Brave New Earl by Jane Ashford
Publisher & Release: Sourcebooks Casablanca, July 31, 2018
Time and setting: Regency, London
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Length: 352 Pages
Heat Level: 1 Flame
Rating: 3.5 Gold Crowns
Book Description:
An Earl mired in melancholy is no match for a determined woman...
Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.
Widower Benjamin Romilly, Earl of Furness, has given up hope of finding happiness. His wife died in childbirth five years ago, leaving him with a broken heart and a child who only reminds him of his loss.
Miss Jean Saunders is a cousin by marriage. She doted on Benjamin's late Countess, and can't bear it when she hears rumors that the Earl is too bereaved to care for his young son. She arrives on the scene to evaluate his fitness as a father, and if necessary, to take his son away.
Jean's sudden eruption into the Earl's household simultaneously infuriates and invigorates him. She may be the only person who can breathe life into his neglected home—and his aching heart...
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Vikki’s Musings
This is another interesting novel by Jane Ashford. Since I had read other books by this author, when I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, I eagerly accepted. My opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
Brave New Earl has engaging characters, especially the young boy, Geoffrey. He grabbed my heart from his first scene and held it to the end. That little boy desperately needed a champion, and he got it in Jean Sanders.
As with all Jane Ashford's books, the writing flows smoothly capturing me early on. As some reviewers have mentioned, there are inaccuracies, but after all, it is fiction so they did not take away from my overall enjoyment.
Jean’s character is a true nurturer, and her determination to help Geoffrey endeared her to me. Her backstory is heartbreaking, and it easily lends itself to her passion to ensure the earl’s son has the emotional care and love he needs.
Benjamin is definitely a tormented hero, but one who is so enmeshed in his grief, he has left the care of his son to others without any thought to the child. That is not a trait I find appealing, so it took me quite some time to warm to his character. In the end, Ms. Ashford did redeem him for the most part.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the aspect of the story that involves Geoffrey, I did not feel a strong chemistry between the hero and heroine, making it difficult to crave a happy ending for them. As another reviewer mentioned, their romance feels rushed at the end.
Nonetheless, I did enjoy this novel. While it isn’t her best work, it still was engaging and I’m glad I had the chance to read it. Happy reading!
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