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The Reluctant Earl
The Reluctant Earl is the story of Claire and Simon, who desperately want to get married despite all the obstacles that stand in their way. Their biggest hurdle is the fact that Simon is the son and heir of the Earl of Welbourne, while Claire is the daughter of the earl’s Irish horse trainer. The youngsters are keenly aware that their parents would violently oppose such an unequal union – which is precisely why they never confide in those parents.
Then there is Simon’s father, who, for reasons Simon has never understood, clearly hates his son. Then there is the mystery of Simon’s mother’s death, and the fact that he has never met a single member of her family. Then a miracle happens - Simon learns about a trust fund left to him in his mother’s marriage settlement.
Once the money is in his pocket, Simon and Claire decide to elope; and the simmering pot that is Welbourne Abbey and its inhabitants explodes.
Then there is Simon’s father, who, for reasons Simon has never understood, clearly hates his son. Then there is the mystery of Simon’s mother’s death, and the fact that he has never met a single member of her family. Then a miracle happens - Simon learns about a trust fund left to him in his mother’s marriage settlement.
Once the money is in his pocket, Simon and Claire decide to elope; and the simmering pot that is Welbourne Abbey and its inhabitants explodes.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
32 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Joan Wolf
102 books369 followersJoan Wolf is a USA TODAY bestselling American writer, whose acclaimed Regency romances have earned her national recognition as a master of the genre. Her many historical and contemporary romances, some of which have been chosen as Literary Guild selections, have been highly praised by reviewers and authors alike.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
Joan was born in 1951 and she grew up in the Bronx, New York. A former English teacher, she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mercy College and Master in English and Comparative Literature at Hunter College. An avid rider and horse owner, Joan lives in Connecticut with her husband Joe and two grown children, Jay and Pam.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 2, 2020
Just when the author had set up the plot perfectly to engineer an epic confrontation between the princely hero and the vicious, vile villain, she goes and offs the villain through a third party and there is no more conflict to drive the plot. What was the whole point of this story?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2016
This was a very sweet tension filled story. I was curious as to the negativity and absolute hatred his father showed him. The couple and their love was so sweet and pure and it was sad that they were unable to share that love with people because their social standings were so different. I was so worried that they were going to be stopped on their way to Gretna Green. There were so many things going against them and so there were plenty of things standing in their way.
October 21, 2016
The Earl of Welbourne of Welbourne Abbey, is looking for his son as he has skipped out of studies with his tutor. The staff covers for the lad which gets him away from his strict and mean father to enable him to spend time with the O’Rourke family.
Simon Radley, Lord Woodbridge, age 15, lost his mother when he was age 5 and has been told nothing about her or her family. His father remarried and they have a son. His father has never liked him and his stepmother does not care for him either. She is jealous that her son will not be the heir.
Liam O’Rourke runs the Welbourne Stud Farm. His daughter, Claire, age 14, is good friends with Simon. When he is home from school, they spend lots of time together working with and riding the horses.
Several years later as Simon leaves school, he is delighted to be back home with Claire. He does not want to go to Oxford as his father wants. He then remembers that he will have some money from his mother’s estate when he turns 18. He prefers to use the money from his mother so he and Claire can get married. In addition, he is determined to find out more about his mother.
To help Simon, Liam questions the local squire, Tom Weston, about Simon’s mother. Her maiden name was Jarvis, perhaps from the famous Jarvis banking family and she was an heiress. Her father wanted her to marry into a titled family. It appears the Earl needed money, so that worked for them. Since the Earl himself never told Simon about his inheritance, he found out from someone else so it appears that the Earl was planning on keeping the money for himself.
Tom Weston suggests that Simon get an attorney who brings in Mr. Jarvis, Simon’s uncle whom he has never met nor known about. Mr. Jarvis tells Simon that the Earl would never let his wife’s family have any contact with Simon and the courts upheld his decision. The family was crushed. Simon’s inheritance is now 100,000 pounds. As Simon will not be of legal majority until age 21, his uncle will be his trustee until then.
What about Claire and Simon? Will they be able to get married as they wish? Will the families agree? If Simon’s father wants his inheritance, will he try to get it from him?
There is so much more to this story. There is some suspense and we find out lots of information about the past. This book is not to be missed. Come enjoy a good, clean story.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Simon Radley, Lord Woodbridge, age 15, lost his mother when he was age 5 and has been told nothing about her or her family. His father remarried and they have a son. His father has never liked him and his stepmother does not care for him either. She is jealous that her son will not be the heir.
Liam O’Rourke runs the Welbourne Stud Farm. His daughter, Claire, age 14, is good friends with Simon. When he is home from school, they spend lots of time together working with and riding the horses.
Several years later as Simon leaves school, he is delighted to be back home with Claire. He does not want to go to Oxford as his father wants. He then remembers that he will have some money from his mother’s estate when he turns 18. He prefers to use the money from his mother so he and Claire can get married. In addition, he is determined to find out more about his mother.
To help Simon, Liam questions the local squire, Tom Weston, about Simon’s mother. Her maiden name was Jarvis, perhaps from the famous Jarvis banking family and she was an heiress. Her father wanted her to marry into a titled family. It appears the Earl needed money, so that worked for them. Since the Earl himself never told Simon about his inheritance, he found out from someone else so it appears that the Earl was planning on keeping the money for himself.
Tom Weston suggests that Simon get an attorney who brings in Mr. Jarvis, Simon’s uncle whom he has never met nor known about. Mr. Jarvis tells Simon that the Earl would never let his wife’s family have any contact with Simon and the courts upheld his decision. The family was crushed. Simon’s inheritance is now 100,000 pounds. As Simon will not be of legal majority until age 21, his uncle will be his trustee until then.
What about Claire and Simon? Will they be able to get married as they wish? Will the families agree? If Simon’s father wants his inheritance, will he try to get it from him?
There is so much more to this story. There is some suspense and we find out lots of information about the past. This book is not to be missed. Come enjoy a good, clean story.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 25, 2021
The Reluctant Earl’s synopsis sparked my interest and the prologue further engaged me to want to read more. I enjoyed the writing style with the time jumps such as two hours later, one year later, and the epilogue, ten years later. Talk about keeping the pace flowing at a steady momentum! It was splendid having a plot with twists and turns mixed with a well-developed cast of characters that were mostly relatable. This was the perfect recipe for an entertaining romance book with all the plot threads tied nicely into a pretty bow.
The romance between Simon, the hero, and Claire, the heroine, was young and sweet. I was reminded of the movie “Pretty in Pink”. I was cheering them on the entire time, hoping they’d reach their happy ever after. Simon’s dad and his wife were stinks. They deserved what came their way. On the other hand, Claire’s parents were the ideal parents. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I was happy when Simon’s uncle, Richard Jarvis, came on the scene.
If you are looking for a fun, sweet historical romance then this one fits the bill. Happy reading!
The romance between Simon, the hero, and Claire, the heroine, was young and sweet. I was reminded of the movie “Pretty in Pink”. I was cheering them on the entire time, hoping they’d reach their happy ever after. Simon’s dad and his wife were stinks. They deserved what came their way. On the other hand, Claire’s parents were the ideal parents. I don’t want to give any spoilers but I was happy when Simon’s uncle, Richard Jarvis, came on the scene.
If you are looking for a fun, sweet historical romance then this one fits the bill. Happy reading!
February 14, 2021
A true Joan Wolf novel
I have enjoyed her novels for decades now. It takes true artist to make such unique stories out of the recency formula. Joan Wolf is the only author I have ever read that made the legend of King Arthur into a story about the people. Be sure to read The Road to Avalon.
I have enjoyed her novels for decades now. It takes true artist to make such unique stories out of the recency formula. Joan Wolf is the only author I have ever read that made the legend of King Arthur into a story about the people. Be sure to read The Road to Avalon.
July 18, 2017
Not even the talent of Joan Wolf could save this story from being insipid
2-1/2 stars
2-1/2 stars
August 16, 2022
Maybe 3.5
October 2, 2016
I received a copy of the eBook from the author for my honest review.
Simon and Claire a couple in love knew they were soulmates from a young age.
Even though Simon was the heir to an Earldom and Claire the daughter of a horse trainer they shouldn't technical be allowed to be together. Although the Earl despised Simon he wasn't a true father figure to him, Claire and her family was more a family to him than the one he was born to.
