An earl mistakes a debutante for the woman hired to play his faux secret beloved.
Percival, the Earl of Plymouth, is in trouble. Terrible trouble. His aunt is eager for him to marry. Since Percival has no desire to be thrust onto the marriage mart, he may have told her he has a secret beloved. Fortunately, Percival’s best friend Sebastian volunteers to find Percival someone inappropriate with whom to pretend to have an amorous relationship. After all, Percival’s aunt won’t desire a scandalous future countess.
Sabrina Holt has adored Percival ever since she first laid eyes on him. When she wanders into Percival’s library during a ball, and he begins to kiss her, she knows he’s felt the same way as she has for all these years.
Percival is pleasantly surprised at his friend’s pick. The woman in the library’s lips feel perfect, and his aunt is appropriately shocked to discover them.
Unfortunately, Sabrina is not the woman his friend hired for him to be caught with. If only Sabrina weren’t the wrong faux beloved, and if only Percival weren’t tempted to give her his heart.
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Enjoyable story with Sabrina and Percival. Sabrina came across a little naive, saying, "is it true that the man inserts this (obviously he's penis) into the female. Percival - "If you like, I could show you". I shouldn't have laughed! I did enjoy reading this story. 4☆
Percival, the Earl of Plymouth's aunt is eager for him to marry. However Percival has no desire to be married so tells his aunt that he has a secret beloved. Fortunately, Percival’s best friend Sebastian, Duke of Dartmouth volunteers to find Percival someone inappropriate with whom to pretend to have an amorous relationship. Sabrina Holt has adored Percival ever since she first laid eyes on him when she was at a finishing school. When she wanders into Percival’s library during a ball, and he begins to kiss her, she knows he’s felt the same way as she has for all these years. Percival is pleasantly surprised at his friend’s pick. The woman in the library’s lips feel perfect, and his aunt is appropriately shocked to discover them. His aunt then organises a house party. Sabrina is the second Holt sister to find love. Whilst this was a well written quick romance I didn’t warm to either Percival & Sabrina I found them both to be a bit wishy washy & didn't feel much chemistry between them. I thoroughly disliked Priscilla & dearly hope she gets her comeuppance in the series. I also had mixed feelings about Sebastian & as he’s hinted to be the interest for Lenora I eagerly await how he's going to be redeemed. This wasn't my favourite book by the author by any means but even so was an enjoyable read My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Percival never wants to marry. Sabrina is in love with Percival from afar. When she mistakenly gets caught with him she is thrilled, only to find Percival wants a fake engagement to keep his aunt off his back about marrying. I found Sabrina to be insipid. She is bullied at boarding school, she agrees to anything Percival says. Percival also has no backbone to stand up to his friend Sebastian as well as to his aunt. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.
It seems that his aunt is always pushing him to get married. What's an Earl to do?
His friend has a brilliant idea to set him up with an actress and let his aunt think he is seeing this woman serious. Unfortunately, it is not the actress that walks in, but someone else he mistakes for her and starts kisses!
She has had a tendre' for him since finishing school and cannot believe it when she finds him in the library and he starts kissing him? Really? Might he have feelings for her?
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
As Earl of Plymouth, Percival is expected to marry well, and beget an heir. He's not ready to give up his freedom just yet, but his aunt is on at him to marry, so Percival hatches a plan. He will find someone wholly inappropriate to play at being his beloved, and have his aunt catch them together. But when Miss Sabrina Holt wanders into the library at the wrong moment, and he believes she is the one sent to be his 'fiancee', she soon finds herself in that position. Percival's aunt is the best pleased by Miss Holt, but at least she's from a noble family, though one tainted by scandal. Soon they have to keep the facade up, and it's hard for them to see the fact from fiction.
I liked this book, but not quite as much as the first one. I feel like there wasn't as much happening, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. Sabrina had had feelings for Percival since their first meeting, but he had been completely blind to it all until their fated meeting in the library. They were a nice enough couple, but like I said, not enough really happened for me to see them well. Still, an enjoyable book, and I reckon the final one, about Leonora and Sebastian, will be worth it!
A classic case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe it was the right place after all?
Percival didn't want marriage and staged a sham relationship to throw off his Aunt, but Sabrina wasn't the girl initially meant for the sham.
This was a quick romance that really developed out of lies. I liked the characters, but the plot seemed very typical since I was hoping for a little bit longer romance or some sort of a twist. There were some steamy parts as well, but they were a bit rushed. I did like Sabrina's independent nature of wanting her own business.
A quick fun romance to start off the New Year!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
Percival, Lord Plymouth, is looking at his aunt manipulating his life to find a bride. What better way to thwart her plan than to reveal he already has a lady. His best friend offers to find a most unsuitable lady for him to present to his aunt as his intended and force his aunt to back off. Sabrina Holt has always loved Percival, but he doesn't remember her from three years ago. Percival mistakes Sabrina as his paid actress. With passionate kisses and some exposure, they are caught by his Aunt Horatia. What happens next will either be real or a hoax. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book,
A story about two strangers who by accident they find themselves pretending to be in love . His aunt wish for him to marry and he tells her that he has someone who love . He will find a woman with bad reputation and that will make her not siutable to be his Countess . She the daughter of a woman who pose naked for a painting . He mistaken her for the woman who is paying . What will happen when the truth come to light ? I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a free preview from NetGalley and this is my freely given review; thanks NetGalley.
This is about the second Holt sister in the Determined Debutantes series by Bianca Blythe. Sabrina is the youngest and the story opens with the 15 year old Sabrina as a new student being bullied by another student at her finishing school. She runs off and into a guest parlour, where she meets Percival, a young man, waiting for his friend, who is visiting with his sister. They speak and Sabrina develops a crush.
Move forward 3 years and Sabrina, presented that season with her two sisters still has an infatuation for Percival. He, however, does not want to marry, but his aunt is pressuring him. He loves his aunt and does not want to disappoint her, so he allows his friend, the Duke of Dartmouth (the anti-Holt duke with the vendetta from book 1) to arrange a scheme to make it look like he is already attached.
Sabrina is at a ball arranged by Aunt Horatia and decides to take some time for herself in the library. Percival, as he arranged with the his friend, goes there, expecting to meet an actress arranged to pretend to be the object of his affection. So obviously he presumes Sabrina is she, and he is taken by her beauty and starts becoming quite demonstrative with his so-called affection - not a hardship on his part, and as she is infatuated anyways, she falls into arms and her dress falls down. Aunt Lenora catches them. Sabrina discovers the ruse and her affection for him turns to disgust and dislike. Horatia, on the other hand is not put off by it; she is happy that Percival has found someone and works to bring them together.
Sabrina and Percival agree to a fake attachment for the duration of a house party to make Horatia happy.
This is a rather light, sweet love story, but sometimes some relationships seemed rather either over the top, or unclear. For example, the school bully is described as the sister of the duke, but then later on it seems like she is a cousin? Why is he so hostile to Holts and why does Percival give him such freedom to be so hateful to them? Also, the sex scene seemed rather bumbling and graceless.
However, I did still find it a rather sweet story and I liked the affectionate sides of the relationships, like between Horatia and Percival, and how Mama Holt, who seemed so terribly selfish and narcissitic in the first book, seems to actually demonstrate some care and concern, at least once, towards her daughters in this one. Plus there is a dog - a mischievous, dress destroying dog - but you always have me at dogs and other 4-leggers.
I am very intrigued by the hate that Dartmouth has for the Holts, and they do say that the flip side of hate is love.... I am presuming the third book will be about the last Holt sister and the Duke of Dartmouth and have to say I am very curious about that story.
I've been getting to some books that have been sitting in my KU account for a while, determined to read them. Tbh I should have just sent most of them back. I've read a few of this author's books in the past and found them likable but silly. This one felt like an unpolished ARC. There are misspellings, glaring plot holes, and the characterization is super thin. In fact, in the beginning I wondered if I was missing a chapter or two. H doesn't know who h is at all when he compromises her, mistaking her for an actress instead of a lady of the ton (really??), then suddenly he knows exactly who she is? Where's the shocking revelation scene? Other things that made me go hmm: Everyone in the ton is aware of h's mother's scandal (which would have been a huge deal in those days), except for, apparently, H's aunt, who seems to be pleased as punch by the faux relationship and never brings up the scandal. In fact, it's only later in the book, when h's mom crashes their house party, that H mentions he knows about the scandal but doesn't care. Shouldn't have this come up sooner? And in the end, when things fall apart between H/h and she's regarded like a fortune hunting outcast, why does no one remember that H's aunt was the one who sent out the invitation and h wanted to turn it down?
Then there are basic unanswered questions: Why does H's aunt at times introduce him as her son? Why does h keeps saying she wants to open a reticule shop when she wants to be a modiste (and how does she suddenly have the business acumen to draw up a business contract in no time at all?).
Character-driven questions: Why does Sebastian behave like such a childish jerk, and no one calls him on it? He seems to go out of his way to humiliate h at the house party, after stating multiple times that he hates the Holt family for no discernible reason, but H lets him off the hook. Why does H abandon h when the young woman he knows is trouble crashes the house party, and why does the h never gain enough confidence to confront this liar? (The h actually blames herself for the fact that her rival broke into her room.)
You get the idea.
Despite all of these issues, there are times this book is charming, and I might have been generous and edged it up to 3 stars, but the sex scenes are lackluster. Groping occurs, yes, (in weirdly inappropriately locations where anyone could have walked in on them), but the scenes are written very mechanically. When H/h first have relations, I was surprised by how unsexy it was. I don't have to have sex in my Regencies, but if you're going to have the scenes, write them in a steamy manner.
I've liked some of this author's other books to varying degrees but this one just was not her best work. If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought it was one of her earlier books but apparently it's pretty recent. There is not much substance to this book, which would be fine if the scene setting and dialogue were good - they're not. There is a lot of repetition in this book with no benefit - ie. we're told several times how the heroine's mother is scandalous. Funny enough, there is a lot of repetition about a feud between the Duke and Sabrina's family but no explanation or even a hint as to why, which was very frustrating. I couldn't understand why Percival let his friend, Sebastian (the Duke) be downright rude to Sabrina and her sister, Leonora. I realize the author is trying to set up the basis for the love-hate relationship for the third book but he's actually acting like an a-hole and Percival lets him. I also didn't get Sebastian's actions later - he's kind of an a-hole to Percival, deliberately sabotaging the house party after Percival told him to stop. Why are they friends?
The biggest issue I had was the one main sex scene. I literally thought I mistakenly skipped a page. I don't mind if an author is more circumspect with sex-scene descriptions or gives more of a hint, but it has to make sense. Here is the scene: Sabrina continued to run her delicate fingers along his cock. "Is that good?" He nodded. "Is it true that the man inserts this into the female?" Sabrina asked, then a flush spread over her face. "I'm sorry. That sounds silly." "It's not silly," he said gravely. "If you like, I could show you." Her eyelashes fluttered open. "Oh?" "Just so that we can seem like a more realistic couple," he said. She nodded. "That would make it seem more realistic." "But if you don't want --" "I want," she blurted, and her flush deepens. "I want you. I-I want to know." He kissed her again and then pushed himself inside her.
Ok what?!! They're literally clothed, the strokes him once and then suddenly they're having sex? Oh and the "we would seem like a more realistic couple" has to be the best regency excuse for sex lol. There was way more description of them kissing earlier in the book but the main sex scene, where she loses her virginity, eh, just have some weird dialogue and then get to it.
It had potential but the story overall just didn't work with so many things wrong with it.
I can’t even. Normally I would give this one star but it gets another just for drunken amusement value. This book is a hot mess. In the space of an hour read, ALL OF THIS happens:
-First he lies to his aunt and says he’s already in love. -Then his friend talks him into hiring an actress to pretend to be his lover. -But of course in walks the young, dumb heroine. -Young even dumber hero fails to notice she’s not got a single clue about what’s going on. -Next morning she’s very angry for no apparent reason. -Dumb hero enlists friend to be an ass and make sure he doesn’t ask dumb heroine to marry him. -But now he can’t tell his aunt the truth because she’s dying (for now though it’s never mentioned again) so he decides to just keep on keeping on. -Dumber heroine decides to go along with the plan if he’ll buy her a purse shop. -Her mom shows up to the house party, which is a shock because she’s been in the countryside after having been discovered posing nude for some paintings. -Dumb hero goes looking for heroine and finds her in her room, sewing her sister’s wedding dress, which a giant dog promptly busts in and runs away with. You know, because that’s what dogs do. -Then some school rival of hers shows up and insults her in the fabric store, so what does dumb hero do? Takes her to the back room and kisses her boobs. -At dinner that night, conversations turns to naked ladies, one guy insults his wife and she pours gravy on him at the table. Clearly this happens at every regency dinner party. -Heroine then overhears dumb hero reveal the plan to not get married, so she runs off into the rain a la pride and prejudice the movie. Only he doesn’t bumblingly ask her to marry him, it’s straight to the sex. She’s never seen a dick before and then bam, no foreplay, nothing. -Next day, the horrible bitch from school shows up and literally goes through dumb heroine’s room and finds evidence of the fake courtship, which she of course presents to everyone there, like a tired Disney stepsister. -Of course heroine leaves, of course hero chases after her. Then proposes for real. But then strips her and goes down on her in the drawing room of her family’s house while they’re all on the other side of the door. WTF. -Some grumpy dude gets a hard on for heroine’s sister at their wedding. The end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
You've Got an Earl by Bianca Blythe is about Sabrina, the second daughter of the notorious woman who poses nude for acclaimed artist, Julius. In reality, she's the youngest of the trio at just 18. She is trying to avoid young men at a ton ball. She has no interest in matrimony. Percival, the Earl of Plymouth is doing the same thing: avoiding matrimony, He is taking a different tack, however, in which he hopes to persuade his aunt and guardian, that he is enamored of someone unsuitable. In that vein, he has had his friend, Sebastian, the Duke of Dartmouth, to hire an actress to play the part. She is to meet him in the library at this very ball. When he sees her he is immediately impressed with impressed with Sebastian's skill at this. He enjoys kissing and touching her so that his aunt will walk in at the worst moment. Sadly, things get confused when the real actress shows up, late, after his aunt has already witnessed the worst . . . with Miss Sabrina Holt.
This was a weak effort compared to the earlier book, which featured the oldest sister, Eloisa. It is like Blythe hadn't a plan before she started writing and so she just drifted, with no real plot, no story. Just two hapless young people drifting into love. Of course, there is the resident mean girl, Priscilla Patmore, who provides a few moments of entertainment, and Aunt Horatia, who was pushy but wise, and just a little eccentric. The Duke of Dartmouth has potential but really didn't get there in this book. I imagine the next book will be about him, so maybe he will be more fully developed. Lord and Lady Richmond were entertaining for a moment. It was amusing, but that's all I've got.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of You've Got an Earl, by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #biancablythe #youvegotanearl
This book starts off promising. Sabrina is bullied while at school, and while escaping the mean girls, meets Percival who to her is a shining golden boy she immediately falls for. It’s not real love, it’s the kind of sweet infatuation of a teenager that’s very relatable.
Fast forward several years, and Percy has created an elaborate plan with his friend to force his aunt to stop pushing matrimony. They meet again where Percival mistakes her as his paid actress and proceeds to kiss her passionately. I bought this kind of ridiculous scenario, she has been infatuated with this handsome man and suddenly he’s in front of her saying nice things and kissing her? Sure it’s ridiculous but you’re also like ok fair enough girl!
Unfortunately the story devolves from there. The misunderstanding is realized, and then Percy goes through a long I love her I love her not. He has some backstory to explain it, but it is not terribly interesting. Most of the time it’s like why is there conflict again?
We do get a couple spicy scenes, but they were very much not to my taste. This author has a thing about boobs, the words “peaks” and “pebbled” appeared too many times! Then the sex was super rushed, unbelievable and just not very hot. It left me wondering who the actual audience is.
This is my first time reading this author and it’s just not my thing. There was a fun cast a supporting characters though, that I’m sure will be getting perhaps better books. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
You've Got an Earl es un libro que me encontré por casualidad y me llamo la atención.
Últimamente no me siento a gusto con los libros y al enterarme que este es una segunda parte de una saga, la verdad es que se me fueron las ganas de leerlo. Entonces decidí comenzar a leerlo sin importar la primera parte. Por tanto, mi comentario va a estar bastante desinformado.
El libro es una historia corta que no nos presenta ninguna sorpresa nueva, en cuanto a lo que menciona en su sinopsis. Una historia bastante cliché, pero agradable y fácil de leer.
Los personajes protagonistas me gustaron, aunque si me habría gustado que ambos fueran más seguros en cuanto a demostrar sus decisiones y defenderse de los ataques que recibían por sus conocidos.
Lo que más me molestó del libro es sin duda lo relacionado a la madre de la protagonista. Entiendo que es importante para toda la saga, pero la aparición en este libro, tanto de ella como de su pareja pintor, la verdad es que me pareció súper innecesaria. No aportaron nada al libro y la verdad causan más molestia. Son como el mosquito chillón que molesta y no puedes quitar fácilmente. Y odie cuando el hombre menosprecia el talento artístico de Sabrina y su hermana, simplemente por no dedicarse a la pintura.
El romance y la historia, podría haberse tratado de mucha mejor forma. Al final no es una gran historia, pero me resultó entretenida para pasar el rato.
This is Book 2 in the Determined Debutantes series. Book 1 was amazing and this one also did not disappoint! Percival, Earl of Plymouth, has no desire to marry, but his aunt just won't let up and keeps pushing him to find a bride. He has no choice but to fake a sweetheart. His friend promises to find him someone that will successfully fill that role and help cease his aunt's nagging. Sabrina has always admired and and been infatuated with Percival ever since she saw him while at finishing school. She can't believe her luck when at a ball, she wanders into the library and he starts kissing her. She begins to have hope that he feels the same for her. Percival, however, mistakes Sabrina for the actress hired by his friend and he doesn't realize he is kissing the wrong girl. But he can't help but think that it feels so right! Is there a chance these two can actually find love? This was a lighthearted, sweet story which was entertaining and I am anxious to see what the next book brings.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Percival does not want to get married not really! Sabrina loves to sew and wants to design reticules or purses as we know them! Percival is attracted to her but afraid so he requests his friend Sebastian help to derail the budding romance at the week long party at his home! Sabrina has some practical aspects as she does draw up a contact for the faux fiancé! Her mother is also invited with her scandalous artist friend who is beyond snobbish and I believe just using her to make money and make a fool of her because strangers should not know what she looks like nude!!! Sabrina is very young and lacking in confidence but Percival is not and he couldn’t keep his hands off of her! Yes his aunt is ill and wants him to marry for love but his friend invites a snooping viper over and no one chastised her for her actions!!?? This story is sorta sweet but they don’t really know each other there is a HEA but it felt rushed!!
-Unbelievably random and boring. -A historical romance? where was the ROMANCE?? - a dreadfully non-existent sex scene. - too much repetition - no emotional or psychological depth - characters with no... character! no backbone - no pining or swooning
The first half of the book I had no idea what the author's objective was. ( Yes, I was listening to it while having a fever, but shouldn't that actually "enhance" the book??) Anyways, this was written poorly: juvenile and clunky. I could not understand the amount of characters and situations thrown at me in the first half of the book, and "bridging" the chapters was - again - elementary IIIrd grade like! - I think I myself don't make a lot of sense writing this but bottom line is; this was a mess! And not an enjoyable one.
I couldn' finish the book, unfortunately, not because it was extremely bad, but because it was so "meh" and annoying at the same time that there was no point continuing to read. The ideea of the plot had some merit, and I'm sure the author can write an entertaining story. But, oh, the characters were so badly written here! They seemed like caricatures to me, with no depth whatsoever. The hero and heroine had the minds of 13-14 years old children. In the first chapter, when she was supposed to be 15, I thought (prior to finding out her age) that she must be at most 12... The love story was non existent, just some instant physical attraction. Their behavior and their reasons for things were stupid and immature. I had no interest in finding out the conclusion of their story.
I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a relatively short read and that was a big part of what kept me going. The story didn't really have a lot going for it. Percival doesn't want to marry and so asks his friend to find him an unacceptable woman. However a case of wrong place wrong time lead to Percival's aunt seeing them in a compromising position. Sabrina was dull and nothing about her would inspire insta love. The only conflict in the book is Percival having to come to terms with his liking Sabrina. That lack of conflict us always the worst, and it was no different in this book. The only thing I liked was the potential between Sabrina's sister Lenora and Percival's friend Sebastian.
Percival wants to pretend to his aunt that he's got a secret fiancee. He stumbles upon Sabrina and then there's an off /on romance. In many cases Percival treats Sabrina poorly reverting to the prejudices of his best friend. Suddenly it's clothes off and full on passion. To be blunt it didn't really work for me. The author was setting up the next book between Percival's friend and Sabrina's sister to IMO the detriment of the romance that was being detailed. I doubt I'll look for the others in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Some mistakes are simply the best things to happen. Percival could not have been less prepared for what kissing the wrong woman do to his heart. Determined never to risk his heart, he constructs an inappropriate relationship to throw off his marriage minded aunt. But a different woman happened to be in the library. Miss Sabrina Holt was beautiful and that made it easy. But falling for her was not in the plan. But life rarely goes to plan and the magnetism between these two proves that some plans are made to be broken. The epilogue was a treasure and I cannot wait to see Sebastian fall to the lure of the Holts.
Started off with a good concept - mistaken identity, fake relationship, regency romance. Unfortunately, the pacing of the romance was too quick for me. There wasn't much actual conflict and was pretty much instalove from the start. I wish the romance was strug out a bit longer with some kind of twist. Overall, if your looking for a short romance with some steamy scenes this may be the book for you.
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Percival, the Earl of Plymouth is not interesting in marring but his aunt wants him too. Hes friend says he'll get a actress to be his intended. Sabrina Holt has liked the earl since she was young. She found her way into his library just before his friend could bring the actress into his study. His aunt invites Sabrina and her family to their house party. This is a good book just not a lot time for them to fall in love it moved too fast. I just reviewed You've Got an Earl by Bianca Blythe. #YouveGotanEarl #NetGalley https://www.netgalley.com/book/244873...
Historical romance reads are one of my guilty pleasures. I tend to focus on contemporary romances, but when I need to lose myself, I tend to choose these kinds of books. You’ve Got An Earl is a quick and easy and somewhat naughty, mistaken identity, fake relationship, regency romance. I enjoyed reading it and even had a chuckle or two, at the craziness that ensued. If you enjoy these kinds of romances, You’ve Got An Earl is the perfect choice for you. TBR and Enjoy!
Percival's aunt wants him to marry, but he has vowed that he never will. He comes up with a scheme where his aunt will find him in a compromising situation, so he can pretend to have a courtship. Sabrina has loved Percival since she was in finishing school. she just happens to be the one in the library instead of the actress that was hired . This is a very entertaining story with a bit of humor. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who likes Regency romance.
Fun light read. The plot draws you in, and it's good enough on its own. There starts to be too much going on after a while. I enjoyed it, but there were unnecessary cringey characters that made the story go a whole different way. I like her writing style and witty main characters. Can't wait to see if a certain someone gets a dose of karma. I will be reading more of this series to see where it goes.