BOTM 1 - October 2020 - How To Wed An Earl

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Discussion thread for the First BOTM of October 2020. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions.)

Happy Reading!


How to Wed an Earl by Ivory Lei

Having regained his fortune, Lucas, Earl of Ravenstone, has to marry in order to keep it. Luckily, he won’t have to search for a wife—he’s known her name since their marriage was arranged in their youth. To fulfill his duty, he travels far from London Society to claim a fiancée who would no doubt be thrilled at the prospect of finally being able to use his name and become his countess.

Penelope Maitland has already been using Lucas’s name—to fend off her stepfamily’s creditors. After wasting decades waiting for him, she reckons it’s only fair she gets something out of her long-standing betrothal before she hears Lucas has married someone else.

When they accidentally meet in a coaching inn, she finds herself fighting dangerous girlhood fantasies about marrying the man of her dreams who broke her heart with his apparent lack of interest. And Lucas finds that in order to keep his fortune, he will have to lose his heart to a woman who is tired of waiting for him.

[Shannon]

Oh this looks good! Looking forward to this October read!

[Jan]

Yeah I might join this read when October rocks around.

[Leena]

ive read this book twice and loved it both times. its a great read. the book is Penelope's all the way through.

[Mariana]

Since this book is available as part of Kindle Unlimited, I think I'll try KU for the first time and join in.

[Jan]

Mariana wrote: "Since this book is available as part of Kindle Unlimited, I think I'll try KU for the first time and join in."

Nice. I used to have KU but wasn't using it enough so gave it up. I may buy this book to join the read. I like trying new (to me) authors now and then.

[Mariana]

Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "Since this book is available as part of Kindle Unlimited, I think I'll try KU for the first time and join in."

Nice. I used to have KU but wasn't using it enough so gave it up. I m..."

I just realized something. The book by itself is $4.99, but you can get it with four others in All Around the Ton for $0.99. I think I'll do that instead of joining KU.

[Leena]

ive read this book twice and both the times I loved it. Penelope is absolutely fantastic.Im looking for ward to other views .

[Jan]

Mariana wrote: "I just realized something. The book by itself is $4.99, but you can get it with four others in All Around the Ton for $0.99. I think I'll do that instead of joining KU."

Thank you so much for the info, Mariana! I will buy it in the 99c collection. Excellent deal!! Luckily I hadn't yet bought my copy. I thought 4.99 wasn't too bad, but 99c is better! (Plus you get the other books too!)

[BJ]

Jan wrote: "Mariana wrote: "I just realized something. The book by itself is $4.99, but you can get it with four others in All Around the Ton for $0.99. I think I'll do that instead of joining KU."

Thank you ..."
Thank you for the hot tip - I just bought this too!

[Jultri]

It's on KU, yay! I'll be joining.

[Topastro]

Finished this last night and loved it! I was not expecting to like it as much as I did.

[Leena]

isn't Penelope absolutely fantastic

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

Sounds like it could be a good read. Might join in, if I can find a copy.

[Merry]

I'm joining the read. I have KU till 10/15.

[Mariana]

Wow, Topastro, that was quick!

Seems this will be an entertaining read with a lot of interest and comments. Looking forward to it!

The cost Is reasonable too - free for KU subscribers and 99 cents for those of us who are not.

[Leena]

its available on Scribd if anyone's interested especially the collection mentioned by Mariana " All around the Ton"..

[Padma]

BOTM 1 & 2 are available in the android app AnyBooks

[Merry]

I have started the book and am enjoying it so I went to see if the author has any other books in the series. Her website shows another that she was working on in 2013 and her publisher link is no longer active.

[Leena]

same here. haven't found any other book written by her

[Leena]

is this a pseudonym?

[Merry]

I am commenting on chapters 1 thru 4. A neglectful father who showed little interest in his daughter signs a marriage contract for his daughter. Years later the story picks up. A lot of the first 4 chapters are in the book blurb just more fleshed out. A bit of instant attraction and a bit of plain girl are there also.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Leena wrote: "is this a pseudonym?"

Most HR authors use pseudonyms, I believe. But I did find her as Ivory Lei on Twitter and Facebook with more recent posts than her website -- posts from this year. Maybe I can send her a message.

[Missy]

I look forward to reading this book by a new-to-me author.

[Mariana]

I started and read the first three chapters. I am enjoying this debut. Although the arranged marriage trope has been done, the book feels fresh. I like the Earl's willingness to not only honor his father's contract but allow his attraction to play out and improve his mood. Not sure why he would rather have a marriage without passion but hope it doesn't cause a serious issue. Based on the tone thus far, I want it to continue to be lighthearted and easy.

[Jan]

Welp I've started this one too. I started over on the other BOTM and am liking it quite a bit but so far no one has joined me over there LOL so I've started this too. I often read more than one book at a time so it's not a problem. For the other BOTM I have a paperback copy and I often do this as well - have a paper-based book and an electronic book going at the same time. *shrugs*

I've read up to Chapter 5 in this one. 20% in. Seems like it's going to be a fairly quick read. (270 pages, I think - many are over 300).

I like trying new-to-me authors and I'm going in with an open mind, but so far I'm not really loving it that much. The writing is not really my preferred style. It seems a lighter style whereas I often prefer more intense, emotional reads. Still, I certainly don't hate this book - it just hasn't fully hooked me in yet. I do quite like Lucas and Penelope so far though. I will read on and see.... Fingers crossed I get more drawn in to the story.

[Padma]

3.5 stars..Agree..was a lighter read ..I prefer more intense emotional plots

[Mariana]

Although some of my favorites are emotional reads, in general, I more frequently prefer and read lighthearted books that provide escape from reality without much drama.

This is easy to read, and I will certainly finish soon. However, not sure it will be memorable.

I think Ivory Lei has a lot of great writing potential with this as her debut. It is a shame she does not seem to have continued developing her skill.

[Madison]

I think I will read the sample of this eBook and decide if I'm going to participate!

[Jan]

Mariana wrote: "Although some of my favorites are emotional reads, in general, I more frequently prefer and read lighthearted books that provide escape from reality without much drama.

This is easy to read, and I..."

Yes I know what you're saying Mariana. Sometimes I'm just in the mood for that lighthearted easy read too. Not always memorable, but light entertainment and escapism.

I too am surprised this is Lei's only book. Perhaps it's why I've never heard of her before if she has only the one published.

[Susan]

It's a long weekend here so I have finished this one.
On the whole I enjoyed it - it is very lighthearted and easy to read, but as someone else has noted, I am unlikely to remember it.

I did find the plot somewhat convoluted with multiple linked back stories which were not particularly well developed. I went back and re-read the prologue after I had finished to try and work out why Uncle Hugo was so against the marriage (view spoiler)[ I think he just did not want his blood line mixed with that of the raving mad Ravenscourts (who did not not seem that mad to me (hide spoiler)]

I had a chuckle during the scene involving the suit of armour.

3 stars from me - I am not sorry that I read it. A easy way to spend an afternoon.

[Merry]

I finished it quickly and enjoyed it. I will also throw in that the book had a lot of potential and I would have read a second in the series. I wonder if uncle Hugo would have been developed further in the next book that was never published.
One wonders what happened in life that the second book never came about.

[Katherine]

I finished this off in one, cozy Sunday morning, so no complaints there! Overall, this book didn't quite hit the spot for me - but that's partly because I get annoyed by things like characters getting their gowns for the ball the same day as the ball.

What I liked: Penelope as a strong, imaginative woman; Lucas as a strong, loving man; and both of them feeling very vulnerable and unlovable. What didn't work for me: the plot! This one was a little too wacky for me. (view spoiler)[ For example, Lucas supposedly interviewed his servants about where Penelope went, but he couldn't find her, even though she was hiding in his ancestral home the whole time? I have a hard time believing his steward wouldn't mention that. (hide spoiler)]

That said, I agree there was a lot of potential for a series here, so I hope Ivory finds her way back to publishing!

[Jan]

I finished too. It was an easy and quick read, although I agree with the comments that the plot did get a bit too complicated.

I found it okay overall but it wasn't really my cup of tea, and I probably would have dnf'ed except 1) it was so quick and easy to read and 2) it was a BOTM so I thought I'd stick it out. I gave 2 "okay" stars.

I did like Penelope/Polly and Lucas, and there were some cute moments, but yeah, this one wasn't really my kind of book. I'm glad I read it though. Even though Lei doesn't seem to have written any more books just yet, I do like trying new-to-me authors and who knows, she may one day follow this up with another book that could be worth a look. It was a good choice for a BOTM.

[Leena]

I did get in touch with her on FB and she's writing Mari's and David's love story.

[Leena]

I liked it most for Penelope's strength if character.

[Tammy]

I’ll join in since it’s on KU

[Jultri]

I'm about a quarter of the way through. There are several things that are bothering me already:
(view spoiler)[
*Anachronisms like "She was a bossy bit of goods" or emphasising the significance of memorising someone's birthday. I looked up on the latter, as I just couldn't recall anyone really celebrating birthdays in a Regency book. As far as I can tell in my research, it wasn't a tradition then to celebrate people's birthdays (unless you're royalty).

*The author's habit of repeatedly alluding to past events that has not yet been explained - like the abandonment of his father by her father or the exact terms of the his father's will. Hopefully, the author will enlighten us later, but it is a bit frustrating currently.

*Some inconsistencies: For example, in the beginning, it was mentioned that Lucas's father had vast holdings he chose not to bestow on Lucas upon his death but then later on, it was alluded that his father lost his fortune before his death.

*Some things that didn't make sense, like Lucas threatening to sue Penelope merely for telling her creditors the truth, that she is engaged to an earl thus allowing her to extend her credit with them.

*The instant lust - just not my thing. She got miffed, because she thought her sister called her "fast". Firstly, the girl did no such thing, and Penelope jumped to conclusions because she probably was embarrassed by the fact that she participated rather enthusiastically in the kissing/groping session with Lucas. Furthermore, the slang use for 'fast' feels too modern for the period.
(hide spoiler)]
I do like how the author depicts the closeness of her family. As Jan pointed out, normally the above issues would have resulted in me giving up on this book by now, but it's a short book and a BOTM, so I will continue.

[Leena]

all your views are so interesting. I just read it and loved it. I shall now re read it with keeping all the individual views in mind.

[Debby *BabyDee*]

I've started this and am close to finishing. I am really loving this book and storyline. I've never read anything by this author so this is a first time read for me.

I am really loving Penelope and Lucas characters.

[Madison]

Hey! So, I did end up reading this, and I finished a little bit ago! I feel similarly to many of you in that it was an okay read, but not exceedingly memorable and convoluted at times.

I enjoyed Penelope as a heroine, but many of the characters felt underdeveloped to me.

[Jultri]

I'm 2/3 of the way through. It's a slog working my way through this book. I find myself distracted by all manner of tasks. This book is just not doing it for me. (view spoiler)[ I'm not buying the fact that Penelope has loved him for years even before meeting him or knowing anything about him beyond superficial gossips and rumours. (hide spoiler)] And the plot holes are just piling up.

[Jan]

Yeah I agree. Your spoiler was a but problematical for me too.

[Mariana]

Jultri wrote: "I'm 2/3 of the way through. It's a slug working my way through this book. I find myself distracted by all manner of tasks. This book is just not doing it for me. [spoilers removed] And the plot hol..."

(view spoiler)[It was odd that Penelope would "love" a boy/man she had never met. Perhaps because she was engaged and that same betrothal made her feel valuable to her father for the very first time, she decided to go all in. She chose to keep up to date with her fiance as best she could and idolize him. That led to a crush on her imaginary prince charming. However, as far as love, in part I think she just needed somehow to focus her romantic love on. It wasn't ever well explained though. (hide spoiler)]

[Missy]

I gave up at the 24% mark. :(

[Jan]

Missy wrote: "I gave up at the 24% mark. :("

I understand.

[Merry]

Its funny how books are. I have read raving reviews on a book that I am slogging through that feels like it will never end and another review will rave about it. I did enjoy the book (it did have plot inconsistencies!) I also wondered where the money went. A lot of dreaming about her prince in shining armor.

[Tammy]

I finished this last night. It had some flaws but it was quick and fun. I’m not a person that complains about historical accuracy but in this one the language felt very modern at times

[Jan]

Merry Jewelhound wrote: "Its funny how books are. I have read raving reviews on a book that I am slogging through that feels like it will never end and another review will rave about it. I did enjoy the book (it did have p..."

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes you read reviews and you think, am I reading the same book?

[Mariana]

Jan wrote: "Merry Jewelhound wrote: "Its funny how books are. I have read raving reviews on a book that I am slogging through that feels like it will never end and another review will rave about it. I did enjo..."

This happens to me way too often!