What do you think?
Rate this book
The Duchess Society #4
One Wedding and An Earl
In this sizzling Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Tracy Sumner, a notorious earl, and an infamous hellion need to face an unforgettable passion.
A scarred earl with a big heart—and a big problem.
Since his return from war, the Earl of Stanford’s life has been anything but simple. A meddling older brother, a raucous group of friends, a crumbling estate, and an injury that forever changed him. Now this. Her. His brother’s bright idea of a way out. The most infamous landscape architect in England arriving on his doorstep to restore his ruined gardens and his ruined heart. Only, Ollie Aspinwall isn’t falling for this sibling ploy.
He’s content to hide in the country, a brooding, stargazing, lost soul.
A gorgeous hellion with wild dreams—and a wild challenge.
Necessity Byrne has heard the rumors about the Scarred Earl. A walking scandal, she’s used to flouting convention and shocking society, so the offer to assist a reclusive peer with beautification of his estate is a project she’d consider. Except for the ripple of awareness that dances along her skin every time she recalls meeting the handsome, steely eyed rake years ago. A dilemma she doesn’t care to solve—even if she wants the job.
However, she’s a woman determined to take every dare offered her.
So, they agree to disagree for the sake of the earldom’s gardens, all the while battling a breathless, rampant attraction—until Ollie decides he wants to keep her. Can he persuade his feisty, adorable gardener to accept a besotted, broken-down earl with dreams of a family and love?
Come along on this sizzling slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, sorta second chance romp!
A scarred earl with a big heart—and a big problem.
Since his return from war, the Earl of Stanford’s life has been anything but simple. A meddling older brother, a raucous group of friends, a crumbling estate, and an injury that forever changed him. Now this. Her. His brother’s bright idea of a way out. The most infamous landscape architect in England arriving on his doorstep to restore his ruined gardens and his ruined heart. Only, Ollie Aspinwall isn’t falling for this sibling ploy.
He’s content to hide in the country, a brooding, stargazing, lost soul.
A gorgeous hellion with wild dreams—and a wild challenge.
Necessity Byrne has heard the rumors about the Scarred Earl. A walking scandal, she’s used to flouting convention and shocking society, so the offer to assist a reclusive peer with beautification of his estate is a project she’d consider. Except for the ripple of awareness that dances along her skin every time she recalls meeting the handsome, steely eyed rake years ago. A dilemma she doesn’t care to solve—even if she wants the job.
However, she’s a woman determined to take every dare offered her.
So, they agree to disagree for the sake of the earldom’s gardens, all the while battling a breathless, rampant attraction—until Ollie decides he wants to keep her. Can he persuade his feisty, adorable gardener to accept a besotted, broken-down earl with dreams of a family and love?
Come along on this sizzling slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, sorta second chance romp!
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2023
864 people are currently reading
2732 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Sumner
60 books1,642 followers"Witty dialogue and steamy sensuality.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
The USA Today bestselling author's storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, HOLT Medallion, Golden Leaf and MAGGIE among others. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before returning to NYC.
When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!
Find me everywhere on social here!
https://linktr.ee/tracysumner
—Publisher’s Weekly
The USA Today bestselling author's storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, HOLT Medallion, Golden Leaf and MAGGIE among others. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before returning to NYC.
When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!
Find me everywhere on social here!
https://linktr.ee/tracysumner
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
January 11, 2023
Spicy, steamy opposites attract and Ollie is one hot Earl. One Wedding and An Early by Tracy Sumner is book four from The Duchess Society and can be read as a standalone. I confess it is more fun to know more about the other characters so if you can please start with the first novel. (I recommend starting with The Ice Duchess then The Brazen Bluestocking.)
What I loved... my favorite character is Necessity - she is the strong, independent woman that I have always admired and wish I could emulate her characteristics more frequently. I love the spicy chemistry between Necessity and Ollie. Plus the Duchess Society ladies have multiple appearances in this novel. They are one of my favorite series written by author Tracy Sumner.
The writing is good - a historical romance with realistically flawed characters, lovely settings and interesting plots. Not to mention that Sumner has this way of adding in details and depth, like Necessity's talents at gardening and landscape design or Ollie's fascination with the stars. All of these components combine beautifully in a fast paced read with enough spice to singe your fingers as you turn the pages! Love Ollie. Also, can't wait for the next two books to come! There is a certain Jasper Noble that has caught my attention and I NEED to know his story...
I recommend One Wedding and An Early if you haven't already guessed. It is hard to pick one of her books is my favorite, but this is definitely in my top 5!!
What I loved... my favorite character is Necessity - she is the strong, independent woman that I have always admired and wish I could emulate her characteristics more frequently. I love the spicy chemistry between Necessity and Ollie. Plus the Duchess Society ladies have multiple appearances in this novel. They are one of my favorite series written by author Tracy Sumner.
The writing is good - a historical romance with realistically flawed characters, lovely settings and interesting plots. Not to mention that Sumner has this way of adding in details and depth, like Necessity's talents at gardening and landscape design or Ollie's fascination with the stars. All of these components combine beautifully in a fast paced read with enough spice to singe your fingers as you turn the pages! Love Ollie. Also, can't wait for the next two books to come! There is a certain Jasper Noble that has caught my attention and I NEED to know his story...
I recommend One Wedding and An Early if you haven't already guessed. It is hard to pick one of her books is my favorite, but this is definitely in my top 5!!
January 22, 2023
3.5-It-was-hotter-than-expected-Stars
I claimed an ARC from Booksprout. All opinions expressed below are my own.
Ratings -
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/ Storyline - 📖📖📖
Romance - 💖💖💖💖
Feels - 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth - 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension - ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality - 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
No of Sex Scenes - 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Sex Scene Length - 🍆🍆🍆🍆
Quick Review
- I am coming to like Ms Sumner's books. This one was well written, perhaps too well. The prose was witty and funny but overly passive & poetic and needed acute concentration. An example:
This prose, this poetic prose. Everything. All the sentences. About him. Her. Their feelings. The thoughts, oh, their unshared thoughts. The need to describe. Ah, such was the need to describe the intensity; an exaggerated amount of intensity was needed. It could not, would not, and should not be lived without.
- It wasn't bad per se, but the amount of concentration it required almost injured my pride by questioning my intelligence. If I did not pay attention, I lost the thread. Imagine reading this at the end of a working day! Hence it took an embarrassing three days to finish.
- The plot was not heavy, but I liked the Gardner-Earl pairing.
- I liked Necessity & Oliver together and individually. Their character arcs were promising, and so was the romance.
- Their passion burned hotter than an inferno.
- I absolutely did not like the weird absurdity of the third-act breakup. It was so pointless! The hesitation I might have understood, but full-blown (short-lived) antagonism? No.
- Also, where was the wedding I was promised in the title?
Special Mentions...
- Necessity. Loved the play on Capability Brown.
- Oliver's possessive streak and the seduction campaign.
- The kiss. That first scorching kiss deserves it’s own mention.
- The bromance.
- Jasper Noble.
Despite the few shortcomings, I am rounding the rating up to four stars because it left me happy!
I claimed an ARC from Booksprout. All opinions expressed below are my own.
Ratings -
Overall - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/ Storyline - 📖📖📖
Romance - 💖💖💖💖
Feels - 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth - 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension - ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality - 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
No of Sex Scenes - 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Sex Scene Length - 🍆🍆🍆🍆
Quick Review
- I am coming to like Ms Sumner's books. This one was well written, perhaps too well. The prose was witty and funny but overly passive & poetic and needed acute concentration. An example:
This prose, this poetic prose. Everything. All the sentences. About him. Her. Their feelings. The thoughts, oh, their unshared thoughts. The need to describe. Ah, such was the need to describe the intensity; an exaggerated amount of intensity was needed. It could not, would not, and should not be lived without.
- It wasn't bad per se, but the amount of concentration it required almost injured my pride by questioning my intelligence. If I did not pay attention, I lost the thread. Imagine reading this at the end of a working day! Hence it took an embarrassing three days to finish.
- The plot was not heavy, but I liked the Gardner-Earl pairing.
- I liked Necessity & Oliver together and individually. Their character arcs were promising, and so was the romance.
- Their passion burned hotter than an inferno.
- I absolutely did not like the weird absurdity of the third-act breakup. It was so pointless! The hesitation I might have understood, but full-blown (short-lived) antagonism? No.
- Also, where was the wedding I was promised in the title?
Special Mentions...
- Necessity. Loved the play on Capability Brown.
- Oliver's possessive streak and the seduction campaign.
- The kiss. That first scorching kiss deserves it’s own mention.
- The bromance.
- Jasper Noble.
Despite the few shortcomings, I am rounding the rating up to four stars because it left me happy!
January 27, 2023
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
Ideally yes – there’s some page time with prior characters in the series and the series really is fabulous! But overall it’s okay on its own. There’s not a lot of page time for these characters in the prior books.
Basic plot:
After meeting Ollie years earlier, sick and recovering, Necessity is stunned at the chance to redo his ailing gardens and getting her hands on the plans of Capability Brown.
Give this a try if you want:
- late Regency time period (1828)
- mostly country estate setting
- soldier hero
- light touch of second chance – these two meet and have a light connection 3 years earlier
- hero is described as a ‘proper, regal grump’
- scarred hero – he was attacked outside a club in a prior novel in the series with a knife and sustained injury to his face
- hero has gray in his hair and is described as a ‘proper, regal grump’
- lightly experienced heroine – she had a previous relationship but didn’t get to explore everything she wanted to
- hero calls the heroine “sprite”
- work place romance – hero is an earl and the heroine is his hired gardener
- lessons – heroine wants to experience things she didn’t get to in her prior relationship – positions, locations….
- higher steam (4 full scenes within a shorter page count)
My thoughts:
Tracy Sumner has a such a fun series going with this one. It really has so many fun stories and personalities tied together. In this one, MacCauley wants his brother to find love like him, and sets up the gardener in his country manor to tempt him.
I struggled with this one a bit because it felt a bit like instalust? We get a short scene of them meeting years before, but it was nothing intense or engaging to me for the most part. So when they feel like they jump into this relationship so fast, I felt like I was missing something a bit. I felt like they didn’t know each other as well as I wanted them to know each other. And because of those things the tension was lighter for me in this one.
They have...not really an enemies to lovers relationship but it’s a touch volatile. It’s a bit bantery with lots of push and pull. I thought they were both a bit too stubborn in this book was a bit frustrated with their ending behavior.
Overall though, it was a scorching read and the characters were enjoyable, if not my favorite. Hope everyone enjoys if they give it a try!
Quotes/thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
Ideally yes – there’s some page time with prior characters in the series and the series really is fabulous! But overall it’s okay on its own. There’s not a lot of page time for these characters in the prior books.
Basic plot:
After meeting Ollie years earlier, sick and recovering, Necessity is stunned at the chance to redo his ailing gardens and getting her hands on the plans of Capability Brown.
Give this a try if you want:
- late Regency time period (1828)
- mostly country estate setting
- soldier hero
- light touch of second chance – these two meet and have a light connection 3 years earlier
- hero is described as a ‘proper, regal grump’
- scarred hero – he was attacked outside a club in a prior novel in the series with a knife and sustained injury to his face
- hero has gray in his hair and is described as a ‘proper, regal grump’
- lightly experienced heroine – she had a previous relationship but didn’t get to explore everything she wanted to
- hero calls the heroine “sprite”
- work place romance – hero is an earl and the heroine is his hired gardener
- lessons – heroine wants to experience things she didn’t get to in her prior relationship – positions, locations….
- higher steam (4 full scenes within a shorter page count)
My thoughts:
Tracy Sumner has a such a fun series going with this one. It really has so many fun stories and personalities tied together. In this one, MacCauley wants his brother to find love like him, and sets up the gardener in his country manor to tempt him.
I struggled with this one a bit because it felt a bit like instalust? We get a short scene of them meeting years before, but it was nothing intense or engaging to me for the most part. So when they feel like they jump into this relationship so fast, I felt like I was missing something a bit. I felt like they didn’t know each other as well as I wanted them to know each other. And because of those things the tension was lighter for me in this one.
They have...not really an enemies to lovers relationship but it’s a touch volatile. It’s a bit bantery with lots of push and pull. I thought they were both a bit too stubborn in this book was a bit frustrated with their ending behavior.
Overall though, it was a scorching read and the characters were enjoyable, if not my favorite. Hope everyone enjoys if they give it a try!
Quotes/thoughts:
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
October 25, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
Oh, have I been in a slump. Picking up books, putting them back down a few chapters later. Re-reading bits and pieces of old favorites. Skimming mediocre novellas. And then…this. Exactly what I was looking for. Delicious, character-driven goodness.
Ah, the intimacy. The sizzling, smoking hot chemistry. The character-driven romance between two strong, vulnerable, weak, confident, independent, needy, complex people. Yes! My kinda book.
From the opening paragraphs (called “epiphanies,”) I was completely drawn into the story. First chapter and I was already half in love with both MCs.
What I Liked
The story of how they first met
She, disguised as a lad. He, recovering from a disfiguring face wound. She was the new gardener’s assistant on the Duke of Leighton’s estate, bringing him a feverfew concoction to help him heal. A few moments of connection that neither forgot.
The relationship between Oliver and his half brother Xander Macaulay
I just ate up the brotherly love, it was so endearing and made me smile, and seeing their relationship deepen and their affection for one another develop gave me all kinds of sweet feels.
Necessity Byrne (of the Shoreditch Byrnes)
I really liked her character. She was a strong, driven woman who overcame so much and had no choice but to learn to stand on her own two feet, emotionally and financially, from a very young age. I had mad respect for what she accomplished. Yet she had a heart, didn’t allow what life handed her to mold her to be bitter, hard or cold. She was smart, irreverent and witty and someone I would definitely want as a friend.
What I Loved
Oliver Aspinwell
Talk about a complex, tortured hero with a heart of gold. Oliver’s sweet vulnerability and intensity just reached into my heart and I fell crazy in love with his character. Didn’t hurt that he was sexy AF.
I love a confident man, but really dislike arrogance. Oliver walked that fine line between the two perfectly. Ooh, he could be cocky, but damn, he wore it well!
The chemistry they shared
The desperate longing for connection.
They burned for each other.
Burned each other.
Burned the house down with their passion and intensity.
Made me burn.
Their first kiss
F*ck
It deserves its own review (and out of 5 stars, I’d give it 100)
“You are my dream, Nessie Byrne,” he whispered, slanting his head and pulling her back into the kiss. Before she could run away from him or herself. Turning, he pressed her back to the door, raising her thigh high on his hip, grinding against her. Locking them in place, her supple heat sheltering his arousal.
“I want to count the stars in your eyes while I slide inside you. Exactly as I track the ones in the sky. I want that incredible hair spilling across my sheets, my fingers twisted in the strands when I come.” Such obscene sentiments whispered in that posh, privileged accent nearly drove her over the edge.
Jasper Noble
Oh, all the little teases of Jasper Noble in previous books, and here as well… I cannot wait to read his story!
What I’m on the Fence About
The push/pull, which I realize is necessary to a degree for romantic tension, went on too long and so the story moved from delicious romantic tension, to making me want to gently bump my forehead against the wall.
Same for the antagonism, and this is just a personal preference for me. I prefer little to no antagonism in romance novels and here, it was just too much. I didn’t quite understand why.
They both had very different but terribly hurtful family losses when they were young, and so I understand the internal conflict of both desperately needing to be loved, while at the same time, being terrified by the prospect of so much vulnerability.
I felt sucker-punched by the angst, God, my heart hurt! Two people falling deeply into a love they never expected, never dreamed of, never saw coming. And both utterly lost as to how to make it work. He, Earl. She, rookery girl. He, Derbyshire country, she, London and her garden design business. Without doubt….SOULMATES. And they can’t figure out how to make it work because they’re both so overcome with intense emotions, love, lust, joy, fear, heartache, pride. But he gave her an ultimatum, she left Derbyshire, and my heart broke.
Two stubborn people who almost lost the love of a lifetime because neither would swallow their stupid, foolish pride and just talk.
He was unjustly handsome standing there, his silver-streaked hair so long it curled over his collar, grazing his shoulders, oh, those muscular shoulders of his. Her hands twitched to recall clutching them as they made love this morning, laughing because they’d tried, possibly without success, to be quiet with a full house of visitors.
As if he heard her thoughts, he stilled, glancing her way. Time slowed to the merest faint beating of their hearts. Memory swept his face, darkened his eyes to a gray, near black. He recalled where they’d been two hours ago, lost in each other. He took a step toward her, an unconscious movement, before his brother jabbed him in the ribs, bringing him back. She nodded to his game, then the window of their bedchamber. Later, my love.
My thanks to BookSirens for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Oh, have I been in a slump. Picking up books, putting them back down a few chapters later. Re-reading bits and pieces of old favorites. Skimming mediocre novellas. And then…this. Exactly what I was looking for. Delicious, character-driven goodness.
Ah, the intimacy. The sizzling, smoking hot chemistry. The character-driven romance between two strong, vulnerable, weak, confident, independent, needy, complex people. Yes! My kinda book.
From the opening paragraphs (called “epiphanies,”) I was completely drawn into the story. First chapter and I was already half in love with both MCs.
What I Liked
The story of how they first met
She, disguised as a lad. He, recovering from a disfiguring face wound. She was the new gardener’s assistant on the Duke of Leighton’s estate, bringing him a feverfew concoction to help him heal. A few moments of connection that neither forgot.
The relationship between Oliver and his half brother Xander Macaulay
I just ate up the brotherly love, it was so endearing and made me smile, and seeing their relationship deepen and their affection for one another develop gave me all kinds of sweet feels.
Necessity Byrne (of the Shoreditch Byrnes)
I really liked her character. She was a strong, driven woman who overcame so much and had no choice but to learn to stand on her own two feet, emotionally and financially, from a very young age. I had mad respect for what she accomplished. Yet she had a heart, didn’t allow what life handed her to mold her to be bitter, hard or cold. She was smart, irreverent and witty and someone I would definitely want as a friend.
What I Loved
Oliver Aspinwell
Talk about a complex, tortured hero with a heart of gold. Oliver’s sweet vulnerability and intensity just reached into my heart and I fell crazy in love with his character. Didn’t hurt that he was sexy AF.
I love a confident man, but really dislike arrogance. Oliver walked that fine line between the two perfectly. Ooh, he could be cocky, but damn, he wore it well!
The chemistry they shared
The desperate longing for connection.
They burned for each other.
Burned each other.
Burned the house down with their passion and intensity.
Made me burn.
Their first kiss
F*ck
It deserves its own review (and out of 5 stars, I’d give it 100)
“You are my dream, Nessie Byrne,” he whispered, slanting his head and pulling her back into the kiss. Before she could run away from him or herself. Turning, he pressed her back to the door, raising her thigh high on his hip, grinding against her. Locking them in place, her supple heat sheltering his arousal.
“I want to count the stars in your eyes while I slide inside you. Exactly as I track the ones in the sky. I want that incredible hair spilling across my sheets, my fingers twisted in the strands when I come.” Such obscene sentiments whispered in that posh, privileged accent nearly drove her over the edge.
Jasper Noble
Oh, all the little teases of Jasper Noble in previous books, and here as well… I cannot wait to read his story!
What I’m on the Fence About
The push/pull, which I realize is necessary to a degree for romantic tension, went on too long and so the story moved from delicious romantic tension, to making me want to gently bump my forehead against the wall.
Same for the antagonism, and this is just a personal preference for me. I prefer little to no antagonism in romance novels and here, it was just too much. I didn’t quite understand why.
They both had very different but terribly hurtful family losses when they were young, and so I understand the internal conflict of both desperately needing to be loved, while at the same time, being terrified by the prospect of so much vulnerability.
I felt sucker-punched by the angst, God, my heart hurt! Two people falling deeply into a love they never expected, never dreamed of, never saw coming. And both utterly lost as to how to make it work. He, Earl. She, rookery girl. He, Derbyshire country, she, London and her garden design business. Without doubt….SOULMATES. And they can’t figure out how to make it work because they’re both so overcome with intense emotions, love, lust, joy, fear, heartache, pride. But he gave her an ultimatum, she left Derbyshire, and my heart broke.
Two stubborn people who almost lost the love of a lifetime because neither would swallow their stupid, foolish pride and just talk.
He was unjustly handsome standing there, his silver-streaked hair so long it curled over his collar, grazing his shoulders, oh, those muscular shoulders of his. Her hands twitched to recall clutching them as they made love this morning, laughing because they’d tried, possibly without success, to be quiet with a full house of visitors.
As if he heard her thoughts, he stilled, glancing her way. Time slowed to the merest faint beating of their hearts. Memory swept his face, darkened his eyes to a gray, near black. He recalled where they’d been two hours ago, lost in each other. He took a step toward her, an unconscious movement, before his brother jabbed him in the ribs, bringing him back. She nodded to his game, then the window of their bedchamber. Later, my love.
My thanks to BookSirens for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
January 5, 2023
3 Stars! This is the 4th book in ‘The Duchess Society’ series and can mostly be read as a standalone. I’ve read 2 of the previous books but that was so long ago that I don’t remember a lot from them and felt a tad bit confused at times. Mostly I was confused as to why the 2 main characters were arguing so much. Stanford/Ollie and Necessity Byrnes/Nessie were the main characters and their banter was confusing to me. Kind of like reading Shakespeare in high school, confusing and feeling like I missed something. I would’ve loved more background on both of the main characters so I could understand why they are the way they are. Ollie acted like Necessity should be a freakin mind reader and just know how he felt. Maybe it’s just me feeling confused over here, considering how many people are giving this book 5 stars. Still an interesting and entertaining read though.
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
June 3, 2023
I thought this story would be good. Not much of a story in it. 25% story 75% sex or thinking about it. Took me days to read, even though I skipped a lot of it. I will read the next book, so I can finish my M A A Series challenge.
This author is not for me.
This author is not for me.
February 15, 2023
⭐⭐
2 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Uncommon profession for the heroine. (for the time period.)
Mostly takes place in the countryside/country estate.
➖ What I disliked:
Believability/plausibility issues.
Verbose.
Too anachronistic.
Disjointed/jumbled.
The chemistry and romantic build up was lacking and unconvincing. (But there was a lot of sex scenes...but it is just lust and the relationship never really fully developed/grows.)
Annoying heroine.
Annoying hero.
2 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Uncommon profession for the heroine. (for the time period.)
Mostly takes place in the countryside/country estate.
➖ What I disliked:
Believability/plausibility issues.
Verbose.
Too anachronistic.
Disjointed/jumbled.
The chemistry and romantic build up was lacking and unconvincing. (But there was a lot of sex scenes...but it is just lust and the relationship never really fully developed/grows.)
Annoying heroine.
Annoying hero.
January 26, 2023
DNF at 25%. When I picked this book up I didn’t check my notes on my reactions to the first two in the series. Skipping over the third should have given me a clue. Scant dialogue sandwiched between thick slices of overdone inner monologues are Sumner’s trademark style. They aren’t for me.
This one seems even worse. When Necessity and Oliver do talk/bristle at each other, I have difficulty following their conversations. Either I glaze off or miss some sort subtext their sharing. Anyway, it’s a forgone conclusion they’ll get together. I’ll leave them to it. They’re too boring to invest any additional time.
This one seems even worse. When Necessity and Oliver do talk/bristle at each other, I have difficulty following their conversations. Either I glaze off or miss some sort subtext their sharing. Anyway, it’s a forgone conclusion they’ll get together. I’ll leave them to it. They’re too boring to invest any additional time.
December 4, 2025
HR Letter vs Sci-Fi Letter Fun Read
For my own entertainment (because I never know what to choose from my TBR) I've chosen a book starting with the same letter from two genres: Historical Romance and Sci-Fi Romance.
This the HR for the letter O
3 stars
★★★☆☆
So, this is my second book by Tracy Sumner as well as the second book from this series I've read. The first book I read was Book 1, The Brazen Bluestocking. I don't remember all the details, but I remember feeling as if the whole story was tinted with a sad undertone, but with a great historical atmosphere.
One Wedding and An Earl had neither.
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
For my own entertainment (because I never know what to choose from my TBR) I've chosen a book starting with the same letter from two genres: Historical Romance and Sci-Fi Romance.
This the HR for the letter O
3 stars
★★★☆☆
So, this is my second book by Tracy Sumner as well as the second book from this series I've read. The first book I read was Book 1, The Brazen Bluestocking. I don't remember all the details, but I remember feeling as if the whole story was tinted with a sad undertone, but with a great historical atmosphere.
One Wedding and An Earl had neither.
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
October 8, 2025
3.5 stars. I wasn't sure whether to round down or up. But it all ended nicely so I rounded up.
I have been reading and enjoying this series about a group of friends/found family which consists of an unlikely mixture of lower class people, aristocrats, b*stard offspring of aristocrats, business people, and other variations, all intermingling in friendships and marriages. Not always completely historically realistic perhaps, but still an enjoyable ride. Some books are better than others (as in any series), and for me this one wasn't the best so far, although still a decent read.
I liked both MCs: Ollie, an earl who'd had a tough life, including a terrible father, and some traumatic military service in colonial India. He followed up that experience with heavy alcohol consumption and a burgeoning addiction to opium. Ollie's b*stard half-brother Xander (MC of the previous book) managed to save his brother from the hell of addiction. All of this took place before this book opens, but it has moulded Ollie's character.
Then there is Necessity (yes, that's the FMC's name), who grew up in the rough back areas of London, and was orphaned as a girl, due to her whole family dying of cholera in one fell swoop. She is a survivor, and has created her own future by dragging herself up by her bootstraps and creating a successful gardening business.
All good so far. Ollie and Necessity are strongly attracted, although Necessity especially is well aware of their class difference. But they start an affair, and for me, this is where the book started to go downhill a little. There were numerous sex scenes which were long and detailed, and which followed swiftly on the heels of each other (so to speak). In fact, after this point there wasn't a huge amount of plot. It seemed like just sex, longing, more sex, denial, more sex etc etc. I'm no prude, and I enjoy reading a decent sex scene (or three) between the MCs. But for me it was just too much, too OTT in this book. I actually started to skim the sex scenes. (How many more pages does this one go on for????? Oh, skip ahead to there.) What a shame.
The last section of the book actually worked quite well and was quite readable, so it kind of redeemed the book for me a bit. And heck, I may be an outlier (that would be nothing new for this reader). I'm sure it's a popular book for many. But for me, all the sex was just a bit too much. Otherwise, I'm enjoying the series anyway, and intend to read all of the books. I like the group of characters and the whole concept, as well as, in general, the writing.
This was my 3rd book for Fall-Winter Bingo, Square 14, Title begins with 'O' (for October).
I have been reading and enjoying this series about a group of friends/found family which consists of an unlikely mixture of lower class people, aristocrats, b*stard offspring of aristocrats, business people, and other variations, all intermingling in friendships and marriages. Not always completely historically realistic perhaps, but still an enjoyable ride. Some books are better than others (as in any series), and for me this one wasn't the best so far, although still a decent read.
I liked both MCs: Ollie, an earl who'd had a tough life, including a terrible father, and some traumatic military service in colonial India. He followed up that experience with heavy alcohol consumption and a burgeoning addiction to opium. Ollie's b*stard half-brother Xander (MC of the previous book) managed to save his brother from the hell of addiction. All of this took place before this book opens, but it has moulded Ollie's character.
Then there is Necessity (yes, that's the FMC's name), who grew up in the rough back areas of London, and was orphaned as a girl, due to her whole family dying of cholera in one fell swoop. She is a survivor, and has created her own future by dragging herself up by her bootstraps and creating a successful gardening business.
All good so far. Ollie and Necessity are strongly attracted, although Necessity especially is well aware of their class difference. But they start an affair, and for me, this is where the book started to go downhill a little. There were numerous sex scenes which were long and detailed, and which followed swiftly on the heels of each other (so to speak). In fact, after this point there wasn't a huge amount of plot. It seemed like just sex, longing, more sex, denial, more sex etc etc. I'm no prude, and I enjoy reading a decent sex scene (or three) between the MCs. But for me it was just too much, too OTT in this book. I actually started to skim the sex scenes. (How many more pages does this one go on for????? Oh, skip ahead to there.) What a shame.
The last section of the book actually worked quite well and was quite readable, so it kind of redeemed the book for me a bit. And heck, I may be an outlier (that would be nothing new for this reader). I'm sure it's a popular book for many. But for me, all the sex was just a bit too much. Otherwise, I'm enjoying the series anyway, and intend to read all of the books. I like the group of characters and the whole concept, as well as, in general, the writing.
This was my 3rd book for Fall-Winter Bingo, Square 14, Title begins with 'O' (for October).
January 13, 2023
Delicious!
Take one girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Necessity Byrne of the Shoreditch Byrnes, budding Gardener to the ton, willing to go out of London to work on a garden design by Capability Brown that’s fallen into disrepair.
Into the mix bring a Scarred Earl, Oliver Aspinwall, Earl of Stanford, his faith in humanity, except for his illegitimate brother Xander Macauley and his cohort aptly named Leighton Group, non existent. Haunted by his father’s treatment of him from age five, escape to the army in India has left him fighting opium addiction given for his injuries. Mobbed by the women of the ton and more who are lured by the promise they see of riches or just a good time (he has quite the sexual reputation) they throw themselves at him. He’s fled to the family pile in Derbyshire for the last couple of years, eschewing alcohol and opium, labouring to ease the tension and memories, and drinking tea. He’s put on weight and is even more devastating than before, not that he gives a fig.
Necessity’s been taken up by the Duchess Society, and we know what their help means!
So when the Necessity and Ollie meet again, oh yes! and wasn’t that was interesting! of course the sparks fly. A series of lusty romps doesn’t even begin to cool the ardor between these two.
Their road to a HEA is strewn with miscommunication. I loved it!
A Wolf Publications ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Take one girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Necessity Byrne of the Shoreditch Byrnes, budding Gardener to the ton, willing to go out of London to work on a garden design by Capability Brown that’s fallen into disrepair.
Into the mix bring a Scarred Earl, Oliver Aspinwall, Earl of Stanford, his faith in humanity, except for his illegitimate brother Xander Macauley and his cohort aptly named Leighton Group, non existent. Haunted by his father’s treatment of him from age five, escape to the army in India has left him fighting opium addiction given for his injuries. Mobbed by the women of the ton and more who are lured by the promise they see of riches or just a good time (he has quite the sexual reputation) they throw themselves at him. He’s fled to the family pile in Derbyshire for the last couple of years, eschewing alcohol and opium, labouring to ease the tension and memories, and drinking tea. He’s put on weight and is even more devastating than before, not that he gives a fig.
Necessity’s been taken up by the Duchess Society, and we know what their help means!
So when the Necessity and Ollie meet again, oh yes! and wasn’t that was interesting! of course the sparks fly. A series of lusty romps doesn’t even begin to cool the ardor between these two.
Their road to a HEA is strewn with miscommunication. I loved it!
A Wolf Publications ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
January 18, 2023
The 4th book in the Duchess Society series follows Oliver aka Ollie (Macauley’s brother) and Necessity, a female gardener who has made her love for plants a very successful business. They met 3 years ago when Ollie was injured during an altercation - thus being known as The Scarred Earl. Nessie was the one that took care of him during his injury and nursed him back to health. Now, with the intervention of Macauley, Nessie is back to help bring the Earl’s estate to the splendor that it was known for, much to Ollie’s open displeasure.
Necessity is one of my favorite heroines in the series, she has had a traumatic past and still moves forward with an astonishing purpose. Her drive is what Ollie needs and propels him to move on from his past. He is the first tortured hero in the series with past opium addiction and self-destructive tendencies that brought him to self-isolation. The banter and interaction between these two are amazing and memorable! One would think that a series can’t get any better and here comes Ms. Sumner to prove me wrong.
A round of applause for Macauley who doesn't give up on his brother (even do what happened when they were kids) and to the Leighton Cluster who don't a fig about being grown-up children with kids! And to the ladies who love them all the same.
I received an ARC from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Necessity is one of my favorite heroines in the series, she has had a traumatic past and still moves forward with an astonishing purpose. Her drive is what Ollie needs and propels him to move on from his past. He is the first tortured hero in the series with past opium addiction and self-destructive tendencies that brought him to self-isolation. The banter and interaction between these two are amazing and memorable! One would think that a series can’t get any better and here comes Ms. Sumner to prove me wrong.
A round of applause for Macauley who doesn't give up on his brother (even do what happened when they were kids) and to the Leighton Cluster who don't a fig about being grown-up children with kids! And to the ladies who love them all the same.
I received an ARC from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
January 31, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️/5
Steam: 🌶️🌶️/5
I don’t really know where to start with this one. This is my first book by Tracy Sumner and after hearing lots of good things about her books I was excited to jump aboard and try it.
This is the fourth in a series and can be read as a stand-alone, but I honestly think this is why I wasn’t engaged as much as I would have.
The prose was excellent! However I felt a disconnect between the steamy scenes and the rest of the book.
Then there was also something missing between Ollie and Nessie. I can’t quite put my finger on it because I normally am a sucker for a class difference trope. The pacing also seemed a bit off.
I loved the opening of this book. The background stories on Ollie and Nessie, I would’ve liked to see a bit more of the pieces of their lives after these stories. Their meetcute was so promising and I was very excited to dig in further. Unfortunately I got bored. Then because I didn’t read the rest of the series I was confused by the amount of characters that were sporadically introduced.
Also, why would a group of male friends go into random fist fights for the fun of it? It turned me off bigtime. There were more things that didn’t seem to add up and left me confused.
Overall this was unfortunately an underwhelming read.
Steam: 🌶️🌶️/5
I don’t really know where to start with this one. This is my first book by Tracy Sumner and after hearing lots of good things about her books I was excited to jump aboard and try it.
This is the fourth in a series and can be read as a stand-alone, but I honestly think this is why I wasn’t engaged as much as I would have.
The prose was excellent! However I felt a disconnect between the steamy scenes and the rest of the book.
Then there was also something missing between Ollie and Nessie. I can’t quite put my finger on it because I normally am a sucker for a class difference trope. The pacing also seemed a bit off.
I loved the opening of this book. The background stories on Ollie and Nessie, I would’ve liked to see a bit more of the pieces of their lives after these stories. Their meetcute was so promising and I was very excited to dig in further. Unfortunately I got bored. Then because I didn’t read the rest of the series I was confused by the amount of characters that were sporadically introduced.
Also, why would a group of male friends go into random fist fights for the fun of it? It turned me off bigtime. There were more things that didn’t seem to add up and left me confused.
Overall this was unfortunately an underwhelming read.
January 18, 2023
"'I like plants because they change. I transform them.
'I like stars because they're constant. I transform nothing."
This novel follows Necessity, the best gardener in London, and Oliver, an Earl whose fraught childhood and horrible father have left him with all kinds of scars.
These two had explosive chemistry from their first meeting. The tension between them was palpable and I couldn't wait for the fireworks between them to finally go off. Watching them both slowly bring their walls down was a delight, and I loved how multi-faceted they both were-- I was never sure what exactly one of them might say or do next.
Sumner has a deft hand with detail and description. We know that Necessity smells of rain and earth, and that Oliver's eyes are moonlight striking stone. She also gives each chapter a diverting title-- sometimes I wanted to skip ahead just to see what the next one would be. My personal favorite was 'Where an Intrepid Gardner Seethes and an Arrogant Earl Persists."
Necessity is a very strong main character, the exact kind of female I love to read about in this time period. She is independent and would rather remain so than settle; she's interested in exploring in the bedroom and not ashamed of that, and she has many interests outside of Oliver to keep her busy and happy-- though of course, she just might come to decided that she's happier with him.
Despite this, there were a few things that prevented me from giving this a 5-star rating. One is superficially petty--I could not fully get over the heroine's name. I understand the concept of virtue names, but this one is so uncommon as to be confusing. Often paragraphs would begin with her name and I'd initially not fully grasp that they meant a person-- I'd be thinking what necessity? Where? The cutesy nickname of 'Nessie' bestowed on her by Oliver didn't make the name any better for me, but at least eliminated my confusion.
My other complaint concerns the wider story beyond the romance. I feel that it's incredibly important for books in historical romance series to be able to stand alone. If you following a series and are able to gain additional enjoyment from seeing the characters you fell in love with in prior books again, that's amazing, but it shouldn't be necessary to the book you are currently reading. When it is, I think it's a huge barrier to new readers and even to old ones who may not vividly remember characters from prior books. There were several moments when it was difficult for me to follow the dynamics and relationships between Oliver, his friends, and their wives. I found myself first trying desperately and fruitlessly to understand what was going on with these characters backstories, and then just skimming past them to focus on the romance and the relationship between Oliver and his brother. I wish the author had done the same.
I would recommend this to fans of Historical Romance, but if you haven't read the other books in the Duchess Society series I think you have to brace for not always fully understanding who's who and what's going on with the wider cast of characters.
I received a copy from NetGalley and BookBuzz.net in exchange for an honest review.
'I like stars because they're constant. I transform nothing."
This novel follows Necessity, the best gardener in London, and Oliver, an Earl whose fraught childhood and horrible father have left him with all kinds of scars.
These two had explosive chemistry from their first meeting. The tension between them was palpable and I couldn't wait for the fireworks between them to finally go off. Watching them both slowly bring their walls down was a delight, and I loved how multi-faceted they both were-- I was never sure what exactly one of them might say or do next.
Sumner has a deft hand with detail and description. We know that Necessity smells of rain and earth, and that Oliver's eyes are moonlight striking stone. She also gives each chapter a diverting title-- sometimes I wanted to skip ahead just to see what the next one would be. My personal favorite was 'Where an Intrepid Gardner Seethes and an Arrogant Earl Persists."
Necessity is a very strong main character, the exact kind of female I love to read about in this time period. She is independent and would rather remain so than settle; she's interested in exploring in the bedroom and not ashamed of that, and she has many interests outside of Oliver to keep her busy and happy-- though of course, she just might come to decided that she's happier with him.
Despite this, there were a few things that prevented me from giving this a 5-star rating. One is superficially petty--I could not fully get over the heroine's name. I understand the concept of virtue names, but this one is so uncommon as to be confusing. Often paragraphs would begin with her name and I'd initially not fully grasp that they meant a person-- I'd be thinking what necessity? Where? The cutesy nickname of 'Nessie' bestowed on her by Oliver didn't make the name any better for me, but at least eliminated my confusion.
My other complaint concerns the wider story beyond the romance. I feel that it's incredibly important for books in historical romance series to be able to stand alone. If you following a series and are able to gain additional enjoyment from seeing the characters you fell in love with in prior books again, that's amazing, but it shouldn't be necessary to the book you are currently reading. When it is, I think it's a huge barrier to new readers and even to old ones who may not vividly remember characters from prior books. There were several moments when it was difficult for me to follow the dynamics and relationships between Oliver, his friends, and their wives. I found myself first trying desperately and fruitlessly to understand what was going on with these characters backstories, and then just skimming past them to focus on the romance and the relationship between Oliver and his brother. I wish the author had done the same.
I would recommend this to fans of Historical Romance, but if you haven't read the other books in the Duchess Society series I think you have to brace for not always fully understanding who's who and what's going on with the wider cast of characters.
I received a copy from NetGalley and BookBuzz.net in exchange for an honest review.
dnf
November 3, 2023I’m just not into it. It was fun at first but now that I am 1/3 way in I can’t feel any chemistry.
January 9, 2023
This is the fourth book in The Duchess Society series, and it follows Macauley’s brother Ollie and Necessity, a gardener who changes Ollie’s life. Necessity and Ollie are complex and compelling characters. They first met several years ago after Ollie was attacked, and Necessity helped care for him. Now three years later, Necessity is a well-respected gardener, and Ollie lives in relative isolation.
Necessity is a remarkable self-made woman. She’s had a difficult, tragic, and traumatic life, yet she has made a success for herself. She is driven, hard-working, and confident, and she doesn’t let obstacles stand in the way of what she wants. Ollie, also referred to as The Scarred Earl, is a bit of a recluse since the injury that scarred his face. He’s different from the other MMCs in the series in that he’s struggled with abuse, addiction, and horrific nightmares, and he’s living an isolated life in a crumbling estate in desperate need of repair. I found it interesting that the estate’s well-being paralleled Ollie’s. At the start of the story, the estate is as broken and in need of help as Ollie. As the story progresses, the estate slowly transforms with the help of Necessity and Macauley, much like Ollie does.
Ollie’s relationships change him, and one of the biggest influences in his life is his brother. I loved seeing their relationship deepen, especially considering they spent so many years apart. Macauley is one of my favorite characters from the series, so I was thrilled that he had a big role in this book too. Macauley was so opposed to marriage in previous books, but now he is totally in love and living in wedded bliss. Love it!!! I also love how sensitive he is, especially with Ollie. He is much more demonstrative in his feelings, and you can feel his sincerity in what he says and does. Basically, he’s just as swoon-worthy in this book as he was in the previous ones.
The Leighton Cluster is fantastic. The men and their wives have such a strong bond, and I love how they all support each other. They have strong found family vibes, and it’s so lovely to see them bring Necessity into their fold. As the only surviving member of her family, she has been alone for a long time. Ollie’s past is a lonely one too, so seeing both of them in this loving, supportive, and understanding family is wonderful.
Of course, my favorite relationship is the romance between Necessity and Ollie. This love story has several tropes I enjoy. Ollie and Necessity have total grumpy/sunshine vibes, and there are class differences that prove problematic in Necessity’s eyes. But this pair had a connection from their first meeting all those years ago, and that attraction hasn’t faded. They have fantastic banter, and their conversations are so entertaining. Whether they are arguing or teasing, their chemistry is unmistakable, and their steamy scenes are swoon-tastic!
I always enjoy Sumner’s historical romances. The characters are dynamic and compelling, and the romances are always super swoon-worthy. I’m excited to read Dash’s story. His romance with Theo has been hinted at, and it sounds like it’s going to be a good one! Special thanks to Tracy Sumner for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Necessity is a remarkable self-made woman. She’s had a difficult, tragic, and traumatic life, yet she has made a success for herself. She is driven, hard-working, and confident, and she doesn’t let obstacles stand in the way of what she wants. Ollie, also referred to as The Scarred Earl, is a bit of a recluse since the injury that scarred his face. He’s different from the other MMCs in the series in that he’s struggled with abuse, addiction, and horrific nightmares, and he’s living an isolated life in a crumbling estate in desperate need of repair. I found it interesting that the estate’s well-being paralleled Ollie’s. At the start of the story, the estate is as broken and in need of help as Ollie. As the story progresses, the estate slowly transforms with the help of Necessity and Macauley, much like Ollie does.
Ollie’s relationships change him, and one of the biggest influences in his life is his brother. I loved seeing their relationship deepen, especially considering they spent so many years apart. Macauley is one of my favorite characters from the series, so I was thrilled that he had a big role in this book too. Macauley was so opposed to marriage in previous books, but now he is totally in love and living in wedded bliss. Love it!!! I also love how sensitive he is, especially with Ollie. He is much more demonstrative in his feelings, and you can feel his sincerity in what he says and does. Basically, he’s just as swoon-worthy in this book as he was in the previous ones.
The Leighton Cluster is fantastic. The men and their wives have such a strong bond, and I love how they all support each other. They have strong found family vibes, and it’s so lovely to see them bring Necessity into their fold. As the only surviving member of her family, she has been alone for a long time. Ollie’s past is a lonely one too, so seeing both of them in this loving, supportive, and understanding family is wonderful.
Of course, my favorite relationship is the romance between Necessity and Ollie. This love story has several tropes I enjoy. Ollie and Necessity have total grumpy/sunshine vibes, and there are class differences that prove problematic in Necessity’s eyes. But this pair had a connection from their first meeting all those years ago, and that attraction hasn’t faded. They have fantastic banter, and their conversations are so entertaining. Whether they are arguing or teasing, their chemistry is unmistakable, and their steamy scenes are swoon-tastic!
I always enjoy Sumner’s historical romances. The characters are dynamic and compelling, and the romances are always super swoon-worthy. I’m excited to read Dash’s story. His romance with Theo has been hinted at, and it sounds like it’s going to be a good one! Special thanks to Tracy Sumner for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
January 16, 2023
Another great book in this series! The Earl of Stanford has appeared in a few other books, but this one really gets into his backstory.
What I like about this series and this book the best is the independent and strong female characters. Necessity really builds herself up from a rookery girls to creating her well sought after gardening business. Her first meeting with the Earl "Ollie" was helping to ail him and she was even dressed in comfortable men's wear. Both characters in this book are a testament to what a little hard work cam achieve.
The romance in this book was definitely steamy. A stargazing Earl and his gardener definitely defied their stations and created some sparks. A checklist of sorts, anyone?
As I have read the other books in this series, I think that it could be read as a stand-alone due to the strong story of the main characters. I do like seeing many of previous characters in each book though. Can't wait for Dash's story next!
This book definitely is sexy and gets a little dirty!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
What I like about this series and this book the best is the independent and strong female characters. Necessity really builds herself up from a rookery girls to creating her well sought after gardening business. Her first meeting with the Earl "Ollie" was helping to ail him and she was even dressed in comfortable men's wear. Both characters in this book are a testament to what a little hard work cam achieve.
The romance in this book was definitely steamy. A stargazing Earl and his gardener definitely defied their stations and created some sparks. A checklist of sorts, anyone?
As I have read the other books in this series, I think that it could be read as a stand-alone due to the strong story of the main characters. I do like seeing many of previous characters in each book though. Can't wait for Dash's story next!
This book definitely is sexy and gets a little dirty!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
January 9, 2023
Necessity Byrne is a landscaper with a reputation for being a healer given her knowledge of herbs. When Oliver, the Earl of Stanford, is injured she heals him and left a lingering impression. Years later, Oliver’s brother hires Necessity to redo the gardens as family estate and the sparks immediately start flying between the two who have never forgotten one another, though much of their time is spent arguing. The pair must balance their professional relationship with their strong attraction that of course, leads to real feelings.
This is the fourth book in The Duchess Society series, but can be enjoyed on its own, though the couples from earlier in the series, do make appearances, especially Xander from book three as Oliver is his brother. I really like the Duchess Society group so I was very happy to learn that this book was a continuation of the series rather than the start of something new. I absolutely adored both Necessity and Byrne. I loved Necessity’s independence and willingness to seize the opportunities that come to her with confidence. I loved that Oliver had such a sweet and loving relationship with his brother and his family, despite his loner tendencies (I’m a sucker for heroes with community). I loved the two of them together and am very happy with how their story came out. As always, Tracy’s writing style is just wonderful and easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wolf Publishing, and Tracy Sumner for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fourth book in The Duchess Society series, but can be enjoyed on its own, though the couples from earlier in the series, do make appearances, especially Xander from book three as Oliver is his brother. I really like the Duchess Society group so I was very happy to learn that this book was a continuation of the series rather than the start of something new. I absolutely adored both Necessity and Byrne. I loved Necessity’s independence and willingness to seize the opportunities that come to her with confidence. I loved that Oliver had such a sweet and loving relationship with his brother and his family, despite his loner tendencies (I’m a sucker for heroes with community). I loved the two of them together and am very happy with how their story came out. As always, Tracy’s writing style is just wonderful and easy to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wolf Publishing, and Tracy Sumner for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2023
I am glowing! This groups of friends is everything, I long to be a part of the Leighton Cluster. This story (as with the entire series) is more than a love story. It is family, born and found, the family of the heart. I knew I would love it before I turned the first page, but even then it blew me away. Ollie is everything you expect (he is Macauley’s little brother, it’s in his blood!), kind-hearted but with a wicked side meant to sizzle. From their very first introduction years ago, he and Necessity sparked. Back in each others orbit, those sparks combust every time they are together. Wild and sexy are mild words for their interactions. This story is pure fire. Aside from their fantastic love story is a healthy dose of Xander Macauley (I know this isn’t his story), being an absolutely heart-melting big brother. Bringing to mind Pippa’s quote, “The hardest men to catch are also the hardest to fall”. Gone is the rookery thug, and in his place an incredibly loving husband, doting father and overly protective big brother.
Tracy writes incredibly compelling men that you cannot help but love. Creating a breed entirely her own. The Rookery Boy, not just a guy who was born in the rookery, more of a state of being. It is more than just a locale in London… it is a persona, a feeling. It is someone street-tough, raised rough, having to think on their own and carve their own place in this world. A man who has had to fight for everything in his life, who understands the value of hard work and the rewards it can bring. Someone loyal to a fault because he understands how precious the people are who choose you. He may be a scarred earl, a rookery titan or an impervious duke. This series has carved a solid place in my heart and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Tracy writes incredibly compelling men that you cannot help but love. Creating a breed entirely her own. The Rookery Boy, not just a guy who was born in the rookery, more of a state of being. It is more than just a locale in London… it is a persona, a feeling. It is someone street-tough, raised rough, having to think on their own and carve their own place in this world. A man who has had to fight for everything in his life, who understands the value of hard work and the rewards it can bring. Someone loyal to a fault because he understands how precious the people are who choose you. He may be a scarred earl, a rookery titan or an impervious duke. This series has carved a solid place in my heart and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
January 20, 2023
I loved Oliver’s rough edge and fearsome attitude when he confronted villains who clashed with his quite life. It was the soft side that he showed to Necessity that had her melting in his arms. Xander his older brother is where his true emotions of wanting to be better and forgiven that he fights for. I love the romance and the powerful story of the ties that binds a family.
January 21, 2023
Sigh ! I loved both MCs but together it was just attraction.
Lots of telling but not showing
Lots of telling but not showing
April 6, 2023
Tracy Sumner has such a delightful and whimsical of "titling" each of her chapters that I am instantly charmed and drawn into the novel and looking forward to what will unfold in that section. One Wedding and an Earl is the forth book in The Duchess Society series and it is a sexy and fun edition full of delicious tropes! This novel features a class difference between an Earl and a Landscaper, it is insta love in all its sensuality, has a scarred hero, has a hero who seems to fall first and features both holding onto a trinket of the others (swoon)! Sumner's writing is easily accessible and has a lightness to it, the pacing of this novel works well and makes this a quick and pleasant read.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between the hero and heroine, they did cross path a few years back and now that she has been hired to re-landscape his property (by his brother), these two fall a little into a bantering battle of wits. They both are extremely attracted to each other, and they orbit the other, until one night they collide and a passionate kiss rocks both their worlds. These two swiftly come to an understanding and enter into a sensual relationship, this novel has a level of steam that is ramped up from the past novels. It is sexy and creates this building up of emotion between these two that they might not be ready to face. Their interactions are charged and passionate, their emotions and tempers sometimes run hot, so when the third act conflict comes into play, these two must separate and reflect in order to understand what they really want and what they are willing to fight for.
This novel is fun and sexy and definitely worth the read. I really enjoy Tracy Sumner and this series and can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between the hero and heroine, they did cross path a few years back and now that she has been hired to re-landscape his property (by his brother), these two fall a little into a bantering battle of wits. They both are extremely attracted to each other, and they orbit the other, until one night they collide and a passionate kiss rocks both their worlds. These two swiftly come to an understanding and enter into a sensual relationship, this novel has a level of steam that is ramped up from the past novels. It is sexy and creates this building up of emotion between these two that they might not be ready to face. Their interactions are charged and passionate, their emotions and tempers sometimes run hot, so when the third act conflict comes into play, these two must separate and reflect in order to understand what they really want and what they are willing to fight for.
This novel is fun and sexy and definitely worth the read. I really enjoy Tracy Sumner and this series and can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 5, 2023
The story follows Ollie, Earl of Stanford - the brother of Macauley for those of you who have been following the series – and Necessity Byrne.
Necessity was such a delight; she had a tough life but has pushed through it to find a place on the outskirts on Mayfair society as the most famed gardener in London. She is open and bold and unafraid and so sweet, and the perfect match to Ollie’s personality. Her gardening brings her to Ollie’s Derbyshire estate at the behest of Ollie’s brother. Ollie doesn’t want her there but finds his mind changed rather quickly as Necessity shares her list of fantasies she wishes to explore. And of course, he doesn’t say no to that. Their steamy scenes were very well done and their budding relationship was so delightful. With both characters having a soft vulnerability about them, I really enjoyed seeing them share themselves with each other. Ollie slowly healed and Necessity found someone to be her new family. It was so sweet and beautiful. Though not without angst, their love story was such a delight, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Another binge worthy story from Sumner as always.
Macauley has a significant role for a side character, and he is on page a lot – which I loved because he is my favourite and seeing him living in wedded bliss with his family was too adorable. The whole Leighton cluster was just heart-meltingly sweet, I love the group and that we get to see these couples pop up in each book. The male friendships in this group just make the whole series so special and I devoured all their interactions. Dash was on page enough to have me VERY excited for his story with Theo. The teasers we’ve had of them, and their story have fully drawn me in, and I already known I’m going to love it. Luckily this will be the next book in the series!
Also, I just must mention him – Jasper Noble. I love him. That’s it. No really, he leaped off the page and stole every moment he was in. Call me intrigued. I have no idea who he is but I’m dying to learn about his real background, and I cannot wait to see what his story brings. His friendship with Necessity was very cute and I loved that she brought him to Ollie’s home to hang out with the Leighton cluster at the end. Each scene has me half in love with him already!
This whole series is full of beautiful friendships and that more than anything makes this one of my favourite historical romance series. I love the way Sumner writes this dynmaics and she always delivers top tier romance.
I’d highly recommend if you’re looking for found family, class difference, steam, emotional growth, banter and well rounded impossible-not-to-love characters!
Necessity was such a delight; she had a tough life but has pushed through it to find a place on the outskirts on Mayfair society as the most famed gardener in London. She is open and bold and unafraid and so sweet, and the perfect match to Ollie’s personality. Her gardening brings her to Ollie’s Derbyshire estate at the behest of Ollie’s brother. Ollie doesn’t want her there but finds his mind changed rather quickly as Necessity shares her list of fantasies she wishes to explore. And of course, he doesn’t say no to that. Their steamy scenes were very well done and their budding relationship was so delightful. With both characters having a soft vulnerability about them, I really enjoyed seeing them share themselves with each other. Ollie slowly healed and Necessity found someone to be her new family. It was so sweet and beautiful. Though not without angst, their love story was such a delight, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Another binge worthy story from Sumner as always.
Macauley has a significant role for a side character, and he is on page a lot – which I loved because he is my favourite and seeing him living in wedded bliss with his family was too adorable. The whole Leighton cluster was just heart-meltingly sweet, I love the group and that we get to see these couples pop up in each book. The male friendships in this group just make the whole series so special and I devoured all their interactions. Dash was on page enough to have me VERY excited for his story with Theo. The teasers we’ve had of them, and their story have fully drawn me in, and I already known I’m going to love it. Luckily this will be the next book in the series!
Also, I just must mention him – Jasper Noble. I love him. That’s it. No really, he leaped off the page and stole every moment he was in. Call me intrigued. I have no idea who he is but I’m dying to learn about his real background, and I cannot wait to see what his story brings. His friendship with Necessity was very cute and I loved that she brought him to Ollie’s home to hang out with the Leighton cluster at the end. Each scene has me half in love with him already!
This whole series is full of beautiful friendships and that more than anything makes this one of my favourite historical romance series. I love the way Sumner writes this dynmaics and she always delivers top tier romance.
I’d highly recommend if you’re looking for found family, class difference, steam, emotional growth, banter and well rounded impossible-not-to-love characters!
April 5, 2023
4.5 stars, seen through a telescope on a rooftop in Mayfair on a dark, windy night.
If you are looking for a very spicy historical romance with a contemporary feel to it, look no further. With tropes such as grumpy x sunshine, class difference, found family, you're mine, it's always been you, and competitive characters exploring their sexuality together (yes, with angry sex!) while not having a care in the world about it being scandalous, this is bound to be a real treat!
In One Wedding and an Earl, our darling Xander Macauley decides to dust off his nifty little meddling skills by paying horticulturist Necessity Byrnes of the Shoreditch Byrnes to refurbish his (half-)brother Oliver "Ollie" (or baby bro) Aspinwall's hedges. That is, the ones in his Derbyshire estate gardens, but any other metaphorical hedges that get tended to in the process are definitely a plus in his opinion. (Do you see him smirking about his devious matchmaking skills, the little devil?)
This book hit the spot for me thanks to two major aspects - the fiery but emotionally vulnerable romance between Ollie and his Sprite (aka Nessie), and the found family / brotherly love between Ollie and Mac (as well as the extended Leighton Cluster with both Ollie and Nessie). Seeing Ollie and Mac trying to figure out their relationship, putting up boundaries and trying to respect those, was beautiful. And of course, I am not mad at how involved Mac was in Ollie's story, although he is definitely a scene thief. (When he admitted he fell first but made Pip wait for years? I swooned!)
"Lose the guilt, will you? I don't mind the scar. It shows a trace of what I feel like on the inside. (...) If it frightens anyone, my visage, well, good. Let it warn them away. If they could see what's here" - he tapped his chest - "they'd run in the other direction."
As much as I love Xander, I must admit Ollie had me from the very beginning. (Sit your ass down, Mac, honey. You're still my main boo.) An emotionally and physically scarred earl, hiding from the world, both through physical barriers - his estate far removed from London - and emotional ones to avoid getting hurt? I'm WEAK. Combine him caring when he doesn't want to, being such a goner but very much in denial about it, with a strong self-made woman on a quest to become the best gardener of London as well as exploring her sexuality - roping in our very eager lord for the job - and I am done for.
"You're not the man for the job."
"This job is designed for me, Sprite."
Their romance? Gosh, it was beautiful. The pet names (*swoon*), the banter, the competition between them, the need to best each other in every single interaction made for some fiery scenes, both in words and in... well, other ways (smirk). This book was definitely more spicy (hello, dirty talking earl) than the previous ones - something about still waters that run deep, am I right? - because Ollie and Nessie do a lot of their talking through physical interactions.
"Two minutes. Then we decide."
"Decide?"
"If we stop at a kiss or decide to carry it further. Me?" He gave a careless toss of his shoulder. "I'll go as far as you let me."
Although it seems physical interactions are an easy way to communicate for both of them, they're also both unsettled by how easily and how quickly they succeed in becoming intimate on an emotional level with each other, despite both being traumatized individuals (complex trauma for both, and PTSD as well for Ollie) who have erected such high walls around themselves which they guard fiercely. Cue both of them getting vexed when they step on each other's vulnerability, because allowing themselves and the other to be vulnerable is so new to them.
"Why would you hope for better from a rookery girl of all people?"
"Because I let you see me."
This moment wrecked me, pulled my heart out. I'm literally tearing up again while writing this. Because, to be completely honest, I think this is what I loved most about Ollie and Nessie - their willingness to be vulnerable even though they might get hurt in the process. Both of them being so open, caring for each other in small ways... They're bad communicators, because they've never gotten the chance to learn, but they try their damned best and are so desperate for the other to actually see them. Ollie's willingness to apologize right off the bat when he senses he's hurt Nessies feelings made me swoon each time, because even though they're bad communicators, they're very much in tune with each others feelings. Can you imagine how proud I was when Ollie doled out this advice when Nessie was trying to keep Ollie at a distance by guessing at his thoughts? "You shouldn't presume to know how I feel before I tell you. Before I know myself." The answer is VERY.
"I have nerve with you, Necessity Byrne. With you I have loads of nerve. So much that I don't recognize myself half the time. (...) I dare where you're concerned. With all my nerve and not an ounce less."
Also, very noteworthy: tipping my hat off to the PTSD and complex trauma representation in this book. I've basically outlined the complex trauma above, but the PTSD flashbacks were once again on point.
So why 4.5 stars and not 5? A few small reasons.
1. Like with Scandalous Vixen, I got confused at the writing sometimes. It would've been beneficial to have more of or an earlier explication of what the author meant or what was truly happening between the characters.
2. Although I loved the PTSD and trauma rep, I have a hard time with books making it seem like a good relationship magically solves PTSD. Opening up about the trauma will have had its effect though. I tried to not let it bother me too much.
3. Jasper Noble. Condescending egocentric ass. Okay, okay, I kid, he didn't influence my rating, but he does have a long way to go to get in my good graces. So, good luck to him.
----
Other quotes I absolutely adored
"I like plants because they change. I transform them."
"I like stars because they're constant. I transform nothing."
"You're not the right man, my lord."
"You're not the right woman, Necessity Byrne. But I want you, anyway."
"Quit trying. This isn't a dare. A situation requiring your legendary talent. Leave me be."
"I'm not going to do that, Sprite. Arrogant cur that I am, I don't think you want me to."
"That's what I'm known for, Sprite. On the battlefield, in the dens, in life. If I choose, if I decide, I go in with everything I have."
"If you start talking about your fantasies again, Nessie, I'm going to need to sit down."
"Tonight. Come to me. I'll be waiting." His gaze dipped, his smile abashed. "I fear I'm willing to wait as long as it takes."
"He didn't order her about or make her dreams feel small. He listened. When men never listened to her."
--
**I read and reviewed an advanced reading copy, which I received both as a member of Tracy Sumner's street team and from the publisher through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
If you are looking for a very spicy historical romance with a contemporary feel to it, look no further. With tropes such as grumpy x sunshine, class difference, found family, you're mine, it's always been you, and competitive characters exploring their sexuality together (yes, with angry sex!) while not having a care in the world about it being scandalous, this is bound to be a real treat!
In One Wedding and an Earl, our darling Xander Macauley decides to dust off his nifty little meddling skills by paying horticulturist Necessity Byrnes of the Shoreditch Byrnes to refurbish his (half-)brother Oliver "Ollie" (or baby bro) Aspinwall's hedges. That is, the ones in his Derbyshire estate gardens, but any other metaphorical hedges that get tended to in the process are definitely a plus in his opinion. (Do you see him smirking about his devious matchmaking skills, the little devil?)
This book hit the spot for me thanks to two major aspects - the fiery but emotionally vulnerable romance between Ollie and his Sprite (aka Nessie), and the found family / brotherly love between Ollie and Mac (as well as the extended Leighton Cluster with both Ollie and Nessie). Seeing Ollie and Mac trying to figure out their relationship, putting up boundaries and trying to respect those, was beautiful. And of course, I am not mad at how involved Mac was in Ollie's story, although he is definitely a scene thief. (When he admitted he fell first but made Pip wait for years? I swooned!)
"Lose the guilt, will you? I don't mind the scar. It shows a trace of what I feel like on the inside. (...) If it frightens anyone, my visage, well, good. Let it warn them away. If they could see what's here" - he tapped his chest - "they'd run in the other direction."
As much as I love Xander, I must admit Ollie had me from the very beginning. (Sit your ass down, Mac, honey. You're still my main boo.) An emotionally and physically scarred earl, hiding from the world, both through physical barriers - his estate far removed from London - and emotional ones to avoid getting hurt? I'm WEAK. Combine him caring when he doesn't want to, being such a goner but very much in denial about it, with a strong self-made woman on a quest to become the best gardener of London as well as exploring her sexuality - roping in our very eager lord for the job - and I am done for.
"You're not the man for the job."
"This job is designed for me, Sprite."
Their romance? Gosh, it was beautiful. The pet names (*swoon*), the banter, the competition between them, the need to best each other in every single interaction made for some fiery scenes, both in words and in... well, other ways (smirk). This book was definitely more spicy (hello, dirty talking earl) than the previous ones - something about still waters that run deep, am I right? - because Ollie and Nessie do a lot of their talking through physical interactions.
