TITLE: One Wedding and an Earl
AUTHOR: Tracy Sumner
SERIES: The Duchess Society
SERIES ORDER: 4
PUBLISHED: 01/19/2023
AVAILABLE IN KU: Yes
GENRE: Regency Romance
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
BLURB:
In this sizzling Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Tracy Sumner, a notorious earl and an infamous hellion need to face an unforgettable passion.
A scarred earl with a big heart—and a big problem.
Since his return from war, the Earl of Stanford’s life has been anything but simple. A meddling older brother, a raucous group of friends, a crumbling estate, and an injury that forever changed him. Now this. Her. His brother’s bright idea of a way out. The most infamous landscape architect in England arriving on his doorstep to restore his ruined gardens and his ruined heart. Only, Ollie Aspinwall isn’t falling for this sibling ploy.
He’s content to hide in the country, a brooding, stargazing, lost soul.
A gorgeous hellion with wild dreams—and a wild challenge.
Necessity Byrne has heard the rumors about the Scarred Earl. A walking scandal, she’s used to flouting convention and shocking society, so the offer to assist a reclusive peer with beautification of his estate is a project she’d consider. Except for the ripple of awareness that dances along her skin every time she recalls meeting the handsome, steely eyed rake years ago. A dilemma she doesn’t care to solve—even if she wants the job.
However, she’s a woman determined to take every dare offered her.
So, they agree to disagree for the sake of the earldom’s gardens, all the while battling a breathless, rampant attraction—until Ollie decides he wants to keep her. Can he persuade his feisty, adorable gardener to accept a besotted, broken-down earl with dreams of a family and love?
Come along on this sizzling slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, sorta second chance romp!
The Duchess Society Series
#1 The Brazen Bluestocking
#2 The Scandalous Vixen
#3 The Wicked Wallflower
#4 One Wedding and an Earl
More to follow!
Prequel: The Ice Duchess
Christmas novella: The Governess Gamble
MY REVIEW:
DISCLAIMER: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One Wedding and an Earl was a delightful continuation in Tracy Sumner’s much loved The Duchess Society series (at least for me.) We initially meet Oliver Aspinwell, Earl of Stanford, in his brother Xander’s story, The Wicked Wallflower, where he gets injured. Tracy teased us with this story at the very end of TWW when Necessity Byrne appears to help him. This scene (expanded) is what kicks off One Wedding and the Earl..
I really enjoyed this story and loved Ollie and Nessie! Their banter was sizzling!! (library scene - 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵!!) I loved that they were upfront about their feelings for each other. I thought Necessity was a nice compliment to Oliver and I loved how independent she was. Necessity grew up in the rookery, and had to overcome some terrible hardships, but she forged her path and became one of the most sought after gardeners in London.
In addition to Ollie and Nessie, I really enjoyed the scenes with Ollie and Xander. There’s nothing like brotherly love and we get to see that in this book. In TWW, we see Ollie and Xander start to reconnect after having spent most of their childhood apart. We see that relationship deepen in this one as Xander helps Ollie heal from some of his old wounds. As always, I loved reconnecting with old characters while also anxiously awaiting Dash and Theo’s story next and looking forward to what Tracy has planned for the mysterious Jasper Noble.
If this sounds interesting to you, be sure to either pre-order or buy/rent this book on January 19, 2023!
Thank you Tracy and Wolf Publishing for this advance copy!