by Diana Quincy
Series: Accidental Peers #4
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
England, 1819 Vivacious Lady Katherine Granville is the toast of the ton, but society's most eligible miss secretly yearns for her childhood love, an untitled loner who vanished long ago after her father forbade their marriage. After years abroad, the dark and brooding Edward Stanhope returns to England a changed man. No longer a second son with no prospects, his battlefield strategies have won him an earldom. His return should be a victorious one, but the new Earl of Randolph is battling secret demons that no one can discover. Least of all, Kat. When the man she can't forget reappears at her betrothal ball, Kat's perfectly arranged future is thrown into tumult. Edward remains cold and distant, hoping she'll marry a man worthy of her. But nothing is settled when Kat sets out to win back her first love. Can the new Earl of Randolph resist the woman he's loved for so many years?
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Accidental Peers series by Diana Quincy, so when an opportunity presented itself to review the newest novel, Engaging the Earl I jumped at the chance. While this was not my favorite of the series, Quincy once again gave me a feisty heroine to make me laugh and a hero who I felt for even as I wanted to slap him in the back of the head.
Engaging the Earl is a second chance romance. Lady Katherine Granville fell in love with Edward Stanhope, a second son without a title and when her father refused him, he enlisted to earn the man’s respect and win the girl. Kat was young and impulsive, she wanted to dash away to Gretna Green and when he refused she told him never to come back. He broke her heart. Five years have passed, and despite being the toast of the ton, she has put off becoming engaged until now. Aaaand of course this is when Edward makes his return. A war hero and newly titled Earl. Kat of course wants to break of her engagement and marry her true love. But alas, Edward is damaged. Today we would say he suffers from PTSD, but back then, they had no idea. He thinks to be noble, to deny his feelings and refuses her. Which creates sexual tension, arguments and heated moments.
The tale that unfolds offered up some hilarious moments, stolen kisses and even the fiancé’ is up to no good! Things go back and forth between Kat and Edward. There is no denying the attraction these two have for one another and the trip to our HEA was a fun one. I did not particularly care for some shenanigans, and secondary characters. Edward was at times forgive my French an utter ass, and I thought Kat forgave too easily. Quincy tells a well-rounded tale, adds a little heat. Despite being predictable she keeps you guessing as to how things will work out.
Fans of second chance romances with feisty heroines will enjoy Kat and Edwards’s tale in Engaging the Earl.
A Voracious Reader
I loved Tempting Bella. I need to read the rest of this series.
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed this series. Her heroines are strong and the humor makes me giggle.
Lauren
I love second chance romance and feisty heroines so I think I would enjoy this! Glad you had fun with it even if it wasn’t your series favorite. Awesome review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lauren, I adore her female characters.
Stephanie
I do enjoy a good second chance romance. I love them even more when the author gives us glimpses into the past to better understand the story.
I’ll need to give the first in the series a try to see if this author is for me. Thanks for your review!
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed this series, it made me laugh, and swoon 🙂
kim { Book Swoon }
Even though this one wasn’t your favorite, I’m glad you still enjoyed it. It seems these rakes are ever so noble (ass) and I love it when they finally just give in – He he 😉
Naomi
Going off that cover, I would never have thought this was a historical… It sounds like a good read though… everyone seems to be up to no good!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, this doesn’t quite fit 🙁
Felicia S. (
I don’t like when the leading guy is too much of an ass and doesn’t have to pay for it (I mean sometimes the gals can make them bend at knew for their assness). Also can I say I am not a fan of historical romance covers that look contemporary *sigh*
kimbacaffeinate
He wasn’t that kind of ass, more the “I will be noble and fight my feelings because she is better off without me ass”
Andrea
This does look like a fairly interesting read. I’m glad you liked it, despite your frustrations!
kimbacaffeinate
I did end up liking it, despite my violent thoughts 🙂
Maida
This sounds absolutely adorable! 😀 I like second chance romances and I love it when a heroine can make you laugh. Plus, lets be honest sexual tension, heated moments and stolen kisses always adds flavour to a book! Why wouldn’t someone want to read that!? LOL ;p I’ll definitely check this series out! Glad you enjoyed this, despite some of your concerns, Kim! Fabulous review! 😀
~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Maida, this was fun.
anna
LOL oh have so been there with wanting to give a little smack Gibbs style to a hero or heroine. lol I’ve been meaning to give her a go just keep getting distracted. Glad to hear they’re good (even if this one wasn’t the favorite it still sounds fun)!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, totally smacking Gibbs style! It was fun, I think book two was my favorite
Franny
Oh, this sounds like my favourite read! You know how much I love HR, and this seems totally swoon worthy! Awesome review, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
I think you would enjoy this series Franny 🙂
Lily
I love how while this one wasn’t your favourite the herione seems to have made up for that fact!
kimbacaffeinate
She was a hoot, and made me laugh.
blodeuedd
A feisty heroine is always fun 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed!
Heidi
I like that there is a lot of humor, I am one who thinks erroneously that this era was uptight and stuffy, I need to expand my horizon.
kimbacaffeinate
Try Regency Romances, other periods can be a tad stuffy, but this period is a lot of fun to read.
Katherine
Another book I’d never heard of but now must read! This book is definitely going on the wishlist. I love that it has a little bit of humor that always makes a book 10x better.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, this was fun and I closed the book with a smile. I enjoyed this series.
Stephanie Faris
I love that second-chance romances are now a genre, but I hate that I’m now part of their demographic!
kimbacaffeinate
Hmm, I didn’t know it was a genre now, but it is one of my favorite tropes.
Cyn
That’s too bad that this one didn’t end up being a favourite, but I’m glad you still enjoyed it! It sounds like a really good series that I need to check out soon! Thanks for the review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Cyn, I think my favorite was book two, but she writes wonderful stories.
Sam
I like second chance romances, especially with humour and a splash of heat and fun. Even if Edward is a bit of an arse, this sounds like a solid read. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Sam I enjoy her writing style and despite driving me nuts I closed this one with a smile 🙂
Candace
Not a fan of the cover. But the story sounds pretty good for the most part. I don’t like when guys act like an ass to ‘do the right thing’ or whatever. That drives me nuts!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, thanks Candace
Debbie Haupt
Thanks for bringing this to our attention Kimba, I think most historic heroes make me feel like slapping them in the back of the head. LOL 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Welcome Debbie 🙂
Nick
You know I enjoy second chance romances, Kim, but I don’t know if I would appreciate Edward being an ass. It also sounds like Kat is ready to jump into a relationship with him despite him having hurt her all those years ago.
I’m glad you enjoyed this despite it not being your favorite of the series, Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
He is an ass but he is so because he thinks he is doing what is right for her..it just made me crazy.
Mary
Poor Edward. At least nowadays, there’s more of a scientific explanation for what happens after a traumatic experience. Back then, you just had to “man up”. I do love a feisty heroine, too!
kimbacaffeinate
This is so true Mary 🙂
Jenea
Sometimes predictability isn’t a bad thing. I do like that is the whole second chance romance kinda read. 🙂 Great review..
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I totally agree Jenea!
Braine
An utter ass, I think that’s part of the male DNA, they cant stops being one no matter how hard they try
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, sometimes and then they turn around and do something sweet. 🙂
Rashika
Second chance romance you say?? *scratches fake beard* You have my attention.
I am a little worried about how I’ll take to the hero though because the whole denial thing does have a way of grating on me from time to time.
I am glad you enjoyed this as a whole though! 🙂
Lovely review, Kimba!!! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I hate that denial thing too, but I did close this smiling.
Siiri
“and a hero who I felt for even as I wanted to slap him in the back of the head.” HAHAHA. Ok, Kim. That I’d like to see lol. I love second chance romances, but um.. historicals aren’t exactly my cup of teas per se. Would love to try some, so perhaps I’ll get hooked and read this series too one day. I feel for Edward already since PTSD. I’m glad you enjoyed this as a whole, Kimba 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I get frustrated when characters try to act noble and give up the girl because they will be better off..LOL Yes, we need to get you to try some Regency romances.
kindlemom1
I agree with Christy, even if this wasn’t a favorite but you still liked it and would recommend it, it does say a lot about the author’s writing ability and the series it’s self, plus, who can resist a feisty heroine?
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali 🙂
Christy
That’s great that you still liked your least favorite of the series so much. I think it’s a good sign for the series. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
She writes great tales and her characters are always fresh