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Before I Was Yours, My Earl
"I would rather have today with you than forever with anyone else...”
Navigating an unforgiving society and still mourning her husband’s untimely death, Miss Evelyn Swinton must fend for herself. To pay off the debts in her name, she is forced to accept a position as a companion to the elderly Dowager Duchess of Tolware.
There is nothing talented cook Mayson Rudge enjoys more than spending his time in the Tolware Estate kitchens. With his troubled past a memory he’d rather die than relive, he keeps his head low and his dishes impeccable. Until the day Evelyn sets foot in the manor.
Struggling to come to terms with their budding romance, Evelyn must fight the feelings of guilt that well up inside her at the thought of her deceased husband. However, their already fragile happiness shatters when Mayson nearly perishes at the hands of a distant memory. For the key to their life and their death is in the shape of a crescent moon.
Navigating an unforgiving society and still mourning her husband’s untimely death, Miss Evelyn Swinton must fend for herself. To pay off the debts in her name, she is forced to accept a position as a companion to the elderly Dowager Duchess of Tolware.
There is nothing talented cook Mayson Rudge enjoys more than spending his time in the Tolware Estate kitchens. With his troubled past a memory he’d rather die than relive, he keeps his head low and his dishes impeccable. Until the day Evelyn sets foot in the manor.
Struggling to come to terms with their budding romance, Evelyn must fight the feelings of guilt that well up inside her at the thought of her deceased husband. However, their already fragile happiness shatters when Mayson nearly perishes at the hands of a distant memory. For the key to their life and their death is in the shape of a crescent moon.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2021
228 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Hanna Hamilton
124 books127 followersHanna Hamilton has been fascinated with the Regency era ever since she was a young teen, first discovering historical romance novels by famous authors such as Jane Austen and Lisa Kleypas. She believes that love was just so much more magical back then, more like a fairy tale. She always daydreamed about finding love herself that way, but since that is impossible in the twenty-first century, she decided to write about it instead!
Born in Texas, Hanna Hamilton obtained a degree in Creative Writing and has worked as a literature teacher before becoming a novelist. When she isn’t writing, Hanna likes to explore the countryside with her husband and two children, gaining inspiration from the natural world around her.
So, come on a journey into love, confusion, and redemption all within the Regency era. Hanna hopes that you will enjoy immersing yourself into her novels and that you too will find a love for old-fashioned romance, just as she has.
Facebook page: http://facebook.com/hannahamiltonauthor
Born in Texas, Hanna Hamilton obtained a degree in Creative Writing and has worked as a literature teacher before becoming a novelist. When she isn’t writing, Hanna likes to explore the countryside with her husband and two children, gaining inspiration from the natural world around her.
So, come on a journey into love, confusion, and redemption all within the Regency era. Hanna hopes that you will enjoy immersing yourself into her novels and that you too will find a love for old-fashioned romance, just as she has.
Facebook page: http://facebook.com/hannahamiltonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 6, 2022
Before I was Yours, My Earl by Hannah Hamilton was a surprise...it started off as a typical historical romance but then the characters started developing, the storyline started getting really interesting and the action started with the first accident in the kitchen at the house of the Duchess. Love interest between widowed Miss Evelyn Swinton and the cook, Mason Rudge builds slowly. Evelyn really seems to be the star of the show as she is so adept at making things work in every scenario. I do recommend this read as it has delightful depth and plot twists. With characters the reader really wants to get to know better. Darrius needs to have a novel now...and The Duchess too.
January 7, 2021
Evelyn Swinton has had to accept a position as a companion to the elderly Dowager Duchess of Tolware. She is still in mourning over the death of her husband. She has caught the eye of Mayson Rudge
the cook at Tolware Estate. He decides to get to know Evelyn better. As they spend more time together love starts to blossom. Evelyn feels guilty when she thinks about her late husband. She has only been a widow for a year. An earl is missing. What happened to him? We have mystery, suspense, secrets, drama,
intrigue, danger, romance, twists, and turns. Hanna gives us wonderful descriptions that enable us to see the scenes. as the story unfolds. Characters are fleshed out. and some are not who they say they are. The plot is well thought out. The story is fast-paced and well written.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
the cook at Tolware Estate. He decides to get to know Evelyn better. As they spend more time together love starts to blossom. Evelyn feels guilty when she thinks about her late husband. She has only been a widow for a year. An earl is missing. What happened to him? We have mystery, suspense, secrets, drama,
intrigue, danger, romance, twists, and turns. Hanna gives us wonderful descriptions that enable us to see the scenes. as the story unfolds. Characters are fleshed out. and some are not who they say they are. The plot is well thought out. The story is fast-paced and well written.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
January 14, 2021
This book definitely did not take me where I thought it was going to when I first started reading it. It starts with a dowager duchess and her companion, who is a young widow and the duchess's son. Then we learn about a missing heir from the neighboring plantation, the wonderful young cook in the duchess's employ, the soon-to-be daughter-in-law and her family, and the rest of the duchess's household servants. The uncle of the missing heir soon sets into motion an interesting turn of events which escalates into even more strange happenings and soon all that you thought you knew gets turned on its head. This book is part mystery and part romance and was very interesting to read. I liked that it kept me guessing until almost the very end. I also enjoyed the extended epilogue.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 30, 2021
Evelyn Swinton is a widow working as a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Tolware. They have a very friendly relationship, bonding as widows. The Duchess has a son, Darius, the current Duke of Tolware, that is very interested in Evelyn.
Meanwhile, Mayson Rudge works as a cook at the Duchess's estate. There is an obvious attraction between Evelyn and Mayson. This does not bode well for the Duke, who has his own entanglement with a woman named Blanche. The interaction between the five main characters are really well written. And the plot makes for an enjoyable several hours, especially if you use text to speech like I do.
You will love this book as much as I do.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
Meanwhile, Mayson Rudge works as a cook at the Duchess's estate. There is an obvious attraction between Evelyn and Mayson. This does not bode well for the Duke, who has his own entanglement with a woman named Blanche. The interaction between the five main characters are really well written. And the plot makes for an enjoyable several hours, especially if you use text to speech like I do.
You will love this book as much as I do.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
January 26, 2021
This story was different from what I had expected, but in a good way. Ms. Hamilton has written an intriguing book with characters that are realistic and likable, while the storyline had quite a few suspenseful moments and some twists and turns that were quite unexpected. Evelyn had become a companion after the death of her husband. Mayson was an exceptional cook working in the same home. They developed a friendship that soon became more, but Mayson had been hiding secrets. Will they be able to find their HEA?
March 2, 2021
A Cast of Great Characters
There were some truly memorable characters in this novel. The lead male character is a cook, but what a hunk of a cook! He treats people who work for him with respect, enjoys cooking special healthy treats for his employer, a Dowager Duchess, and falls in love with the companion of the Duchess. Mrs. Swinton is young recent widow who is an exemplary employee for an elderly delightful, unique, and suprisingly astute. This rated 5 stars.
There were some truly memorable characters in this novel. The lead male character is a cook, but what a hunk of a cook! He treats people who work for him with respect, enjoys cooking special healthy treats for his employer, a Dowager Duchess, and falls in love with the companion of the Duchess. Mrs. Swinton is young recent widow who is an exemplary employee for an elderly delightful, unique, and suprisingly astute. This rated 5 stars.
January 5, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
September 3, 2022
Liked the twists and turns and the quiet love between the cook and companion to a Duchess. The cook had several accidents,but no one knew why and no one knew why he suddenly disappears. Do they finally find out who he really is and why he was kidnapped?
January 6, 2021
As usual you have given us a wonderful story
The story line was very interesting and gripping and it kept you interesting from the first page
The story line was very interesting and gripping and it kept you interesting from the first page
January 12, 2021
This story has a very interesting and imaginative plot, the characters are well written and real. There is plenty of action and the ending was wonderful. A very enchanting story with a great ending.
January 13, 2021
A book to enjoy reading
I found this book to be one of Hanna Hamilton's more interesting stories. There was humour, drama and a sensitive romance.
I found this book to be one of Hanna Hamilton's more interesting stories. There was humour, drama and a sensitive romance.
January 15, 2021
This is such an original story that contains mystery and romance. The characters are multi-layered with talents and personality. This author is a wonderful writer.
January 16, 2021
Missing Earl
Very interesting story that had a lot of twists and turns. Missing Earls are not usually found as cooks. And a good cook at that. A lot of happy ever after for all.
Very interesting story that had a lot of twists and turns. Missing Earls are not usually found as cooks. And a good cook at that. A lot of happy ever after for all.
January 20, 2021
Worst of hers ever
What a terrible unending book! Super hard to follow and say too many characters that made no sense. If I could give it minus stars I would have. What a mess!
What a terrible unending book! Super hard to follow and say too many characters that made no sense. If I could give it minus stars I would have. What a mess!
March 12, 2021
Before I Was Yours, My Earl
Caught in a trap where life was in danger a disappearance occurs. Widowed and left alone finding a job was necessary. The two paths collide.
Caught in a trap where life was in danger a disappearance occurs. Widowed and left alone finding a job was necessary. The two paths collide.
Read
October 22, 2021Good for a children's book
This was a bit boring & good for 10 to 14 year olds. It was slow, but had a slight twist at the end but the rest had nothing to get you excited about
This was a bit boring & good for 10 to 14 year olds. It was slow, but had a slight twist at the end but the rest had nothing to get you excited about
December 8, 2021
Rivetting
Enjoyed this story of intrigue, subterfuge, loyalty and love. Thoroughly recommend to for a really good read, could not wait to return to this book.
Enjoyed this story of intrigue, subterfuge, loyalty and love. Thoroughly recommend to for a really good read, could not wait to return to this book.
April 2, 2022
Good story
Good story with a number of twists. Kept me guessing throughout the book. I would like reading more from this author.
Good story with a number of twists. Kept me guessing throughout the book. I would like reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews