To Enchant an Icy Earl

Cavendish Brothers #2

by Catherine Gayle

As the Earl of Fordingham, Tristan Cavendish has lived by the code his father beat into him for so long he's driven everyone in his life away, including his brother. Now he is alone. Loneliness dictates he must change, so he sets out to make amends with his only sibling. Alas, his brother seems none too inclined to hear him out, and a woman who must be a vision from Fordingham's dreams walks into his path. Now, more than ever before, he knows he must change his ways or risk driving her away as well...but how? Calista Bartlett is on the hunt for a husband-but one who is nothing at all like the betrayer who was her former beau. When she sees the Earl of Fordingham across the room at a soiree, she knows she's found the very man who is everything her one-time beau was not. Fordingham presents an icy facade to the world, but Calista discovers a passionate man who kisses her feverishly and warms her through to the bones. Can she ever convince him to let down his guard permanently?

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

106 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2013

About the author

***Please note that series numbering of the Portland Storm series is different at Goodreads than it is on Catherine's website or at any retailer. Goodreads policy will not allow the series numbering to match anything else. If this confuses you, please complain to Goodreads, as it is not Catherine's fault.***

Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty contemporary hockey romance and Regency-set historical romance novels and novellas. Soon, she'll be launching her debut contemporary small-town romance series. She's sold more than three-quarters of a million books. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.

Catherine doesn't check messages on Goodreads very often. Please contact her through her website for a timely response.

Reviews

[Ishara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but it would have been better as a full length novel. It felt a bit too rushes.

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seems to short for a novella. It feels incomplete - like it was an outline for a larger work. I have the feeling I've seen the larger work - I just can't pin it down.

[Siran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigued by the Title

This is the first book historical romance by Catherine Gayle that I read

I first noticed the title. After reading the blurb I decided to read the book.

Because of the title and the blurb I expected the earl to be more of a brooding character.


However, that didn't stop me from enjoying the story.

[Christyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, likable but not outstanding. Let me start this by saying that I like the overall idea behind this novella - I just thought that it would have been better done as a full length novel. Here's why, Fordingham (that is Tristan Cavendish) is an interesting character - one who is used to having his own way and presumable running over whoever is in his way to do so, not to mention his self-confession of pushing away everyone he's ever cared about, needless to say this would not endear him to a lot of people. But he had so much potential, he was trying to change but with such a short story we didn't get to see that much. Calista came off as good-natured, but kind of a doormat, - I liked Miranda more for her spunk.

This needed to be longer for me to really see the two of them as a couple. This story happened over the course of a few days. I just couldn't see what drew Fordingham to Calista, beyond the fact that she was A) pretty and B) approached him instead of turning tail as soon as she saw him. Calista needed to shine more, I felt like at times she just got overwhelmed by Fordingham - I did like that she set him straight toward the end, and that she tried to look beyond the surface (though this was not easy giving Fordingham's disposition). I guess when I read a romance novel, I want there to be more romance - more getting to know one another and having the time and interactions, and seeing the relationship (and the characters) progress. Don't get me wrong there are some places that I liked, but it was just too short for it to really click with me. Thankfully, there are no wild declarations of love, which pleased me - because I wouldn't have believed it with the current parameters of the story. However there is the possibility of love developing, which for me fit with the story. 2.5 Stars.

[Elle Schroder · Rating 1 out of 5]

This novella was quite ridiculous.
Tristan can barely think from the moment he sees Calista's eyes. He doesn't know her, but decides she must be his saviour.
They are betrothed within an hour of meeting each other.
Despite Tristan and his brother barely being able to speak to one another without coming to blows, a random mutual acquaintance forces them to settle their differences, allowing Tristan and Calista to find happiness together.
It was all quite ridiculous and told without any conviction, or enough substance to help the reader believe.

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it's a nice short to read on a slow morning or afternoon, the plot and characters are not as well done as they could have been.

[Jessica Duet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good to get Tristan's story, and his side of things.