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The Duke's Estates #3
Blame It on the Earl
• A young woman trying to do the right thing
• An earl's son whose clumsiness is their downfall
• A scandal that turns the haute ton upside down
• The undeniable spark that transforms a blunder into a tender connection
Sarah Moran's attempt to save Kenver Pendrennon—the heir of an earl—as he slips off the Cornwall cliffs, sends them both into each other's arms and into the sea. Now, marriage may be the only option to keep a scandal at bay. But what started as a terrible mistake may be exactly what both of them needs...
• An earl's son whose clumsiness is their downfall
• A scandal that turns the haute ton upside down
• The undeniable spark that transforms a blunder into a tender connection
Sarah Moran's attempt to save Kenver Pendrennon—the heir of an earl—as he slips off the Cornwall cliffs, sends them both into each other's arms and into the sea. Now, marriage may be the only option to keep a scandal at bay. But what started as a terrible mistake may be exactly what both of them needs...
360 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 23, 2022
62 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Jane Ashford
51 books399 followersJane Ashford has written historical and contemporary romances. Her books have been published in England, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, Denmark, Russia, and Latvia, Croatia and Slovenia as well as the U.S. She was nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. Her latest book, Lost Time, is romantic suspense with a touch of magic.
Her website is https://www.janeashford.com/ and her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JaneAshfordW... If you'd like to subscribe to Jane's monthly newsletter go to www.eepurl.com/cd-O7r and sign up.
Her website is https://www.janeashford.com/ and her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JaneAshfordW... If you'd like to subscribe to Jane's monthly newsletter go to www.eepurl.com/cd-O7r and sign up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
September 19, 2022
While exploring the ruins of a castle with her family, Sarah Morand and Kenver Pendrennon fall off a cliff. Wounded and unconscious, Kenver is saved by Sarah, who drags him to safety before the tide comes in. However, they are stuck overnight until the tide goes out. To dissuade scandal, Sarah and Kenver become engaged and quickly marry. However, not everyone is happy with their union, and this newly acquainted couple must learn how to stand up for themselves and their love.
I have mixed feelings about this story. On one hand, I enjoyed the slow-burning romance and a few of the secondary characters. But on the other hand, I didn’t love Kenver. He was so passive throughout much of the story. I understood the reasons behind his aversion to conflict and willingness to comply with his parents’ wishes, but the way they treat Sarah is terrible, and I wanted Kenver to take a stand. That being said, I think Kenver shows a lot of growth by the end of the story, much of which can be attributed to his relationship with Sarah.
With antagonists that are easy to hate balanced with friends that are easy to love, the book has an interesting cast of secondary characters. I also like the references to King Arthur, Merlin, and the stories surrounding Arthur’s beginnings. Sarah and Kenver share an interest in this history, which is sweet and romantic.
Speaking of romance, Sarah and Kenver have an angst filled love story with two major obstacles- Kenver’s atrocious parents. They do everything they can to show their displeasure and lack of support of the marriage. However, Sarah and Kenver are committed to each other. Their romance has a lot of yearning and sweet moments that show their deepening feelings for each other, which is lovely.
While reading, I was constantly thinking about the lack of opportunities women had at this time. The dependence they have on men – husbands, fathers, brothers, etc. – in all aspects of life is startling. There are some good messages about women’s rights, gender inequality, tradition, and ridiculous social conventions.
Overall, this is a good read, though it’s not my favorite in the series. The ending felt a bit forced and too easy in comparison to the trials Sarah and Kenver experienced throughout the story. And I wanted Kenver to be more forceful with his parents way earlier than he did. I also wish the couple communicated better. It would have helped some of their issues.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
I have mixed feelings about this story. On one hand, I enjoyed the slow-burning romance and a few of the secondary characters. But on the other hand, I didn’t love Kenver. He was so passive throughout much of the story. I understood the reasons behind his aversion to conflict and willingness to comply with his parents’ wishes, but the way they treat Sarah is terrible, and I wanted Kenver to take a stand. That being said, I think Kenver shows a lot of growth by the end of the story, much of which can be attributed to his relationship with Sarah.
With antagonists that are easy to hate balanced with friends that are easy to love, the book has an interesting cast of secondary characters. I also like the references to King Arthur, Merlin, and the stories surrounding Arthur’s beginnings. Sarah and Kenver share an interest in this history, which is sweet and romantic.
Speaking of romance, Sarah and Kenver have an angst filled love story with two major obstacles- Kenver’s atrocious parents. They do everything they can to show their displeasure and lack of support of the marriage. However, Sarah and Kenver are committed to each other. Their romance has a lot of yearning and sweet moments that show their deepening feelings for each other, which is lovely.
While reading, I was constantly thinking about the lack of opportunities women had at this time. The dependence they have on men – husbands, fathers, brothers, etc. – in all aspects of life is startling. There are some good messages about women’s rights, gender inequality, tradition, and ridiculous social conventions.
Overall, this is a good read, though it’s not my favorite in the series. The ending felt a bit forced and too easy in comparison to the trials Sarah and Kenver experienced throughout the story. And I wanted Kenver to be more forceful with his parents way earlier than he did. I also wish the couple communicated better. It would have helped some of their issues.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
August 16, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and publisher, Sourcebooks, Casablanca. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Publishing: August 23, 2022
Series: The Dukes Estates #3
Pages: 360
I’ve read other books by author, Jane Ashford and the last was not so glowing, so I’ve decided to take a chance on “Blame It On The Earl”. Surprisingly, this story was an enjoyable read but I thought is was a bit slow in transitioning and a bare minimal plot.
Kenver Pendrennon is heir to an earldom. While looking off the side of a cliff he falls and Sarah Moran tries to rescue him. They both end up at the bottom of the cliff and take refuge in a cave until the tide lets up. After spending the night in the cave, there is some chemistry between the two and to avoid scandal they marry. Kenver insists on doing the right thing, although his parents do not like wish it because Sarah is not from a notable family. He marries Sarah and travels to his home where his parents demonstrate the worst kind of hatred towards his new bride and scolds Kenver as if he is a child. She is met with disdain from both his parents, placed at the opposite end of her husband’s bedroom to avoid consummating the marriage, and daily schemed upon to break the union.
What was unlikeable about this story was the Kenver not being mature enough and having the backbone to stand up to the servants or his parents throughout the story until close to its ending. I would have thought his character to be a bit stronger considering his father being a passive participant under his mother’s tyrannical rule throughout the home. In addition, the prolong abuse toward Sarah went on too long. About 75% of this story dragged and focused more on the disagreeable parents towards the son and daughter-in-law hat it was sometimes a bit frustrating to read. There also should have been some recompense from the mother and Cranston’s cruel behavior instead of brushing over it.
Likeable aspects of this story…Kenver’s ability to grow in character by the end of the story; Sarah’s ability to provide uncanny details of history and fantasy throughout her conversations with Kenver; Her intelligence and will to see the good in things; and the supporting characters that had faith and belief in them when at times they could not see it…especially on the meager allowance Kenver received and having no viable resource for earning additional income. I did like the duke and duchess characters as they tried to help maneuver and rally to Kenver and Sarah’s plight.
This is a quick and clean historical romance by Ms. Ashford. I enjoyed the beginning and ending of this story. While I do enjoy seeing character growth, it seems that there is a recurring theme for passive male characters in this series (i.e., the earl, Kenver and the duke). Wished this could have been a higher rating for me but the family dynamics took away from the story a bit too much.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Publishing: August 23, 2022
Series: The Dukes Estates #3
Pages: 360
I’ve read other books by author, Jane Ashford and the last was not so glowing, so I’ve decided to take a chance on “Blame It On The Earl”. Surprisingly, this story was an enjoyable read but I thought is was a bit slow in transitioning and a bare minimal plot.
Kenver Pendrennon is heir to an earldom. While looking off the side of a cliff he falls and Sarah Moran tries to rescue him. They both end up at the bottom of the cliff and take refuge in a cave until the tide lets up. After spending the night in the cave, there is some chemistry between the two and to avoid scandal they marry. Kenver insists on doing the right thing, although his parents do not like wish it because Sarah is not from a notable family. He marries Sarah and travels to his home where his parents demonstrate the worst kind of hatred towards his new bride and scolds Kenver as if he is a child. She is met with disdain from both his parents, placed at the opposite end of her husband’s bedroom to avoid consummating the marriage, and daily schemed upon to break the union.
What was unlikeable about this story was the Kenver not being mature enough and having the backbone to stand up to the servants or his parents throughout the story until close to its ending. I would have thought his character to be a bit stronger considering his father being a passive participant under his mother’s tyrannical rule throughout the home. In addition, the prolong abuse toward Sarah went on too long. About 75% of this story dragged and focused more on the disagreeable parents towards the son and daughter-in-law hat it was sometimes a bit frustrating to read. There also should have been some recompense from the mother and Cranston’s cruel behavior instead of brushing over it.
Likeable aspects of this story…Kenver’s ability to grow in character by the end of the story; Sarah’s ability to provide uncanny details of history and fantasy throughout her conversations with Kenver; Her intelligence and will to see the good in things; and the supporting characters that had faith and belief in them when at times they could not see it…especially on the meager allowance Kenver received and having no viable resource for earning additional income. I did like the duke and duchess characters as they tried to help maneuver and rally to Kenver and Sarah’s plight.
This is a quick and clean historical romance by Ms. Ashford. I enjoyed the beginning and ending of this story. While I do enjoy seeing character growth, it seems that there is a recurring theme for passive male characters in this series (i.e., the earl, Kenver and the duke). Wished this could have been a higher rating for me but the family dynamics took away from the story a bit too much.
September 23, 2022
Future earl Kenver Pendrennon and Sarah Moran are forced to wed after being inadvertently trapped by the rising tide overnight in Cornwall. Sarah is sweet, well educated and from prosperous land owners. When Kenver returns home with his bride by his side his parents take every action to keep them apart. Assigning rooms in separate areas, well placed staff etc. In fact the only drama in this book is how far the parents go to not accept the marriage. When a Duke and Duchess arrive as special guests the in-laws are flummoxed to learn they are friends of Sarah. But even that doesn’t soften their disappointment in the marriage.
This is a third in a series but I read easily as a stand alone. Clearly the guests were a couple from another book but all the action takes place at Kenver’s family home. The story was disappointing. Kenver is such a milquetoast and passive I couldn’t cheer for him. The more over the top the actions of a villainous mother the more the comeuppance should be. She literally tries to steal his inheritance from him. But the resolution is that Kenver and she will work together to manage the estate. Nope. That doesn’t work for me.
I liked Sarah, she is young and innocent. She wants the marriage to be real (consummated) but her husband can’t stand up to his parents. And this goes on for pages and pages. By the time they are together I didn’t care. This is on the lowest end of a spice meter. In fact I’ve read clean books with more passion and sparks. I did think the cover is attractive but I’m sorry it is on a book I really can’t recommend unless you love the series or author. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a third in a series but I read easily as a stand alone. Clearly the guests were a couple from another book but all the action takes place at Kenver’s family home. The story was disappointing. Kenver is such a milquetoast and passive I couldn’t cheer for him. The more over the top the actions of a villainous mother the more the comeuppance should be. She literally tries to steal his inheritance from him. But the resolution is that Kenver and she will work together to manage the estate. Nope. That doesn’t work for me.
I liked Sarah, she is young and innocent. She wants the marriage to be real (consummated) but her husband can’t stand up to his parents. And this goes on for pages and pages. By the time they are together I didn’t care. This is on the lowest end of a spice meter. In fact I’ve read clean books with more passion and sparks. I did think the cover is attractive but I’m sorry it is on a book I really can’t recommend unless you love the series or author. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2022
I think that I just don't care for Jane Ashford's writing style. All three books in this series have been a disappointment. Too dry. To slow. Not at all spicy. I literally don't care about a single character.
June 15, 2022
Sarah Moran's attempt to save Kenver Pendrennon—the heir of an earl—as he slips off the Cornwall cliffs plunges them into scandal. Now, marriage is the only option to save their reputations, but her family is pushing for the marriage and his are horrified that he offered.
His family is atrocious and I struggled to believe that anyone could be cruel and that Kenver would be so passive for so long.
Worse than that, the writing was simplistic. Sarah and Kenver’s personalities are very flat. No romantic tension, no significant character development, and the regency setting didn’t come through.
For something claiming to be part of a Scandalous Regency Romp series, this was dull. These two had zero chemistry and we were told they were drawn to each other without seeing why. His parents’ cruelty played a larger role in the story than their relationship. Words like clean and wholesome are usually applied to books like this. But even those don’t have to be boring.
I received an arc from NetGalley
His family is atrocious and I struggled to believe that anyone could be cruel and that Kenver would be so passive for so long.
Worse than that, the writing was simplistic. Sarah and Kenver’s personalities are very flat. No romantic tension, no significant character development, and the regency setting didn’t come through.
For something claiming to be part of a Scandalous Regency Romp series, this was dull. These two had zero chemistry and we were told they were drawn to each other without seeing why. His parents’ cruelty played a larger role in the story than their relationship. Words like clean and wholesome are usually applied to books like this. But even those don’t have to be boring.
I received an arc from NetGalley
March 17, 2023
My favorite so far. This is Sarah's story. After an unsuccessful season, she is back home in Cornwall and goes to visit Tintangel Castle. She tries to save a man falling and falls on top of him. They are stranded overnight. She is considered compromised, and he offers to marry her. Turns out he is an Earl's son, and they make her life miserable.
Until our heroes, The Duke and Duchess from the previous book show up and greet her happily.
I love Sarah for her knowledge. She is a reader and spouts information. She and her new husband are both lovers of King Aurthur lore, and their discussions and hopes for a magical realm are a lovely part of the book. One thing Ashford illustrates in her books are the constraints put upon women of this era.
Meanwhile, we see the growing maturity of James and the continuing story of James and Cecilia. I strongly suggest. You read the first 2 books of the series as each one builds on the next. I am eagerly awaiting the next.
I received an eARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks . I appreciate and offer this honest review.
Until our heroes, The Duke and Duchess from the previous book show up and greet her happily.
I love Sarah for her knowledge. She is a reader and spouts information. She and her new husband are both lovers of King Aurthur lore, and their discussions and hopes for a magical realm are a lovely part of the book. One thing Ashford illustrates in her books are the constraints put upon women of this era.
Meanwhile, we see the growing maturity of James and the continuing story of James and Cecilia. I strongly suggest. You read the first 2 books of the series as each one builds on the next. I am eagerly awaiting the next.
I received an eARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks . I appreciate and offer this honest review.
September 15, 2022
I received an advance ebook copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review.
Blame It on the Earl by Jane Ashford is the third book of The Duke’s Estates series. Sarah Moran is relieved to return to the country after the London Season. Things take a dramatic turn when she is taking in the sights around the cliffs and encounters Kenver Pendrennon, who suddenly slips and drags Sarah down into the sea with him. Kenver, heir to an Earl, is initially knocked unconscious. Sarah pulls him into a cave where they must wait out the rising tide overnight. Because of this, rumors have began to spread in their absence. Sarah and Kenver must marry to avoid scandal. As the drama dies down, family members begin to show disapproval of the match. But this marriage has turned from a marriage of convenience into a true love match.
Jane Ashford has written a witty, funny, and sweet love story. It starts out with quite the event!
Blame It on the Earl by Jane Ashford is the third book of The Duke’s Estates series. Sarah Moran is relieved to return to the country after the London Season. Things take a dramatic turn when she is taking in the sights around the cliffs and encounters Kenver Pendrennon, who suddenly slips and drags Sarah down into the sea with him. Kenver, heir to an Earl, is initially knocked unconscious. Sarah pulls him into a cave where they must wait out the rising tide overnight. Because of this, rumors have began to spread in their absence. Sarah and Kenver must marry to avoid scandal. As the drama dies down, family members begin to show disapproval of the match. But this marriage has turned from a marriage of convenience into a true love match.
Jane Ashford has written a witty, funny, and sweet love story. It starts out with quite the event!
September 13, 2023
A chance encounter, a fall from a cliff, and a tender night spent in a cave, result in a quick marriage between an earl’s son and a gentleman’s daughter in this sweet historical romance by Jane Ashford.
Blame it on the Earl is the third book in the Duke’s Estates series. I would recommend reading the series in order, since the duke and duchess of Tereford (the leading characters from book one) make reoccurring appearances in this series. It was nice to have their commanding presence in this book because Kenver and Sarah needed their assistance to defy Kenver’s parents, who are set against the marriage. Kenver is an intriguing character. Kind, honorable, and deferential to a fault. He avoids conflict. While I adore beta heroes, at times, I was frustrated with his inordinate passiveness. I wanted Kenver to do more to cement Sarah’s position in his household, especially after his mother’s repeated attempts to separate them. Nevertheless, Kenver’s quiet charm grows on you. Sarah is a lovely character. I couldn’t help but root for her. She is intrepid, resourceful, and “a mistress of arcane facts.” I enjoyed the moments they spent together discussing myths and legends. It was heartening to see both Sarah and Kenver slowly shed their vulnerabilities, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential.
Blame it on the Earl is a light and easy read, sans intense drama and evil villains, unless you count Kenver’s domineering mother and Cranston! The latter irked me so much lol.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blame it on the Earl is the third book in the Duke’s Estates series. I would recommend reading the series in order, since the duke and duchess of Tereford (the leading characters from book one) make reoccurring appearances in this series. It was nice to have their commanding presence in this book because Kenver and Sarah needed their assistance to defy Kenver’s parents, who are set against the marriage. Kenver is an intriguing character. Kind, honorable, and deferential to a fault. He avoids conflict. While I adore beta heroes, at times, I was frustrated with his inordinate passiveness. I wanted Kenver to do more to cement Sarah’s position in his household, especially after his mother’s repeated attempts to separate them. Nevertheless, Kenver’s quiet charm grows on you. Sarah is a lovely character. I couldn’t help but root for her. She is intrepid, resourceful, and “a mistress of arcane facts.” I enjoyed the moments they spent together discussing myths and legends. It was heartening to see both Sarah and Kenver slowly shed their vulnerabilities, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential.
Blame it on the Earl is a light and easy read, sans intense drama and evil villains, unless you count Kenver’s domineering mother and Cranston! The latter irked me so much lol.
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2022
I did not think I would like this book, but I was wrong, it was a good story and romance.
Spoiler Alert:
This story starts out with a young lady investigating some local ruins on a daily outing with her parents. She is a an only child and tends to be bookish. She has always enjoyed the stories of King Arthur. She feels that the ruins would be a place where King Arhtur would have lived. As she is wandering around, lost in her musings, she comes across an opening. She enters and is in a part that thw floor has fallen into the ocean and there is a cliff dropping into the water. It looks like there is a set of steps leading down. She is surprised at a young man who was in the same space and he decides to try to walk the "steps". But they are canted wrong and as he tries, he is falling into the hole. The heroine grabs to help him and they both tumble over. They land on a wet, sandy area and cannot climb back up. The water is rising so they walk the beach towards a crevice. They enter the crevice and using the water line as a guide, they find a ledge that they can share and spend the night together, freezing. They introduce themselves and talk through out the night. They are attracted to each other. In the morning, when the tide has fallen, they leave the crevice and walk the small beach until they can climb a path back up. The heroine's parents are there and after they express their relief, they demand the hero do the correct thing. At that time he introduces himself as the heir to a local earldom. The hero's parents felt that the heroine, even though she will receive her father's estate, was not a correct wife. They refuse to attend the wedding. The young couple are facing an uphill battle, and they haven't even declared their live for each other yet.
This story was about overcoming obstacles and realizing when you can change a person's perceptions and when to let things go. I enjoyed this story because it was the right blend of romance, adventure and drama. I liked the main characters and felt integrated in what happened to the. The author was very descriptive, but not overly descriptive. I felt like I could close my eyes and see the setting in my mind. It was a well written story that I would give 5 stars to, with a recommendation to read.
Spoiler Alert:
This story starts out with a young lady investigating some local ruins on a daily outing with her parents. She is a an only child and tends to be bookish. She has always enjoyed the stories of King Arthur. She feels that the ruins would be a place where King Arhtur would have lived. As she is wandering around, lost in her musings, she comes across an opening. She enters and is in a part that thw floor has fallen into the ocean and there is a cliff dropping into the water. It looks like there is a set of steps leading down. She is surprised at a young man who was in the same space and he decides to try to walk the "steps". But they are canted wrong and as he tries, he is falling into the hole. The heroine grabs to help him and they both tumble over. They land on a wet, sandy area and cannot climb back up. The water is rising so they walk the beach towards a crevice. They enter the crevice and using the water line as a guide, they find a ledge that they can share and spend the night together, freezing. They introduce themselves and talk through out the night. They are attracted to each other. In the morning, when the tide has fallen, they leave the crevice and walk the small beach until they can climb a path back up. The heroine's parents are there and after they express their relief, they demand the hero do the correct thing. At that time he introduces himself as the heir to a local earldom. The hero's parents felt that the heroine, even though she will receive her father's estate, was not a correct wife. They refuse to attend the wedding. The young couple are facing an uphill battle, and they haven't even declared their live for each other yet.
This story was about overcoming obstacles and realizing when you can change a person's perceptions and when to let things go. I enjoyed this story because it was the right blend of romance, adventure and drama. I liked the main characters and felt integrated in what happened to the. The author was very descriptive, but not overly descriptive. I felt like I could close my eyes and see the setting in my mind. It was a well written story that I would give 5 stars to, with a recommendation to read.
August 12, 2022
This book was such a pleasure to read! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of Jane Ashford's writing, and this story is no exception. Both the hero and the heroine are likable. The story is interesting, and the secondary characters are well developed.
The story began in a rural setting at one of the most popular sites in the area. Sarah Moran was looking off a cliff at the sea when Kenver Pendrennon-the heir of an earl- fell beside her. She attempted to save him, but they both ended up at the bottom of the cliff on the sand. Since the tide was coming in and no one could hear them yell above the wind, they took refuge in a cave and had to stay there all night. Of course, this compromised Sarah, so Kenver was honor bound to offer marriage.
Kenver was mostly a beta hero, but he did marry Sarah against his parents wishes. Unfortunately, he also lived with his parents and did not tell Sarah they did not approve. Therefore, when she moved in, she was not prepared for all the underhanded attacks from his parents (mostly mother).
The two formed a friendship with each other while living completely apart in bedrooms on opposite sides of his parents. The Duke and Duchess Tereford come to visit. Kenver's estranged sister was located. A haunted house with a man named Merlin was visited. All in all, as I said, this is a lovely and entertaining story that I highly recommend reading if any of this sounds intriguing.
I am a fan of Jane Ashford's writing, and this story is no exception. Both the hero and the heroine are likable. The story is interesting, and the secondary characters are well developed.
The story began in a rural setting at one of the most popular sites in the area. Sarah Moran was looking off a cliff at the sea when Kenver Pendrennon-the heir of an earl- fell beside her. She attempted to save him, but they both ended up at the bottom of the cliff on the sand. Since the tide was coming in and no one could hear them yell above the wind, they took refuge in a cave and had to stay there all night. Of course, this compromised Sarah, so Kenver was honor bound to offer marriage.
Kenver was mostly a beta hero, but he did marry Sarah against his parents wishes. Unfortunately, he also lived with his parents and did not tell Sarah they did not approve. Therefore, when she moved in, she was not prepared for all the underhanded attacks from his parents (mostly mother).
The two formed a friendship with each other while living completely apart in bedrooms on opposite sides of his parents. The Duke and Duchess Tereford come to visit. Kenver's estranged sister was located. A haunted house with a man named Merlin was visited. All in all, as I said, this is a lovely and entertaining story that I highly recommend reading if any of this sounds intriguing.
August 17, 2022
Blame It on the Earl by Jane Ashford is the third book in The Duke’s Estates. The novels are based on stories that happen near the Duke of Tereford’s estates where his eccentric uncle left a series of interesting properties to look after. The Duke and Duchess try to help wherever they can with a couple who are struggling for various reasons.
In this novel we meet Sarah Moran who is visiting the area and discovers a cave, only to try to save Kenver Pendrennon and he slips off a cliff. They both land relatively safely, but there is no way out and no one to hear their cries for help. Sarah ends up dragging Kenver to a safe dry space to avoid drowning in the upcoming tide. The next day they two find a way to safety - only to be forced into marriage. Kenver’s mother is a horrible snob and tries everything she can to make their new lives in the castle a horror show. Luckily the Duke and Duchess of Tereford come to visit and work to sort out the issues.
I really enjoyed this novel! I found the first scene that led to the marriage interesting and I was rooting for Sarah and Kenver to weather the manipulation that was Kenver’s parents. Blame it on the Earl by Jane Ashford was a good read. I quite look forward to the next novel.
In this novel we meet Sarah Moran who is visiting the area and discovers a cave, only to try to save Kenver Pendrennon and he slips off a cliff. They both land relatively safely, but there is no way out and no one to hear their cries for help. Sarah ends up dragging Kenver to a safe dry space to avoid drowning in the upcoming tide. The next day they two find a way to safety - only to be forced into marriage. Kenver’s mother is a horrible snob and tries everything she can to make their new lives in the castle a horror show. Luckily the Duke and Duchess of Tereford come to visit and work to sort out the issues.
I really enjoyed this novel! I found the first scene that led to the marriage interesting and I was rooting for Sarah and Kenver to weather the manipulation that was Kenver’s parents. Blame it on the Earl by Jane Ashford was a good read. I quite look forward to the next novel.
December 4, 2022
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
As she walks along a cliffside to hide from her meddling family, Sarah Moran slips, and falls onto the beach with a handsome stranger. As the stranger takes the brunt of the impact, he's injured, and needs help moving from the sea. Finding no way back from the secluded beach, Sarah drags Kenver into a sheltered cave, and they spend the night in each other's arms. Now with no way around it, they are forced to marry to protect Sarah's reputation, and she realises that Kenver is not just a gentleman, but the heir to an Earldom. Though they might be happy, and pleasantly surprised, with their marriage, it's clear that Kenver's parents are against it, and will do just about anything to force the marriage to fail.
I really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would to be honest. I liked Sarah and Kenver, and the way their romance progressed from the first meeting, to falling in love and revealing their feelings to each other. The main thing I disliked about the book was Kenver's reticence and subservience to his awful parents. The Earl and Countess were some of the worst in laws I've read, and for a large part of Blame it on the Earl, Kenver listened to them, and didn't stand up for himself, or his wife. It was great when the Tereford's showed up, and you saw the Countess pandering to their every whim. I'm glad that they are such a tie in the series, and hope they'll be a big part of book 4 too. While not my favourite of the series - that's still book 1 - Blame it on the Earl was enjoyable, and a quick read.
As she walks along a cliffside to hide from her meddling family, Sarah Moran slips, and falls onto the beach with a handsome stranger. As the stranger takes the brunt of the impact, he's injured, and needs help moving from the sea. Finding no way back from the secluded beach, Sarah drags Kenver into a sheltered cave, and they spend the night in each other's arms. Now with no way around it, they are forced to marry to protect Sarah's reputation, and she realises that Kenver is not just a gentleman, but the heir to an Earldom. Though they might be happy, and pleasantly surprised, with their marriage, it's clear that Kenver's parents are against it, and will do just about anything to force the marriage to fail.
I really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would to be honest. I liked Sarah and Kenver, and the way their romance progressed from the first meeting, to falling in love and revealing their feelings to each other. The main thing I disliked about the book was Kenver's reticence and subservience to his awful parents. The Earl and Countess were some of the worst in laws I've read, and for a large part of Blame it on the Earl, Kenver listened to them, and didn't stand up for himself, or his wife. It was great when the Tereford's showed up, and you saw the Countess pandering to their every whim. I'm glad that they are such a tie in the series, and hope they'll be a big part of book 4 too. While not my favourite of the series - that's still book 1 - Blame it on the Earl was enjoyable, and a quick read.
July 14, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!
This book was not for me. The characters felt very simple and one-dimensional, and the writing was somewhat juvenile (the conversations were simple, the dialogue felt weird, and there were some oddly placed exclamation marks, for example). There wasn’t a lot of development in Sarah and Kenver’s relationship, and the romance in this book was severely lacking, which was disappointing since the romance is supposed to be present in a romance novel. Overall, I just couldn’t care about the characters or the plot, and was just reading in order to finish the book.
This book was not for me. The characters felt very simple and one-dimensional, and the writing was somewhat juvenile (the conversations were simple, the dialogue felt weird, and there were some oddly placed exclamation marks, for example). There wasn’t a lot of development in Sarah and Kenver’s relationship, and the romance in this book was severely lacking, which was disappointing since the romance is supposed to be present in a romance novel. Overall, I just couldn’t care about the characters or the plot, and was just reading in order to finish the book.
August 27, 2022
The third book in the Duke’s Estates series a well written story that I found myself smiling as I read. Kenver Pendrennon and Sarah Moran end up falling over a cliff and take selter in a cave overnight they are found the next morning. I enjoyed seeing them get a happy ending with all the ups and downs they went through with his parents. The story was well written and held my interest throughout. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2023
So very dull!
June 27, 2022
I received a copy from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.
This is the third book in the Duke's Estates series and I enjoyed the story of Sarah and Kenver and the development of their relationship. Sarah was a side character in one of the previous books, a wallflower friend who was overlooked by suitors during her season. She was enjoying a solitary walk near the ocean cliffs, by a local attraction one evening, when a strange man comes upon her and he suddenly slips, and grabs onto her, pulling them both over and onto the sandy beach below. Because the tide was coming in, they end up seeking safe shelter in a nearby cave, but forced to spend the night together. In the dark, they establish a bond, but when they make their way out in the morning, they are witnessed by others and this leads to Sarah's reputation being ruined. Kenver does the chivalrous thing and offers marriage. Sarah is reluctant, not wanting to be forced into marriage, and not initially realizing that Kenver is the heir to an earldom, but ultimately, they do end up wed and she is brought to his family home to live.
Unfortunately, what Kenver does not tell Sarah is that his parents, on finding out what happened, are both vehemently against the marriage, thinking Sarah is entrapping him, is not good enough, and wanting Kenver to have a more suitable match, and they work actively to ruin the marriage and manipulate Sarah and Kenver. Sarah is belittled, and made to feel terribly unwelcome by her in-laws and their servants, and any attempt to progress their relationship by Kenver and Sarah is thwarted as well. Kenver and Sarah do develop feelings and respect for each other, and desire to be together, despite the hateful environment around them.
Luckily, Sarah's friend, Cecelia, the Duchess of Tereford and her husband end up staying at the Earl's estate, as there is a Ducal estate nearby that they need to inspect and restore. They work to help her friend and counteract the in-law's poison.
Again, I like Kenver and Sarah as a couple, but I felt that the mother's cold and poisonous hatred of her and her treatment of Kenver and her own family was over the top and hard to swallow; it really made her seem quite cold and evil, especially how she was when the Earl became ill. The thick layering of her coldness, hateful machinations, and contempt for her husband and own children also made the ending where she seems to thaw more a bit unbelievable. It felt more like she was an old fashioned evil witch cartoon or fairy tale character that should have been melted to death or made to magically disappear; irredeemable. An almost cartoonish/fairy tale-like story of good/evil. Also, other side characters, such as "Merlin" felt like they were over the top too and detracted from the story rather than contributed to it. Perhaps it was supposed to be comic relief? In light of how Sarah and Kenver are treated by his father and mother, I also had several points where I wished Kenver would grow a pair and give it to them to save himself and Sarah grief, or that Sarah would lay it on the line and leave, for her own sake.
3.25 stars out of 5.
This is the third book in the Duke's Estates series and I enjoyed the story of Sarah and Kenver and the development of their relationship. Sarah was a side character in one of the previous books, a wallflower friend who was overlooked by suitors during her season. She was enjoying a solitary walk near the ocean cliffs, by a local attraction one evening, when a strange man comes upon her and he suddenly slips, and grabs onto her, pulling them both over and onto the sandy beach below. Because the tide was coming in, they end up seeking safe shelter in a nearby cave, but forced to spend the night together. In the dark, they establish a bond, but when they make their way out in the morning, they are witnessed by others and this leads to Sarah's reputation being ruined. Kenver does the chivalrous thing and offers marriage. Sarah is reluctant, not wanting to be forced into marriage, and not initially realizing that Kenver is the heir to an earldom, but ultimately, they do end up wed and she is brought to his family home to live.
Unfortunately, what Kenver does not tell Sarah is that his parents, on finding out what happened, are both vehemently against the marriage, thinking Sarah is entrapping him, is not good enough, and wanting Kenver to have a more suitable match, and they work actively to ruin the marriage and manipulate Sarah and Kenver. Sarah is belittled, and made to feel terribly unwelcome by her in-laws and their servants, and any attempt to progress their relationship by Kenver and Sarah is thwarted as well. Kenver and Sarah do develop feelings and respect for each other, and desire to be together, despite the hateful environment around them.
Luckily, Sarah's friend, Cecelia, the Duchess of Tereford and her husband end up staying at the Earl's estate, as there is a Ducal estate nearby that they need to inspect and restore. They work to help her friend and counteract the in-law's poison.
Again, I like Kenver and Sarah as a couple, but I felt that the mother's cold and poisonous hatred of her and her treatment of Kenver and her own family was over the top and hard to swallow; it really made her seem quite cold and evil, especially how she was when the Earl became ill. The thick layering of her coldness, hateful machinations, and contempt for her husband and own children also made the ending where she seems to thaw more a bit unbelievable. It felt more like she was an old fashioned evil witch cartoon or fairy tale character that should have been melted to death or made to magically disappear; irredeemable. An almost cartoonish/fairy tale-like story of good/evil. Also, other side characters, such as "Merlin" felt like they were over the top too and detracted from the story rather than contributed to it. Perhaps it was supposed to be comic relief? In light of how Sarah and Kenver are treated by his father and mother, I also had several points where I wished Kenver would grow a pair and give it to them to save himself and Sarah grief, or that Sarah would lay it on the line and leave, for her own sake.
3.25 stars out of 5.
August 25, 2022
I always except a Jane Ashford novel to be a sweet and heart warming story that will feel like a nice warm hug. This novel is exactly that, the story is sweet and very low angst, there is minimal conflict in the relationship, lots of the conflict in the story is outside of the main romantic relationship and the growth of the story focus on the characters. Ashford’s writing is well laid out, accessible and is softly paced. Because the novel is more focused on the nuances of day to day life, the pace is gentle and can feel slow in moments but is what I fully expected from this novel. If you enjoy a gentle romance with very low/to no steam levels, Ashford is definitely an author for you.
This romance is between Kenver, the heir to an earldom, and Sarah, an untitled young lady from Cornwall. When Kenver takes a tumble over a cliff and Sarah tries to rescue him, they both find themselves stranded in a sea cave all night until the tide goes out. In order to safe Sarah’s reputation the two get married but when they return to his home his parents are very unfavorable to the marriage and try to keep it from being consummated at every turn.
Sarah is a very sweet heroine, she is young and smart and thoughtful. While being constrained by the times and her gender she still tries to keep her head up and stand tall. Kenver, while a sweet hero towards Sarah at many times, does feel weak and a push over more often through out the novel due to the relationship he has with his parents. While Sarah wants to make the best out of her marriage and have a true one, she is constantly thwarted be Kenver’s awful parents. We see Sarah constantly mistreated by them, but it shows her strength in character, her kindness and her heart. Ultimately, these situations make me look down on and think less of our hero. Yes, he does eventually learn to stand of for himself and Sarah, it is hard to watch him take so long to come to this conclusion as well as his growth in this area is leaking because we don’t see a more steady growth. I did love the fact that Sarah and Kenver both share an interest in Arthurian legend. It is delightful and sweet how they can bond over a mutual interest. And even with the hardship of hero’s relations, we still do get some lovely growth of trust and interest between Sarah and Kenver. I do feel like the lack of sensuality and an exploration of a physical side of their relationship takes away some of the heartwarming moments and true believability in the growing of a loving relationship (but I do know to expect this with an Ashford novel).
Overall, I was charmed by the set up of this novel and while I got pretty much what I expected, I still felt a lack of believability in their relationship and a disheartening around the overall growth of the hero’s character. If you like the pacing and story telling of Ella Quinn and Mary Balogh, Jane Ashford is definitely worth checking out.
3-3.5 Stars
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This romance is between Kenver, the heir to an earldom, and Sarah, an untitled young lady from Cornwall. When Kenver takes a tumble over a cliff and Sarah tries to rescue him, they both find themselves stranded in a sea cave all night until the tide goes out. In order to safe Sarah’s reputation the two get married but when they return to his home his parents are very unfavorable to the marriage and try to keep it from being consummated at every turn.
Sarah is a very sweet heroine, she is young and smart and thoughtful. While being constrained by the times and her gender she still tries to keep her head up and stand tall. Kenver, while a sweet hero towards Sarah at many times, does feel weak and a push over more often through out the novel due to the relationship he has with his parents. While Sarah wants to make the best out of her marriage and have a true one, she is constantly thwarted be Kenver’s awful parents. We see Sarah constantly mistreated by them, but it shows her strength in character, her kindness and her heart. Ultimately, these situations make me look down on and think less of our hero. Yes, he does eventually learn to stand of for himself and Sarah, it is hard to watch him take so long to come to this conclusion as well as his growth in this area is leaking because we don’t see a more steady growth. I did love the fact that Sarah and Kenver both share an interest in Arthurian legend. It is delightful and sweet how they can bond over a mutual interest. And even with the hardship of hero’s relations, we still do get some lovely growth of trust and interest between Sarah and Kenver. I do feel like the lack of sensuality and an exploration of a physical side of their relationship takes away some of the heartwarming moments and true believability in the growing of a loving relationship (but I do know to expect this with an Ashford novel).
Overall, I was charmed by the set up of this novel and while I got pretty much what I expected, I still felt a lack of believability in their relationship and a disheartening around the overall growth of the hero’s character. If you like the pacing and story telling of Ella Quinn and Mary Balogh, Jane Ashford is definitely worth checking out.
3-3.5 Stars
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 8, 2022
I'm very much in the middle about this one. And as I've done before, I started in the middle of the series, it appears...never a good thing.
I enjoyed the developing romance between our main characters. I enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside as well as the animals, especially the family hounds. I truly enjoyed the friendship that Sarah has with Cecelia.
What I did NOT enjoy was Kenver's parents. I was also highly irritated with how long it took our hero to put his new wife first. I understand wanting to build some tension but holy crap, this was just painful. If I could have reached into the book and throttled Kenver's mother - and at times his father - and Kenver himself...well, I'd probably be sitting in a cell somewhere up on charges. I felt like it moved from snubs and disliking Sarah to downright cruelty, which is not OK with me. Throw in the maid from Hell, Cranston, and it was just overkill.
How much more interesting would it have been if some of the revelations at the end of the book had happened earlier? I would have loved to have seen some more discussions between Kenver and both his parents after certain things came to light, read about them acting like adults and less like bitter children. Some of the social issues that are touched on could have been explored in greater detail. Sadly, that didn't happen here.
It's a solid C from me.
I enjoyed the developing romance between our main characters. I enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside as well as the animals, especially the family hounds. I truly enjoyed the friendship that Sarah has with Cecelia.
What I did NOT enjoy was Kenver's parents. I was also highly irritated with how long it took our hero to put his new wife first. I understand wanting to build some tension but holy crap, this was just painful. If I could have reached into the book and throttled Kenver's mother - and at times his father - and Kenver himself...well, I'd probably be sitting in a cell somewhere up on charges. I felt like it moved from snubs and disliking Sarah to downright cruelty, which is not OK with me. Throw in the maid from Hell, Cranston, and it was just overkill.
How much more interesting would it have been if some of the revelations at the end of the book had happened earlier? I would have loved to have seen some more discussions between Kenver and both his parents after certain things came to light, read about them acting like adults and less like bitter children. Some of the social issues that are touched on could have been explored in greater detail. Sadly, that didn't happen here.
It's a solid C from me.
August 23, 2022
3.5 stars
Sarah Moran's attempt to save the future earl Kenver Pendrennon as he slips off the Cornwall cliffs plunging them both into scandal, as they spend the night in a cave. Kenver insists on marrying Sarah & what started as a terrible mistake may be exactly what they need most.
This is the third book in the series & is easily read as a standalone even though characters from previous books do make appearances. An enjoyable well written read but Kenver was no alpha male & I wanted him to stand up to his horrid parents. I did really like how Kenver & Sarah fell in love & enjoyed their journey to a HEA. I did find the pace slowed in the middle & the ending a bit too pat
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Sarah Moran's attempt to save the future earl Kenver Pendrennon as he slips off the Cornwall cliffs plunging them both into scandal, as they spend the night in a cave. Kenver insists on marrying Sarah & what started as a terrible mistake may be exactly what they need most.
This is the third book in the series & is easily read as a standalone even though characters from previous books do make appearances. An enjoyable well written read but Kenver was no alpha male & I wanted him to stand up to his horrid parents. I did really like how Kenver & Sarah fell in love & enjoyed their journey to a HEA. I did find the pace slowed in the middle & the ending a bit too pat
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
July 21, 2022
I had fun and thoroughly enjoyed this story. Two unusual, sweet, and fleshed out characters. A well plotted story that made me root the characters and turn pages.
Love it, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Love it, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 17, 2024
I received an ARC of this book.
This book was just not good. It started off quite promising, but very soon it took a turn. Sarah meets Kenver when he accidentally pulls her off of a cliff--yes you read that correctly. The two find that they have to spend the night in a water-logged cave before they are able to climb to safety the next morning. And of course, upon being discovered, Sarah is presumed ruined and Kenver must offer for her. They are soon married but Kenver's parents are extremely disapproving of the match and Sarah must find a way to navigate her new life.
This book just felt so strange. The beginning pages, in which Sarah and Kenver develop a connection while spending the night in the cave seemed to be a great start. But as soon as the two were discovered, things began to feel off. Some of the wording, dialogue, and details felt misplaced, but I was willing to overlook it. When Kenver revealed to his parents that he was about to marry, however, I really began to have issues with the book. Kenver felt like a spineless adolescent, and I just found I could not root for him. I had a hard time identifying with Sarah, at the same time, however. She came across as a Disney princess from the 50s or 60s, all sunshine and innocence and naive sweetness that was threatened by her mother-in-law, the "evil queen" in the situation. It was very sophomoric and unoriginal. The way in which the two (especially Sarah) came into the marriage completely clueless as to how their new family dynamic would work was also bizarre. If the author had let the two characters talk more that first night in the cave, and get to know each other better, then the book would have felt much more organic. Sitting up all night in a cave would have been the perfect opportunity to share confidences, family backgrounds, and their true personalities. But instead they sat there and held hands and then were shocked when their hasty marriage wasn't "happily-ever-after" right off the bat.
The pacing was strange, the characters were flat, and the plot was just really kind of boring. This struck me as a book trying to be like the traditional Signet Regency Romance stories of the 1990s. But those books had compelling characters who made you root for them, not roll your eyes because they were so clueless.
I would not recommend this book.
This book was just not good. It started off quite promising, but very soon it took a turn. Sarah meets Kenver when he accidentally pulls her off of a cliff--yes you read that correctly. The two find that they have to spend the night in a water-logged cave before they are able to climb to safety the next morning. And of course, upon being discovered, Sarah is presumed ruined and Kenver must offer for her. They are soon married but Kenver's parents are extremely disapproving of the match and Sarah must find a way to navigate her new life.
This book just felt so strange. The beginning pages, in which Sarah and Kenver develop a connection while spending the night in the cave seemed to be a great start. But as soon as the two were discovered, things began to feel off. Some of the wording, dialogue, and details felt misplaced, but I was willing to overlook it. When Kenver revealed to his parents that he was about to marry, however, I really began to have issues with the book. Kenver felt like a spineless adolescent, and I just found I could not root for him. I had a hard time identifying with Sarah, at the same time, however. She came across as a Disney princess from the 50s or 60s, all sunshine and innocence and naive sweetness that was threatened by her mother-in-law, the "evil queen" in the situation. It was very sophomoric and unoriginal. The way in which the two (especially Sarah) came into the marriage completely clueless as to how their new family dynamic would work was also bizarre. If the author had let the two characters talk more that first night in the cave, and get to know each other better, then the book would have felt much more organic. Sitting up all night in a cave would have been the perfect opportunity to share confidences, family backgrounds, and their true personalities. But instead they sat there and held hands and then were shocked when their hasty marriage wasn't "happily-ever-after" right off the bat.
The pacing was strange, the characters were flat, and the plot was just really kind of boring. This struck me as a book trying to be like the traditional Signet Regency Romance stories of the 1990s. But those books had compelling characters who made you root for them, not roll your eyes because they were so clueless.
I would not recommend this book.
July 25, 2022
I've only read the second book in the series, but it didn't seem to matter as "Blame It On the Earl" can be read as a stand-alone book. When I read the blurb, I thought it would be an interesting and engaging book weaving in the different legends surrounding King Arthur, but that didn't turn out to be the case. The hero, Kenver, wasn't much of a hero, more of a wimp who couldn't stand up to his parents. He was so weak that even when his mother's final malicious plans were revealed, he thought the best thing would be to work with her. Really?
There's no comeuppance for how mean and cruel this woman was all through the book?? It seems to be a common theme as it also happened in book two. That doesn't sit well with me at all. I did like Sarah. She was unique and kind, almost to a fault. There isn't much action - all the bad things that happen are in the earl's home. I forced myself to finish this story hoping the mother would get her due, but unfortunately, that didn't happen.
I don't think I'll bother to read any more in this series. I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
There's no comeuppance for how mean and cruel this woman was all through the book?? It seems to be a common theme as it also happened in book two. That doesn't sit well with me at all. I did like Sarah. She was unique and kind, almost to a fault. There isn't much action - all the bad things that happen are in the earl's home. I forced myself to finish this story hoping the mother would get her due, but unfortunately, that didn't happen.
I don't think I'll bother to read any more in this series. I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
September 9, 2022
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of "Blame It On The Earl" from Netgalley. This is the first book I am reading by Jane Ashford. She has a unique writing style that I enjoyed. Sarah Moran and Kenver Pendrennon are forced into a marriage of convenience when they fall of a cliff and are stuck together overnight in a cave, and then seen together in a state with disheveled clothes. Kenver's parents are vehemently opposed tonthis marriage and do their very best to ruin any chance of happiness the newly wed couple may have. Sarah and Kenver learn to get along and in fact enjoy each other's company. Their trials and tribulations make up the gist of the story and their efforts on making their marriage a happy accident.
March 5, 2024
This is a story about growing relationships, between a couple forced together by accident and how they coped with the parents who are not happy with the circumstances, as well as friendships and a sibling you can count on. It is about love, kindness and support and how it changes everyone’s lives. An enlightening read.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and leaving my review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and leaving my review voluntarily.
August 24, 2022
At Tintagel....
They meet and Sarah ends up rescuing Kenver, the son of an earl.
Ok, I have a fondness for Tintagel and how they meet is uinlikely, but it truly is a spectacular place (and steep!).
When they are caught together all wet and ragged, Kenver offers for Sarah (her parents sort of coerce it).
All in all a sweet and charming read and I enjoyed Sarah and Kenver very much.
Recommend.
They meet and Sarah ends up rescuing Kenver, the son of an earl.
Ok, I have a fondness for Tintagel and how they meet is uinlikely, but it truly is a spectacular place (and steep!).
When they are caught together all wet and ragged, Kenver offers for Sarah (her parents sort of coerce it).
All in all a sweet and charming read and I enjoyed Sarah and Kenver very much.
Recommend.
April 16, 2023
This book was a mediocre read. There was nothing that made it stand out from the crowd.
I had no real affection for the male MC. He could have done far more to stand up for his wife. At times he comes across as childish.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had no real affection for the male MC. He could have done far more to stand up for his wife. At times he comes across as childish.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 29, 2022
Shy Sarah Moran wasn't a hit during her London Season, and didn't expect to be; modest if well-read young ladies from merely respectable circumstances are not exactly mobbed by suitors. She's happy to be back in Cornwall and thinks she's through with adventures--until she and a handsome stranger suddenly tumble off a cliff near Tintagel Castle. With her companion knocked out by the fall, Sarah saves them both from drowning in the incoming tide by dragging him to refuge in a cave along the beach. There they huddle, sharing warmth and stories, until the tide goes out and they can emerge the next morning, grateful for their lives . . . and facing the enormous scandal of having been alone together.
Kenver Pendrennon has never gone against his parents, the Earl of Trestan and his formidable Lady. He doesn't like conflict and, when his eldest sister was struck from the family due to some unspoken trespass, Kenver learned to keep his head low and obey. But when he realizes that shy, sweet Sarah will be ruined by the gossip if he doesn't do the honorable thing, Kenver goes against his parents' wishes and offers her marriage. It isn't honor alone that compels him; he felt a connection during their first hours together and hopes that might develop into a happy marriage.
Little does he know that his parents are going to resist the match by every means possible. Kenver will have to acquire the mettle of adventuring knights of old if he wants to protect and keep his damsel, and he very much does, for Sarah's clever mind, kind spirit, compassionate heart, and lively humor keep showing him, day by day, that she is a woman worth fighting for. But with his parents dead-set against them and no place they can call their own, how can Kenver and Sarah's fragile attraction blossom into something lasting and real?
I've enjoyed how each of the installments in the Duke's Estates series have had such a different feel. The Duke Who Loved Me, Cecelia and James's story, had a marriage of convenience, slow-burn appeal; Earl on the Run, Harriet and Jack's story, was a delightful Regency romp with swift banter and sexy byplay. Kenver and Sarah's romance is sweet and soulful, but their obstacles are less about circumstance and more rooted in who they are. I admit that the conflict with Kenver's difficult mother--VERY difficult mother--was heavy going for me at times; the portrayal was too realistic for my comfort. But this figure provides real, substantial conflicts that the leads must overcome, and I kept reading because I had to know how they might achieve their HEA after all.
As in Earl on the Run, Cecelia and James return in this book to play a prominent role, but they're adorable and it's a joy to see how their relationship continues to deepen. The setting in Cornwall provides welcome atmosphere, complete with haunted house and an itinerant stranger named Merlin. The themes of family healing and reconciliation are touching as the truth about Kenver's sister is revealed, and it's nice to see a good girl win through sheer force of intelligence and compassion. I was rooting for Sarah the whole time.
The leads are appealing, the romance is tender, the conflict is deep and complex, and the book feels historically grounded, especially with Sarah tossing off historical tidbits she's gleaned from her reading. I had the kind of happy sigh at the ending that is precisely the reason I go to this genre to escape the conflicts of real life. Thank you, Jane Ashford, for another gem!
Kenver Pendrennon has never gone against his parents, the Earl of Trestan and his formidable Lady. He doesn't like conflict and, when his eldest sister was struck from the family due to some unspoken trespass, Kenver learned to keep his head low and obey. But when he realizes that shy, sweet Sarah will be ruined by the gossip if he doesn't do the honorable thing, Kenver goes against his parents' wishes and offers her marriage. It isn't honor alone that compels him; he felt a connection during their first hours together and hopes that might develop into a happy marriage.
Little does he know that his parents are going to resist the match by every means possible. Kenver will have to acquire the mettle of adventuring knights of old if he wants to protect and keep his damsel, and he very much does, for Sarah's clever mind, kind spirit, compassionate heart, and lively humor keep showing him, day by day, that she is a woman worth fighting for. But with his parents dead-set against them and no place they can call their own, how can Kenver and Sarah's fragile attraction blossom into something lasting and real?
I've enjoyed how each of the installments in the Duke's Estates series have had such a different feel. The Duke Who Loved Me, Cecelia and James's story, had a marriage of convenience, slow-burn appeal; Earl on the Run, Harriet and Jack's story, was a delightful Regency romp with swift banter and sexy byplay. Kenver and Sarah's romance is sweet and soulful, but their obstacles are less about circumstance and more rooted in who they are. I admit that the conflict with Kenver's difficult mother--VERY difficult mother--was heavy going for me at times; the portrayal was too realistic for my comfort. But this figure provides real, substantial conflicts that the leads must overcome, and I kept reading because I had to know how they might achieve their HEA after all.
As in Earl on the Run, Cecelia and James return in this book to play a prominent role, but they're adorable and it's a joy to see how their relationship continues to deepen. The setting in Cornwall provides welcome atmosphere, complete with haunted house and an itinerant stranger named Merlin. The themes of family healing and reconciliation are touching as the truth about Kenver's sister is revealed, and it's nice to see a good girl win through sheer force of intelligence and compassion. I was rooting for Sarah the whole time.
The leads are appealing, the romance is tender, the conflict is deep and complex, and the book feels historically grounded, especially with Sarah tossing off historical tidbits she's gleaned from her reading. I had the kind of happy sigh at the ending that is precisely the reason I go to this genre to escape the conflicts of real life. Thank you, Jane Ashford, for another gem!
August 29, 2022
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
Blame It on The Earl continues The Duke’s Estates series with a couple who I enjoyed – when it was just them in the scenes – but, unfortunately, Kenver’s mother is in this one as well and she is one nasty piece of work.
While on an outing along the shore with her parents, Sarah is fascinated with the possible sighting of a cave entrance. As she is an intelligent young woman with a fanciful streak she’s already weaving stories and possibilities for this mostly hidden cave’s entrance. What she didn’t expect was to find someone else within that cave, nor to instinctively reach out to help the man when it seems he was about to fall into deeper waters. The result? Well, being trapped in a cave with the tide coming in will mean that these strangers will spend an uncomfortable night together… with the expected results from parents and society at the time. It doesn’t matter that during the time trapped they had talked, perhaps felt the first stirrings of attraction, what matters now is propriety and that means a hasty marriage. Something that neither wants at this early point, but they’ll have no choice but to comply.
While I always enjoy this author’s storytelling abilities, this time I absolutely loathed several characters from the first meeting (and they only got nastier as time went on). Not every hero is going to be dashing, brave beyond belief, and able to stand up to family members. The way that Kenver’s mother (and by not stopping his wife – his father as well) treats her grown son… and the reprehensible way she treated Sarah was heartrending and only infuriated me at those characters and took away somewhat from Sarah and Kenver’s romance.
I finished Blame It on The Earl but it certainly wasn’t a favorite of this author’s works. The writing is smooth, the details amazing, and the story basically good – but for me, it was very difficult to watch a grown man allow his mother to act as she did toward his new bride. Yes, circumstances were involved, but so were emotions, the beginning of a love that needed a bit of tending to grow strong enough to stand the onslaught of hate from one woman and some of her servants. It sounds strange, I acknowledge that, but it was very hard to root for a hero’s happiness when I cannot find the least respect for his lack of action in defending the woman he does have feelings for. Everyone reads the same story with a different perspective, that’s true no matter the book. Yet this time around I wish Kevner had found his backbone a bit sooner and stood up to his hate-filled mother. It was a good story – with characters that I didn’t always like.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own -good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*
Blame It on The Earl continues The Duke’s Estates series with a couple who I enjoyed – when it was just them in the scenes – but, unfortunately, Kenver’s mother is in this one as well and she is one nasty piece of work.
While on an outing along the shore with her parents, Sarah is fascinated with the possible sighting of a cave entrance. As she is an intelligent young woman with a fanciful streak she’s already weaving stories and possibilities for this mostly hidden cave’s entrance. What she didn’t expect was to find someone else within that cave, nor to instinctively reach out to help the man when it seems he was about to fall into deeper waters. The result? Well, being trapped in a cave with the tide coming in will mean that these strangers will spend an uncomfortable night together… with the expected results from parents and society at the time. It doesn’t matter that during the time trapped they had talked, perhaps felt the first stirrings of attraction, what matters now is propriety and that means a hasty marriage. Something that neither wants at this early point, but they’ll have no choice but to comply.
While I always enjoy this author’s storytelling abilities, this time I absolutely loathed several characters from the first meeting (and they only got nastier as time went on). Not every hero is going to be dashing, brave beyond belief, and able to stand up to family members. The way that Kenver’s mother (and by not stopping his wife – his father as well) treats her grown son… and the reprehensible way she treated Sarah was heartrending and only infuriated me at those characters and took away somewhat from Sarah and Kenver’s romance.
I finished Blame It on The Earl but it certainly wasn’t a favorite of this author’s works. The writing is smooth, the details amazing, and the story basically good – but for me, it was very difficult to watch a grown man allow his mother to act as she did toward his new bride. Yes, circumstances were involved, but so were emotions, the beginning of a love that needed a bit of tending to grow strong enough to stand the onslaught of hate from one woman and some of her servants. It sounds strange, I acknowledge that, but it was very hard to root for a hero’s happiness when I cannot find the least respect for his lack of action in defending the woman he does have feelings for. Everyone reads the same story with a different perspective, that’s true no matter the book. Yet this time around I wish Kevner had found his backbone a bit sooner and stood up to his hate-filled mother. It was a good story – with characters that I didn’t always like.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own -good, bad, or indifferent. I was not financially compensated for this review and no expectation of a positive review was promised.*
August 6, 2022
Blame it on the Earl is the third book in Jane Ashford's The Duke's Estates series in which Sarah Moran and Kenver Pendrennon agree to marry to avoid a scandal. After an accident on the cliffs of Tintagel Castle forces Sarah and Kenver to take refuge in a cave when the tide comes in, they spend the night talking and forming an emotional connection. While Sarah and Kenver seem satisfied with their plan to marry, his parents are adamantly against the union, which provides the main conflict in the story.
Arthurian Legend is woven throughout and provides a point of connection between Sarah and Kenver, who are both lovers of the stories. That Kenver's surname, Pendrennon, is closely related to the Pendragons of legend, added to the connection to King Arthur. Though Kenver strives to live according to the code of chivalry, when it comes to dealing with his parents, he is no knight of legend.
Kenver, heir to an earldom, avoids conflict with his parents throughout much of the story, yet he truly cares about Sarah and is angry with how his parents are treating her and ignoring his position as her husband. The way that Kenver's parents behave toward Sarah and Kenver also highlight the social conventions of the time; Kenver and Sarah are trapped under the control of his parents by a small allowance and no viable alternative for earning other income that would allow them to set up their own household. However, I was frustrated with how young and passive Kenver appeared through much of the story. He is not a hero that I can get excited about, though his character did show growth by the end.
Sarah's internal conflict revolves around her worth and feeling that most people think her odd because of her proclivity to insert detailed facts into conversation. She is an intelligent woman, and doesn't hide that fact, for which I love her. Sarah and Kenver are an example of the belief that there is a perfect partner for everyone. The very things that Sarah is insecure about are the things that Kenver adores about her.
If you are a lover of Regency romance and are ready for a break from the ballroom, this Arthurian legend infused, slow burn, marriage of convenience love story may be for you. Bedroom scenes occur closed door, with kissing only on the page.
Trigger Warning: There is brief mention of infant loss.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Arthurian Legend is woven throughout and provides a point of connection between Sarah and Kenver, who are both lovers of the stories. That Kenver's surname, Pendrennon, is closely related to the Pendragons of legend, added to the connection to King Arthur. Though Kenver strives to live according to the code of chivalry, when it comes to dealing with his parents, he is no knight of legend.
Kenver, heir to an earldom, avoids conflict with his parents throughout much of the story, yet he truly cares about Sarah and is angry with how his parents are treating her and ignoring his position as her husband. The way that Kenver's parents behave toward Sarah and Kenver also highlight the social conventions of the time; Kenver and Sarah are trapped under the control of his parents by a small allowance and no viable alternative for earning other income that would allow them to set up their own household. However, I was frustrated with how young and passive Kenver appeared through much of the story. He is not a hero that I can get excited about, though his character did show growth by the end.
Sarah's internal conflict revolves around her worth and feeling that most people think her odd because of her proclivity to insert detailed facts into conversation. She is an intelligent woman, and doesn't hide that fact, for which I love her. Sarah and Kenver are an example of the belief that there is a perfect partner for everyone. The very things that Sarah is insecure about are the things that Kenver adores about her.
If you are a lover of Regency romance and are ready for a break from the ballroom, this Arthurian legend infused, slow burn, marriage of convenience love story may be for you. Bedroom scenes occur closed door, with kissing only on the page.
Trigger Warning: There is brief mention of infant loss.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2022
Blame it on the Earl is book three in The Duke's Estates series. This can be a stand alone read, but I wish I had read the prior books so I could enjoy it better.
This one focuses on Sarah. After an unsuccessful season in London, Sarah has returned home to Cornwall and goes to visit Tintagel Castle, one of her most favorite places to visit. With its remains of medieval buildings and cliffs she searches the secret nooks and crannies where the legendary King Arthur was conceived. Sarah sees what she believes to be a staircase on the wall, but as she gets near a man calls out to her to be careful. But he makes a misstep and begins to fall with Sarah attempting to save him, only they both fall and she lands on top of him. As the tide is coming in and unable to climb up the cliff she drags him to a cave to avoid the tide. With no rescue they are stuck in the cave. After they wake the next morning Sarah is considered compromised in spite of the fact she has done nothing wrong but Kenver offers to marry her. Sarah's family are happy he has offered for her, but his family is not and sets out to make everyone unhappy.
Kenver's mother is a social climbing snob and dislikes Sarah on sight. Kenver's father is a weak man and follows his wife's commands and choices. Sara and Kenver marry with her family in attendance, while his parents refuse to come to the ceremony. Due to the machinations of Kenver's mother, the marriage has not been consummated and she strives to get the marriage annulled because Kenver should make a more advantageous marriage.
Kenver's mother announces that they are to receive honored guests for a visit. The Duke and Duchess from the previous book show up, unbeknownst to Kenver's mother, are friends of Sarah. This pleases Sarah for the support they give against his parents and makes Kenver's mother put out.
I was entertained by Sarah and her knowledge. I love that she is a reader and spouts information. Sarah is also educated which is uncommon for women of these times. This adds to the richness of Sarah within the story. Kenver, on the other hand has a lot to overcome and is prone to just going along as it is easier than to stand up and fight for what he wants. We get to see him grow to become worthy of Sarah.
I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the previous as well as the next book in the series. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
This one focuses on Sarah. After an unsuccessful season in London, Sarah has returned home to Cornwall and goes to visit Tintagel Castle, one of her most favorite places to visit. With its remains of medieval buildings and cliffs she searches the secret nooks and crannies where the legendary King Arthur was conceived. Sarah sees what she believes to be a staircase on the wall, but as she gets near a man calls out to her to be careful. But he makes a misstep and begins to fall with Sarah attempting to save him, only they both fall and she lands on top of him. As the tide is coming in and unable to climb up the cliff she drags him to a cave to avoid the tide. With no rescue they are stuck in the cave. After they wake the next morning Sarah is considered compromised in spite of the fact she has done nothing wrong but Kenver offers to marry her. Sarah's family are happy he has offered for her, but his family is not and sets out to make everyone unhappy.
Kenver's mother is a social climbing snob and dislikes Sarah on sight. Kenver's father is a weak man and follows his wife's commands and choices. Sara and Kenver marry with her family in attendance, while his parents refuse to come to the ceremony. Due to the machinations of Kenver's mother, the marriage has not been consummated and she strives to get the marriage annulled because Kenver should make a more advantageous marriage.
Kenver's mother announces that they are to receive honored guests for a visit. The Duke and Duchess from the previous book show up, unbeknownst to Kenver's mother, are friends of Sarah. This pleases Sarah for the support they give against his parents and makes Kenver's mother put out.
I was entertained by Sarah and her knowledge. I love that she is a reader and spouts information. Sarah is also educated which is uncommon for women of these times. This adds to the richness of Sarah within the story. Kenver, on the other hand has a lot to overcome and is prone to just going along as it is easier than to stand up and fight for what he wants. We get to see him grow to become worthy of Sarah.
I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the previous as well as the next book in the series. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
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