"Two minutes. Then we decide."
"Decide?"
"If we stop at a kiss or decide to carry it further. Me?" He gave a careless toss of his shoulder. "I'll go as far as you let me."
Although it seems physical interactions are an easy way to communicate for both of them, they're also both unsettled by how easily and how quickly they succeed in becoming intimate on an emotional level with each other, despite both being traumatized individuals (complex trauma for both, and PTSD as well for Ollie) who have erected such high walls around themselves which they guard fiercely. Cue both of them getting vexed when they step on each other's vulnerability, because allowing themselves and the other to be vulnerable is so new to them.
"Why would you hope for better from a rookery girl of all people?"
"Because I let you see me."
This moment wrecked me, pulled my heart out. I'm literally tearing up again while writing this. Because, to be completely honest, I think this is what I loved most about Ollie and Nessie - their willingness to be vulnerable even though they might get hurt in the process. Both of them being so open, caring for each other in small ways... They're bad communicators, because they've never gotten the chance to learn, but they try their damned best and are so desperate for the other to actually see them. Ollie's willingness to apologize right off the bat when he senses he's hurt Nessies feelings made me swoon each time, because even though they're bad communicators, they're very much in tune with each others feelings. Can you imagine how proud I was when Ollie doled out this advice when Nessie was trying to keep Ollie at a distance by guessing at his thoughts? "You shouldn't presume to know how I feel before I tell you. Before I know myself." The answer is VERY.
"I have nerve with you, Necessity Byrne. With you I have loads of nerve. So much that I don't recognize myself half the time. (...) I dare where you're concerned. With all my nerve and not an ounce less."
Also, very noteworthy: tipping my hat off to the PTSD and complex trauma representation in this book. I've basically outlined the complex trauma above, but the PTSD flashbacks were once again on point.
So why 4.5 stars and not 5? A few small reasons.
1. Like with Scandalous Vixen, I got confused at the writing sometimes. It would've been beneficial to have more of or an earlier explication of what the author meant or what was truly happening between the characters.
2. Although I loved the PTSD and trauma rep, I have a hard time with books making it seem like a good relationship magically solves PTSD. Opening up about the trauma will have had its effect though. I tried to not let it bother me too much.
3. Jasper Noble. Condescending egocentric ass. Okay, okay, I kid, he didn't influence my rating, but he does have a long way to go to get in my good graces. So, good luck to him.
----
Other quotes I absolutely adored
"I like plants because they change. I transform them."
"I like stars because they're constant. I transform nothing."
"You're not the right man, my lord."
"You're not the right woman, Necessity Byrne. But I want you, anyway."
"Quit trying. This isn't a dare. A situation requiring your legendary talent. Leave me be."
"I'm not going to do that, Sprite. Arrogant cur that I am, I don't think you want me to."
"That's what I'm known for, Sprite. On the battlefield, in the dens, in life. If I choose, if I decide, I go in with everything I have."
"If you start talking about your fantasies again, Nessie, I'm going to need to sit down."
"Tonight. Come to me. I'll be waiting." His gaze dipped, his smile abashed. "I fear I'm willing to wait as long as it takes."
"He didn't order her about or make her dreams feel small. He listened. When men never listened to her."
--
**I read and reviewed an advanced reading copy, which I received both as a member of Tracy Sumner's street team and from the publisher through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
January 11, 2023
independence
I just love this author, I admire how her strong characters always find a way to cope with what life confronts them with and how they find strue friends that support them. Of course, if you are not used to being liked just for who you are, it´s hard to trust in the beginning. In this case, both protagonists have to learn, that love is not after keeping you down but it will always help you soare and shine.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I just love this author, I admire how her strong characters always find a way to cope with what life confronts them with and how they find strue friends that support them. Of course, if you are not used to being liked just for who you are, it´s hard to trust in the beginning. In this case, both protagonists have to learn, that love is not after keeping you down but it will always help you soare and shine.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 29, 2023
3.5 stars
This is the first book that branched out from the original "main" characters, so I had fewer expectations. I was excited because of the "preview" in Wicked Wallflower where Ollie meets Necessity while recovering. This book takes place 3 years after that encounter and neither of them has forgotten it. The plot is straightforward and a bit dull. The book is spicier than the previous ones in the series. I love this series' characters so much that I didn't mind! I still really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next (hello, Dash is hilarious).
And an aesthetic side note, I don't like the cover of this book as it doesn't match the previous ones, and I don't understand the title at all.
I read an ARC.
This is the first book that branched out from the original "main" characters, so I had fewer expectations. I was excited because of the "preview" in Wicked Wallflower where Ollie meets Necessity while recovering. This book takes place 3 years after that encounter and neither of them has forgotten it. The plot is straightforward and a bit dull. The book is spicier than the previous ones in the series. I love this series' characters so much that I didn't mind! I still really enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next (hello, Dash is hilarious).
And an aesthetic side note, I don't like the cover of this book as it doesn't match the previous ones, and I don't understand the title at all.
I read an ARC.
January 22, 2023
This new historical fiction story is one hot and steamy read. It is the fourth story in the "Duchess Society" series. I think it can be enjoyed as a stand alone spicy read. Ollie and Necessity are likable characters in this opposites attract story. She definitely challenges him. I love how their story develops.
January 9, 2023
I really loved reading Book # 4 with the characters Ollie and Necessity. Plus there were all of the characters from the previous books of the Duchess Society in this book and that really made this book special.
With Xander Macauley, Ollie’s half brother playing Cupid to get Ollie and Necessity together it was really a fun read! I would recommend anyone wanting to read this book to at least read Book # 3 The Wicked Wallflower (5 stars) as you will get more of Ollie and Xanders story before reading this book.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
With Xander Macauley, Ollie’s half brother playing Cupid to get Ollie and Necessity together it was really a fun read! I would recommend anyone wanting to read this book to at least read Book # 3 The Wicked Wallflower (5 stars) as you will get more of Ollie and Xanders story before reading this book.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
April 10, 2023
Tracy Sumner continues with #4 (plus a prequel) in The Duchess Society series. I’ve read the entire series and couldn’t wait to read my ARC. Oliver Aspinwall, the Earl of Stanford is sent a gift by his by-blow half brother Xander (MC in the last book). Necessity Byrne of the Shoreditch Byrne’s is a landscape architect. Xander sends Nessie to help restore the once grand grounds of the Earl’s crumbling estate. He also may be doing a little matchmaking and meddling to help his brother recover from his war injuries and return to society. Necessity wants to access to the work of brilliant Capability Brown who once worked on the gardens. Nessie and Ollie start of squabbling but sparks fly and passion is in the air.
Ollie wants her but can she really become a Countess?
I’ve visited many great houses and Castles in England that celebrate Capability Brown’s work, so I found that a fun addition to the story. I like that Earl has had a hard life, because of his father and the war. Necessity is a delight. She pays attention to the Duchess Society who help her improve her language and manners after growing up in the rookery. She knows her worth as a landscaper. This can be read as a stand alone but the previous couples make appearances. if you don’t want spoilers on who are having children etc. read the books in order. The books series is continuing as the author in the notes at the end mentions at least two possible future leads.
I recommend the series for historical romance fans. I would rate medium for steaminess. And there is light heartedness in the banter between the couple and friend group. Thank you to NetGalley and Wolf Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ollie wants her but can she really become a Countess?
I’ve visited many great houses and Castles in England that celebrate Capability Brown’s work, so I found that a fun addition to the story. I like that Earl has had a hard life, because of his father and the war. Necessity is a delight. She pays attention to the Duchess Society who help her improve her language and manners after growing up in the rookery. She knows her worth as a landscaper. This can be read as a stand alone but the previous couples make appearances. if you don’t want spoilers on who are having children etc. read the books in order. The books series is continuing as the author in the notes at the end mentions at least two possible future leads.
I recommend the series for historical romance fans. I would rate medium for steaminess. And there is light heartedness in the banter between the couple and friend group. Thank you to NetGalley and Wolf Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2023
4 1/2*STARS*
Ollie Aspinwall, Earl of Stanford, has little thought of having anyone plan the unkept lawn of his Derbyshire estate. Byrne Cultivation and Design is owned by an unusual woman. Paid for her work by his bastard brother doesn't help Ollie's attitude. Working her way up from the dirty streets of London, Necessity Byrne is determined to be the best after Capability Jones with her business. Ollie lives with many demons. Having Nessie in and around his house is a distraction he doesn't want, but Nessie is determined she will stay for one month. The madcap ladies of the Duchess Society and their husbands, bring lots of humor to the story. A passionate romance brings changes in Ollie and Nessie's lives.
Scorching hot!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Ollie Aspinwall, Earl of Stanford, has little thought of having anyone plan the unkept lawn of his Derbyshire estate. Byrne Cultivation and Design is owned by an unusual woman. Paid for her work by his bastard brother doesn't help Ollie's attitude. Working her way up from the dirty streets of London, Necessity Byrne is determined to be the best after Capability Jones with her business. Ollie lives with many demons. Having Nessie in and around his house is a distraction he doesn't want, but Nessie is determined she will stay for one month. The madcap ladies of the Duchess Society and their husbands, bring lots of humor to the story. A passionate romance brings changes in Ollie and Nessie's lives.
Scorching hot!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews