many in her village. Yet she longs for more. For Alice dreams of becoming a famed parfumier in London, celebrated for her fine scents…even as her family's past warns her of the perils of ambition. But when Alice collides—quite literally—with a charismatic gentleman in a field of lavender, her perfume-filled dream is suddenly within reach. Be careful what you wish for…

Lord Felix Brightman is certain that no one can see through his clever disguise as a stable hand. How else could he, the Earl of Enderley, accurately gauge the management of his Cornwall estate? But a pretty—and surprisingly pert—maiden sees through his façade instantly. So he offers Alice a deal: if she helps him out, he’ll do everything he can to help her realize her dream…

Yet attraction simmers in the air between them, and it’s not long before Alice and Felix find themselves tempted to compromise any notions of propriety. After all, lust leads to disaster. Marriage is out of the question. And Alice is determined that nothing shall stop her from pursuing her passions…even if the road to London—and certain success—could lead to certain ruin.

Alice Wright feels trapped in her small town. She loves her family but sees her mother exhausted from raising her and her siblings after their father passed, having abandoned her dream of being an apothecary and bearing the weight of keeping their shop afloat. She has dreams and no hopes of achieving them. Until the day she finds a strange man damaging her flowers and confronts him. The man is Lord Felix Brightman, Earl of Enderley, who is in Cornwall to ensure the man he assigned as caretaker for his estate is doing the job he was supposed to. They form a pact that starts with Alice helping Felix in exchange for his help in moving to London, but it soon becomes a deep friendship with the potential for more. But can the Earl terrified of the risk of love and the country girl who swore off having a family at the expense of her dreams find the courage to reach for more?

It's a practically perfect romance with tons of little plots to help keep the story interesting and show that the leads have their own lives even as we see their relationship form and grow. It's a sweet read full of emotions that play out on the page and really help the reader see how right Felix and Alicia are for each other.

The only complaint I could possibly level against is that it feels impossible that Alice faces almost zero censure or repercussions for the relationship she has with Felix. The Earl is all fine and dandy because of his high status but it would take truly exceptional people around him for no one to make the obvious remarks. A minor quibble that's easily ignored due to the fantastic nature of historical romance, but I would have liked to see both of them stand up to the pettiness that their relationship was sure to arouse in people. They both have personalities perfect for this to result in excellent scenes.

Overall, it's a quick and extremely enjoyable read that gives you all the positive feelings even in the moments where they're both being too hardheaded to accept the truth. I enjoyed every moment of it.

Also, I need to read a book where Felix's best friend, a brokenhearted Duke, finds love and happiness again, ASAP.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for the wonderfully romantic read!

Both are fighting their attraction
I have only read a few of Ms. Devon’s books but they are always interesting, well-written and keep me captivated until the end. In this one we find two stubborn and uncompromising people: Lord Felix Brightman, Earl of Enderley and Miss Alice Wright. Talk about men are from Mars and women are from Venus. They are very much different but they do share one facet: neither ever want to marry for love. Felix realizes as an Earl he must marry and produce an heir and a spare, but he does not plan on marrying for love. He has seen how love can break a man. Alice does not plan on marrying at all, but instead run her own perfumery shop in London. Oops! What happens when they fall headlong into a bed of lavender together?!
Fascinating side plot of an estate agent who is pocketing the profits from Felix’s estate, Helexton. How Felix determined it was happening is a major part of this book and coincidentally how Felix and Alice became friends. This book has a clever plot filled with humor, conflict and poignant moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you enjoy intrigue with your historical romance, you will want to read this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of it through Entangled and NetGaley.