The Lonely Earl

by Vanessa Gray

Beautiful Faustina Kennet and dashingly handsome Hugh Crale had grown up on adjoining Devon estates. Faustina had fairly worshipped the older Hugh, Hugh had barely noted Faustina's existence - but now all that was drastically changed.

Hugh was back from abroad, having survived a disastrous marriage that left him cynical and cautious toward all of the fair sex. Faustina was back from the season in London, having rejected all suitors for her hand as she refused to humble herself for any man. Clearly the two had nothing in common. Clearly they should stay safely apart. And clearly sparks were about to fly when these two unwilling neighbors came together first in violent anger, next in no-holds barred battle, and then in a love too unlikely for either of them to admit.

Genres: Regency, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction

251 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 7, 1978

About the author

Pseudonym of Jacquelyn Aeby.

Reviews

[Olnega · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok, nothing special, a bit on a slow side….

[Kimberly Brewington · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars/This book started off good, I just love these Signet Regency Romances.  I loved the writing style and the story.  There was a little bit of a mystery, which I don't usually love in my historical romances, but it didn't seem too much at first.  However, towards the end of the book, neither of the main characters had made any progress in the romance department, but the mystery was full steam ahead. The ending was one of those miraculous, wrapped up neatly in a couple of paragraphs, all the bad guys taken care of and guess what, we both realized we are in love.  Overall, extra points for the writing style, but points lost for the ending.  Still, worth a read. 

[Nadosha · Rating 4 out of 5]

قصة رائعة وحبكه معقدة ولغز جميل الوصف واللغة رائعة والشخصيات متطورة وذات أبعاد مختلفة .هذة الروايه تعطي القارئ انطباع بأنه يقراء أجزاء مختلفة من روايه الكلاسيكيه المعروفة praid and prejudice حيث أن الكاتبه اقتبست أكثر من شخصيه من هذة الروايه ولكنها كانت ممتعة وجميله ولكنها تفتقر إلى النهايه الكامله مع الأسف .

[HistoricalHussy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not enough romance between MMC/FMC who don’t spend much of the book together and everything could’ve been tied up a bit more neatly instead leaving loose ends dangling.

[Ms M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title doesn't fit in with the story

But as her other books this too is very enjoyable.

The H & h were neighbor, their parents were friends. The h was 6 years his junior and haven't seen him for years since he left his father and left the country to married a dancer to spite him. After the death of his wife he went back to his hometown with his daughter also to claim the title along with his family house. The h doesn't like the way he treats his daughter and he is so different than what she remembered him when she was 14. She thinks he is a monster and a bad parent. They couldn't stand each other company but when things go wrong in their village they help each other to catch the villain and work on their not-so-hate-you feeling.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this very much. With the neighboring earl returned, Faustina's Aunt Louisa comes to visit her niece determined to match her daughter with the earl. Words are misunderstood and false conclusions drawn in the matter of possible matches.
There's a bit of mystery with shots taken at the earl. Who is behind the attack?
Overall a diverting read.