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Who's That Earl

(Love and Let Spy #1)

Susanna Craig (Goodreads Author)

3.67 · Rating details · 702 ratings · 205 reviews

From rising star Susanna Craig comes a fresh new series filled with high-stakes intrigue and thrilling historical romance that is perfect for readers looking for a fun new twist on their favorite love stories…

Will scandalous secrets stand in the way of a second chance at love?

Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentlema ...more

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Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Published August 18th 2020 by Lyrical Press

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· 702 ratings · 205 reviews

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Start your review of Who's That Earl (Love and Let Spy, #1)

Jul 27, 2020 PamG rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, gr-giveaways, historical-romance, read-2020

WHO’S THAT EARL by Susanna Craig is the first book in the Love and Let Spy historical romance series and the first book that I have read by this author. The story is largely set in Scotland. At seventeen, Jane Quayle met a young British army officer, Thomas Sutherland and had a short romance. However, he was called away to duty and she was soon cast out of her family home by her parents. Seven years have now passed and they happen to meet again.

Susanna and Thomas were both characters that you co ...more

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Aug 15, 2020 Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-reviews, historical-fiction, historical-romance

STRONG FEMALE LEAD IN A PLOT-LESS WISHY WASHY HISTORICAL ROMANCE

When I read Historical Romance I like a bit of heartfelt (maybe even sizzling) romance. I also like a plot that goes beyond the romance and maybe has some drama, mystery or horror. And I like strong female characters who stand up for themselves. With this book I got only one of those things...

👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍

Jane: Our female lead Jane is a selfmade woman - she is a published author, writing under a male pseudonym. She writes horror ...more

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Jun 27, 2020 Mara rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, ebook-owned

3.5 stars-- There's a lot of elements in this book I really enjoyed! The characters & their banter were great. I loved the snippets of the gothic novel (honestly could have done with more of that), and I loved the rugged Scottish castle setting! Overall, I think this book would have benefitted from having a stronger mystery element in the plotting, because I thought that pacing and plot were the weakest points of the story. Still, this was quite a charming historical, and it felt like something ...more

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Aug 08, 2020 Barbara Rogers rated it really liked it

Shelves: xx-2020-read, netgalley, iblog

Series: Love and Let Spy #1
Publication Date: 8/18/20
Number of Pages: 384
*** 3.5 Stars Rounded Up ***

This second-chance romance was a fun read. It has a little bit of everything – snippets from a gothic novel, a mystery, a villain, a crumbling castle, and two really cute spaniels. I really liked both lead characters – and – of course, I loved the epilogue.

At seventeen Miss Jane Quayle met a handsome young military officer, Thomas Sutherland. They spent the following weeks keeping as much company Series: Love and Let Spy #1
Publication Date: 8/18/20
Number of Pages: 384
*** 3.5 Stars Rounded Up ***

This second-chance romance was a fun read. It has a little bit of everything – snippets from a gothic novel, a mystery, a villain, a crumbling castle, and two really cute spaniels. I really liked both lead characters – and – of course, I loved the epilogue.

At seventeen Miss Jane Quayle met a handsome young military officer, Thomas Sutherland. They spent the following weeks keeping as much company as was possible at the time. They spoke of marriage and Thomas made plans to speak to Jane’s father. But – when he arrived at the house, her father denied he even had a daughter.

I have to say that the author didn’t make me feel there was a ‘great love for all time’ here. They both walked away too easily and neither ever tried to contact the other again. Yes, they both remembered a sweet shared kiss – but – that seems to be it. It just didn’t seem to me that either was totally invested in the relationship at that time.

Seven years later – Jane had become a very wealthy and very famous Gothic Novel author who wrote under the male pseudonym, Robin Ratliff, and Thomas had spent that time as a spy stationed in the West Indies. Jane, as Robin Ratliff, has been renting Dunnock Castle from its absentee landlord, the Earl of Magnus. Both have been satisfied with the arrangement as he prefers the warmer climes, and she is paying a handsome sum for the privacy afforded by a Highland castle.

When Thomas is summoned to London by his spymaster, General Zebadiah Scott, he has no idea what is about to transpire. The General informs Thomas that the Earl of Magnus has died – and Thomas is now the new earl. Thomas has no desire to have a title and informs the general of that, but the general isn’t taking no for an answer. So, it is off to Scotland to officially claim his title and then on to Dunnock Castle.

After days of exhausting travel, Thomas arrives at Dunnock Castle and awaits a meeting with Robin Ratliff – only to be taken to Jane Quayle – who is now Mrs. Higginbotham. Thomas insists on seeing Robin and not his secretary but is told that Robin is off doing research for his next novel.

Both Thomas and Jane are keeping secrets – big secrets, and neither trusts the other with those secrets. However, they are both smart and soon each of them begins to put the puzzle pieces together. Can they get past those secrets and find their own HEA? You’ll just have to read the book to see.

I enjoyed the read and thought the storyline was interesting, but, for some reason, I never became truly invested in the romance. Rather than feeling I was reading a great love story that had stood the test of time, I felt I was reading two people who just decided they were in love and wanted to get on with it. Maybe that isn’t a good explanation, but, bottom line, I just didn’t feel it. Then, there is the matter of the villain (well two if you count her father). I felt there could have been more suspense and danger associated with that part of the story – I thought it was too quickly and easily solved.

Bottom line is – I enjoyed the read and would share it with a friend. I think General Scott was my favorite character in the whole book. I loved him and I think he’ll be the lynchpin of the series as he manages to pair off his spies with just the perfect lady for them. I’m looking forward to the next story already.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 Bethany rated it it was amazing

Shelves: good-fat-rep

Who's That Earl is a historical romantic suspense (more romance than suspense) with an independent, plus-size heroine and a hero reluctant to become an earl with a career in military intelligence. I had such a good time with this one and I'm excited to read more from the author!

Jayne Quayle is secretly the author of pulpy novels, written under a male nome de plume. She is renting a castle in the remote Scottish Highlands as she pens her very successful novels and hides her identity by pretendin ...more

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Aug 19, 2020 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

'Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentleman create lurid gothic novels so infamous someone wants their author silenced forever? Fortunately, Jane has taken steps to protect herself, first by assuming a pen name, and second, by taking up residence at remote Dunnock Castle, surrounded by rugged scenery that might have been ripped from the pages of one of her books. Her true identity remains a secret, until one dark and stormy night...

After y 'Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentleman create lurid gothic novels so infamous someone wants their author silenced forever? Fortunately, Jane has taken steps to protect herself, first by assuming a pen name, and second, by taking up residence at remote Dunnock Castle, surrounded by rugged scenery that might have been ripped from the pages of one of her books. Her true identity remains a secret, until one dark and stormy night...

After years of spying for the British army, Thomas Sutherland doubts the Highlands will ever feel like home again. Nevertheless, thanks to a quirk of Scottish inheritance law, he's now the Earl of Magnus, complete with a crumbling castle currently inhabited by a notorious novelist. When the writer turns out to be the woman Thomas once wooed, suspicions rise even as mutual sparks reignite. As danger closes in, can Jane and Thomas overcome their pasts to forge a future together?'
___________________________________

4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.

Who's That Earl is the first book in Susanna Craig's new Love and Let Spy series and is a historical romance.

Despite finding the book to be a little slow to start while the characters and their current circumstances are introduced, I really enjoyed reading this book. It a great start to a new series that I will be looking forward to reading more of.

At the start of the book, I felt largely ambivalent to Thomas' character as I found him to a bit gruff and aloof, as he was meant to be due to his time serving in isolation on an island. I wasn't sure that I would find him to be likable enough to follow through the entirety of the book. But despite his unwillingness to be there, he really started to grow on me once he made his way into Scotland to explore he reversal of fortunes.

I really like Jane's independent nature, even if it was largely born out of unfortunate circumstances. This isn't the first book I've read with the heroine a beloved author writing under a male nom de plume, but I loved the ruise that Jane devized in order to allow her to write in plain sight, yet still enjoy the fruit of her labors and to bask in others' adoration of her work, all without any the wiser. Jane is a talented storyteller both within both her books and her own life, which earned her the both strength and independence.

I loved the characters and especilly the twists and spots of dangert hich they encountered over the course of the story. The next book of the series is lightly introduced in the epilogue of this book and I am entruiged by what we know of the premise and will be looking out for the next book.
_____

I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing an eARC of Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig. This is my honest review. ...more

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Sep 08, 2020 Victoria (Eve's Alexandria) added it

Shelves: nineteenth-century, netgalley, romance, kindle, review-copy

I'm afraid this didn't work for me and I DNF'd at 18%, for a combination of reasons.

Alarm bells rang right at the start when we meet the hero on the island of Dominica in the West Indies, where he has been stationed for some years as a British intelligence officer. We're not told exactly when the book is set, but references to Napoleon would suggest it's between 1804 and 1815. At that time Dominica was a British colony (established 1805), and was an important staging point for the 'triangular t ...more

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Aug 09, 2020 Tracy Emro rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-reviews, for-review, top-picks-2020

4.5 stars rounded up.

After being stationed on the island of Dominica for seven long, lonely years, Lt. Thomas Sutherland is finally going back to England. He returns and briefly considers looking up the girl he fell in love with just before he left, the girl he didn’t get to say goodbye to, but never forgot, but then convinces himself that she is no longer his Miss Quayle and that the past is best forgotten. He reports to his commanding officer, General Zebadiah Scott and learns that he has inhe 4.5 stars rounded up.

After being stationed on the island of Dominica for seven long, lonely years, Lt. Thomas Sutherland is finally going back to England. He returns and briefly considers looking up the girl he fell in love with just before he left, the girl he didn’t get to say goodbye to, but never forgot, but then convinces himself that she is no longer his Miss Quayle and that the past is best forgotten. He reports to his commanding officer, General Zebadiah Scott and learns that he has inherited the title of Earl of Magnus as well as the Scottish estate Dunnock Castle. General Scott will not even consider giving Thomas a new post until he goes to Dunnock and makes sure all is well with his tenants. He also tells Thomas that the castle is currently being leased to Robin Ratliff, an author of some renown, but that the lease is up for renewal in less than a month, so will also have to decide if he will renew the lease or take up residence at the castle himself. Thomas sets out, sure that he will not be staying at Dunnock. He arrives and is shocked to learn that Robin Radliff is not in residence, but his amanuensis, Mrs. Higginbotham is and she is none other than Miss Jane Quayle, the woman he fell in love with all those years ago.

Jane Quayle has a secret, she is not a widow or an amanuensis, she is Robin Ratliff, the author of several wildly popular gothic novels. She can’t believe Thomas is standing in front of her! She last saw him the night her life changed forever and has barely given him more than a passing thought over the years (well maybe more than a passing thought, but certainly she hasn’t dreamed about him, at least not very much). Thomas doesn’t want to tell her he is Lord Magnus, so after spying a threatening letter to Ratliff on her desk, he says he was sent to investigate the threats. It doesn’t take long for either of them to figure out the other’s secrets, but it will take longer to figure out who is threatening Jane and for Thomas to decide if he is willing to leave his military career behind and take up the responsibilities of being the Earl. It will take even longer for these two to admit that their love never died and that their HEA is possible if they are willing to reach for it…

I really loved this story, it was a well written, nicely paced novel with wonderful characters. It was a fun read, but not silly, Thomas and Jane are incredibly likable and the chemistry between them is undeniable. I was hooked from the very first page and devoured this book, it is filled with secrets, laughter, steamyish love scenes, a bit of mystery, a demented villain, great secondary characters, some spoiled dogs, second chances and a very delightful ending complete with an epilogue. This is the first book in the series and I am happy to recommend this title and will be anxiously awaiting the next installment!!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
...more

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Feb 07, 2021 OLT rated it liked it

(2.5 stars) I've read several but not all of Susanna Craig's HRs since her first one was released maybe five years ago. One of them, from 2018, I even gave five stars to, but most fall into the 3-star category. Craig actually writes well and has relatively good starts to her books, but she doesn't have adequate follow-through. By the halfway point, most of her plots and romantic relationships fall into trope traps and can't get themselves out. This one is no exception.

I saw this book when it was (2.5 stars) I've read several but not all of Susanna Craig's HRs since her first one was released maybe five years ago. One of them, from 2018, I even gave five stars to, but most fall into the 3-star category. Craig actually writes well and has relatively good starts to her books, but she doesn't have adequate follow-through. By the halfway point, most of her plots and romantic relationships fall into trope traps and can't get themselves out. This one is no exception.

I saw this book when it was first released in August of 2020 but felt it was too expensive at $7.99 to take a chance on, but this week it is being offered at 99 cents and I just can't pass up a bargain. After all, it could possibly have been another 5-star book for me. Well, nope, it wasn't, but I'm only out a buck so I don't care.

The idea of this is cute. Setting in Scotland complete with castle, heroine an anonymous writer of Gothic novels, hero a British spy recently inheriting an earldom. They had met some 7 years ago and in just a few weeks time formed an attachment, only to be separated by unfortunate circumstances. And now, look at the coinkydink, she's been leasing his newly-inherited castle for the past several years, where she feels properly inspired to keep creating her Gothic romances.

When they first meet again, she doesn't know he's the new earl and owner of the castle she lives in and he doesn't know she's the famous Gothic novelist, since she purports to be the novelist's secretary (excuse me, amanuensis). And yada, yada,yada. There's a lame mystery, with a letter writer threatening the life of the novelist because of the trashy novels he (well, she) writes. There's the romance and truths about each other to get cleared up. There's a bit of an identity crisis for the hero: Does he continue to serve as a spy for the Crown or does he assume the responsibilities of his title.

As is often the case with Craig's novels, this one started out okay and I was enjoying Craig's writing. She actually writes well. The problem is that she wastes her abilities with plodding plots, cliched tropes, and characters that end up annoying me. ...more

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May 13, 2020 Sophie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2020, 5-stars, 2020-releases, 2020-new-releases-challenge, arcs-read

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Seven years ago, Jane Quayle and Thomas Sutherland met and fell in love. Fate intervened and they were both separated but hadn't stopped thinking of each other. Now in very different places, they could never expect to meet again, but in the remote Scottish Highlands, at Dunnock Castle, they do. Jane has reinvented herself as the widowed Mrs Higginbotham, and secretary for the allusive Robin Rat I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Seven years ago, Jane Quayle and Thomas Sutherland met and fell in love. Fate intervened and they were both separated but hadn't stopped thinking of each other. Now in very different places, they could never expect to meet again, but in the remote Scottish Highlands, at Dunnock Castle, they do. Jane has reinvented herself as the widowed Mrs Higginbotham, and secretary for the allusive Robin Ratliff, who's Gothic novels have taken the country by storm, but have also brought threats. The main secret Jane is keeping though, is the fact that she is in fact Ratliff, and has been writing under a pseudonym since her parents kicked her out at 17. She's been living in Dunnock Castle for the past few years, but her landlord, the former Earl of Magnus, recently died, and it seems as if his heir might not renew the lease, and kick her out. Thomas has been in the West Indies for years as a member of the British Army, but is recalled home when it's apparent that he has inherited the title of Magnus, through his late mother. He loves the Highlands, but can't reconcile himself now the person he once was. He arrives at his family seat at Dunnock, and is overwhelmed when he sees Jane is there. Thomas fabricates the idea that he is there for her protection, due to the threats being made against Ratcliff, and keeps his title a secret. Both have their own issues and concerns, but once they are back together, their old feelings and chemistry is undeniable, and it's inevitable for them to fight it any longer.

I just loved this book so much! I knew as soon as I saw the synopsis on NG that I would need to read it, and as soon as I was approved I put everything to one side and started it straight away. I fell in love with Jane as soon as I met her, and was intrigued by Thomas' back story, and wanted to know more about his life split between summers in Scotland and his time in England. Their characters were fully three dimensional, and so engaging that I wanted to spend as much time with them as I could. And when they were together, it was even better. Their banter and playful energy was infectious and every man and their dog - including Athena and Aphrodite - were rooting for the couple. The mystery and Gothic aspect of the book from Jane's books and who was out to get her was a nice interlude too, so the book was wholly about the romance - though that wouldn't have been a bad thing really. Jane and Thomas really grew over the course of the story, and the way they slowly let down their walls and sought out the other when times were hard was fantastic. I hope that in the next book in this series we'll see more of them too. ...more

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Aug 08, 2020 Elodie rated it it was amazing

Who's That Earl: An Exciting & Witty Regency Love Story
Love and Let Spy Series #1
Susanna Craig
https://www.facebook.com/susannacraig...
Release date 08/18/2020
Publisher Kensington Lyrica

Blurb :

Will scandalous secrets stand in the way of a second chance at love?

Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentleman create lurid gothic novels so infamous someone wants their author silenced forever? Fortunately, Jane has taken steps to protect herself, ...more

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Sep 02, 2020 TheEuphoricZat rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book, it was so well-paced, the characters were interesting and the story itself was interesting.
Jane is a single woman pretending to be a widow because that is the only way she can live her life in seclusion peacefully. One thing people don't know about her other than she is single is that she writes lurid gothic novels. And by that I mean she writes dirty books, basically books that people have sex. Then we have Thomas Sutherland who is a spy for the British army and he j ...more

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May 17, 2020 Andi rated it liked it

Shelves: on-kindle

I enjoy clean romances, or books with very little sex. I am not familiar with the author but the summary and the presentation of the book seemed to be something that was up my alley. Gothic writer ; threat of harm ; male who was once a spy (?) ; location ... I can go on.

Unfortunately, this book did deliver everything that I hoped it would. It fell short in what I find the biggest things -

- character development and plot

You are immediately introduced to our male. He seems to be someone who is s I enjoy clean romances, or books with very little sex. I am not familiar with the author but the summary and the presentation of the book seemed to be something that was up my alley. Gothic writer ; threat of harm ; male who was once a spy (?) ; location ... I can go on.

Unfortunately, this book did deliver everything that I hoped it would. It fell short in what I find the biggest things -

- character development and plot

You are immediately introduced to our male. He seems to be someone who is skilled in what he does. Think of a special team of men that are out to take down various threats and or spy. He is called home by his general to take up his newly appointed right as a Lord of a castle that he inherited from his mother's side of the family. He is a little discouraged because it has been 7 years and he had hoped to come home and use this time to propose to his once - courted love, Jane. Their relationship was fleeting and lasted only a few weeks but enough to solidify that he had feelings enough for marriage.

This is where the story gets wonky. Jane has taken up residence at the castle that he has now inherited. She is a writer for Gothic novels, under a pseudonym , and has chosen the castle as a place to go for inspiration. Of all the castles, all the locations, it just so happens that the one she goes to is the one he is to inherit.

I'm sorry, I had a hard time believing that. So that was strike one for me. I liked Jane and I liked her character, but there was something that was so underhanded to her by this coincidental and quick way of getting our characters to meet up again that I just had to roll my eyes and proceed. I would have preferred if she either wasn't already there, or, better yet - they didn't know one another at all. It would lead more intrigue and basis for her novel she is writing which alludes to gothic tones and experiences by her own character. You see, Jane has been getting letters that are unsigned and of the threatening sort.

Do you see where I am going at with this? So, say they didn't know one another - our lead shows up, adds a bit of reluctance and mystery because she has these threats and at the same time, she has this newly developed fascination.

So, the rest of the story involved a very weak attempt at figuring out who is trying to harm Jane while meanwhile he is trying to rekindle their once long-ago dormant or still active relationship? There are two sex scenes. The first one I had to laugh at because she literally had a moment where she tells the character that it is just one night and that she is going to file this experience away as use for her stories. I was rolling. The second one was more or less after some weak attempt at causing some sort of friction between the lead and Jane. (Which I still don't understand what was going on and why she did not want to be with him and live at the castle, but that is neither here nor there.)

Since the book is still in the early days of promotion and not set to release until August, I give this review with a bit of warning. I respond to character development and romantic moments between the two characters. Did this book have them? Yes and no. Is the story sound? No. Is the overall product enough to deter some? Yes, if you're looking for more of a grounded romance. If you're looking for something easy and light, you will enjoy this. If you're looking for something built on stronger character development and story you may walk away discouraged. ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 Lu rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-advanced-reading-copy, series-to-continue

They both had something to hide, and those secrets could jeopardize their last chance of happiness.

Who’s That Earl by Susanna Craig is a lovely historical romance featuring a well-curved and independent heroine, and a lieutenant recently returned from the West Indies.

Jane Quayle once knew Lieutenant Thomas Sutherland, or thought she knew him. They had a strong connection, but the timing was all wrong, and they did not see one another for years.

They met again, but they were not who they used t ...more

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Aug 24, 2020 Becky rated it liked it

Shelves: net-galley, secret-writer, working-women, historical-romance, mistaken-or-secret-identity, soldiers, highlanders, virgin-heroines, second-chance-romance

Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig
Love and Let Spy #1

Jane has been leasing a remote castle, as the current Earl has been content to let it sit empty. She's really a novelist but is posing as “his” amanuensis (NOT his secretary) so she won't face the problems of being a woman and trying to get her work published. It also provides her a measure of safety, being a woman alone.

Thomas has been spying for British army for years but is pulled back to Scotland through a matter of Scottish inheritance. Th ...more

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May 14, 2020 Kristin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: second-chance, fave-hero, slow-burn, favorite, hot-scot, favorites

My goodness, this one caught me by surprise! I was immediately entranced by the descriptive writing here. And the main characters were both enormously likeable.

Jane is a famous writer of scandalous Gothic novels, secretly published under a pen name, and she has made a home in a rented Scottish castle for six years. Thomas, an army spy stationed in the West Indies, receives news that he has surprisingly inherited said castle and returns to Scotland to find it's occupied by his long lost love, Jan ...more

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Aug 16, 2020 Courtney rated it liked it

Shelves: advanced-reader-copy

***3.5 stars***

I enjoyed this book and found it well written, amusing and sweet at the same time ... however, plot seemed a bit slow, dragged in a few places. Overall, a good summer read for a light historical romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an opportunity to receive this arc in exchange of an honest review.

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Feb 27, 2021 Elin Eriksen rated it really liked it

Shelves: highlander, 2021

Fun, light and airy.

I thought the combination of a spy mystery, romance and the Scottish Highland worked well together. A compelling read that held my attention as two old sweethearts reunite under different disguises, spiced with a couple of steamy scenes.

Recommend!

Rated: Mature.

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May 24, 2020 Ashley rated it it was amazing

Wow! This book is entertaining, romantic, witty, fun, quite steamy at times, and so much more! There are also many gothic romance elements to the book as well! Whenever I picked up "Who's That Earl", I was whisked back in time, and truly went on an amazing journey with these characters.

This is the first book in Susanna Craig's "Love and Let Spy" series, and I hope there are many more! She truly knows how to bring the world and atmosphere of her novel to life, and her characters jump right off of Wow! This book is entertaining, romantic, witty, fun, quite steamy at times, and so much more! There are also many gothic romance elements to the book as well! Whenever I picked up "Who's That Earl", I was whisked back in time, and truly went on an amazing journey with these characters.

This is the first book in Susanna Craig's "Love and Let Spy" series, and I hope there are many more! She truly knows how to bring the world and atmosphere of her novel to life, and her characters jump right off of the page. Every single one of their interactions felt so authentic and real. It is so clear to me that Ms. Craig put a lot of thought into her characters, and I feel their wants, fears, and desires are beautifully written and expressed. I loved being able to get into these characters' heads!

I found myself rooting for Jane and Thomas from the very beginning. Their chemistry is palpable, and their witty banter is so much fun to read. They truly care for one another, and you can just tell they are meant to be together from the first moment they see one another after seven years apart (even before they are willing to admit it to themselves!). This second chance romance was such a joy to experience along with them. These two really bring out the best in one another, and they are able to be open with one another, and share secrets they can't share with anyone else. Their relationship is so sweet...and steamy! And oh my gosh, these two cute dogs, Athena and Aphrodite! What personality! And how smart and adorable they are!

The many supporting characters are so well-thought out, and all help to push the story forward in one way or another.

If you enjoy historical romance, historical fiction, and / or historical gothic romance novels, I highly recommend this book! I could not put it down, and was intrigued from the first sentence to the last! I also absolutely loved the bits of the gothic novels that Jane writes that are included in the book, and feel like they mirrored what was going on in the story beautifully. In many ways, these novel feels like a book for book lovers! I hope there will be many more books in this incredible new series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this novel! I so enjoyed it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own. ...more

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Aug 03, 2020 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, covers-i-adore, review, romance, read-2020

Reviewed for Wit and Sin

Susanna Craig starts her Love and Let Spy series on a high note. Who’s That Earl is a lot of fun to read and Jane and Thomas were easy characters to root for.

After being cast out by her family, Jane has become a famous and wealthy author of gothic novels. Only she writes under a pen name Robin Ratliff and rents a remote Scottish castle, all the better to protect her true identity. That doesn’t stop danger from appearing on her doorstep in the form of threats from ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 eyes.2c rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, regency-romance, regency-adventure

Great new Regency spy romance series!

Now this is something different! An unlikely combination but it works. A lady writer of scandalous gothic novels, a government intelligence officer and a castle in the Scottish highlands hiding secrets.
When Lieutenant Thomas Sutherland comes back to England after seven years in Jamaica he doesn't expect his spy master, General Zebadiah Scott, to send him off to check out an inheritance that seems to have come his way. That inheritance is a title, castle and l ...more

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Aug 09, 2020 Lindsay pinkcowlandreads rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, kindle-books

Miss Jane Quayle is living her life under 2 aliases: Robin Ratliff, the famous gothic novelist and Mrs. Higginbottom, the authors’ amanuensis. While working in her leased Scottish castle, it appears her ruse is going well... that is until her lost love from 7 years ago, Lieutenant Thomas Sutherland shows up to investigate the threatening letters recently received by Robin Ratliff.

I loved a good second chance romance! It was fun watching both these characters uncover each other’s secrets and re-k ...more

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Jun 27, 2020 JoAn rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, arc, historical

Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig is a historical second chance romance with a very small touch of mystery.

Ms. Craig's descriptive provided a vivid backdrop of Dunnock Castle and the Scottish highlands for this story. However, I found the mystery to be easily solved as I knew who it was just based on a character description early in the book. Jane and Thomas's relationship seemed to be based more on their past rather than their current knowledge of each other. Ms. Craig did develop them well at t ...more

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Dec 17, 2020 Amy Ingalls rated it liked it

Shelves: giveaways, historical-fiction

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

This was a fun second chance love story. I thought that the mystery would be the focus of this story, and it was lighter than I normally like. However, I loved Jane and Thomas. She was a strong woman who built a life (and a successful career) for herself in a society that frowned upon independence in a woman. Thomas was charming and the kind of man any woman would want by her side. The characters made the story for me.

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Aug 14, 2020 Megan rated it really liked it

This story was a total delight! It's my first by this author, and I enjoyed it so much!

Miss Jane Quayle, having been forced to leave home at 17 with barely a penny to her name, has created a whole new identity for herself. Well, 2 identities actually! She's now Mrs. Higginbotham, a young widow, and secretary to the famously scandalous Gothic novelist, Robin Ratliff. But, she's actually the author too! She rents an old castle in the Scottish Highlands, and keeps to herself, in order to keep herse This story was a total delight! It's my first by this author, and I enjoyed it so much!

Miss Jane Quayle, having been forced to leave home at 17 with barely a penny to her name, has created a whole new identity for herself. Well, 2 identities actually! She's now Mrs. Higginbotham, a young widow, and secretary to the famously scandalous Gothic novelist, Robin Ratliff. But, she's actually the author too! She rents an old castle in the Scottish Highlands, and keeps to herself, in order to keep herself safe, both emotionally, and physically, now that someone is mailing threatening letters to Robin about his books. Even the castle's servants don't know that she's really Robin too. But, when she receives a note from "Robin's" lawyer that her former landlord, the Earl of Magnus has died, and a new Earl has been named, she's afraid her lease won't be renewed. Where will she go? Then a most unexpected man from her past shows up on her doorstep, and she's not sure if she can trust him with her secrets.

Thomas Sutherland, is the new Earl of Magnus. He can't believe that it turns out his sweet mother was related to titled people and he has now inherited this title and lands. He's spent the last 7 years in the British Army, stationed as an undercover operative in Dominica, in the Caribbean. Once his general recalls him to London, and informs him of his new duties as an Earl, he sets out for Scotland at once, though very reluctantly. He's hoping he can find someone to run the estate for him, so he can return to the military. But, he has no idea the shock he's about to get when the castle's tenant is none other that the woman he hasn't stopped thinking about in 7 years. But, they are both keeping secrets, and since he's a master spy, he's determined to learn hers, and help with the threats against her employer.

Jane and Thomas' chemistry was quite strong from the start, though this was quite a slow burn romance, as many historicals are, of course. Though they had a history, it was quite short, and ended abruptly 7 years ago. They really do manage to get to know each other, even with both of them trying to keep their secrets hidden. I loved that they both suspected the other of lying and omitting things, but since they were each doing their own hiding of the truth, neither of them could really judge each other. They really learned to trust and rely on each other, and I loved watching it happen.

The side characters in the village of Balisaig were so fun, and I loved that Thomas had a childhood connection to many of them. Though that made it harder for him to admit that he was the new Earl, as it changed his relationship to his friends, with whom he'd previously been on equal footing. It was an interesting dynamic, and I found it unique to many other historical romances I've read. I especially loved Dunnock Castle's housekeeper, Mrs. Murdoch, and Jane's 2 dogs!

There was a small suspense plot, about the threatening letters, and a few other things, and that was a fun aspect of the story too. Also, the storyline with Jane's father was fun for me as a reader, because he was a complete and total waste of space, and I was glad to see what ultimately happened with him. I also loved the idea of Thomas' general as a bit of a matchmaker. It definitely set things up for book #2 and I'm excited to read it!

This was such a fun, unexpected, sweet and sexy, second chance story, and I loved it. I also really loved that the heroine was an author, and was wealthy in her own right. She knew she had a talent, and she went for it, regardless of what happened to her in her life. She didn't need to become a Countess for her life to be good, and her Earl loved her just as she was. I definitely recommend this one, and I'll be looking forward to book 2!

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
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Aug 16, 2020 ColleenIsBooked rated it it was amazing

Forgot to add to my NetGalley review, but TW/CW that I can remember: Bad parental relationships, Being kicked out of a parent's house, bodily injury

Second chance romance, a Gothic novel writer, a former soldier/spy turned Earl, a crumbly castle, and two adorable spaniels. If any (or all) of these things interest you, definitely pick up Who’s That Earl. Our heroine, Jane, is a quick-witted, creative, strong woman who happens to write scandalous Gothic tales under a pen name while renting out a cr Forgot to add to my NetGalley review, but TW/CW that I can remember: Bad parental relationships, Being kicked out of a parent's house, bodily injury

Second chance romance, a Gothic novel writer, a former soldier/spy turned Earl, a crumbly castle, and two adorable spaniels. If any (or all) of these things interest you, definitely pick up Who’s That Earl. Our heroine, Jane, is a quick-witted, creative, strong woman who happens to write scandalous Gothic tales under a pen name while renting out a crumbly Scottish castle. Our Hero, Thomas, is an intelligent, adventurous, respectful man who is a former spy turned Earl and just happens to own the castle rented by a certain novelist and his amanuensis (which is basically a literary assistant who takes dictation and/or transcribes/copies manuscripts).

This book was the last one I read during the Historical Romance Readathon (*weekend edition*) and one of my favorites! I adore historical romances with characters who are writers, and this was no exception. I also love when the reader gets snippets of the book/stories within the story AND the snippets relate to the main story.

This book also features, from what I understood during my reading, a more full figured/fat heroine (despite the woman in the cover art). She is described as “plump” and “sturdy” and Rubenesque with a round belly and dimpled thighs. I enjoyed this little bit of body diversity as a lot of historical romances tend to have very slender, petite heroines (I understand why this is, in a historical context, but it is always nice to have differing body types as well).

Probably my favorite part of this book is how respectful Thomas is of everyone, but especially of Jane. I’ve read quite a few historical romances (and romances in general) that have a Hero who disrespects the heroine’s wishes or her explicit nos or body language that clearly shows discomfort. It is always refreshing to have a Hero who is respectful of the boundaries of the heroine, and also just respectful to people altogether.

I absolutely loved the second chance romance aspect of this book. For me, the chemistry was still there and the sparks were still flying. It was sweet, it was cute, and it was steamy.

One last thing before I close out this review, THERE WERE DOGGOS! I love dogs, and I was so excited about the dogs in this book that I screamed and woke up my dog lol.

I’m trying to keep this review very spoiler free. So, basically, what I’m saying is that I highly recommend Who’s That Earl by Susanna Craig! It is an excellent beginning to the Love and Let Spy series, and I truly can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series when they release!

A big thank you to Lyrical Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Who’s That Earl in exchange for an honest review! ...more

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May 25, 2020 Brit Andrews rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

Seven years ago Jane and Thomas met and fell for each other, but circumstance had them parting expecting to never see the other again....

Jane is now an accomplished writer secretly working away under the pen name the suggests she’s a man. Nobody knows that there is no Robin Ratliff and Jane is all too bad to play the part of his secretary so that no one is the wiser. She’s found herself a home leasing a castle in Scotland where she’s been living and working in peace until she finds that the earl Seven years ago Jane and Thomas met and fell for each other, but circumstance had them parting expecting to never see the other again....

Jane is now an accomplished writer secretly working away under the pen name the suggests she’s a man. Nobody knows that there is no Robin Ratliff and Jane is all too bad to play the part of his secretary so that no one is the wiser. She’s found herself a home leasing a castle in Scotland where she’s been living and working in peace until she finds that the earl who’s castle she’s staying in has died and his heir will be soon making an appearance putting her situation in jeopardy. She also receives a threatening letter to make matters worse for her...

Thomas has spent the last 7 years devoted to his army career which has him living in the Caribbean. A twist of fate has him dragged back to England to take up the title of Lord Magnus. The last thing he wants is to be an Earl bit with little choice he sets out to claim his castle. He was not expecting to fine Jane in his castle and not the eccentric writer he was told lives there. Seven years has done nothing to lessen their attraction but neither really plans on doing anything about that.

For a variety of reasons Jane and Thomas aren’t sure they can trust each other as secrets pile up between them and he decides that she needs his protection. As they try to figure out what they both want in life and what the future holds for them. Will Thomas take his place as the earl and try to improve life in the village he or will he follow in the footsteps of his predecessor and hire someone to handle things while he returns to life as a solider? Will Jane finally fully let go of her past and allow herself to embrace the future? Or will she stubbornly cling to a life and plan that no longer make sense for her? And just who is threatening Jane?

Since it’s a romance the happily ever after is rather implied though the route to get there has a few twists and turns...

I liked this book though I must admit I would have liked to read what Jane was writing too. I mean how did The Necromancer’s Bride end? What happened in The Brigand’s Captive? I really liked Jane and Thomas and the whole cast of characters at Dunnock and Balisaig.

The only downside I suppose is that the confrontations were rather anticlimactic. Still it was a good read with a love story seven years and many miles in the making. ...more

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Jun 06, 2020 Nicole Emerald Book Reviews McCurdy rated it really liked it

I had such high hopes for this book. The premise for this particular historical romance was dazzling. A woman author who has to hide behind a male pseudonym, rusticating away in a Scottish castle, content with life until a dark and handsome stranger arrives at her door. Only he might not be as unknown to her as she thought.
'"I ken you're remembering what happened the last time I had you out for a stroll?"
"Certainly not." The pink in her cheeks deepened.
"Nay?" In the intervening years, he ought t I had such high hopes for this book. The premise for this particular historical romance was dazzling. A woman author who has to hide behind a male pseudonym, rusticating away in a Scottish castle, content with life until a dark and handsome stranger arrives at her door. Only he might not be as unknown to her as she thought.
'"I ken you're remembering what happened the last time I had you out for a stroll?"
"Certainly not." The pink in her cheeks deepened.
"Nay?" In the intervening years, he ought to have been too focused on his survival to have spent much time swooning over a girl he'd known for only a few weeks. But he' held onto those moments like a nun clutched her rosary, lingering over each detail, seeking...something. Solace in the past. An escape from the present. A promise of hope for the future. "I think of it often."'
This was a deep slow-burn romance for sure. It took quite a while for any semblance of passion or romance to enter into the fray. While I don't mind that at all, I still like the story line to progress at an even speed. The entire first chapter of how our hero was called back home, seemed like such a waste of time. It was unnecessary for the plot. There was a few more instances where the story seemed to stagnate, neither moving forward or doing anything profound in the interim.
There was some lovely scenes throughout, as our hero and heroine became reacquainted with one another, as they learned to form a friendship, a trust and confidence in each other. I would have just liked a bit more passion and fervour between them. It was almost too subliminal for too long. But I will say that once they gave into their feelings for each other, it was beautiful, sensual and intense.
Then there was the added mystery of the threatening letters, which was an interesting element. It did give the story a bit of excitement as we trailed along with the protagonists in solving the matter.
Who's That Earl had so much potential. Second chance romance is my favourite trope, add in the fact that it is historical romance and it should have been a double whammy here for me, however it fell short somewhere along the way. It was a lovely love story, just a tad too slow moving for my liking, however this author is one to watch for the future. I'll certainly not be writing her off due to my average feelings regarding this book. I'm actually quite excited to see what she does next. ...more

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Jul 04, 2020 Carissa rated it did not like it

Shelves: netgalley-arc-docs, historical-romance, mystery-thriller-suspense, gov-emergency-services

DNF 61%

The cover is an attention grabber, a bit different pose than a typical historical. The blurb sounded really good, but its not the story it made out to be. Thomas and Jane unfortunately didn't have the chemistry I thought they would have. This book lost my attention and I read more than I probably should have.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ...more

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Aug 10, 2020 Jen Ryland added it

I loved the premise of this one. Jane is a George Eliot-style writer who is using a man's pen name and renting a castle on a remote Scottish estate as a place to hide out and write her lurid Gothic thrillers. She's pretending that she is a widow who serves as the secretary and transcriber of this elusive (and imaginary) male author. Then Thomas, who has been spying for the British, becomes the heir of the estate and returns there to take it over.

Jane and Thomas had met before and shared a brief ...more

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About Susanna Craig

Susanna Craig

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Almost as soon as she could hold a pencil, Susanna Craig began writing stories. Today, she pens award-winning Regency-era romance novels that blend history and heart with a dash of heat. An English professor, wife, and mom, she’s currently finding her happily ever after in Kentucky while holding onto her Midwestern roots. Find her online at http://www.susannacraig.com. ...more