Simons mother had died when he was just a small child, and never knew anything about her or her side of the family.
Claire and Simon decided to elope to Gretna Green and get married,they knew they would be split apart if anyone found them out, they planned in secret.
So many secrets for Simon, and he wanted to have answers, he never thought he'd be able to find any until he made some inquiries with Liam -Claire's father- which brought to him his uncle Richard Jarvis a very powerful banker .
Will Claire and Simon make it to Gretna Green before they are wed? Can he finally find all the answers to his questions and find peace?
The story evolves nicely the characters are likeable and there's enough intrigue to have one turning the pages wanting and cheering Simon on to find the mystery of his mothers death and his father's hatred.
Joan Wolf is a talented author her stories pull the reader in to sensational story .
Simon and Claire a couple in love knew they were soulmates from a young age.
Even though Simon was the heir to an Earldom and Claire the daughter of a horse trainer they shouldn't technical be allowed to be together. Although the Earl despised Simon he wasn't a true father figure to him, Claire and her family was more a family to him than the one he was born to.
Simons mother had died when he was just a small child, and never knew anything about her or her side of the family.
Claire and Simon decided to elope to Gretna Green and get married,they knew they would be split apart if anyone found them out, they planned in secret.
So many secrets for Simon, and he wanted to have answers, he never thought he'd be able to find any until he made some inquiries with Liam -Claire's father- which brought to him his uncle Richard Jarvis a very powerful banker .
Will Claire and Simon make it to Gretna Green before they are wed? Can he finally find all the answers to his questions and find peace?
The story evolves nicely the characters are likeable and there's enough intrigue to have one turning the pages wanting and cheering Simon on to find the mystery of his mothers death and his father's hatred.
Joan Wolf is a talented author her stories pull the reader in to sensational story .
June 20, 2016
3.5 stars
Pretty much a mirror image story to A London Season.
Both books explore class differences between a very determined pair of young lovers who will stop at nothing to marry, much to the chagrin of their parents/guardians. I thought A London Season was deeper and had better character development and simply sucked me in with more emotional investment. And well, that book had Jane who, i think at one point i described as "gangsta".
But still I liked Simon and Claire in this book, enjoyed their utter conviction and their miles deep devotion to each other. Sometimes it is just nice to read a book about people who are just soulfully in love from page one.
Pretty much a mirror image story to A London Season.
Both books explore class differences between a very determined pair of young lovers who will stop at nothing to marry, much to the chagrin of their parents/guardians. I thought A London Season was deeper and had better character development and simply sucked me in with more emotional investment. And well, that book had Jane who, i think at one point i described as "gangsta".
But still I liked Simon and Claire in this book, enjoyed their utter conviction and their miles deep devotion to each other. Sometimes it is just nice to read a book about people who are just soulfully in love from page one.
October 1, 2016
This was a well-written, enjoyable book. Clare is the daughter of the Earl of Welbourne's horse trainer and Simon is the Earl's heir. They have known each other since they were children and at 17 and 18 they are in love and want to get married. Their parents would oppose this unequal union, and the Earl has always hated Simon, his son. Simon learns that he has been left a trust fund from his mother's marriage settlement, and Clare and Simon decide to elope. These two had such a strong commitment to each other and throughout the book they worked together to overcome each obstacle they encountered. This was another great book by Joan Wolf. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2016
So many stories, so many years and still one of the top five in historical romance.
I have every story that Joan Wolf has every written. I have loved them all!
I doesn't matter what place in time it is from pre-history to contemporary. Joan can write them all.
I have every story that Joan Wolf has every written. I have loved them all!
I doesn't matter what place in time it is from pre-history to contemporary. Joan can write them all.
September 26, 2016
Lovely romance story about Claire and Simon, who want to get married, but come from two different worlds. Can it work, need to read the entire book to find out. You just keep reading, too much suspense otherwise to wait. Finally he has some funds on his own, but is it enough. Loved it
June 9, 2016
It's like she took bits and pieces of her beloved regencies and came up with this story. It wasn't bad, but nowhere near as good as the original.
September 26, 2016
Enjoyed it throughout. Found it hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews